It happened at almost exactly the same time.
High on the Sky Continent sat its only nation: the Shelgard Empire. A world-class military power, it ranked second only to Leomel and boasted a civilization nearly as advanced. Boundaries and oceans were non-existent on this floating landmass; beneath the edges of the continent lay only the vast heavens, with the great sea spreading far below.
The Imperial Capital, situated at the continent's heart, was of a scale rarely seen in the world. As befitted the second greatest military power, it was a grand, sophisticated metropolis where the latest technologies were born.
A single Magic Ship descended toward the capital’s docks. Its hull was a pristine white, adorned with gold filigree that symbolized untainted devotion to the Main God. Emerging from the ramp were the elite Holy Palace Knights from the Silver Holy Palace—the headquarters of the Elfen Church. Those gathered here were a select few, chosen from the best of their order.
The group made their way toward the grandest structure in the city: the Imperial Castle. It was a Sky Castle that floated even higher than the continent itself, tethered to the ground by massive chains extending from several soaring towers.
Within the Audience Chamber—a room that sat higher than anything else on the floating continent—the air was still. At the far end of a vast hall of polished gray stone, a golden throne radiated brilliance atop a short flight of stairs. The Emperor had only just taken his seat.
"I am honored to have been granted this audience," the leader of the Holy Palace Knights said, kneeling on one stone. He was a young man with hair slightly longer than his collar and features that reflected a serious, steadfast personality.
Opposite him sat the Emperor, the King of the Skies.
"Very well," the Emperor replied in a flat, inflectionless voice. "I made time only because it was you. It is as simple as that."
His golden hair, reminiscent of a lightning strike, was the source of his alias: the Thunder Emperor. His eyes were sharply upturned, and his features possessed the chiseled perfection of a statue. His name was Luves Rene Shelgard—a young Emperor and the swordsman who held the rank of Fourth-ranked Sword King.
"Raise your head and state your business."
At that low command, the knight leader replied with a crisp "Yes" and looked up. The other Holy Palace Knights felt the sudden weight of the pressure drifting from the two men. Several of them swallowed hard, their bodies instinctively recoiling from the overwhelming aura, but their leader did not flinch.
"I have come bearing the words of His Holiness. He is deeply pleased with the recent performance of the Shelgard Imperial Army."
"I see." Luves looked as if he had lost interest instantly. His gaze drifted away, turning toward the window.
The knight leader noted the dismissal, but as the one tasked with conveying the Pope's words, he kept his frustration hidden deep within his heart.
"His Holiness says this: The behavior of the Demon King Cult on the Martel Continent has become intolerable. We of the Elfen Church—"
"Is that all?"
The cold voice cut him off, startling everyone in the room.
"Do not make me say it twice. I am asking if that is all you have to say." Luves turned his piercing eyes back toward the knight. "Mistolfo, the Saint's Right Sword. I find it hard to believe a man of your caliber came all this way just to deliver such trifles. I told you, I met with you only because it was you."
"However—"
"I have no interest in the Pope. Do you not understand my words?"
Luves acted with utter indifference, having already dismissed the leader of the faith. Mistolfo simply listened, focusing his attention solely on the Emperor.
"The only ones I pay respect to are the Kings of the sword. Your master, the Saint, sits in the first seat of the Sword King Rankings, but the Pope is different. He is, after all, merely a King of Clerics."
Beside the throne where Luves sat, a single sword was thrust into the floor. It was a straight blade nearly as tall as the Emperor himself—a famous weapon said to have belonged to the first ruler of Shelgard. It gleamed in the sunlight streaming through the window.
"I spared this time because you are that man's aide. Do not say anything more that would dampen my mood."
Mistolfo shrugged his shoulders slightly. It was a gesture that bordered on insolence, yet Luves did not seem offended. Resting his chin on his hand, the Emperor waited for Mistolfo to continue.
"Please do not forget that my master is also His Holiness. We are his sword—his power."
The words, spoken without a hint of flattery, were enough to earn a reaction from the King of the Skies.
"What beautiful, distorted words. Truly befitting a knight of the Holy Land."
"It seems my answer did not please you."
"If you think so, then stop tossing such trivialities at me." Luves fixed him with a provocative stare. "It is foolish for a Gaina—a wingless person from the surface—to preach to the King of the Heavens. If that person claims to be the child of a god whose very existence is in doubt, it is a bad joke at best."
"Are you saying you have no respect for my master?"
"How tedious. Ignorant words do not resonate with me."
The Emperor’s voice was quiet, yet it resonated with such power that it felt as if the very space within the Audience Chamber trembled.
"If you have brought only nonsense, then leave. I have already fulfilled my courtesy to the First-ranked."
Mistolfo felt a flash of urge to deliver a spirited defense of his faith, as was his duty. Yet, he held back. He had no intention of further incurring the King's displeasure. He knew the Sword King sought only directness.
"I would like to hear about the temple your country protected."
Luves finally showed a flicker of genuine interest. "Continue."
"Recently, your forces settled a conflict zone on the Martel Continent. You must be aware that an Elfen Church temple stands there."
"Now then. I have not looked into the matter, but there may be one."
"There is, Your Majesty," Mistolfo said, his voice gaining strength. "The temple was completely destroyed in the fighting. Furthermore, the Holy Relic used to maintain the temple's power was taken."
"Pillage is the logic of the battlefield. Even if it was stolen, what do you want from me?"
"Information. Was what happened in that land merely a battle, or was it...?"
"The Demon King Cult?"
"Yes. Whether or not you saw signs of them."
Luves appraised Mistolfo with calculating eyes. Behind their leader, the Holy Palace Knights were paralyzed by a primal fear, maintaining their composure only by staring at Mistolfo's back. To the man on the throne, they were insignificant.
"It is nothing I am aware of."
Mistolfo sensed the ridicule hidden beneath the King's cold tone. "Did you not even investigate?"
"I told you, it is nothing I am aware of. If the item was so important, you should have kept it in the Holy Land."
"As I said, it was an item meant to maintain the temple's power." Mistolfo argued that for a faith with followers across the world, failing to protect such a site was a betrayal of divine teachings.
However, the Emperor found no value in those words.
"It is said that in the small nations of the Martel Continent, blood flows more freely than water," Luves said. "They risk their lives for a scrap of bread and kill over land just to sip from a muddy puddle. There is no reason for me to waste my elite troops on imps who have known only slaughter since birth."
"That may be true, but—"
"It looks to me like you want to continue this worthless farce. Your words lack true intent."
"............"
"No matter how much you stay silent, I can see it all. The Secret Treasure 'Tears of Elfen' was stolen by the Demon King Cult, and your relics have been snatched away time and again. You must be feeling quite chagrined."
Mistolfo did not answer. He took a single, deep breath.
"I have given my answer," Luves announced. "Orphide, was it? I heard that Priest killed many of your kind... but on the night he was struck down in Leomel, I heard there was another battle in a city under your management."
"If you are referring to that, it is not a matter for Your Majesty's concern."
"Do not say that." Luves fixed him with a mocking, piercing stare. "It was no ordinary temple, but a city housing a Grand Temple, was it not? The scale of its barrier would have been immense. Even for the Demon King Cult, taking such a place alone would normally be an impossible burden."
"..."
"It isn't as if you swung your sword against a Priest. Was it a Bishop, then? Or someone of similar standing?"
Mistolfo remained silent for several seconds. He knew that continuing to play games would only provoke the Emperor further. Finally, he spoke out of necessity.
"The Cult is serious. Whether they intend to weaken the Church by stealing relics or if they have some other objective is unclear, but they are gaining momentum every day."
His departure was abrupt. He prepared to leave the chamber without a hint of lingering attachment. Luves found the sudden shift amusing.
"Are you satisfied?"
"I cannot say I am unsatisfied while standing before the King of the Heavens."
"As your clever phrasing suggests, it would be better if those were your true feelings." Luves's voice returned to its initial inflectionless state.
"Your Majesty, please be careful of the Demon King Cult as well."
A smile touched Luves’s lips before he let out a loud, genuine laugh. Even though he had just been treated as a mere diversion, he released a sudden, cheerful surge of aura. His subordinates trembled, but Mistolfo remained calm.
"Your Majesty, is something wrong?"
"The man who spoke only of boring things said something quite amusing as he left. I do not dislike you, Saint's Right Sword."
Mistolfo chose not to interject.
"I only said what was ordinary."
"If you do not understand why it was funny, then strive never to forget this day." The Sword King was still smiling, yet a pressure far greater than before filled the room. None of the other knights could move; only Mistolfo remained serene.
The Thunder Emperor was a being permitted to repel all the world's injustices with absolute strength. He was majestic, arrogant, and haughty to his core.
"Slaying a King is an authority permitted only to a King."
It was not arrogance; it was a fact of their world. To anyone but a Sword King, an attack was child's play, and even high-level magic would never reach him. It was the logic of the world. If there was a law of causality, the Sword King was part of it.
"Do as you wish with your temple. I have no interest."
"Yes. I shall convey your words to His Holiness. We shall prepare a gift of gratitude immediately."
With that, the Saint's Right Sword departed.
Left alone in the Audience Chamber, Luves spoke to the empty air. "You clerics must be hiding something significant. You aren't picking a fight with the Cult just because they're unpleasant."
"Your Majesty."
A woman entered. She was beautiful, with hair reaching her waist and a straight sword at her hip. Her expression was cold, yet her eyes held a certain kindness as she looked at her King.
"The Court Physician is calling for you in the inner chambers."
"Ah, I shall go then." Luves stood and glanced at the treasure displayed on the wall behind the throne.
Encased in the center of a heavily sealed mural was a small vial. It contained the golden blood shed by the Phoenix before it died after nearly destroying the Sky Continent.
The Fragment of the Dragon King's Horn. The Blood of the Phoenix that Rules the Sky Continent. The Tears of the Giant Sleeping on the Seabed.
These were the treasures sought by the Blighted Princess and once obtained by Cecil Ashton. Each was a rare Secret Treasure, nearly impossible to find anywhere in the world.
After staring at the legendary vial, the Emperor headed for the small room.
"How is your health today?" the woman asked.
"Not bad. The thing in my chest is being well-behaved; it isn't acting up."
The woman breathed a sigh of relief, and the King laughed.
"I do not know how great the struggle between the Main God's pawns and the rebels will be, but I hope it provides some amusement for this boring life of mine." He looked out the window, speaking toward the high heavens.
Mistolfo and his men left the castle and walked through the modern streets of the capital. They headed for the Magic Ship docks on the city’s outskirts. Once they were back aboard their vessel:
"Your Eminence, should we believe the Thunder Emperor's words?"
"I have my doubts as well. Shelgard has been aggressively expanding its territory lately, and its influence on the Martel Continent is rivaling Leomel's."
"This is a nation that once had a major internal crisis due to disagreements in the Grand Ducal family. How much can we trust its King? Their imperialism shows no signs of slowing."
Mistolfo fell into thought for a moment before answering firmly. "He will not fight the Elfen Church."
"There is no one more suited to the word 'haughty' than the Thunder Emperor. But he is not a foolish King. He is terrifyingly wise."
Mistolfo entered the pilot house, and the crew saluted. "To the Silver Holy Palace."
Soon, the Magic Ship left the Sky Continent. Usually, such ships flew upward to gain altitude, but this one descended toward the surface. It was bound for the temple in the Holy Land—the heart of the Elfen Church.
"Still, that Thunder Emperor... to speak of the Tears of Elfen as if they were nothing."
"Yes. Anyone who has read the Creation Myth knows the sorrow of the Main God when she lost her mother."
"It is a Holy Relic of the highest divinity. They say a single drop wetting the earth can keep evil away for centuries. To belittle such a thing..."
"Even knowing that, he simply does not feel the need to show respect. That is all."
Mistolfo glanced back at the Imperial Castle as it receded. He still did not know the Thunder Emperor's true intent, nor was it clear why the Demon King Cult had concentrated all its might to seize the Tears of Elfen.
The captain approached Mistolfo. "Regarding the plan to visit several temples before returning to the Holy Land?"
"Proceed as scheduled. If there is time, we should also set foot in Leomel."
The ship from the Holy Land swam through the sky, its pristine hull trailing like a celestial robe against the clouds.
The next day, Ren woke up early, just as the sun was rising. He spent about ten minutes rolling around in bed, shaking off the last of his sleepiness, before finally standing up.
He had only just returned from Muedi's Hideout, but he felt almost no physical fatigue. He decided to head out to the manor's garden to move his body and quickly finished getting ready.
"...Come to think of it, I need to tell Radius about yesterday," he muttered.
Just as he left his room, the attendant who was usually with Licia approached him. Ren exchanged greetings and mentioned he was going out.
"Will you be heading outside the city?" she asked.
"Yes. I thought I’d go for a light workout."
As he walked toward the entrance hall, he heard voices livelier than usual. A group of knights was gathered there.
"Huh? Why are they all here so early?"
"I believe they’re heading to the highway. They’ve been doing extra patrols lately."
"I see... I didn't know."
Ren parted with the attendant and walked over to the knights. Weiss was among them.
"Good morning," Ren said.
Knight Commander Weiss, who was giving instructions, looked up. He was dressed in a white shirt and light armor protecting his chest and limbs. "Good morning, Boy."
The old knight’s smile was as gentle as it had been the day they first met. Weiss had visited the village long ago when it was under the Ashton family’s care, and he still called Ren "Boy" with the same affection.
"You're up early, Boy. Especially after working so far away yesterday."
"I just woke up. Besides, I got plenty of sleep yesterday because of that other matter, so I'm fine."
"I'm glad to hear it."
"I heard you might be heading to the highway."
"Yes. We’ve been coordinating with the highway guards lately to patrol the area. I was just telling the men I’d join them today."
It wasn’t that the incident in Windea was still a direct threat, but it was for Erendil's safety. The Clausel family had taken it upon themselves to provide these extra patrols, even without orders from the castle.
Ren didn't have to think twice. "Can I go with you?"
"I don't mind. Though it's just a routine patrol; we'd be fine even without your help, Boy..."
"I'm just in the mood for some exercise. Besides, watching you work is good for my training."
"I see. Then let us go together."
Weiss nodded, and the nearby knights smiled.
"It's been a while since we all rode out together."
"It reminds me of our days back in the Clausel territory. Master Ren hasn't changed, and Lord Weiss still calls him 'Boy' just like always."
"I understand the sentiment," Weiss said, "but don't forget we're on duty."
Listening to them, Ren felt a wave of nostalgia. It was a reminder of how much he had grown within the Clausel family.
Outside the manor, Ren mounted his horse, Io. She had originally belonged to the elf Jelququ, but she had taken a liking to the Clausels. She was a brave beast with a trace of monster blood in her veins.
The group galloped out of the city, picking up speed. Weiss and Ren led the way, their horses—both possessing monster blood—running with a powerful, graceful stride befitting their large frames.
A short while later, they pulled up beside a group of highway guards.
"Good morning, everyone," Weiss called out.
"Good morning. How are things looking today?"
"Peaceful. Maybe because they're scared of the Demon King Cult, but the bandits have stayed away lately."
"I hope the Cult stays away too."
"We all do. Well then, back to work."
Ren continued on for a while until they reached the mountain fork, where he dismounted. While the knights exchanged reports with the guards, he stood back and took in the pleasant morning breeze.
Being with everyone feels just like being back in the village.
Back then, I was fighting Steel-Eating Gargoyles in the woods and all sorts of other things.
That had been the catalyst—discovering he could gain new Magic Swords by absorbing the stones of unique monsters. As he reminisced, he felt the weight of the time that had passed. He turned his back to the others and glanced at the crystal on his bracelet.
Ren Ashton Job: Ashton Family Eldest Son
Skill: - Magic Sword Summoning (Level 1: 0/0) - Magic Sword Summoning Arts (Level 7: Defiled Mana Stone 0/1)
Level 1: Can summon [one] Magic Sword. Level 2: Obtain [Physical Ability Boost (Small)] while the bracelet is active. Level 3: Can summon [two] Magic Swords. Level 4: Obtain [Physical Ability Boost (Medium)] while the bracelet is active. Level 5: Unlock Magic Sword Evolution. Level 6: Obtain [Physical Ability Boost (Large)] while the bracelet is active. Level 7: Can summon [three] Magic Swords. Level 8: Unlock Magic Sword Awakening. Level 9: ***
Acquired Magic Swords:
- Great Tree Magic Sword (Level 6: 275/10000) Allows attacks roughly equivalent to Nature Magic (Medium). Range increases with level.
- Mithril Magic Sword (Level 5: 2700/8500) Sharpness increases with level.
- Thief's Magic Sword (Level 1: 0/3) A random chance to steal an item from the target.
- Shield Magic Sword (Level 2: 0/5) Deploys a Mana Barrier. Effectiveness and range increase with level.
- Flame Magic Sword (Level 1: 1/1) Its hellfire is the Dragon's Anger, an incarnation of power.
- Water Magic Sword (Level 1: 1/1) The power dropped by the Water Goddess.
During his trip to Windea with Ragna, he had fought many monsters and absorbed more stones than usual. More importantly, the sheer amount of experience he gained from fighting Orphide while wielding a Magic Sword had been massive.
As a result, his Magic Sword Summoning Arts had reached a new height... but there was a catch.
Things are getting strange again.
The requirement for the next level is different.
Defiled Mana Stone.
The ominous name of the item caught his eye.
But... I don't remember an item like that ever existing.
He searched his memories of the game, but nothing came to mind. He could ask the Guild or someone else for information, but "Defiled Mana Stone" wasn't exactly a name he wanted to throw around casually. He’d have to find a discreet way to investigate.
He felt the same mix of surprise and confusion he'd had when he first checked the status after defeating Orphide. Part of him had been trying to ignore it, probably because of that unsettling feeling.
Then there was the next unlock: Level 8: Unlock Magic Sword Awakening.
He wondered what that would actually do. His first thought was the link between the Flame Magic Sword and the dragon Asval, but the requirement for a Defiled Mana Stone kept pulling his focus away.
And then there's this...
He sighed, trying to push the special requirement out of his mind for a moment. He looked at the Great Tree Magic Sword. The number of points needed to level it up had finally reached five digits. It was enough to make him let out a dry, weary laugh.
When Ren finished his check and walked back toward Weiss, the old knight noticed his expression.
"You look rather glum, Boy. Is something wrong?"
"I was just thinking about how I have to get back to studying for my exams today. It made me wish I could just stay out here and work instead."
"Hahaha! To think I'd ever hear such words from you!" Weiss started to laugh but stopped himself, looking hesitant. "I was told this by a knight this morning, and I've been thinking about it myself... perhaps calling you 'Boy' is no longer appropriate."
"Huh? Why not?"
"You've grown, and you're already one of the few truly powerful individuals in this world. I thought I should use a more fitting form of address. It has been a long time since we met, after all."
"...Personally, I don't think you need to change it."
"Hm? Truly?"
"Yes. Not at all."
To Ren, it was a small thing. He didn't mind being called "Boy" at all; in fact, it felt right. Especially on a morning like this, when he was reminiscing about his time in the village, the name felt like a sign of the bond they shared. He wanted it to stay that way.
"It would feel weirder if you changed it now. You've called me that since the day we met in the village."
"Good grief... truly, you speak like a 'Boy'."
Weiss was the one who had trained him in the sword when he was just a child. Ren didn't want a formal relationship with someone who had been such a mentor to him.
"But thinking back on that day in the village, quite a lot of time has passed," Weiss said.
"That's true."
"Since then, the Young Lady started wanting to visit your village... it feels as though the time since then has passed in the blink of an eye." Weiss narrowed his eyes, stroking his beard with a wistful smile.