"Of course. It’s one of my most cherished possessions," Lucia replied, a soft smile curving her lips.
Ian glanced at her eyes, shimring with divine light, and nodded slightly.
"So, why did you draw that?" he asked.
"To use it if necessary."
Ian’s eyes narrowed for a mont. He could guess what kind of situation would require it, and how she intended to use it. Lucia, eting his gaze, added with quiet determination.
"It’s neither dangerous nor extraordinary. It’s just my duty, what I’m ant to do. So... will you trust to handle this?"
Ian held her gaze for a mont before letting out a small sigh and stepping back. After all, this too was a form of real-world experience.
"Thank you." Lucia’s smile widened briefly before she turned back to the cracks born of chaos.
The smile faded as she focused. "Flas that illuminate the world with searing light..."
With her eyes half-closed, she recited a low prayer. Her left hand, holding the dagger, was poised over her chest, while her right hand extended toward the fissures, palm open.
Fwoosh—
A small orange fla flickered to life at the center of the cracks. Unlike the flas that consud the ogre, this one was smaller.
Ian’s eyes gained a subtle glow as he activated his Magic Detection. The sacred energy within the fla and the chaotic pulses from the cracks appeared vividly in his vision. The fla’s touch disrupted the chaotic waves, scattering their form, but it wasn’t enough to reach the core of the fissure. The chaotic energy, which once blended freely with divine power, now repelled the sacred fla like oil eting water. It was as if it had fused with sothing else.
Swoosh...
Still, the fla gradually eroded the boundary. Given enough ti and divine power, it could eventually breach the barrier and burn away the core. However, beads of sweat were already forming on Lucia’s brow as she continued her prayer.
I might need to step in.
Just as Ian was about to lift his left hand, Lucia shifted her position, lifting her hips off her heels. She brought her extended right hand closer to the fla and then moved the dagger in her left hand toward her palm. Without a mont’s hesitation, she cut her palm, letting crimson blood drip onto the fla.
The sight was enough to make Ian’s brows knit together.
Just as I suspected.
He lowered his raised arm as he watched the fla shift. The mont it absorbed her blood, the fla turned a bluish hue and flared up more intensely. Lucia’s voice, previously a soft whisper, beca an indistinct murmur as she seed to lose herself completely in her prayer. Ian decided not to intervene; he didn’t want to break her concentration. Watching and waiting within safe limits was best for her growth.
Instead, Ian focused on the sacred fla, now flickering with a pale blue light.
So, her blood acts as so kind of amplifier.
Indeed, the miracles and powers granted by the gods often made abstract symbols manifest as real power. The Blessing of Battle, which grew stronger as determination surged, or the Bleeding Avenger, which beca more powerful with bloodshed, were pri examples. Blood, as a symbol of life itself, in this case, likely signified the act of burning one’s life force. This must have been why the Saintess of the Brazier in the ga threw herself into the sacred fla.
I guess they think there is no greater symbol of devotion than that. It’s disturbingly extre...
Ian clicked his tongue inwardly as he looked at Lucia’s bleeding hand. She clenched her fist, forcing more blood to drip steadily into the blue fla. Each drop fueled the fla, expanding it further.
Whoosh—
Priests in the ga had likely witnessed scenes similar to this, leading them down the path of sacrificial rites.
So, does it work the sa if you burn soone who isn’t an apostle?
While Ian pondered, the sacred fla engulfing the cracks flared up in a final burst.
Fwoosh.
And then, as suddenly as it had risen, the fla dissipated into thin air and darkness settled back over the area. The purplish glow that had previously pulsed within the crack had disappeared without a trace.
"Whew..." Lucia exhaled as her arm fell limply at her side. Her fur cloak, which had swayed with the wind-like energy, settled back into place. Ian, already moving to her side, caught her as she wavered and almost collapsed.
"... I’m all right, Sir Ian," Lucia murmured, opening her eyes. The faint divine light still lingered in her gaze.
As Ian released her shoulder, she continued, "We need to inform the temple. The lightning didn’t just strike here. Other places might have fallen to madness or birthed tainted beasts."
Ian only half-listened to her fatigued voice as he reached inside his breastplate and pulled out a well-dried bandage—an essential he always carried.
"We should send priests to kindle new flas or seek help from the church in Travelga," she added as Ian took hold of her injured hand and pulled it toward him.
She turned her eyes to him. "Could you help dispatch at least one warrior as a ssenger? Even just one would suffice."
"I get it. Now, stop talking and rest for a bit," Ian muttered as he used the bandage’s edge to wipe away the blood sticking to her palm. His frown deepened when he noticed that the scar on her palm wasn’t the only one; faint marks surrounded the fresh wound, which was still seeping blood.
"... I don’t do this often," Lucia said cautiously, sensing his gaze.
"I only use this thod when I need to light the fla quickly or sustain it without divine power for an extended period. A few tis, it was just for practice," she added as if trying to reassure him.
However, Ian’s expression remained unchanged, inwardly cursing the gods of this world—beings neither omniscient nor omnipotent, yet extre in their demands
"Is it only your blood that works?" Ian asked, wrapping the bandage around her hand.
Lucia shook her head. "Not necessarily. It’s a symbolic ritual. But there’s no reason to use soone else’s blood. As an apostle, my blood holds more significance."
"I see..."
Ian, who had been nodding, tied the end of the bandage and looked at Lucia. "When you were planning to light the sacred fla in the village, you intended to do this, didn’t you?"
"... If necessary, probably," Lucia replied after a mont’s hesitation, glancing at Ian to gauge his reaction. "But just like this ti, it won’t be dangerous. You don’t have to worry. It doesn’t even hurt much—"
"I’m not trying to stop you. Just make sure you do it in front of ."
"... Understood," Lucia answered with a slight tilt of her head but without protest. Satisfied that the bandage was secure, Ian grasped her shoulder and helped her up.
"Let’s go. The sooner we reach the village, the sooner you can rest." With that, he turned around.
A faint smile finally appeared on Lucia’s lips as she watched him walk away. It was clear that Ian was concerned for her.
"Yes," she replied belatedly, sheathing her dagger. Flexing her bandaged right hand, she began to walk.
***
Clip-clop, clip-clop.
The group made their way toward the village, led by the savage warriors.
Ian shared with Volber and the other warriors his official status and the reasons for his return to the North. It wasn’t a long story, but it was enough to bring smiles to the faces of the savage warriors.
"It’s an honor beyond words to have the Great Warrior officially leading us. And to fight alongside you on the front lines again—it’s a privilege," Volber said with a hearty laugh. His smile revealed gaps where several teeth were missing, making it seem like the wind could blow straight through.
Ian, remaining composed, added, "As I said, it will be extrely dangerous. Perhaps even more so than at Bellium."
"That sounds like the perfect death—one so noble that even Karha himself would prepare a seat in the legion. Or who knows, perhaps he’ll form a new one just for us. That would be an even greater honor, wouldn’t it?" Volber looked around.
The Northern warriors nodded, eyes bright with steely resolve. Their expressions, devoid of any bravado, showed their true commitnt.
Smiling slightly, Volber looked back at Ian. "Of course, returning alive would be just as glorious."
These reckless fools.
Ian couldn’t help but chuckle to himself. Still, he found their determination reassuring. Having more people he could trust and rely on was always a good thing, especially when many had already fought alongside him before.
"That’s not what I ant. I want everyone to be thoroughly prepared," Ian said, scanning the warriors with a serious gaze. "I’m not planning on letting Karha take any of you yet. I intend for you to stay in my legion as long and as many as possible."
"Grand Champion..." Volber murmured, visibly moved. The other warriors looked at Ian, eyes glistening with emotion. It wasn’t exactly pleasant to have a group of rough, bearded n staring at him like that.
"I heard the village is split into three parts," Ian said, shifting to the main issue.
"How long will it take for all the warriors to assemble?"
"If it takes five days at most, it should be manageable. As soon as we reach the village, I’ll send out ssengers. Once they hear that the Great Warrior has returned, they’ll co running," Volber answered promptly.
The warriors chid in, each volunteering to be the ssenger. Ian nodded, agreeing that they should all go, and added, "Even if it takes a few more days, that’s fine. Bring all the villagers as well. Most of the warriors will be leaving with , so the ones left behind need to be safe. These two will help with that."
Ian glanced back at Lucia and Miguel. Miguel shrugged, while Lucia, with her expression as calm as ever, nodded.
"Thank you, Priest. And Saintess," Volber said, bowing respectfully. The other warriors followed suit.
Miguel chuckled awkwardly. "Oh, don’t ntion it. I’m just here to help with chores. The real hard work will be for the future Saintess."
"We’ll need your help too. We’ll be building braziers to hold the sacred fla," Lucia said.
"I’m sorry, Saintess, but our village doesn’t have a forge," Volber said cautiously, treating Lucia with the sa deference he showed Ian. Lucia gave a small smile.
"That’s all right. We can make them out of wood."
"Wood, you say...? Well, if that’s the case, it should be doable. Our elders are skilled craftsn," Volber said.
"I can vouch for that," Ian added. "Their skill at making wagons rivals that of the Empire. They’ll likely et all your requests."
Lucia nodded. "Good. I’ll discuss how to design the braziers with Miguel."
"Leave it to us. We’ll make sure you don’t have to worry about it," Miguel said confidently.
How reliable.
Ian nodded and turned back to Volber. "I don’t know how big the village is, but we’ll probably need to expand to accommodate everyone."
"Yes. The elders will likely co out to greet the Great Warrior. Just give the word, and we can start as soon as tomorrow," Volber said, a smile forming on his lips.
"It’s going to get lively for a while. They’ll probably rush to be the first to arrive. This might end up being the largest gathering of warriors since the war ended." His voice carried a tone of excitent and anticipation.
These carefree fools, Ian thought with a faint smile before speaking up. "I doubt everyone will co running."
Volber turned to look at him. Ian didn’t et his gaze, staring ahead instead. The wooden palisades that surrounded the village were just coming into view through the darkness of the forest. They were lower than Ian rembered, but still familiar.
"There are still villages that stayed behind, right? One of your goals is to get them to join."
"You know about that too, I see. Yes, that’s correct," Volber admitted, nodding with an inaudible sigh. "Two villages have already joined us and established connections. They’ll surely co gladly at your call."
"So there are so that still haven’t."
"Yes. They are the ones who hold more strongly to tradition. It’s a way that deserves respect, so we haven’t tried to force them to join—"
"I’ll help with that."
"... Excuse ?"
"Send word to them as well. And make sure to include this ssage: if they don’t answer the call..." Ian finally turned to Volber, a subtle smile forming on his lips.
"I will co and drag them out by force myself."
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