Chapter 11: The Holy Magic Sword
On the morning when Baron Clausel's crimes were acknowledged—twelve days after Ren and the others had been taken away—Ren was by a stream he had stumbled upon in the forest, washing clothes.
(This should be the last of it.)
After finishing the washing, Ren wrung out the water and returned to the horse waiting nearby.
Beside the horse stood a large rock.
Leaning against that rock, Lishia had been resting until just a few minutes ago. Now awake, she was waiting for Ren to return.
"...Thank you."
Because Ren had washed her clothes too, Lishia thanked him shyly.
"B-but next time, let me do it! I mean it!"
"No. Squatting like that is surprisingly tiring and puts a strain on your body."
"It's fine! I'm feeling better now, so I can handle it!"
Though her words came out from embarrassment, Ren could sense that it meant she was recovering, and that wasn’t a bad feeling.
He chuckled lightly and began fastening the washed clothes to the horse.
The clothes might end up smelling a bit like the horse, but it was unavoidable if they were to dry properly.
"Haa... If only we could somehow find proof that Viscount Given is the culprit."
"...It'll be difficult. Especially while we're heading for Clausel."
"Yeah... hmm, what should we do..."
Getting Lishia safely to Clausel was the top priority, but doing nothing once they arrived felt wrong.
As Ren worried, Lishia gave him a reassuring smile.
"Don't worry. I have an idea."
"Really?"
"Really. Thanks to you, I think I can handle it when the time comes."
"…Thanks to me?"
Ren’s questioning tone was met with only a small laugh from Lishia.
He wanted a clear answer, but realizing it wasn’t coming, he decided to move on.
"…Let's set off after a bit more rest."
"Yes, let's."
They couldn’t afford to take their time if they wanted to reach Clausel quickly.
"When we arrive, the first thing we need to do is find out about your parents."
"Yeah… If I find out they're safe, I'll write them a letter to let them know."
"A… a letter…?"
"Yes. Even if they're taking refuge in some village, receiving a letter would ease their worries."
Ren said it without any deeper thought, but hearing the word "letter," Lishia recalled something from shortly before their escape.
…The letter she had found in Ren's room—a letter that could almost be mistaken for a love letter.
Flustered by the memory, she watched Ren, who was now busy preparing for departure.
(We have enough food… Oh, I should probably throw out that magic stone I used yesterday.)
He checked their supplies and glanced at the magic stone he'd hunted from a monster along the way.
The stone had been fully absorbed and was now empty. Ren figured there was no reason to carry it any further and held it in his hand.
"Um… hey."
(Is it okay to just toss it into the river?)
"Hey!"
Ren had no idea what prompted Lishia to speak up, but when he turned to her, he noticed her cheeks and neck were flushed.
(Is she feeling unwell?)
Alarmed, Ren quickly stepped closer and placed his hand on her forehead.
"Good. It doesn't seem like you have a fever."
His gentle expression as he showed his relief made Lishia’s heart pound wildly. She quickly tried to deny it.
"N-no, that's not it!"
"Then what is it?"
"I… I need to ask you something!"
Caught off guard by her sudden seriousness, Ren still replied, "Alright."
Lishia took a deep breath to calm herself and then asked,
"You're hiding something from me, aren’t you?"
Her gaze was direct and unwavering.
(Where did that come from?)
Ren tilted his head in confusion.
"I know now might not be the right time to ask. But I just can’t stop thinking about it. Please… tell me. Why were you treasuring that so much?"
At the last moment, embarrassment caught up with her, and her words became vague.
And that was her mistake.
(That…?)
Ren had no idea what she was referring to and gave an awkward smile.
"Come on! Don’t make me say it! You know what I mean—the thing that was in your room too!"
"I mean… I really don’t know what you’re talking about..."
But then it hit him.
If it was something from his room and related to their recent conversation… there was only one possibility.
(Ah… the magic stone?)
Ren still had the empty magic stone in his hand.
But why would she be upset about that?
Though puzzled, a memory of Mireille and Roy surfaced. Mireille had once chided Roy for being too obsessed with magic stones.
(Does she think I'm fixated on them too?)
It was true that Ren's room had quite a few empty stones lying around. To an outsider, it might seem like an odd obsession.
(At least it doesn’t seem like she saw me absorbing the stones.)
Relieved, Ren met Lishia’s gaze head-on.
He wasn’t ready to reveal the truth about absorbing magic stones, so he began crafting another explanation.
Meanwhile, Lishia, faced with his unwavering gaze, felt her heart race even faster.
She clasped her hands near her chest, trying to steady her breath so her feelings wouldn’t be exposed.
"I was drawn to it from the moment I first saw it."
Ren had chosen to explain his interest in the magic stones in that way. It carried a certain boyish innocence, reminiscent of Roy's younger days, so it shouldn't have felt out of place. He also figured that, as the heir of a knightly family, such curiosity would make sense.
However, Lishia's reaction was—
“W-wha... y-you were interested in it...!?”
Covering her cheeks with both hands, her face flushed bright red, as though overcome with unbearable embarrassment.
From between her fingers, she peeked at Ren's face.
“Ahh... you didn’t have to say it while looking at me like that… It’s unfair… saying something like that so suddenly…”
“I apologize. But it’s something that’s been on my mind for a long time.”
“I-I got it already! You don’t have to keep saying it, I heard you the first time!”
Turning away sharply, Lishia averted her gaze.
To Ren, her reaction seemed to be one of discomfort, troubled by his fascination with magic stones.
But in reality, Lishia had misinterpreted his words entirely, leading her to turn away in embarrassed confusion.
(Maybe it really was a bad idea to keep so many empty magic stones in my room…)
He thought about it. People who stared too intently at gemstones could come off as a little peculiar, regardless of gender. Although gemstones were minerals, magic stones were materials extracted from monsters, so perhaps they felt different—but still.
(I’ll have to be more careful next time.)
Watching Lishia stealing glances at him, Ren concluded that his sense of normalcy might have been off.
Though she still wouldn't fully face him, Ren spoke earnestly.
“Just because I'm curious doesn’t mean I should be treasuring them. Like you've shown me, I’ll be more careful from now on—”
“I-it's fine! You can do whatever you like, Ren!”
“…Huh?”
Lishia spun around, her face burning red as she blurted out the words. Ren could only stare in bewilderment.
Wasn’t she just telling him that keeping empty magic stones was strange? Hadn’t that been the implication?
Completely at a loss, he could only stare in confusion.
.jpg)
But then, Lishia spoke, her voice tinged with embarrassment.
"…My name."
"Huh?"
Her eyes, like precious gemstones, shimmered faintly with unshed tears. Battling the lingering waves of intense embarrassment, she pressed on.
"I-I’m not happy about forgiving you over something like this, but after being told that, it can't be helped!"
"Um, sorry, but… what exactly do you mean?"
"Ugh—! I-I mean… I'm saying it's fine if you call me by my name, okay!?"
Her words, thrown out in a mix of defiance and resignation, were carried away by the wind across the open plain.
And so, the misunderstanding between them remained unresolved until the very end.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
It was nearing evening when it happened.
"Ren! We'll be able to see Clausel soon!"
In the forest, where the scenery was becoming more familiar, Lishia's joyful voice rang out. Thanks to Ren, her condition had greatly improved, and her complexion looked much healthier. Her voice, too, was livelier than before, and Ren, supporting her on horseback, was glad to see her so spirited.
(Everything's going smoothly.)
He wanted to believe they were safe now.
"Hey, Ren!"
"Yes, yes, what is it?"
"Once we cross the hill beyond this forest, we'll be able to see Clausel!"
"Does that mean we'll be completely safe by then?"
"Yes! The knights from my house should be there, so we need to ask about your family right away!"
That meant they were already close to their destination.
"By the way, how much longer until we're out of this forest?"
"Um... I think it's really just a little farther, but... I'm sorry. We came from the Baldur Mountains, right? So, I haven't traveled this path much..."
Apparently, the other route to Clausel had a more developed roadway. Though it didn’t extend to the frontier, it was easier to traverse up to the nearby towns. The path they were on, however, was rough, which explained why so few travelers used it.
(No wonder we haven't run into anyone.)
"It would've been better if we could've taken the main road."
"Yeah... but we came from the Givens’ territory, so we had no choice."
They would have preferred a more populated route, but that simply wasn’t an option. Time was of the essence, and taking a detour wasn’t feasible. All they could do now was push forward and ensure their efforts weren't wasted.
But just when everything seemed to be going well, the situation took a turn.
Time passed quickly, and the sky peeking through the trees was tinged with crimson. That was when the sound of hoofbeats reached them.
From ahead, behind, and both sides, the steady clatter of hooves closed in on them.
Soon, riders emerged from the shadows of the trees, surrounding Ren and Lishia.
"I'm glad we found you."
The one who spoke was a knight who had previously visited Ren’s village as an envoy of Viscount Given.
After nearly two weeks on the run, they were finally face to face with someone they recognized. On paper, it should’ve been a welcome reunion.
But Ren and Lishia were on high alert. Ren positioned himself to draw his sword at any moment to protect her.
"We were asked by Baron Clausel to aid in the search for you both."
"...You were searching for us?"
"Yes. Now, we must leave this place. We’ll escort you to safety."
Their reasoning was weak at best.
But they were completely surrounded.
There could even be more knights hiding in the forest, ready to strike if they resisted. It was clear they wouldn't be allowed to leave peacefully.
(Do we fight, or run?)
The latter seemed like the smarter option, but there was another consideration—evidence. They still needed proof that Viscount Given was responsible for the attack on Ren’s village.
It would be a waste to let this encounter slip by.
"…Ren."
Lishia’s soft voice reached only him.
She turned to glance at him, and he realized they were thinking the same thing.
"If we've come this far, we might as well do what we can."
"…Are you sure? You could get hurt."
"It's too late to worry about that now. We're in this together. No matter what we say, this is going to turn into a confrontation sooner or later."
Lishia smiled gently, her gaze still fixed on him.
"Will you let me handle this?"
Her voice was calm and resolute.
The surrounding knights began to frown, sensing the tension between the two. The fact that they were whispering to each other only heightened the suspicion.
"You," Lishia said, raising her voice slightly.
"Hm? Me?"
It was the knight who had been speaking with Ren.
"Yes. I'll decide whether or not we go with you based on your answer."
Lishia reached into the pack hanging at the side of the horse and rummaged through it.
From within, she pulled out a necklace-shaped magical tool and held it up for the knight to see.
"Take a good look. Do you recognize this?"
"...No, I do not."
"Oh? But your brow twitched just a little."
"I told you, I don't recognize it. What is it, anyway?"
She wouldn’t accuse them outright. This was about gathering information, step by step.
"This? I took it from the bandits who kidnapped me and him."
"...I see."
"Hmm... you don't seem very concerned."
"That's not true. I would be happy to take it as evidence and hold it for safekeeping."
"No. I'm going to have it examined by the Merchant Guild later."
"...What?"
The knights of Viscount Given were momentarily speechless. Even Ren, listening quietly behind Lishia, was taken aback but chose to remain silent.
"When I visited the Imperial Capital, I became acquainted with the Guildmaster. I’m sure they'll be able to find something out."
"And... what exactly are you hoping to learn?"
"I want them to investigate. Who sold this magical tool, who owned it before—it doesn't matter. I just need information."
"That's... impossible. Do you know how many magical tools exist within the Leomel Empire?"
"Of course. But this is clearly a high-quality item. It's not something that would be in common circulation. It wouldn’t be strange if someone knew its origins."
It was a bluff. But there was an undeniable persuasiveness in Lishia’s words, enough to cause a ripple of unease among the knights.
"If we can find that out, we'll know if the bandits obtained it themselves or if someone else gave it to them. And if it's the latter, then regardless of the circumstances, the one who provided it will have to answer for it at trial."
"W-what...?"
"Because whoever handed it over would, in effect, be complicit in harming us. Don’t you think?"
Tension crackled in the air.
Ren and Lishia masked their own unease behind calm expressions, but the knights were losing their composure, glancing uncertainly at one another.
"Is it really possible to find that out?"
"It's unlikely. Viscount Given isn’t a fool. He’s probably covered his tracks. Unless we have the backing of a major noble, the investigation may not go far... but that's fine. As long as there's even a shred of suspicion, well..."
They barely finished whispering when a knight stepped forward.
"In that case, it's all the more important that we take custody of that item."
His tone was firm.
"Foolish. I have no obligation to hand it over. This is our family's territory. What happened in his village falls under our jurisdiction."
"But—!"
"Enough. I don’t want to be guarded by knights who don’t understand reason. I won’t discuss this any further. Ren, let’s go."
With a sigh, Lishia signaled Ren, who pulled on the reins.
The knights hesitated.
"We must escort you!"
"No need. We're almost at town, and I can't trust anyone but him."
"Gh... but..."
They still tried to press the issue, but finally made a decision.
"I'm sorry, but you two must come with us!"
The knights' horses moved to block their path.
"Lishia, I'll take care of it. If they try to stop us, I'll draw my sword."
"Yes, please!"
Ren kicked the horse’s flank, spurring it into a gallop.
As they surged forward, a knight stepped in their path, drawing his sword in a swift horizontal slash.
But Ren’s iron magic sword intercepted the blade, the clash leaving a jagged notch in the knight’s weapon.
Ren countered immediately, slicing the knight’s hand.
"Why, you—!"
The knight lunged again, but this time, Lishia raised her hand.
A brilliant flash of light burst forth, scorching the knight's hand in searing white.
"Thank you, foolish knight."
As their horses passed, Lishia smiled sweetly.
"Thanks to you, I now have another reason to drag Viscount Given to trial."
"You—! After them! Don't let them escape!"
The knight roared.
By reacting as he did, he'd all but confessed to the connection between the magical tool and Viscount Given.
(The moment they let themselves believe it was possible, they had already lost.)
They couldn’t fully dismiss Lishia's mention of the Merchant Guild as a bluff.
And now, the magical tool that should've been an empty threat became a significant piece of evidence.
By entertaining the "what if," they had no choice but to try to capture Ren and Lishia by any means necessary.
Their composure had faltered, especially in the face of Lishia’s unshakable resolve. Her every word, though vague, hinted at the truth and stirred fear.
"Don't kill them! But capture them at all costs!"
Desperation lined their faces as the knights spurred their horses forward.
"Damn it! You, go after them! I'll head to Clausel and report to the Viscount!"
The knight who had been speaking with Ren veered off, aiming to deliver the report.
Their enemies were frantic.
(So this was her plan all along.)
Watching it unfold, Ren couldn't help but groan.
"Now we have proof of Given’s connection to the beast tamers. If we can explain how he’s at fault, that's enough. After all... he attacked me, didn't he?"
They had no concrete evidence, so Lishia chose to create new fault by using the circumstances to their advantage.
"What would you have done if we hadn't run into them?"
"I was sure we would. After all, the beast tamer let us escape. Of course they’d be scouring the area for us."
"Now that you mention it... that makes sense."
Nodding, Ren dispelled the iron magic sword and summoned the wooden one, channeling his natural magic.
Roots and vines burst from the earth, tangling the ground behind them, blocking the knights’ path.
The distance between them grew swiftly, and the angry shouts of the pursuers faded with every galloping stride.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
Time passed with barely a moment to catch their breath.
Dodging pursuers and evading knights lurking ahead, Ren pressed toward Clausel. When he glanced up, the sky had already turned pitch-black. The relentless escape that had lasted for hours was starting to wear him down, physically and mentally. Even the horse’s steps had grown heavy from exhaustion, though stopping now would mean instant capture. They’d managed to endure so far only because they found brief moments to rest.
(Just a little longer. Hang in there with me, okay?)
Ren gently patted the horse's mane, and it let out a short whinny. It had once pulled the wagon for the beastmaster, but perhaps after enduring so much together, a sense of camaraderie had formed.
"...If it comes to it, you can leave me behind."
"Don’t say something so stupid."
"W-What did you just say!?"
"From start to finish, that’s a stupid idea. Instead of spouting nonsense, think about where we can escape to next!"
Though his words were polite, the tone behind them was fierce. Ren’s voice trembled with urgency, cutting through the tension. That raw intensity left Lishia speechless, compelling her to obey.
"Straight ahead! Don’t stop, just keep going!"
"Right! There’s nowhere else to run anyway!"
They pushed the horse to run as hard as it could. Despite the harsh pace, their steed pressed on, its stamina seemingly endless.
"This horse is incredible, isn’t it!?"
"Probably has some monster blood in it!"
"That makes sense!"
They pressed forward with everything they had, hours passing in a relentless blur.
——And then.
"My lady! Is that the hill!?"
They broke through the forest and saw a vast hill stretching before them. The sky above was clear, and the starlight illuminated the landscape, making it far easier to see compared to the dense forest.
"Yes! Once we cross that hill, we’ll be near civilization!"
Her voice trembled with hope for the first time in a while. Hearing it, Ren couldn’t help but smile slightly.
(Thank goodness...)
Thanks to the horse’s strength, they were making good progress. They must have exited the forest nearly half a day earlier than expected, which likely explained why the knights hadn’t caught up yet.
(If only this could be the end of it...)
Just as Ren wished for that, his brows furrowed.
(No... of course it’s now—You...!)
He spotted the figure waiting ahead, sitting atop a large boulder.
"I knew you’d come this way."
The beastmaster's voice cut through the stillness of the night. Rising to his feet, he spread his arms wide like wings. His robe billowed with the motion, revealing intricate patterns etched along his arms.
He tilted his head back, gazing up at the night sky, a cold smile curving his lips.
"It’s a contract. I have to stop you."
The ground beneath the grassy hill trembled, and high-pitched cries echoed as the earth began to swell and crack.
"You won’t give up, will you? Then it’s by force. And if that fails, I’ll have no choice but to kill you."
Two black vortices swirled into existence behind him, and from them emerged two clawed hands, pulling forth the dark forms of Mana Eaters. Their fierce cries joined the rising hum of the earth, and soon, monsters erupted from the ground all around Ren and Lishia.
Insects, rodents, and creatures of countless shapes and sizes.
(Most are no stronger than rank E...)
They were familiar enemies, weak individually, but their numbers were overwhelming. Nearly a hundred surrounded them.
Just then, a voice echoed from the forest behind them.
"There they are!"
It was the knights of Viscount Given.
But the relief was short-lived.
"What—? W-Why are they attacking us!?"
"Stop! Wait, we’re on your side—GAAAH!"
The knights were immediately surrounded, the monsters tearing into them and their horses without hesitation. It was as if a black cloud had swallowed them whole. Their screams mixed with the grotesque sounds of something hard being crunched and shattered.
Ren’s grip on the reins tightened.
"They arrived too suddenly. No time for commands. Not that it matters. They were never an asset. As prey, they serve a better purpose."
There was no trace of camaraderie in the beastmaster’s voice—only cold indifference.
Ren kept his gaze fixed on the enemy, ignoring the screams behind him.
"...Ren. Lend me your sword."
Lishia’s voice was tense, prepared for battle.
"Sorry, but... this sword is—"
"No, not your strange sword. Just the dagger you use to start campfires."
"Understood."
Ren handed her the dagger he’d received from Weiss. Almost immediately, the monsters lunged.
Ren yanked the reins, narrowly dodging the assault, and swung his wooden magic sword.
“CRACK!”
'Gyaah!'
Ren struck the first approaching beast squarely in the forehead.
'Gugii!?'
The second creature, which had leapt from the side, was swiftly dispatched by Lishia's short sword slicing through its neck.
Though two were defeated with ease, countless others still remained.
Yet, even while spurring his horse onward, Ren cut down the advancing beasts one after another. With his wooden magic sword, he summoned obstacles to the battlefield, striving to gain any advantage on the rugged hillside.
"Hmm. I see. Even a horde of low-ranking beasts won't be enough, it seems," the Beast Tamer muttered from his high vantage point, observing the battle with detached interest.
(It's fine. We can still fight.)
One by one, the monsters fell. Wherever Ren and Lishia passed, lifeless bodies were left behind.
"Ren!"
Lishia's sharp voice cut through the chaos.
Ren's gaze swept over the horde of beasts rushing toward them. Without hesitation, he swung his wooden blade, causing thick, gnarled roots to burst from the earth, blocking the enemy's advance and securing their advantage.
"This short blade is a little difficult to handle, but I can manage!" Lishia called out, her confidence unwavering.
She had grown stronger over the winter. Ren could feel it in every strike she made.
"You've become even more formidable, haven't you?"
"Of course! I wanted to be strong enough to defeat you!"
(That's right... She couldn’t fight properly last time because of her illness.)
Despite her earlier condition, despite wielding an unfamiliar blade, she fought without hesitation.
Lishia Clausel, the saint, was strong and beautiful. Her swordplay was as graceful and striking as her noble features, flowing like water and dazzling to behold. Watching her back, Ren found himself astonished again and again.
"And you're stronger too! Why?! I worked so hard, so why?!"
"I—I don't know what to say to that…!"
Even as they fought and felled countless monsters, they exchanged banter.
It wasn't the time for conversation, but perhaps, it was precisely this shared chatter that steadied their nerves.
"When we get back, you're sparring with me. Got it?"
"...Of course. I'd be honored."
It was a reply filled with conviction.
He had to get her to safety. Losing here was not an option.
(I wonder if Father and Mother are safe…)
Amidst his swirling emotions, Ren glanced at Lishia's back.
...If she's with me, we can overcome this.
As they fought, her presence gave him courage. And for her, it was the same.
...If he's by my side, we won't lose.
Even before this, she had trusted and drawn strength from Ren. But now, her resolve burned even stronger, pushing her forward in battle.
"You know," Lishia began, striking down another beast, "when we reach Clausell, why don't you just live at my estate?"
"Huh?! That's so sudden! Why?"
"Because we could spar every day, and when Father or Vice scold me, you'd be there to comfort me. Sounds nice, right?"
Her lighthearted tone contrasted with the ferocity of her strikes, as she cut down beast after beast.
The ground around them was littered with the fallen.
But suddenly, Lishia sighed deeply, her gaze locking onto a new threat ahead.
"...Think you can handle that one?"
Bursting from the ground was a giant worm, its body easily several times the size of their horse. It snapped its massive, scissor-like jaws and lunged.
"Leave it to me."
Without hesitation, Ren dismissed his wooden blade and summoned the iron magic sword. He gripped it tightly in his free hand and drove his horse straight toward the monster.
As they passed, he unleashed a devastating slash.
The force of his strike was so great that even the distant Beast Tamer felt the wind pressure.
"W-what... impossible...!"
The Beast Tamer's stunned words echoed Lishia's own breathless awe.
It was a strength she had never witnessed in their sparring matches.
"Hey..." she whispered, almost to herself.
The worm crashed to the earth, its massive body splitting apart. The noxious stench of its spilled fluids tainted the air.
"You're much stronger than me now, aren't you?"
"I'm honored by your praise," Ren replied, his tone humble.
"When we get back, you're sparring with me. No excuses, alright?"
He chuckled lightly. "Of course."
But before the conversation could continue, a sharp cry pierced the air.
'Kii!'
'Kiiiii!'
The Mana Eaters let out eerie screeches, pressing the Beast Tamer to act.
"Heh," the man chuckled, gently patting his beasts. "Looks like it's time."
His calm, resonant voice carried across the wide hill.
They knew why the creatures were finally moving.
The Beast Tamer had waited for Ren and Lishia to exhaust themselves before sending in his strongest monsters to finish the job.
But neither Ren nor Lishia showed any hint of despair.
Their eyes remained steady, courage shining in their gazes.
"Tell me honestly," Lishia said, stealing a moment to ask as the beasts closed in. "Do you really think we can win?"
"I'll do my best."
"That's not what I meant," she pressed, her voice urgent. "Tell me the truth. Depending on your answer, I'll change how I fight."
"Change... how?"
"Just answer! Can we win or not?"
Time was precious, and Ren understood that.
He answered with brutal honesty.
"If those two come at us, victory is unlikely."
He hated to admit it, but the Mana Eaters were formidable—easily ranked as D-class monsters.
Yet Lishia didn't falter.
Instead, she whispered softly, "I'm glad I asked."
"Do you remember?" she asked, her tone light but serious. "I’m a saint, after all."
"Of course. You're not just 'a' saint, you're the saint."
"Good. Then watch closely."
Her gaze sharpened.
"It's time to begin."
Then, multiple small orbs of light formed at her fingertips.
The orbs melted into Ren’s body, bringing a profound change.
“…Good. It’s my first time using it on someone else, but it seems to have worked.”
This was likely the power that Ren had recalled when he first met Lishia—
“Holy magic?”
Lishia gave a small, silent nod.
(…So this is how incredible it is.)
The buff from the holy magic dramatically increased Ren’s stats.
His body felt lighter, even compared to his best days. It was on another level entirely. The power surging through his body felt unstoppable.
All of it washed over Ren in an overwhelming sense of invincibility.
“Hunt them down. You can fight without holding back today.”
The beast tamer gave the command, his voice low and dangerous.
In response, the Mana Eaters let out piercing cries.
“Kiih! Kikii!”
“Kikiih!”
Two of them—monsters of the same rank as the Seafulfen.
The Mana Eaters spread their wings and took to the night sky.
But to Ren, their movements seemed sluggish, their flight uncoordinated.
(If it’s like this—!)
He could fight. No, he could win.
Strength filled him, a strength that left no room for doubt.
“I’m sorry. I need to focus on maintaining the holy magic, okay?”
“Yes. I’ll take them down—no matter what!”
But Ren failed to notice something crucial.
He didn’t see how Lishia’s body trembled with heat, or how sweat beaded heavily on her brow—just like it had during her recent illness. He didn’t notice the faint weakness in her voice either.
Focused too intensely on the beast tamer, he’d neglected to check on her condition.
“Grrrrah!”
A beast-like monster leapt at him from the side.
But Ren’s iron magic sword sliced it down effortlessly.
It looked no different than his usual battles, but Ren himself could feel the difference.
It wasn’t just his strength—his sword’s sharpness had increased drastically.
Right now, he felt like he could cut through anything.
“…Impossible. How does he have such power?”
The beast tamer was stunned.
From horseback, Ren fought with an overwhelming presence that seemed far too large for his young frame.
This wasn’t how a boy should fight.
Approaching with relentless power, overwhelming every monster that dared cross his path, Ren forced the beast tamer back step by step, an instinctive retreat.
“Kiiiiiiiih!”
Still, the beast tamer held confidence in his Mana Eaters.
Like a hawk swooping down on its prey, one Mana Eater dove at blinding speed.
Its massive jaws opened, ready to strike at the perfect moment—when Ren couldn’t possibly react in time.
But—
“Out of my way.”
Ren’s cold voice cut through the night as he swung his iron magic sword upward.
It was hard to see in the darkness, but the Mana Eater’s wing membrane tore, and black bodily fluids splattered into the air.
It spun uncontrollably, crashing down onto the hills with a heavy thud.
Ren’s horse didn’t falter, charging straight at the beast tamer.
Behind him, the fallen Mana Eater writhed on the ground, but Ren paid it no mind.
“Burn him! Burn him to ash!”
At the beast tamer’s command, the second Mana Eater opened its maw and spewed hellfire.
The night wind turned searing hot in an instant, a torrent of flames descending from above.
But Ren didn’t stop.
(Run… I have to run through it…!)
There was only one way to escape the flames—reach the beast tamer’s side.
He pulled on the reins with all his strength, but the flames were too fast. He wouldn’t make it.
Just as he was about to give up—
Lishia raised a trembling hand to the sky, a white veil of light covering Ren and his horse.
“Go…! I’ll protect you…!”
The hellfire struck the veil, halted for a moment.
But cracks quickly formed, like thin ice on a winter pond.
“…!”
Lishia’s body trembled violently.
The veil shattered moments later.
But the flames—just barely—did not reach them.
“Impossible!?”
The beast tamer’s shocked voice rang out again.
Above, the Mana Eater faltered, its shoulders heaving.
“Lady Lishia! Thank you—!”
It was then that Ren finally noticed.
He saw all the signs of her deteriorating condition.
(…Could it be?)
She had overused her magic—despite not being at her best.
“Lishia-sama…!”
“I’m fine…! Don’t worry about me, Ren…!”
Though she managed a brave smile, continuing to expend her magic was dangerous.
But Lishia had no intention of stopping. If she ceased her holy magic, both of them would die.
“So that’s it… the power of the Saint, holy magic! That’s what caused Ren Ashton’s change, isn’t it!? That explains everything! Kuhaha… you’ve truly surprised me!”
The beast tamer’s voice echoed as Ren approached the massive boulder where the enemy waited.
Gripping his iron magic sword tightly, Ren narrowed his eyes.
“Be amazed all you like—this ends now!”
His horse kicked off the ground, leaping onto the boulder.
Ren raised his iron magic sword high and—
“This is the end, beast tamer!”
The blade sliced from the tamer’s neck down to his chest and abdomen.
But the cut was shallow.
Though crimson blood sprayed into the night, the beast tamer had instinctively stepped back, avoiding a fatal wound.
—or so it seemed.
Just before the strike landed, Ren’s body had involuntarily recoiled, even if only slightly.
(What… just now…!?)
He thought the Mana Eater might have pulled him back, but that wasn’t it.
Even as he pondered, his horse had already descended the boulder, its momentum from the earlier climb impossible to halt.
“Haa… haa…”
Lishia’s condition was rapidly deteriorating.
Feeling her weight leaning against his back, Ren bit his lip.
Guilt gnawed at him for failing to finish the fight, and he apologized.
“I’m sorry…”
“No… it’s not your fault, Ren…”
Her brave words only deepened his guilt.
“Well, that was a close one.”
Ren’s head snapped up at the beast tamer’s voice. He noticed something strange—vines clinging to his back, likely the cause of his momentary stumble.
“…You…”
“Kufufu… don’t push me too hard, will you? My seal isn’t fully broken yet. Using natural magic without a staff is no easy task. I almost passed out.”
That was why he hadn’t forced the fight earlier and had chosen this moment to strike.
(So it’s because I destroyed his staff…)
The robe the beast tamer wore was now torn from Ren’s earlier strike, revealing his face.
Long, golden hair shimmered like molten gold, and his handsome features were twisted into a smirk.
And Ren… recognized that face.
Even though it was their first meeting, Ren knew his name.
“So that’s why… You weren’t just a beast tamer. You could use natural magic too.”
“Oh? You speak as if you know me.”
And he did.
But was there any point in telling him? Flaunting that knowledge would bring no advantage. Yet, it wouldn’t hurt either.
So, in a move of defiance, Ren spoke—to unsettle his opponent.
“—Yelquq. Why are you here?”
At that name, shock rippled across the man’s face.
“How… how do you know my name?”
“…Who knows?”
Ren’s evasive reply drew a flicker of irritation across Yelquq’s features.
—Yelquq.
An elf born with a cruel and sadistic heart. He’d slain countless members of his own kind.
By all rights, he should have been executed, but among elves, execution was unheard of. Instead, his powers were sealed, and he was exiled.
In the legends of the Seven Heroes, Yelquq sought to break that seal by seeking the knowledge of one particular person—
The headmaster of the Imperial Officer Academy, renowned as the world’s greatest mage.
But Yelquq couldn’t defeat the headmaster.
So, he targeted the students.
When the protagonists of the legend ventured out for extracurricular studies, Yelquq lay in wait, intending to take them hostage and force the headmaster's hand.
Needless to say, Yelquq wasn’t from the Leomel Kingdom.
In Leomel, anyone—regardless of race—was subject to the nation’s laws. But Yelquq hailed from another continent and operated in secrecy.
(I’m the one who should be surprised…)
Since his reincarnation, Ren had often thought about Yelquq.
First, when he learned the wooden magic sword possessed minor natural magic properties.
Then, again, during the battle with the Seafulfen.
Both times, he’d recalled Yelquq’s tactics, studying his fighting style.
And now, to encounter the very boss he’d studied… It was fate, in a way.
“Sending the Seafulfen was a mistake, wasn’t it? My father and I took it down and ended up strengthening the Clausel territory.”
“…It’s true I stirred up the monsters near that village. But the Seafulfen being there was mere coincidence.”
Yelquq’s mocking laugh echoed.
“Still, releasing a valuable beast was entertaining enough.”
(If he’d known the Seafulfen was there, he would’ve sold it for gold… No wonder even the Little Boars were acting strange back then.)
Even before Ren’s birth, Yelquq had been stirring up the region—driving beasts into aggression or controlling them through his magic.
(But why is he working under Viscount Given…?)
Though his thoughts churned, Ren kept his eyes on the crawling Mana Eater and raised his sword.
“Kiiiih—Gyaah!”
The creature kept its distance, wary of the iron magic sword. Though it roared and swung its limbs, Ren knew better than to lower his guard.
Even a D-rank beast could be deadly.
“No need to hold back! Burn them to ash!”
The remaining Mana Eater opened its jaws again, releasing a stream of hellfire.
But it was weaker than before.
Perhaps from exhaustion, its flames lacked the intensity they once had. Ren easily maneuvered his horse to evade.
“Gah… what are you doing!?”
Yelquq swung his arm in frustration, and upon seeing the markings engraved there, Ren muttered, "Ah."
"You made a deal with Viscount Given, didn’t you?"
"...!?"
"You wanted information about someone who could break your seal, didn’t you? Breaking the elven seal on both your arms isn’t exactly easy, is it!?"
At Ren's words, spoken with certainty, Yelquq's eyes widened.
"How do you know that!?"
"Who knows? But I know other things too! Like how you’ve been traveling across this continent searching for a way to break your seal! How you even became an adventurer for that purpose!"
The markings on Yelquq’s arms weren’t tattoos—they were powerful seals. These seals drained his magic and significantly lowered his abilities. Without a staff to aid him, it was difficult for him to wield even two skills simultaneously.
(Even so, it doesn't change what I need to do.)
Ren readied his iron magic sword and prepared to counter.
"Ah... ha... haa..."
Lishia’s labored breaths echoed behind him.
He had to end this fight. Now.
Ren raised his sword horizontally and spurred his horse towards the boulder. Closing his eyes, he inhaled deeply, then unleashed a flurry of strikes. The massive rock was carved apart in an instant, and the ground beneath Yelquq's feet crumbled.
"Curse this damned holy magic!"
The collapsing boulder turned to rubble, and Yelquq fell along with it.
Ren’s horse was also nearing its limit.
"Just one more push."
With that silent plea, Ren tugged the reins and threw himself into the falling debris.
He cut through the obstructing stones with his iron sword, pushing forward until—
"This ends now!"
He shifted his stance to thrust and drove the blade toward Yelquq’s throat.
But Yelquq, too drained to summon natural magic, had one last order.
"Protect me!"
One surviving Mana Eater, its wings still intact, threw itself between Yelquq and the blade, taking the lethal strike in its master’s place.
But it didn’t die quietly.
With its final strength, it rammed into Ren’s horse, sending it flying.
Lishia was thrown from the saddle, her body hurtling through the air.
"No—! Please, let me make it in time!"
Ren leapt after her, catching her midair and shielding her as they crashed to the ground.
Luckily, the bodies of slain monsters cushioned their fall, lessening the impact.
Their horse lay nearby, wary but not gravely injured—its beastly blood lending it resilience.
"Lishia! Are you alright!?"
"...!"
She was breathing—but unconscious.
(The holy magic’s gone... she’s reached her limit...)
Panic flared in Ren’s chest.
One Mana Eater still lay motionless nearby, but if Yelquq had the strength to summon another, they’d be finished.
But then—hope.
Yelquq was on his knees, blood pouring from a gaping wound in his shoulder, bone exposed.
The final thrust had reached its mark after all.
"So... it reached..."
Ren had been too far to see clearly, but now the evidence was undeniable.
"Ah... ha, hahaha! Look at all this blood! Can you believe it? All of it came from me!"
Yelquq’s laughter rang out, half-mad and echoing.
A Mana Eater slithered close, sensing its master's imminent death, growling in warning at Ren.
But Ren’s attention stayed fixed on Yelquq.
The elf's bloodshot eyes were wild, his laughter unhinged.
"I haven’t killed enough. I wanted to break this cursed seal and spill enough blood to make up for all the restraint I’ve shown. And now... I won’t get the chance."
"That’s right. You said it yourself. You’re finished."
Ren’s own body was near its limit, keeping him from advancing.
"I’m finished... I won’t kill again?"
Yelquq muttered, then suddenly...
"No, I can still kill."
His twisted gaze turned to Ren and the unconscious Lishia.
A wicked grin stretched across his face.
"You know... there’s nothing sweeter than seeing the face of someone about to die. It’s better than any carnal pleasure."
"So what?"
"I just wanted to share the reason why I love killing so much."
And then, in a calm voice that chilled Ren to the core, Yelquq spoke the unthinkable.
"Mana Eater. Devour my arms."
For a moment, Ren couldn’t process what he’d heard.
The Mana Eater hesitated, confused by its master’s command.
But when Yelquq repeated the order, it bared its fangs and obeyed.
The sound of flesh being torn and bones being crunched echoed across the hillside.
In an instant, Yelquq’s right arm was devoured. The Mana Eater’s jaws then turned to his left arm, tearing it apart as well.
"Ah—hahaha! It hurts! It hurts so much, I could despair! Hahaha! I’m being eaten! My arms are being devoured with unbearable pain!"
It was... strange.
Yelquq was already drained of strength, his skin pale and bloodless.
And yet, the Mana Eater’s body continued to grow larger.
(What’s happening? What is this?)
But soon after, Yelquq, though exhausted, flashed a fearless smile, his face contorted in madness.
At the same time, the Mana Eater's growth halted.
"Ah… I knew it...! Damn this cursed seal...!"
The elven seal had eaten away even at the bones of Yelquq’s arms.
But losing those arms wasn’t enough to break the seal.
Or rather, part of it had broken, but it was only a small fragment.
It seemed Yelquq's plan had failed... but then—
"This is the end. I have nothing left to lose!"
A root sprouted from the earth beneath Yelquq's feet, twisting and reaching until it pierced through his chest in a single, swift motion.
It was an act that could only be seen as madness.
Deep within Yelquq’s chest, something burst.
(If he’s trying to break the seal by destroying his body... death will come first. And when he dies, the Mana Eater will vanish. That’ll be my victory.)
But—
"AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Yelquq roared, and from the wound in his chest, a faint green light began to glow.
"Heh… heh… even with such an expensive potion... this is all it amounts to…? Hehehe… it hurts… it hurts so much!"
Yelquq had poured a potion—one he called "precious"—directly into his body, using the root in place of his hands.
But it only barely extended his life.
It was truly his final gamble.
No more than a few fleeting moments remained.
He was sacrificing everything, enduring unspeakable pain, just to buy a few seconds to kill Ren and Lishia.
And in doing so, he descended into a madness beyond Ren’s comprehension.
"Hah… hah…!"
The enlarged Mana Eater began devouring the corpse of its fallen kin.
This time, its growth didn’t stop.
It expanded rapidly, its form swelling until it was many times larger than before. Its body thickened, massive muscles bulging with veins that pulsed ominously. It sprouted an additional pair of limbs, and its wings doubled in size.
From its gaping maw, fangs longer than the horse Ren had been riding glimmered under the moonlight.
—It looked like a dragon.
A colossal dragon, akin to the legendary ones Ren had heard of in tales of the Seven Heroes.
The Mana Eater exhaled a breath laced with searing flames, its eyes locked onto Ren.
It crouched low like a predator, slowly closing the distance.
"I... I’m still alive!" Yelquq rasped, a warped smile of satisfaction crossing his lips.
Impaled through the chest by the root he’d summoned, supported only by that wooden stake, he filled his body with pure malice.
"Kill… them…!"
The Mana Eater vanished.
In an instant, it disappeared completely from Ren’s sight.
And then, from his blind spot, a rush of wind slammed into him.
"What—!?"
Ren threw himself in front of Lishia, shielding her as best he could.
A terrible sound echoed as Ren’s ribs strained and cracked. The impact sent him skidding across the ground, tearing through the earth of the hillside.
Before the pain even registered, a shadow loomed over him, closing in faster than the wind.
"SSSHHHHRRRAAAAHHH!"
Under the silver moon, the Mana Eater’s gleaming fangs shone like blades.
Ren barely dodged the deadly bite, but the creature’s massive claw struck him hard across the side, sending him tumbling.
(Is that how... he broke the seal?)
Ren didn’t know exactly how the elf's seal worked.
But if even sacrificing his arms wasn’t enough, Yelquq must have impaled his own chest, offering up his life in order to finally break it.
And with the potion keeping him alive for only a moment longer, his life was hanging by a thread.
The Mana Eater's enormous form loomed, its body radiating a terrifying pressure.
"SSHHHHHHRRRRRAAAAAAHHH!"
The Mana Eater closed in on Ren, faster than the night wind.
(Damn it… this isn’t the Yelquq I know…!)
The Yelquq Ren knew had always been in his sealed form.
Back in the game, Yelquq had never resorted to anything so reckless. Before he could attempt anything drastic, the academy headmaster had defeated him right after the battle ended.
His current strength was temporary—only until his life burned out—but it was more than enough to kill Ren and Lishia.
(That Mana Eater… it’s at least a B-rank… maybe even higher…!)
Even as that thought crossed his mind, Ren braced himself, gripping his iron magic sword.
Once again, the Mana Eater’s massive arm struck out.
The overwhelming strength behind it sent a brutal shock through the blade, far beyond what Ren could resist.
"Guah—!?"
He was sent rolling once more.
Ren's body tore through the earth, finally landing back where he had been protecting Lishia.
Thanks to him, she had yet to be targeted by the Mana Eater. But even now, she lay there, struggling to breathe.
"Lady….Lishia……"
Dragging himself across the ground, Ren reached out to her.
He wanted to save her. If nothing else, her.
Fueled by that desperate resolve, Ren forced his battered body to rise.
"Get up… damn it…!"
But he couldn't.
His body, already at its limit from exhaustion and the Mana Eater’s brutal assault, refused to obey.
If he could only hold on a little longer, maybe Yelquq’s life would burn out first.
But even that little time was impossible to buy.
"Hah… haha… it's over…!"
Yelquq's ragged voice echoed with a declaration of victory.
The colossal Mana Eater leapt high, jaws wide, fangs bared as it came down upon Ren and Lishia.
Was this it? Was it really the end?
Ren refused to give up. He gathered every last shred of strength, forcing himself to stand one final time.
And in that moment—
"…Thank you."
A faint voice reached him.
It was Lishia.
Ren opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out.
The pain was too great, crushing his ability to speak.
And then, suddenly, the pain vanished.
Startled, Ren saw a veil of pure white light enveloping both of them.
"Lady Lishia……?"
He barely managed to whisper her name.
Lishia smiled gently and gave a small nod.
"Thank you… for always protecting me, despite how selfish I’ve been… Thank you… so much…"
Though her face was pale and slick with sweat, her smile was unwavering.
She hadn't regained her strength, but even so, she looked beautiful—serene, noble, unchanged even in this final moment.
"And… that's why…"
She extended her hand, placing it gently over Ren's.
A warm, gentle power flowed into him.
A divine magic, summoned from the last of her strength.
"…Take it. This is something… a Saint can do."
And then, with a soft, trembling voice, she said—
"…Please, Ren. At least you… stay safe."
With those words, she lost consciousness.
The white veil began to crack, its glow flickering.
"…………"
Ren understood. She wanted him to run while he still could.
But his feet refused to move.
Even knowing that death was moments away, terror freezing him in place, he trembled.
But still, he couldn’t bring himself to leave Lishia’s side.
"…How did it come to this?"
A bitter laugh escaped his lips.
He had tried so hard to avoid meeting Lishia, tried to change the future written in the legend of the Seven Heroes.
And yet, here he was—facing an unknown, unpredictable fate.
And risking his life to protect her.
It was almost laughable.
"I'm sorry, Lady Lishia."
Beaten and bloodied, Ren stood once more.
This time, he rose easily, without hesitation.
"I have no intention of running and leaving you behind."
The Mana Eater didn’t scare him.
No, what terrified him most was the thought of betraying himself—of abandoning Lishia and fleeing.
That was far more frightening.
Realizing that made him smile.
When had he become so reckless? So determined?
Drawing upon that newfound strength, Ren spoke with unwavering resolve.
.jpg)
"I've come this far… I won't lose now!"
Ren stood, iron magic sword in hand. His body was battered and worn, but his eyes were sharp as blades, locked onto the approaching Mana Eater beyond the white veil.
The moment Ren took his stance, the veil shattered into fragments.
"Screeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"
A roar split the air—the manifestation of Yelquq's true strength, the full might of the Mana Eater bearing down upon them.
Its massive arm swung down with a force that had toyed with Ren until now.
But beneath that crushing blow, Ren gathered the divine magic that still lingered on his sword and raised it high.
"Not… here…!"
The blade met the descending arm, clashing with a force that shook the earth.
The ground beneath Ren threatened to collapse, but he stood firm, protecting Lishia with every ounce of strength.
"I won't let it end here!"
"Gah—!?"
And with a roar of defiance, he struck back.
He used the last of the power Lishia had given him, summoning strength he shouldn't have possessed, to repel the monstrous arm. The blow sent the massive creature staggering backward.
But the price was steep.
Ren’s arms fell limp, as though the muscles had completely given out. His legs buckled beneath him, and he collapsed to his knees.
"Move… damn it…! Why did I fight so hard if it's just to end like this?!"
No matter how he cried out, his body refused to obey.
In the end, Ren fell to the ground, his arm, the one bearing the bracelet, coming to rest near Lishia’s chest.
(Damn it…)
Even now, his eyelids felt unbearably heavy.
He could barely hear Yelquq’s laughter echoing in the distance.
Was there truly nothing more he could do?
No. Even if it was just one more second, he had to buy time.
He pulled Lishia close, shielding her with his own body. Even a fraction of a second longer—he prayed it would be enough for Yelquq’s life to burn out first.
(I'm sorry…)
The helplessness stung, bringing tears to his eyes.
And then—it happened.
From Lishia’s chest, and from the bracelet resting near her heart, a light—like divine magic—began to glow.
A radiant, white light that left Ren stunned.
(What… is this…?)
He looked down at the bracelet.
There, alongside the familiar list of magic swords, was an unfamiliar name.
—?????? (Level 1: 1/1)
Why now? And why was it a name of question marks?
The questions swirled in his mind, but Ren didn’t hesitate.
(It doesn’t matter…)
If there was even a chance this power could save Lishia, then that was enough.
He focused on the nameless sword and gave it a command.
Come. Anything will do.
If it can fight—if it can protect her—then that’s all I need.
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
Yelquq’s furious roar shook the ground, his rage clear after Ren’s earlier defiance.
"This is it! This is my final pleasure—my final kill!"
His voice trembled with mad joy.
There was nothing else Ren could do.
"If it means protecting her… I don't care what power I have to use…!"
In that instant, Ren and Lishia were engulfed in a blinding light, golden lightning crackling within it.
Ren instinctively understood—it was the summoning of that nameless magic sword.
But the light was too intense. He couldn’t see the weapon itself.
All he could make out was the faint silhouette of a longsword, floating in the air.
He reached out and grasped it.
The moment his fingers closed around the hilt, the light and lightning fused, forming a beam that pierced the sky.
—Yelquq’s eyes widened in disbelief.
—The towering Mana Eater trembled in fear.
The corpses of nearby monsters dissolved into particles of light.
And then, the Mana Eater’s body began to break apart.
Starting from its gaping maw—those fangs meant to devour Ren and Lishia—its form crumbled into light, swallowed by the beam that shot toward the heavens.
The particles ascended in a violent wind, spiraling into the sky.
"Guh… ha… impossible… this can’t…"
Yelquq’s final words were swallowed by the light.
Before he even understood what had happened, he was gone.
The beam gradually thinned, until it vanished, the last of its radiance seeping into Ren and Lishia’s bodies.
It was a strange, healing light.
"At least… let Lady Lishia… be safe…"
Ren didn’t know how he’d won, or what that sword even was.
By the time he looked again, it had vanished.
But he didn’t care.
All that mattered was Lishia.
And just before his consciousness slipped away, he confirmed she was still breathing.
Relief washed over him.
A soft smile crossed his lips.
And then, quietly, Ren closed his eyes.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
It was early the next morning.
Baron Clausel had run out of time sooner than expected and was now on the verge of being transported to the imperial capital. He was to travel through neighboring towns and then board a magic ship from another territory to reach the capital.
He wasn’t even permitted to have Vice by his side. Now, he stood at the brink of leaving Clausel.
The knights loyal to Baron Clausel had their movements heavily restricted by Viscount Given since the time of the judgment. This was done not only to avoid interference with Given’s plans but also to prevent them from searching for Ren and Lishia.
The townspeople watched the scene with bated breath.
Riding at the front on horseback, Viscount Given chuckled as one of his knights, who was positioned nearby, spoke up.
“Viscount, we are almost there.”
The speaker was the same knight who had previously mentioned heading to Clausel during the battle in the forest.
Hearing his words, Viscount Given responded with a composed smile on his handsome face.
“All that remains is to transfer Baron Clausel to the capital. After that, the Heroic Faction will handle the rest.”
“However, Viscount, there is something I must ask again.”
Given glanced at him. “What is it?”
“I understand why you chose to spare Lishia Clausel. Using the girl as a hostage to pressure the Baron makes sense. And when she eventually marries into the Heroic Faction, it will strengthen the alliance.”
But what he could not understand was why Ren had been spared.
Viscount Given had previously declared Ren to be of utmost importance, but his reasoning remained a mystery.
Given let out a sly smile.
“Some time ago, I stumbled upon some... intriguing information.”
“Information, my lord?”
“Yes. It was purely by chance—a connection I had never intended to discover. What’s more, it’s information no one else has realized.”
“What kind of connection?” the knight asked, leaning in slightly.
Given chuckled, clearly pleased by the interest.
“One day, you’ll understand. But only after I’ve gained prestige within the Heroic Faction and earned a voice stronger than the meddlesome patrons and even the high-ranking nobles.”
“I see...”
“Until then, I alone will bear this knowledge. What matters more now is my concern over the incident in the forest.”
Given had already been briefed about what transpired near the hill. Naturally, he had immediately reprimanded the knights upon hearing the report. Yet rather than punish them further, he prioritized capturing Ren and Lishia.
“You’ll head to the hills immediately after this,” Given commanded.
“Yes, my lord. They should be captured by now.”
“If not, it will be troublesome. Neither Yelquq nor you can afford any more disgraceful failures.”
“Understood.”
“If you understand, then prove it through action. You know what will happen if you fail again.”
Faced with Given’s stern tone, the knight could only nod in silence.
“Also, don’t forget the light from last night. If that was the saint’s power, something may have happened to Yelquq and the others.”
“We’ve already dispatched knights for investigation last night.”
“Good. We’ve only just managed to outmaneuver the Royal Faction. We cannot afford any mistakes now.”
Given’s long and careful planning with his patrons had kept the Royal Faction from interfering thus far. One misstep could ruin everything.
Yet, unease stirred within Viscount Given.
From beyond the gates, beneath the horizon’s sunlight, a horse was approaching.
“That’s Yelquq’s horse… but...”
Narrowing his eyes against the backlight, he tried to confirm the rider but couldn’t recognize the figure.
A flash of last night’s light crossed Given’s mind.
“Where are the knights I sent to investigate?” he asked sharply.
“We... we haven’t heard from them yet, sir!” the knight stammered.
“Useless fools. What’s the point of having knights who can’t even report back?”
Just then, a horse galloped past Given with a gust of wind.
“Milady!?”
It was Vice, riding swiftly. Despite the knights' attempts to halt him, Vice didn’t stop and approached Yelquq’s horse.
“Viscount, shall I stop him!?”
“No. Don’t interfere. None of you can match Vice. Let’s see how this plays out first.”
Behind them, Baron Clausel’s voice rang out. But Given signaled his knights to keep the Baron restrained.
Meanwhile, Vice reached Yelquq’s horse and came to a halt.
“I beg your forgiveness, Milady! I will atone with my life—huh? A boy!?”
Vice’s apology faltered as he noticed Lishia cradling Ren on her back.
To his shock, Lishia simply responded,
“It’s fine. Everything that happened was under my orders.”
“But, Milady—”
“We’ll talk later. Right now, I won’t let his efforts be in vain.”
Lishia was determined to take Ren back to the mansion herself. No matter how pale and exhausted she appeared, her will did not waver.
Vice fell silent.
Lishia then rode forward, advancing toward Viscount Given.
“So, you must be Viscount Given.”
Her voice rang out clearly, but her eyes shone with a strength Vice had never seen before.
“It is an honor to meet the saint, but I advise caution in your words. I am a Viscount—”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t show respect to criminals.”
“…Oh?”
Given laughed, amused by her boldness.
“Interesting words, indeed.”
He urged his horse forward, but Lishia stopped hers, signaling Vice to stay back.
“But don’t be mistaken. The real criminal here is your father,” Given sneered.
“Take a look at this. Can you still be so bold after seeing it?”
Lishia pulled out a magical device that Yelquq had used, confronting Given with it.
For a brief moment, Given’s brow furrowed.
“And that is?” he asked, his tone even.
“This belonged to the elf you hired. I’m sure investigating it will reveal your connection.”
Given burst into laughter.
“Oh, what nonsense! You jest, Saint Lishia! Such baseless accusations!”
“My village—Ren’s village—was attacked by the elf you hired.”
“And why would that implicate me? Surely you don’t consider that trinket proof of anything?”
“I said we’d investigate it. Then we’ll know for sure, won’t we?”
Lishia, exhausted and drained, lacked her usual quick wit.
Even though she repeated herself, Viscount Given remained unfazed. She had known this would be the case, but the fatigue weighing on her body made it difficult to form her words properly.
"…Besides, we were attacked by your knights in the nearby forest."
"My knights? Could it not have been an imposter?"
There was no proof.
Lishia had provoked the knights in the forest, forcing them into a disgraceful display, but it still was not enough to shake Viscount Given. As expected, he was a meticulous man.
Standing beside her, Weiss was brimming with anger, barely restraining himself from drawing his sword. It was a miracle he had held back this long.
"I remember their faces. The knight standing beside you swung his sword at me and Ren."
"…Is that so?"
"I-I was following your orders, my lord. I was overseeing from outside the forest…"
"There you have it. It seems the Saintess has been deceived by someone."
"Is that so? Then wouldn’t it be best to return to my town and conduct a thorough investigation?"
"That will not be necessary."
Viscount Given pressed forward with his decision. And in truth, he had the authority to do so. Things had already reached that stage.
As he urged his horse forward, Weiss protested.
"Viscount Given! As one entrusted with the command of the Clausel family knights, I believe my lady’s words should be taken into careful consideration! I strongly urge that we return to town and verify the matter once more!"
Even so—
"Unnecessary. If you insist, we can establish a new tribunal in the imperial capital."
If it reached the capital, powerful nobles outside the Clausel family’s influence would preside over the trial. Even if Lishia returned on her own and avoided being used as a hostage, they would simply find another means of coercion.
It would be a de facto defeat.
Thus, Baron Clausel was stalling for time, waiting for another opportunity.
Viscount Given’s horse moved forward once more.
He was about to pass right by Lishia and her group—
At that moment.
"…Show me your hand."
A faint, feeble voice.
It came from Ren, who should have been unconscious.
"Ren!?"
"Boy!?"
Lishia and Weiss cried out in surprise, but Ren did not respond.
Still leaning against Lishia for support, he slowly raised his face and extended his hand.
His exhaustion mirrored Lishia’s, and his eyes were dim and weak.
And yet, when his gaze locked onto Viscount Given and the knight beside him, they both faltered.
"Show… me your hand…!"
"Who do you think you’re speaking to?"
"Your knight… of course…!"
Lishia realized his intent.
She felt ashamed of her own lack of composure and whispered a small "I’m sorry" to Ren before speaking up in his place.
Hearing her, Ren relaxed, and his consciousness faded once more.
"…Show us your hand. The wound that Ren and I inflicted on you should still be there."
There had been no definitive proof.
But in this moment, they had just created it.
"V-Viscount…"
Viscount Given was at a loss for words.
He had not expected to be cornered.
How had it come to this?
"Show us."
Weiss stepped forward, addressing the knight.
"I-I got injured while on duty…"
"I’ll ask again. Show us."
"N-No! My hand—!"
"Show it. Before my hand is forced to draw my sword."
"H-Hii…!"
Cornered, the knight removed his gauntlet.
He hesitated, but the weight of Weiss’s presence forced him to unwind the bandages around his hand.
"Hah… Just as my lady and the boy said, there’s indeed a wound."
"I-It’s from an accident on duty!"
"That’s possible. However, I see fresh blood on the bandages. And the wound is still recent. Would you say that’s all a coincidence? Furthermore, that white burn… it looks like a mark left by holy magic."
Too many coincidences stacked upon one another.
A ripple of unease spread through the gathered crowd—citizens, knights from both sides.
"You must not have had a good potion to treat it. But did you know? Wounds inflicted by holy magic leave scars, even when healed with the finest potions."
In other words, there was no denying it.
Even then, Viscount Given remained unfazed. He was still a noble, armed with rhetoric and confidence.
"Hah! Well done! But to prove my knight’s innocence, we shall convene another tribunal! The truth shall be revealed in the imperial capital! The first trial has already concluded, and Baron Clausel’s transfer will proceed as planned!"
With that, Viscount Given’s entourage resumed their march.
"…What are we supposed to do?"
Lishia’s tears spilled over.
This was exactly what she despised about the nobility—the sheer unfairness of their power.
No matter how hard Ren had fought, it felt as if it had all been for nothing.
At that moment—
"Magnificent. And what a beautiful sight you both make."
A slow, deliberate applause rang through the air.
It was entirely out of place—like the clapping of an audience at the end of a grand performance.
"The courage you have shown, the noble determination… I have witnessed a tale of unparalleled beauty."
An aged voice echoed through the courtyard.
As all eyes turned, a man stepped forward, positioning himself between Viscount Given and Lishia.
"Thanks to you both, I now have a reason to speak up. As such, I shall offer my small assistance in bringing this miraculous tale to its conclusion."
The man was an elderly gentleman dressed in a pristine tailcoat, bearing the dignified presence of a butler.
"Who are you?"
Viscount Given’s voice carried open hostility.
Yet, the old gentleman ignored him and instead addressed Lishia.
"Saintess. Leave this matter to me."
"…You are?"
"My name is Edgar. Please, do not worry. I am merely here to offer a small hand in closing the curtain on the miracle you have created."
"A hand…?"
"I would never trample upon the miracle you two have brought forth. I merely wish to assist in its grand conclusion."
Edgar gave a composed smile before turning to Viscount Given.
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Viscount Given. I have come to Clausel at the behest of my master."
"Then state your master’s name!"
"My apologies for the delay. As for my master…"
Edgar retrieved something from his coat.
Since his back was to Lishia, she could not see what he had taken out.
But when Viscount Given caught sight of it—
"…!?"
"Oh? You seem to recognize it without me saying a word."
"T-This must be a trick…!"
"Forgery of a noble’s crest is punishable by death. Surely, a viscount of all people understands that?"
Behind Edgar, Lishia stood frozen.
Despite all the evidence they had gathered, Viscount Given had remained composed, relying on his noble status to strong-arm the situation.
And yet now, he was visibly shaken, sweat beading on his forehead.
"Now then, Sir Judiciary Official."
Edgar turned his gaze toward the imperial judiciary officer.
"My master has granted me the authority to act freely in this matter and speak in his name."
"I see… And the crest you bear belongs to…"
"Indeed. There is only one noble who carries this insignia. Under my master’s orders, I propose that we conduct a retrial here in Clausel, as the current proceedings are riddled with inconsistencies."
"Y-You can’t be serious!"
The judiciary officer hesitated, likely due to allegiance to the Heroic Faction.
But Edgar’s next words sealed his decision.
"My master owes a great debt to Ren Ashton. Thus, should any injustice arise, he has vowed to see it rightfully addressed."
Lishia and Weiss could not comprehend what was happening.
But with that, the judiciary officer relented.
And Viscount Given paled.
Edgar calmly approached him and whispered in a voice only he could hear—
"You seem baffled as to why my master has intervened."
His smile was gentle, yet his voice was chilling.
"The miracle those two created gave him every reason to act."
"That can’t be…!"
"Ah, and beyond that… Ren Ashton saved someone very dear to him."
As he passed by, Edgar added—
"Earlier, you said you had outmaneuvered them… Did you, truly?"
Leaving those words behind, he stepped further into Clausel.
---