Chapter 86

“The soldiers have already moved close to the border.”

The next day, Sir Karon came to me early in the morning and said that out of the blue. I stared at him with sleepy eyes, still waking up, and he suddenly avoided my gaze. What’s up with that? He continued talking while looking away.

“Lady Catherine must move with Lady Yulia, so you should depart as soon as you receive the Sacred Sword.”

“So it’s just me and Yulia, then?”

“Officially, yes.”

“Officially?”

“Yes. According to the legends from old tales, the only thing capable of dealing significant damage to the Demon King is the Sacred Sword wielded by a warrior with magical power. Technically, we only need the two of you, but some people will accompany you to assist.”

We were set to embark on our journey to defeat the Demon King, but any Demons we encountered along the way could easily be handled even by ordinary humans without magical power. So, it meant experts would be attached to us.

“Where did the Demon King unleash chaos?”

“In the Kingdom of Altain. I heard the king just handed the country over to the Demon King.”

“The Kingdom of Altain… That was the nation located at the eastern end. What’s the damage report?”

“The entire eastern continent is almost consumed. The fact that the casualties are relatively low is a small mercy, however.”

Currently, the soldiers were positioned in the Duchy of Endein, like the homeland of Prince Bellus, who was engaged to Lilian. While the duchy itself wasn’t vast, it had significant clout due to its prime location. That’s why the Marquis of Portus arranged for the engagement.

There were a total of five nations in the east bordering the Duchy of Endein. Of course, they were all small countries compared to the Empire, but if the five countries could act as one, they could at least hold their own against a decent power. Admittedly, not against the Empire, though.

For that reason, most of the higher-ups were viewing this war optimistically, as explained by Sir Karon. There had been some worry about the absence of magical users, however.

“By the way, what was the plan if I hadn’t shown up to deal with the Demon King?”

“The Saintess had a plan, but… I didn’t expect it would be you, the Warrior.”

“Could you not call me ‘Warrior’? It would be better if you just called me Catherine like earlier.”

For some reason, I felt uncomfortable saying those words in front of him while I was at ease before the Young Lady. As I fidgeted with my lips, Sir Karon nodded stiffly in agreement.

“If that is what you wish.”

“When should we go to receive the Sacred Sword?”

“You should go now.”

He turned to walk, indicating for me to follow carefully.

I was a bit startled when I knocked on the door. I had just woken up and was only in my underwear. I didn’t carry around any luxurious sleepwear, so I was always in my underwear while sleeping. It felt refreshing.

After quickly changing into my maid outfit and opening the door, I felt like I was looking at an all-too-serious high school boy as Sir Karon approached with his stiff expression and went straight to the point. I guess it can’t be helped, considering there were fewer women in the Holy Office, and if he’s a holy knight, he’s unlikely to see many women.

Even so, he should have seen Yulia often. Isn’t Yulia more beautiful than me? I thought as I followed Sir Karon. We passed through the center of the Holy Office and headed towards the tower that stood apart. When we reached the top floor after climbing the stairs, a sword caught my eye.

“So this is the Sacred Sword….”

“Would you like to hold it once?”

I lifted the sword. It looked like it was stuck like Excalibur, and I wondered if it wouldn’t come out, but it seemed that wasn’t the case. As I drew the Sacred Sword, I poured in my magical power. Suddenly, light began to emanate from the sword. Just like that, the sword shone for a moment before splitting into two swords. Startled by the sudden split, I reached out with my left hand to catch one of the swords.

“Whoa.”

“What the…?”

“The Sacred Sword changes its form according to the user’s inclination. The legendary warrior was said to wield a gigantic sword larger than their body.”

“Wow….”

The Sacred Sword is indeed a Sacred Sword. I sheathed the sword that had transformed into twin blades at my waist and drew one out. The blade that glimmered in blue light immediately caught my eye. The first impression of the Sacred Sword was definitely sharp. Of course, it was fascinating that it divided into two, but to the naked eye, it looked like many other swords, so it couldn’t be helped.

Though the sharp edges and the blue blade suggested that this sword was extraordinary, there would have to be a few good swords of that level if one looked around. I wondered what exactly made the Sacred Sword different from ordinary swords as I returned it to the sheath.

“Then let’s head back. Everything is ready; you just need to set off with Lady Yulia.”

“Oh, before that, may I see the Young Lady?”

“Yes. Understood.”

Sir Karon nodded and turned towards Lilian’s Room. Her room wasn’t too far from the tower. Upon arriving, Sir Karon stepped back a little.

“Huh? Catherine? And Sir Karon? What’s going on?”

“…What were you up to?”

“Huh? I was just trying to tie my hair a bit.”

Lilian stepped out of her room with her hair in disarray, looking like a stereo-type ghost. I let out a small sigh and asked Sir Karon for permission before stepping inside the room.

“What are you going to do without me, Young Lady?”

“Well… what am I supposed to do?”

After seating Lilian in front of the mirror, I began to tidy her hair. After using the comb to revive her hair and finishing the arrangement, I smiled and spoke up.

“Should we head out soon?”

“Already?”

“Yes. I heard the soldiers have already reached the border.”

“Hmm… okay.”

Lilian mumbled for a moment and sighed softly. When I tilted my head in confusion at her expression, she lifted her gaze. Caught off guard by her sudden stare, I tried to look away, but then Lilian suddenly grabbed my cheek.

“Ah, Young Lady?”

“Yes, Catherine.”

“What is this…?”

“I’m only going to say this once, so listen well.”

“Yes?”

As I stared at her with a dazed expression at her unexpected declaration, Lilian held my cheek and spoke.

“I like you. As in, as a partner. I want us to be lovers.”

“….”

Hah. I let out a small sigh. With a restless heart, Yulia quietly raised her hand. Along with that, a white light began to emanate from her hand. Sacred Power. A miracle that can heal everyone. In fact, it was also a capability to strengthen allies and provide assistance. The Sacred Power of the Ether, which typically rejects everything around it, manifested like this due to the goddess’s will.

To heal that person is also the goddess’s will, and to strengthen those individuals is also the goddess’s will. Therefore, the Sacred Power typically followed the deity being worshipped.

The Demons also had a similar approach. Demons primarily serve the Demon God. While Yulia and the Church worship the goddess, the religion of Demons revolves around the Demon God. And the Demon God fundamentally despises the goddess. That’s why they abandon the comfortable Demon World and invade the Middle Realm day in and day out.

The Ether that Demons handle is dark magic. This dark magic fundamentally stems from the Demon God, associated with destruction, power, and death. Hence, Demons sought death.

That Yulia’s Sacred Power was entirely opposed to that of the Demons. If the Demons aim to destroy, it heals; if they seek to exert power, it strengthens allies, saving those around them from death. For this reason, Demons throughout history desperately sought to kill the Saintess.

However, they ultimately failed, which is why Yulia was able to live until now.

“Yulia.”

At the sudden voice, Yulia looked up and spotted a familiar face. Black hair and red eyes. A woman who embodied beauty. Catherine.

“Catherine? Oh, why the expression?”

“…It’s nothing.”

Yulia tilted her head as she looked at Catherine approaching with a dazed expression. What’s with her? Does she want to say something? But Catherine stopped a few steps away and stood in front of Yulia.

“Let’s set off.”

“Huh? Oh, okay.”

With that one phrase, Yulia could feel the tension that had built up dissipating. Letting out a small sigh, Yulia followed slowly behind Catherine.