Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 136: The Four Saints
“The magic sword is dead?”
Lucius questioned, and Pallavis nodded.
“It was probably heavily damaged in the past and then forcibly repaired on the outside. Looking closely, the blade is just plain steel. It’s surprising it can still activate any magic techniques.”
Having possessed the sword since childhood, Lucius thought its state was normal. However, upon reflection, he recalled that the magic spear and shield that Chiyou had replicated felt more naturally attuned to magic energy.
Now, those ensnared by the puppet Sol’s magic formation were struggling to activate the broken magic sword. Even with a normal magic sword, activation requires familiarity from a young age. The additional challenge posed by this damaged sword was something Lucius couldn’t have known.
Not that Sol, who had cast the cursed technique, cared about it either.
“Can this magic sword be repaired?”
“It won’t return to its original state. You’d need to either reforge it completely or discard it and purchase a new magic sword. Frankly, I’d recommend buying a new one.”
Lucius looked down at the sword.
“If reforging it means it can still be used, that’s fine, right?”
“That’s true, but it will essentially be rebuilt from scratch. You’d also need to go to the Holy City.”
This sword had been with Lucius since childhood. More importantly, it was a magic sword passed down with the sentiments of the previous king. Discarding it was the last thing Lucius wanted to consider, even if he couldn’t yet imagine what reforging it would entail.
“Starting from scratch is fine.”
“…Alright. I’ll arrange it,”
Pallavis said, scratching the back of his head with resignation.
“Thank you. By the way, can magic swords be purchased?”
“Yes. If the previous owner hasn’t passed it down through inheritance, magic swords are traded exclusively within the sanctuaries. You can even find some for sale in this village. You should take a look.”
Lucius’s journey revolved around acquiring magic swords and equipment. While he could obtain drops from magic eaters endlessly, he had yet to find an advanced magic sword that Chiyou would deem satisfactory.
Having more options was always better. If he found what he needed among the purchasable swords, it would be a stroke of luck.
Learning that the Light Sword was “dead” was a shock, but knowing it could be repaired or replaced eased the blow. He now had insight into alternative means of acquiring magic swords.
The outlook wasn’t grim.
With that in mind, his curiosity about the conversation grew. The power he could obtain would never be enough.
“If ‘Fusion’ is a technique for integrating magic sword techniques, what are ‘Sealing’ and ‘Domain’?”
“‘Sealing’ is a technique to imbue a magic weapon with a priestess’s magic formation, requiring collaboration with the priestess.”
“Collaboration with a priestess… does that mean priestesses also fight?”
Lucius had always thought of priestesses as having a primarily religious role. While there were exceptional individuals like Priena, he hadn’t considered them as combatants.
“Priestesses don’t fight directly, but a Holy Warrior is only considered complete when they can use ‘Sealing’ with a priestess. Combat techniques originally developed to protect priestesses, so their presence is a given.”
“So magic weapons truly shine only when a priestess is involved.”
Pallavis nodded firmly.
“‘Domain’ is the ultimate combat technique. Few can use it. Currently, only one of the Four Saints, a man named Ark, can wield it.”
The term “ultimate combat technique” intrigued Lucius, but the mention of the Four Saints piqued his interest even more.
“The Four Saints… the strongest Holy Warriors.”
He had heard about them before from Yu, who mentioned that the Republic’s four strongest fighters were called the Four Saints. They were often compared to the Imperial Battle Emperors.
“That’s right. The Four Saints are the leaders of the respective martial groups of the Sacred Warriors, chosen from among the strongest. Among them, Ark is renowned as the most powerful in history. Techniques used by someone like him are beyond our reach. Mastering up to ‘Seal’ is the realistic challenge for us.”
“Huh? So the leaders of the groups are called the Four Saints?”
“Yes, that’s correct. Ark is also the leader of the Sword Group.”
“Come to think of it, didn’t Pallavis mention being a leader yesterday?”
“Yeah, that’s right. I’m the leader of the Spear Group.”
“Then… does that mean Pallavis is also one of the Four Saints…?”
Lucius took a cautious step back.
Pallavis raised a hand and firmly denied it.
“That’s not the case. The Spear Group lost the god we were meant to worship.”
“You… lost your god…?”
Now that he thought about it, Priena had mentioned that the people of Musuu Village didn’t worship the god Quadra.
Ad
The deity Ravana, with whom Priena had formed a pact, was considered a divine subordinate in Noah’s teachings. While it was undoubtedly a god, it didn’t seem to serve as the main deity.
There should have been four principal gods worshipped.
—Could there have been a primary god other than Quadra?
And what exactly did “losing” a god mean?
Spirit beings were a type of magic creature.
If a spirit being were the object of worship, it wasn’t impossible for that spirit to die. Although beings like the Immortal Demon might be a different story…
Continuing to worship a deceased magic creature felt utterly futile.
Lucius had that thought but chose not to voice it.
People’s beliefs are personal.
Lucius wasn’t so immature as to go around negating others based on his own values.
As Lucius fell silent, Pallavis turned his back to him.
“Watching your swordsmanship, I couldn’t help but intervene. Anyway, Anushka asked me to call you. Breakfast is ready. Bring the masked lady and the unsociable kid as well.”
Leaving those words behind, Pallavis headed back toward the main house.
◆ ◆ ◆
In the forest, the crisp morning air lingered.
Ad
A lone man stood, carrying a magic sword.
He wore loose clothing, his long hair tied back. From the glimpse offered by his collar, it was clear that his body had been honed to the utmost limit solely for wielding a sword.
At first glance, the man seemed slender, almost as if he embodied “nothingness.” Even with him standing right there, no presence could be felt.
It was a testament to his mastery over concealing his presence.
Yet, the area around the man was unnaturally quiet.
Too quiet—unlike any summer forest.
No bird or beast dared approach him, and not even insects made a sound.
The reason was clear: the man exuded an unsettling, almost chilling atmosphere.
The source of this ominous aura was the magic sword at his waist.
Its name: Atonashi. (Signature of No Trace)
A supreme masterpiece among legendary swords, it was the strongest of all magic swords, standing at the pinnacle.
The one who carried it was equally unmatched—a peerless swordsman.
He was Ark, one of the Four Saints.
Silently, several figures emerged from the depths of the forest, kneeling before the man.
Each of them also carried a magic sword.
Ad
“Ark-sama,”
One of them addressed him.
“…Have you found her? The runaway shrine maiden candidate.”
“No, my lord. Other than traces of blood, there were no substantial clues. If she had been attacked by beasts or the magic eaters, we should have at least found her body.”
“I see.”
“However, we did discover this.”
One of the kneeling figures took out a leather pouch and turned it over, spilling its contents onto the ground.
What fell out was a mix of black iron shards and dirt.
“A fragment from a destroyed weapon of the magic eaters.”
“Indeed.”
It was, without a doubt, the remnants left by Lucius after slaying a magic eater.
“magic eaters do not fight among their own kind. This was undoubtedly the work of a human.”
Ark, one of the Four Saints, raised his eyebrows in suspicion.
“But who would dare strike down a magic eater?”
One of the subordinates posed the question to Ark. Another immediately interrupted.
“No fool would do such a thing. That’s like inviting the curse of the magic eater upon yourself. Outside the Abyss, in the Outer Woods, no Sacred Warrior would ever falter like that.”
Ark nodded in agreement.
“An inexperienced individual might have done it by mistake, but that’s unlikely. If that’s the case, it could be an outsider.”
“A reckless fool. To ignore the warning signs—surely that person has now become a wandering magic eater.”
Ark himself shook his head at this suggestion.
“There’s no guarantee the intruder acted alone. Considering that the shrine maiden candidate is still missing, it’s highly likely that Sai, the candidate, is with the intruder. Find them at all costs.”
“Understood!”
With that, the sword-bearers dispersed in all directions.