FSFSLU 46

chapter 46

Like Isabel, he was an agent of a unique angel, but his path had been the complete opposite of hers.

While Isabel devoted herself to healing the sick and protecting the weak, Lister had dedicated his life to using his powers as an agent to crush evil. His resolve had never wavered even once, and the Zeronis, the heretic extermination squad that followed him, were all fanatics who based their actions on devotion as their source of faith.

Originally, the church forbade harsh extermination of heretics, but after the unique angel descended upon Lister, he used his authority to form Zeronis, gathering those who shared his single-minded goal of eradicating all heresy across the continent.

The church classified heretics into three main categories: pagans, demon lord armies, and monsters hostile to humans. Accordingly, Zeronis regularly visited Castletina to destroy golems and other creatures that threatened humans.

The moment Isabel saw him, she crouched under the carriage door like a rabbit hiding in a burrow.

“Why are you acting like that all of a sudden?”

At Liz’s question, Isabel scolded her for being oblivious, leaving Liz stunned.

Liz, who had never expected to hear such words from Isabel, stared blankly at her before sighing and shaking her head.

“Well, there must be a reason. But aren’t those people from the church? They’re like your coworkers.”

“That’s true, but…”

Isabel’s worry stemmed from a single reason: she possessed the demon sword.

The demon sword was the top-priority target among the heretics designated by the church. “Top-priority” meant that if Isabel even revealed the sword in front of Zeronis, they would undoubtedly try to execute her on the spot.

Isabel hesitantly explained this to Liz. Liz held her forehead.

“Exactly, why would you draw the sword without a plan…”

“But at that time, I had no choice but to draw it…”

At that moment, Isabel suddenly lifted her head.

There was a message from Smiel:

• [Do not let any Zeronis members discover that you possess the demon sword until the golem defense ends. (0/1)]

• [Tell Liz and Denk to go to the city hall, reveal your participation in the golem defense, and check for accommodations and support funds. (0/1)]

• [Get off the carriage and prove to Lister that you are an agent of a unique angel. (0/1)]

• [Reward upon completion: 500 push-ups, 2 hours of running.]

Isabel was startled.

She had expected Smiel to assign her a quest like “Don’t go near Lister,” but instead, she was told to get closer to him.

Seeing this, Isabel thought: the gods never give trials beyond what one can overcome.

“Uncle Denk!”

Isabel shouted loudly. Liz was startled, and Denk, gripping the reins tightly, caused Mohican to snort irritably.

“Stop him!”

“Uh, now?”

“Isabel, you scared me!”

Isabel apologized, but her expression betrayed no real regret.

Denk first stopped Mohican as instructed and turned his gaze to the carriage. Isabel clenched her fist resolutely, determination shining in her eyes.

“The angel has given me instructions. I’ll tell you both what you need to do!”

She told Liz and Denk what to do at the city hall, then flung open the carriage door. Seeing Isabel rushing toward Lister, Liz panicked.

“Hey! You said not to reveal the sword!”

“I won’t draw it! If necessary, the angel will hide it for me!”

Isabel waved at Mohican with a cheerful “See you later~” and ran toward the Zeronis encampment.

“Uh, um…”

Denk glanced at Liz. She gestured to hurry.

“Let’s go.”

“Are you sure it’s okay?”

“The angel said so. Even if it seems reckless, she’ll manage.”

Mohican chimed in as if agreeing.

“Right. We’re heading to city hall?”

Denk muttered and headed in that direction.

The main street was crowded. Most people were armed—adventurers, mages, and mercenaries alike. In comparison, Denk and Liz’s carriage looked quite modest.

Mohican walked along the road, its stones glinting with each step.

For Isabel, as for me, Lister was an extremely impressive figure.

Why? Because he was one of the enemies standing in the protagonist Marcel’s way.

Though calling him an enemy felt off—he, like the hero party, sought to defeat monsters and save the weak.

But the scene where he swung a massive mace at Marcel, who was unarmed, to test his right to wield the holy sword, was frustratingly exasperating.

The unique angel Michael had granted Lister divine power capable of giving mass to holy energy. Like other holy knights, he could envelop his mace in divine energy or even create a hammer the size of a house.

Regardless of his personality, Lister was practically a disaster for any target he judged heretical.

“Is it safe to let him approach the master?”

Yuga asked, clearly confused by my explanation.

I told Yuga that resurrecting the demon lord didn’t make sense, and Yuga asked if angels could have families, each wounding the other with their words. Still, we temporarily set aside those wounds and looked down at the ground through the window.

From Yuga’s perspective, Lister would be tricky, eager to destroy the demon sword, but without my permission, he couldn’t act, so he had no choice but to talk to me.

“Yeah.”

“Even if he’s from the same church, what if the foolish master slips up? If he accidentally grabs my sword, we’ll be exposed immediately.”

“We’ll have to be careful.”

I answered briefly while scanning the ground. Isabel had now reached the tent where the church’s emblem was displayed.

Earlier, Lister had left the tent, gathered rolled-up papers from a nearby building, and returned. It seemed all his subordinates were inside.

Though “subordinates” sounded strange, they didn’t call themselves holy knights. They saw themselves as a military force targeting heretics, hence the term “unit.”

Important discussions were clearly taking place inside. I sent Isabel a quest to pause and eavesdrop.

True to her nature, however, she entered the tent without checking the quest that appeared on the side of her vision.

“Hello!”

Only after greeting cheerfully did Isabel notice the quest, and I winced.

Good, you’re embarrassed, Isabel. Yuga and I would have been twice as awkward.

The tent fell silent. A long table had been set up, with dozens of soldiers sitting on either side, clad in leather armor with only swords. Only one, fully armored except for a removed helmet, revealed short black hair.

He was pointing at a map, apparently discussing strategy for the golem defense scheduled for the next day.

All eyes turned to Isabel.

A soldier near her stood up.

“Your attire suggests you belong to the church. Are you a priest?”

“Yes!”

“You’re not from the Castletina parish. Are you a holy wanderer?”

“Yes!”

He glanced back and, startled by Lister’s stern gaze, attempted to escort Isabel out.

“Why am I being sent out?”

“There’s a meeting. You’re not part of Zeronis.”

Zeronis was notorious even within the church. Usually, even church members would step back or show aversion. Yet Isabel glared at him with a sulky expression.

“Why are you doing this?”

“I need to meet Lister!”

“No. This is an important meeting… oh!”

Only then did he notice the staff in her hands.

“Angelos Rod? I heard the bishop of Sestina gave it to the new agent… could it be you?”

“I’m Isabel! I’m Smiel’s agent and came on the angel’s orders!”

“What?”

From inside the tent, a deep voice echoed. A large man in full armor stepped out. Lister.

“Wow, that’s a big guy,” Yuga muttered. Sitting, he hadn’t looked much different from other soldiers, but standing, his size was imposing.

“Someone like him should have picked me…”

“Then you’d have been torn apart. He hates the demon sword.”

True. Isabel seemed to frequently get involved with large figures—Liz and Denk were big, but not like Lister.

Lister looked at Isabel suspiciously. His calm yet intense black eyes scanned her before shifting to her staff.

“Your unique angel descended upon you?”

“Yes.”

“What is their name?”

“Huh?”

Isabel looked confused.

Lister’s voice turned icy.

“The angel that came to me was Michael, who strikes lightning into the hearts of evil and commands the heavenly army. What does Smiel, your angel, do?”

Suspicion flickered in Isabel’s eyes.

Ah, damn. Do unique angels normally introduce themselves when descending? I had no idea. I even named Smiel myself and hadn’t taught Isabel any grand title or nickname.

When Isabel didn’t respond, Lister pressed further.

“Did the angel not tell you not to doubt?”

“No!”

“Why not?”

“Perhaps because I do not doubt.”

Isabel, you just stepped on a mine!

“Do you dare claim that unlike me, you do not doubt angels? Must I prove my faith to you?”

A flash of light appeared from inside Lister’s helmet. The mace behind him was now in his right hand.

The divine power flowing from him into the mace was visible.

He slammed it into the ground with a crash, creating a whirlwind of divine energy.

It was both a threat and proof—a strict self-expression against unacceptable insult, demonstrating his faith to everyone nearby.

People turned to Isabel and Lister, realizing a small priest had offended Zeronis’ leader.

Yet, why was that small priest so happy? They must have thought that. Indeed, Isabel looked delighted.

“Show me again!”

She looked thrilled, as if ready to leap for joy. Lister’s expression hardened.

“What?”

“I want to see it again!”

“This power… was given to me by Michael. It is noble and sacred, not a mere spectacle. Do you still claim to be a priest? I doubted you were an agent, and now I doubt even your priesthood. What’s your name?”

“Isabel!”

The next moment, Lister aimed his mace at her.

Clenching his fists, Yuga snorted in disbelief.

“Impersonating clergy is a grave offense. You lack the right to claim priesthood, so kneel and repent for your sacrilege.”

“I can’t!”

Isabel! He’s really angry!

Muscles in Lister’s neck and shoulders tensed. His voice was harsh.

“What did you say?”

“I said I can’t. I am Smiel’s agent, and you are Michael’s agent. If I kneel to you, it’s like Smiel kneeling to Michael!”

Lister’s eyes wavered. Other Zeronis members gasped or murmured.

I was surprised. I hadn’t expected Isabel to confront him like that.

Even if she’s foolish, Isabel excels in theology. Suzanne struggled teaching her in the monastery.

Despite the threat, Isabel boldly challenged Lister, appearing quite impressive.

“Since angels descend to the world, they surrender their authority and side with humans. As an agent, I cannot kneel recklessly.”

“I did not ask you to kneel to insult the angel, but to exact punishment for your sin.”

“What sin?”

“Using the divine power given by Michael for mere amusement!”

Isabel looked puzzled.

“I do that often.”

“…What?”

“It’s fascinating! The light from divine power is dazzling yet gentle. Watching it at night passes time so quickly.”

“Such sacrilege… wasting a power meant to help the weak and defeat evil on trivial amusement!”

Well, for Isabel, it’s not wasted. Drawing a few buckets of seawater won’t dry up the sea.

But Lister seemed ready to duel her.

So I sent her a quest:

[Prove to Lister that you are an agent of a unique angel. (0/1)]

“Aha!”

Isabel grabbed the Angelos Rod. Before Lister could react, a radiant pillar of light shot into the sky.

A dazzling protective shield covered all of Castletina. Gorgeous!

Lister’s expression of awe and shock was delightfully satisfying.