Chapter 214: Hero and Witch
Before his eyes stood a magnificent cathedral, built upon terrain that seemed carved from a mountain, overlooking an entire townscape painted predominantly in white below.
The main thoroughfare cutting through the town's center connected at one end to the cathedral's long staircase, where numerous tourists bustled about.
After finishing breakfast served by Nu, Mahiro headed toward a colosseum-like structure in the opposite direction of the cathedral.
He idly played with a strange pendant in his hand.
It depicted a demonic, ominous left hand pierced through by a sword blade.
This was a specialty of the holy land Lindwurm, tied to local legends claiming the hero Olivier had severed the Demon Diablos' left hand with his sword and sealed it here.
To commemorate Hero Olivier's great feat, this pendant became one of the holy land's specialty products.
Moreover, statues of Olivier could be seen everywhere.
Except, all these statues were male.
"..."
Mahiro gazed at the three heroes' sculpture standing under the sunlight and sighed faintly.
This caught the attention of Nu, who was accompanying him.
"Lord Mahiro, is something wrong?"
"Nothing much. I'm just reflecting on how much the Order has distorted this world's history..."
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a complete mess.
Truth and falsehood were so intertwined that one couldn't distinguish reality from rumor.
As a high-ranking Garden operative second only to the Seven Shadows, Nu naturally knew some of the Order's deeds, but she didn't understand what specifically Mahiro was sighing about.
Until she followed Mahiro's gaze to the largest three heroes sculpture.
"Lord Mahiro, are you saying there's something wrong with that sculpture?"
"Mhm, and it's a big problem. That's not what the three heroes originally looked like at all." Mahiro nodded seriously.
"Not their original appearance... Lord Mahiro, please forgive my ignorance, but what should the legendary three heroes have actually looked like?"
"Hehe, I'm not sure about the other two, but when you see Olivier, you'll definitely be shocked."
Mahiro smiled mysteriously.
He strode past the three heroes' sculpture plaza again, heading toward the trial colosseum.
Leaving Nu alone in bewildered confusion.
Would she be shocked?
Somehow, Nu felt a faint anticipation growing in her heart.
When Mahiro arrived at the trial venue, a balding man with a receding hairline was giving a speech.
The spectator stands below were already packed to capacity.
Nearly everyone here were nobles and merchants from various nations, all having paid substantial sums to attend.
Much like medieval gladiator arenas, they were all preparing to watch the upcoming Goddess Trial below.
Even participants needed to pay a one gold coin entry fee—equivalent to 100,000 jenny—just to qualify for this festival.
As for the process...
It wasn't as interesting as one might expect.
Several people in a row failed to elicit any reaction from the trial, unable to summon any ancient warriors or heroes.
It wasn't until evening that someone finally summoned an ancient hero.
Apparently a traveler named Annerose from the sword nation Velgalta.
He then won the match in an utterly ordinary manner, without any particularly dazzling performance.
At least, that was how Mahiro saw it.
He was even feeling somewhat drowsy, leaning on the armrest with one hand and propping his chin with the other, his face full of weariness.
Muttering things like "So slow..." under his breath, he scanned the venue.
However, on the opposite elevated platform, in what resembled a VIP seating area, he spotted several familiar faces.
Aside from that bald guy, the most eye-catching was Rose Oriana with her honey-gold drill-shaped long hair. As the student council president of the Magic Swordsman Academy, she had been invited to attend.
Though he hadn't come with Rose, as having Nu along made it somewhat inconvenient.
Next to her was a girl dressed like a noblewoman.
She had captivating shoulder-length silver hair, blue cat-like eyes, and a tear mole at the corner of her eye.
A sea-blue shawl draped over her shoulders, she wore a blouse with buttons undone quite low, revealing a glimpse of deep cleavage.
Hmm, it's Beta.
But now she should be addressed as Natsume Kafka—a pseudonym combining Natsume Soseki and Franz Kafka, just like Edogawa Conan.
Her public identity was this world's best-selling author, though she was essentially plagiarizing works.
However, just as he was watching Beta, she seemed to notice his gaze, looked up, and met his eyes across the distance.
Even from such a far distance, Mahiro clearly sensed the excitement and joy in Beta's eyes.
Alexia, sitting beside her, noticed Natsume-sensei's strange expression but just as she was about to ask, her attention was captured by the chest's swaying fullness.
Her expression stiffened, and her gaze gradually turned hostile.
How irritating...
Alexia grumbled inwardly.
Her annoyance was no less than what she felt toward Acting Archbishop Nelson, who had forbidden her from investigating the Archbishop's murder case.
"Natsume-sensei, is something wrong?"
Rose also noticed Natsume-sensei's unusual behavior, but unlike Alexia, she didn't overthink it and directly asked.
"Ahaha, it's nothing, I just happened to see an acquaintance..."
Beta evaded with a cheerful laugh.
"An acquaintance of Natsume-sensei?"
Just as Rose was about to inquire further, the announcer called the next challenger's name, catching her attention.
"Next challenger, from Midgar Academy for Dark Knights! Yotsuba Mahiro!!!"
Sigh, finally my turn...
Mahiro, already bored with the matches, slowly rose from his seat while Nu respectfully saw him off:
"May your martial fortunes prosper."
"Let's welcome this brave challenger with applause!"
The announcer's voice was so loud that it drew all the audience's attention, yet everyone's faces were filled with confusion.
"Yotsuba Mahiro? Who's that?"
"Midgar Academy... they have a student named Yotsuba Mahiro?"
"What a strange name..."
The VIPs in the audience whispered among themselves.
"What? Yotsuba-sensei?!"
"He's here too?!"
Alexia and Rose were instantly shocked upon hearing this, immediately standing up and leaning against the observation deck railing to look down.
They happened to see their teacher, Mahiro, emerging from the player tunnel.
On the surface, he appeared completely ordinary, seemingly just a student's age.
Almost no one had high expectations for him, not even Acting Archbishop Nelson.
He didn't believe such a pretty boy could have any real capability.
But what puzzled him was—while it might be understandable for Princess Alexia and Princess Rose—why was even Teacher Natsume so excited, leaning so far over the railing?
She had already extended half her body outward, almost as if she were about to jump down and give that person a big hug.
"Mr. Yotsuba, do your best!"
Beta could no longer contain her emotions and shouted out loudly.
This immediately drew the gazes of Alexia and Rose toward her.
Teacher Natsume—this woman—actually knew Yotsuba-sensei too?!
Just as the two were feeling shocked, Mahiro, who had entered the competition grounds, stepped into the semicircular space.
"Let me see what I can summon."
It would be even better if he could summon the Demon King from another world.
But the moment he stepped in, Mahiro felt something sweep over his body.
An X-ray?
Probably something along those lines.
However, the next second.
The Sanctuary's magic system suddenly experienced some unknown error. Unlike the previous white magic circles, a vicious and ominous crimson magical power manifested, coiling in the sky above!
Slowly, a red-black magic circle took shape.
The frenzied magical energy felt like an evil god descending, looking down upon this world!
The immense magical pressure spreading through the air made the audience tremble in fear!
"What in the world is happening?"
The audience had no idea.
Even Acting Archbishop Nelson, the administrator, was completely baffled.
He had never seen anything like this before!
Then.
A slender figure emerged from the magic circle enveloping the sky and earth.
"An elf?!"
That's right—a golden-haired elf stepped out from the magic circle.
The audience didn't know this elf's identity.
But that didn't mean the VIP seats were unaware.
The moment Rose saw the golden-haired elf's face, her eyes widened slightly, and she murmured softly:
"..."
Beta also found it utterly unbelievable.
Wearing the same expression was Nu in the audience, staring in astonishment at the elf girl in the center of the arena.
She seemed to understand why Mahiro had told her she would be greatly surprised when she saw it.
Indeed, that was the case.
"Because... that's Lady Alpha..."
No, to be precise, it was an elf girl with the same face as Alpha, her flowing golden hair dancing in the wind.
Nelson nearly choked on his own tongue when he saw her.
How could it be her?
How could it be...?
"..."
He barely managed to stop himself after uttering two syllables, quickly covering his mouth.
That was close—he had almost spoken that name!
Fortunately, all three ladies seated in the VIP box had their attention fixed on the arena, and none noticed his whispered murmurs.
"It's not over yet!"
Rose suddenly exclaimed excitedly.
Normally, whenever an ancient warrior manifested, the magic circle would disappear, only reappearing for the next entrant.
But now, despite the elf maiden already standing there, the ominous crimson magic circle remained.
Instead, the magical energy materialized, sweeping across the ground like lightning.
Immediately after, a second figure emerged.
This time it was a beastkin girl.
With short golden hair, golden ears, and a golden tail resembling that of a cat.
"Lady Zeta..."
Nu stared incredulously at the beastkin on the field.
But it still wasn't over.
A third person appeared.
This was also a woman, her beauty equally stunning, not inferior to the previous two.
She had long black hair and captivating violet eyes. Beneath her sheer black robe was a deep purple gown and fair skin, exuding an artistic beauty as if a statue had come to life.
Unlike the previous two who appeared mechanically, this young lady briefly glanced around after manifesting.
When her gaze fell upon the elf maiden and the beastkin girl, clear surprise surfaced on her face.
And when she looked at the young man standing opposite—Yotsuba Mahiro—she involuntally blinked.
Moments later, she gave him a meaningful smile.
"H-How is this possible?! Even she has emerged!"
Nelson was utterly shocked, his eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets.
"She? Is...?"
Rose and the others finally noticed Nelson's state—he was drenched in sweat as if he'd just run five kilometers with his rotund body.
"'Calamity Witch' Aurora... correct?"
A gentle voice spoke up, answering in Nelson's place.
But Nelson looked at the speaker with astonishment.
"How do you know that name?"
"Because I happen to have some knowledge of ancient script. It's written on the magic circle. Besides Aurora's name, there's also Olivier and Lily..."
Beta said with a pure, innocent smile on her face.
"But it's so strange. I remember the three legendary heroes who defeated Diablos were supposed to be men. I wonder if you know how this could be, Archbishop Nelson?"
"..."
Under questioning, Nelson was already sweating profusely.
His eyes darted wildly, as if trying to fabricate a plausible explanation.
Ah, relatives!
"Um... perhaps this Olivier and Lily happen to be descendants of the heroes?"
"Well, that could be."
Beta nodded, seemingly accepting this explanation, then instantly produced a notebook from her cleavage, quickly sketching Aurora and the two heroes.
She also sketched Mahiro confronting them.
Though the latter was clearly her main focus.
Lord Mahiro is as dashing as ever today—
After adding these notes, Beta closed her notebook, having completed her data collection.
"May I ask, Natsume-sensei, who is Aurora...?"
Rose and Alexia were completely baffled. The Calamity Witch... what was that about?
And the Three Heroes—weren't those just fairy tales?
"'Calamity Witch' Aurora was a woman who once brought chaos and destruction to this world, but I don't know the specifics. I believe Lord Nelson would know more, right?"
"If you don't mind, could Lord Nelson explain it to us?"
"O-Of course, no problem!"
Hearing Beta's sweet, delicate voice asking him, Nelson puffed up with pride and began:
"It's only natural that you two know nothing about her. In fact, I'm quite surprised that Natsume-sensei is aware of her. Even within the Church, only a small number of people know about Aurora's existence..."
Getting carried away with his own importance, Nelson proceeded to enlighten them about Aurora's deeds.
Meanwhile, the audience seats were already in an uproar.
Many people here had witnessed numerous Goddess's Trials before.
But in the past, most participants couldn't even summon a glimpse of an ancient warrior—even the strongest could only summon one at most.
They had never seen anyone summon three ancient warriors all at once!
"Could there be a fourth...?"
Someone muttered these words.
Then they noticed that the magic circle indeed responded once more, and a fourth figure emerged from within.
Judging by the swaying silhouette, it appeared to be a woman as well.
But before she could step out of the magic circle and reveal her true form, the magic circle suddenly seemed to be forcibly closed.
Ah, what a pity...
Strangely, this feeling emerged among the audience—a sense of disappointment that the fourth figure hadn't appeared.
Still, the spectacle of one against three was more than enough for them to appreciate.
Or rather, this match was something they would probably never forget for the rest of their lives.
"So, this young man's luck is truly unfortunate—to have summoned this terrifying witch. He'll probably be killed in an instant..."
Hearing Nelson's words, Rose's heart leaped into her throat.
Although she strongly believed in Mahiro's abilities, could he really stand a chance against a legendary calamity?
Meanwhile, Nelson, who had been secretly watching the arena, breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the magic circle finally close.
Thank goodness that last woman wasn't summoned...
But the situation was already serious enough.
Who would have thought that both Olivier and Lily would appear, along with that witch!
Alexia, however, held a different opinion.
Because the Goddess's Trial matches participants based on their strength, being able to summon the former witch along with two direct descendants of heroes indicated that Yotsuba-sensei's power was on par with these three.
Recalling the events of that day, Alexia found her conjecture quite reasonable.
"Alright now, the match is about to begin."
Beta's gentle voice reminded the two, and both Rose and Alexia focused their gazes on the coliseum below.
They saw that Mahiro had already begun to move.
"So I summoned three at once... Seems I'm a bit stronger than Shadow?"
Looking at the two girls who looked exactly like Alpha and Zeta, then glancing at Aurora standing nearby, Mahiro rubbed his chin as he reached this conclusion.
"Well, whatever. No point overthinking it. Since they're here, might as have some fun."
While muttering to himself, Mahiro raised his hand high toward the sky and began chanting.
"Cold steel queen, demon-slaying holy sword—"
"—Become the blade of steel here and now, and help me strike down my enemies!"