Kays Translations

Chapter 1: The Shadow Doesn’t Disappear

A seemingly endless cloud of sand and dust obstructed the view. Amid the debris of collapsed buildings, there was hardly any space to walk.

Until a few hours ago, a small nation's city had existed here. Unusually for the conflict-ridden Martell continent, this city had been home to a revered temple, directly dispatched by the holy land of the Elven continent.

Now, there was no trace left of what used to be a city.

"It's over."

"Yeah, finally."

"The fact that such a formidable force moved... The Demon king’s Cult must have some plans."

These were the voices of the Priests.

Every one of them was proficient in both magic and swordsmanship, being members of the Elven Church's elite, and they were a group of capable individuals.

In a continent rife with conflict like Martell, they also served as protectors of pilgrims.

They were gathered around what appeared to be a wall from a former residence, made of stacked stone bricks.

They were observing a man crucified there.

To crucify him, they had used sacred spears, swords used by the clergy, and thorns made of magic. 

"How many do you think they got?"

"There might not be any survivors other than us. Given the state of things, anyway."

"Yeah... May the Chief God Elfen bless his children."

They grieved for their brethren who had perished and harbored hatred for the crucified man.

Suddenly, the gazes of the three of them shifted almost simultaneously away from the man.

"Huh?"

The chest of one of the Priest had been pierced by the spear they had used.

The second person, surprised, was impaled by another weapon.

As the remaining priest looked at the crucified man, he saw that the man was still smiling, even though he had been pierced through the center of his chest with the thorn.

Hastily, the priest member drew a sword that had been polished at the holy land.

"I apologize, but this body of mine doesn't die so easily."

As the man snapped his fingers, a black magic arm emerged from the ground and snatched the legs of the priest member. 

He fell, and the impact didn't stop. Nearby houses that hadn't completely collapsed yet came crashing down upon the priest.

While glaring up at the man, buried beneath rubble, the priest member noticed something.

"I see... You're... the... Resurrector..."

Wearing slacks, he looked like a noble from a major country at first glance. His pure white shirt was spotless, and two buttons at the collar were undone. When he landed and the clothes that should have been torn by the spears and such were gradually returned to their original state, looking as if they were brand new.

He took a handkerchief from the chest pocket of the vest he wore over his shirt and wiped off the dust that had adhered to his glasses.

Although most of his body was buried in debris, the priest continued to glare at him.

"Foolish..."

The priest, with his forehead and cheeks wet with blood mixed with gravel, spoke to the man who was wiping his glasses.

"That divine punishment won't be given to the Demon Cult..."

"... ..."

"Our god will surely—"

"It would be better for you to keep your mouth shut. Isn't it painful?"

The man paid no attention to the priest.

He kept wiping his glasses.

"The word 'divine punishment' is quite convenient. It serves as a rallying point for you priests no matter what the situation. But on the other hand, it's the same as declaring the absence of God because the fact that divine punishment isn't being wrought here is proof of that."

"How arrogant it is... for the Demon king cult’s teachings..."

"Well, well..."

The man was laughing.

"That's a good way to put it. Those who mistake God's authority for their own power, how arrogant they are."

As he finished wiping his glasses and put them back on, he folded the handkerchief he had taken out into a square and put it in the vest pocket. Without looking at the priest, he began to walk.

A few days later, the man disappeared from the Martell continent.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

After that, in a certain city of Leomel.

The scale was much more urban than Clausel, but it was still inferior to Elendil.

Walking down a bustling street in the daytime market, there was a beautiful silver-haired girl.

Her silver hair had some black mesh, and her captivating odd-colored eyes, like gemstones, would surely attract attention. 

Despite this, no one paid her any mind as she walked through the crowd. Even those who accidentally made eye contact with her would lose sight of her as soon as they blinked.

"Silly children. Even if they aim for this country, His Majesty won't return."

The girl said quietly while holding an ice treat, her words carrying a sense of regret.

The elegant smile concealing her sadness had nowhere to go and remained within the girl's heart.

She noticed a man sitting on a bench along the street and decided to sit down next to him.

The man glanced at the girl from the corner of his eye and, for a moment, doubted his own eyes. He had a refined appearance that exuded a metropolitan atmosphere, with a soft demeanor and a likable nature.

Just a few days ago, he had been in the Martell continent.

"Why are you here, milady?"

"Hmm? I don't really need to tell you, do I?"

Though the man was nervous, he concealed it and continued, 

"This is a good opportunity. There's something I'd like to ask you."

"I can't promise I'll answer, but go ahead."

"That's more than enough."

The man swallowed hard from nervousness and cleared his throat.

"Oh, is something the matter? If you want to say something, go on."

Perhaps because he had hesitated for too long, the girl inquired. She understood the reason for his hesitation, but she chose not to say it, opting instead to smile gently.

"There have been abnormalities with the messenger of our giant deity we dispatched to the Eupheim Sea. Could it be that you had something to do with it?"

"And what if I did?"

"I won't do anything in particular. It's just a confirmation."

"Hmm, is that all? You're asking such boring questions."

The girl's remark about the questions being boring caused the man to chuckle.

"Why did you interfere so covertly at Eupheim?"

"I didn't intend to interfere covertly. I just wanted to search the equipment of those Seven Heroes because I didn't like them. And I happened to come across the messenger of the giant deity Wadatsumi, so I gave it a magic stone. There were no ulterior motives."

"That's unfortunate. We thought you might have cooperated with us."

"How foolish. Did you really think I would cooperate with you?"

The girl directed her sultry gaze at the man.

"Now that I've answered, will you tell me something in return?"

"Yes," the man replied with a nod and a brief response.

"Are you still searching for the hidden treasure somewhere in Leomel?"

"Of course, isn’t it natural? It's absolutely necessary for us to have it if we want our King to return."

"Ah, I see."

Upon hearing the answer she sought, the girl spoke in an indifferent voice that gave no hint of regret. She seemed to have lost interest almost entirely.

"If things haven't changed from before, you can do as you please."

"Oh, it seems you're not interested."

"I'm not. That's why I haven't been acting with all of you."

The girl rose from the bench and headed toward a less crowded alley. The man, who still had things he wanted to discuss, followed her. Without looking back at him, the girl spoke.

"I will inherit His Majesty's will in my own way, so don't interfere."

"But—"

The girl then turned to the man and said,

"If you interfere with me, I'll drain all of your life force."

Unbeknownst to him, a cut had appeared on the man's cheek. The girl's right hand had been relaxed, but her fingers had slowly folded inward from her pinkie, forming an alluring gesture. Finally, her index finger was pointed towards the man's cheek.

Blood, magic, and vitality were gradually being drained away. When the gesture was completed—

"Just playing around."

"Is it a game or a warning? Which one do you think?"

"...?"

"I don't mind if you think it's just a game. But can you play with me? I'm sure it's impossible unless you're His Majesty, though."

Actually, I have no intention of playing with anyone other than His Majesty.

The girl said no more and lost interest in the man, restraining her power.

This time, she left for good.

"Where are you going next?"

"To Windea..."

"Hmm."

With a slightly concerned expression, the man continued, 

"Since the Tears of Elfen, you've been collecting sacred relics strangely."

"This is also for the return of His Majesty... However, if you were here like you were back then, everything should proceed smoothly."

"That's just because Elfen Faith, didn't like it. It's as simple as that."

Without responding to those words, the girl disappeared into the shadows of the alley.

The man adjusted his glasses by touching the bridge and watched the sky above from the alley, where a magic ship was soaring through the boundless azure sky, trailed by clouds. He was convinced that the time was drawing near.

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