Out of all the combat job classes, Holy Knight, Priest, and so on were the fastest to progress. But after reaching the high-level ranks, they had the least.
The reason was actually quite simple. They needed to establish a connection with the God and receive the God's help and divine favor … or perhaps it should be said that the God favored them, which would naturally help them grow faster. From a certain standpoint, this was a job class that depended on one's looks. The more one's personality was compatible with the God's teachings, and the more one's talent was compatible with the God's divine power, the faster one's growth would be.
As long as one had enough divine favor, it was even possible to surpass the efforts of others in a single night. This was also why Roland had been called the Child of Light back in the day. Apart from the fact that he was a bastard child of the Holy Light, no one else could explain how a human Holy Knight who wasn't even 14 years old could become a Legend-rank Holy Knight and shine with Holy Light as bright as the sun.
Gold-rank Holy Knight was probably the easiest job class to reach. However, the next step, the Legendary rank, was actually the one with the lowest advancement rate. As for the reason, the clergy usually blamed it on their lack of piety or lack of experience. However, reality was sometimes crueler than one could imagine.
This had nothing to do with piety. The Divine Power Server would never look at such things. It only looked at efficiency and the ratio of investment to income.
"The same divine power can help ten thousand Bronze-ranked people become Silver-ranked people, and one hundred Silver-ranked people become Gold-ranked people, but it's impossible for a peak Gold-ranked person to find his or her own path and successfully enter Legend rank. In terms of efficiency, the Divine Power Server would naturally choose the former. As for why the normal rate of progression is so low … Gold rank members who rely on external help won't even have a solid foundation. Without divine power, they'll only be fake Gold, so how can they possibly enter Legend rank? "
However, it was relatively easy to progress to the mid-low ranks, and it was quite suitable for humans whose strongest combat strength was between Gold and Silver-ranked. At the very least, this was one of the reasons why the Holy Church's combat strength was slightly above the entire human world. Faith was guaranteed by strength. Only then would one be able to progress further.
Even if the rate of progression was low. However, this world didn't lack geniuses and monsters. Those who diligently trained themselves would also be able to surpass their limits. As long as there were enough people, there would naturally be Legends and above, and the low barrier to entry actually made it easier for the Holy Church to spread to every corner of the continent.
It could be said that all Holy Church job class members' first cultivation would begin by establishing a connection with the God of Holy Light. As long as they prayed, they would receive a response. Even without discussing the God's teachings, the God of Holy Light, on the other hand, was a divine power server. He is undoubtedly qualified. He will help the new clerics understand the Holy Light, and he will provide divine power to help the outstanding chosen go further.
However, there was an inescapable problem here. Since the God of Holy Light was a divine power server, if someone ever disagreed with him or even became his enemy, wouldn't that mean that they would be banned and lose the ability to use Holy Light?
"The answer is yes. Those Fallen Angels and Fallen Holy Knight. Wouldn't they lose the ability to use Holy Light? Since the Holy Knight obtained the Holy Light Seed through the God of Holy Light, then … It is naturally possible to make people lose their ability to sense the Holy Light. "
In that case, could it be that without the God of Holy Light, there would truly be no more Holy Light …?
"I thank the God of Holy Light. At the very least, he allowed me to experience the greatness of Holy Light."
As Estrada lost his power and youth, his memories and strength also disappeared. It was as if he was on the verge of death as his memories of the past appeared before Estrada's eyes.
Outsiders didn't know his age. In fact, even the church didn't have any records of his age. Only Estrada himself knew that he was born 1442 years ago. For humans with short lifespans, this was far too long a memory.
Unlike the legends, Estrada didn't pursue the path of Holy Light because a True God had summoned him, nor because he wanted to pursue the path of glory. Estrada chose to become the apprentice of an elderly priest in town because his family was poor. The elderly priest who needed an apprentice to take care of him was probably the only person in town who could afford to take care of him.
"Ha, back then, I just wanted to make a living. I never expected that … Is this fate?"
As Estrada's life aura disappeared, the light that flowed everywhere transformed into a meteor of light. Everyone below exclaimed in shock and disbelief, but the undying's memories were as clear as ever.
In the end, the elderly priest didn't live for very long. But, in the end, he gave his job to this young man who only wanted to make a living.
However, it wasn't so easy to become a priest in a small town. Perhaps, in the era of the Untamed Barbarians and the Pioneer Knight, the Holy Church was the most honest organization in the world …
Although the Holy War had already ended nearly two hundred years ago, and Eich had entered a period of rest and recovery, the fact that a weak lifeform like humans was able to become the ruler of the mortal plane far exceeded most species' expectations. This throne that came too easily wasn't stable. The Sea Tribe was chased into the deep sea, the beastmen lost their empires and plains, and even the elves who had clearly won the war but were becoming weaker and weaker. Nobody was willing to leave the stage of history just like this.
With the Gods' blessings, large amounts of new territory, and an explosive increase in population, countless new towns were built. But soon after, these towns suddenly disappeared for all sorts of strange reasons. Some of them disappeared because of a sudden plague, or perhaps some Evil God was behind it. Some of them were slaughtered by the beastmen, and some of them were simply starving beasts that went berserk. The dead walking in the dark was still a nightmare for the living.
At this time, priests and Holy Knight weren't actually separated from each other. No, it should be said that warriors and commoners weren't separated from each other. Priests usually had to work hard to make a living, but in times of danger, they would abandon their farming tools and head to the battlefield.
"What? Uncle Marton's leg is broken? You want me to help reattach it? Wait a moment, I haven't mastered such a high-level Divine Art yet. "
"… The Iven family just gave birth to a brat? That's great news. You want me to name him and bless him? Wait a moment, I can't read. Can I just say whatever I want? "
"Are you priests as well? Why are you wearing armor? Holy Knight? What's that? Wait a moment, are you here to eliminate that hidden undead mage? Wait a moment, let me clean up. I'll lead the way for you. "
Estrada, who was forced to do something beyond his abilities, became more and more fond of his job. In fact, in order to be able to protect his own tribe in the cruel outside world, he participated in the creation of the Holy Knight job class. Many of the Holy Knight's rules of conduct and specialized Divine Arts were created by him. But he never said it out loud. Perhaps not many people knew about it. This was the strongest Holy Knight, the first batch of Holy Knights.
"A new job class? Isn't it just a priest wearing armor? But, we need a new name. Holy Knight? Pious, humble, powerful, brave, and holy. We are the Knight of the Gods, the Knight who performs the duty of protection in the dark, protecting the church and our tribe. "
When the first Holy Knight, Insterkachi, raised his holy hammer, there was a tiny figure below the stage who longed for his light.
The first Holy Knight wasn't holy at all. They were just warriors who were slightly stronger than ordinary warriors. They were only priests who wore iron armor. They were just a group of pioneers who felt that the original path of Holy Light wasn't enough to protect their tribe. But, they still fulfilled their oath.
They roamed the wilderness and hunted dangerous demons and magical beasts. They hunted down the Blood Tribe and Necromancers who were hiding in the crowd. They fought demons and devils in desperate situations, and they protected their homes from the attacks of other races.
Glory's first Holy Knight, Insterkach, didn't make it very far before he fell in a desperate ambush. As for his younger brother, Insterkach. His younger brother, Winstkachi, took over the glorious hammer. Although he was slightly weaker than his older brother, he only lasted for three months. Right before he died, he gave the silver hammer to another brother.
"Ainkaso, died at the end of the werewolf war. He didn't have to die. As long as he was willing to abandon the farmers who begged him for help, he was a hero."
"Sandi, a half-beastman from the Shamoya district. Although he wasn't recognized by the world at first, he still persisted in the path of protection. He was our most trustworthy brother. He was a hero. "
"Fendicard, in order to save the Brighton region from the plague, he perished together with the Evil God Albert. He was supposed to be a peerless genius who had the highest chance of becoming an undying existence, but he was tempted by the Evil God to walk between light and darkness. But, in the end, he won against himself. He … is also a hero."
"Atonlayen, my slyest adopted son. I originally thought that you would be able to take over this hammer, but why did you return it to me first? Do you know, kid? The most uncomfortable thing in this world, apart from having to send off so many of your brothers without dying, is having to watch a damned white-haired person send off a black-haired person. But, considering that you still carried out your duty in the end, you, an idiot who challenged a Demon Count by yourself, are also a hero. "
The old Knight muttered about the many generations of owners of this hammer. In the past, when resources were extremely scarce, any weapon was a priceless treasure. Before the hammer was completely destroyed, they would continuously pass it down among their brothers. Unknowingly, this had indeed become a Holy Knight tradition.
"Roland, you stinking brat, I originally thought that you would be able to take over this hammer. You're just as sly as Atonlayen, and in this damned era, only the sly can live well and continue on this pedantic path of protection …"
And precisely because of this tradition, these ordinary weapons that were infused with the soul of a Holy Knight became the Holy Knight's personal protection — the Holy Sword and Holy Hammer.
Naturally, the Valkyrie, which was forged from silver and infused with countless Holy Knight's power, became the first Holy Knight's personal Holy Weapon in history. Perhaps, it was also the strongest Holy Weapon. And in the end, it naturally fell into the hands of the first Holy Knight who was still alive …
"Light from the Brink, Guardian Hammer of Dawn Envoys!"
The ancient and tattered war hammer once again released a blinding golden glow. Even though the God of Holy Light had already abandoned his Knight, how could this Guardian Holy Weapon, which had countless heroic souls infused into it, possibly abandon its brother?
The old man had already lost the support of Holy Light. However, the white-haired old man still stood there as numerous silver souls walked out of the war hammer. They transformed into soul shields and used their soul fragments to protect their brother.
"Brother Aincaso … that little brat Atonlayen … Brother Sati … Teacher Insterkachi …"
Many familiar faces appeared in front of the old man. Even though the God of Holy Light had abandoned and betrayed him, the old man didn't waver in the slightest. But now, tears streamed down his face.
"I … I know what I need to do. I know how we should continue down this path."
The old man raised his war hammer once again, and the brilliant soul light within it transformed into blazing holy flames that ignited the entire sky. The overly "pure" angels were burning fiercely in the holy flames as they howled in disbelief.
The old Knight simply stood there, and the Holy Light that had just been extinguished was reignited once again. But this time, the Holy Light didn't come from a natural God. Instead, it came from the Holy Hammer that had been passed down for countless generations. It came from the depths of the old Knight's heart.
"… So it turns out that from ancient times until now, it wasn't the Gods who protected us. It was our own brothers and sisters. We believed in the Holy Light because it gave us the power to protect our family and kin. I devoutly believed in the Holy Light and pursued the path of Holy Light. It was actually the same path as my brothers' path of sacrifice and protection. Humans never needed to remember gods. What they really needed to remember was … What they truly needed to remember were our brothers and sisters who died one after another. "
The realization of his soul ignited his soulfire. The blazing Holy Light astonished everyone in the world and caused the high and mighty Gods to tremble in fear. Everything had gone out of control.
That's right, just like Roland and the Southern Church, Roland had already proven that Holy Light and the God of Holy Light were two completely different things. As long as one used their soul to recognize and choose the Holy Light that represented protection and sacrifice, so what if they abandoned the God of Holy Light?
Losing the right to use Holy Light? Ha, they could simply take it back with their own hands.
But at this moment, in front of everyone. Roland, the first human Holy Knight, once again became the pioneer of the Holy Knight race. He became the first Holy Knight to not believe in the God of Holy Light, but rather the pure Holy Light.
All the angels burned fiercely under his gaze. Roland was the strongest Holy Knight who could have ascended to the position of God thousands of years ago and chose the mortal world. Now that he had thrown away the heavy burden that had been weighing down on his heart, there was nothing that could stop him from reaching the peak as he had far surpassed mortals. Just by looking at the angels and releasing the anger in his heart, he was able to cause these low-level angels to perish.
In the eyes of the "bystanders" below, the strongest Holy Knight had reclaimed the Holy Light that the God of Holy Light had stolen from him. He had even killed all the angels. Not only did this destroy the bystanders' worldview, but it also truly shook their faith.
"He's still able to control Holy Light even after being abandoned by the God of Holy Light. The Southern Church was right. The God of Holy Light really is nothing more than a fake God …"
However, the old Knight didn't seem happy at all. His heart ached even more as he looked at the few remaining companions behind him. If only he had been able to take this step earlier, perhaps …
"Nothing will seem to change. Order is perfect, supreme, and all wrongs will soon be corrected."
The one who descended was a young priest in a white robe. His long hair was dotted with images of stars, and his handsome face was devoid of emotion.
"Mortal, your fate will never change."
The other descendant was an elderly man. His eyes were filled with thorns, and his face was filled with sorrow.
"The God of Cleansing and Prophecy, the God of Truth and Prophecy?"
The bystanders below recognized these two Gods' incarnations. These two Gods were both Follower Gods of the God of Holy Light. Both Gods were at least mid-level Gods.
"Lamur? Potter? I didn't expect to meet you two here … "
The old Knight sighed in sorrow. These two Gods had once been his companions as well. But now, their icy gazes and tone made them seem no different from the other God incarnations of the God of Holy Light's Follower Gods. Perhaps the main reason why he refused to ascend to Godhood was that he didn't want to become like them.
"Order is the highest …"
"Mortal …"
The two Gods' incarnations were still saying their extravagant introduction lines, but …
* Smack! * * Smack! *
Their opponents were obviously not interested in listening to them finish. In front of the Legacy War Hammer that represented Dawn and Protection, the incarnations of the gods were no different from the angels. Under the continuous swings of the Strongest Holy Knight's war hammer, the headless corpses of the gods began to fall.
In front of the current Estrada, an ordinary third-rate Follower God's incarnation was nothing. SemiGod was a special job class with no upper limit. In front of Estrada who had thrown away all restraints, there weren't many existences that could stop him.
Estrada smiled bitterly.
"There's not much time left …"
That's right, the Holy Light descending from the sky caused the entire world to become as bright as noon. This familiar light was incredibly familiar. For the devout, this was an extremely rare miraculous scene. In fact, some people even wanted to kneel down right now. No, some people were already kneeling down.
"God of Holy Light!"
That's right. Since his plan was obstructed, and this annoying old Holy Knight became an obstacle to him, even greatly shaking his source of belief, while his Follower God incarnations were unable to obstruct him at all, the God of Holy Light naturally sent his own incarnation.
This incarnation was a pure combination of light. It was impossible to see his face clearly. Just by looking at him, it made people feel despair from the bottom of their hearts.
But after he appeared … The sun in the sky disappeared without a trace. The entire world became silent. His incarnation alone was enough to rewrite all the natural laws of this world.
The old Knight closed his eyes as he sensed the suffocating divine aura of the strongest Main God. He could only smile bitterly. The difference between the strongest mortal and the strongest God was far too great. It was so great that it made people despair. It was so great that nobody would be able to change this result.
"All of you, hurry up and run. Do you all want to die here? "
After experiencing so many things, there were very few people who were still devout enough to kneel down and welcome the God of Holy Light's descent. And if this desecration of the Holy Light was spread, the God of Holy Light's authority would naturally be damaged, and his faith in the God of Holy Light would greatly decrease. In that case, it would be only natural for the God of Holy Light to kill everyone to keep their mouths shut. He had done such things many times before.
There were plenty of smart people in the Holy Light army. The smart people who instantly understood everything had already started to retreat. However, most of the Holy Light army still had hope. They believed that their God wouldn't be so heartless.
But unfortunately, this "server" had already calculated the gains and losses. The God of Holy Light that was descending from the sky was his decision.
The high and mighty God was no longer the legendary hero who had created the path of Holy Light. He felt that even talking to mortals was a waste of time.
Under the Main God's command, the starry sky was opened up, and countless stars descended. Everything was golden as far as the eye could see. Under this golden Holy Light, it was impossible for any life to exist.
However …
"Stop!"
Perhaps the God of Fate was quite skilled at telling corny jokes. Otherwise, why would the God of Fate always have so many ironic plot lines? Right now, the person who was maintaining a wall of Holy Light and blocking the meteors formed from Holy Light was their previous enemy — Estrada.
And right now, Estrada wasn't in a good condition. His hair was completely white, and every meteor attack caused him to vomit blood. And, it was obvious from the soulflames in his eyes that he had long since begun burning his own soul.
"Lord Estrada, hurry up and leave! You can still escape! Don't worry about us!"
Finally, a familiar voice called out to him, which made him feel both gratified and sad.
He knew that he had nowhere to run to …
"Because the Holy Light needs to be saved, which is why Estrada must die. Ha, little Roland, you've seen through everything. You've really given me quite a bit of face by doing this. "
Estrada could only smile wryly as he shook his head helplessly.
Suddenly, a strange thought reverberated in the world, and everyone understood it.
"Estrada, if you're willing to become my Follower God, I shall forgive your sins."
But in the next instant, Estrada laughed.
"Become your puppet and tool? Sure, as long as you let these children go and guarantee that you won't interfere with the mortal world. "
"…"
There was no response at all. Countless pillars of light suddenly appeared behind the Holy Light figure, and the meteors that suddenly doubled in number were his response.
"Estrada must die, because the Holy Light needs to be saved."
The old Knight muttered something that no one could understand as he silently raised his war hammer.
"We Holy Knights take pride in judging evil and saving the good. We've even created the path of judgment and the path of Holy Healing. But in my heart, the strongest path of the Holy Knight has always been …"
The war hammer suddenly fell from his hand and spun as it landed on the ground. The next instant, a ring-shaped wall of light appeared from the war hammer and surrounded all the mortals.
"… We Holy Knights were born in the battle of protection, and we grew up in the battle of protection. Our strongest path has always been the path of protection!"
The old man's angry roar echoed throughout the entire sky. He burned his soul to the limit and created the strongest barrier in all of history. At this moment, the ring of light from his war hammer blocked everything. Not even the angels and Gods could do anything about it.
Meteors and pillars of light kept falling, but they were unable to break through this wall of life. This was a forbidden spell that originated from life, so how could it be easily broken through?
The barrier that the old man created simply stood there. The attacks didn't even cause a single ripple, as if the God of Holy Light's attacks were nothing more than meaningless mosquito bites.
Meanwhile, the old man continued to fulfill his oath …
"Estrada must die because the Holy Light must be saved."
When the protective barrier that the God of Holy Light cast covered the sky, the old Knight's physical body landed on the ground. However, he still stood there. Even though he had lost all signs of life, he still seemed like a statue that was angrily roaring at the heavens. His soul was no longer in his physical body.
"Lord Estrada!"
"… No way, this is impossible …"
"Wahhhh! Lord Estrada! "
When the crying crowd surrounded the old Knight's corpse, the God of Holy Light's incarnation in midair discovered that this powerful barrier of light had already surpassed the limits of the world's natural laws. It would be impossible to break through this barrier without sacrificing an incarnation, so the God of Holy Light unhesitatingly left.
At the same time, two divine decrees were simultaneously sent to the Holy Church's headquarters. One was to strip Estrada of all his glory, while the other was to declare the entire Holy Church's expeditionary army to be heretics, making it impossible for them to return home. The strongest God of Holy Light was still as powerful as the sun in the sky. Everything was forcefully reversed.
One week later, a white ice crystal that emanated Holy Light and an old and faded silver battle hammer appeared in front of Roland.
Everyone in the room fell into a long silence as they looked at this ice crystal and the old man's final words.
After a dark night and a long period of silence, the pale-faced Roland carefully picked up the ice crystal and placed it in a black box. He then closed the box and placed it in his own world.
At that moment, Harloys was able to clearly see everything inside the box.
Three of the four openings on the box had already been placed inside three God Elemental Items. The last remaining opening was quite obvious.
Of the four remaining openings, there were only three pieces of ice crystal.
The first one had a blue, watery glow, the second one had just been delivered, and the third one only had an opening without a crystal. The crystal had just been taken away by someone not long ago. The fourth piece was an ice crystal that didn't have any light at all. It was the exact same as the other two ice crystals that had been delivered.
I was currently looking at the old battle hammer and lightly touching it. I felt rather tired and uneasy …
"Estrada must die because the Holy Light must be redeemed … It's all my fault … If I hadn't written the letter …"
"Roland! This isn't your fault! This is your teacher's own choice! Even without your letter, he would've made the same decision! He's Estrada! "
I weakly nodded, and then shook my head again. Harloys wasn't trying to comfort me. She was telling the truth, but she couldn't deny that I had given him a push at the very last moment.
"Roland …"
The ominous-looking black cat jumped down from my shoulder and transformed into a golden-haired elf girl. She seemed to want to continue comforting me, but I shook my head again and stood up.
"… Relax, I'm not that weak. We don't have much time left. Let's prepare for the next step. At the very least, at the very least … "
My eyes unknowingly became hazy with tears. My ideal plan was suddenly destroyed by a torrent of emotions. Before I could even react, I instinctively knelt down and cried.
"Teacher … Estrada …"
At this moment, the sly Calamity Roland wasn't here. The only one crying on the ground while hugging his knees was a young man who had just lost a teacher who was like a father to him.
It suddenly started raining outside. The downpour passed as quickly as time itself.
Memories of the past kept replaying in my mind. I was a hostage prince who was studying alone in a foreign land. Even though my mental age was far more mature than my physical appearance, I had never felt any less uneasy in my heart.
The luckiest part was that I was able to meet Estrada at an age where I desired fatherly love the most. Perhaps the careless Knight didn't know how to take care of others at all, but he used his actions to help me understand this world.
"Little Roland, why are you avoiding training again? Is Knight training so boring?"
"Tsk, what year is it already? You're still talking about ancient times every day? Knight spirit? Protecting your companions? That's long outdated! This is an era of peace. We need to focus on the economy and industry. Gold is the most important. Knight and all that? Old antiques should be in museums! "
Even now, I still remembered his wounded expression and his large hand. I knew that I had said something wrong. But just as I closed my eyes and prepared to receive a slap, I felt someone caressing my head.
"… You'll understand in the future." The old Knight forced a smile, but he was worried that I would overthink things. I regretted making an elder who truly treated me well reveal such an expression.
That's right, I understood now. When my Knight sacrificed his life for me, I understood the value of sacrifice and loyalty. Sometimes, justice, the safety of one's family, the safety of one's home, and even a seemingly ordinary peaceful sleep would require the sacrifice of countless lives. As the final reward of calamity, when one Knight after another collapsed in front of me, I understood the meaning of protection. Unfortunately, it was already too late.
Only through the Cycle of Misfortune did I truly understand this world. This world desired the Knight spirit and the glory of sacrifice. It wasn't that their thinking was slow and inflexible. It wasn't that they voluntarily gave up on a beautiful life and desired the so-called glory of battle. It was that this world was far too cruel. Some people needed to be sacrificed in order for more people to survive.
"We've never been afraid of sacrifice, as long as the sacrifice is worthwhile. Perhaps we'll die in a foreign country in the end, and even our names will be forgotten by the world … But this world isn't so perfect that we can easily survive. If it's destined that someone needs to be sacrificed, at the very least, we won't have to worry about our family and home if we go. "
My parents' generation would always say such annoying "nonsense" that I would only understand after I became an adult. By then, I would already be regretting it.
"… Master, I'm sorry, I'm sorry … It's all my fault, I …"
I couldn't seem to stop crying. Perhaps I wasn't an intelligent person. At the very least, I was always slow to realize my own feelings.
"… Every time I reincarnate, I choose to travel the world as a Holy Knight. Perhaps, deep down, I still yearn for those days. If only those things hadn't happened, and I could have become an ordinary Holy Knight. "
Every time, I would only learn to cherish something after losing it. This was the case in the Mist Kingdom. This was the case when I was with Lisa. Every time I "understood" something, a hole would appear in my heart. And now, that hole in my chest seemed impossible to fill. If it wasn't for today, I wouldn't even have known that I still had the ability to cry.
Endless regret welled up within me. However, someone was no longer able to continue watching.
"Stand up, Roland. What would Estrada think if he saw you like this? He trusted you, which was why he made up his mind and gave you the key to changing his future and despair. "
Harloys's voice had a rare seriousness to it.
"I don't understand what a Holy Knight is. But, as a teacher, I'm quite happy to teach others my own path. Even if I'm destined to die, the path I leave behind will exist forever. Isn't this the mark of my life? Estrada has even more disciples than I do. Even if he's now dead, there will only be more and more Holy Knight disciples walking on his path of protection. Also, that battle hammer, that Holy Hammer that can choose its own master. Do you still not understand why it ended up in your hands? "
"… The path of protection created by the strongest Holy Knight? Inheritance … "
I hesitated for a moment. Did a scoundrel like me even have the right to pick up the Holy Hammer that represented light and salvation?
"… Idiot! Yes, you've always treated yourself as a scoundrel and a bastard. Yes, you're indeed a bastard filled with evil. But, you've always used your own method to save this rotten world, and no one has ever done better than you! Such a person like you has never deviated from the path of protection. What other qualifications do you need!? "
I fell silent, hesitated, and felt indecisive …
"You're the stupidest of all! What qualifications do you need to save and protect others!? The Holy Light will never give up on asking for help. This world needs you, so what are you hesitating for, you idiot? If you're still worried, go ask 'him' yourself. Didn't they say that Holy Weapons contain the wills and souls of past masters? "
As I hesitated, my fingertips touched the handle of the old war hammer. In the next instant, motes of silver light began to cleanse the broken body of the hammer. Divine runes flashed across the body of the hammer, and the holy radiance was ignited once more, filling the entire room with silver light.
"An illusion?"
I felt as if someone in the battle hammer was chanting an eternal battle song. The silver shadow once again showed me the epics of the past. Countless heroes and legends appeared in front of me, and the faces of the Valkyrie appeared in front of me. Both familiar and unfamiliar faces smiled at me. My hesitation was unnecessary, as the Valkyrie in the battle hammer had long since acknowledged me.
"Estrada …"
As I expected, the most familiar face of all was also among them. Right now, the old Knight's encouraging and forgiving gaze explained everything. He didn't blame me, not at all …
"The rest of the path will be difficult, but I believe in you."
And right now, he hoped that I would take on this path of protection, just like that afternoon when I was avoiding training …
When the illusory shadow in my dream vanished, Harloys also looked at me with anticipation in her eyes. It seemed that I no longer had any excuse to hesitate. And so, I lifted the battle hammer and slung it on my shoulder. From now on, this battle hammer would become my most trusted partner.
"… For the Holy Light. I never thought that I'd be able to say such a thing."
"You're no longer hesitating about inheriting my Holy Light?"
"Ha, I was thinking too much. The path of protection is impossible to be broken."
That's right, I believed that as long as the Holy Knight still existed — no, as long as humans still existed — the path of protection would never be broken, and my goal would never change.
"… I swear that all sacrifices will be worth it! All villains will receive the retribution they deserve! The damned Holy War will definitely end in my hands! "
I lightly touched the battle hammer as I silently looked at the dawn outside the window. I now had yet another family member that I needed to remember in my diary. While I now had a new responsibility on my shoulders, I now had a new mortal enemy.
"Teacher Estrada, and that damned God of Holy Light …"
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