Chapter 44: Footsteps of the Ancient Sages

[Do not pursue closely. Focus only on following the tracks.]

It was a stern command from Her Princess Highness.

And it was a mission that Sir Lueld, upon receiving the order, had readily permitted.

Patina entered a secluded forest village, leading her horse.

The Golden Dragon Knights, where Hero Lueld served as the Knight Commander.

Known to have joined that order as the youngest woman ever, she was another legend within the Empire.

However, at this moment, rather than pride, she was barely managing to hold onto a heart that felt hollow, like an older sister who had lost her younger brother.

That was why, when the proposal for this mission came.

She did not hesitate for a single moment.

In her heart, she wanted to chase after him long ago, regardless of whether she was a knight or not.

Yet, it was only on the fourth day after his departure that Patina was finally able to follow his trail.

As previously arranged, with the help of several agents, she was able to continue the pursuit smoothly.

And so.

She heard from the village chief about the commotion that had occurred in this small village of barely a dozen households.

An incident that might have escalated into a major accident or disaster.

“I truly had no idea that the center would pay attention to such a remote place,” the old man said in gratitude.

Patina replied calmly to the old man’s thanks.

“Not at all. Is the capital not just a stone’s throw away from here? If we only care for the borders and remote hamlets while neglecting the people situated right next to us, that would be negligence of duty.”

“…Thank you truly, Sir Knight. Your words alone are a great comfort. To come all this way to a place without even a single church….”

It was a relief that he misunderstood her intentions in a positive way.

Even if a Lord’s Domain has a clear owner, there are always places that occasionally slip through the cracks.

Even if one cannot reach everything, there is no need to ignore the places that do catch one’s eye.

“It was truly magnificent.”

The story of how a black-haired boy protected the village youths from the swarming Demons and Monsters.

And the account of how he defeated them.

The chief began to explain everything he had seen.

As he spoke, the cracks etched upon Patina’s face grew wider.

‘Why did he hide such skill until now?’

Patina simply could not understand it.

Born of the bloodline of Lueld and Ermina, there was no way he could be naive.

She knew better than anyone how hard he had worked.

Because the expectations around him were too high, and because he had been burdened with an untimely stigma in the past.

She knew well that he had suffered greatly because of those prejudices.

Even so.

…She had firmly believed, without a doubt, that he would overcome it effortlessly.

Trivial stigmas could simply be made up for with skill later on.

If he had truly committed an irredeemable crime.

Surely, even she would not have been able to accept him easily.

But it wasn’t to that extent.

‘He had to overcome it.’

How many stigmas, false accusations, and all sorts of absurd slanders had Patina herself been swayed by?

But all of that was possible to overcome through skill and achievement.

Since she had done it, she believed Kariel could do it too.

She believed it.

Then why….

Why did it turn out like this?

‘I should have paid more attention.’

The contents of the letter Lueld had shown her, claiming it would be necessary for this mission, were shocking enough to make her soul leave her body.

How much Kariel had… how much he had suffered alone.

That fact took a shape more vivid and chilling than anything else, piercing deep into her heart.

“He is certainly someone who will achieve greatness! Though you said he isn’t a formal knight yet. With that kind of skill at his age, he surely isn’t an ordinary person, is he?”

“…….”

Before she knew it, the village chief was detailing Kariel’s achievements and the nobility of character he had shown since, as if recounting an anecdote of a hero from a childhood fairy tale.

Everyone, not just the chief, was the same.

Right.

He was certainly the Kariel that Patina remembered.

But for some reason.

…Right now, it sounded like a story from a very distant place.

Though they shared no blood, she thought their bond was deeper than that.

Now, she didn’t know.

Patina felt so exhausted by that thought that it felt as if her heart were tearing apart.

‘Baronen. You said he went to Kariella?’

As luck would have it, the Festival of Saint Kariel was approaching.

The baptismal name, Kariel.

The place where its origin began.

Why did that child go there?

Once again, Patina could not find the reason.

Perhaps that was why.

As she dwelled on it, guilt washed over her like a wave.

She felt an unbearable sadness.

====

“The preparations are certain. This is indeed the genuine article,” Philbar said, examining an old, cracked sword with hands wrapped in towels.

He didn’t even breathe as he brought his face close to the sword, as if wary of even his own breath.

“All that remains is to head to that historical site.”

“We shall go to the Kariel Plains. It is right in front of the Lord’s Domain, so let us go immediately.”

Baron Roia also seemed unable to contain his excitement, breathing heavily in succession.

The meaning Saint Kariel held for them was vividly conveyed just by watching.

The aging Baron and his two sons, in this moment, had eyes sparkling like children wanting to unwrap a bundle of gifts.

“Is it alright for me to be here?”

Because of this, Kariel felt a bit worried, sensing that this might not be a place where he belonged.

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

“What problem could there be in adding one or two more people? The fact that a skilled young knight came to Kariella in time for the Festival means his thoughts on Saint Kariel are extraordinary. Why wouldn’t it be alright?”

Since Baron Roia also said it was fine, Kariel had no choice but to remain quiet.

A Four-Seat Carriage with enough room even if six people boarded.

Its owner was Philbar.

“It’s not as if we’re exploring ruins or hunting for treasure; what problem could there be in having a few more observers? Ah, though if we call it an excavation rather than treasure hunting, that might be more accurate.”

The peculiar race from the Demon Realm, who fed on blood, shared uncommon information for amusement.

“During the era of the Great Demon King, the Demon Realm was a time of true peace, where neither wars nor conflicts occurred.”

“A Demon King, you say?”

When Luke asked in a tone of disbelief.

“That is why it was special and bizarre. Specifically, his greatness lay in the fact that he didn’t just defy the order, providence, and laws of the Demon Realm, but utterly defeated them.”

“You speak as if you respect him,” Alessia said with a snort.

“I cannot help it,” Philbar admitted readily.

“Out of 6,000 years of Demon Realm history, the 300 years he ruled were the only era where prosperity and peace coexisted.”

“Now that I think about it, the cycle of the Demon King’s Army invasions is usually short—a few decades, and at most not exceeding a century. Except for when the Blue-Scaled Beast and the Golden Beast invaded recently, it was strange how quiet it had been.”

“The Blue-Scaled Beast you speak of was likely a case where they were driven out after challenging the Great Demon King and inevitably drifted here. Thus, they came alone without an army. I suspect the Great Demon King may have done so to instill some tension into the Middle Realm.”

“Tension?”

“The Great Demon King said that when peace lasts too long, it inevitably weakens and decays.”

Furthermore.

“He also said that power inevitably corrupts, eternal life inevitably corrupts, and those who dream of eternity are the very hotbeds of corruption.”

“…That sounds like he’s insulting the Religious Order.”

“He’s insulting most of them. Even we are a race that achieved eternal life, but as a result, we have many restrictions and many ways in which our way of thinking doesn’t align with mortals, don’t we?”

If they had remained with the old way of thinking of the Demon Realm.

“The situation where we could have such an intellectual conversation would never have come. Let alone sitting face-to-face.”

“So, the fact that we can do this is thanks to the Great Demon King? Then what about the Golden Beast?”

“That one’s a son of a bitch,” Philbar spat out an outright curse.

“Above all, thinking back to how uncomfortable it was throughout the period he ruled because of the Principle of Order he established, I feel like pouring out curses.”

“The Principle of Order,” Alessia murmured softly.

“Do you know? Perhaps the boy knows? Luel?”

“I recall reading in a book that depending on the Demon King, they establish their own ruling laws, their own Principle,” Kariel answered.

“That’s not common information; you must have received a high education. Thank you for summarizing an explanation that could have become difficult! And the Principle of Order established by the Golden Beast after becoming the master of the Demon Realm is called the Golden Rule. It was a dreadfully balance-obsessed law. It was extreme mutualism, and if one deviated even slightly from the logic, they were immediately referred to trial. It was nothing short of a heinous tyranny in the name of absolute balance!”

Thus.

One who becomes a Demon King can construct the laws of the Demon Realm with their own Principle of Order.

And if one dislikes it? If one is dissatisfied?

They can pull down the Demon King and become the Demon King themselves.

“On the other hand, in the case of the Great Demon King, he established something unheard of called the Principle of Hope, literally turning the Demon Realm—which was obsessed with destruction, the law of the jungle, and survival of the fittest—into a flower garden.”

And the Great Demon King made it so that the Demon Realm accepted all of it.

“If his power had been weak, he would have been deposed long ago or swept away by waves of rebellion. In that regard, the Golden Beast was no exception.”

To this, Luke asked.

“Does that mean they were that strong since that didn’t happen?”

“The Golden Beast is a bit different, but in the case of the Great Demon King, he was positively overwhelming. He wasn’t called the Omniscient and Omnipotent Demon King for nothing. Either omnipotence or omniscience alone would be legendary, but he was both. In 6,000 years of Demon Realm history, there were only three Great Demon Kings, and this person was likely the greatest among them. Think of what it means to rule by power without committing a single act of slaughter.”

“Right. That’s a sufficient answer. Though the digression was a bit long.”

Seeing Alessia convinced, Kariel thought.

The Demon King of Wisdom.

Even they, who chewed out the Golden Beast, seemed to have no hesitation in their respect for the Great Demon King.

“…….”

Kariel glanced up at the air.

And.

The fact that even the Demon King of Wisdom, who ascended to the throne after the Great Demon King, claimed to be merely a limb of the Great Demon King, showed just how monstrous that existence must have been.

“But are we still inside the city… Gah, hot! I’m crazy!”

Philbar, who reflexively tried to stick his head out the carriage window, flinched and pulled back.

Seeing steam rising from his skin after being exposed to the sun for just a moment.

It seemed he was certainly not in a position to walk around normally in broad daylight.

“Time flies yet feels slow. Anyway, do you have anything else you’re curious about? Or perhaps someone to help satisfy my curiosity?”

In that manner, sharing small talk and knowledge.

Before long, they arrived at the Kariel Plains outside the city.

“Now, let’s get out! Ah! Boys! Open the parasols! Be careful not to let sunlight touch my skin! No! Open the parasols and that—what is it? Spread the canopy wide! Just in case!”

At Philbar’s command, two pale-skinned boys spread a large canopy they had produced from somewhere.

Those guys seem fine.

Are they not of the same race?

The outside exposed to the sun was white.

The inside had a blue cloth acting as a ceiling, effectively blocking the sunlight.

“Now, let’s begin! Boys, get the Reagent Set out… no. Bring everything we prepared. For the site… let’s set up over there and start the search….”

Alessia, watching the scene intently, asked lightly in passing.

“I’m not doubting it much since there’s a precedent, but can traces of the past be revived that easily?”

“It’s not easy. That’s why the sword Saint Kariel is said to have used, the place where she passed away, and the time of her passing—these things must align perfectly. There are other detailed adjustments to be made… but according to the reports from the preliminary investigators, this place has a good position in those regards.”

“Position? What kind of position are you talking about?”

When Baron Roia reacted, Philbar, who was crouching, turned his head and replied.

“They say the balance of Yin and Yang Energy is perfectly severed. If I put it like that, it might be confusing, so just think of it as an area where it’s easy for the living to thrive.”

“Does that have a relation to this task?”

“It does. Indeed! Do you know that this great land you live on also has its own guardians? Have you never heard of Earth-Bound Spirits, Vengeful Spirits, Evil Spirits, Good Spirits, and such?”

“…Aren’t those just stories from fairy tales? Ghosts, phantoms, and demons appear in specific regions, but in ordinary places….”

“That’s where you’re wrong. Even an ordinary place differs depending on who is buried or who dies there. Ah, it’s also good to consider things like Spirits. Though that’s different from the ones Elves summon, as those are called forth from the Spirit Realm.”

In that regard, this place is good.

“Because we, who are sensitive to energy and Yin energy, can clearly feel that it is being protected. That is likely why there are few accidents and incidents in this area.”

“…….”

“Is it because the Church of Irenis is relatively tolerant of idols? You aren’t reacting very strongly.”

Even if he said that.

It might be because it didn’t feel very tangible.

However.

“Then, can we take it as Saint Kariel still remains in this land and is protecting us?”

“If you wish to take it positively. As for whether that is unconditionally a good thing, I am not sure.”

“……?”

Philbar’s words were ambiguous in many ways.

Rather than difficult, they were esoteric.

“No, his words make sense.”

Rudhi, the eldest son of the Baronen family, suddenly voiced his opinion.

“If she protects Baronen as a Guardian Saint, that is a glorious thing….”

But if she had not fully reached heaven.

And was forcibly bound here, on the ground.

“Isn’t that, in a sense, a tragedy?”

Then Roia countered calmly.

“Rudhi. That is not a matter you dare judge. That is for the Lord in heaven and Saint Kariel herself to judge.”

“I-I see. You are correct. I only….”

“I know. I’m not scolding you, so do not mind it.”

Luke, who had subtly drifted toward Kariel and Alessia, watched the scene and chuckled.

“The relationship between parent and child seems simple, yet it’s quite complex.”

“You don’t seem to have such worries?”

At Alessia’s point, Luke shrugged his shoulders.

“It’s my nature to be indifferent to such things.”

“Is that a boast?”

Alessia frowned, looking displeased.

“…….”

And.

Kariel, watching the scene, was seized by a slightly strange emotion.

It was hard to put into words.

It was difficult to express.

His chest just felt a bit heavy.

“Is this really the right place?”

At that moment, Philbar bolted upright from the ground and voiced his doubt loudly.

“Why? Has a problem arisen?”

“A problem? Yes, it has,” Philbar confessed bluntly.

“This is not the place.”

“What?”

“I’ll say it again. This is not the place. The place where Saint Kariel faced the Barbarian Army is not here.”

Baron Roia immediately turned serious.

“That cannot be. My ancestors clearly said it was in this area.”

“The information must have been distorted. It’s a common occurrence. What is certain is that it is not here.”

“How… can this be.”

He seemed quite shocked by the conclusion.

“Can we find it?”

When Rudhi asked with an anxious look, Philbar held his chin, pretending to ponder.

“It will take some time, but well, let’s try. However, if the location isn’t specified, we might miss the Festival. That would be a bit troublesome. If even the Festival date is wrong… it will be a real headache.”

“I… only hope that is not the case. We simply passed on what was handed down to us.”

Though he looked disappointed, Rudhi composed himself and calmly re-evaluated the situation.

“Hmm? Then what? Did we just waste our time for nothing?”

As Luke grumbled in frustration, Alessia instinctively smacked his thigh.

“Ugh!”

“Think before you speak.”

“…….”

Kariel looked up at the air for a moment and then asked Luke.

“If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, could I perhaps… touch Saint Kariel’s Relic?”

“Hmm? Why? Suddenly curious? Do you think it might be some ancient artifact with special powers?”

Alessia exposed her thigh again.

“Ah, damn it! Give it a rest!”

“I told you to think before you speak. Don’t just babble with an empty brain just because you have a mouth.”

“No, it’s not like I said anything weird!”

Luke felt genuinely wronged.

“It’s no big deal to let you touch it. Though, keep in mind that the sword is not in good condition.”

Once Baron Roia gave his permission, Kariel gave a light bow and headed toward where Philbar was.

It was all well and good that a cloth had been spread over the plains, with a Magic Circle drawn upon it using reagents.

And atop another pure white cloth bundle, the sword was being preserved through additional magical treatments applied by the Religious Order.

Even so, the straight sword—possessing a durability that made it look difficult to actually use—lay there with an inexplicable air of misery.

Unlike the Imperial Swords of this era, which resembled crosses as if to embody the spirit of the times, this straight sword had a narrow guard.

Kariel carefully knelt on one knee and reached out toward it.

At that moment.

[Who are you, mister?]

Something unknown.

Flowed in without warning.