The Twelfth Research - Ascension Toward Glory (3)

“Become my sword.”

“Just as you did in life. Punish the wicked, save the righteous, and guide lost souls onto the proper path.”

The Forgotten Holy King withheld his answer and assessed the situation. The proposal itself did not appeal to him. He was already weary of worldly affairs, and the mage requesting his aid possessed a soul the color of ash.

“Nor am I evil.”

“Because we share a common interest in preventing the destruction caused by the rampant spread of evil.”

The other party was a paladin.

The very first paladin, no less.

His ethical standards were extraordinarily strict.

“There is no law in Goldenhold prohibiting monopolistic practices, and their culture permits any action taken in pursuit of gold. Therefore, by the standards of Goldenhold, my actions constituted legitimate commerce.”

The paladin thundered in rebuke.

The mage did not flinch.

“That is a problem for Goldenhold’s leaders to solve. As an outsider, I merely respected the local laws and customs.”

“I am not asking you to lend me your power.”

“Take the youngest son of the Devil King as your squire.”

“The one born to the Saintess of the Sun God.”

“He wishes to save his mother from his father’s demonic grasp, but he does not know how. He is in despair. All he has ever known is the life of a devil lord’s son.”

“The only one who can teach him how to defeat his father is you. Even I, who can foresee the future, cannot accomplish that.”

Only.

The purest justice.

Could defeat the most vicious malice.

“As you said, I am not a righteous man. I accept or condone evil when necessity demands it. That is why I elevated a murderer to queen and acknowledged an archdevil as my friend. Because they were useful.”

Strategic utility.

Ruthless rationality.

Those were his weapons.

“But my weapons alone will never topple the devils. Rationality alone cannot overcome ultimate malice.”

Therefore.

A variable had to be introduced.

One neither he nor his opponent could anticipate.

“That is why the weapon I have prepared is the youngest son of the Devil King. I intend to steal the enemy’s own weapon.”

There was no reply.

He was probably organizing his thoughts.

“But even a weapon must be tempered by a master before it can truly function as one, yes? So I ask you to temper the youngest son of the Devil King. So that I may pierce ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the Devil King’s heart and destroy Hell itself.”

At last.

A grave voice rang out.

The Holy King’s voice had grown calm.

It had gone more smoothly than expected.

This would not be difficult.

…When he turned his head, he saw Lucifeles running a street stall. The fellow was using magic to disguise cheap goods as expensive ones and selling them at inflated prices.

“Magic swords personally crafted by the Grey Sage! Only one thousand gold! This opportunity doesn’t come every day! Cheap! So cheap! We’re almost sold out!”

…What the hell was he doing?

Staining his benefactor’s reputation like this.

“You’re really selling these for a thousand gold?”

“That’s right! You won’t get another chance like this!”

“It seems suspicious… I’ll come back later.”

“Customer. You wanna get hit?”

“Ah, no! I-I’ll buy it!”

“Khhahaha! A wise choice! And while you’re at it, if you also purchase a shield and armor…”

At that moment.

Heavily armed tax collectors appeared.

“Seize him! It’s a street vendor who hasn’t paid taxes!”

“Heartless bastards! Even swindlers need to eat!”

“You’ve committed tax evasion, which is far worse than simple fraud!”

The fallen archdevil engaged in a frantic chase with the tax collectors who were firing matchlock guns. The Lore Master let out a deep sigh.

Tsk tsk.

He would shake him down completely.

And fix him from the very foundation.

Using the railroad that connected the dwarves’ holds, Tellorian arrived at Runehold, ruled by the runesmiths, in just three days. It was a city of artisans where the world’s greatest masters gathered.

“The Rune Master does not meet with outsiders.”

“I am not an outsider. I am the Rune Master’s benefactor. If you deliver this to him, he will confirm it.”

The Grey Sage handed the craftsman the sacred Ark of the Covenant. The craftsman accepted it with a gruff expression and disappeared into the Rune Forge.

‘No matter how many times I see it, this place is incredible.’

Runehold was an underground city filled with smoke and the roar of hammers. Though smaller than the other dwarven holds, it was far larger and more majestic than any human city. Its residents were not limited to dwarves; anyone who wished to become an artisan was accepted without charge.

At the center of Runehold stood a colossal forge reminiscent of an industrial complex, known as the Rune Forge. However, its internal layout remained completely unknown to outsiders, as entry was strictly forbidden.

“Enter.”

Yet.

An exception had been made.

It was the first in a hundred years.

“Is it acceptable if I do not wear the blindfold?”

“It would be presumptuous to ask such a thing of our benefactor.”

Nevertheless, the artisans stopped their hammering and covered their works with tarps. Since they had shown him such consideration, he averted his gaze and resolved not to record in his journal what he had seen.

“So it is you.”

However.

He would record his conversation with the Rune Master.

It would be worth passing down to future generations.

“It is an honor to meet you, Rune Master Cainhazard.”

“Time is more precious than gold, so let us dispense with formalities. As you requested, I shall craft a sword capable of containing the most noble soul. Since the Holy King himself desires it, this humble blacksmith has no choice but to comply.”

His eyebrows rose.

Even the stubborn artisan.

“However, I am displeased.”

“Why is that?”

“All living things must eventually find rest. Yet the Holy King cannot rest even in death and must continue to exist as a weapon…”

He told him.

Of his plan.

“…”

For a moment, even the Rune Master was rendered speechless. The goal of killing the Devil King must have sounded utterly arrogant.

“Then it seems he can postpone his rest for now.”

But.

He understood the necessity.

“During the process of training the squire, the Holy King’s regrets will also be resolved. Therefore, if this endeavor succeeds splendidly… the Holy King should be able to release the resentment lodged in his heart and finally depart this world.”

…

The Rune Master remained silent.

Because he knew of the Holy King’s tragic family history.

“I hope everything goes according to your intentions.”

“Then let us begin the forging.”

“This will be one of the greatest masterpieces of my life.”

And so.

The Rune Master forged hope.

“O Holy King whose very name has been forgotten.”

The Lore Master bestowed upon it a legend.

“Though your service to this world has ended, your deeds still shine as a beacon of justice. Therefore, have mercy upon this pitiful soul born of wicked intent yet striving toward the light, and guide him to glory.”

Awaken.

O most noble paladin.

O sacred destroyer who banishes darkness!

A longsword forged from meteorite now housed the essence of a great angel. Blessed by holy water from the heavens and imbued with the power of the Ark of the Covenant, a legend was born.

The completed holy relic.

Was, at least outwardly, nothing more than a sturdy longsword.

“It is finished.”

“Thank you for your hard work, Rune Master.”

“You too possess both the skill and character worthy of being called a master. Master Artificer.”

“A master is always welcome in the Rune Forge.”

“Thank you.”

“I pray that the day comes when the sword we forged together pierces the Devil King’s heart. Please convey my regards to the Holy King as well. Then…”

The meeting was over.

And he took his leave.

“Take it.”

“It’s just a plain sword with no magic on it?”

“It may look like an ordinary blade, but it is actually a relic that will hide you from your father. So keep it with you at all times.”

Lucifeles grumbled as he fastened the sword to his belt. Seeing that he couldn’t even manage a word of thanks, it seemed devils truly knew nothing of gratitude.

‘Well, it’s a trap anyway, so it doesn’t matter.’

One should never carelessly accept items offered by a trickster. How many princes had ruined their lives by drawing cursed swords?

‘Congratulations, my friend.’

You too will soon.

Join the ranks of those whose lives were ruined by a sword.

With that.

The contingency plan for the future had been laid.

Now it was time to prepare for the decisive battle.

When he checked through the crystal orb, the roster was not bad at all.

Frankly, it was excellent.

A powerful barrier crafted by Belkan protected the Holy Mountain of the ancestors. The orc ancestors had also awakened from their eternal slumber and were prepared to join the fight.

If the orc ancestors joined the battle, the archdemon’s divine rank would be lowered on the Holy Mountain. Mortal attacks would then be able to inflict meaningful damage.

He was right.

The opponent was an 85-level archdevil.

‘A 55-level Elder Shaman or a 33-level Lore Master would die from a mere graze. A direct hit would mean certain death.’

But.

They too had an immortal on their side.

Now.

It was finally time for the decisive battle.

One month later.

All manner of mortals had gathered at the Holy Mountain of the Ancestors. Belkan, the Shaman King, had brought the orcs and was preparing defensive positions. Iron Hammer Duke Rodrick had arrived with the Essil Kingdom army. Most importantly, the legendary adventurer Alberic had arrived with his companions.

“Nice to meet you, employer.”

“I’m glad you arrived on time, Alberic.”

“We’re so busy we only ever arrive exactly on schedule.”

Alberic was a warrior who looked dangerous at a glance. He was the leader of the Adventurers’ Guild and the chosen one of the Goddess of Harmony, commonly known as the Hero.

“You said the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠payment would be after the job?”

“I needed the money for potions and equipment crafting.”

“That’s unfortunate, but it’s your business, employer…”

Crack!

Crack!

The hero loosened his muscles.

“If it’s after the job, then I’ll be charging triple the fee.”

“The hero is awfully money-hungry, isn’t he?”

“Adventures and romance both require money. A great deal of it.”

A faint smile.

He completely agreed.

“Very well. After the battle, I will pay triple.”

“I like that you don’t haggle, employer.”

“Instead, I will pay it in installments over three years.”

“Installments? Then make it four times the original amount.”

He nodded.

He accepted without complaint.

“You people are qualified.”

“This can’t be all the fighting power you have, right?”

Alberic gazed at the allied forces with a sharp eye. The kingdom army and orc forces were numerous and brave. But to the hero’s eyes, they looked like useless civilians.

“Do not worry.”

The elves are in the sky.

The stone trolls are in the forest.

And the mages are in the rear.

“I have mobilized every resource and connection I have built until now. I have invested everything I possess into this battle, just as you have.”

A faint smile.

The hero Alberic chuckled.

“This employer is actually worth working with.”

Even as they spoke, the sky was turning crimson. It was the phenomenon that occurred when devil mages used hellish power to erode reality.

“He’s coming, employer.”

“You can sense his presence too, I see. Hero.”

“Yeah… He really is an incredibly powerful bastard…”

The hero trembled as he turned his gaze toward the horizon. A pitch-black devil army finally revealed itself. Their formation was mechanical, without the slightest deviation.

“That’s why I’m getting excited.”

The villain they were about to defeat this time.

Just how many magnificent treasures would he be carrying?