Ascetic Order Sanctuary

Was the Church really this powerful?

Right.

Only a few centuries had passed since the Son of God walked the earth. If any holy relics truly existed, they were probably in the Church's hands by now.

"Let me think of what other holy relics the Church has."

"The Golden Ark of the Covenant, Shroud of Turin, Holy Grail, Holy Prepuce, True Cross, Spear of Longinus, Holy Nails, Crown of Thorns, Veil of Veronica, Holy Robe, Holy Relics, Holy Icon, Holy Scarab..." (Yes, that prepuce.)

"Damn!"

"That's a bit brutal."

That Temple Guard of the Hidden Order bore the mark of [Blood of the Holy Grail]. The last person Duncan had seen with a similar mark was the Witcher—George.

"Is the Spear of Longinus still around?"

"And the Holy Grail."

Countless thoughts flashed through Duncan's mind. Without a doubt, these people from the Inquisition were the most dangerous enemies he had encountered so far.

The Inquisition had been secretly established in 394 AD.

It had emerged in this world far earlier than the religious courts of history. That was the year the Olympus Sacrificial Fire went out, the Ancient Olympic Games were banned, the Pantheon's gates were shut tight, Monotheism entered its golden age, and its Judgment of Polytheism began.

However, during this period, the Inquisition did not target ordinary people. They merely sought to gradually eradicate the remnants serving Polytheism.

From Priests and Witches to Spirit Souls and fae, all fell within the Inquisition's jurisdiction.

Across the entire Italian Peninsula and Greece, none of the mythological fae that had once been active centuries ago could be found. That was why the sole surviving Forest Banshee in Pannonia had sought help from Raven Queen—Triss. As one of the creatures of Ancient Greek mythology, she too was on the Inquisition's list.

Raven Queen—Triss was extremely alert. Seeing the grave expression on Duncan's face, she asked in a low voice, "What happened?"

Duncan did not know how to explain it and could only say, "I feel danger approaching."

To his surprise, Raven Queen—Triss believed him.

In her eyes, Duncan was the sort of warrior with exceptionally strong spiritual instincts. Such people often possessed a powerful intuition for danger.

The group had just stepped out of the inn.

They immediately saw Anya and her group riding toward them. Witches seemed to possess some special sense for one another. Raven Queen—Triss looked straight at them, while Anya also raised her head and instantly spotted Triss among the crowd.

But Raven Queen—Triss's expression quickly changed. Her voice tightened as she said, "People from the Ascetic Order!"

Part of the Inquisition consisted of Monks of the Hidden Order. This monastic system had originated in Egypt and centered on ascetic devotion. Many among them were fanatics of extreme faith.

Legend had it that there were two Holy Grails.

One had vanished without a trace, while the other was in the hands of the Ascetic Order. Yet no one outside knew whether that was true, or which one was real.

"Go!"

Duncan pulled Raven Queen—Triss onto his horse. Anya's group, who had just crossed the marketplace, also sensed that something was wrong. Under the protection of her guard knights, the Two-Star Blank Witch quickly rode after them.

Two-Star Blank.

That strength was probably not enough. She might not even be able to defeat that One-Star Silver-Gray Monk of the Hidden Order.

After all, those marked with silver-gray stars were elite units.

Raven Queen—Triss glanced back at Anya and said solemnly, "You were followed!"

"By people from the Inquisition."

Beneath the hood of the woman's cloak was a stunningly beautiful, seductive face. She had long wine-red hair and appeared to be around thirty. Her features were sharply defined, her nose high and elegant, like a beautiful woman carved into an Ancient Greek statue. Her full lips were pressed tightly together, and fear lingered in her eyes. "I... I don't know..."

"I was very careful on the way here!"

She clearly feared the Inquisition deeply. After Renegade—Julian, the last Emperor of the Empire to support Polytheism, had died, these nobles who believed in Polytheism had long been scared out of their wits. Anyone without deeply rooted family ties had already changed sides and converted to Monotheism.

Anya had even considered abandoning everything and fleeing overseas, because she knew she would sooner or later end up on the Inquisition's list.

Her ancestors had been close confidants of Renegade—Julian.

Duncan interrupted the two Witches. "We need to leave first!"

If they did not, they would be in an even worse position.

Raven Queen—Triss was clearly much calmer. She gripped an ancient Sacrificial Stone and seemed to be whispering some kind of chant, while Anya, the Two-Star Blank Witch, looked utterly panicked. Rather than a powerful Witch, she seemed more like a frightened Roman noblewoman.

The Law of Causality did not predict this Witch's presence. Did she die here?

She was, after all, one of the founders of the Witch Coven. Her strength might have been lacking, but her status was still highly distinguished.

Duncan looked back.

The Inquisition had already caught up, but they seemed restrained within the town and did not dare act without reservation. That gave them a chance to escape. Duncan's group of three, along with Anya and her three guard riders, all charged out of Parisii and into the wilderness beyond the town.

After entering the wilderness, one Monk of the Hidden Order made a gesture of prayer. The next second, all their warhorses burst into a mad gallop, as though they had been pumped full of stimulants.

Someone was cheating!

From his God's Eye View, Duncan watched their horses race as if drugged and immediately sensed danger.

He was the only one who could get away.

Duncan's riding skills were the best. Even if the enemy cheated, their horses could not outrun his. Magic in this world was not as powerful as he had initially believed. At least, everyone he had met so far, even Raven Queen—Triss, seemed limited by some sort of law.

They could not perform the many miracle-like feats that Witches of the Mythological Era had once been capable of.

Anya said anxiously, "I can't affect their horses."

She seemed to possess a similar method, but it had already failed.

Animal Communication.

Making animals go Berserk, filling them with aggression, and so on.

Raven Queen—Triss was still chanting under her breath. What she was preparing now should have been actual Magic.

Because she had mentioned earlier that after the Olympus Sacrificial Fire went out, all supernatural abilities of Priests had been greatly weakened. The Romans had abandoned their Deities, and the gods of Polytheism had abandoned their Priests. Nowadays, ordinary Witches were basically no different from regular people. They merely possessed a little magic power and knew a few trick-like spells.

True Magic required the support of rituals, as well as special casting tools. Raven Queen—Triss was holding the Sacrificial Stone and chanting to prepare a spell, which had visibly slowed her riding speed.

At this rate, she would likely be the first one the enemy caught.

"We can't escape like this!"

Duncan made a snap decision. "Go around the woods ahead. Prepare to fight."

With that, he pulled his reins and dropped to the rear.

Raven Queen—Triss gave him a deep look, still holding the Sacrificial Stone and whispering her chant.

When they had faced the Hunnic Eagle Archer, Raven Queen—Triss had not abandoned him and fled first. Now, Duncan would not leave her behind to face the enemy alone.

Severus decisively raised his shield and followed him.

The Druid's eyes were filled with hatred as he looked at the Church's people. Duncan did not know whether there had been some old grudge between their ancestors, or whether his faith had also been torn down and destroyed.

There was no right or wrong in a war of faith.

Christians had once been persecuted by Roman Priests as well. The wheel had merely turned, and now the Inquisition wanted to wipe them out completely.

There was nothing new under the sun.

"You go help too."

Anya turned to her three guard riders. The Sarmatian Foreign Rider immediately wheeled his horse around. They were loyal and courageous mercenaries within the Empire and often joined the private forces of nobles. The other two quickly followed, though the Imperial Guard Knight hesitated slightly. His gaze remained fixed on Anya, his eyes so devoted that he looked like a hopeless simp.

"Damn it."

"At a time like this, you're still thinking about romance?"

"Once this fight is over—"

"I'll even leave you some private space to go screw each other in the wild!"

Inside Dimensional Space, Duncan nearly cursed aloud.

But Anya did not even glance at the Imperial Guard Knight. She too began whispering something, invisible magic power flowing around her body as she prepared Magic alongside Raven Queen—Triss.

Unexpectedly, this noblewoman who had initially been so flustered had quite good adaptability in a crisis.

"Follow me!"

Duncan did not stand on ceremony. With God's Eye View active, he knew where in this area the terrain would favor them.

Five riders remained behind.

Duncan raised the Northern War Bow and aimed at the enemy, loosing a probing arrow at the Two-Star Silver-Gray Temple Guard of the Hidden Order.

Clang!

What happened next made his eyes widen.

Sparks flashed.

That Temple Guardian drew his sword in an instant and knocked Duncan's arrow away.

"Is that even human?" Duncan's expression changed.

In his previous life, he had watched some absurdly exaggerated videos. Modern archery experts catching arrows barehanded and firing them back, or shooting an incoming arrow out of the air with their own. There was probably some staging involved in those videos, but this was the first time he had personally seen someone deflect an arrow with a weapon.

With reflexes that monstrous, were they playing Assassin's Creed?

This man put even more pressure on Duncan than the Eagle Shooter had. In a sense, he was already among the very strongest of mortals.

"Even if we all fight him together, it'll be hard to win."

"We can only rely on Raven Queen—Triss's Magic!"

After going around the woods ahead, the five riders gradually slowed. The Sarmatian Foreign Rider drew a short bow, though his mounted archery was merely average—the standard level of a bow cavalryman. One of the other two held a sword, while the other carried a saber and shield. All of them prepared for battle.

Fortunately, the enemy had little ranged capability. Only the Witch Hunter carried a hand crossbow; the others were all melee units.

Severus guarded Duncan's right flank, clearly treating him as the backbone of the group.

Battle was about to erupt!

The Ascetic Order's men charged straight at Duncan. The Witch Hunter raised his hand crossbow at the two riders. Duncan's arrow had just struck a Monk of the Hidden Order when a scream sounded from nearby.

The Monk of the Hidden Order wore armor beneath his cloak. He gave a muffled grunt, but his movements did not slow in the slightest.

Stealth Assault Assassin.

This One-Star Silver-Gray enemy suddenly urged his horse faster and gradually caught up to the Sarmatian Rider. He shifted across the saddle, dodging the other man's arrow by hanging beneath his horse's belly as if he had foreseen it. Then he closed in until they were only two or three meters apart. The Sarmatian Rider hurriedly drew a one-handed war hammer, but before he could swing it, the Assassin pounced. His short blade plunged into the rider's throat, and he kicked the corpse from its horse before clinging to the enemy's saddle like an ape.

Holy shit, that was a real Assassin!

A one-hit kill.

He was so vicious it made one shudder. Duncan had never encountered anyone this ruthless before.

He wheeled his horse around with effortless control. In an instant, he aimed at the Stealth Assault Assassin. His bow curved like a full moon, the sharp arrow tearing through the air as the Cross Star locked onto the target.

The Assassin wore no armor.

Otherwise, he could never have moved with such agility and speed.

—Parthian Shot!

Hit!

Blood sprayed.

The Stealth Assault Assassin tilted his head slightly, but he had already exhausted his strength while leaping to seize the horse. The arrow pierced straight through his throat. With a thud, his body fell near the Sarmatian Rider.

Both sides' expressions changed drastically.

Duncan's group was shocked by the enemy's strength, while the Heretic Inquisitors were stunned by Duncan's archery.

"Go after the two Witches!"

The Temple Guard of the Hidden Order drew his sword and charged. In the instant their figures crossed, the Private Mercenary Rider's saber was knocked aside. The enemy used his longsword to catch the blade, shaking the weapon from his opponent's hand as they passed. Sparks burst forth, and the longsword pressed in. He gripped it with both hands as he swung, and with a wet slash, severed the Private Mercenary Rider's head on the spot.

Blood erupted like a fountain!

This was the first time Duncan had seen someone Decapitate an opponent with a longsword. Even Barbarian Berserkers needed a two-handed sword or a two-handed axe to execute a Decapitation strike.

Either this man's combat skill was exceptionally high, or his physical abilities were beyond human.

Possibly both.

After Decapitating the Private Mercenary Rider with one strike, the Temple Guardian of the Hidden Order charged toward the retired Imperial Guard Knight. In an instant, a severed arm flew through the air. The Guard Knight's sword and hand had been cut off together. His lone left hand tried to draw a one-handed war hammer, but his body lost balance and tumbled from the horse, leaving him half-dead from the fall.

Before he could even rise to his feet, a Heretic Inquisitor had already stabbed him to death with a short spear.

The battle suddenly turned extremely unfavorable for Duncan and the others.

—Parthian Shot!

Duncan shot the Witch Hunter holding the hand crossbow in the head, then immediately charged forward to stop them from pursuing the two Witches.

Fighting the enemy in close combat was extremely disadvantageous for him.

The Temple Guardian of the Hidden Order had cut down two men as easily as slaughtering chickens and dogs. He had cut through the Guard Knight like a general cutting down a common soldier. If Duncan faced him, the victor would likely be decided within one or two moves. If Duncan had not gained riding skills from the Eagle Shooter and become the best rider among them, he would likely have been cut down in the first charge.

An arrow tore through the air.

A warhorse screamed.

Duncan spared no effort in blocking them. He shot and killed the Temple Guardian of the Hidden Order's horse, but before he could nock another arrow, his own horse let out a miserable cry.

A javelin had been thrown at a sixty-degree angle!

That Heretic Inquisitor had actually gravely wounded and killed his horse with a short javelin.

Was this guy once part of the Imperial Legion?

To throw a javelin from horseback with such accuracy was something only the Empire's elite troops could manage. Since the days of Ancient Rome, the Empire's Heavy Infantry had trained in javelin throwing.

Duncan rolled from the saddle, grunted, and quickly got to his feet.

He threw a Farron Throwing Axe backhanded!

Splurt.

Blood splashed. The Heretic Inquisitor twisted aside to dodge, only to realize Duncan had aimed at the horse's head. These enemies were too strong. Unless he knocked this one off his horse too, if Duncan failed to kill him outright, he would be the one pursued by cavalry.

If an archer was hunted by cavalry, the battle was truly lost.

The warhorse neighed!

After exchanging blows with the enemy, Severus broke away and charged over. Without a word, he dismounted, shield and hammer in hand, and said in a deep voice, "Get on!"

What a brother!

Duncan did not hesitate. He mounted the horse, drew his bow and nocked an arrow. The bow became a full moon, and the arrow struck the Temple Guardian of the Hidden Order directly in the calf. He staggered, and his speed immediately slowed.

This man was actually armored from head to toe, and his physical abilities were astonishing.

Severus roared and charged the Heretic Inquisitor with an oak shield. He had given Duncan his horse. If he was surrounded, he would almost certainly die!

But Duncan was the only Sharpshooter. Only he could stop these Heretic Inquisitors.

—Adrenaline Burst!

Duncan was going all out.