episode_0046

000

Marquis Hughes was a merchant who had suddenly increased his wealth over the past dozen or so years.

He also bought his noble title with money.

His original surname probably wasn’t Woodnocker.

Among those in the know,

it is said that he brought a lot of slaves from the Black Magic clan from somewhere.

He began accumulating wealth based on that.

Marquis Hughes had many women with him.

But the one he kept closest by his side

was a beautiful cleric from the Holy Protection Order, who possessed the blood of a hero.

The Holy Protection Order and the Woodnocker family needed each other.

Marquis Hughes had money, but he lacked respect from the people and social prestige.

The Order always needed many patrons and wanted the funds they had.

Therefore, there was some kind of deal between the two.

Marquis Hughes took the cleric as his wife,

and contributed a large amount of donations to the Order, borrowing its power to

strengthen his power and position.

No one knows if he really loved his wife.

At least, she probably didn’t love Marquis Hughes.

The year she gave birth to a son with the Marquis, when that child was 5 years old,

Marquis Hughes’ wife secretly tried to escape from the mansion, but

was killed by a guard who mistook her for an intruder.

A ridiculous death that made the title of descendant of a hero weep.

The Woodnocker family and the Order both treated this as if it never happened.

Just so that the well-established relationship between the family and the Order wouldn’t be damaged.

Quietly, the matter was buried in darkness.

Eustace, at a young age, still vividly remembered this incident.

Late at night.

His mother came to his room and tried to take him away.

But for Eustace, who was too young at the time,

leaving his father, with whom he lived without any shortage,

was an incomprehensible action.

So he shook off his mother’s arm that was holding him.

The image of her saying that she would definitely come to pick him up and leaving the room.

That was the last time he saw her.

His mother’s funeral was not held.

She was treated as if she had never existed from the beginning.

As he gradually grew older, even if his father was

far from being a `good person`,

he didn’t want to end up like his mother.

That’s why he had been running away from him until now,

living as if he was clinging to the pleasures nearby.

He runs from the mansion without rest, breathless, and arrives at the Adventurer’s Guild.

“…What is this.”

Inside, the adventurers were divided and arguing.

It was abnormal in every way.

“Oh? Aren’t you….”

Among the women watching the situation from the side,

it was `Sasha` who noticed Eustace.

“What on earth is going on…?”

“Hmm…. Well, it’s a long story to explain….”

Sasha explained the story about the Unexplored Territory and the Returnees to Eustace as briefly as possible.

“Th-then. Maxwell is in the Unexplored Territory right now….”

“But it’s okay. Strong adventurers have already gone to stop the Returnees…. No, strong adventurers have gone.”

Eustace grabbed his head and shook it.

Strong adventurers?

Even if the adventurers in this remote area are strong….

“They can’t be a match for the Sword Saint….”

“Wait, what are you talking about?”

Ruti, who had been watching him from the side, reacted to Eustace’s words.

“Sword Saint Talcheck is in league with the Returnees. He turned a person into a sword and went to the Unexplored Territory with my father’s aides.”

“…! Talcheck, that gorilla finally…!”

Ruti’s eyes instantly narrowed vertically before returning to normal with a sigh.

“…I’ll go to Cleon.”

As Kuon said that, Ruti shook her head.

“No. An ominous energy is coming from the forest. I don’t know what will happen in the city.”

“But….”

Ruti also thought about going herself, but if she left this place,

she didn’t know what kind of conflict would arise among the adventurers.

Someone had to stay here and hold the reins of these people.

Old wounds throb.

She had lost to Talcheck once before.

Of course, the Hero Resia was there at that time as well.

Due to the covenant placed on her, she no longer had the same strength as before.

Ruti bites her nails while pondering a method.

Then Sasha quietly raised her hand.

“I’ll go.”

“Sasha.”

“…I have fewer things I can do here compared to Kuon or Ruti. I want to help Cleon even a little.”

Certainly, the forest is the stage for a ranger.

The ability to move through the trees while naturally grasping the forest paths.

But Ruti knew that Laila had left Sasha here out of consideration, using the sealing of the mark as an excuse.

Does she respect Laila’s will?

Does she accept Sasha’s determination?

As Ruti hesitated between the two, Sasha took her hand.

And she met her eyes with a quiet, determined gaze.

That gaze was a gaze that Ruti knew well.

The strongest monster that was considered absolutely impossible to defeat with a human body. A dragon.

She, who had shown a detached appearance in front of her.

Her eyes and Sasha’s eyes now were somehow similar.

Then, Ruti sighs as if she can’t help it.

“Okay. But you really have to be careful. Talcheck is…. a monster. An existence who has reached the limit as a human, not as a hero.”

As she said that, Ruti shared her small power and added it to Sasha.

It was a kind of auxiliary magic, but the element of wind would lighten her body a little.

As Sasha nodded and tried to leave the guild after packing her equipment.

“Wait…! I’ll go too!”

Eustace tries to follow her.

“No! You can’t. You’ll just be a burden if a person with your skills follows.”

Ruti frowned and stopped Eustace.

Eustace also looked back at Ruti and frowned.

“If one of the culprits of this situation is my father, Marquis Hughes…. I must also take responsibility for it.”

Ruti hesitated for a moment at Eustace’s words before opening her mouth.

“Since when did you start thinking about noblesse oblige like that?”

“It’s not that. It’s just…. I’m tired of running away.”

A moment of silence flows.

Then Ruti casts the same auxiliary magic on Eustace as on Sasha.

“I can’t stop you even if I try. Honestly, I don’t feel like it.”

“… …”

“If so, don’t get in Sasha’s way. Don’t let her determination be in vain.”

As Ruti glared at Eustace and spoke, Eustace lowered his head and turned his body.

Then he opened his mouth.

“If Leona returns here by any chance…. Tell him that Eustace will no longer run away.”

Eustace leaves the building with those words in a solemn tone.

Ruti and Kuon had slightly complicated expressions after hearing that story.

“…I guess he still doesn’t know Leona’s identity…?”

“Does that mean a fool is still a fool even if they grow up a little…?”

001

The deepest part of the Unexplored Territory.

The path leading to the cliff is completely devastated, and no trees can be seen around it.

Only gravel and ground covered in black soil.

What happened here thousands of years ago.

Only the traces of terrible pollution made them imagine the past events.

But the magic power of another dimension grew stronger the closer they got.

And the rainbow-colored membrane-like barrier that stretched between the cliff and the black land.

It was preventing outsiders from easily approaching the seal.

“Maxwell!”

Priest Maxwell and Cleric Tio.

And Marquis Hughes was standing there.

Maxwell slowly turned around at the voice calling him.

There, Cleon and Rubera were glaring at them with hostility.

“You are…. Rubera? You were alive.”

Marquis Hughes seemed surprised to see Rubera’s appearance.

“Yes. I don’t know what your foolish son said, but I’m perfectly fine like this.”

“Hmph. Eustace bastard…. Well, it’s fine. Are you going to return to the family even now?”

Rubera scoffed at his brazen attitude.

“No way. I will stop being foolishly exploited and clinging to shallow hopes. If there is something I want, I will get it with my own hands.”

“Indeed, like the Black Magic clan, descendants of the Demon King.”

Marquis Hughes smiled bitterly and shook his head.

And Cleon looked at Maxwell and took a stance.

“Persuading you with words won’t change anything.”

“Haha…. You know me well. It seems our will for salvation has been properly conveyed.”

Cleon shook his head at Maxwell’s words.

“Iona is with Talcheck. Your plan to use the Holy Sword is impossible. Even if you call the Boundary Tree in this situation, it’s a dog’s death.”

Maxwell widened his eyes for a moment at those words.

“Amazing. I didn’t expect you to notice even that. As expected, are you the man who single-handedly defeated the hero who was once a colleague?”

Cleon then put strength into his legs to run out.

“Give up……. Well, I know you won’t listen even if I say that. I’ll cut you down here.”

The next moment, Rubera and Cleon rushed out at the same time.

Rubera rushes towards Marquis Hughes, and Cleon rushes towards Maxwell.

They approach with arrow-like speed.

The next moment, Tio’s Sword Core unfolds the barrier once again.

A space that stops the function of swords.

But Cleon was not a human who would act without countermeasures to be fooled by the same trick twice.

Just before the barrier unfolds and its effect is completely established.

Galatea is filled with a large amount of magic power.

The darkly stained blade flickers like a mirage.

The next moment.

Slash!

He cuts through the barrier itself with a perfect straight slash.

A neat and perfect flash.

The incomplete barrier is distorted and scattered as it is.

Cracks appear in the Sword Core that Tio was holding.

“H-hic…!”

Hughes screams as Tio’s barrier, which he had believed in, is broken.

But the tree branches that stretched out as Maxwell’s body twisted in a deformed way.

It blocked Cleon and Rubera’s swords as they were.

“Amazing…. Is he at a similar level to the Sword Saint as a magic swordsman and as a pure swordsman?”

“That body is….”

A surface like a tree rose on Maxwell’s skin.

His hands and legs, which had been hidden inside the robe, were also different from those of humans.

They had changed like tree branches.

“It’s Shuradsel’s blessing. I have been researching and researching for many years to bring him into this world.”

That appearance was like that of a minion popping out of the forest.

This man had already given up on being human.

“You…. you sold your soul to that guy….”

“I only dedicate my soul to the salvation of mankind.”

Cleon frowned and tried to cut down the tree branches.

But as Maxwell swung the branches like a whip, a powerful shockwave spread, blowing the two people away.

“Kuh…!”

Rubera bit her lower lip and regained her posture.

Marquis Hughes looked at Maxwell’s appearance and laughed loudly.

“That’s the appearance of transcending humanity…! Haha…! I’m looking forward to it! I want to become that body soon too…!”

“… Was that your goal? How foolish….”

Rubera shook her head as if she was dumbfounded at Marquis Hughes’ too small vessel.

“Hee hee…. You’re the foolish one. By transcending humanity, you are freed from all fears. From wounds, diseases, and even death!”

“You’re saying you’re going to live as a tree for that?”

How foolish he was.

Rubera became too foolish to realize that she had devoted 13 years of her life to being by this man’s side.

“No matter how strong you are, as long as you remain within the limits of humanity, destruction will surely come. Just like your Black Magic clan.”

“… …”

Cleon and Rubera frowned at Marquis Hughes’ words at the same time.

“As remnants of the Empire, those who couldn’t even maintain their village without the help of outsiders…. The value of being used as slaves is the most useful usage.”

The night of nightmares comes to mind for both of them.

Rubera’s hand holding Barisada grew stronger.

Magic power surrounded Cleon’s hand.

Maxwell quietly looks at Marquis Hughes.

“Are you still looking for the food deliveryman who revealed the location of the village? Rubera. Let me tell you one thing, even if you turned twenty, the day would never come when you would cut that guy’s neck yourself. Because, that’s right-”

The next moment there was a slash.

A strike that cuts through the space itself.

What manifested from the blade of Barisada that was pulled out of the scabbard.

It was a slash that seemed to soar through the sky.

Marquis Hughes’ head fell to the ground.

He was still wearing a vile smile, not knowing what had happened to him.

“If you come this far, it’s clear who it is. I just wanted to get confirmation from your mouth.”

Rubera returns the sword.

Maxwell widened his eyes and looked at her magic sword, Barisada.

“You’re already half-awakened. It’s a pity. I’m interested in seeing a newly awakened magic sword as well.”

“Then look over here.”

The next moment, four fire thorns extended from Cleon.

As the Flare Spikes borrowed from Laila pierced through the tree branches, flames spread out.

But Maxwell cut off the burning parts as if it were nothing,

absorbing energy from beyond the barrier behind him and regenerating his body.

“… He’s become a troublesome body. Is his regenerative power greater than that of a minion or a plant golem?”

Cleon looked at Rubera for a moment.

She was stopped with her eyes closed, with her hand on Barisada.

“Is the revenge over?”

“…Yes. The pleasure is temporary. And it’s futile. Is this the feeling you felt?”

Darkness was still contained in her eyes that she had opened.

“Thanks to you, the revenge is over. I’ll play along a little more.”

“…Ha. That’s appreciated.”

Rubera takes a stance towards Maxwell once again.

Maxwell shook his head and sighed.

“Let’s stop the meaningless fight. I don’t die. Even if my head is cut off like this piece of meat, I’ll regenerate quickly.”

Rubera heard those words and then looked back for a moment.

“…Shall I wake Laila up and bring her here now?”

“Do you have no blood or tears? Stop it.”

“If you have so much energy to fight, you’ll need an appropriate opponent.”

As Maxwell said that and turned his body, Cleon and Rubera leaped forward at the same time.

But the next moment.

At the eerie feeling coming from behind.

They roll their bodies at the same time, avoiding something.

Then, a huge flash passed over them.

It even cut through the barrier beyond it.

“Keke…. Were you having fun? Cleon.”

“Tal…check…!”

Cleon and Rubera stand in place, taking a stance.

Talcheck stands between Maxwell and the two with the Holy Sword Chevalier that he had seen before in his hand.

And as Maxwell tries to enter through the opened barrier, Cleon tries to chase after him.

“Oops. It’s been a while since we sparred. Play along a little more.”

“What are you thinking, you crazy gorilla! Iona! Wake up!”

Cleon raised his voice in anger, but Chevalier did not react.

“Sword Saint Talcheck. Did you betray us? Cleon.”

“Betrayal? That’s a bit of a strange choice of words. I was on this side from the start. The side that cooperates in summoning the monsters from the rift in another dimension.”

Cleon and Rubera widened their eyes at those words.

Then Cleon’s face contorted.

“Are you really crazy. Talcheck.”

“Did you think that I, who have cut down so many people to be called a Sword Saint, wasn’t crazy, Cleon?”

A serious voice without precedent.

Cleon then sighed and glared at Talcheck.

The anger on his face had disappeared, but it was all concentrated in his eyes.

He was looking through only the enemy in front of him.

“Good eyes. Is that how you look at your enemies?”

“Is it because of Resia?”

Talcheck closed his mouth for a moment at those words and then laughed loudly.

“What. You’re still quick to notice.”

“You idiot…! What will you gain by doing this…! Is the Memoria Cube a lie too?!”

Then Talcheck, still with a smiling face, grabbed the Holy Sword and pointed it at Cleon.

“Who knows.”

“Talcheck!!”

Disappointment, anger. And a cry mixed with some sadness.

But, Talcheck did not answer and swung his sword.

Rubera must have realized that she couldn’t get past to the other side unless she killed this gorilla.

She joined Cleon and rushed at Talcheck.

002

Sasha and Eustace running through the forest.

Thanks to the wind element auxiliary magic received from Ruti.

They were able to move their feet faster and lighter than usual.

Sasha ran lightly over the trees, like the steps of a fairy.

Eustace would have fallen from there long ago if it weren’t for the power of magic.

“W-wait. Just a little slower…”

“I can’t. The slower we are, the more dangerous everyone becomes.”

She wouldn’t leave Eustace behind, but she couldn’t delay by matching his pace.

On the path of Sword Saint Talcheck, who had passed this place not long ago.

The remains of minions were piled up.

Following that path would allow them to move relatively safely.

`I can catch up with Cleon faster than I thought. If I can help him even a little….`

The next moment after thinking that.

A magic arrow flying from beyond the darkness brushed past Sasha’s face.

Eustace suddenly saw an arrow that flew over his head and stuck in a tree.

He screamed `Hiek!` and almost fell from the tree.

“…This is…”

“Hey, compatriot. Did you come following your master?”

A hunter in a green robe revealing himself from the darkness.

Mikasia Rupenwolf.

“Kuh….”

To think that they would meet him here.

Did he notice that Sasha was chasing after Talcheck and stay behind here?

“Hmm…? What happened to the mark?”

Mikasia tilted his head, perhaps thinking it was strange that the mark pattern did not appear in Sasha’s eyes.

“… I sealed it so that you wouldn’t detect me. I didn’t want to feel your presence either.”

“Ah. So that’s why your presence suddenly disappeared…. Interesting. You’re weakening yourself for just that reason.”

Sasha pulled out her bow at Mikasia’s words, as if mocking her.

“I…. don’t care if I get weaker. If it’s to avoid going back to that village.”

“Foolish. In the end, you’re strangling yourself because you’re weak. If a hunter loses their strength, they can only become prey.”

The next moment, an arrow flying quickly pierces through the place where Sasha is standing.

Sasha jumps higher than usual thanks to Ruti’s wind magic, avoiding the arrow.

Without the power of the mark, it was impossible to use a bow in the air.

“Can’t you counterattack?”

“Kuh….”

Sasha lands on the ground and says to Eustace, who is still on the tree.

“Go first!”

“W-what? But….”

“If you move along the debris of the ground, you’ll be fine. I’m going to settle things with this person.”

Sasha’s determination was conveyed through her voice.

Mikasia still shrugs with a relaxed attitude.

Eustace passes over the trees as if he can’t help it.

“That idiot is of no help.”

“I don’t care about that. …But there are places where even small strength is needed.”

Cleon’s words come to mind.

The mark is Sasha’s own strength.

He had said to release the seal at any time if necessary.

A conflict arises within her.

Clearly, if she releases the seal, the magic power of the mark that she has been suppressing until now will burst out.

She will be eaten by the power of the mark in an instant.

She will become a beast.

She still doesn’t know what that means.

She takes a deep breath and grabs the bow.

The mark was not present in her eyes.

“Not yet. Not yet.”

The quiet fighting spirit looking at her archenemy moves her.