episode_0125

Humans are creatures who can understand each other through dialogue and communication. After a long period of persuasion, Freide reluctantly acknowledged the usefulness of this breastplate.

It’s not that I had a talent for persuasion, but rather, Freide seemed to have no other choice.

Walking openly on the path without being attacked by the specters of Valquoria.

In other words, now that it is almost certain that most of the specters have been eradicated, I couldn’t hope for the specter I barely encountered to drop the runic inscription circuit.

Rather, I need to eat the helmet, not cover my face. I didn’t come here to cover my chest, did I?

Acquiring all parts except the helmet is a frustrating situation, but if I don’t get the helmet, my situation won’t change much.

Well, maybe it will change a bit.

From a simple heinous criminal to being treated as an extremely dangerous super heinous criminal. I have become stronger than before.

There was a significant gap in abilities between me when I was exposed to my old party members in Vespyr and me now.

Even if the me from back then tripled, there would still be a gap that couldn’t defeat me now.

Growth in capacity and skill, enhancement of characteristics, and even new equipment. All elements that make up a warrior’s strength have significantly advanced compared to before.

To put it simply, back then I was like a silver-tier adventurer… but now, could I be considered a top-notch gold-tier adventurer among the Gold Shields?

In terms of kingdom knights, I could be considered at the level of leading a small squad of 5 to 10 knights.

That was precisely the level of Brunnhilde before the possession, probably.

The power and status that even talents born as heirs of prestigious families and raised as knights since childhood can only achieve after turning thirty.

Achieving such a feat at the mere age of twenty is a testament to Brunnhilde’s exceptional talent, which was the key reason for her selection as a core member of the Hero Party.

And now, I have also reached such a level with great effort. In other words, could this be considered finally reaching the starting point?

After months of hard work and achievements, returning to the starting point is merely a level of achievement, which may seem laughable in a way…

“Honestly, you’ve done pretty well so far, haven’t you? Isn’t that right?”

A modern person who lived a life unrelated to battles suddenly thrown into such a world, without time for a master to teach swordsmanship or to build foundations, yet managed to survive resolutely without any incidents and obtained the strength of an elite knight. At this level, shouldn’t applause be more appropriate than laughter?

I assure you, even if someone were to possess Brunnhilde’s body, only about one in ten Earthlings could survive just with that alone.

Three would end up falling into the hands of the military from the start, another three would let their guard down in places like Hwajeon Village, and the rest three would wander aimlessly until they are caught by bounty hunters.

So, I’ve done quite well. I might even surpass the original Brunnhilde herself, who completely ruined her fate by getting involved with the military.

Yes. I’m doing well. So…

I must continue to strengthen myself in the future.

“Phew….”

With a short sigh and a firm resolve in my heart, I diligently searched for the ancestor who would gift me the helmet while wandering through the ruins with Freide.

“…They’re not coming.”

“That’s true…”

Even after wandering around for about thirty minutes without any context, the Valquoria specters showed no signs of launching a surprise attack. Initially, it was annoying that these guys who gathered on their own without being invited now wouldn’t show up easily even after searching for a long time.

“Excuse me, but, I wonder… I mean, could it be possible that we have already completely eradicated them…?”

Frederick cautiously voiced my speculation, suggesting the possibility that we might have wiped out all the specters.

“…No way.”

I wiped the sweat off my neck with my left hand, a look of unease on my face. Though I didn’t want to believe it, there was still a chance.

“It can’t be. There’s no way. It won’t happen.”

“That… That’s right, isn’t it?”

Forcing a smile while denying the rising anxiety, I tried to convince myself that there must be at least one left.

…What if they’re really gone?

The feeling of regret for needlessly collecting three pairs of Greaves suddenly turned into resentment, as if they were now useless burdens.

◆◆

“Our sisters….”

They existed.

“There! Look over there! I found one at last!”

“Thank goodness!”

After an exhaustive search, we finally discovered the specter of Valkyria, feasting on its prey with swollen pride. Without hesitation, Freyja and I charged towards it.

“Prepare yourself, prepare…!”

Prepare, prepare, prepare, prepare, prepare!

That was all I could think about. If that thing were to unleash something like Greaves, it might shatter my resolve.

Any initial calmness had long vanished.

Given the situation where this might be the last specter standing, if Valkyria didn’t show up now, we would be in real trouble.

“Are you ready to throw your spear?!”

“Probably! You distract it! I’ll hold it, and you finish it off!”

“Got it!”

A quick exchange of opinions took place.

Neutralizing its spear with mine was out of the question due to the pain it would cause, and finishing it off myself might lead to Greaves appearing, so I had to avoid that.

This was the best course of action.

There was only one enemy left. With Freyja countering its flying spear, I just needed to focus on running with all my might.

Now, throw the spear, specter of Valkyria! This moment will be your doomsday—

“Kuuuu…?”

That was when it happened.

As Valkyria glanced at me, it suddenly looked startled and swiftly began to retreat, as if in great fear.

“What? Why is it running away as soon as it sees me?! Shouldn’t it throw its spear or charge at us?”

“Herra Valfreyja…!”

Shouting the name of Valfreyja, the specter of Valkyria hurriedly fled. It was a reaction I couldn’t have imagined.

“I’ll chase after it!”

While I stumbled in disbelief, Freyja, without any hesitation, increased her speed and continued the pursuit.

Right, I should chase it too. I also accelerated.

Although I had never seen Valkyria flee like that before, I couldn’t let it escape, no matter what.

Well, since our speed was slightly faster, no matter how far it ran, it would eventually be caught…

Wait a minute.

“That rascal, could it be…!”

As I raised my head and checked its escape route while running, I couldn’t help but widen my eyes in shock. It felt like my heart skipped a beat.

And with good reason,

“Freyja! The castle! It’s heading towards the castle! We have to stop it!”

It was forbidden for us to approach the castle under any circumstances, and yet it was heading towards the fortress on the hill.

“The castle…! Ah, the place we were told not to go to?!”

“Yes! We have to stop it before it gets there…!”

Truly, it was a shocking turn of events.

If it managed to hide in the castle peacefully, we would have no choice but to let it go, like chasing a chicken.

‘No, that’s not the only problem.’

A very ominous premonition crept over me.

Is that ghost really heading to the fortress just to seek refuge from us?

If that’s the case, it’s fortunate… But what if it’s not?

What if there is another reason?

It might be an extreme assumption, but what if it’s heading to the fortress to awaken our lord, like a messenger reporting an attack to the castle?

And,

In a rare scenario, but if it can actually be awakened?

An undeniable premonition.

A chilling speculation ran down my spine.

“We have to stop it now! Can we knock it down by shooting at it?!”

“Well… It’s a bit risky!”

A hesitant response indicating uncertainty if the shot would hit due to the distance being too close.

Upon hearing the response, I quickly scanned the surroundings and rushed towards the spear lying closest to me.

“Shoot it for now! I’ll aim at the creature too!”

“Okay, got it!”

Nodding, Freida gathered light with her holy sword. I, too, pulled the spear I had drawn over my shoulder, gathering all the strength in my arm.

“Hyaaaah!”

“Hit it!”

With a forceful thrust, the spear was launched as if crushing the ground with my extended left foot.

– Thwack!

The worn-out spear roared like a cannon, soaring towards the fleeing creature’s back, shining at a speed akin to light.

And then,

– Pweeeerk!

The sound of wood creaking erupted from the armament, as the spear filled with immense power pierced through the creature, separating its upper and lower body.

“Kyaaaaaak…!”

A perfect hit. The two halves of the creature fell powerless, emitting steam as they vanished. Within the dissipating upper body, the dark gray helmet was particularly vivid.

A situation where cheering was appropriate.

However, my gaze was fixated not on the helmet the creature spat out but on the empty space behind it. There was no other choice.

– Ssshhlaaack!

The spear, filled with excessive force, didn’t stop at piercing the creature but continued flying like an arrow beyond it.

Following the trajectory aimed at the creature’s back, it shot straight through in a diagonal line.

“Huh…? Hilde, if that hits…?!”

In other words… aiming towards the amethyst atop the fortress.

“…It will crumble.”

I simply closed my eyes. It was already too late to stop. There was no way to halt it.

In the next moment, Einstein’s spear collided with the seal where Valprayya lay dormant.

– Quadthud!

The spear shattered beyond its limits due to the overwhelming impact. Amidst the scattering metal fragments, purple glass-like pieces sparkled beautifully.

Should I be relieved that only the part touched by the spear was slightly damaged?

Without even considering taking a breath, I stood frozen as if nailed, simply glaring through the amethyst atop the fortress.

Please, please let the seal remain intact.

And then,

【 You can see me. 】

Into my astonished mind, a voice seeped in like a rumble.

A voice reminiscent of a professional serial killer who seemed to have killed hundreds more people than meals consumed throughout a lifetime.

Valprayya Einstein.

The monster within the seal spoke to me.

【 Fragile and young Valquiria. Our fallen descendants and servants. 】

Through the crack in the shattered crystal struck by the spear, with burning ghostly blue eyes, it gazed at me.

“…Phew.”

I felt relieved for the time being.

The fact that it spoke while hidden within the seal, with only its eyes visible, was evidence that it couldn’t break the seal and escape on its own.

It may have awakened, but it cannot break the seal and come out. If not, wouldn’t it have immediately burst out?

So, I could only feel relieved. At least, it meant I wouldn’t be killed instantly in this spot.

Wow, really, truly endured for ten years. My heart almost jumped out. Not metaphorically, but literally.