Chapter 90

Swoosh.

The legendary sword Ragnarok is drawn with a cold metallic sound.

The silver blade of Ragnarok absorbs the moonlight, radiating a chilling aura.

“Ooh.”

The old man gasped in admiration.

“Truly, a legendary sword bestowed by the gods. Facing the majesty of that sword, I feel my blood boiling for the first time in a long time. Come now. If you wield that sword, it means you have the qualifications and skill to do so.”

The old man raised his shield even higher.

“But even you, can you pierce through the Shield of Destiny, Aegis, which has endured a thousand years?”

“……”

Ariel silently stared at the old man.

A look of solemn determination filled the old man’s face, as if he were a hero facing his final battle.

“It’s time to bring our long-standing battle to an end. After tonight, one of us will no longer exist in this world. But don’t worry. Our duel tonight will be recorded in history.”

“……”

Ariel felt dizzy.

A legendary sword and a long-standing battle.

Ariel’s Ragnarok was just a sword Lionel made while imitating a dwarf, and Ariel had just met this old man here for the first time.

At this point, it was almost certain.

This old man was not in his right mind.

From the start, that rag mace and fake shield didn’t make sense.

The armor emitting a golden glow looked somewhat convincing, though…

“!”

For a moment, Ariel’s pupils trembled slightly.

Now she noticed that what the old man was wearing wasn’t armor. It was just clothes designed to look like armor.

There was a button in the middle.

Even the shoulders were slightly oversized, drooping awkwardly.

Then, that golden glow must also be fake. Probably similar to the red glow of Ragnarok.

“What are you doing? Aren’t you going to attack? Surely you’re not scared, Zarkan?”

Who’s Zarkan?

Ariel finally swung Ragnarok.

At a very slow speed.

Whoosh.

Ragnarok lightly tapped the old man’s shield.

The moment it hit, the old man’s shield slightly dented like a sponge, and Ariel became even more convinced.

It’s just a doll-like shield.

If Ariel hadn’t controlled her strength, the shield would have torn apart, scattering cotton.

“Kuhahaha.”

The old man was overjoyed.

He seemed to think he had successfully blocked Ariel’s attack.

“As expected of my Aegis. Blocking a legendary sword. How about that, Beleghor? This is the difference in skill. Now it’s my turn. Try to dodge this time like before.”

The old man walked over and swung his mace.

From the old man’s perspective, he seemed to be swinging with all his might, but seeing his arm tremble, it was clear that even the act of swinging was strenuous.

The rag mace lightly tapped Ariel’s forehead.

It was more like it touched her rather than hitting her.

“Hoho, you couldn’t dodge this time. Is this the end for you? No… that can’t be. You’re still holding back. Why, Necrovanus? Why are you conserving your strength?”

“……”

“Do it properly. You’re the only opponent I acknowledge. If you don’t take this seriously, our duel tonight will…”

“I’ll do it properly.”

Ariel said so and raised Ragnarok high.

To end this farce, it seemed best to play along with the old man’s rhythm.

“Burn, Ragnarok.”

A red glow erupted from Ragnarok.

A sinister light of destruction coiled around the silver blade like a snake.

“Ooh, ooh!”

The old man’s eyes sparkled with delight.

“Truly a magic sword! The chaotic magic sword that brings the end of the world! How magnificent!”

The old man, hanging his mace and shield, smiled broadly like a child.

Ariel began to chant softly.

“Red flames awakened from darkness… spread the wings of judgment and burn my enemies…”

“Ooh, ooh!!”

The old man’s mouth stretched to his ears.

The more Ariel used intense and exaggerated expressions, the more the old man was overjoyed.

The old man shouted with a trembling voice.

“That’s it! Show me all your power!”

The old man’s eyes were filled with deep determination to block Ariel’s attack.

Ariel continued chanting.

“Flames of chaos stained with blood…”

Ariel’s body began to float in the air. She was using telekinesis magic.

“Release the thousand-year seal and unleash your true power…”

Ariel flew to the old man and stopped, then slowly brought Ragnarok down.

“Devour, Ragnarok.”

“Uwaaah!”

The old man shouted and raised his shield.

Ragnarok, descending at a very slow speed, lightly tapped the old man’s shield.

At that moment, the red glow from Ragnarok disappeared, and Ragnarok spun around and flew to the other end of the corridor. Of course, by telekinesis magic.

“Kuhahaha!”

The old man burst into laughter.

“Is this all your full power? It was impressive, but you still couldn’t pierce my Aegis! Now it’s my turn! I shall deliver divine judgment upon you!”

The old man swung his mace with all his might.

“Divine Smasher!”

Tap.

A trivial impact was felt on Ariel’s side. Nevertheless, Ariel let out a scream.

“Ugh.”

Ariel fell to the ground with a thud.

She closed her eyes and didn’t move.

“Hoo…”

The old man wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked down at Ariel.

“Finally, the long battle is over. Rest in peace. I will not forget your courage and determination. Although you were defeated by me, you were a truly splendid hero…”

“What’s going on, Bishop Havier…?”

A voice was heard.

A clear and pure voice.

The old man quickly turned his head, and Ariel slightly opened her eyes.

The door had opened, and a girl stood there.

The Saintess, Revena.

*

Revena blinked and looked at Havier.

Hearing the commotion outside, she opened the door to find Bishop Havier, clad in armor emitting a golden glow, panting heavily.

Sweat dripped from Havier’s forehead, and his expression clearly showed exhaustion.

Once the Archbishop leading the Cathedral, now retired and serving as an honorary bishop, a spiritual pillar for the younger generation.

…At least, that’s the official reason.

In truth, Havier had begun to lose his memory and judgment due to aging, leading to his retirement.

To preserve his honor, the Cathedral bestowed upon him the title of honorary bishop, but Havier no longer remembered even being the Archbishop.

Havier simply believed himself to be a noble knight, wearing clothes designed to look like armor, and patrolled the Cathedral every night.

With a rag mace at his waist and a shield made of planks and cotton on his back.

There were even rumors that he carried magical items emitting a golden glow inside his clothes, and now it seemed true.

Havier’s fake armor looked quite convincing with the golden glow from the magical items.

“……”

A sad expression appeared on Revena’s face.

Revena felt pity every time she saw Havier. It pained her to see him, deluded into believing he was a noble knight.

Havier patrolled the Cathedral every single day, and those who initially tried to stop him eventually gave up.

They could only care for him from the side, ensuring he wasn’t hurt.

Everyone respected Havier as an honorary bishop and honored his actions.

Revena, too, would greet Havier, saying, “Good evening, Bishop Havier, thanks to you, I can sleep safely every night, I’m always grateful,” and Havier would smile contentedly and puff out his chest.

‘But what on earth is this today…’

Revena looked around.

Two Holy Knights lay unconscious at the door.

The sturdy Holy Knights who guarded Revena’s door every night.

The Cathedral’s finest Holy Knights lay unconscious.

Moreover, someone lay unconscious in front of Havier.

Dressed like an adventurer.

Though their identity was unknown, they lay still, seemingly not a threat.

Revena approached Havier.

Wiping the sweat from Havier’s face with her sleeve, she looked at the person lying on the ground.

“?!”

Revena’s eyes widened in an instant.

“A-Ariel?”

The person lying on the ground was none other than Ariel.

“Hoho.”

Havier spoke proudly beside her.

“Don’t worry, Saintess. I’ve taken care of this one. Now you are safe…”

Havier stopped speaking and staggered.

“Bishop Havier!”

Revena tried to support him, but it was no use. Havier collapsed with a thud.

Havier’s fake mace and shield rolled on the ground.

“B-Bishop Havier!”

Havier had lost consciousness.

Revena quickly summoned her holy power, and Ariel quietly got up.