Gods and Devils (1)
When the story of Jerta was relayed in the Sacred Kingdom of Setram, the priests before the pontiff could not hide their discomfort.
It was simply unbelievable that Setram's fad Inquisitor—a top-ranking one, second only in hierarchy—had been so utterly defeated by a heretic.
And he had even used the Sacred Arms!
"It seems talk about the Sacred Arms has reached the empire. In any case, that foolish guy never handled things properly..."
The cardinal in white clicked his tongue briefly.
There had been many witnesses present when Jerta used the Sacred Arms.
Naturally, doubts arose among those who saw Jerta's technique.
Of course, the only country willing to express opinions to Setram directly was at best the Asktalin Empire.
"And of all people, that heretic is deeply linked with the empire, so now it's gotten awkward."
The other cardinal also looked rather displeased.
The Asktalin Empire had always been Setram's biggest obstacle, and unfortunately, because the heretic was an honorary noble of that empire, their response had been firm and aggressive.
The pontiff quietly listened to the conversation between the cardinals, lost in thought.
Even if one used the Sacred Arms, he had not thought Jerta would be able to easily deal with Clay Vanhart.
According to rumors, the man's skills were far from ordinary.
Of course, while it would not be easy, he had expected that wielding the power of Sacred Arms would be sufficient to deal with him.
Yet the result was the exact opposite.
Even with the Sacred Arms, he never imagined Jerta would be so effortlessly subdued.
'He defeated Jerta, who was using the Sacred Arms, with a single blow.'
Pontiff Violette had shared Jerta's sight when he used the Sacred Arms.
Thanks to that, I personally witnessed exactly how Clay defeated Jerta.
'... Was that truly a human technique?'
On the surface, it looked like nothing more than an ordinary punch.
Yet it was faster than Jerta's attack, and in a single strike, it destroyed Jerta's body that possessed powerful regeneration and defense thanks to the Sacred Arms.
"The wielder of the Divine Sword certainly used a strange trick."
"That is probably just the power of the sword, isn't it?"
A cardinal answered Violette's words.
"It is very likely. After all, human strength alone could not so easily break through the defense of the Sacred Arms."
Violette judged Clay's incomprehensible technique to be the sword's power, since it was an obvious blow that far surpassed Clay's own level.
"Your Holiness, I don't have a good feeling about this. I think it would be wise to take care of him swiftly."
"That would go against the will of God."
"Such..."
The cardinal pressed his lips together and stepped back.
Of course, violette, too, wanted Clay dealt with as quickly as possible. In the coming war, the wielder of the Divine Sword was sure to beco a major variable.
'The other Seven Heroes aren't a big issue. The wielder of the Divine Sword and...'
The Eye of Shimosha.
According to the words of God, at present it was in the hands of Clay Vanhart.
It was nothing more than the Saintess's relic, so Violette couldn't understand why God Altair was so wary of it.
"Your Holiness."
At that mont, a cardinal quietly opened his mouth.
"Recently, a demonkin corridor has been discovered to the west of Setram."
"What?"
"And I hear one of the Seven Heroes is moving to deal with it."
"... Oh? Who?"
"It is the rcenary King Sehenz."
"Indeed."
Stroking his snow-white beard, violette smiled faintly.
"Wouldn't it be good to take care of one of the Seven Heroes while we have this chance?"
"That's certainly a good idea, cardinal Kaedillen."
"Thank you."
If they could eliminate one of the Seven Heroes and close the demonkin corridor, it would be killing two birds with one stone.
'Now that the ti is ripe, we should start moving too... According to Lord Altair's revelation, the opening of a new world is close at hand.'
So far, they had only observed the Seven Heroes, but now that the Sacred Arms had revealed themselves, it was ti to act.
"How about sending Seigon?"
"There's no need to send Seigon to deal with a re rcenary."
"Yes, that is true."
If it was Sehenz who had gone to the demonkin corridor, the other Inquisitors would be more than enough.
Perfect timing to assess the skills of the new Inquisitor who would replace Jerta as well.
"All will be as God wills."
To the quietly echoing voice of Violette, the cardinals and nurous priests knelt.
There was not a single doubt in their faith.
* * *
For a little over a month, I stayed at the mansion and succeeded in tidying up all the work that had piled up. The lingering issues of the domain, the new problems that arose from the sudden increase in domain residents.
Even laying down the waterway was completed perfectly.
Was that all? I also founded a knight order and transmitted new sword art.
By now, I would be rolling through the training ground, getting thoroughly pumled by Kisea.
"Now then, let's organize things."
Fulfilling the duties of a lord was important, but those weren't the only matters I had to handle.
First, I had to set a new order for the tasks I must tackle from now on.
"First, the Setram incident—I need to uncover the full truth behind Michelle's confinent."
[They said it's related to my remains, so there's a good chance they were also targeted.]
"Even so, would they really do that to the Saintess's remains?"
[The coffin is protected by powerful magic, so without permission from the Atell Family, it can't be opened. But stealing the coffin itself is possible.]
Since Michelle had returned to Setram after completing the Saint's Pilgrimage, Grancesia's remains must also be there. Jerta said the issue was related to the Saintess's remains, so it was likely that so problem had arisen there.
"The second is related to Marvin Dreistler."
[Right. I can't say much because there's so little information.]
I shared Grancesia's view.
Still, this matter was too important to overlook.
"I'm bothered by martial arts and the erased records as well."
[Aside from Damian, he was the only one who knew Heaven's Holy Ultimate Art.]
That's true.
Moreover, he claid he used martial arts derived from Heaven's Holy Ultimate Art.
"... Co to think of it, why are there so many things tangled up with you? Both the first and second matters all tie back to you."
[Is that so? You're right!]
Perhaps Grancesia found it a little embarrassing, as her voice trembled slightly.
From the Saintess's remains to Heaven's Holy Ultimate Art, everything ultimately tied back to Grancesia.
It was strange for such an important character to have had such little presence in the original work.
'Is there so other background profile I missed?'
When I had inspected Grancesia's remains, I didn't recall any special profile connected to the original story.
However, sotis profiles would be altered by certain conditions, so I needed to keep that in mind.
'If the profile I saw for Grancesia had already been changed?'
I needed to consider that possibility—there might be a profile that had been erased for so reason, even if not by .
"Then the last item is the demonkin corridors."
[That, too, is actually a Setram-related issue.]
I was continuing to receive reports from Jade.
Currently, Jade was busy investigating the demonkin corridors, doing everything possible to close them.
"But does it really take that long to close the corridor?"
[To close it, you need to go inside like digging into an anthill and find the core.]
"So it's not as easy as it sounds."
[Of course not. Depending on the size of the corridor, it can take from a month to as long as a year. There are always lots of monsters inside, too. Sotis even demonkin.]
It really did seem like a problem that only the Seven Heroes could solve.
"About that demonkin we t at Eintban—the one you dealt with."
[Ah, that one was pretty tough.]
"Could one like that appear in the corridor Sehenz went to close?"
[No.]
Grancesia was definitive.
[It sounds bad, but the one I dealt with was a titled demonkin. About count level? At any rate, there's no way a demonkin of that level would be assigned to guard a re corridor. At most, you'd encounter interdiate-rank or recently advanced-rank demonkin.]
In that case, it was a relief.
Though I felt relieved, a question remained.
"But then that's strange..."
[Why?]
"When I checked the synopsis while traveling near Setram, Fabian and his group seed to be in a dangerous situation. Specifically, they were being chased. It didn't specify by whom, though."
It wasn't the first ti the synopsis had omitted important information, so that wasn't a big deal anymore.
But the real problem was that, according to the synopsis, Sehenz was on the brink of death—so close that it wouldn't have been odd if he died.
Fabian took Sehenz, escaped Setram with Kisea, and treated him in an episode set in an isolated valley.
'I should visit that valley.'
Anyway, judging by the synopsis up to now, that episode probably occurred right after the demonkin corridor incident.
[But why do you ask?]
"Because since it happened at a demonkin corridor, I assud it was demonkin-related, but now I'm not so sure."
There was no way that a Seven Hero like Sehenz would be nearly killed by anything less than an advanced-rank demonkin.
Even if it was dangerous, at worst it should have been a matter of escape. He had both Kisea and Fabian with him.
But if the demonkin were of the ranks Grancesia ntioned, that wouldn't have been enough of a threat to put them in such peril.
'If that's the case...'
I considered several possibilities, then nodded.
"I think I get it now."
[Hm?]
"There really aren't that many options, if you look at it by process of elimination."
Spreading out the map, I thought it over.
The Setram capital and the western region where Sehenz had headed. Jade had marked the spot precisely.
"Looks like I'll be troubling Maria again."
[You're going alone?]
"Of course not."
This ti, I was going with my reliable friends.
* * *
"Great! I want to go!"
After gathering everyone at the mansion and ntioning I'd be making a short trip near Setram, Kisea responded brightly. She had accepted instantly even without any detailed explanation.
Because of that, all attention turned to her, and Kisea, suddenly shy, pulled her neck in and stamred,
"Uh... I, um... I just thought there'd be a lot of fun things if I'm by Clay's side..."
"I'm grateful, honestly. You have no idea how reassuring having two Sword Masters co along is."
"There's soone else coming with us besides ?"
She asked, looking puzzled, and I jerked my chin toward Ian.
"... I'm here as Clay's guard, so of course I have to go."
Ian seed decidedly reluctant as he said that.
Well, he had no interest in anything but swords, so it was understandable.
"So, Clay is leaving
in charge of the domain again."
"Sorry. I'd love to have you with , Maria, but our opponent this ti might not be the best for you."
"For ...?"
I nodded slowly and continued.
"This ti, it's likely our foes will be clergy mbers."
"Indeed, that's dangerous."
Maria nodded gravely.
Being a half-demonic human, Maria was the natural enemy of clergy.
She reflected a mont, then began to speak slowly.
"Is it related to what happened at the Seven Heroes Convocation?"
"It's not, but Setram never looked kindly on
anyway."
"Not just you. Setram's recent moves have been suspicious."
"Suspicious?"
I asked Maria with a questioning look.
She slowly nodded.
"It seems they're preparing for war."
"War? Surely not..."
"Yes. There aren't many foes for Setram. Likely the empire or kingdoms aligned with the empire."
The continent was essentially divided between pro-Setram and pro-Asktalin forces.
And Talua was considered an allied nation of the Asktalin Empire.
"Jade."
"Yes, lady Maria is correct. Recently there's been a large flow of arms, various tals, and dicinal ingredients for potion-making coming out of Setram. I can't yet confirm it's war preparations, but the likelihood is very high."
If Jade said so, it was certain.
'War, huh.'
The only war I had experienced was the conflict with the Kingdom of Kainzel.
But that had just been a minor territorial dispute between small kingdoms.
If Setram moved, it would be on a whole new scale.
"Is there going to be another war?"
Monet, who was standing beside , asked in a trembling voice.
Monet had already seen the war with the Kingdom of Kainzel up close.
Her voice was filled more with concern for
than fear.
"Don't worry."
I smiled gently at Monet.
"I'll do everything possible to keep that from happening."
"If that's what you say, Young Master, I'll believe it."
Anyone else would have called that nonsense.
Preventing a war between great nations? Unthinkable for one person.
But Monet nodded without the slightest hesitation.
She'd always believed anything I said since we were young.
'Of course, I never lied to her, either.'
So this ti would be no different.
Steeling my heart, I stood up from my seat.
There was no ti to waste hesitating.
Reviews
All reviews (0)