"Now then! Can you stand up?"
Midiam helped the fallen Brand to his feet.
"Ugh…"
"Wait. The Book of the Divine King was taken!"
The Naga agent, Shati, stomped her feet in frustration. It was understandable that she was desperate, having lost a copy of the Book of the Divine King, something as precious as life itself, but from the perspective of the Herald Clan, it was infuriating. How much blood had the Herald Clan shed just to create that copy, and yet here was a Naga—an enemy of humanity—acting as if it belonged to her?
"I have a lot to say, but for now, let's retreat!"
"But, young lady, that thread is still embedded in your body."
"I'll pull it out or cut it off later. For now, let's go!"
Midiam took charge and led the people out of the forest.
***
Zekt was about to move when he saw the others escaping, but at that moment, he felt Azadin's killing intent from within the darkness of the forest. It was as if an arrow was about to pierce his skin, and he instinctively flinched, forced to step back.
"Surprised?"
"Impressive. To remain behind on such a treacherous path and face me in order to save your people… Your self-sacrificing spirit is truly admirable."
Zekt watched the boy and girl of the Herald Clan fleeing with the others and praised them, though it was unclear whether he was being sincere or mocking them.
"I have no intention of sacrificing myself. The one who will die here is you."
"But, if you're talking to me…"
Zekt flicked a needle in the direction of the voice, but there was no reaction, nothing obstructing its path. Instead, an arrow flew in from the north, striking down a bandit who had been pursuing the others.
—Thwack!
The bandit's upper body was ripped apart. His ribcage shattered, his lungs burst out, and his entrails spilled onto the ground.
"...."
"Th-This can't be."
The bandits recoiled in horror. That wasn't the power of an arrow. It was more like a thrown spear, no, like a siege weapon or a cannon.
Even these bandits, who could regenerate from arrows using their worm-like parasites, could not recover from this wound. The bandit, severed in two, gasped and slowly died.
"Hmm?"
Zekt's eyes gleamed with interest as he observed the scene.
"You're quite amusing."
He licked his lips and smiled.
"Yeah, I am, aren't I? So why don't you play with me instead of bullying the weak?"
"I would love to play with you, but you're just stalling for time, aren't you?"
"It's like a game of tag. You should take your time and enjoy it. Do you expect the fish to bite the moment you cast your line? Even the waiting is part of the fun."
"Haha, that's one way to see it. Well, I suppose I have no choice then."
Zekt took out an incense burner and swung it. The incense inside ignited on its own, releasing a fragrant smoke. As the smoke spread in a circular pattern, a dreadful black energy seeped into the world, slithering along the ground like a beast, charging toward the bandits with terrifying speed.
"...!"
"Huh?"
"Agh!"
The black shadow enveloped the bandits' bodies.
"Hiiik!"
"Ugh…?"
The bandits convulsed violently. At first, they shook like fevered patients, but soon their trembling became something unnatural, beyond what any living being could imitate. They staggered, their bodies twitching uncontrollably, and then—
They suddenly froze in place.
"Ugh… Uuugh…"
Drool dribbled from the bandits' mouths. They gripped their weapons, awaiting Zekt's orders.
"Go. Pursue them and kill those Herald Clan brats, as you desire."
Zekt gave the command, making sure Azadin could hear it.
"That doesn't sound like an order a Holy Knight should be giving."
"The mission of a Holy Knight is to eliminate the Herald Clan on sight."
"Still, don't you think you're rushing things? Try enjoying the waiting process."
"Waiting and drawing out their agony could be enjoyable, but isn't the thrill of a relentless chase just as fun? Now then, if you don't want your precious disciples and people to die, you'd better take me down quickly. They won't stand a chance once those creatures reach them."
"...."
"The game of tag is over. Come out."
At that moment, an arrow flew toward Zekt. Knowing its power, he didn't try to block it with thread and needles but instead drew his sword.
A normal warrior would have needed both hands to wield such a weapon, but Zekt handled it lightly in one hand, like a dagger, effortlessly deflecting the arrow.
However, the arrow was weak.
'Hm?'
Then, from the opposite direction, Azadin appeared. He must have set up some kind of trap to fire the arrow while moving into position himself.
—Swish!
Azadin sprinted forward, rapidly firing arrows in succession.
"Quite the skillful technique!"
Zekt swung his greatsword, deflecting every incoming arrow.
Then, suddenly, Azadin shifted his stance. He crouched low to the ground, drawing his bowstring back with such force that the bow seemed on the verge of breaking. Bracing himself against the ground to withstand the recoil, he loosed his final arrow—
A pitch-black arrow, invisible in the darkness of the night.
'A black arrow? But it's nothing special.'
Zekt's eyes were sharp enough to see through the darkness, so he easily intercepted the arrow with his greatsword. However—
—Clang!
This arrow was different. It was made entirely of black steel, from the tip to the shaft. The moment it made contact, Zekt felt his protective magic shatter.
'What?!'
Black Steel Arrow.
A secret weapon of the Herald Clan, hidden among ordinary arrows.
—Thud!
Azadin's Black Steel Arrow pierced through Zekt's golden armor, puncturing his sternum. The specially crafted black steel arrow sliced through metal and bone with ease, exiting through his back.
—Crack!
The force of the shot was too great—the Moon Horn Bow snapped under the recoil.
"Hah!"
Zekt stared at the black steel arrow embedded in his chest, visibly shaken. Mana leaked from his wound. This was no ordinary arrow.
"This is ridiculous… I, I…"
Zekt, flustered, pulled out the arrow that had pierced his sternum. The moment he did, blood gushed from his mouth and wound. No matter how strong his vitality was, this was a fatal injury that he couldn't endure.
"Thanks for letting your guard down. So, is it time for farewells now? We exchanged just a few words, but I feel a bit sentimental saying goodbye."
Azadin discarded his broken bow and drew the sword at his waist, charging at Zekt. Even though his opponent had already suffered a fatal wound from the Black Steel Arrow, Azadin did not lower his guard, determined to finish him off by severing his throat.
—Clang!
However, despite the gaping hole in his chest, Zekt blocked Azadin's attack with his greatsword. The sword in Azadin's hands shattered in an instant, and Zekt's blade pushed forward toward his head.
Azadin twisted his head just in time to narrowly avoid it, then struck Zekt's face with his bare fist. But Zekt grabbed Azadin's sleeve and hurled him skyward. Azadin's body was flung about as high as a second-story building.
"...!?"
Azadin twisted in the air, regaining his balance before landing. But at that very moment, Zekt was already charging at him. His greatsword whipped through the air at terrifying speed.
'Even with a hole in his chest, he moves like this?'
Azadin could do nothing but focus entirely on dodging.
Perhaps because of that, he failed to notice Zekt's kick flying toward his torso.
—Thud!
Though he managed to block it, the impact sent Azadin flying again, crashing through tree branches and breaking them against his back.
"Ugh!?"
Azadin screamed. The pain was enough to scramble his senses. His ribs seemed fractured—he couldn't muster his strength properly.
"Heh heh heh. A masterpiece. Truly a masterpiece."
Zekt spoke as he approached, his chest wound bubbling and seething unnaturally. With each step he took, the surrounding trees withered, and the grass on the ground dried up completely. His eyes burned a deep, ominous red.
"You were truly entertaining. After all this, I almost feel attached to you as well. But I am a Holy Knight. I do not let personal feelings interfere with my mission."
"Ugh…"
Azadin tried to lift himself but frowned. His broken ribs slowed him down. He had nearly died in their last clash, yet despite taking a Black Steel Arrow to the chest, Zekt was still standing strong, while Azadin could barely keep his balance. There was no way to escape either.
"First, let me return this to you."
As Zekt spoke, the Black Steel Arrow floated into the air and launched itself toward Azadin.
Startled, Azadin dodged, but the arrow curved in an arc and came back at him from behind.
"Tch!"
In desperation, Azadin drew a new sword and deflected the arrow. But his sword shattered instantly.
The Black Steel Arrow surged forward once more, aiming for his back. Azadin, now weaponless, grabbed the arrow's shaft with his bare hands, trying to stop its advance.
—Crack!
His feet scraped against the ground, leaving deep scars in the dirt. Like a plow cutting through soil, he was pushed backward, carving a long trench into the earth.
"No… I can't!"
Even though he had caught the arrow, it continued pressing forward, its tip piercing his leather armor and digging into his chest. Blood trickled down, but the arrow did not lose its force.
"Well then…"
Watching Azadin struggle, Zekt swung his incense burner. From the smoke, black shadows emerged, racing across the ground toward him.
Even though Azadin could see them clearly, he couldn't move a single finger, as he was entirely focused on stopping the Black Steel Arrow.
At that dire moment, a radiant flail descended from the sky and exploded upon impact.
—Retribution Strike!
The shadows recoiled in shock, and the Black Steel Arrow, which had been pressing against Azadin's chest, suddenly reverted to a normal arrow.
"What!?"
"Huh!"
A knight burst through the undergrowth, reaching out his hand. Azadin immediately grabbed hold and mounted behind him on the horse.
"Sir Zebeck!"
"Sir Zebeck!?"
Both Zekt and Azadin called out his name at the same time.
"We're retreating!"
Zebeck cast an encouragement spell on his horse and spurred it into a full-speed gallop.
"Sir Zebeck, stop! Damn it, they're getting away!"
Zekt whistled, calling his horse, which quickly dashed along the stream to catch up.
But just then, from the bushes, a saddled mountain goat leapt out, blocking the path of Zekt's horse before dashing away—chasing after Azadin instead.
"What the—!"
Zekt stared in disbelief as his path was blocked by the Kerim goat, which then ran off in pursuit of Azadin.
"This is ridiculous. A man of heroism, and a beast of legend. Or should I say, an alpaca instead of a horse?"
"Are you all right?"
Meiya arrived late, joining Zekt.
"Sir Zebeck has fled with the Herald. Unexpected. I didn't think he was the type."
"Actually… Sir Zebeck and that Herald seemed to have known each other for a long time."
"They knew each other? Hm, what kind of connection would a Holy Knight have with the Herald?"
"I don't know. But, um, Sir Zekt…"
"Yes?"
"My father… The Wraith Knight has been completely dismantled by the Herald."
"Is that so?"
"So, about retrieving his remains…"
"If he was completely dismantled, there's no risk of him becoming undead again. There's no need to retrieve his body."
"What? But my father devoted his entire life to the church. Are you saying you'll just leave his body in the forest? At the very least, we should recover him and give him a proper burial—"
Meiya trailed off, watching as Zekt indifferently collected his weapons and removed his damaged armor.
"Sir, that Herald Clan member and Sir Zebeck claimed that my father killed civilians. Is that… true?"
"It is."
"What?"
"During training, there was an accidental misfire, and he killed civilians. That is why, when he became a Wraith Knight, he was not purified but used as a tracking tool. Of course, since this would disgrace the order, we will not make it public knowledge."
"...."
"I'll allow the burial. Go and lay him to rest."
"…Yes, understood."
Meiya bit her lip and stepped away from Zekt.