When I was working as a civil servant, I was found out to be a muscle-brained knight by the princess knight and got sent to the front lines - Episode 215, Part 5 Epilogue

Episode 215, Part 5 Epilogue

Among the countless cathedrals in the holy city of Sancturia, there stood one of the most ancient and prestigious in the Divina Papal State. The square surrounding the cathedral was packed with numerous Holy Knights, closing in on Jez and their group. They were heading to confront Anastasia Eterna, the First Saint, to question her true intentions, but their plan had been anticipated, and now they were surrounded.

5 versus 1,000.  

Under normal circumstances, such a disparity in numbers would spell certain doom. Yet, Jez and their team decided to split into two groups. Staying behind were the alchemist Victor and Archbishop Edelmar. The two stood firmly before the thousand foes, as if guarding Jez’s retreat.

“Maybe I should get serious for a change,” 

Victor remarked, his usual lighthearted tone unchanged.  

“It seems I can finally give it my all,” 

Edelmar replied, gently swinging his enormous staff and rolling up his sleeves.

Behind them, Jez, Seraphina, and Lucretia were waiting for the right moment to act. The first to strike was Victor Alchemis.

“From the chaos beyond the dawn of time, from the depths of darkness, come forth the primordial light. Flames of creation, ice of destruction, the thunder that shakes the earth, and the winds that circle the heavens. O laws that govern all things, cross the boundaries of nothingness and answer my call.”

Victor, exuding a majestic aura that would make anyone ask, “Who are you?”, unleashed an overwhelming surge of magical power.

“When the forces of heaven and earth, sky and sea, come together, the wheel of fate continues to turn. O stars that weave the flow of life, let your radiance expand infinitely and illuminate the world. Across millennia, revive the ancient oath here and now. Pierce the fractures of time and space, bringing forth infinite harmony.”

Despite his reputation for wielding bizarre magical tools and pseudo-holy relics, Victor was, in fact, a first-rate magician. In truth, the world would likely be better off if he just stuck to magic. But alas, life doesn’t always go as one would hope.

“Lend me your power, all of creation. The laws of heaven, the rules of the earth, transcend the boundaries of elements and dimensions, and show forth eternal protection here. O voice echoing from the ends of the universe, guided by the whispers of the stars, weave together the shield of guardianship.”

As Victor’s magical energy interacted with the mana of the world, the entire area around the cathedral was enveloped in a veil of light.

“O absolute barrier that embraces the truth of the world, accepting both destruction and creation. Envelop us and become the infinite shield that allows nothing to pass! Mixed Attributes, Ninth-Tier Magic: Celestial Aegis.”

With an especially radiant flash, the barrier was completed. This magic now encompassed Victor, Edelmar, the thousand enemy soldiers, and even their leader Sergius, trapping them within a phased space. In this place, neither side could enter or leave, and no matter how violently they fought within, the surrounding buildings would remain unaffected.

Though Victor typically joked around, he was, in a way, an artist himself and understood the value of historical treasures. Thus, he opted to use this rare “serious-face” magic. According to Victor, he rarely used magic simply because established techniques were too boring for him. This quirky perspective was an unchanging aspect of Victor Alchemist’s personality.

Confirming the completion of the barrier, Victor cast a strengthening spell on Edelmar as he said,  

“Alright, Jez, catch you later!”  

With a casual wave, he charged into the swarm of a thousand enemies.

・　・　・

Jez, Seraphina, and Lucretia, having confirmed that the enemy soldiers were now sealed within Victor’s barrier, used body-enhancement magic to dash at full speed through the streets of Sancturia. The streets, unusually empty, hinted that perhaps martial law had been declared. The three raced straight toward the residence of the First Saint, the emptiness of the streets lending an eerie air to their surroundings. Jumping over buildings and sprinting across rooftops, they took the shortest route possible.

Along the way, they encountered several patrolling knights, likely from the Calidius faction. But Jez easily punched them aside, Seraphina swung her sheathed holy sword, and Lucretia kicked them down without hesitation, rendering them powerless in an instant.

It had been about ten minutes since they parted ways with Victor and Edelmar. With their bodies fully enhanced, they ran at top speed and finally arrived at the First Saint’s residence.

Though it was called a residence, it looked every bit like a grand cathedral. It was both the home and the place of public duties for Anastasia Eterna, the First Saint. Standing guard before this grand structure were several Holy Knights.

“We have been expecting you, Lady Lucretia, Lady Seraphina, and Sir Jez Norman.”  

Just before Jez and the others could attack, the Holy Knights, having noticed their presence, greeted them respectfully and prepared to guide them toward the cathedral. Feeling slightly disarmed by the unexpected welcome, the group remained cautious but followed the gatekeeping knights into the grand cathedral. As they entered, the guards stayed outside, leaving only Jez, Seraphina, and Lucretia inside. The dim interior was soon bathed in a soft glow.

“…Anastasia.”  

“Seraphina, it’s good to see you. And Lucretia, it’s been a long time.”  

At the far end of the cathedral, beside the pulpit, stood an elderly woman, around seventy years of age. She was Anastasia Eterna, the First Saint—eldest and most influential among the four Saintes.  

Relieved to finally see her, Seraphina let out a breath. But Jez felt a strong sense of unease. Lucretia, meanwhile, furrowed her brow and immediately took a battle stance.  

“Old hag, it’s been a while… or at least I’d like to say that. But who the hell are you?”  

Seraphina was shocked by Lucretia’s words, while Jez prepared for a fight. Anastasia, observing their reactions, showed a curious smile before letting out a laugh that echoed through the cathedral.  

“As expected, the eyes of the final Saint can’t be deceived, can they? But Lucretia, I assure you, I am indeed Anastasia Eterna.”  

However, the magical power emanating from her—both holy and malevolent—was anything but ordinary.  

“…What is this?… Is she a demon?”  

The energy radiating from the First Saint was a confusing blend of sacred and ominous, as if she were a mix of both a Saint and a demon. Though they didn’t fully understand what was happening, Lucretia sensed that the situation was dire. Without hesitation, she closed the distance and unleashed a full-strength kick at the seventy-year-old woman.

Queixada.

(Note:

Quexada in Capoeira)

A basic yet quick and precise technique.  

“Oh my, still as unruly as ever, I see.”  

“What?!”  

Anastasia effortlessly deflected the kick and used the momentum to throw Lucretia into the wall. Sensing an intense danger, Jez and Seraphina attacked from both sides.  

“Good grief, young people these days are so full of fight.”  

Xiaoli Deflection.  

Jez’s punch was easily parried, and Seraphina’s holy sword, still sheathed, was deftly deflected. The force of their attacks was turned against them, nearly making them strike each other. They barely managed to change their trajectories in time.  

“Haha! What are you all doing, flailing against an old woman like this?”  

Anastasia Eterna, the First Saint, smiled gently as she radiated both holy and evil auras, clearly far from ordinary. Jez, Seraphina, and Lucretia attempted to attack her again and again, but their efforts were effortlessly dodged, deflected, or turned against them.  

After more than ten minutes of relentless effort, the trio was drenched in sweat, breathing heavily. Meanwhile, Anastasia remained completely unscathed, still smiling calmly.

“Well, then. Have you finally calmed down enough to listen?”  

Despite the ominous energy she exuded, Anastasia began pacing around the cathedral, speaking to Jez and the others as if delivering a sermon.

“Tell me, haven’t you ever found it strange? The existence of Saints, angels… and demons.”  

Seraphina and the others glanced at each other, wary of what she was trying to say.

“Why do we Saints exist? What purpose does the Divina Church truly serve?”  

Though Anastasia’s presence felt wrong, it was undeniably her. This realization only deepened Lucretia’s confusion.

“I have served as a Saint for many years now… and much has happened. But six years ago, I finally found it. The key to ending everything.”  

As she spoke, Anastasia stopped walking and fixed her gaze squarely on Lucretia.

“Lucretia Alma. The Fourth Saint. And the one destined to become the final Saint. Everything began when you awakened six years ago. Including your meeting with the singularity, Jez Wist. If that is the will of the world, then I shall see it through.”

Anastasia raised her hand, gathering an overwhelming concentration of both holy and malevolent energy.

“Now, show me your true potential.”  

In that moment, the holy city of Sancturia was engulfed in an aurora of black and white light.  

End of Part 5, The Great Schism Arc  

To be continued in Part 6, The Saint of Calamity Arc

・　・　・

Next chapter: Author’s notes and character introductions at the end of Part 5.

(Note: TL here! I’m discontinuing this work due to personal preferences. There are still 100+ chapters in the Raw, and if you still want to read this, just ask your favorite TL to take this work.)