novelraw Chapter 17 – Biological Modification
Chapter 17 – Biological Modification
On the other side, Sylvie had already arrived at the entrance of the cathedral, which was surrounded by his cavalry unit, with a number of expressionless believers gathered around.
This cathedral didn't look particularly bright and solemn; instead, it appeared somewhat eerie and dilapidated, giving off a sense of oppression just by standing at the entrance.
However, considering that Badal was merely a mid-tier deity and Eaglehold was a remote area with insufficient funds, the rough appearance of the cathedral was somewhat understandable.
Claremont stood at the cathedral's entrance, coldly confronting a group of priests and their bishop.
"Eaglehold Lord, do you intend to harm God's shepherds in His presence?"
Bishop Marton, dressed in luxurious, flame-like red robes and wearing a bishop's hat inlaid with mithril, looked at Sylvie with a calm expression, his voice gentle and unhurried.
"God's radiance does not shine upon you, Bishop Marton."
Sylvie's expression was cold and sharp as he retorted. At the same time, he noticed a figure concealed in a black robe behind Marton.
Focusing his attention, the information panels of Marton and the black-robed figure appeared in his eyes.
[Name: Marton]
[Identity: Bishop of the God of War]
[Strength: Archmage · Level 38 (21-40)]
[Skills: Divine Magic · Sacrifice, Advanced Fire Magic Mastery, Divine Magic · Holy Healing, Divine Magic · Summon Divine Attendant]
[Equipment: Perfect Robes of High Bishop Badal (Master), Flameheart Staff (Master)]
[Cologne Empire Reputation: 7324 (He is the only bishop in Eaglehold, somewhat renowned)]
[Demi-human Faction Reputation: 147 (His hands are stained with the blood of demi-humans!)]
[Others...]
...
[Name: Carter]
[Identity: Templar Knight]
[Strength: Earth Knight · Level 44 (41-50)]
[Skills: Senseless (Biological Modification), Intermediate Magic Immunity (Biological Modification), Divine Magic · Holy Flame Shield, Divine Magic · Flame Slash, Intermediate Greatsword Mastery, Berserk (Biological Modification)]
[Equipment: Templar Armor (Master), Templar Greatsword (Master)]
[Cologne Empire Reputation: 38 (They are the Holy See's secret force)]
[Demi-human Faction Reputation: 0 (Demi-humans know nothing about him)]
[Others...]
...
Interesting, no wonder the cathedral's priests dared to defy orders; it turns out they have a Templar Knight backing them up.
Sylvie pondered.
Then he noticed the words "Biological Modification." What does that mean?
This was Sylvie's first time encountering a Templar Knight. As a secret force of the Holy See, they were few in number, mysterious, and powerful.
It was said that each of them had the strength of at least an Earth Knight, with extreme discipline, and fought with madness and fearlessness.
This "Biological Modification" seemed suspicious no matter how you looked at it.
However, Sylvie still had no leads. The Holy See must be hiding some secret that allows them to produce Earth Knight-level powerhouses relatively stably.
But for now, none of this had anything to do with him. He was here today to settle accounts.
"Bishop Marton, you and your priests openly defied the lord's orders and insulted me, the Lord of Eaglehold, as a madman. According to the laws of the Cologne Empire, I have the right to execute you. Do you have anything to say?"
Upon hearing this, Marton smiled with a hint of compassion, fearlessly staring at the lord before him, and retorted:
"The Lord of Eaglehold actually wants my master Badal's most loyal servant to perform a Healing Spell on a lowly demi-human. I think even His Majesty the King wouldn't agree to that."
"In that case... your cathedral has no reason to exist."
Sylvie's eyes turned grim as he drew the greatsword from his back.
"All cavalry, hear my command, kill them all, leave no one alive."
"Claremont, the one in the black robe is yours."
Sylvie turned his head and instructed, then unleashed his battle aura, leaping forward like a meteor to strike at Bishop Marton.
"At your command, young master."
Claremont drew his longsword, his fierce gaze locking onto the black-robed figure behind Marton.
"Hiding in the shadows, I'll be your opponent."
Crimson battle aura enveloped Claremont's entire body. He bent his knee slightly, suddenly exerting force, cracking the ground, and in the blink of an eye, his sword was already slashing towards the black-robed figure's chest.
"Bang—"
It was as if he had struck a wall; the slash was blocked by the black-robed figure's horizontal sword. The black-robed figure remained motionless, the sword wind lifting the corner of his hood, revealing a pair of eyes as cold as a stagnant pool.
This was a formidable opponent.
Claremont's pupils contracted slightly, his heart sinking as he became extremely vigilant.
"Heh heh heh, old man, didn't you eat?"
The black-robed figure sneered contemptuously, suddenly raising his sword-wielding hand, sending Claremont flying. Then, with a surge of his black robe, he shot towards Claremont in mid-air like an arrow.
Though the black-robed figure wielded a heavy sword, his speed was on par with Claremont's. The two quickly engaged in a fierce battle, the aftermath of which nearly leveled the nearby streets.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Sylvie had a much easier time.
Bishop Marton was a typical legion-type mage, with skills geared towards legion combat, making him weak in one-on-one situations. Furthermore, being a whole tier lower, he was soon forced into a dire situation.
"Eaglehold Lord, you humiliate my master's shepherds like this, my master will not spare you!"
Bishop Marton slumped against the wall, spitting out a mouthful of blood mixed with organ fragments.
He had made a mistake earlier, allowing Sylvie to get close and strike his chest with a sword, shattering his magical shield and severely injuring him.
"Your master, your master, why don't you have your master save you now?"
Sylvie sneered, thrusting his longsword into Marton's heart.
Bishop Marton glared at Sylvie with hatred, the intense pain eroding his will, his shattered organs robbing him of vitality, and his flowing blood draining his strength.
He had only a few breaths left.
Bishop Marton's expression gradually calmed, his empty eyes gazing at the sky, his lips trembling.
"Merciful my master, your humble servant Marton, willing to sacrifice his weak soul to become the cornerstone of your supreme power."
The last of his magical energy ignited at that moment, setting Marton's body ablaze.
The flames grew larger, the scorching heat melting the stone floor and forcing Sylvie, standing nearby, to retreat, eventually forming a massive fireball seven or eight meters in diameter.
"Roar—"
A vicious, hoarse dragon's roar echoed from within the fireball, and a ferocious dragon head gradually took shape inside.
Sylvie sensed a mighty will descending upon him.
This will was filled with savagery and heat, pressing down on Sylvie, threatening to burn his soul to ashes.
It was the God of War and Flames, Balda the Flame Dragon.
Even just a descending will could easily crush him.
Just as Sylvie was struggling in despair.
Suddenly, he felt a coolness in his soul, a will no less powerful than Balda the Flame Dragon's seemed to gather from all directions.
It was an all-encompassing, tolerant, and peaceful will, extinguishing the flames burning Sylvie's soul, standing against Balda the Flame Dragon's power using Sylvie's body as the battlefield.
Seeing his plans disrupted, the dragon head within the flames let out an angry, unwilling roar, but Marton's magical energy was about to be exhausted, unable to sustain the mighty will's presence.
Finally, the ferocious dragon head gave Sylvie a vicious look, then dissipated along with the gradually extinguishing flames.
The will within Sylvie also retreated as it had come, slowly disappearing without a trace.
Sylvie felt a weight lift off him, unable to hold on any longer, he sat heavily on the ground, panting, his armor's lining soaked with sweat.
"So I really have a god watching over me?"
Sylvie murmured with a bitter smile, unsure if this was a good thing or a bad thing.