episode_0130

The demon invasion was almost over, but the scene had turned miserable.

In just a few hours, the entire area was reduced to ruins, and nowhere was left intact.

The devastation caused by the demon invasion was always the same.

And when everyone is venting their anger over the disaster, the demons are bound to sneak in between them.

“Did you think you could hide by turning into a human?”

“Kkieeek!”

“It’s a perfect place to hide, but you should have hidden your magic well, right?”

“Kaaak!”

“Seduction doesn’t work on me.”

“Ahh!”

He traveled throughout the southwestern region and wiped out the remaining demonic remnants.

If demons gather one by one like they do now, it will eventually become a disaster.

Even if you couldn’t kill them all, you had to kill as many as possible to get rid of the aftereffects.

“Anyway, I need to hurry and find the turtle… … .”

[Shall I go and ask a question?]

“No, I don’t think it’s a good idea to split up for no reason when the day of battle is so close.”

[But isn’t it more fatal not to find the Mole Turtle in time?]

“It may be very disappointing, but I think a familiar sword is better than unfamiliar power.”

[Kyaung!]

“I think I just heard a strange noise?”

[Published by Hibana. I saw it.]

[Joe, be quiet!]

Hibana and Stella are bickering as ever today.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that they had an enmity relationship, so they often fought over everything.

Still, I didn’t criticize them too much because they cooperated and helped each other in battle.

There is a saying that affection grows while fighting.

“Anyway, Scathach has to wake up and Alaina and the twins have to deal with the situation, so until then, let’s calmly find a way.”

After hearing the devil’s message, I decided not to be impatient.

He knew about my past life and wanted me to fight him again.

This means that the Demon King, who showed no reaction even when he killed the general, recognized me as his enemy.

I expected it to be quiet until I was fully prepared and entered the Demon King’s Castle.

He wouldn’t want a lukewarm fight either.

“The remnants of this area have been cleared out, so you can rest assured.”

“Thank you so much! How can I repay this favor? … .”

“It’s okay. What about your family?”

“I received news that you are safe. It seems that the demons haven’t discovered it because it’s in a remote place far away from the village.”

“That’s a good thing.”

“I came here hoping to be of some help, but I am so sorry that I was unable to provide any help.”

“It’s okay. Who would have expected that I would leave with my feet tied to the tower?”

“But isn’t it true that it wasn’t of any help?”

Fabiel looked solemnly and scratched the back of his head.

He wanted to repay me for the help he received, but he couldn’t, so he seemed very disappointed.

Because he is such a kind-hearted person, he feels a lot of pressure to repay the favor.

I wanted to ease his burden even a little. In order to do so, he must receive help related to his specialty… … .

“Ah! Have you ever heard of the Moon Temple?”

“You mean the Temple of the Moon?”

“Yes, I know it is a temple that worships the moon goddess. Do you know anything about it?”

“Hmm, I don’t really know anything. The moon goddess is one of the gods who is so unrecognized that she is barely mentioned in history.”

“I see.”

“Still, there is a rumor I heard across the street.”

“What is it?”

“It is said that on a day when the full moon was rising, a ruined temple was discovered somewhere in the forest. The explorer who saw this returned to the forest with the villagers, but found that the temple had disappeared, so he was nicknamed the greatest liar.”

“What does that rumor have to do with the Temple of the Moon?”

“According to what the explorer confirmed, a stone statue of the moon was erected on top of the temple. However, that is not certain information either. In the end, the existence of the temple itself was not discovered.”

It may be unfair to the explorer, but the temple he saw is real.

Because it matched the exterior of the temple he had seen through the wolf’s memories.

It was heartbreaking to hear that the temple that raised the twin wolves was in ruins, but it was understandable considering it was a distant past.

“If it were a large forest, it wouldn’t be far from here.”

“Yes, you can get there by horseback in just one day.”

“Thank you for the information.”

“Are you still trying to go even though the information is not sure of its authenticity?”

“Because I’m the type of person who doesn’t let go unless I check it with my own eyes!”

“In that case, I will immediately prepare a horse and four days’ worth of food!”

“Thank you.”

In consideration of repaying Fabiel’s favor, I decided not to decline any favors I could receive.

Because a fair give-and-take relationship will put your mind at ease.

[Owner! Why are you looking for the Moon Temple?]

[I understand that you don’t have any main deity that you particularly believe in and worship. Did you develop a religion that you followed while in hiding?]

“That’s not true, there is something that bothers me a little.”

[Is this possibly related to another past life you mentioned earlier?]

I replaced my answer with a bitter smile.

I wanted to know how the twin wolves, the previous lives of Ecle and Rips, fared in the Temple of the Moon.

And it occurred to me that there might be something left in the Moon Temple, like the divine power left behind by the first hero.

[But in the end, I said that no one found the temple. Isn’t that a vain move?]

“If it has already been revealed once, there must be special conditions. It’s too early to say for sure, but I think I know what the likely conditions are.”

[What?]

I pointed my finger up into the sky.

Although it was still broad daylight, I could see the moon shining faintly beyond the clouds.

“Full moon.”

Like the story Fabiel told me, I remember the full moon rising on the night I left the twins in the care of the temple.

It is said that the Temple of the Moon will have the necessary condition of appearing only on nights when the full moon rises.

Of course, there will be additional conditions.

Otherwise, there is no explanation as to why the existence of the temple is still unknown.

As for the remaining conditions, I have no choice but to realize them myself and satisfy them.

[As it is a temple of the moon, it is bound to be related to the moon.]

“Yes, tomorrow happens to be a full moon day. Not suitable for direct inspection.”

[What are you going to do after you find the Moon Temple?]

“I will head from the Great Forest to Margal Kingdom and bring Ikl and Lips. After that, I have to go to the Holy Kingdom and bring Alaina with me.”

In a position where one had to fight against the Demon King, a holy sword was, of course, essential.

Even though I had divine power within me, and even if I could absorb the first warrior’s divine power, it wasn’t enough.

In the end, Abel was unable to completely defeat the Demon King because he lacked strength.

Alaina’s divine power was absolutely necessary.

“I think Scathach will come to his senses and come back by then.”

[I guess all of your swords will be gathered in one place again.]

“I don’t like it?”

[It would be a lie if I said I didn’t hate it. However, if you say that your chances of survival will increase by fighting the Demon King, I can bear it.]

[I guess the owner is Assa who doesn’t have any like-minded colleagues. You have to become a little stronger through us!]

Stella said something that was close to being sarcastic and hurt my sore spot.

But since it was true, I couldn’t even argue.

Although I had made many friends since my retirement, in the end there was no colleague I could stand shoulder to shoulder with.

It has become a situation where the only thing you can really trust is the sword.

“Hmm… … .”

Is that why?

I became even more concerned.

Memories of my last past life that were still in limbo.

It was a pity that I couldn’t recover the memories that were supposedly related to Grishlas.

I looked at Grishlas out of the corner of my eye.

While talking to another sword, she raises her head and leisurely looks at the blue sky.

I had no idea what Grishlas was thinking.

Although the bond with the other swords was solid, there was a strange sense of distance from Grishlas.

“Grishulas, I’m leaving soon. Get ready to go.”

“… … Take note!”

Grishuras lowers his head and smiles at the sound of my voice, saying he was looking at the sky blankly.

His idiotic side was definitely cute, but even that felt somehow distant.

What on earth created this sense of distance from Grishlas?

Hoping that the day when my doubts would be resolved would come sooner rather than later, I got on my horse.