novelraw Chapter 174 : Chapter 174
Chapter 174 : Chapter 174
Chapter 174: Inquisition (1)
Late at night, the uppermost floor of Tresckow Castle.
Abel had just entered the former head's bedchamber. Amid dust scattering in every direction, an unusually large table spread out before his eyes caught his attention.
'This is………'
Swish, and.
Abel's hand traced the surface of the table.
The angular table without ornamentation was excessively oversized. It was too plain for noble furniture, and seemed to hold meaning in its size rather than its function. And for good reason………
'It resembles a command post rather than a bedroom.'
Abel thought as he looked around.
Ernst's grandmother, Brunhilde von Tresckow, had been an excellent commander. That must surely have been why. Even the space for sleep had to be set up similarly to a battlefield environment. As if she could not feel at ease otherwise. No, as if she should not feel at ease in the first place.
"It resembles yours somewhat."
Is that not so, and.
Ernst's voice rang out.
"I mean your office, Professor."
The arched door of the bedchamber opened.
Ernst and Demian were approaching Abel. Needless to say, they looked exhausted. Ernst's face, covered in cosmetics, was ashen, and Demian's face clearly showed signs of drowsiness, perhaps because the banquet had been tedious.
"I will not deny it. It does resemble it quite well."
Abel shrugged his shoulders.
Ernst's words were correct. Brunhilde's bedchamber resembled Abel's office. All the more so in how few chairs there were compared to the size of the table.
"You have worked hard, Professor."
Ernst came to a stop.
He looked at Abel across the large table.
"You obviously dislike things like banquets, yet did you not remain in place until the very end?"
"I have worked hard as well, Ernst."
Haam, and.
Demian yawned quietly.
"I nearly collapsed when Grand Duke Sharma began speaking about history from two thousand years ago. He must carry such things memorized wherever he goes."
"All old people are like that. If it is not about old matters, they become unable to say anything at all."
That aside,
you must have business with us, and.
Ernst asked while folding his arms.
"You said you would give us gifts."
"That is correct."
Abel nodded once.
Ernst and Demian had successfully completed the Practical evaluation, and students who passed the Practical evaluation received special prizes by custom. He had not yet delivered them to Monika and Roberta, but he thought it would be better to present them to Ernst and Demian on this occasion. All the more so since Demian would soon depart on his pilgrimage.
"Ernst will be with me again next year, but………"
Abel opened Subspace.
Gwooong, and. A circular fissure carved into empty air.
Abel thrust his arm into the fissure. Something wrapped in wool. He pulled it out and placed it on the table.
"………Demian will soon depart, so I will present them now."
"Do not speak as if we will never meet again, Professor."
Demian tilted his head.
While keeping his gaze on the object placed on the table.
"If I become a Holy Knight………, I will be your junior, Professor. We may meet quite often instead. Of course, I cannot know immediately which department I will be assigned to, but………"
"I prefer to assume all possibilities. That is precisely why. I may never see you again from now on."
"What do you mean by that?"
"It is obvious."
Ernst muttered in a resentful voice.
"We cannot know what might happen during your pilgrimage. In any case, you will be wandering various places. Perhaps you might end up dead."
That is why he said it, and.
Ernst whispered with a sneer, and,
"What inauspicious words you speak, Professor!"
Demian protested with wavering eyes.
He seemed somewhat offended.
"I will not die. A pilgrimage is nothing for one who will become a knight. I, Demian Fernando von Farenheit, swear to the Main Gods that I will return in good health!"
"I do not think the probability of losing your life is high."
Abel smiled faintly.
Then he gestured with his chin. Meaning they could remove the wool. Ernst and Demian reached out. The tough wool scattered atop the dusty table, and the moment a clear radiance swept through the dim bedchamber,
"This is………"
Demian was the first to speak.
It looked like an arm bracer from the outside. Judging from the worn leather, it seemed quite old. Based on the degree of wear, the quality did not look particularly good, but if one knew the origin of the patterns engraved on the bracer's surface, one would reach a different conclusion. The patterns contained magical formulas from hundreds of years ago, while the leather composing the bracer held only a slight trace of use.
"………It is an artifact."
"That is correct."
'Tendon of the Forgotten Giant'.
Abel pronounced the name of the artifact.
"No matter how fluid your swordsmanship may be, you will sometimes need brute strength. All the more so during your pilgrimage. You may need to clear boulders, and you may need to fell trees."
"That is true. Surely………"
Demian nodded repeatedly.
'Tendon of the Forgotten Giant' was an enhancement-type artifact, possessing the function of temporarily raising the wearer's strength. That did not mean there was no price. After using the function, one had to suffer side effects. Extreme pain and fatigue would come. Because one had drawn out strength unsuited to one's body.
"………Thank you."
It does not matter.
Demian thought thus as he bowed his head.
He would be able to control it sufficiently on his own.
"As for me………, am I supposed to observe insects or something?"
Meanwhile, Ernst spoke up.
An old magnifying glass. While pointing it at Abel.
"I am joking. This fellow is also an artifact."
"You know well."
'Mischievous Goat's Vow'.
Abel pronounced the name of the artifact.
"Goat McMillan, a man famous as a genius of riddles. This is an artifact made by forming his Sensory Stone into the shape of a magnifying glass. If you use it, you will be able to develop your intellect. And for good reason………"
"You need not say it."
Ernst scratched the back of his neck.
'Mischievous Goat's Vow' was a support-type artifact, through which one could obtain clues about specific matters through the brain stored in Goat McMillan's Sensory Stone. The principle was that clues emerged when one asked questions toward the magnifying glass.
"Hey, give me a clue. Who is my companion?"
However, Goat McMillan was a man famous for his mischievous personality, and,
"What is this, exactly?"
He was notoriously known for only presenting riddles and never revealing answers, and,
"Why is a black bear being drawn inside the magnifying glass?"
'Mischievous Goat's Vow', which employed such a Goat's Sensory Stone, was the same. It only gave clues, and did not present answers about specific matters.
"Damn it………"
Ernst furrowed his brow.
The shape of a black bear filling the lens of the magnifying glass. He bit his lower lip while staring at it.
"You two are good students."
Abel did not care.
He merely spoke with an expressionless face.
"I hope Demian completes his pilgrimage safely, and that Ernst successfully guards his title."
I am sincere, and.
Abel muttered quietly, while,
"I understand for now, but………"
"Thank you, Professor. However………"
Ernst and Demian spoke in unison.
"If your words are truthful, Professor………"
"………Could you not speak a bit more sentimentally?"
* * *
The next day, the Farenheit family residence.
Grrrr, and. While the cats rubbed their cheeks against Demian's ankles and made sounds,
'Good.'
Demian shouldered his pack.
He had finished preparing to depart on his pilgrimage.
'This is sufficient.'
The pilgrimage to receive ordination from the Papacy.
To pass through it, one had to observe several rules.
First was to keep baggage as light as possible. Weapons and a little food, plus a sleeping bag. A compass and a small amount of gold coins. One had to depart carrying only such announced items. The remaining items would have to be procured locally during the pilgrimage.
"I will go and return safely."
Additionally, depart quietly as if going out briefly.
Humility was the virtue of a Holy Knight. Departing on pilgrimage while receiving a noisy send-off was forbidden.
"You all must stay healthy too. Do not fight………"
If one bids farewell, limit it to immediate family.
Cats would not matter. Thinking thus, Demian reached out. After stroking each cat that squirmed and clamored in turn,
"Demian."
He raised his head.
Beatrice von Farenheit. Demian's mother was leaning against the doorframe.
"Are you ready to depart?"
"Of course, Mother."
Demian smiled brightly.
Deuruk, and. He grasped the Farenheit family's treasured sword. He stepped forward and stood facing Beatrice. The burn scars engraved on his mother's face seemed beautiful as always. Just as Demian regarded the scar engraved on his brow with pride.
"I, Demian Fernando von Farenheit, will return as a proper knight."
"You need not do that. As long as you do not die."
"Why does everyone think I might die?"
"It must be because they care for you."
Let us go, and.
Beatrice muttered while turning her back to Demian.
"Your father will not be able to see you off."
Beatrice's footsteps were engraved in the residence's corridor.
Demian followed with a silent expression.
"He has urgent business at the Brilliant Sun Royal Palace. I heard His Majesty summoned him directly."
"His Majesty did?"
"Yes. So do not feel slighted."
"As if I would feel slighted. Do not worry, Mother. I have already grown up."
"Mmm."
Is that so, and.
Beatrice muttered while turning to look at Demian.
"I am sorry. In my eyes, even your father does not seem fully grown. He is only as large as a mountain in build, but his heart is nothing more than a child's."
"………I cannot deny that."
Demian rummaged through his pack.
There was a book he wanted to read while departing.
'The Vile Adventures of Sir Abraxas'. Could the author of this truly have been Ernst's grandmother?
"Even today he went to the Brilliant Sun Royal Palace in high spirits, but………"
I cannot help but worry, and.
Beatrice muttered, while,
"From what I hear, not only His Imperial Majesty but even His Holiness the Pope is present, and the Duke of Orléans, the Duke of Zylon, and the Grand Duke Sharma have all been summoned together………"
Demian opened 'The Vile Adventures of Sir Abraxas'.
The pages fluttered lightly, and,
"………Abel Argento."
Demian merely skimmed it.
The opening of 'The Vile Adventures of Sir Abraxas'.
"For some reason, your supervising professor also seems to be there."
I pray.
May there be not a single point of glory in my life.
If glory is given to my life, that would be an insult to the world.
"What on earth could be happening?"
To Beatrice's question, Demian could not answer.
The sentence positioned within the foreword merely stood out.
All knights fail.
With the sword held in their own hands.
No matter how much knights discuss peace, no matter how they gather in droves to ponder peace,
It will be nothing more than empty discussion atop a desk.
─ From