MTM 138

“Allen? Why the sudden change of heart?”

Even setting aside Ser, it made sense strategically for Leon, who specialized in stealth and tracking, to remain outside the castle and support from the rear. However, when Allen suddenly volunteered to stay behind, the group looked at him with confused expressions.

“Listen carefully.”

Then Allen opened his mouth with a very confident face.

“I heard Carseon is under a prohibition on alcohol. I held back even in Etheria, but I’ve reached my limit. Even if this is a no-drinking zone, I’m sure they’re secretly selling moonshine somewhere in the back alleys. It was the same in Etheria.”

Everyone shook their heads, speechless at the reason, which was so typical of Allen.

Eventually, the group agreed to hand over the magic tool that facilitates tracking to Allen and decided to split into two.

Squeak.

The carriage followed the smoothly paved road and arrived near the gates of Carseon Castle. The castle, seen up close, exuded a noble charm weathered by time, distinct from the grandeur of a cathedral. In particular, the massive glass spheres atop the pillars on either side of the entrance absorbed the sunlight and emitted a mysterious radiance, and Harto could not take his eyes off the light.

Across from the castle, a clear lake stretched out where elegant swans floated leisurely, and the village clustered around it exuded a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere.

“Harto.”

As he got out of the carriage and was looking at the beautiful scenery, Zed approached Harto and spoke.

“In Belnok, no one would have known you were a monster, but the situation is a bit different here.”

Belnok failed to recognize Harto, a monster, because it was swarming with corrupt priests wielding fake holy power. However, Carseon was a holy nation. As it was a place where those who naturally wielded strong holy power gathered, they could quickly recognize even a monster with weak magical power like Harto. Therefore, entering the castle, where holy energy was concentrated, made it all the more unavoidable.

“Then… what should I do? I guess staying outside is the best option for me too…”

As Harto trailed off, startled by fear, Zed gave a gentle smile.

“You just need to reveal it confidently from the start.”

“…uh?”

Harto wore a dumbfounded expression at the completely unexpected answer.

“Did you forget? Beyond this forest is Silpirnoa. I told you about it before. The land where spirits and monsters live freely without human interference.”

He had heard about it from Zed, but he didn’t know that legendary place was this close.

“The people here know very well that not all the monsters that cross over from the forest are evil. There are quite a few that occasionally lose their way and drift into Carseon.”

The reason Zed accepted Harto without much resistance when he first met him was likely not only because of his extensive knowledge. It was probably because he had grown up naturally seeing and hearing about the coexistence of humans and monsters in Carseon since childhood.

“Is it really fine if I say I’m a monster?”

“Yeah, of course.”

At Zed’s confident answer, Harto finally straightened his shoulders and nodded. The thought that Carseon might be a much better place than he had imagined, made him feel warm and fuzzy.

***

“Well then.”

Leon took out small magic tools imbued with a magical power from his bosom and distributed them to his companions.

“If anything happens, just rub the concave part here at the back. It will send a signal immediately. You must not hesitate to use it when it is urgent.”

Leon, worried about Allen and Ser who would be left outside the castle, repeatedly instructed them on how to use it.

“Allen, don’t drink too much. Ser….”

Harto felt just as heavy-footed as he turned to leave his comrades behind. As he cautiously offered his instructions with eyes full of worry, Allen chuckled, finding his thoughtfulness both endearing and amusing.

“You worry too much. I need alcohol to drink. Ahem, fine. I’ll drink in moderation.”

Allen turned away as if it were no big deal, and Ser waved to Harto and disappeared into the village.

“Shall we go?”

The remaining three headed straight for Carseon Castle.

Shortly after, as the three reached the castle gate, two armored holy knights were guarding it. They exuded an intimidating aura distinct from that of the imperial knights who inspected people the city walls. The sky-blue surcoat worn over silver armor, and the olive-leaf-shaped gold thread fasteners securing the cloaks, were symbols of nobility permitted only to the holy knights of the Holy Kingdom of Carseon.

Clank, clank.

As Zed approached the holy knights, they crossed their spears and blocked his path.

“Stop. This place does not welcome strangers. Identify yourself and your purpose. If you attempt to enter without permission, you would be best to turn back immediately.”

His tone was hostile. However, Zed did not avoid their threatening gazes; instead, he took another step closer.

“I am Ares Carseon, the 7th Prince of Regnovar. I’ve come to visit my late mother’s homeland.”

“……!”

At the mention of an unexpected name, the knights’ hesitated. However, they soon smiled mockingly and did not sheathe their spears.

“…What an extraordinary status you are. The prince whom we thought was dead? If you are truly that person, you must provide concrete proof.”

“I think this alone is sufficient proof.”

Golden eyes and hair brighter than the sun. The holy knights were also well aware of Prince Ares’s distinctive features. As they were sacred symbols possessed only by the Regnovar imperial family, they were proof of a unique bloodline that no one dared to imitate.

However, they scoffed as if it were impossible.

“Do you think you can fool us with mere looks? Even with magic and disguises, this level of deception is a piece of cake. Hmm, though, I’ll admit, this one does look quite similar.”

A colleague chimed in with a sneer next to the holy knight who was looking Zed up and down.

“I know, right. Anyway, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen such an idiot. Prince Ares? There’s no way a missing prince would suddenly show up in such a wretched place. With what nerve? Especially when rumors are rampant that the Empire’s mainland is in an uproar over the Crown Prince matter.”

While the holy knights’ mockery continued, Zed watched them with cold, emotionless eyes. Then, in a low voice, he asked

“Can you prove my identity with holy power?”

“What?”

The holy knights were flustered by the completely unexpected question, but quickly shrugged with triumphant expressions.

“Are you asking a holy knight how much holy power he has right now?”

“I see. I thought you were just impersonating Prince Ares, but it looks like you’ve lost your mind!”

The paladins burst into uproarious laughter. Their rough laughter filled the area in front of the castle gate, but Zed, Harto, and Leon did not move a muscle.

“Haa… I think I’ve laughed a whole year’s worth today.”

The holy knight, who had been giggling for a while, wiped away the tears welling up in his eyes and replied shamelessly.

“Since you want to see it so much, let me show you!”

Bang!

The holy knight brought the shaft of his spear down so hard that it shook the ground. At the same time, a shimmering halo of light turned into a storm-like wave of holy power that swept fiercely past the three people.

“…Ugh!”

The intimidating aura emanating from the holy knight was fierce enough to make Harto, standing behind them, tremble and clutch Zed’s clothes. Befitting holy knights of the Holy Kingdom, their holy power was tremendous.

“How about that? We are the ones who have inherited the holy power of Carseon and trained our entire lives. We handle holy power as effortlessly as breathing, something a fool like you would never even catch a glimpse of in your lifetime. Now, look. This is what holy power is!”

The holy knights puffed out their chests and smiled arrogantly. Zed simply watched them with a cold gaze.

“…Is that all?”

“What?”

Shhhh

A beam of pure white light shot out from Zed’s fingertips. The light, which initially resembled a thin thread, instantly grew in size and took the form of a spear much bigger and more elaborate than those held by the knights.

“Th-this can’t be…!”

As those who wielded the same holy power, they knew it. They realized that the power emanating from the being before them was on a completely different level from their own, belonging to an inaccessible, absolute realm. The holy knights, who had never even heard of the power to materialize holy power and forge it into a weapon, froze on the spot with their mouths wide open.

“It should be proven now.”

“Now… please wait a moment!”

As Zed spoke, holding the spear of light forged with holy power, one of the holy knights panicked and ran into the castle. The holy knight, left alone, looked as if his legs were about to give way at any moment and, at a loss for what to do, stammered.

“Um, um… I am truly, truly sorry….”

“…….”

“B-But…are you really… Prince Ares…?”

As Zed stared silently at the holy knight, the latter bowed his head in remorse and apologized repeatedly. Zed sighed and withdrew his holy power.

Clunk!

“C-Commander! They… they are the ones!”

The firmly closed castle gate opened, and soon after, someone appeared before them with a dignified gait.