Ch.199199. The Final Trial (3)

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Sullivan looked down at Faynol with serious eyes.

“Are you really alright?”

“…Yes.”

Faynol replied with a forced smile spreading across her face.

Since being forcibly “revived” by the Red Demon, she had spent about half her life fabricating emotions, making this an extremely natural performance.

Of course, even with such acting skills, she couldn’t suppress the “phenomenon” she was currently experiencing.

Red flames that she couldn’t control occasionally burst out around her body.

As someone with genius-level talent in handling magical power, she immediately erased these erupting flames, but Faynol knew exactly what this phenomenon was.

“…”

Demonic energy.

The fragments of demons that she contained as a vessel were leaking out of her body strand by strand.

Control was becoming increasingly difficult.

‘…So suddenly?’

Faynol thought as she gasped for breath, trying to smooth down the surging energy from her heart.

While building rapport with Darwood Campbell, her “control” over the demonic power had been gradually expanding. If things continued this way, she had even begun to hope that someday she might be able to manage the demonic energy and find eternal rest.

But at some point.

It felt like the fragments were struggling with all their might to burst out of her body. As if they were “reacting” to something and running wild.

‘What’s causing this…?’

She couldn’t think of a single reason.

The one-month time limit she had initially set for him hadn’t expired, nor had her feelings toward him diminished.

“…I just need to hold out until the Hero Selection Trial ends.”

Faynol spoke with a strained smile.

“That man said he would do something for me once that’s over.”

That was what Faynol had been told right before the final trial began.

Even if it gets a bit difficult, try to hold on as much as possible.

Then, he would come to save her.

“…Faynol.”

The Chancellor opened his mouth with a serious expression after hearing those words.

“First, take this.”

Faynol’s eyes widened at the object the Chancellor held out.

‘A medicinal pill…?’

She remembered hearing about this form of medicine used in the East.

Medicinal ingredients rolled into a round, bead-shaped form.

It’s not a common sight on the continent, at least.

“…Hmm.”

Since it was being offered by the Chancellor, it couldn’t be meant to harm her.

With that thought, Faynol swallowed it.

“…Huh?”

Immediately, the pain that had been tormenting her entire body suddenly vanished.

It was unbelievable. How could medicine that suppresses demonic energy exist in this world?

“…How does such medicine… exist?”

“I received it from that spirit medium. He said you would need it around now. He also added that it’s so precious that even he couldn’t make it twice, so handle it with care.”

However.

As soon as she heard where it came from, Faynol’s face wrinkled.

“Chancellor.”

Faynol carefully began to speak.

“…I’m truly grateful that you accepted me.”

“What are you suddenly talking about?”

“You took me in under the Inquisition despite knowing what I contain. I’m always thankful for that.”

She looked straight into Sullivan’s eyes.

“But I feel I must tell you this.”

Faynol continued with a serious expression.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to maintain ties with the Luminary.”

That person, the Luminary.

She is a woman like a mass of black death.

Whenever Faynol looks at her, that’s the only impression that comes to mind.

“Well, she is the leader of the Cultists of the Demon.”

“…”

In fact, it’s not just that.

She often gets the feeling that the Luminary knows a great deal about this “world,” even more than Sullivan who seems to know about the “future.”

In Faynol’s field, she seems comparable to Darwood Campbell, who is considered the pinnacle.

“But this is helping you right now, isn’t it?”

Sullivan placed several more of the medicinal pills she had just taken in front of her.

“If Darwood says he has a plan, then I believe in him too. He’s a man who has never failed.”

Sullivan continued with a sigh.

“But it’s also true that you need help right now. If things continue like this, something truly terrible might happen.”

“…”

Faynol looked down at the pills before her with uneasy eyes.

She felt uncomfortable knowing they were connected to that woman.

But.

‘…I wish the final trial would end quickly.’

For now.

The fact is, she has no other choice.

Faynol sighed and reached for the pills.

●

“…Hey, Calivan.”

[Hmm?]

Once again, a nonchalant response came back.

“I know you’re plotting something.”

[Yes.]

“…”

He’s not even trying to hide it anymore.

At this point, it’s almost giving me a headache.

“…What exactly are you trying to do?”

I glare at the window in front of me.

< System Message >

[ The vessel of the ‘Red Demon’ is nearby! ]

[ The vessel of the ‘Violet Demon’ is nearby! ]

[ The vessel of the ‘White Demon’ is nearby! ]

[ The vessel of the ‘Blue Demon’ is nearby! ]

[ The vessel of ‘ ̶̘͛͑̊̇̆́̃͋̏̆͘͝͠C̵̡̹̖̙̭͖̈́̓̐̈́͐¾̸̧̥̬͈͇̹̘͕̠̮̩̙̎ð̸̞͖̋¾̶͕̻́̊̇î̸̙̪͎̥͎͍̲͔̔̈́̀̃͗́̚̚͠͠͝͠ ̷̨̨̣̭̭͓̱̼͚̮̼̭̟̱̾̄͑̈́̋͝’ is nearby! ]

I understand the first line.

That makes sense since Faynol herself is nearby.

“…”

But what are all these others?

Since the Seal of Tacheon isn’t reacting, it seems “demonic energy” isn’t directly emanating from them. So at least I don’t have to worry about an immediate rampage.

But that doesn’t mean I can relax.

“Are you really in your right mind?”

Having this many vessels of demons gathered in one place is already at disaster level.

These aren’t people with low chances of going berserk, and if just one of them loses control, the situation would be catastrophic. Gathering this many in one place…!

[They won’t go berserk.]

“…What?”

[Most vessels go berserk because of you, right? Isn’t that so?]

“…”

[Most cases happen because emotional turbulence caused by you makes them lose their reason.]

That is… true.

But why does that matter?

[So this time, even if they’re all gathered together, they won’t go berserk. I’ve made sure of it.]

“…What makes you so confident?”

[Never mind that. Just trust me once.]

“…”

[I may not be able to plan everything out knowing everything in advance like you, but I’ve been running some of the Empire’s top fighters for over a decade. When I say something is certain, there’s a reason for it.]

It would be ridiculous to keep arguing after he says that much.

Besides, if things go wrong with this many vessels gathered, everyone present will be caught up in it.

That includes Elia, who’s standing there with a tense face, about to receive the Holy Sword.

“…I’ll trust you this once.”

Once Elia gets the Holy Sword, she’ll be able to handle most situations that develop.

‘…Though the one I was most wary of was that guy…’

The problem would be if the Luminary interfered before Elia was acknowledged by the Holy Sword.

The issue is.

[ Gift-Related Person Alert ]

▼ Faynol Leiphec

[ Trust Level 3 ]

[ D-1 until related event occurs ]

“…”

It still seems strange no matter how many times I look at it.

Why tomorrow?

Normally, it should have happened by today.

‘…Well, it’s not a bad thing.’

Whatever happens, once Elia gets the Holy Sword, this chapter is essentially over.

The Holy Sword + Elia combination, as I’ve mentioned repeatedly, becomes powerful enough to rival even the Grey Demon later on.

From the moment they first meet, their power is somewhat guaranteed.

[You seem very confident?]

“Of course.”

The Holy Sword belongs to the current generation’s hero. No one else could possibly lay hands on it.

At least as far as I know, in the Sera worldview, no one except Elia can even come close to the title of hero.

That includes me, who has been transmigrated into this world.

[So, that’s the Holy Sword?]

“Yes.”

I answer while watching the “rock” that Archbishop Luminol is bringing with a tense face.

[…A rock?]

“The Holy Sword kills anyone who touches it without qualification, or at least causes severe injuries.”

I shrug and answer Calivan’s question.

“So they transport it embedded in the rock.”

[…Is that why all those people are standing by?]

Looking in the direction Calivan pointed,

No joke, there was a battalion of priests capable of saving anyone as long as they weren’t completely dead. Including Archbishop Luminol who had transported the Holy Sword.

They were watching the people carrying the rock with extremely tense expressions. From their perspective, they’ve probably seen countless people struck down after wrongly coming into contact with the Holy Sword.

[…It really is an extraordinary treasure.]

Calivan made that comment as soon as he saw the Holy Sword embedded in the rock.

Judging by the sword’s appearance alone, it would be difficult to understand such a statement.

It probably wouldn’t look out of place mixed among junk in some warehouse.

Of course, such an appearance is all deception.

‘…That thing is this world’s strongest offensive item.’

I think as I look at the worn-out sword without a single decoration.

It’s made of the same material as the star iron I had Yuria wear before.

However, compared to that, the purity of this star iron is beyond comprehension.

But.

Even to someone who doesn’t know, the “presence” of that sword is undeniably different.

It’s as if it flows in solitary “isolation” from the world, with a noble bearing.

And if the person observing it.

Has reached a level of skill where they can visually perceive any kind of “supernatural ability,” they would groan at the sight of it.

That sword has the effect of dispersing all types of “supernatural abilities.”

Holy power. Spiritual power. Magical power. Curses. All other abilities existing in all dimensions. Without exception, all of them.

Cutting off “all energies” means it can deliver effective damage even to demons standing at the top of the dimensional hierarchy.

It can disperse even the “demonic energy” they wield and damage their core made of it.

“Well, let’s just wait and see.”

Saying that, I observe Lana who was given the opportunity to “grab” the Holy Sword before Elia.

She’s the one who received the highest score apart from me and Elia. She certainly deserves to be called here.

Of course, as soon as she grabbed the Holy Sword.

Her entire body “burst.”

As if a bomb inside her body had exploded, her body instantly swelled and burst. I notice Archbishop Luminol’s face turning pale as he watches.

[…Wow.]

Calivan let out a hollow laugh at the sight.

Even for him, seeing a person “pulverized” just by grabbing an object must be shocking.

[The Holy Sword does that to someone just because they’re not its owner?]

“It’s said to be stained with the blood of all demons. It wouldn’t be strange for it to have characteristics similar to a demonic sword.”

[Easy for you to say…]

While we were talking, the burst Lana suddenly sat up. As always, she didn’t seem bothered by dying once.

“Hmm… I guess it’s not me after all.”

Seeing this, Calivan let out a deep sigh.

[…Are you sure this will be okay? There’s no guarantee Elia won’t end up like that-]

“…Even in the worst case, the medical team behind us will take care of any major problems. And I’ll protect her with my life.”

[If you say so, I’ll just watch for now…]

While we were having this conversation, Elia slowly approached and climbed onto the rock.

I can feel her scanning the Holy Sword with tense eyes.

“…Alright.”

Then, saying that, she reached for the handle of the Holy Sword.

While Lana touched it immediately since she wouldn’t die no matter what, Elia was caressing it very carefully.

Carefully, as if introducing herself.

Slowly.

Her fingers touch the handle of the Holy Sword.

“…”

Clearly.

Unlike Lana earlier, there’s no sign of her body bursting.

But nothing happens.

Nothing at all.

Absolutely, nothing at all.

“…What’s going on?”

Even after someone said that, for a long time.

“…”

And.

Seeing this, my blood runs cold.

Cold sweat flows. My vision blurs and my breathing becomes rapid.

No.

No.

No.

Don’t be ridiculous.

This can’t be happening.

[…What’s the situation here?]

“…She was rejected.”

[What?]

“The Holy Sword… it judged that she is not its master.”

I answer with a groan.

The fact that she didn’t die instantly like Lana means she has sufficient “qualification.” It means she’s a person worthy of becoming a hero.

But, nevertheless.

But.

Nevertheless.

The Holy Sword has now declared that Elia is not its master.

The absence of the bright light that should have emanated is proof of that.

“…”

This.

The Holy Sword.

It was essentially declaring that Elia was not the “protagonist” of this world.

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