The first dibs on the Trial of Holy Blade.
At those words, the other Warriors lit up with interest. Even Golden Sun, who had been blatantly showing disinterest, turned his head.
“Saintess, is that for real?”
Holy Blade.
One of the miracles bestowed by the Goddess upon the earth, and the sharpest blade imbued with her power in existence. It grants its wielder numerous beneficial effects and divine strength, along with access to countless blessings and abilities, allowing them to even slay the unslayable.
This miracle in the form of a sword is nothing short of the most precious treasure in the world. In the war against the Demon Race, it’s a singular strategic weapon far more valuable than any Warrior.
However, using the Holy Blade comes with restrictions.
Only a Warrior chosen by the Goddess’s revelation, one who passes the Holy Blade’s trial, can wield this miracle.
In truth, a Warrior’s value lies less in their endless growth from the Goddess’s favor and more in their potential to become the Holy Blade’s owner through its trial.
That’s why there’s such a massive gap between a Warrior who wields the Holy Blade and one who doesn’t. Passing the trial and becoming the Holy Blade’s master creates an unbridgeable gap no matter how hard other Warriors try.
But because of this…
“Get first dibs on the Holy Blade trial? Can you even do that, Saintess or not?”
Receiving the Holy Blade trial requires procedures and qualifications. After all, not just one Warrior is designated to take the trial.
Simply put, there’s only one Holy Blade but many Warriors. Allowing just any Warrior to attempt the trial would be impossible since they wouldn’t let others have a chance.
Throughout history, Warriors have been chosen by the Goddess multiple times, and many have faced the Holy Blade’s trial. Because of this, the nature of the trial is well-known. Being a latecomer offers no informational advantage. The quicker you take the trial, the less risk of another Warrior claiming it.
Thus, Warriors aim to take the trial as soon as possible.
Still, trials aren’t handed out indiscriminately. Only Warriors deemed qualified by the Holy Kingdom after certain procedures can partake. Yet here Ellen was, disregarding all that and offering priority for the trial. It was astonishing—could even a Saintess do that?
“All management of Warriors has been entrusted to me. Thus, I oversee the qualifications and procedures for the Holy Blade trial. It’s entirely possible.”
“Hooh…?”
At her words, the Warriors present gleamed with excitement, eyeing each other warily. Already competitive, this was like pouring oil onto their fiery rivalry. If they could secure the trial first, all these “minor” tasks could be tossed aside.
“Saintess, what about the Warriors not present?”
Ludwik voiced a question regarding the absent Warriors.
Warriors aren’t limited to the three here. Each generation, the Goddess appoints seven Warriors, granting them their sacred mission.
Besides Golden Sun, Ludwik, Mark, and the missing Ain, there are three more Warriors.
There’s the lone-wolf “Twilight Warrior,” whose whereabouts and current activities remain unknown, the “Questing Warrior” who embarks on pilgrimages with like-minded companions, and the battle-crazed “Frenzy Warrior.”
Would it be unfair to offer priority to some while excluding others?
Ellen replied accordingly.
“I’ve already informed them… Twilight Warrior Nisia hasn’t responded as usual, Questing Warrior Afrina said she’d assist in searching for Warrior Ain within reason but showed no interest in the Holy Blade trial. Frenzy Warrior Deimos simply told me to figure it out myself since finding people isn’t his job…”
“Well, didn’t we all expect that? Those humans don’t seem too invested in worldly affairs.”
Golden Sun chuckled.
Even among Warriors, few had met those three. The ever-vanishing Twilight Warrior, the perpetually pilgrimaging Questing Warrior, and the battle-obsessed Frenzy Warrior—all march to their own drum. Rarely have they participated in meetings or summons. They were likely seen during the initial search when the Goddess’s revelation came down, organized by the Holy Kingdom.
Especially the Twilight Warrior, whom even the others had only met once long ago. While the Questing Warrior occasionally attended gatherings out of respect and the Frenzy Warrior could be found on the battlefield, the Twilight Warrior was nearly impossible to track, despite occasional contact.
Despite regular attempts at communication, it was uncertain if they even lived normally.
“So, looks like it’s our fight now. Want to make a bet?”
“I have no intention of stooping to your vulgar betting.”
Ludwik stood up.
“In that case, Saintess, I shall begin the search.”
“Yes, thank you for your efforts.”
“Boring. Well, I’ll go look for that idiot too~”
“…”
Following him, Ludwik’s party, Golden Sun’s group, and Mark’s team also began to move.
“…Hmph.”
Alone now, Ellen sighed, rising from her seat. Turning away from the direction the Warriors and their parties had gone, her expression darkened.
“…I dislike this.”
She detested everything about the current situation.
The Pope who subtly disliked her, the pathetic Warrior Ain who disappeared without fulfilling his duty, and the garbage Warriors who just occupied the meeting room earlier.
It made her sick.
Though crowned as the Saintess, her temperament was far from holy. She’d worn the mask of a Saintess in front of others, but recent events had all irked her deeply.
Nothing pleased her.
Naturally, her resentment pointed toward the root cause of it all.
“…It’s because of that Warrior, Ain.”
Recalling their first meeting…
***
-“Excuse me, Saintess.”
Thinking back, he had annoyed her from the start.
A Warrior who seemed unsure if he even wanted to fight the Demon Race, weak and soft-hearted.
Overly idealistic and naive, yet stubbornly compassionate.
Outside of being a Warrior with an extraordinary appearance, he had nothing going for him.
-“If I’ve offended you, I apologize, Saintess.”
His subtle perceptiveness that seemed to see right through her was also irritating.
The Pope insisted she take care of him because he was essentially useless, but she couldn’t understand why she should bother with such a hollow Warrior.
What benefit would it bring her?
Yes, that’s why she disliked him. Managing and caring for him brought her absolutely nothing. Warrior Ain was utterly empty.
Outclassed by other Warriors in talent, born a mere commoner with no connections.
Uninterested in fighting the Demon Race, he spent his time rescuing people instead of honing his skills. And his luck was atrocious, often getting entangled in incidents that she had to clean up.
Why did the Goddess choose such a person as a Warrior? The other three Warriors were despicable too, but at least they fulfilled their duties.
He failed to perform his role and lacked self-awareness.
-“Saintess, forgive my presumption… but perhaps you should try relaxing a bit?”
-“Suddenly, what do you mean, Warrior Ain?”
-“Well… this may sound rude, but from what I’ve observed, you’re rather… cynical.”
-“…”
-“Forgive me if I’ve offended you. However… I feel compelled to say this. There’s nothing wrong with calculating gains and losses… but treating every person based solely on utility seems… unfortunate for someone.”
-“Are you saying I’m unfortunate?”
-“That’s how it seems to me.”
-“…”
-“Perhaps I’m ignorant, but I sense that the higher one rises, the fewer people they can open up to. So, I believe it’s important to occasionally open yourself to others.”
Facing his genuine concern, she was baffled. How dare he give her advice so presumptuously.
Did he pity her? He should be the pitied one.
She wanted to retort, to tell him to mind his own business, but restrained herself with great effort.
Annoying man. She secretly rejoiced when he lost his party and was abandoned.
How does it feel to be deserted by those you opened your heart to? Does he still dare speak to her like that?
But he remained annoying.
Forgetting his presumptuous words, he vanished and caused more trouble. This is the result.
Being scolded by the Pope, mocked by the trash Warrior Golden Sun, and burdened with extra cleanup work.
She didn’t like it.
Ellen still disliked Warrior Ain.
