Ch.198198. The Final Trial (2)

●

The Chrysanyx family was a cattle-herding house attached to the outermost edge of the Empire.

The most similar scene would probably be the Campbell Barony I visited before.

A place ruled by a peaceful-looking baron, unlike Darwood Campbell who stirred up trouble wherever he went.

Elia’s parents gave a similar impression.

Kind neighbors. Respectable adults. To someone, an irreplaceably precious family.

When recalling her hometown, the first memories that came to mind were the sky so blue it hurt her eyes and the endless green meadows.

The endless blue color stretching out under the soft moonlight.

‘…Ah, this.’

A dream.

A scene where she couldn’t help but clearly recognize that fact.

The vegetation swaying in the breeze on the hill, the cry of a calf born yesterday, friends she played with, her mother’s voice calling her to come in for dinner from the hilltop.

Those memories. Those recollections.

“…”

Elia stared at her house on the hill with dead eyes.

What would happen next…

She knew all too well.

“What, what is that?”

“Fire?”

From the neighboring village, about half a day’s walk away, something was rising.

A red energy was soaring from the distant sky.

Conflagration.

A massive pillar of fire visible even from far away.

She clearly remembered the hair-raising heat even in her dream. The surrounding area was cast in shadow due to the flames that blazed as if they would burn even the sky.

She remembered exactly what she had said at that time.

“…Brother?”

She didn’t know why she had said that.

But perhaps even with the limited senses of a young child who didn’t know much, she had clearly perceived it.

The ominousness rising from that pillar of fire, the foreboding that her entire life would be twisted.

So.

She had unconsciously called out to the person who was her greatest support in the world.

“Uh, uhh?”

“It’s getting bigger?”

Originally, if a pillar of fire arose from some explosion, it would be fortunate if it surged once and quickly subsided.

But even as people from the village began to gather one by one to see it, felt something strange, and ultimately felt anxiety turning into fear…

That pillar of fire remained in place.

The red light emanating from the flames was scattered across the darkening surroundings.

As if the sky had been dyed red.

As if the entire night was being devoured by red flames.

“Elia!”

She remembered her parents moving simultaneously after seeing the same sight.

With confused expressions, they were rushing toward her to take care of her.

Even with minds that probably couldn’t grasp what was happening, they clearly had the firm thought that they needed to protect young Elia.

Not caring about anything else, they were coming down the hill with all their might.

Her mother, who had always been frail, stumbled and fell several times, but even that didn’t concern her.

“…”

Elia watched the scene with the same dead eyes.

“Elia!”

Like this.

With both her father and mother anxiously calling her name as the starting point.

It ‘begins.’

This moment is always the most painful.

Since it’s a dream, she can’t even close her eyes.

-!

-!!

Something bursts out from the pillar of fire with a “pong” sound.

Everything is engulfed.

The vegetation burns. Children nearby are swept up in the flames without even being able to scream. Daisy, who built sand castles with her yesterday; Hans, who confessed his feelings to her with a foolish face; the kind bakery owner who always gave her extra with a friendly smile.

All of them.

Turn to ashes and disappear.

“…”

Those who disappeared at once without even being able to scream might be considered fortunate.

The smell of burning flesh is thick. Ear-splitting screams that make her legs feel weak just from hearing them echo around.

Parents died. Children died. Someone begs desperately to save their mother. Someone pleads anxiously to save their child.

Misfortune pours down.

In just a few seconds, the pastoral and peaceful village was instantly destroyed.

“…”

Even though it’s a dream.

She feels nauseous.

Elia unconsciously sat down. Hugging her trembling body, she looked up at the sky.

The pillar of fire.

That massive calamity that dyed the entire night red.

“…”

And inside it.

Even from so far away.

The human figure at the center of the pillar of fire caught Elia’s eye.

Above the head

Blood-red hair. Long fingernails. Yellow eyes with slit pupils reminiscent of reptiles.

As soon as their gazes met, only one word came to mind.

“…Demon.”

Red night.

At that moment when the red night began.

The memory of that scene always faded to black there.

●

She wakes up drenched in cold sweat.

The luxury bed in the accommodation provided by the Holy Empire near the location of the final trial was soaked with the sweat she had shed.

Elia swept her face while gasping for breath.

She had sweated so much that something almost like a transparent film was wiped away from her face.

Her heart beats fast. Her head hurts and her vision is dizzy.

“…I haven’t had this dream recently.”

It’s a dream she hardly had since meeting her teacher.

Strangely, being with him gives her a sense of security in many ways.

She had this dream almost daily in the Count Kendrid’s border territory, but it’s really strange.

“…”

And the reason for having the dream again would be clear.

Recently, she saw once more something that reminded her of that conflagration.

Faynol.

Faynol Leiphec.

The woman who conveyed the feeling of the Red Demon.

“…”

If that woman really is the vessel of that demon…

Then her mortal enemy is right nearby.

The method of confirmation is simple.

She just needs to look at her once with the eye of truth awakened by Authority.

It’s an ability that can see through the existence of demons more accurately than anyone. With it, she could instantly discern what’s sleeping inside Faynol’s body.

The reason she doesn’t do it…

“…”

Elia looked down at her trembling hands.

Without a doubt.

She is still…

Afraid of that demon.

That demon who twisted her entire life in a single day.

“…It’s okay, Elia.”

She’ll be able to overcome it soon.

The final trial is coming soon.

If she can grasp the ‘Holy Sword,’ she’ll be able to face such things somehow.

Elia stood up with a resolute expression.

There were only a few hours left until the ceremony.

She should start preparing.

●

< Quest Info >

[ Main Quest ]〖 Chapter 4 – Red Night 〗

[ Related event will occur soon! ]

I switch to another window.

[ Gift-Related Person Alert ]

▼ Faynol Leiphec

[ Trust Level 3 ]

[ D-1 until related event occurs ]

“…Hmm…”

I stroke my chin while scanning through the messages lined up.

I knew this would eventually happen. It’s not particularly surprising that this person’s rampage was predetermined.

The problem is…

‘…Why tomorrow?’

In the original work, the accident should happen today, on the day of the Holy Sword ceremony.

Although the timing has been pushed back because I increased my affinity with Faynol, today should be the deadline. There’s no reason for it to happen 24 hours later.

[When has anything ever gone according to your plan? This time there’s another variable, so just deal with it impromptu as always.]

“…It won’t be that easy this time.”

The rampage of a three-piece demon is on a different scale. Minor variables can be tolerated, but I can’t accept the occurrence time changing completely.

“…”

If I had to guess a reason, there’s only one.

[The Luminary?]

“Now you know well.”

It’s always him who forcibly raises the ‘difficulty level’ whenever obstacles approach.

If there’s a reason for the progression to deviate sharply from my knowledge, it must be him.

I sigh as I look around at the bustling surroundings.

Originally, inside the Holy Empire’s Grand Temple…

‘…He must be plotting something again.’

That’s how the Pope is. When it comes to scheming, he’s not much worse than me.

There must be some conspiracy behind his decision not to let people in.

“…”

Well.

Figuring that out can wait.

Right now, I’m concerned about something else.

“…By the way, Calivan.”

I narrow my eyes and glare at the Soul Linker.

“Are you plotting something?”

[No?]

“…”

[What would I be plotting? Are you paranoid?]

I silently glare at him in response to his shameless answer.

There’s no unusual sign. He’s the same Calivan as always.

But.

“…You and I are connected mentally. Right?”

[So?]

“Just as you can sense my mental state to some extent, I can also feel yours.”

[…]

“But you feel quite different from usual? You’re hiding something, aren’t you?”

[It’s your imagination.]

“…”

[I said it’s your imagination. Do you have any evidence?]

I don’t.

I have suspicions but no proof.

“…Tsk…”

I get up from my seat, clicking my tongue.

Well, the main quest is right around the corner.

For now, it’s more important to prepare for how the Luminary will approach.

“…Just don’t do anything too strange. Understand?”

[Sure.]

“…”

You said you weren’t plotting anything.

You crazy bastard.

●

Serath Evatrice stared blankly at the human before her.

Actually, this was her first time seeing him. She had never encountered him before.

It’s funny to even call him human.

After all, the other party had introduced himself as an already dead human.

“…So, your name is…”

[Valkarsus.]

“Eeeek!”

Valkarsus’s eyes narrowed as he watched Serath jump up with tears in her eyes.

[…Aren’t you supposed to have the grand title of Grand Assassin?]

It was a rebuke asking what kind of unsightly appearance this was, but Serath paid no attention and continued to tremble as she answered.

“W-what’s wrong with a Grand Assassin being afraid of ghosts!”

[…Well, the people you’ve killed could probably fill an entire cemetery…]

“But I can’t kill you!”

[…Are you afraid of everything you can’t kill?]

“Yes!”

[…]

Her answer is quite clear despite her trembling.

‘…That’s quite a simple criterion.’

So she’s not afraid of anything that can be killed with a knife, but anything that can’t be killed with a knife is scary?

No wonder she’s been so obedient since they first met.

[…Anyway.]

Valkarsus sighed deeply and continued.

[My business with you is simple. Simple but serious.]

“Huh?”

Valkarsus fluently explained the ‘plan’ created by Calivan to her.

“…”

As the content she ‘received’ continued…

The fear gradually disappeared from Serath’s expression.

Instead, a very serious look took its place.

“…Indeed, this is quite serious.”

Serath muttered with narrowed eyes.

“The Red Demon is going to rampage?”

[Yes.]

“…”

Then we must stop it.

[This information has probably been delivered to others as well.]

“Others?”

The vessels of demons.

But according to Calivan’s claim, a more efficient term here would be…

[The other women around Darwood Campbell.]

“…”

[Crisis is also opportunity. Just from hearing this, you must understand that the man will likely not be able to resolve this situation unscathed. So I’d like you all to help a bit.]

“…Hmm. Are you hiring me?”

[In form, yes. But the compensation would be something else.]

“Huh?”

[It’s a competition. Whoever helps the most will get to do something nice with him.]

“…Something nice?”

[Whatever you want to do. Even share a bed.]

“…”

I wish he wouldn’t say such crazy things with such a detached expression.

But let’s think about it more.

Serath’s expression showed question marks after hearing that.

Somehow, something smells fishy.

Was Darwood the type of person who would readily agree to such things?

“…Did he say that himself?”

[He offered to reveal weaknesses that would make it possible.]

“…”

[Not methods of physical subjugation, but ways to win his ‘heart.’ What everyone ultimately aims for.]

The explanation was lengthy.

But it clearly omitted Darwood’s own intentions.

“…No, doing such things without hearing the opinion of the person involved is a bit…”

[Then you don’t mind if another woman takes him?]

“…”

[Even if you refuse, there are plenty of people who would act immediately upon hearing such weaknesses. Perhaps even the tribal chief’s daughter you fought with recently?]

“…Are you provoking me?”

[Correct. Just imagine it. Would you really be okay if such a thing happened?]

The intention is obvious. It could be called cheap provocation.

But.

“…”

Serath closed her eyes briefly and imagined.

Before her eyes, that blue woman smiling triumphantly while clinging to Darwood’s side.

Herself trembling as she watched.

The two of them biting, sucking, embracing, and finally mixing together—

“…Who do I need to kill?”

The effect of the cheap provocation was extremely good.

●