Ludenberg Opened His Eyes
Ludenberg opened his eyes. It was still the dim predawn hour. A deep indigo light filled the room, gradually sharpening his vision. Taking in the unfamiliar space at a glance, he realized he was in a neatly organized infirmary. And beside him slept a beautiful girl with dark blue hair—Ashytara—in an uncomfortable position. It seemed she'd dozed off from exhaustion while nursing him, despite her own considerable injuries.
Ludenberg felt a swell of gratitude and affection he couldn't quite suppress. Without thinking, he reached out and gently stroked her hair.
"Mm…"
Ashytara stirred at his touch and snapped her eyes open.
"…Lud?"
"Yeah. How are your injuries?"
As Ludenberg softly stroked her hair and asked, Ashytara's expression began to crumple.
"That's what I should be asking you. Do you even know how many days it's been since you collapsed?"
"What?"
"It's been six days since you went down, you idiot."
"Already?"
Ludenberg couldn't help but be startled. The time he'd spent meeting Raha in his dream had felt like mere moments. He hadn't realized that much time had passed in the real world.
"Yeah. You have no idea how worried I was. Anyway, how's your condition? You okay? Anywhere hurt?"
At her concerned questions, Ludenberg checked his body and smiled. He felt no pain at all. There was a faint ache in his right chest, but it was so minor he could start training right away.
"I'm fine. Actually, I feel refreshed. Hardly any pain."
"Thank goodness…"
Ashytara murmured that, then suddenly pulled him into a tight embrace and burst into tears.
"Ah."
Ludenberg was a little flustered. He'd never imagined anyone crying for his sake. He could vividly feel her warmth in the arms wrapped around him.
"I'm really glad. I was so worried the whole time. That you might not wake up. That you might never rise again."
"I'm okay. So… don't cry, Tara."
Ludenberg gently hugged her head as she clung to him and spoke softly.
A short while later, Ashytara finally calmed down. Ludenberg gently pulled her back, wiping her tears with his sleeve.
"Feeling better now?"
"…Yeah."
"You didn't need to worry that much."
"How could I not?"
"Anyway, thank you so much, Tara. Oh, right—could you tell me what happened after I collapsed?"
"Sure."
Ashytara began explaining the events of the past six days in detail. Fortunately, the erosion beasts that had assaulted Solemnute were all eliminated shortly after. Aside from the areas near the Terra and Celioum churches, there had been almost no civilian casualties elsewhere—thanks to the swift response of the capital guard. However, quite a few people lingering around those two churches had been killed or injured. Without the valiant efforts of Solemnute Adem's students and the church knights, the death toll could have been far higher.
"I see."
"Yeah. So for the last six days, everyone's been busy searching for victims and recovering bodies. The capital guard headquarters took a heavy hit too, from what I heard. Apparently, my sister told them to abandon it and prioritize rescuing civilians and supporting the Terra and Celioum churches."
"The capital guard must've been completely wrecked."
"Yeah. They're talking about rebuilding the whole building. With her own money."
"She can rebuild capital guard HQ out of pocket? Just how much are we talking?"
"Sis doesn't splurge, but she apparently has a massive fortune saved up."
"Impressive in every way."
"And the seriously injured—like you—are all recovering in infirmaries. Idilrock Seraha, the Saintess of Terra, was hurt really badly, and Archbishop Harmata Tehner too. Everyone's been worried about them."
"If not for them, we'd have died long ago. They held off hordes of erosion beasts with that earth bastion… and even clashed directly with Jepita at the end. Using saint law right up to the last moment was a miracle."
"Yeah, true. So the Terra church is in chaos right now—their top religious leader's injured. It'll be messy for a while. But who's Jepita?"
"The guy whose left arm I severed. His name's Jepita."
"Ah."
Ludenberg ground his teeth.
"Should've finished him then."
Even at his grim tone, Ashytara nodded. Jepita struck her as dangerous too—enough to regret letting him escape.
Recalling the scene because of Ludenberg, Ashytara wanted to ask about how he'd risen after being pierced through the chest or his sudden surge in skill, but since he hadn't brought it up, she held back. She'd hear it eventually, she trusted.
"Oh, something I'm curious about…"
As she thought that, Ludenberg suddenly spoke up as if he had a question.
"What?"
"When Solemnute was in that state, what were the other cities doing? They could've sent aid easily… Especially if they'd linked a sky path here through the Celioum church. The casualties wouldn't have been this bad."
Ludenberg looked displeased. Ashytara shook her head.
"Other cities faced smaller Salvation Cult raids too. Not a full assault like here, but they hit all the major ones, opening erosions at least."
"…Damn."
"Anyway, this confirms it. The Salvation Cult's coming out in the open again. Things'll be noisy for a bit. Solemnute Adem's on break until countermeasures are fully in place."
"Break… Guess I'll head back to the family then."
"Heard some kids are staying with the imperial knights for a while. They wanna keep training."
"Must've had an epiphany from this."
"Yeah. They couldn't stand feeling weak. Hated relying helplessly on others."
"Makes sense. What'd the imperial knights say?"
"Of course they welcomed it. Said they'd drill 'em to death."
"Figures."
"What about you?"
"Back to the duchy for me. This showed me how far I still have to go. Gotta ask Father if he'll guide me. Oh, right—you said the major cities got hit?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Did our territory get attacked too?"
"No. Sis said the Salvation Cult decided not to touch Lavante. Probably 'cause Duke Leonard Lavante is there."
"Fair enough. If they'd charged in, heads would've rolled."
"Exactly. He slices highest-grade erosion beasts like kids' toys. Remember the big eastern erosion eight years ago? He soloed multiple highest-grades including a devourer, plus Salvation Cult high knights and priests."
Ludenberg nodded. He knew full well how strong his father was. He recalled that eastern incident: his father standing alone atop the ramparts, swinging his sword once. The earth upheaving, highest-grade erosion beasts split in a single strike.
"Makes Father even more respectable somehow."
Remembering that scene, Ludenberg murmured without thinking.
"Haha, what? Anyway, Lud. Mind if I come to Lavante Duchy with you?"
"You too? You're always welcome. We could train together."
"Yeah. But we can't leave right away."
"Huh? Why?"
"Told you there were casualties. There's a joint funeral coming up, and as a Solem priestess inheriting the flames, I should attend."
"Joint funeral… Got it."
"And Sis said Solemnute Adem will award you commendations and medals when it reopens. For your merits this time. Especially pushed by the Terra church."
"Terra church…"
"Yeah. Saintess Idilrock Seraha and Archbishop Harmata Tehner mentioned it."
"…Really?"
"Seems what you did at the Terra church left an impression. The others are going around saying they survived thanks to you."
"I see."
Ludenberg nodded with a soft smile at her words. He was purely happy. The fact that he—who'd only faced rejection—was gradually earning recognition from others. That his relentless efforts hadn't been in vain. And… that it all stemmed from one girl.
"Thanks, Tara. It's all because of you."
If she hadn't approached, if the other students hadn't changed their view of him for her sake, Ludenberg would still trust no one. He wouldn't have taken up the sword for her. He'd have done anything to survive alone. But because of her, he'd finally gained others' acknowledgment.
"It's 'cause you worked harder than anyone. This happened because you did well, not me."
"Still, thank you."
"Yeah. Oh, Lud—are you hungry? Wanna grab some food?"
"Hmm. Yeah… starving, actually."
"Great. Where to? Knight barracks cafeteria? That's what I'm craving."
"Anywhere you like."
"Knight barracks it is!"
"Okay."
Ashytara grabbed Ludenberg's hand and led him along. He followed willingly, hand in hers.