17 Get ready. (1/2)
The city of Engay. In a room of an inn, the members of the Knights of the End are gathered.
The Knights of the End is a fighting group formed to fight the darkness. Despite its name, the Knights of the End do not belong to any country, but travel around the world in order to destroy the enemies that avenge humans.
Its members are known to be elite, and even the lowest-ranking member of the three levels of ability is as powerful as a first-rate mercenary.
It is too much for a mere mortal to deal with the dark spires. The Knights of the End are the last bastion of humanity, and that's why their names are often mentioned as heroes in fairy tales.
The center of the room. In the center of the room, an old man sits deep in a comfortable easy chair.
His face was deeply wrinkled and his hair was dyed white, but the body that he had trained over the years was still intact, and those who looked at him would feel as if they were dreaming of the immense power that resided in his body.
In fact, the old man was a first-class knight, one of only a handful in the Knights of the End - the leader of those who had come to Engay this time.
He is a key figure of light who boasts absolute authority and power among the Knights, and has protected humanity from calamity many times before.
Epe of Annihilation.
It's a good thing that you're not the only one who has a problem with this.
I'm sure ...... you haven't found him yet. Holos Kamen.
”Second class indeed. I'm sure he's in the woods,......, but the art of the ”fujin meido” is strong. There are no flaws.
It'll take time to do it the right way. We can't do it.
One of his students, Lefley, who always leads the group with a cheerful mood, cowers at his master's words, and Nevilla, who has a bad temper, clicks his tongue.
A good sorcerer will be able to cover techniques in fields other than his specialty. In particular, forbidden sorcerers tended to be skilled in the art of concealment.
The Knights of the Apocalypse are no strangers to magic, but they are certainly a step behind the mages who are skilled enough to break the taboos.
The ”Pallbearer's Maze” is an advanced warding spell of the illusion type that conjures up those who enter a specific area and causes them to wander in a natural way.
It is difficult to break through from the front. On the other hand, the wards have a weakness in that they do not work if they are guided by someone who knows the way.
At the report of his disciples, Epe narrowed his eyes and said in a low voice.
”Horos is dangerous. He's slipped through our hands many times before. We must destroy him before he reaches the first level.
Just as the members of the Knights of the End were divided into three ranks, the Knights of the End divided their natural enemies, the necromancers, into three ranks.
Horus Karmen is classified as second class, while the first class is a kind of evil god beyond humanity. The second level was an extremely dangerous level of magician.
Of course, there was no way they could be defeated, but depending on how they did it, there was a possibility that a few third level knights would be killed.
But Epe smiled warmly, as if to change the atmosphere up to that point. There was a glimpse of absolute confidence.
First-class knights, who are few in number, have other important duties in addition to conquering the darkness.
To pass on their power and experience to the next generation.
He looked at the youngest girl, who had been listening to him without saying a word.
”Senri, you're in charge, as planned. You will join Lefley and the others in defeating Horus. Can you do that?
”...... Yes. Master.
A second level sorcerer is a pretty big deal. They're better than first level, of course, but you don't see them very often.
Senri's voice was unfazed as he accepted the nomination. Her violet eyes were unclouded as she looked back at Epe.
Epe nodded his head in satisfaction.
”It's okay, Senri. You're still young, but your power is close to first-rate even at this stage. In particular, the strength of your blessing is among the best of all the knights of the past.
An honorable soul. Sword Princess of Light. Blessed by the god of all things from birth. Senri Sylvis.
A talent that stands out even among the elite Knights of the End.
In particular, his blessing, which is directly related to his ability to exorcise darkness, or as necromancers call it, positive energy, is stronger than any apprentice Epe has ever had.
The end knight increases the power of the blessing through rigorous training and mental unification, but Senri had an impossibly strong blessing when Epe recruited him. And the power of light has reached a higher level as he has grown.
He was truly born to be a Knight of the End. With experience, he will undoubtedly become a knight who surpasses even Epe, a first-class knight.
The difference in talent is so great that I can't help but feel jealous.
The opponent is quite powerful even among second class knights, but if you challenge him with your friends, you will surely defeat him. I'm going to recommend Senri to ...... be a first class knight for his efforts in defeating Horus.
What? It's not a problem that I'm still ......
It doesn't matter if you're weak. I've been a first-class knight for thirty years, so there's no point in comparing me to you, and you'll catch up soon enough. I see a natural talent in your swordsmanship, and I don't need to argue about the strength of your blessing. The only thing I'm worried about is - listen up. Senri's ...... naivety. The necromancer is cunning.
Senri nodded at Epe's words with a serious expression. The other members of the group are also looking at their respected mentor with serious expressions.
Looking straight ahead, Senri asserts in a cold voice.
There is no problem. I have seen many tragic scenes in my life. They are the ones who will avenge humanity. The blessing imposed on me is to put them to death and give redemption to the souls tainted by them.
”...... Senri's kindness and righteousness is both a strength and a weakness. But it's a path we all take. You cannot be a first class knight without hardship and struggle.
”Leave it to me, Master. Senri may still be a bit naive at times, but we've got your back. We may not be as strong as the Blessing, but we have more experience fighting the darkness. We can make up for what we lack.
Lefley, who was standing next to Senri, stepped forward and clapped him on the chest.
The other members all nodded their heads in agreement.
Seeing this, Epe nodded in satisfaction. He crossed his long legs and looked at Senri intently.
Even a necromancer can't live alone. Powerful magic requires a valuable catalyst. There's no doubt Horus has help in this city. This is Senri. This is your ............ job. I will advise you if you ask, but I will not interfere directly.
”Yes, Master.
But you're not first class yet. I'll be right behind you. It will take time to gather the power of death to become first class. ...... In the unlikely event that Horus has reached that point, report it to me.
With Epe's and his master's words deeply etched in his mind, Senri left the room with his companions to resume their investigation.
§§
While Senri was checking his equipment at the base, Nevira called out to him.
He is a long-haired man with a mace as his primary weapon, and is in charge of the vanguard of the group who look up to Epe as their teacher.
”Senri, we should blow the wards off the forest. With your blessing, you can do that. The Fugitive's Maze is a powerful but delicate ward, and the slightest disruption to its composition can destroy it.
I've told you many times, it's a ...... last resort. If you make a ruckus in the forest, the hexenbiest that escaped might attack the city.
That's what I'm saying, Master is naive. It's true that there will be damage, but it's much better than a second-rate necromancer.
Nevira snapped her teeth and looked down at Senri.
Senri and Nevira are not on the same page. But she does have a point, Senri thinks.