FSFSLU 44

chapter 44

Trapped in a prison cell, waiting for his shadow-walking ability to return, Tio gradually felt a creeping sense of doubt in his mind.

‘This is strange.’

It felt like he had missed something. It wasn’t just a simple intuition—it was a certainty he could feel in his very skin.

But try as he might, Tio couldn’t figure out what it was. He rested his forehead against the prison wall and pondered for a long time.

Then, suddenly, he realized one thing.

‘The aura of the magical sword is fading!’

Since Liz and Isabel had handed Tio over to the villagers and left, it made sense that the aura of the magical sword, which he had been sensing constantly, would gradually weaken. Yet this doubt still wouldn’t go away.

Tio calmly retraced his memories.

Liz was just using an alias; her real name must be Dyke—the large, robust master of the magical sword mentioned in the prophecy.

While being around such a person, Tio had felt the aura of the magical sword and therefore never doubted that Liz was its rightful owner.

But thinking back, hadn’t there been a time when he was briefly separated from Liz?

‘Ah…?’

Amid his confusion, Tio recalled. When the horse had run off with the carriage, Liz had received Isabel’s blessing and run after it. Tio and Isabel had followed behind Liz.

But why…

‘You didn’t notice the aura fading, did you?’

Tio soon figured out the reason.

Why hadn’t he noticed the fading aura? Because the aura had never faded in the first place.

Even when Liz ran after the horse, the aura Tio felt was just as strong and clear as ever.

And at that time, the one beside Tio wasn’t Liz—it was Isabel.

Which meant…

“Ah!”

Tio covered his mouth in shock.

He understood. He finally knew.

It wasn’t Liz—it was Isabel.

Isabel was the true master of the magical sword.

“Ahhhh!”

Tio’s startled scream made a guard rush over. Gripping the bars, the guard asked if he was okay. Tio whipped his head toward the guard, silver hair flying, and snapped for him to shut up.

Ignoring the deflated guard, Tio urgently reviewed the fact he had discovered.

Isabel is the master of the magical sword. There’s no doubt. The aura of the sword had not faded when Liz was away, but now it had.

But if that were the case, what about the prophecy?

Elijah. No one else, only Elijah. The only person in this world with abilities worthy of the title of prophet. Even the Dragon Lord in the northern continent, who is said to see the near future, cannot predict the distant future as reliably as Elijah can.

Yet Elijah’s prophecy had clearly stated that Dyke—the hulking one—would be the master of the magical sword and would later lead the Demon King’s army as a general.

‘The prophecy changed? No, it’s not that the prophecy changed… the future changed?’

Even as an undead in essence, Tio could feel goosebumps crawling over his entire body.

This is no time to be stuck alone in this prison. I have to get out immediately.

Isabel, that foolish, scatterbrained priest, is the master of the magical sword?

Then that’s actually good! She’ll be much easier to manipulate!

But on the other hand, if Tio is even a moment too late, someone else who realizes that Isabel is the sword’s master might use her first.

Tio groaned at the rapid spinning of his thoughts.

Someone with that much divine power drawing the sword means that its ownership has passed into the hands of the Church of the Supreme God. Yet since no news has come, it seems Isabel is keeping her ownership of the sword hidden from the Church.

It would be the same if Tio were in Isabel’s position. She is an exceptionally skilled priest. But if she held the sword openly, she wouldn’t be able to use her abilities freely and would be constantly pressured by the Church.

So the best course of action is to approach her quietly while no one knows this fact, gently coax her to Dorothea’s mansion, and wait for Dorothea’s judgment.

‘But to do that, I need to get out quickly…’

Tio racked his brain. He could easily get out of this pathetic prison by manipulating that foolish guard. After all, he had honed many skills for infiltrating human society. He was confident he could charm anyone completely.

But it wouldn’t help. Even if he got out, without his shadow-walking ability, he wouldn’t be able to catch up with Isabel.

Tio stomped his feet in impatience. Please, let the effects of this damn divine power disappear. Let my shadow-walking ability return, so I can fulfill Dorothea’s favor.

But Tio’s wish went unheeded, and his shadow-walking ability didn’t return until the next day.

Riding in the carriage driven by Denk, Liz finally felt what it was like to ride a real carriage.

The one Tio had driven was strange. Its speed was unnaturally constant, and the horse didn’t neigh or snort—it was completely quiet. It felt like riding a self-moving carriage rather than a horse-drawn one.

But Denk spoke to Mohican occasionally and laughed. Mohican responded in his own way, and those reactions reached Isabel and Liz inside the carriage.

Feeling the power of a living creature moving the carriage wasn’t unpleasant.

“Mohican seems to have recovered!”

“Ever since the young lady healed him, he’s been full of energy. That’s why I even had to work him a few more times just to get here. When he’s this lively, he doesn’t need a break.”

“Uh… Denk?”

Liz cleared her throat and called out to him. Denk cheerfully corrected her, “Not Denclo, Denk!” and Liz smiled.

“You actually brought him all the way to Tetina?”

“That’s right. But the young lady left her staff in the carriage, so it was a bit of a hassle bringing it to her.”

“Was it really that troublesome?”

“Well, I went to the church to return it, but the young lady wasn’t there. The church people kept asking me where I got it from. She had a hard time too, taking care of that little one.”

“Hardship? Not really, just a little tiring. Anyway, just speak casually—that’s easier for me.”

“Shall we? What’s your name?”

“Liz.”

Unlike when she rode in Tio’s carriage, Liz quickly became comfortable with Denk. Talking to a considerate and humorous person was always enjoyable.

Meanwhile, Isabel hummed or occasionally joined their conversation. She also dozed leaning against Liz’s large bag.

As their conversation dwindled, the red sunset stretched the carriage’s shadow long across the road. Liz glanced at Isabel, who had now fallen asleep. Surprised she could sleep on a moving carriage, Liz spoke to Denk.

“Do you often go to Grantina?”

“No, not really. It’s my first time going there in ages. Last time was about five years ago.”

“That’s quite a while ago.”

“Mohican had knee pain, but that priest girl sleeping next to you healed him. Now he’s energetic again—good stuff.”

“That’s great.”

Liz felt a twinge of regret. They knew they had to go to Grantina but had no idea about the current situation there.

“Have you been there before, Liz?”

Liz flinched. She was embarrassed to admit she had never left Rettina.

Denk laughed at her embarrassment.

“If it weren’t for this guy, I’d probably be stuck in Sestina forever. Traveling a lot may be something to be proud of, but not traveling isn’t shameful.”

“Is that so?”

“Of course. People who pride themselves on that are truly pitiful. They wander everywhere and still think they’re the smartest in the well. Don’t be intimidated, young lady.”

“I’m not exactly intimidated.”

“You seem like it. Ah, no offense intended…”

“I know. Why make excuses over something like this? You shouldn’t be intimidated either.”

Liz’s indifferent words made Denk scratch his chin, then he changed the topic to lighten the mood.

“But is it okay to go there at this time?”

“Huh?”

“Castletina.”

Liz blinked in confusion. Denk explained kindly.

They were traveling along the central road from Tetina to Grantina, stopping in three cities along the way to check Erica’s location through the adventurers’ guild.

The cities were Castletina, the indomitable city; Wictina, the city of young mages; and Artina, the city of art.

Denk mentioned Castletina first.

“But what do you mean by ‘at this time’?”

“Liz, didn’t you know?”

“Know what?”

“At this time, Castletina should be in the middle of its defense battle.”

Liz still didn’t understand, so Denk explained further.

Castletina is surrounded by impenetrable steel walls and is known as the “Indomitable City.”

Everyone knows of golems—magical creatures created by infusing magic into materials like rock or clay.

But Castletina has a unique trait where golems naturally appear in its vicinity due to mana flows, terrain, water veins, and other factors.

Castletina is completely surrounded by steel walls to defend against these golems, which is why it is called the Indomitable City and the City of Iron Walls.

“I’ve heard of the Indomitable City, but not the rest.”

“You visited the adventurers’ guild, right? There should have been notices for golem defense volunteers.”

“Only Isabel entered the guild building. I should have gone too…”

Liz worried that passing through Castletina during the golem defense could be dangerous.

Denk waved his hand reassuringly.

“During the defense, mages from Wictina will lure the golems. We’ll just pass through; they won’t bother us. They’re too busy.”

“Then we just need to pass quietly…”

At that moment, Liz felt a chill and turned to see Isabel quietly eavesdropping on their conversation, drool still on her lips.

Then she smiled.

“We’ll help the people of Castletina!”

Liz groaned and pressed her hand to her forehead.

“Isabel? Aren’t you supposed to meet that elf, Erica, quickly?”

“Don’t worry! Erica should definitely be in Castletina!”

Liz’s eyes widened. Isabel didn’t seem to be speaking without reason.

Isabel, full of conviction, shouted again.

“If it’s Erica, she will definitely participate in Castletina’s golem defense!”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes!”

Isabel was truly certain.

Because…

[Check if Erica participates in Castletina’s golem defense. (0/1)]

A new quest had been delivered to her by Sumiel.