85 – Run Away from the Hero
“Sacred lady, why are you like this?”
The chief warrior of the lion tribe, Badim asked Aileen.
Hearing the name ‘sacred lady’, Aileen let out a tired sigh as if resigning and replied.
“Actually, I’ve been seeing strange clusters of light for several days. Almost as if they’re trying to guide me.”
“Ah, if it isn’t divine guidance! Why didn’t you mention it earlier?”
They had been on a long adventure together.
Eastward.
At times, they encountered evil ogres and bandits that terrorized the mountain people. They even crossed paths with a gigantic two-headed snake and harpies that lured and devoured humans.
The warrior of the lion tribe had developed a taste for it.
“The harpy was rather delicious. Its meat was so tender.”
“Hey, keep it down. The saintess is troubled.”
Aileen grew accustomed to them.
They were somewhat blunt, and slightly barbaric but they were also deeply affectionate and knew how to share.
They were good people if you discounted their slightly, no, excessively, horrifying dietary habits.
“It’s a fate that I must confront, but I’m scared.”
“Scared?”
“Because I must face my own wrongdoings.”
Vadim furrowed his brow, obviously didn’t understand what she was saying.
“I’m not quite sure, saintess. But trust us. No matter who you face, even if it’s a devil, the warriors of the lion tribe will protect you!”
“hehehehe. I feel reassured.”
Aileen smiled and then looked eastward.
Finally, the time had come…
The day to face the honest judgment for her past actions.
Aileen patted her belly.
It was smooth.
‘Good. No problem.’
Aileen sighed with relief.
It was a week before Ascal began his military training.
“Cast the facial recognition spell on me! Lia! Now!”
“Yes? Yes!”
People were pouring in, like clouds.
Count Telio, who was the most likely candidate, and even the dark horse Sirius, have been eliminated, causing everyone to feel sorry. The reason is, an unprecedented event had occurred.
The Flying Rock.
The judicial rock with a sword inserted in it flew towards someone.
This was the first time such a thing had happened.
People’s adrenaline levels surged.
Sales of popcorn and other snacks also surged.
The empire’s economic index soared as a result.
“Oh my, what is going on! This is an unprecedented situation! The rock flew to a figure directly. Are the times changing! I won’t just passively be chosen anymore, I’ll actively step forward!”
Excited, Count Dvar began to commentate.
Askal hurriedly smeared mud on his face.
Due to Lia’s magic and his disguise of mud, his identity was perfectly concealed. People did not know that the figure they were watching was Askal.
Count Dvar was the same.
“Now, what is your name, stranger.”
“My name is Cal.”
“Then Cal, will you try to pull out the sword?”
People watched this spectacle with excited eyes. But Askal didn’t want to prolong any troubles.
“No.”
Booing sounds were heard from the crowd.
But boos are fleeting, while pain lasts for a lifetime.
Askal turned around, coolly.
After leaving like this, he just had to remove the disguise, then return as if nothing had happened to finish military training.
The plan was perfect.
Before an unthinkable series of events unfolded.
Whooooooosh-
“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has arrived! Everyone get ready!”
He appeared.
A man known by all, yet known by no one.
A man marked to be the next emperor.
A man who seems always busy yet peculiarly idle.
A man who pops up unexpectedly wherever there is Ascal.
His popularity among the people has soared recently, even earning him a new nickname.
Daemyeongkun (the Great Bright Lord).
Simply put, he is the embodiment of light.
Accompanied by a splendid carriage, the imperial banners, and escort knights, the Crown Prince looked around him.
And then he laughed out loud, cheerfully saying,
“Everyone relax. I would hate to think my presence is ruining the festive atmosphere.”
An escort knight prepared a chair.
Right in front of the rock of selection.
The Crown Prince took a seat.
“So you are the next challenger? Come on, take a pick. Aren’t men supposed to be creatures who love challenges? hahahahaha!”
Ascal broke out in a cold sweat.
He was just a moment late in choosing his escape, and now he was trapped.
Once the Crown Prince spoke like that, there was no way to resist.
And most of all, the atmosphere had turned ominous.
“Choose–!”
“Pull it out! You can do it!”
“Show them what you’ve got with your sword!”
I had heard it before.
A disgruntled man who kicked a vendor’s stall while wandering alone at a flamboyant festival, attracting a crowd and ultimately losing his life.
If the sword is not drawn, the crowd may turn into a furious mob.
Ascal looked back at Lia with pleading eyes.
Help me – Liaemon.
But Lia seemed to interpret his gaze differently.
She raised a clenched fist and whispered ‘Fighting’ quietly.
How cruel.
‘In this case, I’ll just pretend to draw the sword.’
He was confident in his acting skills.
He’d pretend to draw on the strength of an infant while grabbing the handle, while in reality, he’d only place his hand on it without exerting any force.
Ascal took a deep breath and approached the rock.
“The challenger is the mysterious man, Cal! Will he be able to pull out the sword?”
The prince looked at Ascal’s face and seemed to sense something strange, but he failed to tumble the perception dice. Fortunately for Ascal.
“Huuu…”
He gently places his hand on the sword’s handle.
Just placing it.
Without applying any force.
And he yells out as loudly as he can.
“Kkiyooooooooooooooh!”
Of course, since he hadn’t applied any force, there was no way the sword could have been drawn. The audience began to sigh.
“Ugh, ugh.”
It was a perfect performance.
At this point, he seriously considered pursuing acting.
Catching his breath, Ascal released his grip from the hilt.
And at that moment.
The rock began to crack.
Crrrack–-!
Like a perfectly made candy, only the sword remained, the rock shattered.
And the sword flew into the sky.
Swoop–-!
Without a chance for Ascal to dodge, the sword that entered his grip seemed to have found its owner, and began to give off a dazzling light.
“We are now forever together. Master.”
But he had tried.
Why does the world not recognize his efforts?
Ascal, overcome with emotion, sat down and shed tears.
“This can’t be, this can’t be, this can’t be! The sword has finally found its owner! The hero is Kaaarl!”
“Even shedding tears of joy.”
“How lucky for him, he’s able to get all the benefits.”
The Crown Prince slowly approached the sitting Ascal.
“A certain legend comes to mind. The golden sword, embedded in rock, waiting for its master. It was said to only appear when the continent was in crisis. The name was Lightbane, wasn’t it?”
The Crown Prince’s mother used to tell him many legends when he was a child.
The story of the dragon that nearly destroyed the continent.
The story of devils biding their time in the demonic realm.
The story of a sorceress who fell in love with a human.
And the story of the legendary sword, Lightbane.
The Crown Prince particularly liked the story of Lightvein. After all, he would assign the name to a wooden sword in his childhood and enjoy play-battles.
But not anymore.
From Noble mtl dot com
“Do you know what’s bothering me? It’s the part about the ‘Continental Crisis.’ The empire is peaceful, and the monsters from the west have quieted down. So, what is this crisis that I’m unaware of? What am I missing?”
Cain spoke with unwavering eyes.
“What were you intending to confront when you drew that sword?”
“I…..”
Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud—
This time, the sound of drums came from afar.
“Warriors! We have arrived at the place where the light leads us!”
The volume was no joke. Despite the distance, it was loud enough to echo in Ascal’s ears.
“Who dares to beat the drums near the Crown Prince! Reveal yourself!”
Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud—-
The sound of drums was getting closer.
Bwoooooo—-
The sound of the horn grew louder as if refusing to lose.
Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud—-
Bwoooooo—-
Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud—-
Bwoooooo—-
‘At this rate, my eardrums will burst, you crazy fools.’
Then.
Finally, the owners of the drum sound showed themselves.
Men, bare-chested, showcasing muscular bodies with lion skins draped over them.
Their names were—
“The Lion Tribe and the golden saintess!”
“Why here?”
“Today truly is an unbelievable day. Not just seeing the Swordmaster but the holiness of the saintess too!”
“Even the warrior chief of the Lion Tribe who takes orders from no one is said to be on par with the Swordmaster!”
“The number of monsters they’ve toppitched is enough to fill a castle!”
Eager courtiers appearing in the front row were fervently discussing their identities.
‘A saintess…?’
Bad memories were attached to that name.
Therefore, Ascal habitually blocked out such rumors out of consciousness.
But then.
“I apologize for the audacious impropriety, Your Highness the prince,” a woman in a shabby robe said, letting her hood down. Her clear golden hair was revealed. With her tranquil green eyes filled with wisdom and charisma, her gaze alone was enough to humble those she looked upon.
“Disrespectful? I consider it an honor to meet the golden saintess I had only heard of in rumors. The Saintess and the warriors of the Lion Tribe. Your tales of valor have inspired me much.”
“I am the one who is honored to meet the wise and virtuous prince.”
“hahahaha. It seems you think it’s more of an honor.”
“No, I am the more honored one.”
“I am just a lucky person who has overly deserving people around.”
“We would be merely felons without Your Highness’s mercy.”
The two leaders instinctively felt it.
They had met a proper adversary.
Especially, the crown prince admired Aileen, who maintained her humility till the end.
While roaming power groups tend to become simple bandit gangs, it was Aileen’s conduct that made them honorable warriors.
“So. Having said that, are you here to watch the much-talked-about Sword Draw as well? It would have been better if you had come a little earlier.”
“I am…”
Eileen lowered her head and approached Askal, who was holding a sword.
Askal pieced together the erased memories.
That’s right.
The Golden Saint was Eileen.
‘Eileen…so she finally became the Saint.’
But why is Eileen coming this way?
Askal felt insecure, but stood firm.
Lia’s face-recognition magic, continuous training, disheveled hair, muddy face, and clothing.
Even the prince was fooled.
Especially since when he returned, Eileen did not recognize him, it would be even more difficult for her to notice.
“Carl. I want to ask for your forgiveness.”
Indeed.
Eileen knelt down, clasped her hands together, and lowered her head.
“I turned the golden grace you gave me into a simple stone. I repaid your love with indifference. You bestowed light upon me, but I gave you darkness.”
Askal looked down at Eileen silently.
He had no choice.
The atmosphere was too heavy. It wasn’t the atmosphere to say, ‘it’s no big deal, don’t worry about it.’
The Lion Tribe knelt with the Saint.
People just held their breath and watched the scene.
“I fell into desire. Greed consumed me. I ran away from the orphanage, saying I would pay for my sins, but it was just an escape. It was not atonement. I am still a sinner.”
Eileen shed tears.
“Do not forgive me. Please punish me. Carl.”
Ascal found himself in a dilemma.
To inflict punishment… And if he did, he would most likely be torn apart by the guards behind him – strangely familiar ones at that. And honestly, he wasn’t even sure what Eileen had done wrong. Truly.
Looking back, hadn’t she merely pursued her own happiness? Moreover, she hadn’t neglected the care of her children in the least.
“Master! Leave it to me! Lend me your arm for a moment!”
‘What’s to be left to you, hold on a second.’
In a brief moment of inattention, Lightvein was descending forcefully towards Eileen of its own accord. This was not execution.
Thankfully, Lightvein stopped at Eileen’s shoulder.
“Here. Say something cool. Quick.”
‘…….’
Ascal spoke.
“From the beginning, you were not a sinner. Only a traveller who lost her way. If you found its way back, never lose it again. The children miss you terribly.”
“My children… my children… I’m sorry…”
Ascal glanced at Sirius.
He had been wearing a bewildered expression and pulling his hat down since Eileen appeared.
“Still, if you need it, I forgive you.”
At that moment.
A golden light burst out of Lightvein.
The golden light that soared into the sky. And the sky quickly darkened.
‘This phenomenon is the same as at the Holy Kingdom……’
A bevy of lights that illuminates darkness has begun to appear.
-hahahaha! You’ve fallen into your own trick! Hoisted by your own petard!
-“The painting is good. The reason is good. This time, you can’t refuse, you scoundrel.
-“Of course, you’re the hero, hmm. Just ripe for the picking. And that one, she’s a saintess. This can’t be happening.
Ascal began to whistle. As a recent habit, he had Fer ready on hand to flee any time. Just for moments like this.
“Run as fast as we can, Fer! Aileen, you get on too!”
“Where do you think you’re running!?”
The light mass stirred. If hit by this light mass, you are forced to class up to a hero or real saintess. Fer lifted into the sky. Still, the flurry of lights continued to chase after them. How unlucky.
“……Ascal? Where are you going, leaving me behind? And who is that woman?”
The warmth drained from Lia’s eyes.
“My brethren, did you see?”
“We saw. His running confirms it.”
“Yeah. The saintess has guided us to the right place.”
“hahahaha! Our Mazar really loves to play tag! This time we won’t let him get away, Mazar! What joyful news!”
The soldiers raced after Ascal with innocent, joyous faces.
“Did-did-did-did-did you see that? That thing, you saw it, right? That thing!!!!”
“Yes. Crown Prince. It appears to be a pegasus from the fantasy tribe.”
The Crown Prince sees the pegasus.