S-Class Monster (1)

We first approached the operations headquarters camp of the <Order>.

Crusaders promptly blocked our way.

When we requested to attend with the association’s status, they guided us inside.

Meanwhile, I fully utilized [Unprecedented Sense].

The red light sensation, rising like an amoeba, indicated that the boss would soon emerge from the S-Class gate.

‘At most, an hour?’

There wasn’t as much time as I thought.

In the meantime, we entered inside.

At the center of the tent’s chairs.

I could see two arrogant little kids in ornate, saintly robes and veils that didn’t quite match.

Natsu & Yuri.

They were undoubtedly sitting as the overall leaders of this subjugation.

When they met my eyes, the expression on the saintesses’ faces brightened.

“Ah, it’s oppa!”
“It’s oppa!”

They tried to rush over in an instant.
Raising their fingers, they probably intended to do something like ‘Ultimate~! Ding-Dong Dash 16 Rapid Strikes!’ again.

I wanted to greet them happily with a smile, but…

I couldn’t.

“…Uhn.”
“…Uhn.”

A woman with tear marks, who had read their actions in advance, placed her hands on the shoulders of the two saintly ones.

A woman looking down at them with black eyes that let no light through.

The emblem on her chest symbolized a <Bishop>.

“You mustn’t act out. You’re saints, aren’t you?”
“…Yes.”
“…Okay.”

Shibasaki Ryuko.

It was just a low whisper, but it seemed to carry weight, rendering the saintly ones unable to move an inch.

I clearly saw it with my own eyes.

Both Natsu and Yuri were so terrified they couldn’t even swallow their dry saliva.

Cold sweat trickled down their chins.

It was as if a child had fallen into helplessness in the face of absolute terror.

‘…It seems to have a bigger impact than I thought.’

I had a rough idea since I heard they couldn’t move in ‘GAL’.

It seemed to be worse than I imagined.

Seeing the two, Divine Light Garam next to them gritted her teeth softly.

“…Tch.”
“…Hmm?”

Shibasaki Ryuko raised her head.

For a moment, she wore an expression of ‘Why is the Mother Superior here?’ and then narrowed her eyes.

“…Senior.”

When I held her hand, Divine Light Garam calmed down.
I approached as initially planned and bowed my head.

“…Greetings to the bishop.”
“Yes, nice to meet you. But as far as I remember, you are from the Order. Why are you with the Association people?”
“…A great crisis has come upon us. I believe it is not right to define divisions between factions.”
“Oh~ Yes, I see.”

Shibasaki Ryuko ignored Divine Light Garam as if seeing someone bothersome.

Soon, she looked at Su Ok-bin, then at me.

Her slightly widening eyes indicated she knew who I was, but she passed over it as if it wasn’t worth paying attention to.

“…!”

Then, among us, the person at the very back.
Peng Jin-ah.
At the sight of her, she flinched.

No matter how much one controls the Order, it seems the <Overlord Sword> is someone to fear.

“<Overlord Sword> Peng Jin-ah. I am attending this subjugation as a member of the Association.”

“…Yes, pleased to meet you. I am Shibasaki Ryuko, a young servant serving the main god.”

A brief and formal greeting.
With that concluded, the meeting began immediately.
Well, it was called a meeting, but for the Order, it was essentially a process of swatting away annoying flies.

The conversation was naturally led by Su Ok-bin.

With the status of vice president, she confidently expressed her desire to contribute to the raid subjugation alongside the association.

“We never know what dangers might arise.”

“I understand your concerns, Vice President. But there’s no need to worry. We’ve already prepared thoroughly a long time ago.”

The bitch Ryuko pointed outside.
Beyond the barracks, several massive ballistae were installed.

In the world of ‘GAL,’ firearms, except for some artifacts, don’t exist at all.

Ballistae in such a world.
They were practically the most powerful weapons with formidable firepower.

Judging by the additional consumables prepared, it was undoubtedly ‘Dragon Slayer’ infused with ‘Dragon Slayer Powder.’

Every single one was procured at a great cost to confront the S-grade monster <Yellow Dragon>.

Su Ok-bin and I exchanged glances and nodded slightly.

As expected, we instinctively knew that Shibasaki Ryuko had misinformed everyone about the boss, wasting all the <Order>’s funds into thin air.

“…It’s certainly an impressive preparation. But we can’t predict what might happen, right? To minimize damage, the association should also cooperate–”
“There’s no need for that.”

The interruption didn’t come from Shibasaki Ryuko.

It was a short-haired woman who had been listening to the conversation.

Wearing thick armor, the emblem symbolizing <Bishop> was drawn on the woman’s chest.

Another bishop deployed in the operation alongside Shibasaki Ryuko.

The combat priest, the ‘Empty Head’ Bishop.

Empty Head glanced at us briefly before looking at Su Ok-bin.

With a face showing undisguised contempt, she continued.

As if conveying information to someone of high rank.

“Our preparations are perfect. We don’t need the help of filthy hyenas looking for spoils.”
“…Bishop Empty Head. No matter how much you say, you never know–”
“Don’t let filthy half-breed elves recklessly interfere!”
“……”

A brief silence fell over the room.
Su Ok-bin was here as a representative in the capacity of Vice President.
A rude act that completely disregarded this fact.
For a moment, even I thought, ‘Is she really Empty Head because she has no brain?’

Regardless, Empty Head shouted at the top of her lungs, revealing her extreme disdain for holiness.

“A race that was expelled without proper sanctity. This is not a place for someone filthy like you to speak recklessly. Leave!”
“…Does that mean you’re confident? That you won’t fail…”
“Of course. I can guarantee it. Our church doesn’t need your help! If we fail, feel free to step in!”
“…! Wait, Bishop Empty Head. That’s…”
“Bishop Shibasaki Ryuko. What are you afraid of? Do you really think we’ll fail?”
“…No. Not at all.”
“Then that’s settled. Is that answer enough for you, filthy half-breed?”
“…Reassuring. I wish you good luck.”
“Hmph…!”

With a bitter smile, Su Ok-bin softly muttered, ‘Excuse me…’ as she led us out.

After walking for a while, Divine Light Garam lowered her head with a guilty expression.

“…I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s okay. This was the plan, wasn’t it?”

That’s right.
The reason for sitting quietly and enduring the insults.
It was all anticipated.

“Bishop Empty Head has always led the charge against vampires and expelled the elves who rolled into society. I expected her to be angry when she saw me.”
“…Still, I’m sorry.”
“Hehe, Mother Superior, there’s no need for you to apologize. It’s more important that I gained justification by hearing a word.”

Even if it’s close to an absurd farce, it’s necessary.
That is precisely ‘justification.’
It’s a kind of pretext to step in if things go wrong.

“Of course, I didn’t think she’d give the answer I wanted so easily. I can only thank the empty brain of Bishop Empty Head.”
“…Nyeh. I’m sorry. But… not all believers are like that…”
“Hehe, I know well. There are cute and wise people like Mother Superior Divine Light Garam.”
“Nye, nyeh. Nyeh.”

Peng Jin-ah, who had been listening silently, spoke up.

“…But I’m not sure if they’ll really give us a chance just because of this.”
“Oh my, Overlord Sword. How naive? Of course, they won’t.”
“…Then?”

Su Ok-bin smiled and looked at Divine Light Garam again.

“Then it’s your turn, Mother Superior.”
“…I understand.”

A moment later.

Rumble!

Above the sky. A massive wave of magic power resonated, enough for everyone to feel.

Simultaneously, a bizarre noise spread.
It was like the sound of an old, rusty door opening.

The Heavenly Palace.

A massive gate in the sky had just opened.

Peng Jin-ah, who was standing next to me, swallowed dryly.

“…Cadet Yu Seha.”
“Yes, it seems like it’s about to begin.”

The main stage of the S-grade monster raid was starting to unfold.

Meanwhile, Bishop Empty Head watched Yu Seha’s group as they exited.

She frowned.

‘…Hmph, filthy apostates.’

Bishop Empty Head was a typical divine supremacist.

Even though she knew the two possessed divinity, following that treacherous elf hybrid made them unforgivable apostates.

She looked up at the hill outside the city with an additional look of displeasure.

A crowd of clans gathered, hoping for some reward to fall their way.

At the forefront, the flag of the treacherous Crimson Dragon, <Dragon Sword Mir>, was fluttering.

Bishop Empty Head felt anger rising within her.
Those ignorant ones who have not properly understood [Divinity].
How could such an obviously inferior species covet the treasure bestowed upon them by the heavenly lord?

That fact was irritating, but she soon dismissed it.
After all, this subjugation.
There was no way they would have a chance.

‘Because I am chosen.’

The one who informed her of this was the woman with the tear mole right beside her, Bishop Shibasaki Ryuko.
She had already heard all the strategies from her.
Including the boss and all the patterns that would appear.

Of course, she was suspicious at first.

To be honest, just a month ago, Bishop Empty Head and Shibasaki Ryuko were not on good terms.

The reason was simple. Bishop Empty Head did not acknowledge those scarecrow saintesses trembling in their seats.

‘I don’t like it.’

She disliked that those who barely possessed a bit of divine power, without proper doctrine or sincerity, were being revered.
Naturally, she believed she should be sitting in that position, having led the charge against heretics.

Years spent harboring such thoughts.
The honorable task of leading the ‘Yellow Dragon’ subjugation.
Shibasaki Ryuko, who participated alongside her, made an unexpected proposal.

“…What? You’ll recommend me for the position of a bishop after this is over?”
“That’s correct.”
“…Why? Aren’t you the nanny who raised and placed those two little ones, Natsu and Yuri?”

A reasonable question.
However, Shibasaki Ryuko explained.
That she had gone blind.
That it wasn’t a position to be entrusted to inexperienced youngsters just because they had a bit of ability.
That she was impressed by her own leading performance here.

“That’s why I’m helping Bishop Empty Head. I plan to elevate you to the position of saintess at the upcoming Oracle Conference.”
“…Is that so? I’m truly delighted you understand my heart! But what about the two saintesses? Even if they’re children, there will be resistance.”
“Don’t worry. Those two are people I’ve raised.”

They’ll bow their heads as appropriate for their station.

After that was Shibasaki Ryuko’s full support.
Along with the identity and definitive strategy against the S-class monster.

Bishop Empty Head sensed this was an opportunity.

Thus, she secured ample support funds from the church, completing all preparations even if it required some overreach.

‘Perfect…!’

Bishop Empty Head looked at Shibasaki.

Shibasaki smiled gently and respectfully handed over the mace from her bosom.

A proof of sacred trust!

Bishop Empty Head felt her heart swell with emotion.
It was finally the moment to receive all the rewards for her long, silent work.

‘To the position of Saintess…!’

She would be the one to sit there.

Bishop Empty Head walked out, her cloak fluttering.

At that moment, a messenger ran up, announcing that the entrance to the Heavenly Palace would soon open.

“Everyone, listen! It is the time of the Great Holy War! As servants of the Lord, let’s clearly demonstrate His greatness this time!!!”

Bishop Empty Head raised the mace.
A brilliant flash spread, with 300 crusaders, 200 formal priests, 100 knight apprentices, and 100 novice priests dispatched for this subjugation.
She boldly shouted towards the army of 700.

Could that have been the signal?
Here and there, waves of light formed by divine law rippled.
They buffed each other, adjusted their shields and armor, and increased their stats beyond normal.

“The dragon-slaying cannon is ready, Bishop.”
“Hmm…!”

Lastly, the weapon prepared at great expense was loaded high into the sky.

Boom!

Was it good timing?

Beyond the sky, lightning began to rage.

Surely, an S-grade monster had appeared above the clouds.

The swirling magic and the silhouette seen intermittently took the shape of a dragon.

Slowly, adapting to reality, cloaked in buffs, the S-grade monster descended to the ground.

Seeing this, Empty Head bravely attempted to launch a full-scale attack.

“…Huh?”

That was until she saw the true form emerging through the clouds.

The face was undoubtedly close to that of a dragon.
The two deer-like horns on its head were a characteristic similar to the dragons of the East.

If only seen up to this point, it could be considered a yellow dragon…

But the color was different.
Not golden, but a brilliant white.
Additionally, it was not in the shape of a long snake, but had four legs and was surrounded by thunderclouds.

The waiting crusaders began to murmur.

―Wh-what? It’s not a yellow dragon?
―What is that? I’ve never seen that form before…
―I-I know that! I saw it in ancient texts!

A legendary being with the head of a dragon, the body of a deer, and the tail of a cow.
It had hooves and a mane like a horse.

It was the appearance of the S-grade monster <Kirin>.

Empty Head, who was watching blankly, shook her head as if in disbelief.

“I-it’s not the yellow dragon…?”