"This, how is it possible...!"
In his past life, Adalman belonged to a small nation within the Holy Empire of Lubelius, and his status was that of the nation's prince.
That small nation had no army and instead relied on the Temple Knights sent by the Holy Church to protect itself.
The price was that the nation had to believe in the Luminas Religion and establish it as the state religion.
Furthermore, they had to provide money and talented individuals to the knight order.
At that time, the church was just starting out, its strength far from what it is now, and even the Holy Knight Order had not yet been established.
Only exceptionally outstanding people could possibly be granted a title like Temple Knight.
A thousand years ago, Adalman handed the kingdom over to his elder brother—the next generation's heir having already been born—and devoted himself to the promotional activities of the Luminas Religion.
Inspired by the Divine Arts, he held an unwavering faith in Goddess Luminas and never doubted the existence of the Goddess.
Because of his firm faith, he learned the 'Miracle of God' at the Archbishop level, becoming the only person in the nation capable of using Holy Magic.
Not only that, but in addition to Holy Magic, he even studied other forms of magic as well.
He would also discuss the true essence of magic with his close friend at the time, Gardera, as they advanced together toward the pinnacle of sorcery.
(Razen's master, the former commander of the Eastern Empire's magic legion, and the inventor of the secret art of Reincarnation.)
Ultimately, through Adalman's efforts, he surpassed the limits of humanity and became a powerful existence at the level of an Immortal.
(Immortal Realm: Cultivating a human physical body to a level comparable to a semi-spiritual lifeform like a High-ranking Spirit.)
Having reached the Immortal realm, Adalman was suddenly promoted to Cardinal of the Holy Empire, entering the center of the church's power.
As the years passed, Adalman continued to cultivate and study without pause, standing only a step away from the peak of humanity, the 'Saint' realm.
But just then, he was summoned to the Nocturnal Palace at the summit of the Spirit Mountain.
Adalman, thinking he would finally meet Goddess Luminas, was incredibly excited. But when he arrived at the scene, what awaited him were the seven leaders of the church, the Seven Luminaries Teachers.
The betrayal began at that moment.
Receiving a mission entrusted by the Seven Luminaries, Adalman took his close friend, the Temple Knight Albert—the same undead swordsman who had blocked Souei's blade—and an expeditionary force.
For the sake of the people, they prepared to head to the edge of the Jura Great Forest without hesitation to suppress a massive undead disaster.
But when they reached their destination, all that awaited them were countless undead monsters and the Death Dragon that ruled over the peak of deceased creatures.
There were no people in need of saving at all; everything was a conspiracy by the psychologically twisted Seven Luminaries.
In the end, Adalman and the expeditionary force died of exhaustion.
Until the very last moment, Goddess Luminas, whom Adalman believed in, never extended a helping hand to them, causing the faith in his heart to waver.
Later, with the help of his friend Gardera, Adalman was resurrected.
However, due to the miasma in this place and being trapped by the grudges of the dead, he was reincarnated into his current form as an undead.
Adalman, in such a state, was noticed by Demon Lord Kazalim, who placed a curse on him, binding him to this place forever.
He could now only be described as having become a weapon, capable only of acting according to orders and unable to save himself.
He could only move freely within the scope of his orders; therefore, his conversation with Shuna was exceptionally enjoyable for him.
And there was another reason for his binding here: these companions who had become undead, he could not abandon them.
Adalman wanted to use Holy Magic to liberate his companions, but after reincarnating as an undead, he believed himself to be an evil existence and could no longer use Holy-type magic.
Ordinary elemental magic and necromancy could not purify the undead.
Because of this obsession, Adalman bound these former companions to this place.
But from Shuna's words, he realized the true essence of Holy Magic.
He had been wrong all along.
Whether one can use Holy Magic has nothing to do with whether they are good or evil, but rather the conviction in one's heart that believes in miracles.
When the power of faith reaches a certain threshold, God will respond to your prayer.
This is a power that has no distinction between good and evil, relying only on the strength of conviction.
This is the truth of Holy Magic... "Why!"
"Why do you think I used to use Holy Magic?"
Adalman asked loudly.
"The clothes. Only those at the level of High Priest or above are allowed to wear pure white clerical robes."
"You are actually able to wear these robes, yet you can't even break your own small shackles. It's truly disappointing."
Shuna mocked him without reservation.
"Is it because of your attachment to Holy Magic that you wear these clothes? How pathetic!"
Mocked, Adalman immediately flew into a rage, the ghostly blue flames in his eye sockets burning fiercely.
He had been given an order via sorcery that prevented him from committing suicide, but if he were killed by someone in battle, it would be fine.
Having found a way to liberate his companions, Adalman no longer had any lingering attachments in his heart.
And so—
"Stop your nonsense!"
A powerful aura suddenly rose, a quantity of Magicules ten times that of the post-training Shuna, terrifyingly immense.
His slender bony fingers began to rapidly form seals, his eyes filled with a look of determination.
"I pray to God with all my heart!"
Buzz~!
A Holy Magic circle instantly formed beneath Adalman's feet.
"Please grant me the divine power of the Holy Spirit!"
With his hands raised toward the sky, the layers of magic circles progressed and slowly unfolded.
"Listen to my prayer!"
As soon as Adalman's voice fell, the surrounding space seemed to fluctuate violently.
One magic circle after another loomed over Shuna's head. Her white miko outfit fluttered without wind, and her body was illuminated golden by the light of the circles, like a true goddess descending, majestic and solemn.
"Forgive me, Lady Shuna, but you may have to be buried with me."
Looking at his magic circle as it gradually took shape, Adalman said apologetically.
Shuna did not speak; she was waiting.
"The End of All Things!"
"Spirit Particle Collapse!"
Sacred spirit particles gathered into a pillar of light, crashing down at a speed of thirty million meters per second!
"I've been waiting for this moment!"
"What?!"
Shuna gave a sharp cry, raising both hands toward the sky as the magic power within her body surged frantically.
"Spirit Particle Rampage!"
Buzz—!!!
The entire sky suddenly brightened, as countless golden lights were replaced by a pink halo.
The formation of the Spirit Particle Collapse was instantly disrupted, emitting a deafening roar.
In an instant, an even larger pink magic circle was born, its dazzling halo radiating an infinite sense of pressure.
Twelve pink formations slowly rotated around Shuna, encircling her and forming a marvelous barrier of light and shadow.
Shuna stood proudly within it, like a noble and elegant goddess looking down upon all living beings.
"What!?"
"She actually overrode my magic!?"
Adalman stood there in a daze.
"You did well."
"As a reward, I shall liberate you from this land."
As she spoke, Shuna pressed her palms together. Her soft voice spread across the fields, and then the twelve magic circles began to converge.
Buzz—!!!
A massive roar resounded through the sky as a majestic power swept through the entire forest.
Everywhere the holy light passed, all the undead were purified, turning into points of light and disappearing.
To be precise, they turned into experience points and flew into the black glove of Mare, who was watching the show from a distance.
(*^▽^*)
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