The Villain Carries the Holy Sword – Chapter 57.1

Chapter 57.1: A Chance Encounter (2)

「”You’re telling me I overlap with that spell-peddling quack?”

The young sage frowned deeply. He lifted the wooden beer mug before him, gulping down its contents in large swallows before wiping his mouth and speaking.

“That guy’s ego has inflated to the heavens ever since people started calling him the Sorcerer King. I’ll show him the difference between a sorcerer and a sage. More here!”

The sage raised his hand high.

As if accustomed to the gesture, the tavern owner brought another mug brimming with cold beer. The empty mug the sage had just drained was cleared away, replaced by a full one once more.

Pointing at the refilled mug, the sage said,

“See? I can tell how you have no idea.”

Not that he had expected his companion to understand from the start. Taking a slow sip this time, the sage continued,

“A sorcerer would work hard and go through all sorts of trouble to fill this mug. But I’m different. I know how to fill it right away.”

“The difference between omnipotence and omniscience, then.”

“…….”

The sage’s face hardened.

The sorcerer who could do anything.

The sage who knew everything.

It was thanks to the radiant and glorious hero that these two, like oil and water, could stand together. Yet, they had never delved this deep into conversation before.

The sage glanced around.

Small torches flickered around them.

Whether it was from the swaying caused by his drunkenness or from the fire stirring his emotions, he brought up a story he’d kept hidden deep in his mind.

“What that guy and I possess is nothing. Only when ‘all the kings of this world’ vanishes and God ceases His weeping will we know what true omnipotence and omniscience are.”

“The Golden Dawn……”

“Indeed. When this fragile era crumbles and is reborn anew, then everyone will know.”

“And when will that be?”

The sage fell silent.

He didn’t even touch the beer he loved so much, instead fiddling with his mug for a long while before muttering in an uncertain voice,

“Perhaps when the hero changes the world enough to awaken the ‘Spring’ slumbering where the sun sets.”

It was a confession that his omniscience was incomplete.」

🔹🔹🔹

Airian, the westernmost island nation in the world. And even there, in the south, lies Ironheart, the dominion of Count Crowl.

“Abel and Vanderbilt will stay behind.”

Cain declared.

“Young Master, wouldn’t you need me if you’re going to find Butler Oswald?”

Vanderbilt carefully voiced his objection. Cain chuckled.

“Even Vanderbilt hasn’t met him.”

“That’s……”

“What, do you think I won’t be able to find one old butler before Earl Edmund comes of age?”

“Understood.”

Vanderbilt dejectedly stepped back. At the same time, Abel raised his hand and shouted.

“Then, brother, shouldn’t I at least go with you?”

Cain gestured at Ironheart Castle, which stood behind him.

“Only Oleciren and you can fill my shoes.”

In terms of power, only the princess, Oleciren, could fill Cain’s place. In terms of strength, only Abel, who had defeated the Demon King in the previous timeline, could do it.

Cain patted Abel’s shoulder and glanced sideways.

He saw Oleciren riding a white steed and Isoel on an ordinary horse. Oleciren waved with a relaxed smile.

“Since she’s suddenly leaving, I need you here. So I can leave my post.”

“Only me…… can fill your shoes, brother!”

Abel’s eyes sparkled.

For Abel, who grew up being looked down upon by elves in the forest and was caught in the crossfire of Marquis Ross’s schemes, Cain was the first to show him warmth and affection.

At the same time, Cain was the role model Abel aspired to be.

Knowing that such a person acknowledged him so much, he couldn’t help but be thrilled.

‘I meant it as a tactic, but it’s working too well.’

Cain smiled bitterly to himself.

If he had gotten close to Abel sooner in the previous timeline, would the ending have been different? He entertained the pointless thought before shaking it off.

‘I have this because I’m living again.’

If he went through the same situation again without knowing anything, the outcome would be the same.

This second life, earned through the sacrifice of the hero Abel.

Knowing this well, Cain clenched his fists.

Abel tried to appear mature, but glimpses of his childishness still peeked through.

“I’m counting on you.”

“Yes, Lord Ethelred!”

He tried to hide it, but his excitement was evident in his voice. Vanderbilt looked down as if he found it cute and nodded at Cain.

It was the elderly knight’s promise to look after Abel while Cain was away.

Nod.

Cain nodded in response.

As the two stepped back, the ordinary knight, Asher, holding a large shield, excitedly approached Cain.

Cain stroked his chin as he looked at Asher.

“I think it’s better for you to stay behind too.”

“No! Still, when the Lord is going, at least one person should attend to you!”

“I don’t need anyone attending me.”

“T, Then, I will protect the Lord with my life!”

Cain scratched his head, laughing awkwardly.

It wasn’t like they were going far, just meeting an old man, but Asher’s enthusiasm was too much.

Clatter━.

Oleciren, who was watching with amusement, approached on her horse and said,

“When the little Lord Count of Ethelred is on the move, wouldn’t he need at least one person, like the knight said?”

Cain looked at Oleciren, who spoke in a tone fit for a royal ball.

Her smile was full of mischief, ready to tease Cain.

“What little Count? Ethelred doesn’t have an official successor yet.”

Edmund hadn’t chosen one, so naturally, Cain, the eldest son, was next in line.

However, that was just customary, and there was no telling what would happen if the royal family opposed it or if the other two marquis hatched a plot.

Oleciren shrugged at Cain’s words.

“Go ask anyone on the streets of Ethelred who they think the next Count will be.”

“……”

Translator’s Blog

Blog

• Is My Brain Turning Into a Pile of Mush From All This Light/Web Novel Reading?
• Will My Cat Eat Me When I Die? (The Truth Might Hurt… Your Feelings)
• The Great Manhua Crash: Why the Hype Died Down
• Yo, Millennials: This TikTok Dictionary Translates Gen Z So You Don’t Sound Like a Boomer
• Lost in Translation: When Your Brain Goes on a Tangent While Reading Light Novels