< 141. Stranger from the Distant Sea >
*
A month had passed since the advisory council. Fernandez stood in the middle of the training ground, holding a greatsword, facing the snow. Winter was at its peak, and the snowflakes gently settled on the blade’s edge.
“Hoo…”
The Relic Sword, Dain, neither broken nor dulled. To recreate the unique swordsmanship of King Dain, which could tear through space, a sword of this caliber was necessary.
The pinnacle of swordsmanship was a vague and conceptual realm. Moving the sword faster, turning the body more agilely, swinging the blade more fiercely. Beyond such techniques, reaching a state of detachment…
-Swish.
The snowflakes scattered. With a single swift strike through the air, the snowflakes around him burst and scattered as if exploding.
“I failed.”
“Don’t be impatient.”
Abel, sipping warm cocoa under the eaves, smiled softly. Steam rose gently from the cup in her hand. Fernandez swung his sword, sheathed it, and slowly descended from the platform.
“It’s been less than two months since you began exploring that realm. No matter how fast one grows, your impatience is excessive.”
“There’s no time to grow leisurely.”
“I wish you could stay secluded and train for years.”
“Times are changing, Abel.”
Though one Great Demon had been slain, four remained. Since the incident in the Great Wilderness, this world had begun to deviate from the timeline he knew. He could no longer predict where or when a threat might emerge.
Meanwhile, he, having lost his immortality, possessed only a sword hilt, a somewhat developed physique, and the magic of the Bronze Throne, which could be used only a few times a day.
It was enough to deal with minor demon followers or insignificant pests. But his goals were far beyond such trivialities.
Fernandez frowned at the lingering shock in his wrist and sat beside her. Saruk, Abel’s hand gently stroked his hair.
“You’re working hard enough. The achievements you’ve made and the power you possess have surpassed that of a mere mortal. I am pleased with your growth, your spirit, and the glorious future you can achieve.”
Abel handed him a warm cup and smiled. Fernandez silently looked down at it, then took a small sip.
Outside the eaves, snow was falling. The surroundings were filled with snowflakes, as if a giant curtain had been spread. The sound of monks’ prayers and the clear bell from the bell tower flowed through the winter mountain monastery.
“Here you are, Your Excellency.”
Tap, a light footstep sounded. Kirhas peeked her head over the wall. She briefly wrinkled her nose, smelling the cocoa, then jumped down from the wall.
“The Monastery Head is looking for you.”
“Already?”
For long-term operations, it usually took time before the next mission assignment. This was to minimize the attrition of Inquisition Officers who constantly moved between battlefields. However, just three months after the last operation, a new mission was being assigned before a full month had passed.
“Shall I prepare the luggage?”
“Yes. Get fully supplied with weapons from Brother Martirio and wait. I’ll come to you.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
Kirhas’ gaze briefly met Abel’s eyes, then she looked away. Fernandez stood up and placed his hand on her head.
“Ugh, it’s dirty with sweat, Your Excellency.”
“It’s fine. You’re working hard.”
“…Yes.”
Like Fernandez, Kirhas had also been intensely training this past month. The power she possessed was not entirely her own, and embodying it required only her own enlightenment and training.
The experiences and talents that had seeped into her body as her soul mingled. Just like King Dain and Fernandez, Kirhas’ abilities were not something that could be mastered in a short time.
Fernandez stroked Kirhas’ hair once, then draped his cloak over his shoulders.
*
Upon opening the door, an unexpected guest was in the Monastery Head’s office. Beorn was sitting across from a large desk, having tea with the visitor.
“I heard you called for me…”
A slender stranger in a purple robe, with his back turned, was drinking tea. The missions of the Inquisition Officers were fundamentally confidential. This was the first time an outsider was present during a mission assignment, so Fernandez hesitated for a moment.
“Sit, Brother. You should know this face.”
“Indeed. Long time no see, Inquisition Officer.”
The stranger turned to him and removed his hood. Long silver hair cascaded like a waterfall from the back of his collar. Sharp, dagger-like ears peeked out. Blue eyes resembling topaz sparkled mischievously.
“Queen Leia. What brings you so deep inland?”
“I came to see you. Who else in this continent would I have business with but you?”
Leia chuckled softly and gestured gracefully to the seat across from her.
“Sit. It seems we have a long story ahead.”
Fernandez cautiously sat down across from her.
It had been a while since I last saw Leia’s face, and though it hadn’t changed at all, the glint of experience and confidence still sparkled in her eyes.
“Don’t ask me if I could’ve just sent a messenger instead. My people can’t set foot on land, so I had no choice but to come myself.”
“You’re not the only half-elf queen out there, you know.”
“Those kids lack experience, so I can’t trust them. It’s always more reliable when I handle things myself.”
Leia chuckled and sipped her tea. Fernandez picked up his teacup and glanced at Beorn.
“Is this mission another dispatch assignment?”
“I didn’t want it to be, but this time it’s a bit different.”
Beorn shrugged, recalling how Fernandez had nearly died during the last dispatch mission.
“It won’t take too long. You humans are so meticulous. Don’t worry, Inquisition Officer. You’ll be treated as our most honored guest and enjoy a safe winter voyage.”
“What’s the mission?”
“Always so impatient. Hahaha.”
After laughing for a while, Leia pulled out a scroll from her robe and handed it over, her expression turning serious.
“Malerun, Malerun of the Thousand Spire Tower. That old king, who holds a seat among the Elven Serpent Kings, is approaching the North Sea. Skirmishes have already broken out. But we’ve failed to destroy their flagship.”
Of course. The Elven King’s flagship can only be destroyed by Dragon’s Breath, Dwarven firepower, or the Curse of the Great Demon. To them, the ship is their castle and territory, so the King’s Flagship is paranoically protected.
Leia narrowed her eyes and looked at him.
“In this era, there are very few things that can destroy an Elven King’s Flagship. But our Goddess has ordered the extermination of all Elven Kings. Now, I know someone who has the skill to destroy a flagship.”
“It was a fluke, and I have no confidence in succeeding again, nor the resources to do so.”
The Grasp of the Five Thrones. The most powerful destruction spell in Faijashi’s arsenal. Using it could destroy an Elven King’s Flagship.
But using it required meeting several conditions: a situation where backlash could be endured, sufficient Hellish Magic to utilize, and an immortal body. Without all three, it’s a spell that can never be cast.
“The sea brings in many things. No royal family is as ancient, wealthy, or rich in relics as the Elven Royal Family. Inquisition Officer, if you need anything, we’ll secure it for you. Just once, just a little, if you can break their flagship, we’ll handle the rest.”
Fernandez stroked his chin, lost in thought. What would it take to recreate the Grasp of the Five Thrones? Defeating the Elven Dynasty would undoubtedly benefit human civilization. It’s a situation too good to pass up.
But…
“Malerun’s domain was the West Sea, wasn’t it? Do you know why he’s heading north?”
“They’re hunting gods.”
Leia narrowed her eyes as she spoke.
“Minor deities, demi-gods, or semi-gods who couldn’t enter the Temple of the Gods. Probably for the same reason as our father. I don’t know how successful they’ve been or how they plan to succeed, but…”
“If they want to lift their racial curse, wouldn’t that be good for you too?”
“Using divine essence to lift a curse? Is that even possible? Well, I’m not sure. But we have a solid plan. Melisildur promised that if we release all the Goddess’s divinity held by the Elven Dynasty, our curse will be lifted. That’s more certain and safer.”
In the previous life, just before the final war in the Material World, the Elven Dynasties vanished like bubbles from the world. No one knows where they went or what happened. They simply disappeared.
Did the Elven Dynasties’ plan succeed, leading them to the realm of the gods? Or did the Curse of the God overlap, causing the entire race to vanish? It’s unknown. Just like the dwarves who disappeared in an instant.
At the time, Faijashi had no time to wonder about it. The war was raging, and the disappearance of a potential enemy was, in any case, not a bad thing.
But for Fernandez… He was curious about what they were planning and what they might do. Moreover…
‘If we fully control the northern seas, we can block Erik’s southern invasion.’
Erik the Black, leading the northerners, can only invade by crossing the sea. If the Elven Dynasty’s warships, known as the strongest on the seas, protect the continent, the threat could be eradicated from the start.
He had to look beyond Leia’s proposal. If Malerun was defeated and Leia’s kingdom could solidify its maritime dominance, a major threat to civilized society could be eliminated.
“It won’t be a long journey. We’ve already identified their anchorage. The northern seas are our domain. Not a single ship can escape. Let’s strike their core in one blow and plant our flag in the Four Seas, Inquisition Officer.”
Leia smiled warmly as she spoke. Beorn, who had been listening, narrowed his eyes and said,
“You’re saying we destroyed the Elven King’s Flagship? I haven’t received any such report.”
“Uh… It was by the grace of the Gods.”
“I’ll need a more detailed explanation, brother.”
“It is said, ‘Ask, and it shall be given to you.’ Truly, it was so. Macto!”
Beorn stared at Fernandez for a while, then chuckled. He clapped his hands and said,
“Bring me the mission proposal, brother. If you’re fine with it, this doesn’t seem like a bad deal.”
“Even if it’s not a heresy case, it’s fine?”
Beorn shrugged as if amused by the question.
“How can a god-hunting, atheist king not be a heretic?”
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