The arena was enveloped in a tense silence.
Of course, this was because countless holy knights and soldiers were solemnly guarding the surroundings.
Amidst this, the priests, flanked by a squad of holy knights, brought a large box that resembled a coffin into the arena.
“Rudell, look at that.”
“Is that… the holy sword…”
Inside the box lay a sword radiating a sacred atmosphere at first glance.
It was none other than the holy sword, a national treasure imbued with the divine power of the gods, carefully held as if it were a treasure.
As the priests stood in formation for the ceremony, Rudell and the other four finalists stood on the podium prepared in the arena.
With solemn music playing, the priests began singing hymns, and their divine power resonated, creating a bright array of lights within the arena.
“Oooh… O gods…!!”
“Please bless us…!!”
“Bow down!! Bow down!!”
The audience seated in the stands shed tears and prayed as the hymn continued until the priests reached the podium with the holy sword.
When the hymn stopped, representatives of each church, high priests, and other attendants all came up to the arena.
And finally, the true representative of the Holy Kingdom, Pope Johan Derensses Tubel Kainer, stepped up onto the podium.
As he did, Rudell and the other three knelt before the Pope.
“I have seen your performances. Each of you possesses skills that can be compared to the ancient heroes.”
The heavy voice of the Pope came down like a press.
Thinking that this was indeed the representative of the Holy Kingdom, Rudell lowered his head.
“Those who are worthy, raise your heads.”
At the command of the assistant priest, the four raised their heads.
“Regardless of your past, the present you live, or the future you will have, it is not of great importance. You will face the gods’ trial here, and those chosen will engage in a holy war to protect the continent’s fate.”
“Are you prepared to participate in the holy war that determines the fate of the continent?”
“We will dedicate our fate before the great gods.”
Pulling out the answer they had already heard, they rose from their places.
“Commander of the Imperial Knights, Pachel Bel Brant! Step forward!”
With the priest’s shout, the first in line, an elderly man known as Pachel Bel Brant, stepped forward.
At first glance, he had the impression of a seasoned veteran.
He looked able to go toe-to-toe with Leje in a match.
“Take the sword.”
“I will do so.”
Nodding, Pachel Bel reached for the holy sword, and his fingers touched it.
However, there was no reaction from the holy sword.
“Unfortunately, it seems the gods have not chosen you.”
“Oh really? Can’t be helped.”
With a somewhat disappointed reaction, Pachel Bel stepped down from the podium without regret.
Next up was none other than Leje.
“Duchess Leje El Lagrind of the Kingdom! Step forward!”
Perhaps due to the occasion, Leje, clearly nervous, walked towards the podium where the holy sword was placed…
“Take the sword.”
“Yes.”
Nodding at the priest’s words, she cautiously reached out to the sword.
And her fingertips touched it.
But…
“Huh…?”
“Unfortunately, it seems you too have not been chosen by the gods.”
“Can’t be helped, I suppose.”
Showing her disappointment, Leje also stepped down from the podium.
“What happened?”
“Well, it means I’m not the vessel of the hero.”
“Huh…”
Leje shrugged, looking embarrassed at Rudell’s whispered words.
A low groan escaped Rudell’s mouth as he watched her. If she wasn’t the vessel of the hero, then who could be?
Thinking that, Rudell awaited the next turn.
“Wandering vagabond swordsman. Step forward.”
“…”
The man nodded silently as he stepped onto the podium, and Rudell silently watched the scene.
Finally, he would be able to see who it was.
With such thoughts, Rudell fixed his gaze upon him.
“Take the sword.”
“Yes.”
The voice heard for the first time.
The moment he heard that voice, Rudell froze, stunned.
Of course, that voice was undoubtedly familiar.
Around three years ago.
The voice he had heard in the depths of the Imperial capital, Pensburg.
The voice that he still vividly remembered.
“Wait…”
“Stop that person!!”
Seeming to have sensed it too, Leje widened her eyes, and Rudell shouted towards the priests and dashed forward.
But his movements were much faster.
“Too late, my friend.”
Saying that, he reached out and grasped the holy sword…
–Fwaaaaah!!
In that moment, a beam of light erupted from the holy sword, shooting upwards toward the sky.
*
The place for selecting the hero turned into chaos in an instant.
The light that shot toward the sky transformed into a sinister purple hue, beginning to blacken the heavens.
A nervous murmur spread among the crowd at that suddenly darkened sky.
And at that moment.
–Kwahhh!!
–Puff!!
From that point, massive explosions began to erupt all over the Holy Kingdom.
“Uahhh!?”
“What the hell is going on!?”
“F-First, let’s run!!”
Explosions occurred inside the arena, and confusion began to spread among the audience.
It didn’t take long for the chaos to spiral out of control.
People getting up to leave first, intertwining and getting hurt, and others kneeling, praying to the gods in despair.
It was indeed a situation that suited the term “great chaos.”
“What the hell did you do!?”
“Do you think I would tell you if you asked?”
Amidst the pandemonium, Rudell shouted toward Iandel.
Though the holy knights guarding the scene formed a perimeter around him, he looked at the spectacle disdainfully and shouted.
“Look! The holy sword you treasure is in my hand!”
“What, what is that!? Is that really the holy sword!?”
In his hand was none other than the holy sword.
The pure white blade stained black, emitting a sinister light.
A ripple of confusion ran among the holy knights witnessing this, and Iandel gripped the sword tightly with a chilling smile.
“Everyone, get down!!”
“Die, all of you!!”
–Kwahhh!!
Hearing Rudell’s shout, at the same moment, Iandel swung the sword.
Following the trajectory of the sword, a black blast erupted, and the wave of it obliterated an entire section of the arena.
“Sa-save me!!”
“Uwaaa! Mom!!”
“Uwahhh!”
Screams erupted from people engulfed in the attack, and the chaos within the arena intensified uncontrollably.
–Chak!!
“Tch… Looks like this is the extent of it.”
In that moment, cracks appeared on the surface of the holy sword, and shattered fragments fell away.
Seeing this, Iandel clicked his tongue briefly and sheathed the sword at his waist.
“You bastard!! What the hell are you doing?”
“I wanted to have a rematch with you, but it’s not the time for that now.”
At that moment, Leje drew her sword and charged in, but with a mocking smile, Iandel knocked Leje’s sword away.
With the sharp clang of metal, Leje’s sword was deflected, causing her to lose her balance.
“You suffered a great humiliation from me before; now I shall humiliate you as well.”
Taking advantage of the gap, Iandel swung his sword at Leje, while Rudell gathered his magic power.
Shadows sprang up from beneath Leje’s feet to block Iandel’s sword, and at the signal, the holy knights charged toward Iandel.
But, at that moment…
–GooOOOoooo!!!
A roar so powerful it seemed to shake every cell in their bodies echoed from above.
At the sudden terrifying roar, everyone, excluding Iandel, looked up at the sky, and what they saw was something emerging from the thick dark clouds covering the sky.
“That, that is…”
“No way…!!”
A massive size large enough to cover the entire arena.
A body stripped to the bone, with only rotten flesh remaining, at its center burned a sinister purple flame.
Purple energy swirled through the decayed skin, and from the empty eye sockets came a fierce hostility directed at the living.
“I’ll see you again later.”
With that massive being as the backdrop, Iandel spoke.
And in that moment…
“Th-the Main Dragon is here!!”
–Kyaaaaahhh!!!
With someone shouting, the Main Dragon let out a tremendous roar and began to descend to the ground.
