Ch 129
Belota reached a new realization thanks to the kind teaching of a High Noble and an Archmage.
“What, what is it, exactly?!”
So, a person gets angry when they’re too confused.
And that too, in front of a High Noble and an Archmage.
Belota spent the last few days investigating with Pallag and Dray.
It was a short period, but Dray and Pallag were the kind of people who could leave a strong impression in that short time.
From what she experienced directly, they were people worthy of the respect that matched their fame.
Dray’s character and class united the members of the investigation team, who had different origins and affiliations.
At the base of the occasional casual opinions Pallag would throw out lay an immeasurable amount of profound magical knowledge.
Belota, whose standards for judging people had risen from being with the chosen Hero, found the two men to be more than enough to meet those standards.
Belota respected the two men.
To the point where she would readily listen to their advice regarding the Hero.
But, she couldn’t do that now.
She couldn’t understand why those two were spouting such nonsense—
and she didn’t know how to react to that nonsense.
“So, right now, are you trying to say this!? That you saw various demons in Lisir’s inner world!? Is, is that even possible!? In the first place, how did you even see someone else’s inner world!?”
It’s not for nothing that Belota dismissed the two’s story as nonsense.
Their story was full of flaws.
Right away, they said they saw ‘demons’ in Lisir’s inner world.
It’s a truly unbelievable story, but let’s assume, as they say, that Lisir really did harbor ‘demons’ in his inner world.
In that case, would Lisir readily show his inner world to others?
Inner worlds are not something that can be casually peeked into.
If the target is defensive, the difficulty is doubled.
Would a Demon Worshipper whose inner world is infested with demons casually show their inner world to others?
No way.
They would rather choose suicide.
Therefore, it is realistically impossible to secretly observe the inner world of a Demon Worshipper.
Belota pointed out that flaw first.
“I recovered an item called the Two-Sided Mirror from a High Priest of the Heretics. I used it to peek into Lisir’s inner world.”
Dray refuted that point nonchalantly.
Belota was astonished.
‘Are you kidding me?!’
Items that possess magical power beyond the realm of common sense are defined as ‘Artifacts’.
The Two-Sided Mirror that Dray was talking about clearly belonged to the category of Artifacts.
They apparently obtained such an Artifact just in time.
And that too, from a Demon Apostle, a being that even the chosen Hero would struggle to face.
There was a limit to how grandiose it could be.
If such a story had come from an ordinary person, Belota would have gladly scoffed.
Oh?
But it wasn’t an ordinary person, it was a High Noble and a Wizard?
Because those two said it, it sounds plausible?
That unrealistic story became reality.
Belota felt resentment at the unfairness for a moment.
She immediately regained her composure and continued the conversation.
Even if it weren’t that, there were more than enough points to criticize in their story.
“Demons are greedy beings!!! They would absolutely not tolerate their follower serving multiple demons! It’s impossible for multiple demons to reside within one person’s inner world! In the first place, that’s not something a human can endure! Their mind would collapse!”
“Ah, it’s not like they’re serving or anything. They’re just… storing them in their inner world.”
“???”
Storing?
Belota made a disgusted face and repeated the word.
That’s not the right time to use the word ‘storing’?
‘Do you think the inner world is some kind of convenient pocket!? In the first place, what are you storing? Demons?’
Belota finally lost her bearings.
Since she couldn’t even follow the conversation, it was impossible to express confusion or raise questions.
She just blinked her eyes, looking at the two with a face that showed she didn’t understand.
“…”
“…”
Dray and Pallag smiled contentedly at Belota.
‘What’s with that expression?’
The two decided to show kindness to Belota, who couldn’t regain her composure.
“Lisir.”
Dray called Lisir, who was on the other side, explained the situation to him, and then said,
“So, can you show Belota that?”
Huh.
Lisir chuckled and scratched the back of his head.
“Yeah, well. It’s not a big deal. It’s not that amazing.”
Lisir, with an air of nonchalance, put on a Spirit exchange show（?）.
Also.
In the process, Belota also learned the names of the other two Spirits（?）.
Klana.
Belota knew nothing about the Girl Spirit with blue short hair.
But the Fireball named Dangaleon.
“Burning Black Fire Dangaleon…”
“Woman!!! Are your eyes knot holes!!! Look at this dazzling appearance!!! How can you call this Black Fire!!!”
By now, Belota’s doubts had become conviction.
There’s no mistake.
The identities of those Spirits（?） are demons.
And—
“…”
So?
—So what if they’re demons.
The situation seemed to aggressively question her.
“Sir Dray… Lord Pallag… As I’ve said many times… the identities of those Spirits are demons.”
“Thank you, that cleared up my doubts.”
Look here.
Thanks to that, Belota was alone, plunged into anguished solitude.
‘Why do demons follow humans…’
‘Why are demons in a human’s inner world…’
‘In the first place, how do demons get into an inner world…’
Huh?
Huh?
Huh?
A series of dumbfounded sounds escaped Belota’s lips as she pondered.
That’s when it happened.
“Lisir!”
From the direction where Lisir had left Verbande, his companion, the Pure White Maiden shouted.
“This child, something’s wrong!”
“…!”
Is it finally here!?
Lisir’s party hurried towards Verbande.
Belota hastily followed behind them.
“Ber!?”
The Sand Girl Spirit.
Her body emitted light.
The luminescence, which had initially been subtle, gradually intensified, to the point of emitting a flash too bright to look at directly.
While everyone covered their eyes with their hands.
Only Belota stared directly at the Girl Spirit.
Spirit, no.
So as not to miss the changes occurring to the demon Verbande.
So that she could cope with the worst-case scenario.
Thus, Belota watched intently with her two eyes.
The terrifying changes occurring to the demon Verbande.
“!!!”
The Girl Spirit’s eyebrows, which had been soft and fluffy, darkened.
The sharpness emanating from that spirited expression rose a level.
“…”
Is this the end?
After absorbing the Faceless One’s Remains?
The luminescence stopped.
Lisir, who had covered his eyes with his hand, confirmed the Crybaby Spirit’s appearance and focused his eyes.
“Verbande…ssu!? What is it!? Why does she suddenly seem more spirited?”
“No!!!”
The Crybaby Spirit spoke resolutely to her confused master.
“I am Verbande…”
A single word squeezed out while her small body trembled.
“Su!!!”
The Crybaby Spirit raised both arms with all her might and declared.
“Whoa…!”
Lisir was overwhelmed by the majestic sight.
“Lisir, what’s going on!”
“Why are you so surprised!?”
Finally.
Dray and Pallag showed their confusion.
Belota also showed her confusion.
‘Is the fact that the Spirit this man is handling is a demon more surprising than the situation where this man is flustered? Why?’
And Belota was even more confused by Lisir’s following words.
“Our Ber… has advanced to a higher level…!”
“Does that mean… that the demon has become closer to its original form…?!”
“That’s good!!!”
“What!? Lord Pallag? Good, what do you mean—”
“Ah! She’s become closer to being an adult!”
“No, Sir Dray! Adult!? That’s a demon—”
Belota was on the verge of going crazy, but Dray and Pallag didn’t care.
They simply smiled contentedly as they looked at the Crybaby Spirit.
Lisir also smiled contentedly and patted the Crybaby Spirit’s head.
“!!!”
The Crybaby Spirit enjoyed their congratulations with both hands on her hips.
It was truly a magnificent sight.
“…Ugh.”
A chuckle like a death throe.
With that, Belota no longer questioned them.
“Tsk tsk.”
Only one person.
Only the Pure White Maiden looked at her with pity.
✦✦✦
“The Faceless One’s Remains have been successfully destroyed.”
“Good heavens, is that so!? How, what happened!?”
“Anyway, it’s destroyed.”
“?”
“Oh dear, it’s all for you, so don’t ask too many questions! Lord Pallag and Sir Dray said they remember your hard work, so just assume that’s the case!”
“No, Belota!!! Explain in detail—”
Immediately after the incident.
The investigation team members showed great interest in the process of solving the problem that had been unexpectedly solved, but Belota, who had been entrusted with the position of investigation captain, decided to ignore their curiosity for the sake of protection.
Thus, the investigation team, which had completed its mission（?） through its amazing performance, was successfully disbanded.
“So, is it really over now? The dreadful Face Thief incident?”
Lisir, who had been following them with Pien, said.
To that, Pien smiled meaningfully.
“Not yet.”
“Good heavens, what’s left?”
“The most important thing is left.”
“Sharing the joy of victory with Pien?”
“Tell me what you did this time.”
“Uh… I caught the Face Thief?”
“More precisely.”
“Huh? Well… I caught the Face Thief who killed the Hero?”
“That’s right.”
Tap.
Tap.
Pien’s slender, long fingers tapped Lisir’s waist.
The sword hanging from his waist.
“Tell me. What is a Hero?”
“Uh… someone chosen by the Holy Sword?”
“Then, the Face Thief essentially killed the owner of the Holy Sword?”
“Right?”
“Then, what happened to that Holy Sword?”
“Huh?”
“The Hero Belen, killed by the Face Thief. The fifth Holy Sword he possessed, the ‘Sword of Advancement’. Did the Face Thief leave it there after killing the Hero?”
“No. After going through all the trouble of killing the Hero, they wouldn’t leave such an amazing trophy behind. Maybe that’s why they killed the Hero.”
“That’s right. As you said, the Face Thief didn’t leave the Holy Sword there. They took it.”
“Ah, I wonder if the remaining task is—finding that Holy Sword?”
“Don’t worry about that. The Special Forces have already found the Holy Sword and are keeping it safe.”
For a new owner.
Pien added meaningfully.
“New owner…?”
“The Sword of Advancement has lost its owner and is looking for a new one. At this point, who would be the most suitable person for this new role?”
“Pien? Because she’s the prettiest in the world?”
“Sigh.”
“Or, are you going to say it’s Mr. Lisir?”
“That’s right. You’re not worthy of becoming the owner of the Holy Sword and inheriting the great will of the First Hero. But, the Special Forces seem to think differently.”
“What exactly did they say…”
“You are the person who made the greatest contribution to defeating the Hero Killer. At the same time, you are also the person who made the greatest contribution to recovering the Holy Sword. Therefore, the Special Forces claim that if there is a person who should be the first to undergo the Trial of the Sacred Sword, it must be you.”
“…”
Just then, Lisir’s expression became complicated.
“Lisir.”
Magnus, the Second-in-Command of the Special Forces, who had come immediately after hearing that Lisir had woken up.
He approached and spoke.
“Are you feeling a little better?”
“Ah, yes. As you can see, I’m fine.”
“That’s good. I have a lot to talk to you about. A lot, but I think I should bring this up first.”
“Ah, you can skip it. I’ve already conveyed it.”
Magnus, after exchanging a glance with Pien, continued the conversation.
“Is that so? I’ve troubled you. Then, Lisir, if you’re okay, let’s leave immediately.”
Hero Jane.
The owner of the sixth Holy Sword.
It was the name mentioned by Magnus.
“She’s waiting for her turn after you.”
Soon, Belota, who had been apart, approached.
She looked at Magnus and Lisir alternately, then widened her tired eyes.
“I, is it possible… that the person who will take the trial before Jane is…”
Belota lost her balance for a moment and stumbled.
✦✦✦
When Lisir arrived at the VIP room of Goose Manor following Magnus, there were people waiting to greet him.
“Lisir. You’ve come.”
First, Toua, the Special Forces Commander.
And—
“Oh, that person is—”
The young man sitting opposite Toua.
He immediately got up from his seat and approached Lisir.
He was a young man with a cheerful impression.
He readily extended his hand to Lisir.
“I’ve heard so much about you since you came here, and I finally get to meet you. Nice to meet you. My name is Jane.”
“Ah, I’m Lisir.”
Lisir also readily took his hand.
“Hmm!”
Jane put strength into their clasped hands.
As if trying to gauge Lisir through him.
Soon, he smiled brightly and said,
“Do you think I’m greedy?”
“Huh?”
“Having already obtained a Holy Sword, trying to obtain another.”
“Well, I don’t really know much about this.”
“…”
Jane stared intently at Lisir.
Soon, a hearty laugh burst from his lips.
“Hahaha!!! What is it, why are you so calm? Are you really the one who’s going to take the Trial of the Sacred Sword?”
“To be honest, it doesn’t feel real. I’m still in a daze. Honestly, I didn’t think I would be chosen.”
Just as Jane was about to laugh again at Lisir’s answer.
-That’s a good attitude.
A woman’s voice cut in between them.
It was an arrogant voice, as if looking down, but the direction from which the voice came was from below.
Lisir looked down.
The source of the voice was none other than the sword Jane had at her waist.
The flamboyant decorations with a red base resembled roses.
-Lisir, was it? As you said, that guy will choose Jane. Jane is the man I chose. So, I’ll tell you in advance. Don’t get too attached to the results.
“Elysia…!”
Jane showed her embarrassment at the sword’s attitude, which naturally looked down on the other party.
“I’m sorry. As you can see, it’s a sword with a very unique personality… It sometimes commits such disrespect to others. Don’t take it to heart, this thing didn’t mean any malice.”
As he smiled wryly at Lisir, he bowed his head.
“Jane!”
Then, a sharp voice from behind.
A sharp-looking female elf approached Jane and whispered a small rebuke.
It was Camila, a member of Jane’s Hero Party.
“How many times do I have to tell you! Don’t casually bow your head to others in a public place! You are a Hero! The owner of the Holy Sword! Even a High Noble wouldn’t dare treat you casually—”
“Still, it’s our fault, isn’t it?”
“Ugh…!”
Camila let out a frustrated sound.
She said to Toua as if shaking it off.
“Everyone’s here, so why don’t we start?”
“…”
Toua looked at Lisir.
When he nodded, she placed the ‘Sword of Advancement’, wrapped in cloth, on the desk.
-You! Don’t just stand there, come quickly! Jane is busy! Do you know how long she’s been tied up waiting for you!?
The Holy Sword named Elysia urged Lisir.
Jane bowed her head, apologizing with her expression.
Camila looked displeased at Jane.
Lisir smiled wryly at the party and approached the Sword of Advancement.
He thought there would be something grand about the Trial of the Sacred Sword, but it was unexpectedly nothing special.
The moment Lisir reached for the Sword of Advancement.
-What is this!!!
A horrified voice.
Lisir hastily withdrew his hand.
And after checking the reactions of those around him, he reached out again.
-What in the world is this!!!
Then, again, a horrified voice.
“…”
Lisir withdrew his hand from the Sword of Advancement and fell into thought.
‘This thing really doesn’t like me, right?’
At that moment.
Camila quickly took Jane’s hand and approached the Sword of Advancement.
The moment Jane reached for the Sword of Advancement as if being pushed.
-Oh, that’s right. This is it!
The Sword of Advancement said in a satisfied voice.
The starkly contrasting reactions blatantly hinted at the result.
The Sword of Advancement.
The Holy Sword judged Jane to be an even more outstanding Hero prospect.
Just as Camila and Elysia were about to express their satisfaction at the expected result.
-A person needs to have such a stubborn side to be fun to raise! That friend earlier was completely lacking in human warmth—
“?”
-No, wait. This is making me think. Has my eye for talent gotten higher? This is too stubborn… No, is it because I’m comparing it to that friend just now?
“…?”
Camila’s expression crumpled at that meaningful statement.
-Zallak!!! What do you mean by that!!! Stubborn!?
The Holy Sword Elysia interrogated the Sword of Advancement.
“Ah…”
Belota, who had been watching all this from a distance, wiped her face, saying that it was finally here.
✦✦✦
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