Visions of the Starting Knight
“So, what you're saying, Nadan, is that you want us to lend you our divine power as support?”
“Exactly. Then I can show you something truly amazing.”
“……I feel like I'm getting scammed somehow.”
“Scammed? What do you take me for?”
“That's exactly why I'm saying it—because it's you. Do you even know what your face looks like right now?”
“Like what?”
At Denetim's squinting remark, Nadan asked with genuine puzzlement.
“You look incredibly wicked. Your face is ugly enough already, but smiling like that makes you look just like a Salvation Cult executive.”
“……Hey. Isn't that a bit harsh?”
“Did I say anything wrong? Just look in a mirror, and you'll get it right away.”
“Like this?”
“Kyaaah! Tradiaan! Nadan's trying to kill me!”
“Aigoo……”
Professor Nah watched the scene and clutched her forehead with her hand.
What am I supposed to do with these fools?
Ashytara, Ludenberg, and Tradiaan could only let out hollow chuckles at the sight.
“Anyway, lend me some divine power later. Even with Sister Nah's power, I couldn't see it properly.”
“So what exactly is it?”
“A glimpse of a thousand years ago. How about it? Don't you want to see?”
“A thousand years ago? What kind of pie-in-the-sky nonsense is that?”
“Remember how we found that ruin about the Starting Knight last time?”
“That's already famous knowledge. We suffered so much just deciphering that book back then.”
“It'll be a tale about that Starting Knight. Pretty thrilling, right? It's also proof for our research!”
“What? For real? You found more info on that knight? Even after the Setra Church and Isaltin's scholars poured in so much effort since discovering that book?”
“Of course. Come to think of it, we didn't share the updated info with Isaltin.”
“Updated info? What discoveries happened in just a few months?”
“You'll see when you see it. And for that, this pile of ashes will play a key role.”
“Pile of ashes?”
“That guy.”
Nadan pointed at Ludenberg as he spoke.
“Why the Lavante sub-duke?”
“Because he was chosen by the ruin. I'll tell you about that too.”
“……Really?”
Denetim shot Nadan a distrustful glance before turning to Ludenberg.
“……It's true.”
“Hmm…… Alright. No reason for the sub-duke to lie.”
“Just Ludenberg is fine, Princess Denetim.”
“Denetim is enough for me too. How old are you?”
“Seventeen.”
Ludenberg found himself swept along by her seamless flow of words.
“Same age! We can drop the formalities, right? You too, Princess.”
“……Uh, yeah. Sure. No need to stand on ceremony.”
With Ashytara's agreement, Denetim's face lit up with a bright smile.
“Great! Looking forward to it, Ludenberg, Ashytara!”
“Yeah, me too.”
Ashytara smiled back, while Ludenberg nodded awkwardly.
“Tradiaan, drop the formalities too!”
“……Shall I?”
“I don't mind.”
“Me neither.”
“Then I will. Nice to meet you both.”
“Sure.”
Tradiaan extended his hand to Ludenberg, who shook it lightly.
“Alright, let's get to the main point. Sister, is your divine power ready?”
“Still a bit short for now. Explain the details to these two first.”
“Yeah, that makes sense.”
“Details?”
“Right. Starting from when Ludenberg and I met. At the beginning of the semester at Solemnute Adem, in the Wisdom Pavilion……”
Professor Nah began recounting how she met Ludenberg—from their encounter, skipping the part about Raha, to the tale of the Starting Knight, and then their visit to the ruin. The bizarre events they faced there, the ruin opening right after meeting Ludenberg, and finally obtaining the jet-black greatsword, Liberra.
“……It feels like listening to a myth.”
“No wonder. Even I was dumbfounded watching it. A ruin that opens for one person alone, and a sword granted to that person…… Sounds like a hero's legend, doesn't it?”
“Exactly. If you weren't a professor, I wouldn't believe it.”
“I doubted my eyes at first too.”
“So what happened after that?”
Professor Nah held up Liberatus's diary.
“Ludenberg says he kept experiencing the Starting Knight's life through dreams even after.”
“……Really?”
“Yeah. This diary appeared by my bedside after one of those dreams. I never had it before.”
The diary looked far too ancient to be something she owned, so Denetim nodded.
Liberatus's diary, the ancient book…… and Ludenberg's dreams. Once all the stories ended, Denetim and Tradiaan stared at Ludenberg with sparkling eyes. Denetim's intense curiosity drew excessive attention to him, enough to make Ashytara show a hint of discomfort.
“So that's why you need divine power……”
“Right. To peer into Liberra's past and prove Liberatus's life. As with any academic conference, without solid proof, it won't be accepted.”
“Makes sense. Especially to overturn established knowledge, you need ironclad evidence above all.”
“Exactly.”
“Nadan.”
“Yeah?”
“You could've just explained it like this from the start. Why make that wicked face? I'd have lent my power gladly with a proper explanation.”
“You keep picking on my face? I'm already depressed enough.”
“Your face is fierce-looking, that's true. Not that you're ugly or anything……”
Denetim trailed off tactfully. Pushing further might provoke Nadan's wrath.
“A-anyway! For something like that, of course I'll cooperate. We'll witness the most astonishing sight ever!”
Watching her quick pivot, Nadan softened his expression—thanks to her slip that he wasn't ugly.
He sighed in resignation.
“Whew.”
Denetim eyed him warily, rolling her eyes.
“Um, sorry……”
“Forget it. Just don't do it again.”
“……Okay.”
“Well, cooperation secured. Good.”
“Indeed.”
Tradiaan chimed in agreement with Professor Nah.
After a short wait for Professor Nah's divine power to recover, Denetim, Tradiaan, Nadan, and Professor Nah channeled their power into Liberra. The same phenomenon occurred as before—white letters swirled around Ludenberg in a circle.
“Ooh……”
The rotating letters halted, and with a brilliant light, the room's scenery shifted.
Past scenes flashed by, until finally……
A rugged wasteland reappeared.
Professor Nah, who had staggered earlier from insufficient power, now steadily surveyed her surroundings.
“……Is this a battlefield?”
“Seems like it.”
Even Ludenberg, who had fought many battles in Liberatus's body, faced an unfamiliar sight.
The ground trembled with the roar of countless footsteps.
“My god……”
Knights, warriors, and mercenaries streamed past them. Ahead lay an uncountable horde of erosion beasts in every shape and size. Among them were highest-grade ones, devourers, and even human-like erosion beasts wielding immense power—stronger than devourers, it seemed.
“Look over there!”
Denetim's finger pointed to a figure. Radiant golden hair and a massive greatsword marked her unmistakably.
“Orpina Testia……”
She kicked off the ground, slamming her greatsword into the earth. The land upheaved, sweeping everything nearby in fierce earthen waves.
Other heroes began appearing around her. Kyle wreathed in blue flames. Parrel summoning tidal waves to crush foes. Hidea with her flowing indigo hair, sniping erosion beasts with orbiting arrows. Adalin leaping skyward with her giant spear before crashing down. And finally…… Istradim, leaving afterimages as she punched through erosion beasts.
All were speechless at the Six Heroes fighting in person—legends known only from tales.
Ludenberg had seen something similar, but only up to the second trial's end. What unfolded now might be a battle he'd face directly in Liberatus's body.
“That person……”?
As the erosion wave parted before the heroes' overwhelming might, one existence seized all eyes amid the beasts.
His prowess dwarfed even the Six Heroes'. Each step pulverized the ground, staggering nearby erosion beasts. A single sword stroke pierced hearts of erosion beasts and devourers alike.
Where the jet-black greatsword, Liberra, swung, only oblivion remained—even intelligent devourers trembled in fear.
He had transcended human limits, reaching a realm unmatched in history.
The Starting Knight, Liberatus Ahad.
Gazing upon him, Ludenberg realized the strength he'd witnessed in the trial world was but a fragment.
With awe, he spoke.
“That knight is the Six Heroes' master, Liberatus Ahad.”
“Has it reached that point already?”
“You were bound to see it anyway. It's something Ludenberg will face in the fourth trial.”
“It's not about Ludenberg. If this scene gets revealed to the world, the fallout will be enormous.”
“I expected it, and I permitted it.”
“Why?”
“It has to be this way. Only then can things flow our way and disrupt the fake's plans. Ludenberg can't be isolated. He needs the blessings of countless people. What the fake targets is the mental solitude of the vessel. The more isolated his spirit, the easier it is for the fake to consume him.”
“Why not prevent the consumption altogether?”
“……Do you think that's possible? My power has limits, Leven.”
“……”
“Eventually, the fake's power will surpass mine. It's a god firmly established in this world. But I'm a forgotten god, unable to wield my full strength. Ludenberg will be exposed to it one way or another.”
“Inevitable, then.”
“Yes. At minimum, we need beings to support him and thwart its plans.”
“Understood. Sorry for worrying you needlessly, Raha.”
“It's fine. How's the soul collection going?”
“Still some time. It's shredded to bits……”
“Hurry, Leven.”
“……I'll go now.”
“Thank you.”
As Leven departed, Raha gazed quietly at Ludenberg.
“I pray…… that every story ends happily.”
Raha clasped her freed hands from the second trial's end, praying toward someone.