Chapter 500
Chapter 500. The Standard Beyond Time
Finally, the 500th chapter! Thank you all for your constant support! I’ll keep doing my best, so please continue to cheer for me!
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According to Liliana, my arm was discovered on the battlefield, recognized as the remains of “Hero Alexander.”
Speaking of which, I remember cutting off my own arm because Arthur had bound me with chains or something, leaving me helpless.
…That’s bad. That must have been the arm of Zilbagias, right? If it gets out that it’s a part of the Demon Lord’s Prince—
“It seems like Rujiakka found the arm itself… but he probably couldn’t distinguish between the smells of ‘Alexander’ and ‘Zilbagias,'” Liliana said, looking pained.
“Apparently, the arm has already been cremated, so I think we can feel relieved about that. He… Rujiakka has been continuing to search for traces of Zilbagias on the battlefield with Yesera.”
The scene played vividly in my mind. A blood-soaked battlefield, with a wolf beastman wearing an eye patch wandering guided by scent, and a forest elf girl diligently supporting him—
However, even if he did catch a whiff of “Zilbagias”—
It would be a familiar aroma to him—
“I’m sure that even if he finds some trace, he would just assume it belongs to Alexander. No matter how hard Rujiakka and Yesera searched, it would end up being futile… I knew it, but…”
Liliana’s expression twisted in agony.
“I knew… the truth, but I couldn’t tell it. I couldn’t bring myself to say it…”
“Uhoh…”
Antende’s face turned dreamy. Don’t tell me he’s passively doing some forbidden drug.
“…Are the others also dealing with vampire hunting?”
“Generally, yes.”
Just as a heavy silence threatened to descend, Orderju turned to the Vampire Hunter group.
“I’m Tucker, from the Jimina Republic. I was stabbed to death by Zilbagias.”
“I’m Archie. I was burned to death by Leilaine’s breath.”
“I’m Ralph. To be honest, I don’t remember much about dying…”
“You were blown to bits by a curse.”
“Eh… Is that how I died…?”
“I’m Lenny. Zilbagias beheaded me. For a moment, I saw my headless body.”
“Ah… Thank you very much for the… detailed accounts…”
Even Orderju’s face was twitching.
“May I ask… why are you cooperating with him?”
“Essentially, there’s no option to not cooperate with him.”
Bishop Lexar, representing the Vampire Hunters, replied with a serious face.
“The extermination of humanity’s enemies is our long-held desire. Now that the situation is clear, it is only natural for us, as guardians of mankind, to assist in the Demon Lord’s defeat and the collapse of the Demon Lord Kingdom.”
His eyes were burning with a silver flame.
“He even promised to die and atone when everything is over. Even if he takes his own life, it won’t bring us back to life. Therefore, utilizing his power to the fullest, exterminating the enemies of mankind, and continuing to contribute to humanity is, in my personal belief, the greatest form of atonement…”
“Wow… I can’t believe you could trust him that much.”
Helena said, half in disbelief and half mockingly, which drew a bitter smile from Bishop Lexar.
“I have met him—Hero Alexander. We traveled the waters chasing a vampire at Aulitos Lake. I know firsthand that he is a true hero and originally possesses a good personality that strives for the sake of the people—”
Bishop Lexar sighed.
“I knew it because I witnessed it up close…”
…Helena looked at me, unable to hide her shock.
Indeed… I have taken the lives of such close allies…
“Well, it wouldn’t be entirely true to say I bear no personal grudge.”
Lexar shrugged, prompting the other Vampire Hunters to nod in agreement.
Then, they explained why I ended up encountering them on the battlefield—how their ship was attacked by a Kraken and had to retreat to Kaemuran, etc. Helena was left speechless by the utterly hopeless turn of events.
…The atmosphere turned somber like a wake this early in the morning…
Though with so many involved, it was a bit much to call it a wake…
“I would like to ask in reverse, what kind of relationship do you have with him?”
“Oh… Sorry for not mentioning it earlier. I’m Helena, Liliana’s childhood friend… Liliana was treated like a pet by Zilbagias in the Demon Lord Kingdom…”
Bishop Lexar casually inquired. I had sent a rough outline of the situation regarding Liliana through Barbara last night, but it seemed he was probing while pretending to know nothing.
“I’m so glad to see Leila looking healthy.”
“And Liliana. I’m relieved you made it home safely… but I was so surprised to meet you here…”
Liliana and Leila were joyfully reuniting.
“Lord Arthur.”
“Ah, yes.”
“I’m sorry for raising my voice earlier. I had asked for you to show your skills, yet I ended up imposing my values on you, reflecting poorly on myself.”
“Oh no, not at all. I realized I was being a bit thoughtless in front of the Forest Elves too.”
“No, no. That’s quite admirable for someone so young… Yes… for someone so young…”
Orderju’s face twisted sadly. It was as if he realized that the hero standing before him, whom he could consider a child, was already deceased.
“Ah, if you’d like, would you like to see Excalibur more?”
Arthur cheerfully offered Excalibur, trying to dispel the dark atmosphere.
“Oh! That would be splendid!”
“Yeah, it won’t reduce in number… Hehe, it really doesn’t reduce in number…”
That’s right… Neither lifespan nor vitality will be diminished…
“Hmm… the more I see it, the more magnificent it is… it’s just like a work of the dwarven masters…”
“I think the weapon that forms the basis of this holy sword was made by dwarves? By the way, don’t you dislike dwarven weapons?”
“Hm? Oh, our rivalry with the Dwarf Race is well-known. However, the actual conflict only happened until the dwarves discovered the ‘burning stone,’ which was a long, long time ago. My great-grandfather heard stories about it from his great-grandfather…”
Orderju’s great-great-great-grandfather…? I suppose because he’s of high elf blood, he must have lived for a ridiculously long time. How many years ago was that…
“As long as they don’t cut a lot of trees, I have no complaints about the dwarves. Regardless of the past, I want to fairly appreciate the artistic works they create.”
“Ah, I see… By the way, I have another family heirloom. Would you like to see it?”
Arthur pointed to a mountain of luggage.
“It’s the shield of my ancestor, the first hero king, Arthur.”
“What! I’ve heard of it, it’s the legendary [Avalon]…”
“You know about that too! I’m no match for you.”
“Oh! What a magnificent thing… It exudes a heavy magic, one can feel the history behind it…!”
Seems like Arthur and Orderju are getting along after all. An unexpected combination.
…But what should we do from here on out?
Liliana and even Odigos have joined us.
It’s like my options have broadened all of a sudden, and now I don’t even know where to start.
Once everyone finishes their exchanges, it’ll be time for the next course of action—
“—Do you know who the creator is?”
Orderju stroked the smooth surface of the silver small shield, possessing terrifying magical power.
“Yes. It was crafted by a dwarf, a holy craftsman, and a friend of the first Arthur—”
Arthur nodded and replied.
“—Gaintz=Gon=Sphiri’s ‘masterpiece.'”
――――。
Gon=Sphiri.
The moment I heard that name, my fading memories abruptly resurfaced.
†††
“Hey! ■■■■■!”
I rushed into the workshop calling out his name.
“…Look at you, still alive, huh? If you’ve got that much energy, you’re doing fine, Alex.”
He turned around, brandishing a hammer while frowning and firing his mouth.
“■■■■■, this is the Adamas you forged for me!!”
“…You’re not saying it broke, are you?! That was my best work, just a step short of being a masterpiece?!”
His eyes went wide, and he tossed aside his bandana, standing up.
“If you broke it, I won’t forgive you, you hear?!”
“—Not at all! It didn’t break!!”
“What?!”
I flashed a beaming smile, pulling the holy sword from its scabbard.
The new partner, Adamas, which I had commissioned at great expense.
Despite surviving fierce battles, the blade was unscathed—
“This sword is amazing! Just wanted to thank you for it, ■■■■■!”
“…Of course, that was expected! It’ll be sturdy! It won’t shatter, and it won’t betray your expectations and trust! That’s the kind of sword it is!!”
He let out a huge sigh, retying his bandana.
“What the—, you startled me… Hey, show it to me. I’ll ask this sword whether you can handle it properly.”
He snatched Adamas from my hand—
Even though it should belong to me, Adamas didn’t refuse, probably because he was the creator—he examined the blade and handle intently under the furnace’s glow.
“Hmph… Well, it’s passing grade, I’d say. Keep working hard from now on.”
He let out a snort as he pompously handed Adamas back.
Normally, I would have snapped back a bit, but since I was genuinely happy to have received such a fine holy sword, I graciously accepted it.
“Yeah! Wow, I can’t believe it’s this sturdy. It’s always been breaking and bending, so I was worried I spent my money for nothing.”
“That’s because! The original value! Didn’t match! What, you idiot!!”
After just having re-tied his bandana, he slammed it against the floor, vigorously tugging his hair while yelling.
“At that kind of price, it can only become a mediocre sword, you fool! But Adamas received your entire fortune! It’s not just a monetary issue! I poured all my strength into it, reflecting the fact that I accepted everything you had! Adamas is something you wouldn’t be ashamed to show anywhere, it’s my—”
With a haughty smile filled with the pride of a craftsman, he declared,
“—The finest masterpiece of ■■■■■=Gon=Sphiri!!”
†††
“—Odigos.”
Before I knew it, I had called for the guiding demon.
“Looking for guidance, are we?”
That was quick.
“I’m looking for someone.”
As I pulled Adamas from its sheath, Liliana gasped at the sight of its tragically cracked blade.
“Do you know the name Gon=Sphiri? The creator of this sword. Can you find him?”
Ha ha, Odigos laughed, as if to say, “Who are you asking?”
“Of course. If that is what you wish—”
With a sudden motion, Odigos wobbled and fell.
“You should head this way.”
The direction he pointed was west.
The border with the Demon Lord Kingdom.
—In other words, the front lines.
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Lexar: “What!? A guiding demon!? It shows you the direction of what you seek!?”
Odigos: “Are you all searching for something too?”
Lexar: “We’re looking for vampires!!”
Tucker: “Vampires! Vampires!!”
Archie: “Where are those vampires?!”
Ralph: “Vampires!!”
Lenny: “Come out, vampires, you damn vampires!!”
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