The meeting room at the highest floor of the Igogodon Cathedral.
Three members of the Holy Knights—Luca, Ophel, and Linnea—sat across from Saintess Erin, attentively listening to her words.
“Is that so? High-level monsters in the dungeon…”
These were not the rare monsters that appeared late at night or occasionally emerged from deep forests.
They were on a completely different level of strength.
Not long after the saintess appeared, all the monsters emerging from the dungeon were high-level ones.
“In the past, historical records documenting the appearance of saintesses indicated that similar events occurred. When patrolling near the dungeon, priests increasingly reported stronger traces of miasma, so we anticipated a day like this might come.”
After hearing the discussion between Luca and Ophel, Erin lowered her head briefly before adopting a serious expression.
“It’s just that the timing is unusually early.”
“What do you mean?”
“Ophel, you just mentioned the historical records. Could you read a passage for us?”
Erin opened a book placed beside her and handed it to the Holy Knights.
“This is a record from 200 years ago?”
“Yes, the significant details are in the section I’ve marked—specifically, the dates when the monsters began rampaging.”
“It says, ‘One year after the saintess appeared.'”
At Linnea’s comment, Erin nodded.
“It’s the same for earlier records. At the shortest, ten months; at the longest, fourteen months. Roughly one year after the saintess appears, the monsters begin their rampage.”
“But now, it hasn’t even been half a year since you appeared, Saintess.”
Erin nodded with a bitter expression.
“That’s correct. While it’s almost impossible to fully understand the circumstances from 200 years ago when the last saintess appeared, the fact remains that the monsters are appearing much earlier than recorded.”
The period when monsters emerged was when ordinary people suffered the most.
At the same time, it was the period when the influence of the religious sector reached its peak.
The most effective way to combat monsters was to fight with the blessings of the saintess.
For Holy Knights who trained to heed the word of God, it was even more ideal.
Under normal circumstances, this would be the point when the imperial family would start imposing restrictions, but—
“Does His Majesty the Emperor know of this?”
“Yes. He has pledged to provide full support, both materially and morally. In fact, he has even stated that he will temporarily transfer command of the imperial military, including the Imperial Knights, to us.”
“To that extent?!”
While Linnea was shocked, Erin spoke in a remarkably calm tone.
“Yes. Should an early suppression fail and the territories near the dungeon fall to the monsters, history would repeat itself with more bloodshed. His Majesty seems to understand this.”
‘Even so, relinquishing command of the military…’
“Though the imperial family and the religious institution were enjoying an unprecedentedly close relationship after the adoption of the Igogodon faith as the state religion, transferring military command—especially to the saintess, the representative of the Church—”
“Linnea, your concerns are completely understandable.”
“A-ah… That’s not…”
Linnea stammered, startled by Erin’s perceptive comment.
But Erin herself merely smiled gently and nodded.
“To be honest, I know little about politics. My knowledge is limited to what I’ve overheard. However, our Church would never betray the Empire or the House of Einsberg—or, above all, the saint blessed by God, His Majesty the Emperor.
If someone were to threaten His Majesty, we would readily oppose them.”
“So, please don’t worry, Linnea. Under the plain truth of God, we are united as one. We will protect His Majesty.”
As someone deeply synchronized with the divine, Erin could sense just how much love God held for the Empire and its people.
Therefore, anyone who harmed the Emperor would also be challenging “God’s chosen.”
Even the Pope—or Erin herself—would never be forgiven for such a transgression.
[I’m sorry.]
[It’s alright, Linnea. Please don’t dwell on it. Now then, as I was saying… Troops have been dispatched to the Nelltut Dungeon in Gracia and the Grantz Dungeon in Erylhof, where monsters have been most frequently reported.]
***
“Where should we head, Saintess?”
At Luca’s question, Erin looked at the three Holy Knights before her.
“We will head to the nearest location—the Cherry Side Dungeon in Einsberg.”
The Cherry Side Dungeon.
It was a location included in the Holy Knights’ regular patrol routes.
Not long ago, a band of thieves had been rehabilitated near that dungeon.
“Has there been a report of monsters appearing there as well?”
“Yes.”
Hearing this, Ophel slowly rose, adjusted her circlet, and bowed to Erin.
“Please command me, Saintess. I will devote myself to eradicating the monsters at the frontlines.”
“I will also stand as a shield to protect the people from the monsters alongside my comrades.”
“I will follow your orders, Saintess.”
After hearing from Luca and Linnea as well, Erin felt a sense of relief.
‘Yes. Even though I didn’t expect the monsters to appear this quickly… We are prepared. Three Holy Knights are by my side.’
According to the records, failing to repel the monsters led to the surrender of territories and a descent into a living nightmare.
Monsters with hideous appearances that evoked primal fear and roars that declared their hostility to humans.
At times like these, many turned to the Saintess for guidance and hope.
For the sake of Igogodon and her people, Erin knew she had to swiftly subdue the monsters.
She prayed silently, gazing at the three Holy Knights kneeling before her.
‘It’s alright. As long as the plain truth of Igogodon is with us, we can accomplish anything.’
“Please watch over us, Igogodon,” she murmured, closing her eyes in prayer.
Erin and her group of Holy Knights arrived near the Cherry Side Dungeon, where they were greeted warmly by a priest residing in the area.
“Greetings, Saintess.”
“Thank you, Sister. What is the current situation?”
“At the moment, there are no visible signs of monsters… However, the miasma near the dungeon is unusually strong, stronger than anything we’ve felt before.”
Even without those words, everyone present, including Erin, could sense an inexplicable, oppressive discomfort.
“S-Saintess, this is something the Pope has also mentioned…”
“What is it?”
“It’s merely a possibility, but he has warned that we cannot rule out the descent of the Demon King.”
***
The Demon King.
While the appearance of monsters was a certainty whenever a saintess appeared, the emergence of a Demon King was a variable.
From humanity’s perspective, it was far better if no Demon King appeared.
Defeating monsters early on was already a tremendous challenge, but facing the Demon King was on an entirely different level.
Historical records highlighted the stark difference between these scenarios.
Moreover, when the Demon King appeared, the dominant nation of that era inevitably fell into decline.
The ensuing chaos allowed new powers to emerge and fill the void.
Discussions of political maneuvers and power plays only applied in the absence of the Demon King.
If the Demon King truly descended, such trivial games would no longer matter.
For now, everyone could only hope that the Pope’s fears were unfounded.
“The unusually strong miasma we’re sensing, along with the early emergence of high-level monsters… It seems the Pope has been deeply troubled by these developments.”
“I see…”
At that moment, Luca spoke cautiously from behind.
“Even if the Demon King does appear, I swear on the name of the Holy Knights that I will fight until the very end.”
“Luca…”
“So, please don’t worry, Saintess Erin. No matter the trials ahead, I will protect this world that Igogodon loves.”
“I will follow Luca’s lead, Saintess.”
“Understood. I’m truly grateful to have all of you. For now, let us monitor the dungeon for any signs of monsters and act accordingly.”
***
The group settled near the Cherry Side Dungeon, keeping watch on its entrance.
Time passed slowly until—
From beyond the dungeon’s entrance, strange, unearthly cries began to echo.
Luca, Ophel, and Linnea exchanged glances before stepping forward and readying their stances.
The thirty soldiers accompanying them took their designated positions as Erin closed her eyes and began to pray.
‘Grant us the strength to overcome this trial. Please, just once more, watch over us…’
As Erin’s thoughts turned to prayer, a radiant light enveloped the Holy Knights and soldiers, tracing their forms as though marking them with divine protection.
‘This is the Saintess’s blessing!’
The blessing, a pinnacle of white magic perfected by priests, imbued everyone with a sense of lightness and strength.
But the sensation didn’t last long—
“They’re here!”
***
From the pitch-black depths of the dungeon, several monsters slowly emerged, accompanied by ghastly, bone-chilling cries.
One, two, three… A total of six monsters appeared.
While their numbers seemed manageable, their appearance was anything but reassuring.
Each monster wielded something that resembled a brutal weapon, and their guttural, incomprehensible cries echoed as they scanned their surroundings.
Even the Holy Knights, who had steeled themselves for such an encounter, were momentarily rendered speechless by the monsters’ grotesque forms.
Blood-red eyes gleamed against their twisted, inhuman faces.
Though they walked upright, their shapes diverged drastically from anything resembling humanity.
Their very presence was enough to instill dread.
But who were these warriors if not the Holy Knights who had honed their skills for such moments?
“Remember our formation. If one of us is attacked, the rest should cover and counter immediately,” Ophel instructed, her voice calm despite the tension.
“Understood,” Linnea replied, keeping her composure despite the unnerving cries of the monsters.
‘We can’t let fear overcome us…’
The Holy Knights took their positions, eyes locked on the approaching monsters.
But just as the moment for confrontation arrived—
“Wait a moment…!”
“Saintess Erin?”
The knights turned to see Erin, who had been praying, suddenly stand and shout.
“Everyone! Do not—under any circumstances—attack the monsters first!”
“What? But—”
“This is the will of God!”
The declaration caused everyone to falter.
Their eyes focused on Erin, startled by the weight of her words.
In a resolute tone, Erin delivered a statement that none present could have anticipated.
“God… does not desire a battle with these monsters!”
***
[If someone asked me about this chapter’s tone, I’d probably call it surprisingly traditional. After all, isn’t the saintess supposed to defeat monsters and vanquish the Demon King?
Fighting grotesque creatures with divine power seems like the natural role for a saintess and her Church, right?
Even if modern subcultures often portray saintesses differently, their classic role remains defeating the Demon King.
Sure, my story has three Holy Knights instead of a hero’s party, but the essence is the same. And let’s be honest—this kind of setup is perfect for creating divine miracles, isn’t it?]
The author chuckled to themselves as they slurped noodles, reviewing the latest chapter.
But then, as the story reached its climax—
***
(…Humans, we mean you no harm.)
The author nearly choked on their ramen, rereading the monsters’ dialogue.
(Please, speak with us. The Demon King wishes for a dialogue. Let us lower our weapons and talk…)
[Until the unexpected revelation of the monsters’ true intentions.]