Light.

Perhaps it was nothing more than a mirage.

That alone should have been cause for concern, but at this moment Clay was experiencing something wondrous.

Shhhhhh!

Like a sled dog, Selimia pulled him along, her icy aura forming a path behind her, allowing Clay to glide over the snow as though on a sleigh. He couldn’t help but be impressed once again by Selimia’s abilities.

‘I didn’t know she could move us this quickly.’

Had he known she could manage this, he would have asked for her help much earlier.

As he gazed ahead with that thought in mind, Selimia, glancing back, widened her eyes in surprise and asked:

“Is it too fast, Demon King?”

“No, it’s good. The faster, the better.”

At this pace, they would reach the light before anything could appear to block their path.

Like an icebreaker ship, Clay and Selimia were bound together, forcing their way across the snowy plains. The frigid aura surrounding them sharpened into a spearhead that tore through the air, scattering the snowflakes into arrow-shaped patterns.

“Demon King, we’re almost there!”

As the light grew nearer, Selimia cried out in an excited voice. Clay too raised his eyes toward the expanding glow and swallowed dryly.

‘I hope it’s really there.’

Contrary to his worries, what awaited them was indeed a colossal temple.

“Elhaen’s Temple…!”

The golden structure shone brilliantly. Towering pillars rose as though holding up the heavens, and the snowflakes drifting near it melted away naturally.

“Demon King, is this the place?”

Though they had stopped running, Selimia still held tightly to his hand as she asked.

“This is not the destination.”

Even as he answered, Clay couldn’t tear his eyes away from the temple. Though it was only a structure, it radiated a potent sacred energy—so much so that he half expected Elhaen’s avatar to be waiting inside.

“Selimia.”

Releasing her hand, he spoke.

“Wait here for now.”

“What? Wouldn’t it be better if I went in with you?”

“If anything happens outside, you’ll need to inform me.”

Selimia let out a small sigh of understanding.

“You’re right. All right then, I’ll wait for you out here.”

“Thank you.”

Unaware of the faint disappointment she felt at letting go of his hand, Clay stepped into the temple.

『Demon King.』

At that moment, Syltanaro spoke.

『There are statues inside.』

Indeed, within the temple stood massive statues of knights, each holding a sword.

『They don’t appear to be ordinary statues.』

“Agreed.”

It wasn’t strange for guardians to stand within a temple.

“Let’s see for ourselves.”

Having come this far, turning back wasn’t an option. Though his ultimate goal was to find the temple marked upon the back of his hand, he couldn’t ignore the chance of uncovering clues about Elhaen’s intentions here.

Step. Step.

The snow was gone now, replaced by the marble floor of the temple. Clay walked steadily deeper inside.

Grrrk.

After only a few steps, a strange grinding sound echoed all around.

“Just as expected.”

The statues.

Over three meters tall, they slowly shifted, breaking free of their original poses.

『Be careful, Demon King.』

Syltanaro’s warning rang out as the statues gleamed under the temple’s light.

『These aren’t crafted from any mineral of this world.』

Though only speculation, Clay agreed.

‘Even looking at them warps perception.’

The moving statues refused to stay clearly in his sight.

‘Did Elhaen create these herself?’

Whether to guard the temple or for another reason, the statues advanced straight toward him. Clay drew his sword and readied himself.

“I, Clay, am one who has inherited Elhaen’s power. Stand down.”

He invoked Elhaen’s name, hoping they might relent. But the statues continued forward. Their swords fell, and Clay had no choice but to evade.

“Tch.”

There were even more statues than the snow giants he had faced earlier.

‘I don’t want a pointless fight…’

But if there was no choice—

On a sudden instinct, Clay released sacred power without converting it into Magia, letting it wash over the statues.

‘What—?’

His eyes widened.

‘This… this is the power of the Coexistence Body.’

Even though he released sacred power, his body felt no strain. It must have been thanks to the sacred energy stored within the Coexistence Body, already harmonized with his current form.

Rumble.

But the greatest surprise came next.

The statues froze mid-swing, their swords stopping in the air. Then, as if in acknowledgment, they lowered their blades and returned to their original positions.

『We have witnessed the light of one permitted.』

Their voices rang in unison.

『We grant you passage.』

Relief washed over Clay. He smiled faintly.

‘Good.’

He had no intention of lingering in Elhaen’s temple longer than necessary. Avoiding battle here was a major gain.

『…One thing.』

Just as he resumed walking, the statues posed a question.

『It should not have been possible for you to find this place so easily. How did you discover it?』

Clay halted and turned his head. One statue leaned close, its face looming near his.

『The path here is warped. Countless obstacles should have stood in your way. Did you truly overcome them all?』

“What do you mean? Even the snow giants in the field were obstacles set by this temple?”

『Indeed.』

If that was so, then they hadn’t been much of a hindrance at all.

‘Something doesn’t add up.’

He had expected more resistance. Yet he had reached this place far too easily, almost anticlimactically.

『Will you not answer?』

“To be exact, I don’t know. But as you said, this place is not easily found—but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to find, does it?”

Clay’s words made the statue that had leaned its face toward him tilt its head slightly.

『True enough. But without knowing the method, it should have been nearly impossible—that is why we asked.』

“Then consider my answer to be that it was luck.”

Clay spoke quietly.

“If you choose not to believe me, so be it. But never forget that faith—the very thing Elhaen desires—is the source of our strength. Doubt has no place between those who share the same power.”

It was a reminder not to suspect one another, as fellow wielders of divine force.

『…We accept.』

Perhaps judging his words as fitting for Elhaen’s servant, the statue no longer pressed the issue. It straightened back into position, sword raised once more, and became motionless. Clay let out a faint sigh.

‘So that’s resolved.’

Still, he dared not lower his guard. He kept his eyes on the statues as he advanced.

Rumble, rumble.

Then, pushing open the great double doors before him, he entered.

“!”

Inside was a barren, desolate sight. It looked nothing like the interior of a temple, but something far more sinister.

Clang!

He spun quickly, jamming his sword between the doors just as they began to shut.

Scrraaape!

The doors ground against his blade, sparks flying as they tried to close. Gritting his teeth, Clay peered through the narrowing gap—only to see countless eyes staring back at him.

The statues.

‘Damn it.’

This place existed for one purpose—to trap those who found it.

『This place cannot be found.』

『You did not arrive by rightful means.』

『Thus, you are deemed an intruder.』

Not by rightful means?

‘Then how did I manage to find this place?’

The question gnawed at him, but he had no time to ponder.

Boom!

Infusing his sword with Magia, he unleashed an explosion that blew the doors apart. The statues roared in outrage.

『Magia!』

『The power that defies the sacred!』

『Execute the traitor!』

The statues surged forward, swords crashing down toward Clay as he burst from the chamber.

Crash! Boom-boom-boom!

The impact shook the air, but Clay did not try to counterattack. Every ounce of strength went into escaping the temple.

“Demon King?”

Outside, Selimia blinked in surprise as he emerged.

“Selimia! This isn’t the right place!”

He shouted urgently.

“There must be another temple nearby! This one is a trap—we need to run!”

“What? B-but even if there is another temple…”

Her startled gaze swept around, then froze.

“Ah—!”

Her eyes widened as she spotted a crimson glow.

“D-Demon King, look!”

Clay followed her gaze and inhaled sharply.

‘What…?’

Another light had appeared.

‘Is that… another temple?’

He had been searching, but to find it so suddenly—just as the statues claimed, it felt less like chance and more like some rule-breaking power was at work.

“Demon King!”

Selimia’s voice snapped him out of his daze.

“Should we head toward it?!”

Finally gathering himself, Clay nodded. Selimia immediately grabbed his hand—this time first—and pulled him along.

“Hold on tight!”

She began to drag him at high speed once more.

Boom!

Statues burst from the ruined temple, plowing through the snow as they gave chase. Selimia glanced back and paled.

“Demon King, those are—”

“The guardians of the temple.”

Clay’s brow furrowed.

“They are no illusions. If their swords strike, we will truly die. Be cautious.”

“Y-yes…!”

Selimia exhaled shakily, her breath misting in the cold.

‘No time for hallucinations now.’

He gave a short, bitter laugh. No time to face phantom visions, only the threat of real enemies.

‘Perhaps it’s better this way.’

Better to fight real opponents than to swing foolishly at illusions and false whispers.

The only inconvenience was—

Crash! Boom!

—because they were real, so too were their attacks.

『Demon King!』

Syltanaro’s voice rang out. Clay instinctively swung his arm.

Clang!

His sword collided with a statue’s, knocking it to the ground.

‘Tch!’

Though deflected, the shock left his hand numb.

‘Annoying things.’

A surge of hostility rose within him, but he forced it down. He had not come here to fight.

“Demon King, ahead…!”

At Selimia’s cry, Clay lifted his gaze.

‘That’s—!’

Another temple loomed in the distance, bathed in a blinding crimson glow.

(End of Chapter)

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