The moment I gripped the hilt, the world in front of me dimmed and sank into darkness.
And then, after a while.
The scene I had witnessed before unfolded right before my eyes.
Only this time, there is a difference.
Whose eyes am I seeing through?
Right now, I’m observing the world through the eyes of the one wielding the sword.
In front of me stood a father who looked young.
The sequence unfolds similarly to what I saw before.
Previously, it felt like I was watching the situation from the sky or some distant vantage point.
But not now.
It’s painfully obvious whose perspective I’m borrowing to witness this situation.
Observing combat through the eyes of one among three participants feels completely different…
Oppression. Threat. Tension. Heightened emotions.
Even though it’s all undoubtedly an indirect experience, every sensation feels vividly alive, as if breathing right in front of me.
Soon, at the climactic end of this short yet long duel, they clash.
Victory is clear.
However, unlike before, I can’t quite understand why Grandeous didn’t use his vision and just collapsed.
There he was, the Knight in obsidian armor, kneeling on one knee, sinking into the ground, leaning on his sword for support.
And that sword which was twisted into a diagonal line…
…is this very one now in my hand.
“…”
I return to reality.
For a brief moment, this sword, which has weathered countless storms to guard this place, still stands steadfast in its position.
No matter how hard I pull the hilt with all my might, it doesn’t budge an inch.
It’s as if it’s rejecting me, mocking me like “What makes you think you’re worthy?”
No, that’s not it.
Maybe I’m just disappointed because there’s no reaction, feeling like I’ve been denied.
“…”
Since someone is waiting, I reluctantly let go without hesitation.
Today just isn’t my day.
Or maybe… the time hasn’t fully ripened yet.
Or…
…perhaps I haven’t been granted the qualification to wield this yet.
I don’t get it.
“Does it seem the same for you, Master?”
Louilin nudged my arm lightly with her hand, teasing me.
“Yeah.”
Without saying much, I just gave a faint smile.
Just as we were about to step out of formation, in the distance, I spotted Leo and Luciri.
In front of a flower stall, they seemed anxious about something. Without thinking, I approached them.
“Ah, Leil!”
Perfect timing, Leo’s face lit up with relief.
“If it’s not too much trouble, could you help us?”
“…Sure, I’ll listen.”
The girl sitting on her cane, ready to act at any moment, clearly showed signs of urgency.
This might be more her issue than Leo’s group problem.
“An older man took a boy named Rio, apparently. Ah, Rio is… Lady Luines…”
Wasn’t the flower shop girl named Luines?
Behind her, a small girl, barely reaching her knees, clung tightly to Luines’ leg, anxiously looking up at me.
“Since it’s urgent, keep it brief.”
“I’ll explain,” said Luciri, taking over from Leo.
“Rio is an orphan who stays at a small chapel here in Somern.”
The gist is simple.
Sometimes orphans are used for errands, but these often lead to bad situations.
Occasionally, mistakes happen or other reasons arise, resulting in arrests or even kidnappings under the pretext of human trafficking, though rare.
“What does he look like? Where did he disappear, and where might he be?”
“That… I think I have a bit of an idea.”
Since there wasn’t a map, we went all the way to the edge, almost like a cliff, where Luines pointed out a few places with her hand, roughly indicating specific buildings or locations.
“It’s hard to pinpoint exactly… But it should be either here or over there.”
“Then it’s split into two options.”
Leo naturally added.
“…”
Is he just a nice guy, or does he have some ulterior motive?
Though the flower girl is pretty, it seems unlikely he’d help just for that.
That kid, Leo, seems a bit… gullible.
“Hotheaded fool.”
What about myself helping here?
“Yeah.”
It’s not out of chivalry.
Nor sympathy.
Not exactly anyway.
“Then I’ll head to the farther location first. Louilin, you go with them.”
“…”
Louilin clearly didn’t like doing something without reward, but she didn’t complain aloud—just silently cursed through her expression.
“Alright.”
Facing an edge not far from a cliff, I stepped back with one foot leading.
Then, suddenly, my vision flipped upside down.
The endless expanse of the sky captured my gaze entirely.
Without hesitation, my body plummeted.
“Eh?! Just wait a second―?!”
Leo, Luciri, even Luines and the little girl clinging to her, watched in shock as I fell into the air.
“It’s not that high, really.”
With a light tap on the wall, I pivoted my body.
After controlling my speed by stepping on the wall a few times, I leaped again.
Landing gently without damaging the rooftops, I sprinted toward my target.
====
“Looks like an elf, huh?”
Luciri’s not-really-impressed tone made Leo chuckle awkwardly.
“Climbing buildings like that isn’t impossible if you’re agile enough…”
Adding more commentary,
though it’s true that the buildings are close together, making it possible.
“Just ignore it. If you have time to marvel, let’s move. Or do you want to jump off like the master?”
At Louilin’s unenthusiastic remark, both Luciri and Leo shook their heads simultaneously.
“While we move, let’s discuss what each of us can do. Or should we just cause chaos blindly?”
“If we do that, the security patrol will catch us, right?”
The realistic conversation between the two girls prompted Leo to interject.
“We’ll think about it once we get there.”
“Isn’t that too late?”
“Well, better than delaying and losing our chance.”
“That… yeah.”
Unintentionally hitting the nail on the head.
Since none of them could confidently perform a high-altitude drop like Carriel, they all rushed toward the nearest staircase instead.
====
Reaching a distance that would normally take dozens of minutes in mere minutes, Carriel landed on the roof of what appeared to be a large warehouse, starting to check inside for any signs of life.
“…”
Through the wind came a strong metallic smell.
Even after jumping just a few roofs, the stench grew so intense it made me nauseous.
“…”
If this turns out wrong, things could get ugly.
But if the boy named Rio—or whoever—is in here…
“What if he’s already dead?”
Would I need to collect a corpse?
Feeling a slight revulsion toward himself for considering such thoughts so coldly,
Carriel abandoned stealth, descending from the roof toward the entrance.
Blood stains already marked the entrance.
The men sprawled around, devoid of any signs of life or movement, had long since passed away.
“…”
Upon opening the warehouse door, the scent of blood intensified further.
“…”
Inside, indeed, lay numerous corpses.
Perhaps over ten.
Fortunately, none appeared to be children.
Just then,
“Frightening, isn’t it?”
A figure standing in the flowing blood turned sharply to glare at me.
Nervous tension.
Sharp eyes.
His deep amber eyes, partially hidden beneath his dark blue hair, unmistakably radiated his presence even in the dim warehouse.
“So, you really came after hearing we’d kill everyone.”
While muttering, seemingly to himself or addressing me directly, the youth kept his gaze firmly fixed on me.
“I’m here for the child.”
“Child? What child?”
The youth frowned, clearly confused.
“You mean, in this cruel world where kids die left and right, you’d rush here to care for strangers?”
“…”
You know something.
This wasn’t just random speculation.
He knows something.
“I’m hunting because I’ve considered all that. Don’t worry. You can do whatever you want elsewhere, but we won’t tolerate reckless behavior here.”
“…I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”
Quickly scanning the surroundings, I concluded this wasn’t the right place.
“Leaving?”
“…”
“Why don’t you show me your skills? If you’re the one from the prophecy, aren’t you here for Grandeous’ sword or something?”
“…”
Prophecy. Grandeous. Sword.
The reason I came here.
He wants to test my abilities.
From just a few fragments, I can roughly gauge how much information this opponent holds.
Moreover, “the one from the prophecy.”
Meaning I’m some specific entity mentioned in someone’s rant or record.
“So, does the prophecy say whether you win, live, or die?”
“Why? So you can try to make it come true?”
The youth swung his sword into the air.
The raised blade silently pointed toward the horizon.
Suddenly, blood sprayed from the sword, scattering across the drying pool below, creating countless ripples.
It happened in an instant.
Too fast for the eye to follow.
“You’ve been up there, so you know, right? Even you, chosen one, couldn’t pull it out. So, it ultimately comes down to skill, doesn’t it?”
“…What are you trying to say?”
“You. Not from the aid knights, yet you inherited Grandeous’ techniques? How is that possible?”
Though I anticipated potential entanglements,
I didn’t expect this kind of situation.
“So, are you from the great aid knights?”
“Yeah. The third sword.”
“…”
Does that ranking even matter?
Carriel couldn’t comprehend the pride in his demeanor as he boasted.
“What’s with that look?”
“So what? Whether you’re third or fourth, what does it have to do with me?”
“Exactly why rootless bastards are annoying.”
That’s my line.
Overconfident, self-assured.
His unbending shoulders, piercing gaze, and expression—
I’ve seen plenty of arrogant fools like him.
The so-called blue-bloods acted the same way.
Most importantly,
…Alesius.
That kid, who claimed noble lineage, always radiated this unwarranted confidence.
Eventually, he turned that into a foundation and actually achieved greatness.
Because he was simply that talented.
Acknowledge what needs acknowledging.
Without Ellie, he would’ve undoubtedly been a genius beyond mere talent.
Strangely enough,
this guy in front of me, despite living differently and having distinct experiences,
somehow smells similar.
“Stop sulking and fight. We’re not exactly friends, are we?”
“…So, why start a sword fight?”
Getting stuck here too long risks misunderstandings, which could hurt worse later.
“Should I ask that brat instead? The girl you dragged here?”
“Do you even have the skill for that?”
Cheap provocation.
Besides,
“…Weren’t the aid knights supposed to uphold justice, protect the weak, and safeguard ideals? Looks like they changed a lot after Grandeous’ death, huh?”
“You’re one of the demon king’s lackeys, aren’t you?”
That unexpectedly hit close to home.
“What?”
“Not denying it, huh?”
What is this?
“There’s a rumor going around. Some great hero’s son is plotting the demon king’s resurrection.”
“…”
Unbelievable nonsense, but truth doesn’t matter.
Whether it’s fact or fiction means nothing.
The fact that someone believes it and spreads it around—that’s all that matters.
“Should I start shouting that the great hero’s son is here? That’ll surely cause quite a commotion, right?”
“…”
Is this a threat?
Or perhaps a setup for blackmail or negotiation?
“Hmph.”
Let’s just trash it.
“Fine. Let’s play along.”
I drew Ellie’s sword.
No matter how much I think about it, nothing better comes to mind.
Besides,
why avoid a fight coming straight at you?
My concern was getting falsely accused from fighting around here.
If that’s resolved…
“Hmm?”
Instead of entering the warehouse, I disappeared from the spot.
“You little punk?!”
Like a scolded child, he stormed after me in a fit of rage.
“Hey! Fight me! Why are you running, you coward! Aren’t you gonna stand and fight?!”
…This kid looks older than me, yet his actions and attitude are pure childishness.
Sitting casually atop the roof of the next warehouse, I waved my finger at him mockingly.
Then, signaling him to follow, I immediately took off.
“YAAAAH―!”
The youth’s furious roar shook the entire area.
What do you want, idiot?
If you’re upset, chase properly.
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