Chapter 102 "Damage Report?"
“What's the damage?”
“Every low, mid, and high erosion beast we unleashed across Solemnute.”
“This... can we call it a success?”
“A partial one. Losing the erosion beasts is a bit regrettable, but we can always create more. The real problem is failing to sever the Lavante bloodline.”
“I see...”
Karema let out a sigh of disappointment. It was all part of the plan they'd steeled themselves for, but the losses exceeded expectations.
Beside him, Jepita stared at his arm—severed and regrown anew. Even in his dreams, the young Lavante's image haunted him. The torrent of divine power crashing like a tidal wave, pierced by a single sword, culminating in the slice that took his left arm.
But he shook his head. The Lavante bloodline's monstrous potential had already been proven by Duke Leonard Lavante. Nothing new there.
Just regret, nothing more.
Still, the situation wasn't entirely bleak. They'd successfully invaded Solemnute on a massive scale, planting seeds of anxiety about the Salvation Cult's raids in people's hearts and drawing out the empire's defenses. It would gnaw at their nerves, shortening the time until the Lord's resurrection.
“But things aren't looking bad. Beyond Solemnute, the neighboring nations are starting to obsess over our raids too.”
“Neighboring nations...?”
“Abaran to the west. Istaltin to the south, Ortara to the north. We'll have to strike there soon enough.”
“One headache after another. Western madmen, southern bookworms, northern battle junkies... tougher than Solemnute.”
“Can't be helped. It's our mission.”
“Right. Let's head back to base first. Jepita.”
“Got it. Ready, Edga?”
“Yes.”
Back at the dormitory, Raha spoke to Ludenberg Lavante through Liberra.
[Ludenberg.]
“Raha?”
[It's time.]
“Time to continue the previous trial?”
[Yes. But first... get some sleep. That's the only way I can interfere with your consciousness.]
“Out of the blue like this?”
Ludenberg Lavante shot back at Raha in bewilderment.
[Yeah. Go to sleep quick.]
Following Raha's words, Ludenberg Lavante lay down on his bed. Though he wasn't particularly tired, an overwhelming drowsiness suddenly overtook him. His consciousness faded to black, and when he opened his eyes again, he stood before Raha's jade throne.
“You're here.”
A voice like grinding metal. But he'd grown accustomed to it.
Ludenberg Lavante gazed at Raha and asked, “Ready to enter the trial now?”
“No. Before that... you still have the diary I gave you last time, right?”
“Diary? Ah. You mean the Starting Knight's diary?”
“Yes. Take it out and read it.”
At Raha's command, Ludenberg Lavante pulled the precious diary from his bosom and opened it.
They attacked Nadempir. By the time I arrived, the city was utterly destroyed, its people slain or fled. Not a soul remained, only highest erosion beasts and swarms of others rampaging wildly or tearing into each other.
But it didn't matter. I charged straight in, slaughtering every erosion beast that came at me. They had no right to live. The ones who stole my precious person. I will never forgive them. Not until the last one falls—I won't stop.
* * *
I eradicated every erosion beast in Nadempir. The highest one took a bit longer, but I emerged unscathed. To think she fell to scum like this... I set off immediately. I'd heard people were fleeing north to the empire's fortresses. A mighty stronghold where they could feel safe: Tachgalde. My hometown.
Reading the diary, Ludenberg Lavante instantly understood why the Starting Knight fought the erosion beasts. A simple reason, plainly stated: he was a vengeful ghost, driven by the loss of someone dear.
And now he knew where the knight was headed: Tachgalde. A name from the founding era of Solemnute. Where the Six Heroes finally gained the power to confront the evil god.
“The impregnable fortress of Tachgalde... So from here, the Starting Knight faces a journey filled with countless trials on his way there?”
“Exactly. And the enemies in those trials are terrifyingly powerful. Even highest erosion beasts couldn't scratch them.”
“...Grim words. So I have to overcome those? Through this body I can barely control? The Starting Knight noted he slew a highest erosion beast without a single injury after all that struggle. Which means... I can guess what lies ahead.”
He imagined waves of excruciating pain crashing over him endlessly. Raha nodded gravely.
“It'll be grueling. But Ludenberg, you must endure it.”
“I see. I can't predict everything ahead in my life, but from what's happening around me now, I can guess. Despair beyond imagining will come knocking.”
“...I won't deny it. That's why I'm putting you through these trials—to ensure you can overcome the ones ahead. Let's begin.”
“...Understood.”
Snap.
As before, Raha snapped her fingers, and Ludenberg Lavante's consciousness was pulled elsewhere.
Ludenberg Lavante felt explosive vitality surging through his body once more. He inhabited the Starting Knight's form again.
Before him stretched not the ruined city, but a barren wasteland like a desert. Nothing but cracked, parched earth. Sandstorms occasionally blinded his view.
Unsure of direction, he wandered aimlessly. His steps continued endlessly without fatigue—thankfully.
How long had he walked? The sky tore open with a familiar rift. Erosion beasts poured out, charging at him with gaping maws.
Now somewhat accustomed to the Starting Knight's body, Ludenberg Lavante dispatched them effortlessly and pressed on.
As he walked, he noticed something odd: no hunger or thirst. Was it the trial? Or perhaps the Starting Knight was simply inhuman. Humanity's strongest couldn't be judged by normal standards.
Thus, Ludenberg Lavante focused solely on walking, unburdened by food or water.
The sun set, night fell, stars emerged. He welcomed it—he'd navigate by them.
Setra priests said stars endure beyond human measure, unchanged even after a millennium. The same now as a thousand years ago.
Gazing skyward, Ludenberg Lavante located familiar constellations. It took time, but they matched perfectly. He headed north by starlight.
Night passed; dawn's faint light broke through clouds, dawn's glow illuminating his path. Dry sand winds swirled around him.
At midday, change stirred. His vast senses picked up voices. He followed them.
Closer, he discerned they belonged to young boy and girl. And then... the sky tore afar. Their voices grew desperate.
Arriving near, he finally saw: ferocious erosion beasts surrounding them. Exhausted, the pair laughed hollowly, dropping their swords in resignation. They'd endured much to reach here.
He considered ignoring them, but in this trial, the first humans he met—they might share details. He approached.
Kicking the sandy ground, he stirred a small storm. Erosion beasts turned, roaring grotesquely, charging.
Their hearts split in two. Only their foul corpses remained in his wake.
Reaching the pair, Ludenberg Lavante saw their faces—and froze. Too familiar.
The boy: dark blue hair, blue eyes.
The girl: golden hair, golden eyes—like those he'd seen in Sione Solenute. The Solem's Eye.
Dark blue hair, blue eyes—identical to Ashytara Solenute's.
What a coincidence. Why did these millennium-old figures evoke them instantly?
The boy and girl stared at the knight-bodied Ludenberg Lavante and spoke.
“Th-thank you for saving us, knight.”
In that moment, against his will, his mouth opened.
“Who are you?”
“I-I'm Kyle. Kyle. And this girl is Orpina.”
Ludenberg Lavante stiffened at those words.
Kyle and Orpina. Names he'd never forget, even in death.
Kyle Solenute, founding emperor of Solemnute.
His consort, Orpina Testia. Or Orpina Solenute.
Imperial features, matching the founders' names. No doubt.
They were the empire's progenitors—the Six Heroes he revered.