This Hellish Place (2): Off to an Extraordinary Start
Race's thoughts upon seeing Ludwig van Errolt's post. It was extraordinary right from the start. Not only had he sold a fixed nick the moment he logged in, but it was his real name too. Considering that once you sell a fixed nick, it's permanently unchangeable, it was even more astonishing.
But what was truly shocking was that he'd even verified his face. Most people just write their name on a piece of paper for authentication, but Ludwig had straight-up shown his mug.
"...Captain."
"Speak."
"Do you know your face has sold quite a bit?"
If he weren't famous, it might've ended as a mere mishap. And Ludwig was as clueless as they come. He knew nothing about the Gallery. Others might've heard snippets here and there, but he'd only ever pursued martial prowess. So normally, his face should only be known within the Saint Country—specifically, the Holy Knights Order.
"I don't think it's that much."
"You showed your face during the Hero's escape. Everyone knows it now."
"I see. I only read the papers occasionally."
"Sigh. Put something in the comments at least. Water's already spilled."
After the Hero's escape, Ludwig had no choice but to step into the public eye. He'd taught the Hero martial arts—and even various knowledge as her teacher. Accused of planting seditious 'ideology,' the goddess had issued an ominous prophecy, dragging him to trial. His face got exposed in the media, and with all the testimonies piled on, he'd been half-forced into celebrity status.
But is this okay? Surely someone's monitoring the Gallery in real-time.
Race glanced out the carriage window. The investigation team wasn't just Holy Knights; they had support staff too. Support in name only—they were surveillance. Sent by the Pope's side to prevent any funny business. Those guys probably checked the Gallery too. They'd definitely seen Ludwig's post.
Scribble-scribble.
In the meantime, Ludwig was jotting something in his notebook. Then he stared at the paper before tucking it away again.
Race watched, then logged into the Gallery. It was Ludwig's latest post.
└I think I've seen that guy's face in the papers. Wasn't he a witness in the Hero escape case?
└Probably? Name's common, but full name matches.
└Just a concept, right? Made it up quick since YasaengGrill's gifting stuff.
└You say that after seeing his face? lol
└If he really wants to verify, write name and date on paper.
└Ludwig van Errolt (photo of paper with name and date) Like this?
└Whoa. It's legit lololol
└That guy's joining the investigation team? Thought it was just rumors;;
└Saint Country bastards purging anyone they don't like lololol
└Calling it 'investigation' not purge lolol
└lol They say not killed, just 'missing' lolol
└Don'tAbandonHero Why, Mr. Ludwig...? Why join the investigation team?
└Ludwig van Errolt Received orders. That's all.
└Don'tAbandonHero I see. Understood.
└Judaek Why so sudden? You didn't end sentences with ! before?
└Yeah. Wasn't he ex-Holy Knight?
└Ludwig was the Holy Knights' instructor. Trained the Hero too.
└Kinda bittersweet. He spilled the whole story publicly.
Race swallowed a hollow laugh. But what good did it do? It was already public knowledge—meaningless. 'Missing' in name only; El Dorado had assembled the team for purges and show.
I miss Asella's face.
Now more than ever, she missed the Hero—Asella. Innocent yet sharp, her personality was striking. The way she'd drop heavy facts with that beaming smile was priceless.
"Hm..."
"..."
"Ho?"
Ludwig, who'd been scrolling the Gallery, let out an exclamation. Race logged in to check, but nothing stood out. As she shot him a puzzled look, something changed with Ludwig.
Whoosh!
"Huh?"
A sword. A long sword with a dull silver sheen suddenly appeared on Ludwig's thigh.
It meant one thing: YasaengGrill had gifted Ludwig something.
"Oh."
But Ludwig seemed more impressed by the arrival itself than the gift. He'd exclaimed the moment the sword appeared, not upon inspecting it. Like a dad seeing something newfangled.
"...Captain? What the heck is...?"
"YasaengGrill gave it to me. Said to come to him with this."
"..."
With that dull sword? Race looked skeptical. It appeared worthless. Even a steel sword would be better.
"What kind of sword is it?"
"Can't say. He asked to keep it secret."
"..."
Some special power, then. Race looked dubious. A gift from YasaengGrill landing in Ludwig's hands of all people. Even the surveillance couldn't just seize it by force. They were investigators, not jailers.
Screech—
Shortly after Ludwig received the sword, the carriage halted. Carriages stop for one reason: rest. But they'd rested just 30 minutes ago. So only one possibility left.
"We're here. Everyone disembark."
They'd reached the entrance to the Four Seasons Forest.
Race squeezed her eyes shut. It had to come. She didn't want to get off. Didn't want to go. Going meant death. Her mind swirled with dread, but it didn't last. Ludwig was already preparing to dismount, new sword in hand.
She glared at him: You really gonna obey like that?
He met her gaze, then turned away. Silent refusal to answer.
Race sighed. This is too disappointing.
Ludwig could be frustratingly rigid, but he had flexibility. Was he submitting to power? Or just disheartened? She tamped down her gloom and stepped out.
Outside, the Holy Knights and surveillance of the investigation team stared at one spot.
"Over there."
"..."
The spot they eyed: the so-called entrance to the Four Seasons Forest. And it looked anything but ordinary. An aurora—visible only in extreme cold regions—blanketed the threshold in vibrant colors.
Beyond: diverse terrains. Barren trees in one stretch. Endless sand dunes in another. Blizzard-swept mountains. Ordinary woods.
The reason it's called the Four Seasons Forest. No one knows where it starts upon entry—a labyrinth you can never escape.
"...It's pretty as hell."
"..."
Ludwig nodded silently at Race's lament.
Behind that beauty lay endless hell. A place defying magic, science, nature, biology—no field could explain it.
"Just like I remember. Been a while, but stunning as ever."
As the Holy Knights gazed, a man's voice came from behind. Race turned to face him.
"Hell hidden behind such beauty. Ironic, isn't it?"
Beaming smile, chubby cheeks. Short and squat. Greed oozed from his stubby nose and drooping eyes.
"...Archbishop Odon."
Race frowned, naming him outright. No hiding her disgust—not friendly at all. Odon was the Pope's lackey, head of surveillance checking if the team entered the forest.
Clank—
As the archbishop stepped forward, his escort Holy Knights lined up. Unlike the exposed faces of Ludwig and Race, they wore helmets. Their stoic vibe exuded menace—to prevent rebellion.
"Don't make that face, Lady Race. Refusing the mission would displease His Holiness."
"Bullshit."
"Still got that foul mouth. That's why I like you."
Odon eyed her greedily. Race scowled fiercely. Her short hair gave a neutral look, but her beauty shone through. Striking features drew fans regardless of gender. Pretty flowers attract bugs. Odon was exhibit A.
"I'll go in then. Beat it."
"Pity. Got ahead of myself."
"..."
Race turned away, done with him. Even as they bantered, Ludwig just stared at the forest. Odon noticed.
He approached Ludwig quietly. Close enough to clearly see the sword—the gift from YasaengGrill. His usual blade sheathed, this new one in hand.
Odon clocked it instantly. Routine Gallery checks prepared for leaks.
"Sir Ludwig. Never thought you'd log into the Gallery."
"..."
"Feeling up to purging the heretics inside?"
Ludwig turned, looking down—the height gap stark.
"And that sword's from the heretic, right?"
"Yes."
"Hand it over. Items from heretics must be confiscated."
Sophistry. YasaengGrill was a survivor, not a heretic. Efforts for survival unearthed truth by chance. Even if intentional, low chance of lies. But El Dorado labeled him 'heretic.'
"..."
Ludwig stared, then silently handed over the sword. Odon's face lit up. Race's rage boiled—then anomaly.
Thud!
"Huh?"
Ludwig grabbed Odon's wrist as he reached—
Whoosh!
"Gaaaaah!!"
—and hurled him into the Four Seasons Forest.
Escorts startled, rushed—but too late. Odon vanished inside.
Ludwig did it, catching everyone off-guard.
"What the hell?!"
"Think you'll get out alive?!"
Surveillance drew weapons, threatening Ludwig. Naturally, Race and investigators gripped theirs too. Sudden, but his intent was clear.
"Teacher! We're running, right?!"
"Hoo..."
Ludwig sighed complexly at Race's shout. Gazed at the forest, muttered softly.
"Thought I'd farm in retirement..."
"Teacher!"
"Gotta sow different seeds now."
He turned. Twice as many troops encircled them—investigators outnumbered. Forest behind, surveillance ahead. No-win fight.
But Ludwig didn't yield. He gripped YasaengGrill's gift.
[Reina. I'll break through one spot. Escape and find Asella.]
In the tense standoff, Race heard it clearly. Ludwig's voice. Not through ears—straight to her mind. Telepathy, for top-tier powerhouses.
Startled briefly, she glanced at him: What about you, teacher?
[Don't worry about me. I'll do my duty.]
As he spoke, Ludwig advanced slowly. In his hand: a sword gleaming like a green galaxy. Ethereal light enveloped him. Dull before, now transformed.
"What the hell's that sword...?"
"Careful! Confirmed gift from the heretic!"
Someone who'd overheard shouted. YasaengGrill's gift to Ludwig was out.
No matter. Race eyed the galaxy-green blade. Definitely a good sword.
Shiiiing!!!
That thought barely formed—Ludwig moved. Not vague aura like some power-up trope, but defined: Aura Blade. Or Sword Aura. Strong enough to define a 'powerhouse.'
But its size was insane. Normally just slightly larger. This Aura Blade dwarfed the long sword—greatsword-plus.
"T-Teacher... What the...?"
The aura's pressure was terrifying. Brush it, lose a limb. Scaling aura size is inefficient—if just aura. Aura Blade level differs. Size gauges skill.
Ludwig had improved... but...
"...No idea."
"Pardon?"
"No idea. What is this?"
Even Ludwig looked baffled.
"Kinda scary."
"..."
Sounded genuine—made it more absurd.
*****
Meanwhile, YasaengGrill—who'd tossed the sword outside.
"Cough! Cough! Ow. Spicy, too spicy. Shouldn't have checked."
Clearing forest for mass charcoal production.
Swords? Make another.
Wonder who he is, that Judaek personally begged me not to give directly?
Curious. Ask when he arrives.