I Become a Mafia in the Academy

Chapter 139

"W-what, what is this...?!"

The bishop's face turned pale in astonishment at the scene unfolding before her eyes.

"You, you, right now, now, now?"

So flustered that she couldn't even speak properly, she stood up and checked the state of Ascalon inside the box. No, the state of what "used to be Ascalon."

"Ah... Ah, ahhh! Oh, Father..."

And then, she collapsed right on the spot.

"Bishop!"

At this, Johan, who was beside her, was startled and threw aside the box he was holding to catch the bishop.

Ultimately, Ascalon ended up in my hands.

"M-Mr. Hitman. What are you doing right now?! Why are you destroying a perfectly fine holy relic?!"

And it seemed this scene was also astonishing for Yoon Gwangsoo, as his jaw dropped to the floor.

"Destroy? I'm recreating it with ornaments."

"W-what?"

Saying that, I handed him the Ascalon, which had already been crushed and turned into something like clay.

"Can you remake this?"

"Remake it? You mean... Are you seriously asking me to remake Ascalon?"

"You understood correctly."

"No, what do you mean 'understood correctly'?! Do you think making a weapon like Ascalon is that easy? I've barely seen it a few times, so I don't even know its exact appearance. How am I supposed to make it?!"

Thinking it was an unreasonable request, he shook his head and stepped back.

"What are you talking about? Why would you make this into a weapon?"

"...What?"

I placed Ascalon in his hands, which were frozen in confusion.

"Make it into a rosary. Something that can be worn around the neck. You can manage that, can't you?"

"Make it into a rosary..."

"Father Johan."

"Yes?"

"Let's take the bishop inside the cathedral first. We can't leave her on the dirt floor like this. And... could I ask for a vacant room as well?"

"A vacant room, you say?"

Even though Ascalon had turned into clay like this, its effect wasn't lost.

The biggest feature of "ornaments."

It was the ability to alter its form while maintaining the inherent properties of the original material.

Of course, its usage and effects might slightly change depending on its form, but the most important effect always remained, which was a significant advantage.

This was why "ornaments" had become a skill that blacksmith players must learn.

"We can't take the holy relic outside, can we? It won't take long, so please."

What was most needed from Ascalon's abilities right now was its effect of creating a sanctuary.

If Ascalon were moved to another location, the sanctuary would shift, making it difficult to maintain the cathedral's safety.

"Ah, understood. Please, come inside."

Carrying the bishop, Johan stood up and led the way into the cathedral.

At the same time, from the doorway, children who had been watching the situation jumped back in surprise.

"Father, how did you... Oh? B-bishop?"

The children were startled by the limp figure of the bishop.

"Sister Maria. Could you take the bishop to her room? I think I need to escort our guests to their rooms."

"The bishop? Ah, yes!"

Eventually, Maria received the bishop from Johan and hurriedly carried her into the cathedral. Watching her retreating figure, Johan turned back to us.

"There should be a vacant guest room right now. It was originally meant for today's guest, but... would that be alright?"

"I don't mind."

Nodding at his question, I followed him downstairs, passing the storage where wine was aging, and finally arrived in front of a room.

"Due to the nature of the cathedral, there's hardly any reason for guests to visit, so we could only make a room in a place like this. Please understand."

"It's fine. You must have been quite startled, but thank you for calmly accommodating my request."

Halt.

Stopping in front of the room, he turned around and smiled faintly.

"It's alright. I'm sure the guest has their own thoughts."

"...What?"

I thought I'd get scolded for what I'd done, but his response was unexpected.

"Well, are you alright, Father?"

Since my actions since arriving today had been anything but ordinary.

More than anything, breaking a holy relic must have been quite a shocking sight, but he slowly shook his head and replied.

"Of course, I was surprised. The holy relic we've been protecting all this time turned into a mere lump of clay."

...As expected.

"But the sanctuary is intact, and Mr. Cloud is a precious brother who fights for us, isn't he? I'm sure you have a plan in mind."

Is this what they call the mindset of priests?

Seeing his decision to trust me, I nodded and said.

"Thank you for trusting me, Father."

"Then please. Take care of Ascalon, brothers."

With that, Johan said his final words and ascended the stairs. Watching him leave in a daze, Yoon Gwangsoo was the first to speak.

"...So, Master. Did you bring me here to turn this into a rosary?"

Still unable to believe it, he blinked at the lump of Ascalon in his hands.

"Yes, why? Is it too much pressure?"

At my words, he quickly shook his head in surprise.

"What are you saying?! I was just thinking how many times in my life I've been this excited!"

As expected, I knew he'd respond that way.

The Yoon Gwangsoo I knew would never refuse such an opportunity.

"That's a relief. Then, let's get inside."

"Yes, Master."

Upon entering the room, it truly revealed itself to be a space intended for guests.

A worn-out chair and bed. And a table.

These were all the furnishings in this place where we had to recreate the holy relic with our bare hands.

But that didn't matter much.

As long as there were aura and materials, ornaments could be crafted anywhere.

"Alright, let's start working right away. Hup!"

Bang—! Bang—! Bang—! Bang—!

Surrounding the table with aura to reinforce its hardness, he placed Ascalon on it and began hammering it with his bare hands.

Since I had already melted it once, Ascalon was transforming easily.

Watching him for a moment, I picked up a piece of Ascalon that I had set aside before handing him the mold and sat on the bed.

"Alright, time for me to start as well."

What I was going to make was a weapon so simple that even a novice like me could craft it.

Bang—! Bang—! Bang—! Bang—!

Before long, rhythmic metal hammering echoed endlessly from the underground of Halla Cathedral.

* * *

Even after I had finished my work, Yoon Gwangsoo continued hammering away at the (former) Ascalon, now (current) Rosary, as if there was still more to be done, and I watched in a daze.

Then, an irregular noise came from outside the room. The sound of someone rushing toward us in a hurry.

"Already awake?"

There was only one person who could be rushing toward us now.

"Ascalon?! What happened to Ascalon?!"

The one who should have been guarding Ascalon had finally woken up.

"You're awake."

"You...! What did you do?! And Ascalon, where is Ascalon?!"

Is Ascalon the first thing she asks about upon waking up?

Letting out a sigh, I pointed to the (former) Ascalon that was still being diligently hammered.

If you're talking about Ascalon, it's being reborn over there.

"Oh, it really wasn't a dream?! Lord, why do you give me such trials......."

Her legs gave out, and she collapsed to the ground again.

Fortunately, it seemed she wouldn't faint like earlier.

Moreover, she appeared too exhausted to interfere with our actions.

Leaving her behind as she sat there, unable to control her flowing tears, I turned my gaze back toward Yoon Gwangsoo.

"Huff! Huff! Huff!"

His entire body was drenched in sweat, like a waterfall, likely due to wrestling with that ingot for so long.

The clothes he had been wearing had been discarded long ago.

He remained in a trance-like state, silently hammering away with his fist.

Bang!

With one strike of his fist, Divine Power surged forth.

Bang!

Another strike sent flames bursting upward.

Bang!

The aura enveloping his hand transformed into an unyielding hammer, creating a new Holy Relic.

The Bishop, sensing the unusual atmosphere, stood up with a dazed expression and slowly approached my side.

"......What is that?"

She couldn't possibly not know.

The Divine Power that had been faintly spilling out earlier now filled the entire room.

With a blank expression, she murmured while staring at the new Holy Relic being completed with aura.

"Ascalon. The new Ascalon you will receive."

"......That's Ascalon?"

"Yes. I didn't expect it to be this effective, but it's beyond imagination."

Didn't the legendary Italian artist Michel Angelo say something like this?

'I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.'

And now, Yoon Gwangsoo's hand movements seemed like he was uncovering the angel sleeping within the sword.

Thud──

His fist, raised high above his head, came to a halt.

Standing still, he blankly stared at the Rosary.

Then, raising his other hand toward the sky.......

"It's completeee!!"

Shouting with all his might to announce the completion of his turn, he collapsed backward like a scarecrow blown over by the wind.

"Hehe. Hehehe......."

Even so, his expression was filled with a sense of relief.

Judging by the aura emanating from him...... did he break through a wall during the training process? It seems the difficulty level of Ascalon's training was higher than expected.

No, considering it was essentially crafting a Holy Relic, it's only natural.

Slowly approaching where he had fallen, I spoke softly in a quiet voice.

"You did well. Junior Disciple."

He had accomplished more than enough for one person. No, even if several people had tried, it would have been hard to guarantee success.

[Name: Ascalon (★)]

[Grade: Relic]

[Type: Holy Relic]

[Description: A Rosary crafted from the sword Ascalon, which is said to have been used by Saint Georgius to slay the Evil Dragon Fafnir.

It explosively increases the user's Divine Power and can activate a Sanctuary in the surrounding area.

When equipped, it deals 2.5 times the Divine damage to Evil Attribute enemies and up to 7 times the damage to Dragon-types.

(Having achieved the optimal form as a Holy Relic, additional stat enhancements have been applied.)]

Ascalon, which could fully exhibit its effects just by being worn rather than wielded as a sword.

Next to its name, a star symbol was attached, signifying its transcendental enhancement.

"Here, see for yourself."

I tossed the new Ascalon to her, who was staring blankly at the Rosary.

Catching it reflexively, she soon checked its details.

"Wait, no...... is this even possible? How, how could transforming a sword into a Rosary change it like this?"

She widened her eyes in shock, wearing an expression of disbelief.

As expected.

"You're asking something obvious. Ascalon is classified as a Holy Relic, not a Holy Sword. I just gave it a more proper form."

"......Holy Sword? Holy Relic?"

Yes, it would be hard to understand.

Who in their right mind would melt down a sword called a Holy Relic and remake it into a sword?

Only a player like me could come up with such an idea and actually carry it out. So, her dumbfounded expression was understandable.

And...... this is the best part.

Feeling the cold touch from my pocket.

Smiling at the weight of the object, which felt heavier than its size suggested, I looked at the Bishop and Yoon Gwangsoo.

"Now...... shall we have a little talk about the Fafnir Raid?"