episode_0179

000

The chapel of the Trinity Divinity. The deepest part of the royal capital’s grand temple, and the place where the Pope presides over services.

Outside and inside, this place, naturally filled with strict security, has three partially overlapping circles slowly rotating above the magic circle on the ceiling.

They were refracting the sunlight, illuminating the floor of the chapel.

First, the red light. The ancient symbol representing courage like burning flames signifies the `Hero` among the holy saviors of the Trinity.

The Hero refers to warriors who hold high the holy sword and justice, and destroy evil that threatens the world and humanity.

Originally, it would be correct to call them `Holy Swordsmen`, just like Magic Swordsmen, but as the teachings of the Order spread widely throughout the world, the term Holy Swordsman began to be used as a derogatory term for Hero.

Even if there is no Demon King in the world, the reason why those called Heroes continue to exist is solely due to the influence of the Order.

Next is the blue light. The sacred sword that refines the power of the Hero who wields it, and lends its own power so that they can strike down evil. The `Holy Sword`.

Holy swords created by the ancients of the primordial world, imbued with personality, and leaving behind countless legends and myths.

Most of them were lost when the primordial world was destroyed, and even now, they await Heroes who will find them in ruins somewhere.

Originally, no one knew that they were powerful weapons created with the intention of being wielded against other humans in war.

In the end, everything depended on human interpretation.

Lastly, the green light. If the Hero is compared to flames, these are plants. They are the firewood for the flames to burn and the `Saintess` who guides the Hero’s path.

Saintesses are born with divine magic power and strong empathy, thanks to which they are women who can hear the voice of the `Holy Sword`, a will originating from divine magic power.

Such revelations are conveyed through dreams, prophecies, and auditory hallucinations, and the Saintesses take on the role of receiving these revelations and guiding the Hero to the Holy Sword.

Not stopping there, they stay by the Hero’s side until the destiny given to the Hero is fulfilled, serving as healers and guides who assist the Hero.

This is the doctrine of the Trinity Savior advocated by the Order of the Holy Blessing.

The first Saintess, who lamented the lives being exploited by the gods of the old era and sacrificed in the wars caused by their faith.

Hearing the voice of the Holy Sword and joining forces with the first Hero, she ended the era of numerous gods, including Utu and Reuben.

It was from when she finally made it possible for an era led by humans to come to the continent once again.

The history of the Order began.

Moreover, thanks to Lesia’s great activity in the war between the kingdom and the empire, the authority of the Order has risen to an unprecedented level in history.

The power of the Pope, the de facto leader of such an Order, is now comparable to that of the king of the kingdom that has become the ruler of the continent.

And the fact that such a Pope personally calls someone and brings them into this chapel was not enough to be expressed as `rare`.

For an ordinary clergyman to receive such a call was no different from a commoner being called by the king.

“… …”

Kuon, recalling the words of the old clergyman who had come to call her, stood with a tense face in the very front of the chapel.

Standing in front of the stairs leading up to the platform, she quietly gazed at the woman before her.

Pope Eska. A being like a mother to Cleon, and the person sitting in the highest position in the Order of the Holy Blessing.

She herself is a Saintess who protected the balance of the world with the Hero Lesia in the previous war, and a clergyman who wields powerful divine magic.

Sasha, who accompanied Kuon, was also meeting her for the first time, but.

Whether the divine magic power she possessed was stimulating Reuben within Sasha.

She had to calm the tension and an inexplicable sense of rejection that made her heart pound, and be careful not to show it on her face.

“Please don’t be so nervous, Kuon-yang. Certainly, the place and eye level are different from last time. But we have a common family member, Cleon.”

Perhaps sensing Kuon’s tension, Eska said that, and Kuon strangely felt a little relieved by her voice.

“I, I’m sorry. Eska-nim.”

“No. I’m sorry for calling you out so suddenly. But I thought it would be best to entrust it to Kuon-yang after all.”

When Eska said that, Kuon could only tilt her head in bewilderment.

Entrust? Entrust what? …Kuon recalled that the clergyman who had come to call her had said nothing, only saying `a glorious thing` and `your parents will be proud of you`.

“Kuon-yang. You are not with the Hero now, but… You are originally a Saintess. It is your role to hear the voice of the Holy Sword and convey it to the Hero.”

Kuon’s expression darkened slightly at Eska’s words, but she could only nod.

The Holy Sword `Caliburn` that Kuon originally sought. And the Hero `Albein` who originally possessed that Holy Sword.

Caliburn had become Cleon’s property through various processes, but. The Hero Albein had lost that qualification and was now serving forced labor according to the laws of the kingdom.

However, Caliburn no longer resonated with Kuon. Her connection with Kuon was severed when her core was regenerated by Galatea, and instead, she was connected with Galatea.

It was a strange story, but a Trinity was formed with Cleon as the Hero, Galatea as the Saintess, and Caliburn as the Holy Sword.

Kuon was not particularly concerned about it. The term Saintess was just a title based on the teachings of the Order.

And when it came to swords, Galatea, being a sword herself, knew more about it.

Caliburn seemed to prefer being with Cleon, so there would be no problem with that.

“I am truly grateful that you are with Cleon and becoming his strength. But. There are so many huge barriers blocking Cleon’s path. If you dig into the darkness to find invisible answers, beings of darkness naturally appear.”

Demons. Monsters from other dimensions. The pollution of the dimensional rift.

Kuon knew well what Eska was talking about.

Originally, she, as a clergyman, should be protecting Cleon against them.

“…I, too, wanted to lend my strength to Cleon and you. At the same time, a new opportunity for you, a Saintess of the Order.”

“…Opportunity, you say?”

Eska nodded, then handed a sealed parchment scroll to Verastol, a holy knight in full armor who stood behind Eska, guarding her.

Verastol respectfully received the scroll, walked over to Kuon, and handed it to her.

“This is-”

“Information about `Galatine`, a Holy Sword whose existence the Order has newly identified.”

Kuon looked down at the scroll with wide eyes.

“Kuon-yang. I hope you, as a Saintess, will find that Holy Sword. Together with `Verastol`, the holy knight I trust most… and a Hero candidate.”

As Eska finished speaking, Verastol slowly removed his helmet and looked at Kuon.

Long, flowing pink hair. And intelligent eyes looking at herself. When Kuon’s eyes met Verastol’s, she had a slightly confused expression.

“Please don’t be so wary. Kuon, I am prepared to dedicate myself to helping you and your companion, Cleon, according to His Holiness’s order.”

Verastol, saying that and extending a hand, wore a small smile.

“Ordinary power will not be of great help in opening up Cleon’s dark future. Powerful power… As a sacred guide to defeat the darkness. I am going to entrust Verastol to you.”

“…Together with the Holy Sword, Galatine.”

When Kuon answered that, Eska also nodded.

“K, Kuon-ssi…”

Sasha muttered that and grabbed Kuon’s sleeve.

Something. An uneasy premonition did not stop.

There was no wrong argument in what the Pope was saying.

Everyone felt that the party needed more power.

Sasha, Kuon, Laila. All three of them were constantly training to become even stronger…

But Reuben, the animalistic instinct within Sasha.

Was constantly conveying that something, a dark shadow, was mixed in behind this story.

The warning bell existing in her head was constantly ringing.

It was similar to the fear she felt when she first saw Humbaba.

Perhaps Kuon felt Sasha’s heart like that too.

She placed her own hand on the small hand gripping her sleeve, then smiled gently to reassure her.

Then, with a determined expression, she turned back to Eska and opened her mouth.

“Thank you. Eska-nim. For giving me the opportunity to fulfill my duties as a `Saintess` once again.”

“If so…”

Eska smiled slightly and looked at Kuon, but Kuon soon shook her head slightly from side to side.

“…I’d like you to give me some time to think. Guiding the Holy Sword to the Hero is certainly what I should do. And if that ultimately helps Cleon… There is no reason to refuse. But-”

“But?”

“This is not something I can decide on my own. I am certainly a `Saintess` of the Order, but before that, I am a companion who forms a party with Cleon, Laila, and Sasha.”

Just like when she spoke to the person from the Order who came to the academy.

For Kuon, the doctrines of the Order and the duties of the Saintess were certainly important.

But, the companions she had to protect were more precious than that.

Therefore, no matter how much it was a request from the Pope she respected, and even if it ultimately helped Cleon, she could not decide on her own to leave their side to find the Holy Sword in this place.

Silence flowed inside the chapel for a while.

It would not be a figment of her imagination that Verastol’s expression had become a little colder.

“…I understand. You really value your companions.”

Eska, as if regretting it but unable to help it, smiled bitterly and called Verastol back to her side and spoke.

“Please think carefully. Kuon-yang.”

Lastly, she looked at Kuon, who was breathing a sigh of relief, and urged her in that way.

001

“-So, the ley lines of the Emerald Water Valley have both `water attribute` magic power and `divine magic power` of unknown origin flowing through them at the same time… Kuon, are you listening?”

A luxurious carriage, boasting a comfortable ride with almost no bumps, ran along the road towards the Emerald Water Valley.

The carriage prepared by Aurelia was much larger than ordinary carriages, and it seemed that various spells were cast on it, as the carriage body hardly shook when inside the carriage, making it of the highest quality.

However, the existence of the Emerald Water Valley was a region that should not be disclosed to the general public.

Therefore, they could not hire a coachman, but that part was solved by Laila using magic to make it drive automatically.

Inside the carriage, Laila, Aruru, and Cleon were sitting around and talking.

Sasha and Amelia were asleep in a slightly separated seat.

Looking outside, it was long past sunset, and the sky was dyed navy blue, with only the light of the moon and stars illuminating the ground.

Even Amelia, who naturally worked at night while in the royal capital, was able to get to sleep at the right hours that a human should have in this place.

During the lecture on the destination that Laila was giving, Laila noticed that Kuon was staring blankly out the window and called her name.

Kuon startled, turned to look at the three, and blushed as if embarrassed.

“S, sorry…”

“It’s already this late. Kuon, you can rest too.”

When Cleon said that, Laila also nodded.

“Even if it’s comfortable, it’s already been about 12 hours of driving. It’s painful to be awake without doing anything.”

Kuon nodded awkwardly at Aruru’s words, but soon shook her head.

“Uh-uh, no. I’m okay.”

“…Don’t overdo it. Got it?”

Laila’s request. Kuon looked at Laila for a moment, as if feeling something from her words.

“…Why, why are you doing that?”

“No. Because Laila, who stays up all night like eating meals, is telling me not to overdo it. Something’s strange.”

Laila reacted with a `ugh` to Kuon’s accurate pointing out.

“That last part was as Kuon said.”

Cleon also sided with Kuon, so Laila blushed, rested her chin on her hand, and turned her head. Thanks to that, it could be seen that even the earlobe was red.

“That’s right. Laila is not single anymore, so she needs to change her lifestyle a bit.”

“Ah, I know… I slept early yesterday too.”

When Aruru said that, Laila looked down at her stomach for a moment, then had an expression as if something was pricking her, but answered as if there was no problem with her mouth.

“Hmm… Laila. 2 a.m. doesn’t seem like early to me….”

“How does Cleon know what time I went to bed yesterday…! Anyway, to change the subject-”

Raising her voice on her own, then looking at Amelia and Sasha, who were asleep, Laila lowered the volume of her voice again and continued the story she was originally telling.

“As Mrs. Tromeria said. This terrain of the Water Valley is an artificially formed place. Because of the illusion barrier that surrounds the area, no one tries to go near it. That’s why it hasn’t been discovered until now.”

“A refraction illusion barrier using the `light` property of divine magic power. Was it that?”

“Yeah. But, someone with more than a certain amount of divine magic power can realize the sense of incongruity of the illusion. So, when we get close to the destination, Kuon will be able to see through that barrier.”

When Laila said that, the eyes of the three turned to Kuon.

“C, can I do it…? If it’s divine magic power, Amelia-nim also…”

“Have confidence, Kuon. Amelia’s divine magic power is not released unless she uses the pendant to transform into a Saint Princess.”

“Besides. Kuon still has the influence of the angel transformation left, so her pure amount of magic power is higher than hers.”

As Cleon and Laila encouraged her in that way, Kuon nodded carefully.

“We just have to show my mother’s letter of introduction when we pass through the barrier and enter the village. I’ve only heard about it, so I’m looking forward to going there for the first time.”

“Well. Originally, it was said to be a place that even ordinary royalty don’t know about… Even if the inside is some kind of magic realm, you have to be prepared.”

When Laila told her that to scare her, Aruru smiled.

“Then I’m even more looking forward to it.”

“This battle idiot…”

“Besides! I can stay with Cleon for a few days too, right? Something I couldn’t even do at the academy.”

“…It’s `duty system` after all.”

When Aruru clung to her arm, Laila muttered that.

“H, how can you say such a thing when there are kids here…”

When Kuon scolded her with a blush at Laila’s words, Laila instead raised the corners of her mouth and answered.

“It’s okay because they’re asleep. In the first place, Sasha is also included in that duty.”

“…I don’t think it would be a problem even if I didn’t do it much…”

“We would be in trouble!”

When Cleon answered that, Aruru raised her voice.

Kuon smiled wryly as she looked at the group.

She hadn’t been able to talk about the search for Galatine yet.

Originally, she should have come back that day and talked about it, but thanks to Laila and Cleon mentioning going to the `Water Valley`.

She went along with it and the preparations were finished and they set off.

But, if there are clues in the Water Valley to find Lesia… If traces of the scholar `Triss` exist.

It would be good for everyone to value that.

Kuon thought that and unknowingly closed her eyes slightly and organized her thoughts.

002

The carriage stopped at a cliff in the plains.

“No way. The bottomless cliff was an illusion to hide the Water Valley…”

Laila shook her head as if she didn’t know, and looked down at the cliff.

Below that, there was only a hole that was so deep that there was no end to it.

“You can’t pass over this even if you use flying magic, right?”

“That’s right. Strange air currents occur, and if you try to pass by using flying magic, you’ll fly to a strange place… There was a reason why its existence was hidden.”

Laila, who answered Aruru’s question, got up and activated her magic sight. Even with Laila’s eyes, which boasted the highest level of magic sight, traces of magic could not be seen.

“It’s beyond imagination. I think we should leave this to Kuon after all.”

An illusion magic barrier that even Laila could not see through.

Kuon carefully poured divine magic power into her palm and brought her hand forward.

Then, just like throwing a stone into a puddle of water, ripples occurred in the scenery.

“Wow…!”

When Sasha raised her voice at that sight, the ripples gradually grew larger and larger, vibrating the scenery itself.

Soon, as the illusion that had been gradually distorting the group’s field of vision centered on Kuon’s hand disappeared.

A part of the illusion barrier disappeared, creating a path that could be entered.

The scenery visible beyond that was enough to make the mouths of the entire group close.

A scene where emerald-colored crystals sparkled in all directions.

Even in the valleys that surrounded the road, on the side of the road. Even in the plants, emeralds were springing up.

“…So this is the Water Valley. Can the carriage enter?”

When Cleon said that, Laila snapped her fingers. Once again, the horse moved on its own and passed through the narrow passage of the barrier.

“Let’s go in too.”

And the moment the group also passed through the hole in the barrier.

The horse of the carriage that had been going forward suddenly raised its front hooves and appeared excited.

“I thought the horse had broken through the illusion barrier.”

And. The voice of an unfamiliar girl could be heard.

When the group quickly went to the front of the carriage, the figure of a girl was seen stroking the horse’s head to calm it down.

Long platinum blonde hair, golden eyes. And skin like white jade.

What she wore was a semi-transparent, thin cloth material robe.

In terms of its function to cover the body, it was questionable whether it was doing its job properly.

It even showed the fact that she was properly wearing underwear in important places.

And one more thing.

Her appearance was very similar to Amelia’s.

Not only the overall color, but even the shape and height of her face.

“So? Who are you? Depending on your answer, this old woman will erase your memories and send you back outside. Tell me quickly.”

`Old woman…?`

Everyone had the same question about her words, and the way she spoke like an old person, even though she looked like a girl in her early teens.

But, when she met Amelia’s eyes, the girl had a surprised expression for a moment.

Soon, she had a kind face.

“Did Aurelia send you?”

“Yes. Here is my mother’s letter of introduction.”

When Aruru tried to take out the letter of introduction from her chest at the girl’s words, the girl shook her head and did not receive it.

“It’s okay. Put it away. I can tell by looking at that child’s face.”

“… …”

Amelia quietly noticed that she was being referred to and went forward.

“…Sariel, you are my daughter’s daughter.”

Everyone widened their eyes and had surprised expressions at those words.

“…Then-”

“Yes. I am your grandmother. Gabriel, the mother of Sariel.”

“G, grandmother…? With that appearance?”

When Laila unconsciously muttered at Gabriel’s appearance, which could not be explained by the word youthful, Gabriel raised the corners of her mouth and answered.

“It’s difficult to guess age by appearance alone in this valley… So? What is your name? Granddaughter.”

“…A, Amelia.”

When Amelia herself answered hesitantly, as if she was a little dumbfounded, Gabriel quietly approached Amelia and hugged her.

“…I wanted to meet you. Amelia. Really.”

“… …”

When Amelia felt her voice and touch up close, tears slowly began to flow from her eyes.

It was the kind and affectionate heart of a blood relative that she had never felt before.

The girl’s small sobbing sound was reflected by the emeralds and echoed through the valley.