Holy Sword and Saintess (1)
Early dawn.
Rischel's renowned maritime mail delivered the news of the invasion across the entire continent.
The extra edition, spread at breakneck speed to boast Rischel's enduring strength, surged past the front lines where the heroes were stationed and struck the whole continent.
The public, upon first hearing the news, couldn't hide their worry that two of the Four Heavenly Kings had assaulted the powerful ally nation of Rischel.
Some clamored to assemble reinforcements immediately.
Others argued to abandon Rischel and use the opening to push the front lines.
As a flurry of opinions swirled through the public's ears,
the deliberately omitted details finally reached them belatedly.
The masses were stunned by the report that Yeon Je-seong, ranked 1st among heroes, and the Great Saintess of the Seven Powers had intervened.
"Seriously, those two jumped in?"
"No way that's real!"
"They're the last people you'd expect to budge—their asses are glued to their seats!"
But regardless of the skeptical public, the tangible newspapers reported that with the Supreme Hero and Great Saintess's participation, Rischel's forces had turned the tide, forcing the Death Devil to retreat and subjugating the War Devil.
This blockbuster news, enough to shift the continental war's balance, left not just the public but even the heroes on the front lines beaming with uncontained joy.
"...They pulled it off in the end."
Divine Spirit Frey, the one who'd sent Yeon Je-seong to Rischel, gazed at the bold headline in the newspaper with a faint smile.
She felt a twinge of regret at not subjugating her archrival, the War Devil, herself—but thinking of how this would earn him proper recognition melted away such minor gripes.
Meanwhile, Ellen, chairman of the Hero Association, who got the news first via his secretary, threw open the newspaper and bellowed a hearty laugh.
"Hahaha! That's my Supreme Hero! Starting off with a bang!"
Not just any demon, but a Four Heavenly King subjugated!
And against two of them, no less—they'd gained the upper hand and taken down the War Devil!
"On top of that, they inflicted a mortal wound on the Death Devil!"
Hahaha—!
Unable to contain the swelling pride in his chest, Ellen laughed until the office walls shook.
"Now we can shut up all those questioning his qualifications."
How much backlash had he faced since Yeon Je-seong claimed the hero #1 spot!
Back then, his record against the Plague Devil apparently seemed lacking; the moment he ascended to #1, opposition poured in from inside and outside the association.
But with this massive feat of subjugating the War Devil, those basing their objections on achievements would have to zip it!
Especially since it was the hero world's marquee #1 spot—sponsor pressure had been immense, knowingly or not.
Every ranker had major backers, and those sponsors had been doubting Yeon Je-seong's caliber to prop up their own favorites.
And those weren't just big companies—who sponsored rankers, after all? They were nation-scale.
In short, nations were clashing over the hero #1 throne!
"At this rate, the Huang Empire will snag hegemony without a hitch."
Yeon Je-seong's backer was, naturally, his homeland, the Huang Empire.
This incident would only amplify their influence—plain as day.
'That said, the old Plague Devil and now this War Devil... Even with the Seven Powers involved, who takes on Heavenly Kings like that and subjugates one...?'
Well, he didn't snag the #1 title for show; of course he's insanely strong. But holding off two Heavenly Kings?
'Heard the Saintess only joined after the fight was basically done.'
So the Holy Sword and Supreme Hero stalled the Death Devil and War Devil, then the Supreme Hero straight-up killed the War one...?
Logically, the stronger Death Devil went to the Holy Sword, while Supreme Hero handled the battlefield wildcard War Devil.
Even factoring in Round Table knights' support, it was basically him soloing a Heavenly King.
"Hmm..."
...Isn't that just straight-up insane?
Consensus was even #1 hero couldn't 1v1 a Heavenly King.
Yet he smashed one head-on?
Or nah?
'Maybe the Round Table backed him up perfectly?'
Or the Holy Sword's stronger than imagined, holding Death while checking War?
"Urgh... Without details, no clue what went down."
"Chairman, the Rischel incident investigation report."
"Oh, hand it over quick!"
And right on cue,
his secretary approached with the report on the incident.
"Lemme see... Ngh...?!?!?!?"
Moments later, Ellen snatched the report, eyes gleaming—only to sprout question marks over his head.
"W-Wait, this for real?"
"From our dispatched association member in Rischel. Minor margin for error, but high reliability."
"But this... Hoo boy."
As he scanned the report, Ellen's eyes widened at the unimaginable results.
'Holy Sword didn't face both—Supreme Hero did? Dealt mortal wound to Death and killed War? And a myth-grade monster Kas Palrug showed up?'
Per the report, Supreme Hero half-beat that myth-grade beast to death barehanded.
Massaging his pounding temples at the dizzying info, Ellen spotted the closing line and let out a hollow chuckle.
"...Hah."
...In conclusion, Supreme Hero appears capable of facing two Heavenly Kings simultaneously alone, estimated to possess combat power surpassing at minimum Holy Sword Arthur.
"......"
No entry on the Power Stone, yet actual strength mid-tier Seven Powers or better, above Holy Sword.
Setting down the trembling report with shaking hands, he muttered curtly.
"Why the hell isn't that guy a Power for real."
Faced with an unsolvable puzzle, Ellen's mind slowly blanked out once more today.
───
Meanwhile, post-fierce battle Rischel held a quiet funeral.
Thanks to the Great Saintess's sanctuary declaration, many fallen had returned from death—but regrettably, not a few had passed beyond even that.
"I'm sorry, Arthur."
"...Please lift your head, Great Saintess."
"My power was insufficient; I couldn't save more."
Her platinum hair, infused with dense holy power, cascaded down as the Great Saintess bowed deeply to Arthur.
Watching her, Arthur gently grasped her shoulder and straightened her posture.
"Don't say that. Countless owe their lives to your grace."
"Thank you. That eases my burden a bit."
The Great Saintess smiled softly, pressing her palms together in prayer—a halo of light descended upon her head.
"We atone to the Goddess for our inadequacies, our clumsiness, and our impurities."
"......"
Arthur waited silently until her brief prayer ended, then spoke naturally as she rose.
"Great Saintess, may I ask something?"
"Of course, please do."
"How long does your sanctuary last?"
The veil of pure white light that blanketed the blood-and-flesh-strewn battlefield.
This divine miracle, purifying all worldly impurities, still illuminated a corner of Rischel even after a week.
"...This sanctuary was granted through half a year of prayer."
Arthur's brow furrowed faintly.
He knew her "prayer" differed from ordinary clergy.
"Prayer meaning fasting?"
"No—the Goddess bathes this foolish me in her gracious light; no bodily pain reaches me."
As expected of the woman called a living demigod.
The saintess most favored by the Goddess.
Realizing what that entailed, a glint of admiration lit Arthur's eyes.
"Impressive. The Goddess truly cherishes you."
"...I only feel apologetic, ever fearing I burden her."
"Ahem. So, the sanctuary will lift?"
"Yes—the miracle built over half a year is nearing its end."
'Half a year to sustain one week...'
For a sanctuary miracle, was that overpowered?
"Had the Heavenly Kings and Kas Palrug not drained the corpses' life force, the sanctuary could have revived them..."
Arthur closed his eyes at her voice thick with regret.
As she said, corpses heavily exposed to the War Devil's energy, and those devoured by Kas Palrug, couldn't be revived.
If their remaining life force was fully depleted, even a sanctuary couldn't bring them back.
Intellectually he got it, but their empty spots still left a bitter taste.
That's why they'd held funerals for a week since the incident—for those very fallen.
At least the Great Saintess personally blessed their passing; small comfort.
"Arthur, forgive me, but may I ask something too?"
"Ah, certainly. Go ahead."
"Um, that... where is Supreme Hero now...?"
"He said he'd hole up in his room for a while."
Post-battle, Yeon Je-seong had declared in a grave tone he'd shut himself in.
Initially baffling, but reports of strange aura fluctuations from his quarters later confirmed closed-door training; knights were posted as guards.
Probably reflecting on battle shortcomings.
'Come to think, it's been a week since I last saw him...'
As Arthur sighed with faint regret, the Great Saintess voiced deeper disappointment.
"I see... I truly wished to meet him once. Pity."
"Is that... so?"
A connection between the Great Saintess and him?
At the unexpected link, Arthur's eyes flickered subtly.
"Er, um. You seem quite eager."
"Erm, embarrassing, but yes."
Why?
Forcing down the question burning in his throat, Arthur plastered on a smile and saw her off.
"Then, I'll take my leave."
"Yes—Rischel will forever remember your efforts."
"Hehe, kind words."
With her clear laughter trailing, Arthur bid her farewell, sighed softly, then
turned toward the palace.
Smooth—
...No, veered off toward one side.
"Just a quick status check."
Muttering self-justification, gulping, Arthur stepped into Yeon Je-seong's quarters.
It was an incident that unfolded at midnight, when clouds veiled the moon.