175. Festival of the Sword (18)
#175
The last day of the festival dawned. After sufficient rest, the participants began hiking the mountain in the afternoon. Alogin explained that the final base and shrine were not that far away, so they could be reached in about an hour.
There were twenty people left until the end, including Ronan and his group. Perhaps because they were warriors who had overcome all kinds of adversity, their eyes were unique. Ronan, who was looking around at them, whistled.
“It seems like it was filtered the way it was supposed to be filtered. “Some of them seem stronger than us.”
“Because they are talented people from all over the continent.”
Schlieffen nodded in agreement. He could tell without having to spar. They were obviously people who were revered as sword saints in their respective positions. Ronan suddenly remembered the events of last night and stabbed him in the side with his elbow.
“right. “Is your head okay?”
“What does that mean all of a sudden?”
“What a funny guy. “Did you drop that dishwashing tableware yesterday and start acting flirty with her?”
Ronan laughed as if he was shocked. Schlieffen, who was drunk after only one sip, continued to praise Iril even after he had gone to bed. His eyes were wide open and he was babbling incessantly, making him look like an absolute madman. Thanks to this, I was able to relieve the discomfort caused by the deaths of Russell and Riley.
“You don’t even remember what you said? Well, that means I’m still alive in the morning without hanging myself.”
“I remember everything. And I feel no shame in laying out the facts.”
“Crazy guy.”
“It’s just a pity that you can only become honest with the help of alcohol. “I lack courage.”
Ronan shook his head. The confidence in his voice made me think that the real danger might not be the Takuryu Sword, but this bastard. They climbed the mountain talking about various things. Rin was holding Butterfly Rose’s hand and she was following behind her about thirty steps. She looked at Ronan and Schlieffen in turn and said to herself worriedly.
“Hmm. “I’m worried.”
“What do you mean?”
“Which hip do you think is better? “If you were the teacher of those two people, you would know well.”
“···hmm?”
Nabirose was certain that she had heard wrongly due to the sound of the wind. What does it mean to know what your disciples’ butts are like? But even if he asked one more time, the answer he got back was the same.
“I prefer the fierce-looking face, but the back is boiling. “If the charm of that side is that it is as hard as a stone, then the master’s side is…”
Suddenly, Rin started evaluating the buttocks of his two students. The expression on his face was so serious that it seemed like even a livestock farmer choosing a cow would not have this level of passion. It didn’t sound like it had any nutritional value, but as I listened to it, I was secretly intrigued. I shook my head, struggling to control my curiosity.
“···I do not know. Something like that.”
“It has to be decided by today, but it’s a big deal. “I guess I’ll just leave it to you.”
Rin said that and raised his head. As Butterfly Rose stared at her chest, she began to drool again. It was obvious that she was very worried about something, but she couldn’t figure out what it was. Of course she didn’t really want to know.
“Yes. Butterfly Rose.”
“Why but?”
“me. “Can I really go to your academy?”
Nabirose shrugged her eyebrows. Come to think of it, she remembered smiling and boasting a few days ago that she had been recommended to enroll by Ronan. She gently stroked her Rin’s head.
“of course. Phileon is always open to talented people.”
“thank you. “Then I really have to go.”
“But you should refrain from molesting Ronan there.”
Nabirose quipped. Now that I think about it, it’s been quite a while since I’ve seen her face. He is a kid who went from being bullied to becoming student council president, so he must be doing well. Rin tilted her head.
“why?”
“I have a strong romantic relationship. “My fault is that I am timid.”
“Oh, if that’s the case, it’s okay. “Because I will be prettier.”
Rin brushed her abundant white hair behind her ear. Nabirose laughed. It was a confident gesture that did not match her rather timid appearance. In some ways, I feel envious. At that time, Alogin, who was leading the procession, stopped in place. He said, looking back at the people.
“You had a hard time. “This is the summit of Farzan.”
Ronan and Schlieffen, who were following right behind, also stopped. There was nowhere else to climb. A scenery I had never seen before unfolded before my eyes. Ronan, who was looking around, muttered as if he was fascinated by something about her.
“···crater?”
The sunken terrain, as if it had been scooped out with a spoon, hinted at the fact that Farzan had once spewed fire. The crater, which appeared to be approximately 3km in diameter, was entirely covered with ice.
The sight of the rays of the waning sun reflecting off the ice cap gave the illusion that the sacred site was emitting light on its own. Alogin affirmed with a kind smile.
“okay. It’s a pool of light. “The Holy Sword is sleeping somewhere here.”
“It is a pool of light…”
Ronan nodded. I thought it was a very good nickname for her. On the outskirts of the crater, there was a building built where the elders lived. It was quite old-fashioned, and it felt like it had been taken from one of Phileon’s annex buildings. Alogin guided the party there. It was to unload the luggage and take a short rest.
The building was not as spacious as I thought. In many ways, it was a structure reminiscent of a temple, with a high ceiling and several huge pillars.
Since most of the elders were old people, I thought there would be a lot of people to help them, but they seemed to be self-sufficient.
Participants were given time to rest and wash their bodies. The elders who were walking around inside sent a bow to them.
“Welcome. Prosecutors who passed the final ordeal. “I was waiting.”
“Ah yes. hello.”
Ronan bowed his head and said hello. Aside from being old, the energy flowing from his body was unusual. Perhaps because it was a sacred ceremony, all the elders were wearing the same uniform. At that time, a large old woman stopped in front of Ronan.
“Aha, you are contestant number 44. “There are rumors about it even among our elders.”
“It’s a good one, right?”
“Ahaha. I like you very much. “Isn’t that enough?”
The old woman avoided answering with a rude smile. He was an old man with a sturdy physique and a lively laugh, reminiscent of a northern warrior. She introduced herself as the owner of her silver sword and patted Ronan’s shoulder.
“I hope that one of these people finds the Holy Sword. Really, it’s time to show up.”
“It sounds like someone found it before. “Wasn’t it just a legend?”
“The Holy Sword is real. In the world, it is dismissed as a legend or a fairy tale, but our elders know that it is true history. And the owner of the first holy sword is someone you know well.”
“You say it’s someone I know?”
Ronan tilted his head at the inexplicable sound. The old woman with a meaningful smile opened her mouth.
“Have you ever wondered how a mere human could defeat the Demon Dragon Orsay?”
“Orcémyeon…is he really the first emperor of the empire?”
Ronan’s eyes widened. It was a story I had never heard of. It was thanks to the holy sword that the first emperor was able to defeat the black dragon Orsay. The old woman who was reciting the beginning of the story interrupted.
“Hehe. I’ll tell you more details after the ceremony. By the way, aren’t you hungry? “I need to eat something.”
“are you okay. “Come and eat already.”
“no. If you’re this thin, you can’t swing a sword properly. “I wonder if kids these days are trying to lose weight on purpose.”
The old woman clicked her tongue. I can’t believe you’re skinny. It was the first time anyone except Iril heard this. Of course, she wasn’t really thin, it was just her personal standard. The thickness of the arms of the old woman, who looked to be well over seventy years old, was not much different from Ronan’s. she shouted.
“Hey! “Darman!”
“ok?”
Ronan raised his eyebrows at the familiar name. Before long, a boy came running from the other side of the building. His feet were so fast that I could almost see an afterimage. He stopped in front of the old woman.
“Madame Olga, did you call me?”
“okay. I would appreciate it if you could guide this child to the restaurant. And other hungry contestants.”
“I will. “I think I’ll be going down the mountain tomorrow, so if you need anything, please let me know.”
“OK. He’s kind too. “I have to prepare for the ceremony, so let’s go.”
The old woman stroked the boy’s head once and turned around. Ronan was dumbfounded and just looked at the familiar boy. A weak impression. Gray hair and brown eyes. He was, after all, the guy he knew. He was a sword delivery man who transported Zaipa’s sword.
“···Darman?”
“What?! Ronan?”
Darman’s eyes widened as he belatedly noticed Ronan’s presence. Her reaction was no different from when we first met in the forest.
“Why are you here? “What about the knife you said you would give to Jaifa?”
“Ahaha… that’s a bit complicated story.”
Darman scratched his head in embarrassment. A strange story began. He said that he somehow managed to reach Farjan, but even after wandering around for several days, he could not find Jaifa. As a result, I ran out of food and money, so I applied for a job as a handyman traveling between bases and sacred sites.
Originally, he only planned to do it until he met Jaifa, but he couldn’t find Jaifa until the day the festival ended. However, he explained that he ended up working longer than expected because the job suited him surprisingly well and people liked him for his straightforward approach. After finishing his story, Darman appeared to be jumping in his place.
“I’m a bit quick on my feet. “Everyone was happy because the supplies they ordered arrived quickly.”
“okay. It was fucking fast. “Something went awry, but I’m glad it worked out somehow.”
“Hehe, thanks for saving me that day. Didn’t Jaifa come today too?”
“Oh, it will come soon. “Because I said I would participate in the ceremony.”
Ronan told me that the tiger was tired of meeting people, so it stayed in a separate shelter. Darman’s face hardened in shock.
“Oh, there was a reason I couldn’t see it. no wonder···.”
“okay. “You can deliver it today.”
“Ugh… I guess I should do that. Would you like to go to the restaurant first?”
“I guess so. “Because this is also a memorial.”
Ronan followed Darman to the restaurant. The food that the old woman had just cooked herself was all delicious.
“Fuck. Why on earth is the fish head stuck in the pie? Doesn’t that old lady have dementia?”
“Haha… Madame Olga’s cooking is a bit unusual.”
Ronan, who was hurling all kinds of curses, calmed down only after eating the egg dish that Darman improvised. While eating, he told Darman the story of what happened on the way here.
“Po, the explosive sword Croden? “He came?!”
“okay. “Zaipa split it in half at once.”
“That can’t be possible…”
Darman listened to Ronan’s story, his expression distorted in various ways. The reactions were generally strong and varied, making it interesting to talk about. After about an hour, an announcement was made asking us to come out because the ceremony was to begin. Darman waved Ronan’s hand as he saw him off.
“I hope you find the holy sword.”
“OK. “I’ll tell Jaifa to stop by here, so get ready too.”
Ronan also waved lightly. Everyone except Darman left the building. A cheerful hum rang out from the empty building.
****
The ceremony took place in the center of the sacred site. The inside of the crater was considered a sacred place, and it was impossible to step on it except for elders, swordsmen, and participants who had passed the final exam.
People lined up in a row in the center of the sacred place where starlight pools. Seven elders surrounded them in a circle. The elders were all concentrating with their weapons drawn, but the swirling mana was making them dizzy. Jaipa, who had just returned from his errand, was also standing with his arms crossed.
The red of the setting sun was slowly appearing in the sky, which was so close that it felt like I could catch it if I touched it. Ronan muttered a little loudly to himself.
“What on earth is consciousness?”
“Even if you do that, they won’t tell you.”
Nabirose said with his gaze straight ahead. She was still wearing Ronan’s cloak. She had been wearing it for quite some time, so it was probably smelly, but it was surprising that she was wearing it well. Ronan said.
“Hey, don’t be mean and tell me.”
“I can’t do that. “Because the emotion is half-hearted.”
“Are you even thrilled?”
“Those who experience it for the first time can easily do that. “It’s probably a sight I’ve never seen before.”
Nabirose’s voice was firm. Seeing that he was talking like that, it seemed like there was definitely something there. A cold wind was blowing gently, as if it had come straight from the sky. Suddenly, Alogin raised his sword.
“The ritual will begin.”
A blue radiance was shining along the long sword’s blade. Other elders also raised their weapons together. They plunged their weapons into the ground before the participants could even react. Paaaa-! A powerful halo of light spread out as if enveloping the sacred site.
“What the fuck, suddenly…!”
Ronan closed his eyes without realizing it. It was a light that could not help but be like that. Other participants also showed similar reactions. Rin’s voice was heard amid the swarm of light penetrating even the palms of her hands that covered her face.
“This is… my… maji…”
However, the wind was so strong that I couldn’t understand exactly what was being said. When she finally opened her narrowed eyes and turned around, she was standing calmly looking straight ahead. She said that after about three minutes, the light finally died down. After confirming that the mana around her had calmed down, Ronan raised her head.
“This···.”
And I was left speechless. As Nabi Rose said, it was a sight he had never seen before. The crater, where only pure white snow had piled up, had turned into a flower bed full of flowers.
However, the flower was not a plant organ that people are familiar with. All kinds of weapons were sticking out upside down with their heads stuck in the ground. The sight of the blades catching the sun and casting cool light was like a flower made of steel.
