CHAPTER 91
After our discussion with Rapha Hastel, we decided to spend the night at the Regular Army barracks. It was because of the escort he said he'd assign to me.
Now that Black Dawn was aware of my existence, I wanted to avoid moving around alone carelessly.
“I wonder who it’ll be.”
Aranseol also seemed curious about the new escort.
Given the possibility of tangling with one of the Sins, it was easy to guess that the person Rapha Hastel would assign would be no ordinary individual.

We ended up sleeping in until noon the next day.
It was only natural, seeing as we had been through the wringer in the 2nd World the day before, then came to the Regular Army for a long talk before finally sleeping.

“Training as soon as you wake up?”
I had left the still-sleepy Aranseol in bed and was doing a light run around the training grounds when Inferno appeared. He looked like he’d had a good night's sleep for the first time in a while, covering his mouth as he let out a long yawn.
“It’s become a routine. If I skip basic conditioning, I can’t keep up with my other training.”
“You’re really pushing yourself. I’ll give you that. You’ve grown significantly since I last saw you.”
“Don’t you think I’ll be a Lord-class powerhouse soon?”
“In your dreams.”
As I thought, in the eyes of Inferno and the other Lords, I was still just a fledgling.

“So, how about a round?”
Inferno tossed his uniform jacket onto a chair as he spoke.
A Lord-class powerhouse was offering to spar with me directly.
“I see no reason to refuse.”
I immediately stopped my run and took a stance.

“You learned that from the Holy Knights, didn't you.”
“Yes, I’ve learned their hand-to-hand combat techniques.”
“Well then, no need to hold back.”
There was no need for a starting signal.
The moment Inferno dashed forward, his fist was flying at my face.
After being hit countless times, there was one thing I had mastered:
Never close your eyes, no matter what attack is coming your way.
CRACK!!
Of course, dodging was another story entirely.
My body couldn't keep up enough to evade Inferno’s punch.
But the Holy Knights’ combat style wasn't designed for dodging an opponent's attack.
The instant his fist connected, I wrapped my arms around his.
Simultaneously, a powerful surge of Holy Magic flowed into my grip.
It was enough force to shatter Inferno's arm.
I intended to break it right then and there.
“Oh.”

Inferno let out a short sound of admiration.
“Good strength. You’ve forcibly trained your body, increasing its physical limits, and then poured your innate mana into Holy Magic to achieve this, I see.”
He calmly analyzed my condition.
Yes, he was calm.
Because despite my grip, his arm wasn't twisting at all.
The mana flowing throughout his body—that immense power was raging like a wild aura.
I had no choice but to let go.
No matter how hard I tried to twist, I was simply outmatched in sheer power.
Just as expected of a Lord-class powerhouse. He was a monster.

“More importantly, I can sense Divine Power from you.”
“Yeah, I drank some milk and it appeared.”
“You really drank that stuff?”
Inferno looked dumbfounded, but he slowly stroked his chin.
“This is a secret, but…”
He spoke quietly, as if it was something others shouldn't hear.
“Some of those Radiance Faith bastards can transform into Apostles.”
“I’ve seen it myself.”
“So you’ve seen it. Anyway, that Apostle Transformation… you should be able to do it too.”
“Excuse me?”
He was telling me to become an Apostle?
Seeing my bewildered expression, Inferno looked my body over.
“Divine Power usually resides in the heart. That’s why one needs to master how to spread it evenly to achieve the Apostle Transformation. But for some reason, your Divine Power is already spread throughout your entire body.”
I think I knew why.
It was because I don't have a heart.
“Wait, doesn’t becoming an Apostle turn you into a monster?”
The image of the Radiance Faith Bishop fighting the No-Named murderer was still vivid in my mind.
The sight of them fighting back then was a battle between indescribable beasts.
So, of course, I was stunned that he was telling me to become one.
“I think you’re misunderstanding something. Apostle Transformation doesn't necessarily turn you into a monster. To be precise, it's more like wearing an overcoat.”
“So it’s like Apostle armor?”
“Right. If the Apostle Transformation turned everyone into monsters, the Radiance Faith would have gone mad and collapsed long ago.”
Inferno had recently raided the Radiance Faith.
As a result, using the fact that the Radiance Faith had taken the No-Named murderer's corpse as a pretext, he had destroyed a total of fifteen of their branches.
The Archbishop, Bloody Crown, had currently vanished without a trace.
I confirmed he was still alive not long ago, so I plan to deal with him myself one day.

“Do you know how to perform the Apostle Transformation?”
“It’s not that I know, but…”
Inferno picked up his jacket and gestured with his hand.
“Follow me. We can continue training in a bit.”
It seemed like he was going to give me something, so I quickly followed him.
A moment later, Inferno led me to an evidence collection room.
It was a room where various pieces of evidence were stored, but no one could stop a Lieutenant General like Inferno.
He went inside, rummaged through a few things, and came out a while later.
He was holding a book.
“This is a document from the Radiance Faith detailing the method for Apostle Transformation.”
“You got this from the recent raid, then.”
“That’s right.”
No wonder he had brought up the Apostle Transformation so suddenly.
“I don’t know the exact details myself, but give it a read. It’s not like you’re in a position to be picky about how you protect yourself, right?”
He was right. I needed to cultivate any means necessary to protect myself.
The Apostle Transformation would surely become a trump card for me.
“Thank you.”
I decided to gratefully accept Inferno’s help.
I didn't like that it was from the Radiance Faith, but I had to use everything I could get my hands on.
“Looks like they’re here.”
Just then, Inferno glanced out the window.
As I turned my head to follow his gaze, something flashed in the sky.
CRASH!

The window rattled violently.
As I was wondering what was happening, a voice came from behind me.
“Yo, Mister Inferno! Long time no see!”
“I told you not to call me 'mister'.”
Turning my head with Inferno, I saw a young girl standing there.
She had brilliant golden hair, blue eyes, and, oddly enough, a pair of goggles pushed up on her head.
With a spear strapped to her back, she flashed a mischievous grin the moment she saw me.
“You must be Big Bro Harua, right? Nice to meetcha! The name’s Lululio!”
The girl who introduced herself as Lululio beamed, her eyes sparkling intensely.
She radiated a natural brightness.
She had the face of someone who had never known a moment of darkness in her life.

“Are you a No-Named?”
“Yep. Transferred three years ago.”
She transferred earlier than I did.
“And in those three years, she defeated one of the Lieutenant Generals.”
What?
I looked at Inferno with an expression that said, Are you serious?, and he nodded with complete sincerity.
She defeated a Lieutenant General in just three years.
Was that even possible?
She looked even younger than me.
Is she even more talented than Soun?
I knew the world was full of monsters, but I never expected another one like this to appear.
“Does that mean she’s also a Lieutenant General?”
“Not quite. The position of a Regular Army Lieutenant General isn't earned through strength alone.”
Right, that made sense.
“Besides, she’s not officially part of the Regular Army. Rapha Hastel just keeps her around.”
“I’m learnin’ a ton from the old man!”
So, she was essentially Rapha Hastel’s personally trained disciple.
Unexpectedly, our party was gradually turning into a collection of someone’s disciples.
“But her skills are the real deal. You’ll be safe with her around.”
“I can protect you even better than Mister Inferno can!”
“This is what she’s like. She’s a bit noisy, so try to get along.”
Still, they must have assigned me someone trustworthy.
I extended my hand to her.
“My name is Harua.”
“Like I said, I’m Lululio! It’s all good, so feel free to speak casually!”
“Alright, I will. Lululio, is it okay if I ask about your Ability?”
“Oh, my Ability is ‘Zzirit Zzirit’!”
What kind of Ability is that?
“Explain it properly,” Inferno warned, pressing down firmly on Lululio’s head.
Lululio protested that he was making her shorter, but her complaints fell on deaf ears.
“Basically, it means I can turn into light for a sec.”
“Light?”
“Watch closely. It’s like this.”

Lululio’s body dissolved into particles of light.
The next thing I knew, she was right in front of my nose.
What the hell was that?
I suddenly felt like I was about to get kicked at the speed of light.
I immediately understood why she was a No-Named.
I couldn't even begin to fathom how this Ability could be utilized in combat.
How did the No-Named wage war against the overwhelming majority of this world’s people?
Seeing this Ability right before my eyes, I understood everything.
If No-Nameds equipped with abilities like this had started a war, it would have been unmanageable. And now, the Black Dawn bastards were trying to start the same kind of war.
I understood their dangerous potential, and why the Regular Army had been struggling to catch them all this time.
If a No-Named with an ability like this decided to hide…
Finding them in this vast 1st World would be practically impossible.
“When I transform, I get this tingly feeling, so I call it ‘Zzirit Zzirit’!”
Her naming sense was hopeless.
“Don’t let her looks fool you. She’s a monster even without her Ability. Her skills are guaranteed.”
If even Inferno acknowledged her, there was nothing more to say.
“I’m counting on you, Lululio.”
“Likewise! I’m countin’ on you!”
And with that, we gained a new team member named Lululio.
I figured I’d have to introduce her to Babiyen and Horizon soon.

“You’re planning to head back right away, right?”
“Yes. You’re busy too, Lieutenant General.”
And I had to give Babiyen her money.
I had a feeling she was still sleeping under her covers, but I had to give her what she was owed.
Otherwise, Babiyen would get kicked out of the inn.
“Alright. Contact me through her. If anything happens, wherever you are, I’ll send support immediately. I’ll be making preparations on my end as well.”
“I’ll be counting on you.”
The day I go to the 2nd World is the day the operation begins.
So, I needed to train as much as possible until then.
The Apostle Transformation book from Inferno.
Training with Aigis and the Holy Knights.
And honing my Holy Magic.
I will become as strong as I possibly can.