Adelgarten was perched atop a tree.
Her gaze was fixed solely on Richard von Bartenberg.
“Young master!”
Aaron’s cry rang out.
He rushed desperately toward Richard as he collapsed, as if his body had given way.
Richard had simply pushed himself too far.
Weaving Aura not with Holy Power, but with Faith itself, was a force far beyond what he could handle right now.
Adelgarten, who had been watching Richard, closed her eyes.
“A new myth begins here.”
Her words, spoken in a flat, even tone, slipped quietly from her lips.
“Lost faith cannot be restored.”
After such a long absence, the people of this world no longer remember the Creation God.
“But, a new faith will be born.”
Breaking through thick disbelief, a new Faith will bloom.
Its seed has already found a place within their hearts.
***
Polk Heimer gathered the confused Knights.
He displayed the leadership his position demanded, restoring order to the disarrayed camp.
Huger was chained at the limbs, firmly secured to a massive boulder.
The Orc laughed heartily and complied without resistance.
Polk would have liked to throw him out on the spot, but he could not go against the command Richard gave before losing consciousness.
Meanwhile, arrangements were made for the fallen Richard, Aaron, and the mysterious young girl to rest in the newly built barracks.
Polk grasped his helmet.
Though order had been restored, he himself felt the most bewildered.
“So, he was hiding his true self…”
He recalled the struggles of the Third Knight Division, one by one.
First, the unexpected arrival of Gide Meyer had completely overturned their original plans.
How many times had they climbed up and down the Hobsun Mountains to adapt?
Not only that, but to procure the Great Dragon Ballista from the Dwarves, he had to plead and negotiate for ages.
But even more exhausting was having to watch Gide Meyer begin his forging—unable to do anything but observe.
Why would an old Knight, long retired, now raise his spear again—if not for Richard’s sake?
The Knights respected Gide, but could not understand him.
Gide had asked them to bring the Dragon down to the ground.
Then, he said, he would settle the matter alone.
It sounded utterly absurd.
If someone they respected was going to fight and perhaps die, paying the ultimate price, how could the Knights simply stand by?
To die fighting alongside Gide was something every member of the Order of the Knights would have welcomed. They even considered it an honor.
Yet, they could not comprehend why he would risk his life for Richard.
It felt as if all the efforts of the Third Knight Division would be wasted.
But now, that didn’t seem to be the case anymore.
“It seems it wasn’t all meaningless after all.”
Polk corrected his long-held thoughts.
Richard was different from the rumors, and different from the boy he remembered.
In any case, their mission would continue as a matter of course.
The Third Knight Division was the sword drawn by the Duke of Bartenberg.
It was only right that they be swung toward their goal.
He was simply grateful that they could now stand on a battlefield with greater meaning.
***
Through a hazy mind, I opened my eyes.
What I saw was a green tent.
Daylight filtered through the fabric, so it must have been morning.
Ugh…
As I tried to sit up, pain shot through my muscles in various places.
It felt as if my whole body was being wrung out.
‘I will never try to weave Aura with Faith again.’
Just one sparring match, and I had wasted 3,000 points of precious Faith.
I never realized I was this competitive.
“Crazy. I must be insane, pushing myself like this.”
I clicked my tongue, reflecting on my actions, when Aaron and Adele entered the tent.
Their eyes grew wide.
“Young master—!”
“Daddy!”
Adele ran at me with a bright smile, but I stopped her.
If I let her come, she’d surely express her affection with her whole body, but right now I was still suffering from muscle pain.
“Young master, are you feeling better?”
“It was hell.”
I answered Aaron while drawing up my Faith.
This was exactly what Faith was for at times like this.
The pain eased so much I wondered why I hadn’t done this sooner.
“…..That power again, huh?”
Aaron’s expression grew complicated.
It wasn’t the first or second time he’d seen me use Faith, yet his reaction was always the same.
“It’s nothing.”
“Come on, just say it.”
He simply smiled and said he was glad I was safe.
What a dull guy.
Feeling much better, I stepped outside the barracks.
The Knights cast glances my way.
Some even awkwardly greeted me.
The atmosphere was different from when I had first arrived.
They seemed uncertain how to treat me.
“You’ve awakened.”
Polk approached, his usually stoic eyes now holding a subtle change.
“We were foolish. Please forgive our rudeness.”
“It’s fine. No need for all that.”
I stopped Polk from bowing so deeply.
His sudden change in attitude felt just as awkward to me.
“More importantly, where’s the Orc?”
“I’ll show you.”
Following Polk, I walked toward the rear of the camp.
A massive boulder stood out at a glance.
There, Huger was bound tightly with chains.
Three Knights were standing guard over him, including Jack Schwager.
“Chwik, mighty human warrior! I’m glad to see you’re unharmed!”
“You look cheerful for someone in chains.”
Huger, wrapped in heavy chains, greeted me with a laugh.
He grinned back and spoke.
“You won our duel, so the loser must accept his fate. Well, what’s to become of me now? Chwik!”
He seemed completely resigned, almost detached from his circumstances.
No matter how many times I saw him, Huger was a fascinating Orc.
Most Orcs couldn’t restrain their wild nature, but Huger never showed such signs.
“What about your tribe?”
“Chwi, it no longer exists. The whole tribe was wiped out by the Dragon.”
“So you were seeking revenge.”
He nodded.
A bitter flame flickered in his downcast eyes.
“That beast is evil and cruel. Chwiik! Damn lizard bastard, I’ll kill him someday!”
The killing intent in Huger’s voice made the Knights grip their swords.
A warning that they’d respond instantly if he tried anything.
“Indeed, Dragons are nothing but monsters with shattered temperaments.”
I gazed off at the distant mountains.
Why did I set up the Dragons to be like this…
I could only regret it now.
“Unchain him.”
“Y-Young master?”
The Knights turned to me in shock.
Their faces begged me to take back what I’d said.
On the contrary, Huger’s eyes sparkled.
“I don’t think he’s the type to betray us. He’ll be a big help in the subjugation.”
“That’s right. Well said! Chwik, I swear on everything I have!”
Huger nodded enthusiastically.
But the Knights weren’t so easily convinced.
“Young master, please reconsider. He’s an Orc.”
Polk firmly voiced his opposition.
“Even if he truly wants to help, we have no need for an Orc’s assistance.”
“With one more ally, the Knights will suffer fewer casualties.”
“This is a matter of principle. For a Knight to join hands with an Orc—such a thing cannot be allowed.”
I couldn’t understand Polk and the Knights.
I’d felt it for a while, but Knights really were impossibly stubborn.
What did this have to do with their pride?
I was about to say something when—
“How foolish.”
Adele, who had been clutching my sleeve, spoke up.
A crooked smile played on her lips.
“Is cooperating with another race really a betrayal of your principles?”
All eyes turned to Adele, who had suddenly joined the debate.
“During the Grand War of Saints and Demons, the heroes united all races. Did that make them lawless?”
The Knights wore expressions they couldn’t describe.
They probably didn’t understand what Adele was talking about.
The Grand War of Saints and Demons had long since been forgotten.
All they remembered was the fragmented legend of that great war.
Yet, the dignity in Adele’s voice made it hard to refute her.
“Who is this child?”
Polk asked me.
He sure asked quickly, but come to think of it, there hadn’t been any time to pay attention to Adele until now.
“I am Adelgarten. Daddy’s daughter…”
“She’s a powerful Druid. Let’s talk about it later.”
I quickly cut Adele off.
Any more talk of daughters would only add to the confusion.
Mediating the situation, I turned to the Red Orc.
“Huger.”
“Speak, Chwik.”
“I have no reason to defend you against the Knights if it comes to an argument.”
The Red Orc’s eyes met mine, and a mix of emotions flickered within them.
In the end, only resignation remained.
“Chwik, forgive me. It seems I’ve caused trouble. It was my own doing, so don’t worry about it.”
Even while bound, he apologized. Honestly, I couldn’t help but like the guy.
I glanced at Aaron.
He silently began loosening Huger’s chains, one by one.
“Chwi… eh…”
“So just become my companion.”
This Orc was too valuable to let go.
The Orcs were one of the main pillars among the subordinate races.
As a born warrior, I wanted him on my side.
This was a chance to lay the foundation for a connection only the Orcs could provide.