Chapter 111: The Red Land (1)
Before the coming-of-age ceremony, Shiron had much to prepare.
The preparation to cross the mountain range. The preparation to settle in the Demonic Realm. And, he needed to receive a sword from Yuma to replace the broken black iron sword. It was to be given to Lucia.
When do we have to wait until?
Exactly.
The main gate of Dawn Castle.
It was still early before sunrise.
The group, ready to head to the Demonic Realm, waited for Yuma, who had not returned yet. The absence of Yuma, crucial for overseeing the coming-of-age ceremony along with clan leader Glen, created a situation that prevented departure, regardless of Lucia not having a sword.
Hes here.
Glen narrowed his eyes as if he saw something. Soon after, the figure of a woman holding a sword and a pouch came into view.
I apologize. I was delayed due to some matters.
Yuma, tidying her slightly disheveled bangs, bowed her head. In such a hurry, her clothes still carried the frost she hadnt managed to shake off.
Young master. As you instructed, I have acquired the sword.
Well done.
Receiving the sword from Yuma, Shiron squinted his eyes.
The sword, with a white blade and a black hilt, was familiar to Shiron.
[Fairys Longsword]
The Fairys Longsword was one of the weapons a Prient could choose after completing the coming-of-age ceremony.
Was the place she went to the Giants Forge?
Certainly better than a mere human-made black iron sword. However, it paled in comparison to Sirius, obtainable in the latter part of the game.
With a slightly disappointed look, Shiron handed the Fairys Longsword to Lucia. Lucia inspected the white blade from all angles.
With this, I can speak with confidence.
The sword handed by Shiron was light. As light as, or even lighter than, a usual iron sword. He couldnt be sure without cutting something with its blade, but it was evidently better than a black iron sword, five times more formidable than normal iron.
Lucia, with a smile that began to faintly spread on her face quickly erased it and gazed at Shiron.
Is this the sword said to be crafted from the stars?
No.
Uh, huh?
Lets finish the coming-of-age ceremony first and then talk.
Oh
Lucia, taken aback by Shirons unexpected response, wore a blank expression.
What is he looking at?
Shiron wasnt looking at Lucia as he spoke. His gaze had been fixed on Yumas hand since the moment he handed over the sword.
Lets start moving now.
Yes.
At Glens signal to the group, Lucia adjusted her bag, as big as herself.
Despite the path being mostly slippery cliffs and steep slopes, climbing the endlessly rising mountain range was not a problem.
Its a bit cumbersome, but manageable.
Suddenly, a black shadow darted in.
Shiron immediately swung the holy sword. It was hard to discern the demon beast due to the blizzard, but there was no point in paying attention to a beast that had already turned to ashes.
Swish-swash-
The holy power obliterated the demon beast.
The holy sword itself emanated overwhelming holy power, and with additional holy energy, the attacking beasts were reduced to ashes and scattered.
Maybe its better to keep some distance? It wont hurt, but it might sting the eyes.
Shiron glanced back at Yuma following him. Her face, perhaps due to the cold, was slightly flushed.
Dont mind me, just concentrate on your task.
Alright.
I should just do my job well.
Shiron, gripping the holy sword, climbed the frozen slope. And,
Yuma, watching Shiron move away, whispered to something in her pocket.
Did you see?
What? What did I see?
A frightened voice emerged from the pocket.
The overwhelming presence of the master.
Isnt it amazing? Answer me.
Well there certainly was a light so bright it felt like it could shatter even the remaining eye.
You have a keen eye.
Uh do I?
Dolby tried to appease Yuma. Even 500 years ago, Dolby found it hard to understand her actions.
I knew she was crazy, but did her madness worsen while I wasnt looking?
Dolby suddenly remembered a distant past, so old its light had faded.
The Bloody Yuma.
Before losing one horn, she reigned as a terror among humans. Looking back now, it seemed a bit of an exaggerated nickname, but it was given by the humans who fought against Yuma, so she wasnt ashamed of it.
Her actions while leading the Demon Gods army were enchanting enough to excite Dolby, who was still a young fairy at that time.
Why did it turn out like this?
Dolby, who once even admired her, couldnt help but feel pity for Yumas bizarre behavior.
What changed Yuma?
Was it after her horn was shattered?
Or since she was betrayed by the Demon God?
Maybe it started when she began nurturing the humans of Prient. Her once fiercely cold gaze began to soften with affection, and ill-fitting polite words slipped from her red lips.
And now,
Yuma suddenly started boasting about the humans she was raising to Dolby.
You.
Hm?
Startled by the cold voice, Dolby swallowed hard.
Are you watching properly?
Of course.
Is that so? Then explain. What just happened?
Well
Dolby squinted her eyes to answer the sudden question. The world, already hard to discern through the thin fabric, was further obscured by the blizzard, making it difficult to comprehend what was happening.
But Dolby knew.
Though she had only one eye left, the divine eye she had been blessed with by the god she followed was not hindered by obstacles.
A light appeared before her eyes.
Certainly something to be proud of. The demon beasts turn to dust as soon as they touch the light. I havent seen such light in a long time.
She didnt feel the pain directly as she hadnt seen it, but Dolby could sense the absurd amount of holy power in that light.
The light burned the beasts.
Thats not enough. Tell me more.
What more is there? Swing the sword, and everything turns to dust. Whats happening now is just a repetition of that.
Indeed, it is.
Disappointment was evident on Yumas face, which she had bowed.
The main reason she abruptly brought Dolby was to keep a chance of meeting Atmos again, but she also had a slight desire to show her old friend the lords coming-of-age ceremony.
I did well to change the content of the coming-of-age ceremony.
Originally, the ceremony meant surviving in the Demonic Realm. However, demon beasts that would just disintegrate in the light of the holy sword were hardly a challenge worthy of high appraisal.
The other Prients leading the way, excluding Shiron, were moving at the same or faster speed despite different methods. Yuma secretly hoped for a stronger enemy, like an apostle, to appear, fearing that Shiron might seem ordinary.
Finally, the group crossed the mountain range and reached the Demonic Realm.
This is the Demonic Realm.
Lucia crouched on the ground, scooping up the earth. The scattering red particles appeared almost like sand at first glance.
Unlike the previous all-white landscape, the scenery beyond the mountain range was red, both the sky and the earth.
Was there such a place here 500 years ago?
She had traveled many parts of the Demonic Realm to subdue the Demon God, but the red land was new to her. Perhaps the environment had changed over time. 500 years were enough for new rivers to form and dynasties to change several times.
I only saw unfamiliar demon beasts.
Siriel was also lost in thought. They had faced incredibly tough demon beasts while crossing the mountain. However, among them, the only one Siriel recognized was the frost wolf they encountered at the beginning. The rest were all unfamiliar in form and strength.
The demon beasts of the mountain were strong. The ones in the academy dungeons were uninteresting weaklings in comparison.
Suddenly, Siriel remembered Hugo, who had not yet returned from his expedition. Shee had seen Hugos strength with her own eyes and knew that the demon beasts he had slain were no match for Hugo, but arriving in the Demonic Realm changed her perception of demon beasts.
Far away, a figure the size of a mountain was moving.
It was hard to distinguish from the distance, but it was probably a demon beast. Then Siriel felt a presence on her shoulder.
Thats not an apostle. So, you wont have to face it.
Uncle?
I thought it better to be clear. An apostle isnt just a giant monster.
It looks like well have to stay here tonight.
Having spoken, Glen blinked several times, then began rubbing his eyelids.
Scenes faintly emerging in his mind became clearer.
They appeared as if etched behind his eyelids.
Red clouds. Blood-red rain.
Amidst it, armor burst forth, and the scene froze.
Was this the extent of the prophecy? He couldnt see the outcome of the coming-of-age ceremony, but it was not the worst. There were times when it was fortunate not to see a future where someones head flew off. Glen was confident that this was the better scenario.
If necessary
Glen silently fiddled with his sword hilt.
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