Level 100! Runic Master

Chapter 41: Opposing Forces (2)

Mira’s footsteps echoed softly against the marble floors of the church as she returned to the small cathedral by the corner of the castle.

The sun had barely begun its climb over the horizon, painting streaks of gold across the polished stone. Mira kept her pace measured, her mind heavy with thoughts she rarely voiced.

Ever since childhood, she had been told what to do and what not to do. Honestly, it was a bit suffocating.

"Die for your people!"

"Be righteous and holy."

"Never waver from the path of righteousness."

"Wealth is for the evil!"

Honestly, she was tired of it all.

But no one could find out the truth behind her actions, and she did not want anyone to know.

To survive, she had to do things others might call treacherous. To escape the fate of her bloodline, she was ready to sacrifice her innocence, her decorum, and even the trust of the gods themselves.

’I will survive. No matter what it takes.’

This was the anthem she had followed for years. Maybe this was why, unlike other saintesses of the past, she could not summon any hero.

Luckily, by some stroke of fortune, a summoned hero had appeared at her doorstep, not only earning praise and favor from the people but also offering her a chance to escape.

Mira’s hands unconsciously rested over her heart as she approached the altar. The grand chamber smelled faintly of incense and holy oils, yet the weight of her guilt and fear pressed heavier than any scent could mask.

"Forgive me, Father," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Forgive me for thinking of myself. Forgive me for breaking the laws of this temple. Forgive me for giving my body and innocence to a man. However, I will survive. I must survive. You know that too, Father, do you not?"

The silence that followed was thick but not judging. The quiet seemed to hum in anticipation, as if the gods themselves were listening. Mira straightened and drew in a deep breath when suddenly,

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The sharp, metallic sound of steel ringing against steel shattered the calm. Mira’s eyes widened, and she rushed toward the source, her long robes swishing with each hurried step as she neared the courtyard.

From the terrace, she could see the scene below. Allen, her hero, was there, moving with a fluid precision that was almost frightening. His opponent, a Level Five knight, struck at him with brutal force, but Allen’s response was even faster.

He manipulated fire, water, earth, and wind in seamless succession, each element bending to his will as he dodged, blocked, and counterattacked.

"Shouldn’t all new heroes be at level zero at the start?" Mira’s breath caught.

Flames roared around Allen’s fists, water rose like a living shield, earth twisted beneath him to unbalance the knight, and wind carried his strikes with terrifying speed.

’He’s... incredible.’

Her admiration was laced with fear. A man with such power could not be easily opposed. If he became strong enough, he could destroy everyone in Avalon in an instant.

A small blush appeared on Mira’s cheeks. "I knew I was correct."

The decision to give her innocence and soul mark to a hero was indeed the right one. Even if he destroyed Avalon, or even the whole world, as long as he lived, she too could survive.

But even with that said, she knew it was in both her and his best interest to stay away from him.

Someone like him would surely become great in the world, and as much as she wanted to use the fact that he had already taken her as an excuse, she could not shake the reality that following him might lead to their deaths.

The greatest burden to any hero was a weak beauty who could not carry her own weight, after all.

She pressed a hand to her chest, whispering a prayer with every ounce of fervor she could muster. "Gods, please protect him. Please protect my husband from all dangers so I too can remain safe."

Mira watched the match even more intensely now, observing how Allen recovered from a series of strikes and defeated a trained knight far higher than him in rank, even noting the way he grinned slightly when he landed a hit.

But even with a grin, his expression remained calm and calculating.

The knight’s next strike landed a glancing blow across Allen’s forearm, but almost immediately, the wound vanished.

Allen glanced back toward her for a brief moment before his eyes narrowed.

Mira could feel an incredible heat build in her under his gaze. The memories of the night before were still clear in her head.

She shook her head rapidly and concentrated back on the match.

Allen shifted his stance ever so slightly, summoning fire along the edge of his blade. He slashed horizontally, then vertically, then spun, the wind responding to his motion to increase both speed and reach. The knight barely blocked the first strike, staggered under the second, and faltered under the third.

Mira watched, her stomach tightening. Every movement was precise, every attack calculated. She could feel the rhythm, the ebb and flow of battle, and even from her distant vantage point, she could tell how far the knight’s skill lagged behind Allen’s.

Mira exhaled slowly as Allen placed his blade at the side of the knight’s neck.

She could not help but smile afterward when the loud sound of clapping rang out.

Her head turned toward it, and at the edge of the arena stage stood Nott, the female goblin commander of the knights.

Nott leaned casually against the wall. "You’re strong, pretty boy."

Allen turned toward Nott with a raised brow. "Is that so?"

Nott nodded and, with one swift leap, reached the center of the arena. "Let’s spar, pretty boy. The knights must have already told you that those stinking nobles want to meet you, so let’s have a little fun before then."

Allen’s lips curved into the faintest smirk, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. He raised both hands in surrender and said something Mira could not quite hear, but from Nott’s reaction, she could tell it was something the musclehead did not like.

She giggled softly and pressed her hand gently to her chest once more, murmuring another prayer. "Gods, please give us strength, so that we may endure what is coming. Amen."