Chapter 62: The Song of Elves and Knights (3)

“A god? Even if such a thing exists, it has absolutely nothing to do with me.”

Hearing my words, Vallach remained stubborn.

No matter how many times I tried to explain, his expression said, “What does that have to do with me?”

“I have always lived my life accomplishing what I set out to do. There is no room for anything else to intrude upon my life or beliefs.”

“Understood.”

I gave up without any regrets.

From the start, I had never dreamed he would become a Saint.

That’s just the kind of man Vallach was.

“Then I can’t give you wine at least.”

His eyes wavered.

His piercing gaze seemed to stab into my face, as if asking if it really had to be this way.

“There is Holy Water, though. Would you care for a drink?”

“Hmph! I have something to give you too, but at this rate, it might be difficult.”

Something to give.

In other words, he wanted an exchange.

When I looked at Vallach with curiosity, he rummaged through his clothes and spoke up.

“I expected you would pass the Marking Trial. My instincts were clear on that.”

“Yes.”

“But you did it too quickly.”

Clatter—

He took something out and spread it across the table.

It was a leather belt, adorned with six gold crosses dangling from it.

“These six metal pieces will prove useful to you.”

“What exactly are these?”

“You must have barely managed to maintain the Star atop your sword.”

I nodded.

Maintaining the Sword Saint’s form in battle was an arduous task.

Unless the real sword was used as the central axis, not only did mana consumption spike, but controlling it was nearly impossible.

“This is a ‘Core’ forged from Dragon Claw and a magical metal called Oriharukon. Try embedding your Star into it once.”

Vallach detached one of the ornaments from the belt and handed it to me.

I took it and embedded a single Star into it.

Kuuu—

“Whoa!”

Oddly enough, both Vallach and I were the ones who let out exclamations of surprise.

For me, it was because the Star had become much easier to handle; for Vallach, it was the sight of the pure white Star blazing brilliantly.

“A white Star… Kuhaha! Let’s test its strength, shall we?”

In his excitement, Vallach also drew out a Star.

He looked as though he might swing it at any moment, so I quickly braced myself.

“Do you have to go smashing up the room?”

“Tch, you really ruin the mood.”

“But this is a remarkable item.”

Leaving behind Vallach, who was acting younger than his age, I examined the Core.

If wielding aura had a difficulty of 5, the Sword Saint’s was an 8.

But with this Core, a difficulty of 3 or 4 would be reasonable.

“There is only one master blacksmith capable of making a Core. I wasted all my time searching for that damn dwarf.”

“So that’s why you only just arrived?”

“Indeed. Passing down a new Core to the successor has been our tradition for generations. Originally, I should have brought it to you the moment you opened your Mark, but I couldn’t come empty-handed, could I?”

He continued.

“In any case, you still can’t handle even a single Star properly. Even now, I will help you train.”

“That’s good news.”

***

A week had passed since the Elves joined us at Riot Castle.

Known as the Beautiful Ones, they exuded an aura of mystery.

Their once emaciated bodies had regained slender, beautiful curves, and the voices drifting from behind their wooden masks resembled the sound of jade beads rolling over glass.

“How on earth are there Elves here…?”

“I heard that Saint Richard requested their assistance.”

“That person had ties to the Elves as well?!”

Knights—or rather, humans and Elves—were fundamentally incompatible.

But that only held true under ordinary circumstances.

“If they help, we’ll be able to hold out much more easily.”

“A combination of sword and magic… Just like in the fairy tales from my childhood.”

Now, with a common enemy before them, the knights murmured among themselves.

Some flared their nostrils at the sweet herbal aroma, while others imagined the battle to come.

The Elves shifted their positions.

Heading toward Richard, who was in the midst of training.

“We greet the Saint of Hor.”

“You’ve come?”

Richard glanced at them and dispelled the two Stars floating in the air.

“How’s the magic seal coming along?”

“It should be completely undone soon.”

“Good. Just hang in there a bit longer.”

“Of course, it’s nothing.”

Elf Chief Tasar bowed his head.

It was a posture of utmost care and respect, as if addressing his mother, Adele.

“The Great Mother said that the Saint’s command is as the will of the god.”

Thud—

As Tasar went down on his knees, the other Elves followed suit.

It was a posture that meant they were ready to obey any command.

‘Lower than the knights.’

Richard gazed down at them, pressing his foot into the ground.

The Elves had become Saints at Adele’s request, right there on the spot.

‘If Adele tends to something and calls it gold, they believe it without question.’

In a way, they resembled dolls.

Above their own wills, they held a blind loyalty toward Adele.

“Have you practiced the hymns?”

“Yes. Under the guidance of Saint Mary, we have memorized every hymn. Would you like to check?”

“No, that’s fine.”

No need to listen unnecessarily.

Richard waved his hand, sending them away.

Their excessive politeness bordered on overbearing when facing them directly.

“My, you really managed to win over those Ear Clan folks.”

“It wasn’t me.”

“Heh, just focus on your training.”

Vallach assisted Richard’s training throughout the week.

From maintaining the shape of Stars more easily using the Core, to controlling the Stars themselves freely.

“Embedding Stars into your sword is a waste of the sword, and fighting while holding the Star is a waste of your hands.”

Whir—!

Three Stars circled freely around Vallach.

If anything got caught in their paths, it would likely be shredded instantly.

“What matters now isn’t the number of Stars you control.”

“Yes, yes, even a single Star must be properly handled. I’ve heard it countless times.”

“Tch, cheeky brat.”

It was at that moment.

Bwoooo—!

A trumpet blared, ringing painfully in their ears.

Riot Castle was thrown into chaos, and powerful dark energy surged from afar.

“It seems we’re under attack.”

Seventeen days had passed since the battle with Count Poiro.

Richard’s brow furrowed.

He hadn’t sensed anything before the trumpet sounded.

Neither the overwhelming malice nor the stench of corruption that now pierced his nose.

If Richard, blessed with Divine Power, hadn’t sensed it sooner, that was a problem.

“Could they have hidden their presence?”

If it was a Death Knight, their twisted self could make that possible.

But if the wave of dark energy approaching belonged entirely to Death Knights, that was even worse.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes, let’s see what the coalition is made of.”

The two left the training ground and headed to the ramparts.

The coalition knights rushed up the steps and took their positions atop the wall.

Other commanders shouted orders at the top of their lungs.

Arrows began to pile up in every corner, and some knights severed the water supply.

“We are!”

“Knights of valor!”

“We are!”

“Those who will be the light!”

Thump,

The expressions of the knights thumping their chests were resolute.

They were tense, but not afraid, confused, but not wavering.

“Hoo. With malice of this level, they should have panicked.”

“With faith rooted in their hearts, they will not easily fall into despair from mere malice.”

“Let us see—”

Richard muttered, his eyes shining.

“Is there one who bears the lantern?!”

“To illuminate the darkness,”

“To spread the will!”

The hymns burst from the knights’ mouths as if they were working songs.

They moved their lips silently, preparing for battle.

Richard clung close to the wall, peering outside.

“Estimated enemy force: ten thousand.”

“Confirmed are a hundred Death Knights and five Liches.”

Leon reported from beside him.

Richard, watching the monsters swarming like a pack of wild dogs, let out a laugh.

“Liches?”

“Yes. But they don’t appear to be the Liches who conquered Polin Castle.”

So it was.

His eyes chilled.

“Those ones are High Liches; these are just Liches. Still, we can’t let our guard down.”

If they’re spellcasters, it’s more than possible they could hide their malice.

Ten thousand Undead radiating this much malice.

Boom—!

Divine Power burst forth from Richard’s body.

[Hor] [Lowest Tier Deity]

[Church Level – 1]

– Number of Saints – 264 ㅁ Faith – 330,632

– Authority [Appointing Saints] [Receiving Prayers]

– Unlocked Positions – [Lowest Tier Evangelist] 5/5, [Lowest Tier Holy Knight] 0/3, [Lowest Tier Priest] 072

The faith he currently held was about 330,000.

It was an achievement earned in just fifteen days.

And that wasn’t the only visible result.

“Prepare to fire!”

At Ord’s command, the knights nocked arrows to their bows.

Light flashed along the shafts.

[By the name of Hor]

[Illuminate the places where my eyes fall]

The followers of the Horgyo Church raised their banners and sang.

The knights followed with all their heart and soul.

Ooooo—

A sacred energy surged from within Riot Castle.

Then it happened.

“Fear not.”

“They will not harm us.”

“Today will become history.”

An eerie, yet breathtakingly beautiful voice swept over the hymn.

It was the voices of the Elves.

Divine Power swirled around the castle like a dance.

Everywhere else was shrouded in darkness, but the castle alone blazed with light, turning this place into a beacon.

“Chwiik, is this the spectacle you desired?”

Before he knew it, Huger, who had come to Richard’s side, asked.

When I answered yes, a strange gleam flickered in his eyes.

“Indeed, I feel I made the right choice in following such an extraordinary human warrior.”

“What’s with you all of a sudden?”

“I have never paid my respects to something I haven’t seen, such as a god. But to you, I feel I can offer my trust and respect.”

“For you have created such a splendid battlefield—”

With a grin, he gripped his axe tightly.

Richard silently looked around.

Every knight on the ramparts was staring at him.

In their eyes was the same expression as Huger’s.

It was applause, given to Richard, who had finally provided them with a real chance to fight.

“Fools.”

Truly foolish and simple men.

He let out a small laugh and shook his head.

The enemy approached.

Ten thousand strong.

And among them, five powerful Liches were included.

It was obvious this would not be an easy battle.

“I have no confidence in this one.”

No confidence.

Once more, Divine Power surged from Richard’s body.

That was the signal.

Swoosh—!

Arrows blotted out the sky.

Soaked in faith and slathered in Holy Oil, these arrows rained down.

“Yes, this is what a real siege looks like.”