Cervito 4
Licht couldn't respond to Schult's words. There were too many suspicious points.
'The Execution Sword was leaked?'
That was impossible. The Execution Sword was a divine blade blessed by Goddess Isteria herself. Forged in the holiest sanctum of the Palenia Holy Kingdom—a place no one could enter without permission—it couldn't be mass-produced. There was no way the Holy Kingdom would let such a sword slip out so easily. Even if it did, at least three fellow Executioners would pursue the thief. There was already precedent for that. And that Executioner had died by the hand of a comrade. Utterly wretchedly, under the pretext of divine judgment.
"It's confusing to hear this out of the blue. Just wait a moment. It should be around here somewhere..."
Schult rose from his seat and rummaged through the bookshelf on one side of the office.
"Ah, here it is. Take a look."
He tossed a bundle of papers onto the table. As he settled back into his chair, Licht slowly leafed through them.
"Bryce Edmain. From a noble family that was wiped out. After his entire family was slaughtered, he immediately devoted himself to the Palenia Holy Kingdom. Fortunate in his misfortune, he had unparalleled aptitude for holy power and, at twenty-four, became the youngest Executioner in Palenian history. But two years later, he was excommunicated and vanished."
The top sheet bore a portrait and detailed personal information. Wavy dark blonde hair falling to his shoulders, and green eyes reminiscent of a dense forest.
"Where did you get this?"
"Bryce Edmain... Right after that former Executioner was excommunicated, there was intel that he'd headed south. We got a request for tracking assistance back then. It's been over a year now."
The crisp parchment, untouched since, carried its distinctive thick paper scent.
Licht asked, "There's more to it, isn't there?"
"...You're sharp as ever. Correct. The excommunication was a lie spread by the Holy Kingdom. Because Bryce stepped down from his Executioner position himself."
As expected. Something had felt off, and this was the inside story.
"Executioner is the highest honor in the Holy Kingdom, right below the Pope and cardinals. Why would he give it up?"
Licht's question was valid. There was no reason to abandon it without cause.
Schult let out a heavy sigh before answering.
"Do you know the Saintess of Palenia, chosen and elevated by Goddess Isteria in this generation?"
"...Stella Evgenia."
"You know her well. The Pope's only daughter. Right after the Saintess is selected, they choose her guardian, called the Anima in the Palenia Holy Kingdom. It's an even greater honor than Executioner."
"No way..."
"Afraid so. Not long after becoming an Executioner, Bryce applied to be the Saintess's Anima."
Licht tilted his head, a question arising.
"Can you hold an Executioner position and apply for a concurrent role?"
"It's not impossible. Rare, but there have been cases of holding both Executioner and Anima."
And a year later, Bryce stepped down from Executioner under the guise of excommunication.
Licht could easily guess the rest from Schult's trailing words. He spoke up.
"But Bryce failed to become Anima. Despite being the youngest Executioner, with heavenly talent and universal admiration."
"......"
"The one chosen was a knight from the Knight Secreta. Of course, excluding Executioners, he had no equal..."
Knight Secreta. The elite order considered the pinnacle among Palenia's knightly orders.
But Licht couldn't understand. Unless it was because Bryce already held Executioner rank, there was no reason to pass over the youngest Executioner for a Secreta knight.
As if resolving his doubt, Schult continued.
"You wouldn't get it, right? Truth is, it's a ridiculously simple reason. The Secreta knight selected as Anima was the eldest son of a cardinal. And not just any—the Pope's closest confidant."
In short, connections trumped everything.
As Licht stared in disbelief, Schult chuckled heartily.
"Ridiculous, isn't it? I can understand his feelings back then, at least. Superior in skill and reputation, yet passed over solely for lacking backing. After devoting his loyalty to the Holy Kingdom all that time, disillusionment was inevitable."
"...So he quit being an Executioner."
"Yes. But that's where the trouble started. The problem was, when he stepped down, he vanished with the Execution Sword he was supposed to surrender."
"What does that have to do with this incident?"
"They should've killed him outright, but they changed their minds. Found a use for him. Like as bait, for instance."
"......?"
"Not just one mage missing, but several. No bodies, so kidnapping. But why kidnap that many mages?"
"Why would the former Executioner kidnap them? He left the Holy Kingdom disillusioned, taking the Execution Sword with him."
"Maybe he changed his mind after leaving."
Schult's explanation continued.
"The key clue is that Bryce hasn't been caught by other Executioners yet. He vanished near El Sion, and that's when the mages started disappearing. From the Holy Kingdom's perspective, he's useful if handled right. They might've lured him back with promises of reinstatement and ousting that cardinal, in exchange for gathering mages as sacrifices."
Schult's theory: Bryce vanished near El Sion after heading south. Afterward, El Sion mages began vanishing one by one.
'It's suspicious, alright.'
Especially that the Holy Kingdom hadn't reclaimed the Execution Sword in over a year. If the Pope willed it, tracking him down wouldn't take long. Yet the 13th Executioner seat remained vacant, and Bryce was still free.
"Sacrifices are more valuable the younger the victim, even at the same circle. More potential. El Sion is crawling with such raw gems."
"You keep mentioning sacrifices, but why..."
Licht's eyes widened briefly then narrowed. Something clicked from Schult's words.
"...Demons."
"Or resurrection spells. High-tier holy rituals require mass sacrifices."
"Someone wants to bring back the dead?"
"Whether it's the former Executioner or the Pope who wants someone revived. Anyway."
Tap, tap.
"In summary: Bryce, passed over for Anima, flees with his Execution Sword. The Holy Kingdom plans to kill him but reconsiders. He vanishes near El Sion, and they need mages for sacrifices—Pope's orders or not. They decide to use him."
The table-thumping echoed.
"Some deal was struck. 'We'll reinstate you as Executioner and give you Anima. Bring us mages. Want revenge? We'll take the knight who stole your spot and his cardinal father's heads.' Something like that."
Licht looked up sharply.
"Any proof?"
"None. That's why it's a theory."
"We don't even know why the Holy Kingdom would gather sacrifices. Not for just one person."
"Does it matter? What matters is they're likely to strike again. Sending a once-excommunicated Executioner means they can disavow it later as rogue action."
Even if diplomatic issues arose, they could use the excommunication as leverage.
"Perfect scapegoat. In this region, only the Palenia Holy Kingdom fits a group doing human sacrifices. One piece alone is nothing, but it all fits suspiciously."
I might be overthinking, but what if? Schult added.
Licht nodded inwardly. Whatever the goal, the high likelihood of another incident remained.
Pondering, Licht finally spoke.
"If they strike next..."
"Likely semifinals or finals."
Schult pulled out a sheet from below—the Cherbito bracket. Updated with today's results, unlike Licht's copy.
"Mages under twenty who reached 4th Circle. And two 5th Circle mages. If Bryce is the culprit, perfect sacrifices. Easier to ambush mages than knights."
He traced the bracket with a finger.
Licht countered, "Plenty of senior mages watching. Suicide to try there... Ah."
A possibility dawned; Licht sighed. Schult smirked.
"Heh, you're quick. Yes, plenty of seniors—6th Circle old monsters scattered about. But..."
Schult leaned on the table, fingers laced.
"What if the packed stadium of tens of thousands becomes hostages?"
"......"
"Semis or finals, right before a 4th Circle matchup ends—they crash in. Perfect timing. Snatch promising mages amid the chaos."
"Convinced Palenia's behind it?"
"Absolutely. Can't do this alone. There's backing."
Schult leaned back on the sofa. Silence settled in the office. Licht stared at the table; Schult watched him.
Schult broke it first.
"This is too big. Beyond my authority. Could spark diplomacy—or worse."
"War."
"Likely. The count won't back down. So, what will you do? Picture's clear. Any plans?"
His tone tested Licht.
Licht, still gazing down, finally looked up. His pitch-black eyes were deeply shadowed.
"Elder Schult."
"Speak."
"Can I ask you to handle the spectators?"
"And you? Not planning to face the former Executioner alone, I hope?"
Despite his words, a smile played on Schult's lips.
Licht didn't answer.
"Confident, eh?"
Schult's smile deepened.
"Good. That's the spirit."
Suddenly, Schult waved his hand. Crackling, space tore open.
Thud.
A long wooden box over a meter fell onto the table.
Licht eyed it. "This is?"
"Spatial transfer artifact."
Prick!
Licht winced. A slight pain at his fingertip, blood welling.
The droplet followed Schult's gesture through the air to the box.
Whoosh!
A red rune glowed on the plain wood.
"Made it myself. Anything inside can be summoned once, anywhere, to any coordinates by the registered user."
Different principle, but akin to subspace magic. Crafting even a one-use spatial artifact proved Schult's mastery of space magic.
"No cold weapons in the arena. You're a swordsman at heart, no matter how well you wield magic."
Licht had the Azure Flower, but held his tongue.
'Two blades might be better.'
This could smuggle in the Ascension Sword. Summon it on the spot when needed. No need to reveal Azure Flower early. In a life-or-death moment, a sudden blue blade would be the sharpest dagger.
"Victims aren't few."
"......"
"They're sleepless, clinging to vain hopes their lost kin will return."
Click!
The box opened.
"Even a low-rank Executioner is one. Matches top-tier Sword Expert strength."
Schult's gaze turned deadly serious.
"Are you sure? That you can win?"
Silence fell again. But Licht's resolve was swift.
"I..."
He lifted the Ascension Sword from his waist.
"Past or present..."
The golden holy sword slid into the meter-long box.
"...have never lost."
Not in his previous life, nor now.
Snap!
The lid closed. The red rune blazed crimson, then faded.
Licht was already gone.
Gazing at the box, Schult chuckled.
"A 5th Circle high mage under twenty, killing an Executioner."
What better title? Schult laughed endlessly. His smile lingered long after.
***
Time flew faster than expected. Round of 32, 16, quarterfinals, then semifinals.
"One strike again!"
"Wasn't that opponent a 4th Circle mage?"
"Jeez... How many times now?"
"Told you! Avoid weirdos—bet on him now!"
Licht advanced unstoppable. Wind magic at the start; no one withstood a single blow. Even pre-4th Circle disciples of the three schools' elders fell to his chantless 5th Circle rush.
But Licht wasn't alone in the spotlight.
"The black-haired boy's impressive, but that silver-haired girl is no slouch."
"Pavria's second daughter, right? Really 5th Circle?"
"How else could she dominate? She's toying with them."
"I'm betting on the little miss."
Aila was formidable too. Long stabilized at 5th Circle, her edge crushed others.
"Last year's champ like me ignored for those brats?"
Elia's complaints fell on deaf ears. 4th to 5th Circle was a vast wall—why "high mage" started there.
Thus, semifinal day arrived.
[142nd Cherbito Semifinals. Beginning now.]
Roooar—!
The circular arena brimmed beyond the first day's crowd. A sea of packed spectators. Even a young girl visible in the VIP seats.
"Hey, up there!"
"Princess Malyangwang herself. What wind blows her here?"
"Wasn't it finals tomorrow?"
"Then the Fredericksen count too?"
"Nah, not yet. Soon, maybe."
Whispers swelled into uproar. The arena buzzed with anticipation before the first match.
A bit earlier, outside.
"Halt! This is the semifinal waiting area entrance. State your identity."
A boy approached belatedly.
"Am I late?"
"...Pardon?"
"Lower your hood."
The two guards demanded.
The boy complied meekly.
"Eh...?"
"Gasp!"
Recognizing him, their eyes bulged.
"Participant in this semifinal."
The boy stated calmly.
"Licht Sientia."