Chapter 21: The Infernal Sword

After exiting the Great Forest, the group traversed through the Dry Valley, until they eventually arrived at the outskirts of the Kingdom. A sea of green and gold swayed along with the wind as they passed through the rice fields.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” whispered Faith.

Jiablu did not bother responding as he stared at the farmers they passed by along the way. Their tunics were filled with mud and sweat, but somehow, there was satisfaction within their eyes. They would sometimes wave their hands and salute, while some cheered as the famous Red Griffin passed through.

Hours quickly went by, and just before noon came, they had finally arrived at a city. There was a wall enclosing it, but judging by its size, it was probably meant to block illegal immigrants rather than monster attacks. The guards at the entrance immediately opened the gates the moment they saw the Red Griffin.

After entering the city, Rajak said, “De Sagun, you’re going to meet with the Cardinal, correct?”

Faith nodded. “Yes.” She looked at Jiablu. “I’ll be taking him there.”

Along their journey, Rajak had learned of Jiablu’s origins. The commander was surprised when he found out the events that transpired during that time. Attacks from the Undead. The Goblin King invasion. And the fight with the Forest Bandits.

All of those were catastrophes that would warrant the attention of the Kingdom. The commander of the Red Griffin felt a sense of pity for the kid. He was young, but he had gone through so much tragedies.

Rajak placed a hand on Jiablu’s head. “Be good, ‘kay? Cardinal Roschal is a good man. He’ll surely—”

“Don’t touch me, damn maggot,” spat Jiablu.

For a moment, Rajak felt a burning sensation in his hand. He quickly let go of his grip, and the pricking pain vanished at the same time.

Faith immediately reprimanded Jiablu: “Young man! What did I tell you?!” She said to Rajak, “I’m sorry.”

Jiablu seemed not pleased about the conversation. Rajak heartily laughed. “It’s fine, De Sagun.” He stared at Jiablu for a few seconds before giving out a smile.

“Well then,” said Rajak. “This is where we part ways. I take it that you’ll be reporting directly to the Cardinal?”

“Yes,” said Faith.

As a High Priestess, the Cardinal was her direct superior. The Kingdom was not in amicable terms with The Order of Aquina as of the moment, and being granted an audience with a Palace Official would prove difficult. She had no choice but convey her findings to the Cardinal himself. After all, even the King cannot refuse the Cardinal an audience.

Rajak closed his eyes then smiled. He fondly gazed at Faith. “I’ll come visit one of these days. Tell the old man.”

Faith smiled, revealing her left dimple. “I think he’ll be pissed. You ran away, after all.”

“Haha! That’s all in the past! Surely, he’d forgiven me by now?” said Rajak.

Faith shrugged. “You know how stubborn he can be. But please do visit us. Contrary to what the old man may say, I’m sure he’ll be delighted.”

“Got it.” Rajak pulled the reigns of his mount, making it loudly neigh in response. “Then, off we go!”

Faith and Jiablu watched as Rajak and his men disappeared from sight. According to the commander, they were going to directly report to Prince Ibrahim. By estimate, it would take at least five days before they reached the Royal Capital.

Faith grabbed Jiablu’s hand. For a moment, she was afraid that he would brush it off and spit out curses, like he usually do. Thankfully, he did not seem to mind.

“What is it, Priest?” said Jiablu.

“Lankan is one of the numerous minor cities of the Kingdom. It’s a lot smaller than the Capital… but it’s still a city. You might get lost in this crowd. Better be sure,” said Faith.

Just like what Faith said, the city was bustling with life. Numerous stalls were seen everywhere, and residents and tourists alike roamed the streets. From a distance, they saw a group of slave traders moving their cargo. Inside the large cage was a silver fox with two tails.

At the other corner, a Pierrot was performing some unconventional swordplay and dance. Jiablu had been to larger cities before, but this was the first time he had come close to so many humans.

Peculiarly enough, Jiablu did not hate it at all. On the contrary, he felt even closer to his goal. So, this is what living as a human was like.

With Faith still holding his hand, Jiablu went through the bustling street, eventually arriving at the Central Plaza. From there, the Great Cathedral was a small distance away.

“Finally, I can meet this so called Cardinal,” he mumbled.

Faith clearly heard it, and she cannot help but giggle. Jiablu’s voice was filled with so much enthusiasm. If only he knew what kind of a grumpy old man Cardinal Roschal was. She cannot wait.

Suddenly, Jiablu stopped in his tracks. Faith turned around and asked, “What is it?”

Upon receiving no answer, she instead followed his line of sight. She saw numerous men flocking the center of the plaza. Cheers were heard as a bulky man tried pulling out a sword from the ground.

“Gahahaha! Another idiot! Go! Go! Go!”

“Mister, no matter how strong you are, it’s impossible to pull that sword out!”

Jiablu walked towards it, his eyes filled with curiosity.

“That sword,” he said.

Upon closer inspection, the sword was clearly not ordinary. The hilt alone was made entirely of gold, and the blade itself had runes and insignias carved on it.

“The Infernal Sword,” said Faith. Jiablu stare intensified upon the mention of the name. “It’s the reason why the City of Lankan is so famous in the Kingdom. Long ago, that sword was used by the Hero to defeat a legendary monster. After he died, the sword lodged itself into the ground, and no one was able to pull it out ever since then.”

Faith touched the top of Jiablu’s head. “Amazing isn’t it? The stories passed down to generations say that one day, a Hero will come and pull out that sword. He will then use it to slay the darkness of the world, thus bringing peace to the Human Race.”

By now, the bulky man’s veins were close to popping out. He kept trying will all his might, but the sword did not even budge a single inch.

Jiablu intently stared at the sword. It was familiar. So oddly familiar that he felt a great sense of nostalgia. After a few more moments, he remembered.

‘Ah, the sword I threw away centuries ago,’ he thought.

Almost three centuries ago, Jiablu began to greatly expand his army in accordance to his master’s wish. It was the very same moment he had decided to create his own dungeon and minions, eventually becoming the absolute ruler of Qavan.

He also created items and weapons, which then unknowingly became legendary artifacts, despite being defects, after he threw them away. And this famous sword was undoubtedly one of them.

Jiablu chuckled, “Kukuku! A Hero actually used it?”

Faith did not know what was so funny, but she replied with a ‘Yes’, regardless.

Jiablu slowly approached the sword. The bulky man that kept trying to pull it out stopped and stared at him.

“Eh, kid? Wanna have a go at the Infernal Sword?” he asked. Beads of sweat flowed down his body like a river.

Jiablu ignored him. Instead, he used Soul Perception. As he had expected. There was indeed a Sealed Creature here. A humanoid with the tail of a snake. His body was covered with carapace, giving him great semblance to Dragoneuts.

“A Slitheran,” mumbled Jiablu. He had not expected to encounter one here. Moreover, in such a place where numerous humans resided.

If this one was not sealed, it would have long massacred everyone in the city.

The Slitheran’s eyes widened when he heard the words uttered by the kid. He said, “Who are you, human? How come you are able to see me?”

Jiablu found it amusing. If the humans knew that the sword was actually sealing away this monster, would they still attempt to pull it out of the ground? As time went by, the foolishness of the Human Race was becoming more evident.

“Judging by the lack of horns, I clearly did not create you,” said Jiablu. “Then, who is it? Bur’Karis? Loevar?”

The Slitheran was clearly flustered after the utterance of the names. He tried to stand up, but the seal from the sword rendered him unable to do so.

“How did you know that I was created by the Muhar’Tava? By one of the Guardians?” said the Slitheran. “Who are you?”

Jiablu grinned upon hearing this. He clapped his hands once. “Then, it is true then. Tell me, who among them created you?”

Though hestitant, considering the fact that he was conversing with a mere human, the Slitheran answered, “Lord Loevar created me.”

“I see, that explains it,” said Jiablu. If the Arch Demon, one of the Guardians, created him, then it would explain the lack of horns. Loevar held great pride in his horns, and he would never create a creature with one.

Jiablu felt a tap on his shoulder. Upon looking, he saw Faith staring at him. Her eyes were filled with worry. And he realized that the spectators had turned their attention to him. Indeed, to mere humans, it would have looked like as though he was speaking to himself.

“Are you okay?” said Faith. She made an apologetic bow to the man trying to pull out the sword.

Jiablu gazed at the Slitheran, then to Faith. He said, “I was curious. But I’ve found my answers. Let’s go, Priest.”

Faith smiled. “Yes, let’s go.”

The Slitheran, invisible to other humans, shouted, “Wait! Who are you? Soul Perception can never be used by the Human Race! Tell me! What are you?!”

Jiablu did not bother turning around. Along with Faith, he disappeared through the crowd.