Reward and Wish
Reward and Wish
But Canaria was no blacksmith. And from her perspective, Holy Iron was something she could produce as much as she wanted. Of course, that was thanks to Rosaria's immense divine power. After all, previous Saints had never been able to mass-produce Holy Iron—it could only be produced in small quantities, and only when absolutely necessary.
Thus, no one had been able to extract enough to forge a sword. At most, they managed to create one or two small holy relics, and the Saints of ancient times simply used the Holy Iron left behind by Solomon to craft various holy relics—which was why a second holy sword hadn't appeared for so long.
But things were different now. Rosaria's divine power far surpassed that of all previous Saints... so she could easily mass-produce Holy Iron as if it were nothing.
"Is this enough?"
"...This is more than I deserve, Saintess."
"Then consider the rest as payment."
A mountain of Holy Iron. Canaria had no experience in forging, but she knew a bit about it. So she had prepared a generous amount, figuring trial and error would consume some. But from Kal's perspective, all he could do was express his overwhelming gratitude. This much Holy Iron... it was an enormous quantity—one that would require melting down dozens of holy relics to obtain. He felt nothing but ecstasy at the sight of such a mountain of Holy Iron, the likes of which he had never seen in his life.
"...Then I'll take my leave."
Canaria disappeared after saying that. Once she arrived in the Holy Kingdom, she began examining the various masterpieces she had obtained from the war, handling them one after another. But as expected, the moment they came into contact with the Demon King's authority, they began to corrode. So she quickly changed tack and repaired the corrosion using the Saint's authority.
Then she swung the now-restored masterpieces again, testing their performance. Canaria assessed their cutting power and durability by channeling mana to cut through trees, for instance.
"...Well, they're at a usable level."
It was the kind of remark that would make the creators' blood boil if they heard it. But they couldn't complain. After all, Canaria could reduce those masterpieces to dust if she felt like it. From Canaria's perspective, their anger would only be justified once they had forged a sword that could withstand the Demon King's authority—only then would it be worth her while.
Moreover, if she had the Demon King's authority from the very beginning, she wouldn't have needed swords at all. But Canaria wished to refrain from using divine power as much as possible, so she was learning various techniques. For the time being, she moved while holding the masterpieces she had, using countless memories as her teacher. Canaria imitated the movements.
The imitation was successful. Just seeing something once, she could replicate it with over ninety percent accuracy; after three times, she could match the movements exactly. However, she couldn't reach the mental image and the subtle logic behind them. That was Canaria's weakness. Still, since she could copy the movements precisely, she could enter the realm of a first-rate fighter, or even slightly above.
And this time, she tried mixing in divine power. She didn't infuse it with Corruption. She simply forced herself to raise her skill to their level and walked that path... but still, the mental image wouldn't come.
However, because her ability to imitate was on another level, she could even manifest Sword Energy, and in that moment of infusing divine power, Canaria succeeded in reaching the realm of a Sword Master.
"...How irritating."
She hated that she could only reach that stage by using divine power. The path was open, and she had the talent to follow it. Yet Canaria truly couldn't understand the mental image and logic contained in those movements. She couldn't grasp the intensely personal, abstract philosophy born from the uniquely self-centered mindset of those who had reached the peak.
"...The Hero just kept saying the same thing." She truly hated that phrase, 'You'll understand once you try.' The unhelpful explanation typical of the naturally gifted. But indeed, the peak was the peak because not just anyone could reach it... The mindset of those chosen by talent, born with it, and who also put in the effort—that was not something an ordinary person could comprehend.
So Canaria ended today's training. After all, even training would exhaust the body if overdone. For now, she planned to conduct a philosophical dissection of that mental image, to understand it. But her mind and body were weary from trying to forcibly reach that truth... so she headed to the place she always went to soothe herself.
"...Aah, iea ange aao, oaia." (Translation) ...Haa, now I feel like I can live, Rosaria.
She simply buried her face in Rosaria's chest.
Rosaria responded to the sensation. As expected, she stroked Canaria's hair, comforting her weary mind and body—for her lover, who had worked so hard for her sake. The effect was tremendous, and Canaria immediately relaxed. Melted, Canaria nuzzled against her, savoring the happiness.
But then a lightning bolt flashed in Canaria's mind. Come to think of it, she had never asked Rosaria. She too possessed a vastly different, heterogeneous talent... As soon as she realized she had never consulted her about this, Canaria asked Rosaria.
"...Now that I think about it, Rosaria."
Canaria asked Rosaria how she had reached that stage. After all, she too had used the same divine power, and she knew that Rosaria's divine power was superior in completeness, so she intended to seek advice.
"...Well."
But this time, Rosaria found it difficult to explain. After all, it was a power granted by the divine from birth. Rosaria felt it was akin to asking how to breathe properly... so all she could do was apologize for not being able to offer helpful words, and comfort her.
"...It's alright."
Canaria clicked her tongue, as if disappointed. So Rosaria found it hard to explain as well, she thought. Deeply convinced that the only way to reach the end of providence and reason was to realize it oneself, she hugged her even tighter, recharging her depleted Rosarium beyond its limits.
And then Rosaria spoke.
"...So, how is your condition, Canaria?"
Because from Rosaria's perspective, that was the most important thing. Rosaria didn't want a situation like last time, where she coughed up blood or fainted.
"...I'm fine."
"...It's not a lie, is it?"
"...I promise."
Since Rosaria had already seen her in that state once, her anxiety didn't disappear. She trusted her, but... she feared Canaria might be lying for her sake again, so she confirmed once more. Only after hearing the word 'promise' did Rosaria feel relieved enough to embrace Canaria.
"If it's hard, don't overdo it."
And Rosaria told Canaria that she could rest anytime. After all, the subjugation of the North could be postponed. Moreover, creating Paradise was Rosaria's mission, not Canaria's—she didn't want to see Canaria overexerting herself in her stead to fulfill that mission.
But Canaria's position was different. She was doing all of this because she wanted to. It was for Rosaria's sake—an effort to lessen her burden—so Canaria pushed herself a little. It wasn't out of a sense of responsibility or obligation toward the Saint's authority. After all, she was not the Saint. With a demonic mindset of only doing what she desired, with Rosaria at the center of it all, she had simply rolled up her sleeves to help with Rosaria's mission.
"Canaria, you've already worked hard enough."
Still, Rosaria wanted her to rest. Because Rosaria had felt painfully how important a Vessel was. The guilt she felt toward Canaria, whose Vessel had been heavily burdened and even her life threatened by her own irresponsible transfer, was deeper than the ocean.
"...Will you give me a reward, then?"
Canaria's eyes sparkled slightly.
"...As long as it's not something strange, I'll give you anything."
Rosaria felt quite uneasy at those words. But to refuse Canaria's request... Rosaria was deeply in her debt. Moreover, hadn't she bound herself with chains that day, vowing to live in atonement for her? She intended to grant any request that didn't cross the line... and even if it did cross the line, Rosaria was willing to overlook it to some extent, and allow herself to be persuaded.
And then Canaria voiced her wish.
"...Then marry me when this year is over."
Canaria spoke of the wish she had cherished every single day.
But it was a request that amounted to coercion.
Originally, the time Canaria had set was after a safe Paradise was created and they came of age. But that timing was quite uncertain... Canaria no longer had the patience to wait for a moment that might never clearly arrive.
"Canaria, that's coming of age..."
"...That doesn't matter at all."
Rosaria, flustered, tried to persuade her.
But Canaria's attitude was firm. After all... if not for the Holy Kingdom's rules, they were already more than old enough. Moreover, Canaria could change such rules as she pleased. She had even changed the appearance of the Saint; there was no way she couldn't change the criteria for adulthood.
The only reason she hadn't done so was that Rosaria disliked changing established rules. But Canaria seized this opportunity. She bit down hard on that promise of a reward.
"...Alright."
Only then did Rosaria realize she had been had by Canaria. But she didn't feel the slightest displeasure. Rather, she could see how desperate Canaria was, and how long she had endured.