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-Thud, thud!

The anger reverberated through every step, echoing down the corridor.

As if to welcome it, mist rose from the altar.

-Ssss!

Shortly after, the master of the space took shape and appeared, and there stood Kaeram, arms crossed, glaring at him.

She seemed on the verge of bursting with pent-up anger, ready to unleash a torrent of curses.

(If you keep frowning, you will get wrinkles. Kaeram.)

[Stop making noise! you! Why didn’t you tell me from the beginning!]

Aeru grinned and shrugged his shoulders and asked.

(What do you mean?)

[Lumendel’s rag was here! You wouldn’t have known!]

The fog that had been staying around spread out in an instant due to a loud cry that seemed to extinguish a burning fire.

(Kaeram, I don’t understand why you’re angry. How does their presence harm you?)

[Do you even need to ask? When have they ever done us any favors? They deny us just by existing!]

(…Are you worried about Cyan?)

As if honey were stuck in her throat, Kaeram momentarily couldn’t speak.

(It’s quite peculiar. You, Kaeram, feeling compassion for the owner. Was there a change of heart while you slept?)

Dumbfounded, Kaeram could only chuckle in response, repeatedly and futilely denying herself.

Yet she found herself impressed by her own unwavering resolve.

[I didn’t come here to listen to such nonsense. This is a matter that could affect both me and your safety! So don’t dodge the issue and tell me clearly! Are you going to do something about them?]

Aeru responded by shaking his head.

[Then don’t do anything and just keep going like you are now! If you mess up my work because of your whims, you will be destroyed by my hands!]

(That wouldn’t be so bad either.)

Despite the intense threat, the god of the black mist remained indifferent.

(But listen, Kaeram…)

Aeru’s tone subtly changed.

(I’ve never thought of myself as capricious, not even once. Whether it was good or bad for you, I always hoped you would understand that it was solely for your sake.)

[Even a passing stray wouldn’t believe that…]

Her eyes still brimmed with distrust.

Having finished her business, Kaeram turned away.

Aeru, along with the mist, watched her retreating figure with a faint smile.

* * *

“Boris Ruchelheim. Hailing from the slums in the north of the empire, he was brought in by a prince who recognized his talent. Interestingly, he didn’t use an alias for his name; he introduced himself confidently from the start.”

There was nothing particularly surprising about the Leader’s words.

After all, I already knew everything beforehand.

Adding to it, I opened my mouth to speak.

“The one who summoned marionettes and familiars in the Imperial Palace was likely him.”

The Leader’s brow furrowed slightly.

“…Did you sense the aura of dark magic?”

I shook my head.

“There’s no clear-cut definition of ‘dark magic,’ is there? It’s all relative.”

“Well, that’s true,”

The Leader nodded in agreement.

The mentioned spells aren’t some special magic that requires a different power to wield; they’re just a type of summoning magic.

So why the term ‘dark’? It’s simple.

It’s because they’re hardly ever used among those who manipulate mana and magic.

Ironically, even dark-themed magic that would fit the ‘dark’ descriptor isn’t labeled as such.

Why?

Because any human can use magic can handle low-level magic like ‘Shadow Conjuring.’

From manipulating mana to summoning creatures from the demonic realm, to even reviving the dead with massive amounts of magic like necromancy, these are all spells that deny the principles of life ordained by nature, hence the descriptor ‘dark.’

“A dark magic user seeking the mist… I expected it, but it might be more dangerous than I thought.”

The Leader spoke, but her appetite had waned.

“The First Prince isn’t your typical ruler. They must have sent him here, judging that the culprits who disrupted their plans are here.”

No, the First Prince is merely a figurehead, not the shining beacon he claims to be.

He wouldn’t have the capacity to recognize such things in the first place.

“Well, at least he won’t go as far as using force here.”

“In the end, a difficult presence doesn’t change, does it? That means he might continue to watch over you while he’s here. I can’t stand that.”

For a moment, the Leader’s eyes flashed sharply.

“So what will you do?”

“Kill him.”

It was a simple and clear answer.

“I always say this, but I can’t stand to see you, as the successor of the Mist, in danger. Your intentions are irrelevant.”

“I understand. If the leader is in danger, regardless of your wishes, I’ll put everything on the line to protect you.”

“Haha, it’s reassuring to have such loyalty.”

The Leader smiled with rare satisfaction.

“Today, why is she so quiet?”

My gaze naturally shifted to Kaeram beside me.

She remained silent, with an indifferent expression.

She wasn’t asleep.

The moment she arrived in this space, she disappeared into the altar, saying she had something to discuss with Aeru.

What’s funny is, she explicitly told me never to come here.

“The more I see, the more fascinating it gets. At its core, for a Demonic Sword, a master is nothing more than prey to be devoured. Yet, between you and Kaeram, I don’t see that dynamic at all.”

“Believe me, I’m working hard to control her.”

To anyone else, it may seem like I’m handling it with ease.

“Well, I trust you to handle that. But remember this. For all living beings, their nature is like an insatiable desire to fulfill. Even if she’s quiet now, the true nature of her Demonic Sword could be a blade that threatens you anytime.”

“I know. I’ve experienced it firsthand, felt it gnawing at my mind. It’s absurd to overlook it. But…”

Well, isn’t that being careless?

I clearly stated it when I retrieved her from the Temple of Light two years ago.

There’s no one else on this land who can properly handle you, except for me…

As long as I know it, and Kaeram knows it, there shouldn’t be any major issues arising.

At least not for now.

“Anyway, I won’t call upon you for a while, even if there’s work to be done. And don’t do anything suspicious. Stay within the academy as much as possible.”

“Oh, I have a request regarding that matter, Leader.”

As the word “request” left my lips, she raised her eyebrows in surprise.

“For about a fortnight, maybe a month. Somewhere in that timeframe.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’ll be leaving the academy for about ten days.”

“… ”

I couldn’t meet the Leader’s gaze and so I averted my eyes.

* * *

This place was encompassed by sculptures of pure white light, with not a single spot of darkness to be found.

Around the pristine white altar and the knights surrounding it like pillars, stood dozens of figures in a solemn posture, one hand placed over their chests.

In the center knelt Alice alone, as a woman wearing a white hood emerged from the central staircase.

“In the name of the Almighty God Lumendel, I come to bestow upon you the grace bestowed upon you, who possess the qualification for salvation.”

The woman placed both hands over her chest, enveloping the pure white light emanating from her own body.

The form resembled ordinary mana light, but the magical power contained within it was beyond comprehension.

“Alice Vert, I ask you. Are you truly willing to become the ray of light that will save this perilous and dark world?”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Alice responded,

“Yes, I am.”

“Alice Vert, in the name of the Almighty God Lumendel, I accept your oath to dedicate your humble body solely to maintaining peace in this world.”

As Alice finished her oath, a transparent light sparkled above her head.

Before her gently opened eyes lay a pure white longsword.

* * *

“Congratulations, Alice.”

After the baptism, Cecilia greeted Alice as she emerged into the corridor.

“You don’t have to call me ‘Young Miss’ anymore! Cecilia… I mean, Captain. I mean, you’re higher rank than me now…”

When she was her maid, she was just a subordinate, but here she was a superior of the Knights of Light.

Smiling, Cecilia replied,

“Before being a knight of light, I am your protector. So don’t feel awkward and just treat me as before. I’ll do the same…”

Alice scratched her head, unsure of how to respond.

“What are your thoughts?”

“I’m just… bewildered. Honestly, I wonder if I even deserve such treatment… being accepted like this…”

“There’s nothing wrong in your journey, Alice. If there was, you wouldn’t be the Alice you are now.”

In just a month, Alice had gone from an applicant to a knight of light.

Considering the usual probation period ranging from a few months to a year, her duration was remarkably shortened.

She didn’t receive any special treatment; she was special herself.

She possessed exceptional abilities needed to maintain the balance of the world, along with the mindset of a true knight.

“I feel like I have to do well from now on. To become a knight of light in name and in reality, and to not embarrass my family…”

Alice gazed at her newly received sword.

Through her grip on the handle, one could sense her unwavering determination.

“Is Cecilia returning to the front lines?”

“Yes. Since I came to see Alice on behalf of Duke Vert, I’ll have to go back.”

With a smile, Cecilia handed her a letter.

“Here, this is for you.”

Alice immediately understood the nature of the letter.

“Is this an order?”

It was Alice’s first official mission as a knight of light.