nesis paused for a mont, glancing around. The night wind howled through the ruins, scattering the heavy scent of blood that drifted from the corpses.
The armor knelt on one knee, gripping the Holy Sword planted deep into the ground. Crimson blood splattered across half its body. A corpse ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) lay before it—like a statue carved by ancient Greek artisans who had poured all their skill into shaping sothing both divine and savage.
Vieya froze. “Who is he?”
“No idea. Soone else must have co here after we left.”
nesis crouched, trying to glean sothing from the body. “Judging by his clothes, he wasn’t a native of Mount Aisa. Probably so third-party force got involved in all this.”
“Can you tell?” Rakaide asked.
nesis rubbed her temples. “Not really. There’s nothing on him that could tell us who he is. If Liufir were here, she could read fragnts of the dead’s mories—maybe she’d find sothing.”
“Still, he probably ca here with bad intentions. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have stayed hidden, sneaking around to provoke the tin can. Too bad he wasn’t strong enough and got killed instead.”
“Died cleanly, too. Hardly any signs of resistance,” Rakaide added. “Looks like he was distracted and got taken out in a single strike.”
Vieya tilted her head slightly, glancing toward the ghost who trailed her like a loyal little tail. Her eyes silently asked: Flaviel, who was he?
The ghostly woman smiled and shook her head. “Just a thief. Not worth worrying about. Anyway, if you want to find your companions, pick up the Hero’s Sword. For Mount Aisa, it’s both the anchor and the key.”
What a strange taphor.
Vieya gave Flaviel a long, aningful look.
“Vieya, stop spacing out—you look silly,” nesis interrupted, snapping the sli girl out of her daze. “We wanted to hear your opinion.”
“My opinion?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, the guy’s dead. Let’s leave him. Whether he’s good or bad, it’s none of our business.”
Vieya folded her arms and looked at the Hero’s Sword clutched in the armor’s hand. “The Holy Sword is the key to unraveling Mount Aisa’s overlapping ti-space. It’ll help us locate Luna and the others. We should take it before sothing else goes wrong.”
“Take the Holy Sword... that makes sense.”
nesis stood, stepping away from the corpse and staring at the blade. “But can we even lift it? I’ve heard that only a Hero can wield the Hero’s Sword. Ordinary people can’t even move it—and monsters would get burned if they tried.”
That, of course, was exactly why she hadn’t touched it herself.
“Let’s at least try,” Rakaide said, then turned toward the white-haired girl across from him. “Priestess, what do you think?”
Ah, this...
Can a monster girl like still pick up the Hero’s Sword?
Vieya’s heart sank. Her small hand rose unconsciously to her chest, where the shattered Hero’s Seal gave off a faint warmth—half comfort, half encouragent.
“You humans have a saying, don’t you? ‘All that’s past is prologue.’ Vieya, go on—try it,” Flaviel said, smiling softly. “Just like before... without fear.”
Both nesis and Rakaide turned their eyes to the white-haired girl, silently waiting for her choice.
“...Honestly. Always putting your hopes on without asking first.”
Vieya muttered inwardly, walking toward the Holy Sword. “But fine—after all this buildup, I’m not about to let the mont go to waste.”
“And besides,” she whispered, her eyes sharpening, “you were mine to begin with.”
Rumble—!
The mont Vieya gripped the Hero’s Sword, the ground shuddered violently. Lightning tore through the clear night sky, thunder roared, and fierce winds surged in from every direction.
The Hero’s Sword glowed red-hot, like molten iron pulled straight from a forge.
Vieya’s face contorted—what she was holding didn’t feel like a sword at all, but a blazing inferno!
Hot! Too hot!
“Hang in there!” nesis cried, tense. She had expected the sword to be rely too heavy to lift—but looking at Vieya now, it was clearly far more dangerous than that.
Even Rakaide frowned deeply, unease twisting in his gut, though he couldn’t yet say why.
Then, across the lightning-streaked sky, a violet teor streaked down, catching both nesis and Rakaide’s attention at once.
“Enemy attack?” Rakaide barked.
The purple light crashed to the ground, scattering dust and rubble.
Rania erged from the haze, dragging her massive scythe. She glanced briefly at the two who were glaring at her, then fixed her eyes on Vieya—and froze.
The raging Hero’s Sword, under the control of the white-haired girl, was slowly calming down—like a wild horse finally tad.
Vieya... what are you to my teacher?
“......”
Rania stepped forward silently.
“Wait. You can’t go any closer.”
nesis extended her arm, stopping her. “I know who you are. But if you want to talk to Vieya, you’ll have to wait. Don’t disturb her now.”
“......”
Rania stared at the short, dusty woman blocking her way. After a long pause, she nodded and stepped back two paces.
nesis sighed in relief.
Why would a Hero even co here? Did Luna’s group leak news about the Holy Sword? ...Well, I suppose it makes sense.
anwhile—
“Your student’s co to see you,” Flaviel murmured.
“I know... but I don’t know how to face her,” Vieya said softly. “Last ti, I was going to—well, trick her a little. But then one of your friends told I had a daughter, so that plan went out the window.”
“My friend... hmm, I don’t really rember,” Flaviel mused for a mont, then continued, “Why are you going to the Royal Capital? You can’t get in without a sponsor, and it’s dangerous.”
“Dangerous, huh...”
Vieya paused, then deliberately changed the subject. “If I really take the Holy Sword, won’t Rania end up secretly monitoring from now on? My identity could easily be exposed.”
“Exposed...” Flaviel thought aloud.
Vieya went on, “But Xiao Lü already knows who I am. And... judging by the timing, she’s probably talked to Xiao Hong by now.”
“Xiao Hong and Xiao Lü? Those twin spirit sisters?”
Flaviel smiled faintly. “They’re fine. But you should find a chance to make them recognize you as their master. It’ll be safer that way. And honestly, if it’s you, they’ll probably be happy to.”
“No thanks. A master-servant bond ties life to life—if I die again, they’ll get dragged down with .” Vieya shrugged.
“Then do as you wish,” Flaviel said, giving the sli girl a light push. “Once you’re done, hurry up and get out there. Don’t dawdle.”
“...I just wanted to talk with you a bit longer.”
“Don’t give that—I know exactly what you’re thinking.”
Flaviel’s tone was teasing, though her eyes were warm. “But you have to face what’s in front of you. Go on—your student’s waiting.”
With that, she stretched out a hand and gave the sluggish sli girl a firm shove, sending her out of the storm’s heart.
Just like before, Vieya—now in her sli-girl form—beca the master of the Holy Sword once again.
But—
The mont the sword left it, the Hero’s armor began to fade. Its luster dulled, rust spreading across the tal as cracks ford one after another. It looked like an ancient relic finally stripped of ti’s protection—an old soldier crumbling away.
Flaviel looked down at her own hand, now turning faint and translucent, and let out a quiet sigh.
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