WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Dionysus
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
Chapter 279: The Fifth Energy (4)
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The Holy Kingdom of Abilius was the strongest nation on the continent.
It had more than fifteen Masters, including forces it had kept hidden, high priests and Expert-class knights who firmly supported them, and the eyes of the faithful spread throughout the continent.
It was, in every sense, the organization best suited to stand against evil.
Unlike Lavath and the Phalanke Kingdom, which had fallen into despair at the appearance of the Jester Demon, a great demon comparable to the Dragon King, the Holy Kingdom had calmly formed the Demon Subjugation Force for that very reason.
But even so, the situation was not good.
It would have been better if they had been fighting a full-scale war against the demons.
With Julius Hyul, one of the Continent's Three Great Swordsmen, at the forefront, if they unleashed the power they had amassed during the 160 years of peace all at once, they could have easily defeated any horrific being.
But demons were insidious, filthy, and horrifying. Above all, there were far too many of them.
To patrol a continent this vast, they had no choice but to spread their forces thin, and the demons took advantage of every opening.
The damage gradually accumulated.
The chaos gradually grew. Secrets leaked out, and more people learned of the demons' awakening.
The Holy Kingdom revised its plan to act alone, and more kingdoms joined the subjugation effort.
They knew that decision would fuel the rumors, but they judged that destroying the demons quickly was more important.
It was a miscalculation.
The moment they changed direction, the demons hid themselves even more deeply, and other beings emerged to the forefront.
Contractors.
Demonoids.
Their numbers began to increase explosively.
"Did you hear? There are demonoids in the Torban Mountains..."
"I heard they appeared near Calven too. Isn't this getting too serious these days?"
"Exactly. We'd better stay within the city walls if we can. The kingdom will send a subjugation force and take care of it."
"Who knows? I heard the recent increase in demonoids is because... demons have appeared again..."
"What? Is that true?"
Uncontrollable fear swept across the continent.
Of course, it was not enough fear to collapse the social order.
The continent's strength had grown beyond comparison during the years of peace.
Fencing halls had spread throughout the land, greatly increasing the number of swordsmen. Runtel Kingdom alone had also seen its magical strength increase tremendously.
The religious order spread across the continent also helped maintain stability.
In truth, the direct damage was not all that great.
It was still a world where far more people lost their lives to poverty and bandits.
But...
'What matters is that the seed of anxiety has been planted in people's hearts again. It is too late to end this quickly now. This fight will last a long time.'
Cristobal Blackwell, a member of the Red Knight Order, thought with a worried expression.
Just as the faith of priests gathered together could bring about a great miracle, fear spread widely among ordinary people could also create great chaos.
It would destabilize the dimensions and punch holes between the human world and the Demon Realm.
'...I am not afraid of crossing swords with demons.'
It was not a lie.
He knew better than anyone how powerful and horrifying they were.
That was fine, so long as he could wield his sword for the continent.
If he could devote himself to the holy God, his life was unimportant.
But if hope faded despite such sacrifices, if the fear drifting across the continent continued to grow.
If that opened the gate to the Demon Realm and even more horrific beings crossed into the human world...
His thoughts had just reached that point when someone approached from afar.
Julius Hyul was walking toward them.
"..."
"..."
Every knight gathered at the training grounds held their breath. They watched him with expectant eyes.
The most devout man in Abilius and the Holy Kingdom's strongest sword.
No.
At the appearance of the man he believed without doubt to be the strongest on the continent, Cristobal Blackwell's heart pounded fiercely.
He had risen to the position of White Knight Commander at the age of fifty and led the knights from the front for nearly forty years.
That was why he could gather them all. He could summon everyone who had been hunting demonoids in fury and pursuing demons.
To the knights of Abilius, Julius Hyul was a figure of that magnitude.
Someone they could rely on absolutely even in despair, someone in whom they could place their hopes.
'Perhaps he has a plan to overcome the current situation.'
A faint smile appeared on Cristobal Blackwell's lips.
A little later, another person came into his view.
"..."
The White Knight Commander was giving off a heavier presence than ever before.
That was why Cristobal did not immediately notice that someone was following behind him.
But as the distance closed, the situation gradually changed.
Piercing through Julius Hyul's unshakable presence.
Piercing through the sacred white wall, an intense presence raised its head.
"..."
"..."
Silence continued.
The stillness remained.
Because their pace was not fast, and the training grounds were not small, it felt as though it lasted even longer.
In that slowly flowing time, the knights in black and white stopped, and the other knights' gazes came to rest at the center of the field.
There, the knight in black, Ignet Crescentia, faced the continent's strongest sword with an even more dazzling presence than before.
"Let's begin."
There was no response.
Shhhk.
She drew her sword.
Chk.
She took her stance.
Vwooooom...!
Ignet manifested a crimson Aura Sword and looked at Julius Hyul.
A few knights instinctively swallowed.
But nothing went down their throats.
The presence of the Commander of the Black Knight Order, which had already filled the training grounds, had left their mouths parched.
Thump!
She charged.
Shweeeeek!
Then her sword flashed out, her footwork like a gale and her attack as fast as lightning.
Julius Hyul smiled. He simply smiled.
The old man looked happier than ever as an overwhelming Aura burst from his sword as well.
BOOOOOOM!
* * *
"It certainly had an effect."
"Mm."
Julius Hyul nodded at Quincy Myers's murmur.
It truly had. The knights' resolve was completely different before and after watching the sparring match.
Julius Hyul considered it for a moment before carefully speaking.
"Georgu, you were right. It was worth calling everyone together despite their busy duties."
"Thank you."
"Hehe! Of course everyone would feel encouraged after seeing our captain, no, our commander's wonderful side!"
"That is true."
The White Knight Commander stroked Anya Marta's head as he continued his thoughts.
Like the other knights, he did not feel even a trace of fear when facing demons.
But that was only true for the present.
When he considered ten years from now, twenty years from now, his worries could not help but deepen.
'Senior Myers, the knights of the Purification Order, Ian and Kun... Even the Red Knight Commander and I are truly at an age that could be called precarious.'
If they fought a full-scale war against demons right now, Julius Hyul was confident they had at least a ninety percent chance of victory.
But what if ten years passed and the knights of the Purification Order reached the end of their lives?
And if another ten years passed, and he and the Continent's Three Great Swordsmen suffered from the infirmities of old age, what then?
Would the younger knights truly be able to fill that void?
'That must have been the kingdom's greatest fear. But...'
After today, that fear had completely disappeared.
Recalling the sparring match from moments ago, he spoke with a satisfied smile.
"Hope."
That was right.
Ignet Crescentia had lost today.
But what her defeat revealed was not despair.
It was hope.
Even if she could not immediately rise to the level of the Three Great Swordsmen.
There was certainty that she could reach that level far sooner than expected.
No, there was faith that she could rise to a far greater height.
Faith that she would become the continent's new center and eradicate evil!
That belief would make the paladins of Abilius even more resolute and weaken the demons.
"Wait."
"...Is something wrong?"
Quincy Myers asked with a serious expression.
The former Red Knight Commander could not help it.
Julius Hyul, who had been in such high spirits, had suddenly grown serious. If something had happened, it would be a serious matter.
But there was no need to worry.
No, it was good news instead.
A moment later, unexpected words came from the White Knight Commander's mouth.
"Do we need to show it only to the knights?"
"Show what?"
"The sword of the Commander of the Black Knight Order."
"Hm?"
"Sir Ignet's swordsmanship, skill, potential, and the hope they bring."
"..."
"If we let not only ourselves, but the entire continent know of it. If we create such an opportunity..."
"Would it not be possible to deliver hope greater than the fear spread throughout the world?"
"And through that, would it not be possible to close the gate to the Demon Realm opened by that fear?"
Quincy Myers's eyes widened at those words.
At that moment, an ordinary knight came rushing over and delivered new information.
"The Commander of the Black Knight Order has disappeared? Wait..."
The former Red Knight Commander looked around.
Anya Marta was gone. She had been with them only moments ago, but had vanished without a trace. The former Red Knight Commander muttered worriedly.
"Ignet's body has not even fully recovered. Where could she have gone...?"
"She will be fine."
Julius Hyul answered immediately.
Quincy Myers looked at him, then at Georgu Poive, the Vice Commander of the Black Knight Order beside him.
Georgu looked the same. He did not seem worried at all.
Only then did Quincy understand.
The old man recalled the face of a certain young man, nodded, and said,
"I only hope it will not be too great a shock for him."
* * *
"It was truly good to see you again after so long. You will welcome us again if we come next time, right?"
"Haha, of course. You are welcome anytime."
Some time after several powerful figures had gathered.
After Illia Lindsay and everyone else had left, Airen smiled at Kubharu and Karakum, the father and son who were the last to leave Farreira territory.
Farewells were always bittersweet, but they were not sad.
Because he knew they would meet again. Murmuring to himself, he sent them off with an even brighter smile.
Or rather, just as he was about to.
Zzzzzzt!
A line appeared in midair.
A light far more vivid than the bright noon sunlight.
It expanded until it was large enough for several people to pass through, then spat out a girl.
It was Anya Marta.
Kubharu's expression hardened when he saw her face.
Thud.
Then another figure appeared.
Someone of modest stature, with long black hair that was rare on the continent, carrying the same intense atmosphere as before.
The moment he recognized her, Kubharu unconsciously spoke her name.
"Ignet!"
Shhhhhhk...
Clack!
Karakum channeled the power of the Five Elements Divine Technique. The metal that had been divided into a hammer and axe transformed into a single massive double-headed axe.
Karakum could not help it. Karakum had heard the stories.
'They said she sought out Ian, Kun, and even the head of House Lindsay.'
Karakum's orcish fighting spirit rose like heat haze on a summer day.
But Karakum was wrong.
Ignet had come to ask for a duel, but her target was not Durkali's Great Warrior.
Ignet strode forward and passed Karakum. Whether the orcs were flustered or not, her gaze remained fixed on only one person.
"Airen Farreira."
She spoke.
"Will you have a match with me?"
Vwooooooom!
Intense Aura surged from her.
The challenge could not have been more sudden, but Airen Farreira was not flustered.
He did not let it sway him.
Nor did he grow anxious.
Airen watched Ignet Crescentia with a calm gaze before summoning his Sorcery Greatsword.
Vwooooooom!
"I'd appreciate a lesson."
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