Chapter 28
[More will be up tonight.]
28
It was obvious that her ability to read people was brilliant. The text on the status window had been altered as she adapted to me. As a result, she entered a parasitic relationship with me, which allowed me to borrow her power.
‘It isn’t that bad.’
The power she lent was pretty attractive. When I stretched out my index finger, she smiled cutely, grabbed the fingertip with her small hands, and shook it.
-At least, you can show me more of the world than the current contractor who was unable to manifest Calderas. Can I expect more from you?
Her question made me curious. “Show the world?”
-If you live this long, the only thing you care about is to see the world.
“Then what will I get in return?”
-Of course, you will have my ability. That is the only thing I can give you. However, there is nothing weird about acquiring new skills as you have the will of the Gods.
“What do you mean by new skills?”
-Didn’t you say that you see a status window? Maybe like a game in your previous life…the concept of ‘skills’ may follow.
“That’s interesting. Is there more?”
-Unfortunately, that’s all I have. I can’t satisfy you like a Succubus with my body right now.
“Nothing is impossible in the world.”
-Whoa…I don’t want you to say something like that, even if it’s a joke; I’m not interested in a little boy who is thousands of years younger than me.
As she said this playfully, she began to disappear like scattering particles. It seemed like I unintentionally made the only person with who I shared my secrets leave.
-Call me whenever you need me. I am going to catch some sleep inside of you.
After that, she disappeared completely without making any noise. Because there were many things all at once, I couldn’t help but feel so perplexed.
* * *
The capital of the Duchy of Felicity. Originally, this place should have been excited by the Continental Swordsmanship Competition. However, it was destroyed completely the day before by Baltian de Voltiz, who became a monster. The raid was big, aiming at the entire stadium hosted by numerous national coalitions. It was a huge raid that almost caused countless casualties. If I were a little bit late, the entire continent would have been engulfed in chaos, but it didn’t go so badly. It was because I turned over the situation before it grew worse.
The divine sword Calderas was the only one who saw me running wild. There was also Princess Ileana, who was called the princess of the sword and the owner of the divine sword. I couldn’t determine whether she was awake or not, however. She might not have a clear memory even if she was awake.
‘Now the priests believe that I had cleared the situation based on the Stigmata on my back and the remaining divine power in the stadium.’
It was detailed speculation. Besides, after they heard the priest, who checked my physical condition, they were frightened by the huge Stigmata on my body. What should I do to deal with this situation? Now, I couldn’t hide what had been revealed, and there was no need for anything further.
The fact that the traces of God had already been engraved on me would have spread everywhere. Why were they making a big deal out of the Stigmata? Only three saints or candidates for saints had them in the past three to four hundred years. There were very few people who could bear the stigmata.
The trace was so precious that even if it were found in the Mainland, people would run just to see it. It wasn’t just a genetic trait or something that could be achieved through effort. In short, it would be impossible not to attract attention, no matter how much I wanted to avoid it. Damn Stigmata.
It might cause less attention if I just said I was a Swordmaster because the priests showed a maniacal obsession with the stigmata. Many humans would shout and rush without thinking, as if they abandoned logic and custom, unlike the nobles, who usually hid their true intentions.
-Whoo whoo, it is true that the Stigmata is the evidence of God’s love, but it’s not a trace worthy of obsession in my eyes.
‘You don’t have to remind me bitterly.’
Muttering, I wondered how I could turn this unwelcomed attention away. There was only one way to solve this. The problem was that the size of the Stigmata was so big that it had destroyed the existing common sense.
-W…What are you thinking?
“Okay, I’ve decided.”
The decision itself was clear. And, what should I do with such a decision? Take action right away!
“Barris! Winley!”
I made a decision and called the two of them as the chaotic day continued.
“Did you call us, Davey?”
They turned their eyes to me simultaneously as they were shivering in front of the wood-burning stove as the weather grew cold.
“Let’s be honest. We are all annoyed by this situation, right?”
“I think so.”R/ê/Ad lat𝙚St ch/a/pters at nô(v)e(l)bin/.c/o//m Only
“Honestly, we haven’t committed any crime, but I don’t know why the priests keep wanting to see you, brother.”
“It isn’t like it is some kind of Holy Land.”
Though, technically, more than half of this city was the Holy Land. That was right. Chamberlains and maids sent most of them back, while Barris and Whitney sent the rest of them away without any mercy. Those crazy priests. Most of the priests, who were eager to meet me, seemed to be more interested in my Stigmata, which was unprecedentedly bigger than the incident itself. As I watched Barris murmuring, I began to laugh, revealing my teeth.
“Let’s pack! It’s best to run away when it’s complicated.”
There was no reason to remain and explain it in the first place. I no longer cared as long as I was alive. Right? I had no obligation to remain and explain the whole story. If I stayed here, I would have to deal with all those obsessed priests. Because of this, it might not be a bad idea to leave some bait that could distract them.
* * *
Trembling.
There was a loud trembling sound. A finely trembling finger holding a small teacup repeatedly hit the teacup like a machine vibrating.
“He dipped?”
“P…Princess Majesty! Dipped… How could you say such a…!”
“Just answer the question, Linda.”
“Eep.”
Princess Ileana looked at Linda with her eerie eyes.
“D… Did you just say he ran away? Did you? He accused me of causing a strange misunderstanding because he couldn’t cover it all up, and he ran away with his brother and sister, right?!”
“That…that is. When a person went there to request your visit, their lodge was already empty…”
Her voice was low, so why was she so scary? Her golden hair trembled as if she was moving it by her will alone.
“She smashed the enemy with the divine sword in the moment of crisis? Besides, the manifestation of the Stigmata was caused by the hidden power of the divine sword?”
The truth was that she had passed out without any attempt to resist, and there was no hidden power within the sword.
“Your Majesty?”
Bullshit, that was ridiculous! Baltian, who had already turned into a monster, was destroyed by an unorthodox method, and the red woman was cut down with that overwhelming swordsmanship! Everyone else seemed to believe this was true, but she knew it; she had seen it all. He seemed to believe that she had lost her mind or some sort of equivalent state, but she saw it. What he said, and even what he showed.
“Linda, tell the knights to get ready.”
“Princess Majesty! Please calm down!”
“Ahhhhhh!! Find him! Find that snooty bastard! I’m going to pull all of his hair out!”
Did people know? The true face of the Palan Empire’s princess, which was known for her stiffness and coldness, had a wilder temperament than even Winley.
Crack.
“You got me wrong, Prince Davey. I’m going to pull out everything on his head, so be prepared.”
Her growling eyes flashed like a ferocious beast.
- Night guests.
The way back to the kingdom of Al Rown was very quiet. However, the priests who showed a maniacal obsession with the Stigmata weren’t animals who couldn’t distinguish between professional and private matters. They might have thought it was their once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the Stigmata with their eyes.
Barris and Winley, who were previously moving ahead with excitement, were sleeping, leaning against each other in the carriage corner, as they were too exhausted.
‘Looking at them like this, they seem to have a tight sibling bond.’
Their bond was certainly special. Considering the brother and sisters’ reality, only a few cared about each other while clashing a lot.
-Hey you, the corner of your mouth is up a lot.
‘Well, they look good.’
Perserk had woken up from sleep and slowly settled on my lap, sitting comfortably as she radiated light. Her existence was real, but she was still invisible to others. Because of this, there was no way her identity could be revealed, even if the guys were to wake up suddenly.
-Actually, I thought you were interested in Calderas.
‘Hmm?’
-You are the only one who can manifest Calderas other than the current master of the divine sword. In fact, in the current situation, it is accurate to say that you are the only one who is capable of manifesting Calderas.
‘Ah.’
-Rather, you are the perfect candidate for the owner of Calderas.
I chuckled at her because I knew what she meant. Calderas. It was an excellent sword. Because of this, it was quite hard to see a sword with a large amount of divine power, enough even, to use 9th tier holy magic just by adding a little to its divine power. However…
‘It’s still not mine.’
-I thought you would want to take ownership by any means.
‘It’s a tempting offer, but I can’t steal things from kids. Besides, Calderas isn’t a good fit to me.’
-What do you mean that the sword is not a good fit for you?
Strictly speaking, I didn’t use a greatsword. I looked out of the window, leaving her in her silent worry. However, I had a different sword in mind. It wasn’t available yet, but I should have the twin sword in my hand at Surt’s request. The sword had been produced simultaneously as Calderas, and the material was also the same. However, the sword couldn’t show its true value because it hadn’t been completed in time.
-I made a room in the basement of the house where I lived, which no one could open. You will be able to open the door after learning my skills. There are two swords, like my children, that I couldn’t finish before I died. If you find them, complete them with your own hands. I don’t care if you become the owner of the twin swords, tell people that you made them, or sell them. Do whatever you’d like.