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"Mastermind" Volume 5 Chapter 1: Busy Autumn Holidays
🕑 Added 2023-06-11 16:02:27 +0000 UTCThere was justice in the Elfen Church.
The desired goal of the main god is to eradicate anyone who aligns with the Demon king. In other words, allowing the Demon King’s teachings to spread freely is seen as going against the will of the main god, according to the Elfen Church's beliefs.
The Demon King’s cult had a great aspiration.
They aimed to revive the Demon King, who was said to have been defeated by the Seven Heroes, and fulfill his tragic ambition. The Demon King’s ultimate goal was to kill the main god, the reason he plunged the world into fear
No one knew why he wanted to kill the main god; it was a mystery. Now, those who have become fascinated by the Demon King’s immense power only wish for his resurrection.
In the imperial capital, in the solemn district where temples stood side by side, the ongoing battle between the Elfen Church and the Demon King’s cult is a daily topic.
"Even if they worship the Demon king who was defeated by the Seven Heroes, it's just a repeat of history."
"Yes, they are foolish. Why would they try to target Leomel when the momentum of the Hero faction is growing? 』
"They lost because they were foolish. They couldn't stand against the holy power. 』
"I've heard that they are avoiding Leomel lately. With Leomel's army and the Holy Land putting more effort into countering the Demon king’s cult, it has become difficult to approach Leomel.
"It's almost predictable now. They have their leaders and executives, but they are not worth fearing. 』
Among the priests, there were many opinions that dismissed the actions of the Demon king’s cult. With dignified voices and matured, hoarse voices, they firmly believed in the divine authority of the main god. Some even saw this situation as an opportunity for the Elfen Church.
After finishing the morning prayers, the priests gathered outside and engaged in conversations. Walking near them was the White Dragon Princess.
"This is the Sword King's residence."
The White Dragon Princess, Lutreche, is a beautiful and graceful Sword King who lends her strength to Leomel. She was walking alone, without calling out to anyone, when she suddenly stopped. It was because one of the priests spoke to her.
"What is it?"
Her response was not cold, but it wasn't particularly friendly either. For a moment, the priests felt the pressure of her beauty and her firm voice, and were left breathless.
"...From the Sword King's perspective, how do you see the recent situation?"
"The recent situation? Are you referring to the skirmishes between the Elfen Church and the Demon king’s cult?"
"Yes, of course."
"In that case..."
The Sword King, all of whom possessed extraordinary power and a transcendent demeanor, was different when it came to the Demon king. Even she, I thought, would show interest in the fact that it was related to the existence that had plunged the world into chaos...
"It's a fight that has nothing to do with me."
She stated it without hesitation, shocking the priests.
"Instead of that, what happened with Roses Caitas?"
"That was a divine sign shown by the Goddess of Time. What concerns the Sword King with it?"
"I'm questioning whether it was really just a divine sign. I also saw the site myself and felt traces of magic. It was an ancient entity, evil and powerful."
"It must have been alive until just before the purification."
"Yes, it seems that a formidable monster was sealed there."
Listening to the confident and proud words of the priests, Lutreche did not change her expression or praise them.
"What absurd things you say,"
she remarked.
The smile she displayed for the first time was enchanting. With a sly smile, she quickly lost interest.
"Does it really take such a long time for the power of the Goddess of Time to purify the power of the Demon King's army? Several hundred years is by no means a short time."
Her words were provocative towards the priests and even towards the gods themselves. If it was ordinary people, they would have been enraged. However, standing before the priests was none other than Lutreche herself. Showing hostility would instinctively make them avoid her.
"That is... as mere mortals, we cannot debate the power of the gods..."
"Fufu, you call it great power when it cannot even be debated? It seems like a power that you do not truly understand."
They were like insects crawling on the cobblestone, easily crushed. The devout priests could only watch Lutreche leave, feeling pathetic.
"... I hate gods so much."
In a peaceful corner of this district, she spat out those words.
The temple of the war god in the imperial capital was quiet. The autumn dawn was slower to rise compared to summer, but the inside of the temple was not dark. The light from magic tools reflected off the polished stones that constructed the temple, casting a dim glow around.
On the stone tablet in front of her, letters appeared and emitted a radiant light, softly illuminating the surroundings.
- Fifth-ranked, White Dragon Princess Lutreche
Sword King Order
She, who saw the names of the five strongest individuals in the world, including herself, reflected in her eyes, displayed various emotions in her gaze. The reasons behind all these emotions were known only to her.
She had long forgotten the troubles she learned from the priests.
Clunk. A footsteps echoed inside the temple. Then...
"So you were here."
As Lutreche turned her back to the stone tablet, she heard a voice just as she was about to leave the temple.
"Are you the Third Prince?"
In her sight, there stood a young boy leaning against the pillars lining the wide corridor.
She didn't ask why the Third Prince was here at such an hour. Being called the Third Prince was something of the past, so Radius didn't mind.
"I'd like a little bit of your time. I want to talk."
"I'm sorry, but I don't have anything in particular to discuss."
"Even if it's about the Ashton family?"
A truly faint movement occurred this time. However, Radius didn't miss the slight change in Lutreche's eyebrows.
"I have frequently been reminded of what happened last summer. Not just this summer, but also the summer before."
"Enough with the prelude. Get to the point."
"Ah, then let's do that."
Radius remained leaning against the pillar and asked,.
"Do you have any thoughts about the Ashton family?"
Again, there was no response.
As Radius carefully observed her reaction, Lutreche showed no signs at all.
"About the knight serving the Clausel family..."
"What else?"
"Well, I don't really know much else."
At this point, it was unlikely that he would receive an answer. Radius knew that he couldn't expect any more from her.
And he couldn't give her any orders either. Lutreche, the Sword King, didn't serve anyone. She was akin to a mercenary lending her hand to Leomel by her own goodwill. She was an individual with an unreasonable power that could not be restrained by the authority of the Leomel Royal Family or anyone else in the world.
Lutreche lost interest and moved her feet again, crossing paths with Radius without even glancing at him.
"White Dragon Princess, why did you lend a hand to Ashton at the Great Clock Tower?"
She spoke without stopping her steps.
"I was merely curious about the rumored strength. I believe I mentioned the same answer before."
Once again, there were no further words, and she left the temple.
Radius, who had been leaning against the pillar with his arms crossed, not bidding farewell to her figure, looked at the stone tablet inscribed with the names of the ranking swordsmen.
"It's hard to believe that someone counted among the five strongest individuals in the world would take an interest in just one boy."
***
Roses Caitas.
It referred to the sanctuary of the Elfen Church that had been sealed for hundreds of years, located a distance away from the imperial capital of Leomel, reached by a magic ship.
This summer, the seal that had covered Roses Caitas was broken.
The event, which shocked Elfen followers all over the world, occurred during a festival held in the imperial capital for the students—the Lion King Festival.
As the choir offered their prayers through song, the incident happened immediately afterward, and the followers believed that their prayers had been answered.
But that was not the truth.
It all began when Ren and Licia were caught in the Time Cage, the seal that enveloped Roses Caitas, and then they defeated the general of the Demon King's army, causing the Time Cage to disappear.
The reason why they were caught in the Time Cage still remained a mystery.
Only a limited number of people knew these facts, and the ignorant priests continuously traveled from various parts of the Elfen continent.
September passed, and October began, but nothing had changed.
And there were the words spoken by the Sword Demon just before his death—the mention of a goddess descendant—and his obsession with Ashton.
Everything remained unclear, and Ren was trying to spend his autumn vacation in peace.
"Haa... haa...!"
Shortly after arriving in the imperial capital, Ren leaped out of the magic train and rushed to another platform.
Looking at his wristwatch, the time was ten minutes past ten in the morning. He was barely making it to the promised time of eleven o'clock.
『-Soon- the train will depart----』
The announcement for the magic train that Ren was planning to transfer to echoed on the platform.
Ren hurriedly moved his feet even faster, rushing through the crowded station filled with holiday-goers. Eventually, he managed to catch the magic train just in time and let out a sigh of relief.
He made it somehow.
As the calm Ren wiped the sweat that had formed on his forehead, the surrounding passengers were engaged in lively conversations, enjoying their holiday.
From the window of the magic train, the imperial capital on a holiday was clearly visible.
It was autumn, and people's attire had changed accordingly. The vibrant green adorning the street trees had faded, and although slightly melancholic, an atmosphere filled with emotions permeated the scenery.
Ren was also wearing a coat—a stylish one suitable for city dwellers, thinner than the ones worn in winter.
"Just in time... I guess."
As a precaution, he glanced at his watch once again. Since wearing a wristwatch would be bulky, he had placed a pocket watch in his breast pocket.
The sound of the magic train advancing along the tracks and the slight swaying motion.
Ren let out a sigh of relief and breathed once again.
