Chapter 7 — Ordo Sect (?)

In a grand kingdom, Yagami, now inhabiting a new body given by Aria, assumes his role as Valemont, a young noble from the Lucifer family—a family that plays a major role as the kingdom's primary funder for military and logistical needs.

However, a major issue arises because the body Yagami occupies belongs to a spoiled noble child who has lived under strict supervision to maintain the Lucifer family's status quo. Several guards constantly monitor his every move, limiting Yagami's freedom to act.

The news about the massacre caused by Aria and Tatsuya has become a major issue among the kingdom's higher-ups. However, to maintain the status quo and avoid damaging its reputation, the kingdom has chosen to keep it a secret. They do not want the people to know that a grand kingdom like theirs can be infiltrated and attacked so suddenly.

Yagami resides in a luxurious room at the top of the castle, accompanied by the personal servants of the body he inhabits. Within this kingdom, there are many other noble families playing significant roles, such as strategists, observers, and more.

Meanwhile, the kingdom is conducting massive military recruitment across various regions to strengthen its power. This recruitment is carried out forcibly, with no regard for the destruction left behind, all in the name of preserving the kingdom's status quo. One example is the region of Volife, inhabited by hybrids such as wolfmen, whose residents are often forcibly conscripted into the army.

Yagami, while fulfilling his role as Valemont, tries to persuade the father of this body to allow him to get involved in the military recruitment in Volife, eager to uncover the details of the coercion process.

Currently, he is undergoing sword training mandated by the Lucifer family. His sword instructor is Reinhard—a legendary swordsman and Tatsuya's rival. Despite his old age, Reinhard still holds the status quo as the strongest swordsman. His thin body and bald head do not diminish the sharpness of his movements, vision, or motivation.

Yagami, who initially underestimated Reinhard and pretended to be Valemont—a young man who lacked skill and interest in swordsmanship—was eventually forced to get serious. Reinhard was not just an old instructor; he was someone capable of inflicting real injuries if Yagami wasn't careful.

"Master Valemont! Let us end this for now. I don't wish to make matters worse or accidentally hurt you!" Reinhard said as he parried Yagami's swing, refraining from retaliating too harshly.

"Huh!? Can't you hit harder? This is nothing—I want to get stronger!" Yagami kept pressing Reinhard, swinging his sword relentlessly. Though they used blunt swords, the intensity of the sparring was serious.

Reinhard stepped back three paces, his face showing disbelief as he heard Valemont speak in such a manner. To his knowledge, Valemont was nothing more than a lazy young man who had always been reluctant about sword training.

A smile of enthusiasm appeared on Reinhard's face as he said, "Very well, sir. I'm delighted that you're striving to become stronger!" With those words, they resumed their fierce sparring, as Reinhard began to grow suspicious of the spirited Valemont before him.

In the open training grounds, it was just the two of them. The sound of metal clashing echoed across the area. Several soldiers resting nearby began to watch the intense duel. They were amazed by how significantly Valemont's skills had improved.

"Come on, Master Valemont! Take down that old man! Don't give him a chance!" one of the soldiers shouted, his face alight with amusement as if finding solace after a long period of stress.

The atmosphere was cold and cloudy, with snowflakes gently falling. At the top of the castle, a beautiful girl and her two attendants observed the commotion below, intrigued by the fierce sparring session.

Valemont's physical appearance was that of a 19-year-old young man with white hair, a handsome face, and dazzling green eyes. His height was around 185 cm.

The beautiful girl smiled sweetly as she watched Valemont, now a strong figure. She descended to where Yagami was resting with Reinhard, surrounded by soldiers praising them both.

Yagami, who had been observing the beauty from the start, only smiled slyly in his heart because this aligned with his strategy—drawing the attention of people in the kingdom with his physical prowess. This way, he could be regarded as a powerful figure and be entrusted with specific missions from the kingdom's higher-ups.

The beauty stood before Yagami and said, "I think your swordsmanship has improved; you're no longer just a lazy good-for-nothing. Hm… Shall we have a duel now!?" As she spoke, the beauty grabbed a sword mounted on the wall and examined its sharpness.

She wore a grand and slightly elaborate gown, predominantly white and light pink, with golden patterns that signified her importance in the kingdom. Yagami himself still had no idea who she was.

"Heee? You want to fight me? Aren't you just a girl who cares about her beauty? Why don't you just go play with dolls instead…" Yagami said as he continued eating the bread prepared by the servants.

The beauty, hearing those words, seemed unwilling to accept them and couldn't believe Valemont—whom she thought she knew—would respond like that. "Tch… You've got some nerve. Even though I'm dressed like this… it doesn't stop me from fighting. I've been learning swordsmanship since I was a child—"

Before she could continue, Reinhard interrupted and said, "Princess Anastasia… I apologize for Master Valemont's rather rude remarks. We sincerely ask for your forgiveness… We'll be taking our leave now. Apologies for causing such a commotion." After saying this, Reinhard led Yagami away, who was still busy munching on his bread.

The beauty—Anastasia—just glared at them with displeasure, watching as they quickly fled from the scene.

To Reinhard, Valemont was still not on the same level as Anastasia. He knew that the princess was not only skilled in swordsmanship but also possessed an exceptional ability to read movements with great accuracy.

This could endanger Valemont's safety. Although, in truth, Yagami was more than capable of facing her—in fact, he could destroy the entire kingdom in an instant with his demonic powers.

That night, in Valemont's private chamber—a spacious room adorned with grand and magnificent paintings and luxurious furnishings—Yagami was lying on the lap of the body's mother while she gently stroked his hair.

Yagami was merely following the predetermined flow and couldn't move freely. His mother said, "Valemont… Forgive me, dear. It seems I've failed to stop your father, who keeps getting involved in the operation to uncover the identity of the Ordo Sect. The ones who attacked the plaza yesterday… They didn't just attack, but also spread heretical teachings of the so-called Great One of Darkness."

Yagami, who had been closing his eyes and trying to sleep on her lap, was suddenly startled upon hearing those words. He had just learned that the organization that attacked the plaza was the Ordo Sect (?). "What? The Great One of Darkness? …Are they a dangerous group?"

"Yes… They don't just attack physically. They also spread their religion. For example, they take the souls of living humans and offer them to the Great One they believe in. The effect is that those whose souls are taken become nothing more than living corpses that endlessly worship it."

"Isn't that excessive? —If I may ask, who leads them? And where do they reside?"

"That's still under investigation… which is being led by your father himself. This is very dangerous. In fact, they've already managed to conquer a remote village outside this kingdom and turn its inhabitants into moving corpses that continuously worship the Great One." As she spoke, tears streamed down her face, her sadness evident.

Yagami, seeing that tear-streaked face, couldn't express any sadness himself. Even though he now inhabited a human body, he couldn't perform such emotions, let alone feel touched on an emotional level.

"In that case, may I help him search for the Ordo Sect? If they're endangering the local populace, we should deal with them quickly."

"No, absolutely not. Let your father handle it. You just stay here to remain safe… I won't allow you to go anywhere alone. Your father also left a message… that you must continue your sword training with Reinhard. Focusing on strengthening yourself is the best step."

"Hm… Very well."

"Alright, then. I'll take my leave now, dear. Don't forget to eat your dinner; I don't want you getting sick."

After saying that, his mother left the room, leaving Yagami alone, lying down and contemplating his next steps after learning the identity of the organization called the Ordo Sect.