Radatok swung his sword. However, it didn't penetrate the monster's shell; instead, the blade glanced off it.

The outer shell was much thicker than that of an ordinary monster. Moreover, the force held in its pincers was formidable as well.

Is it the leader of the group? Radatok violently ignited flames, enveloping his entire body in fire.

The era of swords and miracles. The Iron Blood Bear of the Sun God Religion, who embodied that era, rampaged fiercely.

The era of religion was coming to an end. Its meaning grew fainter with each passing day. The role of the Inquisitors dwindled, and as the influence of wizards increased, the significance of the word ‘heresy’ faded.

The prominence of the Inquisitors declined. With less work to do, the Inquisitors had to focus on something other than dealing with heresy.

Spreading the fame of the Sun God Religion by subduing monsters that harmed people.

Another nickname for Radatok, the Inquisitor, was Monster Slayer. As the giant greatsword moved, the head of the Bipedal Lobster was sent soaring into the air.

But the situation was not good. There was more than one leader entity.

Although Radatok could easily take them down, these foes were incredibly challenging for the lower-ranked Paladins.

"What the hell?!"

"Why is it so tough?!"

"Increase the divine power!"

"But if we do that, we might exhaust ourselves later and collapse!"

The battle dragged on.

The real issue was that it went on for too long.

Increasing firepower quickly depleted their stamina. This wasn't a concern for Radatok, but it posed a significant problem for the other Paladins under his command.

Once the divine power is depleted, it takes time to recharge. Some of the flames from the Paladins who enhanced their firepower began to dim. The flames of the Inquisitor, who couldn't keep up with the training, weakened first.

"Damn it!"

As the Inquisitor was about to curse, a Bipedal Lobster approached his face. The massive pincer flew in viciously, aiming to crush a human skull.

Radatok flinched. His reaction was delayed because he was focused on the crab shells in front of him.

‘I’m going to die!‘

"Oh crap."

A burst of flames flashed.

"Are you paying attention?"

The intense flames devoured the pincer. A skillful sword found the weak spot between the outer shell.

Body fluids splattered in all directions. In an instant, the Bipedal Lobster was sliced and fell to the ground with a thud.

The swordsmanship of the Inquisitor.

The Sword of Condemnation.

Radatok paused his steps despite the chaotic battle. He only realized it belatedly because he was focused on his task.

‘When did he...

How much has he grown?

Jahad.’

The Apprentice Priest turned whistleblower.

At first, he thought of him merely as a polite Apprentice Priest. Watching his attempts to match his expectations reminded him of a son he never had.

But he was wrong. Radatok realized that his judgment was severely mistaken.

The Sword of Condemnation is difficult to master. Although it is derived from the basic swordsmanship of the Paladins, the Song of Fire, it is not something easily learned. If anything, the difficulty in starting out is several times greater.

Moreover, mastering the Sword of Condemnation requires an immense amount of faith. Without innate divine power, executing it is impossible.

‘How is it that he learned it and is using it within just a few days?’

Radatok felt a chill down his spine. Even in his days of learning swordsmanship, he wasn't at this level.

Quick learning ability, broad vision, a sword that ruthlessly finds and strikes at weaknesses, and the Holy Fire igniting at just the right moment.

Radatok couldn't help but express his admiration.

"A blessed child!"

He was born to be an Inquisitor!

However, despite the valiant efforts of Radatok and Jahad, the battlefield remained chaotic. There were quite a few bipedal lobsters mixed in with the crab shells, making it difficult for just the two of them to handle.

A thick outer shell. They lacked the firepower to penetrate it. Though their defenses were weak, a sharp cutting power was needed to break through the shell.

Pure firepower wasn't enough...

"Bear."

Darkness flashed.

"Move aside."

A hole pierced through the heads of the charging lobsters. In an instant, their bodies crumpled to the ground.

A clean sword strike. The priests of the Snake Cult began to move. They naturally joined forces and moved to engage their own enemies.

The Crab Shells, known for their weak shells but resilient endurance, were blocked by the Inquisitors of the Sun God Religion.

Meanwhile, lobsters with humans' likeness, known for their strong outer shell but weak endurance, were intercepted by the Paladins of the Snake Cult.

"What are you guys up to?!"

"Are you mad?!"

"Back off immediately!"

The Paladins from the Snake Cult punctured the lobsters' heads. Their strength was in their sharp, penetrating power.

"It's us who'll take you down."

"The heretics trying to die on their own terms, how dare they."

"We’re just repaying our debt. That's all there is to it."

The Inquisitors naturally backed up the Paladins of the Snake Cult. The frontlines became intertwined, adjusting for maximum efficiency.

"This battlefield is ours to fight now! Scales!"

"That's my line! Heretic!"

Radatok blinked at the strange united front that had formed.

What on earth is this?

Isabella swung her sword. With movements as fluid as a drawn painting, the lobsters were sliced into pieces.

"Worried you might die, or have your feet frozen, Bear?"

"…What are you talking about?"

‘Guide me, Ra.’

Radatok took a deep breath. He lowered his sword and slashed away the Crab Shell racing toward Isabella.

"With the scales before me, there's no way I'd kneel."

"Same goes for me, Bear."

Isabella and Radatok stood back-to-back.

"Don’t die until I kill you."

On the tenth night.

While everyone slept, the ground shook once more. The Inquisitors, by now accustomed to it, remained asleep.

I got up. Having slept roughly for 4 hours, I felt well-rested. After stretching my stiff body, I crawled out of the sleeping bag.

Inside the ice cave, a peculiar atmosphere settled. The line that once divided the center had quietly vanished, with some people even sleeping beyond the middle, anywhere they desired.

Thinking about the first day, this felt nearly miraculous. That's why sharing meals is so important, after all.

Perhaps it was for the best. Being in a complete alliance until we leave is better than baring teeth and growling at each other.

I grabbed my sword. The blade was entirely blunt. It was more of a simple iron mass than a sword. Nonetheless, without it, I couldn't practice my swordsmanship.

I can't just whip out Surtr either, so...

I suppose I have to be content with this.

Rustle.

I heard a noise. I paused with my sword and turned around. There was a gaze fixed on me from the corner. Wiping the sweat off my body roughly, I spoke.

"Priest Isabella, do you have something to say?"

"..."

Isabella emerged from the shadows. Though she was a mess from not being able to clean up, her beauty remained undiminished, exuding the scent of a strong woman with an air of danger.

Yet, I knew that deep down, she was unexpectedly warm-hearted and somewhat clumsy. She was a leader who tried hard but always seemed to get overshadowed by her subordinates.

"What sword are you practicing with?"

"It's the Sword of Condemnation. Isn't it beautiful?"

I casually swung the sword. Isabella scoffed.

"Uselessly brutish. It's strong but not sharp. Perhaps it’s only useful for hunting monsters."

"People can die if you beat them hard enough too."

"...That's not something a priest of the Sun God Religion should say."

Isabella stood in front of me and adjusted my stance slightly.

"Your sword lacks precision. While being aggressive is good, you can't always rely on fire to burn everything."

"Is it okay for a Snake Cult priest to teach me this?"

"Be quiet."

I swung the sword with the corrected stance. It felt much more comfortable. It was like fitting a small gear into a large cogwheel.

Hmm.

It moves smoothly without any effort. It feels like something has intervened in my previously lacking experience, beyond mere skill.

"Nice, Priest Isabella."

"...Even though I taught you, you accept it without hesitation."

"Why? Is it strange?"

"Aren't you a priest of the Sun God Religion? Normally, one would naturally reject the teachings of the Snake Cult..."

"But why does it matter?"

I grinned broadly.

"You're not just anyone."

"...What?"

"We fight on the same battlefield, we pick off 'Crab Shells' together, aren't we comrades?"

"Comrades... huh..."

Isabella looked at me intently.

"You're not a typical priest."

"Neither are you, Isabella."

"I am no different. I deeply despise you all."

"Even me?"

"You... well..."

I could see Isabella contemplating. I swung the sword once more. I quite liked the flames that ignited at the tip of the sword.

Isabella, a high priestess of the Snake Cult. She's renowned as a Paladin and considered to be a cornerstone of the Snake Cult.

I don't know why she is here, but forming a connection with her might be beneficial in the future.

Moreover, after fighting together so earnestly like this, it feels a bit bitter to kill each other outright.

"Priest Isabella."

"What is it?"

"Could we drop the formalities?"

"What?"

Isabella stepped back cautiously.

"Are you... out of your mind?"

"Why? We don't seem to be that different in age."

"Getting along with the Snake Cult! That's something only a heretic would say!"

"It's funny hearing that from you."

"Stop talking nonsense and just swing your sword!"

"I'm serious."

I lowered my sword and glanced at her.

"I thought it'd be nice to have an older sister around."

"W-What?"

Seeing as she is teaching me swordsmanship now and that we have saved each others lives, now is the time to seal the deal.

"Can I call you Isabella Noona?"

When titles change, relationships change! That's the motto of human relationships!

"......."

Isabella looked down at me and sighed, then pointed at the sword.

"...Just hold the sword."

Her tone softened.

"I’ve never seen a priest like you before."

"I'm just an apprentice priest."

"Will it be different when you become a full priest?"

"Of course not."

I raised my chin proudly.

"I’ll just become stronger!"

"...You’re giving me a headache."

"Please take care of me, Noona."

"...Don't use that in front of others. It could easily cause misunderstandings."

"Why, Noona?"

"Refrain from using it in front of me, too. It's embarrassing."

"Do you dislike being called Noona?"

"......."

Isabella averted her gaze glumly.

"Just move your sword."

Good.

The connection was established.

Two weeks passed. It was time to enter the Demon of the Snow, just before reaching Stage 3, the boss fight.

However, a problem arose.

Why haven't we been devoured yet?

I frowned. Something was progressing slowly. It felt like it was having a leisurely meal as if it had already devoured something before awakening.

At this rate, who knows how long it would take? To make matters worse, our food supplies were running out.

It seems like we've ended up on a ruined path.

Seriously, what's going on here?

"Brother, here is the food allocation."

The Inquisitors all looked emaciated. Radatok handed me the last cracker.

"There is nothing more to eat."

"......"

No.

There is still something.

I casually glanced at the Snake Cult. They, too, seemed to have run out of food and were idly passing the time with nothing to eat.

I really didn't intend to go this far.

Sigh. But we have to endure somehow until we reach the boss fight...

I glanced over at the crab shells. Parts of the carcasses were still lying there. The cold terrain had preserved them.

"...Let's eat them."

"What?"

"We need to eat to survive, right?"

Damn, it's my first time eating something like this too, but we have no choice.

We need to survive first.

"Let's eat them all."

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