Published: August 3, 2025
As I looked up at the knights order rushing upwards into the sky, growing smaller and smaller, I heard a snort of derision from behind.
“That blessing was meaningless. What a foolish thing to do.”
“Shikikoza, what are you saying!?”
I couldn’t distinguish well since they were still wearing their helmets, but the one standing imposingly was Shikikoza, and the one trying to restrain him must be Darmel. From their voices, they both sounded quite young. Maybe just newly adults, or perhaps not even that.
“But isn’t it true? Using your mana to bless the knights order when mana is already scarce is just stupid. Nothing but foolishness.”
Shikikoza brushed off Darmel’s hand and pointed directly at me.
“Certainly, even without a blessing, the knights won’t lose to a trombe, but having the god of valor Angrief’s protection makes a huge difference. Especially with so few of us this time.”
I listened to their conversation with a cold sweat. I had only wanted to pray for the head priests’ martial fortune as they fought the giant trombe, and had chosen words that wouldn’t seem strange in front of the nobles. Somehow it ended up turning into a blessing.
I was the one surprised when the ring suddenly shone brightly. If I hadn’t borrowed the ring from the high priest, it wouldn’t have triggered a blessing—it was a coincidence.
…I suppose the high priest was surprised too.
Shikikoza said it was a waste of mana, but I realized the ring’s stone was absorbing mana and quickly stopped, so not much was actually released. Just a tiny amount. So there should be no problem with the upcoming ritual.
“If I caused you any displeasure, I apologize. I will be more careful from now on.”
The knights order were nobles. I kept my rebuttal in my heart and immediately apologized to avoid trouble. All I got in response was a single snort, but if that ended the conversation, that was fine.
“Don’t mind what Shikikoza says. With fewer numbers, a blessing that adds mana is appreciated. …Look, it’s starting.”
Darmel, seeming considerate, pointed to the sky. Through the trees, I caught glimpses of the knights order circling overhead.
How on earth would they defeat a monster like a trombe? I stretched a little to focus on the knights.
“—!”
A sharp, commanding shout echoed in the sky. I couldn’t understand what was being shouted, but at that command, everyone drew weapons that gleamed black like darkness.
“What is that? Fran, do you know?”
“No, unfortunately this is my first time seeing this up close, so I don’t.”
Normally, two priests accompany the knights to the scene: one who carries the divine relic and leads the ritual, and one who assists with mana. Fran said an attendant never accompanies the knights at their request.
The members responding this time were me conducting the ritual, the high priest who would also support mana after defeating the trombe, Arnaud managing the important divine relic, and Fran handling my health.
Because the high priest fights alongside the knights, and because I can’t carry the divine relic—which is about twice my height—while moving or waiting, and because Fran is responsible for watching my condition, two attendants were allowed to accompany us.
“Apprentice shrine maiden, those weapons are blessed by the god of darkness. If you imbue mana and attack, they can steal twice that amount of mana. They’re essential for defeating the trombe.”
I was a little surprised that a noble would explain this so plainly and looked up at Darmel, clad entirely in metal. Although I could only see his mouth through the helmet slit, he didn’t show any disdain toward me as a commoner.
“Few get to see the knights fight with their own eyes. Watch closely.”
“Thank you.”
“At first, they shoot arrows to break their momentum. See, that blue cloak belongs to Lord Ferdinand.”
Where Darmel pointed, a knight sat astride a lion, drawing his bow. The pose resembled Yabusame horseback archery. The blue cloak fluttered in the sky breeze.