Sun Tower Revelations
Ludenberg Lavante and Ashytara Solenute stood gazing at the Sun Tower. It was the tallest building in the capital Solemnute, the tower that illuminated the empire's nights.
"Hey, Ludenberg. Why the Sun Tower all of a sudden?"
"I've got something to do."
"Something to do?"
Ashytara tilted her head, and Ludenberg nodded.
"Yeah. Let's head in first."
"Got it."
It had been a while since they'd last visited the Sun Tower, but its grandeur remained undiminished. The sacred laws of the sun etched into every surface, the ornate yet tasteful decorations. In the center hall of the Sun Tower's first floor stood a statue of the founding emperor, Kyle Solenute. Surrounding it, the walls bore the names of countless people.
Those names belonged to the individuals who had aided Kyle Solenute in founding the Solemnute Empire—and to the warriors who had fought against the evil god during the Great Erosion War to protect humanity.
The higher one climbed, the more names there were; they never dwindled. All of them were noble warriors who had fought to defend Solemnute.
Each wall section detailed the battles in which those individuals had fallen.
Ludenberg led Ashytara up to a fairly high floor, showing no interest in the other historical records, firsthand accounts from that era, or the ancient warriors' weapons.
"Where are we going?"
"Higher up. I should have stopped by much sooner... but I couldn't."
At last, Ludenberg arrived at the wall inscribed with the information he sought.
Eastern Massive Erosion. Imperial Year 1037.
Ashytara finally understood why Ludenberg had come here upon reading those words.
"Ah...."
Being a relatively recent event, their remains were preserved here in the Sun Tower.
Ludenberg offered a brief moment of silence before their remains, infused with respect and reverence for those who had devoted themselves to Lavante.
Ashytara did the same. She had been in Lavante at the time as well. Even at a young age, she had witnessed countless deaths.
"That's enough. Let's go."
"Yeah."
Once the moment of silence ended, Ludenberg turned and headed straight down. He had no further business in the Sun Tower.
Ashytara followed behind him.
"Since we're here, want to look around a bit more before we go?"
Ashytara asked Ludenberg as they descended.
"Hmm... nothing else I'm particularly curious about."
"Still, let's take a quick look. This is only your second time here at the Sun Tower. You've probably missed a lot last time. We've still got plenty of time before lunch... And there are weapons from history. Aren't you curious?"
Weapons. They held little meaning for Ludenberg. He already possessed Liberra, the indestructible sword.
"Not really interested in weapons. Even if they ended up in my hands, I couldn't use them properly anyway. But... since there's no rush to leave, let's take a little more time to look around."
"Yeah!"
The two slowed their hurried steps, strolling and taking in the surroundings.
Ludenberg, figuring he might as well while he was here, began examining the area more carefully for any traces of the Starting Knight.
But it seemed too much to hope for luck even in a place like this; there were no signs of the Starting Knight in the Sun Tower either.
No trace here, either...
Still, the historical records were intriguing enough to Ludenberg that he toured the tower without complaint.
How much time passed? Lunchtime was approaching.
The pair had just finished viewing the murals depicting Kyle Solenute's life on the first floor and were about to leave the Sun Tower when a certain painting caught Ludenberg's eye.
It was an old painting depicting the location where Kyle's saga had begun. Faded by time, it strangely felt familiar to Ludenberg.
A ruined cityscape of shattered buildings. The accompanying explanation stated that Kyle had resolved to fight for humanity amid that devastation.
As Ludenberg scrutinized the painting, his eyes widened at one particular building.
That building... it's definitely from yesterday...?
The structure bore an astonishing resemblance to the one Ludenberg had seen in the trial world.
Realizing this, he focused even more intently on the painting.
No doubt about it. That city... it's the exact same place as where I underwent the trial yesterday.
The site where he had lost his life to a highest-grade erosion beast just yesterday. It was unmistakable.
Though the aged painting made some details hard to discern, the state of the destroyed buildings and the leaning massive structures matched precisely what he had witnessed.
He checked the artist's name.
Orpina Testia.
Kyle Solenute's wife, the first empress recorded in imperial history.
And... one of the six heroes who had overcome the Great Erosion War alongside Kyle.
From this, he could infer that the trial world's timeline was a thousand years ago—just before the founding of the Solemnute Empire.
A shocking realization swept over Ludenberg.
That would mean the Starting Knight was undoubtedly a contemporary of the six heroes.
A torrent of complex questions assailed him.
If the Starting Knight lived in the same era as the six heroes, why are there no records of him? Raha called him the strongest being in human history. He must have crossed paths with the six heroes. So why?
He shook his head.
No. It's too early to conclude. Raha might have simply set the trial in that era as a backdrop.
But that thought led to Raha's words nagging at him.
The trial recreated events the Starting Knight had actually experienced.
Did that mean the Starting Knight had truly lived in that time?
He couldn't confirm it yet, but it gave him more questions for Raha. For once, Ludenberg felt a rare surge of excitement.
I might even encounter the six heroes in the trial world.
No aspiring knight could fail to admire the six heroes. Ludenberg was no exception, so he couldn't help but look forward to the trial world.
At that moment, Ashytara asked the lost-in-thought Ludenberg with a puzzled look.
"Ludenberg? What's up?"
"Oh, nothing. Just... an impressive painting."
He brushed it off casually, and Ashytara nodded.
"It is. I wonder what my ancestors saw in that city to steel their resolve and devote themselves to humanity like that."
"No idea."
"Anyway, we've seen it all. Let's head out—I'm starving."
"Right. Garden of Repose, was it? I think you need a reservation there."
"I took care of it yesterday. Reserved it back when I went with my friends."
"For you and your friends?"
"No, for you and me."
Ludenberg let out a hollow chuckle. Ashytara had foreseen everything.
That if he showed his true feelings, he would accept it.
"Haha..."
Ludenberg was genuinely impressed. He knew Ashytara was thoughtful and shrewd, but even knowing that, he'd played right into her hands.
"Huh? Why are you laughing?"
"Nothing."
But it didn't feel bad. It meant she trusted him that much.
That trust allowed him to trust her in return, dispelling the anxiety and confusion buried in his mind, enabling him to enter the trial world.
The ordeal there delayed his training, leading him to run into her at the restaurant and make lunch plans.
Chatting with Ashytara stirred old memories, prompting him to pay respects at the Sun Tower to those who fell for Lavante. He'd planned to leave after that, but at her suggestion, they toured more—and uncovered the trial world's era.
Because of that, he now harbored expectations of meeting the six heroes.
The anticipation of encountering those he admired was enough to bring joy in itself.
In the end, Ashytara had orchestrated this chain of coincidences that filled him with happiness, so Ludenberg couldn't help but feel grateful to her.
"Thanks."
"Huh? For what?"
"Just... for trusting me. For not betraying me. For everything."
"I'm the one who's grateful. You believed me. You're still the same as ever."
"Maybe."
Chatting like that, the two headed to the Garden of Repose.
"It's getting too risky to mess with them carelessly now. What are you going to do?"
Mion Altis asked Eden Asta.
Eden silently continued his meal.
Frustrated by his silence, Mion snapped at him impatiently.
"Eden, what are you going to do?"
"What else? Keep training."
"What?"
"You think pulling some scheme now will make Ashytara or Ludenberg bat an eye? No. Those two aren't ordinary. Whether I use Gawin and his crew again or try some other trick involving people, they won't fall for manipulation anymore."
"Then what?"
"Hone my skills and crush them outright. But with three divine powers at my disposal, I can close any gap in ability. Plenty of potential there. No need to rush, Mion."
Eden met her gaze steadily.
"I'll definitely beat them. And you—get ready. I'll oversee your training every day from now on."
"Ugh... I hate that..."
"No choice. Don't want another thrashing from Ashytara like last time?"
Mion frowned, stung by his jab.
"Did you have to bring that up?"
"You'd manage fine without me saying it, but a little motivation makes training go smoother."
"Sigh. Fine, I get it. Still, let's keep some backdoor plans in the works. That's what money's for."
"Got it."
Eden had no choice but to acknowledge Ludenberg. Despite all the torment, he'd overcome it spectacularly.
Anyone else would have shrunk from the scorn of strangers, hearts wounded—but Ludenberg had endured even that.
There had been variables. Ashytara was the biggest one. Eden and Mion hadn't expected her to value Ludenberg this much.
No, it went beyond valuing—almost an eerie obsession. The vibe that she'd kill anyone who used her to target him again.
That derailed their Ashytara-based plans immediately, handing Ludenberg a chance to reshape his image instead.
With things like this, only a straight-up clash remained.
Eden trusted himself.
"At least this clears up the mess in my head," Mion said.
Eden nodded.
"Better than wasting energy on schemes. Put that time into ourselves, Mion. And smash their smug noses."
"Good. I've got a score to settle with Ashytara too. I'll give it my all."
Mion swept back her hair and declared confidently to Eden.
"Then let's double the training time starting now."
"Ahh!"
Of course, Eden's words instantly turned her bravado to dismay.