With the Eve Festival set for tomorrow, the ritual that had spanned several days finally neared its end. It seemed we would soon be able to deploy the barrier.
The ritual was in its final stages. A heavier sense of tension than usual drifted through the Association.
I had to stay vigilant and fulfill my duties as a bodyguard until the very end.
With that resolve in my heart, I kept my eyes fixed on High Priest Sierotia.
After all, I was certain the prophecy would come to pass.
That was why, when it happened, I was able to respond immediately.
Someone entered the Association.
The doors were kept open at all times to allow the villagers to observe the ritual, so a newcomer wasn't strange in itself.
But their attire was wrong.
The person wore a mask.
It was painted white, with lavish decorations surrounding only the eyes—the kind typically used in a masked play. Furthermore, they were draped in a black cloak that obscured their entire body, making it impossible to discern even their physical build.
I couldn't tell if the masked figure was a man or a woman, let alone their age.
Sensing something was wrong, I stood up.
"Hey, you! No unauthorized personnel beyond this point."
The masked figure was attempting to head toward the dais where the priests were gathered. I moved to intercept them.
The figure turned toward me.
Since I couldn't see their face, I had no idea what they were thinking.
The moment I gripped my scabbard, ready to move at a moment’s notice, the masked figure made their move.
Instantly, a black mist flooded the Association.
As my vision failed, a memory flashed through my mind—the Revenant wearing Namia's face had done this exact same thing at my home. Back then, the Revenant had summoned a black mist to vanish from before my eyes.
Could the person behind this mask be that same Revenant?
Before I could dwell on the thought, I had a job to do.
First, I had to protect High Priest Sierotia.
I reflexively lunged in front of her and drew my sword. Even though the mist had rendered me blind, I remembered exactly where Sierotia was standing.
A metallic clink echoed through the room.
Just as the prophecy had foretold, the masked figure had targeted Sierotia with a dagger. Because I had been expecting it, I was able to parry the blow.
We exchanged several more strikes. I was at a disadvantage in the blinding fog, but I managed to hold my ground.
"I'll clear the mist with light!"
Sierotia’s voice rang out from behind me.
I wondered if such a feat was possible as I gave a silent nod.
"Flash!"
With her cry, a burst of radiance erupted.
The mist gradually began to dissipate.
By the time my vision cleared, the masked figure was gone.
"The Holy Grail—it's gone!?"
Someone screamed.
Sure enough, the Holy Grail that had been placed in the center was missing.
At the same time, I noticed the door leading outside had been thrown wide open.
The Holy Grail had been stolen.
Realizing the truth, I bolted outside. It was dark, and a light rain had begun to fall.
"Dammit."
I scanned the area, looking left and right, but the figure carrying the Grail was nowhere to be seen.
"Kiska, calm down. I can pinpoint the location of the Holy Grail no matter how far away it is. Come, we must find it together."
"But I can't put you in any more danger, Sierotia."
"I appreciate your concern, but I am the highest-ranking official here and the one responsible for this. I cannot simply sit by and wait."
"I see. If that's how it is..."
I saw a fierce light of determination in Sierotia’s eyes. No matter what I said, she wasn't going to budge. I gave my consent.
Sierotia focused to track the Holy Grail's location.
Apparently, it was moving away from the village at an incredible speed. We would never catch up without horses.
Despite the rain, every second was precious. I didn't have much experience with horse riding in poor weather, but we had no choice.
We donned our rain gear and borrowed a horse. I had Sierotia ride behind me.
Since it was night, Sierotia used her magic to illuminate the path ahead as we galloped into the darkness.
◆
A few hours later, we finally managed to corner the masked figure.
"I've got you now. Don't think you're going any further."
A massive waterfall loomed in the background, blocking any further escape. Perhaps realizing they were trapped, the masked figure made no effort to move.
"Fleeing all the way into the mountains... what are you after?"
I questioned the figure while scanning our surroundings. I had been so focused on the chase that I had no idea where we were. I felt a flicker of anxiety about whether we could even find our way back to the village.
The masked figure offered no reply, maintaining a hollow silence.
"Hey. Give that back."
I pointed at the Holy Grail clutched in their hand.
Still, they said nothing.
It looked like I’d have to take it by force.
The moment that thought crossed my mind and I gripped the hilt of the Sword of Raging Flames—
"Kiska, watch out!"
Sierotia’s warning scream reached my ears.
Simultaneously, the masked figure lunged at me with their dagger.
I drew my sword in a flash, blocking the strike.
I was fine. I could handle an attack like this.
The figure was swift and erratic, but compared to the monsters I had faced until now, this was nothing.
Or so I thought, until the figure made a sudden gesture. Black mist erupted from their body once again.
This trick again?
I had already seen it at the Association; I wasn't afraid.
In fact, the act of releasing the mist created a massive opening. I remained calm, swinging my sword in a horizontal arc to slash through the figure’s torso.
"Wait... what?"
I muttered as a strange sensation washed over me.
There had been no resistance.
Normally, a blow like that would draw a scream and leave an opponent incapacitated. Instead, the masked figure simply knit the wound shut with black shadows and pressed the attack without hesitation. My reaction was delayed by the sheer impossibility of it.
The sound of wind whistling through the air reached my ears.
Damn it. The masked figure’s blade tore a deep gash into my side.
My body suddenly refused to obey. My vision blurred, and my footing became treacherous.
"Kiska! Are you alright!?"
Sierotia’s scream was frantic.
I saw her trying to rush toward me.
Don't come here! I tried to shout, but the words died in my throat.
The masked figure turned toward Sierotia, preparing to pounce. If I didn't do something, she was going to be killed.
"Flash!"
Sierotia released a blinding burst of light.
The masked figure flinched, retreating half a step. This was the only chance I was going to get.
I forced my legs to move, driving my sword through the figure's back. Remembering how they had ignored the previous wound, I threw my weight onto her from behind, pinning her to the ground to keep her restrained.
I kept my blade buried deep in the Revenant's back. The figure rattled and jerked in a frantic struggle for several seconds before finally going still.
I had successfully pierced a vital organ. The struggle was over.
"Kiska, are you okay?"
"Yeah... managed somehow."
I forced the words out, trying to sound steady enough to ease Sierotia’s mind.
"I’ll apply healing magic immediately."
Sierotia moved closer to inspect my wound.
As she did, I found myself staring at the masked figure. I had to know who was behind it. Why the mask?
I reached out and tore the mask away.
"―――!!"
My breath hitched. My heart felt like it had stopped.
The identity shouldn't have been a surprise.
I had suspected it all along, and my worst fears had been confirmed.
Beneath the mask was Namia.
No, that wasn't right. This was a Revenant—an undead monster that merely wore her form. It wasn't really her.
I knew that, and yet my heart couldn't accept it.
Had I just killed Namia again?
The thought spiraled through my mind, a jagged loop of horror. The regret of being unable to save her felt like it was physically tearing me apart. Then, as if to finish the job, the agony from the wound in my side began to drown everything else out.
"Ghah...!"
I was retching before I could even process the thought. My stomach felt like it was turning inside out as vomit surged up my throat.
"Kiska, are you alright!?"
Before I could answer her, the world went black.