Chapter 104 - 104. Initiation Ceremony (1)

Hit by the raindrops falling down hard, I was walking indifferently without avoiding puddles.

The sky was full of rumbling dark clouds.

When I climbed over the fence and went outside, I saw a woman riding on her horse, wearing a robe like me.

She was hiding from her rain under a large old tree.

Soon after spotting me, she comes over and hands her to me.

"Hey, are you here early?"

Ecclin's lively voice reaches me through the sound of rain.

Today was the day to be introduced to the branch of the Silver Wing Knights near the academy.

The meeting place and time had been discussed with Ecclin in advance. To her question about how you come out at the right time, she replied, "Why don't you simply ask the people around you?"

It was a long-awaited weekend, but there was a lot to do here and there.

"Eh... Eh... Hachwu!!"

Before I can say anything, Ecklen sneezes at her, then sniffs her.

"Vice-captain Ecclin, since when have you been waiting? I thought I was on the early side too."

I asked as I lowered the robe on her head.

Ecclin said she was under a tree to avoid the rain in her own way, but her robes were soaked, as if she couldn't escape completely.

"The saintess told me to leave earlier. You're the type to come out early and wait in advance. Sniff, it's okay to have a cold. You can ask the saintess to treat you, heehee."

Echlin rubbed her nose and laughed sinisterly.

'I still like Bernice.'

As seen in the game, she had an innocent personality.

[This is a thought that the original woman had heard before... You look quite young for an assistant leader of the Saint's Knights. ]

Sierra's voice echoed in her mind as she examined Ecclin's face.

Yes. This young-looking girl is the vice-captain of the Knights.

The silvery armor that slipped through Ecklen's robes proved who she was.

At a young age that could be said to be the same age as Bernice's, she was an Ecline who reached the position of vice-captain with no special talent, only hard work and grit.

Perhaps because of that background, she was highly evaluated even within the Knights. She especially knows that she is considered a role model for new knights.

Her swordsmanship was nothing special, but her fundamentals were so solid that she was precise and concise.

Just this much information is the Ecclin I know.

"By the way, is the saintess in the branch we are going to?"

I stepped on the mud with a clicking sound and approached Ecklin.

"Isn't it? The initiation ceremony remains."

"Is it an initiation ceremony?"

"Then give me a badge and welcome to the Knights! Did you think it would end? Well, given the circumstances, it won't be a formal initiation ceremony, so it will be held quietly."

She nodded at Ecclin's explanation following the question mark.

'It's an initiation ceremony, but there's nothing strange about it.'

She notices Shady, who just happens to be in a puddle and rolls over her body. Shady didn't float like Sierra, but she could touch the ground.

However, because she was in her spiritual body after all, her puddles, the dripping rain, and Shady's fluffy body had no effect whatsoever.

Perhaps it was because the surroundings were dark because there was no moonlight. It seemed that the more darkness there was around it, the stronger it became.

Anyway... Bernice should be able to sense the energy of that hairball even vaguely.

Although she had direct contact with Priscilla, whom she met this time, she had sensed her aura.

She whispered softly to me so that Yuri, who came with her to the infirmary, could not hear.

'I haven't seen you in a while, so I brought a lot of strange things?'

It's been quite a while since we met.

Priscilla didn't even run into her during public classes because she was reluctant to the Holy Kingdom, especially her saintess, because of her past, which she wanted to hide.

Priscilla didn't ask more about her.

It seemed that keeping the 'secret' was still valid.

'She'd better keep her distance from Priscilla, though...'

Since she couldn't accurately predict Bernice's reaction, she had several countermeasures in place.

The important thing is that even if the spirit of darkness has a deep connection with the demon, the energy of the demon and the spirit of darkness are distinctly different.

At least, it means that there will be no misunderstanding as a demon.

In any case, it was clear that he had built up a crush on Bernice, and she thinks that there is no hole for her to escape if she uses her 'power' well and responds flexibly.

ㅡPheheh.

Her horse, on which Ecclin was riding, nodded her head and made her cry.

Ecklen then pats her on the back seat.

"Shall we go? I thought I couldn't ride her horse, so I didn't bring her extra horse... I can't believe I can ride a horse, right?"

Ecklen asked with her questioning eyes as she reached out her hand to me.

"I can't ride a horse. ...Not yet."

Ecklen took her outstretched hand and mounted her horse.

Her horsemanship was also a skill after all, and it was true that she hadn't really learned it.

There was no place to put a horse, and considering my 'characteristic', I thought it would be better to use a wagon in many ways.

Well, the process of learning the skill wasn't too difficult, so I thought it would be okay to learn it.

"... Sounds like you can ride once you learn?"

"Haha, that's something I don't know."

My smirk follows, and Ecklen grabs and pulls my arm behind her own back.

"...You have to hold on tight to her waist."

Following Ecclin's cautious voice, I wrapped my arms around her waist. Despite wearing her armor, she had a thin waist, leaving plenty of room.

But it wasn't just me who had to get on the horse.

Sierra naturally came up behind me and hugged me.

"Kerung."

Shady, who was in her puddle, jumped up and clung to her feet.

'I think it's going to fall off...'

Around the time I was wondering if Shady, like Sierra, would move around me like teleportation if I get farther than a certain distance.

Sierra grabs her shaddy's head and she puts him on top of her head.

[Your place is here. ]

Following Sierra's soft voice.

"Kerung!"

Shady let out a cry of satisfaction.

Over your head

It seems like it will fly more easily, but somehow it will work.

Soon, Ecklen started driving her horse.

As she made her way through her raindrops, she asked her.

"Are you heading straight to the branch?"

"No, there's one thing I need to do before that."

"What's going on?"

"Admission test. Even though I said it didn't seem necessary, the captain said I couldn't break the tradition."

"It's an entrance exam... It must be a demon subjugation."

"Yes, there's one guy whose location is known in advance. Originally, four or five new recruits would gather together to defeat a demon tribe, bring their horns, and hold an initiation ceremony... If it were you, it would be enough alone, right?"

"Yes, that's enough."

The demons that had to be caught in the entrance exam were probably not strong demons, and there was a reverse sky, so there was no problem.

We moved quickly, listening to the sound of horse hooves and the sound of rain.

***

In order to take Zeto's entrance exam, he visited the hideout of the demons that he had known about in advance.

"There was nothing wrong with the barrier, right?"

I asked the knight who was watching her hiding place, and she answered with her head bowed.

"Yes, the 'target' is currently in hiding and has not moved much as of yet. There were no other visitors other than that. All nearby residents have been evacuated."

"...Is that so?"

After listening to the explanation of the knights, I looked at Jeto next to me and said.

"It's more thorough than I thought."

Jetto, who got off the horse, spoke softly.

"Normally, I don't put so much effort into catching one demon... But since it's for a test, I can't help it. Normally, it's enough to set up a barrier before a battle."

"A barrier? I don't know how to handle a barrier..."

"Puhyuk, that's the same for me."

Because Zeto's voice, which had become depressed, seemed somehow cute, laughter leaked out.

"Okay, take it."

Soon, she threw a bag of tiny pieces of crystal at Jeto.

'If it was Zeto, I'd accept it in moderation.'

It was the bag I threw with that thought in mind.

ㅡTuk.

Contrary to my expectations, however, the bag I threw hit his body right away and fell powerlessly to the floor.

"...Vice-captain?"

At my action, the nearby knights glanced at me with puzzled eyes.

What are you doing to him who is blind even if you pretend to be... That kind of look.

"Ah... That... I thought I could get it... I'm sorry."

I scratched my cheek because I was embarrassed.

Soon Jetto picks up the bag that fell on the floor.

"Haha, no... I was distracted for a while. So what's in this pocket?"

Jetto smiled lightly as if he was okay and put his hand in the pocket he picked up.

"It's like a magic stone that can easily create a barrier. The principle is similar to a scroll. Infuse mana into a piece of magic stone, drop it on the floor, and you're done. How about it, isn't it convenient?"

"Hmm... What about the effect of the barrier?"

Zeto took out a magic stone from his pocket and asked while fiddling with it.

"It's nothing special, soundproofing magic... Just a bit of physical force that makes it difficult for demons to get out of the barrier?"

"It seems to be reacting to Magi."

"It's easy to understand. But if you're a demon with strong demons, it won't be particularly effective, so be careful."

"All right."

After a brief explanation, Jeto and I immediately quietly approached the building where the demons were hiding.

Since the residents were evacuating, it was better to organize it quickly.

As Jeto approached the building, he was silent for a while.

Did you even get nervous?

"Don't be too nervous. Demons are probably on the weak side. Being unable to hide demonic energy and prowling around is a characteristic of weak people. Thanks to that, it's easy to deal with."

Zeto, who had been listening to my voice, nodded his head.

If it was his swordsmanship that I had seen in the open class, I wanted to finish it quickly and without too much difficulty.

Eventually, when they reached the building, Jeto's mouth, which had been silent, opened.

"Didn't the vice-captain say that there is only one demon?"

Jetto has asked a rather significant question.

"There's only one guy we've been chasing. Why? Is there anything that gets caught?"

"That is..."

He slurred his words and put his palm on the door of the hideout.

Then he releases his hand and opens his mouth again.

"I wondered if I was mistaken because it was raining that I had been feeling sick from before. But now I know for sure.

"Six?"

At Jeto's explanation that followed, I immediately expressed my doubts.

'Feels...'

I heard that it is Zeto's special ability.

I didn't know what kind of sensation it was, but at least it was a sense that made it possible for the blind man to live a smooth life and even fight.

However, there was a report from the knights that there was no other person entering.

Judging from the demonic spirits scattered around the building that could not be hidden, it was clear that it was the hiding place of demons.

However, even if it was me, it was difficult to find out the exact number of people unless they had entered the building.

I quietly put Jetto in my eyes.

His face, covered in rain with a robe pulled over, stood out with white bandages covering his eyes and dark gray hair, which was hard to see in the neighborhood.

A blind man who wields a sword.

That alone could be said to be special, but it was also the first 'man' the saintess was interested in.

A talent chosen by the saintess herself, and a man who might one day stand by her side and be with her for the rest of her life.

Assuming Jetto is right...

"...Is it a 'nest'?"

Not all demons who hid in the human land were strong. There were also many weak demons who set foot on human land to accumulate power.

Among them, there were cases where those who recognized that they were weak would stick together.

In these cases, their lairs were called nests.

"Isn't the nest a bit like an entrance exam...?"

I said scratching my head.

No matter how weak they are, as the number increases, the difficulty of subjugation naturally increases.

That time when I was trying to talk to myself about helping.

ㅡSureung.

Suddenly, Jeto pulled out the sword from his waist.

"No. I think the 'test' is a good enough number."

He spat out those words with a subtle smile and then slowly scanned the sword body. As we saw before, the sword was held in reverse.

I knew right away that that was the casting motion of his bizarre swordsmanship.

One curious thing was that he hadn't even entered the building yet.

Crawling in the rain, Zeto, who was standing in front of the door, swiped all of his blades.

Soon after, the flow of his mana was twisted.

It was extremely unconventional, but since I had already been through it, it wasn't surprising anymore.

I decided to keep an eye on Jeto.

Deep down, I had high hopes for what he would show me.

Even in the pouring rain, he maintained great concentration.

Jeto then swung the sword vigorously.

'Could it be that transparent sword that cut off the wings of the wyvern...?'

I, who was watching him, shouted in a small, urgent voice.

"Zeto, but until you have to destroy the building...?"

"..."

Zeto, lightly ignoring my cries, continued to move smoothly without any shaking and cut five accurately five times.

The only problem was that it was empty.

Now the sword is flying and the door has to be broken...

...Even after several seconds, no damage was done to the building.

'What... Did you really just cut through the air...?'

I was watching him, wondering if he was trying to use the 'non-sword skill' I saw last time.

Soon, his gaze turned to the sword that Zeto was holding.

'The demon's blood...'

For some reason, Zeto's red blade was stained with the black blood unique to the Asmodians, and the blood was washed away by the pouring raindrops.

"Haha..."

I managed to understand the situation, and a dejected laugh came out of my mouth.

It was absurd, absurd.

The fact that the demon's blood came out meant that Zeto outside the building had cut down the demon inside the building.

Even without a single scratch on the outer wall of the building.

'This isn't swordsmanship... Isn't it magic...'

While he marveled at Zeto's swordsmanship, he was still standing leisurely in front of the door.

It seemed to be waiting for something.

What the hell is he waiting for?

Shortly thereafter, a very urgent sound of running is heard from inside the building.

Zeto, who had been silently listening to the sound, swung his sword at the door and the door opened at the same time.

ㅡBoom!

With the sound of a spur on the door, a fleeting moment follows.

First, I saw the face of the demon who came out of the door.

His face was terrified, with a bright red horn growing on his forehead.

Then, before he came into sight and could properly capture the jet, the guy he was holding out had his neck...

ㅡSuddenly.

...It was cut neatly by Zeto's sword.

Soon, the head of the demon that had been cut off rolled on the ground, and the body of the one who had lost the head fell forward, and Zeto moved his feet to avoid it.

ㅡ Fluffy.

The demon was able to completely escape the building only after the torso and neck were separated.

ㅡShoot it.

Time, which seemed to flow slowly, soon began to flow normally with the sound of pouring rain.

It was a perfect movement without any superfluities.

Zeto's head turned to me at a loss for words, and his mouth opened with the sound of a lead sword.

"I've got everything sorted out."

"Uh, yeah...?"

After asking that question in a timid voice, I entered the building through the door that the demon had opened.

Inside the building, there was a stinging stench accompanied by the smell of rain.

This was the blood of the demons that I was so familiar with.

I slowly looked around.

In various parts of the house, the corpses of demons whose heads had been cut without being able to even cry out were visible.

A total of 5 bodies.

Red horns grew on the foreheads of the corpses. Demons say they can hide their horns, but when they die, they eventually reveal their horns.

Including the one who died in front of the door, there were exactly six as Jeto had said.

"What..."

I stopped chanting and finally swallowed the words behind my back.

A monstrous sense that can accurately determine the number of people even before entering a building.

A slash performed from a distance that can be reached by breaking through obstacles.

Even looking back at the time he caught the wyvern, this is not all of him.

Jeto, who followed me into the building, asks me. In his hand was the head of a demon.

"Vice-captain, do you have a dagger?"

"Ah..."

It seems he needed a dagger to cut off his horns.

Without saying a word, I handed him the dagger that was at my waist.

I thought as I looked at Jeto, who was cutting off the demon's horn without hesitation.

'Just by looking at it, he's not inferior to the saintess's husband...'