1.
Peter.
No.1 of <Black Wolf>, a man who had infiltrated the Holy Church of Aria.
A latecomer who also appears in this episode in the <Babylonia> novel.
To put it another way, if Peter had appeared earlier in the story,
【Name: Peter】
– Alias: Fanatic
– Rank: SS+
– Information: The sole survivor of <Eclipse>’s military augmentation project, <Solitary Venom>. Rescued by <Black Wolf> and escaped, thus believing Nahan to be a god and following him with absolute devotion.
The incidents that had been so painstaking to resolve could have been handled much more easily.
‘…SS+ rank, huh.’
Though I had known from the information, facing him in person was on another level.
“Ahhh…!! My Lord…!!!”
It was just a simple movement—flustered, falling to his knees upon seeing me—yet the sheer force of his presence was undeniable.
“Have… have you been well all this time…!!”
And now, overwhelmed with emotion, even his gestures and movements radiated intimidation.
‘…If I had possessed someone on the opposing side, this guy might have been the scariest of all.’
Steeling myself further into the role, I commanded Peter in a calm voice.
“Peter. Right now, go and kill the Pope of Faith, Felix von Arendal.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
Fwip.
Before I even finished speaking, Peter vanished from sight.
Rumble…!!
Boom…!!
Explosions and tremors erupted across the Holy Church.
Had the infiltrating members begun their attack, encountering their respective targets?
“They’re faster than I expected.”
With a smirk, I walked toward a suitable hiding spot.
Luna had the Archbishop of Radiance.
Dalan had the Archbishop of Silence.
Luna again had the Archbishop of Mercy.
Han-Ryang had the Archbishop of Love.
And finally, the Pope of Faith, Felix von Arendal—Peter had gone for him with Lactea.
“Five out of eight villains taken care of… Selena should be fine now.”
Our assault would usher in the light, and as investigations unfolded, Asha or Selena would eventually trace things back to us, just like in the <Babylonia> novel.
‘A slight deviation from the <Babylonia> plotline, but making sure to save those who should be saved.’
Of course, things might not go as expected. But in that case, I’d just solve the problems with my team—physically, if necessary.
“For now, I’ll just take it easy.”
…Automatic hunting, how sweet.
Just as I plopped down in a secluded spot with a satisfied grin, a crimson system window appeared before me.
【Warning.】
【No. 3 – <Han-Ryang (S)>’s HP has dropped below 50%.】
“…What?”
Abandoning my attempt to rest, I jumped to my feet and turned toward Han-Ryang’s position.
Boom!!
……Crash!!
Unlike the chaotic explosions elsewhere, that area was unusually quiet.
And yet—
【Warning.】
【No. 3 – <Han-Ryang (S)>’s HP has dropped below 40%.】
Han-Ryang’s HP kept dropping.
“Damn it…!!”
What was the problem?
‘I placed him against the weakest priest precisely because of concerns after the Main Scenario triggered.’
The Archbishop of Love.
Among the fanatics, who averaged from S to SS rank in their second phase, the Archbishop of Love was the only one starting at A rank and maxing out at S-.
Han-Ryang, after breaking Black Wolf’s restrictions, was SS+ rank—there was no way he should be struggling.
【Warning!】
【No. 3 – <Han-Ryang (S)>’s HP has dropped below 30%.】
What the hell was happening?
‘No. There’s no time to think.’
No time for hesitation—I had to move and save Han-Ryang.
Otherwise—
【Warning.】
【If the <Contractor> dies, the <Caster>—you—will also perish.】
Which meant I would lose my life as well.
2.
Archbishop of Love, Hendrickson.
Abandoned by his parents.
Forsaken by his friends.
And finally, discarded even by the Goddess.
Driven to the very edge of despair, he was approached by none other than the current Pope, Felix von Arendal.
– Child, what is it that you lack?
A voice so warm it seemed to cradle his heart. Hendrickson, with tears streaming down his face, had answered.
– Love.
-… Love?
– Yes.
All he had ever wished for was—
.
.
.
“For everyone who crosses my path to love me with all their heart.”
…Rustle.
In Han-Ryang’s vision, the dagger in Hendrickson’s hand wavered like a mirage.
“What kind of… trick is this…”
“A trick? No, I merely wish for you, too, to love me as you pass by.”
Crack.
Han-Ryang clenched his teeth so hard they nearly shattered, as he scanned the wounds covering his body.
Eight deep stabs.
Nine deep slashes.
Adding the numerous shallow cuts, his life was very much in danger.
“…Hoo.”
He had to end this quickly—before he lost too much blood.
Resolving himself, Han-Ryang forced his massive body to rise.
“Oh dear, are you still trying?”
He must not be deceived.
“You know, don’t you? As long as you love me, you cannot harm me.”
He knew. This man was nothing more than garbage to be eliminated—nothing like her.
And yet, why—
“Well, if you insist on coming closer… fine. Shall we play again?”
【Archbishop of Love – <Hendrickson (A+)> activates <Authority of Love>.】
【<Charm (S-)> unfolds.】
【Target – <Han-Ryang (S)>’s love is projected onto <Hendrickson (A+)>】
“…Han-Ryang.”
“Ah… L-Lady Celosia…”
By the time he came to his senses, there she was.
The one who had left this world, now standing before him once more.
This foolish man—he could not comprehend how.
Clack!
His massive stone mask was seized by a crude, powerful hand and torn away.
“…My lady.”
His exposed face—
Jet-black hair.
A visage marred with scars.
And yet, within those dark eyes, an undeniable glow.
At this moment, he was no longer the monstrous Tal of <Black Wolf>, who instilled terror just by standing.
“My Lady Celosia.”
No, he was simply a bodyguard—
One who had devoted his entire life to protecting the only person he had ever loved.
“My lady…”
“I missed you, Han-Ryang.”
A faint scent of plum blossoms.
The memories remained vivid, every single one.
– What’s your name?
– …I have none.
– Then I’ll call you Han-Ryang. It’s the name of the main character from the novel I’m reading.
– …?
She had taken him in—a nameless orphan from the East—without hesitation.
And she had led him to live as a person, rather than as a discarded tool.
Despite being the sole heir of the noble Cheon family, a lineage that had held high-ranking positions for generations—
– It’s dangerous, Miss!!
– The building is on fire and collapsing!! Shouldn’t you hurry and save them?!
She had always risked her own life to protect the people of her land.
And because of that kindness—she had lost her sight.
– It’s alright. You’ll be my eyes, won’t you?
– …My lady.
Even then, she had never wavered, never ceased walking the path she had chosen.
So, it was inevitable.
For a man who had spent his life suppressing his feelings, only to dedicate himself to shielding her—
– My ever-enchanting lady, to me, you are a love that will never change, for all eternity.
Falling for her was inevitable.
So there was nothing to be done.
– Han-Ryang, you could say things like that? Weren’t you the one who said you’d live alone forever?
– …My lady.
– Pfft. Cute. Alright, alright, I won’t tease you anymore. Come here.
Celosia, who had hidden her feelings so that Han-Ryang wouldn’t suffer—
– You, forever captivating, are my love eternal and unchanging.
– …!!
Couldn’t help but love the foolish man who had become her everything.
Thus, when Han-Ryang, after four long years, saw her again—
“Ah, Miss…!”
It was only natural for him to throw himself at her, pulling her into his arms without a second thought.
“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…!!”
Because it was the only thing that made sense.
“…Han-Ryang.”
As the massive man trembled in sorrow, holding the frail woman in his arms and weeping, she merely gazed down at him in silence before speaking.
“So… why did you kill me?”
“Aaah…!!!”
“It hurt, you know. It was you—you—who pierced my body with your fist. That pain, that betrayal… I will never forget it.”
“No! That’s not what happened!!!”
His massive hands flailed in a panic.
…Smack!
But before they could touch her, she brushed them aside with a firm motion.
Her once-lively pink eyes—now clouded and lifeless—locked onto Han-Ryang as she asked again.
“What wasn’t?”
“I… I was only following your will…!!”
“Ah… so you mean to say that was really my will? That I asked you—begged you—to grip my heart and tear it apart? Do you really believe that, Han-Ryang?”
“Ah…!! I’m sorry!! I’m sorry!!”
His thick hands flailed desperately, yet he could grasp nothing.
So she—
“You’re sorry, Han-Ryang?”
“I am!! Because of me… my lady…!!”
“That’s right. I died because of you. So shouldn’t you be punished?”
Archbishop of Love, Hendrickson, felt a surge of exhilaration as he extended a dagger.
“Stab yourself.”
Just like you did to my heart—
“Plunge it into your own heart. Do it yourself.”
In the hazy depths of his consciousness, Han-Ryang found himself holding the dagger.
The dagger engraved with the Holy Mark of Aria.
For a moment, he simply stared at it, then wiped his tears and looked back at Celosia.
“…Yes, my lady.”
If this was what my lady desired—
If this would make her hate me just a little less—
Then I would gladly do it.
…So.
“Just once more… before I go, could you whisper my name the way you used to?”
“…As much as you want. Farewell, my love, Han-Ryang.”
…Yes.
This was enough.
Kwaak!!
With a faint, blissful smile, Han-Ryang drove the dagger toward his own heart—
“…Uurk.”
Just then, a figure hidden in the shadows clamped his mouth shut using strands of severed hair.
“My, I apologize. Watching two hulking men embrace and whisper love to each other— I’m afraid I couldn’t hold back my nausea.”
Slick, Slick.
The man wiped vomit off his lips with his own hair, then turned to look back.
“My Lord, shall I send both of them off?”
“…Han-Ryang is one of ours.”
“Ah, of course. Then I shall only kill one.”
His name was Peter—
The man who had received a revelation from his one true god, Nahan.
And he—
“…I thought it might be you, but it really is Peter, the mid-level priest. Just what the hell are you doing? And who’s the friend behind you?”
“Ah, you goddamn son of a bitch, My Lord.”
“…Excuse me?”
“The one behind me? Are you calling my God your ‘friend’? Unacceptable. You’re going straight to hell, you vicious, wicked, demon bastard.”
“…Huh?”
He was No. 1 of <Black Wolf>.
