Ch.63Chapter 63: Subjugation Festival (7)

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When Lord Nighthart’s valiant efforts ended and the undead army, now reduced to a mere handful compared to their previous numbers, was confirmed to be retreating from the fortress.

“Waaaaaah!!”

A thunderous cheer erupted from within the fortress.

“Nighthart! Nighthart!!”

“Guardian of the North! Guardian of the North!!”

The voices of soldiers and knights blended together as they loudly called out the name of Lord Nighthart, who had created this miraculous scene.

It was understandable why the garrison troops were unanimously cheering for Lord Nighthart—the spectacle he had just displayed truly deserved to be called a miracle.

Clearing out an undead army that had covered the pristine white land of the northern territory with just two swings of a greatsword—if this wasn’t a miracle, then perhaps nothing in this world would ever qualify as one.

The soldiers and knights cheering Lord Nighthart’s name must all share the same sentiment.

I too would have joined them in shouting his name without hesitation had I witnessed this spectacle for the first time.

The atmosphere in the fortress that began with cheers was ecstatic, burning so hot that even the cold northern winds couldn’t cool it down.

However, amidst the majority who were intoxicated with the joy of victory, there were a few who weren’t immersed in euphoria.

Including myself, whose expression couldn’t help but sour upon confirming Pale Sanguin’s existence.

“…Tch.”

Lord Nighthart, who was still glaring at the spot where he had launched his energy blast with an expression mixing regret and dissatisfaction, clicking his tongue.

“What a shame.”

And my sister, who approached Lord Nighthart’s side to share in his disappointment—these three were the most notable exceptions.

Unlike me, who had recognized the enemy’s presence from my experience in the previous timeline.

The two of them seemed to have discerned that the enemy was a greater demon possessing the Bloody Pentagram just from the momentary magical wavelength they felt.

Having spent time with him in my previous life, I could identify his true identity, but that was only because of my prior experience. Without that experience, I wouldn’t have even noticed him with my current abilities.

His presence was so faint that one might wonder if there was really someone out there at all.

…By the way, when did my sister, who was in the barracks until just now, get all the way over there?

[She’s fast. Seeing how she reached that spot with movements I could barely track even with my senses, blood truly doesn’t lie.]

Hearing Fafnir’s voice tinged with admiration, it seems she covered the considerable distance from the barracks to outside the fortress in a single breath.

I suppose this level of agility is just basic for someone destined to become a renowned sword saint of this era, who has most perfectly recreated the partially lost sword techniques of our ancestors in her own way.

My tongue nearly falls out in amazement at the sight of my sister, who earned the unprecedented title of genius by becoming the vice-captain of the Imperial Knights before turning 25—proof that such accolades aren’t won by playing poker.

Anyway, while those two showed their experience by vaguely identifying the enemy’s identity, they merely expressed regret at having lost him.

‘…This is troublesome.’

Unlike them, I clearly recognized who the enemy was, and my mind was racing to figure out what variable he would introduce to this subjugation festival, only adding to my complicated feelings.

What’s even more unfortunate is that even though I know this fact, I can’t freely disclose it to those two.

If I carelessly opened my mouth and one of them asked how I, merely a student at the Cradle, knew so much about a greater demon who had turned his back on the Bloody Pentagram.

I currently have no way to answer that question.

Thinking about it made my chest feel a little tight, though not severely.

I couldn’t understand why the King of the Dead, who should still be sleeping in his coffin in the timeline I alone remember, had now begun his activities.

And I feared that his involvement might cause this subjugation festival to progress differently from the one I knew.

That fear evolved as time passed, turning into concern that someone might die or be seriously injured in this subjugation festival that had ended without significant casualties before.

Various complex emotions stirred in my head, simultaneously disturbing my heart, making my chest feel tight.

But continuing to dwell on it here would only weigh down my mind without solving anything.

“Hah…”

I let out a small sigh that no one could hear.

Then I raised my right hand to lightly brush my face, trying to relax my expression.

I couldn’t pour cold water on the festive atmosphere that had already begun.

Yes, that’s what I intended to do.

*Grip*

Until someone firmly grasped my right hand as I was about to brush my face.

“…?”

Feeling puzzled by my suddenly grabbed hand, I turned my head.

“Karl, you don’t look well. Is something bothering you?”

I saw Shizu holding my hand with a worried expression.

*Thump*

My heart skipped a beat, and I involuntarily flinched.

I thought I was maintaining a calm expression without frowning.

How do you read my mind so accurately?

I really need to manage my expressions better in front of you.

If this were an ordinary concern, I would have confided in her honestly.

But knowing that discussing something she wouldn’t understand would be tiresome for both the speaker and the listener.

“It’s nothing. I think my expression just froze because of the cold weather.”

I reassured her with a suitable excuse.

There was no point in recklessly informing her about the existence of a demon with the Bloody Pentagram; it would only give her something to worry about.

‘If I were to consult with someone, it would be better to talk to my sister down there.’

As I organized my thoughts and was about to speak to free my right hand from her grip.

Shizu, having heard my words, not only didn’t release my hand.

“Hmm…”

She was still examining my face closely with an expression that hadn’t fully shed its concern.

What is it?

Is there something on my face?

I could easily tell from Shizu’s gaze that she was wondering if I had any problems or worries.

At the foundation of that psychology would be this kind of feeling:

A desire to somehow solve any problems with her own hands.

A desire to somehow discover any worries and share the burden together.

It was a warm gaze in which such beautiful intentions were clearly felt.

Come to think of it, Excel and the others participating in the subjugation festival were also cheering for Lord Nighthart’s martial prowess and blending into the fortress’s atmosphere.

In this ecstatic atmosphere, she was looking only at me.

I met her eyes.

My reflection appeared in her blue eyes that gave off a cold impression.

Yet despite facing such cold-colored eyes, my heart only grew warmer.

Because I knew that the emotions reflected in those eyes were colored only with worry and concern for me.

“…”

Realizing this, my mind, which had been clouded with worry until just now, gradually regained its stability, without even having time to recall my previous concerns.

“Ah.”

A sigh of relief escaped from her lips as she examined me.

“Thank goodness. Your expression has relaxed again.”

She said these words as well.

…I’m not sure what expression I had been making, but seeing her relieved smile makes me think that such worries should be left for later.

Right now, I should just.

“Hehe… Let’s cheer together.”

“Sure.”

It’s only right to join in the excitement pervading the fortress.

Pale Sanguin?

Let him come if he dares. From what I could see, he hasn’t fully regained his strength after his hasty resurrection.

And looking at Shizu, I recalled a fact I had momentarily forgotten since my regression.

I became confident that even if Sanguin were to appear right here right now, he wouldn’t be able to do much.

Why, you ask?

In the previous timeline, he had one fatal weakness that was particularly problematic for someone aiming to cover the human world with an army of the dead, recreating his infamous reputation from a thousand years ago.

What is it?

“Waaaaaah!!”

It’s the fact that he fears the holy sword summoned by Shizu, who is cheering beside me with her cute voice, and runs away faster than any other greater demon when he sees it.

While none of the demons favored by the Demon God are unafraid of the holy sword Lumen.

That guy was particularly terrified of the radiance emitted by the holy sword.

Unlike others who merely received the Demon God’s favor and awakened as greater demons.

Being born from a race familiar with darkness and death.

Makes him particularly vulnerable to Lumen’s radiance, which symbolizes life and light.

Despite being an Elder Vampire who can function perfectly even in broad daylight.

“Oh. Indeed, you are worthy of the position as the lord’s proxy. To be unaffected by that light.”

“Then while you hold off that woman, I shall complete the spell. Hm? What’s that? You say I should activate the spell and you’ll block that? Come now, you jest well. …Tell me you’re joking.”

…Suddenly remembering the old days.

Anyway, perhaps because of his vampire origins, even though Sanguin has begun his activities now, unlike in the previous timeline.

Contrary to my initial concerns, I don’t think he will actively intervene to conquer this fortress.

‘If nothing else, he was exceptionally good at detecting the energy of holy swords.’

Even when fighting well, if Shizu appeared, he would say something like “Eek! A holy sword wielder!!” and be busy running away.

“I need to live long for the prosperity of my race!”

Even while fleeing, he maintained his dignity and stated his case proudly, though his appearance was quite undignified.

Strong and cruel in some ways, but not vile.

And yet, with a strong attachment to life, he would flee with his tail between his legs at the sight of a holy sword that could definitively end his life.

Pale Sanguin was the most emotionally expressive being I encountered in the demon realm.

Almost to the point of being comical.

Thinking about it that far, I felt the anxiety I had felt upon sensing his presence earlier dissipate considerably.

What if he ignorantly enters the fortress and causes trouble?

That would be even better.

Because right now, not only is there a future great hero wielding a holy sword, but also someone who can completely bind the feet of anyone trying to escape by hiding in the shadows.

My sister, who is talking with Lord Nighthart outside the fortress with a worried expression, is the person who can make that possible.

My sister can create a radiance that eliminates shadows.

And Shizu’s holy sword can send Sanguin, unable to escape, on his way.

Hmm… Even just drafting it briefly, it seems like a perfect plan.

I think my worries were excessive.

So, letting go of my concerns.

Following her as she cheers with her cute voice.

I too raised my right arm high into the sky.

“Ooooooh!!”

I joined the festive atmosphere of the fortress with a resounding cheer.

Before worrying, I should lend my strength to creating the heat that pushes away even the cold of this land.