Chapter 64: Light Against Darkness [1]
The brilliantly radiant sword that illuminates the world.
This is how ancient texts described the first emperor’s swordsmanship.
When Gerhard first encountered that phrase, he thought it was a simple metaphor.
Something like humanity’s hope driving away the despair and darkness of demons.
But it wasn’t.
Today, Gerhard realized that the sword literally shines brilliantly.
"...Swordsmanship that sanctifies even the soul."
Light emanated from the aura. It wasn’t merely a visual effect.
The large monsters, influenced by demons, could be seen shrinking back slightly from the supremely elevated light attribute.
It was a scene that clearly demonstrated why the Armian were called the adversaries of demons.
Gerhard recalled one of the most intense futures he had seen when struck by lightning.
When the demons descended and their legions began their southward march, the sky was stained black from the influence of evil energy.
"To think they wielded something like that, cutting down demons under an ashen sky..."
It was enough to naturally inspire respect and faith where there had been none.
That’s why Gerhard could be certain.
"Indeed, the demons must be defeated by him."
That Aint Armian was the ultimate card to confront demons.
***
The battle didn’t last long.
Fighting on land without water, and with the emergence of a nearly antithetical power, the sea serpents couldn’t display the same majesty as before.
Nevertheless, they were monsters so strong that ordinary humans wouldn’t dare oppose them, but they faced unfortunate opponents.
Above the heads of the two beasts, their bodies covered in wounds.
A massive rock fell through a golden magic circle drawn in the air.
Boom-
"Huff, huff...!"
The ground trembled as the monsters collapsed. Aint, his body drained of strength, sat on top of them.
"...Amazing."
<It’s the legacy left by the first emperor. It couldn’t possibly be insignificant.>
There weren’t dramatic changes like an astronomical increase in mana or aura, or an overflowing strength throughout his body.
But the attribute in Aint’s aura itself had become more intense. The perception and control of its flow had become much smoother.
That alone brought about many changes.
<By the way, those two are certainly useful.>
<Especially Luina Berchef. You might be able to compete with this Bella woman, but against Luina Berchef, you’d lose a hundred times out of a hundred.>
Although Aint had grown quickly enough to defeat Veriana, the second-ranked, there was a clear difference between first and second years.
No, even without that, Luina Berchef was simply strong.
<With proper growth, she might have the potential to become a Royal Knight.>
"We survived...! To think we could defeat this! Are you alright?"
Bella, who had been running around trying to support Luina and Aint, let out a sigh of relief.
"Yes, thanks to you... Thank you, senior."
"I’m the one who survived thanks to you. They say ’Armian, Armian,’ and indeed, you’re impressive. Is your swordsmanship naturally antithetical to monsters?"
"Aint Armian."
At another voice, Aint turned his head.
"I heard you defeated the second-ranked first-year, and I can see why. Good job."
"Thank you, senior! You were amazing too!"
"...Hmm."
As Aint’s voice tone rose strangely at Luina’s words, Bella tilted her head.
"Well done."
Just then, Gerhard, who had finished off the two beasts, approached.
"Aint Armian. Thanks to you, we won easily. Is that the ability of Armian swordsmanship?"
"Yes."
"I’ve read about it in documents several times, but seeing it directly is fascinating. It felt somewhat sacred."
"Thank you."
"By the way, do you need those carcasses?"
"Pardon?"
The puzzled Aint soon realized what he meant.
"Ah, not particularly...."
"I see. You’re not a bad guy."
He had snatched the finishing blow in case Aint tried to claim credit.
"Pardon?"
"It’s nothing."
Gerhard didn’t even listen to his answer and approached the limp carcasses.
"...He’s going to take those even in this situation? Wait, what about my opinion? I helped too, so I can claim my rights, right?"
"You’re indebted to me, aren’t you?"
"...Alright, I understand."
Bella withdrew obediently. Indeed, considering he had saved her from evil energy contamination, she could certainly hand over a carcass like that.
"But what about Luina? She doesn’t owe you like that, and she directly killed one of them?"
"Luina has a real debt to me."
"...That’s right."
"I don’t need it in the first place."
As the talk of debt came up, Bella, realizing her slip of tongue, glanced at Luina, but she brushed it off nonchalantly.
"...Alright, then Aint Armian. I’ll get straight to the point. Are you interested in collaborating with me?"
"...Pardon?"
Aint questioned the abrupt change of topic.
"It’s simple. I had been tracking traces of vermin who had infiltrated the company, and though I suspected they were evil ones, I wasn’t certain. But meeting you today confirmed it."
"You mean that they are evil ones?"
"Yes. And I also judged that if they’re evil ones, it would be good to establish a cooperative relationship with you."
Aint didn’t ask why it would be so.
It was obvious. There was no more certain card against demons than the Armian.
Especially after seeing today’s battle.
"Not all those who infiltrated the company would be evil ones. But behind them would be evil ones, and at the end of that chain would be demons."
To begin with, it didn’t make sense for evil ones to wander around without demons.
Even in the great war a thousand years ago, evil ones always followed the orders of demons.
"If evil ones have appeared, demons will also appear someday. That’s my thinking, at least."
It was an accurate deduction.
Since Gardner had been talking about the stirrings of demons all along, it resonated even more from Aint’s perspective.
’Something... feels touching.’
He had thought he was fighting alone, but to think there was already someone who knew about and was preparing against evil ones.
But there were still some doubts.
<Did this guy eat something wrong?>
"Why are you telling me all this?"
The candid, open approach seemed very un-Goldenheim-like.
"Is that strange?"
"It is."