Senses Gradually Dulling
More than two weeks had passed since he'd begun his quiet convalescence in bed. After emerging from the library, Licht ventured outside every day. Once his body had nearly fully recovered, he headed to the backyard to swing his sword. There was no need for permission—the abbess had agreed so readily it almost made him wonder if it was truly alright. Thanks to her, eating the breakfast the girl brought and then taking a short stroll before heading to the backyard had become part of his daily routine.
Strapping the Ascension Sword to his waist.
My body feels heavy, but...
Still, it was better than doing nothing. This wasn't training to reach a higher realm. It was to sharpen his dulled senses. Lying still made them inevitably blunt. He was simply performing the sword techniques he already knew, without mana and without strain—more rehabilitation than practice. Licht knew this, so he didn't push himself.
The morning light broke.
As always, he stepped out alone toward the backyard. No one was around.
"......"
The abbess hadn't lied when she said it was a good place for recovery. Hyeris Convent, so detached from the secular world, had a way of naturally soothing the mind.
Standing in one corner of the backyard, Licht slowly drew the Ascension Sword from his waist. A clear metallic ring accompanied the emergence of its golden blade. The grip felt somewhat unfamiliar. Licht let the sword hang in his right hand and closed his eyes.
It's fine for now, but...
He always assumed the worst. Especially since Jack and Ranin had died.
Swinging the sword wasn't just to hone his senses. Over the past two weeks, he'd received utmost hospitality at this convent, but he couldn't guarantee it would last forever.
Does the Papal Court know where I am?
The traces had vanished about a day's journey south of Bailen. And now, the place where Licht stayed was a convent deep in the northwestern forests of the Holy Kingdom. No ordinary method could pinpoint his location.
But Licht didn't let his guard down. That triangular tracking relic used by the former 4th Seat Executor. It had been completely destroyed in the battle's aftermath, but the Holy Kingdom's reports might include another one. Even if not, someone staying at the convent might grow suspicious of Licht and tip off the Papal Court.
But he quickly shook his head inwardly.
The abbess...
She's not the type. There was no evidence. Yet Licht was certain she wouldn't. Call it intuition. Over the past ten years, he'd seen every sort of person. The expressions and words the abbess had shown him held no falsehood.
The Saintess, too...
If she were that sort, she wouldn't have saved him collapsed in the forest to begin with. The other nuns, novice nuns, and children couldn't inform the Papal Court even if they wanted to. Unless they were the abbess or Saintess, they lacked direct lines to the Court.
And even if they somehow found out and came.
Unless they're Executors...
He could kill them all. In the worst case, he'd leave the convent.
"Hoo..."
Licht slowly raised the lowered Ascension Sword. His inhaled and exhaled breaths were calm. He didn't rotate his circles. Only the first one he'd ever woven was active. It would take a bit more time to release the second ring. No straining.
He stepped forward. The blade tip curved. He swung the Ascension Sword as his body led. The first form flowed into the second seamlessly, as if they'd always been one—like water gliding without interruption.
Golden sword light etched into the air. In this moment, he and the sword felt as one.
And then.
Woooong—
Mana stirred. The activated first circle began to rotate slowly, as if awakening from deep slumber. At the fingertips of his right hand gripping the hilt, a faint hazy glow gathered. It slowly wrapped around the blade, then ignited white-hot.
His quickening breath and the first circle spinning fiercely. That was when Licht abruptly halted his sword dance.
Whoosh—
"Uwaaak!"
The bushes rustled. A single gust swept through the surroundings.
"Come out."
A voice cold as frost. Unable to steady themselves, three children hiding there tumbled out. Startled by the sudden wind, they'd glanced around wildly before spotting Licht looking down at them. They grinned sheepishly.
"Haha... w-we got caught..."
"See, I told you this would happen."
"Oppa! You're the one the Saintess brought, right?"
"Hey, Emma!"
"What? We came here for this anyway, didn't we?"
Licht hadn't even spoken, yet they chattered among themselves. Two boys and one girl.
I wondered how long they'd watch.
While staying at the convent, he'd long noticed the curious stares directed his way. And among them, these three particularly inquisitive kids had been tailing him.
The children at the convent varied in age. Some were just learning to walk, others hitting puberty. Hyeris Convent took in lost lambs regardless of origin, but they couldn't stay forever. Unless becoming novice nuns, all children had to leave at fifteen. With a bit of money, they'd venture into the world and find paths suited to their talents. Especially the boys—many aimed for holy knights of the Palenian Holy Kingdom.
Though only a few actually become knights.
Liking and excelling are different. Many must have despaired at the wall of talent.
Licht wasn't fond of children. But as someone under the abbess and Saintess's favor, he didn't want needless friction. That's why he'd left them be, assuming they'd tire and go home quietly.
But these three hadn't budged. So he'd used wind magic at the end. Even with one circle, it was enough to startle a few kids.
They looked about twelve or thirteen—likely the oldest at the convent.
"H-how did you know? We were totally quiet."
The big but timid-looking boy asked. The response came not from Licht, but the lively girl.
"Idiot. It was wind magic. You didn't even know that?"
"Wind magic...?"
"Ugh. What were you doing when the nuns taught you?"
"I thought he was a swordsman..."
The last boy had hair spiking up front, giving him a mischievous look. Smaller than the timid one but better balanced. His face was full of disappointment, like he'd been betrayed.
Licht looked down at the three and spoke flatly.
"Did you get permission to follow?"
"Huh?"
"If not, go back."
He sheathed the drawn Ascension Sword with perfect posture.
Ching—
The golden blade vanished. At the sight, the boy who'd been slouched lit up.
"Holy knight..."
"......?"
"You're a holy knight, right? I can tell just from how you wield the sword. No way you're a mage."
"What are you talking about? Didn't you see the magic earlier?"
"Maybe it was just a random gust..."
"He's a holy knight, I tell you!"
They bantered back and forth a few more times. The mischievous one was named Willie, the big timid one Ben, and the girl Emma. Licht hadn't asked, nor cared to know, but the energetic Emma blurted it out herself.
"So, are you really a holy knight from the Papal Court?"
After much chatter, Ben asked with shining eyes. Licht was already walking away, ignoring the kids. Yet the curious trio trailed persistently, peppering him with questions.
"No."
Finally, Licht answered curtly, thinking of the abbess and Saintess in his mind.
"He says no..."
"See? He's a mage."
"So the Saintess brought a total stranger?"
It was well-known that Anima, the Saintess's guard knight, was from the Knight Secreta. Willie, who dreamed of joining the Secreta someday like her, felt a pang of disappointment.
Then, the leading Licht stopped. Before they knew it, he and the three kids had left the backyard and stood before the convent building.
Licht said shortly,
"Morning prayer time's starting soon."
"Ah...!"
Emma's eyes widened as she gasped. Unlike before, the yard was empty. After breakfast came a short prayer session.
"Willie, Ben! Hurry! We'll get in trouble if we're late!"
"Wait, I still have questions..."
"Bye, oppa! See you later!"
The persistent kids finally peeled away. Emma grabbed Willie and Ben by the collars, practically dragging them.
The nuns weren't always soft on the children. Many veteran ones were strict.
"......"
Licht watched their retreating figures briefly before entering the building. As always, his destination was the large library tucked in the corner.
***
"Your recovery is incredibly fast, as expected. I think you can stop wrapping the bandages now."
In the cozy room provided to Licht, the sun had set, and dusk faded. The girl, unwinding the bandages, said so. Unlike before, no scabs remained. Just looking at his exposed upper body showed it. The wounds had healed, leaving only red traces of new flesh. Over them hovered a golden glow. After the executioner's holy power burrowed into his skin vanished, the girl had started using her own holy power instead of ointment. A warm light spread across his body. It was utterly different in scale and nature from Archbishop Sernos's holy power he'd fought before. Somehow, he'd come to look forward to these moments.
"There, all done."
The girl beamed radiantly. Licht, who'd been gazing at her face, lowered his eyes. Not only the wounds—even the scars were completely gone. No lingering aftereffects. The only remaining issue was his four tangled circles. That was for him to resolve with time. If anything, he was curious how he'd untangled the rampaging seven circles.
Licht slipped back on his shirt from the bed's edge.
"This is tonight's dinner."
The girl offered a tray. Once his body had recovered enough, it was proper meals instead of porridge. Bread with jam and stew with a few bits of meat—not bad, no complaints. By commoner standards, it was quite good. It was strange they'd show this much hospitality to a total outsider.
He ate in silence; the girl sat demurely on the chair beside the bed.
So much I want to ask...
Countless questions. Why she'd brought him here. Why she'd refused Anima and left the Papal Court for this remote convent. Whether she knew his identity—and if so, why pretend otherwise.
But he didn't ask. It felt pointless. He could guess the answer already.
Setting down his spoon, Licht turned to meet the eyes of the girl—the Holy Kingdom's Saintess—sitting beside him. As always, she gazed at him with a faint smile.
"...I want to send a letter."
"A letter?"
Licht, who'd set down his spoon, asked. The girl tilted her head.
"To send correspondence, you'd need to go to a city."
"The nearest city from here is..."
"So come with me."
"......?"
Licht gave her a puzzled look.
"We go down to the city once a month. We need more than a few supplies to feed and clothe the children."
Tomorrow was that day... The girl trailed off. Yet her gaze never left Licht.
After a moment's thought, Licht nodded. Only then did she smile brightly, as if she'd gotten the answer she wanted.