I Became the Priest of Blasphemy of the Outer Gods

Chapter 101. Rescue Operation (5)

A shocking impact, as if even the sky was crying out, spread through the ship, causing people’s bodies to rise and fall.

Before they could stand up, the ship swayed violently once more.

“Uwaaah!”

“It’s falling! Hold on tight!”

If they fell into the sea, there was no hope. They would be swept away by the fierce waves and drown without even being able to resist.

But as long as they remained on the ship…

“In service to your great light, we kneel to your mercy. Hayat, please lift us up again. 〈Holy Light’s Healing〉.”

With the dazzling light created by the Saintess, their injuries were healed. Thanks to this miracle, everyone could endure despite sustaining various injuries, large and small, multiple times.

Crackle!

In the meantime, blocking the Leviathan’s merciless onslaught was a vividly blue glowing magic circle. It was Cernun’s protection magic intricately engraved throughout the ship.

“Kuooo!!”

Leviathan bared its massive mouth, its red eyes glinting fiercely. A few humans who fell off the ship struggled desperately, only to disappear helplessly into the creature’s mouth.

“Fire!”

Boom! Boom! Boom! As the barrier held, cannons roared. Black cannonballs slammed into Leviathan’s body but most bounced off its iron-like hide.

“Reload! Hurry up!”

Despite the seemingly hopeless situation, people busily moved about, loading gunpowder and frantically bailing out the rising water.

“Maintain formation.”

Meanwhile, there were those who exuded a completely different atmosphere.

“Wait for its head to emerge from the water.”

The Inquisitors. One bled from his head while another had his arm absent, only a rag remaining.

“Prepare the chant for 〈Radiant Annihilatioon〉.”

Yet, they paid no heed to such wounds and pain, raising their weapons, and solemnly reciting the chants like emotionless statues.

“With your light, we shall punish evil; grant us strength. 〈Radiant Annihilatioon〉.”

A bright white light enveloped the rusty weapons of the Inquisitors. Observing the sea, the Inquisitor commander was about to issue the attack preparation order when he lowered his hand, sensing a change from before.

“Prepare for 〈Undying Light〉.”

The Inquisitors did not ask for explanations. At the command of the commander, mournful chants rang out.

“Oh pure master who watches with light, grant us the light to block our enemies. 〈Undying Light〉.”

White specks of light began to spread like swarms of fireflies.

“Kuooo!”

As the light shield soared, leviathan launched another attack, its form leaping up and creating massive waves, appearing to the crew as if a mountain was falling from the sky.

Crash! Clang!!

The protective barrier holding back the massive Leviathan finally shattered. However, the white light shield continued to obstruct Leviathan.

“Captain, what’s the status of the barrier?”

“There’s not much left. A few more hits, and all the barriers will…”

The captain’s expression was extremely dark as he looked at the crystal orb displaying all sorts of information about the ship.

“The damage is just too great compared to the speed of repair.”

Mages brought from the Inquisition were repairing the damaged enchantments, but there was a limit to their mana. Expecting much more from the barrier seemed impossible.

“Isn’t there any strategy?”

Originally, strong barriers would hold and gradually increase damage, a typical monster hunting method that should have sufficed.

However, against the Leviathan, which had been treated as a legend until now, this method did not work.

“Trust.”

“… What?”

The seasoned captain blinked in surprise.

“Trust in Hayat.”

The ship began to sway violently again on the rolling waves, a sign that Leviathan was attempting another collision.

“Everyone, move to the port side. As soon as it attacks the ship, jump onto its head.”

Though the command seemed almost reckless, not a hint of unrest was present. The Inquisitors prepared, holding their weapons steady. No further words were necessary for them.

“Prepare.”

Splash! A massive outline began to emerge from beneath the waves.

“Launch!”

As the fearsome Leviathan’s head surfaced, the Inquisitors sprang from the ship.

“Divine Punishment of the Radiant Brand!”

As the Inquisitors leapt with their weapons drawn, the Saintess’s clear voice resounded, and light poured down like a veritable cascade.

Sizzle-!

Leviathan’s skin began to blister and burn in the light. However, the Inquisitors who entered with the light cascade remained unscathed.

Thud! Thud!

Aiming for the gaps in the armor, the Inquisitors plunged their weapons into Leviathan’s body, refraining from uttering so much as a groan or shout, attacking silently.

“Kuoo!!”

Leviathan roared in agony and submerged back into the sea. Substantial damage seemed to have been inflicted as the water was tinged with a large amount of blood.

“Throw down the ropes.”

“Huh? Oh! Throw down the ropes! Pull the Inquisitors up before it returns!”

At the command of the commander, the captain shouted loudly. The sailors cast ropes tied around the mast into the sea. The Inquisitors silently climbed back aboard along the ropes. Despite some casualties, they did not dwell on them and prepared for the next battle.

“Prepare for the next attack. This time-”

Boom!

A strange vibration interrupted the commander. An ambiguous impact not quite like an attack. A mysterious light flickered in the water.

“… Who is that down there?”

Something had created a variable. The commander murmured in curiosity when the Saintess cheerfully cried out.

“It’s Ahab!”

* * *

‘Stubborn resilience, only managed to take one eye.’

I clicked my tongue inwardly as I retrieved my spear. Despite successfully landing a strike while Leviathan was distracted by the ship, even using Outer Magic, all I managed was one eye.

‘Ugh, these currents…’

Leviathan’s furious movements tossed me around. Eldritch attempted to mitigate the torrent, but it was still inadequate against Leviathan.

‘Once these waters calm… huh?’

The current shifted. Contrary to before, I was being pulled in. The dark void ahead revealed itself to be Leviathan’s gaping maw.

‘Doesn’t know the classic moves.’

I deliberately let myself be drawn in by the current, swiftly being sucked into its throat.

‘For a creature as massively brute as you, the inside is the place to attack.’

I managed to land on a surface amidst the tumultuous waters, possibly its throat or stomach.

“The flame of karma shakes the world; rise, fire. 〈Inferno of Thunder〉.”

Suddenly, a pillar of flame burst forth, heated steam rising as the water evaporated, cooking the infernal creature from within.

“Ku…oo…oo!!”

With a fiery column blossoming in its insides, leviathan’s anguished roar echoed everywhere.

“Uh-oh?!”

I was spat back out, caught in the spray Leviathan created, unable to make sense of the situation.

‘Damn, I can’t think straight. Where’s that creature…?’

As soon as my vision returned, leviathan’s tail came hurtling up from below to strike me away. The powerful currents pressed against my body, launching me high above the ocean.

‘Seriously…how high did I go?’

I looked at my air-bound self in shock. Whether by intention or chance, I was falling straight toward the ship. On the ship stood Iris, glowing brightly.

“Under the guidance of the divine light, let there be blessings for those who follow the light of truth! Oh Radiant Deity, bestow your presence upon these ones! 〈Sanctuary of the Immaculate Radiance〉!”

Just as I crashed onto the deck, my body began healing rapidly at an astounding pace. The sanctuary, focused solely on healing wounds and restoring strength, excelled in this area with overwhelming speed and efficacy. The entire designated sanctuary ship emitted a faint white glow.

‘Indeed, a Saintess is a Saintess. I’m fully recovered.’

I lifted my weary body. Iris maintained the sanctuary and recited her prayer, acknowledging me with a nod.

“Are you Ahab?”

An unusually large knight, holding a polearm unlike other Inquisitors, spoke to me.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“The next attack will come soon. With all barriers broken, this is essentially our last chance.”

Naturally. Just holding out until now was an impressive feat.

“We must unleash as much firepower as possible.”

The commander nodded.

“Judging by the direction of the waves, it’s targeting the port side. Join in the attack at the opportune moment.”

A briefing absurdly brief. No complaints were voiced as the urgency of the situation left no room, and I prepared without further comment.

“In the name of Hayat.”

The commander led with the declaration as he raised the polearm.

“In the name of Hayat!”

The Inquisitors lined along the port side of the ship.

“Pray.”

“Oh Lord of all light, I pray to you, cast chains to bind your adversaries. 〈Chains of Radiance〉.”

All the Inquisitors chanted simultaneously, and chains emitting white light began to materialize before them.

“Kuooo!!!”

Enraged, leviathan leapt. Its massive body was set to collide with the port side but…

Swooosh!

The violent waves only managed to inundate the ship, as Leviathan’s bulk was ensnared by the light chains. Numerous chains began to entwine its body, succeeding in holding it momentarily.

“Fire! Blast that damn thing!”

The captain shouted with all his might.

Boom! Boom!

Cannonballs flew at Leviathan, tethered by chains. The previously impervious armor began failing perhaps due to accumulated impact, and finally, some cannonballs successfully struck Leviathan, causing sailors to cheer.

“Pray.”

In stark contrast, the commander quietly and somberly continued to guide his troops, striking the deck with his polearm.

“Beneath your light, I fear nothing. I beseech you to cast the light to expel the wicked. 〈Spear of Radiance〉.”

When the Inquisitors’ spears began to gleam, they were hurled, embedding into the gaps between Leviathan’s armor.

‘Now’s the moment.’

I leapt onto Leviathan’s body. Using the light-spears lodged by the Inquisitors as stepping stones, I swiftly made my way toward the creature’s head.

Snap! Snap!

In such a short span, many chains were already breaking. Before Leviathan could free itself, I used the power of Gluttony to leap high.

‘I see it.’

What remained of its eye, a grim, dark scar I had left. I plunged into it again.

“This is the end, Eldritch.”

“Finish it!”

The sea-hunter’s spear shone brilliantly blue.

“Die for good this time!”

With all my might, I drove the spear into the wound.

Crack!

Bone and flesh were cleaved, and blood erupted like a fountain. As the spear reached deep into its brain, leviathan’s cries grew fainter.

“Cu…oo…oo…”

Finally, the sea calmed.