Adalin's Spear and the Road to Glory
After stopping by a nearby village, Liberatus Ahad immediately asked Adalin Cielm what weapon she used.
“What weapon do you use?”
“A spear.”
“Good.”
He tossed her a suitable spear without hesitation. Adalin gripped it and asked Liberatus,
“So, what do I need to do?”
“I just want to see how you handle the spear. Pretend there's an enemy right in front of you, like you did in the arena. Swing it.”
“Got it.”
Adalin immediately assumed her stance. The moment Liberatus saw it, his eyes lit up.
Clean form. No wasted movements. And that aura—it's incredible.
Ludenberg Lavante, watching the scene, couldn't help but be impressed as well. Her form was precise, but what stood out most was her presence. Having rolled through life-or-death battles in the arena had honed it to a point where it felt like she could pierce anything in an instant.
Adalin stepped forward and thrust the spear. It was lightning-fast. Ludenberg recalled Gail Glitter from Ortara National School, but this thrust made Gail's look laughable by comparison—far quicker and more ferocious. Any knight from the current era would be skewered before they even registered it.
To think this was just the skill of a gladiatorial slave. Ludenberg realized anew how immense the potential of those called the Six Heroes truly was.
“Impressive.”
Admiration slipped from Liberatus's lips. His disciples nodded in agreement. True to someone who had honed her martial arts for survival, Adalin's spearmanship was sharp and intense. She was no mere mercenary material.
Liberatus looked at her with conviction. Adalin, unperturbed, continued her spear forms. Her eyes now locked on the imaginary foes from the arena. She planted her foot. The phantom enemy swung a sword. She evaded with footwork and jammed her spear into the tiniest gap. The foe fell.
“...How was that?”
“Good. You pass.”
“...Huh?”
“Nothing more to see. You have some rough edges, sure, but those can be polished quickly.”
“You can become a knight that easily?”
Adalin blinked in confusion, but Liberatus shook his head.
“I wouldn't take you if your skills fell short. Yours simply exceeded expectations.”
“Really?”
“Yes. You might catch up to these guys in no time.”
“Ah.”
“Anyway, welcome aboard, Adalin Cielm. You're one of my disciples now—and a member of the Imperial Knights. Call me Master, Teacher, Libera, or Captain. Whatever suits you.”
“...Pleased to be here, Captain.”
Adalin replied in a daze, as if unsure if this was real. Liberatus then introduced her to the other disciples.
“Oh, right—Adalin.”
“Yes.”
“You said you seek freedom, didn't you?”
“Yes. Freedom unbound by anything.”
“Then that's your guiding conviction.”
“It is. I've always believed I could become a free person.”
“Good. Never lose that conviction.”
“Yes, sir.”
Liberatus nodded, pleased by her resolve, then addressed the others.
“Alright, let's get moving. The empire is vast, and we have far to go.”
“Yes, sir!”
As Ludenberg watched the Six Heroes finally assembled and set off together, his consciousness began to fade.
Ludenberg arrived in the space with Raha's jade throne and saw her welcoming him warmly.
“Welcome back.”
“So the Six Heroes are finally together?”
“Yes. From the next trial onward, the story's pace will pick up.”
“...Pick up?”
“You'll witness their training and growth firsthand.”
“Is the third trial just watching these heroes?”
“Hardly. You'll experience their training through Liberatus's body. He's the captain, but he must grow too. Until the history concludes...”
“And he grows stronger there?”
“Yes. Think of your own conviction. You believe you have no limits, right?”
“...Yeah.”
“Liberatus is the same. He holds the same belief, constantly forging himself for the war against the erosion beasts. He'll grow stronger step by step.”
“Once the third trial ends... do the Six Heroes reach the strength history records?”
“Yes. They're the ones who faced the evil god and sealed it.”
“Will I be that strong after the third trial?”
“Likely. If you keep walking the path that opened before you last time.”
“Got it. I'll keep pushing.”
“That's the spirit.”
Raha smiled at Ludenberg.
“Now then... time for today's training?”
“...Yeah.”
“Leven.”
“Ready.”
Leven was already before Ludenberg. In the blink of an eye, they stood in the vast training hall from before. Ludenberg drew his sword upon realizing it, and Leven did the same. They charged, unleashing a storm of thunderous clashes and shockwaves across the hall.
“Hoo.”
Ludenberg sat up in bed with a sigh. Predictably, he'd been utterly crushed by Leven again. A path had opened? One step forward? It wasn't nearly enough to match Leven. Still... at least their swords had clashed this time. Last round, he'd been rolling on the ground the instant Leven moved.
It counted as growth. Ludenberg gazed out the window. Dawn was breaking. He headed straight to the training grounds, as always.
From then on, Ludenberg threw himself entirely into training. The Glory Festival was approaching. Awake, he trained relentlessly under his father, Leonard Lavante Duke of Lavante. Asleep, he sparred brutally with Leven. His skills advanced rapidly.
With the path opened, he clearly discerned the gaps between himself, his father, and Leven—and built upon that insight. His swordsmanship grew sharper by the day; now, even the knights under Leonard couldn't stand against him.
The Lavante Knights were second only to the Imperial Knights. Defeating them meant he could best imperial knights too. In short, Ludenberg had far surpassed student level, becoming a true master.
Leonard was speechless at his son's abnormal growth. How could a seventeen-year-old achieve this? Even at that age, Leonard hadn't grown like this. Watching Ludenberg day by day, he couldn't hide his proud smile.
Two weeks flew by like an arrow. It was time to head to Solemnute for the Glory Festival.
“Ready?”
“Yes.”
“Solemnute. It's been ages. Should be fun after so long, right?”
Ludenberg's mother, Asha Lavante, tugged his arm playfully.
“...Yeah. Looking forward to it.”
“Hee hee. You're looking forward to something else, aren't you? Like Princess Ashytara, maybe.”
“...”
Ludenberg fell silent at Asha's teasing. He knew opening his mouth would just make him her plaything.
“No fun.”
Asha pouted at his lack of reaction.
“Haven't ridden the Wind Path in forever. We haven't had reason to travel much. Right, dear?”
“It's been a while.”
“Let's sightsee Solemnute this time. What do you say?”
“Sounds good.”
Leonard smiled faintly, clearly pleased to visit Solemnute after so long.
“But where will we stay?”
“We were going to use the family estate in Solemnute, but...”
“But?”
“We'll stay in the palace.”
“...The palace?”
“Yes. Crown Princess Sione invited us to catch up. She's already approved our stay—we just need to show up.”
“R-Really?”
“We've stayed there before. Why the fuss?”
“True, but...”
Ludenberg's cheeks flushed slightly.
“Nothing to be shy about. Everyone in the palace knows you and Princess Ashytara are more than friends.”
“...It's not just that.”
Asha delighted in his predictable reactions, poking relentlessly. When else could she tease her stoic son?
Even adrift on the Wind Path, her teasing didn't stop.
Stepping off the Wind Path, Ludenberg encountered a familiar, welcoming face from the Celioum Church.
“Oh? Isn't that the student...”
“Long time no see, Bishop Tania Grand.”
“Ah! The hero who saved the capital! It's been too long!”
“...I'm no hero...”
“You are though?”
“That's too much...”
“Here for the Glory Festival, I assume.”
Tania regarded Ludenberg kindly.
“Yes.”
“With skills like yours, of course you'd join. What's your goal?”
“Victory, naturally.”
“Give it your all.”
“I will.”
“Long time, Bishop Tania Grand. Promoted to bishop already.”
“It's been ages, Duke Leonard Lavante. Not long since high priestess, actually. Here for your son?”
“Indeed.”
“Duchess, welcome back to Solemnute. I hope you've been well.”
“We have. You've risen young—must be the church's favor.”
“Haha, all thanks to their kindness. Enjoy your time in Solemnute, Duke and Duchess Lavante.”
With Tania's farewell, the Lavantes headed straight for the palace. They'd planned a carriage, but Asha insisted on walking to enjoy Solemnute's streets after so long. Despite the distance, she marveled energetically at the sights.
“Solemnute's always so magnificent, no matter when I visit.”
“It is.”
“Look, the palace. How long has it been...”
Steeped in nostalgia, Asha linked arms with Ludenberg and Leonard, strolling lightly toward the palace.
