Chapter 107: Coming-of-age Ceremony (1)
The air prickled their skin, causing a rising sense of pride. The room was filled with a suffocating demonic energy, so intense it stung the nose.
The dining room was not a place to relax and eat. It was a relief if they didnt get indigestion, but for Yuma, the source of the demonic energy, it didnt matter.
What are you all doing?
Yuma gestured to the three people who had frozen like statues.
The meal I prepared will get cold. Please, take a seat.
Right.
Glen nodded and pulled up a chair opposite Shiron. But as they sat down, an odd arrangement formed.
Not just Shiron, but also the distance between Lucia and Siriel had become too wide. Glen had no choice but to sit where he did, but it felt like treating them as outsiders, didnt it?
But Glen couldnt sit next to Shiron.
Glen was the head of the Prient family, an elder, and Shirons father. His dignity and pride wouldnt allow him to sit beside his son like an equal. Even if he didnt think so, Glens instincts commanded him to sit across from Shiron.
This awkward arrangement
Shiron also harbored strange thoughts. He had just taken his seat as Yuma directed but somehow, it seemed like they were deliberately keeping their distance.
Not wanting this, Shiron gestured to Yuma, who stood behind him.
Yuma.
Yes, Young Master.
Isnt this table too big? Were family meeting after a long time, after all.
Yuma bowed slightly and extended her hands into the air.
She then grasped as if holding something in her hands.
Whoosh- Whoosh-
One step. Two steps.
Three steps. The table narrowed.
Yet, the tableware and food remained undisturbed. Yumas magic was so elegant, it was deserving of the word perfection.
Good.
Shiron smiled satisfactorily at Glen. Red hair, golden eyes. Aside from that, their appearances were strikingly similar.
Shiron didnt greet first. He waited to see how Glen would react, saving his words.
After a long moment of their gazes meeting in mid-air, Glen smiled warmly.
Its been a long time, son.
Yes, it has.
Instead of bowing his head, Shiron responded with a smile in his eyes.
Glen Prient. A human male in his early to mid-forties. Head of the Prient family.
And someone with a somewhat odd mind
Before his possession into this world. The only impression from the limited information provided was just that.
Those around the table ate without speaking. The clattering of utensils was the only sound in the spacious room. Although they had exchanged greetings, the atmosphere remained awkward.
It feels suffocating just eating.
Shiron quickly swallowed a piece of half-cut meat.
Even the stern and reticent Hugo would start a conversation, but Glen, despite his carefree appearance, was even more silent than Hugo.
Well, he just stopped by in the middle of apostle hunting.
Siriel thought Glen was a remarkably handsome middle-aged man, but what Shiron noticed first was the shadow cast over his eyes.
Like the heads of the Prient family before him, Glen Prient too was devoting his life to hunting apostles.
They cant die unless its by a holy sword.
In Reincarnation of the Sword Saint, apostles were depicted as beings that could only be killed by a holy sword.
This was to give a sense of specialness to the player, symbolized as a hero. Or to metaphorically show the contradiction that one could not save the world no matter how much they wanted, unless they were the chosen one
When playing Reincarnation of the Sword Saint, he had skimmed over these words as a mere diversion, but now that the game had become reality, it felt like nothing but the cruel intention of the developers.
Shiron felt sympathy for Glen.
A hell where one tried desperately but couldnt feel any sense of achievement. Glen Prient was a human living in such hell, just like Kyrie in the past.
And that aside. Dont you have any questions?
Shiron rolled his eyes towards Lucia, who seemed displeased with the situation, fidgeting ever since.
Lucia, given her identity, and Glen being the head of the Prient family, should have many questions, but contrary to expectations, she was only fiddling with her utensils.
Strange. Before heading to Lucerne, she would grind her teeth at the mere mention of Glen, but now facing him, she remained silent.
And Siriel too.
Unable to bear it any longer, Shiron wiped his mouth with a napkin.
What does the coming-of-age ceremony entail?
Shiron carefully chose his words.
The upcoming coming-of-age ceremony was a common interest for the four seated at the table. Although he had a rough idea of what it involved, Shiron wanted to break the awkward silence first.
The coming-of-age ceremony, you mean.
Glen responded while sipping his wine. His face brightened as if he had been waiting for this question.
Ahem- Glen cleared his throat.
Well the purpose of the coming-of-age ceremony is to verify whether one has become a warrior capable of fulfilling their role.
A warrior?
Lucia raised her head.
Yes. It might seem odd, but the Prient family is quite traditional. Its been around for 500 years, so the terms used are rather blunt.
Lucia nodded slightly.
For 500 years, the content of the coming-of-age ceremony hasnt changed. Surviving by crossing the Makal Mountains and reaching the Demon Realm. Although the details have varied at times, surviving the horrific magical beasts that attack day and night has remained the same. Of course, sourcing food and water locally is a given.
So thats why Encia was storing preserved food
Shiron thought of the playful maid.
Encia had blatantly told Shiron to cheat. Using his storage ability, even Yuma, who oversaw the test, wouldnt know if Shiron cheated.
But
Glen stroked his unshaven chin a few times.
You lived mostly at your uncles place instead of Dawn Castle.
Is that a problem?
It could be.
Glen answered Siriels question firmly. Shiron looked forward in wonder.
I hope its not because youve become weak-minded from living comfortably in the city
No.
Thats good.
Living in Dawn Castle, surrounded by harsh cold and magical energy, naturally builds resistance to magical energy.
But they all grew up well.
Glen looked around at the grown children with a content smile.
Lucia, destined to ascend to divinity someday, and Siriel, who might not resemble his uncle but already possessed strength comparable to Lucias.
And Shiron
Fortunately, hes not dead.
A smile appeared and then vanished on Glens face.
Did the prophecy miss again?
His gaze on Shiron thinned.
Divine.
Its because we had to learn how to survive in the Demon Realm while living in Dawn Castle.
Glen blinked a few times and continued speaking.
Lucia listened attentively to his words.
Indeed, the Demon Realm was no place for humans to live.
He hadnt seen it yet, but the places called Demon Realms all boasted insane environments.
Like a desert where finding a sip of water was a challenge, places surrounded by volcanoes, or insane locations where lightning struck all year round.
The Demon Realm was a land designed to kill humans.
Ill be fine. But.
Lucia sipped her wine while glancing at Shiron.
Even if Siriel is fine, is Shiron alright?
Shiron, listening to Glen like a statue, seemed more mature than usual. Even with Glens mention of going to the Demon Realm, Shirons demeanor remained unshaken.
A sharp nose, clean jawline, eyes filled with wisdom. His unfathomably deep black eyes. He looked more handsome than usual. Where in that appearance could one imagine him abandoning Lucia and fleeing?
Am I drunk?
Lucia pinched her thigh and shifted her gaze back to Glen.
Then, when does the coming-of-age ceremony begin? I am ready to start tomorrow.
Dont rush. This ceremony is completely different from those held before.
Glen smiled warmly at Lucias eagerness. The meal was coming to an end, and no one touched their plates anymore. Glen looked behind Shiron.
Yuma.
Yes.
In Yumas hand was a large piece of paper. The maids swiftly cleared the table, and Yuma spread the paper on it.
A rough line running through the center of the paper caught the eye.
This white line is the Makal Mountains. And this is Dawn Castle.
A pillar of light rose from the map, pinpointing a specific location. It was Glens magic.
The pillar moved slowly across the map, as if showing the correct path, and then Glens magic stopped at a particular point.
Beyond the white mountains, at the edge of the map.
In a week.
A slightly warm breath escaped Glens lips.
Apostles will appear here.
Glen said no more.
The third floor of Dawn Castle.
Though it had been a long time since Dawn Castle was emptied, the bathroom Shiron often used was always well-maintained.
Shiron lay in the bathtub, lifting his head.
How is father?
Do you want an honest answer?
The one-horned woman, creating bubbles with her hands, spoke.
It might be time for a change.
Isnt it too soon?
Do you remember, Young Master? The day of your succession ceremony.
-Theres no next time. This ends now.
A ten-year-old boldly declaring his intentions. Yuma recalled the not-so-distant past.
Yuma placed her hand on Shirons shoulder, visible above the water. Her soft, callus-free hand gently stroked his bare skin.
There are only five Prients left now. Only three to undergo the ceremony. There used to be twenty, even fifty in the past. The Demon Realm is too vast to be handled by one person.
Thats true.
I cant see the future, but I know the look of a human on the brink of death.
Yumas hand moved from his shoulder to his neck, then to his ear.
She twirled her fingers around his earlobe and let out a chuckle.
The Lords skills are still sharp, but hes exhausted. He needs to demonstrate his prowess in the upcoming ceremony and prepare for the next generation.
Showing that there was an end to killing apostles.
Yuma swallowed her last words.
She didnt doubt the authenticity of Shirons holy sword. Its just that her heart was uneasy.
Afraid that even with a true holy sword, it might not be able to kill an apostle.
Afraid that even if there is a true holy sword, it might never reach the apostle.
Yuma trusted Shiron, but centuries of repeated failures kept bringing negative thoughts. However
Is the blacksmith still there?
Pardon?
Ill need to go get a sword after killing the apostle.
Her somber thoughts didnt last long. The unworried demeanor, the radiant face of the young master, slowly lifted the corners of Yumas mouth.
Atmos or Dolby? Which one?
Both.
I thought so.
Giant Atmos.
Fairy Dolby.
Yuma recalled the owners of the forge beyond the mountains.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺