Even Ingmar possessed no precise intelligence regarding this colossal serpent.
Moreover, considering its various aspects, it hardly deserved to be called a mere serpent. A more accurate description would undoubtedly be a ‘Wingless Dragon.’
Even if it were a dragon!
According to the Church’s records, it had existed here since approximately the year 1000 of the Seventh Epoch Calendar, enduring for over six millennia!
Such longevity was unheard of. Not only was it impossible for a serpent, but even the longest-lived dragons could not hope to reach such a terrifying age.
This creature could no longer be considered a denizen of the mortal realm.
Despite its six-thousand-year existence, its aloof and solitary nature meant the Church established contact with it quite late. As fate would have it, this occurred just six years prior, during the period known as the White Night.
Initially, the headquarters of the Church of Light adopted a passive stance regarding contact with the serpent. Abundant evidence indicated that the creature wielded dark magic, a power fundamentally opposed to the Church’s doctrines of light.
The Church even covertly dispatched elite Holy Knights and Archmages to attempt its subjugation. The outcome, predictably, was a complete disaster; like throwing meat buns to a dog, they went in and never returned. Most of the expedition force never even laid eyes on the great serpent, succumbing instead to its immensely sinister black aura, which left them half-dead.
Those who, by some miracle, managed to glimpse the serpent met an even more tragic fate. Its scales were extraordinarily tough, impervious to ordinary blades. More despairingly, its hide could repel most magical damage.
This rendered the Church’s various expedition teams utterly helpless. Consequently, after repeated failures, the Church simply declared the entire Netherworld Forest a forbidden zone for humans and ceased all further attempts.
Approximately two years later, while the prominent figures within the Holy Lan Papacy’s Church of Light had abandoned their efforts, not everyone had given up. The most notable faction still pursuing the matter was the El Hwasian Revisionist Church, fully known as the ‘El Hwasian Western Revisionist Sect.’
The El Hwasian Revisionist Church was a rather peculiar offshoot of the Church of Light. In this era, deities had largely faded from public consciousness, their presence diminished to little more than ideological and governance tools.
The Church of Light itself had similarly transformed, now functioning primarily as a secular power organization veiled by religious pretense.
Yet, the Revisionist Church stood apart. Its members were genuine zealots, willing to sacrifice their lives at any moment for the deities they worshipped.
They were fervently dedicated to uncovering any trace of the divine, sparing no expense in their boundless yearning to behold true gods.
Consequently, the Revisionist Church was largely at odds with the various nations of the continent. No monarch was willing to gamble their kingdom’s future on such a preposterous dogma.
Thus, facing a precarious existence, the Revisionist Church sought out the colossal serpent and pledged its loyalty. They believed that such an extraordinary entity, defying all conventional understanding, could offer immense assistance in their quest to find the divine.
To their astonishment, the outcome did not disappoint them!
Through their interactions, they discovered the serpent possessed an exceptionally high level of sentience, surpassing even that of humans. What proved even more astonishing was the serpent’s revelation, conveyed through telepathic communication, that its master was a deity—an unimaginably powerful, noble, and supreme being!
What could this mean?
One could only imagine the expressions of utter shock on the faces of the Revisionist Church members upon learning this.
This was a true god! Not a mere impostor confined to legends or myths, but a living, breathing deity existing in reality!
Especially considering this deity had existed since the early Seventh Epoch, six millennia ago!
What did this prove?!
Heavens! The gods had not vanished; they had merely, for reasons unknown, completely withdrawn from mortal sight!
This was monumental news! Truly monumental. One could picture the profound shock and excitement that surged through the hearts of the Revisionist Church’s zealots upon receiving this revelation.
Regrettably, the serpent refused to divulge any information about its master or the gods, stating, [Some things are best left unknown to you humans.]
Yet, how could such an explanation deter the Revisionist Church’s fervent believers from their lifelong pursuit?
Immediately, a thought seemed to strike them. Did the serpent not wield dark magic? Could its master, then, be a deity of that opposing faction?
Nevertheless, after extensive deliberation, the Revisionist Church resolved to establish a connection with the colossal serpent.
Even if it appeared to be a serpent of darkness, seemingly in defiance of their doctrines…
****
“Indeed… from up close, this creature is truly immense!”
On the other side, Leya, who had already reached a spot less than a hundred meters from the mass of black aura, spoke with a profound sense of awe.
From the carriage, it had appeared distant and unremarkable. But now, standing so near…
Heavens! A single glance felt like gazing upon the very edge of the world.
It spanned hundreds of meters, and within her sight, nothing but an unsettling black aura permeated the air.
“But with something like this… how exactly am I supposed to fight it?”
Leya furrowed her brows in frustration, her voice laced with helplessness.
She had impulsively rushed out, believing that transforming into Saber would resolve any predicament.
Yet, the current reality proved exceptionally daunting.
Would the Sword of Promised Victory truly be effective against such a thing?
“Yes, it won’t be useful.”
“Mm-hmm, so it is, just as I thought… wait…”
[…………]
Leya: […………]
“Ugh… this is such a hassle. First, transform, transform!”
“…………Alright.”
Then, after a flash of light.
“Hmph—”
She surveyed her form, now clad in blue and white armor, and clenched her fists.
She once again registered the sudden shift in perspective due to her increased height, and the exhilarating sensation of power coursing through her entire being.
But… but…
She still couldn’t conceive of any way to battle this thing!
What even was this? A mass of pure blackness. Was it a type of creature? Or some wondrous magic?
She had absolutely no idea how to fight it!
It seemed her only option was to unleash the Sword of Promised Victory first, just to calm her nerves.
“Hiss—Roar——”
Suddenly, as Leya entertained this thought, a bizarre, bestial roar erupted from within the black aura, as if it had detected her distinct magical fluctuations.
Leya: […………]
It seemed it was indeed a living creature.
And… an inexplicable intuition told her… this beast… seemed rather interesting!
“Tsk… did it think it could hide in there forever and be safe?”
Finally, upon confirming that her opponent was at least a visible foe, Leya broke into a supremely delighted smile.
“So… what manner of divine being are you? Allow me to properly make your acquaintance!”