episode_0015

Colors aside, everything was the same.

The weight felt, the shape, the decorations, all of it.

“…Fascinating.”

“Indeed. The Holy Sword that fell from the sky… looks exactly the same.”

Due to its identical size, it was comfortable to hold, but… as a right-handed person, wielding the sword with my left hand didn’t feel right.

Should I say it felt awkward?

“Don’t do that. Let your right hand go up. Like this.”

Committing such a basic mistake.

Haunted by evil spirits and then encountering a divine messenger, my head felt like it wasn’t screwed on properly.

Doesn’t this disqualify me as a knight?

“I-I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s not a big deal; experiencing this for just one or two days, it’s something that can happen.”

When I properly adjusted my stance and tested swinging the sword, there was hardly any difference, except for the fact that, excluding the lack of holy flames, it was just an ordinary sword in itself.

If only it didn’t torment my left hand with its coldness.

“The Holy Sword was incredibly hot, but this one is so cold.”

“A sword wielded to protect someone. And a sword used to end someone…”

The scars on my palm were for Lena.

The marks on my fingertips were for the tasks to be accomplished with this sword.

Moved by these words, I gripped the hilt even tighter.

“We have to save them with these.”

“Save who?”

I didn’t hesitate in response to the question posed.

Ever since I heard the word “hero” from Lena, it was decided.

“Everyone.”

As I tried to head towards the forest, for some reason, Hilde blocked my path.

With her whole body.

“Not going?”

“No, it’s just that by now, the effects of the potion must have worn off.”

Effects of the potion. Oh, could it be.

“You can’t see them now?”

“…How did you know that?”

“You were holding your left hand and the sword together, but there was no reaction.”

Was it because of that that it got even colder?

Suddenly, a shiver ran down my spine.

“Can I let go of this?”

“Put it back politely. Otherwise, it’ll recoil.”

As I put it back where I had taken it from, the bluish chill of the sword vanished cleanly.

So, this is how it works.

Having to carry the Holy Sword everywhere might be convenient in this regard.

“You have strong mental fortitude. I cried a lot when I first saw it.”

Walking beside me, muttering, stories poured out from her open mouth.

Her own stories.

“When I was young, I once saw a monster. That was when I first held the Holy Sword. It was much better than that. It even lent me strength.”

“A monster? What kind?”

“Flesh writhing wildly, spewing insects, mending injured parts with black tentacles—”

Before she could finish speaking, her face grew serious.

If she were to tell of past events, would she receive a reaction similar to that of the elders?

“Come to think of it, you mentioned there was an original owner of the house.”

The ‘former’ owner who used the shovel.

In other words, the old cabin wasn’t directly built by Hilde, or rather, the teacher.

“Yes. I never met them. In fact, I don’t even know their name. Not a single line with their name was written in the books they left behind.”

So, the numerous recipes and books weren’t the teacher’s after all.

Then why did they come here and endure being tormented by evil spirits?

There must be a story behind it.

“…You know, let’s stop the story here.”

“Why? What’s the reason?”

“I’ll mix the herbs with sweet honey. It’ll be easier to consume.”

Trying to grasp onto the abruptly ended conversation, I was about to, but Hilde immediately opened the door and strode inside.

Surrounded by a chilling aura, I couldn’t bring myself to step forward and could only watch as she disappeared.

***

How long had it been since we silently moved deeper into the forest?

Amidst the flowing silence, a gesture came from Hilde, pointing ahead.

“See that, over there.”

Swallowing the lingering sweetness in my mouth, I continued to witness the massive figure slaughtering other forms.

The burning tree was undoubtedly set ablaze by me yesterday.

“It’s strange. Chasing after traces of a holy fire. It’s as if… not being drawn, but coming to find something.”

“How is that so special?”

“Unconsciously reaching a certain space and having a goal to reach a certain space are different.”

Danger surrounds us. Be cautious. The intensity is high.

Find and eliminate all intruders. It’s an order from above.

A voice echoes.

And a figure shattering glass shards in hand.

Could not forget the decoration that seemed to symbolize the crimson flag.

“Soldiers under orders? Why? The empire has long since fallen -”

And there, in front of me,

a girl I couldn’t possibly not know appeared.

“Where is my brother?”

“Isn’t that your younger sister?”

Carrying a heavy bag, Lena adorned with numerous diseases.

Her eyes gleamed golden, precisely aimed at the spirits.

Holding a torch filled with holy fire in her hands.

She was told to contact the cathedral.

Why did she come alone?

Found her.

Our first target we were searching for. Kill her.

“Where is my brother?!”

“Wait, Lian!”

Upon hearing the whisper, I had no choice but to act.

Immediately reaching for my left hand, drawing out the sword.

I struck down a soldier who raised a spear along with a sip of kim.

Screams fading away like smoke.

Those bodies that were looking at Lena turned towards me.

“Brother!”

“Lena, run!”

Venator, kill the saint.

Maleus follows me.

At the sound of a whistle, something crawls out onto the floor.

Shadowy figures resembling dogs precisely aimed at Lena.

Growling, baring their teeth, soldiers start swinging chains.

“Ugh…”

Blocking my path to Lena were formidable foes, seeming difficult to defeat.

Each one blocked the path like an iron wall, brandishing their weapons.

The sudden daybreak sufficiently warned of the danger ahead.

Like hunting dogs unleashed.

“Lian, go to your sister.”

“What?”

“Hurry!”

Hilde rushed to my side, immediately blocking my way again, wielding a sickle.

The sound of chains hitting the ground.

Glass bottles beginning to shatter alongside prayers.

What I had to do became clear quickly.

Destroy it.

– Thud.

As the axe struck the tree, a massive figure lunged straight toward me.

What I needed at that moment wasn’t newfound strength but the holy sword.

“…O flame that burns the enemy’s stratagem!”

With a shout, a burst of flames erupted.

Embracing the sparks scattering around, I aimed directly at the holy water sprinkled –

and threw it.

– Whoosh.

White flames engulfing the holy water.

The shadowy figures surrounding it began to tremble as if gripped by fear.

“Lena! Command!”

“Please, guide the lost lamb back to my fold!”

A flash accompanied by a raised hand striking down.

The shadows vanished cleanly.

“Brother -”

A face rushing towards me revealed black chains.

It wasn’t a head extended on the right arm but a descending crystal.

“Ugh…!”

Protected by armor, my flesh was spared, yet the incoming blows made my teeth clench.

In the outstretched hand, a deep purple sword emerged, and the chains turned into a handful of dust.

“Huh?”

“Lena, I’ll explain later.”

Forgetting what was approaching, I hid my surprised face behind me.

Hilde was swift. Barefoot, kicking the tree, displaying impressive agility.

Gripping the sickle briefly, she swung it when necessary, hurling herself into the air.

“Can we escape?”

At that moment, something caught.

A jingling sound from the waist.

…An echo akin to enemy chains.

“I don’t want to.”

And in her hands, two vials of holy water each.

He not only took on my form, but also seemed completely unwilling to back down.

“I won’t fail again.”

“You didn’t contact the cathedral?”

“I did. The incompetent guide messed everything up, so I decided to go save Father myself.”

Perhaps he made a wrong judgment under the influence of evil spirits.

It was evident that personal emotions were heavily involved.

Even the sunken shadows in his eyes.

“You haven’t slept a wink, Lena – Hup!”

The chains and incantations he had summoned vanished into the ground as if absorbed by it.

A soldier who was about to turn quickly stepped on something –

Ah, my body, my body!!!

With a chilling scream, he tried to step on the ground but began crawling with his lower body missing.

Is that the Holy Water?

“I’m prepared. To save Father. Firmly.”

Had he been praying day and night?

And this much.

A radiance filled with so much power that it could undoubtedly work miracles was shining through the darkness.

“By all means, let the power to punish evil be present here…!”

Water shimmering in gold.

– Thud.

Sharp cracks started to be heard on the water’s surface.

Around us.

Beneath the soldiers rushing towards Lena.

“Divine retribution descending from the heavens!”

A flash cutting through the sky.

Splitting into multiple beams, they struck the ground, igniting it.

The lightning strike I had witnessed alongside the sword when I was young fell once again at this moment.

At Lena’s call.

“Venator, I’m going over there -”

“Your opponents are here.”

Standing on the shadow’s shoulder, both hands lightly wielding the scythe.

As a head fell, the body shattered into pieces.

My strength paled in comparison.

Swift enough to easily dodge incoming attacks.

The enemies were being pushed back by Lena and Mr. Hilde’s assaults.

“Divine being – Kek – Kehek…”

However, as luck would have it.

Lena, who had caused a thunderbolt in the dry sky, grabbed his throat and collapsed.

“Lena, rest. I’ll go.”

“Oh, don’t… Huk -”

It seemed very taxing to pound his chest while squeezing his dry throat.

His unprecedented loyalty and strength were certainly admirable and deserving of praise, but now was the time to rest.

“Don’t worry, I won’t run away. Trust me.”

Punching the tree.

An overwhelming force that made it seem like space disappeared along the trajectory of the swung weapon.

Although Mr. Hilde managed to evade everything by a hair’s breadth, facing them alone seemed challenging.

“It’ll be quick.”

After breaking the sturdy chains in one go, he rushed forward, wielding the Holy Sword in his right hand and the Reaper’s Blade in his left.

“Burn!”

Following the path of the swinging blade, flames spread out like a wide fan, engulfing the enemies’ feet.

As their feet were enveloped in a bright light in an instant, the arms that held the weapons shielded their eyes.

Jigiral, what’s ahead…!

Where is the hero, Venator –

Seeing my fallen enemies, it seemed like Mr. Hilde had drawn their attention excellently.

Placing his weight on the sword in his left hand, he drove the blade into the massive opponent’s knee.

Whoosh!

Pulling out the sword from the falling body, he stabbed it back in and rose along with his body.

Turning swiftly, he drew another neck in the arc.

All that remained was the leader holding the guillotine.

Do you dare to oppose us…! Do you truly not know what my banner signifies!

“Rian!”

Looking up to where the voice came from, I saw the sharp strike of the master swooping down like an eagle with folded wings.

Though blocked by thick arms, the deeply cut mark indicated that it was no light attack.

Staggering.

But the guillotine aiming for me.

I had already leaped forward to avoid it.

Too large to counter with a direct strike.

Then.

…I must break through with sheer force.

Grasping the Holy Sword.

Planting my feet firmly on the ground.

From the waist, I gathered strength to create a battle between me and me.

Because the Holy Sword never dulls.

Because it harbored the power created to cut through evil.

– Clang.

Fragments scattered by the darkness.

The disheveled posture precisely exposed the vulnerable spot.

No matter how sturdy the armor, there are always gaps.

I aimed the crimson sword at the neck between the head and torso.

Then, once again, I exerted strength in my lower body.

For the thrust I had directed at Sir Anton.

***

“Do you remember the pattern on the banner.”

The command, as if precisely aimed at Lena, caught her attention.

It was the same as what Hilde had said.

Drawing my sword, I sighed at the disappearing bodies of the enemies.

“Brother…!”

Lena rushed into my arms.

Embracing her trembling body tightly, I gradually eased her suppressed anxiety.

“Are you hurt? Any wounds or bruises?”

“No. And you?”

She shook her head, resting her arm around my neck.

Pressing against her back with all my might, I heard a faint sob.

“Who said you could run off on your own? From my side? We promised to always be together!”

“I’m sorry, but we’re both unharmed.”

“What would I do if you weren’t!”

Was it because she had buried her face in my neck, trying to stifle her sobs…!

It hurt. A lot.

Yet… knowing what the returning weight carried, I had to silently endure.

“I was so worried, terribly.”

“I can see that, Lena… I can see that.”

Glass shards glittered all around.

The amount of water staining the ground was far from insignificant.

Had I stayed up all night preparing for all this?

“…Ah, Hilde!”

With the sickle in hand, I called out to the silver-haired man showing his back.

Before he disappeared into the maze-like forest, I reached out and grabbed his wrist.

“Um, that is, Lian -”

“Let me properly introduce you. This is my almost-sister, Lena. Lena, this is the mentor who saved my life, Hilde.”

Despite being allies facing the enemy, the atmosphere wasn’t as pleasant as expected.

Even though introductions were made energetically.

…Seeing everyone’s weary expressions, were they tired?

“Brother… Mentor? Silver-haired man?”

“Well, um…”

“Brother, this person is a witch.”

Hoping for a different outcome, I found myself tasting bitter disappointment once more.

Lena’s eyes regained their spark.

But not in a good way.

“Why was a witch with Brother? Why do I smell Brother’s scent on this witch? Why?”

The reaction was worse than anticipated.

Much worse.