Chapter 50 – Strike Back

000

“Sister, really with that man…”

Daeshinjeon, where the quiet choir sings resound.

White marble columns and red carpeted floors.

Magnificent stained glass that makes you believe in God just by looking at it.

It is regarded as a sacred place by priests belonging to the Order of Protection of the Holy Spirit, and many high-ranking priests reside here.

Numerous believers, clergy, and supporters of the church come in and out every day.

Tio’s sister, an apprentice priest, is also one of the most promising priests.

Every day, he prayed at the Great Temple and waited for an oracle to be given to him.

But what came down to her was not an oracle from God.

Arranged marriage with the Marquis of Wood Knocker, a huge supporter according to the church’s decision.

As a woman with no family other than her younger sister, when she thought about her life in the church.

There was no justification for refusing the church’s order.

As if she didn’t understand her, Tio asked her sister over and over again.

But each time, her answer was the same.

“The Marquis Hughes, of course, may not be a good man. But it is our priest’s job to reform such a person.”

“He’s the one who pours in a lot of money to make an unborn child a candidate for a hero. He’s obviously crazy about power and money.”

At Tio’s answer, her sister gave a wry smile.

“But Tio. It is also true that the church can save more people because of his support.”

Having said that, she did not bend her resolve.

Compared to other ordinary people, Tio also had the necessary religious faith as a priest.

However, to the end, it was faith in doctrine, not the upper echelons of the church.

Although he tried to talk to them several times without his sister’s knowledge.

The upper echelons of the church, blinded by the money Marquis Hughes possessed, often ignored Tio’s words.

In the end, she had to watch her sister’s wedding without doing anything.

About a year later, my sister’s son.

In other words, for Tio, a boy was born who would become his nephew.

The first few years were just quiet.

But after 4 years have passed since then.

Bad rumors began to circulate around her.

Hughes Woodnocker’s wife was away from home for several days, neglecting her family.

Among them, there was even a story that they were together with adventurers.

And that every time Marquis Hughes was told such a story, a woman’s screams came from the mansion.

Meeting again with my older sister, whom I hadn’t seen properly since marriage.

Several months had passed since such rumors began to circulate.

The quarters of the priests whose lights were turned off.

Hearing a knock on his door, he rubbed his sleepy eyes and opened the door.

Tio’s older sister was standing there.

Covering the face with the robe pulled over.

When I met her again, her face was haggard, and in her eyes, the same good light as before had faded like a fading lamp.

But there was a determination on her face that hadn’t been there before.

The older sister who came to visit her quietly.

Wrapped in a cloth, she held it in front of Tio.

A Zweihander that shines with a brilliant silver light.

Divine magic that spreads gently.

As soon as Tio saw it, he couldn’t help but doubt its identity.

“Holy sword. Misteltein.”

Quietly, her sister opened her mouth.

“Where did this…”

In response to Tio’s flustered voice, the older sister quietly talked about what had happened.

She was entrusted with the Holy Sword.

The foreseeable future is that the holy sword will make her son a hero.

The worst prophecy that it will be used by the regressors before long.

That’s why you don’t tell anyone that you’ve been entrusted with.

The holy sword was retrieved through adventurers.

This fact is unknown to Marquis Hughes or anyone in the Church.

She talked

“The power of the holy sword can be used to save the world. It must not be used by regressors.”

Tio also agreed with her words.

It was generally impossible to hide the Holy Sword.

This is because those who specialize in detecting the magical power of unsealed holy swords belong to the church and try to recover unregistered holy swords.

“Then how…”

“I will break this holy sword.”

To Tio’s question, she kept her mouth shut for a bit before answering while looking down at Mistiltein.

“Break it…?”

Tio asked back as if she didn’t understand her sister’s words.

She just nods.

“I have already finished talking with the holy sword. He, too, respects my opinion.”

“I don’t understand. Who is he?”

She didn’t answer this time.

He placed his hand on the sword in front of Tio’s eyes.

Then, the holy sword, Misteltein, trembled as if vibrating a little.

It started to disappear as it cracked from the middle.

And the only thing left in the place was a silver marble.

“What did you do?”

“Destroy the body of the holy sword. I left only the core. I want to leave that core to you.”

“Sister! Please explain! What are you trying to do!?”

At Tio’s words, her sister’s face turned sad.

“I said before that it was my job to reform Marquis Hughes, right?”

Tio kept her mouth shut for a moment at her sister’s words her.

Abandonment, guidance, and despair were seen on her face.

As a priest, she always sang of bright images and hopes.

It was a big shock even for Tio.

“I learned while living with him. There are enough evils in the world beyond my imagination.”

“Sister…”

Tio quietly held her sister’s hand her.

“That core… We must prevent the Holy Sword’s power from passing over to Marquis Hughes. And I, too, will try to escape from him as much as possible.”

“What are you talking about? Can’t we just ask the church for protection?”

No matter how good the Marquis Hughes is with the Church,

If Tio’s older sister, who has skills comparable to that of the church’s high-ranking cleric, asks for protection.

I couldn’t leave her alone.

“…I have to go get Eustes.”

“Are you insane?!”

There was no way Marquis Hughes would allow it.

I tried desperately to stop her, but Tio’s older sister left.

And the next day.

A body was carried away from the Woodnocker family.

All that was left of Tio was the core of the holy sword left behind by her sister her and despair her.

The Church didn’t want to have anything to do with her death.

Even if he had stayed by his side her that day and applied for protection from the church.

He may have been forced to return to the side of the Marquis.

All the anger and sadness and despair her sister felt

It continued on to Tio as well.

Feeling betrayed by the church.

A desire for revenge against the Marquis of Woodnocker.

That he reached out his hand to her.

At that time, he was a ‘Maxwell’ priest who worked hard to save the refugees in the Great War.

He said to Tio.

“The Cult is corrupt and the world is shrouded in darkness. We must restore the world to what it should be.”

I did not fully agree with his ideas.

However, in the process, he overthrew the Order.

If he could get revenge on Marquis Hughes, even indirectly.

Even if he was called a villain, it didn’t matter.

However, Tio regretted his choice her years later.

Priest Maxwell was the closest person to Marquis Hughes.

As it is, he will help Marquis Hughes’ plan.

The imprints of the regressors were already engraved on her body.

It was impossible to disobey Maxwell’s orders.

In addition, the existence of the core of the sword was also discovered by Maxwell.

It was fortunate that he hadn’t told Marquis Hughes about nuclear weapons.

However, even the will left by her sister her was used by him.

You have been ordered to keep an eye on Eustes.

If you think your own sister died to save him.

It was impossible to feel good feelings for Eustes.

Until I saw his face in person.

Obviously, it was too selfish to be called a sage.

A young, inexperienced, arrogant, cowardly human being.

Growing up under the Marquis Hughes, it was not hard to imagine that he had developed such a personality.

But every time he thinks of his older sister in his face.

Her words ran through my head.

If there is any goodness in this child.

Rehabilitating him was also the job of their priests.

That’s why he threw himself to protect Eustes.

No, when I realized it, my body had already moved.

Even then.

This time too.

001

“So, you’re my mother’s…”

Eustes opened his mouth in disbelief as he looked down at the wounded and dying Tio.

Tio opens his mouth with a wry smile.

“Are you disappointed, not a sacrifice of pure goodwill?”

The thing Tio wrapped around herself.

Evidently, Eustes was deeply impressed by the action somewhere.

For the sake of the first person he met that day, the goodwill he threw his body into.

Maybe that’s why I felt more guilty.

But if the only reason Tio saved him was because he was her nephew.

Eustes’ mind was complicated.

However, he soon shook his head.

“Even though it’s related by blood. I’m a human who inherited the blood of the Marquis Hughes. I’m also an object of resentment to you. You saved me like that… It’s because you’re a good person. “

Eustes spat out unorganized words and spoke.

Tio sighs at those words.

The blood still hasn’t stopped.

“You are…”

“I… Couldn’t deny what Maxwell said. It’s true that I didn’t want to run away…But I haven’t changed anything.”

Arrogant, likes to be in the spotlight.

Young, immature, arrogant.

“No. You’ve changed… It’s true that you still lack a lot, but there’s only one thing. A virtue that can be recognized by anyone.”

Tio said that and took Eustes’ hand.

The core of the sword was gripped in that hand.

“That’s courage. The courage to know the truth. And the courage not to run away from the enemy.”

“I-I…”

I look down at my trembling hands and legs.

Fear was evidently overshadowing him.

This kind of person can’t be a courageous person.

As Maxwell said.

“Courage is not about being ‘fearless’. It’s about going your own way in the face of fear.”

“…”

Tio’s body gradually loses strength.

Either as a potion or as a recovery magic.

It was impossible to completely heal her body of her, which had been contaminated by Maxwell’s other-dimensional powers of her.

“And. Those who fight back with courage are called ‘heroes’.”

“Warrior…”

If the warrior simply refers to those who wield the power with the holy sword.

Just like the magic swordsman, it could be called a ‘sex swordsman’.

But why not.

This is because true warriors speak for people who have the courage to face fear on their own.

Of course, there are countless people who can’t hold the holy sword.

The hero Alvein was like that.

“Even if you don’t have a holy sword. If you have that mindset, anyone can stand as a hero.”

Even if it’s a magic swordsman.

Even if he was an immature young man who couldn’t wield a sword properly.

“You’re foolish… Tio. The collapse of the world you wanted would have happened soon.”

“Maxwell…!”

Did it escape from the influence of divine magic?

Gathering the bark, Maxwell started moving again.

However, compared to before, that figure is completely different, just like the other members of the family.

It was the appearance of a monster turned into wood from head to toe.

“Soon. Shuradsel will descend to this world. Even Eustes, whom you saved at the cost of his life, is no more than a leaf in front of a beast.”

Tio looked at Maxwell for a while, then turned his attention to Eustes.

“…I am a helpless villain. After all, it was impossible to stand up to Maxwell until the situation came to this.”

Saying that, he looked at the core of the sword Eustes held for a while, then let go of his hand.

“You do what you want to do, no matter what that human says. With your will.”

And Tio closes his eyes.

Eustes stood up from his seat while gripping the core of the holy sword handed to him.

Maxwell saw that and changed his expression for a moment.

He could feel the magic power gradually increasing in the core of the sword he was holding.

“…It’s impossible, for me.”

However. The words Eustes said made Maxwell smile.

Then it is.

“To defeat Maxwell, who has turned into a monster. To cut down the tree monster that will pop out after him…”

“Then come this way. Now, whether you live or die, nothing will change. Let’s watch the coming of Schradsel together.”

Maxwell spreads his arms.

His body was filled with hideous second-dimensional magic.

“But. ‘Things that are impossible’ and ‘Things I don’t want to do’ are different… Right?”

“…What.”

In the next moment, the core of the sword and the longsword he had were attracted to each other and became one.

Then, a brilliantly shining silver two-handed sword was held in Eustes’ hand in his.

“The holy sword from the core…!? You mean it was restored!”

Maxwell quickly sprung up.

However, the magic of the holy sword protects Eustes.

Eustes roars in anger and runs in a straight line.

“Maxwell!!!”

Unlike Mithril’s Greatsword, it is a holy sword as light as a feather.

Mistiltein puts all her magic into protecting Eustes so he can reach Maxwell.

And the moment the sword touches Maxwell.

The priest who succumbed to the power of the other dimension was cut in two on the spot.

“Oh my… It can’t be… To you… “

Maxwell’s body uttered common lines and fell off the cliff.

Eustes took a deep breath and looked at the holy sword.

Obviously, he is still a man who is far from being able to wield this sword.

Even so, the Holy Sword lent itself its power.

“…Mistiltane.”

A name I’ve heard before.

Could it have been to her mother before she died?

I suddenly come to my senses and run to Tio.

Tio’s soul had already left his body.

Eustes clenched his fists and tried to move her body her.

Guild rules that adventurers told themselves before.

It was time to put it into practice.

Next moment.

I heard something on the cliff, a sound like glass breaking.

I see the dimensional walls crumble.

A thick tree trunk crawled out like a finger from beyond.

Eustes left Tio’s body off the cliff as much as possible.

Seeing the strong presence flowing through the gap, he sat down.

“That, that… The Beast, the Shradsel… !”

Despair, banished from the world, has returned.

002

Turn back time a bit

Outside the tent.

Rubera and Talcheck are fighting one step at a time.

They were slowly cutting each other’s stamina.

The awakened Lubera’s power is really annoying.

No matter how much you try to respond to it by relying on your senses.

As long as Rubera’s magical power allows.

It was impossible to make a valid hit by unchecking.

Of course, Talcheck also adapts to that power to some extent.

Although I predicted the direction her attack her would go.

“Haa… Kewgh…”

The pain spreading through her body was slowing her movement.

“Cleon says you seem ill. That seems to be true.”

“Sheesh. Did you notice him…”

As if de-checking is not fun, he replies Rubera’s words.

“I don’t really care if you get sick and die or not… But what about Iona Chevalier?”

“That guy already knows. That’s why he nags me to stay in the royal capital.”

“Why not? Is it related to the brave Lesia I mentioned earlier?

At Rubera’s words, Talchek snorted.

“It has nothing to do with you.”

“…Yes. That’s right. But you’re acting out of your own way without even worrying about your one and only daughter. You’re the worst father ever.”

Talchek contorted his face.

“I’m a prosecutor. I’m not like my father.”

“Is Iona Chevalier always her own tool?”

“Yes. A sword that speaks and behaves like a human. I kept it by my side because it was strange.”

Ruba paused for a moment at Talchek’s words to her, and then she laughed out loud.

It was as if she had heard an interesting story.

“What.”

“No. I just thought you looked like Cleon.”

“What…?”

Ruba continued her story, pointing to Talchek as a barisada.

“Today. When I went to the Marquis House to look for you. Do you remember the story I had with Cleon?”

“…”

“You said that Iona Chevalier was ‘not that strong’. Cleon denied it.”

“Ah, it was.”

Ruba smiled bitterly at Tal Check, who answered as if she was not concerned.

“Don’t you know? Iona is definitely stronger as a sword. Than a red sword hanging from your waist. But as a human, you’d think she’s weak.”

“…”

“Actually, even objectively, she is strong. Her knowledge of magic and swordsmanship are all top-notch. But to you, it’s just child’s play. That’s your true intention. Not as a ‘sword’, but as a ‘human’. ‘I’m evaluating and thinking of her as a person.”

Talcheq’s face grew crumpled.

A vein sprouting from the forehead of his.

And her sharp eyes her and the creeping life her.

“It’s sophistry.”

“Even Eustes didn’t want to run away from the truth. Are you trying to run away from your heart?”

“Geuk… Your tongue is too long.”

Talchek jumped at her with the momentum to kill Ruba this time.

[What should I do if I make a useless provocation!]

Barisa talking to Ruba.

Rubera also had blood on her head without realizing it, and she regretted talking for Iona.

At that moment, Talcheq’s body stopped.

No, what stopped was the holy sword he was holding in his hand.

As if suspended in midair.

It doesn’t move from the spot.

Talcheck tries to move the fixed chevalier as if in pantomime.

But before long, the sword moves by itself and escapes from Talchek’s hand his and flies to where Cleon is.

Cleon also opens his eyes and gets up from his seat her.

“You’ve just returned. You irresponsible bastard.”

Ruba is Cleon.

And as she looked at Iona regaining her form beside him, she smiled.

Talchek looks at Cleon and Iona with his eyes wide open.

“Father.”

“Chevalier… Cleon, you bastard. What have you done?”

Seeing Tal Check glaring at him, Cleon raised the corner of his mouth and aimed Galatea at him.

“I was trying to bring back family bonds.”

“Do something useless…! Chevalier! I am your master!”

Talchek said so and held out her hand to Iona, and Iona shook her head.

“No! I’m Iona. The proud hero who saved the world. I’m the daughter of Sword Saint Talchek!”

However, Iona stubbornly refuses and shakes her head.

Tal Chek opened his eyes wide at those words.

Until now, when Iona called herself Chevalier, there were times when she would deny it.

However. She, too, must have thought somewhere in her heart that Tal Check was considering herself as her tool her.

But this time she was sincere.

Iona sincerely, she is Talchek’s daughter to stop him.

She stood in front of him.

“I can’t wait to see my father stray from the road any longer.”

Iona said that and she turned to Cleon and took his hand her.

“For his sake his, I will stop you along with Cleon and Ruba. As your daughter… Take responsibility!”

And once her body is once again enveloped in light.

A slightly different holy sword from the one in Talchek’s hand was held in Cleon’s hand in her.

“…!”

Talchek looked at the scene and slowly opened his mouth.

He laughed

“Ha ha-!Haha!”

And she pulls out the red sword that had been on her waist until now.

“Yes. Is this the period of rebellion? Iona.”

And for the first time.

Except when introducing it to others.

It was her calling her her by her first name her.

[Wait Cleon. Are you using this woman too?]

[Sorry. Miss Galatea. I’ll take care of you for a little bit. It is to stop that gorilla.]

Cleon looked back and forth between Galatea and Iona in his hand, before taking a stance.

“I’m glad you taught me dual swords.”

“Damn it. I won’t teach you.”

As Cleon gets into his stance his, Talchek scratches his head.

Rubera, too, takes a proper stance once again and aims to uncheck.

“2:1… No, 3:1 now.”

“Yes. It seems a little cowardly, but I have to do this to catch the Sword Saint Talcheck.”

Cleon took a deep breath and recalled what he had learned from Talcheck.

He quietly announced the resumption of the battle.

“The counterattack begins.”