Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Knight King and the Play
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*
Abelessa looked at the food the priests had provided and spoke in a refined voice.
"Are you rabbits or something?"
"···?"
She glanced down at the plate of boiled potatoes, wild greens, and tough rye bread, then tapped the hardened surface of the bread with her fingertip.
"I crave venison. Have you ever tried it?"
"···No?"
"You're living a life as dry and tough as this bread. Venison has such a beautiful balance of muscle and fat. The firm parts are perfect for chewing, and the soft oils glide down smoothly. I miss salt and pepper."
Fernandez stared at her face, and Abel's cheeks flushed slightly.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Oh, nothing... I was just wondering if you passed the screening smoothly."
"Of course I did. As the collaborator endorsed by a saint, there's no way I'd be deemed a heretic."
Abel grinned mischievously, tore off a piece of bread, and began mashing the boiled potato with her spoon.
"I never imagined you'd be a saint of Beitasser. I have so many questions for you. So, what's this about? Did you come because you were worried about me?"
The heresy screening had taken longer than expected, so Fernandez had brought Abel a late lunch. She seemed to have no appetite and smeared the mashed potato around the bowl, doodling pictures.
"Didn't you say you were completely ignorant of the material world's affairs?"
"Indeed, I did."
"Then how on earth did you pass the screening so smoothly···?"
That was what Fernandez had worried about most. Abel lacked common sense from modern society. How had she navigated the Inquisition's deep screening? He'd even been prepared to pull her out using the saint's authority if things went wrong.
"I was trained in swordsmanship by the Elven Wildprince and aided you with my martial prowess. It was by the command of the Elfin Serpentking. Though I was assigned as your watcher, I was a human 'maiden' swayed by you and converted to Beitasser."
Abel emphasized the odd parts and glanced at Fernandez's reaction. When he nodded nonchalantly, her expression soured a bit.
"That's pretty detailed."
"Indeed. One of my hobbies was watching human theater."
"Do you actually know swordsmanship?"
"···? This won't do. Come with me."
Abel laughed playfully, set down her utensils, and stood. It was a sudden challenge, but Fernandez shrugged and rose. Assessing her full capabilities was important, especially since she couldn't always operate in dragon form.
*
"If I win, offer me some venison. Ah, do all the priests here eat like this?"
"From the abbot on down, yes."
"Truly, as frugal as ever in pointless ways. Children need good food to grow strong."
It was a commonsense remark he hadn't heard in ages amid priests who believed divine blessings made the body grow. Fernandez thought this two-thousand-year-old dragon was more sensible as he raised his wooden training sword.
The Religiosa Demonica's [Outdoor Hall of Hymns] was filled with exercising Demonica. They watched Abel and Fernandez—now drawing their weapons—with interest, hoisting dumbbells or loading barbells on their backs.
"I'll bet 150kg for three sets on our brother's victory!"
"Oh, brother. That woman says she learned swordsmanship directly from the Wildprince! I'll bet 65kg for ten sets on her win!"
The Demonica laughed their usual mad laughs. Fernandez ignored them, drew his wooden training sword, and Abel smiled softly.
"Come, take your stance. I'll critique it myself."
Fernandez glared at her provocation and gripped the hilt. Abel shook her head with an "Ah-ah."
"Your shoulders are too tense. That's typical of you Inquisitors. What you're holding is a one-handed sword. Relax your grip a bit more and loosen your shoulders."
"···You seem quite knowledgeable about swordsmanship?"
"Of course? Did you think that child, Dain, learned the sword all by himself?"
The Knight King Dane had a legend of learning swordsmanship and chivalry from the Lake Goddess in his youth. Fernandez tilted his head, staring at her, and her smile deepened.
-Whoosh.
She swung the wooden sword lightly, pointing the tip at Fernandez. There was no sign of attack or intent from her.
Fernandez frowned slightly and assumed his stance. Strike first to win. His basic tactic was always preemptive attack. Unless forced into a counter, the best was to strike when the opponent was off-guard or unable to respond—ambush and end it!
-Clang!!
"Urk!"
Fernandez's sword bounced off into empty air. The wooden sword's unique elasticity vibrated through his wrist. Immense power! He heard the Demonica cheering "Ooh."
"This is how you deflect an attack met with brute force."
Abel spoke like a teacher. She whispered softly, spun her sword, and shifted stance. It was clearly the same wooden sword, yet hers rippled like waves reaching a serene lake.
"Try again."
"Hup!"
Fernandez charged with a scowl. The same strike! But this was a feint. Starting with a vertical overhead slash, he'd twist opposite the opponent's blade trajectory and—
-Whoosh!!!
Abel's sword traced a wide horizontal arc toward his. Fernandez halted mid-swing, twisted his waist, and attempted a sudden lateral cut.
A erratic counter born of Demonica dynamic vision and elastic core strength!
But Abel's sword undulated like a wave, wrapped around his, and flicked it upward. Her delicate fingers extended lightly, tapping near the unguarded Fernandez's chest.
-Clang!!
"Guak!!"
Fernandez's body flew back, rolling roughly across the ground. He sprang up, planting a hand. The sudden strike disrupted his breath, lungs contracting harshly.
"Cough, urk. How...?"
"At least among your age group, you have no equal. Your basics are solid. Must be thanks to that 'blessing' you Inquisitor kids get."
Abel approached slowly, brushed the dirt from his body, and said.
"Martial arts developed to overcome the flesh's disadvantages. Is human strength greater than a bear's? A troll? An ogre? A giant? Even someone bulkier than you is tough. Vision, reflexes, strength, stamina—stronger beings outnumber the weak for humans."
The Demonica brothers flinched at her words. Bears, trolls, ogres were manageable···? One hefted a massive dumbbell thoughtfully.
"Technique evolves from necessity against limits. Fernandez, your body has somewhat transcended human limits and will further do so. But remember."
She picked up the fallen wooden sword and placed it back in his hand.
"Don't get lost in your potential. Always aim higher, broaden your view. Ceaselessly onward—that's you humans, isn't it?"
The dragon who loved humans smiled. She reached out gently, stroking Fernandez's hair. Shorter than him by a handspan, she had to stretch up.
Fernandez looked down into her sparkling blue eyes. He suddenly felt like a green 16-year-old. His lips dried. He forced out words.
"Shall we finish our meal?"
Abel's eyes curved softly, gleaming deeply. She whispered to him.
"Dragons are carnivores."
*
In the end, Abel settled for dried jerky. The jerky issued to Inquisitors on missions was horrifically tough, crusted with salt. She chewed it raw without grilling.
"So, you're heading back to Dain's country?"
"Yes. I need your help absolutely."
The plan had been built assuming Abel's aid from the start. There were things only she—the progenitor king's teacher and grandmother—could do.
"Here."
"Hm··· The script of this era differs from what I know··· somewhat frivolous vocabulary."
Abel took the report from Fernandez with a dubious expression and read it.
*
[Investigation Report: Cardus Barony Abandoned Silver Mine]
Investigation Area: Eastern and western Cardus Barony, Kingdom of Dane, abandoned silver mine.
Investigation Summary: Probe into serial disappearances near the area and local rumors regarding them.
Investigation Progress:
1) Eyewitness reports from locals near abandoned silver mine of emerald-green phantoms and "chilling laughter."
2) Investigated 5 checkpoints from eyewitness sites. No significant findings.
3) Investigated disappearance sites. No significant findings.
4) Encountered bandits near abandoned silver mine. Brief skirmish, then retreat.
5) Requested bandit suppression from Baron Cardus (Attachment 1)
6) Confirmed suppression, searched hideout. No significant findings.
7) No heretical activity detected in the area.
Investigation Team:
1) Heretica, Mars Antidos – Returned
2) Torchman, Grain Howzer – Returned
We shall burn demons, heretics, witches.
Lead Investigator: Heretica Mars Antidos.
*
Abel tilted her head and took another bite of jerky.
"So, in the end, nothing was found?"
"Didn't you get a 'nothing' verdict too?"
"Ouch, good hit."
Abel grinned, and Fernandez smiled back, sipping tea. He unfolded the attached map. It marked investigation sites, checkpoints, disappearance zones, bandit encounters.
"Do you remember what this region is?"
"Hm. I don't read maps well··· Humans maps all look the same."
"Its old name was 'Black Valley.'"
"···Ah."
Abel finally widened her eyes, scanning the map. She nodded, tracing the area.
"Yes. Yes. If this was originally a river, mountains above··· and no village here, it kinda looks like it?"
Abel hummed nostalgically.
"Yes··· Black Valley. Such a creepy place. So, you think it's those guys' doing?"
"How could it be? Nearly two thousand years have passed. But I suspect something."
During Knight King Dane's wandering youth, legends told of countless monsters he slew, one slumbering in this Black Valley. Fernandez's mind replayed the Knight King's saga.
Undead, swamp beasts, hill giants, buried cults. The king's heroic tales were Dane Kingdom's most popular stories, the royal house's pride. So famous, no one nearby remained ignorant.
What if such rumors spread? A boy blessed by a dragon and divine favor slays undead, swamp beasts, hill giants, saves the people.
The Reincarnation of King Dane.
That was the journey's first goal.
-How shameless, Fernandez. Playing the hero.
Feizashi guffawed, loathing it yet finding it hilarious.