Chapter 55: Among So Many Stars

Philbar spoke as he scanned the sword emitting a faint light.

“I’ve heard many stories about it… but to think I’d see a Holy Relic being born with my own two eyes.”

It was a half-broken sword, its blade snapped.

Yet, it possessed something inherent that was distinctly different from ordinary objects.

Normally, such a thing would be indiscernible.

However, as a Saintess, Alessia could perceive it better than anyone.

“Truly….”

It had happened only a moment ago.

Yet it felt like a time so long it was almost eternal.

Even when Luel—no, Kariel—revealed his name, she hadn’t been that surprised.

Nor when he mentioned Grandeus, a name she had heard in passing.

But when he claimed to be a fellow student of Saint Kariel, she wondered what on earth was happening.

She had been prepared to crush that insolence at any moment.

She had the power to do so.

But the one who stopped her was….

-Stop.

-This is a battlefield prepared for him, and a trial for him.

-It is not for outsiders to interfere.

Outsiders?

And she had watched.

Through their attitudes, she understood that they were never meant to come here, nor were they meant to glimpse Saint Kariel’s memories.

Which meant.

…Because that Kariel was here.

We were able to glimpse Saint Kariel’s memories.

We were able to discover and follow his footsteps.

…Was that what it meant?

Perhaps they were lucky.

The attitude of the Baron’s family, who treated outsiders with an open mind, and even Alessia herself, who had taken a liking to Kariel and wanted to keep him close.

Had all those coincidences driven them to this spot like a destiny?

No, not driven… but allowed them to enter?

“Come to think of it, didn’t the old woman who prophesied in his memories say this?”

Baron Roia spoke as if suddenly remembering.

“One of the many, many stars shall come to you.”

“…The many stars refer to the numerous children named after Saint Kariel.”

Alessia, of course, remembered.

If so, one of those many stars was….

Even the great Hero Lueld and Saintess Ermina.

They had chosen Kariel as the baptismal name for their first son.

Thus, the old woman’s prophecy had finally come to fruition.

“Father. Now that I think about it….”

Rudhi spoke cautiously, as if the thought had just occurred to him.

“The name Kariel may have become common, but someone of such a young age possessing such renowned skill and character is not common.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“…And, during my time at the Academy. I caught a glimpse of him.”

A handsome youth with black hair.

Two eyes that resembled gold.

“I wasn’t entirely sure, but perhaps that young man… is the child of Lord Lueld and Lady Ermina….”

“…….”

Baron Roia suddenly remembered.

He had once been invited to their wedding along with his young children.

He remembered the resolve to raise two children well after losing his wife.

He remembered the union of the Hero Emperor and the Magic Empress that signaled the end of the Demon King’s invasion and the arrival of peace.

And the union of the Knight of Radiance and the Saintess.

The moment everyone truly accepted peace in their hearts was precisely when they made a grand proclamation that they were stepping down from their duties.

Luke grumbled, as if unable to grasp the situation.

“So what, you’re saying Luel is the child of the Heroes?”

“It’s too early to be certain, but probably.”

Rudhi couldn’t bring himself to drive the point home.

Nevertheless, he was half-convinced.

“…….”

The only reason Alessia could become a Saintess was thanks to Lady Ermina.

If not for that, she would have been thrown to the Demon King’s Army by that false Pope, becoming prey or being used in some way before meeting a miserable end.

For it was Lueld, Ermina, and their companions who had uncovered that conspiracy in advance and brought down the false Pope.

In fact, Alessia herself had been one of the many children standing there with a flower basket to congratulate them at their wedding at such a young age.

The memory of that time was like a vague illusion.

A distant recollection seen only occasionally in dreams.

“Look, look! This is incredible. Look over there!”

The boy faces warriors twice his size.

With that small and frail-looking body.

He skillfully brings them down.

“…His movements are a work of art.”

“I saw it briefly before… but he’s even better now.”

Luke added a comment to Baron Roia’s admiration.

“…….”

Yes. It was the same back then.

In the fight she had joined by chance.

That boy’s movements were exceptionally special.

And seeing him climb the outer wall of the church this time gave her a certain level of conviction.

‘Those are the movements of Elves.’

Humans cannot move like that even if they utilize mana.

In a way, it was like following the flow of water or the wind.

Yet it was like a dance, like flowing.

The dance of a Fairy.

The wing-wind of a Wind Spirit.

A gait that defies the gale.

She only noticed because she had seen it before.

She had heard that such movements were possible not through mana, but through nature-affinity and the ability to adapt.

That it was closer to a racial trait than a technique or skill.

An Elf from the Clan of the Forest had kindly explained it to her back then.

And now.

Over there.

A small boy who skillfully utilized all of that to face an irresistible enemy.

His appearance was like a butterfly caught in a storm.

Like a moth swept away by a gale.

He looked precarious.

Yet, for some reason.

He does not fall.

Neither collapsing nor breaking.

Instead, he takes down the enemies one by one.

It wasn’t an overwhelming sight.

But she felt something beyond that, or at least equal to it.

Moving relentlessly to break the encirclement.

Occupying advantageous positions to target weaknesses.

At a glance, he seemed unstoppable.

Even his evasions were natural, and his defenses were seamless.

He even used the moment he was struck and sent flying as another opportunity for a counterattack.

Using his small size as an advantage to toy with the enemies.

What a lamentable sight.

It is obvious that the weak cannot defeat the strong.

And yet, if they can.

Is it a mere coincidence?

Or is it a miracle?

‘Anyone.’

Everyone has weaknesses and flaws.

He acknowledges them and instead uses them as advantages.

He crushes the enemies’ weaknesses.

It is a simple concept, but is it ever easy?

The unreasonable battle, which continued relentlessly and kept them on the edge of their seats, finally reached its end.

Suddenly, he glances to one side as if seeing something.

Then he walks forward slowly and his lips move.

As if conversing with something.

-The trial is now over.

-A satisfying result indeed.

The souls of the ancient barbarian warriors who had been watching likewise looked relieved.

As if it were finally time to set down the backpacks they had been carrying.

Their shoulders seemed exceptionally light.

“You are….”

Alessia couldn’t bring herself to ask.

What was she trying to ask?

She didn’t know herself.

Turning her gaze, she saw Philbar urging the servants along while vigorously wielding pen and brush.

The rest of the group focused on the scene as if trying to engrave it into their memories forever.

A miracle had descended upon this reality.

The whole world was dyed in light.

And eventually, those warriors—who were once invaders but now protectors—began to scatter slowly, as if answering some call.

And so, they were gathered in one place again.

Then they saw it.

The sword in Kariel’s hand snapped.

Nevertheless.

Everyone’s gaze converged on that half-broken sword, which emitted a more divine and subtle light than before.

And the boy holding it.

He walked over slowly and handed it to the Baron.

“Please take it.”

“…….”

The Baron felt as if he were receiving an absurd Divine Artifact.

Unwittingly taking it with both hands, he said,

“This won’t do.”

He immediately turned and handed it to Alessia.

“This does not seem to be an object I can handle. Therefore… I ask the Saintess to take charge of it.”

“Me?”

“In any case, you must report the miracle that occurred here to the Holy See, must you not? This will serve as proof.”

“…….”

One might have felt a great deal of greed.

Yet he was able to bring up such a cool-headed and realistic point.

Even she, the Saintess, had been thinking of something else.

“Do you know the motto of our family?”

The Baron spoke with a light laugh.

“…Before Saint Kariel, it was ‘Achieve Glory.’ But after Saint Kariel, it changed to this.”

Suffer the agony of being unable to give. For that is a lack of courage.

“On the other hand, it sounds like a warning not to be led by greed.”

It is common for those who have to give.

Why then is it praised as noble when those who have nothing give?

Because not anyone can do it.

The fact that not anyone can do it is proof that I am a slightly better person.

Therefore.

“We are simply desperate to reflect on the past and become slightly better. If a Divine Artifact or treasure seeks to shackle us with the sin of greed, then to us, it is not a holy object… but a bribe offered by a demon.”

“But isn’t this the Divine Artifact of the church here?”

“Then you can simply return it the next time you visit, can’t you?”

“…….”

“Likewise, treasures are things that cloud everyone’s eyes. I trust that you, without being deceived, will return it to where it rightfully belongs.”

It was a proposal based on surprisingly subtle calculations.

“Hmph.”

However, no matter how she handled it, the Baron would neither resent nor blame Alessia.

He likely said it that way because he thought it would be easier for Alessia to accept.

And if she returned it, that would be good in its own right.

Ultimately, treasures cause further conflict.

The Holy See’s monopoly on holy objects and Holy Relics was, in a way, intended to prevent such risks.

…That is why they are accused of monopolizing and hoarding treasures.

And that is also true.

It is not a lie.

Bearing such dishonor is also a responsibility that those who lead must shoulder.

…Because by taking it upon themselves, they will be subjected to endless trials.

“On my honor, I will return it to the church personally. But before that….”

Alessia looked at Kariel and asked.

“This object should originally be yours; are you alright with this?”

“It is an object I have no need for.”

He had already received what he needed to receive.

To expect more would be greed.

…And perhaps.

If the owner of that object truly was Kariel himself.

It would return one day.

Though he didn’t hope for it.

The barrier had dissolved, and the sky was still dark.

That long time had, in reality, been an extremely short moment.

“Everyone! While strolling at night is fine for us, the festival is just around the corner; isn’t it about time to get some sleep?”

Philbar voiced his opinion to them.

“That is true.”

“I have much to say, but for now… resting a bit would be good.”

The Baron and Luke agreed with the opinion.

“Or perhaps some drinks for an after-party?”

“…….”

Luke added a word out of lingering regret, but quickly looked away, pretending not to notice the Baron’s glare.

“I will go to the church and report this incident in a brief manner.”

Toward Alessia, Philbar asked in a subtle tone.

“Would you not need my assistance?”

“…If you can help with writing the report, by all means.”

Suddenly, Kariel’s eyes met Philbar’s.

Others wouldn’t know.

But there was a shared understanding between them.

‘Let us speak later.’

His silent whisper carried that intention.

It was likely about Grandeus.

Kariel simply nodded as if it didn’t matter.

The night was still long.

Preparations for the festival were in full swing somewhere, and lights were still prevalent except for the dark alleys.

Boarding Philbar’s Four-Seat Carriage and heading toward the Baron’s mansion.

Kariel calmly closed his eyes.

Nothing had truly ended.

Still.

Someone’s long-cherished wish had come to an end as of today.

There was no need to lament.

No need to sigh.

He would simply keep it and engrave it in his heart.

Everyone pretended to be composed, but they seemed to be carrying the afterglow of the previous events.

Combined with individual fatigue, the interior of the carriage remained quieter and more serene than before.

Even after Alessia got off midway.

Throughout the journey.

Suddenly.

He recalled the night sky he had seen earlier.

A sky without a single cloud.

Where countless stars, large and small, formed an innumerable multitude.

That brilliant yet cozy sight.