The carriage stopped in front of the Cult Headquarters. I glanced at the advance party, starting to disembark one by one.

Leading them was a large man. Although his face was obscured by a deeply pulled-down hood, I could instinctively recognize him.

After all, we were connected by the Stigmata.

"Hey, Hector."

I grinned. The face beneath the hood returned the smile.

"Long time no see, Captain."

Hector's gang.

We bumped fists with each other.

The carriage departed. All that had crossed over were the five orphans I used to teach. I subtly gauged the atmosphere of the Cult Headquarters. Discussing things in a place like this didn’t seem appropriate.

Not to mention, Dwayne was keeping an eye on me. I sensed his presence watching from afar.

Shall we try to lose him?

"Hope you haven't just been playing around all this time?"

"When you were gone, a turf war broke out between the organizations. It was a clash that could control the hidden side of the city Benelda. We fought for our lives there. Maybe..."

Hector's gloved fist cracked with a twist.

"I might even be stronger than you right now, Captain."

"Really?"

I glanced at him sideways, noting the same confidence in the others following him. They've definitely grown stronger, distinctly different from how they used to be. They endured the bloodstained wars between organizations, influenced by my skills.

But still...

On my end, I've been battling absolute monsters, haven't I?

"Follow me if you think you can."

Maybe it's time to show a bit of my genuine self after a long while.

[You use Blessing (B).]

[Your resistance to status effects greatly increases.]

[Your mental fortitude becomes stronger.]

[Your physical abilities greatly increase.]

[The maximum amount of your holy power temporarily surges.]

[You use Prayer of Fire (B).]

[Your physical abilities are greatly enhanced.]

As I stepped forward, I felt the weight behind it.

Boom!

The ground caved in deeply. Hector's gang, who had been smiling, stiffened instantly.

I waved a finger casually.

"Ca-Captain?"

"You’ve gotten overconfident after seeing me again... Let’s see..."

"T-That's not what I meant!"

"The moment you forget your place, I'll remind you of our very first confrontation."

I smirked slightly.

"Starting now."

"Ca-Captain?!"

Even if they claim to be stronger, they're still just slightly above novices. They're barely at the apprentice paladin level. No, even that might be too generous.

The second-tier paladins from the 5th Inquisition Office would be a hundred times better than these kids.

I poked Hector, who was sprawled out on the open ground, with a stick.

"You said you got stronger?"

"Sp-spare me..."

"And why are you still wearing that hood? It's about time you take it off..."

Whup.

I stopped speaking. Something strange was protruding from Hector's head.

A small horn.

"Do they start offering horns in back alleys now if you ask for them?"

"Of course not! It just appeared suddenly. But... since it happened, I've gotten a bit stronger, so I don't hate it that much."

I checked the others quickly.

Linden, Pavel, Marie, and Natasha all had different horns.

"...Ah."

Oh, could it be that?

[Mixed Stigmata (A): Repels all magic. Can grant stigmata to others. Subordinate priests may become mixed, and some body parts may become distorted. (5/20)]

Distorted, huh...

But why does this connect to horns?

‘Do you know anything about it, Lord Naga?

[Yes, yes? I-I’m not sure... b-but... I’ll look into it.]

There was a clattering noise, followed by a soft groan of "ouch". It seemed someone fell down in a hurry.

Clumsy. For now, I carefully examined their bodies.

They indeed had horns, but there were no other abnormalities.

On the contrary, their horns served as a focal point, allowing divine power to circulate smoothly.

The difference between imitation and the original is just about that much. I am a vessel created to hold the power of the gods. However, they are just ordinary humans.

Because their bodies couldn't contain the overflowing divine power, parts of their bodies appeared distorted.

"Do you not like it?"

"I don't dislike it."

Hector blushed.

"Actually, there are a lot of women who say it looks cool."

"Captain, did you know? Hector's been dating someone recently."

"Ah, can you not shut your mouth?!"

"It's a real rollercoaster with them. Oh dear..."

Marie sighed.

"In Benelda, they'll be apart for just a few months, but they're clinging to each other like they're parting forever... bawling their eyes out... enough already."

"J-just shut up! You brats! I never did that! Who are you saying cried?"

"Oh?"

Dating, huh. That's a good thing. But...

"This Captain... is too busy to even dream of romance... and yet my subordinate dates first?"

"C-Captain?"

"Hahaha. No, it's fine. Congratulations, Hector. Truly, congratulations."

I gleamed with interest.

"Still, since it's been a while, how about a little sparring session? Everyone, draw your swords. It's time to test your skills."

"...The Captain's eyes have gone completely crazy!"

"No? Not at all? Ah, Hector. Stand next to me for a moment."

"Why? What for?"

"I'm planning to give you a special lesson. It's not because of jealousy, so don't refuse."

"Captain... You’re being petty..."

"Be quiet, Matasha."

"It's Natasha!"

The skill assessment was finished within an hour. I clicked my tongue in disappointment.

My growth is remarkably fast. I didn't expect them to keep up completely, but I hoped they would at least reach halfway...

I looked at the ones sprawled on the ground.

How come everything is exactly as expected?

In the end, it was the difference between the limits of regular people and players. A gap in understanding and learning.

I kicked the butts of those crawling around on the ground.

"Line up."

"O-Okay, line up!"

Seeing them quickly scramble into formation, it seemed they had discipline instilled in them. After calling them together, I took out the book I had stayed up all night writing from my pocket.

"Do you know what this is?"

"...What is it?"

"The Saint's Diary."

"You stole a diary?"

"I figured the Captain was garbage, but really..."

"Opening someone else's diary is a crime."

"Lowest of the low."

These brats.

The earrings buzzed and dangled as Beatrice's spirit materialized with a pop.

【How dare you...?! You were copying my diary all night?!】

"...Captain. What's that beside you?"

Oh. Can you see this?

I grabbed Beatrice by the back of her neck and dangled her in the air.

"Can you see this?"

"...Is it a doll?"

"It's visible because it's connected by the Stigmata. But that's not what's important. Now, everyone get ready to worship. This is the great and brilliant Saint who will be our teacher, Lady Beatrice."

"Wow... it's moving."

"It's translucent. That's fascinating."

【Please don't make me into a spectacle!】

I placed the Saint on my palm and whispered to her softly.

"Saint, do you know?"

【Wh-what?】

"These kids lost their parents in the war and became orphans."

【S-so what? What's your point?!】

"Our Order's branch orphanage took them in when they were wandering the streets. They couldn't even eat one meal a day..."

I started to tell the long tale. Initially, Beatrice tried to act indifferent, but eventually, a tear slipped from her eye.

【Oh, how pitiable...】

"...So now, I've helped them live a life that resembles something human. But these kids strive to go higher. They aren't satisfied with where they are now and want to become better people."

【Aspiration is a natural attitude as Ra's followers… Oh... such commendable children...】

"Exactly."

I shook a book that contained a condensed version of key content from Beatrice's Diary, outlining training methods.

"We need Lady Beatrice's help."

【W-well, as long as it doesn't include personal stories, right?】

"I left out the part where you said you wanted to burn the Cardinal out of frustration."

【Ack! Ack! Ack!】

I handed the book to Hector. As he quickly scanned through it, his eyes widened.

"It's... drawings?"

"Most of it is drawings, understandable, right? It includes how to handle holy power and various weapon techniques. Lady Beatrice could wield most weapons, which made this possible."

【A true warrior always prepares for the worst! You must always know how to utilize the weapon in your hand!】

Hector turned the pages of the book, bowing his head to me on behalf of those who were longing to see it first.

"Captain, you're always giving us things... Thank you."

"What do you mean I'm always giving?"

"...Huh?"

"Did you forget why I called you here?"

I cracked my knuckles. Hector's face turned pale.

"Matier told me to come up first... Wh-what's going on?"

"This is your new starting point."

I pointed to myself.

"I am the Sun."

Then I pointed to Hector.

"You are the Shadow. Okay?"

"...No way."

"You're getting better at sensing things, Hector."

I grinned.

City of Ainkad.

The location where the Cult Headquarters is established.

Compared to Benelda, this extraordinarily large metropolis was essentially a hub of culture. The average living standard of its citizens was indisputably high, with hunger being a rare occurrence due to its wealth.

However, where there is wealth, trouble follows.

As Ainkad prospered, its shadows grew larger as well. The so-called Black Road, the city’s underbelly, seeped into various parts throughout.

The leader of one such area, Jamie, was a man who loved flowers. He was a gentle man, dreaming of retiring one day to open a flower garden.

Though he managed merely one district, he was a man content with living without much ambition.

As usual, while tending to his flowers, he heard some commotion from the floor below.

He sighed, thinking that the rebellious members were arguing again.

The man put down his pruning shears. He grabbed his coat and took a step.

But the next moment, the door flew off its hinges.

Boom!

Flames mixed with shadows flared outside the door. A giant strode in, cracking his shoulders.

"Even here, doing the same old thing."

"But you like it because it's familiar, right?"

"True, well... whenever we listened to what the Captain said in the past, there were always rewards."

"W-who are you?!"

"Us?"

The man in the front removed his hood. Red horns glinted on his head.

"...Call us. And you shall be saved."

The giant grinned widely.

"The Captain will guide you."

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