Episode 8: Holy Knight vs Saintess & Sword Saint & Mage (Part 1)
“Are you asking for the Affirmative Sword…?”
Ashley retorted to the woman claiming to be the Saintess—Mika.
“Indeed. A sword can only fulfill its true purpose when wielded by someone skilled,” she replied.
For Ashley, Mika’s statement was utterly unacceptable.
“…If you are truly the Saintess, then you must know about the Seal of Arcana.”
The Seal of Arcana—this was the abominable and terrifying force that the Holy Knights of the kingdom had guarded and sealed for generations.
“Yes. I am well aware of the details regarding the seal,” Mika answered nonchalantly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, igniting Ashley’s anger.
“Then why? This seal must never be broken! For ages, the three Holy Knights residing in Arcana, along with the power of the Mythic-Class Armament, have managed to keep it sealed!”
Ashley felt a sense of unease at the unknown intentions of the Saintess. However, more than that, his thoughts were consumed by the legacy of the Holy Knights who had dedicated themselves to protecting the seal. Thus—
“Are you planning to nullify their efforts and unleash darkness to destroy the Arcana Kingdom?!”
Typically calm and collected, Ashley raised his voice without realizing it.
“Normally, I wouldn’t need to engage in this dialogue with you, but very well,” Mika said, raising her index finger.
“If the issue is what happens after the seal is broken, then that is merely your unfounded worry.”
“Unfounded worry?!”
“Indeed,” she nodded, a smirk gracing her lips. “What exactly is sealed within? It is said to be a labyrinth that exceeds S-Class.”
The realization that the woman before him was indeed the genuine Saintess made Ashley’s heart churn with disdain.
“—Moreover, it is a labyrinth so cursed that those who have appraised it have gone mad, their minds shattered.”
“That’s right! It is a labyrinth that even the highest forces of this world could not conquer!”
From a young age, Ashley had been told of the devastation the sealed labyrinth had wrought upon the Arcana Kingdom, how wicked it was. The actions of the Saintess seemed utterly insane to him.
According to the tales passed down, the currently sealed labyrinth had appeared in what was once the deputy capital of Arcana. Not only was it impossible to conquer due to its malicious difficulty, but it also continuously spawned Corpse Persons (Ghouls), Zombies, and Bone Warriors. These creatures were sent forth from the labyrinth into human settlements and towns, filling them with the undead due to the labyrinth’s malevolence.
Following the words of the Sage at the time, the labyrinth was sealed by three Mythic-Class Armaments and three Holy Knights. Even after the seal was placed, many lives were lost, and the entire deputy capital and its surroundings fell victim to the undead that overflowed.
The losses were immense, and it was said that had the Sage not provided the sealing method, the Arcana Kingdom itself might have vanished from history.
As one of the highest authorities in the church, the Saintess should have known the evil of the sealed labyrinth. So why would she commit such a foolish act as to break the seal?
“You mentioned that it was a labyrinth that could not be conquered even with the highest forces, but that was in the past. With the current highest forces, including Hero Ryuguin and myself, the Saintess Mika, we can conquer the sealed labyrinth,” she declared.
Ashley’s doubts were quickly dispelled. However, he was left speechless, taken aback.
“If we have the Affirmative Sword, we should be able to conquer the Labyrinth of Time as well. Furthermore, we will also traverse the sealed labyrinth.”
Was this truly what a Saintess was like? At the very least, the Saintess he had heard about was not someone who would act so recklessly. The tales he had always heard were of her helping others.
She protected villages with barriers.
She saved soldiers who had lost limbs with Healing Magic.
She treated children suffering from incurable diseases.
She used her own wealth to provide soup kitchens for starving refugees.
And she risked her life to save the world by traversing dangerous labyrinths.
The image of Saintess Mika that resided within Ashley could not reconcile with the Saintess Mika standing before him now.
If she were the true Saintess Mika, no matter how confident she was, she would never so casually claim that she could conquer the sealed labyrinth. Surely, she would have the foresight to consider the consequences of failure.
“Now, please hand over that sword.”
This was Ashley’s instinct as a Holy Knight, no, as Ashley himself.
“I refuse!”
He could not hand over the Affirmative Sword to them.
“Refusing means you are going against the orders of the kingdom and the church, is that correct?”
The orders of the kingdom and the church—whether they were true or not mattered little to Ashley. His mission was not for the politics of the kingdom or the church. Everything was for the people who lived there and sustained their lives.
“I don’t care! I will not allow anyone to lay a hand on the Affirmative Sword for the sake of all life!”
The Saintess showed no change in expression at Ashley’s declaration.
“I understand,” she murmured.
“I expected this. I prefer not to use force, but for the sake of this world…”
“What are you—?!”
“Eris-san, please ensure you don’t kill him.”
The girl known as the Sword Saint lunged toward Ashley.