Chapter 87
The black energy mass seemed to have exploded, but it was still there—【All Creation】 couldn't tell me anything more because it was too far away.
I couldn't leave it alone.
My right hand, which I'd used to smash it with the stone, was bleeding where tiny shards had pierced it after the stone shattered, so I used 【Convenient】 to produce water and wash them away—aaah, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts so baaad—then used 【Healing Magic】 to treat the wound. Ah, the stone is gone, but... the count will do something about it, right...?
"Your Majesty, Your Excellency, please remain here, both of you."
"Are you going?"
"Yes, sir."
"That is the Knights' job from here on."
"The young lady told me to protect everyone."
Was I wrong to answer that way? The Holy King twisted his mouth into a feral smile.
"Take this."
The knife tossed to me was the same old knife El-san had handed the Holy King. It was single-edged, its blade curved but unsharpened—a ritual knife.
【All Creation】 told me it was an unbelievably old object.
Other than that, it looked like an ordinary antique.
"Then, I shall be off."
"Yes."
The Holy King nodded, and the Margrave raised one hand slightly. I cast a brief glance at young Louis's corpse, then ran off. In my place, the Holy King's Knights came over to where the Holy King and the others were.
(I can't believe that boy is dead...)
I had attended tea parties as the young lady's bodyguard, so I'd come face-to-face with Louis many times. He was just an ordinary boy—the sort who'd burn with jealousy over me being the young lady's bodyguard and staying with her around the clock.
(He shouldn't have had to die here.)
I clenched the knife.
I'll make that black energy vanish without a trace.
＊ Holy King ＊
The knights came hurrying over and called out to him with concern, but the Holy King waved them away irritably with one hand, then turned toward his ally standing nearby.
"Margrave... what are you thinking?"
Margrave Mule's noble attire was torn in several places, and blood was flowing from the wounds. That was probably because of the Mediator's attacks he had failed to evade. The tear at the base of his sleeve was likely from forcing himself to move.
"That boy struck an object launched at that speed."
"...Yes."
"Can you do it, Your Majesty?"
"There's no way in hell I can."
Even the two of them could barely do more than track the energy mass with their eyes; catching it would have been one thing, but honestly, landing a hit on it from the side was beyond them.
"Hmm... Could he perhaps become my Mira's husband...?"
"What?! Are you, by any chance, planning to keep that brat in your territory?!"
"There are never enough skilled people in my territory."
"Then the Holy Capital, obviously. This is the capital of the Holy Kingdom."
"I see—if word gets out that 【Holy Swordsmanship】 has been lost, some people may start making moves."
The Holy King pressed his right hand to his temple.
"Don't say that. Damn it. It's nothing but headaches."
The Margrave looked at the Holy King and gave a muffled chuckle.
"It's no laughing matter. If the country falls into chaos, your territory will feel the repercussions too."
"Indeed. But not everything is a headache."
"Huh?"
"Take a look."
The Margrave pointed to the nobles who had taken shelter away from the temple grounds, and to the boys and girls who had been the stars of today's ceremony.
Some children were being held tightly by their parents, others were crying while their heads were being patted, and Count Slyries, Reiji's employer, was talking to his daughter Eva—though even the Holy King could never have imagined that he was giving her the Talent Jewel of 【Magic Manipulation】.
What caught the Holy King's eye instead was Kurvshrat and Mira running toward them.
"We somehow managed to protect those children."
"...I suppose we did."
The Holy King let out a small sigh.
"Margrave."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"If I lose my way again... slap me across the face if you have to and put me back on the right path."
Though the Margrave was as large as a bear, the smile he showed at those words was like a boy's.
"I'll give you one hell of a beating, so be ready, Grenjeed."
The two of them lightly bumped their right fists together.
＊ ＊
I burst out of the Holy King's Palace and entered the First Holy District. Several officials had gathered at the spot gouged out by the energy mass. Following its trail, I reached "Wall 2."
"What is this...!"
The wall had collapsed across a stretch of several dozen meters. I couldn't tell whose noble estate it was, but it had taken a direct hit; the estate was half-destroyed, and rubble lay scattered across its vast garden.
Dust swirled through the air, making it hard to see. I could hear people calling for help and others crying.
(Damn it.)
It was good that I'd managed to divert the energy mass back there, but someone might have been injured—or even killed—as a result. Thinking that, a murky unease spread through my heart like ink dropped into water.
"W-what is this?"
The voice that came from behind me was familiar.
"—You're the cleaning boy-kun?"
Arteur-sama was there, leading the Second Squad of the Holy King's Knights.
"Perfect timing. It looks like the estate over there collapsed and people were injured, so we need the Knights' help!"
"What?! This is the Riviere family's estate!"
The Riviere family was one of the Six Great Ducal Families, if I remembered correctly.
"Everyone, did you hear me? We're going in to begin rescue operations!"
This was a huge help. In situations like this, manpower was absolutely crucial.
I suddenly remembered that Arteur-sama had been young Louis's guard, but I said nothing. There was no point in bringing it up now.
In the meantime, I headed toward the middle of the spacious garden, in the direction of the black energy I could still sense.
The well-tended lawn stretched wide, with shrubs scattered throughout. Now, however, earth and rubble covered it, and the magnificent landscaping was barely recognizable.
At its center was that thing.
(How ominous.)
The black, flame-like energy stood there, rising straight up. It was much taller than I was—roughly three meters high and two meters wide.
As I gripped the old knife, I saw a gigantic shadow beyond the flames.