Languid Sunlight on the Road to the Tomb
Around early afternoon, with languid sunlight pouring down. Ludia, Mari, and I were riding in a carriage headed for the Heretic's Tomb.
"Yaaawn... It's taking longer than I thought."
Ludia stretched with a long yawn. She'd been dozing off with her head bobbing, but now it seemed she'd hit her limit. Her drooping eyelids fluttered as she alternated glances between Mari and me.
"You should rest as much as you can, Lady Ludia. From what I've heard, the monster assaults have grown even fiercer lately."
Mari was wiping down her sword with a cloth. Ever since boarding the carriage, she'd either been reading a book or insisting that a paladin must always be ready for battle while meticulously maintaining her weapon. This... was she avoiding eye contact with me because it felt awkward? She chatted fine with Ludia but wouldn't even glance my way. Maybe the ring's speech pattern had shocked her that much. She'd holed up in her room for days after, and now she was like this.
"Hmph... We'll probably just come back exhausted."
"Our goal is just to join one expedition. It might not take as long as you think."
Ludia let out an "oh no" at Mari's words.
"Ah... Do we really... have to hurry back??"
"Pardon?"
"F-Fatigue! Right, we could get worn out. How about stopping by Rimar Hot Springs Village on the way back?"
"Oh. Sounds good."
"Hehehehe... Phew..."
It had been several days since we set off in the carriage. Before leaving, we'd fussed over preparations for this "incredibly dangerous place," and the first day had been tense. But now? We were chatting amiably even about the tomb.
"(Kuhahahaha!! With this body here, what do you have to worry about! Wash up clean in the hot springs and rest in bed! I'll spoil you plenty when we get back!)"
"........."
But the moment I chimed in, this happened. Their faces flushed red in unison, and they went dead silent. Mari pretended not to hear, closing her eyes to focus on her sword, while Ludia turned toward the window, clearing her throat with a "hem hem" as she stared at distant mountains.
"...Huu..."
I'll do my best, so trust me. Was that so hard to say? At this point, the ring felt like it was doing this on purpose. Ever since Mari caught Ludia hugging my arm back at the inn, the three of us had these awkward moments whenever we were together.
- Aren't you two seriously dating?? Then why hold hands...
- Mari, it's not... like that... we're just...
- (Kuhahahaha!!! Jealous, are ya? Big-tits bitch today! Prickly bitch tomorrow! I'll grope you both in turns!!)
- ...F-Fine... I'll head to my room first...
Phew... Even thinking back made me sigh. It was like dousing kids without spice tolerance in hot sauce—this vulgar tone. Ludia aside, why was Mari getting embarrassed?? She wielded a sword like a pro and seemed tough; I figured she'd shrug this off. Total miscalculation.
"...Oh! Mari, speaking of which, isn't Sister Yunet there too?"
As the awkward air pressed down, Ludia blurted out the first thing that came to mind. Mari, who'd been wiping the same spot over and over, perked up gladly.
"Yes. She'll probably return around the time we head back."
"Wow... It's been forever. Is she doing well?"
"As you know, she'd thrive even if thrown into hell."
They both chuckled. What the hell was Yunet like?
"(Oho... A new bitch? I'd need three hands to pet you all at once! Uhahahaha!!)"
"........."
Ah... fuck, seriously. Even just thinking it fired off instantly. At this point, I wanted to yank out my fingers instead of my jaw.
* * *
The Heretic's Tomb was exactly what it sounded like. A burial ground for the corpses of those executed for betraying the Anesa Church. But impure, massive demonic energy formed here, twisting the bodies into monsters and drawing more beasts, turning it into humanity's worst nightmare.
"At least a hundred thousand bodies are buried there, from what I know."
"?!?"
My jaw dropped at Mari's explanation. In the novel, I'd wondered if a single religious order really executed that many, but they were at the vanguard against monsters, and it was a medieval era with religion's peak power—so I'd glossed over it. But one hundred thousand? The book never mentioned that number.
"So the executions totaled..."
"The Church's history is ancient. And with all the internal conflicts along the way..."
"(Who the hell even knows who's the real monster!!)"
Oh? She drops lines like that sometimes. Crude, but normal conversation felt so refreshing. My gaze drifted to the ring I was fiddling with absentmindedly.
"Master Huu, that's incredibly dangerous talk. Especially here."
But Mari tensed up, scanning around and warning me to watch my words since people might be sensitive. It's not like anyone else could hear. But yeah, it'd probably spew vulgar booze-soaked crap again. Better keep quiet.
"Phew. Now I'm getting nervous."
Ludia's grip tightened on her staff. The overcast sky drizzled fine mist, and the ground was a sticky mess of black ash and dark brown mud. Scattered tents housed the Church's forces. We'd finally arrived at the Heretic's Tomb.
"Wow! Mari! Ludia!!!"
"Sister Yunet!!!"
As we neared the camp perimeter—before the sentries could even react—a woman dashed out joyfully. Tall stature, long ponytail shimmering bluish. Bright, wrinkle-free expression, sharp eyes. And "(Ooh! A chewy-looking bitch! Even tastier all wet from the rain!! Kuhahahaha!!!)" ...a sleek yet toned figure overall.
"Master Huu. Please. That's my sister."
Mari's face burned red as she squeezed her eyes shut.
"Ugh. (Sorry... really sorry.)"
I nodded awkwardly with a groan. But no reaction from Mari. Figured as much... damn it. Should've taken the ring from Amelia? It'd seemed decent earlier. Now it was graduating from vulgar to downright incestuous. Ripping it off was the answer, damn it.
"Oh my. Mari, not happy to see your big sis?"
"...N-No, that's not it."
Mari snapped out of her daze, startled. Yunet patted her cheek affectionately.
"Hehehe... This girl. Still so stoic. Huh? What's with your hands? Still gripping swords without gloves?"
Yunet grabbed Mari's hand, fussing dramatically about how rough they'd gotten. Their faces looked similar, but Yunet's voice was a bit higher and livelier. And that bubbly tone oozing out...
...They really didn't seem like sisters??
"Hmm... Hold on. I think I get it."
"...?"
Yunet had been "oohing" and "aahing" in front of stoic Mari. Now her blue eyes rolled toward me.
"Ah! You must be—!"
"Ugh? (Me?)"
"You're Huu, right?"
"??!!"
How did she know me?? First time seeing her. And I was double-bandaged. A few in the Church recognized me post-battle, but news spreading this far, this fast?? In a medieval setting??
But Yunet seemed dead certain, confident as hell.
"Yeah, sis. And he can't speak—"
"Mari's boyfriend!"
"...Huh? (What?)"
"Sis, wait. What are you—"
"Sis! Master Huu isn't Mari's boyfriend, he's—"
"Eeeeek!!! How can he be so hunkyyy!!!"
"????"
Crazy words and dolphin squeals rocketed into the sky. The atmosphere was making my head spin. My gaze involuntarily flicked to Mari.
"(Hey! Is this chewy bitch nuts?)"
"Kuh...! Sorry..."
Mari shut her eyes again, trembling. So much to say, but visibly holding back. Yunet, oblivious, barreled on.
"Oh my gosh, look at that stare! Honey's dripping off it! Hehehehe..!"
"........."
"Sis, nooo... Master Huu isn't like thaaat..."
Was this the famed trial of the Heretic's Tomb?? Mental attacks were my weakness.
* * *
Deep within the vast tomb hidden beneath the sticky mud. In the deepest level, where faint, hazy lights wandered eerily, someone slowly raised their head.
"...Luzadio... A massive... sacrifice approaches..."
A man seated on a stone chair. Cloaked in a black, tattered mantle that hid his form, but fluorescent glow leaked from where eyes should be, flickering menacingly.
"I sense it too. Immense Holy Power."
Kneeling on one knee before him was a hulking figure clad head to toe in platinum armor, glinting in the hazy light. But the holy symbols everywhere were stained thick with red.
"Yet... it's heterogeneous..."
"I'm not sure."
"It's almost like..."
The cloaked man withdrew his gaze, deep in thought. His consciousness stretched endlessly, piercing underground and flowing to the surface.
"...?"
His abyss-piercing senses halted on one being. A massive mass radiating sun-like brilliance. But inside... such a familiar aura...
"...Intriguing..."
"...?"
Eyes opening, everything rewound in an instant, revealing the tomb interior again.
"...A seal...? What could it be..."
A faint clue surfaced from centuries of knowledge. But that was the limit. He shelved his curiosity for a rational choice: harvest the Holy Power. Even if the seal broke, it might align with his wishes.
"...Go... Luzadio... For our aspirations..."
"For the glory of Lady Kalide, who bestowed me life."
Clank.
The armored man rose.
"The end is nigh."
"Yes... The Church's lies... laid bare for all to see."
"When Lord Tantaros revives... he'll bring the hammer down on this contradictory world."
Thud!
Slamming his massive greatsword into the ground unleashed a boom, cratering the floor where it struck.
"Prepare the ritual. I'll see you soon."
He hefted the greatsword one-handed and strode off somewhere.
"Vengeance... is at hand..."
The man's eyes blazed fiercely.