Book 16 Chapter 26

A later story in that kingdom,

After the clash with the Seven Souls (2)

"They say the Seven Souls were defeated while we were asleep."

Cardin Bete (02) Zullark of the New Heaven Caditpol Knights spoke.

The Knights Commander, Cardin Alma (01), was kneeling in a posture that felt almost reverent, meditating.

On her thigh, the dazzlingly flickering sword's name was Geukwiseonggeom Naiseimon. It was a greatsword-type holy sword, the twin holy sword of Shirupeng, based on the True Holy Sword Sharillion.

"Now that the First Pillar has left her post, Zernix might be holding a grudge and causing mischief."

Cardin Alma's quietly closed eyes slowly opened at Cardin Bete's words.

"Zernix, a grudge?"

Since her revival, Cardin Alma had always prayed like this. To prevent the Abyss from completely violating her body and soul…

As proof of her desperate struggle, only her bangs were preserved in the white hair of her old Feyqualior days.

Was it stubbornness? Or was it the last compromise she could make as one who fought on the front lines against the Abyss?

Cardin Bete didn't ask why, and Cardin Alma showed no inclination to explain.

"You're a fellow magician, but you seem to know him far too little."

"Is that so?"

"That beast in human skin has no such thing as a bond for revenge. Didn't he try to kill his own foster father, intoxicated by power? Everything is simply divided by whether it is necessary or unnecessary for him right now. He probably doesn't even know the names of the [Seven Souls] guys, except for Kishua."

Cardin Alma set Naiseimon down from her thigh and slowly rose to her feet.

"He has no conviction. Power without conviction is merely violence. Therefore, it's impossible to respect him as a person."

And reaching for the armor placed nearby, she asked.

"What about the others?"

"Cardin Mu (04) has woken up."

Cardin Bete gestured towards Alma, and crystals wove themselves into the shape of hands in mid-air, beginning to dress Cardin Alma in her armor.

This was crystallization magic.

It was the ultimate secret technique that had elevated the Kepel family to the position of a magic noble house. To be able to use it so naturally in daily life.

"Del (03) seems to need more rest since his body is young, and well, as you know, Omec (06) doesn't really need rest."

It is said that the old Holy Eldia Knights wore the <Ones that Came> technology's culmination, the Primoa armor, as their uniform.

The New Heaven Caditpol Knights, modeled after that organization and nomenclature, also wore armor made of ancient material of unknown origin (it was not related to the Abyss) as their uniform.

Alma, having finished donning her armor, truly exuded a profound charisma that flowed like a halo. She placed Naiseimon into the scabbard attached to the backplate of her armor.

"Kata (05) would naturally have woken up earlier than us."

She is more beautiful when she is with iron, when her body smells not of flowers but of blood and leather… Zullark had always thought so. Even before she died, and now that she has died and come back to life.

"Zullark, the war that began with the liberator of the <Ones that Came> is not over yet."

"I know. The convictions we carry are fundamentally different from trash like Zernix or the [Seven Souls]."

"Yes. I fought for humanity before, and I still do. Even if I borrow the power of the Abyss, this heart will not change."

Cardin Alma said, passing Bete who was leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed.

"This time, will you follow me to the very end again?"

Bete, with a sneer that blended arrogance, self-mockery, and countless other emotions, immediately followed her.

"Good grief… you must be getting old too, Sarandis."

Just like that very moment, so long ago, when the first hero party was assembled.

"To ask such an obvious question to the [Grand Mage of the Hero Party]."

* * *

Since most of Hosen Kingdom's territory was rugged terrain, the process of finding the Grand Mage's burrow was nothing short of arduous.

And that's not all.

The map was incredibly vague, and even if they managed to pinpoint the direction and coordinates, it was impossible to gauge how deeply hidden the burrow was.

"Argh, damn it, that old geezer is so annoying, he didn't bring it himself but told us to get it…! The old saying that all those in power are sly foxes is absolutely true."

Lynn crumpled the map, her fists trembling. The barrier on the map quickly restored it to its original state.

"Pa-bam, pa-bam, pa-ba-ba-bam! Alright, a new adventure has begun! Off to find the Grand Mage's spellbook! Choo! Choo-choo! Choo-choo-choo-chool! Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-bal-bal!"

It hadn't even been half a day since they left the capital, and sighs were constantly escaping, but for some reason, Rista shouted in an exhilarated voice.

"Ah, the world is so beautiful! Lynn, look at that! The flowers are blooming so brightly! How can they be so beautiful even under the influence of the Abyss!"

If she were just frolicking on her own, she'd be closer to a madwoman than a hero, so Lynn might just put up with it, but Rista kept grabbing Lynn's wrist and making her look everywhere.

"Whoa, Lynn, look at that too! How can the water in that little stream be so clear? It's so amazing, isn't it?"

Ah, please stop! It's killing me trying to analyze the map and the terrain as we go.

But she couldn't shout that.

For some reason, Rista wasn't bringing up the past kidnapping incident. What if Rista suddenly remembered that punishment if Lynn lost her temper?

"Why is she so excited? It's almost irritating."

So, with Rista currently being so boisterous, muttering to herself was the only outlet for her frustration.

"Hey, you idiot."

Then Friede spoke.

"How could she not be excited? Think about what you said back then."

"What I said?"

"Yes, what you said at the very end."

What I said at the very end? What was it?

I can't remember.

What did I say last?

- Are you going to keep going like this or not?

Is that something to be excited about? Is she excited at the thought of using the same line when she makes me kneel later?

If so, that's terror itself.

My whole body is shaking madly, and cold sweat is pouring down like rain! Scary!

'Yes, how could she not be happy?'

Lynn, clutching her head with both hands and trembling, was completely lost, but Friede recalled the sincerity the boy had expressed at that moment.

- Because I am the mage of the hero party.

She bit her pipe, a smile naturally spreading across her lips.

'That one line of yours, the feelings contained in that statement, is what made Rista so excited…'