A Core Ship From The Start

Chapter 59: Chapter 46: Black Night_1

It was pouring rain, the sky bright with lightning and filled with the clash of thunder.

“Boom boom boom!!”

The novice priestess, who was tidying up the temple, shuddered at the sound of the thunder outside.

“What is it?”

Noticing the novice priestess’ pallid face, the nun standing beside her anxiously looked at her. The novice priestess just gave a bitter smile.

“I, I just… fear thunder.”

As she spoke, the novice priestess uneasily lowered her head with embarrassment.

“Don’t worry, this is the temple of the Lake Goddess.”

Seeing the novice priestess in this state, the nun extended her hand and gently patted her shoulder.

“The Lake Goddess is protecting us, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

“But, but…”

Saying this, the novice priestess anxiously gazed out the window.

“Recently I heard there were sightings of the undead in the nearby area… I’m a little worried.”

“………”

Hearing the novice priestess’ words, the nun fell silent. For them, ordinary people with no combat power, praying for the goddess’ protection is their only recourse. But how long could this last?

“Thump—————!!”

At that moment, the temple door behind them suddenly swung open. Turning their heads at the sounds, the two saw a towering figure stepping into the temple. Cloaked in a massive cloak and swathed in pitch-black armor, a twisted and chilling helm on his head, two glowing red eyes twinkling from the helmet.

“Who, who are you!?”

The novice priestess and the nun were taken aback at this sight and hastily stepped back. Only then did they see the terrifying knight lift up the cloak with his right hand and a white-haired girl who was dressed like a lady nobleman step out from behind him. She only raised her eyes to give them a glance and then quietly stood aside.

“Excuse me …who are…”

Perhaps the appearance of the white-haired girl had somewhat settled them; after hesitating for a moment, the nun approached with timid steps and nervously began to question.

“……”

The black knight pointed at his own chest, it was only then the nun and the novice priestess noticed a symbol of the Holy Grail on his chest plate. Reviewsing the symbol and feeling the aura of the Lake Goddess, both of them were surprised and immediately lowered their heads.

“Sir Holy Grail Knight!”

“No need for formalities.”

Duanmu Huai waved his hand in response to their bows.

“I am just here to retrieve something… Who is in charge of this monastery? I need to speak to her in person.”

“Ah, I’ll call the abbess right away!”

After a stunned silence, the nun quickly responded to Duanmu Huai’s request and promptly exited the temple. Meanwhile, the novice priestess hesitated and then pulled a handkerchief from her pocket.

“Um…please, Sir Knight, dry yourself off from the rain…”

“It’s okay, my armor is waterproof, don’t worry.”

Duanmu Huai declined the novice priestess’s thoughtful offer and then looked around.

“Speaking of which, the defenses here are extremely weak. I didn’t see a single guard on the way in.”

“Huh?”

Hearing Duanmu Huai’s comment, the novice priestess tilted her head in confusion.

“Is that so? I remember that there were many guards at the monastery. Could it be because of the rain, everyone has gone in to take a shelter?”

“Hmm?”

Upon hearing the Novice Divine Officer’s reply, Duanmu Huai’s eyes flashed. Then he looked around once more, and in the next moment, the box behind him opened. The Reconnaissance Servo Skull flew out from within.

“Ah—————!”

Seeing the white skull floating in mid-air, the Novice Divine Officer was also taken aback.

“Sir, Sir Knight, what is that thing…?”

“……”

Duanmu Huai did not answer the Novice Divine Officer’s question. He quickly glanced at the map that appeared before him, and his face changed.

“Not good! Follow me!!”

As he said this, Duanmu Huai tightened his grip on the War Hammer, and rushed out of the temple, with Ogis closely following. Only the Novice Divine Officer was somewhat unsure, but she still stiffened up and followed.

They passed through the temple and arrived at the backyard of the monastery. At this moment, it was completely silent. Only the sound of pouring rain echoed in the corridor. The rainwater flowed down the eaves like a waterfall, as though the entire monastery was submerged in water. Everywhere was pitch dark, and almost nothing could be seen.

“What, what’s going on?”

Now following Duanmu Huai and Ogis outside, seeing the scene before her, the Novice Divine Officer was also startled. She remembered that when she went to clean the temple just now, the nearby rooms were all lit up. Now, however, everything around her was pitch black, and there was no sound…

Duanmu Huai strode towards the front, pushing open a nearby room door. Under the illumination of the white searchlight, there was no one inside. Only an extinguished oil lamp was left on the table, along with a few pieces of clothing, as if the owner of the room had gone out temporarily.

“Where are the people?”

Now the Novice Divine Officer also saw the situation inside. She couldn’t help but show astonishment at the glowing object beside Duanmu Huai’s head, and she was stunned by the scene before her.

“Where’s the dean?”

“She, she should be in her room…”

“Lead the way up front!”

“Ah, yes……”

Now the Novice Divine Officer also understood the urgency of the situation. She hurriedly moved ahead, with Duanmu Huai and Ogis following behind her. They passed through the dark corridor, filled only with the sound of rain, and arrived at the other side.

“It’s over here. Go straight and you will reach the dean’s room…!”

The Novice Divine Officer spoke to Duanmu Huai while walking. However, just as she turned around the corner, she suddenly bumped into someone. When the Novice Divine Officer looked up, it was the nun who had separated from her earlier.

“Ah, you’re here, great, where is everyone else? Where is the dean?”

Seeing her acquaintance, the Novice Divine Officer also breathed a sigh of relief and quickly asked. But what she didn’t expect was that the nun, who usually responded to her with a smile, did not answer her at this moment. Instead, she let out an indistinct roar, and then suddenly lowered her head, biting at the Novice Divine Officer like a wild beast!

“Huh?”

This scene was completely unforeseen by the Novice Divine Officer. She hadn’t even processed what was happening and was just standing there, dumbfounded, as the nun’s mouth suddenly split open and sharp teeth, mixed with a bloody stench, rushed towards her — the next moment, everything before her eyes turned black.

“Clang!!”

Duanmu Huai extended his hand and blocked the Novice Divine Officer. The nun’s wide-open mouth was firmly bitten on his Power Armor, instantly breaking off a large piece. Then, Duanmu Huai grabbed the nun’s head in response and slammed it hard against the wall. Immediately, the nun’s head was smashed open like a watermelon, with brain matter mixed with blood scattering everywhere. Despite this, the nun did not give up; instead, she raised her hands and once again attacked Duanmu Huai.

In the meantime, Duanmu Huai already reached for his War Hammer.

“Bang!!”

Accompanied by the dazzling light of lightning, the nun, now scorched black and smoking, was sent flying in the next second, and laid motionless.

“Thi, thi, this…”

Everything that happened was so sudden that the Novice Divine Officer didn’t know how to react. However, Duanmu Huai didn’t give her time to think deeply. He simply grabbed the Novice Divine Officer and headed straight to the end of the corridor, then pushed open the door —— blood was splattered everywhere inside, but no bodies could be seen.

“Uh… ah……”

At the same time, agonized groans echoed from the corridor. Everyone turned to look and saw dozens of unsteady figures appearing behind them, blocking all three of them inside.

“The situation I hate the most is this kind of plot development!”

Seeing this, Duanmu Huai couldn’t help but grumble, gripping the War Hammer tightly.

“Hey, are you ready? We’re breaking out!”