As reason increased, intelligence began to appear in White Ears’ eyes that had seemed vacant before.

Imelen’s gaze, which had appeared to be merely basking in the sunlight, slowly took us in.

Not the eyes of an innocent animal, but eyes with clear intelligence.

Before our widened eyes, Imelen began to shed tears like chicken droppings.

She had regained her senses.

“Kuuung.”

Making a monster’s crying sound, Imelen leaned her face against me.

While stroking her, I showed her the Grand Temple’s bracelet.

“You followed this, but not to eat the holy power within it. Was there another reason?”

“Kung.”

Imelen nodded and wrote letters on the ground with her blunt front paw.

‘Smells like Grandfather High Cardinal.’

‘Like family.’

‘Miss him.’

For a while, Lynen and I silently stared at the messy letters written in the dirt.

This confirmed that White Ears was indeed Saint Imelen.

I watched Lynen carefully, who seemed to have received a great shock earlier.

He had returned to his usual expression, but the atmosphere was quite subdued.

He raised his head to Imelen.

“Saint. If you’re comfortable, perhaps you could tell us about the circumstances when you turned into a monster…”

Bang!

That’s when it happened.

Suddenly, something like a flash bomb struck between me and Imelen.

Fortunately, I wasn’t hurt thanks to Lynen’s quick protection, but Imelen tumbled backward.

An eerie voice was heard.

“Step away.”

Golden-brown hair and cold eyes fluttering in the dust.

It was Allen, his eyes gleaming with k*lling intent.

He muttered like he was convincing himself while keeping his gaze fixed on Imelen.

“This time, I won’t miss my chance.”

“Wait, Allen!”

Pop!

He rushed forward at full force, spreading wings of intense light.

* * *

As silver holy power enveloped Allen’s body, he launched himself like an arrow targeting White Ears.

Imelen, who had been flipped over like a turtle, froze in surprise at the sudden attack.

“Die, monster!”

Just as Allen was about to pierce the monster before him with a spear of holy power.

Clang!

A blue sword blocked the silver spear.

As the piercingly blue aura vibrated with a hum, a chill spread around.

It was Lynen who had intervened in the blink of an eye.

“Please calm down. There’s something we need to tell you.”

“I don’t want to hear it. Please move aside, Noah’s father.”

“…”

Noah’s father, huh.

‘I did decide to take on the role of father when I found my niece.’

But that’s an unnecessary thought right now.

Chang! He put force into his sword and pushed back the saint.

“You must not harm this monster. You’ll surely regret it.”

“Why would I regret it? If you’re going to tell me revenge is wrong―”

“This monster was originally human.”

“What? What nonsense are you…”

While Allen hesitated in confusion, Calliphe stepped forward.

She held Noah, who was startled by the sudden battle, with one arm and revealed the truth to the saint.

“Lynen is right, Allen. White Ears didn’t kill your sister. That child is a person who turned into a monster.”

“…”

The atmosphere grew tense.

Allen was confused.

“A person turned into a monster? Such nonsense… Are you all lying to deceive me right now?”

His response showed he absolutely couldn’t believe it. The shock seemed too great.

‘Is it too much to reveal the truth all at once?’

It seemed better to give him time to calm down.

‘Approach slowly. Don’t be too direct!’

With this meaning, Calliphe quickly made hand signals to Lynen.

Swish swish.

Pointing at Imelen and Allen.

Shake shake.

Shaking her head.

Lynen, who had been carefully watching Calliphe’s hand signals, nodded.

And then spoke to Allen in a clear voice, driving a nail into his ear.

“This monster is your sister. So stop this futile revenge and see the truth.”

“…!”

Lynen Ortegaaa!

Calliphe silently screamed his name.

Do you think everyone can accept situations as calmly as you!?

“Wh-wh-wh-what…”

See that. Now Allen was trembling like a newborn fawn.

Calliphe hurriedly approached to try to calm him.

“Um, Priest. I can explain, so first put down your holy power― Ah!”

Suddenly her wrist was grabbed strongly.

Allen grabbed Calliphe’s arm and pulled up her sleeve in one motion.

It was the side wearing the High Cardinal’s bracelet.

Allen was shaken upon seeing the bracelet.

“I thought I kept sensing holy power, so you were sent by the High Cardinal.”

“What, no. Why would I be that old man’s lackey…”

“He sent you to tell me to stop wasting time on revenge and return to the temple. And I didn’t even realize…”

Allen muttered with a pale face, unable to even hear Calliphe’s words.

“So all those warm words you said to me were intentional.”

“When did I say warm words…?”

While trying to remember when she had done that, Calliphe hastily came to her senses. At this rate, she’d get confused too.

“Allen. Just listen to me first. I can explain everything.”

“I’m sure you can. However.”

Allen stepped back from Calliphe.

His face, which had been sorrowful, gradually darkened as his reddish-brown eyes revealed a red gleam. He seemed to believe everything was a lie.

“I’ll listen after everything is over.”

“Allen!”

When Allen released his holy power, dust whirled up violently.

Noah quickly pulled Calliphe back, and during that time, the second clash between Allen and Lynen began.

Clang! Claaang!

Blue aura and silver holy power ceaselessly exchanged attacks and collided. Surrounding dirt and grass were cut and flew into the air.

Holy power, normally a healing force, was now like flesh-cutting metal. Attacks at a level that would make even daily-trained holy knights stick out their tongues.

But.

Clang!

“Kugh…!”

When the holy spear froze, it was mercilessly split in two by the blade.

Allen was thrown back with the spear and rolled on the ground.

No matter how high his attack power, a saint was still a non-combatant.

It was impossible to match a swordmaster who stood at the peak among trained knights.

“Not yet… cough!”

Due to his weakened faith, his holy power was already reaching its limit.

Blood vessels appeared in Allen’s eyes. He cried out desperately.

“Don’t interfere with… my revenge!”

That monster is my sister? That’s impossible. It must be nonsense.

The story is absurd, and how could he believe the words of people he’d barely met?

Right. This must be a lie made up by the High Cardinal to forcibly bring him back. The High Cardinal’s bracelet being here is proof of that.

His white hands gripped the dirt and pebbles so hard his skin split and blood welled up.

Hot tears dripped onto them.

That monster can’t be my sister.

It shouldn’t be.

Everything I’ve done until now wasn’t meaningless.

“…”

After watching him for a moment, Lynen raised his sword again.

‘His holy power is about to go berserk.’

The saint was losing his reason.

He had to forcibly subdue him before he destroyed himself too.

As chilling air began to swirl around Lynen, an aura incomparably darker than before rippled.

As Lynen lightly swung his sword toward Allen who was trying to get up,

Bang!

The blade-shaped aura, unlike its appearance, struck Allen like a blunt weapon.

“Kuhak!”

Allen, thrown backward, coughed up blood.

Of course, since he didn’t intend to kill him, he planned to just knock him unconscious. However, since he had to pierce through the holy power surrounding the saint, he unavoidably had to use some force.

The expressionless Lynen raised his sword above Allen’s head.

Just as that sword was about to fall like an executioner’s blade.

“Screech!”

A massive bulk came rushing, almost rolling, to block Allen’s front.

It was Imelen.

“Screech, screech!”

Imelen spread both arms out like a human and tried to protect Allen.

“…What.”

What is White Ears doing right now?

Allen’s eyes wavered at the monster’s actions shielding him.