After seeing Rubia and Noah completely part ways, I let the smile that was on my face fade and returned to my usual expression.
“Kent. So what happened to the corpse?”
Kent approached silently as usual, lightly nodded, then spoke up.
“According to the investigation team’s results… no trace of Carpen could be found. It was determined that the damage was solely caused by the Great Sword. Even after death… it seems there were about thirty-nine strikes…”
“I see.”
I recalled the sight of the chunks of meat that had been spread across the floor.
All limbs had been torn off, the entrails were burst out, and the corpse was smashed to the point where bones and flesh had separated.
“It seems that… the Shaman who was next to her earlier—”
I raised my hand slightly to cover Kent’s mouth.
“There are many ears listening. Lower your voice. So, did the villagers see that corpse?”
Clearing throat “There were people who witnessed the murder scene. I asked them to keep it quiet as much as possible, but… the rumors have already spread.”
“It won’t be easy to cover everything up.”
“I’m sorry.”
I recalled the voices I had heard from different places.
“So that’s the atmosphere that’s been created…”
Sure, there were some friendly voices, but they were in the minority.
The majority of the villagers were trembling in fear, saying everything was their fault.
With the sight of the corpse, I couldn’t say I didn’t understand their reaction.
Wasn’t it too harsh for the heroes who protected the village?
Huff…
Yesterday and today.
I recalled the girl I had talked to.
Her bright smile and her incredibly small frame compared to others.
A very timid and pure personality.
Plus, that Great Sword dragging on the ground that didn’t even match her height…
She was a girl I simply couldn’t imagine killing someone.
But I couldn’t comprehend how such a girl could commit such an act.
Any normal human should at least hesitate even slightly when it comes to killing another human.
But looking at that corpse…
Not only was there no hesitation, but she seemed to enjoy it instead.
Tsk.
Thinking any further wouldn’t change anything…
I widened my field of vision and captured all traces of the battles involving Carpen in my mind.
Then, using my second unique ability, I read the flow of magical power.
I began to visualize the process of the battle.
The first was Carpen, along with… Luchi and Heinzel.
The second was the Great Sword… Noah.
Next came…
The faint remnants of magical power and an arrow stained with blood.
The perception-hindering robe.
The improved berserker horn.
And what I had seen on the corpse.
The corners of her mouth rising as if being torn apart.
The mark of the black sun etched in my brain.
“Is there certain information that no one has seen the mark?”
“Yes. That’s certain.”
“Then, that’s a relief… but please do whatever you can to stop the rumors from spreading.”
“Understood. I will do my best.”
“No, don’t just do your best. Do it well. Well.”
“…Yes. Understood.”
I turned my back and waved my hand.
“I’ll take my leave.”
After Kent disappeared, I let out a deep sigh.
Luchi’s final battle unfolded in my mind.
Slashing Carpen down.
What was followed after.
The scar of a sword that cleaved through the world.
Not the marks of ‘following the heavenly way,’ but of ‘disobeying the heavenly way.’
Not a ‘Master’ who has mastered everything.
But Luchi, who had become a ‘Challenger,’ overcoming the world and achieving reverse heaven.
I recalled Luchi, who had been smiling brightly as she died.
She glared at the sun with wide eyes.
The sun I would eventually bring down.
I stared at the evil god, Lilith.
The fifth nightmare ended by a new challenger.
Thus.
Four nightmares remained.
Five challengers were left.
The balance has been disrupted.
The Awakening of the Fragment of End.
The descent of the false Paradise began.
“The prophecy… has changed drastically.”
The birth of the sixth challenger and the disappearance of the fifth.
An unidentified girl, Noah.
And.
The Shaman and Noah heading toward the Karahan Mountain Range, where the fifth challenger had disappeared.
The world that had flowed according to the prophecy so far…
Everything changed with Noah’s appearance.
The prophecy was off track.
I closed my eyes and drew up my magical power.
“Ah, can you hear me? It’s Jur.”
Far away, in Alrva.
To the first challenger.
I reported the incident.
The beginning of everything.
“I’ll start the report, Lady Hermila.”
*
“The fifth nightmare has ended.”
In the highest chamber of the Erden Temple.
Inside a hall surrounded by stained glass, Alstein, dressed in white ceremonial robes, knelt and prayed.
“And… a new challenger…”
As blood burst forth from his body, red letters were engraved on the ‘Revelation’ he was holding.
[I’m very disappointed, Alstein.]
“Uh, ugh… s-sorry.”
Blood streamed down Alstein’s face.
All his nails had been pulled out.
His fingers twisted.
His toes plucked.
His insides crumpled.
[I told you the Awakening of the End is still too early. Moreover, didn’t I mention that the descent of Erden is also not ready yet?]
“S-sorry… I… I…”
[Ah, I’m sorry. It’s only natural. I didn’t know of ‘her’ existence either, so it makes sense that you wouldn’t know, Alstein. I just got a bit emotional there. Hehehe.]
Alstein’s blood flowed.
It reverses into him.
His crumpled insides flattened.
The plucked toes returned.
The twisted fingers twisted back, and new nails grew.
“Thank you for your mercy…”
[I trust my apostle Alstein. You’ll do well this time, right?]
The face that was contorted in pain turned into one filled with intense joy.
“Of course!”
Alstein’s golden eyes sparkled.
[Then, Alstein of the House Erdenst. As your master, I command you. Balance the world.]
[Kill the fifth challenger and spread despair throughout the world.]
[And, bring back the Fragment of End.]
“I will obey.”
Bowing his head and praying, Alstein.
With a face full of joy and madness.
Revealed his soul to the sky.
“Everything is for Erden.”
Finally, the blood-stained Revelation returned to pure white paper.
Simultaneously, Alstein’s expression donned a mask.
His elevated emotions settled down.
The heightened voice calmed.
Returning to his usual self, Alstein turned to the door and spoke in a solemn voice.
“Huff… Come in.”
As one of the many stained glass windows opened, a man clad in black armor entered.
Each time the man moved, a chilling sound like scraping iron scratched my eardrums.
The sword hanging at his waist creaked as it trembled.
His breathing was like tearing through my lungs, filling the hall.
“Long time no see, Sir Kalt.”
Alstein smiled and reached out his hand.
But the man standing before Alstein, Kalt, ignored the greeting and merely shone his eyes.
“This is my first time seeing you since you became a Master… somehow, you’ve changed quite a bit.”
“Keep that silly talk to yourself… just, give your orders.”
Kalt’s voice produced sounds that could no longer be called human.
“Oh dear… it seems your voice has suffered greatly. You should take holy water—”
“Orders.”
Kalt’s hand reached for the sword’s hilt.
“Seems you’re not in a good mood. My jest may have gone too far… Hahaha. Well then, I shall convey the goddess’s orders.”
Kalt, who exuded a rough momentum, knelt down and bowed his head, holding his breath.
Alstein wore a satisfied smile and continued talking.
“Master Kalt. Right now, go to the summit of the Karahan Mountain Range and eliminate the fifth challenger… ‘Yuria.’”
Alstein’s words contained divine power.
“And recover the lost Fragment of End.”
That divine power bound Kalt’s body, constraining and crushing him.
“Everything is… for, Erden…”
“Everything is for Erden.”
After Alstein’s words ended, the divine power that had been pressing down on Kalt seeped into his body.
“Hah…”
The rough breathing grew calmer.
The trembling sword quieted.
“What’s the timeline?”
His voice returned to normal.
“It’s fifteen days.”
“… What about the aftermath?”
“I’ll take full responsibility to resolve everything in Erden, including reparations for the bereaved families.”
Kalt’s face twisted.
“Be careful on your way back.”
“I hope you stay safe.”
*
Inside a creaking cart moving through the rough plains.
Hephaestus was nestled against me, sniffling, while Rubia watched us with a curious expression.
“Uwa… Rubia…?”
“Yes?”
Her voice was a little… a bit rough.
“W-would you like some jelly?”
I carefully took out the jelly from my pocket that I had fiddled with a while ago.
It felt a bit awkward to offer, but this was the only thing I had…
“The shape looks… odd.”
“Um… it might be a little… crumpled since it was in my pocket.”
Rubia moved a little closer.
“It seems to be squished in hand shape… Did Noah squeeze it?”
“Ugh… um… I- I was just bored earlier… but my hands were properly washed… It might be a bit unappetizing, so I guess I’ll just…”
As I tried to retract my trembling hand and put it back in my pocket.
“No.”
Rubia leaned forward suddenly.
“Hwaah-!”
She snatched the jelly from my hand.
Her slick, moist tongue… licked my hand, slurping it up…
“Rubia…?”
“It tastes like peach.”
“Eh… u-uh…? But… the peach should have… all been eaten…?”
I rubbed the damp fingers on my clothes.
“Um… it definitely tastes like peach. So, does that mean Noah’s fingers taste like peach?”
“Eek…”
Seeing Rubia smiling sweetly, I curled my fingers tightly and shoved them back in my pocket.
“Sister… sniffling… Can I have some jelly too…?”
From the side, Hephaestus reached out with her snot-covered hand.
“D-do you want some?”
“Yes…”
I took out the jelly that was the least squished among the two and gently placed it in Hephaestus’s hand.
Carefully avoiding her runny nose…
“Thank you… sniff-”
Hephaestus, taking a deep breath, finally got up.
Ew… the spot where Hephaestus had been was all wet…
“Are you feeling better, Hephaestus?”
“Ah, yes… I’m sorry…”
As soon as Hephaestus left, Rubia’s expression softened.
Was she angry because she was worried her clothes would get dirty from the washing I had done for her today?
Since Rubia washed all my clothes… it makes sense she would worry…
“Huh… I have something to tell you…”
Hephaestus took a slow breath and pulled out a small letter from inside her clothes.
“… This is… the reason I’m going to Karahan. Still… I thought it would be better to let you know.”
Rubia nodded and carefully received the letter.
“Hephaestus. Would it be okay if I read it out loud?”
“Ah… I don’t mind.”
Since I couldn’t read, it seemed she intended to read it for me…
But wouldn’t it be a bit embarrassing to read the letter aloud…?
“Uhh… if it’s something embarrassing, you can tell me later…”
“No, no. Noah’s sister has to hear it too.”
However, Hephaestus shook her head gently, smiling softly.
“Then, I’ll read it. Ah… It’s a letter from my Master.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“And… the name of my Master is…”
Rubia slowly unfolded the letter.
She continued speaking.
“It’s ‘Yuria.’”
