Chapter 268: Holy Relic (1)

“I wanted to convey these words. On behalf of all humanity in this world—those who owe you so much already and will continue to do so in the future—I thank you deeply. Of course, I include myself among them. The items I’ve sent you are a small token of that gratitude. I hope they will prove useful to you in the days ahead.”

With those words, I took my leave of the Pope.

I politely declined Priest Welter’s offer to escort me to the dormitory.

Who was escorting whom, anyway? That scrawny little man looked like he’d snap if I so much as touched him.

I left the hospital. I paused for a moment in front of the main doors, but soon resumed walking.

Instead of heading straight to the dormitory, I veered off toward the office.

I was curious about the items the Pope had sent me. Considering his status, it was only natural to have high expectations. As he said, if they might be useful in the future, they surely weren’t ordinary. I figured they were a kind of reward.

‘I didn’t ask for it, but I’ll take it anyway.’

Though at that moment, exhaustion was stronger than curiosity.

‘It’s not like the items are going to run away.’

Of course, there was another reason. To get to the office, all I had to do was take a shortcut. To reach the dormitory, I’d have to cross half the campus. Besides, if I saw anyone suspicious, I’d have to stop and question them.

I also wanted to inspect the general atmosphere around the academy. Despite my fatigue, I decided to take the long route for that reason.

I buttoned up my coat, pulled my hat down to my eyebrows, and began walking across campus.

The winter wind bit at the back of my neck, cutting straight through to the bone.

“Winter break definitely starts tomorrow. This cold is proof enough.”

I zipped up my coat to the top and scanned the surroundings with narrowed eyes.

Though everyone was bundled up, no one stood out. If I’d dressed any lighter, I would’ve drawn attention.

As I was, I looked like a back-alley informant watching the shadows from within the daylight. A touch of noir, you could say.

Or maybe not.

“If it weren’t for Lord Heavenly Sword…”

That was when I heard a sob. I only turned my eyes in that direction.

Two students were seated on a bench. One was trembling with fear, while the other gently comforted her, stroking her shoulder.

The one who was crying spoke as if confessing her sins.

“…I can’t imagine what would’ve happened. Not just this time—even during the Joaquin tragedy. I owe him my life twice over.”

It’s not common for people to speak well of someone behind their back. Usually it’s the opposite. I’d seen it countless times while working at the Japanese restaurant—people pretending to be neutral while secretly nurturing friendship.

“Until the start of this year, I was badmouthing him too… I’m ashamed. But now it’s too late to ask for forgiveness. And surely someone as busy as him wouldn’t even notice someone like me.”

And that’s exactly why words spoken behind one’s back tend to be more sincere. Confessions that rise up from the depths.

“The least I can do is live with gratitude, as a form of redemption. It’s too late, but at least I can support him from afar.”

They say birds hear words during the day, and mice at night.

And in this gray coat, it almost felt like they were talking about me.

Didn’t feel so bad to be a mouse.

I didn’t hold back the smile tugging at my lips and continued on my way.

This little walk was going to take longer than expected.

***

The next day, the winter break opening ceremony was held in a simplified format, with each instructor relaying the message separately to their respective class.

This was because a tragedy had occurred only two days earlier, and it was necessary to disperse the students.

The cadets accepted the academy’s decision without complaint. After the brief ceremony, they quickly left Joaquin Academy.

Although the incident had come to an end, there was still work to be done. Emptying the dormitories would help both student safety and the recovery process.

I went to see Volundr right after the ceremony. I couldn’t stop worrying about Murasame’s loose hilt.

Volundr grumbled, but took on the task.

“You’re making me work just as winter break is starting?”

I felt a little guilty, but there was no way around it. If I didn’t fix it now, Murasame would be in poor shape for two whole months… What kind of father would leave his child sick and unattended? As a bearer of the blade—as a father—that was unacceptable.

“In exchange, I’ll pay you generously.”

“Ah, Heavenly Sword, do you think I have a choice? Fine, fine, I’ll make this forge shine like never before.”

***

I returned to the office. By the time I finished my work, the sun was already setting.

I watched from the window as the students departed. The academy was deserted, and only then did I let out a sigh of relief.

“Phew… Another year done.”

As I sank into the chair, Shail tilted the teapot. The gentle aroma of chamomile tea filled the office.

“Good work, Heavenly Sword,” she said.

Beside her, Karon gave me a warm look. I offered a faint smile and took a sip of tea. I felt the stress in both body and mind begin to ease.

Karon and Shail would remain at the academy to assist the Heavenly Sword. For now, they could leave Castle Sigurd without issue. After all, during the break, Abel would be in Switzerland, caring for the Swordmaster.

I accepted the offer. There was no reason to refuse their continued presence. Even though the Hero Association was established and the Order of Sacred Knights had joined in, there was never enough personnel.

Of course, I made it clear they could leave at any time if their original duties required it.

Karon and Shail expressed their thanks, and both sides were content with the arrangement.

‘In the end, I’ve spent both the summer and winter breaks with these two.’

A butler and a maid. This noble lifestyle, which had never been part of my plans, still felt a little foreign. That’s why I chose to treat them not as employees but as permanent support personnel.

“How’s the tea?”

“It has a nice chamomile aroma.”

Well, that was my take. The other party might think differently. Acting naturally was probably best for everyone.

I took another sip and set the cup down. Then I glanced toward a corner of the desk.

A small, palm-sized box with its lid open. Inside, wrapped in a reddish silk cloth, was a long piece of metal. It looked like a rusty nail or stake.

‘Why did the Pope give me this?’

The problem was, I didn’t know what it was for. Come to think of it, I hadn’t even asked. I was too overwhelmed yesterday.

‘Does it come with a user manual…?’

I couldn’t touch it carelessly. I feared a message like “The Blessing of the God of the Sword has been activated” would pop up right in front of my eyes.

That blessing is so rigid, it recognizes anything as a sword.

Now that I think about it, sashimi isn’t even a sword to begin with.

It’s a kitchen knife. Maybe a dao, but clearly not a sword. There’s a big difference.

‘Just in case, it might even register this nail as a sword just because it’s made of metal.’

As I frowned at the object, Shail glanced at it too. Suddenly, she let out a gasp.

“Don’t tell me this is…”

“You know what it is?”

Shail nodded quickly and explained.

“I saw it in an illustration in a book back when I was a cadet. I wasn’t sure at first, but the more I look at it… yes, I’m certain.”

Ah, right—Shail used to read a lot of books. Even during that undead dungeon expedition, she was the one who deciphered the runes.

Her reaction was so intense that Karon also looked over. She tilted her head, just like I did, with no idea what the nail was.

“Take a closer look. You can touch it if you want.”

I offered it to her first. Shail didn’t hesitate.

“Thank you, Heavenly Sword.”

With eyes lit by scholarly fervor, she carefully examined the nail. After a few moments, she gently placed it back in its box.

Shail lowered her voice and spoke with solemnity.

“This is a Holy Stake.”

“A holy stake? That’s a sacred relic!”

Karon startled, her eyes wide, staring at the rusted nail—no, the sacred stake.

“The Church of the Outer God is the oldest existing religion.”

Shail continued her explanation, leaving Karon in the dust.

“While the current calendar is derived from other religions, the one that’s had the greatest influence on human history is the Church of the Outer God. That’s why it once safeguarded one of the three great sacred relics still in existence the Holy Grail, the Sacred Sword, and the Holy Stake. Though they no longer possess them, of course.”

I asked calmly.

“Is a relic that impressive?”

“‘Impressive’ doesn’t even begin to cover it!”

Karon responded dramatically, visibly shaken.

“Relics are deeply tied to the dead gods. Each one embodies immense sanctity. The Holy Grail…”

The Holy Grail, the vessel that holds the gods.

The Sacred Sword, the weapon wielded by the gods.

The Holy Stake, the nail that seals the gods.

It’s said that, aside from the Holy Stake, the other two were lost long ago. Some even doubt their existence, since there are no reliable records.

But the only one that endures is the Holy Stake—the nail that seals the gods.

‘The fact that it ranks above an artifact says it all.’

And yet, why would the Pope entrust it to me? He didn’t mean for me to melt it down and use it to strengthen a weapon, did he?

“……”

…Should I use it to reinforce a weapon? You never know.

‘What if it could upgrade an A+ weapon to SSS?’

As I wondered whether I should go see Volundr again, Shail spoke up with a sharp look.

“Just to be clear—only as a possibility—relics can’t be used as enhancement materials. No weapon can withstand the sanctity they contain. It’s the same reason you can’t enhance a weapon with an artifact.”

“I see. But come on, who would use a relic as enhancement material? I’d have to be insane.”

I felt two stares fixed on me.

“……”

“……”

Even more intense stares.

“I admit I thought about it for a moment. Out of ignorance. It’s not a crime to not know, right?”

“That’s all you admit to?”

“What else am I supposed to confess?”

“Uh… better not say. I nearly crossed the line.”

“I think you already did.”

“Considering our long relationship, I hope you’ll let it slide. Unless this maid must personally attend to your nights, Heavenly Sword.”

I looked at her silently and nodded.

“I’ll let it slide.”

“Ouch. Do I seem that unappealing to you?”

“I’m a minor.”

“You think anyone actually considers you a minor? Biologically, sure, you’re seventeen, but mentally you’re like a man nearing forty.”

“……”

“And I’m an adult. In my radiant twenties.”

“Still no. I’m not interested.”

“Now that hurt…”

“How much longer are we going to keep this up?”

“I went too far with the joke, Seven-Star Hero. I’m sorry.”

“Huff…”

I turned back to the Holy Stake.

At the very least, I now knew it was an incredible item—if even two people who had seen all sorts of treasures in Nibelung reacted like that. But its purpose was still a mystery.

‘Should I ask the Pope? He said he’d be at the academy until tomorrow.’

I doubted he’d give a straight answer, but asking seemed better than doing nothing. At least it would show I made an effort to find out.

I activated the [Blessing of Insensitivity to Pain] and reached out toward the Holy Stake. At that moment, a blinding light exploded.

Flash!

I let out an involuntary groan. I barely managed to open my eyes, which I had tightly shut.

“……!”

A vast desert of pure white, as if the ground and sky had been painted in chalk. In the middle of that space stood a hazy figure, its back turned to me.

Slowly, it turned around.

— It’s been almost a year since we met in a dream, hasn’t it?

A featureless face, with only a smiling mouth and a row of perfectly aligned teeth. Its entire body was as white as the surrounding space, as though it were part of the landscape itself.

“You…”

I knew that presence—that overwhelming sense of transcendence that seemed to gaze down upon the world.

— It’s been a while.

Said the God of the Sword, welcoming me.