FSFSLU 38

chapter 38

Leaning against the playground slide, I watched Isabel through the floating glass window.

The sun had fully set, and night had fallen. Isabel was alone in a small room in Lettina City Hall, offering her prayers.

After such a busy day, it seemed that Isabel found joy in being able to pray quietly, uninterrupted.

I wondered if prayer was not for the angels, but perhaps an act for oneself.

Soon, I came face-to-face with Isabel.

“Lord Smiel!”

“Yes.”

“Hehe.”

Even after meeting me through prayer, Isabel only smiled brightly and said nothing. She seemed genuinely happy just to be facing me.

Seeing such an expression, it was hard to scold her.

Truly… I had promised myself that once everything was settled, I would sternly reprimand her for drawing the demon sword without permission. But now, I felt that promise might dissolve.

“Lord Smiel.”

“Yes.”

“Did I do well?”

From behind her, the words “please say I did well” seemed to rise like a sunrise. Look at that expression—how innocent and unspoiled she is.

I had intended to tell her she shouldn’t have recklessly drawn the demon sword, but aside from that, she did extremely well.

Thanks to Isabel’s efforts, Lettina would change beyond recognition.

Even on the last night in Lettina, Isabel was busy. She ran to the homes of seriously ill patients she hadn’t been able to visit over the past two days, and returned to write a detailed medical guide for Jeremy. I had to give some guidance since Isabel struggled with writing, but she completed the guide to the end.

Jeremy had never received proper medical training, so a mere four-page guide wouldn’t make him a fully capable doctor. Yet he seemed motivated and had received recommendations for medical texts from Isabel, so his future looked promising. She even gave him plenty of young leaves of Starfall flowers that could be turned into holy potions when soaked in plain water, ensuring he could manage until real doctors arrived.

Dyke’s future looked bright as well.

He was currently preparing to purify Lettina alongside Thomson.

The contamination in Lettina came from an old magical tool used in the mines. Previously, due to poor security, they couldn’t bring in magicians to repair it. But with Gerolt gone, securing the city and properly managing former Gerolters would solve the manpower problem.

It would take time, but Lettina would gradually improve.

Speaking of which, Thomson had tried to gather surplus funds to give to Isabel as a reward, but she refused. Honestly, I would have liked her to accept it, but Thomson said, “This money will go toward Marcel’s training,” so perhaps it was for the best.

Ah, Marcel.

He was now enduring the harshest days of his life.

When Isabel visited him, Marcel was struggling through Goat’s hellish training. Goat intended to teach Marcel not just basic strength and stamina, but also the combat sword techniques he had learned in the knights’ order.

Yet Marcel only panted heavily, following the training without a single complaint.

He must have felt the weight and responsibility of the holy sword that appeared in his hands whenever he willed it.

Of course, there were likely other reasons as well.

“Hero, this responsibility may feel sudden and heavy. But I believe you can handle it!”

Isabel held Marcel’s sweat-soaked hands tightly, her eyes glistening with tears as she encouraged him. Marcel seemed to take it as a form of whipping.

Isabel needed to recognize the power of tears. With such pure and confident encouragement, anyone would be compelled to act sincerely.

Goat also boldly declared, “As the priestess said, I will take full responsibility and train him.” So I believe he will do well.

Yes, every achievement Isabel accomplished here can be praised without exception.

But even considering all of that…

“It’s all just results-oriented.”

“Excuse me? What do you mean?”

I stared at Isabel quietly.

Indeed, it all came down to the results. The situation could have turned out much worse.

Isabel needed to be more cautious. She needed to understand how her judgment could distort the future.

In the case of the Yongrin Cave incident, I admit that drawing the demon sword herself was the best choice given the urgent circumstances.

Yet still, if she decided to draw the demon sword without my instructions, she should have at least considered how to withstand its control.

If I hadn’t been able to control Yuga’s power, everyone would have been in danger.

Moreover, once the demon sword is drawn, it cannot be relinquished until death.

I tried to explain these points carefully so Isabel could understand.

She looked slightly dejected, but seemed to accept it.

“You’re right, Lord Smiel. I should have prepared before drawing the demon sword…”

“I know it was hard to think that far in such a brief moment. Just be more careful next time.”

She nodded. Surely, she had learned a lot from this incident. If any of us had stayed calm, perhaps we could have prevented Gerolt’s transformation.

Isabel spoke of that event in a very lonely voice.

“I didn’t want to kill Mr. Gerolt.”

She lowered her head as she spoke.

“I wanted him judged by human laws and rules. But I couldn’t. The sorrow of not being able to stop him was so great… that I couldn’t retaliate.”

Then she lifted her head, looked at me directly, and bowed politely.

“If you hadn’t descended, Lord Smiel, I would have died. You took over my duty. For a high angel’s proxy to entrust work to an angel, I’m unworthy to serve you.”

I couldn’t answer immediately. I could imagine how painful it was for Isabel, who had lived as a priestess all her life, to claim she was unworthy.

But even so, I needed to correct that statement.

“Isabel.”

She looked up at me. I deliberately used the tone I employed when imitating an angel.

“Don’t say you’re unworthy. You are the proxy chosen by Suna and me. You will often lend your body in the future—are you going to say you’re unworthy every time?”

“….”

She looked at me silently, then suddenly smiled.

“Lord Smiel, you are truly considerate.”

A strange feeling.

Was “considerate” really a word I could openly use?

Whenever Isabel said such things, I felt the gap between me, who was merely imitating an angel, and her as a human. The kind of gap I hadn’t noticed even when watching her heal others.

“I’ve gone through the first round, but I still can’t get used to killing someone. Even watching Dorothea die in the first round was really hard. I know I must change… to protect the world from the Demon King.”

She bowed solemnly.

“So… even if I’m lacking, please guide me. I’ll try my best too.”

“…Alright.”

The prayer ended there. Isabel stretched and hurried to find Liz. The next day, Isabel and Lettina would depart, checking their final belongings.

“Did you pack everything, sister?”

“And you?”

“I’m done!”

“Did that angel help you again this time?”

“Of course!”

Watching Liz and Isabel chatter, I removed the glass window and exhaled deeply.

I can control the day and night in this private space. If I wish, this place can be a dazzling day or a starlit night.

I kept it as night. Watching through the glass was fun, but after finishing my work and gazing at the night sky, it was quite enjoyable.

“Finished praying?”

But now, I had to share this space with that uninvited guest.

I turned my head. Yuga was lying in the prison I had created.

After fussing about the discomfort of the bed and cold, I had added pillows and blankets. Now Yuga looked comfortable, staring at me.

“Done.”

“The angel is basically living under the master’s control. No matter how lightly you scold, he won’t get it. You need to be stricter.”

“Why scold? You’re so clumsy.”

Yuga scowled at my words, angry at being underestimated.

If you don’t want to be underestimated, break out of that prison immediately.

Try it. See? You can’t.

“…You’re really annoying, angel.”

“Quiet. If you keep talking, I’ll lock you in a coffin.”

“Th-That doesn’t sound like a good idea.”

Watching Yuga flop around on the bed, I had a good idea.

“Yuga.”

“Yes?”

“Teach me swordsmanship.”

Wow, the demon sword rolling off the bed—I saw it all.

He reacts like a comic relief character.

The evil self-consciousness that controlled Dyke was such a fool; my illusions are shattered.

“What… what are you saying all of a sudden?”

“You remember all the sword techniques of your previous masters. Teach me.”

In the first round, Dyke defeated formidable opponents using only swordsmanship because he had inherited the techniques of previous heroes.

Of course. Before being corrupted by the Demon King, the demon sword was one of two holy swords.

The demon sword, now self-aware due to the Demon King, passed the techniques to Dyke, turning him into a true dark knight and legion commander.

“I-I don’t know how you know that… but it’s impossible.”

“Why?”

“You’ve never fought, have you? I saw you slice that mutant with the demon sword, but that alone doesn’t justify teaching me…”

“I’ll expand your prison proportionally to your results.”

Yuga’s eyes flashed with purple light.

“Really?”

“If you need anything, just ask. I’ll put it in the prison.”

“Really? Then maybe… could you remove the restrictions on me…?”

“Don’t even dream it. If you don’t like it, forget it.”

“N-No, it’s not that I don’t like it! Just thinking… anyway, why do you want to learn swordsmanship?”

I sighed briefly. Embarrassing to explain, but I must.

“I hope Isabel won’t have to kill anyone in the future. But… sometimes, unavoidable situations arise on the road.”

Yuga looked intrigued. A bit embarrassing.

“I don’t want Isabel doing such things. I don’t want to just give her everything I don’t want her to do and sit behind the glass giving orders.”

I stepped closer to Yuga and grabbed the bars. He looked surprised.

“Fortunately, I can handle the things Isabel hates most. And I have the best teacher. So teach me, Yuga.”

The thing Isabel hated most: harming someone.

If I can do it for her, I want to be someone capable of doing it.

At that moment, Yuga’s body was engulfed in purple mist, twisting and changing.

No longer a beautiful woman, Yuga transformed into a demon with tail, wings, and horns, still trapped in the bars but with the same arrogant gaze as when first entering the private space.

“Are you serious, angel? You want to learn killing from a demon sword?”

“…Yes.”

“You could just threaten me instead, as you have before. But… you won’t? You’re not desperate?”

“No, I am desperate.”

“Then threaten me.”

I am not afraid of Yuga. The restrictions on him are still in place, and I feel the gap keenly.

But I think I respect Yuga, in a way.

An evil sword dreaming of the Demon King’s resurrection. But inside, it carries Yuga’s own aesthetics, not just a simple demon sword.

“If you can endure killing, if you will commit acts that would break an ordinary person’s heart, if you, a noble angel, will bear the heavy and vile burden of murder on behalf of your master… then threaten me. Make me comply. Without that desperation, I will teach you nothing.”

Yes.

If that is your truth.

I inhaled deeply and exhaled.

Then I grabbed Yuga’s neck, now demon-like, through the bars.

He could not resist, could not interfere—this was pure violence.

I pulled him so that his face hit the bars, and looked him in the eyes, speaking low.

“Teach me killing. Otherwise, you’ll beg me to just end you.”

“Haa…”

Yuga sighed. Vertical pupils flashed. His open mouth resembled a smile.

“An angel learning murder on behalf of a proxy… I never thought I’d see something so magnificent. I feel lucky my master picked me.”

“Shut up and answer.”

“Great and holy angel, I will teach you. Acts that will plunge you into the mire of sin, acts that will never be clean. But know this.”

Yuga returned to the beautiful woman form he always took with me.

And smiled.

“I won’t do it half-heartedly.”

The next morning

Many people gathered to see Isabel and Liz off from Lettina.

Thus, they witnessed an unusual sight.

“Sister, how’s your head?”

“A little heavy, but fine.”

“Any ringing?”

“Nope.”

“Double vision?”

“No, perfect.”

“If you feel nauseous, tell me! Head injuries are dangerous…”

“Uh, Isabel. Can we leave now? At least…”

Liz looked awkwardly at the crowd waiting for their departure.

“Do it inside the cave. Don’t do this in front of them. It’s embarrassing…”

Those gathered included people healed by Isabel and the former Gerolters, now renamed Lettina Security.

Among them was Jeremy, who had prepared to cry but missed his chance, looking sheepish.

For Liz, it was deeply embarrassing.

“…Fine. Finish any checks you have.”

After Isabel checked Liz’s condition and inquired about some patients, they finally left Lettina to applause.

“Take care, everyone~”

Isabel raised her hand holding the Angelos Rod, waving at the citizens of Lettina.

Keeping pace silently behind Liz, Isabel followed her lightly into the cave.

Isabel felt good. She had entered the cave alone before, but now they were leaving together.

But Liz seemed slightly uncomfortable.

“What’s wrong, sister?”

“Oh? That… you haven’t seen Yan, right?”

Isabel knew Yan well. He had helped run the relief center with detection magic.

Yan had climbed the mountain with Gerolt’s subordinates and had to roll down slopes with them. Isabel’s protective barrier had kept him unharmed, but since that day, neither Isabel nor Liz had seen him. He seemed to have disappeared completely.

“That guy… I thought he’d at least show his face at departure. Where did he go?”

“Should we go back to check?”

Isabel asked. Liz clicked her tongue.

“Never mind. He’s just a coworker. Not close anyway.”

Beyond their steps, light slowly shone.

Even Liz, trying to maintain a stoic expression, couldn’t help feeling a little excited.

Having spent her life in Lettina, the fresh air beyond the tunnels made her feel like she was in another world.

Isabel was excited too, as Smiel had taught her the next target.

Now, they would meet the elf archer Erica, a member of the hero party and Isabel’s favorite sister.

Yan was panting, hiding in a small room.

He was still thrilled.

“Huff… huff…”

A mage who had honed detection magic to its limit—Yan Hester.

He trembled in ecstasy recalling the previous day.

“It was real…”

Though he had rolled down the slope and lost consciousness, Yan had definitely sensed the high concentration of magic energy from inside Yongrin Cave.

Long ago, Yan had joined the Demon King’s army under Dorothea and had tirelessly honed detection magic, despite his near-zero magical talent, intending to use it to locate the demon sword in the city.

Dorothea had said that Lettina, where the demon sword was last seen 300 years ago, might still hold it somewhere.

“It was real…!”

He hadn’t seen it with his eyes, but the sensation matched the magic Dorothea had produced.

He had almost given up. As a member of the Demon King’s army, he believed the resurrection of the Demon King was hopeless, so he had faithfully lived as a Gerolter.

But no longer. The demon sword existed. He didn’t know who had drawn it, but he felt it for certain.

It was thrilling.

The sword’s revival was like a herald of the Demon King’s arrival to the entire army.

Yan shivered. Though his detection magic had been useless, he had still discovered the sword. That alone felt like his accomplishment.

He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket—a telepathy scroll.

Unable to cast telepathy himself, he would report to Dorothea with this worn scroll.

Though it could only carry a short message, it was enough.

“The demon sword has been drawn.”

At Yan’s quiet voice, the scroll glowed and crumbled into ashes.

The magic worked perfectly. Dorothea would now know the demon sword had appeared in the world.

Leaning against the wall, Yan caught his breath.

He was exhilarated.

The world was about to change.

With the demon sword appearing in this world, the resurrection of the Demon King was surely near.