Chapter 197: A Reunion of the Elven Noble Houses?
Swordsmanship class was in session.
Compared to yesterday, far fewer students attended today.
The number had sharply dropped from the original fifty to just twenty-four. Due to his strictness, many students with poor talent who were unwilling to put in effort and only sought to idle their time away had withdrawn and kept their distance.
They directly chose to drop the elective course.
This didn't matter much to Mahiro; in fact, it suited his wishes.
Even if only Claire and Rose remained in the classroom, he would continue teaching without hesitation.
After all, quality mattered more than quantity.
Training two elites was far better than producing a crowd of incompetent, embarrassing disciples.
As for the class content, it was almost the same as the day before: basic drills first, followed by personal guidance, and finally, paired sparring.
Claire's partner was, naturally, Rose.
As days passed, their skills improved rapidly through mutual competition.
Rose's innate talent was exceptional—even during the academy's entrance exams, her abilities had already reached the "Strategic Grade" standard, placing her in the top 0.3% of the academy's evaluation system.
She was nearly on par with Princess Iris.
As for Claire, her inherently competitive nature, combined with her drug-enhanced physique, led to such rapid daily progress that she seemed like a completely different person.
Soon, the two of them had reached a level far surpassing their peers, not just in their grade but across the entire academy.
Mahiro was pleased and even enjoyed this, much like nurturing an account that was nearing completion, even though graduation was still some time away.
Incidentally,
Shadow Garden had already relocated its base into the royal capital, and Gamma's trading company plan was proceeding smoothly.
However, the company's name was not the original "Mitsurugi" but "Arcadia."
Yes, after discussions, the Seven Shadows had decided to follow his naming convention.
The various modern goods sold by the trading company were highly sought after by residents throughout the kingdom, with many people from other kingdoms making special trips to purchase them.
For a time, the Arcadia Trading Company was unrivaled in popularity within the Midgar royal capital.
At the same time, in the shadows, Shadow Garden's scale was rapidly expanding.
Especially in terms of recruiting new members.
During the day, Mahiro taught at the academy, and at night, he sometimes joined the Seven Shadows in their operations. Under the guise of "taking a stroll," they would conveniently rescue girls suffering from the [Curse] of Demon Possession.
Just like on this night.
"DA....DA....DA....."
Under the pitch-black, ink-like night sky, a girl was fleeing through the forest, her stunning pink-gold hair flying wildly in disarray.
Her sacred dress was torn by branches, revealing fair, delicate skin smeared with dirt.
Even as the surrounding vines left fierce scratches across her tender body, drawing blood and causing enough pain to bring tears to her eyes, the girl dared not stop for even a moment.
All because—
"Capture that little elf girl! Don't let her escape!"
Not far behind the girl, several soldiers were in hot pursuit, their unleashed hounds charging through the undergrowth.
Hearing the increasingly urgent sound of galloping footsteps and the panting of the hounds growing clearer, the pursuers' presence drew nearer.
A tear inadvertently slipped from the corner of the girl's eye, gradually blurring her vision.
"Ugh... Someone... someone save me... Mom, Dad... Dear God! Anyone, please!!"
Her name was Victoria.
She was originally a saintess within the church of the elven kingdom, living a life devoted to God and helping believers.
Being able to assist the faithful was her greatest joy each day.
But today, everything changed.
All her past had completely shattered.
The devout believers who were usually respectful had all transformed, no longer calling her "Saintess," but instead labeling her a "demon."
Even the kind-faced bishop no longer looked at her with benevolence, his expression turning fierce and hateful, as if he were beholding the filthiest thing in the world.
"I'm not a filthy demon!"
The girl pleaded in vain, but it was all futile.
In just an instant, she went from being a revered saintess to a despised demon.
What did I do wrong?
Locked in the prison cell, Victoria couldn't comprehend it; she had done nothing wrong.
Merely because of a spreading black mark on her body, she had fallen into such a state.
Although she knew this mark represented the symptom of "Demon Possession," she had been so devout to God—why would God inflict such a terrible curse upon her?
She couldn't understand.
However, just as she was about to be taken away by the religious order for heresy trial, a believer appeared, quietly opened the prison door, and secretly set her free.
But the humans of the religious order clearly had no intention of letting her go.
Even as she fled in disarray into the forest, even after completely losing her way, their pursuit never ceased.
"Why are you doing this to me!... Ah!!"
Victoria was tackled from behind by a hound.
She fell heavily to the ground.
She felt a burning pain all over her body.
Even though the damp soil beneath her brought some coolness, even as she gasped for the crisp air, the scorching, stinging sensation on her body wouldn't ease in the slightest.
Am I going to die?
Victoria turned over and looked despairingly at the night sky.
Her azure eyes, visible through her disheveled hair, were filled with the color of ashes, no longer harboring any hope.
Even in the depths of her heart, a faint thought emerged—
It would be better to die like this.
This thought persisted until a hideous, ferocious hound came into view, opening its bloody maw to bite down on her.
"No!!"
Instinctively, Victoria raised her slender arm to block the hound's bite, but the sharp canine teeth sank deep into her skin.
"It hurts!!"
She struggled fiercely, but her resistance was in vain.
How could her weak strength possibly match that of the hound?!
Not to mention, several other hounds had already pounced, ready to tear her apart and devour her.
"No... It hurts... I don't want to die... Someone... someone save me! Anyone, please... I beg you, I don't want to die!!"
Whether her cries moved the heavens or touched God, she finally received a response—
"Do you desire power?"
A voice came from nowhere, seeming to resonate directly within her heart.
Not only that, but the moment the voice sounded.
She felt the hounds' tearing bites had ceased.
"Young maiden, do you desire the power to live?"
Perhaps because it received no response, the voice asked again.
And it grew clearer, like an ethereal and holy voice echoing from the divine realm.
"I... I do... O divine one! I desire the power to live!"
Victoria summoned all her strength to cry out in response—perhaps the most powerful roar she had managed since her desperate escape began.
Her somewhat shrill voice faintly echoed through the pitch-black forest.
"Good, then I shall grant you power."
As the words fell.
Victoria found her body enveloped in a white light.
"What... what is this?"
She felt a tremendous force invade her body, flowing slowly through her limbs. The gruesome, mangled wounds on her arms, torn by the hounds' bites, began to visibly heal as if time were reversing.
The burning sensation and heaviness from her exhausted body vanished completely.
Even her tattered gown was restored to its original state, as pure and noble as it once was.
The warmth brought by the pure white magic also mended her shattered spirit.
It felt... it felt like a miracle had descended!
"Stand up."
So commanded the voice.
Victoria obeyed the decree and rose from the soft, muddy ground.
Only then did she realize that the hounds that had just been attacking her had, at some point, turned into piles of white ash scattered around.
And she finally saw clearly who had saved her.
Not a god as she had imagined.
Yet more divine than a god!
The figure had a human appearance, but his features were more perfect than any elf's, with fine black hair gently stirred by the forest breeze.
The smile on his face was gentle and kind, evoking in her an irresistible sense of closeness.
Beside this human stood a girl with long silver hair.
Her face was equally exquisite, yet very youthful, and her long hair was especially beautiful.
Bathed in moonlight, her form exuded a sacred and noble beauty that even Victoria, once a saint, found herself yearning to kneel before.
"What... what is that light?!"
Just then, Victoria's pursuers closed in, having also noticed the daylight-bright flash in the forest.
And the surge of magic that followed was even more alarming!
What in the world was that?!
"It seems you have much to say, but we'll have to wait a moment."
Mahiro ignored the voices of the cult pursuers and smiled at the girl before him.
Victoria opened her mouth to speak, but before she could utter a word, she saw the human youth step forward, brushing past her.
He stopped behind her.
At the same time, he stretched a hand forward and softly called:
"Est."
Understood.
Est instantly transformed into a beam of white light converging in his hand, gradually taking the form of a long sword.
Then, the wind rose.
As magical power manifested, the atmosphere began to tremble.
Victoria witnessed with her own eyes that overwhelming magical power gathering into swirling gales converging upon the blade, once again radiating a dazzling, piercing brilliance.
"Cold steel queen, Holy Sword that slays demons—"
Mahiro chanted softly.
"—Here and now, become a steel sword and aid me in striking down all enemies!"
In that instant, Est's white light had already dissipated, revealing the true form of the Demon King Killing Sacred Sword as it was swung down with tremendous force.
Magical power erupted.
Sound vanished, and the world was dyed pure white.
This was power beyond human capability.
Trembling from head to toe, Victoria knelt on the ground as she observed the scene before her, reaching this conclusion.
The forest before her had been completely flattened, and at the center of the exposed earth, a vicious, enormous scar had been torn across the land.
Like an abyss, its depth immeasurable, the darkness within the fissure seemed capable of devouring everything.
Where she stood felt like the dividing line between heaven and hell.
The scenery was completely and utterly different.
And that dark silhouette was the one who had wrought all this!
But as she gazed upon everything before her, a fanatical light swirled in the depths of Victoria's eyes.
This... this is a god...
If this person isn't a god, then who is?
In an instant, he healed both my body and soul, even the curse of Demon Possession!
In another instant, he annihilated the enemy as if delivering divine punishment!
He can even transform his servant into a weapon!
These are feats only a god from legends could achieve!!!
When she shifted her gaze and looked at him again, he still wore a benevolent smile directed at her, even reaching out to gently help her up.
So powerful...
Yet so gentle...
"...M-may I ask for your name..."
Instinctively, and with genuine sincerity, Victoria wished to know this god's name.
"My name? No need to be so formal. I'm Yotsuba Mahiro. And you?"
"Y-Yotsuba-sama... I am—"
"Victoria?!!"
Just as the girl was stumbling over her words trying to offer her name, a voice from behind answered for her.
Victoria instinctively turned around to see the night scenery before her shimmering.
A beautiful figure clad in dark combat attire appeared.
She had short silver hair reaching her shoulders, with pointed ears visible through her strands—an elf like herself.
But when Victoria saw that face, she was utterly astonished.
"You... you are—"
Your Highness?!!!
Before she could voice the words, seeing the golden-haired elf standing beside the silver-haired one left her completely speechless in shock.
That person's appearance was nearly identical to the legendary elven hero Olivier from the Three Heroes!
In her memory, only that sparsely populated family lineage possessed such features and bloodline.
"Could you be... Lady Beatrix's niece?!"
Hearing this familiar name, the arriving Alpha paused slightly. But as she clearly saw the other party's familiar face, which stirred memories of her past, a gentle smile emerged on her lips.
"Saint Victoria, everything from the past is already behind me. I am now called Alpha, the First Seat of Shadow Garden. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
"That's right, Victoria. Just as Alpha said, we have abandoned our past. Now I am simply Beta, the Second Seat of Shadow Garden."
The silver-haired elf stepped forward and spoke likewise.
"And I am Epsilon, though I suppose you wouldn't remember me."
"H-how could I...!"
How could she ever forget!
The one who just spoke was the third familiar face she had encountered today.
Not remember?
That was absolutely impossible. One could say among these three, the elf named Epsilon left the most profound impression on her!
After the niece of the Goddess of War Beatrix went missing from the Elf Kingdom, this very princess before her had subsequently disappeared as well.
Then cases of Demon Possession among elves began to frequently emerge.
This elf calling herself Epsilon was the young lady from a prestigious elf family!
But after becoming a Demon Possessor, this young lady completely vanished without a trace.
Some said she had committed suicide, while others claimed she had long since rotted away in some forgotten corner.
Never did she expect to see her again here today!
"What... what is all this?"
Victoria's mind was utterly bewildered, especially after encountering these elves who had vanished one after another from elf society.
Alpha noticed the former saint's confusion and proceeded to explain everything to her.
About the Hero's Blood, the origins of Demon Possession, and even all the secrets regarding the Cult of Diablos.
After hearing everything, Victoria fell into deep shock.
So behind that Cult that had dealings with the Elf Kingdom hid such immense malice!
Distorting history, twisting facts...
"If you're thinking of returning to expose the Cult, I suggest you save your breath, former saint."
The speaker was Epsilon, who deliberately emphasized the word "former."
Victoria understood.
Indeed, it would be useless. Even if her Demon Possession was cured, who would now trust the words of a sinner like her?
"Thus, this is the purpose of our Shadow Garden's existence."
"We have abandoned our status, abandoned our names."
"Lurking in the shadows, hunting the Cult to deliver divine punishment."
The three elves spoke, each contributing a sentence.
Then, Alpha extended her hand toward Victoria, inviting her:
"If you seek revenge, then abandon your name, abandon your past, and join us."
As she spoke, she slowly opened her palm, revealing a black sphere and a silver syringe.
Her clear, beautiful blue eyes stared directly at Victoria.
"If you have such resolve, accept this. Shadow Garden's Number 559 will be your new name."
"...But I don't know how to fight..."
Victoria hesitated somewhat.
She had no doubts about Shadow Garden whatsoever; she didn't mind abandoning her name and past either.
In fact, for her current self, it was the best choice.
Her main concern was whether she could handle everything after joining.
Just then, Victoria suddenly felt a large hand rest on top of her head.
"Don't worry. If you trust me, Shadow Garden will teach you everything. And I can see that you're capable of it," Mahiro said while feeding Epsilon fried tofu.
"Just as Lord Mahiro said, we will teach you everything and grant you the power for revenge," Alpha added with a smile.
"...!"
Encouraged by Mahiro's words, Victoria immediately grasped the black sphere, clutching the syringe tightly in her hand.
Simultaneously, the black sphere spread across her body, forming a dark combat uniform like theirs that covered her entirely.
Feeling the surge of new power within her, Victoria was so overwhelmed with emotion that she immediately knelt and bowed before Mahiro.
"Thank you for this divine blessing, Lord God! Victoria... no, Number 559 will always be your faithful servant."
"Uh... can I say I'm not a god?"
Mahiro really wanted to reply like that, but seeing the girl's devout and sacred expression, he couldn't bear to shatter her illusion.
So he ultimately swallowed his words.
And so, the former saint of the elf kingdom joined Shadow Garden.
"But I really didn't expect we've already reached 559 members?"
"Yes. Recently, there have been more and more cases of Demon Possession among elves and beastkin. But with our current strength, we still can't save everyone..."
After Beta and Epsilon left with Victoria, Alpha remained by his side, gazing up at the night sky with him.
"Well, we're not saviors. We can't save everyone. And Alpha, you've already done more than enough," Mahiro comforted her.
"Thank you... Hearing your praise makes me feel much better."
Alpha smiled slightly, her mood lightening.
Mahiro's praise was the best encouragement for her.
"By the way, are you going back tonight? Or will you return to the base with us?"
"I'll head back to the dorm. School isn't on break yet, and I have work as usual tomorrow."
Mahiro stretched heavily while muttering about how exhausting it was.
This made Alpha cover her mouth with a delicate laugh.
"What are you laughing at? You see how tired I am, yet you don't even offer a massage. You were so much more obedient when you were younger..."
"I'm afraid that's not possible. Miss Epsilon would get jealous," Alpha said, pointing to the girl beside him as a friendly reminder.
Mahiro looked down to see Epsilon gazing at him intently, tugging at his clothes as she said:
"Mahiro, if you need anything, I can do it too."