Chapter 88
Chapter 88
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: Three Swords
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The silver-haired knight known as the King of the Southern Owls (Silver Owl King).
Juliana returned to the Strange mansion within Legion.
"I shall report on the results of the previous mission."
She knelt on one knee before Bess and recounted the events from start to finish—from the moment she began pursuing those called the Five Calamities to how it all concluded.
After hearing everything, Bess beckoned her with a faint smile.
"Rise."
"Yes, Captain."
"It's Commander. You're no longer just part of a single battalion; you're a member of the Holy Knights."
"My apologies, Commander. The old title slipped out."
"It's fine. By the way, there were no incidents at Strange Castle, right?"
Juliana's eyes darted back and forth like a pendulum before she gathered her thoughts and gave a concise reply.
"None, sir. The two Five Calamities I was pursuing were both trapped underground in Strange Castle. The Family Head suffered no harm."
"And Young Master Berddin?"
"He's finishing up. He said he's personally handling their interrogation."
Bess let out a sigh of relief. Those called the Five Calamities were no ordinary foes, given that they had subdued the Family Head himself, Roys.
For two of them to invade Strange Castle and be subdued without any casualties—that would be no easy feat.
That's what Bess had thought, but the outcome was better than expected.
The enemy must have been exhausted.
It made sense. After facing the Family Head, they wouldn't have the stamina or energy left to continue fighting right away.
There were few who could battle foes of this caliber one after another.
"Well done."
"Not at all, sir."
"Anything else to report?"
"...The report is complete, but there's one thing I'd like to ask."
"Ask me?"
"Yes. On the way back to Strange Castle, I spotted one of Young Master Berddin's party members..."
Juliana extended her hand forward, mimicking a grasping motion as she continued.
"He used an unexpected ability."
"What was it?"
"I'm not entirely sure. His name was Rox. He suddenly pulled a giant's hand from the ground and crushed the enemy in one go."
"A giant's hand?"
"Yes. It matched the descriptions of the legendary giant race I read about in the library at Ruines Academy."
Bess exhaled slowly and deeply before responding.
Huuu—
"Don't pry into the Young Master's party members. I don't even know what abilities they possess."
"......"
"I understand your curiosity. But we are the swords of Strange, not its brains."
"......"
"Just focus on how to cut down the enemy. Nothing else matters."
Juliana bowed her head deeply.
"Understood."
With her report finished, Juliana rose. As Bess left the room with two knights, he whispered—as if for someone to overhear.
"They say one of the Young Master's party members can control the dead."
Juliana's eyes gleamed as she watched Bess's departing back.
"Control... the dead?"
Bess arrived at Legion Square, controlled by the Imperial Army, and gazed up at the fountain shooting water high into the sky, murmuring to himself.
"Impressive as always."
He couldn't help but marvel as he recalled the string of recent events Berddin had experienced.
Half of them might be exaggerations—perhaps tall tales spun by his own party members.
That's what Bess had thought until recently.
Rumors among adventurers spread mouth-to-mouth, embellishing stories out of nothing. There were even those who earned the title "Ruler of the Graveyard" for slaying a single skeleton.
But.
Berddin, the youngest of Strange, was special. Even if every rumor was true, it wouldn't be hard to believe.
Others might not know, but Bess—who had taught him swordsmanship since childhood—did.
A talent so overwhelming it's hard to fathom.
It surpassed even his siblings: Gunter the Golden Tiger who conquered the East, Hysteria the Murder Ghost who roamed the continent like it was his playground.
And even Valentine the Red Filial Bird, the Judge of the West.
Of course.
What elevated Bess's regard for Berddin wasn't just his swordsmanship. It was his ability to read the currents of the era, evident in his actions so far.
He judged friend from foe with precision and responded flawlessly.
Not merely winning battles, but crushing enemies so they could never rise again.
Fearsome.
At just eight years old, he was already like this. How much further would he grow?
Well.
He had already mastered swordsmanship on par with Bess's own when he left the castle. No one could stand against him now when it came to the blade.
Bess, the Guardian Knight Commander of Strange, was moved—though he never spoke it aloud.
A new history is about to begin.
And he would witness its dawn alongside Berddin.
"...Fine weather today."
Bess chuckled to himself, mulling over the tales.
Dududududu.
A knight came running up breathless and saluted. Bess glanced at the red letter in his hand and lightly returned the salute.
"From Strange Castle?"
"Yes, sir!"
"Who sent it?"
"Young Master Berddin, sir."
"Berddin?"
Bess hesitated briefly before taking the red letter and examining it closely.
If Berddin had sent it, he wouldn't entrust it to a mere foot soldier.
Strange.
Doubts arose, but he didn't question the knight. Even if it was fake, showing no suspicion could deceive the enemy.
Bess alternated glances between the knight and the letter before silently breaking the seal.
Thud.
Inside was no writing—just three swords depicted. Swords bearing the Strange family crest, with orange, yellow, and green hilts.
Cynthia jabbed her finger at Rox in a fury.
"What were you thinking, letting those guys go? They'll surely bring reinforcements for revenge!"
Her reaction was perfectly understandable. Who in their right mind releases enemies without gain?
Especially before interrogation was complete.
"Berddin let them go."
"Berddin?"
"H-Hey, I never even went to the underground prison. Why are you yelling at me?"
Rox felt wronged.
He hadn't done anything, so why vent on him? He knew why, though— she couldn't lash out at Berddin or Saint Maria Theresia, so innocent Rox bore the brunt.
Anyone could see it.
Damn woman.
Saint Maria Theresia fidgeted before speaking to Cynthia.
"Um... I told Sir Berddin no further interrogation was needed."
Cynthia tilted her head in confusion.
"You did?"
"Yes. When we started, they were already resolved to die and wouldn't talk."
"Still, if we probed carefully..."
"Sir Berddin probably thought the same at first—until he learned who they worship."
"Worship?"
"Yes. I thought they were mere heretics at first. But interrogation revealed they follow someone akin to a demon."
"Who?"
Theresia opened the book she was reading to a middle page and showed it.
"This demon."
The figure on the page had a goat's head and a human-like body.
Its grotesque form featured multiple horns on its head and black wings sprouting from its back, exuding menace.
"I've heard of it. The apostle Baphomet, guardian of the tower by God's will."
"Correct."
"Once a holy guardian angel, corrupted by desire and obsession to become human—a demon."
"You know it well."
"...Yes, I heard it endlessly as a child."
Every knight in the Papal Court knew it.
It sounded like a fairy tale, but it was historical fact recorded in the royal archives.
Of course, civilians knew nothing. It was lore taught only to those who wielded holy spells.
To think there are still Baphomet worshippers.
Cynthia fell deep into thought. Demons still had followers.
The Papal Court purged hidden heretics across the continent—for instance, imprisoning Saint Joan of Arc underground.
We forgive not those who defy the High One's will and threaten continental peace.
The Emperor shared this resolve, making enforcement straightforward.
"Slaughter all heretics."
The Emperor had commanded it personally.
No need for the Pope to intervene.
In just one year after the edict, countless people died. Reasons varied by region, but all boiled down to worshipping gods other than the approved one.
Of course.
Some survived by revealing their power—like wizards or alchemists.
"What are you all discussing so seriously?"
Berddin appeared, shaking water from his freshly showered hair. Cynthia grabbed his shoulders on sight.
"Why'd you let those guys go?"
"The Five Calamities?"
"Yeah, them!"
Berddin brushed her hands off nonchalantly, toweled his hair vigorously, and sat.
"Planning to kill them."
"Kill them?"
"Yeah, all of them."
Cynthia furrowed her brow and stood before him.
"What does that mean?"
"Rox didn't tell you? I let them go on purpose."
"I-I heard, but—"
"The bandaged guy and the girl with the doll. I attached trackers to both."
"Trackers?"
"Yeah. Sealing stones on their necks—not just to block their powers, but modified with Rox's ability to track their location."
Rox, listening in, chuckled and stroked the larva on his shoulder.
"Right, I slipped one of my controlled buddies inside each sealing stone. Drilled a hole so I can see where they are."
"Rox."
"Yeah?"
"Why didn't you mention that sooner?"
"You didn't ask."
The conversation veered oddly again. Not wanting to get caught in their impending argument, Berddin stood and addressed everyone.
"Enemy's estimated arrival: midnight today. Prepare for battle and stand by until then."