Chapter 28

The power to understand the opponent that appeared before me.

It was definitely her power. Although it has somewhat degenerated and now fills my status window, it’s not her will but the will of the deity that has taken residence.

Ultimately, she has become a parasite to me, and I have become someone who borrows her power.

‘Not bad, though.’

The power she lends is quite appealing.

Without much hesitation, I extended my index finger, and she smiled cutely, grabbing the tip of my finger with her small hands and shook it.

-At least you will show me many more worlds than the current contractor, who cannot even materialize Calthiras, right? Can I look forward to it?

Her words brought a doubtful expression to my face.

"Show me worlds?"

-After living this long, the only interest I have is in seeing the world, you know?

"Then what do I get?"

-Of course, it’s the girl’s power. There’s nothing else I can offer. However, with the will of the deity, it wouldn’t be strange if new abilities emerge.

"What kind of new abilities are you talking about?"

-Didn’t I say that what you see is a status window? Just like in the games you saw in your past life, perhaps the concept of skills might follow.

"That’s interesting. What else?"

-Unfortunately, that’s all. I can’t satisfy you like a succubus with this body.

"There’s nothing in this world that can’t be done."

-Haha... I wish you wouldn’t say such things, even as a joke. The girl has no interest in a young boy’s body, even if it’s thousands of years younger.

She began to dissipate as if dispersing.

I’ve inadvertently shared the only secret I possess.

-Call me whenever you need me. The girl will sleep inside you, but I’m not sure if I can sleep with the chaotic thoughts of the people around you.

With those words, she disappeared completely, silent.

The sudden series of events left my head in a complete mess.

* * *

The capital of the Principality of Felicity.

This place, which should have been heated up by the continental swordsmanship tournament, collapsed entirely due to the monsterization of Baltian de Voltis the day before.

An unexpected attack.

It was an attack on the entire arena, organized by many nations, not a small-scale one.

It was a massive attack that could have caused numerous casualties, and if it had been just a little later, the continent might have been plunged into chaos. However, it didn’t go that badly.

That’s because I had already taken care of the situation before it escalated.

Naturally, the only ones who saw me in action were the divine sword Calthiras and Princess Illina, the so-called Sword Princess, who was the owner of the divine sword and seemed to have maintained consciousness.

However, I only assume that Princess Illina doesn’t have a clear memory of what happened.

‘The priests are now thinking that I resolved the situation based on the holy marks found on me and the residual divine power left in the arena.’

This is a guess based on the circumstances.

Moreover, after hearing that a priest who examined my body was shocked by the massive holy mark that had appeared on me, I wondered how to handle the situation.

What should I do?

There’s no point in hiding what has already been revealed, and I don’t feel the need to do so.

The fact that I bear the mark of a deity has probably spread far and wide.

So what if it’s just a holy mark?

A mere three people in 300 to 400 years have been chosen as candidates for saints or holy people.

The number of people who receive holy marks is that small.

Naturally, in the Holy Kingdom, the discovery of such a person is considered a precious trace, and they would rush to them with eyes blazing.

It’s not something that can be obtained through genetics or effort.

In the end, it’s impossible to avoid attention.

Damn holy mark.

It would cause less of a stir if I were just known as a Swordmaster.

Devout priests show a fanatical obsession with holy marks.

There are many people who would charge forward recklessly, hiding their true intentions, like nobles who pretend to be friendly.

-Haha, a holy mark is undoubtedly a sign of the deity’s love, but to the girl, it seems more like a mark of obsession...

‘You don’t have to remind me so bitterly.’

Feeling bitter, I muttered, wondering how to change this ridiculous gaze.

The size of the holy mark alone is a problem, as it’s so large that it defies existing common sense. There’s only one way to solve this.

-What are you thinking about?

"I’ve made my decision."

The decision itself was straightforward.

And, how to implement it? Swiftly!

"Baris! Winry!"

In the midst of the chaotic day, I called the two of them.

"Did you call us, big brother?"

The two, who were shivering in front of the fireplace due to the cold, turned their gazes toward me simultaneously.

"Frankly, we both hate being bothered, don’t we?"

"That’s true."

"Honestly, we don’t understand why we have to stop the priests who are insistently trying to meet you when we haven’t done anything wrong."

"This place isn’t a holy site or anything."

For a short while, it will be a holy site... technically, more than half of this city.

I artificially changed it, but most of it has been handled by the servants and maids. The ones that weren’t have been cut off and sent away by these two.

They’re like fanatical believers.

Most of the priests who are trying to meet me seem more interested in seeing the massive holy mark I possess than in the details of the incident.

Seeing Baris mutter, I showed a grin.

"Let’s pack! When things get complicated, it’s best to run away."

There’s no reason to stay and explain.

If people are alive, that’s enough.

Isn’t it?

There’s no obligation to explain the details, and if we stay, we’ll have to deal with all those obsessed priests.

Instead, it might be a good idea to leave a tank to draw the aggro.

* * *

Shivering.

A trembling sound could be heard.

It wasn’t that the sound was heard, but the small teacup held in the trembling fingertips was shaking like a machine vibrating at high speed.

"He ran away?"

"H-Highness! R-ran away? What do you mean?!"

"Answer my question, Linda."

"Sniff."

She opened her eyes wide with a terrifying gaze.

"Did you just say he ran away? Didn’t he just leave everything to me, causing all sorts of misunderstandings, and run away with his siblings?!"

"T-That’s right. When someone was sent to request your visit, the room was already empty..."

Her voice was low. Why is she so scary?

Her golden hair, trembling, seemed to move with a will of its own, giving a chilling feeling.

"He said he awakened in a crisis and defeated the enemy with the divine sword? Moreover, he said the reason for the holy mark appearing was due to the hidden power of the divine sword?"

She couldn’t resist and the divine sword had no such hidden power,

"H-Highness?"

Barking, an absurd barking!

The monsterized Baltian was destroyed by a bizarre palm technique, and the red woman was cut down by overwhelming swordsmanship!

While everyone else believes this story, she knows the truth. She saw that he, who gave off a weak impression and showed no mana, was an absurd person.

He seemed to think she was unconscious or in a similar state, but she saw everything clearly. His words and his display of power.

"Linda, tell the knights to prepare their weapons."

"Highness, calm down!"

"Yaaaah!! Catch him! Bring that brat back!! I’ll pull out his hair!"

Do people know?

The essence of the high and cold Princess of the Palan Empire is actually more of a wild spirit than Winry.

Grinding her teeth,

"I misjudged him. I’ll eat everything in Prince David’s head, so tell him to be prepared."

Her eyes, growling, flashed like a fierce beast.

14. Night Visitor

The return journey to the Kingdom of Rauen was very quiet.

While the priests who showed a fanatical obsession with holy marks might not be able to distinguish between work and play, they are not unruly calves. They must have lost their chance to see the holy mark with their own eyes.

The excited ones who were leading the way seemed to have accumulated fatigue and were now sleeping, leaning on each other in the carriage.

‘Looking at them like this, they really are a rare pair of siblings who get along well.’

They definitely are a pair of siblings who get along well.

Thinking about the reality of siblings I know, there aren’t many who care for each other so much while bickering.

-You seem to be smiling a lot.

‘Let them be, they look good together.’

Perseus, who had been sleeping, emitted a light and slowly landed on my lap, sitting comfortably.

Since she has a physical form but is still invisible to others, it’s unlikely that the kids would discover her identity if they woke up.

-I thought you would be quite interested in Calthiras.

‘Hmm?’

-You are the only one, besides the current owner of the divine sword, who can materialize Calthiras. Or rather, you are the only one who can materialize Calthiras in your current state.

‘Ah, I see.’

-Actually, you are the perfect owner for Calthiras.

Realizing the meaning of her words, I couldn’t help but chuckle.

Calthiras. It’s definitely an excellent sword. It’s rare to find an ego sword that can use 9th-tier holy magic with just a little added divine power, thanks to its massive divine power.

But.

‘It’s not for me, though.’

-I thought you would somehow seize ownership.

‘It’s an appealing offer, but can I really take something that belongs to the kids? Besides, Calthiras and I don’t really match.’

-Calthiras not matching you...

Strictly speaking, I’m not a great fit for a greatsword.

Leaving her in contemplative silence, I turned my gaze to the window. I already have a sword in mind.

Although I haven’t obtained it yet, I have a pair of twin swords to acquire, as per Surt’s request.

They were made at the same time as Calthiras.

The materials are the same.

But due to the lack of time, they were left unfinished and unable to show their true potential.

-In the dungeon I created in the basement of the saga I lived in, there are two unfinished swords. If you can open it, which you should be able to with my techniques, complete them with your own hands. After that, you can become the owner of the twin swords, announce that you made them and sell them, or do whatever you want.