Thump, thump.

Solemnly striding forward

With reverence in his gaze, Lutheon fell to one knee.

I greet the honourable saint of the empire.

He dared not even look up at her.

A woman whod risen to Master rank, as well as a representative of the God whom the empire served.

One envied by anybody who wielded a spear.

With extraordinary divine power and unbelievable spearmanship talent

She was a woman who was flawless in her virtue and charity as a saint.

Lutheon. Long time no see."

It was Ailee, the saintess of the Holy Empire.

I-, do you remember me, My Lady?

"Of course. How could I forget a scion from one of the four great houses of the kingdom who came to the side of the spear? You know how rare your situation is.

However, most people here welcomed Lutheon, despite his origins.

With a physique thatd already received the grace of the sword, since hed now turned to the proper and righteous God, he would naturally be more blessed than others.

Ive already forgotten the family I left behind.

"I know. Am I not the one who brought you here? How could I not know?

"Yes."

Lutheon naturally remembered their first meeting.

While he was wandering around, aggravated by his family and disillusioned with his own life, he ran into her.

As if fate had willed it so.

It was all for her sake that he could endure the severe training and harsh discipline after defecting to the empire.

Lutheon was looking at the saints pink hair in a daze, when her question snapped him back to attention and made him stiffen.

You met Callius, I hear.

Yes."

It wasn't a name he ever wanted to hear coming from her mouth.

How was he? Strong?

See how you arent saying anything, he mustve been quite strong. Dont the rumours say that he isnt any good?"

I just fell for his tricks.

Tricks are also a part of ones strength, though.

I think he mustve hidden his skills before, or hes had some kind of fortuitous encounter and got his hands on a relic.

It was still a mystery.

Callius strength

Where did it spring from?

Im curious.

"Yes?"

Id like to meet him at least once.

What He's not somebody who deserves your attention, My Lady Saint. I suffered a loss because the troll showed up, not because hes skilled or anything.

I know, Ive read the report.

Then why

Its fun. Isnt he famous for his looks?"

Hes not any better than me.

Mmm, sure, sure.

Lutheon's brows furrowed.

Why are you so interested in him? You, a saint of the empire'

The Masters of the kingdom deserved her attention, instead of such a small-time idiot.

She was somebody who could destroy a castle with her own power.

Her first action after becoming a saint was to destroy a small country thatd rebelled against the empire.

Lutheon didn't know why a saint whod accomplished such a great feat would show interest in a two-bit country bumpkin.

Its just a matter of personal interest. You might say, Im a bit of a fan?

Fan What does that mean?

The saint only smiled in response.

She didn't give him an answer.

Lutheon.

"Yes."

Anyway, in the end, you failed.

Everyone fails one day or another. Whats important is to never fail the same way again.

The saint threw a letter to Lutheon.

The archbishop of the kingdom has contacted us. He says hes ready to move. Its a pity, but for the sake of the prosperity and well-being of the Holy Empire, Carpe has to be destroyed.

And therefore, you have to take up that burden.

Because you are the best choice to stand against them. So, Lutheon

"Yes!"

Help the archbishop overturn the Kingdom of Carpe.

Lutheon stood up, grabbed his spear from his back and brought it to his chest.

All for the sake of the empire!

And for our God, Lactus.

On the road back to the capital.

As I kept reading Gids notebook, that was somewhat similar to a diary and described his thoughts on how to cast a carcass, his skills and essence were reflected inside my mind.

The vicious deeds hed committed were clearly described, and simply reading the details of those atrocities gave me a headache, making me close the book time and again.

But I still opened it back up each time.

Because there was useful information in it.

To purposefully leave a carcass ritual unfinished to make an ingot its a very interesting idea.'

I'd never made a setting like this.

It was another mark against this world being just a game.

The nurturer faction Id created as part of the game was just an NPC element to make and strengthen swords within the system.

My plans never had such a detailed setting for them.

This is a method born out of accumulated knowledge and experience over many years.'

I kept reading Gid's journal, enduring the occasional flash of surprise or bewilderment.

I was trying to sort out the useful parts and organize them, excluding methods that were too cruel or inhumane. That dwarf who was working in the North, Dexter, would surely be happy with this knowledge.

It wouldn't be a bad idea to arrange a meeting between Dexter and Tal.'

Last I heard, he was making swords and armour for the knights of the North as a pastime.

Since there was no news about my Strong Sword, he seemed to be struggling quite a bit.

I closed the book, turning my gaze back to Carradi in the distance, and drove my horse forward.

Soon I reached the villa.

Although, it was now more appropriate to call it a mansion rather than a villa.

Because construction was progressing slowly here and there.

In the grounds behind the villa a place was being made for Beatrice to live in, and the other side was serving as a training ground for the sixth squad.

The villa grounds had already been large enough to accommodate a nobles mansion, so it wasnt very problematic.

Oh, youre back?

It was Peter who spoke.

Peter, a former assassin and fake guardsman who was now apparently really working as a guard.

Judging from his improved condition, he seemed to be living well.

Did you meet Genos, by any chance?

Yes, I survived thanks to him.

Good. When did you start working as a security guard?

It suits me. Besides this, Im also teaching the children swordsmanship, so please dont think Im not earning my keep[1].

Its not that.

Peter was a talented guy, so him taking care of the security of this place was a relief.

Screech.

As I entered through the opened gate, I could hear the sound of children training.

Ill have to set up a separate training ground for them.

The mansion was becoming too noisy because of the kids hustle and bustle.

Its nice to see the place getting noisy, I think.

"Is that so?"

Its not bad to see children playing after watching so many people die.

Well, maybe so.

The kids were still too noisy, though.

And

Whos that?

A certain dark-haired woman was teaching the children.

"Good. Keep this posture and repeat the strike I taught you a hundred times!

Her voice was familiar.

Why are you here?

She was the person destined to become a legendary paladin, often called the next saint.

Esther Sol Ciliad.

Oh, ah, are you back?

Long time no see.

Yes, its been a while. Well, I came here by accident

An explanation seemed necessary.

The moment I was about to say something

We greet the Lord of the North!!

Suddenly, Allen and Aaron popped up from somewhere.

Why are you two here

Wait a minute.

Since they were here

Ah, hello. Its me."

Emily was here too.

I shook my head as I watched Esther sip her tea while sitting on the sofa in my office.

I see.

Esther said shed run into Emily while she was wandering around killing bandits.

Shed recognized the sword Id given Emily, Lucen, and got to know that she was my disciple

But why did you take a liking to my disciple?'

Didnt Esther hate me?

Why would she suddenly take liking to my disciple Emily?

It was a little weird, but I decide to simply ignore it.

Esther thought Emily was a disciple of mine and wanted to check her skills, but when Emily called me Dad she realized that Emily was actually my daughter, so she accompanied her here.

When I saw the children training, I thought it was a good opportunity for me to teach.

"Oh?"

Im now a special instructor of the Royal Academy, and the term begins in a few months. I've never taught anyone before, and I have no experience teaching children

So she was teaching the children here to get some experience at it.

Even though she mustve been forced by the Church to become an instructor, she was a woman who did her best at everything she did, with all her heart and sincerity.

Your daughter is a very talented child. If you teach her one thing, she can realize ten things from it. I've never seen her like. She said shes still only twelve?

Shes a genius who also works hard.

"Yes? Ah, right

That wasnt what I was getting at

Esther thought as she fell silent.

She never knew Callius had such an aspect of his personality. He really doted on the kid. People said Jervain's blood ran cold, but it didn't look like that to her.

Even within that short response, Callius fondness and affection couldnt be hidden.

Anyway, as I was saying, if you dont mind, I want to come and teach the children here from time to time.

Callius realized that shed already made friends with the children.

Esther was fond of children by nature, and her name was also quite famous from the children's point of view. It wasnt a loss for any of them, so Callius was happy to welcome her.

Emily would gain a lot from her instruction, and the sixth squad would hopefully also learn something from environmental osmosis.

Esther wasnt part of the Five Stars, but that was purely because she didnt have a suitable sword, not because she lacked the skills.

Do as you like.

"Alright, then."

Esther got up from her seat and was about to leave, but she stopped at the door for a moment.

"But

Did she have something more to say?

Esther was hesitating about something.

"What is it?"

Callius was a little confused and directly asked.

"Really is she really your daughter?

"Right."

"That that's right. All right. By any chance, do I know her?

Who are you talking about?

Emilys

Was Esther talking about Emilys mother, by any chance?

She died a long time ago.

"Ah. My apologies.

Dont worry about it.

"Then

Yes, farewell.

Allen and Aaron came in next.

Sir, you seem stronger than the last time I saw you.

Youre still getting stronger thats great.

The two had come down from the North as Emilys escorts.

They were both exceptionally loyal, and Callius had known them for some time, so he didnt hate them either.

So Callius decided to give Aaron the sword that had been Arpens heirloom, Galaximund.

Are you really giving this to me?!

If you think you can handle it.

It seemed tough right now, but Aaron should be able to handle it soon. His strength had seen him through quite a few crises on the battlefield.

Its unreasonable right now, but I think Ill get used to it with time.

After lifting it a few times and swinging it around, Aaron said so. Even the members of the sixth squad found it difficult to even lift this sword, but Aaron did it without difficulty.

Callius had pondered it for a while, but handing it over to Aaron was the right decision.

Callius himself wasnt that familiar with greatswords, and hed already gotten his hands on another new sword this time.

Having too many swords is also a problem.'

A carcass is not just a weapon.

Since it is made by smelting soul and body, it also affects the user.

Callius had a subspace, so the influence was relatively small, but that didnt mean it was absent.

It was more efficient to quickly dispose of weapons that had degraded or didnt suit him.

Rather than selling them or throw them away, it was better to hand them over to subordinates whod sworn allegiance to him.

Besides, Allen and Aaron were knights whod accompanied him from the battlefield of the North.

They were trustworthy.

And Allen, this book is for you.

Wait, is this a technique for senior knights?

"Thats right."

Unlike the one given to Joseph, this book was complete, with both the upper and lower volumes.

Contrary to his appearance, Aaron was from a now-extinct noble family line, so he had his own training method, but Allen did not.

"Thank you! I will definitely live up to your expectations!

If Callius had to create a force exclusively loyal to him, he had to invest in his subordinates. Becoming strong on his own wasnt enough.

You should stay here for a while to train. Bruns?

"Yeah!"

Give them a room And go bring Emily.

"All right."

After a while

"Hello."

I was going to bring you over here after some time, anyway.

What should he say now?

The silence between Callius and Emily stretched on for a while.

Originally, hed indeed planned to bring Emily here. But now was too early.

Hed wanted to wait until at least the storm of civil war calmed down.

It can't be helped.'

He still had some breathing room.

It was just a matter of letting her stay for a while before he shipped her back to the North.

Grandpa was scolding you.

"Why?"

You didnt write him a single letter.

I was busy.

Hed have to slowly try sending one or two from now on

Well, depending on his mood.

I heard from the kids as soon as I came to Carradi. That you cut off the heads of some nobles.

It was all for Carpe.

I thought it must be, too. Oh. And I heard from Rinney, that you signed me up for the academy? They say it's hard to get in."

"Yeah. Itll be a good opportunity for you.

"Thanks."

Dont mention it.

With his position as a count, it wasn't that difficult to write a letter of recommendation.

So you met Esther. Whatre your thoughts?

Shes strong. Stronger than I thought.

Did you learn a lot?

Yes, I want to learn even more.

Thats good.

Esther would be able to teach her many things. Callius was glad the two had met.

I also played against Rivan recently.

Who won?

Me, of course.

"Well done. And what about Rinney, her too?

Yeah, Rinney has a lot of cheap tricks, so it was difficult, but I won. Oh, and I also had a fight with a girl called Flora.

How was she?

Shes nothing special right now, but she gives off a good feeling. I think she'll get stronger soon. The rest of the bunch are just crybabies though.

A monotonous question-and-answer session followed, with Emily talking and Callius responding.

But neither Emily nor Callius felt that it was boring.

Their facial expressions didnt fluctuate, but any bystander could tell that they seemed happier than ever.

Editor's Notes:

[1] , old term for salary given to retainers or civil servants in exchange for service.