Luke’s appearance left Adina utterly astonished.
‘…He’s not at all intimidating, is he?’
She was aware that he wielded mysterious powers.
She couldn’t deny that he was stronger than her.
But for him to ignore her this much… It was simply unacceptable.
‘Has he never encountered the White-Haired Tribe?’
The White-Haired Tribe’s racial trait, White Magic, focuses solely on destruction—a unique mana manipulation method. Not only is the mana inherently destructive, but it also possesses the property of shattering the opponent’s mana, making it impossible to block with ordinary defensive magic.
‘His body appears no different from an ordinary human’s. And yet, they claim he’s not intimidating?’
Of course, she knew he was an incredible powerhouse.
It was impossible not to know. Even though her senses had been overwhelmed by his presence and she hadn’t been able to see clearly, she was certain that he had personally dealt with a Demon Beast beyond the border.
Still, a strong prideful resistance arose within her.
The condescending smirk on his face as he claimed he found her not the least bit intimidating irritated her.
It also piqued her curiosity.
She wanted to observe his abilities up close.
Thus, Adina decided to experiment.
She gathered all her mana.
Literally, she put everything she had into it.
She even activated her clan’s secret art, the ‘White Wheel,’ which amplifies the power of magic.
This was her absolute strongest attack at her current level.
…But.
“!!!”
He was completely unscathed.
Not a single trace of scorch marks from her devastating onslaught.
Even his hair didn’t waver under the gusts, as if he stood in a separate space, unaffected.
In fact, it was Adina, who had unleashed all her strength, who instead felt embarrassed.
“Is that all?”
The unmoving Luke calmly asked Adina.
Though it was a simple question, it only further irritated her. It felt as though he was asking if that was all she could do.
“…Not even close!”
She had no choice but to respond that way.
Once more, she pulled all her remaining mana, scraping together every last bit of strength she had.
Despite boasting an exceptional amount of mana within her clan, by now, she had expended nearly everything.
“Huff… Huff…”
Still, he remained expressionless, unaffected while the training ground lay completely devastated.
There wasn’t even a flicker of movement on his face.
He merely stood there, calmly observing her as if nothing happened.
And in that moment, Adina felt a sudden chill down her spine.
Finally,
“About that much, I assume.”
“…”
“Hmm, still quite inadequate.”
He muttered some incomprehensible words and walked away from the training ground.
Adina, weakened in the knees, slumped to the ground and blankly watched his retreating figure.
She had been sitting there in a daze when she noticed someone approaching from behind.
“Adina, right?”
A woman in ceremonial attire approached, her golden hair flowing in the wind. She seemed to be… Elfried Trivia, if memory served.
But why was she coming here?
“You look quite despondent.”
“…Do I look like I’m not?”
“There’s no need for despair. Judging the power of the Great Moon by the standards of ephemeral beings like us is, in itself, an error, isn’t it?”
“Great Moon?”
Adina perked up her ears at this unexpected statement.
“Adina, haven’t you been the closest to the Great Moon all this time?”
“…What exactly are you talking about?”
“Though I respect your efforts until now, I see you’ve not quite fulfilled your role properly.”
“…?”
Elfried smiled and slightly bowed, bringing her eye level with the seated Adina.
“I can see the shape of the soul.”
“…The shape of the soul?”
“A ferocious yet harmonious white soul. Rare, but one I’ve seen before… You’re from the White-Haired Tribe, right?”
Elfried, it seemed, could perceive the shape of souls.
She had spent a lengthy time in the Star Sect and had traveled across the continent as part of the hero’s party, observing countless souls.
Thus, she was well-aware that everything in this world possessed similar yet slightly different souls.
And she knew what the unique shape of the White-Haired Tribe’s soul looked like.
“The White-Haired Tribe uses a special mana called White Magic. Furthermore, they create a white ring known as the White Wheel which amplifies its power…”
“…How do you know that?”
“Through connections with members of the White-Haired Tribe, I know quite a lot. Some individuals of the White-Haired Tribe are afflicted with an extremely rare ‘Karma’ from birth…”
“…!”
“…Whereupon, while inheriting an enormous amount of White Magic, the control of the White Wheel becomes impossible…”
Elfried looked at the now abruptly standing Adina and continued.
“I noticed your unstable control of the White Wheel just now.”
“…What exactly do you want to say?”
Adina’s luxurious silver tail stiffened.
Elfried smiled at the glaring eyes filled with strong suspicion.
“I can help you cure Karma.”
“!!!”
At those words, Adina could feel her heart pounding fiercely.
“How? Is it even possible? You’re lying!”
“Ho ho, it’s not a lie. Are you interested?”
“That’s not even a proper statement! How many humiliations have I endured because of it…!”
Elfried calmly straightened her previously bowed posture.
“Have you heard of Gias?”
“Of course! Isn’t it the vow made under the Pope in the name of God?”
“You know well. The method is simple.”
Karma, the divine affliction.
It was the curse imposed upon the progenitors of the White-Haired Tribe when they made a contract with the gods.
It was originally a sin that their descendants should bear for generations.
“I will take your sin through Gias.”
“…Is that even possible?”
Adina’s doubt was reasonable.
To take away someone’s Karma?
For a vow of that scale to succeed, an ordinary level of divine power wouldn’t suffice.
At the very least, one would need the level of a Pope, or perhaps even a saint.
But.
“It’s possible.”
With a smile, Elfried extended her hand to Adina.
From her body radiated an overwhelming divine power, so pure that merely being near it replenished the depleted mana.
Gulp.
Adina stared at the woman in front of her with dazed eyes.
“What’s the catch?”
“All I ask is for your help in the future.”
“With what?”
“Ah, simple missionary work, perhaps?”
…Missionary work?
It was a strange term, but Adina had no time to question it.
If Karma could be cured, she would finally be free from the constraint she’d carried for so long and reclaim the true essence of the White-Haired Tribe.
It was a lifelong wish.
Thus, she didn’t hesitate.
“…Okay, I’ll do it.”
With a resolute gaze, Adina firmly clasped the hand extended to her.
Elfried smiled with satisfaction at the sight.
“I look forward to working with you.”
…
Time passed, and as it was time to return, I utilized a scroll to finally arrive at the office located on the outskirts of the region.
The surrounding area of the office felt more like an open field rather than the magical realm, Blackmore.
Upon arrival, there was no hesitation in lying down.
There was nothing pressing to be done, and there were no urgent matters.
Occasionally, Demon Beasts would stir, but there were plenty of people at this location capable of handling them.
When Elfried first arrived at the office, she was provided a suitable quarters where she secluded herself to pray continuously.
Though I couldn’t make out what she was muttering, from what I could hear intermittently, it seemed to be a prayer directed toward Kabila.
‘It must be meaningless.’
Prayers require a deity to listen, no?
However, in this world, there are no deities left.
It’s no wonder the gods are called forgotten beings.
An abandoned world.
All that remains are fragments of chaos, inevitably steering the world toward its end.
…Should I say something? Or not?
After much deliberation, I decided to hold my tongue.
Still.
‘Why is she behaving like this?’
At some point, Adina, who had always kept her distance, began following Elfried around like a shadow.
Strangely enough, it seemed she was awkwardly mimicking Elfried’s every move.
‘Surely, she’s praying now, isn’t she?’
Even her tail swayed gently as she prayed.
Elfried occasionally patted the head of such an imitating Adina, seemingly finding her efforts endearing.
It was truly an unexpected sight.
Then, a few days later,
“Great Moon, O Lord.”
“…?”
Elfried came to find me.
Adina, hiding behind her, looked on with her tail swaying.
“I’m stepping out for a moment.”
“Alright.”
I didn’t give it much thought.
It’s impossible to remain locked in one place all day, and I had no intention of restricting such trivial matters.
Elfried gave a slight bow and left the spot.
Adina followed her in quick strides.
“…What is this?”
Such an irksome pair.
I chuckled softly at the thought.
…
A pass situated at the border between the Principality and the Empire.
This route led both into Blackmore and acted as a passage from the Principality to the Empire.
Because of this, quite a few caravans utilized this path.
Though hazardous due to its treacherous terrain, many chose this route despite the significant risks, as opting for a detour doubled the travel time.
And just now.
Hiiiiiigh—!
A single horse galloped along the path, leaving behind several destroyed carriages, as though they’d been caught in a storm, leaving a horrifying sight.
And behind these carriages,
There stood over a dozen men, armed and ready.
They stood in vigilance, sensing danger.
Kiiiieeaaaak—!
…It was indeed a Demon Beast.
A wolf-like creature known famously as the Black Wolf, falling into the dangerous category of Demon Beasts.
“Huff… Huff…!”
The leaders, wielding swords, stood valiantly despite their bodies drenched in blood.
Behind them lay a noble couple, hugging a child with mangled injuries—her arm severed, his leg torn off—clearly a gruesome scene.
Kuoonn! Kuoonn! Kuoonn! Kuoonn!
With every step, the house-sized Demon Beast caused tremors in the earth.
Each swing of its claw, sharpened like a scythe, sent the men flying like autumn leaves.
Death.
That was all that awaited them.
And then,
“Run…!”
The final man standing collapsed.
The beast’s gaze then fell upon…
“Aaaaah…”
The terrified couple and their child.
The encroaching fear caused them to tightly shut their eyes, but before they could,
Zzzzzztt!
A spiral of lightning shot through the air, leaving a trailing residue before vanishing.
Kuuuuuuuuum!
A thunderous roar shook the eardrums, and a wave of highly compressed lightning surged and swept across the Demon Beast.
“!!!”
In the sunken crater, dozens of electric currents danced and crackled.
Such was the potency of the attack that the Demon Beast was obliterated into ash, leaving no trace behind.
“What… what is this…?”
The couple could only gape in disbelief.
Such an otherworldly spectacle.
Blinking rapidly, they turned their heads toward the source of the attack.
There stood two maidens approaching them.
One with fox ears belonged to the Beastman race.
The other was a maiden clad in pure white ceremonial attire.
“…”
The maiden in white wasted no time, carefully approaching the woman with a severed arm and gently grasping it.
And then,
Whoosh!
A golden-yellow holy light emanated from the maiden’s hand.
The nobles recognized the power instantly.
The power that purified evil and healed diseases.
This was divine power.
Whoooom.
A beam of white light enveloped the torn wound, and with it rose a smoky red heat.
The woman writhed in pain akin to burning, but only briefly. Soon, the pain subsided, and when she opened her eyes,
She was awestruck.
“!!!”
The severed portion had regrown as if newly sprouted flesh.
Not only had the pain disappeared, but the newly regenerated arm moved freely.
“What… what is this…?”
They were left speechless.
To regenerate missing body parts so perfectly within such a short timeframe—this miraculous feat was possible only by a holy messenger, a Saint.
Such miracles unfolded before their eyes.
The severely damaged leg was restored, life-threatening internal injuries vanished, and the dying child began to awaken.
It was an unbelievable sight.
As everyone stood in shock, the maiden who performed the miracle spoke.
“By the will of the Great Moon.”
That was all she said—a cryptic phrase.
With that, she turned around and walked resolutely back the way they came.
The direction they headed?
“…”
It was toward the Magical Realm of Blackmore.
