Waiting for the ambush to begin felt like an eternity.
As the monster’s presence grew stronger, I dusted off my backside and stood up.
“Hmm, let’s see…”
I stroked my chin with my right hand, closed my eyes, and released my energy in all directions.
The dark energy shook and spiraled around me, filling in any gaps with another line.
The ground began to darken as if searching for its target, pulsating with life.
…Got it.
I gradually opened my eyes and let out a deep sigh.
“Definitely a lot of them.”
There seemed to be over five hundred just from what I could sense, so it made sense why Camilla couldn’t leave this place.
As soon as I spoke, Camilla, who had been slouched halfway, jumped up straight.
“What? They’re already here?”
“Ah.”
I waved lightly at Camilla, who looked surprised with wide eyes.
“At this distance, it should take about a meal… no, around 30 minutes.”
“Really…? That’s still pretty close.”
Taking another deep breath, I chuckled at Camilla, who resumed slouching.
She said she had no intention of helping me, but judging by how quickly she got up when I told her monsters were nearby, it seemed like she was eager to assist.
As such thoughts crossed my mind, I couldn’t help but grin at Camilla.
“What’s with that smile, grandma…?”
Camilla, with a frown, stuck out her tongue in a mock gagging motion.
“Nothing at all.”
However, Camilla’s antics started to look different to me.
Maybe it was because I realized that her true feelings were kinder than they appeared?
Or perhaps it was because we had become friends?
Either way, I was feeling good.
Whatever the reality was, it didn’t matter; in my heart, Camilla was now a good girl.
“…I feel bad.”
At my expression, Camilla shuddered and took a step back with a genuinely unhappy look in her eyes.
…Even I could get hurt by this.
Seeing her reaction, I hung my head with a dejected look, but she peeked at me and spoke.
“Grandma, do you remember what I said about the festival?”
Noticing my gloomy mood, she probably wanted to change the subject or at least chat until the ambush began.
I agreed with her unspoken suggestion and nodded.
“Of course I remember. I’m here because of that, after all.”
Seemingly satisfied with my answer, Camilla’s lips curled into a smile.
“Well then, grandma.”
“What is it?”
“Do you know why we’re holding a festival in such a dire situation?”
Suddenly?
It was about to get chaotic, so I furrowed my brow at Camilla’s baffling question but then reflected on her serious expression.
Reasons for the festival…
If I thought about it, if we were to fail to repel the ambush, the town would certainly fall apart, so there was no real reason to hold a festival this time.
Moreover, everyone in town seemed excited about the preparations, showing no sign of awareness of the imminent threat.
It could almost be called a state of blissful ignorance.
“Hmm…”
As I tilted my head, pondering to give Camilla a decent reply.
“You wouldn’t know.”
The only thing that came to mind was that they all seemed to have flowers blooming in their heads collectively.
Feeling irritated, I puffed out my lips and stared straight ahead.
“Pfft, right, you wouldn’t know.”
Camilla’s laughter deflated the heavy mood.
“What’s so funny…”
I scratched my head in embarrassment.
After laughing for a while, Camilla turned her gaze away and spoke softly.
“We’re thanking the God who protects the village.”
“God?”
What’s a God doing in this festival talk?
Oh, now that I think about it, I suppose it could be a festival with rituals involved.
…Not a fan.
You mean to tell me I’m supposed to enjoy a festival while there’s a risk of my life? My expression twisted involuntarily.
Camilla nodded, seeming to confirm my thoughts.
“Yes, the God.”
I sneaked a glance at her, and she had a bit of an awkward smile on her face.
Hmm, that still didn’t sit well with me.
If someone saw my expression now, they’d surely recognize the dissatisfaction plastered all over it.
With my gaze firmly locked onto her vacant-looking eyes, I spoke.
“…I just don’t get it.”
It truly made no sense.
They hold a festival to express gratitude to the God for protection?
“Aren’t you, Camilla, and your knights the ones actually protecting us?”
“Well, that is true.”
Camilla’s lips twitched upward slightly, though her eyes remained unfazed.
Ugh, how annoying.
Why’d she bring this up all of a sudden?
With a click of my tongue, I turned my head, and noticing the awkwardness in the atmosphere, Camilla raised her voice and spoke.
“Grandma, after we see the festival, can we leave?”
“Well, yeah, there’s no reason to hang around longer, right?”
The reason I had even come down from the mountain was to explore the world.
I turned my head slightly to observe Camilla; she wore a bitter smile, gazing down at the ground.
“…”
In silence, I drew my wooden sword and stood up.
“Well, thanks to you, I haven’t been bored here.”
“Really?”
That wasn’t a lie.
Whether it was after a long time or for the first time, it was Camilla who revived my interest in the sword.
I slowly took a deep breath and prepared my stance while Camilla looked confused.
“Watch closely. I’m showing you this technique just for you.”
I didn’t look at her and just focused on my stance.
“Before, I showed you the third technique of my sword art, Cheon Chung (Heavenly Charge).”
I began to steadily and accurately adjust my posture while explaining to Camilla.
The Divine Slaying Sword Technique, Third Technique, Cheon Chung.
If we were to dissect its intricacies, it primarily focuses on thrusting, akin to a keen sword.
In principle, maintaining distance is important, and it shares similarities with swift swords due to an emphasis on speed.
However, fundamentally being a thrusting art, Cheon Chung concentrates power into a single point without dispersing it.
And this doesn’t quite align with the great sword Camilla uses.
So, what should I teach to promote her growth in mastery?
I widened my feet slightly beyond shoulder-width.
Gripping the wooden sword tightly with both hands, I twisted my waist while turning the sword behind me, fixing my gaze straight ahead.
I closed my eyes briefly.
“Shhh-”
Taking a deep breath.
The energy in the air and my internal energy began to merge, swelling in size.
Unlike when performing Cheon Chung, I wasn’t compressing it sharply or pointedly.
“Ha…”
I made sure to fill in any gaps; it swelled massively like Camilla’s heavy burden.
The dark energy began to spread over my body, projecting from above the wooden sword and growing colossal.
I was ready.
Slowly opening my eyes to manage the energy, I called out.
“Camilla.”
“Uh, yes?”
Her voice, sounding somewhat flustered, which could be interpreted as frightened, hit my ears.
I shouldn’t feel this way, but seeing Camilla like that made me smirk.
I regretted that I couldn’t turn my gaze away; it simply made me sad.
“If we return to the village now, it would be nice to explore the festival together.”
Though I couldn’t see it, I imagined her eyes widening in surprise.
“…Okay.”
As Camilla agreed, a loud noise rang in my ears, as if the ground were shaking.
-Kugugugugugu
Looks like the ambush is finally starting.
The ground trembles.
From beyond the mountains, clouds of dirt rise.
Remembering Camilla’s words, the festival is indeed meant as a ritual for the God.
“You guys must have fled here.”
In that case, maybe these monsters are just as curious about the view here?
“Sorry, but…”
I’m not really fond of taking lives,
but with the Divine Slaying Sword Technique,
I’m feeling a bit off,
so I’m going to relieve a little of my frustration.
Fourth Technique –
My legs twist,
my waist spins quickly.
Along with that, the wooden sword swings horizontally.
Heavenly Punishment –
-Hong
With my sword swing, the pressure waves tore through the ground.
Rocks flew, and deeply-rooted trees were uprooted effortlessly.
A line etched in the air.
From beyond the mountains, grotesque red paint spilled over the drawn dark line.
One, two, ten, a hundred, a thousand.
As power waned, beings resembling humans but slightly distorted began to fall.
I straightened my posture.
“Sometime.”
I drove the wooden sword into the ground and gazed skyward.
“I will personally bring you your punishment.”
It was a promise and a declaration.
