15. Footsteps of old saints.
[Do not chase closely. Just focus on following the footsteps.]
This is the solemn name of Her Highness the Princess.
And a mission that Lord Rueld, who received it, obediently accepted.
Patina leads her horse into a quiet forest village.
The Golden Dragon Knights, where the hero Rueld is crowned the knight commander.
Known for being the youngest woman ever to join, she was another legend within the Empire.
However, instead of having that kind of pride, she did nothing but forcefully hold on to an empty heart, like an older sister who lost her younger brother.
So when the offer for this mission came in.
She didn’t hesitate an inch.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a knight or a nabal in my heart, I wanted to chase it long ago.
However, on the fourth day after he left, Patina was able to follow in his footsteps, albeit belatedly.
As if it had been mentioned beforehand, with the help of several agents, she was able to continue the pursuit smoothly.
therefore.
A commotion in this small town with only a few dozen households.
Perhaps it was a big accident and what could have turned into a disaster, I was able to hear about it through the village chief.
“I really didn’t know that the center would take care of even a corner like this.”
Patina responded calmly to the old man’s thanks.
“It can’t be. Isn’t it just a short distance from here to Jedo Island? If you only care about borders and remote villages, and neglect the people who are in the same position as your neighbors, that is negligence.”
“… Thank you very much. knight. Just your words are a great comfort. Until this place where there is no church… .”
Thank you for misunderstanding us in a good way.
Although the owner of the estate is said to be open, sometimes there are places out of reach.
Even if not all of them, there is no need to look away from the place where the eye has landed.
“It was really great.”
That the black-haired boy protected the village youth from the swarming monsters and monsters.
And even the content of defeating them.
He proceeded to describe what he had seen.
The more that happened, the bigger the crack in Patina’s face.
‘Why did you keep hiding that skill?’
Patina couldn’t understand that at all.
He, who was born with the lineage of Rueld and Ermina, could never be clumsy.
She knew better than anyone how hard he had been working.
Because the expectations around him were too high, and because he was stigmatized in the past.
Even though she knew very well that he suffered greatly because of that prejudice.
Even so.
… He’s sure, he’ll get over it, no matter what.
Because she had no doubts about it.
All I have to do is make up for the trivial stigma later with my skills.
If he really committed an unforgivable high treason.
Obviously, even she couldn’t accept him easily.
Wasn’t that enough?
‘Because I had to overcome it.’
Patina herself, how many stigmas, false accusations, and all kinds of ridiculous slander had been swayed.
However, it was possible to overcome all of them with skills and achievements.
Because he was able to do it, he thought that Kariel would be able to do it too.
I was believing
why… .
did this happen?
‘I should have paid a little more attention.’
The contents of the letter that Rueld showed her saying that she would need it for this mission were recorded so shocking that her soul would run out.
How much Kariel is alone… how painful it was
That fact, more than anything else, took on a vivid and terrifying shape, stabbing deep into my heart.
“He is definitely going to be great! You said you weren’t even an official article yet. If you have that kind of skill at that age, you must not be an ordinary person, right?”
“… … .”
As if telling anecdotes about heroes he saw in fairy tales when he was young, the village chief was telling all about Kariel’s achievements and the splendor of his personality that he showed since then.
Everyone except the village chief was like that.
right.
He will definitely be the Kariel he remembered at the party.
But why.
… For now, it has sounded like a very distant story.
Obviously there was no blood connection, but I thought it was a deeper relationship than that.
I don’t know anymore
Patina was so tired of that, it felt like her heart was breaking.
‘Baronence. You said you went to Carriela, right?’
It is said that there is St. Cariel’s Day again recently.
Her baptismal name is Kariel.
the place where it originated.
Why did the child go there?
Patina couldn’t figure out why.
Is that why?
When I reflect on that, a sense of self-blame rushes in like a wave.
It was sadder than ever.
—-
“The preparations are certain. This is genuine.”
Filvar said, examining the cracked old-fashioned sword with his hand wrapped in a towel.
He didn’t even breathe when he brought his face to the sword, as if he was wary of even breathing.
“All that remains is to head to that historical site.”
“I guess we can go to Kariel Plain. It’s in front of Yeongji, so go right away.”
Baron Loia was also breathing heavily, as if he couldn’t stand his passion.
What St. Cariel meant to them was clearly communicated just by watching.
Both the aged baron and his two sons were glaring at this moment, like children wanting to open a bundle of presents.
“Can I be there?”
therefore.
Kariel felt a little worried because she didn’t feel like she was in the right place.
“What else can’t be done?”
“What’s wrong with adding one or two people? The fact that a talented young knight came to Carriella just in time for the holiday means that he has a different opinion of St. Cariel, but what else can’t be done?”
Baron Roia seems to be okay with it, so Kariel has no choice but to remain calm.
A quadruped wagon with a little extra space even with as many as six people on board.
The owner is Filvar.
“We’re not doing any sort of archaeological exploration or treasure hunting, so what’s the problem with the number of people watching? Ah, it might be correct to call it an excavation rather than a treasure hunt, right?”
A person from an unusual race of demons who depend on blood as their staple food, shared other things that are not normally accessible for fun.
“During the days of King Daema, there was no war, no conflict, and nothing happened in the world of demons, it was truly an era of peace and prosperity.”
“You mean the demon king?”
When Luke asked with a tone that he didn’t understand.
“That’s why it’s so special and bizarre. In particular, his greatness was that he could not directly go against the order, providence, and law of the demon realm and defeated him.”
“You speak in a tone of respect.”
Let Alessia snort and say.
“It has to be.”
Pilbar meekly admitted.
“Of the 6,000 years of Pandemonium’s history, the 300 years he ruled was the only era where prosperity and peace coexisted.”
“Coming to think of it, the invasion of the Demon King’s army was usually short-lived for decades, and at the longest it didn’t exceed a century, but it was strange that it was quiet except for the last time when the blue-scaled demon beast and this golden beast invaded.”
“The blue-scaled demon you are talking about is probably the case that, after attacking the Great Demon King, he was kicked out and inevitably flowed here. So, he must have come alone with his daughter, without any troops. Perhaps, the Great Demon King did it to infuse some tension in the middle world.”
“tension?”
“You said that if peace lasts for a long time, it will surely become weak and corrupt. From the Great Demon King.”
In addition.
“You said that power must corrupt, eternal life must corrupt, and those who dream of eternity are the breeding grounds of corruption.”
“… It sounds like you’re swearing at the church.”
“I hate most of them. Right now, we are also a species that has achieved eternal life, but there are so many limitations and ways of thinking that do not match those of mortals, right?”
If it was the old way of thinking in the demon realm.
“There would never have been a situation where we could have such an intellectual conversation with each other. It is even more difficult to sit face to face.”
“So, is that possible thanks to the Great Demon King? And what about the golden beast?”
“That’s a son of a bitch.”
Filvar openly cursed at him.
“Above all, because of the principle established by his son, how uncomfortable he was throughout the entire period of his reign, when I think about it again, I feel like swearing at him.”
“It’s a rule of thumb.”
Alessia muttered quietly.
“You know? Do you know the boy? Ruel?”
“I read at first glance in the book that the demon king enacts his own rules and principles.”
“It’s not common information, but you seem to have a higher education. Thank you for aptly summarizing an otherwise difficult explanation! And the rule of law established by the golden beast after becoming the owner of the demon world is called the golden rule. This was a very nasty balancing act. In addition to extreme reciprocity, even the slightest violation of logic is directly referred to trial. There was no other heinous tyranny in the name of absolute balance!”
like this.
A person who has become a demon king can compose the laws of the demon realm with his own rules of law.
What if you don’t like it? What if you are dissatisfied?
Bring down the demon lord and become the demon lord yourself.
“On the other hand, in the case of King Daema, he enacted an unheard-of rate of hope in a different meaning, and literally turned the demonic world, which was obsessed with destruction, the weak, and the survival of the fittest, into a flower garden.”
And the Great Demon King made the Demon Realm accept all of that.
“If he had been weak, he would have been dethroned long ago or swept away by the tide of rebellion. In that respect, the Golden Beast was no exception.”
Luke asked.
“If it wasn’t so, you mean they were that strong?”
“The Golden Beast is a little different, but in the case of the Great Demon King, it was overwhelming. It’s not for nothing that he was called the omnipotent demon king during his days as the demon king. Almighty and omnipotent, even one of them is the best ever, because it was both. During the 6,000 years of demon world history, there were only three Great Demon Kings, but this one was probably the best among them. What does it mean to rule by force without any slaughter?”
“okay. That’s a good enough answer. Although the quadrupeds were a bit long.”
Looking at Alessia’s understanding, Kariel thought.
King of Wisdom.
Even if they chew on the golden beast, they seemed to have no hesitation in respecting the Great King.
“… … .”
Kariel glanced up into the air.
and.
Even that wise Demon King, who ascended to power after the Great Demon King, just by claiming himself to be the limbs of the Great Demon King, how ignorant his existence must have been.
“But you’re still in the city… oh hot! I am crazy!”
Filvar opened the carriage window and reflexively tried to stick his head out, then hesitantly withdrew his head.
It’s only been exposed to the sun for a while, but when you see steam blooming on your skin.
It certainly doesn’t seem like he’s in a position to walk around unscathed in broad daylight.
“Time goes well, but it’s slow. Anyway, do you have any more questions? Or even someone who would be of some help in quenching my curiosity?”
That way, let’s share small talk and knowledge information.
Soon after, they arrived at the Cariel Plain outside the city.
“Come on, let’s get off! ah! Hey guys! Unfold the parasol! Be careful not to let the sun touch your skin! not! You open a parasol, what is that? Spread the tent wide! just in case!”
At Filvar’s command, the two pale-skinned boys opened a large tent.
how are they all right
Are they not of the same species?
The outside in sunlight is white.
Inside, a blue cloth was positioned like a ceiling to block sunlight.
“Okay then, let’s begin! Kids, get out the reagent set… not. Bring everything you prepared. Once the site… Grab it over there and start exploring… .”
Alessia, who was watching the scene closely, asked lightly in passing.
“I’m not very suspicious because I have a history, but can I revive the traces of the past so easily?”
“It’s not easy. So, the sword that St. Kariel used in the past, and the place and time of his death. This should mesh nicely. There are other things to fine-tune, but… According to the reports of the preliminary investigators, this place has a good location in that respect.”
“Location, what kind of location are you talking about?”
When Baron Loia reacted, Philvar, who crouched down and turned his head to that side, replied.
“The balance between yin and yang is clearly broken. It can be confusing to say this, so you can just think of it as a good area to live for the living.”
“Does that have anything to do with this incident?”
“Yes. cancer! Do you know that there are guardians in this land where you live? Haven’t you ever heard of earthbound spirits, grudge spirits, evil spirits, good spirits, etc.?”
“… Isn’t that something out of a fairy tale? Ghosts, ghosts, and demons only appear in certain areas, but in ordinary places… .”
“That’s what you don’t know. Even a good place depends on who is buried or who dies. Oh, it’s good to consider things like spirits. Elves summon them from the spirit realm, so it’s different from that.”
From that point of view, this is good.
“The fact that it is being protected is very clear to us, who are fraudulent and sensitive to musical notes. That’s why there are fewer accidents in this area.”
“… … .”
“Is it because the Church of Irenice is relatively tolerant of idols? Aren’t you protesting too much?”
Even if you say so.
Maybe it’s because it’s relatively unappealing.
but.
“Then, Saint Kariel still remains here to protect us, can we just accept that?”
“If you want to take it well. Whether that’s necessarily a good thing, I don’t know.”
“… … ?”
Filvar’s words were somewhat ambiguous in many ways.
Is it difficult rather than difficult?
“No, he has a point.”
Ludhi, the eldest son of the Baronens family, bluntly expressed such an opinion.
“If you protect Baronense as a patron saint, that would be an honor… .”
If, in a state where he has not fully reached heaven.
If you are forcibly bound here, on the ground.
“That, in what sense is not a tragedy?”
Then Roia calmly objected.
“Ludhi. It is not a matter that you dare to judge. That is something only the Lord in heaven and St. Cariel, himself, will decide.”
“Yeah, that’s right. You are right. leaflet… .”
“know. I’m not criticizing you, so don’t mind it.”
Luke, who sneaked towards Kariel and Alessia, watched them and smiled.
“The parent-child relationship, while seemingly simple, is quite complex.”
“You don’t seem to be worried about that, do you?”
At Alessia’s point, Luke shrugged.
“It’s my nature to be indifferent about things like this.”
“Are you proud of that?”
Alessia frowned as if she was displeased.
“… … .”
and.
Kariel, who was watching the scene, was seized with a slightly bizarre sentiment.
Well, it was a little hard to put it into words.
It was difficult to express in words.
My heart was just a little heavy.
“Is this really the right place for you?”
At that moment, Filvar raised himself from the ground and raised his voice to express his suspicions.
“Why? Any problem?”
“Is it a problem? It looks like it.”
Filvar spoke candidly.
“Not here.”
“what?”
“I will say it again. Not here. This is not the place where St. Cariel met the barbarian army.”
Baron Roia immediately straightened up.
“No way. My ancestors definitely said it was this area.”
“It seems that the content has been distorted. It’s common. Certainly not here.”
“Oh my… medical charge.”
The conclusion seemed rather shocking.
“Can you find it?”
When Ludhi asked with a nervous look, Filbar held his chin pretending to be worried.
“It will take a while, but well, let’s do it. However, if the location is not specified, the holiday may be missed. This is a bit difficult. If even that holiday is wrong… It will be very painful.”
“that… I just hope not. For us, all we have to do is pass on what has been handed down.”
Ludhi looks disappointed, but calmly reconfirms the situation after calming down.
“Well? So what? Are we just fooling around?”
When Luke grumbled as if it were futile, Alessia took his thighs apart.
“Ugh!”
“Think about it and tell me.”
“… … .”
Kariel looked up into the air for a moment and asked Luke.
“If you don’t mind, can I touch St. Cariel’s keepsake?”
“yes? why? Are you suddenly curious? Could it be an ancient artifact with special powers?”
Alessia broke her thigh again.
“Oh shit! Do it in moderation!”
“You say what you think. Even if your mouth is pierced, empty your brain and stop talking.”
“No, I didn’t say anything out of the ordinary!”
Luke was genuinely sorry.
“What’s the point of touching it? Still, the sword is not in good condition, so take that into account.”
After Baron Loia gave permission, Kariel lightly bowed and headed towards where Philbar was.
It was fine to lay a cloth on the plain ground and draw a magic circle on it with reagents.
On another pure white cloth bag, the church added magical treatment to it, and the condition is preserved.
Even so, a straight sword with durability that seemed difficult to use was lying there with an unknown desolation.
Unlike the imperial swords of this era, which resembles the shape of a cross as if expressing the phases of the times, the straight sword has a narrow guard.
Kariel cautiously got down on one knee and reached for it.
That moment.
[Who is your uncle?]
something unknown
It came in without warning.