Karpeng Fight - Aftermath (final)

After watching Rubia and Noah walk away completely, the smile on her lips faded, and she returned to her usual expression.

"Kent. So, what happened with the corpse?"

Kent approached silently, as always, gave a light bow, and spoke.

"According to the investigation team... there were no traces of Karpeng. It was determined to be solely the result from a greatsword. Even after she was already dead... it looks like she was struck about thirty nine more times."

"I see."

She recalled the image of the shredded corpse that had been spread across the ground.

All its limbs were torn apart, its innards were spilling out, and the bones and flesh were so pulverized that they had been separated.

"Judging by the person who was standing next to the priestess earlier—"

She raised a hand slightly, signaling Kent to stop.

"There are too many ears here. Lower your voice. So, did the villagers see the body?"

"Ahem, some people witnessed the killing itself. We've instructed them to stay quiet, but... the rumors have already spread."

"So, it'll be difficult to completely cover it up."

"My apologies."

She recalled the voices she had heard from various places.

"That's why the atmosphere's like this..."

Some voices had been friendly, but they were a minority.

The majority of the villagers were trembling in fear, murmuring that everything was the fault of those people.

Given the condition of the body, it's understandable, though.

Still, it feels like they're treating the heroes who protected their village unfairly.

"Huu..."

She thought about the girl she spoke to yesterday and today.

A bright smile, a body far too small compared to others.

Incredibly timid and pure in nature.

And yet, dragging around a greatsword that didn't even match her size...

It was impossible to imagine such a girl killing someone.

But how could a girl like that have done something so horrific?

If she were a normal person, she should have felt at least a little hesitation when killing another human being.

From the condition of the corpse, though, it was clear she had no hesitation at all, and, if anything, seemed to have enjoyed it.

"Tsk."

Thinking about it further wouldn't change anything...

She widened her gaze, taking in all the traces of the battle with Karpeng.

Then she used her second unique ability to read the flow of magic.

The battle played out in her mind.

The first was between Karpeng, Luchi, and Heinzel.

The second was with the greatsword... Noah.

Then...

She saw the remnants of faint magic, bloodied arrows...

A cloak that hindered perception.

A modified Horn of Fury.

And on the corpse, she recalled seeing...

A grotesquely wide grin.

A symbol etched into the brain.

The mark of the Black Sun.

"Is it certain that no one saw the symbol?"

"Yes. That's confirmed."

"That's a relief, but... please do everything you can to stop the rumors from spreading."

"Understood. I'll do my best."

"No. Don't just do your best. Do it well. Perfectly."

"...Yes, understood."

She waved her hand dismissively.

"I'll be going now."

As Kent disappeared, she let out a deep sigh.

The final battle of Luchi played out in her mind.

Slashing down Karpeng.

Then continuing with...

A strike that cleaved through the world.

It wasn't a mark left in accordance with the will of the heavens, but rather, it defied them—a trace of defiance.

Luchi had become not a master who had achieved mastery over all things.

But a challenger who defied the natural order, who went against the world.

She envisioned Luchi, smiling brightly, lying dead.

She glared up at the sun.

The sun she would one day bring down.

She glared at the evil god, Lilith.

The fifth nightmare had ended, thanks to a new challenger.

And so.

There are four nightmares left.

Five challengers remain.

The balance had been broken.

The awakening of the End was beginning.

The false paradise was starting to descend.

"The prophecy... has gone far off course."

The birth of the sixth challenger.

The disappearance of the fifth.

The identity of the mysterious girl, Noah.

And now, the priestess and Noah were heading to the Karahan Mountains, where the fifth challenger had disappeared.

The world, which had followed the prophecy up until now...

Had changed entirely because of Noah's appearance.

The prophecy was no longer accurate.

She closed her eyes and gathered her magic.

"Ah, can you hear me? This is Jur."

She reached out across the distance to Alrba, where...

She reported to the First Challenger.

Reporting the beginning of everything.

"I will now begin the report, Hermilla."

* * * *

"The fifth nightmare has ended."

At the highest level of the Erden Temple.

Inside a grand hall, surrounded by stained glass on all sides.

Alstain, dressed in a pure white sacred robe, knelt and offered his prayers.

"And... a new challenger has..."

Blood burst from his body, and crimson letters began to form on the 'Revelation' he held in his hands.

[How disappointing, Alstain.]

"Keugh... I, I apologize."

Blood flowed from Alstain's face.

His nails were all ripped out.

His fingers twisted.

His toes pulled free.

His internal organs contorted.

[I told you it was too early for the awakening of the End. And I also warned you that the descent of Erden was not yet ready.]

"S-sorry... I-I..."

[Oh, my apologies. It's understandable. I didn't know about 'her' either, so of course, you wouldn't have known. I got a bit emotional. Hehehe.]

Alstain's blood.

Flowed back into his body.

His twisted organs straightened.

His torn toes returned.

His bent fingers returned to their normal shape, and new nails grew in.

"Thank you for your mercy..."

[I trust in you, my apostle Alstain. You'll do better this time, won't you?]

The pained expression on his face twisted into one of pure joy.

"O-of course!"

Alstain's golden eyes gleamed.

[Then, Alstain von Erdenshut. As your master, I command you. Restore the balance of the world.]

[Kill the fifth challenger and sow despair in the world.]

[And retrieve the Shard of the End.]

"I will obey."

Still prostrate in prayer, Alstain's face was filled with rapturous joy.

"For the glory of Erden."

At that moment, the Revelation, which had been soaked in blood, returned to its pure white form.

At the same time, Alstain's expression became masked once more.

His heightened emotions calmed.

His previously intense voice lowered.

Returning to his usual demeanor, Alstain turned to the door and spoke with a solemn tone.

"Huu... Come in."

One of the many stained glass windows opened, and a man clad in black armor stepped inside.

With every movement, a grating sound like metal scraping echoed through the hall.

The sword hanging from his waist creaked as it trembled.

The man's labored breathing filled the space, as if it was tearing through his lungs.

"It's been a while, Lord Kalt."

Alstain smiled and extended his hand.

But the man standing before him, Kalt, ignored the gesture and simply stared with gleaming eyes.

"It's our first meeting since you became a master, and... you've changed a lot."

"Enough... talking. Give the command."

Kalt's voice could no longer be called human.

"Oh dear... your throat seems to be in bad shape. Shall I offer you some holy water—"

"Command."

Kalt's hand moved toward the hilt of his sword.

"You seem to be in a bad mood. My apologies for the joke... Haha. Then, I will deliver the goddess's orders."

Kalt, who had been radiating intense pressure, immediately ceased breathing, knelt on one knee, and bowed his head.

Alstain smiled with satisfaction as he continued speaking.

"Lord Kalt. You are to go to the summit of the Karahan Mountains immediately and kill the fifth challenger, 'Yuria'."

Alstain's words were imbued with divine power.

"And retrieve the lost Shard of the End."

The divine power wrapped around Kalt's body, constricting him and pressing down on him.

"All, for... E...rden."

"All for the glory of Erden."

As Alstain finished speaking, the divine power that had been crushing Kalt's body seeped into him.

"Haa..."

His heavy breathing calmed.

The trembling of his sword ceased.

"The time?"

"Two weeks."

"...And how will the aftermath be handled?"

"Erden will take full responsibility. Including compensation to the surviving family members."

Kalt's face twisted in disgust.

"I'll be off then."

"Please, take care."

* * * * 

Inside the creaking carriage rolling across the rough plains.

Hephaestus was snuggled against me, sniffling, while Rubia watched us with a slightly odd expression.

"Um... Ru-Rubia...?"

"Yes?"

Her voice sounded a little... sharp.

"D-do you want some jelly?"

I cautiously pulled out the jelly I'd been squishing around in my pocket earlier.

It looked a bit odd now, but... it was all I had to offer.

"It looks... strange."

"W-well... it must've gotten squished from being in my pocket for so long..."

Rubia moved a little closer.

"It's squished in the shape of your fingers... didn't you fidget with it?"

"Uh... well... I was just... a little bored earlier... but I did wash my hands properly... it's probably not good to eat, right? Then, I'll just—"

As I was about to close my hand and put the jelly back into my pocket, Rubia suddenly leaned forward.

"No."

Rubia leaned in quickly—

"Eek—!"

—and snatched the jelly from my hand.

Her moist, soft tongue slid across my hand, licking it clean.

"Ru-Rubia...?"

"Tastes like peach."

"W-wait... but I'm sure I already ate all the peach ones..."

I wiped my now-wet fingers on my clothes.

"Hmm... but I'm certain it tasted like peach. Or maybe... your fingers taste like peaches, Noah?"

"Eek..."

I looked at Rubia, who was smiling mischievously, and quickly curled my hand into a fist, shoving it back into my pocket.

"Unni... sniff... can I have some jelly too...?"

Next to me, Hephaestus, with her snot-covered hand, reached out, asking timidly.

"Do you... really want some?"

"Yes..."

I carefully picked out one of the last two pieces of jelly that wasn't as squished and placed it gently into Hephaestus's hand, being extra careful to avoid the snot.

"Thank you... sniff—"

Hephaestus slowly ate the jelly, finally calming down as she sat up straight.

Ugh... the spot where Hephaestus was leaning on me is all damp...

"Feeling better now, Hephaestus?"

"Yes... I'm sorry for causing trouble..."

As soon as Hephaestus pulled away, Rubia's expression softened noticeably.

Was she upset that her freshly washed clothes might have gotten dirty?

Rubia does do the laundry, so that would make sense...

"Haa... I have something I need to tell you..."

Hephaestus let out a deep breath and pulled out a small letter from her coat.

"This... is the reason why I'm heading to Karahan. I think it's better to explain it now."

Rubia nodded as she gently took the letter from Hephaestus.

"Hephaestus, do you mind if I read this out loud?"

"Ah... I don't mind."

I guess she's offering to read it aloud since I can't read very well...

But if she reads the letter out loud, won't that be too embarrassing...?

"Uh... if it's something personal, you can just explain it to us later..."

"No, it's fine. Noah unni should hear it too."

But Hephaestus shook her head softly and smiled.

"Alright, then. Let's see... Oh, it's a letter from your teacher."

"Yes, that's right."

"And... your teacher's name is..."

Rubia carefully unfolded the letter and continued.

"Yuria."