### Chapter Sixteen: Preparation
In the city of Engai, members of the Order of the Final Knights gathered in a room of a certain inn.
The Order of the Final Knights was a combat group formed to fight against the darkness. Though it bore the name of a knightly order, it did not belong to any nation and traveled the world to eradicate enemies that threatened humanity. The members were known for their elite skills, with even the lowest-ranked members possessing strength equal to or greater than that of top-tier mercenaries. For mere humans, facing the vanguard of darkness was a heavy burden. The Order of the Final Knights stood as humanity’s last bastion, and that was the reason their name was often spoken of as “Heroes” in fairy tales.
In the center of the room, an elderly man sat comfortably in a plush armchair. His face was etched with deep wrinkles, and his hair had turned white, yet his physique, honed over many years, showed little sign of decline. To those who could see, the immense power he harbored would make them feel as if they were dreaming.
In fact, this old man was a First-Class Knight, one of the few in existence within the Order of the Final Knights—he was the leader of those who had come to Engai. He wielded absolute authority and strength within the knightly order and had protected humanity from calamity countless times, serving as a beacon of light.
The Elder of Annihilation—Epe.
The seasoned knight, respected for his numerous accomplishments and calm demeanor, gazed at his disciples with quiet eyes.
“Still… no sign of Holos Carmen, I see.”
“As expected of a Second-Class Knight. He’s definitely in the forest, but… the ‘Illusionary Path’ technique is quite formidable. There are no flaws.”
“Using the Sei method will take too long. This is unbearable.”
At their master’s words, one of the disciples—Rufuri, who always brought a cheerful atmosphere to the group—shrugged his shoulders, while the rough-looking Nebira clicked his tongue in frustration.
A capable Mage could cover a range of techniques outside their specialty. Particularly, Mages who had committed taboos tended to excel in stealth-related spells. While the Order of the Final Knights was certainly not ignorant of magic, they were still a step behind Mages who had mastered forbidden arts.
The ‘Illusionary Path’ was a high-level barrier magic that bewitched those who entered a specific area, leading them astray in a self-referential manner. Breaking through from the Sei side was difficult. However, the barrier had a weakness: if guided by someone who knew the way, the barrier would cease to function.
Epe narrowed his eyes at the report from his disciples and spoke in a low voice.
“Holos is dangerous. He has slipped through our grasp time and again. We must eliminate him before he reaches First-Class.”
Just as the members of the Order of the Final Knights were divided into three ranks, they also categorized their natural enemies, the Necromancers, into three tiers. Holos Carmen was classified as a Second-Class, while those who reached First-Class were akin to malevolent deities. Second-Class Necromancers were considered extremely dangerous.
Of course, defeat was not an option, but depending on the approach, it was possible that a few Third-Class Knights could fall.
Yet, Epe changed the atmosphere with a warm smile, revealing his absolute confidence. The few First-Class Knights had other important duties beyond the extermination of darkness.
That duty was to pass on their strength and experience to the next generation.
His gaze fell upon the youngest girl who had been quietly listening.
“Senri, as planned, I entrust this to you. Go with Rufuri and the others to defeat Holos. You can do it, right?”
“… Yes, Master.”
A Second-Class Mage was quite a significant challenge. While certainly better than a First-Class, encounters with them were rare. Senri showed no signs of agitation at being designated. Her purple eyes were clear and unwavering as she met Epe’s gaze.
Seeing her expression, Epe nodded appreciatively.
“You’re fine, Senri. Though still young, your power is already nearly on par with a First-Class Knight. Particularly your blessing is among the top tier in the history of knights.”
A noble soul. The Sword Princess of Light. Born under the blessing of the God of All Things. Senri Sylvis.
Among the elite members of the Order of the Final Knights, she was a standout talent. Especially her blessing, which directly correlated to her ability to purge darkness—what the Necromancers referred to as Sei energy—was stronger than any disciple Epe had trained thus far.
The Final Knights enhanced their blessings through rigorous training and mental discipline, but Senri possessed an extraordinary blessing from the moment Epe scouted her. As she grew, her connection to the light had reached even greater heights. Truly, she was born to become a Final Knight. With experience, she would undoubtedly surpass even Epe, the First-Class Knight.
Faced with such a stark display of talent, jealousy did not even arise.
“Your opponent is quite powerful among the Second-Class, but if you challenge him with your comrades, you will surely defeat him. I intend to recommend you for First-Class Knight based on the achievements of this mission against Holos.”
“!? No way—I’m still not ready…”
“Your lack of power is not an issue. Comparing you to me, who has been a First-Class Knight for thirty years, is meaningless; you’ll catch up soon enough. Your swordsmanship shows innate talent, and your blessing’s strength speaks for itself. What I am uniquely concerned about is—listen well, Senri—your… naivety. The Necromancers are cunning.”
At Epe’s words, Senri nodded seriously. The other members also gazed at their respected master with earnest expressions. With a direct gaze, Senri declared in a voice that carried a chilling resolve.
“There is no problem. I have witnessed many horrific scenes until now. They are enemies of humanity. The blessing bestowed upon me exists to punish them and provide salvation to the souls they have tainted.”
“Senri’s kindness and compassion are both strengths and weaknesses. However, this is a path everyone must walk. One cannot become a First-Class Knight without hardship and conflict.”
“Leave it to me, Master. I may still show signs of naivety, but we are here with you. While our blessings may not compare, our experience in battling darkness surpasses yours. We can make up for any shortcomings.”
With a gaze filled with parental affection, Epe looked at Senri, and Rufuri stepped forward, thumping his chest.
The other members also displayed their emotions and nodded vigorously.
Seeing the camaraderie among them, Epe nodded with satisfaction. Crossing his long legs, he focused intently on Senri.
“Even a Necromancer cannot survive alone. Powerful magic requires precious catalysts. Without a doubt, there must be collaborators of Holos in this city, so continue your investigation. This is your… task, Senri. I will offer advice if needed, but I do not intend to intervene directly.”
“Yes, Master.”
“That said, you are still not a First-Class Knight. I will be following behind you. It will take time to gather the power of death to become a First-Class… If by any chance Holos reaches that point, report to me immediately.”
Deeply engraving Epe’s words in her heart, Senri left the room with her comrades to resume their investigation.
—
At their base, as Senri checked her equipment, Nebira approached her. He was a long-haired man who wielded a mace as his primary weapon and served as the frontline of the group that looked up to Epe as their master.
“Senri, we should blow away the entire forest and the barrier. With your blessing, you could do that, right? The ‘Illusionary Path’ is powerful, but it’s a delicate barrier. If we disrupt its structure even slightly, we can destroy it.”
“I’ve said it many times, but that is… a last resort. If we stir up the forest, the beasts that flee might attack the city.”
“That’s exactly what I mean when I say the master is too lenient. Sure, there will be damage, but it’s far better than facing a Second-Class Necromancer.”
Nebira gritted his teeth, looking down at Senri. The two often clashed, but Senri acknowledged that there was some truth in his words.
The role of the Order of the Final Knights was to eradicate darkness, and everything else was secondary. Sometimes, in the course of their extermination, many innocent lives could be lost. The Order had accepted this as a necessary evil.
Necromancers, who manipulated the dead, were fearsome foes. Those dark Mages, who toyed with souls and even death itself, would not hesitate to commit any vile act. Therefore, to fight against them required a steely resolve.
Senri understood why she was deemed lenient by her master. However, she had become a Final Knight to protect the weak. Once, she had been bedridden for a long time, her overwhelming blessing and the increasing Sei energy weighing heavily on her body.
But now, having grown and trained both body and mind, she could wield that power to its fullest. Senri had the strength to fight.
“I am the leader this time. The investigation will continue. As long as we are in Engai, the Necromancer cannot move freely. We will proceed with caution.”
The Final Knights held a significant advantage over Necromancers. If they fought from the Sei side, victory was all but assured. At Senri’s words, Nebira scratched his head and spoke with a strong tone.
“…Tch. It can’t be helped; you’re the leader this time. But… at least set a deadline. Sure, if we take our time, we might discover those who know the base, but we don’t have the luxury to dawdle forever. The necromancer isn’t just Holos. You understand that, right?”
“…I understand. I’ll settle this within a month.”
“A month is too long. The more time they have, the stronger they become. Their vigilance in the forest is increasing. You might be unscathed, but Holos is a formidable sorcerer. Your comrades will die.”
At the strong voice that felt like a threat, Senri fell silent for a moment, then raised her head and spoke with determination.
“…One week. If we don’t find the Key in that time, I’ll destroy the forest. I’ll prepare while conducting the search. I’ll calculate the cleanup after the destruction and the location for it.”
“Understood.”
Seeing the hesitation vanish from her purple eyes, Nebira twisted her lips into a cruel smile and gave her slender back a firm pat.
§ § §
Preparations were steadily coming together. Following the Lord’s orders, I returned to the city of Engai with Ruu. The entire town was enveloped in a tense atmosphere. If I listened closely, I could hear whispers about the Order of the Final Knights, which had barely been audible last time.
I fulfilled my role while feeling exasperated by the sunlight pouring down from above. The errand was likely scheduled for daytime because their vigilance would heighten during the night when the undead were active.
The package handed to me by Hanaku was similar to what I had received during the last errand. As I took it and tried to leave the room quickly, Hanaku called out to me, delivering a message.
His usually carefree expression showed a hint of fatigue compared to before.
“Please tell Holos-sama that I look forward to the day we meet again. They’re searching for us. I don’t intend to betray them, but they have a keen sense. Any further ‘procurement’ carries too much risk.”
“Yeah, I got it.”
“…It truly possesses intelligence. To be able to move freely under the sunlight… how terrifying. Holos-sama, your master is undoubtedly the strongest practitioner.”
Hanaku said this with a bitter smile, shaking his body as if to emphasize his point.
After concluding the transaction, I stepped outside. A brief moment of freedom awaited me.
Now was the real test. I entered a deserted alley. Even Ruu, who had scolded me for my reckless behavior before, silently followed.
The time when the Lord’s watchmen were absent near me was limited. The basement where I was usually confined was under surveillance, and I wasn’t allowed to venture outside on my own. The errand was one of the few times I could slip away from their watch. The End Knights were keeping a close eye, so I couldn’t have a familiar monitoring me.
As I covered Ruu’s small frame with my body, I peered into her dark eyes and asked, “Did you obtain the Object?”
“Y-yes. But, what is this for…?”
“Just as I thought. You’ve been a great help, truly.”
I had no time to waste. The Lord was spending more and more time locked away in the laboratory each day. He was likely preparing for some ritual. The only time I saw him was when he issued orders to send me hunting.
The Lord’s face bore deep fatigue, yet his eyes glimmered with an unsettling light. He was likely about to touch upon some new taboo. It might not be my place to speak, as I had become an unforgivable existence, but it was a dreadful thought.
I was already outmatched by both the Lord and the End Knights. If they took the first move, my chances of survival would dwindle to nearly nothing.
With fear and doubt etched on her face, Ruu pulled out the Object I had requested from her pocket. I snatched it from her, checked it, and for the first time in a while, a smile graced my lips.
I might have been able to acquire it through the Lord, but that would raise unnecessary suspicion. This was an Object I wanted secretly. It might not seem significant to Ruu, but for me, it was the Key to survival.
Ruu’s body bore no pain; she was the one to judge whether she was disobeying her master’s orders. This meant she didn’t view her cooperation with me as an indirect attack on the Lord.
Ruu glanced around nervously, her voice trembling as she whispered, “So, about that matter…”
“Ah, of course. You’ll just have to trust me on that, but I will keep my promise.”
At my words, which she likely still didn’t fully believe, Ruu visibly sighed in relief. Her expression softened, and the tension in her shoulders seemed to ease.
I was weak, but Ruu was even weaker. She wasn’t even trying to fight. This was a stark contrast to my previous life, where I had struggled against death until the very end. It was truly a pitiful state of being.
But there was no time to waste. Preparations were necessary.
“Ruu. I’ll be back soon. I have something to take care of, so wait for me at the exit.”
“Ah—”
Without waiting for her response, I dashed out of the alley with the Object in hand. I had to be careful not to run into the Order of the Final Knights.
Though I was in a dire situation, much like being on the brink of death, I now had a body that could move. I didn’t want to gamble on the Lord or the Order of the Final Knights.