Chapter 794 – A Night of Anticipation

000

Illenu enters the room with a sharp look in her eyes, and seeing Cleon and Emma also flustered and flustered, Emma glances down at her exposed lower body, which seems to symbolize that the two were connected just a moment ago.

Then he speaks to Cleon.

＂Cleon… No way, you forced Emma, ​​who was drunk, to-＂

“Oh, no! Calm down, Elenu! This is something I started by asking Cleon! Look! I’m sober to some extent!”

Seeing Emma move her body freely as she said that, Illenu looked at her with narrowed eyes, but then turned her gaze back to Cleon.

Then, she closed her mouth as if she was trying to decide what to say, and then sighed loudly as if she had no choice.

＂… Okay… Okay. If the two people agreed on the facts, there would be no room for me to say anything else…”

In response to her retreating more easily than expected, Emma also sighs in relief, but the next moment, she witnesses Illenu delivering a powerful body blow to Cleon’s abdomen.

＂Huh!＂

It was a blow made with sincerity, and Cleon could have blocked it if he had tried, but he stumbled and retreated as he accepted the sanctions given to him.

＂Hey, Illenu!?＂

When Emma raised her voice in surprise at Illenu’s sudden violent behavior, Emma responded by shaking her hands.

“But that’s it, and this is this!” “What are you supposed to do if you make such a mess of the sheets in a room with only one bed!?”

‘Ah, that’s the part where you get angry…’

Emma thought that she was glad that Cleon, and she were not so angry about her actions.

In any case, when Emma was drunk and unable to make proper decisions, Cleon could not control his sexual desires and committed sexual assault on her.

As far as Cleon goes, she doesn’t think that will happen, although Emma herself seemed to think so.

“Ha. Anyway! Get dressed quickly! Ah, maybe I should have taken a shower before that…! Cleon, you have to help Herti with his work early in the morning tomorrow, right? Do you have time to do this?”

Illenu was removing the sheets from the soiled bed and nagging Cleon, who was still hunched over in pain.

＂Ah, ah… I’m sorry… Well, then, I’ll do that…”

＂Cleon… Are you okay?＂

Emma seemed worried that Cleon might have been gutted by Illenu’s blow.

＂It’s okay, Emma. Because she did her part too…”

＂Phew… Should I be careful? Because I believe Cleon’s words that he will take proper care of me.”

While saying that, she rubbed Cleon’s stomach as if hoping that it would heal a little faster, and Cleon nodded his head slightly and smiled at her words –

＂Ha?＂

I once again heard a cold voice that seemed to come from the hell of Cocytus coming from next to me.

As Cleon’s neck slowly turned in that direction, Illenu’s long hair, which had risen halfway up, defying her gravity, was waving.

＂What you just said… I want to hear what it means… Cleon!!＂

In the end, Cleon had no choice but to agree to one more punch to her stomach.

001

In the end, Cleon was almost kicked out of the girls’ room while rubbing his stomach. In any case, neither Illenu nor Emma felt fortunate that there seemed to be almost no aftereffects from the incident.

Of course, Cleon himself was able to be freed after promising the two that he would take responsibility for what he had done.

The sun had already set, but it was still too early to sleep. All that was left was the need to make final adjustments to the schedule with Herti ahead of the Five Elements Festival that started tomorrow.

That’s why, just as Cleon was about to walk a little faster through the market and take a shortcut-like path back to Herti’s Dark Dragon Shop, Cleon had no choice but to stop for a moment and turn his head when a figure passed by him.

That was because a girl with blonde hair, which is not easily seen in this eastern country, passed by.

So – does that mean she is from the kingdom’s nobles? She was wearing a white blouse and a brown skirt, but I was a little concerned about the sword hanging at her waist.

There must have been quite a few people from the kingdom who came to the Eastern Kingdom to see the Five Elements Festival, but most of them were nobles who could afford to live comfortably. You could tell just by looking at the blonde hair.

It was common for children of noble families to wear decorative swords out of vanity, but what she had was a sword for practical use – and a rather crude industrial product at that.

“… Have I become too sensitive?”

Cleon let her doubts about her play in his head for a moment, then shook his head and denied her thoughts.

In any case, this is generally the case. For example, a noble family like Aruru that has produced knights could well have the resources to carry their own combat sword for training.

However, the unsettling touch of her magic that he felt as she passed by touched Cleon’s nerves and aroused his suspicions.

While she was thinking such things, Cleon shook his head, thinking that it would be wasteful to chase after her, who had already disappeared beyond the crowd.

Even though he was facing a big fight with the exiled church, he thought it was not a good idea to be a suspicious person.

And, when she resumed her halting steps, she returned to the female dragon company where she had gone during the day, and her Calia greeted her.

“You’re back, Cleon. Herti is still in the office right now.”

＂Were you waiting?＂

“No. I thought he would come back around this time.”

Smiling, she walks slowly and guides Cleon into her office where Herty is waiting.

At the sound of her door opening, Herti stopped moving her brush and fingers, lifted her head, and smiled slightly in Cleon’s direction.

“Cleon. I heard from Lila that you had a hard time at Helix.”

“Ah… It was a nice place though.”

In response to Cleon’s answer, Herty nodded and replied that she was glad if that was the case.

And then, Cleon sat down in front of her desk where she was sitting.

“It’s already been a month since Cleon came to Asteris… In that time, so many incidents have occurred. Should I say it’s short or long?”

“Mr. Lionel said there is a guy who causes trouble wherever he goes. … I can’t deny that it’s me though.”

“That means you are carrying a great destiny.”

Herti answered and waited for Calia to bring something of her own.

And, as she had waited, when Calia brought the wooden box, she carefully placed it on the desk between Cleon and Calia.

＂Do you remember the exorcism ritual that I mentioned before in the Five Elements Festival?＂

“Ah, of course. You said you were going to use a special exorcism sword kept in the temple, right?”

Cleon recalls hearing about the tradition of the Five Elements Festival from Herti shortly after arriving in Asteris.

Herty nodded her head in response to Cleon and carefully opened the box in front of her.

Then, what came out of it was a black sword that looked very old.

There was an impressive engraving on the surface that seemed to resemble a constellation.

And, upon seeing that, one of Cleon’s arms throbbed, as if the Rakshasa inside him was reacting.

“This is a sword made of adamantite that was originally used by guard warriors protecting shamans.”

Herti explained as she watched Cleon reflexively put his hand on one of his arms.

Also, if there was an impressive part of that sword – it was the shimmering magatama at the tip of the handle.

It was also of the type attached to a handle by an old rope, and the soft emerald light emitted from the magatama seemed to contain the will of nature’s magical power to purify those who go against nature.

Calia looked at the sword and cleared her throat, then started talking to Cleon.

＂The name of that sword is the Protector Seven-Star Sword. Approximately 823 years ago, a gigantic evil called the Black Beast appeared and drove the people of Asteris into the abyss of despair. The black beast penetrated into the weaknesses of these people’s hearts and turned many of them into ghosts, sending the Eastern countries into an era close to civil war. In order to defeat her black beast, the great shrine maiden of the time put all of her life and magic into one magatama, and gave it to her own guard samurai – “

Snip!

When I thought I heard the sound, even though Calia’s explanation was still in progress, Herti took out her scissors and cut the rope that bound her magatama.

＂Heh, Herty!?＂

Cleon was looking at the scene blankly, but Calia raised her voice as if she was embarrassed, and Herti held up the magatama in her hand and spoke.

“In other words, more than a sword, this magatama is the main body of the sword of exorcism. Of course, a sword made of adamantite is needed to fully bring out the power of the magatite, but Cleon already has an adamantite sword that he is accustomed to handling on his own. Right?”

Calia looked a little sullen at Herti’s words and not being able to continue her explanation, but Cleon nodded as if he understood what she meant.

And, on behalf of the notable Galatea, Caliburn, she picked up the adamantite sword she had brought with her today and carefully placed it on the desk.

＂Could you please pull out your sword?＂

＂Ah… I understand.＂

At Herti’s request, Cleon drew her own adamantite sword from her scabbard.

A sword created by Daja melting down his teacher’s sword and adding adamantite to it.

Like Galatea or Caliburn, it could not exercise magic or holy power – but if the purpose was to cut, it would never lag behind those two swords.

Above all, it was a solid sword – a sword with vivid red color, like veins running on the black surface, and it was an ugly sword just to look at.

＂… I have seen much equipment made of adamantite, but this is the first sword like this. ＂

When Calia said that, she spoke as if she was overwhelmed by the appearance of the sword.

＂Goril… Because it contains the obsession of unchecking.＂

When Cleon responded, Calia took her magatama from Herti and took out a new rope to attach it to the handle of Cleon’s sword.

And- when I was carefully trying to pass the rope through the loop of the handle.

＂Wait!＂

When Herti stopped Calia, Calia shrugged her shoulders and looked back at Herti.

“Cleon. Excuse me, but does this sword have a name?”

＂Name… No. Originally, it was a guy that didn’t have a name even when Talcheck was using it. Even now, I don’t have a name or anything.”

Cleon recalled calling it the master’s sword, the red sword, the gorilla’s sword, or something like that.

“In that case, I think it would be a good idea to take this opportunity to give that sword a name as well. The name has such a strong meaning that the fate of the name is engraved on the object to which it is given. If it needs to function as an exorcism sword, it will need an appropriate name.”

Certainly, as Cleon, who carries three swords, it was necessary to distinguish him from Galatea and Caliburn, and it was also troublesome to call him by a long name such as ‘Adamantite Sword’.

Cleon was silent for a moment, then suddenly remembered that he had tried to name Gonzales before, and a little trauma came back.

＂… I’m not very confident in coming up with such a name… So I’ll ask Hertina Callia for me.＂

＂Is it okay?＂

“Huh. Making this sword would not have been possible without Herti’s help.”

Herti seemed to be thinking about something as she closed her mouth for a moment at Cleon’s words.

At that time, Calia was muttering in a low voice.

＂Jushin Self-Destruction Black Sword…＂

＂Eh.＂

Cleon looked at her as if he was surprised when he heard the list of old Eastern words flowing from her mouth.

＂Based on the characteristics of the shape of the sword, it means that it is a black sword with red thorns that destroys enemies… ＂

＂Well, I see…＂

＂How is it? Mr. Cleon.”

Looking at Calia asking Cleon for his opinion, Cleon was breaking into a cold sweat.

Even when I asked him what he thought… All I could say was that it was a name that would at least make Laila laugh and burst into laughter.

In the end, the number of letters is the same as the adamantite sword…

Just when she was thinking, is there any way to refuse her so that she doesn’t get hurt?

“Wait a minute, Kalia? It’s too much for Kalia’s taste.”

When Herti said that to Calia, Calia looked a little sullen but muttered quietly, “That’s a cool name…”

Of course, Cleon sighed in relief.

Then, Herti smiles slightly and talks to Cleon.

＂As expected, I think it would be better if Cleon came up with the name of the sword himself. Since this is the sword that Cleon holds and swings, the person who must have the most connection with the sword is Cleon.”

When Herti said that, Cleon scratched his cheek but then nodded as if he understood.

However, Cleon, who still does not trust his own naming sense, stares at the sword and suddenly remembers the time when he used it in a battle with Enma.

Apparently then – she tried to say her own name.

＂…＂

Therefore, Cleon grabbed the handle of the sword once again.

Then-

[Hey! If you try to give me a strange name, I will kill you!]

… And the violent voice returned.

＂As expected, there is something inside…＂

＂Eh…?＂

When Herti reacted to Cleon’s words, Cleon closed his eyes for a moment and concentrated on the voice inside the sword.

[Who are you?]

When Cleon speaks to the sword like that – the sword closes its mouth for a moment and then responds.

[As you can see, I am your sword. I woke up when you inherited me from him and gave me a new body. I’m glad I was left in the hands of a skilled craftsman, otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to speak out and stop myself from being given a ridiculous name.]

Although she didn’t look like Galatea or Caliban, she was talking.

[I don’t need a grand name. I really like the look. What is my purpose? What is the meaning of my existence?]

[… Cutting. Just to cut down the enemy.]

When Cleon answers her question, she smiles ‘Ha!’ As if what she said was correct.

[Yes, that is my origin. The woman over there was not entirely wrong when she said that names determine the fate of things. That’s why I named myself like this.]

＂Slash.＂

From Cleon’s mouth, words flowed.

It was a word meaning to cut down.

“… Indeed. It’s rough, but it’s a name worthy of Cleon’s sword.”

Herti nodded her head as if she accepted it as Cleon’s name, and told Calia to wear her magatama.

[For a moment! You’re trying to run something strange! Tell them to stop!]

＂There’s just a guy who wears that thing and needs to be cut down.＂

Cleon said this, silenced the rebellious voice inside her, and removed her hand from her sword.

After Kalia carefully attaches the magatama, the energy flowing from the magatama spreads throughout the sword, calming down some of the ferocious energy of the sword.

＂… Is this what happened?＂

＂No, one more thing…＂

What Calia took out as she said that was a mask that covered her entire face, which was wrapped in cloth inside the box that contained the sword.

“This is another fetish used in exorcism rituals, the mask of purification.”

“… Now that I think about it, there was a saying that you should wear a mask.”

Cleon said and took the mask, and as he brought it to his face, he felt that his glasses were still in the way.

“Now that I think about it, we also talked about the need to do something about the glasses used to seal the evil eye.”

“Yes. That part has already been resolved. I spoke to the temple through Mr. Kuon, and the temple also gave me permission to do special processing on the mask.”

“I’m glad that the Great Shaman of the time was an open person…”

Calia spoke while sighing, and Cleon could see that there was something like a film covering the eyeholes of the mask.

It is also the same glass that seals the power of the magical eye that protects her own eyes.

＂… Did Lila do it?＂

“Yes. It’s been quite a while since I asked for processing.”

“That guy… He didn’t say a word to me.”

Cleon scratched his head, but Herti smiled and answered Cleon.

“I think you wanted to make it a surprise.”

“Ah. I’m surprised enough. I thought it was only inside the mansion, but it seemed like there was real interaction with other people outside.”

As Cleon said that, she took off her glasses and closed her eyes, and when Calia put her mask over her face, she felt that the power of the magic eye did not go out even when she opened her eyes.

＂Ready.＂

“No matter who sees it, Cleon, you are the protagonist of the exorcism ritual of the time.”

When Calia said that, Cleon himself scratched her head as if he didn’t know.

“Last year, I left it to Riomes.”

When Herti spoke like that, Calia sighed as she cupped her forehead.

＂Please don’t bring up the story of that time… Is it possible for ghosts to climax against ghosts? When I was asked the same question, I felt like my head was going to explode…”

It was a scary story that would send shivers down your spine.

＂… The Five Elements Festival begins with the rising of the sun and the Great Shaman’s sacred dance. Once the sacred dance is completed successfully, all the trees in Asteris will bloom. The blooming of the flower signals the beginning of the festival. Cleon, when the festival begins, please go around Asteris with the mask and sword and exterminate the ghosts.”

＂Indeed… I understand.＂

“And- the most important thing is about the appearance of air fortresses.”

When Herty said so, Cleon nodded his head.

At least right now there was nothing to be done about it – but there was a plan in place.

All that’s left is to trust your colleagues.

“─Let’s do our best to make it a festival where no one gets hurt.”

When Herti says that, Cleon also nods.

As her hand reached out, she held it carefully.

They felt the sensation of their rings touching each other.

002

When Cleon came out of her office and returned to her mansion, it wasn’t that late yet and Sasha was processing her arrow, even though she was sorry to Gonzales who was hanging on her.

Schrödinger was trying to pull Gonzalez away from Sasha, saying he would play for him.

Kuon, who usually comes home a little late, came home early today and rested well to prepare for tomorrow.

Amelia was sparring in the yard with Arnia, but she and Lila still hadn’t come out of the room.

Now that everyone is preparing for the Five Elements Festival to the best of their ability, Cleon carefully moves her steps toward the room where Lila is.

“Lila? Are you still up? “I have something to talk about tomorrow’s plans.”

So, I called her name from beyond the door, but there was no answer.

I wondered if I had gone to bed early today – no, I realized that in this situation, Lila would rather stay up all night, so I suddenly felt uneasy.

Come to think of it – her abnormality may have occurred because there were many unexpected situations, such as using her avatar magic in a gap in her other dimension or getting entangled in her own sword. 〉

With that in mind, Cleon opened Lila’s door and entered her, and in her messy room, she could see Lila sitting at her desk with her upper body bowed.

She was glad that she didn’t seem to be in pain or anything like that, but if Cleon was asleep, he thought it would be better for her to sleep properly in her bed. When Cleon approached her, he could hear the sound of her breathing.

Thinking that if she was sleeping like this, she couldn’t imagine her usual appearance like the Red Devil, Cleon carefully picked her up and carried her onto her bed.

He covers her with a blanket, lifts her bangs slightly to look at her expression, then turns her body and leaves her room.

＂… I’m reasonably early today too-＂

The moment you said that.

Laila’s door, which was open, closes by itself with a squeak sound, and the lock locks automatically with a clank.

Cleon’s thoughts stopped for a moment due to the sudden change, and this voice clearly came from behind.

＂Ignition.＂