Chapter 81

"Is this the place...?"

"Yeah, what a lifeless village, isn't it?"

After meeting the old merchant, we finally arrived at the village.

From the outside, the village looked dark and gloomy, exuding an atmosphere that would make anyone passing by avoid it.

"Let's go in and see. We can't solve anything if we don't know the cause."

"True. I don't have solid proof yet either."

Straw seems to have an idea about the cause of the illness, but he won't tell me.

It seems to be related to a deity, but if it's just a contagious disease, what would we do?

Well, we're about to find out.

When we entered the village, we saw young men sitting and resting against the walls of houses everywhere.

They all looked lifeless.

However, they don't seem to be sick.

As we walked around, one of them spoke to us.

"Are you travelers?"

"Ah, yeah, something like that."

"Got it. You'd better leave quickly. This village is finished."

"Is there an epidemic? Can you tell us more about it?"

"Hah, you're curious. Alright, it would be a relief if you could spread the word outside."

Here's what he told us:

A few days ago, one of the village children suddenly fell ill.

The symptoms were similar to a cold, so they took appropriate measures, but the child didn't recover and the condition worsened. The illness then started spreading to others.

By the time they realized the severity of the situation, most of the children and elderly were bedridden and beyond help.

Now, the men are taking turns caring for the sick, trying to manage as best they can.

"The situation is pretty bad."

"Yeah, it is."

We decided to stay at an inn in the village.

The innkeeper's wife and daughter were also sick, and he himself was quite weak, but he reluctantly let us stay, so we paid a bit more.

Well... we couldn't use our magic bag because we lost our magic, so we used the money we got from the thief earlier.

"So, was your guess right?"

"More or less... I think."

"Then tell me. How is this illness related to a deity?"

"Hmm..."

Straw got off the bed he was sitting on and leaned out the window.

"Indeed, it's there."

"What? What is it?"

"Rejoice, boy, I finally have proof!"

"..."

Straw, looking quite pleased, grabbed my hand and ran out of the inn.

I was stunned as we ran through the village, and he finally stopped in the center.

"Hey! What's going on?"

"We're at the center of the village."

"Huh?"

He hadn't explained anything yet.

I was about to lose my patience when—

"Come out, you're there, right?"

"――――Oh, it's the God of Destruction, isn't it..."

I involuntarily stepped back.

Suddenly, a child was standing there.

With a deep, poisonous purple hair and a completely expressionless face, it was hard to tell the gender. From the voice, it seemed to be a boy.

There was something about it that reminded me of Clairecil.

"――――So, it was you, <Feribus, the Disease Demon Sword>."

"I didn't expect you to notice so quickly, God of Destruction. It seems I'm like the first Holy Sword."

"Huh? Holy Sword?"

I couldn't help but interrupt when I heard those words.

Holy Swords are weapons beyond human comprehension, possessed by those summoned from another world.

I, Toshima, and Koushin, the so-called heroes, have them.

Are you saying this kid has one?

"You're wrong, Setsu. This one doesn't have a Holy Sword. It's fundamentally different. This one... is a Holy Sword itself."

"..."

What does that mean? I don't get it.

No matter how you look at it, this kid is human.

I can sense an unusual aura, but I don't see a sword anywhere.

"God of Destruction, it seems this man is quite dull. Will this make him understand?"

"Stop it! Don't!"

I instinctively thrust the broken Kuromaru I was carrying.

There was a dull sound, and I found myself rolling on the ground.

"What the...!?"

My arm was numb.

It wasn't paralyzed, but it was hard to use.

I quickly stood up and saw that the kid had turned his arm into a blade.

"Nice defense."

"Setsu! Don't let your guard down!"

"Wh-What the hell is this guy!?"

I've never seen anyone turn their arm into a blade.

Even without magic, this guy knocked me back.

In terms of power, he might be on par with Toshima.

"We are the Holy Swords created by the God of Creation, Clairecil, to exterminate humans. Normally, we exist as swords, but when we don't have an owner, we can take human form. Though, our power does decrease."

Holy Sword? Clairecil? Man, I must be really dumb.

I tried to make sense of what he said, but I couldn't.

Is this guy a talking sword?

"Setsu, we need to focus on how to defeat this one. Until we do, this village won't have peace."

"Ah!? The plot is moving too fast! Explain it clearly!"

"The one in front of you is the cause of the illness! Defeat him, and everyone will be happy! Got it!?"

"O-Okay... that's easier to understand..."

I was startled by his sudden casual tone, but at least my mind caught up.

I'll get the details from Straw later. For now, I just need to defeat this guy.

I don't know much, but I'll beat the crap out of this guy who's challenging us!

"You seem ready to fight. Facing the God of Destruction is quite hopeless, but I still have a mission to complete. I will cut you down."

"Bring it on!"

I stomped the ground and lunged at Feribus.

I swung Kuromaru down from above, and Feribus pulled a sword from his torso to block it.

The sword was twisted and looked poisonous.

...I'm a bit shocked that he blocked it so easily.

"That's a heavy blow for a human. I won't let my guard down."

I was pushed back.

As I regained my stance and stepped back, Feribus gently touched his sword.

"Let's invade, <Feribus>!"

I had a bad feeling.

Purple miasma was emanating from his sword.

My instincts told me not to touch it.

"Setsu, you can't handle this! Retreat immediately!"

"I know...!"

I swung Kuromaru to deflect the miasma and took a step back.

Then I saw Feribus kick off the ground.

"Retreating easily isn't a good strategy!"

"Ugh!"

I used Kuromaru to shield my stomach.

His thrust hit the center.

It was heavy, just a thrust.

With tremendous force, I was sent flying backward.

I crashed through a house and hit the floor inside.

"Ugh... come on... was that his full power...?"

My whole body ached.

There were no major injuries, but I was covered in scrapes.

This is nothing, but the question is whether I can withstand his full power.

Honestly, I can't. My arm is still numb from that.

He probably has a small amount of divine power.

The reason he reminds me of Clairecil is probably because of that.

So, having divine power changes your level by one dimension, right?

I wish I had magic.

But there's nothing I can do. As long as my body moves, I'll keep fighting him.

"Cough... cough... Who... is that...?"

My feet were stopped unexpectedly.

It was probably the daughter of this house, a child lying in bed with hollow eyes.

Her face was red, and she had a high fever.

...So, this is one of the sick children.

"Sorry, did I wake you up?"

I gently stroked the head of the child who was trying to get up and laid her back down.

This is bad, I broke the wall. I'll fix it later.

And I need to cure these people's illness.

"Are you in pain?"

"A little..."

"I see... wait for me, I'll make you better soon."

Such a small child suffering.

If this is Feribus's doing... I can't afford to show any weakness.

"Thank you... big brother..."

"Sure."

...She seems to have fallen asleep.

She was probably delirious from the fever.

Most of what she said was probably just delirium.

But she looked like she wanted to be saved.

I'll do everything I can.

There's no need to be afraid. I have a Holy Sword too... huh?

"...I have a Holy Sword too."