======[ Peirus ]======
“The Knight of Ruins… Truly intriguing.”
Upon hearing the report from the 7th Apostle, Peirus showed deep interest in the emergence of a monster unlike any other.
The fundamental impulse of a monster is to kill humans. The only time a monster doesn’t kill a human is for breeding purposes, and even that is limited to hybrid monsters capable of reproduction. It doesn’t apply to the undead.
But a monster that not only doesn’t kill humans but outright ignores them unless attacked? Truly an intriguing existence.
“Is there nothing to go on? I thought you, the 1st Apostle, would know its true nature.”
“Hmm… It’s hard to conclude without seeing it firsthand.”
Contrary to the 7th Apostle’s expectations, even Peirus couldn’t draw conclusions from fragmented information. The fact that it used a sword to collapse a city wall alone suggested over five possible methods.
The use of dark magic, the Rune of Collapse, sheer physical strength, a power specialized in destruction, or even techniques from its past life. Among these five possibilities, the true answer couldn’t be known without a direct encounter.
Without understanding the nature of its power, grasping its true identity was nothing short of absurd.
“It would be ideal to capture it alive…”
“That won’t be easy. The monster itself is undoubtedly on par with a hero, and Marquis Median has already headed in that direction.”
At the 7th Apostle’s words, Peirus slightly furrowed his brow. If Marquis Median, Ai-shan Gi-or Ha-shal-leur, had moved to subjugate the monster, it would likely be defeated soon. Time was running perilously short.
Most Apostles were dispatched to various nations to coordinate and report on their movements, and Peirus himself was near the Empire’s border, investigating ancient ruins.
Sending only the subordinates near the capital to handle this would risk them being overwhelmed. Even Valenstein, who would be perfect for such a task, was no match for the undead or Marquis Median.
‘There’s no one suitable to send…’
Peirus let out a sigh.
A small, elite secret organization might sound impressive, but it also meant that all tasks were concentrated on a few individuals. Everyone was overwhelmed with work.
Except for Peirus himself, the Apostles maintained such strict secrecy that even they didn’t know each other’s identities. This allowed them to carry out plans that would draw the world’s ire without being exposed.
But as with all things, advantages come with disadvantages. The price of their small, elite secrecy was chronic manpower shortages.
Even Peirus, the head of the Order, had to personally investigate ruins.
‘…Capturing it is impossible. I’ll just send a watcher to observe the battle.’
Ultimately, Peirus gave up on capturing the Knight of Ruins. If he had heard about it a week earlier, it might have been possible, but now there was no way.
“Is there anything else to report?”
“Well… Marquis Median’s knowledge of monsters was deeper than expected, and Floheta’s prototype airship crashed, leaving five researchers severely injured…”
The 7th Apostle listed recent news from the capital. Most were mere gossip, but the news of the Mage Tower researching airships was quite interesting to Peirus.
He even considered leaking some information to the Mage Tower to offer advice.
If the airship was completed, they could move around more easily, and a powerful aerial combat tool would make it easier for humanity to counter the threats of other races.
“Oh, there’s also this. Recently, some mages from the Mage Tower have been thoroughly investigating the underground waterways. Something about searching for dragon remains? I think that was it.”
The matter of Nidhogg’s remains was a top-secret imperial affair, and the official reason for the investigation was to check the waterways’ condition and pollution levels. However, the 7th Apostle had already uncovered the truth.
Though it was such an absurd story that she remained skeptical.
“Dragon…? What on earth…?”
Peirus also tilted his head in confusion at first. The return of dragons had been prophesied, but for that to happen, the fourth Holy Grail needed to be destroyed first. It was still a distant future.
‘They’re searching for dragon remains in the capital’s underground waterways…? Was there a dragon there…?’
After racking his memory, Peirus finally recalled a record he had read long ago.
In the latter part of Carolus’s chronicles, there was a heroic tale of Nidhogg attacking Exra-shapel and being slain by Carolus and the Twelve Knights.
“Ah, now I remember. There was one. The dragon Nidhogg. The ancient dragon that damaged the World Tree’s roots. Its remains are still there…?”
“Wait, there’s really a dragon’s corpse buried down there?”
The 7th Apostle was utterly baffled. Anyone would react the same upon learning a dragon was lurking beneath their home.
“That’s highly likely. If Nidhogg’s remains exist, it also explains why Isabella was so fixated on the capital. She must have planned to resurrect and control Nidhogg with her insects.”
Peirus’s speculation was accurate. Indeed, Isabella had returned to the capital instead of fighting her final battle in the Venes territory, all because of Nidhogg’s corpse.
Though her plans were thwarted by Ha-shal-leur, who faced her alone and brought her to ruin.
“…I’d rather not bring up that witch.”
The 7th Apostle growled with deep contempt and hostility. She harbored immense hatred for Isabella. That witch was the root of all her humiliation.
Even after being chosen by Peirus to become the 7th Apostle, her hatred for Isabella never waned.
The very condition Peirus offered her was the chance to escape her humiliating circumstances and gain the power to take revenge on Isabella.
Though Isabella died at the hands of a variable before she could exact her revenge, making the condition unfulfillable.
“My apologies. I was inconsiderate.”
Peirus immediately offered an apology.
Though the 7th Apostle was not particularly strong, her utility made her invaluable. Even after losing influence in Panam, she continued to gather and report on the Empire’s secrets.
“Anyway, Nidhogg’s remains… This is truly an intriguing matter. Far more so than the Knight of Ruins. I think I need to investigate this personally.”
“Is that alright?”
“As long as I don’t run into Elmain or Menesillia, it should be fine. I can easily prepare a disguise.”
In fact, even if he walked around with his face uncovered, few would recognize him. Peirus was believed to have died centuries ago. Who could possibly recognize him just by his face?
Though his portrait might still exist, unless it was someone from his era, anyone who recognized him based on a centuries-old painting would be more of a lunatic than a wise or sharp-eyed individual.
Seeing someone who resembled Carolus walking the streets and declaring that Emperor Carolus the Great had returned would be nothing short of madness.
======[ Ha-shal-leur ]======
The cathedral was also bustling with preparations for evacuation.
Though the Knight of Ruins wasn’t killing people, it was destroying every building in its path, so anything that shouldn’t be damaged was being moved to other areas or stored in the basement.
“Excuse me. The cathedral is currently closed to pilgrims. If you have urgent business, please identify yourselves.”
The bishop managing the cathedral blocked our way with a polite yet stern tone.
As the most important place in the village, unlike the village entrance where no identification was required, one couldn’t enter the cathedral without revealing their identity. It was likely to prevent thieves or bandits from taking advantage of the chaos.
Reluctantly, Leonor and I had to reveal our identities after pleading not to cause a scene.
The bishop, recognizing us, was visibly shocked but managed to suppress his astonishment and let us inside.
Thanks to that, we could freely admire the display of my dark history.
“At this size, they must have used an entire person… You really did all sorts of things, miss.”
The wall inscribed with “Divine Punishment.” The blood-written characters had darkened over time, resembling a calligraphic artwork.
“For the writing to remain so clear on a burned wall… How fascinating!”
As Rana exclaimed, the edges of the wall were charred black, but the characters remained untouched, as if preserved by a miracle.
A plaque beneath the glass case explained that it was due to divine intervention.
The writing was said to be unburnable, unwashable, and unfading, no matter how much time passed, and was currently under review to be registered as a holy relic.
If approved, it would be preserved forever, as long as the Empire and the Holy Kingdom stood.
In a few centuries, it might be treated as a historical artifact, like Saint George’s necklace or Saint Leila’s earrings, with items like “Saint Ha-shal-leur’s chalkboard” or “Saint Ha-shal-leur’s wall.”
Even the clothes or armor I wore, or the house I lived in, might be preserved as holy relics.
…I should probably destroy the armor and clothes later.
The thought of someone wearing my clothes as a holy relic in the future sent shivers down my spine.
