The operation proceeded swiftly.
"How is the preparation going? Do we have enough forces ready to move out immediately?"
"Don't worry. We've prepared to some extent in advance, so we have more than enough reserve forces. After all, we were planning to dispatch only our elite personnel this time."
The detected energy was at the western edge of the continent.
Given the distance, there was a limit to the number of people who could be sent as quickly as possible.
If the sect caught wind of this, it was unpredictable when and where the enemy might flee, so it wasn't possible to summon an Immortal King hunting party from the Talia Kingdom like before.
Since any force below a certain level wouldn't be of much help anyway, the Talia Temple decided to only receive support from the paladin order and combat priests of archpriest rank or higher.
"We will have four paladins and three archbishops participating in the operation, including myself. The inquisitors plan to join as well."
A strategy to call in all available strong figures to one place.
Three paladins and two archbishops residing at the Grand Temple of Rosellia, and one paladin and one archbishop dispatched to the west, were to join on site.
In addition, the top-tier talents among the various knight orders and combat priests were also scheduled to be dispatched.
"And... Cardinal Pirei from the Jerron Grand Temple of the Empire has also announced that he will join us."
The cardinal, one of the highest-ranking officials in the few Grand Temples on the continent, declared his direct participation in the battle.
"Hmm... Well, he was unusually aggressive. Being a former paladin himself. I heard he was quite disappointed for not being able to participate in the first hunting party."
"It seems he has some time this time. It's a situation that requires a small elite force, so it's just as well."
Although there were two cardinals at the Grand Temple of Rosellia, they left all matters related to the Immortal King to the saintess and focused solely on managing the Grand Temple and the entire order.
"Hmm... In that case, I also..."
"The Saintess cannot."
Before she could finish her sentence, Archbishop Latius cut her off decisively.
"With the Pope bedridden due to old age, the Saintess is the symbol of the Holy Order at this time. More than ever, you should stay in your place."
"But, with the cardinals present..."
"Especially since a considerable amount of the Grand Temple's forces are being deployed outside, please do protect this place, Saintess. Even if the operation is carried out in secret, there's always the possibility of an unforeseen situation."
"Ha... Understood."
And the repercussions of that conversation also reached Heinrich.
"Hmm... It seems best for Sir Heinrich Landguard to stay and protect the Grand Temple with the Saintess this time."
"Me as well?"
Heinrich, who had been deeply involved in the matter until now and thought he would participate, was surprised.
Archbishop Latius took him to a quiet place and began to speak with a serious expression.
"It seems the Saintess is quite heartbroken, so I hoped you could stay by her side, perhaps offer some comfort and conversation. And..."
After a pause, the archbishop let out a sigh.
"This will be a very dangerous operation. With the cardinal also joining, the enemy won't be able to flee easily like last time. A fierce battle is likely to ensue."
Given that they had previously failed to capture Hans despite setting up a barrier, this time they were planning to take even more thorough precautions with the cardinal joining the effort.
"In the midst of that, many will die or get injured. And there's no law saying I won't be among them."
And Heinrich was too valuable a talent to be sacrificed in such a battlefield.
Though he was skilled enough to participate in the operation immediately, he was still only on a similar level to the selected paladins this time.
The archbishop judged that his true value would be realized after his growth was fully complete.
A hero in the making, experiencing rapid growth and receiving attention from both the deity and the saintess. There was a need to prepare for any eventuality.
"We must consider the possibility of the operation failing. The possibility that we might all be annihilated."
Although sufficient forces had been prepared, the future was uncertain to everyone.
And if that time came, the saintess and Heinrich could become the hope of the order.
"Understood. I will follow the archbishop's will."
"Thank you for understanding. You must have been preparing yourself for this moment as well."
Heinrich could only offer an awkward smile at the determined expression of Archbishop Latius.
'Well, that... It's good to see you're so earnest.'
The transportation through the gate was carried out in sequence by priests, including the saintess, who were not directly participating in the operation.
Although only a select few elites were dispatched, the number was still in the dozens, and it took an additional day to send them all to the Talia Temple.
"Since we can't get there in a day or two anyway, there's no need to rush. They won't move to another place so hastily from where they've been hiding all this time."
Archbishop Latius led the personnel from the Grand Temple of Rosellia, advancing the operation step by step.
As the last group prepared to transport, the gate vibrated and started operating again.
The archbishop among them turned to look at those who had come to see them off.
Gazing firmly at the group, including the saintess and Heinrich, he nodded with conviction and then turned to enter the gate.
His departing figure carried an air of 'If something happens, I entrust the future to you.'
'...Enjoy the fresh air outside and come back safely.'
Heinrich watched him disappear through the gate with a subtle smile.
The blue swirl of the vibrating gate.
Thus, all personnel were transported to the Talia Temple in the western part of the continent.
***
[Hmmm... I wonder how long it will take for those gathered at the Talia Temple to arrive here. It shouldn't take too long since they are all elites.]
From the capital of the Talia Kingdom to the depths of the Forest of Beasts.
Normally, it would take more than a month to arrive, no matter how fast they travel, but who knows what kind of blessings they have, so it's premature to make assumptions.
After all, Heinrich also has the "Blessing: Leap."
They would want to reduce the travel time as much as possible.
Probably, they will depart immediately after assembling at the Talia Temple, using all available means.
[Maybe it's time to start preparing.]
Hans slowly exited the cave.
With each step, flames of hell surged, melting everything left in the cave.
From the waste generated during the experiments to all traces of barriers that had remained inside.
[No need to give out any more information, hehe...]
As the barriers collapsed, his body was already covered in layers of cloaking fields that could hide the presence of fragments.
'When would be the best time to start?'
Now was when the defenses of the Grand Temple of Rosellia were at their weakest.
That place had drawn the most forces to capture Hans.
'Besides, the priests must be exhausted from overusing the gate.'
Given the level of the seals surrounding the fragment, it appeared that breaking them would not be easy.
It would likely take a considerable amount of time to obtain the fragment.
It was necessary to draw out as much of the Grand Temple's forces as possible in preparation for that time.
The timing was also appropriate since the High Elves had begun their search.
It was possible to lure them out by showing off their force, but that could make the order suspicious.
So, nothing was done, allowing for a natural discovery while only preparations were made.
'The cooldown for the dimensional transfer circle has also been pre-adjusted.'
Hans could start the operation at any time, but he chose to wait until nightfall, standing in his spot.
So that even if the personnel sent to capture him were to receive late notice, they could do nothing about it.
[Kukuku... Now it begins.]
At midnight, when the moon was high.
The moonlight illuminated the forest, casting shadows of everything...
But Hans's shadow was no longer there.
***
[Transfer to the Outerica dimension has been completed.]
The first thing that was seen was light.
An overwhelming amount of light pouring from all directions, as if to blind him.
[Kuh, I expected as much, but it's more impressive than I thought.]
The cloaking field wrapped around his body instantly burnt up in the light, and the dark magic swirling around him began to clash with the holy power.
'This is not good.'
Everywhere around Hans was a hostile space.
If this continued, he wouldn't be able to fully recover the fragment.
He had intended to finish his business peacefully and leave, but now he had no choice.
Hans raised his staff upwards.
[Kahaha! Destroy everything!]
The dark magic emanating from him concentrated in one place...
And the black flames that blossomed at the end of his skull staff quickly grew in size.
Even as the holy power continued to eat away at the black magic, Hans was no longer a mage to be shaken by such interference.
Flames of hell exploded, dividing into several streams towards the walls adorned with golden inscriptions.
The inscriptions on the walls began to fall off and melt away, weakening the force suppressing the dark magic.
'That's much better.'
The seal was originally created to suppress the unholy energy inside.
It was less prepared for direct impacts.
'Once more!'
The ground around Hans turned black and spread in all directions, and blades of shadow that sprang from it began to slash wildly.
The light from the damaged inscriptions gradually faded, weakening the holy power pressing down on him.
[Kuh, that's somewhat relieving.]
Of course, only the forces directly attacking him had diminished, but he was far from being in his usual condition.
'It's unclear how many layers of holy barriers were activated at once.'
Upon Hans's intrusion, all sorts of barriers installed throughout the Grand Temple activated simultaneously.
'I need to hurry. Still, the fact that it takes time for the order to get here due to the complex entrance is good.'
He let out a satisfied laugh and headed towards the central altar.
'But this place is still intact despite everything.'
Despite Hans's black magic turning the surroundings upside down, there was not a single scratch on the altar or the pillars that sealed it.
Crack—!
As his touch reached the chains binding the fragment, white sparks flew up, covering his arm with flames.
'Hmm, yes. It wouldn't be that easy.'
Hans muttered calmly as he shook off the flames clinging to his hand with his dark power.
'Now it's a race against time.'
He had to break the seal and retrieve the fragment before external interference came.
He reached out to the fragment once again.
***
The incident occurred in the middle of the night.
Whoosh—
The symbols carved throughout the Grand Temple, previously thought to be mere decorations, suddenly illuminated all at once...
"What?!"
"What's all this suddenly!"
The knights on guard exclaimed in shock.
Sacred inscriptions filled with holy power appeared on the floor, walls, and ceiling without distinction.
Barriers that cut off space, suppressed evil energies inside, and boosted the power of those with holy energy.
At this moment, the Grand Temple of Rosellia was practically an impregnable fortress.
'Even though it's after allowing an intrusion.'
While the paladin on duty with him showed signs of panic, Heinrich looked around and laid out his calm observations internally.
He was currently on night duty in the passage leading to the sealing area.
Being assigned to protect the Grand Temple, he naturally returned to his duties with the Glorious Guardians.
He volunteered for this passage guard duty, wanting to be of help in some other way since he couldn't participate in the punitive force.
Moreover, having missed work for a while, he volunteered for the night duty, which everyone avoided, as an excuse to make up for it, leading him to stand here now.
'Being here should give me a rough idea of the situation as it unfolds. While Hans is unsealing the...'
At that moment.
[Emergency—!]
A burst of holy power resounded inside the Grand Temple, echoing in their heads.
[Emergency situation! All forces to battle stations! Assemble at your designated locations as soon as ready!]
[The Knight Order is to move under the command of the Grandmaster!]
The voice that rang loudly in their heads.
It was the voice of a cardinal, whom he had rarely heard before.
The situation was rapidly progressing.
Whish—!
At that moment, a group of about twenty people dressed in dark attire rushed towards them from one side.
Leading them was the Inquisitor General, whom I had seen once before.
'I've never seen his face directly.'
Like the others, his face was covered, but he could be identified through the badge symbolizing his position as the General.
And that badge was essentially a pass for this area.
As Heinrich and his fellow paladin who were guarding the passage hastily stepped aside, the group vanished inside like the wind.
"…This doesn't seem like an ordinary situation."
The paladin beside him murmured in a stiff voice.
True to his words.
The first-ever internal intrusion allowed in the history of the Grand Temple of Rosellia had just begun.
The operation proceeded swiftly.
"How is the preparation going? Do we have enough forces ready to move out immediately?"
"Don't worry. We've prepared to some extent in advance, so we have more than enough reserve forces. After all, we were planning to dispatch only our elite personnel this time."
The detected energy was at the western edge of the continent.
Given the distance, there was a limit to the number of people who could be sent as quickly as possible.
If the sect caught wind of this, it was unpredictable when and where the enemy might flee, so it wasn't possible to summon an Immortal King hunting party from the Talia Kingdom like before.
Since any force below a certain level wouldn't be of much help anyway, the Talia Temple decided to only receive support from the paladin order and combat priests of archpriest rank or higher.
"We will have four paladins and three archbishops participating in the operation, including myself. The inquisitors plan to join as well."
A strategy to call in all available strong figures to one place.
Three paladins and two archbishops residing at the Grand Temple of Rosellia, and one paladin and one archbishop dispatched to the west, were to join on site.
In addition, the top-tier talents among the various knight orders and combat priests were also scheduled to be dispatched.
"And... Cardinal Pirei from the Jerron Grand Temple of the Empire has also announced that he will join us."
The cardinal, one of the highest-ranking officials in the few Grand Temples on the continent, declared his direct participation in the battle.
"Hmm... Well, he was unusually aggressive. Being a former paladin himself. I heard he was quite disappointed for not being able to participate in the first hunting party."
"It seems he has some time this time. It's a situation that requires a small elite force, so it's just as well."
Although there were two cardinals at the Grand Temple of Rosellia, they left all matters related to the Immortal King to the saintess and focused solely on managing the Grand Temple and the entire order.
"Hmm... In that case, I also..."
"The Saintess cannot."
Before she could finish her sentence, Archbishop Latius cut her off decisively.
"With the Pope bedridden due to old age, the Saintess is the symbol of the Holy Order at this time. More than ever, you should stay in your place."
"But, with the cardinals present..."
"Especially since a considerable amount of the Grand Temple's forces are being deployed outside, please do protect this place, Saintess. Even if the operation is carried out in secret, there's always the possibility of an unforeseen situation."
"Ha... Understood."
And the repercussions of that conversation also reached Heinrich.
"Hmm... It seems best for Sir Heinrich Landguard to stay and protect the Grand Temple with the Saintess this time."
"Me as well?"
Heinrich, who had been deeply involved in the matter until now and thought he would participate, was surprised.
Archbishop Latius took him to a quiet place and began to speak with a serious expression.
"It seems the Saintess is quite heartbroken, so I hoped you could stay by her side, perhaps offer some comfort and conversation. And..."
After a pause, the archbishop let out a sigh.
"This will be a very dangerous operation. With the cardinal also joining, the enemy won't be able to flee easily like last time. A fierce battle is likely to ensue."
Given that they had previously failed to capture Hans despite setting up a barrier, this time they were planning to take even more thorough precautions with the cardinal joining the effort.
"In the midst of that, many will die or get injured. And there's no law saying I won't be among them."
And Heinrich was too valuable a talent to be sacrificed in such a battlefield.
Though he was skilled enough to participate in the operation immediately, he was still only on a similar level to the selected paladins this time.
The archbishop judged that his true value would be realized after his growth was fully complete.
A hero in the making, experiencing rapid growth and receiving attention from both the deity and the saintess. There was a need to prepare for any eventuality.
"We must consider the possibility of the operation failing. The possibility that we might all be annihilated."
Although sufficient forces had been prepared, the future was uncertain to everyone.
And if that time came, the saintess and Heinrich could become the hope of the order.
"Understood. I will follow the archbishop's will."
"Thank you for understanding. You must have been preparing yourself for this moment as well."
Heinrich could only offer an awkward smile at the determined expression of Archbishop Latius.
'Well, that... It's good to see you're so earnest.'
The transportation through the gate was carried out in sequence by priests, including the saintess, who were not directly participating in the operation.
Although only a select few elites were dispatched, the number was still in the dozens, and it took an additional day to send them all to the Talia Temple.
"Since we can't get there in a day or two anyway, there's no need to rush. They won't move to another place so hastily from where they've been hiding all this time."
Archbishop Latius led the personnel from the Grand Temple of Rosellia, advancing the operation step by step.
As the last group prepared to transport, the gate vibrated and started operating again.
The archbishop among them turned to look at those who had come to see them off.
Gazing firmly at the group, including the saintess and Heinrich, he nodded with conviction and then turned to enter the gate.
His departing figure carried an air of 'If something happens, I entrust the future to you.'
'...Enjoy the fresh air outside and come back safely.'
Heinrich watched him disappear through the gate with a subtle smile.
The blue swirl of the vibrating gate.
Thus, all personnel were transported to the Talia Temple in the western part of the continent.
***
[Hmmm... I wonder how long it will take for those gathered at the Talia Temple to arrive here. It shouldn't take too long since they are all elites.]
From the capital of the Talia Kingdom to the depths of the Forest of Beasts.
Normally, it would take more than a month to arrive, no matter how fast they travel, but who knows what kind of blessings they have, so it's premature to make assumptions.
After all, Heinrich also has the "Blessing: Leap."
They would want to reduce the travel time as much as possible.
Probably, they will depart immediately after assembling at the Talia Temple, using all available means.
[Maybe it's time to start preparing.]
Hans slowly exited the cave.
With each step, flames of hell surged, melting everything left in the cave.
From the waste generated during the experiments to all traces of barriers that had remained inside.
[No need to give out any more information, hehe...]
As the barriers collapsed, his body was already covered in layers of cloaking fields that could hide the presence of fragments.
'When would be the best time to start?'
Now was when the defenses of the Grand Temple of Rosellia were at their weakest.
That place had drawn the most forces to capture Hans.
'Besides, the priests must be exhausted from overusing the gate.'
Given the level of the seals surrounding the fragment, it appeared that breaking them would not be easy.
It would likely take a considerable amount of time to obtain the fragment.
It was necessary to draw out as much of the Grand Temple's forces as possible in preparation for that time.
The timing was also appropriate since the High Elves had begun their search.
It was possible to lure them out by showing off their force, but that could make the order suspicious.
So, nothing was done, allowing for a natural discovery while only preparations were made.
'The cooldown for the dimensional transfer circle has also been pre-adjusted.'
Hans could start the operation at any time, but he chose to wait until nightfall, standing in his spot.
So that even if the personnel sent to capture him were to receive late notice, they could do nothing about it.
[Kukuku... Now it begins.]
At midnight, when the moon was high.
The moonlight illuminated the forest, casting shadows of everything...
But Hans's shadow was no longer there.
***
[Transfer to the Outerica dimension has been completed.]
The first thing that was seen was light.
An overwhelming amount of light pouring from all directions, as if to blind him.
[Kuh, I expected as much, but it's more impressive than I thought.]
The cloaking field wrapped around his body instantly burnt up in the light, and the dark magic swirling around him began to clash with the holy power.
'This is not good.'
Everywhere around Hans was a hostile space.
If this continued, he wouldn't be able to fully recover the fragment.
He had intended to finish his business peacefully and leave, but now he had no choice.
Hans raised his staff upwards.
[Kahaha! Destroy everything!]
The dark magic emanating from him concentrated in one place...
And the black flames that blossomed at the end of his skull staff quickly grew in size.
Even as the holy power continued to eat away at the black magic, Hans was no longer a mage to be shaken by such interference.
Flames of hell exploded, dividing into several streams towards the walls adorned with golden inscriptions.
The inscriptions on the walls began to fall off and melt away, weakening the force suppressing the dark magic.
'That's much better.'
The seal was originally created to suppress the unholy energy inside.
It was less prepared for direct impacts.
'Once more!'
The ground around Hans turned black and spread in all directions, and blades of shadow that sprang from it began to slash wildly.
The light from the damaged inscriptions gradually faded, weakening the holy power pressing down on him.
[Kuh, that's somewhat relieving.]
Of course, only the forces directly attacking him had diminished, but he was far from being in his usual condition.
'It's unclear how many layers of holy barriers were activated at once.'
Upon Hans's intrusion, all sorts of barriers installed throughout the Grand Temple activated simultaneously.
'I need to hurry. Still, the fact that it takes time for the order to get here due to the complex entrance is good.'
He let out a satisfied laugh and headed towards the central altar.
'But this place is still intact despite everything.'
Despite Hans's black magic turning the surroundings upside down, there was not a single scratch on the altar or the pillars that sealed it.
Crack—!
As his touch reached the chains binding the fragment, white sparks flew up, covering his arm with flames.
'Hmm, yes. It wouldn't be that easy.'
Hans muttered calmly as he shook off the flames clinging to his hand with his dark power.
'Now it's a race against time.'
He had to break the seal and retrieve the fragment before external interference came.
He reached out to the fragment once again.
***
The incident occurred in the middle of the night.
Whoosh—
The symbols carved throughout the Grand Temple, previously thought to be mere decorations, suddenly illuminated all at once...
"What?!"
"What's all this suddenly!"
The knights on guard exclaimed in shock.
Sacred inscriptions filled with holy power appeared on the floor, walls, and ceiling without distinction.
Barriers that cut off space, suppressed evil energies inside, and boosted the power of those with holy energy.
At this moment, the Grand Temple of Rosellia was practically an impregnable fortress.
'Even though it's after allowing an intrusion.'
While the paladin on duty with him showed signs of panic, Heinrich looked around and laid out his calm observations internally.
He was currently on night duty in the passage leading to the sealing area.
Being assigned to protect the Grand Temple, he naturally returned to his duties with the Glorious Guardians.
He volunteered for this passage guard duty, wanting to be of help in some other way since he couldn't participate in the punitive force.
Moreover, having missed work for a while, he volunteered for the night duty, which everyone avoided, as an excuse to make up for it, leading him to stand here now.
'Being here should give me a rough idea of the situation as it unfolds. While Hans is unsealing the...'
At that moment.
[Emergency—!]
A burst of holy power resounded inside the Grand Temple, echoing in their heads.
[Emergency situation! All forces to battle stations! Assemble at your designated locations as soon as ready!]
[The Knight Order is to move under the command of the Grandmaster!]
The voice that rang loudly in their heads.
It was the voice of a cardinal, whom he had rarely heard before.
The situation was rapidly progressing.
Whish—!
At that moment, a group of about twenty people dressed in dark attire rushed towards them from one side.
Leading them was the Inquisitor General, whom I had seen once before.
'I've never seen his face directly.'
Like the others, his face was covered, but he could be identified through the badge symbolizing his position as the General.
And that badge was essentially a pass for this area.
As Heinrich and his fellow paladin who were guarding the passage hastily stepped aside, the group vanished inside like the wind.
"…This doesn't seem like an ordinary situation."
The paladin beside him murmured in a stiff voice.
True to his words.
The first-ever internal intrusion allowed in the history of the Grand Temple of Rosellia had just begun.
