Chapter 177: Holy War 2
TL/Editor: Raei
Schedule: 5/Week Wed-Sun
Illustrations: Posted in discord.
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Inside the newly built small temple, a question came from a nun, elegantly dressed.
I wondered if she was a regular nun or someone like a saint, like the voice we heard before.
Given Han Se-ah's lack of reaction, she's likely not a saint.
Anyway, to modern people, the term 'holy war' probably evokes two images.
The first is the Crusades linked to Catholicism, conducted in the Pope's name*.
The second is terrorism by Muslims in the name of figures like J*had*.
In the world of Heroes Chronicle, the holy war seem to be a blend of these two.
"Brother, you are renowned as a giant slayer, aren't you?"
"That's a title I haven't heard in a while."
In Heroes Chronicle, a holy war is essentially an extermination order.
It's the temple's declaration to cease all external activities and annihilate a particular target.
They bring back the nuns who were healing those not embraced by the Goddess in remote areas and priests who journeyed far to spread her will.
Everyone, from monks quelling bandits to temple knights hunting monsters, pauses their urgent tasks for the holy war.
Halting all temple activities like service, conversion, bandit subjugation... all actions are paused to annihilate the opposition.
In other words, by any means necessary.
"Brother, I'm embarrassed to ask, but I have a favor."
"If you need me to lead the charge, I'm always up for it."
"You are indeed a bold Brother."
This 'by any means necessary' also includes hiring mercenaries and adventurers.
It's a sacred war in the Goddess's name, not about hoarding honor, but about achieving the goal as swiftly as possible.
Thus, it's no surprise that I was chosen as the temple's weapon in this holy war.
As a senior adventurer who has received a revelation from the Goddess and recognition from temple knights, not to mention having a saint candidate as an ally.
"...Roland, you look like you knew. Are you experienced in holy wars?"
-Calling it 'experienced' sounds so naughty, hehe
-A holy war led by an adventurer, seems strange...
-The temple wants a 6 boost too. If you're jealous, get one yourself
-But the way they understand each other seems suspicious
"I'm not interested in your peculiar fantasies. Anyway, it looks like in this quest story, even without temple-related NPC allies like Irene or Roland, players can gain the temple's support through their fame. The main scenario can't progress without the temple's assistance."
As I conversed naturally with the temple knight, my companions behind me began gossiping with wide eyes.
Grace stuck close to Katie and Irene, while Han Se-ah pretended to listen to the group's conversation, engaging with her viewers.
The topic of conversation was how surprisingly knowledgeable I seemed.
Grace and Katie were hanging on Irene's every word, asking if there had ever been a holy war in the past, while Han Se-ah was analyzing why the temple had declared a holy war from a gamer's perspective.
Exiting the small temple, a temple knight immediately came up to me.
The request was made by a lovely nun, but the detailed explanation came from a man, making it feel somewhat manipulative.
Caught in these thoughts, Grace and Katie clung to me again.
Grace seemed concerned, while Katie appeared captivated by the romantic notion of being chosen as the temple's sword in the holy war.
"Alone? Are you sure you'll be okay, Roland?"
"A large-scale enhancement spell from a saint, what would that feel like?"
Continuing our conversation, we moved from the 30th floor to the 31st, and then from the 31st to the 32nd.
Starting from the miniature temple, priests and nuns in white garments marched forward.
Unlike adventurers who form groups of five for profit, these priests and nuns didn't even glance at the fallen mana stones.
Even though the lizardman skeletons had become tougher as undead, they couldn't withstand when about fifty priests simultaneously cast holy magic against twelve of them.
From ordinary priests to NPCs of 3-4 that viewers would eagerly team up with, nearly a hundred gathered to cast their magic like a water gun fight at a water festival.
It was only a matter of time before another temporary temple was built at the safe zone on the 34th floor.
"Wow, we started late from the 30th floor after the meeting, but we've already reached the 34th. I wanted to see how far we could go before the end of the session, and we've not just cleared it... we've practically constructed our way through."
-Is this a holy war or a holy construction project, lol
-It's kind of scary seeing a temple built at every safe zone
-This holy war bus looks super sweet, really looking forward to it
-So if we break through the 35th floor, they'll build one for us too, right?
"But without Roland, things would probably proceed differently, right? Just like how other characters appeared instead of the mage during the orc event."
"Still, since it's a public event, they'll likely boost the strongest person or enhance the entire party. Honestly, the way Roland does things is not exactly normal."
The 35th floor passageway showed no signs of growing vines.
There, the priests and nuns, lined up in rows like an army, parted to the sides, opening a path for our party.
The chat erupted with excitement at this sight.
...These are just priests and nuns in white robes, right?
The way they behaved seemed more like they were trained for military parades rather than just worship and service.
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*The catholic part is fine, it is true according to history books.
J*had (i instead of the *) seems to be a flagged word so I've written it like so.
Also the statement should specify 'extremists/terrorists,' not Muslims in general but I've kept it as so since that is what the author wrote.
Fun fact: J*had is actually an arabic word meaning 'struggle' so the sentence 'The second is terrorism by Muslims in the name of figures like J*had' is incorrect and is a wide misconception.
Uh don't quote me on that tho... me just google stuff and then cross check to see if multiple sources say the same thing...
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Bonus chap! I'm on vacay so I've got lotsa free time... There'll be bonus chaps here and there to try and get this novel a little closer to the raws.
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