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Chapter 159:

Once the preparations for the ‘hunt’ were complete, Isaac and his party set off for the forests near Aldeon.

“If the traitors fall for this as the Grail Knight suggested and come out, it won’t be difficult, Your Majesty.”

Mors blatantly stared at Isaac as he spoke.

“These people here, those who follow Elil’s will, are enough.”

The favor shown to him seemed only to last until the applause ended. Isaac ignored it, but Edelred was uncomfortable with the look.

“General Mors Gideon. Do you not favor the Grail Knight?”

“The Holy Grail Knight is a beautiful tradition of Elil, Your Majesty. It is impossible for this foreigner to claim such a title and emulate the honor and valor that comes with it.”

“The Holy Grail Knight has brought the Rite of Division. There have been many Holy Grail Knights, but none who have reclaimed the Holy Sword. If you wish to slander, ask Elil for answers.”

‘Asking Elil for answers’ meant a divine trial by combat in the tradition of Elil.

In the arena, Elil himself would show who was right. It was a common method of mediation and also a tool of oppression.

Mors met Isaac’s gaze with unflinching eyes.

‘It seems he thinks my reputation is exaggerated.’

Being a general in the Kingdom of Elil implied competence. However, Isaac had neither the time nor the reason to engage in such petty disputes.

“I am not foolish enough to question freely in the Holy Land of Elil.”

Though laced with sarcasm, it was essentially a humble statement. Once Isaac showed humility, Mors did not provoke further. He wasn’t foolish enough to persist in defiance of the king’s will.

“Please tell us more about the Hectali Sisters and General Georg.”

It was crucial for Isaac to verify whether his information matched reality. Although the overall settings might align, often the details did not due to discrepancies between game characteristics and practical feasibility.

Mors began speaking about the primary adversaries.

“First, regarding the Hectali Sisters… they are witches who have lived on this land long before Elil founded his kingdom, worshipped as deities using newborns as sacrifices to dominate this area.”

“Indeed.”

“After their defeat by Elil, they fled to the northern marshes but still command barbaric wildlife and persist there using disturbing magic and rituals.”

“What kind of magic do they use?”

“They summon grotesque monsters, cast illusions and auditory hallucinations, and curse people to vomit leeches or rats. The worst is a curse that transforms the body. Many comrades suffer from these afflictions.”

Mors shuddered as he spoke.

In the Kingdom of Elil, where honorable combat was valued, the existence of a witch using curses was both a disgrace and a source of anger.

Isaac nodded; the information matched his knowledge.

The identity of the Witch Sisters Hectali might indeed be that of ancient gods.

Not the crudely resurrected kind by the Immortal Order but genuine deities of barbarism, worshiping animals, sorcery, and human sacrifice, surviving intact through the ages.

In the Codex of Light dominated Gerthonia Empire, such deities had been nearly eradicated, with only a few seeking resurgence on the fringes.

‘Real ancient gods, not just recycled ones, interesting… They’re not as powerful as angels, though.’

Isaac was satisfied the information on Hectali aligned with his own and moved on to inquire about Georg.

“What can you tell us about Georg?”

“Lianne Georg is one of the rare transcendents, a Swordmaster, in this country.”

Mors grimaced slightly.

“As you might know, Swordmasters are those who transcend normal human bounds and can imbue miracles into objects within reach. For the Codex of Light, they are almost the equivalent of combining a Grand Knight Commander and a Bishop.”

“I understand their stature now.”

“The previous Lord Georg, Vio Georg, was also a famed hero and Swordmaster. Lianne Georg has inherited his talents and prowess. Therefore, the Georg family is respected by many among the populace.”

In a country like Elil where strength is revered, the existence of a transcendent like a Swordmaster naturally became an object of adoration. Especially so if the current king was perceived as weak.

Isaac recalled a brawl in a tavern. If even in the capital, people openly compared the king with traitors, the situation in the provinces could be assumed to be more pronounced. The legitimacy of Edelred’s lineage was shallow, merely over a century old, and traced back to usurpers, making their position inherently precarious.

Moreover, Georg was now unlawfully occupying the sacred site of Elil’s tomb at Elion. This was a profound infringement on legitimacy.

‘Witches might fly and crawl, but Georg is a hundred times more dangerous.’

If Hectali represented the savage beasts of the provinces, Georg had the power to overturn the nation.

***

Edelred’s hunting expedition soon reached its destination, the Owl Forest.

Low bushes thrived over the hillock, interspersed with tall trees. The gullies between the hills moistened their ankles. The terrain was difficult for horses, so the knights had to proceed on foot.

“Leave the horses in the nearby village and lock the door with a bolt. Even if someone calls out, do not open it until the fog clears,” instructed Mors.

While Mors was issuing commands, Isaac surveyed the surrounding terrain. A mist had already settled around the forest, a sign that the witches were present.

‘They must really want this ritual of division.’

The Hectali Sisters harbored immense resentment towards Elil; having been brutally expelled from their home and deformed by their wounds, their grudge was understandable. Rumors had it that they had tempted a dancer to extract Elil’s heart. Whether true or not, they certainly wouldn’t wish well for Elil.

Suddenly, Isaac noticed a crow staring intently at him from a signpost.

Its red eyes were scary.

Not just the signpost, rooftops, branches, and bushes around the village flickered with red eyes.

But they seemed not ready to act just yet.

As the crow cawed again, hidden birds in the bushes took flight all at once, darkening the sky momentarily. The knights looked up in surprise.

Isaac watched the ascending birds and pondered.

‘Surveillance… or rather, an invitation? They clearly don’t plan to come out.’

Such blatant exposure was surely meant to convey a message.

If you are a knight who honors nobility, a Grail Knight chasing glory, come and catch us.

A ludicrous provocation, but an invitation that couldn’t be declined.

“We are being watched by the witch,” Edelred whispered anxiously. Though the birds had vanished, the sensation of being watched remained. Every rodent or bird that passed by had to be regarded as the witch’s eyes. Isaac crossed his arms and replied,

“Don’t worry. If they’ve increased their surveillance, it means they’re also tense. They probably won’t come out of the forest at all.”

“They won’t come out? Then…”

“It’s fine. We still have ways to catch them. If all else fails, we could even set the forest on fire.”

It was a jest. Setting the forest ablaze would only make the witch flee, not capture her.

“Let’s all rest for today. The expedition truly begins tomorrow.”

***

The next day, Isaac set out for Owl Forest with his knights.

Edelred was assigned to control the troops on the outskirts. He was not suited for direct combat, and it was an opportunity for him to learn about overall troop management.

In the Kingdom of Elil, a king’s duties often require looking at the bigger picture rather than fighting with a sword.

Isaac’s group was small, consisting only of Hesabel and a couple of knights for sending messages; the rest began slowly forming a siege around the forest.

Edelred wanted to assign more guards to Isaac, but Isaac refused.

“I am merely bait. If too many of Elil’s valiant knights are seen, the witches might hide. Should I be in danger, please send reinforcements promptly, Your Majesty.”

Edelred looked impressed. Sometimes, he seemed just a boy.

‘In truth, it’s easier to demonstrate my skills when not being watched.’

Ideally, Isaac would handle the situation without revealing his monstrous appendages, but given the formidable ancient deity they faced, that might not be possible. Having no witnesses was preferable. While not assigning any guards would seem suspicious, including just a couple was a compromise.

However, an uninvited figure had also joined them.

“When did you join us, Lady Yulihida?”

Yulihida had casually embedded herself among the knights at some point, her arms loaded with dried jerky and hard bread.

“I found out I’m part of your group.”

“No, I never said that…”

Isaac was puzzled, but having an angel join the expedition might not be a bad thing. Of course, he was reluctant to unleash his blasphemous tentacles, but she probably knew his true identity.

Most angels recognized him on sight.

“So, what is my role?” she asked.

“Ask the Sword of May.”

Was she still pretending not to know? Or had she not yet passed some unknown test?

Isaac speculated that Yulihida hadn’t been given a mission because she hadn’t surpassed some criteria.

Otherwise, there wouldn’t be any reason for her to follow them into battle.

Isaac decided to ignore Yulihida and focus on the mission.

Hesabel climbed the trees overhead, and knights including Reyna Hilde joined him. They had volunteered for this dangerous mission eagerly.

‘Now, how should we capture a witch?’

Witches attack using summoned beasts or curses. It would be fortunate even to encounter one, as most exhaust their pursuers by mere evasion. They had survived for centuries by evading Elil’s grasp.

Thus, Isaac’s initial goal wasn’t to capture the witches but to frighten them into staying out of their stronghold. If they realized they were up against an overwhelming force, they would likely remain quietly within their forest lair, as they had during Elil’s reign.

‘More than mere swordsmanship might be necessary here.’

Isaac asked Reyna a question.

“Have you ever been on a witch hunt before?”

At Isaac’s question, Reyna was horrified.

“Lord Isaac, be careful! They say that speaking of witches in the forest will make them appear!”

“…Why are we here, Reyna?”

“To catch the witches!”

–TL Notes–

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