Volume 6 Chapter 60 Side Braver Xvi ── And Holy Sword
In a time of urgency, it was fortunate that just before this, Relix and others had reported to the king.
Upon realizing the situation, the king swiftly organized personnel to move to the ruins.
Accompanied by the hastily assembled soldiers under the king's decree, they headed toward the ruins, where a swarm of monsters awaited.
After defeating a certain number of them, Relix left the soldiers to handle the rest and proceeded deeper into the ruins.
And there awaited 2 demons (mazoku), Bael and Weiss.
"I've heard of the ongoing dark activities by demons across various regions. However, it is true that due to the long-lasting peace, we could not fully grasp the sense of crisis. If we had considered it even slightly, we could have taken numerous countermeasures."
"Yet, a single wicked demon possesses extraordinary power. If there are 2, even with full defenses, significant damage would be unavoidable. It is highly likely that the treasure has already been stolen. Do not let this bring you down."
Shion's argument is merely a 'what if' scenario and serves only as a comfort.
However, if the king only laments, the discussion will not progress, so he strung together words to maintain calm, even if just on the surface.
Mayuri and Shion speculated that the demons devised such a convoluted plan, considering that the Brave would pass through this country on their journey.
Perhaps the defenses of the ruins housing the treasure were difficult to breach, even for demons.
And if they attempted an attack, it would be easy to imagine that urgent news would reach the Brave.
In that case, the acquisition of the treasure would become difficult.
If by any chance they failed to steal it, and if the King of Lunatis entrusted the treasure to the Brave, it would become even harder to take.
It is unclear if they thought that far ahead, but to ensure the acquisition of the treasure, the demons summoned monsters frequently through their summoning circles to prevent the Brave from quickly coming to Lunatis.
"King, we left off in the middle of our discussion before, but please tell me again. What was that treasure taken by the demon?"
Mayuri's question made the king ponder.
She had asked the same question just before the demon attack, but the king still showed signs of confusion.
It seemed to be an old custom that had faded, but this incident made him realize it was not just a legend.
The king fell silent for a moment, but eventually opened his heavy mouth.
"Have you heard of the country 'Sanmoto'?"
"I believe it is a small country surrounded by the sea."
"It has been cut off for a long time, but once there were diplomatic relations between Lunatia and Sanmoto. The treasure that was stolen, 'Keystone of the Hour (Kokugen no Kaname),' was entrusted through that connection."
'Keystone of the Hour' itself is just an old dagger.
However, according to the legends of the Lunatia royal family, it is the key needed to release 'something' sealed in Sanmoto.
"Unfortunately, we do not know what is sealed by 'Keystone of the Hour.' Scholars speculate that perhaps they feared leaving a name for future generations, and intentionally let it fade into obscurity."
What is certain is only the fact that there is 'something' in Sanmoto.
"If the seal is broken, it is said that an extraordinary calamity will be unleashed. The specific details have indeed been lost, but records indicate it could be comparable to the resurrection of the Demon King."
The king's ominous words made not only Relix and others, but also the vassals present, hold their breath.
It could be taken as mere mockery, but the fact that it was the demons themselves who took it weighed heavily.
Whether it truly is a calamity on par with the resurrection of the Demon King or not, everyone couldn't help but feel a sense of crisis, knowing it could cause immense damage.
"If it was such a dangerous item, shouldn't you have destroyed it quickly? Without that Keystone of the Hour, it would be impossible to break the seal."
Gabert proposed a rough but clear solution, but the king shook his head.
"How wonderful it would be if things could be resolved with such simple means. I have tried to destroy the core several times in the past, but all ended in failure."
Some say it was submerged in the depths of unreachable waters or the lava of a fire-breathing mountain, yet the 'Keystone of the Hour' flowed to Sanmoto as if drawn to it.
It was as if the sealed object and the Keystone of the Hour were attracted to each other.
"Thus, it was necessary to keep it in a place away from Sanmoto, yet within sight. At that time, Lunatia, which still had diplomatic relations, took on that role."
As time passed, the connection with Sanmoto faded and eventually was cut off, yet Lunatia continued to guard the sacred treasure entrusted to them from his country.
"This is due to my misdeeds, leading to such a situation..."
The king let out a deep sigh of regret, the number of times unknown.
The atmosphere in the audience chamber grew uneasy, shared by the vassals.
Even if they did not know the legends themselves, the results of underestimating customs cannot be denied, as they had taken the guardianship of the ruins housing the Keystone of the Hour lightly.
"The seal has not yet been broken."
Relix's dignified voice dispersed the unsettling air.
The voice of Brave, the wielder of the Holy Sword, held meaning simply by being spoken.
As everyone listened, Gabert continued with enthusiasm.
"If we can reclaim the 'Keystone of the Hour' from the demons before the seal is broken, everything will be resolved."
Shion and Mayuri nodded in agreement.
"Fortunately, we can assume the demon holding the Keystone of the Hour is heading towards Sanmoto."
"If the tale of disaster is true, there should be legends about the seal remaining in Sanmoto. Therefore, there should also be guardians to protect it. It is hard to believe the seal could be broken overnight."
While the king of Lunatis were overcome with grief, Relix and his friends were already moving on to their next action.
"I'd like to say let's get going right away, but rushing can lead to mistakes. For now, let's focus on helping Relix and Gabert recover."
"If that's the case, then we, who only consume magic, should secure a fast way to travel while their injuries heal."
The Braves were quickly coming up with a plan for their next steps, which made the king panic and interrupt them.
"But, it's originally our responsibility to handle this. We shouldn't bother the Braves with it."
"We can't just leave behind a disaster like the Demon King's revival. Plus, since the key to breaking the seal has fallen into demon hands, it's not like it's unrelated to our journey,"
──They were the kind of people who never lost hope, no matter the situation, and who gave courage to those around them.
──They took the helping hands that were offered to them and eased their silent sorrow.
──This was what it meant to be a Brave, and everyone realized it once again.
If that was the case, then those who had received help shouldn't just sit back and do nothing.
The throne room, which had been filled with desperation, was now filled with the passion of courage.
"We'll do our best to help with transportation. We'll also contact the neighboring countries and secure the road to Sanmoto. As it's help for the Braves, the other countries shouldn't ignore it."
The king pushed aside his past regrets and started to look towards the future.
The situation was still not good, but it hadn't reached the worst possible outcome.
He realized that there was still a way to do something about it.
"If there's anything else you need, we'll cooperate as much as possible within the limits of Lunatis' power,"
"Thank you for your help, King of Lunatis."
"It's nothing. Considering our past mistakes, it's the least we can do."
The king, who had been feeling heavy-hearted, stood up and walked over to Relix, taking his hand.
"Please, I'm sorry to push this responsibility onto you, but I'm counting on you to retrieve the 'Keystone of the Hour' that was entrusted to Sanmoto."
"We'll do our best to make it happen,"
Relix received the king's sincere request and nodded strongly in response.
────────
Holy Sword Leiva thinks.
'My master is indeed worried about that Hero.'
Relix, who encouraged the anxious people of Lunatis and lifted them from their sorrow.
His figure is nothing less than that of a 'brave one.'
However, deep within, Leiva noticed the emotions that existed.
The words exchanged with the demon deep in the ruins still smolder in Relix's heart.
Yukina, a friend from the same hometown, was known to Leiva as well.
An ordinary human compared to Relix, yet he wielded the 'Black Spear (Gram).
At first, it was merely that level of recognition.
That black spear (Gram) is rough and barbaric compared to the Holy Sword (Leiva).
Even when the master heads into danger, he does not stop him, instead gleefully cheering him on in wickedness.
The wielder thought he would soon die on the battlefield.
But, before long, that man swung the black spear's 'Great Magic Blade' faster than Brave could unleash the 'Holy Flame Blade,' always revealing his presence before Brave.
Relix is a man who embodies proper conduct.
He treats everyone equally, has a strong sense of justice, and cannot help but aid those suffering from unreasonable malice.
He is truly a person worthy of being called Brave.
The past Brave who wielded Leiva were precisely like that.
They governed the chaos of the world that began with the revival of the Demon King, protecting the order and peace of the world.
Following their example, Leiva was certain that Relix would surely become a Brave remembered by future generations.
'Never would I have thought that Brave and Hero would stand side by side in this age.'
However, what was abnormal for the current Brave (Relix) was precisely the existence of the 'Hero.'
Whether intentional or not is unclear, but everywhere Relix went, the shadow of that man carrying the black spear flickered.
Even a small ember, if many are burned, will eventually turn into a raging fire.
Leiva felt that the numerous actions of the Hero were quietly, yet surely igniting the 'kindling' within the Brave that should have been suppressed.
A Brave who exerts his power in response to everyone's demands.
A Hero is one who wields power in response to their own desires.
Despite their opposing natures, many are moved and follow behind them.
If such a being were to appear in the same world and era...
It is certain──.
'I can only hope that, before the "spark" of my Master settles, we do not meet the Hero.'
────It did not take long for Leiva's wish to crumble away.
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