Esper was woken up by a knock on her door.
Since coming to Avalon, her daily routine had become more and more like that of a human.
Although sleep was still unnecessary for her, she didn't mind wasting time to relax if the conditions allowed it.
Especially after going through the ordeal of pulling out the Holy Sword, having her identity exposed, and becoming accomplices with the most dangerous silver-haired brat on the continent, the sudden rush of exhaustion when she finally relaxed had plunged her into a deep sleep the moment her body hit the bed.
But now, the door was being knocked on continuously, the rhythm between each knock so consistent it felt like some precise machine at work.
...So annoying.
Esper sat up in bed, her long hair a tangled mess over her shoulders and back.
She rubbed her face, stepped barefoot onto the cold floor, walked over, and pulled open the door.
Constantine stood behind the door, letting out a sigh of relief when he saw her.
“Good, you're up. I thought you were sleeping in.”
“Sorry, but I already did.”
Constantine's eye twitched.
“Let's go.”
...
Esper stepped out onto the streets of Avalon once more.
The Holy Sword hovered lazily behind her, spinning every now and then in response to the gasps of passing pedestrians, as if acknowledging them.
She offered a silent moment of silence for Constantine, who was leading the way.
When the two reached the palace gates, Constantine stopped.
The gatekeeper knights in heavy armor crossed their spears, blocking him without a word.
“Well, this is as far as I go. His Holiness said someone inside the palace will receive you.”
Constantine took a step back, and after giving Esper his final instructions, he turned and walked back toward the Church quarters.
Esper blinked, watching Constantine's seemingly lonely figure. She opened her mouth to speak, but ultimately said nothing.
...
Walking down a long corridor painted with the likenesses of past Roundtable Knights, the person who appeared before Esper was a black-haired girl standing in front of a door, her eyes sewn shut.
Needle and thread piercing her eyelids over and over again, the thread pulled tight and cut—that was the gruesome story written across the girl's face.
Esper swallowed hard.
During her year as an adventurer, she had certainly hunted down bizarre and grotesque creatures, but none of them had ever worn such a serene smile on their faces like the girl before her.
“Hero, you have arrived,” the girl said softly. She extended her hand, fingers outstretched. “Please take my hand.”
“...Who are you?” Esper felt a chill run down her spine and couldn't help but ask.
“A descendant of the clan that guards the Holy Land. I am the one who will guide you to erase the seal on the Holy Sword, allowing it to reveal its true form.”
“...”
Esper remained silent for a moment before taking her hand.
It was a soft hand, free of calluses, and very comfortable to hold.
“Now, please close your eyes.”
After she closed her eyes, she heard the sound of a door being pushed open.
“Please do not open them under any circumstances.”
She led Esper, walking into somewhere.
A place where screams swarmed like wild hornets.
Sobs, roars, shrieks, vomiting, and the sound of chewing and swallowing something... Countless noises rang out, exceptionally clear to a vampire's sensitive eyes.
She bit her lip, resisting the urge to open her eyes.
The girl holding her hand walked step by step, traversing paths that felt like wastelands, swamps, grasslands, sandy beaches, and streams, before finally stopping and letting go of her hand.
“Hero, please open your eyes. When you need me, simply close your eyes and recall my figure in your mind, and I will appear by your side.”
Esper opened her eyes.
There was no one in front of her.
There was only a cramped, small room.
Four black walls stood tall, compressing heaven and earth into this tiny space. She instinctively looked back, but still saw only black walls.
In the center of the space was a stone-carved round table and five stone chairs.
The Holy Sword flew to the center of the stone table, pointing its tip at the stone chair directly opposite Esper, wiggling continuously.
“...What a bizarre sight.” Esper muttered to herself as she sat down.
————
“『Attempting to retrieve "Record"...』
“『Retrieval failed. Connected to "■■■■·■■■■"』”
“『Conducting era screening...』”
“『Registration approved. Safety coefficient check complete.』”
“『Sending request to the Gardener...』”
“『Request unprocessed. Confirming Holy Sword constituent elements...』”
“『Era of Stars alignment: Arkham · δύναμις』”
“『Era of Covenants alignment: Wald · σοφία』”
“『Era of Law alignment: Ariel · πίστις』”
“『Era of Wild Hunt alignment: Arthur · θύελλα』”
“『■■ Era alignment: Lonia · ἐλπίς』”
“『Loading complete.』”
————
Just like before, incomprehensible words were spoken by a cold, synthesized voice. Esper clicked her tongue and chose to ignore it.
Burning and flickering, four figures materialized from points of blue, orange, gold, and crimson light.
The blue one was a young boy holding a mechanical gear key the size of a short dagger. He was trying his best to look serious, but sweat was dripping from his forehead.
Ann, the Pope of Esperfite.
The orange one was a young man with his head lowered, eyes shut tight behind his glasses, seemingly deep in thought.
Wald, the Chief Grand Mage of the Mage Tower.
The golden one was a little girl whose smooth, beautiful long hair fell all the way to the floor, flowing like a river.
Beatrice, the Pope of the Church of Radiance.
The crimson one was a girl in a military uniform, sitting upright with a serious expression. Her sharp gaze swept over Esper as if evaluating her.
A longsword as crimson as herself was gripped tightly in her hand, faintly crackling with lightning.
Veronica, the Empress of the Storm Empire.
They all turned their gazes toward Esper—anxious, calm, doting, and scrutinizing. It made Esper instinctively straighten her back.
They... didn't seem to like the Hero very much?
“Everyone, this is Esper, the new Hero~ Ah, Wald, it's been so long. Beya missed you so much.”
Beatrice withdrew her gaze and smiled, waving at Wald.
Wald remained motionless, merely staring at Esper with a calm gaze.
“Aww, so cold~ What about little Vika? Did you miss Beya~”
“...Cut the small talk. Let's begin.”
Veronica closed her eyes and spoke coldly.
“Ah, b-begin?! Then who, who goes first?”
Ann stammered, the hand holding his key trembling uncontrollably.
“Your Holiness, by custom, δύναμις starts first.”
“Ah? Oh, oh! Okay!”
He quickly stood up and reached his key toward the Holy Sword.
The gray, patternless ring she had briefly seen before appeared once again.
The moment the key touched the Holy Sword, a clear, bright blue replaced the hollow gray, and a pattern resembling gears emerged upon it.
“『Authority of Strength: Connection successful.』”
“『Current Compatibility: -24%』”
Then, Wald cast his gaze upon the Holy Sword.
“『Authority of Wisdom: Connection successful.』”
“『Current Compatibility: -57%』”
An orange ring of light lit up, with patterns like a lush forest slowly flowing over it.
“Oh my, it's Beya's turn. I really envy Wald's power~ It's so convenient~”
Beatrice smiled and clasped her hands together, sending a faint golden light flowing toward the Holy Sword like a river.
“『Authority of Faith: Connection successful.』”
“『Current Compatibility: -99%』”
A golden ring of light lit up, devoid of any patterns, shining with pure golden light.
Veronica cast a disgusted glance at Beatrice, raised her longsword, and lightly tapped it against the Holy Sword.
“『Authority of Storm: Connection successful.』”
“『Current Compatibility: -10%』”
A crimson ring of light lit up, embedded with symbols of thunder and flame.
“Alright, Esper, it's your turn.”
Beatrice spoke cheerfully, her eyes narrowing into slits as if anticipating something.
“...Me?”
“You just need to hold the Holy Sword.”
Esper hesitated for a moment before stepping forward and gripping the Holy Sword.
“『Authority of Hope: Connection successful.』”
“『Current Compatibility: --%』”
—A white ring of light suddenly burst forth, breaking free from the shackles of gray. A pattern resembling an embryo covered the entire ring in an instant.
The five-colored rings of light dissolved into the sword, refracting colors like a rainbow, completely dispersing the deep, dull gray that had been there before.
Finally, all the colors slowly settled into the blade, leaving only a white light swirling within.
The Holy Sword still looked like an ordinary sword, but Esper could clearly feel that something inside had changed.
“...So, what exactly is this sword?”
“A weapon manufactured to save the world.”
Wald spoke. There was no trace of emotion in his youthful voice. If not for the distinct tone, it sounded almost identical to the voice that kept ringing in Esper's head.
“It is capable of carrying multiple Authorities, manifesting and replicating them when the compatibility reaches the standard. It was manufactured at the end of the Era of Strife to eradicate the Black Tide.”
“...?”
Veronica cast a strange look at Wald, seemingly not expecting him to speak.
“Since the demons at that time were a calamity allied with the Black Tide, the first Hero added a special trigger condition when writing the program.”
“When the Black Tide is about to return, or when a new Demon King is about to be born, the Holy Sword will reappear in the world to find a Hero.”
“Writing... a program?” Esper repeated the words.
“Just a figure of speech,” Wald continued. “As eras changed, humans possessing new Authorities began to appear. When the Holy Sword manifested, they connected their Authorities to it, creating the Holy Sword as it is today.”
“Alright, now that the unsealing of the Holy Sword is complete, let's talk about some practical matters~”
Beatrice rudely interrupted Wald's words, but Wald didn't seem angry. Or rather, he might have been, but he didn't show it.
“Esper wants to form a Hero's party and gain support from various factions. So, do you all have any recommendations~”
“I refuse.”
No sooner had Beatrice finished speaking than Veronica declared her stance, causing Esper's heart to sink.
“The Abyss Expedition is about to begin, and every single Roundtable Knight is a vital strategic resource. Diverting our strength to the cause of fighting demons is more trouble than it's worth for the Empire.”
She spoke each word with powerful emphasis, as if trying to strike someone down.
“What a pity~ Does the Sword Saint share your view? Her proudest disciple—”
“Beatrice, if you say another word, I will treat everything you say as an insult and a declaration of war against the Empire.”
Veronica's eyes darkened, her voice booming like a clap of thunder.
“How petty.”
Beatrice stuck out her tongue and slowly turned her head toward Ann.
“What about Your Holiness?”
“Eh? I, I... Eek!!!”
Just as Ann spoke, he suddenly let out an incredibly pathetic shriek, as if he had been electrocuted.
It was as if someone had harshly reprimanded him right in front of his face.
“Ah! Yes, yes, I understand! Ah...”
He spoke tremulously:
“Esperfite is a great and pure nation, a nation that fights for humanity. Therefore, the Pope of Esperfite will never agree to aid a branded blasphemer... Participating in the unsealing of the Holy Sword is our final limit. We will not be involved any further...”
“What a shame~”
Beatrice let out an exaggerated sigh, bypassed Ann, who looked like he was about to cry, and looked toward Wald.
“Then, Wald—”
“Noelle Green, the Deputy Grand Mage of the Mage Tower, will voluntarily join the Hero's party once she finishes her latest research project.”
“...Huh?”
“Eh???”
“...?”
Esper looked in confusion at the three who wore entirely different expressions.
Beatrice, revealing her feline nature and beginning to hiss.
Ann, looking softer and more easily bullied than cotton, completely dazed.
Veronica, silent, her expression as sour as if she had swallowed a pound of flies.
“How surprising. I didn't expect Wald to care so much about Esper~ Beya is getting a little jealous~”
Beatrice wiped the surprise from her face and continued.
“Then, does the Church have any candidates to send?”
Veronica coldly interrupted Beatrice.
“Hmm? The Church won't send anyone as a representative~”
Beatrice dragged out her words.
“~Because the Saintess will be accompanying you. It's only natural.”
Esper's breath caught, and her entire body froze in her seat like a statue under a binding spell.
“...What?”
“It's very simple. The Saintess, Eladia. She will go with Esper.”
Beatrice's golden eyes slowly curved into crescent moons.
“It's tradition for the Saintess to follow the Hero. She isn't technically a member of the party.”
Esper's lips parted, then closed again. Something churned violently in her eyes, but she forced it down.
The Saintess, whose very breath exuded holy light, would follow her. Follow her all the way.
From Avalon to Abyss City, traversing the entire continent, day and night, eating, sleeping, and traveling together.
“After all, this is a crusade prepared against the evil demons. With her around, I'm sure there's no need to worry about much else, right?”
Beatrice's voice was airy, as if she were talking about some trivial matter.
“You...”
Esper glared at Beatrice, her voice squeezed through her teeth, a faint crimson glint nearly flashing in her eyes.
Beatrice was still smiling.
“What's wrong?”
Her voice was sickeningly sweet, like pouring honey onto an open wound.
“Are you not happy?”
Esper wanted to say so many things.
She wanted to say that this was a breach of contract, that Beatrice had promised not to force anyone into her party, that she had never intended to keep any promises from the very beginning, that this silver-haired old monster who had lived for god-knows-how-many years had been playing with her all along...
But she didn't utter a single word.
There was no point in saying it.
They had signed a covenant, but the covenant didn't apply.
Because the Saintess was not a member of the party. The Saintess was a tradition, not someone assigned by the Church, but a fucking established custom.
Just like how the Pope of Esperfite would participate in this meeting, just like the Storm Empire's Abyss Expedition.
...Just like how the Demon King would bear everything.
“...When will the Saintess arrive?”
Esper's voice returned to a calm state—by burying all of her rage beneath her expression.
“She has been in the City of Holy Radiance. Beya has already sent people to fetch her. She should arrive in about three days.”
Beatrice swayed back and forth, the smile on her lips completely impossible to suppress.
“Well then, this meeting is adjourned, everyone. See you next time~”
The golden figure dissolved into points of light and dispersed. Veronica let out a cold snort and followed suit, leaving the scene.
Ann looked at Esper, opening his mouth.
“Y-you can do it...”
After saying that, he fled the room.
Only Wald and Esper remained.
“...”
Wald spoke.
“You are not qualified.”
Esper's eye twitched.
“For a mortal, you are indeed a genius. But among those possessing Authorities whom I have seen, you are also the worst of the lot.”
Rafina, Gloom, Eliza.
“...I know.”
“But you were chosen by it, as a vampire.”
“...?!”
Wald's expression remained unchanged.
“What are you talking about...”
“Your magic aura is disguised, wrapped in another layer of magic. So, I analyzed that packaging.”
In the dim, cramped room, Wald's orange eyes stared at Esper as if trying to engrave her figure into his mind forever.
“...Then why didn't you just expose me...”
“You were chosen, under impossible circumstances.”
Wald said calmly.
“The immeasurable, myriad changes observed by Fortuna led Her to make this choice. Therefore, I decided to believe in you and your possibilities.”
“...”
“If you are to crusade against the Demon King, the best advice I can give you is to seek out the traces of the death marchers. Then kill them and seize their power.
One day, you will understand why Fortuna made that choice.”
Esper stood up abruptly.
“Who exactly is Fortuna, anyway?! Why is everything related to Her?”
“Why must we follow Her arrangements? Why do we just let these things happen?!”
“Is even the so-called curse of the Hero inevitably killing the Demon King a tragedy orchestrated by Her?!”
She remembered the curse Rafina had received, she remembered Gloom's crack-covered body, and she remembered the piercing cheers of those humans after she pulled out the Holy Sword.
—Absolutely unacceptable. Absolutely unforgivable.
The entity that caused Fina to suffer such torment, the entity that made her pull out the Holy Sword...
—She would absolutely change all of this.
Wald stared at Esper, then lowered his head to think for a few seconds, lightly tapping the tabletop with his finger.
“Believe in yourself. Those who carry hope must harbor hope in their hearts.”
Bzzz—
“The above is my personal advice. Take care.”
The points of light composing Wald dissipated in an instant, leaving Esper all alone in the room.
“...What a load of gibberish.”
She closed her eyes, recalling the figure of the girl in her mind.
And so, that hand took hers once more, leading her into the unknown darkness.
Rate on N.U.
