Belotta had reached a new level of enlightenment thanks to the kind teachings of a Great Noble and a Grand Mage.
“What… What is the meaning of this!”
It seems when a person is too flustered, they can snap.
Even so, in front of a Great Noble and a Grand Mage.
Belotta had been conducting investigations over the past few days alongside Palrag and Drey.
Though a short period, Drey and Palrag had been characters who could leave a strong impression even in such a brief time.
From her direct observations, they were individuals who truly deserved the respect befitting their renown.
Drey’s character and dignity united the investigation team members who hailed from different backgrounds and organizations.
And in the brief comments Palrag occasionally uttered with indifference, there lay an unfathomable depth of magical knowledge.
Even Belotta, whose standards for evaluating people had risen due to her association with the chosen hero, found these two surpassing even her heightened criteria.
Belotta respected these two.
She listened attentively whenever they offered advice concerning the hero.
But now, she found herself unable to do so.
She couldn’t comprehend why these two were spouting such nonsense—nor how she was supposed to respond to it.
“So, you’re saying… you glimpsed various demons in the subconscious mind of someone named Rishe?! Can that even be possible?! First off, how on earth did you even peek into someone else’s subconscious?!”
It wasn’t unfounded for Belotta to dismiss their story as nonsense.
Their account was riddled with holes.
For starters, they claimed to have seen multiple demons in Rishe’s subconscious mind.
Even if we entertain the absurdity of their claim and assume Rishe truly harbored demons in his inner world—would Rishe willingly expose his subconscious mind to others?
The subconscious mind isn’t something one can casually peek into.
If the subject becomes defensive, it becomes doubly difficult.
Would a Demon Follower whose inner world was infiltrated by demons show it to others so carelessly?
Not likely.
They’d probably choose to take their own life before doing that.
Therefore, it was practically impossible to spy on a Demon Follower’s inner world.
This was the first flaw Belotta pointed out.
“We obtained something called the Mirror of the Veil from the High Priestess of the Cult of the Demon. We used it to peek into Rishe’s subconscious.”
Drey countered her critique without batting an eyelid.
Belotta was speechless.
‘You’re joking, right?!’
Objects that went beyond mere magical power and defied common sense were defined as “Relics.”
The Mirror of the Veil Drey spoke of clearly belonged in the relic category.
And somehow, they had just happened to acquire it.
Not only that, but from an Apostle of the Demon, a being so formidable that even the chosen hero struggled against them.
Even a grand claim had its limits.
If anyone else had told this story, Belotta would have gleefully scoffed at it.
Wait… these weren’t just anyone. They were a Great Noble and a Grand Mage, weren’t they?
And when they said it, it somehow sounded plausible?
Thus, the unrealistic tale became reality.
Belotta briefly felt a sense of injustice at the absurdity of it all.
But she quickly regained her composure and pressed on.
There was no shortage of issues with their story anyway.
“Demons are greedy beings!!! They would never tolerate a follower worshiping multiple demons! It’s impossible for multiple demons to coexist within a single person’s subconscious mind! Not to mention, a human couldn’t endure such a presence without losing their mind entirely!”
“Ah, it’s not about worshiping or anything. He simply… stores them within his inner world.”
“???”
Stores?
Belotta’s face crumpled as she repeated the word.
Was this even the right context to use “storage”?
‘Is his inner world some kind of convenient pocket?! And what exactly is he storing?! Demons?!’
Belotta finally lost her footing.
She couldn’t follow the conversation, making it impossible to react with either confusion or questions.
She could only blink and stare at them, clearly lost.
“…”
“…”
Drey and Palrag exchanged a smug look.
‘What is that look about?’
Deciding to be kind to the disoriented Belotta, they chose to explain.
“Rishe.”
Drey called to Rishe, who was standing some distance away, and explained the situation before asking:
“Can you show Belotta that thing?”
Tch.
Rishe chuckled awkwardly and scratched the back of his head.
“Ah, why not. It’s not such a big deal.”
With an air of nonchalance, Rishe proceeded to perform what could only be described as a Spirit Withdrawal Show(?).
Additionally, during this process, Belotta also learned the names of two other spirits(?).
Clanar.
Belotta knew nothing about the bluish-haired girl spirit.
But the fireball known as Dhangealion…
“Burning black flames, Dhangealion…”
“Woman!!! Are you blind?! Behold my dazzling splendor!!! How dare you call this black flames!!!”
At this point, Belotta’s suspicions had turned into certainties.
There was no doubt about it.
Those spirits(?) were demons.
And—
“..So?”
—So what?
—They’re demons, but what’s the big deal?
It felt like the situation was aggressively interrogating her.
“Lord Drey… Lord Palrag… As I’ve said before… those spirits’ true identities are demons.”
“Thank you, that clears things up.”
Look here.
Thanks to this, Belotta found herself alone, plunged into deep despair.
‘Why would demons follow a human…’
‘Why would demons reside in a human’s subconscious…’
‘In the first place, how could demons even exist in a subconscious mind…’
Huh?
Huh?
Huh?
Confused mutters kept slipping from Belotta’s lips.
Just then—
“Rishe!”
A woman dressed in white from Rishe’s group shouted from the direction where Verbandes had been left.
“This child, something is wrong with her condition!”
“…!”
Finally, here it comes!
Rishe’s group hurried toward Verbandes.
Belotta quickly followed behind them.
“Ver!?”
Sandgirl Spirit.
Her body emitted light.
The initial faint glow gradually intensified until it scattered blinding flashes, making it hard to look directly at her.
As everyone covered their eyes with their hands,
only Belotta stared directly at the girl spirit.
No, not a spirit.
She fixed her gaze on the changes occurring in the demon Verbandes, so she could respond to the worst-case scenario.
Thus, Belotta watched it closely with her two eyes.
The terrifying changes in the demon Verbandes.
“!!!”
The delicate eyebrows of the sandgirl spirit, which had been soft like down, darkened.
The stern expression that had exuded authority just reached a new level.
“…”
Is this it?
After absorbing the fluids of the faceless one?
The glowing ceased.
Rishe, who had covered his eyes, checked the sandgirl spirit’s condition before staring intently.
“Verban…dese!? What is this? Why do you suddenly seem more spirited?”
“No!!!”
The sandgirl spirit, confused, spoke spiritedly to her master.
“I am Verbande…”
With a trembling, small body, squeezing out a single word.
“Su…ya!!!”
The sandgirl spirit declared by raising both her arms with all her might.
“Huff…!”
Rishe was overwhelmed by the grand spectacle.
“Rishe, what’s happened?”
“Why are you so surprised!?”
Finally,
Drey and Palrag showed their bewilderment.
Belotta also displayed her confusion.
‘Is she more shocked by the identity of the spirit this man handles being a demon, or the fact that he’s so shaken? Why?’
Further, Belotta was even more perplexed by Rishe’s next words.
“Our Ver has… ascended to a higher level!”
“Does that mean… the demon has come closer to its original status?!”
“That’s a great thing!!!”
“Huh!? Palrag Sir? How is it great?!”
“Ah! It means she’s closer to adulthood!”
“Not at all, Sir Drey! What do you mean adulthood!!! That’s a de–”
Belotta was on the verge of losing her mind, but Drey and Palrag paid her no heed.
They smiled fondly, watching the sandgirl spirit.
Rishe also smiled fondly and patted the sandgirl spirit on the head.
“!!!”
The sandgirl spirit, placing both hands on her waist, basked in their congratulations, looking exceptionally proud.
“…Uh. Heh.”
A laugh that seemed akin to a dying breath.
With that, Belotta stopped questioning them further.
“Tch.”
Only one person.
The pure white girl looked at her with sympathy.
***
“The fluid of the faceless one was successfully destroyed.”
“My goodness, is that what you mean!? How, what happened!?”
“In any case, it was destroyed.”
“?”
“That will do! It’s all for your benefit, so don’t ask too many questions! Sir Palrag and Sir Drey said they’ll recognize your efforts, so that’s it.”
“No, Belotta!!! Please explain clearly—”
Afterwards.
The investigators, who had followed the case closely, showed keen interest in the unexpectedly quick resolution, but Belotta, appointed as the team leader, decided to leave their curiosity unanswered for protective reasons.
Thus, the investigative team, having remarkably completed their mission (?), was disbanded successfully.
“So, is everything completely over now? The nauseating ‘Face Thief’ case?”
Rishe, who had been following closely with Pamon, asked.
To which Pamon responded with a meaningful smile.
“Not yet.”
“Goodness, is there more to come?”
“The most important task remains.”
“You mean, to share in the joy of victory with Pamon?”
“Tell me what you did this time.”
“Uh… Caught the Face Thief?”
“More precisely.”
“Hmm… I caught the Face Thief who murdered the hero?”
“Exactly.”
Tock.
Tock.
Pamon’s slender, long fingers tapped Rishe’s waist.
“Tell me. What is a hero?”
“Huh… Someone chosen by the Holy Sword?”
“If so, the Face Thief essentially murdered the holder of the Holy Sword, correct?”
“Hm?”
“If so, what happened to the Holy Sword?”
“The Face Thief Belen, who was slain by the Face Thief. He owned the fifth Holy Sword, the Sword of Advancement. After killing the hero, did the Face Thief leave the Holy Sword in place?”
“No. If the Face Thief killed the hero, they wouldn’t leave such a magnificent trophy behind. Perhaps the killing was done for that very reason too.”
“True. As you said, the Face Thief didn’t leave the Holy Sword behind. He took it.”
“Ah, could the remaining task be – to retrieve that Holy Sword?”
“That’s unnecessary concern. The special task force already found and secured the Holy Sword.”
For a new master.
Pamon meaningfully added.
“A new master…?”
“The Sword of Advancement lost its master and is now searching for a new one. At this moment, who would be the most suitable person for such a new role?”
“Pamon? Because you’re the most beautiful in the world?”
“Hmph.”
“Then, surely you’re not suggesting me, Rishe, right?”
“That’s correct. You’re not someone worthy of becoming the holder of the Holy Sword and inheriting the great aspirations of the original hero. However, the special task force seems to think otherwise.”
“So, what did they say…?”
“You were the person who achieved the greatest merit in eliminating the hero’s killer. Also, the one who contributed the most in the recovery of the Holy Sword. Therefore, the task force argues that if there’s someone who should be the first to undergo the Holy Sword’s trial, it must be you.”
“…”
At the moment Rishe’s expression grew complicated,
“Rishe.”
Magnus, the captain of the special task force, who had approached immediately upon hearing Rishe had awakened, came up and spoke.
“Are you feeling alright?”
“Ah, yes, as you see, I’m fine.”
“That’s a relief. There are many things I want to discuss with you. Very many. But, I believe I should mention this issue first.”
“Ah, no need to elaborate. The message has already been conveyed.”
After exchanging a glance with Pamon, Magnus…
The story continued.
“Is that so? You’ve put in quite the effort. Then, Rishe, let’s depart immediately if you’re ready.”
The hero, Jane.
The sixth Master of the Holy Sword.
That was the name mentioned by Magnus.
“He is waiting for his turn after you.”
Eventually, Belotta, who had been standing apart, approached.
She alternated her gaze between Magnus and Rishe, and her tired eyes widened in shock.
“Wha, what… You mean someone is to be tested before Jane?”
Belotta staggered for a moment, losing her balance.
***
When Rishe arrived at the VIP room of Guse Manor with Magnus, there were people waiting for him.
“Rishe. You’ve come.”
First to greet him was Towah, the commander of the special forces.
And then—
“Oh, is this the one—”
The young man sitting across from Towah stood up and approached Rishe.
He had a cheerful expression.
This young man extended his hand to Rishe.
“I’ve heard a lot about you since arriving here. Finally, we meet. Nice to meet you. I’m Jane.”
“Yeah, I’m Rishe.”
Rishe promptly shook the extended hand.
“Hmm!”
Jane gripped the hand tightly, as though trying to gauge Rishe through this gesture.
After a pause, he smiled politely and spoke.
“Do you think I’m greedy?”
“Pardon?”
“To have a Holy Sword already, yet I’m trying to take control of another.”
“I see. Well, I don’t know much about these things.”
“…”
Jane stared intently at Rishe.
Then, a hearty laugh erupted from his lips.
“Hahaha!!! Why are you so calm? Aren’t you the one about to undergo the Holy Sword’s trial?”
“To be honest, it doesn’t feel real. I’m still in shock. Actually, I didn’t think I would be chosen at all.”
As Rishe replied, Jane burst into laughter again.
—That’s a good attitude.
The voice of a woman interrupted them.
It was haughty, as if looking down on them, but strangely, it came from below.
Rishe directed his gaze downward.
The source of the voice was none other than the sword Jane carried at his waist.
Its luxurious red decorations gave the impression of a rose.
—Your name is Rishe, right? As you said, he will choose Jane. Jane is the man I have chosen. So, I’ll say this beforehand: don’t dwell too much on the results.
“Elysia…!”
Jane, the owner of the sword, showed signs of discomfort at the condescending attitude of the sword.
“I’m sorry. As you can see, she has quite a distinct personality. She occasionally offends others like this. Please don’t take it to heart; she didn’t mean it maliciously.”
As Jane smiled wryly at Rishe, he bowed his head.
“Jane!”
Then, a sharp voice came from behind.
An elf woman with a serious demeanor approached Jane and whispered a reprimand.
She was Camilla, a member of Jane’s party.
“Listen, how many times have I told you! Do not bow to others in public! You’re the hero! The Master of the Holy Sword! Even the great nobles cannot treat you with disrespect—”
“Still, we were the ones at fault, right?”
“Aarrgh…!”
Camilla let out a frustrated sigh.
She turned to Towah as if shaking it off and said,
“Now that everyone has arrived, shouldn’t we start soon?”
“…”
Towah turned her gaze toward Rishe. When he nodded, she placed the ‘Sword of Advancement,’ wrapped in cloth, on the table.
—Hey, you! Stop standing there idly and come over already! Jane is a busy man! Do you even know how much his schedule has been delayed waiting for you!?
The Holy Sword named Elysia urged Rishe on.
Jane, with an apologetic expression, bowed his head once more.
Camilla observed this and showed her displeasure.
Rishe approached the Sword of Advancement, smiling bitterly as he watched the scene unfold.
He had expected something grand from the Holy Sword trial, but it turned out rather anticlimactic.
The moment Rishe placed his hand on the Sword of Advancement—
—What is this!!!?
A startled voice.
Taken aback, Rishe quickly withdrew his hand.
After checking the reactions around him, he once more placed his hand on the sword.
—What on earth is this!!!?
Another startled voice.
“…”
Rishe withdrew his hand from the Sword of Advancement and fell into deep thought.
‘Was this rejection right?’
At that moment,
Camilla hastily pulled Jane toward the Sword of Advancement.
And just as Jane, pushed forward, placed his hand on the sword—
—Ah, yes. This is the one!
The Sword of Advancement replied with a satisfied tone.
The contrasting reactions were blatant indicators of the result.
The Sword of Advancement had judged Jane to be a more outstanding candidate for a hero.
Just as Camilla and Elysia were about to express their satisfaction with the predictable outcome—
—People should have flaws to be interesting, no? That earlier person had plenty of human qualities—
“?”
—No, hold on. This is making me thoughtful. Have my standards gotten too high? This one is too flawed… Or does that earlier person only seem that way in comparison?
“…?”
The significant statement caused Camilla’s expression to crumple.
—Jalk!!! What do you mean by that!!! Flawed!?
The Holy Sword Elysia questioned the Sword of Advancement.
“Ah…”
Belotta, who had been watching the scene unfold from a step back, sighed deeply as if murmuring, “Here we go again.”
