Episode 67: Siegfried the Inquisitor (2)
A week has passed since I was discharged from the hospital.
However, he had not yet been able to go to school. This was because of a message from the principal, Media, asking him not to go to school until she gave him permission.
‘Well, wherever I show my face, mine appears as if it were a lie, huh.’
I encountered a mine that most people would never encounter in their entire lives once a month. The second one wasn’t even a demon, but one of the commanders of the largest force on the Demon King’s side.
‘I almost lost, but I survived.’
Still, during the week I was hospitalized, I was able to organize my thoughts in many ways. Not having to worry about hospital bills was a big factor.
The second hand in the hospital room ticked slowly, allowing me to recall various memories.
Memories of when I first manifested the protection of the sword, the midterm exam, and the Buffalo Dungeon flashed through my mind.
‘But I still don’t know what happened on Avalon Island.’
I tried to recall the feeling at that time, but I couldn’t remember it at all. The memory was clear, but the feeling was lost. It was an unpleasant feeling, as if something had forcibly cut out only that part.
“I thought I was starting to get the hang of it… … but I don’t know anymore.”
The protection of the sword is a mysterious power.
When I am caught in the crossfire, it manifests as if by necessity and pulls me from the brink of death.
If you look at it this way, it is a blessing that is truly appreciated.
But as the manifestations continue, humanity fades away.
I recalled the memories and feelings from when I slaughtered the Undertakers.
At that time, I didn’t even frown.
Even when the enemy’s eyes lost their vitality, there was no blockage in his hands.
Rather, the blade seemed to take life and quench thirst.
‘I can’t believe I don’t even feel a shred of regret… … .’
I was deeply organizing my thoughts and then I recited the status window in my head.
Paat-
== ==
[Protection of the Sword God]
If you cut it, it will be cut.
◎ Flesh (肉身) level: (9▶12) ▷ The sword standard is relaxed.
◎Spiritual level: (5▶8) ▷ There is a sense of oppression in words and actions.
◎Armour level: (3▶5) ▷ When protection is activated, pain is reduced by (1▶2) levels.
☆Education rate: 12.7% ▶ 17.9% ▷ The line of 【???】 (1) is readable.
→[NEW! The unlock condition has been met by achieving a 15% fairy tale rate.]
★【???】
[※ The protection is activated only when the sword is less than (39+1) centimeters in length and less than (10+0) centimeters in width.
It’s possible.]
== ==
“The upward trend has become quite steep.”
When I checked the status window after a long time, there was a rise in the values. The three levels at the top that had been rising little by little had also changed noticeably.
“The level of armament and pain relief rate have also increased by one level.”
As I slightly lowered my eyes, I could see that the fairy tale rate had already reached the unlocking condition. I extended my index finger and touched the phrase.
Paat-
== ==
☆Education rate: 17.9%
▷ The line of 【???】 (1▶2) is read.
▷ Faintly detects the voice of 【???】.
→[When the assimilation rate reaches 25%, the following unlock conditions are met.]
== ==
“hmm.”
I squinted my eyes, drooling. As expected, the numbers indicating the number of red lines were variable.
But what stood out among them was a new phrase.
⌜I faintly detect the voice of 【???】.⌟
I chewed over those words over and over again.
‘I can detect voices… … .’
At first, I thought those three question marks were some kind of concept. But the three letters of the word voice suggest a new number of cases that I had not thought of before.
‘Those three question marks in vain could be a living thing or a being.’
There are still many thoughts floating around in my head. I rub my forehead and sigh. Then I turn on my phone and check the time.
“Ah, time has passed so quickly.”
I got a surprise call from Media last night.
She said she would give me more details when we met.
Media’s tone was stiffer than usual, so I made up my mind to meet him at the principal’s office the next day.
“I had a favor to ask, so this is good.”
If there is a kind and considerate inspector, I can express my gratitude to him.
I owe him a lot of things.
I know that you rented out my entire hospital room and took care of my illness while I was unconscious.
It is a gratitude that cannot be put into words. Repayment is realistically impossible, but it is human nature to express gratitude.
I hurried out of the dormitory, adjusting my clothes.
Tick, tick.
The second hand of the wall clock moved quickly, as if urging us to keep going.
* * *
Geomje sipped his teacup while savoring the taste. Mediah’s eyes, looking at him, blinked slowly.
A satisfied smile appeared on his lips, as if he liked the taste of the black tea.
‘… That old lady is doing well without an arm.’
The Seven Star Heroes are the ones who stand at the forefront of the battlefield. They are always prepared to lose even a limb.
Even the archer Saki Kojima is cross-eyed, and the back of the creator Richard de Murat is engraved with deep affection.
‘… Me too.’
Media caressed her lower abdomen with a bitter expression. Today, it felt heavier and more tingly than usual.
‘What the hell happened on that island?’
Glancing at the swordsman, Media chewed her words inwardly. When Zeke lost an arm on the island of Avalon, Media was shocked.
Since he is called the strongest in the world, no weakling can even inflict a single wound on him.
The fact that he had all his limbs intact until he was seventy is proof of his strength. But then one of his limbs was cut off. It was beyond puzzling; I couldn’t believe it.
‘But I sent him to Avalon Island for the protection of the cadets… … .’
I tried using the unique protection, ‘Poet’s Protection’, but it was useless. Things that go beyond recognition are not captured by the protection. I could only guess that it was not an ordinary matter.
The sword master barely opens his mouth about what happened on the island. He smiles cheerfully and postpones the conversation, saying that they should wait until Kanggeomma wakes up.
Something harsh almost came out of Media’s mouth.
The swordsman returned from Avalon Island in a hurry. He was carrying the strong sword horse on his back.
Kang Geum-ma was on the verge of death.
There were no visible scars, but the inside had been festering for a long time. All the muscle fibers and nerve cords were snapped like rubber bands, and the pupils were cloudy.
That day, Media felt her mind going blank. She threatened all the medical staff and healer heroes in the affiliated hospital.
If they can’t save Kang Geum-ma, they’ll be the ones lying in the hospital bed.
‘Well, thanks to that, our swordsman came to his senses.’
Media looked at the sword with her ringed eyes.
The inspector also underwent a thorough examination immediately after returning from the island.
There may be other injuries.
But the specialist in charge of the examination stuck out his tongue and said this.
-… I have seen many patients for over thirty years, but this is the first time this has happened, Director. Oh, I am not saying that there is something wrong with you, Master. On the contrary, it is the opposite. You are amazingly clean. Even the residual illness that was there before has disappeared as if it was cleaned. I can only say that this is a miracle of God.
The doctor spoke while sticking out his tongue. Media felt greatly relieved inside, but also felt angry.
It was clearly the sword master’s fault that Kanggeomma had become a rag. But even so, he couldn’t say anything.
It was because of his actions after the inspection. He confessed his thoughts and rented out a ward.
As the Joaquin Academy is known for its crazy prices, the costs were astronomical.
‘A 50,000 won fishing rod trembles in fear even as he lives… ‘
Not only that, but while Kang Geum-ma was hospitalized, the sword master never left his side. Not only did he take care of all the illnesses, he barely slept beside him.
Even if his own child was sick, it would be difficult to show such a brave devotion. Seeing that, Media waited for him to open his mouth, keeping patience in her heart.
But her patience was running out today.
Knock, knock.
Media crossed her legs and tapped the armrest with her nails. The inspector closed his eyes tightly, savored his black tea, and then opened his mouth.
“Well, Media, it seems like you’ve gotten better at making tea as time goes by. Twenty years ago, I would get a stomachache if I drank the tea you made for me.”
As he said that, a thick blood vessel appeared on his beautiful temple and Media let out a loud noise.
“Hey, you little brat! Do you know what kind of teahouse this is? The swordsman is coming soon, how long are you going to delay telling me! I need to know the situation too!”
“Heh heh, why are you in such a hurry? You should tone down that temper a bit.”
“Ha! You left your mind and arms behind on the island?! This is exactly what I was told!”
Media glared at the swordsman with a fierce expression. He hummed without any reaction.
Media’s eyebrows furrowed a little more.
She grabbed a pack of tissues on the table and threw them. The inspector avoided it without even opening his eyes.
“Slow.”
“This crazy old man!”
The two exchanged friendly questions and answers for a few minutes. Then, Media, who had become somewhat relieved, touched her forehead and took a deep breath. As she shook her body, her head cooled down.
Then, after a while, a deep fatigue set in. It was the so-called ‘wise man’s time’.
“… Hey, Zeke. What the hell happened? Tell me. The world media is nitpicking me so much. I can’t sleep these days because of you.”
The sword master looked at him with a sidelong glance as he muttered his words as if he was sobbing. He was lost in thought for a moment and then put down his teacup. The composure he had felt just a moment ago disappeared.
“I also needed some time to gather my thoughts. It took me quite some time to understand what happened on the island.”
“What on earth happened there… … ?”
The second hand of the clock had already pointed to five minutes before noon. The time for the appointment with Kang Geum-ma was approaching. Geum-je stroked his now empty right sleeve and spoke slowly.
“The 5th Legion Commander Agor appeared on Avalon Island.”
“uh?”
The tone of the swordsman’s speech was calm. There was not even a hint of a lie in it. Media’s eyes fluttered for a moment, then swung back and forth.
“Oh, that’s ridiculous.”
The inspector shook his head and denied Media’s denial of reality. Media’s lips trembled.
“It’s hard to believe, but it’s true. It was he who took my arm.”
“… That’s how Ganggeomma became like that?”
The inspector nodded in agreement. Then, Media leaned back deeply on the sofa, feeling a surge of exhaustion.
She repeated what she had said in a state of mental shock. After a long time, she came to her senses. Only then, startled, did she ask again.
“Then what happened to Agor?”
“It has been subdued. It is still too early to announce it to the world, so I have postponed it, but I have confirmed it with my own eyes, so there is no disagreement.”
“Zeke, did you subdue it alone?”
“Hahaha, do you think that makes sense?”
Then, the sword master burst into laughter, his face darkened. The back of Media’s neck stiffened as she looked at him.
‘Zeke has finally lost his taste.’
Agor is a commander skilled in mental magic. The aftereffects of this may have caused Zeke to go mad. As the laughter grew louder, the possibility turned into certainty.
“Zeke?”
As Media’s eyebrows furrowed, the inspector suppressed a smile.
“… … ,”
There was a moment of silence. Time passed quietly in the principal’s office.
But Media felt a chill run down her spine.
In the silence of the inspection, fragments of thoughts slowly took shape.
“S, no way… you are the one who subdued Agor⎯.”
Just as she was about to open her mouth.
Knock, knock.
A brisk knocking sound came into the principal’s office. Media looked back and forth between the inspector’s face and the door. Sweat beads that had gathered at the end of his fine jawline fell.
Bam.
Someone entered the principal’s office, guided by a staff member.
“That’s right.”
The inspector answered belatedly with a bright smile.
