episode_0012

The Holy Maiden’s sword was swung.

A pure white blade that had never before been tainted by human blood.

“W-wait─!”

Even amidst that, she desperately frowned and tried to resist, but it was futile.

Because the Holy Maiden’s body was no longer hers.

Thud!

Her blade, moving like flowing water, pierced the robber’s chest.

She twisted the embedded sword, tearing through the shoulder, then swung it around to sever the neck.

It was a sword of killing, utterly unbelievable for one that had never taken a life.

“Ah, ahh…!”

Blood spurted as the neck was severed, staining her face crimson.

At the same time, the Holy Maiden’s expression was more twisted than usual, and tears streamed down her cheeks.

She was sobbing, cursing her own disobedient body.

I silently put a cigarette in my mouth and remained silent, watching its tip burn down on its own.

“─She,”

Just then, Aria, who had been silent beside me, spoke.

“Do you truly believe she deserves to bear the name of the Black Serpent?”

“Aria.”

Hearing that, I replied.

“That is not for you to judge.”

“My apologies, Leader-nim.”

Aria quickly bowed her head, showing respect.

The second-in-command of the Black Serpent, who, while advocating the virtues of blindness and obedience more than anyone, ironically harbored the most thoughts and doubts about my will.

Did Aria realize the contradiction in her actions? It was impossible to tell.

“Do you not like her?”

“That is not for me to think about.”

“I want to hear your thoughts.”

“─.”

I said. Aria was silent for a moment before opening her mouth in a cautious voice.

“That child, Jeanne-yang… she reminds me of my immature days.”

Aria’s immature days. I inadvertently grew curious. No, I truly wanted to know.

“What immaturity?”

“Hehe, Leader-nim, really. You’re being mischievous.”

At my question, Aria chuckled as if amused. No, I was genuinely curious.

“They were foolish days when I failed to realize the beauty of the strings wrapping around my body, and the joy of dancing as a puppet.”

Aria said. Hearing her words, I replied.

“I don’t intend to keep her for long.”

“!”

I stared blankly at the burning tip of my cigarette and was silent for a moment. At my words, Aria gasped as if surprised.

“Because there’s no need for her to specifically move with us. Just like any other comrade.”

“Is that so?”

“Were you afraid of her taking your place?”

Aria was flustered by the unexpected remark. Unlike her. Or rather, in a way, it was like her.

Her eyes, invisible behind the black bandages, seemed to blink.

“…!”

The feeling of bewilderment emanating from Aria. It was a childish and easy-to-understand form.

Jealousy and possessiveness.

She, who bore the name of the Black Sword, did not deny her feelings and smiled shyly.

“Please forgive this younger sister’s spoiled behavior, Rain Oppa.”

“─.”

She said with a smile. In a voice like a naive younger sister throwing a tantrum.

Why did she call me that? Could it be that we were actually blood-related? Even that was unknown.

After pondering, I stood up.

Having stood, I approached the Holy Maiden, who was dancing a bloody sword-dance among the robbers.

“A terrified shriek!”

Then, just as the bloody blade was about to swing down on the last survivor, Sir Rockheart, known as the Knight of the Rocky Mountain.

“Stop.”

“!”

The Holy Maiden’s body froze on the spot. I looked at Sir Rockheart, who was pale and trembling in that state.

“I have a few questions.”

“Y-yes, yes! P-please speak, Wizard-nim! I-I’ll answer anything!”

Sir Rockheart desperately knelt and began to beg.

“Are there others, besides you, engaged in ‘train operations’ in this area?”

“Y-yes, yes! There are! The fallen nobles and knights from the entire Lockwood region have joined forces to form the and─.”

“That’s enough.”

I replied. Along with my reply, sparks of lightning danced from my fingertips, engulfing the knight before me.

It seemed the ‘misfortune’ obstructing the train wouldn’t end with just this one.

In that state, I turned my head. The Holy Maiden, finally freed from the magic of obedience and regaining her freedom, was looking this way with an expression full of hatred.

It was then, as the Holy Maiden’s eyes blazed with hatred.

“Th-thank you!”

An unexpected voice was heard.

“Thank you for saving us! Knight-nim, Wizard-nim!”

“─Ah.”

Even while some passengers hesitated, they approached us. At their words, Jeanne blinked in embarrassment.

“W-we’re alive thanks to you!”

“We truly thought we were doomed, ahh!”

Although it wasn’t a particularly pleasant sight visually, that didn’t change anything. Before the passengers, who one by one expressed their gratitude, a blood-soaked Jeanne gasped.

“Do you still think they are worth living?”

“─.”

The Holy Maiden did not answer. She remained silent, merely wearing a somewhat complicated expression among the passengers who were thanking her.

Watching her, I silently took off the coat I was wearing and draped it over the Holy Maiden’s shoulders.

“!”

As I draped the clothes, I spoke in a voice quiet enough not to be heard by the surrounding passengers.

“Those clothes are the uniform symbolizing the Black Serpent.”

“─!”

There wasn’t any special mascot attached to it. Even so, the meaning of that uniform was by no means light.

─── Equipment Info – Name: Black Serpent Uniform – Rarity: Mythic – Performance: – Defense 0, Evasion Correction +900, DEX +300 – Grants buff while equipped – Grants buff while equipped – Activates unique art while equipped – Description: A coat-style uniform symbolizing the secret organization, the Black Serpent. Its fabric is made from a rare material called ‘Shadow Strand,’ an extremely difficult material to obtain, only found in the deepest layers of the Abyss. ───

That equipment info wasn’t actually visible; I was merely recalling it roughly from memory.

Armor with top-tier performance that could be obtained by defeating members of the Black Serpent throughout the ‘Heroic Age’ series.

Furthermore, ever since transmigrating into this world, I couldn’t see its contents in the form of system messages.

However, even if I couldn’t see it, I could feel it. The undeniable power and performance imbued in this uniform.

For reference, I had a few more sets of uniforms in my bag besides this one. That way, I could change and do laundry when needed.

Anyway.

Comrades would recognize the clothes, and even if not comrades, those who knew the weight of the Black Serpent would also recognize the meaning of the attire.

The fact that the Holy Maiden was under the Serpent’s protection.

“When the time comes, I will come to retrieve the uniform along with your answer.”

“!”

“Whether you will continue to be with us after that will be your decision.”

“What does that mean?”

“Because we will part ways here.”

“Wha─.”

At those words, the Holy Maiden gasped.

“From here on, the Imperial Central Government’s power doesn’t reach, and the further we go, the further away it will be.”

The fact that fallen nobles were engaging in train robbery operations in this very area was proof of that. That’s why I asked.

“Where you go is up to you.”

Although it was a bit faster than initially expected, it was something that had to be done anyway.

I intended to release her. At the same time, I wasn’t releasing her ‘freely.’

“And this is the command that will bind and restrain you until then.”

A command that would continue to bind and restrain her even after we parted ways. At those words, the Holy Maiden’s expression hardened again. I gave the command without hesitation.

“Live.”

“!”

“Do not let the pursuers chasing you live. Show no mercy before your enemies and kill them all. Finally─.”

Again, a purple glow emanated from the back of my hand. The magic of obedience, unforgettable no matter how far away, coiled around her body.

“Do not defile the Serpent’s name.”

The Holy Maiden’s blade would no longer show mercy before those who pursued her.

Furthermore, there was no doubt about her skill in not showing mercy. Such a situation wouldn’t have happened in the first place.

“Why, why are you doing all this?”

Jeanne, wearing the Black Serpent’s uniform, asked back as if she couldn’t understand.

“What exactly are you scheming?”

“Do not expect an answer from me.”

I said.

“Thinking for yourself, or simply not thinking at all, would also be a way.”

“!”

“It would be best to move before rescue arrives.”

After speaking, I immediately turned my back and walked out of the train.

“Hehe, see you again! Unnie!”

Alice, regretful about parting, waved her hands.

“I look forward to the day we meet again, Jeanne-yang.”

Aria also turned her head, smiling meaningfully.

The two Black Serpents followed behind me as usual.

This wasn’t the end. However, for now, it needed to appear that way.

After pondering, we traversed the scorching plains under the setting sun.

Towards the neutral labyrinth city, belonging to no nation, beyond the Imperial territory, which would soon come to an end.