Woong, woong, woong.

"It's not going well."

Subtle divine power overflowed from Callius' body.

His spirit was now 4th grade.

Both the amount and purity of divine power had changed remarkably compared to before.[1]

In this world, spirit is the measure of one’s prowess.

And the uses of divine power are limitless.

What if you focus your spiritual energy on your eyes?

‘The range of sight increases.'

You can see quite far.

What if you put your spiritual energy into your ears?

Auditory acuity increases.

If so, what would happen if you let the spiritual energy flow evenly throughout your body?

The answer is –

"Temporarily increases the physical ability."

「Callius von Jervain」

「Occupation」 – Pilgrim.

「Spirit」 – Level 4

「Divine Power」 – 2971/3251.

「Talent」 – [Bard's Blessing – Best]

「Characteristics」 – [Verse of Grace] [Nobility’s Duty] [Scapegrace Count] [Four Verse Composition] [Prodigal Son of the Order] [Gluttony]

[Ability]

Strength – 19+(10)+10

Agility – 15+(10)+10

Skill – 7

Health – 15+(10)+10

Faith – 20

As one could see, the physical ability increased by +10 due to the purity of the divine power that was originally level 4, but when the whole body was covered with divine power like this, an additional +10 was added.

Body strength, agility, and even health.

They were of a level that could not be ignored since as much as 10 more was added.

"Looking at the diminishing divine power…"

But you couldn't keep it for long.

Divine Power – 2442/3251.

That was because the divine power was rapidly decreasing.

At this speed, most of the divine power would be consumed in about 15 minutes in battle.

"It would be difficult to use it in practice."

So Callius was training.

As he walked, he was emitting divine power with his whole body. He was circulating the spiritual energy throughout the body and gathering it in one place.

Originally, divine power resulted from one's belief in God.

Borrowing from God in return for devotion.

So it was the power of God.

Therefore, divine power, despite seemingly being one's own power, was not truly so.

It's in my body, but it feels like it's not mine.

To put it more simply:

"It feels coiled around my skin but not attached to it."

Therefore, it was not difficult to draw the energy into the body and circulate it.

This was similar to cardiopulmonary exercise in which you breathe in air and then exhale again.

The divine power was exhaled again when inhaled. The expelled divine power was weakened and could not be re-used.

It took some time to recover.

So –

Callius was now training to contain that divine power within himself.

To prevent the divine power that had entered the body from escaping again, he was training to catch it.

It was a kind of storage.

Wouldn't it be more efficient to have the divine power in one's own body rather than drawing it from the atmosphere?

Of course, it wasn’t an unfounded idea either.

‘The characteristic should have become available.'

It had been over three years since Callius started doing this.

Gradually, little by little, a speck of spiritual power was established in his lower abdomen.

Just a little bit more.

With a little more, the divine power would be fully established and a talent would be unlocked.

For the Pilgrims of this age, divine power was simply a borrowed power.

There were few Pilgrims who wanted to do something like Callius.

"If there are, it’d be the Paladins."

Paladins were appointed by the Church only after finding their own swords.

This was a training method that was possible only with their level of experience and enlightenment.

Hence, disciples were sparse, and even if there were, not everything about oneself could be taught. Isn't that one of the principal characteristics of those bound by religion?

"It has meaning only when you realize it for yourself."

Therefore, there were very few people who practiced this kind of cultivation like Callius.

Besides, the training he did –

‘Unique-grade technique.'

[Six Peak Flowers Bloom in Late Season – 만화봉육 (晩花峰六)][2]

Grade – Unique

It was a technique that maximized efficiency by creating buds in the body with divine power.

When they reach maturity, the six buds bloom at once, and petal-shaped sword energy flows from the tip of the sword of the master of this technique.

Start with six buds, that one by one bloom into six peak flowers, and then blossom into twelve flower offerings – it was a divine technique.

Six Peak Flowers Bloom in Late Season.

A technique created by Saint Stella, who was originally a genius and highest level Paladin who disappeared hundreds of years ago.

Her divine technique was lost until three years ago.

When I took over Callius.

As soon as I took over my new life here, the first thing I found was Stella's Six Peak Flowers technique.

The darkness hides the deepest under the lamp, and Stella's Six Peak Flowers Technique was hidden under the flowerbeds of the Valtherus Church.

Of course, such a setting was also created by myself, so it was only after I found the Six Peak Flowers Technique that I could be sure that this was the real-world version of the game.

"I mean, it didn't go well."

Even if it gathered, it was difficult to transform the divine power into a bud.

Perhaps it was a technique that was still above my level, and it was not easy.

All the ideas I had created and hidden initially came out of my brain, so I was furious because I couldn't learn it myself.

Three years had already passed by.

He couldn't reach even the initial level of the Six Peak Flowers Technique.

But Callius did not give up hope.

It used to be because he was under-levelled, but now it was a little different.

Physical abilities that had been strengthened through quests.

The constitution changed with the characteristics of a glutton.

And the quality of spiritual power had risen to a higher level.

It was bringing a glimmer of hope to Callius, who possessed wretchedly abject qualifications.

‘Not long to go.'

One or two threads of divine power gathered together in the Elixir Field and wrapped around it.[3]

The divine power, which had lumped together inside the Elixir Field, had now grown to the size of a pea.

Beads of sweat dripped down Callius' forehead.

Sweat trickled down his cheeks and dripped onto the ground from the tip of his chin.

And right then –

"Ah."

Callius' footsteps stopped.

The silver light that had spread from his body faded and he took a deep breath.

"That's it for today."

[Divine Power – 353/3251]

It was because he’d consumed most of his divine power.

There was still a long way to go, and it was a dangerous forest path where you couldn’t know what would happen next.

I used up most of my energy to immersed in training, but not anymore.

As the times are what they are, various variables exist here.

For example.

"A bandit or a monster."

Or a Pilgrim.

Since there are such dangers, it is impossible to concentrate on training by consuming all my divine power.

Besides.

‘I heard that Oliorro was captured by the rebels.'

The story is flowing is faster than expected.

At this rate, the aftereffects of Lutheon's apostasy and the pressure from the pagans will be even more severe.

Now I can no longer enjoy my leisure.

I have to move quickly.

"I'll have to go to Tristar for now."

Tristar is known as the largest nightlife city in the Carpe Kingdom.

From there, I will head to the famous Trish Auction House to collect the other ingredients for Holy Water.

The Pilgrim's Path will become more and more war-torn –

… and the appearance of the pagans will become more and more frequent.

As a result, internal strife will happen within the Church and the Kingdom will become a mess.

The northern part is busy with the invasion of monsters, and the Empire will take advantage of that time to eat Carpe.

Life is at risk wherever you go.

There is no safe place, inside or outside.

Shouldn't there be a way to heal my body by making Holy Water?

"It'll be a while before I can grab the Thunderbolt Sword from that damned bastard."

Callius murmured to himself and took another step.

The destination was Tristar.

Carpe’s biggest nightlife city.

Inside the Valtherus Church.

The moderate leader, Bishop Alvato, privately summoned a Pilgrim.

"The Pilgrim Esther Sol Ciliad greets Bishop Alvato."

"Oh, Esther. Come here."

The Pilgrim, Esther Sol Ciliad.

She was a Pilgrim with hair coloured like water that shone dazzlingly in the light.[4]

Esther's blue eyes sparkled like crystal, and at first glance it looked like she was always crying. Because of this, her nickname used to be Weeping Esther.

The nickname was because of her twinkling eyes, but she hated that nickname.

So most of those who called her Weeping Esther were struck by her fists and had their teeth or noses broken.

Bishop Alvato, who recalled those old memories for a moment, smiled fondly.

"Yes, I've called you because I've got a job for you to do."

"What is it?"

Esther answered with an expressionless face, as if she was not human.

Alvato smiled bitterly at her standing there like a statue.

"You have to go to Tristar."

"Tristar…"

"As you know, apostasy is on the rise, and the situation in the Kingdom is not good."

Meanwhile –

"There is a Pilgrim who is suspected of possessing a holy relic. You know him well."

Alvato handed her a document.

The name written there was –

"Callius von Jervain…"

Her eyes, which had been blank consistent with her expressionless face, narrowed in an instant.

"Bishop Milliman, of the extremist faction, has sent an Inquisitor. But that Inquisitor is Steel Justice Inquisitor Ryburn. He is Bishop Milliman's man."

If –

If Callius really had a holy relic, and it fell into Ryburn's hands –

"You must not allow Bishop Milliman to get the relic."

Bishop Milliman, the leader of the extremists.

He seemed cautious for his position, but he was quite reckless when it came to the pagans.

It may have been because of the seeds of revenge that had been sown in his past, but Bishop Milliman's purpose in the present situation was putting both the Kingdom and the Church in danger.

"It's not good for us to touch the Empire now. It's still time to crouch low and accumulate our strength."

So, he called Esther.

Esther Sol Ciliad, the genius swordsman, who was showing the greatest growth in the current Church.

Her genius and sincerity even caused mentions of her as the next Saint.

She was qualified enough for this task.

"All right."

"I've prepared everything. All you have to do is start your journey. If it's Tristar, there won't be any difficulties. And you never know, this time, the item you are looking for might appear at the Trish Auction House."

Bishop Alvato shook his head, clasped his hands and stretched his back.

"Bishop Alvato."

"Yes, do you have any questions?"

"Yes. What if Pilgrim Callius doesn't have a relic?"

What if he doesn't have a relic?

Hmmm.

"If there is no direct or indirect evidence of collusion with the pagans, it would mean that there is no sin."

If he has no sacred objects and has no affiliation with pagans, then he is without sin.

So you can just come back… …

"It would be fine to have a sword duel."

"Um? Uh… I guess that'd be fine."

"Okay. I’ll go right away."

Click.

Esther's footsteps as she closed the door seemed light for some reason.

Sword duel.

"Did you have such a bad relationship with Callius? I never knew."

Esther, who never showed her emotions, came out of nowhere with such a proposal.

Bishop Alvato smiled bitterly.

If there were any sacred objects, he would die as a sinner, and even if there were no sacred objects, he would die at the hands of Esther.

Death was the only option.

Editor's Notes:

[1] 성력 is spirit, or spiritual power. 신성력 is divine power.

[2] 만화봉육 is being translated as Six Peak Flowers Bloom in Late Season, shortened to Six Peak Flowers Technique.

[3] 단전 (pronounced: danjeon) is being translated as Elixir Field. This is the same as dantian in Chinese medicine.

[4] 물빛 (lit. water coloured). Pale indigo.