[A request is made]
[I have a question]
Where is the road to the underworld?
I have witnessed the rampant evil and the weeping of the people.
[If all things and phenomena have a law of judgment]
I have volunteered to cleanse evil.
[I am just a nameless swordsman]
[A death for honor is not what I seek.]
My name is Aisha, I am a swordsman and a special investigator for the Asura Kingdom.
I received the order from Ariel two weeks ago.
An island where cult members may exist.
[ Aisha, if you discover anything, write a letter first. If you confirm there are any leads, come back immediately.]
We drove the carriage for a whole week to reach the island.
This island, apart from a single road accessible by horse-drawn carriage, is almost entirely surrounded by the sea.
As soon as we entered the island, a group of islanders surrounded us.
They were on my driveway
"My lord, your carriage is not permitted to enter this land without the island lord's permission."
Tsk...
I immediately showed my investigator identification and addressed the islander.
"I am an investigator appointed and dispatched by Her Ariel!"
The islanders exchanged glances, and finally stepped forward to lead my carriage.
I stepped down from the carriage and went straight to the point with the islanders.
"Does anyone know Eleanor Montesquieu?"
The islanders looked at each other and shook their heads.
I added
"She was a noblewoman who visited this island two months ago, and it was on this island that she disappeared."
The islanders shook their heads, all saying they had never heard of the name.
Um...
"Ethan Morris, you've heard of that name before, haven't you? He's one of the kids from your island."
However, to my surprise, even with this name, the islanders shook their heads.
lie?
It's probably a lie.
This is a registered name...
After the islanders shook their heads, one of them spoke up.
"I've never heard of Ethan Morris, but we know Isa Morris."
"Isa?"
"Yes, there's a cake shop in town. The owner's surname is Maurice, and her daughter is named Isa. But I suggest you go see the Lord first, who is also the owner of this island."
I nodded, ignoring his final suggestion.
I walked along the coastline toward the town.
Neat, detached houses line both sides of the street, each with flowers planted in its yard, and the street itself is very clean.
Occasionally, someone would glance at me through the window.
Upon arriving at the cake workshop, the shop's doors were wide open.
I went straight in.
As soon as you enter, you are greeted by shelves full of candy.
Rabbit-shaped candies, pastries in the shape of human figures
"Welcome! This guest looks very distinguished! You're not from around here, are you?"
Faced with the shop owner's enthusiasm, I immediately poured cold water on him.
"Are you Isa?"
"No, Isha is my nine-year-old daughter."
"Really? Have you heard of the name Ethan?"
Just as I expected, the shop owner shook his head and smiled.
"I've never heard of that before. Would you like to buy some candy? It's a local specialty, you can't find it anywhere else."
"Good"
I placed a silver coin on the counter and said to the shopkeeper...
"Can I see your daughter?"
"Of course, she's in the back room."
I nodded and walked towards the back room.
While the store manager went to pack the candy, I squatted down next to the girl who was drawing.
Before I could even speak, Isa turned and exclaimed in surprise.
Wow! You're so beautiful, sister!
"Yes, everyone says I look like Aisha."
" Aisha? Who is that?"
I frowned.
I can't believe I don't recognize Aisha...
I asked again
"Little Isa, do you know Lord Rudeus?"
Isa shook her head again.
"Never heard of it..."
You don't even recognize Lord Rudeus...?
This small island belongs to the Asura Kingdom.
How could the people of Asura not know Lord Rudeus?
On the way here, none of the islanders expressed any surprise at my appearance.
Not just children
Don't the islanders here recognize Lord Aisha and Lord Rudeus?
Tsk
Things seem to be much more complicated than I expected...
While I was thinking, Isabella said with a smile...
"My sister is so lucky to have arrived on the island at this time."
Why do you say that?
"The beautiful ladies who arrive on the island at this time will eventually receive divine guidance."
The teachings of the gods...
I asked again
"What is the name of the god you worship?"
"I can't say the name of the deity directly... but I can tell you secretly... because you are very beautiful..."
Isa stopped drawing and leaned close to my ear.
"Lady Shub Nicholas... is the goddess of harvest and fertility."
A god I've never heard of before...
Even the children have been thoroughly assimilated...
"Isa, what exactly do you mean by the teachings of the gods?"
"I don't know either! Isha will know when she grows up."
"Okay, has Isa heard of the name Ethan?"
"Ethan! I know!"
"You know?"
"Right!"
Isa immediately took my hand and excitedly ran upstairs.
She went up to the balcony and took a cage out from under the sun.
"Ethan!"
A rabbit...
She named the rabbit Isa.
"Isha! Where have you been! Get down here right now!!!"
The seemingly kind and approachable store manager was now shouting at the top of his lungs.
Isa wasn't scared; she just smiled.
"Okay, I'm going back to drawing now, or Mom will scold me."
"Good"
I went downstairs and arrived at the cashier.
The store manager was now all smiles and amiable, as if the screaming she had just made hadn't come from her at all.
She handed me the packaged candy.
"Store Manager"
"Um?"
"Why are all the pastries and candies in your shop shaped like animals? Some even have human silhouettes?"
The store manager squinted, his smile unchanged.
She reached out and put her hand on my shoulder.
He said in an extremely gentle tone
"On this island, you get what you eat; it's a gift from the gods."
"What's the meaning..."
"Eating these rabbit-shaped candies means we possess the same tenacious vitality and reproductive ability as rabbits."
"An interesting custom. What do you get from eating pastries shaped like human figures?"
The store manager nodded.
The hand on my shoulder squeezed it.
He answered irrelevantly.
"You are so beautiful, miss."
Your daughter said the same thing.
"When islanders see a beautiful person, they say this: beautiful people are lucky."
"Oh? Why do you say that?"
Only beautiful people can receive God's teachings and blessings.
"Wow... you mean, I can receive God's teachings and blessings?"
"Yes, but I don't know if you're pure enough."
"Pure?"
Have you ever had sexual intercourse? Have you ever had a partner?
I shook my head.
"No"
"Then you are perfectly qualified, hmm!"
"What are God's teachings and gifts for?"
The store manager did not answer this crucial question.
However, the hand gripping my shoulder tightened even more.
... Tsk... The people on this island, from children to adults, all seem to have some issues...
After a moment of silence, the store manager spoke again, seemingly unrelated to the question.
"When people turn to ashes, they become nourishment for this land. On this island blessed by the gods, death does not exist."
"Oh? What exactly does that sentence mean?"
"The body becomes part of nature, and the soul is offered to the gods. On this island, only those beautiful enough are favored by the gods, and only those pure enough can dance with the flames."
"Their understanding of death is quite interesting."
"Miss, this is not death. You'll soon understand what it means."
"Oh..."
It was already evening when we left the pastry workshop.
I found a hotel, which was also the only hotel in town.
As soon as I walked in, I heard the people in the hotel singing explicit songs at the top of their lungs.
The lyrics are roughly a detailed description of matters between men and women.
I asked for a room, went straight upstairs, and lay down on the bed.
I had just lain down when I heard sounds of sex coming from next door.
Tsk...
Why isn't there a magic spell that can block out sound?
So annoying...
In the latter half of the night, such sounds became even more frequent.
It wasn't just one or two rooms; almost the entire hotel staff were doing it.
Calm down...
Calm down...
Just think of Lord Rudeus...
Holy, flawless, and glorious Lord Rudeus...
The imagined image of Lord Rudeus, accompanied by a cacophony of voices...
[ Aisha... let us...]
My hand unconsciously moved downwards...
No, no, no, no!!
How could Lord Rudeus possibly be interested in such a thing?!
I have defiled Lord Rudeus...
And even if Lord Rudeus were interested, it certainly wouldn't be someone like me...
Finally, I wrapped my head in a pillow and forced myself to fall asleep.
The next day at noon
I walked toward the only school in town.
On the way, I saw a group of girls
A group of girls under ten years old
They... danced naked around the campfire.
Although I really want to say that any belief can exist.
But the beliefs on this island... I absolutely do not approve of them.
Upon entering the classroom, the students were singing.
They banged on the table and sang.
The lyrics are about fire and reproduction.
The girls dancing outside were dancing to the rhythm of the songs coming from inside the classroom.
They reached a tacit understanding in this way.
The blackboard was covered with words related to primitive beliefs.
The teacher clapped to stop the singing.
Then they began to explain their religious customs.
According to her theory, a child should be pregnant by the age of 13...
What a bunch of lunatics...
I was at the door, so I knocked directly on the classroom door to interrupt.
"Teacher, could you please come out for a moment?"
"Students, please wait a moment while I speak."
This kind of teaching content is unacceptable.
However, I don't have the ability to change these cult members.
What I need to do now is find clues so that Ariel can deal with these beasts.
After the teacher came out, I spoke directly.
"What you teach is full of heretical influence... no, it's cultic. I will write to Her Ariel to report this."
The female teacher glanced at me.
He spoke slowly and deliberately.
"The administrative powers outside have no jurisdiction over the education on this island. Moreover, it's a bit too arrogant to classify us as a cult just because our beliefs are niche."
"I don't know if you've ever heard a saying from Lord Rudeus."
"Oh?"
"I believe you are guilty. You shouldn't be thinking about how to prove your innocence, but rather how to kill me."
Well, I don't know if Lord Rudeus actually said that.
However, this quote appears in the "[Lord Rudeus ]" quotes available on the market.
"Ha, this Lord Rudeus is certainly arrogant."
In short, I didn't argue with her anymore.
I walked into the classroom and patted the podium.
"Class, have you ever heard of the name Ethan Morris?"
The students below the stage all shook their heads in unison.
... tsk...
Logically, these students should be the same age as the missing Ethan...
Um?
"So, students, do you know when the next day will be the day we receive divine guidance?"
Just then, the female teacher who was standing nearby walked in restlessly.
She seemed about to say something, but I simply drew my sword and held it to her neck.
The students were terrified by this scene.
"Tell me, or I'll kill your teacher!"
The students in the first row spoke slowly and deliberately.
"Pretty sister, death doesn't exist. Stabbing the teacher with your sword only stopped her breathing; she didn't truly die."
Ha... the kids here are practically cult seeds...
While children may not understand death, would this teacher who instills cult knowledge in them also be unafraid of death?
So I asked the teacher, whom I had held to my sword.
When is the day of the sacrificial ceremony?
The teacher did not speak.
I cut it down slightly with the sword.
She only spoke slowly after the blood started flowing.
"This is something that can't be said; a sacrificial ceremony will be held on the cliff by the sea in three days."
What are the contents of the sacrificial ceremony?
"Just to please the gods"
"Who would believe that! Tell me the truth!"
The sword pressed deeper, and more blood flowed.
The students below the stage all looked indifferent and didn't make a sound.
This teacher also seemed fearless.
As I was pressuring the teacher, a male voice came from behind me.
He clapped his hands as he walked into the classroom.
" Aisha Elsa, isn't this a bit..."
"Who are you?"
"I am Lord, the master of this island."
"Island owner? That would be even better."
I kicked the female teacher aside and walked toward the lord with my sword.
He still appeared calm and composed.
"Lady Aisha, I will explain to you, so please put down your sword first."
"Ha, you think I'd believe that?"
In short, I held the island lord at sword level.
He spoke in a calm tone.
"Our so-called sacrifices are not as evil as you think."
"Oh? Then tell me, what are the specific contents of the sacrificial ceremony?"
"Let the chosen, pure woman walk along the sea cliff in a wedding dress, and finally participate in a bonfire party, dancing with the flames and the gods."
"Is Ethan Morris the chosen pure woman?"
"Ethan was her former name; now that she is God's chosen one, she has discarded that name."
"Oh, what about Eleanor Montesquieu?"
I don't know who you're talking about.
Stop pretending to be stupid!
I slowly slashed his throat with my sword.
Like the female teacher who was just oppressed
"Lady Aisha... I really don't know..."
Tsk...
Killing the island lord directly seems a bit troublesome.
Ariel did not grant me such authority...
"That's all the ritual content? Parade and dancing?"
"Yes, that's it, I assure you, Lady Aisha."
I sheathed my sword and coldly stared at the lord.
He breathed a sigh of relief.
"The sacrificial ceremony is in three days?"
"Yes... you can come and supervise..."
"Good"
Three days...
I can go back to the Asura Kingdom first.
It doesn't matter whether I watch this ritual or not; even if I save this girl, there will be another one.
Go straight back and ask Her Ariel to send her knights to suppress everyone here.
The children need re-education, but the adults... should all be killed.
Cults are impossible to eradicate, especially those who have received cult education from childhood to adulthood.
the next day
I arrived at the entrance to the island.
He looked around for a while
Where did the carriage go...?
The islanders all avoided me, and the carriage disappeared...
Tsk...
I doubt I could even send a letter...
What a damned bunch of cultists!
I found the lord again and grabbed him by the collar.
"Do you think those little tricks you've been up to will work?"
" Aisha Elsa... I don't know what you're talking about."
Where is my carriage?
"The people on the island vary greatly in their behavior... Who took your carriage? If you remember, I will definitely find it for you."
I punched this hypocritical lord in the face.
Even so, he still had a smile on his face.
"Get me another horse; I want to leave here."
" Aisha... our island only produces fruit; we don't have a single horse..."
Having performed so many tasks
This lord is one of the most daring I've ever seen.
"Lady Aisha, how about this... Give me two days, and I will definitely find your horses. You can also supervise our sacrificial ceremony while you're at it. If possible, I hope you can put in a good word for her with Ariel..."
"Heh, fine, if you try anything else, I'll kill you."
There is no other way at the moment.
This guy clearly doesn't want me to leave.
But what can we do if we don't leave?
If he hasn't found the horse in two days, I'll kill him first, then leave on foot.
I am confident in my abilities.
On the day of the sacrifice
Men, women, children—almost the entire town participated in the ceremony.
They were dressed in strange and unusual clothes, and each carried a different musical instrument.
Like a parade, they played instruments while dancing.
And so we walked along the beach toward the cliff.
Where is the main character?
Where did Ethan Morris go...?
Under the sunlight, I stood on a high point and watched their ceremony.
At the edge of the cliff, there was a huge campfire shaped like a human figure.
The parade continued until sunset.
When they reached the edge of the cliff, all the instruments stopped playing.
At that moment, a child dressed in a pure white wedding dress, who looked to be under 13 years old, emerged from the cave entrance at the edge of the cliff.
So it was hidden here all along...
It seems she is Ethan Morris...
Um??
What's going on...?
Ethan walked slowly, making his way towards the human-shaped campfire.
Until I turned my head, I saw
This girl... is crying...
However, I don't think this lord would dare to perform any excessive sacrificial rituals in front of me...
The lord walked to the edge of the cliff, his back to the sea.
He spoke loudly and seriously.
"Goddess! Goddess of harvest and fertility, we offer you the purest and most beautiful lamb... May you bless us..."
After saying that, a fire
The human-shaped campfire was lit.
Ethan walked slowly toward the campfire...
Suddenly, that sentence came back to mind.
When people turn to ashes, they become nourishment for this land.
Is this the ceremony you're referring to?
A girl was burned alive?
Are these guys serious?
Is this how you're supposed to do it under my supervision?
Ethan Morris walked along, feeling the heatwave.
She raised her head, her eyes filled with tears.
I saw it all.
"I... am proud to be God's chosen woman...!"
After Ethan Morris finished speaking, he prepared to step into the burning campfire.
Tsk... Are you just going to stand by and watch someone die?
... This is not my style.
I jumped straight down from the high point.
With a single sword stroke, he cleaved the already lit campfire, shielding Ethan Morris behind him.
The islanders began to make noise and even condemn.
These beasts... used a minor girl as a sacrifice...
I looked at the lord who was coldly staring at me, and began to question him.
"Hey, Lord."
"What's wrong, Aisha?"
"Didn't you say it wasn't what I thought? What's going on?"
"What does Lady Aisha think?"
"Ha! You actually dared to sacrifice a minor girl? And such an evil sacrifice at that! When I get back, none of the cultists on this island will escape!"
"You've misunderstood, Lady Aisha... The sacrifice isn't this girl; she's not beautiful enough."
"What?"
Well...?!
What...?
A short blade pierced my body completely from behind.
What's going on...?
I turned my head, and the girl with tears in her eyes smiled and said...
"Beautiful sister, you will surely be loved by the gods."
Even the children have been completely heretical...
I kicked her away and pulled the short sword from my body.
poisonous...
First use healing magic... then detoxification magic.
"Divine power is a sweet sustenance, granting strength to those who have lost their strength to rise again [Healing]..."
Why...
It did not start...
At this moment, the lord spoke up.
"Lady Aisha, there's a magic circle here that blocks magic!"
"..."
"We couldn't find any suitable offerings this year, but you appeared just in time. It's all a matter of fate, the will of God!"
"Where did this evil god come from..."
"Lady Aisha, you are so beautiful, so captivating, so pure. So are your kindness, so are your integrity. All noble qualities are manifested in you. God will love you. After you die, we will dress you in a wedding gown and perform a reproductive act on your body so that you can go to God's kingdom."
"Heh... Didn't you say you wanted pure women? In the end, it's just the selfish desires of you cult members..."
Ignoring the discomfort of being poisoned, I immediately began swinging my sword.
However, the two men behind the lord pulled out hidden weapons from their strange costumes.
North God Style...?
I dodged one of the hidden weapons, and cleaved the other one with my sword.
My body feels so heavy...
What kind of poison is this?
Aphrodisiacs, monster poisons... and even human-made ones...
Fusion poison...
"Ha..."
After the two men finished throwing their hidden weapons, two more swordsmen immediately attacked.
Such a low-level skill!!
With one sword stroke, I severed both of their heads.
However, these cult members were not afraid.
As if they had no concept of death, they rushed towards me even though they had no fighting ability.
The second
This is the second time in my life I've felt like I'm going to die.
My body is getting heavier and heavier, and my mind is starting to feel confused.
The sword is completely too heavy to wield anymore.
The first time I felt like I was going to die was when I was a slave and starving...
When the Asura Kingdom chose to pledge allegiance to Ariel, I was constantly thinking about becoming stronger so I could meet Lord Rudeus one last time...
I don't want to do anything special, I just want to express my sincere gratitude to Lord Rudeus.
Of course, there was also a bit of wishful thinking involved...
[If Lord Rudeus needs some subordinates, may I go and help him...?]
Now, even if I die, I still won't see Lord Rudeus...
What have I been doing all my life...?
A sword pierced straight into my chest.
In a daze
I began to imagine what Lord Rudeus looked like.
I have never actually seen Lord Rudeus.
Rudeus is said to be a gentle person
Rudeus is rumored to be a decisive person.
Rudeus is rumored to be a cruel man.
But... whatever happens, happens...
I should have just gone to the Ranoa Kingdom...
The common people there seem to see Lord Rudeus and his wives going out for a stroll every day...
Why should I think about getting stronger first...?
Lord Rudeus is so powerful, what kind of strength would one need to be able to be used by Rudeus...?
At this moment
I regret it.
While feeling regret, it seemed like a hallucination was occurring.
Lying on the ground, I looked up at the sky.
Lord Rudeus was in the sky.
He... looked down at me like a god.
I'm sorry... I'm so useless...
However, for some reason
Even though I had already fallen to the ground, the noise around me stopped.
Am I about to die?
Suddenly, Lord Rudeus, whom I had regarded as a fleeting illusion, spoke.
"She really does look like Aisha."
Such a beautiful voice...
"Your name is Aisha?"
Subconsciously, I nodded.
If Lord Rudeus were to speak, it would surely be this kind of voice...
"Then those who are left are cult members."
Lord Rudeus said this as if he had first cast some kind of healing spell on me.
Then it felt like I was being lifted up and floating in mid-air.
Was it a dream...?
However, his consciousness gradually faded...
[ Rudeus ]