That’s even cheaper than tongs. I should have just commissioned a sword in Marzen from the start. The price of the sword kept irritating Rowy. Van was still subtly urging him to get a refund from the side. Hmph. Avoiding Van, Rowy turned his head away. Just then, dessert was delivered between the two of them. They were small cakes. The wine they had declined also came with it.
“You can’t have it.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
Van moved the wine far away and pulled the dessert in front of Rowy. Rowy listlessly stirred it before putting down his fork. It was all dried up and shriveled, so he had no desire to eat it.
‘They said they’d bring it from a dessert shop.’
What dessert shop—it looked like they’d brought something made a very long time ago. Van, who had been gauging Rowy’s displeased reaction, ate all the cakes instead. Rowy just wanted to go back quickly and sleep now. Whether the payment was taking a long time or not, there was still no news about the Holy Sword. Rowy, who yawned softly, opened his mouth.
“I’ve never heard of a Holy Sword before.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. I’ve never been to Elysion Temple.”
“Most people would be the same. There are the most Solanis temples on the continent, after all.”
Of course, he’d barely been to Solanis temples either. When he was young, so… when he was about ten, that first visit was also his last. Rowy searched his memory. Hmm, he didn’t really pray then either, it seemed. Then and now, Rowy had nothing in particular to ask of the gods. In the first place, they don’t really exist anyway. Things like gods.
“I don’t believe in gods.”
“That’s because you’re a mage.”
Right. Mages don’t believe in gods. To those who understand everything in the world through mana, the existence of gods was an inexplicable domain. Perhaps it was just a refuge for the heart that those who need something to lean on seek.
There were stories passed down that in ancient times, priests used divine power, but current priests only offered prayers in the name of blessings. And Rowy didn’t believe in the efficacy of those blessings either.
‘They just give well-wishes.’
Rowy had cynical thoughts inwardly. Still, he didn’t show it. The man before him seemed to believe in the gods more deeply than expected.
Throughout the sleepless night, Van, who had kept watch by his side, continuously prayed for Rowy in a low voice. Even while half-asleep, Rowy didn’t miss that sound.
‘O Elion.’
It was definitely Elion. If Van was a believer of Elysion, and considering the meaning that Holy Sword held… He couldn’t forget Van’s serious face as he looked at the sword. Hmph, what refund.
“Why do you believe in the gods, Van?”
At Rowy’s sudden question, Van looked at Rowy.
“Well…”
If you ask why he believes in the gods… it would be because all of these circumstances are divine arrangement. Even this moment of sitting face to face waiting for the Holy Sword. However, Van didn’t voice those words.
Even if Rowy denied the gods, the gods existed, and so he didn’t want to argue with Rowy over something so natural. Van knew well how mages thought about the gods. The battle mage who had fought alongside the Holy Knights to kill demons endlessly doubted the gods even when seeing miracles performed before his very eyes. Even until the moment of death.
‘If gods exist, I’ll be able to confirm it now.’
Those were that mage’s last words. Are all mages like this? He had just met two mages, so he couldn’t be certain. In any case, Van had no intention of forcing belief just because Rowy didn’t believe in the gods. If Rowy didn’t believe in the gods, Van could just pray double, for Rowy’s share too. Instead of testifying to his faith, Van brought up a story Rowy could accept.
“Demons that come to earth merely return to hell, they don’t die. The only method that can turn their very existence to nothing is precisely the Holy Sword Ignis. That’s enough to feel the existence of the gods.”
Certainly. Demons don’t die. Rowy knew this well too. If something could lead demons to death, it would be certain that some kind of power was at work. Whether it was gods or whatever.
“A sword that kills demons…”
Rowy, who was born a mage, enjoyed understanding and defining everything in the world. Naturally, Rowy felt deep interest in the Holy Sword as well.
“Does that Holy Sword really have magic-like power? Or that jewel they called a sealing stone? Is a demon really sealed in there?”
“Both help in stopping demons, but the direct power that drives demons to death is holy flames. Only the sword’s true master can summon holy flames.”
“You burn demons to death with fire?”
“Precisely, it’s fire imbued with divine power. Demons don’t die from ordinary fire, after all.”
Very detailed explanations poured out from Van. As expected, he must be a believer of Elysion.
“You know a lot…”
Well. Because he’s the person who knows the most about the Holy Sword. The former Holy Knight Commander, Van, who didn’t add any more words, shrugged his shoulders.
“But that sword looked kind of ominous. I felt strange looking at it.”
“Since it’s a sword that has killed numerous demons, its aura would be different from ordinary Holy Relics.”
“Mmm.”
Rowy, who had never seen ordinary Holy Relics either, nodded roughly. Still, his doubts weren’t resolved. A sword that kills demons? He still didn’t understand what principle it worked on.
“I don’t really get it. I’ve never seen gods either.”
“I don’t think anyone has directly seen the gods.”
“How can you believe without seeing them?”
Rowy tilted his head. Van carefully swept back the hair flowing with Rowy’s head movements. It was an affectionate touch.
“Because there are things that exist even if they’re not visible.”
That voice saying so reminded him of Van reciting prayers all night, and Rowy momentarily forgot what to say and closed his mouth tightly.
* * *
“But why is it taking so long?”
“Right. They took the money and ran.”
Ran away with five billion Cen…? Van’s face instantly turned pale. Of course, Rowy had been joking. This wasn’t just some ordinary black market, and such a thing couldn’t happen at an official auction house dealing with nobles. Rowy shook the bell to call the guide. However, the firmly closed door showed no signs of opening.
“Something’s wrong.”
“Let’s go out.”
“Stay behind me.”
Van, who grabbed Rowy as he immediately got up and positioned him behind himself, carefully opened the door.
“What is it?”
It had been quite a while since the auction ended, and all the customers had already returned. Even so, this silence was strange. There had definitely been several auction house staff and those in charge of security in the corridor, but now there was no one.
“I hear sounds from below.”
“I don’t hear anything.”
Rowy grumbled. Van listened carefully while holding Rowy tightly. Urgent footsteps, shouts, and… the smell of blood.
“It seems a fight has broken out.”
“Let’s go see.”
Rowy stepped forward right away. Van pulled Rowy back.
“It’s dangerous.”
Van shook his head with a serious face. Although they had covered their faces, you could tell just by looking at their bearing that most of the customers at this auction house were nobles. In a place dealing with nobles like this, for something to have happened that prevented them from paying attention to a customer like Rowy who had paid such a large sum was strange.
Something bigger than expected must have happened. He couldn’t take someone so flighty to such a place. If he got hit by a blind attack, or if someone targeted this person. Van gripped his sword tightly.
“What is it? Who’s fighting?”
Even though his face looking outside repeatedly with sparkling eyes was covered by a mask, you could tell he was completely excited. Rowy clearly wasn’t thinking at all about being in danger.
‘I’m supposed to fight while protecting this thoughtless child?’
What if something goes wrong? Then what? The former Holy Knight Commander rapidly lost confidence in his own skills and fell into fear. However, there was no time to worry. The sounds were getting closer and closer. Van, with a hardened face, completely hid Rowy behind his back.
“Customer! Please come this way quickly!”
The one who appeared before the tense two was the guide. Van inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
“What’s going on?”
“Strange bastards attacked! They’re after the Holy Sword… We’re blocking them right now, but there’s a strange guy mixed in… Anyway, please come this way! I’ll guide you to a shelter!”
“Where is the Holy Sword?”
“The Holy Sword is in a safe place! Anyway, if they don’t have the key, they can’t open it, so those bastards won’t be able to do anything. We’ve already reported to the knight order, so if we just hold out until they come…”
This is absurd. How dare they invade the Veloa Trading Company! The excited guide rambled on. However, Van and Rowy had no reaction to the guide’s words.
“Where is the Holy Sword?”
Those wearing black robes were already setting foot at the end of the corridor.
