Chapter 148: Test(1)
Chapter 148: Test(1)
Elves gathered to witness the trial of the Spirit Sword, held for the first time in hundreds of years.
It seemed as if nearly every elf in Scandinavia had come.
They formed a circle around the altar, each one buzzing with excitement over the once-in-centuries event.
“Can she really be chosen by the Spirit Sword? A human?”
“Even the elves haven’t been chosen for hundreds of years. For a human… it will be difficult, even for the hero.”
“Her Majesty must know it’s impossible. That’s why she permitted a human to attempt the trial. Otherwise, there’s no way she would hand over the Spirit Sword to a human.”
The ancient elf who forged the Spirit Sword had once said:
‘Only a noble soul may draw the Spirit Sword.’
Throughout its history spanning thousands of years, those chosen by the sword could be counted on one hand. All of them had been elves.
If it was that difficult for an elf, the idea of a human being chosen was unthinkable. The elves shook their heads.
To them, humans were selfish, greedy beings who destroyed the great wilderness for their own comfort.
Worst of all, they were a vile race that kidnapped female elves.
Of course, thanks to the deeds of Lina and her party, the elves had confirmed that good humans did exist, but it was too much to expect their deep-rooted distrust to be uprooted in an instant.
Kerry overheard the elves’ whispers and shook his head.
She can do it. Lina can definitely do it.
The condition wasn't just anything; it was to have a noble soul. If Lina couldn't do it, who could?
“Hero, ascend the altar. Draw the Spirit Sword,” Titania declared solemnly.
At the same moment, Lina gave Kerry a slight nod—a gesture of thanks for creating this opportunity for her.
"I will ensure your efforts were not in vain, Sir Kerry."
Kerry nodded back. He figured this much was enough to have fulfilled his role, considering everything he’d gotten out of it so far.
After all, the Spirit Sword was the only weapon that could replace the Holy Sword.
Kerry glanced at Titania. The Spirit Sword was no ordinary treasure. Even for a queen, the decision to give it away couldn't have been an easy one.
Titania still looked at Kerry with a somewhat pitiful gaze. It was fine. He would give her a small gift to comfort her when they parted.
He just hoped it would help.
The situation was quite serious.
Lina was approaching the altar to undergo the trial of the Spirit Sword, and the undivided attention of the elves was fixed upon her.
But there was one person who didn't have the slightest interest in the Spirit Sword.
That person was Victoria.
Kerry whispered quietly to Victoria, who was standing beside him.
“Please stop groping my ass, Victoria. What if someone sees?”
Victoria was pressed right up against Kerry, secretly caressing his rear.
She paid no mind to the glare she was receiving from Natasha, who was stuck to his other side.
Victoria whispered back to Kerry.
“I can’t stand it if I don’t at least do this.”
“…”
For God’s sake, you’re human! Don’t lose to your instincts!
One look at Victoria’s flushed face made it clear that her lust’s cooldown was at its absolute limit.
It couldn’t be helped. He had been too busy in Scandinavia, and the environment wasn't exactly conducive to placating Victoria.
Well, since she was being discreet about it, he decided to ignore it for now.
Kerry disregarded Victoria and focused on Lina.
Lina was ascending the high altar, one step at a time. Atop it, a single sword was embedded in the stone.
The Spirit Sword Endymion.
In stark contrast to the surrounding landscape of crumbling ruins, the Spirit Sword’s pure white blade gleamed.
At a glance, it just looked like a cool sword, but it was known to be a masterwork second only to the Holy Sword.
More importantly, like the Holy Sword, it was a weapon that chose its master.
You can do it, Lina! Shoulders back, and pull it out in one go!
Amidst the solemn atmosphere, Kerry cheered for Lina in his mind.
But not everyone was so quiet. Natasha, right beside him, was one of them.
“Lina! Fighting! Just yank that measly scrap of a sword right out! Mmph!”
Kerry clamped a hand over Natasha’s mouth. Calling the Spirit Sword a ‘measly scrap of a sword’…
The elves’ gazes instantly focused on them. But they weren't hostile looks. On the contrary, they were gazes full of goodwill, accompanied by amused smiles.
God, I hate this kind of attention.
Lina, perhaps having heard the cheer, glanced back at the party and smiled.
She continued her ascent to face the trial of the Spirit Sword.
The sight of Lina walking up the ancient altar was so noble and beautiful it drew gasps of admiration. A single ray of light shone down on her as if she were in a painting. Damn, she was just too pretty.
Once atop the altar, Lina’s eyes fell upon the Spirit Sword Endymion.
A white blade from which a sharp edge could be felt.
Even after thousands of years, the unchipped Spirit Sword was a thing of mystery.
On the wall behind the sword was an old painting. It was a primitive-looking piece, likely drawn by ancient elves.
It depicted the first elf creating the Spirit Sword and embedding it here.
In the painting, another elf was watching from the side.
Lina tore her gaze away from the art.
The painting isn’t important right now.
She focused on the Spirit Sword. Titania spoke, as if to urge her on.
“The hero may take hold of the Spirit Sword.”
“Thank you, Queen of the Elves.”
Lina bowed respectfully to Titania.
Then, without hesitation, she grasped the hilt of the Spirit Sword.
“…”
Lina froze, her hand gripping the hilt.
Kerry’s party and the elves watched her intently.
So far, nothing had happened. Just as Lina took a deep breath and prepared to pull the sword free, a voice suddenly echoed in her mind.
[Aaaaaah! How long! Just how long has it beeeeeen!]
“…”
[Huuuuuhuhu! A challenger has finally come after hundreds of years! I wanted to talk so badly all this time! It was so frustrating and lonely because no one could hear my voice! Finally! Finaaaally! Hey! You can hear me, right? Hello? Don’t tell me you can’t hear my voice? Say something!]
“…”
Lina cautiously let go of the hilt. She hated noisy things.
So the Spirit Sword was an Ego Sword. Was there any mention of that?
In her previous life, no one had ever drawn the Spirit Sword, so there was very little information about it.
Do I really have to take this sword…
Just holding it for a moment had made her head throb from the booming voice. Lina shook her head.
She wasn’t in a position to give up the Spirit Sword for such a trivial reason.
Lina gripped the hilt again.
[You! You! How! How could you! You can hear my voice, right? So how could you let go of me with such a disgusted look on your face! You’re mean! You’re really mean!]
“My apologies. I was just so startled… But are you the Spirit Sword Endymion?”
[Nope. I’m the spirit who administers the trial of the Spirit Sword! The elf in that mural behind you, watching the sword being sealed? That’s me. Ahem!]
What a relief. Lina felt reassured. It seemed that even if she possessed the sword, that boisterous voice wouldn't follow her.
[What’s with that look! Why are you so relieved? That’s really hurtful!]
“Ah, it’s nothing. In any case, I would like to proceed with the trial of the Spirit Sword quickly.”
[You’re in a hurry, huh? But can’t you talk with me for a bit? I’ve been alone here for hundreds of years. Without a single visitor. Sniffle. Don’t you feel sorry for me?]
“…”
[Look at that heartless expression… You cold, merciless woman!]
“…It’s not like that. If you have questions about the current era, please, ask me.”
In the end, Lina had to listen to the spirit’s tale, which was half lament and half complaint.
The spirit of Endymion was so talkative that even with Lina only pretending to listen, it chattered on for a full thirty minutes.
The spectators and Lina alike grew weary.
Above all, since the audience couldn’t hear the spirit’s voice, it must have felt even more tedious for them.
[Phew. Still, getting all that off my chest feels a little better. Thanks. What was your name again?]
Lina let out a sigh of relief and said.
“Lina Knightly. You can call me Lina.”
[Right. Lina. You said you came to take the trial of the Spirit Sword. From what I’ve heard, you seem like a good person. I think it’ll go well, don’t you?]
“…”
Lina couldn’t understand how the spirit could call her a good person after talking only about itself.
[You don’t have to do anything. Just keep holding the hilt of the Spirit Sword, and I’ll take care of the rest. You know the condition for passing the trial, right?]
“Only one with… a noble soul is worthy of the Spirit Sword. That is what I was told.”
[That’s more or less correct. Looks like the elves passed on the message properly. To be precise, I’m going to look inside you to see if you’re noble. Is that okay?]
Look inside? Did it mean it would look into her memories? Or her soul? Perhaps both.
If the spirit could see even the memories of her past life, that would be a problem.
[Is there something you’re reluctant to show me? It’s fine. I’ll protect your privacy.]
“…Is there no other way?”
[There’s no other way. Don’t worry so much, okay? Besides, once I guide the Spirit Sword to you, I’ll find my rest and disappear.]
“Your rest… you say?”
[That’s right! My soul, which has been bound here for thousands of years, will find freedom and return to the embrace of nature. The Spirit Sword will also disappear after this generation.]
“…”
[So, even if there’s something bothering you, don’t worry too much about it.]
The spirit of Endymion explained that it was being punished for trying to steal the Spirit Sword long ago.
And if Lina passed the trial today, it would be the end. It called it rest, but it was probably closer to death.
The spirit wanted to die.
Lina felt sorry for the spirit, but there was no way to comfort it.
The only thing she could do was become the master of the Spirit Sword, as it wished.
Lina made her decision.
If it finds rest after this trial is over, as it says, then it should be fine. Besides, even if I fail, it seems unlikely that the spirit’s voice will reach anyone else.
It meant her secret would be kept, whether she succeeded or failed.
“Very well. I permit you to look inside me. However, please keep everything you learn about me a secret.”
[Of course! Protecting a client’s privacy is a given! You can count on me!]
“…”
Lina found it hard to trust the flippant spirit.
But what choice did she have?
For now, she had to believe it.
[Then let’s begin!]
“Yes!”
In that instant, Lina felt something penetrate her mind.
That persistent something felt like it was trying to uncover even the smallest memories hidden deep inside her.
Then came the reaction she had expected.
[This is! How can this be? Is something like this even possible in the world?]
[Unbelievable! This goes against the flow of causality!]
The spirit’s voice was no longer tinged with its earlier playfulness.
It was a voice filled with astonishment and shock.
[A Regressor… To think that a Regressor actually exists in this world!]
“This is an absolute secret from everyone else.”
[Don’t worry about that… ma’am? More importantly, who… who in the world are you?]
“…”
Lina remained silent for a moment before speaking. There was only one thing she could say right now.
“I am the hero. Nothing more, nothing less.”
[Alright… ma’am. But, but even if you’re the hero, I’m much older, so… it’s okay if I speak informally, right?]
“You may do as you please.”
[Got it. Then I’ll continue looking inside you! I won’t let you off the hook just because you’re the he-hero!]
As soon as it finished speaking, the spirit delved deep into Lina’s heart.
[Wow… amazing… You… you’ve truly lived a life completely different from ordinary humans. In your past life and in this one… you are…]
Was it because she had lived two lives?
The spirit spent quite a long time looking into Lina’s heart.
[Yes. I see. You returned to stop the horrific Holy War from your past life.]
“…”
[The strongest feelings I sense from you are nobility and sacrifice. And… huh? Why…?]
“?”
[Why do I feel such deep sorrow? You… why are you crying?]
“…I am not crying, am I?”
[No, you are. You’re shedding tears while looking at a man whose face I can’t see!]
The man with no face that the Spirit Sword spoke of. Lina had often seen him in her dreams.
The spirit asked why it couldn’t see the man’s face, but Lina had no way of knowing either.
[Every time you see the man with no face, you cry. I see now. Lina… the hero was in love with that man.]
“!”
“I… was in love with him?”
[Yes. Are you trying to hide it even from me? It’s okay to be honest. You’re cute when you’re embarrassed. I’ve seen my share of pure souls, but I’ve never seen one as pure and noble as this. You truly are the hero.]
[Now then. Shall we continue? The adventures of the hero’s past life. This is getting exciting.]
It was then that the spirit of Endymion screamed.
[Kyaaaaah! What is this! You… why did you do it! What did you do to that man!]
“…”
[So this was the reason for the great sorrow I felt from the hero… How could you…]
Lina was bewildered.
What in the world had she done to the man with no face?
Her memories of him were frustratingly unclear, as if covered in static.
[I understand now. Your memories of the man with no face are hazy… Something is interfering with them. Perhaps it’s for the best, for your sake.]
It seemed the spirit could read her memories of the faceless man.
Lina asked with a dead-serious expression.
“No. I need to know about it. What… did I do to that man?”