Kuro no Maou

It is a month of fresh water that dates back a year to 1997, the continent's history.

The results of the Fifth Galahad War were communicated in detail to the Republic of Sinclair, and the Cross Church was also officially declared to have been permanently absent from seventh place after the demise of the Seventh Apostle Saliel.

With regard to the part that Sariel betrayed, he was only killed in the war of honor by the demons.

The death of an apostle with the greatest power is rare.

However, the church's agitation at the unprecedented loss of the Apostle's throne itself was enormous, but it did not end in the conquest of the Pandora continent by the Divine.As a practical response, it was necessary to designate the next Commander-in-Chief beyond the absence of the 7th Apostle Saliel, the Commander-in-Chief of the Crusade.

In the present Crusade, the appointment of a new Commander-in-Chief should be swifter than anything else - in the first place, Pandora's expedition was reckless from everyone's point of view, which is why the Seventh Apostle Saliel was chosen to perform perfectly, faithfully and unrivalled in any harsh mission.

By taking Daedalus by her actions, the Pandora expedition overheated at once, contrary to initial expectations, but Sariel herself, who had done so, was scattered in the Galahad War.

With that Seventh Apostle Saliel, we couldn't conquer Sparta.I don't want to fight such a mighty demonic kingdom.It doesn't suit me at all.

Everyone thought so.

But one man finally got his name up.

"--hereby appoints Cardinal Ars Isabel Barthelome as Commander-in-Chief of the Crusades."

Pope Alexandros XI proclaimed it at the Cathedral of St. Elixir.

More than twenty years after the Pope's inauguration, the figure of the young saint who once acted as compatriot of the brave Abel has been lost due to the approaching wave of years.

But it was in old age that the Pope stared at the youngest Cardinal with his penetration and integrity as Pope.

"Sincerely, Your Holiness."

Cardinal Ars, on the other hand, was in his mid-thirties.A tough face seems to have strong faith and readiness.

The formal appointment of the Commander-in-Chief of the Crusade was announced, and the highest priests of the Crusade Church gathered to congratulate Cardinal Ars with a harsh voice of prayer, not applause.

So, two days after the Commander-in-Chief took office.

Likewise, in one room of St. Elixir's Cathedral, Ars and another Cardinal met behind closed doors.

"--I didn't think you and I would have the chance to talk alone.What kind of blowing is that, Cardinal Mercedes? "

Relatively before Ars is an old Cardinal named Mercedes.

Wearing a large body with a luxurious suit that is overly decorative, Mercedes is more of a merchant than a clergyman.

He is greedy and cunning against the merchant's soiled appearance.It is obvious to everyone that he is aiming for the next Pope's throne, but he is an ambitious man who does not show any arrogance or gap to blame.

No, you should say it was ambitious.

"Cardinal Ars. You've been a rival to the next Pope's throne... but I don't have that kind of vibe anymore."

Arus is not so popular as to believe such words from the beginning.

Lie and deceive as many people as you can.That is a natural skill for this man who has grown up to be a Cardinal.

But for Ars, it didn't matter anymore.

Since I decided to go to Pandora as Commander-in-Chief of the Crusades, I have given up my dream of becoming a pope in this Elysion.Both the name and the bones are already ready to be buried in Pandora, far away from home.

"Do you know a man named Gregorius?"

"Of course. Your beloved bishop told me he was a man of a strong sense of purpose who had gone on the Pandora expedition earlier."

The face only speaks of a sound reputation, but I know that a suspicious man like Bishop Gregorius and Archbishop Ars will be operating in Pandora with some sort of temptation.

I naturally thought it was under the direction of Cardinal Mercedes, my immediate supervisor....

"I was betting on him."

Bet, huh?

"Will this Pandora expedition succeed or fail?"

Mercedes says.

I decided that the Pandora expedition would fail.

In fact, the construction of Virginia, the landing point, was initially hindered by the Dragon King Garvinal.And now the Seventh Apostle Saliel was also attacked, and the Spartan attack was completely frustrated.

Even if the Crusades destroyed Sparta, there are still countless demonic forces in the vast Pandora continent.Like Daedalus, it could be somewhat occupied.

However, it was determined that conquest of the entire continent was impossible.It's bound to get stuck somewhere. No matter how mythical it is, there are limits to human power, but for that reason.

That's why Mercedes decided to move on the assumption of failure.

By entering the Pandora expedition, fools who lose their power at random will surely emerge.He was delighted that sending Bishop Luchrom, Ars' belly, as his aide to the Seventh Apostle Saliel, who was in friendship with Ars, had proved to be a very advantageous situation for Mercedes.

"But Gregorius said. Pandora will be conquered."

"I mean, it was his strong desire to send him to Pandora."

"He's a smart guy.But I couldn't measure the sincerity of that creepy smile... so I guess.I wanted to try that man. "

"Then the bet will be yours."

The Crusade's continental conquest shows complete stalemate.

Arus is determined to destroy Sparta... but we still have no plans to take control of all of the continent.

Gregorius was making a prophecy.

"Speaking of which, I've heard you name yourself the Prophet."

"I thought it was like a hobby divination play.Because his prophecy was to focus on nonsense and take it off. "

It seems to be a true or unexpected gossip.

At least it was between Mercedes and Gregorius.

"But I made a specific prediction about this bet.For example, yes, Cardinal Arus will be commander-in-chief. "

"That's what everyone can predict."

"Then what about the permanent absence of the Seventh Apostle Saliel?"

"... what do you mean?"

"I did say that.Sir Saliel is not just a dead man.Lose the throne of the Apostle, and the seventh will be permanently absent. "

"Don't be silly, don't be silly ---"

I can't imagine.

Never before in history has an apostle's throne been lost, and no punitive clergyman thought that would happen.

"And there are many people in Pandora who secretly continue to believe in the Cross religion.They're waiting for the Crusades to liberate them. "

The Bible tells us that in Pandora, as in Ark, there used to be a white god.

But none of the modern clergy has ever visited Pandora to confirm that fact.

Even today, there may be people who have faith.I can imagine that, but I can't be sure.

"In fact, he is already in contact with the cross who was already lurking in Pandora and is building a cooperative relationship."

"Everything is as predicted... no, did you know from the beginning?"

"The prophecy came true, and I was finally noticed.Gregorius, he really sees God. "

God (Record).

It is the will of God, as it is written.

White God is the only God of creation.Then the will is all set as reality.

In other words, the White God will give and know all the world's divine events, past, present, and future - all of them.For it is all the will of its own accord.

Exactly, the ability to reach the omnipotent, the omnipotent.

"Touching God (the record) and knowing everything is supposed to be just a hypothesis.The Apostle has never been given the ability to predict. "

"Even if he is not an apostle, God bless him.We call it a saint, but I think Gregorius is perhaps the first of his divine powers. "

"... why did you do that to me?"

"Once the Pandora expedition is completed, my plan is as good as falling.I don't know if you're young yet, but age is really not an enemy.I don't see any winners in the Pope's seat anymore. "

Is that why you gave up?

Men as famous as Mercedes have ever been in church.

"I will remain silent and complete my mission as Cardinal.Cardinal Ars, I will not disturb you.And I will tell Gregorius, in my name, to cooperate with you.If you ever see him again, I want you to give me this letter. "

Ars was somewhat hesitant to accept the handed out seal.

"If that man is a true God-capable, then the Pandora expedition is being carried out by the will of a stronger god than was decreed by God.Throughout this period, I too will be a priest and respect the will of God - I wish you every success in your expedition to Pandora, Cardinal Ars.You are the man to be the next Pope. "

Then, the moon and day went on, and the continent's history began in 1998.The beginning of the moon of dawn.

Finally, it is time for Cardinal Ars to travel to Pandora.

He did not go any faster than he had been appointed because he was so prepared and rooted.

Of course, he spoke to his friends, drew personal assistance from merchants, and hired several famous mercenary groups.

I have enough combat power to bring myself together.

It was the night before, when he travelled to Pandora with a full army.

A man came under Ars, who was staying in a port town with a large fleet of ships.

"This is -- Sir Abel the Second Apostle!"

I knew what kind of rudeness there would be at this late hour, but the moment the door opened, Ars lay flat.

There are too few cardinals after the Pope who have to bow their heads.

But there is no better apostle than to kneel before the living legend that saved Sinclair, the White Warrior Abel, one of God's chosen apostles, the second apostle who is both active and famous.

"The one who came here was a patient one.Face up and make yourself comfortable. "

Abel urged him to sit down with a smile of brilliant silver hair and a glowing blue and black odd eye that had remained unchanged for a hundred years.

There was no time to prepare for the hospitality, and the wine and glasses were placed on the table, either because of Abel's concern or because they were taken from nowhere.

A toast with an unmistakable greeting and a holy phrase.

Vintage wine with great flavors, but without enjoying it, Ars asked the legendary hero.

"So, what can I do for you tonight?"

"Well... let me ask you one question first.Why did you run for General Commander of the Crusades? "

The question had been asked many times in the past year or so.

However, Abel would not have asked for answers to his sense of faith and mission, such as being a cross-believer.

Ars openly reveals his heart to the Second Apostle with a sense of remorse.

"Revenge... is a little different.Is it redemption? That's half the feeling. "

"Well, it was for terrible personal reasons."

"Do you despise me as an apostle?"

"No, I'm glad. Someone thought of Sariel."

It's not that kind of emotion.

I can assure you that no one has ever used a girl named Sariel as a token to win a war as conveniently as I did.

Do you know my full name?

"Als Isabel Barthelome, whose name is all about your brilliant career."

Ars is the original name and was recognized as a holy name by the Church.

About a decade ago, he was just a priest of Arus.

And Ars, who was just one of the priests of the countryside, was caught up in a great war with the heathens - and eventually won the victory and successfully freed his homeland from the wicked heathens.

It is called the Isabel region in the south-western part of the Sinclair Republic.

"After all, they are just weak people who rely on the power of the Apostle, such as me."

Isabel's liberation was desperate.

The high priests and the local knights were defeated one after the other by the vicious heathen armies, and Ars finally rose to lead Isabel's soldiers.

Unlike other priests and knights, I happened to know and visit the secret society of the Cross Church called the "White Mark", which lives nearby.

The feeling of leaning on the straw will be the right emotion at that time.

"The liberation of Isabel is all thanks to the Seventh Apostle, Sir Saliel.And the ensuing liberation of Barthelome, I just relied on her power. "

Isabel and Barthelome, now the names of Ars, are the names of the regions that they both liberated.It is not the nobility that ruled there, but both regions are under their own control as donations, so it is essentially like a lord.

With the liberation of the Barthelome region, Ars climbed to Cardinal status at a young age.

"She fell down in Pandora.I'd be ashamed of myself if I hadn't succeeded at least ever since... oh, when did Bishop Judas tell me that?You are overconfident in the power of the Apostle. "

Now that he had lost Sariel, he finally realized that the words were true.

I also relied on the power of the Seventh Apostle Saliel, because he had seen too close a succession of glorious victories.

"If I stay in Sinclair like this, my position will certainly be safe.But then I'll just use a girl named Sariel to get my peace, and it'll be a pathway that can't be saved. "

After all, such self-blame led Ars to decide to take over the Commander-in-Chief.

Thanks to Saliel's action, the young country priest climbed to the cardinal.Long ago, I came to a point where I could not return to a peaceful life where I would just relax and preach in a quiet countryside.

If Sariel were to gain this extra sustenance, she would be gone, and I would have to keep going -- not a faith in the white gods, but a second apostle who heard such a personal reason,

"I see... but you don't have to worry so much.Saliel was freed from the apostle, and now he must be living happily. "

"If you were an apostle, would you even know that?"

With a little irony, such a thing happened.

When Sariel is in such a convenient environment, it doesn't feel easy to believe.

"This is not me, but the words of the Third Apostle Michael... it's probably true.Do you know why Sariel was permanently absent? "

"No... it's just that the Apostle was defeated shortly before, and God didn't allow it."

"No, because someone really moved Sariel's heart."

"What do you mean?"

"It means nothing, it means nothing.Sariel had enough to abandon his faith.It's not a big deal to say that I'm permanently absent... but it's a jealous prick that someone took my favorite daughter away from me. "

……

As a Cardinal, no, as a Cross, I couldn't be certain of Abel's story.

But Ars didn't want to yell at me and deny it. Dead silence.

"You've become a cardinal, too.You already know that the White God is not as merciful and generous as many believers think it is.He's so whimsical, he doesn't even think of playing with people, just like a human tyrant. "

"Ser Abel, no matter how many messengers there are, there is nothing more to say."

"Oh, I'm sorry, I made you sound stupid.Anyway, all I wanted to say was... if you find Sariel over there, leave him alone. "

"After all, Sir Saliel betrayed the Crusades and is still alive."

"Betraying or anything, we were the ones who forced her into subjugation.It's a stupid master's complaint that a slave was freed and betrayed. "

"I... I have never been Lord Saliel before.It is true, however, that she continued to be used.If she is truly happy now, I will take your advice, Sir Abel the Second Apostle, honestly. "

Thank you, and Ars lowered his head deeply.

It may be said that there is no more word of salvation for Ars, who has a sense of remorse for Sariel.

"However, I am already Commander-in-Chief of the Crusades.Only for the sake of Lord Saliel's happiness can we not relax the hand of the Pandora conquest. "

"I guess so.Beyond being a cross, we do not disobey the will of the white gods - Cardinal Ars, you have prepared quite a lot in the past year. "

"Yeah, I did everything I could."

And as a result, it made the Crusades of the Republic of Sinclair more powerful.

Cardinal Mercedes, who was supposed to be a hostile faction, was passive but cooperative, and accompanied by other cardinals and neutrals, he inclined to support the Pandora Expeditionary Crusade.

By showing unity across the church's factions, the movement of nobles who were reluctant to march is also boosting.

Hundreds of thousands of troops have already been sent to Pandora, but there will still be soldiers and even more colonists coming.

After the Galahad War, there was no doubt that Crusade movements, which seemed to have stalled, had moved forward once and for all since Ars took office as Commander-in-Chief.

"The arm of a boulder," he said.The momentum of the Crusades to Pandora became unstoppable at the earliest. "

On the contrary, there was still a chance that it would stop.

If the Pandora expedition doesn't fit, nature and invasion will have stopped if everyone starts pulling their hands.

However, Cardinal Ars' efforts led to the conquest of both the Cross Church and the Republic, good and bad.

"--Pandora or Sinclair, this battle will never end until either is defeated."

"It was a battle begun with the gift of God.It will be what God and we who are believers want. "

With enough readiness to harness the full power of the Cross, Ars responded.

"Let's do one more thing... I came here because of Sariel and another thing I gave you."

Abel, by and large, placed a small wooden box on the table.

A wooden box that looks like it's being loaded into a freighter without any freaks.

Arus opens the box carefully with the intention of opening it.

Inside, wrapped in a beautiful white silk fabric... dishes or something.

The moment he solved the smooth fabric, Ars took a breath.

"Hmm, I can't believe this..."

"Oh, the Holy Grail."

Holy Grail.

It is a sacred relic representing the Cross religion.

"I have one of the three chalices, the Holy Grail of the Pure Blood of the Virgin Aria."

It is a dull, golden, old cup.

It is not beautifully decorated or shining with strong magic.

There are also second-hand items that no one looks at, such as a line of scattered open-air merchants.

However, Ars' body was hardened as if he were even afraid to touch it.

"I don't think so. Unless the seal is lifted, this is just a metal cup."

"But I've never seen a real chalice before..."

There are many sacred objects in the Cross that are used or made public, including the "Armed Scripture", a special weapon handled by the Apostle.

However, the "sacred relics", which are said to directly inhabit the power of the white gods, are special among them.

And the Grail is the most famous and iconic of its artifacts.

The Cross Church holds three chalices called the Three Holy Grails, but they do not see the sun as one.

"I've only used this once in the past.I've been holding on to it ever since... well, it's also called a god.I entrust you with this Grail of Pure Blood. "

"Wow, I'll give you the Holy Grail...."

"Will you take it?"

Cardinal Ars held the chalice as he stared straight back at the blue and black eyes, which showed a serious sparkle.

"Leave it to me. The Holy Grail of the Pure Blood of the Virgin Aria, you have indeed received this Arus."

The 20th of the month of fresh water.

Finally, the Crusades took complete control of Sparda's Imperial Castle and completed the capture of the capital.

Nevertheless, the Spartan army and many of the people who were engaged in a deadly defensive battle in the capital lost their way from the royal castle, and the fierce battle came to an end overnight.

There is no one in the capital Sparta to stop the Crusades, but the demons they are supposed to kill have disappeared.Whether the Spartans in the capital flew in transit, fled in battle, or were already captured.Even if there were still people hiding from the eyes of the Crusades, it would be a matter of time before they were discovered in a very small number.

The new Crusade Commander-in-Chief Ars stepped foot in to Spada, the capital, which had become such a barren place.

Enemy shadows are nowhere to be found at the earliest, with more than 100,000 Crusaders stationed in the city and Eighth Apostle Eye in the royal castle.Commander-in-Chief Ars made a majestic journey through the secure boulevard to the royal castle.

Previously, the General Command of the Crusades was located at the Daedalus Castle, but now that it has crossed the Galahad Mountains and finally opened a route to invade various parts of the continent, it is to be relocated to the Spartan Castle.

The inauguration of the new Commander and the relocation of the Command have combined to create a state of great haste - that evening, Ars took only his immediate escort, the Knight of the Cathedral (Temple Knight), down to the basement of Sparda's Royal Castle.

Originally, the basement of the imperial castle appears to be an ancient ruin.

The Spartans in the royal castle also used it to escape the huge original monolith underground here.

In the deepest part of the hall, further down from there, is an ancient sealing device called the "Cocutos Gap."I have already heard that the Eighth Apostle Eye, captured in the Galahad War, was being held here.

Now that the eye has been liberated, no one is being held captive by this seal, called "Time stops."

However, there was one person standing in the "Cocuitos Gap" where Ars stepped in.

"--Long time no see, Bishop Judas."

"Well, it's been a while, Cardinal Ars."

A benefactor who once gave himself the Seventh Apostle Saliel.After that, I've been helped many times by the power he provides... but Ars never trusted this old man named Judas.

He stood in an old but playful figure, with his gray hair and beard still the same as when he first met him.

"Congratulations on opening the Fifth Institute."

"Thank you for your prompt permission."

When Ars marched to Sparta, he accompanied members of the White Mystery led by Judas from the Fourth Laboratory in Daedalus.

It seems that I already had information that there are ancient ruins similar to Daedalus in the basement of Spartan Imperial Castle, so I would definitely like to take this opportunity.I have also officially received an offer to open a laboratory to Commander Ars, and the existence of the Fifth Laboratory is not so secret as to warrant it.

Although I was defeated in the Galahad War earlier, the White Mystery, which provided me with a number of new weapons such as the Chimeric Soldier, which is perfect for discarding tokens, and the Ancient Golem "Taurus", which exerts great power in attacking the castle, also gained the support of the Crusades.Many hope that they will also develop new and powerful weapons.

But that's not why Ars came all the way to see Judas in the middle of the night.

The only reason I came here was because Bishop Judas wanted it, and I couldn't refuse his favor.

"So what can I do for you?"

It's not like I'm enjoying chatting casually from the beginning.Ars decided to ask the reason for the call straight away.

"You know what this place is for?"

"I hear it's called the 'Cocuitos Gap', and it used ancient sealing devices to hold special prisoners in Sparta... but I can't imagine how it was used in ancient times."

As Cardinal, Ars knows quite well the secrets of the ancient ruins.

In Sinclair, the reason for the ancient tablet called the "End of History (Zero Chronicle)" is also true of the original monolith.I know the ancient truth better than any archaeologist, and I can decipher the ancient language.

But there are too many ancient mysteries, and I don't have the enthusiasm to discuss them with enthusiasm.Therefore, anything you don't know stays with the answer that you don't know.

"This is just the entrance.Apparently, the Spartans have been here for centuries and haven't opened a single one.Or have you chosen to keep it closed since you opened it? "

"What a disturbing thing to say.Are they trapped in ancient monsters? "

"There are no monsters.What lies ahead ----"

Judas began chanting as if he had seen it sooner than said it.

At first glance, the magical formation here seems to have reacted, with a huge formation spreading across the floor emitting a pale glow.

Arus is just watching a chant that was probably spinned only in ancient languages.

As soon as Judas' voice, which echoed in the hall, stopped, the back wall started to move with a bang.

It looks like a hidden door operation rarely seen in ancient ruins.However, the open area is much larger than a door, it is a huge gate.

What ancient mysteries lie ahead?

"... what are you doing here? Nothing."

Unexpectedly, Ars said such a thing.

Against expectations, nothing in particular can be found in the open space.

There were no huge tablets like the original monolith, no elaborate ancient altars, not to mention a glittering treasure.

It's just a big space.

For some reason, the floor is not stone or metal, but black, slightly wet soil.

And the only thing I saw in this place was a wooden frame standing in the middle.

"No, it's definitely here.Did you finally get here.... "

Judas walks straight to the mysterious frame whispering an unusual and sentimental voice.

Ars continued silently, but it was still an object that could only be said to be a "frame" even if it was seen close by.

The size is about five meters high so that people can pass side by side with room.However, this place, which boasts a large space and a high ceiling, looked too small and obscure.

The material was originally painted red, but most of it has already come off.Wood floats beneath the paint, and it is clearly wooden.

A simpler shape in which two pillars and the other two pillars are combined sideways around the top to form a large square.It's not like it's a combination of logs on a boulder, but it's made up... I didn't really think such a temporary set of tree objects was the ancient relic that Bishop Judas wanted.

"What the hell is this tree frame?"

It says, "There's a bird. It's called Torii."

"Torii...?"

I've never heard of it, and Arus wondered if it's just enough to name a wooden frame like this.

"It was hidden in this place.I wonder if that torii has a great ancient power? "

Next, the ironic dialogue spits out.

Bishop Judas said without worrying about the words of Arus.

"Oh, yes. This is the gateway to the other world."

"Gentile? That's not Gentile--"

"Cardinal Ars, you've helped me so much before."

That's how Judas cut out his face.

There is no doubt about that question.

"Yes, thank you. I am the Cardinal and Commander-in-Chief of the Crusades."

Now, can I get my debt back?

"... I see, it makes sense that I've never been asked for anything in return."

Neither Saliel nor his subsequent help paid Judas anything for this.

But I didn't say that everything was free.

I had heard that they were all on loan and that the time would come for them to be returned one day.

At the time, I was wondering if Ars would be waiting for a great deal of power and wealth to reach a higher level than Judas.....

"Bishop Judas, I really appreciate your help.Now is the time to give back what you've taken care of. "

Ars made up his mind and returned it.

In return, what Judas asked for...