Episode 8
brave.
There is probably no living human being who has not heard that name.
Savior of Middle-earth.
Symbol of peace.
The Goddess' representative.
One who can summon armies from all nations with a single word, command the respect of the priests of the sect, and even seize the throne of the empire if he wishes.
The warrior's name itself had the power to make hearts race. He was a literal legend, an idol to all.
Naturally, the amount of material was so vast that libraries and bookstores had entire shelves devoted solely to literature on warriors.
You don't need to check everything. You already know most of it. What you need to look at is over there. The part about the warriors of the time.
It's equally vast. Just looking at the sheer volume of material, filling a bookshelf, was enough to make me feel drowsy.
‘How come there are already this many books…?’
-That means the warrior is worth money. It's a sure keyword that will be remembered for a thousand years... Hide yourself.
At the sound of the Demon King's voice, I hurriedly hid behind the bookshelf.
Not long after, a nobleman in fancy clothes was seen passing by, accompanied by the sound of small footsteps.
“Phew….”
Books are quite valuable items.
This is because not many people can read and the production process involves a considerable amount of magical processes.
Naturally, these bookstores are strictly controlled, and those without money are not even allowed to enter.
Just looking at those who are immediately visible, there are noble children, wealthy merchants, priests, etc… .
The robe I was wearing was so worn out from my journey through the demon world that I could almost be considered a pauper's. If I were caught, I wouldn't simply be kicked out.
-If only I had enough magic power, I could have even found lodging here. Your wretched magic power always holds me back.
He learned the magic of hiding his appearance and presence from the Demon King, but he could only maintain it for about ten seconds.
I managed to get in while the employee was busy, but I don't know how to get out.
"Don't worry, there's a way around that. First, let's check the materials. Pick up the books I'm calling. 'Who is the Warrior Ruin?', 'The Chronicles of the Warrior Who Shined the World', 'The Conquest of the Demon Realm as Told by a Current Warrior'…
Fortunately, the Demon King's reading speed was quite fast, and he was able to make sure he read all the books before sunset, even while avoiding people.
Of course, this was only the Demon King's story. Because I was flipping pages every few seconds, I couldn't remember many sentences.
-As expected. 'A warrior is perfected through trials.' Is that right? It's not perfect, but I think it's pretty much possible.
A warrior is perfected through trials.
One of those countless, repeated sentences that I remember even while mindlessly flipping through the pages of a book.
If we consider the process of a warrior's birth as a grand ritual, then trials are undoubtedly a central part of that process. However.
“There’s something more important than that.”
All books dealing with the hero's life story, as well as all the legends passed down through the ages, contain this phrase.
“Darkness swallowed the light, and in hell the king of demons was born….”
The story of the warrior always began with the birth of the Demon King and the revelation of the goddess.
In other words, without the Demon King, there can be no warriors.
This guy, whose soul is left behind and who is subordinate to me, can he really meet the conditions of consciousness?
-There's no need to worry about that.
The Demon King's voice was incredibly calm.
"Didn't I tell you? You are my warrior, after all. You will become an agent of evil that goes against the natural order. As long as the goddess exists, that condition is practically satisfied."
“….”
-That's not what you need to worry about right now. I've narrowed down the candidates by comparing information about the trials... but you're the one who has to endure it.
I still don't know what kind of ordeal the Demon King has outlined. But considering the legends of the warrior I've heard since I was a child, I imagine it won't be easy.
-Considering his colleagues, it seems he was allowed to pass with others, but I'm not sure.
Where would anyone be willing to join him on his journey to slay the goddess? Even if there were, they would surely have perished in the war.
“It’s closing time. Customers, please come outside.”
“What, already? It’s still early.”
“We’ll be closing early for the time being because of the execution.”
It's still too early for the sun to set.
The moment I was about to reflexively move my steps when I heard the voice of an employee announcing the store was closing.
-Wait a minute.
The Demon King's voice stopped my feet.
"Hide your body and wait until the door closes. Once it's quiet, then you can leave. It's easier to escape from the inside than to infiltrate from the outside."
'Is that what it means to have a method?'
But it was a statement that was absolutely correct.
How much time did I spend avoiding the staff cleaning up the store?
-Okay, now go out.
I unlocked the quiet bookstore and went out into the street.
“I feel like a thief, not a warrior.”
-You can't become a great person if you worry about such trivial things. Didn't your teacher teach you that?
“Be quiet. But….”
I looked around feeling a bit disorganized.
When the setting sun gradually dyes the world red.
Most of the time, I had dinner at home and spent time with my family.
However, the number of people gathered in the square was in the hundreds and thousands.
Some brought bread or packed lunches to eat, others brought bottles of alcohol. Some even opened their windows at home or inns to watch.
Everyone was laughing and chatting, their faces full of anticipation and excitement.
"…what."
Beyond the gloomy laughter of the Demon King, people's voices could be heard.
“How many people today?”
“I think there were fifty.”
"Hiya! That much? I wish we could start sooner."
The heat somehow feels unpleasant.
As I moved to a corner to avoid the crowd that was gradually gathering, a man in priestly robes climbed up onto a platform in the distance.
“Oh, I thank the goddess for allowing me to officiate the execution ceremony again today, following yesterday.”
Execution ceremony.
Come to think of it, did the bookstore employee say that?
“Today’s executor is Alberto.”
As the priest called the name, a man dressed in flashy clothes and makeup stepped forward.
“I like him.”
“Why? Even though I look weak.”
"That's the charm. It's fascinating to see the prisoner suffer because he couldn't cut his throat properly."
The crowd cheered. A man named Alberto, perhaps excited, raised an axe and shouted.
“The first sinner is Jack of the Slums.”
A man was dragged out with his eyes covered and his hands tied.
“He has been a pickpocket all his life, and he is accused of offering your hard-earned wealth to the devil.”
“Kill him!”
“Cut his throat!”
The priest waited a moment until the excited cries of the people died down and then opened his mouth.
"In the name of the benevolent goddess Aision, and by the authority granted by the lord of this land, Bellive, I hereby sentence you to death!"
People cheered.
“Oh, no! I’m not a devil…!”
Pickpocket Jack twisted and screamed, but it was no use. His voice was drowned out by the shouts of the civilians, and the soldiers roughly laid the man down.
The executioner's patience as he waited for the verdict ended there.
Crunch.
Blood spurted out, and people cheered. Jack's body twitched and then stopped.
Only the poor people standing in line waiting for the verdict shed tears and trembled.
but.
“Magic is….”
-You don't feel it. What good would it do to accept the small change from the poor? The devil, after all, isn't greatly influenced by material things.
The prisoner's soul shed a small light and disappeared somewhere.
The next one was the same, and the one after that.
“What is this situation?”
I heard that a large number of followers of the Demon Clan were captured. But they were just ordinary people.
As the Demon King said, not a single bit of magic was felt from those who were dying now.
-Well, I guess I have a guess, but… let’s save that for later enjoyment.
The Demon King's laughter, which had continued since earlier, added to the discomfort.
-Nothing bad will happen to you. I guarantee that. Rather… .
A sudden, inexplicable nausea almost made me vomit. I sensed some of the excited citizens looking at me strangely.
-Let's talk about it slowly. The Trial of the Warrior. It can be divided into two stages: acquiring the qualifications to become a warrior and being reborn as one.
“…I only have to pass two things?”
By demonstrating the Seven Virtues, you can gain the right to draw the Holy Sword, and by transcending the Seven Desires, you can freely wield the Holy Sword's power. Strictly speaking, there are fourteen.
If that's the case, then you should have said so from the beginning. It was a waste of time.
-Even so, it was aimed at humans. It didn't bother me at all, so I performed the ritual before I died.
But I felt too uneasy to say those words out loud.
-Immediate resurrection is out of the question, and instead, ownership of consciousness has been transferred to you. Therefore, you have also become the subject of consciousness.
In a situation where I already had a headache from maintaining the magic block, it was difficult to concentrate on the Demon King's words.
-So, try hard and persevere. The first trial will come soon.
Eventually, I couldn't hold it in any longer and ended up vomiting behind a deserted building.
The Demon King's laughter echoed in my ears.
* * *
Belleive Castle is the foremost city in the territory ruled by Baron Belleive.
That's why Mike, the security guard in charge of managing the entrance to the south gate of the castle, took great pride in his work.
“Aren’t you going to see the captain?”
"what?"
“I’m talking about the execution ceremony.”
That was why Mike frowned at his subordinate's words.
“Working hours aren’t over yet.”
"Hey. Isn't it time to close the gates soon? The night shift workers will be coming in soon…."
The security chief ignored the muttering voices of his subordinates and looked ahead.
'Come to think of it, it's been a bit noisy lately.'
It was said that a large number of followers of the Demon Clan were captured in the slums. There were even stories that their number exceeded several hundred.
The wife who ran a general store on the market street was happy that there were no more thieves, but... she couldn't tell if it was right for people to suspect all the poor of being followers of the demons.
"Stop talking nonsense and just watch the situation closely. What if a warlock enters the castle?"
“Hey, does that make sense? I said the warrior killed all of them.”
"So, what about those who are being executed now? Does this mean that the Lord made a false statement?"
“What are you talking about again…. Oh, how about having a drink after a long time?”
alcohol.
It's been a while since I've had a drink, to be sure. Lately, I've been craving alcohol for some strange, bitter feeling. But.
“Okay. My wife wants me to come home early.”
“Wouldn’t you please understand me once or twice, Sister-in-law?”
“…I don’t think it will work.”
My wife, who was usually beautiful, was scarier than anyone else when she got angry.
A faint smile appeared on the face of the security chief as he thought of his family's faces.
“Stop! Show your face!”
The voice of a subordinate who had been watching in the opposite direction brought the security captain out of his thoughts.
The moment I quickly aimed my weapon and confirmed my opponent.
Someone's hand, wearing a familiar robe, moved slowly.
"you…."
What was revealed was an unusually pale face.
“Excuse me… Is the offer to help you find a job still valid?”
The boy opened his mouth with an awkward smile.
“Do you know him?”
“…Um, I saw that guy during the inspection today.”
The guard leader said this and gestured for his men to put away their weapons.
At that moment, night shift workers were walking from afar.
“It’s late today, so tomorrow… Is there a place to sleep?”
"no."
For a moment, the security chief pondered. If he sent him away like this, would he really be able to see the boy's face tomorrow morning?
Finally, the security chief closed his eyes tightly and spoke.
“…Then let’s go home.”
As he prepared to close the gate, the guard leader thought.
Maybe today's wife is a little scary.
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