CH 55

Oh, finally!

It was large, so it took a long time to update. In proportion to the wait, my expectations grew even greater.

With a pounding heart, I looked at the system screen.

So, the content finally released is……!

[<Announcement> ‘Tower of Trials Update’

Heroes transmigrated from another world! What is your limit! Prove your infinite strength by challenging the top floor of the tower!]

“Wow!”

There you go! This is it!

Tutorials are the best.

[‘The World-building God’ says this is a masterpiece.]

[‘The Troubled Architect of the Tower of Trials’ says that usually, the 100th floor is the top floor, but because you are an OP, he had to build up to the 300th floor.]

[‘The Eyes that watch over the chaos of all things’ caress the eyeballs that almost fell out during QA.]

[‘The Harsh Commentator who adjusts the balance’ has announced that they will make a balance patch based on your attack.]

The gods of the development headquarters said one thing after another and disappeared for a get-together dinner party.

<What’s going on? Why are you suddenly shouting cheers?>

“Agnes, let’s go training. My lord gave a training ground for me.”

<A whole training ground?>

“Yes. It’s because he’s very generous.”

Then, suddenly, an important question came to mind.

‘Wait a minute, World God! Just one urgent question!’

[‘The World-building God’ asks what’s going on.]

‘I’m asking you just in case. Once I enter the tower, I won’t be able to get out until I conquer the top floor, right?’

How many towers are known to imprison the challenger? I couldn’t be disrespectful to my parents because I went in to get stronger and disappeared for nothing!

Fortunately, World God took my worries away.

[‘The World-building God’ says that there is no such thing as sweet potatoes in this tower.]

[‘The World-building God’ explains that The Tower of Trials is a 24 hours free entry and exit building.]

It was user-friendly because it was part of the ‘Transmigrator Support System’.

‘Yes, thanks for the reply. Have a nice dinner party!’

Now there is nothing to worry about. I picked up my satchel with a light heart.

<It looks like a subspace training ground similar to a dungeon. I’m looking forward to it.>

“Right?”

<Then let’s use a real sword to commemorate the start of actual training.>

“Wow! Are you finally allowing me to use a sword-like sword?”

<Yes. Your Aura has awakened, you can’t carry a training sword forever.>

The sword Agnes spoke of meant the loot obtained from the ‘Black Salt Desert’ dungeon three years ago.

It belonged to my mother, who was the original subjugator, but Mom didn’t need it because she mainly uses spears and javelins.

So the sword that became mine, was called Europe.

I finally pulled out what had stayed in the corner of my satchel for a long time. Europe was a sword with a glazed, silvery-blue blade.

After wearing Europe around my waist and tying my long hair up, I was finally prepared.

“Come on, Agnes.”

[<System> Do you want to go to the ‘Tower of Trials Entrance’?]

Yes!

A white light enveloped me.

✠

‘Sight, The Saintess….’

Clovis Argent, a young and handsome blonde paladin of The Vatican, sighed.

He was the real son of Cardinal Vesalius Argent and as the leader of the Knights Templar, he was indeed a promising paladin.

But he is now, very much likely, about to leave a blemish on his career.

It has been three years since the Knights Templars were tasked with the search for a Saintess.

He searched the entire continent, but could not find a clue about her.

‘Were you stuck in the dungeon all along? How come it feels like there’s no divine power at all?’ 

Nevertheless, a Saint’s vessel of grace is one that reached the limits of human beings, and at the same time, that presence would have become more distinct.

Every time he returned to The Vatican, he hoped to escape from the nagging of the cardinals who were still arguing why he had not found the Saintess yet.

“’Strict order and Goodwill’, please give me the opportunity to meet the Saintess you have hidden.”

Soon after he stood up, straightened his bent knees, and drew a holy sign.

“Brother.”

“Ah, Thesilid. Were you here?”

“Yes.”

Thesilid Argent, a boy with special silvery hair who proved God’s blessing, was behind him. The two share the same Argent surname, but blood was not mixed.

Cardinals were often attached as godmothers or godfathers to the Sacred Sheep. Thesilid was given the surname Argent because Clovis’ father played the role.

Being a godfather was only nominal. After all, the Ministry of Education took full responsibility for the care of the Sacred Sheep, who were orphans.

Cardinals also did not take responsibility for their godchildren.

Because The Vatican’s treatment of stigmata was nothing more than nurturing a public good for the salvation of the world.

Clovis was no different in such a desolate environment.

Whenever Clovis returned to The Vatican, meeting Thesilid’s face briefly was almost the only point of contact they had. Just like now.

“You were ordained a paladin last winter. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

“I heard that the Sacred Sheep were reorganized as a member of the Templar’s Offices in the Heretic Judgment Bureau. Are you starting your outdoor activities now?”

“It has already started. We have completed three missions so far.”

“Already? What was the mission?”

“It was a dungeon subjugation.”

For the past two weeks, they have been traveling around the country and subjugating two B-class dungeons and one A-class dungeon. From the very beginning, the difficulty level was rather high.

The subjugation squad consisted of stigmata, including Thesilid, and four apprentice healers. They were all inexperienced and overcame many dangerous challenges.

In particular, when they had to fight the boss because they were stuck at a dead-end in an A-class dungeon, Thesilid almost carried it alone.

He briefly recalled the time when he faced the black dragon alone with the wounded subjugation squad members in the cliff cave.

It was very difficult to fight without a heals on a thin rock bridge connecting both ends of a cliff.

‘I wish I had a healer that I could use.’

It seems that Thesilid’s habit of mouth, which did not stop throughout the original work, started from this time.

“Then what’s the next mission?”

“The day after tomorrow, I leave to cleanse the Agoni area and spread the word of god among the native people there.”

Clovis raised and lowered his eyebrows in a swift movement, but the act itself was caught in Thesilid’s eyes.

“Um, if it’s Agoni……It’s adjacent to the Ragneif Magic Republic. If you find any clues about the Saintess in there, let me know.”

“I will.”

“Okay.”

As always, it seemed like they had enough conversation. It was when Thesilid silently bowed and tried to turn around.

“Wait, Thesilid.”

“Do you have something to say?” 

“How much do you know about the Agoni region?”

It seemed that there was something about that region, as he had a dubious reaction earlier.

“I heard that the damage caused by the dungeon burst a long time ago made it an unrecovered land.”

“It’s a den of heretics.”

“……”

“If the missionary mission fails, you will know the next discipline to be applied by the rules of the Church.”

“…….”

Thesilid’s fingertips trembled. Clovis, noticing his agitation, nailed in a strong tone.

“Since you have been selected as a member of the Heresy Judgment Bureau, you have the right to excommunicate from now on. The excommunicated have no human rights, and killing them is not murder. Heed my words and do not hesitate to obey God and the Church.”

“…….”

Thesilid rolled his eyes instead of answering.

A denomination that worships the one and the only God.

Because of that, Thesilid sometimes felt that his god was not ‘Strict order and Goodwill’ but rather only ‘Strict order’.

Order, discipline, doctrine, and rules were more important than good.

The special stigma engraved on the inside of his left arm was proof of the same context.

“I’ll be on my way.”

He was already used to swallowing the things he wanted to say.

Thesilid showed his courtesy again, turned around, and exited the chapel. Dark shadows persistently followed his steps as he walked down the long corridor.

Thesilid, who will be walking the sweet potato road in earnest, had a dark expression on his face as if he had predicted his future.

✠

I opened my eyes to the smell of grass and the gentle breeze.

A magnificent tower standing on a vast meadow greeted me. The high top was obscured by the sun’s rays of light that burned the retina. 

I stood in front of a huge iron gate and a friendly note was attached.

[Descent Banned!]

Still, I did not intend to use cheat codes. I had to fight with my own skills.

I opened the iron door and as soon as I entered the antique interior.

Koo!

The iron gate closed by itself, blocking any escape route.

[<System> You have entered the ‘Tower of Trials 1st floor’. Watch your surroundings.]

Straight into battle. I like it.

I focused on my hearing while waiting for my eyes to adjust to the increasingly dimmed light.

‘Sings of presence……there’s only one.’

It looks like a one-on-one because this is a low floor.

<It’s coming, cadet Ellet.>

Hearing Agnes’ warning, I reached out to Europe.

Thud! Boom! Boom!

A heavy enough weight to pass vibrations in the foundation of the floor. The enemy was slowly approaching.

An unidentified enemy approached the torch-lit area.

And finally, I saw the terrible boss on the first floor.…! 

Moolkung! Moolkung!