Dark clouds filled the sky, unleashing a torrential rain.
Shaa—
A knight in silver armor carefully sought out the porter waiting at the rear gate of Strange Castle.
"Are you Cain?"
An old man in shabby leather armor bowed his head deeply in response.
"Yes, I am Cain."
"...Is everything ready?"
"Of course. I've prepared a sturdy horse as well."
"Good. Then take this pouch and head east."
"East, you say?"
"Yes. When you reach the border between the central and eastern regions, the knight order will be waiting. Find Knight Giselle there and hand over the pouch."
"I understand."
"Hurry."
"I will do my best. By the way, what's in the pouch?"
As the old man cautiously inquired about the contents of the pouch—
Shing!
The knight pointed his sword at the old man's throat.
"Do not be curious."
"I-I understand!"
"If you want to live, never be curious about the contents of that pouch. Just deliver it."
"I understand."
A loud shout echoed from behind the knight.
"Seize them!"
A voice so aggressive that it was clear to anyone listening.
The knight who handed over the pouch pushed the old man's back.
"Hurry!"
The old man quickly climbed onto the carriage and responded.
"Yes, sir!"
"If you get caught by anyone, tell them you are on a mission for the Strange family."
"I understand."
"Even if you mention Giselle's name, Glazer will not harm you."
"I will remember that."
"...Go."
The knight slapped the horse's hindquarters with his palm.
Whack!
The horse neighed loudly and began pulling the carriage.
Clatter, clatter, clatter!
* * *
A loud explosion came from the direction of the forge.
Boom!
Looking out the window, I saw a blinding flash piercing through the clouds and reaching the sky.
Witnessing this, I immediately ran toward the forge and spoke to Siegfried.
"Master, it is time to welcome Brunhilde."
Siegfried, who had been floating idly in the air, jumped up and grimaced.
"What?! What are you talking about? Time to welcome Brunhilde?"
"The soul stone has been activated."
"Soul stone?"
"Yes, it's time to undergo her trial and make a contract."
It's ridiculous to even say this.
How could he be so oblivious, not realizing the explosion just now?
"But I'm not prepared!"
"What do you need to prepare, Master? Just relax and wait like you always do."
"Like always?"
"Yes, like spying on Emma changing clothes or picking your nose and making fun of others."
"You brat. Is that how you see me normally?"
'Yes,' I answered in my mind.
If I said it out loud, he'd sulk and not talk to me for a week.
Rumble!
Thunder roared loudly from the sky.
As if announcing the return of Brunhilde, the rain poured down heavily.
Her presence was so overwhelming that an emergency evacuation order was issued within the castle.
Guardian Knight Commander Beth shouted at the top of her lungs.
"Enemy attack! First guard unit, check the forge! Everyone else, lock the castle gates and strengthen the defenses!"
The knights moved hastily.
I joined the guard unit heading to the forge.
"This area is dangerous. Please step back, Young Master Dean."
The square-jawed guard captain spoke firmly, but I shook my head and followed him.
"It's fine."
"Judging by the weather manipulation, the enemy might be a mage."
"Good."
"...Good, you say?"
"Yes, I've always wanted to see a mage."
He tilted his head, unable to understand my cheerful demeanor.
"If something happens to you, we'll all lose our heads."
"That won't happen, so don't worry."
"..."
"Captain, I'll take responsibility for everything, so let's go."
The guard captain swallowed nervously, looking at the fiercely burning Siegfried behind me.
"Understood."
Thus, I arrived at the shattered forge with the first guard unit.
There, blacksmiths were thrown by the storm created by the soul stone, and Rox was buried under the debris.
I quickly ran over and lifted the upper part of the collapsed Rox.
"The soul stone?"
"Soul... stone?"
"Yes, where's the soul stone?"
"Soul stone... I had it... then I heard someone's voice... Argh!"
"A voice?"
Rox grabbed the back of his head in pain, his hand stained with blood.
'What?'
Rox's body, which could withstand a sword strike, had a wound.
I quickly scanned the surroundings.
It didn't take long to find the culprit. The rain had soaked the ground, leaving clear footprints.
Someone had passed by, leaving a trail.
Judging by the shape, it was definitely steel boots. This meant someone within the castle knew about the soul stone's whereabouts and had been following Rox.
'...Things have gotten complicated.'
Could it be that Gunther was aware of my movements?
'Should I have guarded the forge?'
Losing the soul stone would complicate matters.
"Guard Captain!"
"Yes!"
"Immediately establish a defensive perimeter around the forge and move the injured to a safe place."
The guard captain flinched at my gaze and bowed his head.
"I will follow your orders."
"Do not let anyone approach this area. Even if it's Commander Beth."
"Understood."
"If there are any problems, you can use my name. Make sure to carry out the mission."
"Leave it to me, Young Master."
At the rear gate of Strange Castle.
I discovered a knight at the end of the footprints that started at the forge.
"So, there was a rat inside. Where did you hide the soul stone?"
"I know nothing."
"Nothing?"
"Yes. Even if you ask me what it is or where it went, you won't get any answers from me."
"Hah."
It seemed the soul stone had already left the castle.
This knight was probably standing guard to buy time.
His gaze was fixed on the ground, as if resigned to his fate.
I drew my sword and lifted his chin.
"State your affiliation, knight."
"...Third Guard Unit, Charles Hamilton."
"Hamilton, is your master Gunther?"
"..."
The knight bit his lip and drew a dagger from his waist.
What followed was all too predictable.
Swish—!
He swung the blade towards his own neck.
"Foolish man."
I extended my hand, infused with aura, and grabbed his sword.
Snap.
Then, I exerted force with my fingertips and broke the blade.
Clang!
"If you wish to die, I will grant it."
"..."
"But you won't die easily."
* * *
Clatter, clatter, clatter!
A rickety carriage, which looked as if it might fall apart at the slightest touch, was forcefully cutting through the reed field.
"Hyah!"
An old man in brown leather armor whipped the horse's flank, urging it on.
"Faster, run faster!"
The old man's voice was urgent, as if he were being chased by something. His eyes were filled with anxiety, and his arms trembled as if there was an earthquake. What was pressing him so much?
Shaa—
The reeds bent in the wind, revealing the creatures hidden within. Goblins, the weakest monsters of the forest, and a pack of hyenas fighting over leftover rotten meat.
"Get lost, you damned monsters!"
The old man pulled a club from his thigh and swung it in the air.
He tried to show his strength, even though the enemy had not yet approached.
As the wind died down and the reeds straightened, the visibility decreased.
At the same time, there were noises from all directions, indicating something was approaching.
If this continued, they would be attacked by the beasts and monsters.
Knowing this, the old man swallowed hard and tightly grasped the pouch at his waist.
"Damn it! Do something, anything! At this rate...!"
Did his desperation move the heavens? A blue light flashed from the pouch he was holding.
Shaa!
[If I help you, what will you give me?]
A distant voice echoed in his ears.
The old man rubbed his eyes in disbelief.
But there was no time for hesitation. The enemy was already close.
"Anything. I'll give you anything you want!"
[Really?]
"Yes, truly!"
[Very well.]
Blue smoke poured out of the pouch, transforming into a beautiful woman.
She, dressed like a mage, raised her palm to the sky, gathering intense mana to the point where the space around her seemed to distort.
Boom!
Thunder roared from the empty air.
The old man, terrified, covered his ears.
The woman in the blue robe slowly scanned the surroundings.
Soon, goblins appeared from all sides, making strange noises as they rushed towards the carriage.
-Screech!
They looked no different from bandits ambushing adventurers or merchants.
Their weapons were well-equipped, almost like human adventurers, making it hard not to be intimidated.
"Ahh!"
The old man pulled on the reins in panic.
The sudden attack startled the horse, causing it to rear up.
-Neigh!
The carriage shook violently, and the old man lost his balance and fell.
Thud!
The hyenas hidden in the reeds seized the moment to pounce.
-Screech!
"N-No!"
The old man shut his eyes tightly.
At that moment, he thought he was dead.
There was no way he could face so many monsters and beasts alone.
"...Huh?"
When he opened his eyes again, an unbelievable scene unfolded before him.
Crunch—
The whole world was covered in ice.
The reeds, frozen blue, and the white snow falling from the sky.
Not only that, but the goblins and hyenas charging at him were also encased in ice.
"This can't be..."
He rubbed his eyes in disbelief.
As he tried to make sense of the situation, the blue smoke gathered in front of him and spoke.
"You said you'd do anything, right?"
"...Yes?"
"Then undergo my trial."
"T-Trial?"
"Yes, a trial."
"What is that?"
The old man, terrified, looked at the blue smoke.
The robed woman appeared before him, smiling, and spread her hands wide.
"It's to see if you can be with me."