Kays Translations

Chapter 20: The name of a certain man.

It was Ren’s second time walking the path to the Garden of Swords.

During the journey, Ren couldn’t help but wonder why Lutreche had given him such advice. He also wondered how much she knew about what had happened. She probably wouldn’t tell him, but he could ask anyway.

However, while researching the Ashton family, he found himself thinking about another period of time.

Why did the Saint Licia lose her life at the hands of Ren Ashton?

Ren couldn’t help but be conscious of this event, which could be considered the beginning of his story. There were times when he deliberately avoided thinking about it, but as he entered his second year of spring, he couldn’t help but think about it more strongly.

Don’t forget. 

It seemed to be said to him insistently.

Ren felt that his footsteps on the bridge were strangely loud.

However, he continued to walk, pretending not to notice the unease in his heart, and finally stepped into the Garden of Swords.

The lush, beautiful plain of spring spread out before him, even more vibrant than when he had last come.

Ren, as before, headed for the small hill with a single tree.

No matter how long he waited, Lutreche never appeared, and an hour had passed.

Well, it’s not like I can meet her whenever I want.

Ren thought it would be nice to see her, but he started walking with a sense of resignation.

“…In the end, was Ragna-san’s emblem with the mark Lutreche-sama’s request?”

Ren gave up and left the Garden of Swords.

He felt that the chances of getting a response were low, but he might as well ask Radius to deliver a message later.

…A few days later, when he asked for the message, the response was as he expected.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

Charlotte and Lizred, a duo.

The two of them seemed to be shopping in the imperial capital on their day off, holding several paper bags in their hands.

As Ren left the Garden of Swords and walked along the main street, he spotted them.

“Oh my?”

Charlotte also noticed Ren and smiled at him when she saw him.

Then Lizred also noticed and waved, so Ren decided to approach the two of them and exchange casual greetings.

“Are you two shopping?”

“Yes, we are. This one didn’t buy spring clothes again, so we came a little late to buy them.”

“…It’s strange. It feels like the second time my flaws have been revealed in front of Ashton-senpai.”

“It’s fine. I actually find it funny.”

“Aaaah…”

Ren laughed at Lizred’s strange groan and Charlotte also chuckled cheerfully.

The paper bags they were carrying contained various items they had purchased, including spring clothes.

Of course, some of the clothes didn’t need any alterations and could be taken home on the same day.

Even though they were nobles, they were still girls. Just like commoner children, they would occasionally go out to play on the main street, and sometimes they would go shopping like they were doing now.

“In May, there’s a big party, right? Liz didn’t have an outfit to wear then. The grandmother Arkei asked me to take her to the lower town.”

“May… Oh, right, there was something like that.”

“This child didn’t have any clothes to wear for that occasion.”

“I do have some! I have a few outfits!”

While Lizred protested vigorously, Charlotte calmly continued. 

“It’s old stuff. Even though I tell her every year to buy new ones, she’s either lazy or doesn’t want to go shopping.”

“Haa… Why is Charlotte saying such foolish things? I make sure to buy new clothes every year.”

“If we’re talking about clothes for magic training, how about I help with that?”

“…Anyway, there’s no need to buy a new dress when your size hasn’t changed much. It’s a waste of money.”

Lizred, feeling hit close to home, changed the subject.

In any case, as Charlotte said, her clothes were likely getting old.

While dressing up wasn’t an obligation, there should be age-appropriate dresses for nobles.

“That’s right, Ashton-senpai?”

“Don’t bring up that topic in front of a man.”

“You can ignore it.”

“Ah! I think that’s a bit harsh! It’s just a light-hearted joke!”

Lizred, looking dissatisfied, sighed and put her hand on her waist with a huff.

“It’s fine… I mean, there’s nothing wrong with it. Wearing familiar clothes is the best. Clothes that have been washed a lot are soft and comfortable, just like towels.”

“You can do whatever you want with your loungewear and towels. We’re talking about outside clothes. It’s about personal grooming.”

“Uh, ugh…”

Lizred seemed to lose strength in her hands, and the paper bag she was holding slipped from her grasp.

From the paper bag that fell from her hand, there was a rustling sound.

“Ahhhh!”

Watching her, Ren, who found solace in her little-sister-like or small-animal-like demeanor, smiled wryly and helped pick up the paper bag.

“Thank you!”

“No problem. Don’t worry about it.”

Ren said that and smiled kindly as he picked up the conversation.

“Now, about the discussion of the party earlier, there’s the Imperial Castle Conference before that, right?”

The Imperial Castle Conference.

It was a gathering of nobles held in the castle only once every few years, providing an opportunity for many nobles to visit the capital.

The large party mentioned earlier was held after the Imperial Castle Conference.

It was an important social event, and Viscount Clausel would probably be busy.

“Is everyone going to the party?”

“For now, that’s the plan. Ashton-kun, are you and your friends going to attend?”

“I haven’t heard yet, but I think we probably will.”

At the Imperial Castle Conference, Vane’s situation would likely be a major topic. Ren could already imagine that the Heroic faction would be quite lively.

…In fact, it wasn’t a matter of imagination but a confirmed fact.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

Elven continent, a certain country.

The man was riding in a shared carriage traveling along the highway.

He basked in the spring breeze coming in through the window, with one knee raised and his arm resting on it, engrossed in a book.

As he turned the pages, the corners of his lips relaxed in response to the pleasant breeze.

“Excuse me, sir!”

The carriage, with only one passenger, had the coachman call out from outside.

“We’re almost to the town!”

“Thank you. I’ll be getting off there.”

“Alright! Just wait a little longer!”

The carriage stopped just before the town the man had as his destination, which was already thirty minutes into the journey.

When the coachman showed his face through the front window of the carriage, the man immediately handed over several bills.

“Thanks. Use me again.”

“Sure. Thank you for a wonderful journey.”

The man stepped out into the warm sunlight and pleasant breeze and began walking toward the town.

The town was quite large, roughly double the size of Clausel. However, since this was not Leomel’s town, making a simple comparison was difficult.

At the entrance of the town, there was a huge gray castle gate.

It served as a place to check the identity of visitors, including adventurers traveling through the country.

The man glanced at the gate and continued on his way with a leisurely pace.

Dressed in gray slacks, a shirt, and a vest, he looked like a noble.

He held a leather bag for travel in one hand and a jacket in the other.

A fellow traveler quietly approached him.

Taking the bag the man was holding, the traveler spoke.

“Orphide-sama…”

The man’s name.

“What is it?”

“I have something to discuss regarding the Ring of the Water Goddess.”

Calmly.

Walking side by side, the two strangers seemed to be having a casual conversation.

The man referred to as Orphide twitched his eyebrows for a moment.

As if adjusting his position with a gesture that could be called a habit, he placed his hand on the bridge of his glasses.

“Continue…”

“Haa…”

The traveler took a folded piece of paper from their pocket and handed it to Orphide.

While walking, Orphide unfolded the paper and then adjusted his position by placing his hand on the bridge of his glasses.

Once again, he did it because it had become a habit.

With a disappointed tone, he said, “It’s troublesome.”

The traveler, or rather, the member of the Demon King’s cult, became extremely tense at just that voice, but he kept his appearance calm as they walked.

“I apologize. I didn’t intend to trouble you, Orphide-sama.”

“I suppose not. You followed my instructions and went to Windea to find that ring. I have no doubts about your loyalty.”

“Hah…”

“I commend your efforts, and I have no intention of belittling them.”

However, there was something.

Through his glasses, there was a sharp, cold gaze directed at him.

“Failure in this plan is not acceptable. Isn’t that right?”

“Haa…”

Upon hearing the voice of the Demon king’s follower, Orphide let out a seemingly kind smile.

“Do you remember when I stayed in Leomel during the winter?”

“Of course.”

“During that time, I met her. She still seems unwilling to cooperate with us as before, but she might change her mind someday. That’s why this plan must not fail.”

Her, she.

From these two words, the Demon king’s follower who was close to Orphide understood immediately who he was referring to. If they were mere foot soldiers, they might not have known whom he was referring to.

The Demon king’s follower once again said, “Hah,” and continued:

“For the sake of the Great Demon King, I am willing to risk my life.”

“If you understand, then it’s fine. Prepare yourself. I will contact you later. As soon as I finish my work here, I will return to Leomel.”

“Understood. Then…”

“Yes. See you soon.”

As if the Demon king’s follower had never been there, he disappeared.

Orphide stood alone in front of the identity verification checkpoint at the gate.

Eventually, it was his turn.

“Your guild card will do. Please present an item that can prove your identity.”

“I apologize, but I don’t have such an item with me.”

“Then, leave. You cannot enter this town.”

Even when stopped by the knights guarding the town, Orphide continued to walk calmly.

For the knights, anyone trying to enter the town forcibly was just a criminal. Even if they appeared to be a noble at first glance with their neat appearance, it made no difference. If anything, they avoided relying on violence as a means of entry.

One of the knights drew his sword and stood in Orphide’s way.

Orphide snapped his fingers and casually said, “Excuse me.”

“……………..”

Black magic energy emerged from the ground and formed into a shape resembling an arm, wrapping around the knight’s feet.

The knight was swallowed up by the darkness and disappeared.

At the unexpected turn of events, the surrounding knights, travelers, and residents were stunned, but soon screams erupted, and the knights drew their weapons.

“Someone call for reinforcements! Hurry!”

However, before they could go for reinforcements, others came running.

Seeing them, Orphide smiled and said.

“Wonderful. I’ve been looking for them.”

The approaching group was not the town’s knights.

They were Holy Palace Knights, the formidable warriors renowned in the Elfen religion.

They had learned special sword techniques at the Silver Holy Palace and honed their magic skills, each possessing strength surpassing even the elite knights of major nations.

All of them served the primary god, Elfen, and were knights dressed in pure white robes.

Though they weren’t present here, Ren had seen these knights before during the Lion King Grand Festival.

Orphide continued to walk without concern as they approached.

Suddenly, an instantaneous disturbance not of natural wind occurred.

“I wanted to meet you, Holy Palace Knights.”

Shadows approached Orphide from all sides, from above.

Holy magic, holy weapons forged in the Silver Holy Palace, and attacks filled with special effectiveness against beings aligned with the Demon King converged on Orphide’s body, despite the fact that they had pierced his head, shoulders, abdomen, and legs.

“…No greetings, huh? That’s sad.”

“No need.”

“Greetings that would defile us? Unthinkable.”

Lances of light, beautiful sword blades, and arrowheads coated with holy water.

Despite piercing Orphide’s head, shoulders, abdomen, and legs, the attacks of the Holy Palace Knights did not stop.

Strangely, no matter how much his body was wounded, Orphide never shed a single drop of blood.

That fact unnerved the Holy Palace Knights.

The attacks from the Holy Palace Knights continued to intensify, causing cracks to appear in the city gate. The people around immediately followed the voice of the town’s knights and evacuated.

The ground, paved with stones, sank under the pressure of numerous powerful magic spells and weapons, creating depressions where the light fell.

A mass of light brighter than the midsummer sun enveloped Orphide, forming a cage around him.

Holy rune magic.

Previously used by Lenidas, the former bishop of the Demon king’s cult, when he attacked the Elendil Grand Clock Tower. What was used now was a variation of that.

The Holy Palace Knights used it with destructive power and purifying abilities that far surpassed Lenidas, with a group of around thirty people.

The light didn’t stop.

Intense heat. Refined purifying power.

Under the sunken areas where the light had fallen, Orphide said, unaffected and without showing signs of suffering.

“Wonderful. I was surprised you could kill me twice.”

He was enveloped by the light all over his body and his voice was raised without any sign of suffering.

One of the Holy Palace Knights was engulfed by the dark magic energy leaking from the light. 

Another Holy Palace Knight, preparing to strike down Orphide, was pierced through the chest by the emerging black thorns from within the light.

There were still many Holy Palace Knights.

The light was finally swallowed by darkness, and Orphide reappeared.

The shirt that covered his upper body had been burned away, revealing his slender, toned physique to the onlookers.

However, his clothes were instantly healing… Not just repairing, but healing, as if his skin were regenerating.

“Sacr…ilege…”

One of the Saint Palace Knights managed to utter the word with frustration.

“Oh, my. It’s an honor to be known by you.”

“That was just a… fluke…”

“But perhaps it didn’t matter much after all.”

Before the Holy Palace Knight could finish saying something, Orphide’s figure momentarily disappeared, only to reappear with his arm piercing through the chest of a Holy Palace Knight from behind.

Even though he should have been wearing sturdy armor, it seemed to serve no purpose.

Orphide quickly withdrew his arm and adjusted his glasses with his free hand as he continued walking.

“Let’s kill everything created by Elfen.”

He turned his gaze toward the temple visible in the depths of the town.

“I’ll kill everyone who believes in Elfen, whether they’re believers or non-believers. I’ll even kill innocent children who know nothing. The elderly who will soon be summoned to your side, I don’t mind taking their lives instead. And for those who don’t fit into any of these categories, I’ll still kill them with my own hands.”

There wasn’t a single drop of red blood on Orphide’s shirt. It remained pure white, as if freshly laundered.

Facing the remaining Holy Palace Knights, Orphide declared.

“Today, I came to take the holy relics—Elfen worshippers.”

On that day, in a certain country on the Elfen continent, one large town vanished. Not a single one of the holy relics stored in the temple remained.

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