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Chapter 264: The Descent of the Holy Sword (4)

Ketal had an extremely peculiar expression, and it was no wonder.

Because everything Pasika was talking about was something Ketal himself had done.

"...Is that so?"

As Ketal seemed to show interest, Pasika excitedly continued.

"Although the identity is unknown, it probably isn’t someone who was already famous across the continent. If that were the case, there would be no reason for their identity to remain hidden."

In other words, it was a new powerful figure.

Pasika murmured in wonder.

"Where could such a powerful figure have suddenly appeared from?"

"...Interesting."

"It\'s fascinating that someone like that has appeared in these chaotic times to help us. From humanity\'s perspective, it\'s a great thing."

"Is that so."

Ketal repeated the same words.

"Is this widely known?"

"It’s not that widespread yet. I only managed to hear about it thanks to my informant. But it’s gradually spreading."

If someone had an informant, they might know about Ketal as well.

Ketal stroked his chin.

This was different from before.

In a true sense, his name, the things he had done, were spreading across the entire continent.

His name was becoming known across the continent.

It was a strange sensation.

Considering what he had done, it should have happened much sooner, but due to the information manipulation by the Tower Master, his name had remained hidden.

But that was now unraveling.

Soon, people would start to learn about Ketal.

Even ordinary people across the continent who had no connection to him would come to know the name Ketal.

\'Is this what it feels like?\'

This was his fame.

It wasn’t a bad feeling.

Ketal smiled.

"Thanks for the valuable information."

"Don\'t mention it. It’s nothing, just a coincidence."

Pasika waved his hand as if it was nothing.

Then, as if he had just remembered something, he asked.

"Come to think of it, I never asked. Ketal, do you belong to any organization?"

"Belong to an organization?"

After a moment of contemplation, Ketal replied.

"Not really. If I had to say, I suppose I’m a mercenary."

"A mercenary, huh?"

At those words, Pasika’s smile grew wider.

"That’s similar to me. I don\'t really belong to any organization either. If anything, it would be my family."

"Your family? So, you’re a noble?"

"Haha. Something like that. Though whether I’ll inherit the family or not is still up in the air."

Pasika murmured in a strange tone, as if hiding something.

He seemed to want to continue talking about something.

But his words were cut short.

Because at that moment, the door to the sanctuary opened.

Creeeeak.

The sound was very quiet, but everyone could clearly hear it, even amid the noisy crowd.

In an instant, silence fell.

Clank.

From the opened door, holy knights appeared in a line.

They stood in formation, creating a path.

And through that path, a middle-aged man appeared.

The man opened his mouth, his voice calm yet resonating across the entire plain, filled with mystery.

"Greetings, everyone. I am Kretein, the leader of the Holy Knights of the God of Swords, Elia."

"Ooooh!"

"Kretien!"

Sounds of murmuring arose as some recognized the name.

The leader of the Holy Knights serving the God of Swords, Elia.

Kretein was a widely renowned figure, possessing upper-tier superhuman strength.

A light of admiration shone in people’s eyes.

Kretein spoke.

"First, thank you all for coming here. I assume everyone present has come to claim the Holy Sword."

"Yes!"

Someone shouted.

A roar of agreement followed.

Excitement filled the faces of the people.

Kretein smiled faintly.

"Indeed. The Holy Sword you seek is here. Among the many who have come, only one will be able to draw the sword and become a hero, leaving their name in history."

Kretien spoke softly.

"And I am certain that one of you here will become the owner of the Holy Sword."

The faces of the people flushed with excitement, dreams, desires, and confidence mixing together.

Kretein spread his arms wide.

"This is the Holy Sword Festival, which comes only once every few centuries!"

Pop! Pop! Pop!

Fireworks exploded above the sanctuary.

Kretein shouted loudly.

"The opportunity to become a hero is open to all of you! Prove yourselves! Pass the Trial of the Sword! And seize the Holy Sword! Enter the sanctuary of Elia!"

"Waaaaaaaah!"

A thunderous cheer erupted, shaking the earth.

* * *

"I-I’m going first!"

"No, I’m going first!"

People rushed towards the entrance of the sanctuary, like a chaotic market.

"It would be better to talk inside. With so many people here, if we don’t get in line now, who knows when we’ll be able to enter."

"…Let’s do that."

Pasika nodded, clicking his tongue regretfully.

They headed toward the entrance of the sanctuary.

Since they were relatively close to the entrance, they reached it without much waiting.

There, the holy knights were verifying people\'s identities and conducting inspections.

Pasika stepped forward first.

A holy knight asked him.

"What is your name?"

"Pasika."

"Do you have any identification?"

"Here it is."

Pasika pulled out a badge and showed it to the holy knight.

The knight examined it briefly, and his eyes widened.

"…Confirmed. Please take this."

The holy knight handed Pasika a silver badge.

Unlike the wooden badges others had received, Pasika’s badge was made of silver.

The clear difference caused murmurs among the crowd.

Pasika seemed to enjoy the attention and glanced at Ketal as if to say, ‘How do you like that?’

"This proves that you are an invited guest. Please don’t lose it."

"I understand. See you inside, Ketal."

"Yes, see you inside."

Ketal smiled and waved him off.

Pasika entered the sanctuary.

Ketal was next.

The holy knight, seeing Ketal\'s large stature, flinched and then asked with a cough.

"What is your name?"

"Ketal."

"…Ketal?"

The holy knight repeated the name, as if it sounded familiar.

He scrutinized Ketal\'s entire figure and spoke with a suspicious tone.

"…Do you have any identification?"

"Here it is."

Ketal handed over his C-rank mercenary badge first.

The holy knight accepted it without much change in expression.

"And I also have this."

Next, Ketal presented the seal of Kalosia.

The holy knight\'s eyes widened as he examined the insignia.

"T-The Seal of Hundredfold!"

He quickly looked up at Ketal.

A barbarian appearance.

The name Ketal.

The Seal of Hundredfold from Kalosia.

"C-Could you be that Ketal?"

"I have yet to meet another who bears the name Ketal."

"…Please wait here for a moment."

The holy knight hurriedly ran into the sanctuary.

The people waiting around were puzzled by his actions.

"What’s going on?"

"Why did he suddenly run off?"

Soon after, the commander of the holy knights, Kretein, appeared.

He looked at Ketal and swallowed hard.

"...It\'s a pleasure to meet you, Ketal. Welcome to our sanctuary."

Kretein bowed politely, and the onlookers held their breath.

"Wha—?"

"Kr-Kretein, sir?"

Kretein was a figure with superhuman strength, one of the most renowned warriors on the continent.

Yet, here he was, greeting a barbarian with utmost respect, lowering himself before him.

This clearly indicated that the barbarian before them was someone worthy of such deference.

"Who... who is that?"

"He\'s bowing to a barbarian? Is he some kind of king from the North?"

The crowd murmured, curious about Ketal\'s identity.

Ketal opened his mouth to speak.

"It seems you know who I am."

"How could I not? You must be here to draw the holy sword, correct?"

"I\'m interested. Am I allowed to enter?"

"If you\'ve come for the holy sword, there\'s no reason to refuse you. You\'re welcome here. Please accept this."

Kretein handed Ketal a token, different from the one Pasika received.

It wasn\'t made of iron but of gold—a golden token.

Even the token itself seemed highly valuable.

The crowd held their breath as Kretein emphasized.

"Please be sure not to lose this. Now, please, go ahead."

Kretein remained courteous to the end.

The others watched, puzzled, as Ketal made his way into the sanctuary.

Once inside, Ketal leisurely looked around.

Pasika was nowhere to be seen, probably having already entered.

\'I suppose we\'ll meet again as I wander around.\'

Left alone, Ketal began walking.

"Well then..."

Time to enjoy the festival.

He moved forward lightly.

* * *

When Kretein mentioned the festival, it turned out he was not exaggerating.

The sanctuary was indeed brimming with a festive atmosphere, not the solemn and subdued mood one might expect.

People were chatting noisily, and the buildings were adorned to match the lively vibe.

The streets were lined with stalls selling various ornaments and souvenirs.

It truly looked like a modern festival.

Ketal enjoyed exploring the sanctuary.

As he walked on, something caught his eye, making them widen.

It was a golden sword embedded in the ground at the very center of the plaza.

His heart started pounding rapidly.

"The holy sword?"

"No, it\'s a fake,"

A nearby priest quietly corrected him.

Ketal\'s excitement quickly faded.

"A replica, huh."

Of course.

Even if everyone was given a chance, the great holy sword wouldn\'t just be sitting in the middle of the sanctuary.

Ketal tilted his head.

"But why is there a replica here?"

Was it just a decoration?

As Ketal wondered, the priest spoke up.

"Would you like to try pulling it out?"

"Hm? Can you actually pull it out?"

"There\'s a very low chance that you could. It costs two silver coins per attempt."

Ketal hesitated.

"...Two silver coins?"

"Yes. If you manage to pull it out, you can take it with you. Even though it\'s a fake, it was made right here in the sanctuary! It\'s an exact replica of the descended holy sword! It\'s very valuable!"

The priest exclaimed enthusiastically, almost like a salesman pitching to a customer.

"Oh, and if you don\'t manage to pull it out but still want to take it with you, you can buy it for just one gold coin. It\'s a bargain."

"..."

Ketal wore a peculiar expression.

And it wasn\'t just that.

Other residents of the sanctuary were also loudly promoting their goods.

"This is a model of the holy sword used by the hero from centuries ago! Only ten silver coins!"

"This is the food that the hero from centuries ago used to eat! His favorite food! Only five silver coins!"

Everything was priced at least twice as much as it would be outside the sanctuary.

Ketal watched with a somewhat exasperated look on his face.

This was a typical tourist trap.

He never imagined the sanctuary would be like this.

After observing for a while, Ketal gathered his thoughts.

\'Well, I suppose it doesn\'t matter.\'

A great many people were wandering around.

Most of them seemed confident that they would be the one to pull out the holy sword.

Even those who suspected it might be impossible were having fun, caught up in the atmosphere.

Forgetting the worries of the world and enjoying a bit of freedom—if that meant thinning one\'s wallet, it was a small price to pay.

\'This is interesting in its own way.\'

Seeing the sanctuary adopt modern tourist traps was amusing.

Ketal continued to enjoy his tour.

That night, Ketal found a suitable place to stay and rested.

In the morning, just as he was about to leave, there was a knock on the door.

When he opened it, the Holy Knight Commander, Kretein, was waiting for him.

Kretein greeted him with utmost courtesy.

"Good morning, Ketal. Did you have a pleasant stay?"

"I had an enjoyable time. What brings you here?"

"Could you please come with me?"

Ketal nodded and followed Kretein.

Since it was still early, the streets were mostly empty.

As they walked, Kretein spoke.

"Do you know the order in which the holy sword is drawn?"

"No, I don\'t. Isn\'t it random?"

"No. It\'s determined by the token you received when you entered."

"Oh."

Pasika had received a silver token.

Ketal had received a golden one.

"So that\'s the criteria."

"Yes. Those with first-class or higher strength are given a silver token. Those with a silver token receive special treatment and are given the first chance to draw the holy sword."

"That\'s not exactly fair."

At this, Kretein gave a wry smile.

Indeed, contrary to what the world believed, not everyone had an equal chance to approach the holy sword.

"...That is true."

"Well, I understand. It wouldn\'t be good to have first-rate warriors stuck here for too long, would it?"

Over ten thousand people had come to the sanctuary, and their numbers were still increasing.

Drawing all the holy swords could take months.

Having first-rate warriors tied up here for that long wouldn\'t be good for the continent.

"Th-that\'s exactly right."

Kretein was startled.

Ketal\'s answer was spot on.

"...I’ve heard things about you, but you really are different from other barbarians."

"Who did you hear it from?"

"I spoke with the Archbishop of the Earth Mother about the descent of the holy sword. Your name came up in the discussion."

Kretein swallowed hard and muttered under his breath.

"...They said you defeated the Mother of all Demons."