The phrase “Morgina’s Champion” felt highly suspicious. I turned my gaze to Morgina.
Was I not actually a real Champion? Perhaps a Champion (pending promotion) or some sort of candidate?
The fact that the authority to appoint the Champion was entirely delegated to the Saintess seemed strange in itself. It might be understandable if it were an ordinary saintess from another religious order but to Morgina?
It appeared that Morgina’s fiery personality (putting it nicely) was well-known even within the Eve Kaha church.
Giving someone like her the power to appoint personnel was a decision no proper organization with a sound strategy would make.
“Oh, don’t worry. It’s true that you have been officially appointed as Eve Kaha’s Champion. In our church, it’s actually a long-standing tradition for the Saintess to appoint the Champion.”
But since religion is, by nature, a nonprofit organization, my conventional understanding of personnel appointment criteria was shattered. Was this kind of HR policy really acceptable?
“She originally didn’t intend to have a Champion at all. If push came to shove, she used to say she’d just take on the role of Champion herself. Lately, she’s been complaining that none of the so-called skilled fighters around her were up to her standards.”
Morgina looked like she had a lot to say. However, even Morgina couldn’t easily display her usual fiery attitude in front of the High Priestess’s kind smile.
It wasn’t the unease of dealing with a workplace superior, but rather the respectful demeanor one would show to a truly admirable elder or senior figure.
“… I came to step down from the position of Champion.”
“Oh my, whatever for?”
I gestured to Morgina with my eyes. Morgina squeezed her eyes shut and nodded before untying the cross-shaped sword hanging at her right hip.
[Master, is this an ambush you’re plotting? An ambush on this old woman? Despicable, but efficient. Still, I must inform you that there is a beautiful custom called a duel.]
The sword Tuon immediately started spouting nonsense the moment it was placed in my hand, as if ready to collapse with exaggerated drama. Its words were so outrageous they truly fit the description of a “demon sword”.
Even Orishin, who had remained respectfully silent in an effort to honor the other priests (besides Morgina) in Eve Kaha’s sanctuary, finally broke its silence.
[That girl’s a bit crazy….]
The first problem lay in Tuon’s thought process which assumed I would immediately stab the old woman in front of me simply because I was holding a sword.
Even if I had truly drawn my sword with the intent to ambush someone, this situation would still be an accident. If the sword believed its master was launching a surprise attack, shouldn’t it have stayed quiet instead? Making such a loud fuss like that….how could any ambush possibly succeed like this?
I carefully watched the High Priestess’ expression. True to her decades of honing her character as a wise high priestess, there was no sign of agitation or anger on her face.
“That’s quite an unusual sword.”
Before I could respond, Morgina stepped forward.
“Um, Grandma, you see, this is…”
“The Sampling Sword, I know. I’ve heard about that ashen sword a few times before. But this is strange, isn’t it? According to the letter sent by Telmis, you and your Champion had successfully sealed the Sampling Sword.”
“We thought so too. But then things got tangled up.”
The conversation between the two, who shared a relationship as senior priest and disciple, was quick. Was it because of the long time they had spent together, like a family?
“May I take a look at the Sampling Sword for a moment?”
I placed Tuon on the table. I could hear the sword whining about something like [Noo, Master! For duels, you should use me, not some filthy knife sword or some clunky greatsword!]. But I ignored it all.
The High Priestess lifted her right index finger and slowly traced it along Tuon’s blade. The faint red energy gathering at her fingertip was a manifestation of divine power.
After thoroughly observing the cross-shaped sword from different angles, the High Priestess finally set it back down on the table.
“How strange.”
“Are you referring to the sword spirit?”
“No. I mean you, the sword’s master.”
The High Priestess’s eyes met mine. Though her gaze carried no discernible intensity, it felt heavier than the killing intent I’d faced on the battlefield.
“Morgina. Step outside for a moment.”
“Grandma?”
“Go on.”
“…I won’t.”
Morgina muttered quietly with a reluctant face. The sight of such timid defiance was shocking. She wasn’t grabbing a mace and readying for a brawl, but instead, she simply pouted and said no?
The High Priestess stared at Morgina for a moment, then slowly shook her head.
“I’m not trying to drive the Champion away by labeling him as a spawn of the abyss. I haven’t even accepted his resignation yet, have I? Only the Saintess who appointed the Champion with her spear and blade has the right to dismiss him. I have no intention of infringing on your authority.”
The explanation, given in a soft voice, seemed to convince Morgina. She reluctantly rose and stepped outside. When the door closed with a thud and no footsteps were heard, it was clear that she had stationed herself just outside.
“That child, honestly. Then and now, she hasn’t changed a bit when it comes to throwing tantrums….”
Muttering to herself, the High Priestess snapped her fingers. A red wave rippled across the room. It was a soundproof barrier.
“It has been a very long time since I’ve seen a soul like yours.”
***
“A soul like mine? What do you mean by that?”
Kriel asked calmly in return. He wasn’t sure of the High Priestess’s intentions in bringing up the topic.
“I’m talking about the soul of a Hero.”
The Hero. Kriel repeated the word to himself.
An honorable title bestowed upon those who stood against the Demon King. Or perhaps—
“The souls that come from outside this world.”
Should he affirm or deny it? Kriel hesitated but soon decided to speak the truth without concern.
After all, his status as the master of one of the Seven Demon Swords had already been exposed. Lying was not something a noble knight should resort to.
“That’s correct. How did you know?”
“I’m far older than I appear. That means I’ve had many opportunities to witness things. Including the outsiders who defeated Balor this time around.”
The High Priestess of Eve Kaha. The old woman who was known simply as “The High Priestess,” with no other title reflected on the past.
Once, she had been a soldier who wielded weapons on the same battlefield as Eve Kaha. She was the first follower of Eve Kaha.
Kriel’s eyes widened. She had seen a Hero in person?
“Do you also know where they went?”
“I don’t know much about what happened after their battle with the Demon King. I can only guess they tried to return to their homeworld.”
Well, if they had truly left this world for good, it would be hard for any trace of them to remain. Kriel’s excitement, which had been rising quickly, cooled just as fast.
“Outsiders, huh…”
“Those like you are difficult to measure by this world’s standards. But one thing is the same for all. The corruption of the abyss approaches everyone equally.”
It was a pointed warning. Kriel smiled bitterly. He had suspected as much, but to hear it so directly… in essence, “Using abyss powers will ruin your life” stung more than he expected.
“Then this sword must be something I should never use.”
[Master! How could you say such a thing? I exist for your sake!]
The High Priestess slowly shook her head.
“This sword has already severed its connection to what it originally was as Gratuon. It does not belong to the abyss. It belongs to you now.”
It belongs to me? Kriel looked down at the cross-shaped sword. The moment it got a chance to speak, it was already planning to stab someone.
“It doesn’t seem to be one of those holy swords meant to help people.3
“Ah, naturally. After all, Champion, your origin is that of a Dark Knight, is it not?”
At the mention of “Dark Knight”, Kriel felt an inexplicable pang of emotion.
“It can’t be helped. This sword is a manifestation of your desires. Easy, quick, convenient, and occasionally craving recognition from others. Every one of those desires was given shape. It remains a demon sword though.”
“Shouldn’t I discard it immediately?”
“It’s not connected to the Abyss, so there’s no need for that. Although, since it’s tied to the darker side of emotions, the term ‘dark’ does fit it well.”
The High Priestess assured him that as long as Kriel himself didn’t submit to the Abyss, using the sword wouldn’t cause any particular issues. At that, Tuon’s voice rang out with a strangely triumphant tone. She declared that from now on, Kriel should use her instead of that horn sword or greatsword.
“That’s why there is no disqualification preventing you from becoming the Champion. It seems the concerns Morgina had will not come to pass.”
“Actually, my visit here has nothing to do with this sword. I came to resign from my position as the Champion.”
The High Priestess, who had been in the process of retrieving the divine power that filled the room, froze and her expression was now filled with bewilderment.
“But surely, there is no better tool than the mark of the Champion to obscure the presence of a Dark Knight. Is there a specific reason you wish to reject the position?”
“I do not trust Eve Kaha.”
“Ah, that’s fine. Our church has always been somewhat lenient about such things.”
Kriel couldn’t help but feel a sense of admiration. This old woman was a formidable opponent.
“Becoming the Champion means representing the interests of a group. That’s a duty I’m not suited for.”
“Eve Kaha would not issue commands that contradict your interests. Why, then, do you feel this way?”
“It is because pursuing morality over profit is the proper course of action for a knight. Keeping a Champion who might, even in the slightest chance, turn their sword against the Church would not be beneficial for the Church either.”
The old woman did not press Kriel further. Instead, she offered another suggestion.
“Then why don’t you use the title of Champion only when necessary?”
“Huh?”
“Since Morgina, that child refuses it, the position of Champion will not be conferred to anyone else anyway. So just hold onto the mark and use it when you need it. There are no other obligations.”
It seemed the claim that the Church of Eve Kaha was somewhat lenient wasn’t an exaggeration. Was it really okay to treat the Champion’s position this way?
As if guessing Kriel’s thoughts, the old woman gave a faint smile.
“Originally, that position is usually reserved for the Saintess’s—”
“Grandma!”
Crash!
The door flung open as if it were about to break, and Morgina burst in.
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