Even If the Light Fades
"Talent with the sword? You're saying I should enlist just to recruit one knight?"
"Victory achieved against a knight."
"Of course. What's there to brag about a knight beating another knight?"
"...He's a seven-year-old boy. Your... son."
How could he forget. The old man still remembered that moment vividly.
"Train him well. If you do a good job, it could be a great chance to expand our influence in the eastern church."
"Yes, my lord."
"Remember my words from now on."
For the old man, the glorious era had faded into a blur he could scarcely recall, but the days spent with the boy remained crystal clear.
"I'm Wigen of the Sacrament Knight Order, here to assess the young master's swordsmanship."
"I'm Ludric. ...Please take care of... no, I look forward to working with you."
The knight obeyed his lord's command. And the boy always followed the knight's words.
Train him harshly, without useless thoughts.
"...When exactly did you start swinging that sword?"
"Well, I couldn't sleep..."
I need to make him a knight. One who can represent the Biern family's interests.
"If I can swing a sword properly, Father will be pleased, right?"
"...Surely he will."
"I'll work even harder."
A knight must be unfeeling.
"What kind of knight swings his sword so emotionally at a civilian?"
"Knights aren't people? He insulted you right to your face—how could I stand by?"
"If necessary, a knight must kill his emotions too."
A knight must endure.
"Why duel the second young master? He hasn't even properly learned swordsmanship..."
"Whore's spawn, whore's spawn—that fucking bastard."
"Young master. The second young master."
"I know. He's noble, unlike me."
"Not that—you know his left side dips when he grips his sword, right?"
"...Thanks."
"I said nothing."
A knight...
"Old man."
"Yes, young master."
"...What was my mother like?"
"..."
"Ah... Of course you wouldn't know. My mom was..."
"...She must have been a good woman. Just like you, young master."
A knight surely...
"Ludric's injured?"
"Yes, he was badly hurt during the subjugation... Thanks to the young master, no other casualties."
"...I see."
"You should go see his face at least... He's always diligent in training. Gets along well with his comrades. Serious about everything..."
"Is his arm intact?"
"Yes... my lord."
..."Old man."
"Did you call, young master?"
"...Old man."
"...You know this is unreasonable, right?"
"Wigen graaamps~"
"...Sigh, just once."
"Do it quick."
"Why. Ludric."
"Whoa... This is seriously awkward."
...A knight has no name. But to the boy, he had one.
"I'm leaving this place. It's gotten boring here. I'm telling you specially 'cause I worry you'll be in a bind without me."
"Leaving?"
He couldn't let that happen. At those words, Wigen felt his heart swell.
He wanted to raise him as a true person. His final wish.
[What an unusual authority. It has physical force, not just illusion.]
Attacks pouring from underground like thorns. Yet the main body remained invisible here.
"You okay?"
A massive gash, like a giant wolf had clawed it, scarred the spot where Wigen had stood.
If he'd noticed even a moment later, he might have been pulverized and pinned there...
"Thanks. You saved my... life."
Even having survived, allowing the first strike meant damage was inevitable. His armor had prevented penetration, but blood already seeped from Wigen's side.
"Can you move?"
"Plenty."
Wigen tore cloth to roughly bind the wound. A mere stopgap. It was deep.
'That was close.'
To Seoha's eyes, the evil god's aura permeated everywhere. The situation looked grim.
They had the numerical advantage, ironically while surrounded.
'Call for backup?'
They could win without victory—just escape. The search had taken time, but pure evasion would be faster.
Unlike before, no hostages this time.
'But then...'
Dragging wounded bodies, neither could escape unscathed. If one lagged, it'd be the old knight, not Seoha...
[You said it yourself.]
[Strength enough to flee is plenty.]
"Your memory's annoyingly good..."
[Using authority like this means they can't last long either. Dodge if you can—best option.]
Luagwen's logic held. No follow-ups after the initial strike—likely backlash. Now was the time to flee.
Facing an unknown authority blindly was unwise. And as if proving it, Wigen said much the same.
"Listen well, Lady Ri."
Wigen tore something from his neck and handed it over. A plain necklace, no ornaments. Faint mana leakage hinted at an artifact.
"Artifact with Observation magic. The young master will see this and come running. Head straight out—you'll meet him."
"..."
"I'll buy time."
Wigen steadied his stance. Grinding his teeth split his lip, blood trickling. But the sting dulled greater pain.
The old knight focused solely on his sword.
"Go!"
Even if the light faded, his light existed only to eradicate evil.
Responding to his radiant killing intent, the evil god's authority targeted him alone.
Seoha's sole chance to flee.
Just before sword met authority.
[Fool.]
'Aiming for the side!?'
Survival instinct twisted the old knight's sword path. Wigen erred, turning his head sideways despite the foe before him.
Such inexplicable pressure. A presence that froze him unwittingly.
He'd anticipated attack, instinctively guarding—but nothing flanked him. Only the young director remained.
"I told you to run...!"
"No matter what happens, please testify well."
She stared at the necklace, murmuring incomprehensibly.
The presence felt here first had doubled. One: the enemy before him. Two: the comrade before him.
'I didn't notice this?'
Even with his faded prowess, far from his prime, it was unmistakable now.
The evil god's malice engulfed him. The suspicious mercenary was the young director; the young director, now an hostile evil worshiper beside him.
'I'm dead.'
Wigen froze. Seoha's hand touched him.
Shoved away, "...!"
Blink—and he was outside the forest.
[Pathetic idiot.]
Luagwen pitied the possessor truly inhabiting her body.
"We've come this far—no point leaving empty-handed. That'd be the real loss."
[Hang yourself quick and hand the body back. Idiot. Brat.]
"Catch both, double the gain."
Seoha... pondered briefly.
Was fleeing and calling backup wiser? Logically, yes.
'Sigh, really.'
The necklace. Why give him this junk.
The logical choice isn't always right. Flee now, waste time, sour ties with Biern.
VS godlike moves to wipe both, suck lifespan dry.
Obvious which profited more. Even a baby knew.
That's why she chose this.
Nothing more.
[Nonsense. Any loss voids our deal!]
"..."
[Answer, you lunatic!]
"...A little loss for bigger gain is fine, right?"
[How'd I end up with this maniac.]
"Honestly, weirder that Shasha still expects rationality from me."
[Bastard... Sigh. Remember when I talked mana operation before?]
"Yeah. Said I was brute-forcing it."
[One explanation—listen well.]
Seoha poured all mana into her legs. Godlike moves to dodge attacks, turn tables on evil worshiper.
She could do it. I can...!
Now, tag—you're it.
"...What the hell... are you doing...!"
"Pissed makes you talk straight. Why keep mumbling like a retard."
"The pay... you said it'd be the same!"
"Whatever. Chump change anyway. Use it for pocket money."
"Then why..."
"This is why talentless mercs suck."
Alec pitied Edward in that moment. Die clueless, haunt as a ghost maybe.
Though soul'd remain post-devourment? Doubtful.
"I offer all this to my god..."
Alec raised his axe high. Not appetizing prey, but unavoidable.
Finish quick, rejoin—snag the other two maybe.
"Bye."
Heartless chop—blood splashed his face. Edward collapsed.
"...?"
Hot blood veiling his face, Edward neared blackout.
But no pain. Is death like this?
Keep eyes shut? Open? Agonizing choice.
Last sight of his corpse? Collapse utterly.
But bravely, he opened them.
And faced...
"...Angel?"
Damn. They exist?
Should've heeded church nagging...
Peddling low gigs, no need to fake busyness.
"Whoa. Herb."
"...Herb?"
Odd first words from an angel. Expected solemnity or comfort.
But seeing the girl idly pluck grass beside him, reality dawned.
Sweet air...! Soil feels this good...!
"Th-thank you for saving me..."
"Take this."
Edward meekly accepted her offer. Took ages to recognize.
"Quest slip...?"
Lowest merc gig: herb gathering.
"Payment for your life. Complete it. Send reward to Porern 4th Street."
"Thank you, sis!"
Edward lacked evil god sight, but not smarts. Split corpse-maker before him? Instinct sharpens.
...Yeah. From today, meekly pick weeds.
Church daily starting tomorrow.
"Seriously, thanks for saving me!"
As the merc kowtowed, the girl still stared elsewhere.
Nothing in his eyes.
But hers clearly saw.
"I wonder how it'll turn out."
The sky bled black.