Ch 198
“To hide the Realm of Rank 7 and participate in the Starbirth Festival! That’s the kind of wicked thing a Demon Worshipper would do. No!? Because they do such things, they are Demon Worshippers! Therefore, if we find someone like that, they will undoubtedly be a spy. Am I wrong!?”
Nunchi-
Lisir and Dray avoided eye contact and gave appropriate responses.
Kordan nodded at their reaction and continued.
“But unfortunately, finding that spy won’t be that simple. The fiend probably knows that their power is abnormal. They will try to deceive everyone by pretending to be at a level befitting a Starbirth Festival participant in any way they can. This is why we’re having a Headache.”
“Hmm…”
Lisir understood what Kordan was trying to say.
The reason Demon Worshippers are truly difficult is not because they wield the ominous Mystery of Demon’s Power.
It’s because they wield Demon’s Power ‘as well’.
Lawlessness in choosing any means or method to achieve their goals.
The true weapon of the Demon Worshippers could be said to be that Lawlessness, not the Demon’s Power.
What if they are determined to hide their identity and pretend to be ordinary participants?
Distinguishing them would be extremely difficult.
Of course, there wouldn’t be absolutely no way.
“If we narrow down the search to those with extraordinary Talent among the participants, the investigation will be narrowed.”
“Hmm…”
“However, if we brand someone as a spy for revealing extraordinary Talent ━ the Purpose of the Starbirth Festival will be severely tarnished.”
“Yes! You’re right!”
Starbirth Festival!
It is a Competition for divinities with extraordinary Talent.
It could be said that the Purpose of the Competition is to provide a venue for them to fully display their extraordinary Talent.
But, in such a Competition, we single out those who show extraordinary Talent and brand them as Demon Worshipper spies?
“If you try to find spies in that way, rumors will quickly spread throughout the Continent. That the Starbirth Festival was actually a Spybirth Festival. The name of the Starbirth Festival, as well as the name of the Bondales Family, which organizes the Starbirth Festival, will be disgraced…!”
In fact.
The Starbirth Festival was not that old of a Competition compared to its Fame.
Decades ago.
Its origin was an event held by a high-ranking Noble family, not even a great Family, to revive the City.
The reason why the Starbirth Festival has its current Fame is-
Thanks to the fact that divinities of the time, including Nobles, became Interested in the nature of the event.
-A Competition where only our peers gather and compete?
-Then wouldn’t I naturally be the Winner?
The Starbirth Festival was the perfect Opportunity for young Nobles who were eager to show off their specialness.
In addition, the fact that the Competition had no foundation played a big role.
Since it was a Competition without foundation, they could easily participate without any burden.
Ironically, because it had no foundation, it was able to become a Competition with foundation.
Thus, today, the Starbirth Festival has become a huge festival that receives Continent-wide Interest-
For the Lunarain, a high-ranking Noble family that organizes the Starbirth Festival, the Starbirth Festival has become an important event that forms the basis of the Family.
What if things go wrong and the Fame of the Starbirth Festival is tarnished?
The Lunarain Family would suffer irreparable damage.
Kordan, a Retainer of the Lunarain Family, shuddered, saying that he didn’t even want to imagine it.
“Then, do you have a solution?”
Lisir’s following question.
“…”
Kordan was reading Dray’s Nunchi.
Then Dray confidently made a Statement.
“I do. A definite solution.”
“Oh, as expected of Lord Dray.”
“Hahaha, no. You should say, as expected of Lisir.”
“Yes?”
“Because this is a Plan that only you can execute.”
“What kind of Plan is it…”
“Before I say that, Lisir. Why do you think Demon Worshippers have infiltrated the Starbirth Festival?”
“…Perhaps, what is the Grand Prize for this Starbirth Festival?”
Lisir, who was worried, asked the two.
The Starbirth Festival was also famous for giving a Commodity of considerable Value to the Winner, befitting the Fame of the Competition.
Perhaps, the Demon Worshippers’ purpose might be that Commodity.
In response to Lisir’s question, Kordan confidently replied.
“It’s a High-Ranking Elixir. Many Spirit Cores were used as ingredients. According to the Alchemist, the rare High Spirit Core is also included in the ingredients.”
Kordan and other Officials were leaning towards the Opinion that the Demon Worshippers’ purpose was this Grand Prize.
This Treasure, which the Lunarain Family had spent a long time searching for for the Competition, was something that even great Families or Magic Towers would covet.
“Then…”
“That’s right. Their purpose is━”
“At least, they’re probably not aiming for the Commodity.”
“…?”
Kordan was in Confusion at Lisir’s confident Attitude.
His Attitude in mentioning the Elixir was so ordinary.
As if he were talking about junk lying around in a warehouse.
‘Doesn’t he know the Value of the Elixir…?’
Kordan, who almost had Doubt about Lisir, forgetting Dray’s recommendation for a moment.
He somehow felt his Pride hurt and immediately added.
“You never know. That’s not all there is to the Commodity.”
“Ah. Is there something else?”
“Yes. A Legendary Sword with a Mysterious power, called Honorable Courage.”
“Legendary Sword… Is it perhaps an Ego Sword?”
Kordan chuckled at Lisir’s reaction, who widened his eyes and showed Interest.
He thought that he was very Interested in this kind of thing, as a young man, and that he had a somewhat pure side.
“Lord Lisir. Did you know that not all Ego Swords are amazing Secret Swords?”
“Is that so?”
“Did you know? Most of the things called Ego Swords can’t even communicate with the sword’s Master in a basic way. All they can do is express their Self by vibrating or something.”
“Still, there are occasionally swords that talk to their Master like people, right?”
“Hmm. A sword’s Spirit that gives deep Teaching with profound knowledge and deep Realization. Like you said, that’s what ordinary people think of when they think of an Ego Sword. However, such swords are only a very small part of Ego Swords. It’s easy to understand if you think of the Hero’s Holy Sword. Only a Holy Sword can interact as an equal personality with its Master.”
“Then… the Mysterious power that Honorable Courage is said to have is━”
“It has the effect of temporarily making the wearer forget Fear. Isn’t it amazing?”
“Ah, does it free you from all Mental Interference?”
“What kind of dreamy talk is that? It’s not a Holy Sword. It literally makes the wearer forget Fear for a moment. Like when you drink alcohol.”
Then shouldn’t I just drink alcohol!?
Lisir struggled to keep such thoughts from showing on his Expression.
“Then, is that Elixir and Legendary Sword all of this Starbirth Festival’s Grand Prize?”
-That’s all of the Grand Prize!?
Kordan took Lisir’s words that way and confidently nodded.
“That’s right!”
“Then, the chances are high that their purpose is not the Commodity after all.”
“… Lord Lisir, do you perhaps not like the Commodity we have prepared?”
Kordan’s Resentment reached its peak.
From his Standard, he couldn’t understand why such a reaction would come out unless he had a lot of Elixirs and Holy Swords piled up in his warehouse.
“Yes? No. It’s not that━ I just thought it didn’t seem like an Item they would aim for. Should I say that they are putting in too much effort compared to their purpose?”
-He has a lot of Experience dealing with Demon Worshippers.
Kordan barely convinced himself, recalling Dray’s words.
That the Grand Prize was not of no Value to him, but that he simply had an extraordinary way of thinking.
“Then… what do you think their purpose is, Lord Lisir?”
“Maybe, the Fame of the Starbirth Festival participant? If possible, the Fame of the Starbirth Festival Winner━”
“That’s it.”
Dray snapped his fingers from the side and responded.
“Lisir. I knew you’d think the same way. The reason why they planted a spy in the Starbirth Festival. In all likelihood, it’s to make the spy win the Competition and use that Fame to achieve their own purpose. For them, a Tool that can cover people’s eyes is much more Valuable than an Elixir or a Legendary Sword.”
“Ah…”
Kordan also nodded, saying that he understood now.
He recalled that what Demon Worshippers mainly crave is the lives of innocent and ignorant people ━ Offerings.
If they had the Fame of the Starbirth Festival Winner, they would be able to cover the eyes and ears of the Offerings.
“Then, Lord Dray’s Plan must be focused on preventing them from winning.”
“That’s right, Lisir. That’s why I said it. I want you to participate in the Starbirth Festival. This is a Plan that only you can execute.”
Kordan had a face as if he were listening to a riddle.
‘How on earth-‘
No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t think of a way for Lisir to prevent them from winning.
In the first place, to prevent them from winning, he needs to know the identity of the spy-
“Lord Dray. Do you perhaps have any idea about the identity of the spy?”
“Not at all?”
Dray shrugged and said.
“Then… how do you plan to stop them from winning?”
Dray pointed to Lisir, answering instead.
“Oh, Lord Lisir━ Could it be that you’ve already figured out the identity of the spy!?”
“…Not at all?”
“…?”
Then what the hell is it?
Just as Kordan’s Doubt was about to turn into frustration.
Dray said.
“Lord Kordan. Have you grasped the exact number of spies?”
“…”
Kordan shook his head with a painful face.
There may be more than one spy.
Because facing that terrible possibility was not easy.
Kordan realized anew how ridiculous a request he was making.
To ask him to stop the spies, whose identity and exact number are unknown, from winning.
‘Should I cancel the Starbirth Festival even now?’
Kordan even seriously considered canceling the Competition.
Whatever happens with the cancellation of the Competition-
It would be better than the fact that the Winner of the Starbirth Festival was revealed to be a Demon Worshipper.
Then, at that moment.
Dray said.
“Actually, it doesn’t matter.”
“Yes?”
“Whether there are ten or a hundred spies planted by the Demon Worshippers.”
“What… what do you mean?”
“In the end, there is only one Winner of the Competition, right?”
“…Yes?”
Dray looked at Lisir and said.
“Is it possible?”
His Expression was full of Conviction.
✦✦✦
A few days after meeting with Kordan.
“This day has finally come.”
Lisir muttered, taking in the scenery of the Bondales street, which was more bustling than usual.
The Bondales City Council had formally announced the holding of the Preliminary Round of the Starbirth Festival,
Bondales was now overflowing with those who wanted to participate in the Starbirth Festival Preliminary Round and those who wanted to watch it.
Past.
It was the result of former Councilman Ga-dum paying a huge Sponsorship to the Lunarain Family in order to solidify his Position in the City.
‘Let’s see━ where did they say I should go.’
Lisir crossed the street and headed to the building where the participation registration application was being made.
‘Oh my. All those people are really coming here.’
Lisir was horrified as he looked around the inside of the building, which was full of people.
The City Council had prepared more than one building in the City for registration.
It’s just one of those many buildings, but so many people are gathered.
“What!? Speak up!!!”
“Tell me which event you are entering!!!”
Those who were facing the Employee in front of the counter and proceeding with registration had to raise their voices loudly because of the noise filling the place.
Lisir waited for the line to shrink while bumping into people-
Soon, his turn came.
“Are you applying to participate in the Starbirth Festival Preliminary Round?!”
“Yes!!!”
The person in charge asked Lisir while looking at the Desk.
“Swordsmanship and Magic. Please tell me the events you will be participating in!”
Lisir’s answer.
A sudden Silence came to the noisy place.
The Gaze of those around him was focused on Lisir.
✦✦✦
“Ah, now that I think about it━ Lord Kordan. There’s something I’m curious about━”
“Please tell me, Lord Dray.”
“At the end of the Starbirth Festival, the two people who win first place in the Swordsmanship and Magic events meet and decide the final first place winner, right?”
“That’s right.”
“If the person who wins first place in the Swordsmanship and Magic events is the same person, what happens in that case? Do they have to split into two and fight each other? Hahaha!”
‘What the Insane…’
✦✦✦
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