The Descent of the Holy Child

“He can no longer sustain the barrier.”At this moment, observing the light in the sky gradually fading, Tikka, facing Ilivy, the Church Knight who stood ready before him, declared:

“The dead will launch their full assault next.”

“Yes, I have already imbued some of the villagers’ weapons with holy light, but my power is limited,” Ilivy stated, then extended her hand.

“Does your sword require a blessing?”

“…Please do. Though it may not accomplish much against such an immense tide of corpses, something is always better than nothing,” Tikka conceded.After he finished speaking, Ilivy blessed the weapon in his hand.Just then, the wooden perimeter wall outside began to resound with impacts, signaling that the dead had reached the immediate vicinity; the final battle was imminent.

“Mula! How many enemies remain?”

“It’s best not to dwell on that question.”From atop the high tower, Mula continuously loosed arrows, yet her efforts were merely a drop in the bucket.“Darkness has enveloped the entire periphery of the village… Tens of thousands, perhaps? From the sounds, monsters are swarming from all directions.Rather than knowing the true numbers and succumbing to despair, it’s better to fight to the very end without that knowledge.”

“Is that so…”Hearing this reply, Tikka offered a bitter smile.No one could have foreseen that what appeared to be a routine border inspection would culminate in a situation of life and death, and he was utterly unprepared for it.Simultaneously, he addressed the Paladin before him:

“I heard the Rose Order recently received orders to search for a unique entity on the border. You are the one carrying out that command, aren’t you, Knight Ilivy?”

“So, you have indeed uncovered our internal affairs,” Ilivy remarked.Tikka shook his head resignedly.“It’s more accurate to say that your organization currently has many vulnerabilities. If you had such a mission, why did you still come here? You could have simply waited until this matter concluded.”

“A mission is a mission,” Ilivy stated.“However, a knight’s oath cannot be broken. You required reinforcements, and we extend a helping hand when others are in need. Therefore, I came. Is there an issue with that?”

“None,” Tikka replied at that moment.“It’s merely that I feel your actions are truly noble. You are a genuine knight, and it is my honor to fight alongside such a truly virtuous knight in what may be the final battle of my life.”

“I appreciate your words,” Ilivy said after a brief pause.“You Otherworld Travelers… are all Transmigrators like you?”

“No,” Tikka replied naturally.

“However, I hope more people like this emerge. I do not believe in your god, but there is no reason to prevent you from believing, is there? Moreover, facing an assault from such a dark power, who wouldn’t think of praying to the deity representing light?”

“Indeed,” Ilivy agreed, stepping forward.Then, in these final moments, she knelt and plunged her sword into the earth.

“What is she preparing to do?”Mula inquired from above.Tikka, observing the knight’s figure, simply stated:

“As I just mentioned, she is praying.”

“Praying at a time like this… No wonder they were so brutally defeated by the Demon Lord’s army; there’s a reason for it.”

“You cannot speak that way.”Tikka’s voice held a touch of severity now.“These people were the first army to stand on the front lines, protecting the entire continent. Three out of ten of the Holy Church’s legions were lost, three of the four Grand Knight Orders were annihilated, and the clergy were consumed like matches in that war. They held the front, giving us the chance to create miracles.”

“…If you consider this a sign of inflexibility, then do not forget that it was precisely such a group of people, whose unwavering faith became the continent’s most steadfast foundation, that repelled the encroaching enemy.”

“’May the people of God walk in paradise, with glory and virtue guiding their path,’” Ilivy began her prayer, kneeling on the ground.“’We are their embodiment, those who act on behalf of the Lord, advocates of glory and virtue. When darkness shrouds paradise, light disperses it; when the plague of death permeates the mortal world, light shows the way. We advance, illuminating the distance… Though our hands wield blades for slaughter, our hearts yearn for light and peace… May glory be granted to all, and may holy light guide the way – Amen.’”As she prayed, no one stopped her, nor did anyone join in the recitation.Yet, everyone understood that the knight’s prayer was not merely for herself, but a heartfelt message conveyed on behalf of them all to a deity who remained unseen, perhaps never to answer their hopes.

“Uwaah! Uwaah!”The sounds from outside grew sharper; they were closer now.The warriors gripped their weapons, preparing for their desperate fight.

“Everyone, prepare—”The Village Chief, brandishing a blade, roared fiercely, “Let us fight… to the death against these monsters!”

“Regardless of whether any person or deity protects us, our land, our fields, our village, our homes—only we can defend them. Either we hold them, or we die fighting to protect her!”

“Fight! Fight until the last breath!”At this moment, the warriors let out fervent shouts.Amidst their cries, they pressed forward.The gate was being continuously battered, yet they were utterly fearless.

“Fighting to the very end… Heh, that sounds rather fitting.”

“Indeed,” Mula remarked then.“However, that old mage truly seems to have some tricks up their sleeve. Tikka, the barrier is reactivating.”

“Is that so… Wait, what are you saying?”Tikka froze, then looked up at the sky.Mula repeated, “The barrier has been reactivated, but it seems different somehow. It’s not the familiar magical energy; this color… is it light?”

At this very moment, a golden radiance slowly manifested in the sky.Many noticed it.Under the illumination of this light, the previously high-spirited, bloodthirsty charge of the demons and the living dead suddenly weakened.As if sensing something, they began to halt their futile assault.Tikka and Ilivy also witnessed it: before them, the collapsed barrier had been re-erected, its color entirely different from before—a golden glow.

“This sensation… this holy light…”Ilivy felt the light slowly descend from the sky, felt this unique power integrating into her body, and her expression transformed into one of joy.“He has returned. He did not choose to abandon us and flee… he chose to come back.”

“He… did he?”Tikka, hearing this, also lowered his sword.Ilivy, sensing the power of the light, then looked at the soldiers who were experiencing this event with a sense of wonder, and declared:

“Do not doubt. This is a blessing. Now, because of this holy light, the enemies have been weakened. This is our only chance. Do not fear, for…”At this moment, Ilivy lifted her head and stated with confidence, “The Holy Child… has descended.”