Lane set out toward the church. When he reached the door, he looked around; the square was still full of people."So, they haven't dispersed yet... Good. Then it's showtime," he muttered.He had already planned everything in his mind. He blended into the crowd and joined the line. In front of him stood an old peasant in torn clothes, and behind him, a middle-aged woman.Half an hour later, it was the old man's turn. Lane watched closely.
The old man ran up to the two nuns."Please heal me, I'm growing old... I have no money," he begged.The nuns smiled with fake kindness. "Alright, alright, now please let go of my hand," one said.While trying to pull her hand away, the nun couldn't hide the disgust on her face. Lane noticed it.
The nun cast her spell, and the old man suddenly revived. He stood up energetically and dropped to his knees, kissing the nun's hands."I'm grateful to you, may the Goddess protect you!"The nun bent down and helped him up."This is our duty. Serving you is an honor."The old man handed over all his gold coins."Please, take this."The nun took the money, turned her face away, and gave a devilish smile. Then she turned toward the crowd and shouted:"Next!"
Lane stepped forward.The nun asked, "What's your problem?"Lane raised his voice:"My heart aches! Heal me... My heart hurts from people's betrayal, lies, and loneliness!"The nun was surprised. She had never heard of such an illness but didn't show it. She cast her spell.
Lane felt something odd in the energy during the spell. He waited.Only his body warmed up slightly — not his soul.He raised his voice:"You didn't heal my heart! You're lying!"The crowd suddenly turned toward him. The nun got angry but held herself back."Your heart still hurts? But we cast the spell."
Lane lifted his head and turned to everyone in the square. His voice echoed:"
If your soul is not clean deep inside,
What worth remains in your sin or piety?
White robes, a cross on your chest,
Do you think the goddess is fooled by these?
O priest of light, hollow-eyed man,
You preach of heaven while bowing to lies.
They chase the secret art of creation,
But within your heart, only shadows lie."
The crowd fell silent. Some people looked around as if waking from sleep.Lane continued:"You are liars! Frauds who deceive the people!"
The nun shouted, "Seize that boy!"The holy knights immediately came near, and one nun joined them.Lane didn't touch his sword, didn't resist."No need, I'll walk myself," he said calmly.
He entered the tent behind the nun, escorted by the knights. Inside it was dim, and there were people lying on the ground — all unconscious, their breaths weak.Before Lane could even look around, the nun attacked him with magic.A flash of light erupted; Lane lost consciousness.
Lane opened his eyes to find himself lying on a dark bed. There was a humming sound in his head.He heard voices and immediately closed his eyes, pretending to sleep and began to listen.A nun whispered:"I wonder what the Pope will do with these souls? But the flesh of these people... delicious. The Holy Church feeds not only our hunger but our plans as well."The other giggled. "Be careful. If you consume too fast, our identities might be exposed."
Lane's heart clenched."Demons..." he whispered to himself. "They've infiltrated among humans. Vaen was right. This isn't an ordinary church."
He slowly sat up. His sword wasn't beside him, but a dagger was hidden on his leg.He examined the surroundings; he saw a table full of glass bottles. Inside them, light was trapped. When he looked closer, he froze."Souls... all of them are human souls."
He muttered to himself:"I need to destroy this tent completely. But first, I'll kill these two disgusting creatures."
He picked up an object and threw it on the ground, making noise. One nun heard the sound and entered.Lane approached from behind, covered her mouth, and knocked her out with a strong blow.The other nun rushed in when she heard the sound and, seeing the woman lying on the ground, bent over her.Just then, Lane appeared behind her and punched her face.Dark mana gathered in his hand; he pressed it against her face."Turn to dust, filthy creature!" he shouted.
The nun's scream filled the tent. Her body began to darken; the human skin cracked, and beneath it appeared a demonic body.Lane drew his sword and slashed her throat.The creature fell to the ground, its dying scream echoing through the village.Lane gritted his teeth."There's no point in keeping quiet anymore."
He ran outside, looking for his sword. In every tent he passed, he burned the nuns with lightning magic and shattered the bottles of souls. Each explosion sent rays of light into the sky — the freed souls were returning to heaven.
Finally, he found his sword. But now he was surrounded by five holy soldiers.Lane drew his sword. The Dragonblood Sword gleamed red under the sunlight."So you're the goddess's dogs," he said in a calm but threatening tone.
The soldiers attacked simultaneously. Lane countered with a fireball; one of them burned, but the others quickly approached.He was tired, his mana nearly exhausted."My mana flow is weakening," he muttered. "I need to fix this."
He blocked the first strike successfully. Then two swords crossed; Lane was thrown back.Before he could recover his balance, a third strike came.At that moment, a voice echoed from within the sword:"Open your dragon eyes! Otherwise, you won't see!"
Lane was startled. He looked at the sword; red energy was flowing through it.He took a deep breath and activated his dragon eyes. His eyes turned golden.The soldiers stepped back."This boy... he's of dragon blood!"
Now Lane could see the flow of swords. Every movement, every breath appeared before his eyes as glowing lines.He deflected every attack with mastery. Then, with a sudden turn, he struck down two soldiers at once and cut down the remaining ones in a dance of blades.
Just when he thought it was over, a shadow flashed from his right.Before he could understand what happened, a powerful kick hit him; his body flew ten meters and crashed into a wall.The church wall collapsed.He forced himself to stand up, but his vision was blurry.
The second attack came. This time he noticed it but barely blocked it.Standing before him was a third-level aura user — a Holy Knight.
Lane was struggling to breathe. The knight lunged again and delivered the final strike.Lane fell to the ground.The knight stood over him, raising his sword.Lane murmured:"Déjà vu... seems like the same scene again."
At that moment, the Dragon Sword spoke:"Stand up! I didn't choose you for this! STAND UP!"
In Lane's mind appeared the image of his father using a sword technique — the first form of the Dragon Sword Dance: Blood Lake.Blood dripped from the sword; aura spread all around.The knight stepped back, taking a defensive stance, but it was too late.
Lane stood up; his eyes were blood-red, his wounds healing rapidly with vampiric regeneration.He whispered in a calm voice:"Dragon Sword Dance... First Form: BLOOD LAKE."
He swung his sword horizontally.A red line appeared on the ground — then it exploded.The wave of blood split the church in two and threw the knight back.
Then Lane attacked with lightning magic.The knight screamed:"You're a magic swordsman... and of dragon blood! Who are you?!"Lane walked toward him, his eyes glowing with demonic light."Me? I am your death."
He swung his sword down. The knight's head fell to the ground.Lane looked around; flames surrounded the tents."There's no reason to leave anyone alive in this church," he said coldly.
He raised his sword again and used the Blood Lake form once more.Another wave of blood spread out; tents, nuns, false saints... all vanished.The sky turned completely red.
Finally, silence descended.Lane slowly fell to his knees, his breath fading.He lifted the unconscious nun, carried her on his shoulder, and walked away.What he left behind wasn't a temple — it was hell.