"Pffft. Pahahaha. Ah, I was so tense before coming here, but hearing what Faybi said just made all that stress disappear."
"You’re saying it’s because he’s just a pathetic Apostle of the Evil God? That’s not something a saint should say, Faybi."
As I absorbed the impact of my landing and raised my shield, I noticed the stark contrast in the two people’s gazes on me.
Faybi’s eyes lit up with hope, slowly lifting as if she was looking at a savior, while Nakrad’s glare twisted in anger.
I should probably provoke him first. Can’t let Faybi draw his attention while I’m here.
"Hello there♡ You still think you’re cool, you overgrown teenage wannabe?♡ When are you going to grow out of your puberty phase?♡ Pathetic♡ Completely useless♡"
Nakrad’s eyes flared at the sound of my mocking laughter. Seeing him like that brought back old memories, causing a knot of tension in my chest.
If it weren’t for the Mesugaki skill preventing me from physically reacting, I’m sure my nerves would’ve been obvious.
It’s fine. No problem. I don’t have to fight him myself, after all.
"It’s been a long time since I’ve had a physical body," came a voice from beside me.
I turned my head to see an old man with snow-white hair standing there. The wrinkles on his face spoke of the many years he had lived, but his body told a different story.
Despite his age, his physique was as sturdy as that of a man half his years, reminiscent of the famed hero Benedict. His spotless white armor gleamed as he created a holy shield with his left arm, turning his gaze to me.
"It’s the first time I’m seeing you like this, little one."
It was Ruel—the soul who resided in my mace, the legendary Holy Knight who once saved the world.
I didn’t realize it when he was just giving me lectures while trapped in the mace, but this old man is seriously a monster. Just standing near him, I can feel the overwhelming pressure radiating off him.
Now I get why the Vain Fox was so confident.
Before entering Faybi’s mind, the Vain Fox had told me this:
"In the mental world, a physical body means nothing. What matters is the strength of the soul."
'Do you understand? The one residing in your mace is linked to you by spirit. So if you enter a mental realm, he naturally follows.'
Ruel had stroked his mustache with a smile before extending his hand toward me.
"What do you think, little one? Do I seem reliable now?"
'Of course!'
"Looking for some compliments, are we, old man? Too bad, I’m not in the mood to say what you want to hear."
"Hmph. Hearing it out loud like that is rather annoying."
I handed my mace to the old man, who gripped it with a hand easily three times the size of mine.
As soon as he took hold of it, the mace expanded in size. Ruel casually swung the now enormous weapon, as if it weighed nothing more than a stick.
"It’s been a while since I’ve fought directly. Let’s see how this goes."
'Old man?'
"What’s wrong, you pathetic fossil? All that big talk, and now you’re not confident? Some washed-up knight you are."
"...Little one, I’m sorry, but could you please stop talking for a moment? I feel like I might accidentally hit you if you keep this up."
Seriously, how could a legendary Holy Knight have such a thin skin? C’mon, old man, shrug it off like it’s nothing.
"You."
"Ah, my apologies. It’s been so long since I had a body, I got a little carried away. Greetings, Apostle of the Evil God. My name is Ruel, one of the heroes who sealed your master. I suppose you have every reason to hate me."
As Ruel stepped forward, Nakrad took a step back, his eyes darting around in confusion.
He was startled.
Nakrad may be strong compared to me, but when you consider the continent as a whole, he’s still lacking in many areas.
Unless the Evil Gods have fully revived, Nakrad can’t exert his full power. Just look at how he struggles even against someone like Karl, a mere knight of the Alrn family.
But my old man? Even if Nakrad were at full power, Ruel could take him down. This guy is a monster who fought on the front lines against the Evil Gods.
The title of "Holy Knight of the Hero’s Party" wasn’t just for show.
"Lies."
"You think it’s a lie? Believe what you want. It doesn’t change the fact that I’m standing right here."
"Don’t threaten me with your bluffs!"
Nakrad hurled the black orbs that floated around him. Each one had the power to incapacitate me, but Ruel didn’t even flinch.
Instead, he simply raised his mace and swung it leisurely.
Watching him wield the mace like that filled me with awe.
Maybe I wouldn’t have noticed before, back when I was inexperienced, but now? I practice with the mace every day. I knew exactly how incredible his technique was.
The grip, the distribution of force, the flow of mana, and the precision in his movements.
I realized one thing for sure. This was perfection. That’s how a mace should be wielded to achieve maximum power and efficiency.
"Do you still think this is a bluff?"
As Nakrad clenched his jaw, Ruel took another step forward.
"In some ways, this is fortunate. I’ve always been frustrated, having to only give advice. Now, I can finally show you how to fight."
Watch closely, old man. As soon as Ruel finished speaking, he charged forward.
Ruel had been by Lucy’s side ever since the day he awoke.
Whether she was training,
Sparring with other knights,
Or burying her face in a book out of frustration,
Even when she panicked because of the foul language the Principal God’s blessing forced her to use,
Whenever Lucy found herself isolated, hurt by the avoidance of those around her,
And, of course, even during the moments when she stood on the brink of death—Ruel had always been there.
When he first awoke, Ruel thought it was the will of the god to help this child, and so he would do so.
But now, after spending so much time with Lucy, getting to know just how righteous and good-hearted she truly was, Ruel regarded her as his own granddaughter.
And the man before him now? He was the bastard who had once tried to kill his granddaughter.
There was no reason to show mercy. None at all.
"Where do you think you’re going?"
As Nakrad tried to slip into the shadows, Ruel stomped down on it with his foot.
This was the man who had once sealed away the Evil God with his own hands. Of course, he had experience fighting the followers of the Darkness God as well. He knew exactly how to deal with them.
Grabbing Nakrad before he could escape, Ruel kicked him hard, sending him flying across the room.
"Not yet. Get up."
"D-damn it!"
What’s with you, trying to collapse already?
When Lucy faced you, she endured far worse pain than this and still stood. She blocked your path. She grabbed your ankle.
Those who torment others must be prepared to face the consequences. Is this all the resolve you have as an Apostle of the Evil God?
"I still have more to show Lucy. You, however, are just a teaching tool."
"Die!"
Nakrad shouted as spikes of dark magic shot up from the shadowy ground.
But before they could fully form, Ruel crushed them beneath his feet, imbued with divine power.
"Divinity is not just a tool for casting holy spells. Its uses are limitless, depending on how you wield it."
It might be difficult for you to understand this now, Lucy, as you’re still at the beginning of your journey as a Holy Knight. But one day, you will reach this level.
I will always be by your side, guiding you. So watch closely.
"Die already!"
Despite his failed attempts, Nakrad refused to give up. He charged at Ruel with fists and magic, his dark energy surging.
The combination of magic and physical attacks would have been dangerous—if he were facing anyone but Ruel.
With his shield, Ruel blocked every strike, retaliating with his mace whenever there was an opening, steadily accumulating damage.
Look closely, Lucy. This is how one fights with a shield. Use it selfishly, move in ways that irritate your opponent, make them lose their cool.
Like I’ve always said, fight like a crocodile—hide behind your shield, and strike only when the advantage is yours.
Nakrad’s attacks were wearing down, and before long, he was once again sent rolling across the floor.
Though he managed to get back up, his legs were shaking.
There had been no single killing blow, but each swing of the mace, laced with deadly intent, had slowly torn at his flesh and broken his bones. The accumulated damage wasn’t light.
"It’s not over yet."
Ruel gripped his mace tighter and advanced.
It’s not over yet.
Lucy withstood far more at your hands. You’ll need to endure even more than this.
"Stay back! Stay away from me!"
This time, Nakrad summoned countless creatures from the shadows.
The beings made of darkness brimmed with ominous energy, though against divine power, they were nothing but fragile constructs.
Ruel glanced around at the creatures surrounding him and raised his mace.
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"Watch closely, little one. This is the level you will one day reach."
Divine energy gathered atop Ruel’s mace.
The holy power of the knight who had once stood on the front lines against the darkness burned like a miniature sun.
The black sky receded,
The shadowy creatures slunk back into their hiding places,
And the Apostle of the Evil God could do nothing but scream as he watched.
When it was over, Ruel walked slowly toward the fallen Nakrad, bathed in the light from above.
Terrified, Nakrad tried to crawl away, but he couldn’t escape Ruel’s measured steps.
Standing over Nakrad, Ruel lifted his mace.
"I will have my revenge! I’ll repay this humiliation to Aramadi’s Apostle!"
"Do as you wish. When that time comes, you will kneel before her."
The mace descended.