Episode 13

The site of an old church. Beneath the ruins of the abandoned Maria Church, several figures were gathered.

“Looks like things have gotten pretty wild out there. Serves them right.”

The tall Dex muttered as if it were someone else’s problem. Zeke had made Dex swallow bitter humiliation time and time again. Perhaps he had a lot on his mind, because he wore a refreshed expression.

“Those knight order bastards… they’re doing whatever they want. If they get in my way, I won’t let them off for free.”

“No, no, that’s not happening. Even if you tried to annoy him, that monster wouldn’t stop.”

Feluart, with his blazing red hair that stood out even in the darkness, and Pariaach, who looked like a child.

Each of them had their own thoughts. They all had various ties and grudges connected to Zeke.

“So even the current knight order can’t even stall him, huh? He was the one who crushed the vice-captain too…”

From their perspective, losing Hanhanberu, who had been cooperating with them behind the scenes, was a painful blow. For the sake of their plan, a clash with Lagias, the Watchman, was guaranteed. They had intended to pit the knight order against him and arrange for mutual destruction, but at this point, it looked like they would need to revise their strategy.

“The awakened Watchman is a pain too, but I think that monster is way more dangerous~. Seriously, what are we going to do…”

The ducal house’s strongest individual fighting force. The Demon of Lagias, who had not been stopped even when multiple units of the Kingdom’s knight order were thrown at him. Every one of them understood that if they fought him head-on in a fair battle, it would not even become a contest.

“Do something about it. If you wish to have your desire fulfilled.”

A solemn voice echoed through the darkness. Those who had been speaking fell silent. It was the leader of their organization and, now that the Sword Saint was gone, the strongest swordsman of the modern age—Elzen Freak.

“Don’t ask the impossible, Leader. You fought him too, didn’t you? Then you know. That thing is a nightmare.”

Lagias had appeared during the battle with Masfelt. Elzen had been killed in a surprise attack and had lost his life several times even in direct battle. The only reason he still existed in this world now was because he stood outside the laws of reason.

“…Dex. How is the plan progressing?”

“We’ve gathered two of the ‘keys.’ The question now is what to do about the last one…”

They had given up on incorporating the inheritors into the plan and switched to an alternative proposal using Spearize.

Maenof, a distant relative of the royal family. Tsaity, the second son of the Marquis House of Izosaar. Out of many test subjects, those two had shown aptitude for the ‘key.’

“In the end, using royalty is probably the safest bet. Even that strange Maenof (the bangs guy) worked as a substitute.”

“…We should’ve just gone after the inheritors from the start.”

Feluart made no effort to hide his dissatisfaction. To begin with, the purpose at the start of the operation had been to find the inheritors of the ‘keys,’ and they had acted in many ways for that sake. But in the end, every one of those attempts had failed.

As for the Silver Saintess, Zeke, his archenemy, had blocked him, which was part of the reason, but there were still things worth reconsidering about the others. Especially Van—he had not seemed like a threat in terms of combat strength.

“It’s the difference between an original and a spare. Those who awakened the ‘key’ possess power on the same level as the factor of a spirit (god). …Well, that swordsman still doesn’t, though.”

The factor of a spirit (god). It was the essence of their power, and also a sword capable of breaking the structure of the world. To those with high aptitude, it granted immense power. To those without the qualifications, death. The factor of a spirit (god), which fundamentally altered the human body, was not something just anyone could handle.

“Well, no matter what, we’re still short… or rather, maybe there are too many. There are too many unnecessary humans around.”

“Osten and Westen, huh. So we haven’t even met half the required number…”

“That’s right. There are just too many targets, so this might not work.”

Rovinz’s attacks on the provincial cities had also been a plan to kill many people. To have a wish granted required a fitting sacrifice. Apparently, the Wisher (Diabalet) of that time had also paid a considerable price.

“…Go to Samaris. What you seek is there.”

“Samaris? What, are we going mountain climbing?”

A basin-like city surrounded by mountains on both sides. It was known as a region thriving on forestry and agriculture, with many local specialty goods.

“I see… the tunnel opening ceremony, huh.”

“Huh~, humans really do have strange customs.”

From an industrial perspective, it was a city with many specialty products, but Samaris had long had limited means to transport them. Because of the terrain, travel options were restricted, leaving only the choice of crossing the mountains. For Samaris, the opening of the tunnel was a long-awaited project, and the nation’s interest in it was high as well.

“From Tret’s information, we know that the Third Princess will be attending. There should also be a fair number of residents there.”

“So it’s the perfect setup, then. We get a spare for the ‘key,’ and we gather the sacrifices too.”

“…Who exactly is that old man?”

Feluart looked suspiciously at the absent Tret. Tret often acted alone, and from the organization’s point of view, he held a position like that of an intelligence operative. The only information they had was that he and Elzen went way back.

“Pariaach, you go.”

“…I’ve got a really bad feeling about this.”

“The Leader chose you. …This is the price for shoving that guy onto me.”

Pariaach puffed out his cheeks in displeasure. He looked like nothing more than an angry little child.

“Hm~, I do have a prototype made from the failed version, so I guess I’ll have to make do with that. Maybe I can manage something like wiping out the whole city…”

Though each of their aims was different, the place they sought was the same. They had their own sense of justice.

The great manhunt that had unfolded on the Telone Plains. Over two hundred knights and the wanted criminal Zeke had clashed violently. The result had not even risen to the level of a battle—the knight order had suffered a crushing defeat. The regimental commander who had led them had been sent to the hospital.

“What are we supposed to do now?”

“…I don’t know.”

Luke and the others had been present at the scene. Van and Luke had been able to speak with him, but they had not been able to obtain the information they truly wanted.

Zeke had vanished via teleportation magic. They had wanted to pursue him immediately, but they could not leave the collapsed knights as they were, and so they had focused on treatment under Ciel’s lead.

Luke and the others were now in a certain post town. Tracking down Zeke after his teleportation was proving extremely difficult. They had chosen to rest while also organizing the information they had.

“…Still, I’m glad. Zeke-san looked well.”

There was relief in Ciel’s sorrowful voice. Though worried, she seemed reassured for now just to have seen him alive and well. Selen seemed to agree, smiling softly as well.

“…They watched him beat the knight order senseless and their takeaway is that he looked well? Are these people all right in the head?”

“To begin with, it was questionable whether he was actually injured at all.”

The five of them were Van, Atri, Glanz, Ciel, and Selen. Adding Luke’s squad made a total of eight gathered in the inn’s large room. They had not known each other long, but their goal was the same. Thinking they would gain more by acting together, they had continued their cooperative relationship.

“…The power I felt from him was stronger than before. So was he holding back all this time?”

“Who knows. I’ve known him for years, but I’ve never once seen him go all out.”

Van gave a weak smile. There was no sign of anger or hatred toward Zeke in him. If anything, he seemed to be belittling himself. It was ironic that learning of the Zeke standing so far beyond him had broadened his view.

“Either way, we need to pursue Zeke. What will you all do, Glanz-san?”

“I believe all of us are of one mind. If we pursue him, it may also become a chance to learn what is happening in this kingdom right now.”

The many incidents occurring one after another in the Kingdom of Diabalet. In the current situation, Zeke’s shadow could be glimpsed behind every single one of them. What exactly were the ‘key’ and the ‘Guide’? Was Lagias really nothing more than a landed noble house?

To approach Zeke was, in other words, almost the same as peering into the abyss of the kingdom. —Figures clad in gray garments suddenly appeared.

“W-What are these people!?”

“I didn’t sense their presence…”

The gray-clad group that had appeared in the large room took formation as though surrounding Luke and the others. There were eight of them. By coincidence, the exact same number as Luke’s side.

“…Everyone, please don’t move carelessly. They’re people from the ducal house.”

Ciel spoke to calm those around her. As someone from the same ducal house, she apparently recognized them.

“I see. The intelligence agency Zeke mentioned before…”

“…You catch on quickly. We have no intention of fighting.”

One of the gray-clad figures made his position clear in a muffled voice.

An intelligence agency. At hearing the name, Skinny and Nahal stiffened, while Glanz narrowed his eyes.

“…I’ll be blunt. Withdraw from Zeke Lagias.”

“…May I ask the reason?”

“No. We will not allow ordinary members of the public like you to touch state secrets.”

The gray-clad figure had an overbearing attitude, but apparently it was not just for show. Each one of them seemed highly skilled. In particular, the power coming from one of them was far beyond the others.

“…And if we refuse?”

“You will meet the same end. Just like the knight order’s former vice-captain.”

The room filled with the presence of death. Because of the killing intent radiating from the gray-clad figures, Luke and the others, surrounded at close range, could not move carelessly. At this distance, there was not even time to activate magic.

“Now, now, let’s not be too intimidating. Wouldn’t that be cruel?”

A suspicious voice echoed through the tension-filled room. Because of the strangely out-of-place attitude of one of the gray-clad figures, the atmosphere shifted in a bizarre direction. …For some reason, even the other gray-clad figures, who should have been his allies, seemed thrown off.

“Amore~~! We are human because we can talk things out!”

Amore? What in the world was this person talking about?

At that moment, everyone in the room shared the exact same thought.

“How passionate. To draw your sword for the sake of a friend.”

“…There’s a weirdo mixed in there.”

“Yeah. …I feel like I’ve seen this lunatic somewhere before.”

Skinny and Nahal looked at each other as if something came to mind. He looked no different from the other agents on the surface, but he clearly stood out on his own. Atri was staring at the gray-clad figure in question with the kind of look one reserved for trash.

And she was thoroughly put off.

“…Hey, shut up. Be quiet.”

“No, no, Mister Johnny. A heartfelt response is what’s needed here.”

“Who the hell is Johnny!? And who calls someone by name in front of others in the first place! Do you even understand our position!?”

The man who appeared to be the leader of the intelligence agency, who had until then projected a calm and strict atmosphere, suddenly started shouting. The other members were also panicking, unsure how to respond.

“We have no reason to fight in the first place. So let us go with: let’s dance!”

“Shut up! Someone restrain that idiot! Why did that person ever let a lunatic like this into the intelligence agency!?”

The lunatic started dancing out steps in the middle of the large room. Gray-clad agents lunged to restrain him, but he continued slipping past them with graceful movements. The tense, bloodthirsty atmosphere had completely vanished.

“Van-san. I recommend burning his movements into your eyes.”

“!? Y-You expect me to do that!? Isn’t he a pervert!?”

“I can’t deny that… but his skill is real.”

Stepping, spinning, jumping. The dancing gray-clad figure and the other gray-clad figures became all jumbled together. It was utter chaos.

“Selen, could it be…”

“Shh, don’t say anything. They’ll think we know him.”

Selen stopped Ciel, who looked like she wanted to say something. Luke too imagined a certain person from his memories, but decided to keep that thought quietly to himself.

“What are you doing, Mister Johnny? Come, let us make it a ball!”

“Stop! My intellect will be defiled!? Damn it! Because Lagias isn’t here, we’re the ones stuck dealing with this madman! I won’t forgive him!”

The leader of the group crouched down, clutching his head. Forced into a situation unlike anything they had dealt with before, the members of the intelligence agency were in total confusion. …Was this country really going to be all right?

“…Well, in truth, what Mister Johnny says isn’t entirely off the mark. What do you all think?”

“Do you mean… regarding him?”

“Exactly! …He, Lagias, is tied to people of great importance in this kingdom’s history. In a certain sense, it would not be an exaggeration to say they stand shoulder to shoulder with the royal family.”

The history of the founding of the Kingdom of Diabalet. Anyone could read the history books and learn how the kingdom was formed. But what this person seemed to be about to say appeared different from that, and the air among the gray-clad figures changed.

“They are at the kingdom’s core, and they are the underside of the kingdom. Only certain people are permitted to know that truth. The reality of the dim world beneath.”

What was he talking about? The atmosphere had completely changed from the foolish mood of just before.

“Lagias, hated endlessly by the people. Those who went on blindly believing that the inheritors of silver were sacred beings. —Who was the real villain? When you learn the truth, do you think you’ll be able to stay calm? Especially you, Swordsman-kun.”

“Me?”

“…That’s enough. I won’t allow any more.”

“Oops, I got scolded. Well, as you can see, if you approach Lagias, you’ll naturally draw near the roots of this kingdom. And when that happens, we too will have no choice but to act.”

It was a roundabout way of saying it, but it was clearly both advice and warning. One could feel the desire behind it for them to make their choice while understanding everything.

“Even so, I’ll keep pursuing him—Zeke.”

“Mm, that’s a good look in your eyes. …Then I bid you farewell here. Ciao!”

Their presence suddenly thinned, and they vanished. It was different from the teleportation magic used by Glanz and Zeke. One of the reasons the intelligence agency was so feared.

“…I’ll pursue him to the very end. For that very reason, I—”