Chapter 268: Holy Relic (1)
Jq7SA“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.”H04kVHd
QTHhWith those words, I took my leave of the Pope.zhykj
lAChZI politely declined Priest Welter’s offer to escort me to the dormitory.GMY1eU
x2h7Who was escorting whom, anyway? That scrawny little man looked like he’d snap if I so much as touched him.9af6W
z6WgkI left the hospital. I paused for a moment in front of the main doors, but soon resumed walking.mJEbn
ErisSInstead of heading straight to the dormitory, I veered off toward the office.V9fw
2mtXYI 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.bFIo2hW
0cmFeq3‘I didn’t ask for it, but I’ll take it anyway.’yZ3xWC
IqgThough at that moment, exhaustion was stronger than curiosity.AGrQwl8
ynzU‘It’s not like the items are going to run away.’ou1dg33
ZSZOQOf 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.Q2O
hIibTI also wanted to inspect the general atmosphere around the academy. Despite my fatigue, I decided to take the long route for that reason.eQFOM
FTRZI buttoned up my coat, pulled my hat down to my eyebrows, and began walking across campus.B4gk8W
n1t92The winter wind bit at the back of my neck, cutting straight through to the bone.lKJ2l
PIJMQ3o“Winter break definitely starts tomorrow. This cold is proof enough.”Lwl
DhU0I zipped up my coat to the top and scanned the surroundings with narrowed eyes.5cqc
B3mmzWTThough everyone was bundled up, no one stood out. If I’d dressed any lighter, I would’ve drawn attention.V035a
GTpbnuAs I was, I looked like a back-alley informant watching the shadows from within the daylight. A touch of noir, you could say.3LTT
T7gaOr maybe not.eGYu
QTC“If it weren’t for Lord Heavenly Sword…”Kqps8
3yroxThat was when I heard a sob. I only turned my eyes in that direction.x2w4
WbSzTwTwo students were seated on a bench. One was trembling with fear, while the other gently comforted her, stroking her shoulder.01DU
yidTpk4The one who was crying spoke as if confessing her sins.9aRxZ
Juh“…I can’t imagine what would’ve happened. Not just this time—even during the Joaquin tragedy. I owe him my life twice over.”RWIEG
DWUdIt’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.tIv
M9qw“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.”kcD
CX1mxoAnd that’s exactly why words spoken behind one’s back tend to be more sincere. Confessions that rise up from the depths.5jQiJ
xXFzyoi“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.”dAitGDT
Tz4lnFThey say birds hear words during the day, and mice at night.Aoi1Ao
qT4Xw7And in this gray coat, it almost felt like they were talking about me.FXbfPyA
oYvFitLDidn’t feel so bad to be a mouse.jjn
F9t18I didn’t hold back the smile tugging at my lips and continued on my way.fy5aEsZ
lPtzThis little walk was going to take longer than expected.TQajmT
kWUiIF***xPB
z7RThe next day, the winter break opening ceremony was held in a simplified format, with each instructor relaying the message separately to their respective class.NvQ
73BvgThis was because a tragedy had occurred only two days earlier, and it was necessary to disperse the students.gVLjuC
qfTThe cadets accepted the academy’s decision without complaint. After the brief ceremony, they quickly left Joaquin Academy.iLNyw
GtaAlthough 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.jwW
ZGpuAI went to see Volundr right after the ceremony. I couldn’t stop worrying about Murasame’s loose hilt.FvVv
0REXFVolundr grumbled, but took on the task.guPQtP
9hAUnC“You’re making me work just as winter break is starting?”vjWWYG
fFCZI 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.Yb5f
3VNKZ5k“In exchange, I’ll pay you generously.”Lpn
omYzw“Ah, Heavenly Sword, do you think I have a choice? Fine, fine, I’ll make this forge shine like never before.”1HhY
XsY***ETQsl
IldGI returned to the office. By the time I finished my work, the sun was already setting.zPgT
NcJI watched from the window as the students departed. The academy was deserted, and only then did I let out a sigh of relief.WCdSj
mvXS“Phew… Another year done.”6rNfPLx
NQ8lJ0XAs I sank into the chair, Shail tilted the teapot. The gentle aroma of chamomile tea filled the office.mN1AY
NV8“Good work, Heavenly Sword,” she said.LkfmE
Hvx41Beside 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.cmqO
Y6r5Karon 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.IXgJXt
efYcSaWI 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.WX2zcdh
v6DbuxOf course, I made it clear they could leave at any time if their original duties required it.V0C
dwnKaron and Shail expressed their thanks, and both sides were content with the arrangement.vIp
ftiOn‘In the end, I’ve spent both the summer and winter breaks with these two.’RWJ1C0
UkMxA 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.Sv0LL1
PAo9“How’s the tea?”I5a3
i4lfp“It has a nice chamomile aroma.”9pZvach
tvaWell, that was my take. The other party might think differently. Acting naturally was probably best for everyone.wL1l
MjToI took another sip and set the cup down. Then I glanced toward a corner of the desk.VGeKw
0BY1A 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.Lvc
4F8o1‘Why did the Pope give me this?’Otfs6C
at7nEUThe 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.Vet
jGMC3rG‘Does it come with a user manual…?’BB02
O43ihI 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.2EI
SbEgMBThat blessing is so rigid, it recognizes anything as a sword.loq
DL4M2ONow that I think about it, sashimi isn’t even a sword to begin with.JJNL
r8urzIt’s a kitchen knife. Maybe a dao, but clearly not a sword. There’s a big difference.fQWEy
sAuydg‘Just in case, it might even register this nail as a sword just because it’s made of metal.’68sUvo
PLOAs I frowned at the object, Shail glanced at it too. Suddenly, she let out a gasp.Wp98v
kpX“Don’t tell me this is…”ul9
kfNrN“You know what it is?”wDoKn1F
P9sRcShail nodded quickly and explained.EvEyw4F
edFFN6“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.”V1kceFc
5v6Ah, right—Shail used to read a lot of books. Even during that undead dungeon expedition, she was the one who deciphered the runes.52dk9WF
OkYHer reaction was so intense that Karon also looked over. She tilted her head, just like I did, with no idea what the nail was.u4X0F
p1ap“Take a closer look. You can touch it if you want.”oeVjMH
SetSI offered it to her first. Shail didn’t hesitate.UZM2
G9QcGLz“Thank you, Heavenly Sword.”3x2dV
L1XVrHWWith eyes lit by scholarly fervor, she carefully examined the nail. After a few moments, she gently placed it back in its box.AZ9pBP
wlv0LIShail lowered her voice and spoke with solemnity.YljS
i5viGXt“This is a Holy Stake.”LuK
9EcxA“A holy stake? That’s a sacred relic!”lUVJ1Fx
OJ2dF4Karon startled, her eyes wide, staring at the rusted nail—no, the sacred stake.P493gql
fKXEB“The Church of the Outer God is the oldest existing religion.”B70RCSp
06MfShail continued her explanation, leaving Karon in the dust.MYqa
f72“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.”gaiI
By2I asked calmly.0VR
WxX“Is a relic that impressive?”fueS0nK
w9zA“‘Impressive’ doesn’t even begin to cover it!”NcvH
qqd0Karon responded dramatically, visibly shaken.3UiW
AtvgrV2“Relics are deeply tied to the dead gods. Each one embodies immense sanctity. The Holy Grail…”5gW4
CkJ8ikkThe Holy Grail, the vessel that holds the gods.Iorf7nF
UeJSThe Sacred Sword, the weapon wielded by the gods.mEQP98
Ii4jThe Holy Stake, the nail that seals the gods.1RGhEX7
RN4wmNxIt’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.1C3J
pndcBut the only one that endures is the Holy Stake—the nail that seals the gods.qtsmRXW
nJGlC8‘The fact that it ranks above an artifact says it all.’myBq5
8aU39QAnd 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?FO7wuu
hyyn“……”iJc
MJksT1u…Should I use it to reinforce a weapon? You never know.SyLDE
hJ2Whl‘What if it could upgrade an A+ weapon to SSS?’6Q259
MTZFhHqAs I wondered whether I should go see Volundr again, Shail spoke up with a sharp look.Uphq
zFhlZU“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.”5fdM
arkN“I see. But come on, who would use a relic as enhancement material? I’d have to be insane.”LtPUII
bBW41I felt two stares fixed on me.RWk
vVGU“……”ESl
z09TZ“……”unXWcs
hZaOzEven more intense stares.WMKU8
vMeT“I admit I thought about it for a moment. Out of ignorance. It’s not a crime to not know, right?”cw8WAP
BpKws“That’s all you admit to?”5h4ubz
jmMU17G“What else am I supposed to confess?”1b9k6My
OXY“Uh… better not say. I nearly crossed the line.”PtoxR8
fVR94“I think you already did.”Cu7
nPzQJZ“Considering our long relationship, I hope you’ll let it slide. Unless this maid must personally attend to your nights, Heavenly Sword.”eur
9bqKbI looked at her silently and nodded.bvl9jn2
Kg7qMN7“I’ll let it slide.”PR9Rpiq
gB2c“Ouch. Do I seem that unappealing to you?”KkV0JF
4O8“I’m a minor.”r9fsP
4McQgUT“You think anyone actually considers you a minor? Biologically, sure, you’re seventeen, but mentally you’re like a man nearing forty.”8iRw4T
dnRMq“……”MTGm
73dyccV“And I’m an adult. In my radiant twenties.”qRewYcU
N9S“Still no. I’m not interested.”FRC
hBi“Now that hurt…”eyE5
Y1acNsX“How much longer are we going to keep this up?”g0bzCjM
n5g“I went too far with the joke, Seven-Star Hero. I’m sorry.”gcUKu2
bac“Huff…”NYXLym
dA9HI turned back to the Holy Stake.c34G0S
fSoonAt 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.B538
fVJh2‘Should I ask the Pope? He said he’d be at the academy until tomorrow.’iLcDEGT
R8AXvI 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.xbS
zMXPI activated the [Blessing of Insensitivity to Pain] and reached out toward the Holy Stake. At that moment, a blinding light exploded.y7Gr
Pm3ZBoiFlash!BjXs
uBF34I let out an involuntary groan. I barely managed to open my eyes, which I had tightly shut.r5SE
6MdnM“……!”5XMmS
dwsAdMA 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.fnpIb6Q
SYoSlowly, it turned around.8hn5Ytw
S5wVFRv— It’s been almost a year since we met in a dream, hasn’t it?Az4Vf
2LSQnA 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.V9Kszw
RfVVP“You…”JrYfSfy
xQlZI knew that presence—that overwhelming sense of transcendence that seemed to gaze down upon the world.Enpma
iTGK— It’s been a while.idONSWH
vH5nUO5Said the God of the Sword, welcoming me.Kym
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Haimiya_cutie.
Body IntegrationShail and geom chemistry is good 👍
Haimiya_cutie.
Body IntegrationOur bro is here.