Chapter 104
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 104
Chapter Title: The Southern Great Forest
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1.
...Are you truly going to let them go like this, Saint?
We must, Sir Hapiel.
Eliya let out a small sigh as he watched the elves and Karrons party rapidly disappear into the distance.
The monsters that had filled this foul fortress had already been mostly dealt with, but the soldiers of the Holy Kingdom could not recklessly charge after the elves.
My apologies, Saint. I never imagined that wicked man, Karron Leston, would launch such a surprise attack
Hapiel bit his lip, looking down at his bandaged abdomen.
The wound hadnt healed properly, even after Eliya had treated it himself.
The Saint possessed a divine power capable of reattaching a severed arm.
A simple sword wound should have been trivial to heal, but for some reason, this particular injury refused to mend.
Sir Hapiel.
Eliya called his name softly.
Hapiel bowed his head in response.
Yes, Saint.
It was simply that your skills were lacking. I will permit no more excuses. Return and recuperate.
Hapiel was a talent the Holy Kingdom took pride in.
His swordsmanship was exceptional, as was his ability to wield divine power.
Eliya had never doubted that Hapiel would grow to become a holy knight, one who would stand at the forefront of the coming holy war.
But not anymore.
Karron Lestons demonic sword had left a fatal scar on Hapiels body.
Though he hadnt told Hapiel yet.
Even wielding divine power will become difficult for him.
The shining talent had already been broken.
The wound remaining on his abdomen.
The demonic swords aura, spreading from that wound, had already left his circuits permanently crippled.
It is undoubtedly a demonic sword.
A sword possessing such power could be nothing else.
Rejoice while you can, Karron Leston.
Eliyas gaze followed Karrons party once more.
He may have let them go today, but things would be different the next time they met.
Perhaps this encounter had been a blessing in disguise.
It had allowed him to realize just how dangerous and profane a being Karron Leston truly was.
Though it was a surprise attack, his skill was enough to pierce Hapiel with a single strike.
And his unholy mana corroded even divine power.
The real problem was that the one wielding such power was merely seventeen years old.
He was already such a terrifying being; with enough time, he would surely grow into an even greater monster.
I will not stand idly by.
Karron Leston was already an enemy of the Holy Kingdom.
There would be no place for him in the justice they pursued.
Nodding, Eliya looked at the Inquisitor, Johan, who stood behind him.
What is Karron Lestons current position within the Leston Duchy?
A considerable amount of authority has been concentrated in the hands of Karron Lestons father, Peil Leston. As a result, the succession, which was leaning toward the first son, has become muddled.
So Grand Duke Halo is backing Karron Leston.
That would be a fair assessment.
The Leston Ducal Family was a house that not even the Holy Kingdom could treat lightly.
The current head of the family, Halo Leston.
He was the man who, fifty years ago, had earned the title of Hero from the Holy Kingdom for thwarting the Evil Emperors wicked schemes.
He was, by name and by right, the strongest on the continent.
This meant he was a politically burdensome figure to make an enemy of. Therefore, targeting Grand Duke Halo directly was impossible.
But that didnt mean there was no room to intervene.
After a moment of thought, Eliya spoke in a low voice.
As soon as we return, we shall send an official notice to the Leston Duchy.
The fact that Karron Leston had driven his sword into Hapiels body was an undeniable truth.
It was not unreasonable to hold him accountable.
Karron Leston will come to regret his rash decision.
The Holy Kingdoms power did not lie solely in its divine might.
The faithful, spread across the entire continentthey were the true strength of the Holy Kingdom.
They would spread rumors among the believers that Karron Leston was the wielder of a demonic sword, and through that, tarnish his name.
And in that situation, what if they were to extend a hand to Grand Duke Halos other sons, who were vying for the succession?
Karrons standing within the family would naturally diminish.
When that happened, Karron Leston would no longer be able to receive the familys protection.
You will regret making an enemy of us.
Even if he was a scion of the great Leston Duchy, before the will of the radiant light, he was nothing but a mere mortal.
That was why Eliya had willingly endured the recent humiliation.
For a world that followed only the light, he was always prepared to lay down his life.
Now, it is time to put an end to this disgusting place.
Fwoosh-!
A sacred flame erupted from his body.
The Sacred Flame.
The holy fire that purifies all evil instantly began to engulf the fortress of flesh.
No one would be able to defy the light.
No one.
2.
Im a little worried about making an enemy of the Holy Kingdom.
Rion glanced back, perched atop a white wolf.
Its fine, Sister. I was the only villain, right? It shouldnt cause you any trouble.
Were family, Karron. Harm to you is harm to us.
Is that so?
He and Hugo shared the same parents, so why was Rion so different?
That guy Hugo always seemed to be subtly wary of him.
Karron knew Rions words were sincere.
Thinking back, she had been like this since he first arrived at Azurecastle.
Rion was the only one at the dinner table who had shown any curiosity toward him.
Although they hadnt spent much time together because she left on a mission right after, she had always shown him kindness whenever they met.
Your enemy is my enemy, Karron.
Thats a little embarrassing.
Because I know that following you will lead me to where I want to go.
He realized he had never once asked about her dream.
But Karron had a good idea of what her goal was.
The perfection of the sword, I bet.
She was always serious when it came to the sword.
She constantly sought to improve her swordsmanship and found fulfillment in it.
The word warrior seemed to fit her perfectly.
Possessing both passion and talent, Rion was certain to reach great heights.
I should try to get some World Tree Dew if I can.
Rion and Leo growing stronger was a welcome development for Karron as well.
After all, one couldnt do everything alone.
And I can just dump all the annoying work on them.
Of course, that was the real reason.
As Karrons party was exchanging such talk,
Theres the Great Forest.
In the distance, a forest of towering trees came into view.
The vegetation was distinctly different from the surrounding areas.
It was the Southern Great Forest, a wood blessed by the World Tree.
Theres no need to be tense.
Orion, who had sidled up next to Karron, spoke while holding the wolfs reins.
I can feel the spirits welcoming you. It seems the pure mana of the Leston family is appealing to them.
The spirits are better than humans, then. Those fanatics back there looked like they wanted to eat me alive, didnt they?
You state the obvious. The spirits are beings that cannot be compared to the likes of fanatics.
Orion said with a faint smile.
Were about an hour from Gallad. There wont be any immediate danger, so Id like to ask a few questions, if I may.
Go ahead, make yourself comfortable.
Orion nodded, then immediately directed his questions to Karron.
I was wondering if Lady Poina is well.
Oh, you know Lady Poina?
She is the one who ventured into the human world alone to save our kin who were captured by humans. How could I not know of her?
Lady Poina is always doing well.
With that, Karron began to tell Orion about what had transpired.
From the moment he met Poina to the most recent rescue of Neria.
Orion listened to the story in silence.
Especially when the topic of Neria came up, a fierce anger was palpable on his face.
So it was true. It was human knights who took Neria, wasnt it?
Neria should be under Lady Poinas protection in Thebe by now, so dont worry. Oh, and I killed that bastard, Marquis Leandro, for you.
You did for us what we should have done ourselves. We will be sure to repay this debt.
I didnt exactly do it for the elves, you know?
The result is that you avenged us. It is only right that we offer something in return.
Just then, Leo, who had been listening to Orion and Karrons conversation, spoke with a pale face.
Karron. Did you just say you killed Marquis Leandro? I didnt mishear that, did I?
Utulla answered for him in a booming voice.
I saw it with my own eyes! Karron Leston beheaded the wicked lord!
Wow, you crazy bastard. Hey, Utulla. Then you
Karron saved me in Leben! That is why I am repaying his kindness!
Leo was no longer the clueless boy he once was.
He could fully anticipate the consequences of such an act.
His missions had considerably broadened his understanding of the world.
The Empire must be in an uproar by now.
To brand a marquis a traitor and kill him.
It was hard to believe all that had happened in just two days.
And above all.
His scale has gotten even bigger in four years.
The sheer scale of the trouble Karron caused.
That was what was truly terrifying.
In contrast to the horrified Leo, Rion gave a small nod and praised Karron.
You killed a man who deserved to die. Well done, Karron. But I have one small regret.
Whats that, Sister?
You killed him too easily. A man like that should be tied to a horse and dragged around while hes still breathing.
Hmm, Ill ask for your advice next time something similar happens.
Knights who abandon their honor are worse than beasts. Arent they the ones who shatter the dignity of all knights? They should all be hunted down and killed.
Rion exclaimed passionately, clenching her fists.
Karron looked at her and smiled.
Excellent, Sister. Thats the spirit.
Next time something like that happens, make sure you tell me first. I want to lend a hand.
Dont you worry, Sister.
Leo let out a deep sigh at the sight of the two cousins getting along so perfectly.
That bastard Karron has finally corrupted my sister.
He was sure Rion hadnt been this extreme just a few years ago.
It seemed Karrons influence on her was significant.
Although.
It does seem like a good thing.
The same could be said for Leo himself.
And so, they shared stories of what had happened in the meantime, talking about this and that until they reached the Great Forest.
Thirty minutes later.
From here on is the Southern Great Forest.
Orion stopped his wolf for a moment and addressed Karrons party.
At his words, Karron took a deep breath and looked around.
Giant trees stretching high into the sky.
And between those trees, an exceedingly pure mana could be felt.
Of course, some of the trees were tainted by black mana, but it was only to a very minor degree.
Swoosh-!
The forest, as if possessing a will of its own, was driving out the black mana.
Welcome to the Great Forest, friends.
Wow.
Karron let out a genuine sound of awe.
It was his first time in the Great Forest, but he understood at once.
I might not even need the World Tree Dew.
This abundant mana seeped into his body with every breath.
This mana surely emanated from the World Tree itself.
Elves really are a blessed race.
Karron found himself sympathizing, just a little, with the elves sense of superiority.
He might even be able to reach the 7th Star here.