The woman who gathered the Squires bound for the Abyssal Chasm was the Instructor who had just completed her month of Disciplinary Confinement.
“You have all shed some of your fledgling appearances. I am Sezelin, the Instructor responsible for overseeing your journey. Since we will be traveling a considerable distance, you must obey my commands without question.”
“Yes, Instructor!”
They answered with voices full of spirit.
Light, the Instructor assigned to the 1st Squad, would accompany Alvan to the Sanctuary of Water.
‘We have clashed before, so I am somewhat concerned. However, this is also an opportunity to show her why swordsmen are necessary.’
Joshua had trained no less diligently than the other Squires, and he was now approaching the Expert realm.
The Core within his Energy Center had grown even more stable, and he could now wield Aura without the Sacred Eye.
The same was true for Galev, who had trained alongside him.
They had also practiced extensively with the Mages in their Squad. Once Sezelin witnessed them in battle, she would surely acknowledge the sword.
“…I cannot believe I have to spend an entire month with these sword-wielding fools.”
His relationship with Hannibal remained uncomfortable.
Joshua had repeatedly attempted to speak with him since the combat exercise, but the distance between them had only grown.
Unable to endure the awkward atmosphere any longer, Freya finally spoke.
“Joshua, have you ever traveled outside Galahad’s territory?”
“Of course, Herb Girl. There is nowhere within the North that I have not visited.”
“…When are you finally going to call me by my name?”
Freya Estelle.
It was the name of the woman he had loved in his previous life.
The image of her being devoured by the Demon King continued to surface in his mind, so he could not bring himself to say the girl’s name.
As always, he evaded the matter with a bitter smile.
“This is my first time! I was so excited last night that I could barely sleep, Joshua.”
“So that is why your light remained on until dawn.”
“H-How did you know?”
“I did some additional studying.”
“Studying?”
“Would you care to look at this?”
Joshua took a notebook from his backpack and handed it to her.
“Th-This contains information about us?”
It was none other than the assignment Serena had given him.
“Combat styles, Magic Branches, and even our usual personalities and food preferences…?”
“I made an effort to understand how I might coexist with Mages such as yourselves.”
“Her appearance is cold, but her disposition is that of an ordinary girl her age. By contrast, she remains relatively calm when dealing with enemies. Therefore, she can generally be trusted to make independent decisions in battle, though her somewhat reckless tendencies require supervision… This is remarkably thorough.”
“I have observed all of you carefully, so that is only natural.”
“Let me see! Am I in there too?”
Freya rushed over with an interested gleam in her eyes.
“The information is somewhat limited, but I analyzed every member of the 2nd Squad as well.”
“She often appears thoughtless, but she is unexpectedly skilled at schemes and frequently displays a cool-headed nature. However, she often suffers from Mana Exhaustion, so particular care must be taken when using her abilities. She has a pleasant impression and beautiful features, making her well suited to become a future member of Galahad’s Publicity Corps… What is this, Joshua?”
“Serving in the Publicity Corps is an honorable duty.”
“…I know. I am saying that I like it.”
The cold had disappeared completely, and moving around was now enough to make one sweat.
Perhaps that was why Freya’s pale face had turned red.
“What about me?”
“What do you mean, Heria?”
“She is asking whether she would be suited to the Publicity Corps.”
Lunae, who had been gazing blankly at the surrounding scenery, quietly approached and answered in Heria’s place.
Her gaze was also fixed upon the notebook.
“Heria, as written here, your expression is too cold for such work.”
“…Never mind.”
Heria abruptly began sulking.
As a boy who knew nothing beyond the sword, Joshua could not comprehend the heart of an adolescent girl.
“Idiot Joshua.”
Lunae struck directly at the heart of the matter.
“Exactly.”
Heria puffed out her cheeks as she answered.
Freya hurriedly turned her head away, but she could not conceal the rising corners of her mouth.
Joshua awkwardly scratched his head before fleeing toward Galev, who was walking ahead.
“My friend, help me.”
“…This has nothing to do with me.”
“H-How could you? You would betray your own friend?”
“I did not betray you.”
Unfortunately, even the elf boy turned his back on him.
Joshua felt a bitter sense of isolation, far worse than when he had once been stranded alone upon a snowfield.
“Enough chatter. I understand that you are excited, but you must not relax your vigilance. Once we leave the territory’s walls, bandits or monsters could appear anywhere and at any time.”
“Yes, Instructor.”
A single sentence from Sezelin immediately restored discipline.
She possessed tremendous charisma.
From then on, they marched in a rigid formation with Galahad’s banner fastened to their backpacks.
The world beyond the walls, which Joshua was seeing for the first time in a hundred years, was not greatly different from what he remembered.
A disorderly shantytown sprawled before them, while impoverished people intoxicated by alcohol and narcotics lay scattered wherever they pleased.
‘They do not flee even after seeing the Knight Order’s emblem?’
Guiding the foolish toward the proper path was also a knight’s duty.
Narcotics such as opium were strictly controlled under Imperial Law, but this was a lawless region where such restrictions meant nothing.
“Instructor, should we not arrest them and grant them an opportunity for rehabilitation?”
“Do not create unnecessary trouble, Joshua. They are worthless refuse. Bringing them within the walls would only give them an opportunity to cause further problems.”
“…Is showing mercy to the unfortunate not one of a knight’s virtues?”
Sezelin released a deep sigh.
“Joshua, the ideals you worship died a hundred years ago, together with the legendary Joshua.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“…You will learn naturally in time. When that day comes, I hope you will recognize reality for yourself.”
Sezelin furrowed her brow and ended the conversation.
It was as though she did not wish to broach even the beginning of the matter.
However, Joshua himself was the legend who had created that age of ideals, so he could not understand Sezelin’s words.
“If you disobey my orders and act without permission, I will send you back to the Knight Order.”
“…Understood.”
Joshua clenched his teeth hard enough to break them and forced himself to look away.
It was the first time in his life that he had witnessed injustice and pretended not to see it.
Joshua had accepted the natural course of the changing age until now, but he had never yielded when the very foundations of chivalry were at stake.
‘…Are they not also people of Galahad’s territory and citizens of the North? Why are they judging human beings according to their supposed value?’
What frightened Joshua even more, however, was the reaction of his comrades.
“G-Galev. Do you not consider them people whom we must protect?”
“Of course not. They have abandoned their duty as human beings.”
No one questioned the situation.
It was as though they did not regard the drug-addled residents of the slums as human.
They looked upon them no differently from stones lying beside the road.
Joshua’s world began to tremble.
At that moment, Lunae caught the hem of his clothes and drew him toward the rear of the formation.
“You are a fool.”
“It appears… that I am.”
“Then do not force yourself to understand the world. Continue living as yourself.”
The girl did not want the Joshua before her to change.
“…Why?”
“Because your foolish sense of justice will surely save countless people.”
Me too.
Lunae murmured the words too quietly for Joshua to hear.
Nevertheless, her sincerity restored Joshua’s smile.
‘…Yes. The ideals I carry have not faded.’
Sezelin had claimed that those ideals had collapsed with Joshua’s death.
However, he had been reborn.
‘In this life, I will plant convictions upon this land that will never rust.’
Clarity returned to his clouded eyes.
He once again resembled the boy who had saved Lunae.
“…You are at your best when you are being a fool.”
“Thank you, Lunae.”
They followed the dirt road covered in pink petals, traveling farther and farther away.
Before long, Galahad’s sturdy walls had disappeared from sight.
The lunch prepared with Galev’s skill satisfied even the demanding Sezelin.
With their stomachs full, they continued beneath a sky bathed in the light of twilight.
“The next village is not far. We will spend the night there.”
“Yes, Instructor!”
Although the Squires were exhausted after walking throughout the day, they answered loudly as always.
The beauty that illuminated the world for a brief moment soon vanished.
Darkness settled with the cold air.
Their eyes began closing of their own accord from exhaustion.
Every step felt as heavy as though their feet were trapped in mud.
“Everyone, halt! I sense monsters!”
Danger always came in the midst of hardship.
The Squires swiftly shook off their weariness and prepared for battle as they had been trained.
“Galev.”
“Yes. I’m ready.”
The two swordsmen moved naturally to the vanguard.
“I will climb the hill and prepare to snipe them.”
“I’ll take you there!”
Freya linked arms with Heria, and the two disappeared together.
She could now transport one additional person without difficulty.
Lunae and Hannibal, who were responsible for destructive power, prepared their magic at the center of the formation.
“…They are steadily approaching us. There are at least five. From this moment onward, I will not intervene, so prepare yourselves.”
Dust rose from the horizon.
The ground began to tremble.
“I-It is a group of ogres!”
Freya returned with the information after rapidly scouting with Teleportation Magic.
The Squires’ bodies trembled.
Ogres, which delighted in eating human flesh, had served as symbols of terror even longer than demons.
“I will begin the attack!”
Fragments of ice glittered in the moonlight upon the hill.
Sharply compressed and enchanted with the ‘Homing’ spell, they shot forward with a fierce whistle.
BOOM―!
An explosion followed, accompanied by a violent roar.
Unfortunately, Heria’s shot had only succeeded in tearing off one of the creature’s arms.
It was now the swordsmen’s turn.
“We will buy you plenty of time. Remain calm and aim for an opening!”
“Yes. I’m sorry.”
Blue Aura rippled across their swords.
TAP―
They charged like flashes of light.
The power forged by their convictions pierced the pitch-black darkness and sought the enemies’ hearts.
“…I will support you immediately.”
“I cannot believe I have to fight according to the movements of these damned sword-wielders.”
At the proper moment, Lunae’s and Hannibal’s magic manifested to support them.
Joshua and Galev lowered their centers of gravity with practiced ease.
Clusters of light blazed past above their heads.
ROOOAR―!
The ogres endured the attacks with their thick muscles.
While the creatures were being struck, the swordsmen closed the distance and met their house-sized clubs with their weapons.
THUD―!
A heavy vibration traveled all the way to their toes.
Even while wrapped in Aura, they could not overcome an ogre’s raw strength.
“Urgh.”
“Do not meet the attack head-on! Deflect it as though you are guiding the force aside!”
Joshua advised Galev before withdrawing to avoid being surrounded.
Heria’s sniping bought them the necessary time.
There were two swordsmen and five enemies.
They could not remain engaged with any single opponent for long.
They had to move swiftly and keep the creatures occupied, but the muscles in their lower bodies were already screaming after an entire day of marching.
Their exhaustion worsened each time they collided with an ogre.
“Galev, it will be difficult, but we must hold them here.”
“Yes. Our comrades are behind us.”
The Mages completed their chanting and unleashed light in unison.
BOOM―!
The explosion shook the ground and destroyed the ogres’ balance.
The two swordsmen did not allow the opportunity to pass.
“Galev.”
“Yes.”
They exchanged a glance and raced behind the enemies.
Strengthening their Aura further, they aimed at the vital points of the blinded creatures.
SLASH―!
Blood scattered upon the rising wind.
The heads of two ogres rolled across the ground.
“Watch out!”
At that moment, another enemy brought its club down from Galev’s blind spot.