Night of Darkness

The rain poured down, accompanied by flashes of lightning and peals of thunder.

"Rumble——!!"

Hearing the thunder outside, the Novice Priestess, who was cleaning the temple, shuddered.

"What's wrong?"

Noticing the Novice Priestess's pale face, the Nun beside her looked at her uneasily, while the Novice Priestess gave a wry smile.

"I-I'm just afraid of thunder..."

As she spoke, the Novice Priestess lowered her head in embarrassment.

"Don't worry. This is the Lady of the Lake's monastery."

Seeing her like this, the Nun reached out and patted her on the shoulder.

"The Lady of the Lake is protecting us, so there's nothing to worry about."

"But-but..."

At this, the Novice Priestess anxiously looked out the window.

"I heard there have been signs of undead nearby recently... I'm a little worried..."

"..."

Hearing the Novice Priestess, the Nun beside her fell silent as well. For ordinary people like them, who possessed not the slightest combat ability, praying for the goddess's protection was the only thing they could do. But how long could that last?

"Bang——!!"

Just then, the temple doors behind them suddenly flew open. The two turned around at the sound, only to see a tall black figure stride inside. He wore a huge cloak, and his entire body was shrouded in pitch-black armor. Two eyes glowed crimson from beneath his hideous, bizarre helmet.

"Wh-Who are you!?"

The Novice Priestess and the Nun were startled and hurriedly backed away two steps. Then they saw the terrifying knight open his right hand and sweep aside his cloak. A white-haired girl dressed in finery, like a noble lady, stepped out from within. She merely raised her head and glanced at the two of them before looking away and standing quietly to the side.

"May I ask... who the two of you are...?"

Perhaps the appearance of the white-haired girl had calmed them somewhat. After hesitating, the Nun still stepped forward and asked in a trembling voice.

"..."

The Black Knight pointed to his chest. Only then did the Novice Priestess and the Nun see the Holy Grail emblem there. Upon sensing the Lady of the Lake's aura from it, they were both shocked and hurriedly lowered their heads.

"Grail Knight!"

"There's no need for all that."

Facing their bows, Duanmu Huai waved his hand.

"I'm only here to retrieve something... Who's in charge of this monastery? I need to speak with her in person."

"Ah, I'll go call the Mother Superior right now!"

Hearing Duanmu Huai, the Nun froze for a moment before hurriedly replying. Then she quickly turned and left the temple. The Novice Priestess hesitated, then took a handkerchief from her pocket and held it out.

"Um... Sir Knight, please wipe off the rainwater..."

"It's fine. This armor is waterproof, so don't worry."

Duanmu Huai declined the Novice Priestess's kindness and looked around.

"Come to think of it, your security here is remarkably weak. I didn't see a single guard on my way here."

"Huh?"

Hearing Duanmu Huai, the Novice Priestess tilted her head in confusion.

"Really? But I remember there being plenty of guards at the monastery. Could everyone have gone to hide from the rain?"

"Hmm?"

At her answer, a glint flashed in Duanmu Huai's eyes. He looked around again. The next moment, the box behind him opened, and a Recon Servo-skull flew out.

"Eek——!"

The Novice Priestess jumped at the sight of the white skull floating in midair.

"Sir Knight, wh-what is that...?"

"..."

Duanmu Huai did not answer her question. He quickly glanced at the map floating before him, and his expression changed.

"Damn it! Follow me!!"

As he spoke, Duanmu Huai tightened his grip on his warhammer and charged out of the temple, with Okegis close behind. The Novice Priestess was left at a loss, but she still steeled herself and followed.

They crossed the temple and reached the monastery's rear courtyard. It was deathly silent. Only the roar of rain echoed through the corridors, while water poured from the eaves like waterfalls, as though the entire monastery had been submerged. Everything around them was pitch-black, and they could see almost nothing.

"Wh-What's going on?"

The Novice Priestess had followed Duanmu Huai and Okegis outside. Seeing the scene before her, she was startled as well. She remembered that when she had gone to the temple to clean just moments ago, the nearby rooms had all been lit. Yet now, everything around them was completely dark, without a single sound...

Duanmu Huai strode forward and shoved open a nearby door. Under the white beam of the searchlight, the room was empty. Only an extinguished oil lamp sat on the table, with several pieces of clothing beside it, as if the room's occupant had merely stepped out for a while.

"Where is everyone?"

The Novice Priestess saw what was inside and was stunned. She had no time to be shocked by the glowing object beside Duanmu Huai's head.

"Where's the Mother Superior?"

"She-she should be in her room..."

"Lead the way!"

"Ah, yes...!"

The Novice Priestess now understood that the situation was urgent. She hurried ahead, while Duanmu Huai and Okegis followed behind. They crossed the pitch-black corridor, where only the sound of rain remained, and reached the other side.

"It's this way. The Mother Superior's room is just ahead...!"

As she walked, the Novice Priestess turned to Duanmu Huai. But as soon as she rounded the corner, she suddenly collided with someone. She raised her head and saw that it was none other than the Nun who had separated from her earlier.

"Ah, there you are! Thank goodness. Where did everyone go? Where's the Mother Superior?"

Seeing someone she knew, the Novice Priestess breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly asked. But to her surprise, the Nun, who always answered her with a smile, did not respond. Instead, she let out an indistinct growl, then suddenly lowered her head and lunged at the Novice Priestess like a wild beast!

"Huh?"

The scene was so far beyond the Novice Priestess's expectations that she did not even have time to react. She could only stare blankly as the Nun's mouth split open, her sharp teeth and the stench of blood hurtling toward her—then everything before her eyes went black.

"Clang!!"

Duanmu Huai thrust out his hand and blocked the Novice Priestess. The Nun's wide-open mouth bit down hard on his Power Armor, instantly chipping away a large section. Duanmu Huai then grabbed the Nun by the head and slammed it against the wall. Her head burst apart like a watermelon, blood and brain matter spraying in every direction. Yet even then, the Nun did not give up. Instead, she raised both hands and clawed at Duanmu Huai again.

At the same time, Duanmu Huai had already reached for his warhammer.

"Boom!!!"

Amid the thunderous radiance of lightning, the Nun flew backward, her body charred black and smoking. Then she fell still.

"This-this-this..."

Everything had happened too suddenly for the Novice Priestess to know how to react. But Duanmu Huai gave her no time to think. He grabbed her and went straight to the end of the corridor, then shoved open the door. Inside, blood had splattered everywhere, yet not half a corpse could be seen.

"Ugh... aaagh..."

At the same time, wave after wave of pained howls came from the passageway. Everyone turned to look and saw dozens of staggering figures appear behind them, blocking the three of them inside.

"I hate this kind of plot development the most!"

Seeing this, Duanmu Huai could not help but complain as he tightened his grip on the warhammer.

"Hey, are you ready? We're breaking through!"