Parrel's Vengeance Ignites
Ludenberg Lavante opened his eyes once more within Liberatus Ahad's inner world. He clearly remembered the erosion rift opening during the previous trial. But the landscape before him now was peaceful. It must have been the situation just before the erosion had torn open. Moreover, since Raha had said she still needed to witness more of Parrel Mer's story, he was surely meant to see Parrel's figure yet.
And sure enough, there before his eyes was Parrel diligently swinging his sword. His stance was sloppy, and the blade lacked full power at its tip... yet the tenacity Parrel displayed was ferocious nonetheless. A desperate struggle to press forward no matter what. For the first time, Ludenberg understood what it felt like to be overwhelmed by sheer determination.
"Good."
The word slipped naturally from Liberatus's lips. The Liberatus that Ludenberg had observed was kind and respectful to others in all things, but not in training. When instructing others, he was strict, sharp as frost, and tolerated no sloppiness. In other words, Parrel's clumsy movements were utterly unacceptable to Liberatus.
Yet the raw determination he showed, the killing intent infused in those motions, satisfied Liberatus. It was because that sticky emotion—something ordinary people could never possess, something only those who had lost everything could reveal—was slowly pulling him forward.
What if such a man grew further and could face erosion beasts without faltering? Ludenberg knew the answer. He would become a merciless slayer, butchering erosion beasts without mercy. Ludenberg understood that fact, and why Liberatus had taken Parrel as his disciple.
"You're still far from it. Isn't that right?"
"Yes. But even if it takes a long time... if you keep that determination in your heart and let your rage burn, you will surely slaughter the erosion beasts one day."
"Determination and rage..."
"Yes. A person's strength is decided by the heart. The heart hardens into conviction, becoming the signpost that guides one's path. What is your conviction, Parrel?"
"I don't know yet. But... one shape is starting to form."
"What is it?"
"I believe that someday I will exterminate the erosion beasts. If that's conviction, then I just need to engrave it deeply in my heart?"
"Yes. That's enough."
"...I'll keep that in mind."
As Parrel spoke those words and swung his sword again, the bell in Tachgalde Fortress's bell tower suddenly rang out loudly. Liberatus's gaze turned toward it. The bell rang only in limited situations—namely, when an erosion rift opened.
Outside the fortress walls, the dark night sky was dyed red, and erosion beasts began bursting through the earth in waves.
"Erosion..."
At Parrel's murmur, Liberatus lifted his sword as if it were perfect timing and spoke to him.
"Parrel."
"Yes, Captain."
"Follow me. And engrave it clearly in your eyes—how one burning with vengeance like you slaughters erosion beasts."
"...Yes."
"Watch me and find the path you must walk."
"Understood."
"Let's go."
As Liberatus climbed to the ramparts, the Imperial Knights swiftly armed themselves and followed behind him. Tachgalde's own knights and soldiers were no different. Having repelled countless erosion incursions before, they prepared to face the beasts with utmost seriousness and speed.
Liberatus looked ahead to see erosion beasts surging like a tidal wave. Ludenberg took in the sight as well. Then, control of the body shifted to Ludenberg.
The moment he seized control of the flesh, Ludenberg knew exactly how to move. He had to show Parrel now—how one with killing intent butchered erosion beasts.
Without hesitation, Ludenberg threw himself into the wave of erosion beasts. The other Imperial Knights did the same. Trusting Liberatus and following his lead, they leaped down from the ramparts after him.
Ludenberg poured his conviction into his sword and unleashed a fierce slash across the ground. The clustered erosion beasts were bisected through the heart in an instant, crumbling to ash amid guttural rolls.
The Imperial Knights landed safely where the beasts had been slaughtered, forming a defensive line to support Ludenberg. Bolstered by their aid, he pressed forward. With every unhesitating step, erosion beast hearts were cleaved, and no matter how they swarmed, they couldn't overwhelm him.
Ludenberg's advance didn't stop. Nor did the Imperial Knights'. They swung their blades aggressively, as if they had two lives to spare, piercing erosion beast hearts.
Parrel watched Liberatus advance and butcher the erosion beasts, overcome with intense emotion. That was it. That was the figure he dreamed of becoming. Without a shred of hesitation, severing the vile lives of erosion beasts with a single thrust. Slaughtering every last one that had stolen what was precious to him.
He stopped blaming his own weakness and focused only on the path ahead. It would be a road soaked in blood and slaughter, but he resolved to walk it without faltering. All for revenge. To eradicate every single one of those beings that had taken his most cherished people.
Of course, he was pitifully weak now. He couldn't even swing a sword properly, let alone show such a sight. But he dreamed of becoming that. And his heart began to lead him.
As it did, Parrel's vision suddenly expanded, and the world looked different. Through this changed sight, he observed Liberatus's movements. Motions he could never have understood before now made sense. How to slaughter erosion beasts effectively etched itself into his mind.
Each of Liberatus's actions burrowed into his head, reshaping his thinking. A massive shock struck Parrel, and he immediately drew his sword right there.
Conveniently, a suitable foe appeared before him. Erosion beasts that Imperial Knights had let slip by were scaling the walls with grinding claws, and one now stood in his path.
His most intense emotion was hatred. And what he desired most was revenge. From that fused heart sprang an ironclad will to kill the erosion beasts somehow. And the firm belief that he could realize it.
All of it coalesced into Parrel's conviction. It pulled him to heights his original self could never reach.
Parrel's stance changed. Into one optimized for slaughtering erosion beasts. The form he'd struggled to correct but never quite fixed transformed in an instant, sharp killing intent dwelling in his sword's momentum.
The erosion beast swung its arm to kill him on instinct, heedless.
Kwachik!
Just before it reached, Parrel's sword pierced its heart. In that moment of penetration, Parrel felt a thrill stronger than ever before. Laughter burst from his lips.
Finally, finally—he'd killed one. He could kill it. The mighty beings he'd thought impossible to fell—he had slain one.
Parrel laughed madly.
"Heh, hehehe... hahahaha!"
Every time he spotted erosion beasts climbing the walls, he laughed at them. Each time, his sword spat lightning, piercing their hearts.
The battle didn't take long to end. Ludenberg returned to the ramparts at once to check if Parrel had seen clearly. Spotting Parrel there, he realized control had shifted back to Liberatus.
Around Parrel flowed the vile blood of erosion beasts. Covered in it, he wore a ferocious smile.
The returning Imperial Knights and soldiers who knew Parrel were all staring at him in shock.
"...Did you see?"
"Yes."
"Do you understand the path you must take—what kind of path it is?"
"Yes."
"Well done."
Ludenberg placed a hand on Parrel's head.
"Thank you, Captain."
"No—don't thank me. You would have become this eventually anyway."
"...Yes."
"Do you remember what I said before?"
"When you asked if I'd go with you... was that it?"
"Yes."
"I remember. And that I'd follow you, Captain."
"Good. Then prepare to depart. Tomorrow, we leave Tachgalde."
"Yes!"
The departure from Tachgalde was swift. Liberatus informed Riberian of his leaving, lavishing praise that Tachgalde's forces had grown stronger than before.
"Haha, is that so? I hear you're taking one soldier with you?"
"Yes. He's got great potential. If I raise him well, I'll send him back someday."
"I'll look forward to it. Everyone you've chosen has shown exceptional skill."
"Then, I'll be off. Brother—stay safe until then."
"Don't worry. I won't fall... You take care of yourself."
"Yes."
Liberatus gave Riberian a steadfast look, then turned away. At Tachgalde's main gate, Parrel bowed deeply to all who had shown him kindness during his time there, expressing his gratitude, before following Liberatus.
Waiting beside the departing Parrel were Liberatus's four disciples, led by Kyle Solenute. Parrel showed awkwardness but smiled at their friendly reception.
On the road back to Fermora, erosion beasts ambushed them several times, but Liberatus used each to temper his disciples. By the time they arrived at Fermora, Parrel's skill had risen incomparably.
Thereafter, under Liberatus's continued guidance and spars with the Imperial Knights, Parrel grew steeply. Eventually, he matched even Kyle, the strongest of Liberatus's new four disciples.
Liberatus judged it impractical to keep Parrel as a mere soldier any longer. He began properly testing whether Parrel qualified as a knight.
Parrel passed with flying colors and finally became an official Imperial Knight.
On the day he joined the Imperial Knights, Parrel deeply thanked Liberatus and bowed to the knights who had treated him warmly.