Two Holy Swords
After the retreat ended, Fornelis and the others managed to retreat to the inside of the goddess barrier that covered the entire area of the holy city of Lishlua, and they hurriedly drank the water that the reinforcements had prepared.
Their whole bodies were covered in mud, and not a single person was clean.
Even the Goddess Fasalina has mud on her neat clothes, which gives off a mystical aura.
"Yeah……"
"Was it true that Grabalt collapsed...?"
At the foot of the sacred mountain where the holy city of Lishlua is located, those who had already lost their homes due to the invasion of the slimes were building tents and other structures as refugees.
Their faces, which had been physically and mentally exhausted from their days as refugees, became even darker.
The collapse of the world tree that was so huge that it could hit the sky that could be seen in the distance... and the fact that Fornelis, a famous companion of the hero, ran away covered in mud.
From this, they predicted the [collapse of Grabalt].
"Fuu... somehow we managed to survive."
However, even though they had escaped into the barrier with their crawling bodies, and were panting from physical and mental fatigue, their expressions never showed despair.
Among them, Fornelis was the first to recover.
Although she must be physically and mentally exhausted, she still sends words of condolence to the approximately 150 soldiers who survived.
"I'm glad you made it safely, Fornelis. Really..."
They were probably considering the possibility of being wiped out due to the collapse of Grabalt and retreating to the neighboring country of Lishlua.
Jenna, who had descended from the holy city of Lishlua on top of a high sacred mountain to the foot of the mountain, ran up to Fornelis with a smile of relief upon seeing her best friend safe.
"Jenna. Are you okay too?"
"Y-yeah. Somehow."
"?"
Fornelis is also happy to be reunited with Jenna, but her expression is not good.
As she tilted her head in doubt, Julia and Anri, who had gotten up after Fornelis, ran up to her, recording the names of those who were safe.
"Sorry, Jenna. I need to figure out how many people we've got."
"I'll treat the injured. ――Let's talk again when we have time."
"Yeah"
With that said, Jenna also led a group of priests who were skilled in healing miracles and began treating the injured.
(Did something happen?)
However, Fornelis felt that there was something awkward about her appearance and attitude.
They have been friends for a long time both on the battlefield and in their personal lives.
The change in attitude may have been due to the fact that she was hurt by the slime invasion, but even so, she seemed somewhat curt, or like Fornelis wanted to hear it.
(I wish we could somehow find time to talk.)
Jenna is a popular person in this country, even being called a [Saint].
She doesn't really like the word [popular], but in an emergency, people want to hear their voice from someone they [trust] more than anyone else.
If the slimes were to attack, there was no one other than Jenna who could give an explanation that would be acceptable to the people... Fornelis felt that way.
(Well, I guess there's nothing else I can do now.)
"Good. We will accurately determine the number of people who are safe. I will leave the treatment of the injured to Jenna and the others."
"Yes"
They should have been followed too.
Still, Fornelis continues to lead Julia and Anri.
...She felt like if she sat down even once, she would never be able to stand up again.
The collapse of her home country, a complete defeat.
Her mind was more exhausted than her body.
"Kara, Meltia. What can I do?"
"Akane... I'm fine."
"Only physical strength."
That said, Akane felt like she would be crushed by the fact that the country would be destroyed if she didn't move her body.
Right now, she just wants to keep moving.
Kara understands that kind of feeling.
"I'm going to help treat the injured, but..."
Akane, who was from another world, didn't have much knowledge of first aid.
It's only natural since she's only lived a normal life up until now.
Everyone knows this because, during the retreat, she tried to treat the injured during a night's rest and failed.
"I'm not much of a healer..."
"Yeah, I know. Well then, I want you to collect some medicinal herbs."
"No. Akane has something I need to do quickly."
Kara wanted to ask Akane to collect medicinal herbs to make [Valhari Water], but Fasalina called out to her before she could.
It's been a while since she met up with Kara and the others since she spoke to her.
"What do you want me to do?"
"Yes."
Fasalina nods and begins walking towards the holy city of Lishlua―― a city located halfway up the high sacred mountain.
"Wait!? You're bad at explaining..."
"That's right. Even the Goddess has some things that she's not good at. You don't have to worry about this. I'll borrow some people from Lishlua."
"I’m sorry I called out to you―― wait a minute, Fasalina!?"
Akane hurriedly chased after Fasalina, who was moving forward without thinking about the other person.
"Hey, what do I have to do? ...I mean, what, are you going to go up these stairs now?"
"Didn’t you come down these stairs when you were summoned?"
"Because I got down that time..."
She wanted to say that going down and going up are different, but this is the only way to get to the town.
Akane let out a sigh and started climbing the stairs alongside Fasalina.
For the first time, she felt glad that she had the physical strength of a hero.
After all, the city of Lishlua is far above their heads―― a distance that would take a considerable amount of time to walk.
"Well, monsters don’t come in that easily because there’s a barrier, right? If we’ve got time, that’s fine."
"It's not good. The slime knows how to break through the barrier."
"...Eh? Seriously?"
"It's true. It's already been breached once―― we don't know how long the strong Lishlua barrier will last."
Fasalina's words were true.
The barrier had already been breached by the Black Ooze slime, and since the slime now had more magic and wisdom than before, it wouldn't be strange for it to invade the barrier at any time.
"We don't have time. Although I am incomplete, I will bestow my power on you."
"Power? Do you still have any special powers?"
"It’s the power I gave him as well."
Akane tilted her head at the expression [him].
Since being summoned to this world, she hasn't met many men yet.
This is because the world's population has become overwhelmingly female-dominated because the Black Ooze killed men.
"I will create a new holy sword to give to the hero."
・
・
・
"Here we are."
"――――"
"Um. T-thank you."
One of the priests in charge of the entire city of Lishlua guided them to the place where the goddess Fasalina descended―― it would be more accurate to say that it was the place where Angelica, the owner of the body, offered prayers and dedicated herself.
It was a room containing a statue of the goddess Fasalina made of pure silver.
Fasalina, the goddess, doesn't even respond when the priest, who is just a human, speaks to her, so instead, Akane Shinomiya, the hero, bows her head with a friendly smile.
"By the way, Fasalina, what are we doing here?"
When Akane called out to Fasalina, the old priest glared at her.
She is the god of this world.
They probably don't like beings who don't respect that god.
Sensing such gaze, Akane straightened her back and corrected her posture before calling out again, [Fasalina-sama].
(If I remember correctly, there are about 10 priests, and they decide the policy of this country by majority vote, like in a democracy... I see. Even though it's a different world, it seems troublesome.)
Or so she thought, but it was a secret.
In fact, Lishlua was the last to participate in the Black Ooze turmoil.
They say they took the safety of the people into consideration, but the people in power are the same in every world―― they used their wisdom to protect their property, and joined the fight against the slimes at a time when the least amount of damage would occur.
(Kara was angry)
That's why Kara left this country and had Fonteau set up a new research institute, and Jenna was also wary of people in power.
It's all because these [people who only think about their own interests] are at the top.
Having heard such stories, Akane didn't have much respect for this old man, even though he held a high-ranking position as a priest.
"There's no need for honorific language now, Akane. There's a more pressing crisis at hand than that kind of attitude."
"…That slime?"
Akane senses a clear intention in Fasalina's words when she tells her to come with her, even if it means turning down the transport of the injured and helping Fornelis and the others.
Slime.
No, she can’t help but wonder if it’s okay to describe that as a slime.
A monster in the form of a human who used the goddess's holy sword to destroy the gigantic World Tree with a single blow.
If he can use the holy sword of a hero, perhaps he can be called a hero in a way.
(If I say that, I'm sure they'll get angry.)
She realizes that she's so tired that her thoughts are going in strange directions.
When Akane let out a sigh, the priest standing next to her cleared his throat.
She can clearly see that he has a strict personality.
"I was the one who gave him power... but I've always been surprised by the growth of humans."
"Growth… before?"
"It's about Mariabelle's father. He also grew up faster than I could have imagined, and finally managed to defeat the Demon King. In just a few years."
"Yeah."
(He is the owner of the holy sword that we were talking about earlier.)
Akane had heard a little bit of that story on the retreat so far.
Mariabelle is a woman who is in the same position as a hero.
Her father was a hero from another world who was summoned by Fasalina, and because she inherited her father's blood, she was able to use the holy sword.
In fact, it is said that Meltia, the same hero's daughter, was unable to use the hero's equipment.
"However, that perception is incorrect."
"...You are still reading my mind."
"It's more efficient, isn't it? It saves time compared to having to listen to the story again."
After Fasalina said that, she began preparing something while listening to Akane's thoughts.
When she places her hand over the pure silver statue of the goddess, light overflows from the statue.
"What do you mean by perception is incorrect?"
"Mariabelle hasn't fully mastered the equipment I gave."
The overflowing light gathers around Fasalina's hands and is absorbed.
Even Akane, who doesn't know much about magic, understands this.
That light is the source of Fasalina's power.
The source of divine power―― human will. Wishes.
Absorbing them, she can feel the power of the goddess becoming stronger.
The priest, whose eyes had been clouded by Akane’s attitude, was moved by the sight, and she felt like he might lose his nerve at any moment.
"It’s just this… As I thought, when you’re cornered to this point and the number of people is reduced, the strength is sufficient."
Even in her current state, she can feel an overwhelming [power], but it seems that as a goddess, she is not satisfied with it.
However, Fasalina wasn't that surprised.
"Power... it isn't enough?"
"Yes. However, if I adapt it to your fighting style, even if it is lacking, it will still be effective."
Fasalina has been watching Akane's battles until today.
While Mariabelle uses a number of moves to overwhelm her opponent and unleash a blow with her holy sword, Akane's fighting style uses more moves and a blow aimed at a vital point.
Now, she's trying to make up for the lack of power by adjusting it to match that fighting style.
"Originally, it would be more powerful if I adjusted it so that you can use it based on the holy sword that was forged, but…"
Fasalina turned the hand opposite the one that absorbed the light towards Akane.
"Give me a sword. Give me a sword that you use and that is familiar to you."
"This? But this is just an iron sword..."
"The fact that you used it is important. People's feelings dwell in it."
Saying that and smiling, the blonde goddess held an ordinary iron sword in her left hand, and in her right hand the sparkle of the thoughts of the people gathered around the silver statue of the goddess.
"Connection is what's important. That's the most powerful force in the people I've created."
"But I just came to this world, right? Connections... even though I only know Kara and the others."
"What's important is not the connection of consciousness or knowledge. I should say it's the bond that deepens through fighting, saving, and talking together―― His holy sword has enough connections with people."
"I see"
Akane, who was summoned from another world, can't do anything about that.
However, if it is a weapon that saved the world from a crisis more than twenty years ago and is recognized by people as the equipment of a hero, it satisfies that condition.
That's why she realized now that Fasalina was probably trying to get Akane to retrieve the equipment.
(I wish you'd told me from the beginning)
"These are things you learn from experience, not from being taught."
Having her thoughts read again, Akane's shoulders slumped.
――As a result, she was captured and violated by the slime, and it imitated Fasalina's power, so it's not funny.
(Everything had backfired, and that was the result of Grabalt...)
"Yes. So, here I am, doing what I can now."
The light in her right hand resides in the iron sword.
When she traced the length from the hilt to the tip of the blade, she noticed that the area surrounded by light changed shape.
Sharper. More divine.
It doesn't need a blacksmith's hammer. It is a retransformation of matter by the power of the goddess.
The result is a holy sword created exclusively for the hero Akane Shinomiya.
"Mariabelle was completely wrong. It is true that she had her father's blood in her veins, but it was not given to her by me―― the holy sword was not adjusted for her and would not allow her to fully display its power."
"Still, Mariabelle defeated the Black Ooze, right?"
"That's right―― that's why people are amazing. Their growth rate is amazing."
When Fasalina said that, the light in her hand gradually weakened.
"As expected, the power of people's prayers is weakening due to the slime invasion..."
"Does that mean it’s incomplete?"
"Yes."
When the light subsided, Fasalina had a holy sword in her hand.
It's hard to believe that it was originally just an ordinary iron sword; it's a holy sword that gives off a divine atmosphere.
The decoration is luxurious, and the blue gemstone at the end of the handle shines faintly.
"Even in that imperfect state, I was still surprised that the result was better than I could have imagined."
"Ooh! Is that the new hero's holy sword!?"
The priest who had guided them to this place raised his voice, but Akane felt that the voice was coming from somewhere far away.
It was beautiful.
The blade, so transparent it felt like it was going to be sucked in, prioritized lightness and sharpness, and since it was slender, it seemed to be very easy to swing.
The extravagant decorations, to an extent that didn’t seem unpleasant, were considered so as not to get in the way of a real battle, and one could feel the strength to give reassurance and courage to anyone who saw them
It's more of a slender sword than a long sword, and it's specialized for cutting rather than thrusting.
The sparkle of the holy sword, which she felt was [special] at first glance, caught her attention.
"You are better at dodging than blocking, and you like to cut―― with this holy sword, you will be able to fully demonstrate that fighting style."
When Fasalina held out the holy sword, Akane took it with both hands.
(So light.)
It doesn't feel like it weighs anything.
The blade is so sharp that it would stick to the floor just by dropping it, as it was made to match Akane's love of slashing.
When she grabbed the handle, it fit her hand in a scary way.
If she puts all her strength into her grip, she'll feel a little bit of discomfort as the force goes all the way to the tips of her fingers.
(I can get used to it)
It felt like her favorite bamboo sword that she had been swinging for years.
No, she feels like it fits in much better than that.
"Amazing."
The words that finally came out were such common words.
――She playfully pointed the tip toward the floor and swung it in a comfortable gesture.
The blade is so sharp that she can't even hear the sound of the wind.
The sword, which was lighter than a feather, seemed like it would slip out of her hands, and if she gripped it with enough force, the tip would easily cut through the marble floor as if it were paper or something.
The blade went straight into the floor, and when she pulled it out in a hurry, not a single thing spilled out.
"He sought overwhelming destructive power in one swing, but you sought to slash. ...Now, cut off that arm before the slime’s holy sword is swung out."
"I see"
(Even if it's powerful enough to cut down the World Tree, I can just cut it before it swings.)
"That’s right―― if your opponent is a slime, you wouldn’t hesitate, right?"
When Fasalina said that, she smiled.
"From now on, I will strengthen the barrier surrounding Lishlua. ――Make sure to finish him off here, Akane."
"Yeah. I'm sick of going through that..."
There's a chance of winning.
She feels like with this sword, even if there were 100 [cores] inside that body, it would be able to cut them into tiny pieces.
That is possible as long as the holy sword is not used.
Although they didn't spend much time together, the beastman princess Fornelis and many beastmen cried.
When Akane remembered that face, she tightened her grip.
・
・
・
"Hmm. Is that the holy sword that is adjusted for Akane?"
"Yes. Isn't it amazing?"
They never know when the slime will attack―― Kara collected medicinal herbs with her tired body, and by the evening of that day she was working on creating a new [Valhari Water].
The location is the research tower that she used to use.
The equipment that was safe was brought to the place that was destroyed by the slime invasion, leaving only the bare minimum of equipment.
(Even though they were against the research, saying it went against Fasalina-sama's miracles, they were collecting the equipment...)
Desks and research materials made from hammered iron are made with great attention to detail and require skilled blacksmithing techniques to make.
It's not easy to increase production, and it costs a lot of money to make just one item... and you can make money by selling it.
(I guess they were planning to sell it after the slime commotion calmed down anyway.)
Among them, Kara, who is working in a new white coat, looks exactly like the researcher Akane knows from movies.
"However, if she could turn an iron sword into a holy sword, she should have done it from the beginning."
"Apparently, this is incomplete. Honestly, it'd be stronger to remake the Holy Sword that Mariabelle is using."
"I guess that means the used weapons are stronger."
The liquid extracted by heating the medicinal herbs is accurately measured and mixed.
The amount of blessed water that can be made from medicinal herbs collected in one day is not that large―― but it is one of the few weapons that can resist slime.
Kara was moving her hands with such force that she didn't even have time to sleep.
"...Am I in the way?"
"No. The principles behind making holy swords are very interesting and fun to listen to."
Those were her true feelings.
For Kara, who likes to use her brain, the process of making holy swords and its principles is a treasure trove of information for the first time.
And above all.
"If you don’t adjust it to suit the user, you won’t be able to wield its full power―― which means that the slime’s power is still incomplete."
"Yeah... Incomplete after cutting down the world tree seems a little too foul."
"I see. Is that what Akane thinks?"
That power is certainly a threat.
If the holy sword gathers power and is swung again, this time the sacred mountain where Lishlua is located will be destroyed.
However, Kara had a different idea.
"In order for Maria to demonstrate the power of the holy sword, she needed to accumulate power for about two days after using it once."
"That's right... After all, it seems like if you're going to use that much power, you'll need time to save it up."
"I thought that if the wielder was strong, the storage time might be shortened, but according to the Goddess, it doesn’t matter how strong or weak the wielder is, the holy sword itself is imperfect."
"Yeah……"
"In other words, the time it takes to accumulate power will not change even if the user changes... it will probably stay the same for two days."
That’s wishful thinking, though, Kara added at the end.
She'd be happy if that were the case.
Well, but.
(It's been about ten days since Grabalt was blown away. It wouldn't be strange if he blew us at any time...)
The situation remains unchanged. but.
"Even if we're about to get blown off, if we managed to deflect it―― at that time, if I can kill it..."
"I agree"
There are no consecutive shots.
Just knowing that is worth listening to.
Kara was thinking this while making the blessed water.
In addition.
(After adjusting the incomplete holy sword for Mariabelle...)
Mariabelle will be able to fight the humanoid slime again.
With more power than ever before.
(...Maria, stay safe)
There is still hope. Remaining.
(If the holy sword was stolen from a slime that mimics a human perfectly, would Fasalina-sama adjust the holy sword for Akane?)
She doesn't know.
However, this land has always been inhabited by humans.
In that case, she would like to take it back with human hands.
With the power of Mariabelle and the valhari blessed water.
"But it's strange."
"Hmm?"
"For slimes, the goddess can create powerful weapons, and the hero can use that power, so they are a threat... I can't understand why you are targeted."
Akane asked while touching the unused equipment.
"Why are they targeting Kara?"
"Yeah, that’s the thing."
She was vaguely aware of the reason.
"It's because what I make is poisonous to slimes."
"But slime also absorbs poisons, right? I heard that the reason your body becomes paralyzed or excited is because it learned by absorbing it."
"That's right. However, that's not the case with Valhari's Blessed Water―― without exception, the slime's mucus disintegrates when it comes into contact with the Blessed Water."
This was known during the research phase.
When this research tower was still safe, she was collecting slime's [core] and mixing various drugs into the mucus.
Only the slime-killing liquid now called [Valhari Water] destroyed the slime's mucus.
Yes, destroy.
The components of the mucus collapse, and it no longer holds its shape and dissolves.
It's hard to tell because it's originally a liquid, but the slime becomes unable to manipulate the liquid that comes into contact with the water.
Over time, the almost black-gray liquid changes color to a nearly transparent color and dissolves.
"If it touches the blessed water, it won't be able to manipulate mucus. I guess it's the same with purified liquid."
"What do you mean?"
"In other words, it is impossible to touch the blessed water―― it is absolutely impossible for slimes to absorb the poison called [Valhari Water]."
If it can't touch it, it's impossible to absorb it.
Kara doesn't know this, but the slimes have been able to understand various poisons based on their ingredients and adapt their bodies to them.
By doing so, they converted their body fluids into poison.
However, [Valhari Blessed Water] is the only one that they cannot do that.
It's so poisonous that the mucus disintegrates just by touching it, and they don't even have time to understand its ingredients.
"That's why they're probably trying to kill me, the one who can make the blessed water. If they can't get the ingredients, they can just eliminate the creator."
"Ah... instead of gaining resistance to poison, does it mean to erase all the creators of the poison itself?"
"Yes. That's why they're probably targeting me."
(Even if it kills an ordinary person like me.)
She couldn't help but smile at herself when she compared herself to Mariabelle and Akane, who were trusted by people, but she wasn't wrong.
The biggest problem for the slime in the form of Alfred.
It was neither the goddess nor the hero, but a creator of a deadly poison that he could not learn from.
That's why he's going to kill Kara.
No matter what, no matter how.
"I don't think I'm on the same level as the hero and the goddess who are trusted by everyone."
"I don't think that's the case. Especially since I haven't been active as a hero at all yet."
Akane said as she tapped the handle of the sword on her waist with her fingers.
All she did when she came to this world was fight in Grabalt, where the World Tree was cut down, and protect her companions during the retreat.
In fact, the shock of losing was too great.
――That's why Akane was talking to Kara in the empty research tower.
She can't face the depressed beastmen after losing their country.
"You did a great job Akane. We were saved... even though we still can't repay you in any way. And yet, you risked your life to fight."
There was no way she would complain about that, and Kara was grateful to Akane from the bottom of her heart.
For supporting everyone as a hero.
That's why Kara and the others were able to come to Lishlua alive.
"Fuu―― I only did a little."
While they were talking, five glass bottles of [Valhari Water] were completed.
It is a liquid made by boiling specific medicinal herbs to extract the necessary ingredients and mixing them together.
Since she already knows how to make it, she can make it even if the equipment is incomplete.
Although it wasn't efficient, Kara felt that she could make some more with this method.
"Congratulations."
"Thank you, Akane, you should go to bed now. Maybe we'll have to fight again tomorrow."
"…What about Kara?"
"I have to make the Valhari's Blessed Water."
"I see"
Akane said [good night] and went down from the research tower.
Once Kara is alone, she quickly resumes her work.
Right now, she wanted to keep her body and mind moving.
(Maria, wait)
She can't stay asleep thinking about her best friend who is probably being violated by the humanoid slime at this very moment.
There was also hope.
"I'll definitely deliver the holy sword――"
A holy sword for Mariabelle.
Believing that this is the only hope to save the other hero.
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