Hunter’s Blade

C42 – Being High

Shire continued to explore the remaining parts of the Holy Church.

The parts above the prison were for hunters to stay in. The spiral staircase led upwards, and there were several individual dorms on both sides of the corridor. Each floor had a different hall with different functions, and each floor was used as a dining hall. The second floor was a public lounge, and the third floor was used as a ammunition warehouse. But it has been ransacked, the fourth floor is the library, the door was locked and could only be opened with a silver key. As a result, the fifth and sixth floor were empty. Not yet used.

He was drenched in sweat as he climbed to the top of the tower. He used the silver key to open the door to the observatory and walked into the darkness.

This was the highest point of the Holy Church. There were many stars in the night sky, and the bright moon hung high in the sky. Shire rarely had the mood to relax and enjoy the night. He felt that every night was very dangerous. Monsters and evil creatures hid in places where the sunlight could not reach. He looked around the dark streets of the city. A demon beast had escaped from the Holy Church and was wandering around the city. This thought made him alert. Where was it hiding? Who was it trying to attack?

It was this looming sense of danger that made Shire not dare to relax. He had to find the location of the beast. Eliminate it. At the same time, he also had to solve a series of trivial matters, the maintenance of the Holy Church. Lend in debt, recruit people. There were also many interpersonal issues that made him feel uneasy. Where should I start? How can I avoid failure? He had an unrealistic dream of inheriting the Hunter Palace, and only when the responsibility was placed on his shoulders did he realize the weight of it.

In front of him, the night in Gray Tree Hall was expanding. The lights in the thousands of households were flickering. Many windows in the earl’s castle were shining. The guards on the wall were patrolling with torches, and the lights were moving back and forth in a regular pattern. The weather was a little cold, and it might snow tonight.

He put his hands on the edge of the observation platform. A cold wind was blowing at him from high up. His hair was swaying with the wind. This was a rare peaceful time for him for many days. His mind and body belonged to him, not all the noise around him.

But Shire knew if he indulged in this moment of peace, he was too selfish. He still had to do his duty. Many a time, he could not live as himself. He thought of the hunters. Etienne’s master’s teachings were still fresh in his mind. If Denver had not entered the forest, he would have been a kind and happy child. Mr. Julius would still maintain his confidence and composure, so that he would not be hung upside down on a big tree. He thought of the crazy Waren. The timid Dalton, and the self-doubting Master Frederick. Finally, he thought of Geffany, who had committed suicide. His heart ached.

It was my fault. I shouldn’t have let the devil escape. If I had chosen to die together with the devil that day, Gradiu would have never existed in this world.

“Hey, I can even hear you.” Gradiu cursed, “It’s fine if you go to the rooftop and take a cold break, but why do you want to make things difficult for me?”

“I want everything to be valuable.” He spoke in a low voice, not only making his thoughts stay in his heart, “I want my choice to be valuable, so that everyone’s death will be worth it.”

“They don’t care about these things.” Gradiu retorted, “They were only tied up by the rules of the hunters. They knew they couldn’t catch them, but they still fought with their lives on the line, and even died in vain.”

“If you can’t beat them, then you don’t want to fight anymore? How could there be such a thing?”

“If you can’t beat him, why do you still want to fight? How could there be such a stupid person? If he can’t beat him, then he should run away, surrender, grovel, and give up his principles. As long as he continues to live, what will happen in the future is still unknown. Didn’t you and I live together with this idea?” Gradiu didn’t give in at all.

“If we do it again, I will die with you.”

“Do you like this? Do you like me to torture you? Shire! If you really decide to destroy me, then jump down from here right now. You will be crushed into pieces, and I will be devoured by the kings, but both of us will be destroyed. This is what you want! Come on, jump down!” Gradiu howled.

Shire gently stroked the railing. It was covered with iron patterns, and the pillar was covered with bronze spikes. His fingers touched the surface of the railing, and soon, blood began to flow out.

“Hey, if you have something to say, say it properly. Don’t mess around. If you want to die, I don’t want to die yet.” Gradiu was frightened. The sharp edge of the copper spike immediately became blunt and round.

“The others will pick up the silver key from my corpse, and the Devil God of Hell will disappear just like that.”

This place was really tall. Shire estimated that from here to the ground, it was unknown if it was hundreds of meters, or even more than a hundred meters. He wasn’t sure. If a person jumped down from a two-story building, they would break their legs. What would happen if they jumped down from a seven-story building?

“You’re crazy! Don’t think like that! Life is precious!” Gradiu shouted.

Shire shook his head.

The time has not come yet, there is still a mission that has yet to be completed.”

He turned around and saw Inese standing on the stairs.

“When did you come?” Shire was a little surprised.

“You feel like a different person.” Inese teased, “Sometimes you are as naive as a child, and sometimes you are quieter and more serious than anyone I have seen.”

“That is me.” Shire did not know where to start.

He had violated the rules and saved a devil. He still didn’t know whether it was right or wrong.

“Do you mind if I go up?” Inese did not get Shire’s permission and walked to the rooftop. She leaned against the railing and looked at the night sky of Gray Tree Hall. “This is the highest place in the city.”

“The earl’s castle is built on a hill. The top should be further away.”

“For you hunters, it is not easy to build such a place.”

“We used to be very rich, so we built such a good church… Do you see the rooms on every floor? Adding them up, we can accommodate over a hundred people. If we change every room to a room for three to four people to live in, we can station close to 500 people here. Is this a church or a military camp?”

“From the looks of it, there’s no offense at all. It’s just a garbage heap.” Inese said casually.

“I have enough confidence.” Shire stretched out his hand. The whole city was sleeping under his palm. He liked this feeling in his hazy state. “Let us build an extraordinary career.”

“Have you considered asking for help from the Holy Church in other regions? Maybe they will send you some money or something.”

“No, it is a long way. The West Coast Holy Church is separated from here by a few territories. Recently, the situation is very unstable, so it will be very difficult for messengers to arrive safely.” Shire thought of the Giant Demon that blocked the bridge. During peacetime, it had been hunted by adventurers and mercenaries. It wouldn’t be able to do whatever it wanted for a few years.

“Speaking of which, do you have any procedures and regulations to join us?”

“There is only one requirement to become a Devil Hunter, and that is to have a firm will.” Shire thought of Etienne’s teachings.

“It sounds like this place will only become a place of extreme obsession.”

“That’s true.” Gradiu muttered.

“If you think it won’t work, then I haven’t thought of anything else. But look, there are too many things to do. I want to fix the wall and strengthen it, but no workers are willing to come here. They all say that this is a cursed dangerous place.”

“If you want to join you, you need to do something. How about it? In this way, even if there are both good and bad people, at least they will be able to help.”

“Sounds fair.” Shire nodded. “What can you help with?”

“I think I can fix the wall. I don’t want to become a Devil Hunter for no reason. I should give something in exchange for your trust. This is how I win trust.” Inese explained.

“You have already won my trust.”

“Why?”

“You are Etienne’s daughter.”

“Remember, I am Inese of Rain Bay first, and then that person’s daughter.” She had a faint smile on her face.

“Yes…”

“Of course, I have heard about Etienne. He has helped us in every part of the world. Seven years ago, he destroyed the largest dark Magi gathering on both sides of the Green River. Four years ago, he also killed a devil vanguard in Red Wood Mountain. What a man with unparalleled justice and outstanding achievements… It was a pity that since he was born, he had never seen him before. In my mother’s description, Etienne has always been a dissolute, handsome, and irresponsible person. I have thought about it many times. If he hadn’t returned after my mother died… I will personally kill him and have him accompany my mother. It’s just that he passed away before my mother. And took her away. This is a bit disappointing.”

“I’m sorry.”

“For my mother? She couldn’t hear him. For me? I can walk my own path. Lord Grani, I have a small request.”

“Please speak.”

“Just like I said before, the reason I joined Hunter’s Guild is to obtain training. On the way here, I saw your library. There were a few places that weren’t robbed by thieves. The door was tightly locked, so you should be the only one who could open it. Can you allow me to read inside?” Inese smiled.

She was such a dangerous woman. She knew what she wanted and what she should do. Shire could only give in.

“You are a member of the Holy Church. Of course you can.” Shire nodded.

“Very good.” Inese nodded in satisfaction. “Let’s go down and eat.”

“I have cold meat and wine…”

“The Holy Church is our home. We should eat something hot at home.” Inese led Shire down the stairs. “I just walked around outside. The meat shop is not closed. There are still farmers who have not returned home in the market.”

“You made food?” Shire was shocked.

“Why else would I come to you? Lord Grani.” Every time Inese used honorifics to address Shire, it made Shire feel ashamed.

“That’s right.” Shire nodded. “The Holy Church is our home.” From now on, it will be the same in the future.

They went to the dining room on the first floor and the table was cleaned. There was a deep iron wok on top, filled with potato soup. A large piece of pork leg was thrown inside to increase the fragrance. Hoppe the little ghost crawled around in the corner of the restaurant and suddenly threw himself out. He caught a mischievous rat and stuffed it into his mouth to eat. The rat problem had probably been resolved in advance.

Shire served himself a bowl of soup. The taste was very fragrant. He might need to eat two or three bowls. He was searching for suitable words to praise Inese’s craftsmanship when Gradiu started talking again.

“Quickly eat… eat more… eat more… conserve energy.”

“Why? I don’t do anything else at night.”

“You don’t want to, I want to. My power has recovered, I’m going to take you to hell” Gradiu murmured.

“Hell?!” Shire didn’t expect this at all.

“There’s no need to refuse. We will go in and cause a ruckus. Those devils have invaded my territory. I will make them pay the price.”

“How am I going to go!”

“You can just turn into a Abyss Devil.”