The Power of Conviction
In the midst of their pleasant chat in the gardens of Itara Palace, Ashytara dismissed her maids and servants before turning to Ludenberg Lavante.
"Lude."
"Yeah?"
"Come to think of it, could you tell me about the trials?"
"Trials? Why the sudden interest?"
"Just curious. You see the 'real' history that ordinary people can't. How could I not be interested?"
"...Fair enough."
"So, can you tell me? It's fine if you don't want to. That knowledge is yours alone."
"No reason to hold back. I'll tell you. You already know about Raha anyway... and since you're so deeply involved with me, the more you know, the better."
"...Thanks."
Ashytara took a sip of her tea and listened intently to Ludenberg.
Then... where should I start? After meeting Parrel, I guess?
Ludenberg pondered for a moment before speaking.
"For starters... I'll begin from when Liberatus Ahad awoke from his dream."
Ludenberg went on to explain how Liberatus headed to Tachgalde afterward, met Parrel Mer, and how three years passed in the blink of an eye. He even covered meeting Adalin Cielm.
When Ludenberg's story ended, Ashytara's face was filled with astonishment.
"My god."
Her eyes sparkled as she set down her teacup.
"Parrel Mer, who slaughtered the most erosion beasts, was just a talentless boy... And Adalin Cielm was a battle slave."
"I was shocked too. The Parrel Mer I learned about was always described as a hero of immense talent..."
"But that 'conviction' can make someone so strong. Fanatical obsession turning into belief... I see. That's how Parrel went from a talentless boy to a powerhouse who could avenge himself against the erosion beasts."
"Exactly."
"Come to think of it, Lude, I've felt your growth lately has been extraordinary... Did you get stronger through your own conviction too?"
"Yeah."
"What's your conviction?"
"That I have no limits."
"...I see. That's a good one."
"You should try to find yours clearly too, Tara. If possible. It'll definitely change things for you."
"Yeah. I have to. I don't want to keep chasing after you forever."
Ashytara wanted to stand on equal footing with Ludenberg. Ever since that moment when Jepita's greatsword had pierced his chest.
So if there was a new way to grow stronger, she had to embrace the challenge.
"Right."
"Well, we've talked enough for now... Mind if I test your skills?"
"Anytime."
The two left the garden and headed to the training grounds.
In the heart of the Salvation Cult. Prisper's eye gazed into the distance. Toward a place shrouded by a veil, invisible.
-What lies there?
The eye questioned itself. Why was it hidden? Was the seal not fully broken yet?
The eye writhed in agony. The fact that it couldn't touch the world tormented it. Unable to tread the earth, gaze at the sky, or savor the joys of life.
Prisper's eye continued to crave life. But the path to truly living was still far off.
Though its followers were gathering vessels, no suitable one had reached it yet. Despite securing quite a few vessels after the Ortara raid... they still fell short of holding a god.
Prisper realized this wouldn't do. Resurrection had to come first before anything else.
In this desperate situation, one small comfort was that the seal was gradually loosening, for some reason. A faint trickle of power was returning.
Even without a separate resurrection ritual, this was happening. It couldn't yet comprehend why, bound by the seal from omniscience, but it was good news nonetheless.
Prisper felt it was time to act more aggressively. With this returning power, however slight, creating aides should be no issue.
Prisper conveyed its will to the high priest.
-Hear me, my servant.
"Speak, glorious Prisper."
The high priest knelt immediately and replied.
-Is the vessel for the saint still far off?
"Yes. Even scouring the world beyond Ortara, we have no suitable vessel yet."
-Even with over two hundred vessels?
"Yes. Among the two hundred we've secured, we need the strongest body to lead... but none yet."
-No helping it.
Prisper regretfully instructed the priest.
-Then... we have no choice but to create those who can secure the strongest vessel.
"Create, you say...?"
-Bring the devourers to me. I will grant them my power. Use them to secure the vessels.
"Understood. If we find a strong vessel touched by heretics?"
After a moment's thought, Prisper spoke again.
-Even if touched by heretics, it matters not. Before, we lacked power to purge their remnants, but with power returning, we can now. So... bring vessels fit to become saints or saintesses.
"As you command."
As the priest dissolved into black smoke and vanished, Prisper murmured.
-The time of resurrection nears. I must secure a vessel soon.
In the midst of sparring with Ludenberg, Ashytara lay sprawled on the training grounds.
"...Exhausted."
"Figured."
"You've gotten ridiculously strong, Lude. How in just half a month...?"
"Father said I opened the path."
"Path?"
"Yeah. Swordsmen can see it once they reach a certain realm. Reaching its end... might let a swordsman transcend human limits."
"Has Duke Leonard reached the end?"
"No. Father never said that."
"Opening the path... Can I do it too?"
"You definitely can. So, Tara, engrave what you truly desire in your heart and throw yourself fully into achieving it. That'll be your conviction, and it'll make you strong."
"...Yeah. Got it."
Ludenberg approached the lounging Ashytara and extended a hand.
"Time to get up. Let's wash up and grab some food."
"Yeah. Oh, Lude. What do you want to eat?"
"I eat anything well, so order what you like. The imperial chefs are all top artisans anyway."
"...True. So, after eating?"
"Dunno. Thinking of sparring with the imperial knights."
"I'll watch that."
"Sounds good."
"People arriving for the Glory Tournament will pick up soon, so Solemnute's gonna be packed for a while."
"Yeah. More coming every day, from what I hear."
"It's the biggest Founding Festival event. We have to win. To keep our promise, at least."
"...Yeah."
Ashytara smiled, watching Ludenberg burn with determination.
Eden Asta, arriving early in Solemnute for the Glory Tournament, headed straight to the Altis ducal residence.
"Welcome. It's been a while."
Mion Altis opened her arms wide to greet him.
It had been half a month apart, and she pulled him into a tight hug, clearly having missed him.
"Half a month isn't that long."
"It was for me. Anyway, what'd your family say?"
"They flipped out when I said I didn't take first place. Ranting about handing the family to my half-brother... Same old."
"Again? What about your half-brother?"
"Same as always. His eyes covet my position even more now."
"Figures. He's so greedy. Honestly, I hesitated a lot when choosing you."
"I know. With the family like that... but whatever. I've cut ties emotionally long ago. If it gets bad, I just leave."
"Neither of us has a great situation back home."
"Can't be helped. We find our own way forward. At least you're the fitting heir with strong influence in your family."
"Heh. Exactly. So don't worry too much."
"Never did. Anyway, the sacred relics?"
"All prepared. For the Glory Tournament. Even got the sword you'll use."
"...Thanks."
"I'm not participating this time."
"Why?"
"Just feel I'm not ready. Can't beat Ashytara, let alone upperclassmen... Don't wanna struggle between you and Ludenberg either."
"If that's your call, fine."
"Instead, I'll prep thoroughly for the tournament. So you can focus solely on fighting."
"...Always grateful."
"If winning's too much, let's land at least one solid hit this time."
"Yeah."
"Sacred relics to boost divine power are ready, and ones to use as weapons too. Half a month left... absorb as much as you can."
"Got it."
"Train hard for the next half month then."
"I will. Gotta show results for your efforts."
"Beating Ludenberg would look best, but that's probably impossible."
"...Yeah."
Yet neither Eden nor Mion looked disappointed. What was expected was just that.
"So, just one solid hit. That's enough. Got it?"
"Of course. I'll make it happen."
Eden steeled his resolve.
"Someday, I hope we reach our goal."
"We definitely will."
"Honestly, we've done some pretty rotten things to Ludenberg, haven't we?"
"Regrets?"
"None."
Mion smiled deeply.
"To aim for the top, you can't pick and choose methods. If effort alone could surpass him, we wouldn't have needed dirty tricks. But it can't. So... we do everything possible to become the best."
"Mion, why do you want to be the best?"
"Because the path to the top exists."
"The path exists..."
"Isn't that enough? No need for grand reasons. I just want to. You too, right, Eden?"
"...Yeah."
Eden nodded. He felt the same. No regrets now for the rotten things he'd done to Ludenberg. He wanted to be the best. The path was there. Without excuses, he'd take responsibility for his actions. Even if the end was bitter.
It was the same for this Glory Tournament. He'd fight Ludenberg by any means and land that one hit.