Chapter 83

I was not feeling well.

I have kept you all waiting for a long time. This time, the text is short, but from next time, I will increase the frequency and speed of updates, so I think there will be fewer delays.

"To explain again, Felibus is a holy sword created by Clairecil. There are several other swords, but even I don't know the exact number. Their characteristic is that they have a high killing ability against humans."

"Hmm..."

After defeating Felibus, we returned to the inn.

The villagers' health has fully recovered, and they are now working on regaining their lost stamina.

The men who were affected by Felibus at close range have not regained consciousness, but their lives are not in danger.

Despite the various issues, I was thanked as a hero who saved the village, but I was about to be restrained by the village, which would have been quite troublesome, so I decided to leave the village early after receiving food and a certain amount of money.

That said, I will stay at this inn tonight, and the departure will be tomorrow.

"In other words, the holy swords were created by the foolish Clairecil to kill people, and when he was sealed, they went into hiding, and now that he has revived, the holy swords have also come back to life, right?"

"What, you understand things pretty well, don't you?"

"...I'm not that stupid, you know."

When I get flustered, it doesn't work that way.

"Anyway, your story is fine. The problem is—"

"Those monsters might be rampaging all over the world, right?"

"...Don't steal my lines."

If such powerful beings were to rampage, it would be quite chilling.

It was good that we were able to defeat Felibus this time.

He seemed to be quite troublesome in the long run, and if he had spread the disease while moving, it would have been a major disaster.

"Wait, why didn't Felibus move from here?"

With that much power, he could have easily contaminated this village and then invaded a larger city, and could have wiped out humans in no time—

"...He probably didn't want to interfere with the other holy swords. Considering his divine power, his strength is among the lower middle of the holy swords. If he had recklessly attacked people in the jurisdiction of other holy swords, he might have incurred their wrath. In that case, Felibus would be the one to break."

"...So the holy swords, in a sense, protect the people in their jurisdiction?"

"To kill them with their own hands."

They are quite a bad bunch.

And he's even in the lower middle...

"Well, the definition of strength is just something I came up with based on simple combat ability. Felibus was a troublesome holy sword, and if he had been able to fully utilize his abilities, he would have been higher."

"Even so... there are still stronger ones?"

"...There are the ones called the 'Seven Holy Swords.' If you humans were to face them... you should assume you have no chance of survival. They are Clairecil's masterpieces, a different class altogether."

The Seven Holy Swords... huh.

At least, with no magic power now, I can't even talk about it.

If I meet them, I'll die for sure.

—No, I can't die yet. I can't die.

"Destroying the holy swords is my goal for now... hey, Straws."

"What is it, all of a sudden?"

"Can you share your divine power with me?"

"...Hmm."

Huh? I said it kind of jokingly.

Seeing Straws seriously pondering, a slight hope swelled inside me.

"...It's impossible to share divine power..."

"Come on, don't get my hopes up like that."

I couldn't help but hang my head.

"Besides, my divine power now is as small as a sparrow's tear. I don't have enough to give. But..."

"But?"

"...I might be able to awaken your divine power."

"...What?"

His sudden proposal stopped my thoughts for a moment.

"N-no... awakening divine power... that's impossible. I'm not a god or anything."

"There's a chance. Besides, humans can handle divine power. Proof of this is that you handle holy swords, which, though in small amounts, are imbued with divine power."

"...Do Guts and Excalibur have divine power too?"

"Of course. They recognize you as their owners and lend you their power, but they were all originally created by Clairecil. His divine power is infused in them."

I see, the reason holy sword wielders gain such overwhelming strength is because of the gods.

...That's annoying, that guy.

So, we became strong thanks to him.

What kind of hero is that? It's embarrassing.

No, what's even more embarrassing is that I thought I had become strong on my own.

"...But even if I train, there's a good chance nothing will happen, and I might just waste time. Are you still going to do it?"

"Of course."

"Wow, you answered right away."

If the possibility was zero, there would be no room for consideration and I would reject it outright.

But if there's even a small chance, there's a good chance of success.

I decided to do everything I can, so if I don't challenge this, it would be a lie.

"Alright. You seem serious, so I'll seriously try to awaken your divine power."

"Thanks, Straws."

"At least call me Master!"

◆◆◆

"..."

"Hmph... sleeping so soundly..."

At night, Destroya sat on the bed, looking down at the sleeping Setsu.

Despite his bad attitude and harsh words, he looks like a normal person when he's asleep.

"...There's no way a human can handle divine power."

Looking at his immature face, she muttered.

It was a statement that negated everything she had said earlier.

"Only those who have the blood of a god can handle divine power."

Destroya got off the bed and looked up at the starry sky from the room's window.

"Setsu... you're probably his child, right?"

The sky was a deep black, a color that seemed to suck you in.

No matter how much the stars and the moon shone, the blackness did not fade.

Destroya asked the sky.

"Hey... Death God."