Volume 3 Chapter 2 The Right or Wrong of a Siege Doesn't Matter, Without Strength, It's All Meaningless
Holy Knight of the Church of Shinathica.
They were knights of the Church of Shinathica, based in the Great Church, wearing divine armor granted by the gods.
Their deployment kept the Theocracy Nation safe from monsters, with donations sent in exchange for their service.
This relationship between the Great Church and the Theocracy Nation had lasted for ages, and among the knights, those on the frontlines were, at the very least, strong.
Even if they wore spotless... yeah, the kind of armor that looks like it's never been used, they were still strong enough.
"So, you've finally shown yourself! The villain who will bring about the world's destruction!"
The man striding boldly through the shattered gate was dressed in white armor, adorned with jingling gold accessories.
He drew his sword and pointed its tip straight at Horace.
"I am Olvar, Captain of the Holy Knight Squad, 8th Division! I'll sever your head and stop the world's ruin!"
"...Holy Knight Squad, huh? I heard 1st Divisions through 3rd are the real deal, managed by a different department, but the rest are just a bunch of thugs."
"Who are you calling thugs, you villain! You have no right to speak to me, after using the Hero to cause chaos in the world!"
"Using the Hero to cause chaos... huh. Well, if the world's filled with scum like you, maybe it would've been better if the Demon Lord had taken over. After all, I did train the Hero who defeated that Demon Lord, so yeah, I guess causing chaos was part of the plan."
"Master, let's lay off the sarcasm. It's not going to get through."
"Yeah, you're right, Rangella."
Horace started walking toward Olvar.
"I'll erase you and protect the Hero. Prepare to be the rust on my sword!"
Olvar raised his sword and charged.
"...Just so you know, I'm a Golem Master. Let's start with me using my Golems."
Horace felt a mix of pity and disbelief.
He could have intimidated Olvar, but he just wasn't in the mood for that kind of thing.
He raised his right hand.
Gray magic spilled from his fingers, forming into the shape of a sword.
It was as if he simply "solidified the magic into a sword"──nothing more, nothing less.
"Dieeeeee!"
As Olvar swung down, Horace clashed his sword against it with all his might.
Suddenly, an impossible pressure hit Olvar's hands, making him stagger back.
"Tch, not bad for a villain... Wait, what?"
Olvar's eyes went wide in shock.
His sword... the blade had disappeared, leaving only the hilt and guard.
"Looking for this?"
"Huh?! Wh-What the──!?"
Olvar was shocked all over again.
In front of him, Horace was juggling the 8 pieces of the sword's blade.
"What's with the surprise? I'm dealing with someone whose reward has no limit. No matter what you throw at me, it was never going to be enough from the start."
"You... you bastard!"
"Ah, right, right."
Horace threw the 8 blades straight up with a powerful toss.
He jumped after them, rising into the air.
"You must've gotten the wrong idea when you felt 'strong resistance' in your hands, but the real 'hilt' is over here."
Horace revealed the hilt and guard, hidden behind his back, showing it to Olvar.
"Huh?"
In the next moment, Olvar's hand holding the hilt... wavered.
"Hiiiii!"
Olvar's legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground.
Ignoring him, Horace gripped the hilt, facing the guard upwards... Then, the 8 pieces of the blade fell back down, clanging loudly as they reformed into the sword.
Once it was all back together, Horace swung it a few times, nodding when he confirmed the blade wouldn't fall apart.
"Here, I'll give it back."
He tossed the sword, and it smoothly slid into the scabbard on Olvar's waist.
"Whoa! Hah, hah, what the hell are you?!"
"Just a Golem Master who learned a bit of swordplay from my father. Haven't seen him in 15 years, but back then, he used to pull off these kinds of 'street performances' all the time."
Horace spoke nostalgically, though the content clearly wouldn't be good for a child's education.
"T-To think, you've reached this level..."
"From what I'm seeing, you know I'm not the 'Golem Master causing trouble around town for you,' right?"
Step by step, Horace walked closer to Olvar.
He couldn't bring himself to leave the defeated Olvar.
"Wh-what? But you're the one controlling that golem! Even here, with this antenna, you can clearly make it move!"
Olvar yells, but his eyes are wandering.
It's like he's reciting 'lines he's prepared,' clearly showing 'he knows the truth.'
"...And an antenna has to 'meet the specs.' This one only responds to 'iron.' Next time, make the golem out of iron, not stone."
"Huh?"
"I'm saying your plan is full of holes."
Horace looks down at Olvar as he approaches him.
"Hmm... I don't know how much 'higher up' you can go, but just remember, 'there was nothing I could do.'"
"Wh-what are you talking about!"
"You're better off not knowing. Stick your nose too deep, and you might get 'deleted.' Remember, 3 years ago, the 6th squad captain got 'deleted.' Maybe that's the cause."
"..."
Olvar's face turns deathly pale.
No one knows what he's remembered.
But one thing's for sure, something 'terrible' happened.
"Get out of here. You're not strong enough. You're nothing."
Bit by bit, the pressure builds.
Feeling that oppressive force growing stronger, Olvar jumps and flees.
"Guh, damn it! Remember this! I'll make you regret ever challenging the Church of Shinathica!"
Olvar shouts as he leaves through the broken gate.
His men follow in a panic, retreating as well.
"Phew..."
Horace approaches the gate and taps his right foot on the ground.
With that alone, the ground shifts, and the gate repairs itself at high speed.
"Utterly exhausting. Troublesome. This is..."
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