It was my second time walking the path to the Garden of Swords.
Along the way, Ren wondered why Lutreche had given him such advice. He remained curious about how much she actually knew and what her true intentions were. He doubted she would give him a straight answer even if he asked, but there were plenty of things he could at least try to inquire about.
However, as he researched the Ashton family, another period of time often occupied his thoughts. He couldn't help but be conscious of why Saint Licia's life had been taken by Ren Ashton in the original timeline. It was the event that served as the catalyst for his entire story. While he had occasionally tried to push it from his mind, now that he was in the spring of his second year, the weight of it felt impossible to ignore.
Don't forget.
It was as if a voice were speaking those words to him with absolute authority.
The sound of his own footsteps on the bridge felt unnaturally loud to his ears. Nevertheless, he continued forward, pretending not to notice the unrest in his heart, and stepped into the Garden of Swords.
The plains were spread out before him, more vibrant and beautiful in the spring greenery than they had been during his previous visit. Following his memory, Ren headed for the small hill where the lone tree stood.
No matter how long he waited, however, Lutreche did not appear. An hour passed. Of course, it wasn't as if he was guaranteed to see her every time he visited. He had come with the mindset that it would simply be nice if they happened to meet, so Ren finally turned to leave with a look of resignation.
"...In the end, I wonder if those 'Emblem' requests were the ones Ragna-san was talking about."
Ren gave up on a meeting and left the Garden of Swords. He felt the chances of her providing a direct answer were slim, but he considered asking Radius to deliver a message for him later.
He would follow through with that request a few days later, only to receive exactly the answer he had expected.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
The pair consisted of Charlotte and Lizred.
The two seemed to have been out shopping in the Imperial Capital on their day off, as they were carrying several paper bags in both hands. Ren, who had left the Garden of Swords and was walking along the main boulevard, happened to spot them.
"Oh?"
Charlotte noticed Ren and offered him a smile. Lizred followed suit and waved, so Ren approached them to offer a brief greeting.
"Are you two out shopping?"
"Yes, exactly. This girl still hadn't bought any spring clothes, so even though it's a bit late, I brought her out to get some."
"...How strange. I feel like this is the second time my shortcomings have been exposed in front of Upperclassman Ashton."
"It's fine. I find it charming in its own way," Ren replied.
"Gwah..."
Ren laughed at her strange groan, while Charlotte chuckled along leisurely.
The numerous paper bags they held contained various items that had caught their interest, starting with spring attire. Since some of the clothes didn't require alterations, they were able to take them home the same day. Even though they were nobles, they were still just teenage girls. On days when they felt like wandering the main boulevard, they shopped just like commoner children.
"There's a big party coming up in May, right? Liz hadn't even bought an outfit for that yet. Granny Archayse asked me to look after her, so I dragged her out to the castle town."
"May... Oh, right. I think I recall hearing about that."
"This girl literally had nothing to wear for the occasion."
"I do! I have several perfectly fine outfits!" Lizred protested immediately.
Charlotte countered calmly. "Those are years old. I keep telling you to buy new ones every year, but you're such a homebody you refuse to go shopping."
"Haa... Sharo, what are you talking about? I get new ones every year."
"If you're referring to your magic training gear, I honestly don't know what to do with you."
"...That aside, my size hasn't changed that much, so there's no need to buy a brand-new dress. It's a waste of money."
Having been hit where it hurt, Lizred quickly tried to change the subject. Even so, as Charlotte had pointed out, her older clothes were likely showing their age. While being dressed up wasn't strictly a requirement, a noble was expected to have at least one dress appropriate for her age.
"Don't you agree, Upperclassman Ashton?"
"Don't drag me into this. I'm a guy."
"You're free to ignore her," Charlotte added.
"Ah! That's cold! It was just a bit of lighthearted banter!"
Despite her complaints, Lizred huffed and planted her hands on her hips with a determined look.
"Besides... clothes you're used to are the best. Fabric that's been washed many times is soft and comfortable. Towels are a perfect example of that."
"You can do whatever you want with your towels and loungewear. We're talking about clothes for public appearances. This is about basic grooming."
"U-ugu..."
Lizred apparently lost the strength in her grip, as the shopping bags slipped from her hands. A rustling sound echoed as they hit the ground.
"Aaaaaaaaaah!"
Watching her, Ren couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort from her "little sister" or "small animal" energy. With a wry smile, he helped her gather the bags.
"Thank you so much!"
"No, don't worry about it."
After offering a gentle smile, Ren steered the conversation back to the previous topic.
"About the party... the Imperial Castle Conference takes place before that, doesn't it?"
The Imperial Castle Conference was a gathering of nobles held at the castle only once every few years, an occasion that brought countless nobles to the Imperial Capital. The large party they were discussing was a celebration held after the conference concluded. As it was an important social event, Baron Lezard was bound to be busy as well.
"Will you all be attending together?"
"That's the plan. You'll be participating as well, won't you, Ashton-kun?"
"I haven't been told officially yet, but I expect that will be the case."
Vane would likely be the center of attention during the Imperial Castle Conference. It was easy to imagine—no, it was a certainty—that the Hero Faction would be in high spirits.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
In a certain country on the Elfen Continent.
A man was riding in a shared carriage traveling along the highway. Resting one arm on a raised knee, he was engrossed in a book while basking in the spring breeze blowing through the window. As he turned a page, the pleasant wind caused his lips to curl into a slight smile.
"Hey, mister!"
The coachman called out to him from the front; he was the only passenger. "We'll be at the town of — soon!"
"Thank you. I'll get off there."
"Got it! Just a little bit longer!"
The carriage traveled for another thirty minutes before stopping just outside the man's destination. When the coachman leaned out from the front window, the man promptly handed him several bills.
"Thanks. Come again."
"Yes. Thank you for the wonderful journey."
Stepping out, the man walked toward the town, enjoying the warm sunlight and the refreshing breeze. The town was substantial in size—more than double the size of Erendil. However, since this wasn't a town within Leomel, a direct comparison was difficult.
At the entrance to the town stood a massive gray castle gate. It served as a checkpoint to verify the identities of travelers, adventurers, and other visitors. The man looked at the gate and continued his approach with a leisurely stride.
He looked every bit the noble, dressed in gray slacks, a crisp shirt, and a gilet, with his jacket draped over one arm. In his free hand, he carried a leather travel bag.
A traveler quietly approached him as he walked. Taking the man's bag, the traveler spoke.
"Lord Orphide."
It was the man's name.
"Is something the matter?"
"I have news regarding the Ring of the Water Goddess."
They moved with easy composure. To any observer, the pair looked like two acquaintances sharing a bit of idle gossip as they walked. However, the man called Orphide felt his eyebrows twitch for a fleeting second. With a habitual gesture, he reached up to adjust his glasses.
"Continue."
"Yes."
The traveler pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Orphide. Orphide unfolded the paper as he walked, then adjusted the bridge of his glasses again—a nervous tic he repeated out of habit.
With a look of profound disappointment, he spat out a single word.
"Troublesome."
The traveler—or rather, the Demon King Cultist—was plunged into a state of extreme tension by that voice alone, yet he maintained a calm facade as they walked.
"I am deeply sorry. It was never my intention to trouble you, Lord Orphide."
"I suppose so. After all, you only went to Windea and searched for that ring because I instructed you to. I do not doubt your loyalty."
"...Yes, my lord."
"I praise your diligence, and I have no intention of disparaging your efforts."
However.
A sharp, frigid gaze pierced through his lenses.
"Failure is not an option in this plan. Do we understand each other?"
"—Yes!"
Hearing the cultist's frantic affirmation, Orphide allowed a benevolent-looking smile to grace his lips.
"Do you remember my stay in Leomel during the winter?"
"Of course, my lord."
"At that time, I met with her. She seemed to have no intention of joining our cause, just as before, but perhaps she will change her mind someday. For her sake as well, failure in this plan will never be permitted."
"That person," "her." From those words, the cultist closest to Orphide understood exactly who he was referring to. A mere foot soldier might not have known, but he did.
The cultist spoke again with conviction. "For the sake of the Great Demon King, I shall stake my very life—"
"I am glad you understand. Now, go and make the necessary preparations. I will contact you later. As soon as my business here is concluded, I will head back to Leomel immediately."
"As you wish. Until then."
The cultist vanished as if he had never existed.
Orphide stood alone before the gate where identity checks were being conducted. Eventually, his turn came.
"A Guild Card or any other form of identification, please."
"My apologies, but I have no such item on me."
"Then move along. You cannot enter this town."
Even when barred by the knights guarding the gate, Orphide continued forward with a serene expression. To the knights, anyone attempting to force entry was a criminal. Even if he looked like a noble in his tidy attire, the rule remained the same. If anything, they only avoided lethal force because of his apparent status.
One knight drew his sword and blocked Orphide's path. Orphide snapped his fingers and offered a cool, "Excuse me."
"—"
A mass of black mana surged from the earth, taking the shape of an arm that coiled around the knight's legs. The knight was swallowed by the pitch-black void and vanished instantly.
The surrounding knights, travelers, and residents were paralyzed by the sheer abnormality of the event. Then, screams erupted in every direction as the guards drew their weapons in unison.
"Reinforcements! Quickly!"
But before they could even go to call for aid, more figures came running. Orphide laughed at the sight of them.
"Wonderful. I was looking for them."
The newcomers were not the town's local knights. They were Holy Palace Knights, the elite warriors of the Elfen Church. Trained in specialized sword techniques at the Silver Holy Palace and masters of high-level magic, each one possessed strength rivaling an Imperial Guard of a major nation.
Dressed in pure white robes serving the Main God Elfen, these were the same knights Ren had seen guarding the choir at Roses Kaitas during the Lion King Grand Festival.
Orphide continued his advance, unbothered by their arrival. Suddenly, the air flickered with an unnatural tremor.
"I have been wanting to meet you, members of the Holy Palace Knights."
Shadows closed in on Orphide from all sides—front, back, left, right, and even from above. Sacred magic and holy weapons forged in the Silver Holy Palace, specifically designed to purge those who served the Demon King, rained down upon him. The attacks pierced through the body of the elegantly walking Orphide.
"...To strike without even a greeting—how tragic."
"Greetings are unnecessary."
"There is no greeting for the defiled."
Spears of light, exquisite blades, and arrowheads coated in holy water skewered his neck, shoulders, stomach, legs, and even the space between his eyes. Yet, the Holy Palace Knights did not relent.
Strangely, no matter how much his body was ravaged, Orphide did not shed a single drop of blood. This unnatural resilience began to fill the knights with dread.
Their attacks only grew more frantic, the sheer pressure causing the castle gate to crack. The townspeople fled, guided by the local guards. The cobblestone ground sank under the weight of magic and weapons, and a brilliant light descended into the newly formed crater.
A mass of light more dazzling than the midday sun formed a cage around Orphide. It was a form of Sacred Crest Arts—the same technique used by the former bishop Renidas during the attack on Erendil's Great Clock Tower, but executed with a level of refinement and destructive power that far surpassed anything Renidas could manage. And it was being cast by thirty men at once.
The light burned on. Ultra-high heat and purified power focused on a single point. In the depths of the glowing crater, Orphide spoke.
"Incredible. To think you would kill me twice—I am genuinely impressed."
Even while engulfed in the purifying light, he spoke without a hint of agony. Suddenly, a mass of pitch-black mana leaked from the light and swallowed one of the Holy Palace Knights. When another knight readied his sword to deliver a finishing blow, a black thorn erupted from the radiance and pierced his chest.
The light was finally consumed by darkness, and Orphide's figure was revealed once more. The shirt that had covered his upper body was incinerated, exposing his lean, muscular frame. However, his clothing began to heal instantaneously. Like skin regenerating, the fabric did not merely mend; it grew back.
"You... priest!" one knight snarled in hatred.
Orphide smiled. "I am honored that you know of me."
"Of course we—"
"However, that knowledge might not serve you well."
Before the knight could finish his sentence, Orphide—the man they called a priest—vanished for a split second. Then, his arm punched through the knight's chest from behind. The heavy armor he wore offered no resistance at all.
Orphide withdrew his arm and continued his walk, adjusting his glasses with his free hand.
"I shall kill everything Elfen has created."
He turned his gaze toward the temple deep within the town.
"Those who believe in you, Elfen, and those who do not—I will kill them all. I will lay hands on the innocent children who know nothing. I will strike down the elderly who were soon to meet you anyway. And as for everyone else, they shall also fall by my hand."
Not a single drop of red blood stained Orphide's clothes. His shirt remained pure white, looking as though it had just been pulled from a drawer.
Facing the remaining Holy Palace Knights, Orphide made his declaration.
"I have come to claim the Holy Relics today—members of the Elfen Church."
On that day, a major town vanished from a certain country on the Elfen Continent. Not a single Holy Relic that had been stored in its temple was left behind.