episode_0006

The village of Yusrir was surrounded by mountains and forests, with few visitors apart from occasional merchants, postmen, or guests.

Above all, there were hardly any new faces around, except for the boy and girl who had recently come to the church.

So whenever a stranger appeared, they always filled the streets and houses with curiosity.

But today was different.

“Father, Father!”

“Sister Sherry, you’ve returned early.”

Ignoring the greetings of his fellow monks, a nun vigorously swung her arms and legs as if her robes were fluttering.

Finally reaching the door and opening it energetically –

“Father Martinez!”

The pressed pen nib spewed black ink.

Were the dark droplets on the spreading paper tears of the one writing?

“It would be nice to knock before entering, Sister Sherry.”

“W-Well -”

Through the glasses worn by the middle-aged man, the blurred face of the woman in pale blue faintly reflected.

Perhaps an effort to see more clearly.

His brow furrowed, tools hanging from his nose, now resting on his neck.

“What’s the matter?”

“The judges have come to our village…”

And then, she collapsed.

Weakly to the ground.

“They are coming this way. The holy knights with their enormous hammers are also present.”

“How could the judges… Oh, no.”

Now relaxed, a boy reads books to his younger sister.

Following that ‘brother,’ a girl who never leaves his side.

Most notably, a white sword accompanying the pair.

“Sister Sherry, did the judges mention anything specific to you?”

“No, they just said they would investigate first… and to inform the church of their arrival…”

Deeper wrinkles formed upon hearing the three-letter word “judges.”

“Oh God, is another era of chaos approaching?”

“Father…”

The fallen sword from the sky.

Though unseen directly, the credibility of the guests who came to the small village added weight to the story.

In other words, it meant that somewhere in this world, there was a need for a hero.

“What about the children? Should we bring them here?”

“Just tell them guests are coming. Do not… scare them too much.”

Despite saying this, both were trembling, engulfed in swirling emotions, unable to brighten their darkened expressions.

The woman’s breathing grew rough, and the priest crumpled a paper he should have neatly folded away.

“It couldn’t be that something happened in the village that I was unaware of… Could it?”

“If even merchants sometimes tread unfamiliar paths, surely you wouldn’t have known, Father.”

– Thud. Thud.

A loud disturbance reverberated through the small church.

An overwhelming presence that made every hair stand on end.

From behind numerous walls and doors, someone announced their arrival.

“…It seems the judges have arrived.”

“I-I will prepare quickly. You, Father – ”

“I will receive them.”

With a white cloth draped around her neck, Sister Martinez hurriedly walked out through the door pulled by her hand.

It was a moment when the curves created by age deepened further.

***

Both my mom and dad have passed away, and yet, guests have come looking for us.

One person urgently called us, and there was Sister Sherry where we hesitantly went.

“We’re here.”

“Oh, you’re here?”

But something felt very off.

Her voice was completely different from usual.

Slightly trembling and even stuttering, it felt like something… bad was happening.

Suddenly, the sword at my back felt heavier.

“Lian, Lena, the person you are about to meet… is said to be a very important judge. So, just tell them the stories we’ve been told. Got it?”

“Oppa, Sister Sherry’s hand…”

“Shh. I, Sister. Who might you be referring to as ‘some guest’?”

It was clearly not good.

If it had been a good guest, they would have shown a brighter smile.

“That – Huh?!”

– Thud.

The door swung open.

There, appearing beyond it, was an immensely large… knight.

A white cloak draping over his shoulders.

Encased in silver armor that covered his entire right arm.

With a long sword at his waist, each step he took resonated with a heavy sound.

“So, you’re Lian. And next to you… must be Lena.”

Even as he bent one knee and lowered his posture, his gaze remained fixed above.

Just by looking at him, one could feel suffocated… I thought only Mother Superior could have such an effect.

“I am Harken. It’s nice to meet you.”

Similar to Lena but with even whiter eyes.

Eyes so clear, it felt like he plucked the name right from our minds.

“Oh, sir… who are you exactly?”

“I am one who carries out the missions bestowed by the divine. We all do the same… except that He directly tells me where I am needed.”

He was indeed a human.

Lena, me, Sister Sherry, and even Father Martinez inside froze like this.

“Brother…”

From behind, Lena crouched down heavily, clutching onto me.

With Lena adding to the weight of the sword I carried, my legs wobbled –

“Oh, be careful.”

I grabbed his shoulder, wondering how big a hand should be to encompass everything.

Would his strength surpass our father’s?

“The priest mentioned that you brought an unusual sword. Could you show it to us?”

“If you’re talking about this… Lena, wait a moment…”

Gently unwrapping the cloth around the sword, I held it up with both hands.

But something was different.

“It feels strange. It’s not how it was originally -”

“It was heavy, wasn’t it? Emitting light, white flames.”

The man named Harken seemed familiar with this sword.

As he gently tried to place his armored hand on the sword –

“Exactly. Only you can touch the sword.”

His face grimaced as he tightly clenched his fist, as if it were intensely hot.

“I did get a wound on my hand. Like this…”

“I see. Is it alright if I hold your hand for a moment?”

“…What are you planning to do to my brother?”

Until a moment ago, Lena hadn’t spoken, but now she pushed her head forward.

Wrapping my arm with both hands.

“Going to try healing the wound. It might sting a bit, so let me know if it hurts?”

As soon as her mouth closed, a slightly mischievous smile appeared on her face.

Like she was laughing… or something.

Then, a bright light suddenly flashed from her hand, illuminating the darkness that had surrounded us.

“Ouch!”

With Lena’s small cry, the light vanished, allowing us to see again after blinking a few times.

I definitely saw a white light, so why was everything dark now?

“It hurts -”

“Can you tell me where it hurts? Your hand?”

“No, it’s my eyes…”

“Oppa, I can’t see… Oppa, where are you?”

Lena must be holding onto my back, while Harken is holding my hand.

Slowly, the emerging sight helped the two find each other.

Lena behind, Harken in front. Yes.

“Lian. Where did you find this sword…?”

“I did mention it to the priest and Sister, but…”

“What you say is what matters.”

As I recounted the story I had already told, the man nodded and withdrew his hand.

However, the traces of the healing he promised were still there.

“Huh? What’s this… Sir, weren’t you supposed to heal the wound?”

With teary eyes, Lena took my hand.

As she lightly grasped the small hand that tickled the red wounds, my stiff face quickly softened.

“It won’t get better. These are holy scars.”

“What are holy scars?”

“Signs of divine grace. Evidence that one has received God’s favor.”

“So, does that mean Brother is a real hero?”

A nodding head.

And a nun who gently covers her mouth.

The heroic tale was real. The sword, the presence of God, Lena’s story.

My prayers really reached them.

“Look! I was right, wasn’t I? Brother is a hero! A hero who protected me!”

“Is that a good thing?”

“Yes! The hero in the story is Brother, right?”

Holding hands tightly, skipping around, two hands that embraced me tightly.

It seemed like I might actually forget that she wasn’t my little sister.

Lena, who spent less time with Mom and Dad than with me.

“Don’t worry. After confirming with the boy, we will ask for additional help.”

“There shouldn’t be any trouble in the village, right, Judge?”

While comforting Lena in his arms, the adults were earnestly discussing something at the threshold for a moment.

Words of reassurance. Mr. Harken’s response that there was no need to worry.

And –

“I will go to the place where the incident happened with Lian. Although the Holy Sword should suffice, if evil remains – I must intervene.”

“Marco will know the way. When they were brought here, the two children were unconscious.”

“Then, I will seek his cooperation.”

Turning towards me, a towering knight covered in a white hood.

Shrouded in shadow, only his mouth and one eye glinted… He seemed even more intimidating than before.

“Lian, we may need to check out that orphanage. Will you come with me?”

A feeling that I must nod.

Therefore, as I tried to step forward, Lena moved beside me and started walking together.

“I want to come too.”

“Lena, we’re going to a potentially dangerous place with your brother. It’s not for fun.”

“I don’t want to!”

Clutching my hand tightly, Lena stood behind me.

What would happen if she refused to let go?

Of course, as scary as the man was…

“Brother protected me, so I’ll protect him…!”

The man looking at Lena shone bright white eyes like light emanating from his hand.

After gazing at me and Lena for a moment,

“If that’s your wish, then it’s not a bad idea to go together.”

“Really?”

Surprisingly nodding, he patted my shoulder once.

“Take care of your little sister. And – let’s hurry. Before nightfall.”

“Haha, Brother, I got permission! Let’s go together!”

Although she had been behind me until a moment ago, now, due to Lena’s force pulling me, I found myself being led by her.

Perhaps she saw something. Is that why she allowed Lena to come along?

…Come to think of it, all those numerous wounds on my arms and hands.

Where did they all go?