Published: August 15, 2025
The knights were arranged around the Luel tree, with Darmel positioned where the high priest and Father could provide support. Although Darmel's assigned area was the smallest among them, if he couldn't protect it, it would be meaningless, so this placement was only natural.
Small demonic beasts appeared from all directions. Having ventured to various places to gather seasonal materials and fought monsters, I had started to get a sense of their strength.
The beasts approaching now — cat-like Zanze, somewhat larger Feltz, squirrel-like Aifint, and others — weren’t strong. There were just too many of them, making it endless.
Last year, with fewer knights, their numbers were threatening, but with the high priest and Father, who had abundant mana, it was supposed to be an easy victory.
While waiting for the Luel Fruit to grow, I watched everyone’s fighting from my mount.
"Let’s go!"
The first spear was Eckhardt Brother. He dashed forward several steps, lowered his stance, and thrust his spear forward vigorously. With a sharp sound slicing the air, the spearhead flashed, reflecting the purple moonlight.
In the next moment, the mana stones piercing the beasts caused them to dissolve and vanish. Just one strike took out several demonic beasts.
"Ha!"
Eckhardt Brother swung his spear widely, sweeping through the surrounding beasts.
Those hit by the spear’s heavy strikes or sliced by its tip weakened and fell.
Seeing this, the nearby beasts ignored Eckhardt Brother and swarmed the weakened ones, trying to gain strength by devouring their mana stones.
With his blue eyes glaring at the crowd, Eckhardt Brother gripped his spear tighter and repeatedly stabbed into the swarm. The spear moved so fast it cut the air with sharp sounds, striking down beast after beast.
Watching Eckhardt Brother’s assault from above, I sighed softly. Usually, I only saw him helping the high priest, so seeing him fight like a knight was honestly very cool.
...Wow, Eckhardt Brother is so cool. He’s probably the second or third coolest, after my Father.
While I admired Eckhardt Brother’s valiant figure in my heart, I suddenly heard Brigitta’s high voice—she was the lone woman among the knights.
I adjusted my mount’s position slightly and directed my gaze towards Brigitta.
"Yaaah!"
With a spirited shout, Brigitta stomped the ground and swung a weapon resembling a naginata in a wide arc. With the sound of cleaving air, the beasts within the blade’s reach disintegrated and vanished all at once.
"Next!"
Without even verifying the beasts disappearing, Brigitta’s amethyst eyes locked onto the next target. Keeping her lowered stance, she twisted her body gracefully, flipping the skirt of her armor as she turned.
The weapon, with its long and slightly curved blade, followed her movements closely, as if determined not to fall behind.
By the time the blade passed across Brigitta’s front, several more beasts had already disappeared.
Every time Brigitta flicked her weapon, the long blade cut down rushing beasts, slicing through them all at once. Her continuous, relentless attacks looked lively and carried a dashing beauty.
...Haah, so wonderful. I want to be strong too.
I knew I couldn’t be like Brigitta, but I wanted that sharp, cool aura she had. I aimed to become a wonderful and reliable older sister figure.
...By the way, I wonder how Father fights?
I had caught a glimpse of Father’s fighting during an attack on a prayer ceremony when I was a blue shrine maiden apprentice, and also during a battle against Shnetilum, the lord of winter.
But both times were from a distance; that prayer ceremony attack ended with just one big move, and the Shnetilum fight was too far and crowded to discern his style.
Excited, I searched for Father.
He looked like he was casually swinging a scythe bigger than his own height. It didn’t seem like he was exerting much force. It was as if he was casually cutting grass while walking, swinging the big scythe lightly, hunting down beast after beast.