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Character Introductions Adlet A young boy who calls himself the strongest man in the world. He fights with a mastery of various secret weapons. Character Introductions Nashetania Though she is the princess of the large kingdom Piena, she is a wild and free girl, full of mischief. She is the Saint of Blades. Character Introductions Fremy A girl whose cool indifference wont allow others to get close. As the Saint of Gunpowder she uses guns and bullets in battle. Character Introductions Goldof A young knight completely devoted to Nashetania, he wields a giant spear. Character Introductions Chamo A proud girl who is called the most powerful warrior of the current age. She is the Saint of Swamps. Character Introductions Hans A strange man who mimics a cat as he talks. He fences with an unworldly and peculiar skill. Character Introductions Mora An extremely serious and intellectual woman. She serves as the leader of the Saints and is the Saint of Mountains. Character Introductions Rolonia A newly arrived Hero of the Six Flowers who is a timid, but good-natured girl. She is the Saint of Fresh Blood. Character Introductions The Commanders TgurneuOne of the Kyoma commanders. He excels in ingenuity and has set up various traps. (Pronounced Teguneu) Character Introductions Cargikk ??? Character Introductions Dozzu ??? Summary TheSeventhFlowerhasleft,butagirlnamedRoloniaappeared,onceagainaddingaseventhpersontotheHeroesoftheSixFlowers.MeanwhilethedeadlineforTheMajinsrevivalapproaches,andunabletogetridoftheirsuspicions,theheroesadvanceintoTheWailingDemonTerritory.ThereaKyomaappearsandgivesMorathewarning,Youhavenotime.Andontopofthat,oneoftheKyomacommandersnamedTgurneusuddenlyappearsbeforetheheroes.Doesthishavetodowiththeseventhsplot!?Withintheirconfusionafiercebattlebegins.Challengedbydestiny,battlingamystery,volumetwoofthisexplosivefantasybegins!Prologue 1Prologue PrologueAdlethadbeenrunningacrossthedry,craggyearth,withrocksspreadalloverit.Infact,hewasdevotingallofhisenergyintotherunashetrampledoverthewiltingweedsthatweresparselystickingoutoftheground.HewasonthepeninsulajuttingoutofthewesternedgeofthecontinentcalledTheWailingDemonTerritory.ItwaswhereTheMajinandtheKyomaresided.AndatthemomentAdletwasintheeasternsection,inalandcalledTheValleyoftheBleedingLung.Thoughitwasnight,Adletcontinuedunderthemoonlight.Theonlythinghehadtoilluminatethewaywasthelightgivenoffbythejewelmountedintohisarmor'schestplate."Hurry!"Adletshoutedasheran.Therewerethreelightsbehindhim,belongingtoFremy,Chamo,andGoldof,whowereallfollowinghim.Hewasoutofbreath,hisheartwasthrobbingviolently,hislipsweretrembling,andhewasn'tabletocontrolhislegsproperly.Butputtingallhisenergyintotherunwasntthecause.Itwasthefactthattheywereonthevergeofconfrontinganightmare."Hans!Rolonia!Whereareyou?!"Adletcalledout,butnoresponsecamebackfromthedeepdarkness.2Prologue "Areyoudead?!Hans!Rolonia!Answerme!"AsAdletshoutedhejumpedontoacliffinfrontofhim.Bothhishandsandfeetfoundtheirwayintotheindentationsofthecliffandintheblinkofaneyehestartedtoscaleuptherock.Asheclimbed,heunintentionallylookedatthebackofhishand.Onitlaidtheproofhewasoneoftheheroesfatedtosavetheworld,thecrestoftheSixFlowers,whichalwaysgaveoffafaintlight.However,oneofthepetalswasmissingonthecrest.Andthatmeantoneoftheheroeshadlosttheirlife."Hans!"Adletkickedupthecliffsideandleapedthroughtheair.Asheflewhedrewhissword,thenlandedatopthecliffandassumedabattlestance.Butthesighthesawtheinstanthisjewel'slightilluminatedtheclifftopputhimatalossforwords.HansHumpty.Theunusualassassinwhofoughtwhileimitatingacat.AmanpossessingthecrestoftheSixFlowerswasontheground,hisfacelookinguptothesky.Oneofthearteriesinhisneckhadbeenrippedopenandhisbloodwasspilledallovertheparchedearthcreatingarepulsivesight.Andasforhisface,allthebloodhadcompletelydrainedfromit."...Hans."Adletdroppedhissword.Hecouldn'tbelievewhathewasseeing.HehadplacedabsolutetrustinHans'overwhelmingstrengthandquickwit.3Prologue "...YouweretoolateAdlet,"awomanstandingslightlyapartfromHanssaidquietly.ShewasstandingwithherbackfacingAdlet;thewomanwentbythenameofMoraChester."Hans,itcan'tbe."FremyfollowedAdletupthecliff,withGoldofappearingafter.Uponseeingthesituation,theyimmediatelypointedtheirweaponstowardsMora."Thissituationprobablydoesn'tevenneedanexplanation.IjustkilledHans,"Moraconfessedassheturnedaround.Herface,chest,andbothofherunarmoredhandswereallcoveredinblood.Evenherarmorwasbrokenallover.Itseemedlikeanordinarypersonwouldhavediedalongtimeagofromthesameinjuries."Mora,itwasyou...""That'sright...I'mtheseventh."Hervoicewasdispirited,asifshewereexhausted.Shethenraisedherhands,quietlykneeleddown,andhungherheadpowerlessly.Noonecouldmakeasoundafterthat.Therewasonlysilence.4Prologue #AdletstaredatthekneelingMora,completelyatalossforwords.ItwasastatesharedbyFremy,Chamo,andGoldofbehindhim.ButtherewasanotherpersontherebearingthecrestoftheSixFlowers,andshewassittingatHansside."...Rolonia,"Adletcalledout.HernamewasRoloniaManchetta.Withtheabilitytomanipulateblood,shewastheSaintofFreshBlood.AndshewasalsotheeighthpersontoappearwiththecrestoftheSixFlowers.Shehadaroundface,glasses,andoftenworeatimidexpression.Ontopofthatshewasshortandsmallandinnowaycouldshebeseenasanexcellentwarrior.Infact,ifshewasn'tcladinheavyarmor,ordidn'thavealongwhipattachedtoherhip,shewouldlookjustlikeavillagegirl.AtthemomentherhandsweretouchingHanschestandthroat,herpalmsglowingslightly."HowdidHanslose?"Adletaskedher,butRoloniadidn'tanswer.ShejuststaredatHansbody."Roloniaanswer!WhyisHansdead?!Whathappened?!"5Prologue AdletthennoticedthatRoloniawasmutteringsomething.Hedrewclosetoherfaceandlistenedtobothherbreathingandthewordsspillingoutfromhermouth."Pleasedon'tdie...pleasedon'tdie...Iwilldefinitelyhelp...you..."RoloniawastheSaintofFreshBloodsoshecouldcontrolaperson'sbloodtohealwounds.So,notwantingtodisturbher,AdlettouchedHans'wrist.Hehadnopulseandhewascold.Itsimpossible,Rolonia,Adletthought.TherewasalmostnobloodleftinHansbody,plushishearthadstopped.Hanswasalreadydead."Whatsthemeaningofthis?WhyisHansdead,butyou'reunharmed?"Adletasked.HewantedtoknowwhyRoloniadidntfighttheseventh,Mora.Andwhatsmore,hewonderedwhyMoradidntattackthedefenselessgirl.However,RoloniawasfocusingsolelyontryingtohelpHans.Itwasasifshecompletelycouldn'tseewhatwashappeningaroundher."Rolonia,youmusthavebeentravelingtogetherwithHans.Whatintheworldhappened?"Fremyaskedher.Yetevenherwordsdidn'tseemtoreachRolonia'sears.6Prologue "Iwillhelp...I'llhelp,youllsee.IfIcan't..."ChamothenstrolledtowardsMorawhilewearingherusualcarefreesmile.Itwasasifsheweren'tpayinganyattentiontothefactthatHanshaddied."Ah...Catsandied?That'stoobad."ChamolookeddownatthekneelingMora."ChamoquitelikedCatsan.Hewascute,strong,andhetalkedamusingly.ThoughatfirstChamohatedhimafterhehitChamoveryhard,overtimetravelingwithhimbecamealittlefun."ChamomadeafistandstruckMoraintheface.HerfistwassmallthoughsoMora'sfaceonlymovedslightly."Iwillneverforgiveyou.Iwillkillyou.Iwontletyouhaveanormaldeath!"Moraavertedhergazefromtheangrygirlinfrontofher."Idon'tcareifyoukillme.Imready.""Really?Obachanspreparedtodie?Well,Chamosextremelydisappointed.Chamoraisedherfistagain,butFremygrabbeditandstoppedher.Beforethat,giveussometimetohearherout,"FremysaidtoChamo,thenturnedtoMora.Hereyewasfullofsilentanger."TalkMoraandmakeitasbriefaspossible.Whenyou'refinished,we'llkillyou."7Prologue Lookingdowntotheground,Moraspoke."Ididn'thopeforthistohappen.Ididn'twanttokillhim.Ididn'twanttokillHansoranyone.""Whatareyoutalkingabout?""ButIcouldn'tthinkofwhattodootherthankillhim.AllpathsotherthankillingHanshadbeenclosed."AsingletearfellfromMora'seye."Iwantedtoprotecttheworld.IwantedtodefeattheKyomaalongsideallofyouandpreventTheMajin'srevival.""Chamodoesn'tbelieveyou,"Chamosaid,butAdletdisagreed.Morawasn'tlying,shewasspeakingfromhertruefeelings."Andonlyuntilyesterday,no,onlyuntilanhourago,Ihadintendedtodojustthat."8Chapter 11 9Chapter 11 ChapterOne:PartOneMoraChester.TheSaintofMountainsandthecurrentheadofallthevenerabletemplesinworld.ShewasextremelypopularamongtheSaintsandnoonequestionedhercompetency.Whilemanyconsideredhergoverningfairshewasalsostrictandhaddemonstratedexcellentskillinleadingherjuniors.AsthetimeofTheMajin'sawakeningneared,peopletalkedabouthowherbeingselectedastheleaderofthetempleswasextremelyfortunateformankind.SowhydidMorakillHansHumpty?Apartofthatanswerliesinherhistory.#Morawasbestowedwithablessedlife.Borninthecountryofsnowcappedmountains,shewastheyoungestofninechildren.Shewasbornintoawealthyvillagetreebusinessandhadbeenraisedwithlovebyherparents,brothers,andthecompany'semployees.Mora'sfatherhaddeeptieswiththetempleoftheMountainwherethebusiness'bodyguardscamefrom,andthroughthatconnectionMoraenteredthetempleasanacolyte.Shewas13atthetime.10Chapter 11 Livingatthetemplewasbusyandstrict,butitwasn'thardforMora.Shewasaseriousgirlandsheexcelledeveninschool.Shewasevenmorecapableofregulatingherownbehaviorandhabitscomparedtoothergirlsinhergeneration.WhenMorawas19thepreviousSaintofMountainsretiredandMorawaschosenasthenextSaintfromthegroupofacolytes.Shewasthegreatestfromthemultitudesofacolytesanditwassaidthatshewasthebestcandidate.AfterthatMora'suniquequalitiesstartedtoblossom,andwithinthreeyearsshegainedthefightingabilitiesandstrengthtobeconsideredamongthetopfivemostpowerfulSaints.Herhighlevelabilitieswereshowntothemanagedterritoriesunderthetemple'scontrolandwhenMorawas26shewasappointedtheheadofallthetemplesintheworld.ReceivinganominationfromLeura,thepreviousTempleHead,Morawasrecommendedbythreefourthsofthe78Saints.Morabasicallyhadeverythingapersonwouldwanttoacquireorwishfor.Popularity,fame,status,authority,andwealth.Andinhavingthoseshealsohadgenuinepower.However,forMoraallofthosewereoflittleimportance.Sincetherewerenoothersuitablepeople,theheadofthetemple'sseatwasnothingmorethanapositionMorahadnochoicebuttotakeover.Popularityandfamewerealsonotthatimportant.Wealthwasonlygoodforensuringthatonedidn'tliveadifficultlife.Andifitbecameunnecessary,shecouldthrowawayeventheimmensepoweroftheSaintofMountainsatanytime.11Chapter 11 No,forMoratherewassomethingelsethatwasmoreimportant.#ThreeyearsbeforeTheMajin'sawakening,MorawasatPiena'sgoddessarena.ThesameplacewherelaterAdletwouldcauseamassiveuproar."Princess!HowmanytimesdoIhavetotellyou!Itdoesn'tmatterhowmanybladesyouconjureiftheydon'thitthetarget."MorawastherewiththreeyoungSaints.ThegirlswerethenextgenerationofthoseaimingtobetheHeroesoftheSixFlowersandwerebeinginstructedbyMora.Atthattime,trainingthemwasMora'smostimportantjob."Whatdoyouthinkaboutthis?"TheSaintofBlades,Nashetania,conjuredbladesfromthegroundoneafteranother,andthenlaunchedthemallatMorawithoutmercy.However,eventhoughthebladeswereindeedflashy,theywereslow.Andtheyalsoweren'taccurateenough,soMorawasabletocasuallydeflecteachbladewithherarmoredfist."You'renotcontrollingyourenergy.Andthoughthatmightworkonweakerenemies,itwillfailagainststrongeropponents.Next!"12Chapter 11 "Alrightboss!TodayI'mgoingtobeatyoutoapulp.1"ThenexttochallengeMorawasWelynn2,theSaintofSalt.Shepossessedthepowertochangeanythingshestruckintoclumpsofsalt.Buteventhoughjustonestrikefromherfistwouldmeancertaindeath,itwasmeaninglessifherfistscouldn'thittheirmark.Asshewasabitonthetallside,Morawasabletododgethesimpleattackjustbymovingherupperbody.TheninthatopeningMoratrippedupWelynn.AndastheyoungSaintstumbled,Morakickedherandsentherflying."Yourattacksaretoosimplistic.Andifyoudon'tlearnhowtoattackfromfarawayyou'llneverdevelop.Next!""Huh?Noway.You'retheleaderofthetemples.You'rewaytoostrong."TheSaintofFire,Lenelle,usedthefireshecreatedtoattackMora.However,Morajustwavedbothofherhands,scatteringtheflamesandknockingLenellebackfromtherecoil."Wasthatallyourpower?!OfferyourprayerstotheGodofFire.Itwillincreaseyourstrength."1 2 The Japanese name reads Ueron, but like the other names in this series I tried to Romanize them in a way that would seem less Japanese and also be more pronounceable in line with the authors English translations of the main characters names. 13Chapter 11 Morawasabouttocallforthenextwarrior,butthensherealizedthattherewasnooneelse.NashetaniatheSaintofBlades,WelynntheSaintofSalt,andLenelletheSaintofFirehadallbeenbeaten."Weaklings,bandtogetherandcomeatme."ThethreethenstoodandlaunchedtheirattacksatMora.TheirintensivetrainingcontinueduntilthethreeyoungSaintscouldn'tmoveanymore.#Itwaseveningbythetimetheinstructionhadended.Morawalkeddownthehallsofthegoddessarenaalone,whileNashetaniaandtheotherSaintsheadedovertothedoctors.NashetaniapossessedformidabletalentandinthreeyearsshewouldprobablysurpassMorainstrength.Welynnontheotherhandstillhadroomtogrow.ButMorafeltthatLenelle'sdevelopmentmaybereachingaplateau,whichmadeherwonderwhethersheshouldorderhertoretiresothatshecouldraiseanewSaintofFireorifitwasbettertowaitforLenelletoshedherweakexterior.3Whileshewalked,MoracontinuedtoconsiderhowtoraiseasuperiorwarriorandhowtohelpthemdeveloptothepointwheretheycoulddefeatTheMajin.314Chapter 11 However,aftersheexitedthearenaandstartedtowalkthroughPiena'sextravagantroyalfamilytempleherthoughtsofbattlegraduallybegantodisappear.SheevenstartedtoforgettheimpendingbattlewithTheMajin."Sheniera.I'mback.Wereyouagoodgirltoday?"WhenMoraopenedthedoortoaguestroom,located,contrarytoherexpectations,inacorneroftheroyalresidence,agirltotteredintoherchest.AndatthatmomentMorachangedfromawarriorwhoborethefateofprotectingtheworldonhershoulderstojustamother."Sheniera,whatdidyoudoforfuntoday?""Iplayedsugoroku4withdaddy.""Sugorokuhuh?Iwanttoplaywithyoutoo.Oohthere'sacutegirl."Morapickedupandhuggedheronlybeloveddaughter.Feelingherdaughterhadgottenabitheavier,Mora'sexpressionsoftened."Oh,you'reheavy,you'reheavy."4Adicegame.However,inEnglishtoPlayDiceusuallyhasagamblingconnotation.15Chapter 11 "Sheniera'snotapamperedchild,"amansaidasMoracuddledherdaughter.Hethenwalkedintotheroom,amanintheprimeofhislifewithsilverhairsblendedintohishair."Whenyou'rehereShenierabecomesacompletelydifferentperson."HisnamewasGunnerChesterandhewasMora'shusband,olderthanherby12years.TheSaintsweren'tobligatedtoremainsingleandclosetohalfofthe78Saintshadfamilies.Plus,itwasn'trareforeventheacolytesthatwereSaintcandidatestohaveloversorhusbands.EvenMora'smarriagetoGunnerhadhappenedbeforeshehadinheritedthepoweroftheSaintofMountains."Sheniera,yourmotheristired.Comehere."Gunnerembracedhisdaughterandliftedheroutofhermother'sarms."Idon'tmind,Idon'tmindthis.WellSheniera,playwithyourmother,"MorasaidasshetookbackShenierafromGunner.SeeingShenieralaughasMoraliftedherplayfullyhighupintotheair,Gunnershrugged."Alright,butit'syourfaultShenieraisbeingraisedasapamperedchild."16Chapter 11 "Whatareyousaying?Istheresomethingwrongwithbeingpampered?HeySheniera,swing!"MoradangledShenierathengentlyshookherleftandright.Shewassorrythatshewasignoringherhusband'scriticism,butatthemomentshedidn'tfeellikepartingfromherdaughter.ShenierawastheonlyonewhocouldmakeMoraforgettheweightofherdutyastheleaderofthetemples.Aftertenyearshadpassedsincetheyhadgottenmarried,Morahadfinallygivenupandresignedherselftothefactthatitmayhavebeenimpossibleforhertohavechildrenanymore.SotofinallyreceiveShenierawasatreasure.Shewasingoodhealth,shewasn'tdevelopingslowly,andshewasgrowinguphealthily.Herdaughterwasfulloflife;someonewithoutchildrenprobablycouldn'tunderstandjusthowmuchthatsimplefactencouragedMoraandgaveherthestrengthtofight.Gunnerwasagoodhusband.Hedidn'thaveanyspecialpower,andbothhisintelligenceandcouragewereordinary.However,hewasanhonestpersonwhodisplayedalotoftenderaffection.HeprotectedtheirhouseinMora'splaceandonoccasionevenassistedherwithherdutyasleaderofthetemples.Ifheweren'twithhertherewasprobablynowayshecouldtolerateherexhaustingwork."Mother,swingmemore,swingmemore."17Chapter 11 MoraswungherdaughterinalargecircleandShenierareleasedahighpitchedscreaminjoy.AtthatmomenttheapproachingbattlewithTheMajincompletelyvanishedfromhermind.TherewasonlyonethingthatwasirreplaceabletoMora.Itwasn'therpositionorherpower.Itwasherloveforherdaughterandherhusband.Otherthanthem,therewasnothingimportanttoher.Thatwasthreeyearsago,duringthedayswhentheworldwasstillatpeace.#InfrontofthesmalltemplethatcontrolledtheIllusionFogBarrier,AdletMaiawasatalossforwords.Hiscompanionswerenodifferent,onceagainsilentandunabletospeak.TheywereallstaringatthegirlinfrontofthembythenameofRoloniaManchetta."Um,whyaretheresevenpeoplehere?"Unawareofthesituation,Rolonialookedaroundatthecompanionsandcranedhernecktotheside."Thiscan'tbehappening.Ineverthoughttheywouldcomelikethis,"Fremymuttered.18Chapter 11 "It'simpossible.Whatdoesitmean?Whydiditincreaseagain?"Moraasked,clutchingherheadinfrustration."Uh,umm...What'sincreased?"RoloniahesitantlylookedtoAdletandMora'sfaces.ThenthenextmomentshefinallynoticedAdlet'sinjuries."Adkun,whathappenedtoyou?Didyouhavetofightafterall?Wait,I'llhealyou."RoloniatriedtoplaceherhandsontoAdlet'sbody,butAdletstoppedher.Thiswasnotthetimetoreceivetreatment.Helookedoverathiscompanions.Therewereavarietyofreactions:fromsomeatalossforwordsduetoshockandothersstaringatRoloniawithalookofimpatienceandfrustration.SoAdletwasunabletofigureoutwhowastheseventhjustfromtheirfaces."Whatdoyouthinkeveryone?"Adletasked."There'sonlyonewaytothinkaboutit.We'rebackwherewestarted,"Fremyansweredinanirritatedtone."Arewetrappedagain?Whenwillwebeabletogetoutofthisforest?"19Chapter 11 Unabletounderstandwhatwasgoingon,Roloniawascompletelyflustered.SheexchangedglanceswithAdletandMora,andthensuddenlyloweredherhead."...Um...I'm,I'msorry!""Rolonia,whatareyouapologizingfor?"Moraasked."Um...IfIhadn'tbeenlate...Iwouldn'thavecausedsomuchtroubleforeveryone...I'msorry,I'msosorry."Overandoveragain,Roloniabowedherhead.Shehasn'tchangedatall,Adletthoughtashelookedather."Thisisn'tyourfault.Probably.Liftupyourhead,"AdletsaidandstillshrunkeninfearRolonialookedaroundattheothers."Wellthen,whoisthisperson,meow?"Hansasked.However,insteadofRolonia,Morareplied."She'sexactlywhoshesaidshewasearlier.ThisisRoloniaManchetta,TheSaintofFreshBlood.Shelivedattheheadtemplewithmefortwoandahalfyears.Andthoughshedoesn'tlookreliable,herabilitiesareunquestioned."20Chapter 11 "Tha...thankyouverymuch,"Roloniasaid,honestlygratefulforthepraise."Sheseemsweak,"Hanssaidwhilescratchinghishead."Herabilitiesareunquestioned?That'sunlikely.Roloniawasinfamousforbeingadimwittedfool,"Chamosaid,makingRoloniashrinkdownintoherselfevenmore."Whethershe'sstrongornotisn'timportant.Theissueisifsheisanenemyoranally."Fremy'sfingerwasalreadyonherrifle'strigger.Andlookingathereye,itseemedlikeshewasstaringatanenemy."Um...I'm...I'msorry.IwasatfaultandIregretit.Soplease,pleaseforgiveme."Roloniacontinuedtobowherheadprofusely.Sighing,Adletspoketohisagitatedcompanions,whoseemedreadytomurderher."...Fornow,let'sallintroduceourselves!"AdletandtheotherseachintroducedthemselvestoRoloniaandshowedhertheircrests.Adlet,Mora,andChamowerealreadyacquaintedwithRolonia.AndthoughGoldofandRoloniahadnevermetbefore,theybothseemedtoknoweachother'snames.Fremy,however,didn'ttalkabouthowshewasthedaughterofa21Chapter 11 KyomaortheSixFlowerkiller,shejuststatedhernameandthatshewastheSaintofGunpowder.AndHanscalledhimselfanassassin,whichshockedRoloniaalot.Afterhearingeveryone'snamesandseeingtheircrests,Roloniafinallygraspedtheirpredicament."Therearesevenheroes?Whatdoesthismean?"Astounded,Fremyasked."Areyoureallysayingyoucan'tunderstandifwedon'texplainit?""...Sorry.""Oneofusisanimpostor.AndI'mthinkingthatpersonmustbeyou,"Fremystated,herintenttokillRoloniaemanatingfromherbody.Inresponse,Roloniashriekedlikeasmallanimalandshrankaway.However,Adletsteppedinbetweenthetwoofthembeforethingscouldescalate."WaitFremy.Thathasn'tbeendeterminedyet.""Sureithasn'tbeendetermined,butIcan'tthinkofanyotherpossibility.Ifsheisnotthesevenththenwhoisshe?"22Chapter 11 AdlethesitatedandasheprotectedRolonia,herecalledthefightwithNashetania.ItwasunlikelythatitwasFremy.Ifshehadn'tbeenthere,Adletwouldbedead.AndbothHansandChamowerealsounlikelysincetheyhadchasedafterNashetania.ThoughitwastrueMoraincitedtheotherstokillhim,itwashardtoimaginethatshehadn'tbeentrickedbyNashetaniaaswell.AndthoughGoldofwasNashetania'ssubordinateanditwasexpectedthathewouldbesuspicious,asfarasAdletcouldtellfromthesituation,itseemedlikehetoohadbeendeceivedbyher."Thereisn'tanyoneelsewhocouldbetheseventh,"FremydeclaredandHansandChamoseemedtoagree"Wait,somethingdoesn'tmakesense.IfRoloniaisthesevenththenwhydidn'tshecomewithNashetania?What'sthepointinmakingNashetaniacomealone?""Nashetania...itcan'tbe,didsomethinghappenwiththeprincesssama?"Roloniaasked.Unfortunatelytheyweren'tabletoexplain."Maybetheyhadactuallyplannedtocometogether,meow.Maybetherewassomesituationthatpreventedthemfrommeetingup."23Chapter 11 "Whatkindofsituation?""Idon'tknowanythingaboutenemymatters."Hanssmiledandshrugged."...Adlet,standaside.You'reindanger."FremyaimedhergunatRolonia.However,AdletshieldedRoloniawithhisback."Fremyloweryourgun.Roloniaisnottheseventh,"Morasaid,causingFremytolookoverinherdirection."Isaiditbefore,butIwasattheHeadTempleforalongtimewithRolonia.Sheisapersonwhocouldn'tdeceiveanyone.""Didn'tyouthinkNashetaniawasthesamekindofperson?""Roloniahasn'tdisplayedanysuspiciousbehavioratall.It'sunlikelyshehadcontactwiththeKyomaortheirunderlings."MorasteppedforwardandplacedherbodyinfrontofFremy'smuzzle.Itwasasifsheweresaying,"Ifyou'regoingtoshoot,thenshoot.""Meow.Don'tyouunderstandMora'sposition?SheisthenextmostsuspiciouspersonafterRolonia."MorawincedatHans'words."Mybeingsuspectedcan'tbehelped.ButRoloniaisabsolutelygenuine."24Chapter 11 AsAdletgroundhisteethhecontinuedtoshieldRoloniawithhisback."Enoughalready.Isn'tthisjustarepeatofthesituationbefore?""Thereisanenemyamongus.Untilwefindthemwecan'tmoveforward,"Fremyrepliedandthetwoofthemglaredatoneanother.ThenChamoturnedawayandlookedoffinanotherdirection."Someone'scoming."Fromthedirectionofthecontinenttheycouldhearthesoundsofhorsehooves.Agroupofcavalrycladinmagnificentblackarmorwererushingtowardsthetemple."Iwonderifthey'reenemies."Fremypointedherrifleintheirdirection."No,that'sGwinvale'sking,meow,"Hansreplied.GwinvalewasthecountryborderingtheWailingDemonTerritory."Roloniadono!5Gravenews!AretheHeroesoftheSixFlowersstillthere?!"Shoutedanelderlymanattheheadofthegroup.PerhapshewasthekingofGwinvaleandthemanbehindtheIllusionFogBarrier.Gwinvale'skingandagroupofknightssoonarrivedinfrontofthetemple.Theythendismounted,tookofftheirhelmetsandrespectfullybowed.5 Dono can be thought of as a polite honorific similar to -sama/master/milord. It is only used in written Japanese nowadays. 25Chapter 11 "IamthekingofGwinvale,Doltonthethird.Andalsopresentaretheroyalguard.WeheardabouttheunusualeventwiththeIllusionFogBarrieranditisourintentiontodevoteallofourenergytohelpingyou.6Themanpreservedhismajesticdemeanorwithoutdroppingdecorum.Surelyhewasadignifiedruler,Adletthought.Astherepresentativeoftheseven,Moradealtwiththekingandhisguards."IamoneoftheHeroesoftheSixFlowers,MoraChester,theSaintofMountains.We'dbegreatlyobligedtoreceivetheking'sassistance.Incidentally,didsomethingseriousoccur?""IcametoreportthattheKyomascatteredaboutmykingdomareassemblingtheirforcesandfacingthisforest.Ifearitseemsliketheywillcomeheretoattackinseveralhours."Attheking'sdeclaration,awaveoftensionrushedthroughtheheroes.Theydidn'tknowhowmanyKyomawereinthecontinent,butitshouldn'tbelessthan2,000ataminimum.Andifthatforcecametoattackthemitwaspossiblethattheywouldallbewipedout.Wehadbeencareless,Adletthoughtashegrittedhisteeth.OriginallyTheIllusionFogBarrierwasmeanttotraptheKyomainthemaincontinent.ButnowthatthebarrierhadbeendissolvedtheKyomawouldsurgeintotheWailingDemonTerritory.6 26Chapter 11 "Maybeitwouldbebettertowithdrawtemporarily.""Runningisnogood.Chamoisn'tafraidoftheseventhorwhatever,"ChamoretortedtoFremy."But,but...wedon'tknowwhotheenemyis.SoifwefighttheKyoma...""Rolonia,it'sjustlikeChamosaid.Wearenotabletoretreat,"Morasaid,admonishingthefrightenedRolonia."IfIhadtosay,itseemsmorefuntoadvancethisway,meow.""Whatdoyoumeanbyfun?"Moraasked."Isn'titmorefunwhenthere'salotofdanger?"Hansaskedwithabroadgrin.ThekingofGwinvaleandhissubordinatesstaredinbewildermentastheheroesbattedideasbackandforth.Theytoowereperplexedbytheexistenceoftheseventh."It'sdangeroustocontinue.Theseventhiswithoutadoubtpreparingtheirnexttrap."27Chapter 11 ThesevencontinuedtheirdebatewithoutpayinganyattentiontothekingofGwinvaleandhissubordinates."Whatshouldwedo,meow?Perhapsretreatingmaybemoredangerous,meow.""Whatdoyoumean?""MaybeRoloniaanticipatedthatwewouldretreatandisluringusintoatrap,meow?However,thatwouldbemorefunforme,meow."MorainterjectedintoHansandFremy'sargument."IsaidearlierthatRoloniaabsolutelyisn'ttheenemy.""BequietMora.Wereallycan'ttrustyoueither.""Waitaminute.Chamocan'ttrustFremyeither.SheisaKyomaafterall."Chamo'soutingofFremy'sidentityseemedtomakeherslightlyangry."Enoughalready!"Adletshouted."Arguingwillgetusnowhere!"Everyone'seyeswenttoAdlet."Noonetrustsanyone,sonomatterwhatwetalkaboutweprobablywon'tbeabletosettleanything."28Chapter 11 "...Wellthen,whatshouldwedoAdlet?""Iwilldecideeverything.AndyouallwilldoasIsaywithoutanyobjections."Itwasanarrogantproposalandundernormalcircumstancesthatstatementwouldinvitebacklash.ButatthemomentAdletthoughtthatwastheonlythinghecoulddo."Rightnowtheonlyonewhocandefinitivelysaythattheyarenottheseventhisme.SodoingwhatIsayisprobablythemostlogicalcourseofaction."Hans,Chamo,andthenFremymadefacesclearlyshowingtheirdissatisfaction."Thatmaybethemostlogical,butI'mreallyuncomfortablewithit,meow.""Haveyouforgotten?I'mthestrongestmanintheworld.Doyouthinktherearemistakeswiththedecisionsoftheworldsstrongest?""Ithinkso.""Yup."FremyandChamobothrepliedimmediately.29Chapter 11 "However,atthemomentIthinkthatistheonlythingwecando.JustasAdletsaid,wewon'tbeabletosettleanythinglikethis,"Morasaid.AsforRolonia,thoughshedidn'tvoiceanopinion,sheseemedtoobjecttotheidea."Well,Iguessitcan'tbehelped.Thisguyisafool,buthe'snotahopelessone,"Hansconceded."Putabitmoretrustinme.Iamthestrongestmanintheworld.""Meow,yeah,yeah,"Hanssaid,nottakingAdlet'sstatementseriously.Inanycase,Adlethadtodecidewhethertoadvanceortoretreat."Mora.Iwanttoaskyousomethingfirst.IstheresomeoneamongtheSaintswhohasthepowertofindtheseventh?"Thepersonwhorepliedwasn'tMora,butFremy."I'veheardofMarmannatheSaintofWords.Shecanseepastliesandhasthepowertomakepeopletellthetruth."Certainlywiththatpowertheycouldfigureoutwhotheseventhwas.ButMorashookherhead.30Chapter 11 "That'snogood.MarmannaisattheHeadTemple.Nomatterhowhardyourush,itwouldtakesevendaystogetthere."Inthatcaseitwasnogood.Eveniftheywereabletomaketheroundtripintendays,theywouldstillrunoutoftimetodefeattheMajin.PlustherewasnoguaranteethatthepersonwhowastheSaintofWordswasevensafeatthemoment."IamAdletMaia,thestrongestmanintheworld.KingofGwinvale,Idon'tthinkyouunderstandthecircumstances,butIaskthatyougoalongwithwhatI'mgoingtosay.Fromnow,howmuchtimewouldittaketoreactivatetheIllusionFogBarrier?""We'vepreparedfoodandwatersothatwecouldholdthisposition,soitmaybepossibletodoitsoon.""Wellthen,pleaseactivatethebarrier30minutesfromnow.AnduntilwedefeatTheMajin,I'dlikeyoutokeepthebarrierup.Canyoudothat?""ThebarrierisdesignedtoautomaticallylowerwhenyoudefeatTheMajin.Untilthen,nomatterwhathappensthebarrierwon'tdeactivate."Adletnoddedandlookedathiscompanions."WewillbreakintotheWailingDemonTerritory.Isthatalrightwitheveryone?"31Chapter 11 ThoughFremyhadindicateditwouldbedifficulttoproceed,itdidn'tseemlikeshewouldvoiceanobjectiontohisidea.Roloniaseemedthesameway."There'sachancetheenemyisassemblingitsmilitarymightattheentrancetoTheWailingDemonTerritory.Don'tgetcareless.Let'sgo!"Theseventhenstartedtorun.WhichwaswhenRoloniadrewclosetoAdlet'ssideandsaid,"Adkun,grabmyshoulder.""I'mfine.Ifit'sjustrunning,Icandoit."Afterhisresponse,Roloniaplacedherhandonhisshoulder.ThenherhandstartedtoglowfaintlyandatthesametimeAdlet'sbodybegantowarm."IcantreatyouwhileI'mrunning.IamtheSaintofFreshBlood.Healingwoundsismyspecialty.""Gotit.Well,I'llleaveittoyou.""Adkun,whatintheworldhappened?Ihaveabsolutelynoidea."Samehere,Adletthought.32Chapter 11 Thesevenrushedintotheforestandranalongthecoastline.Thentheystartedtosmellafaintstrangescentcomingfromtheground,signalingtheirarrivalintheWailingDemonTerritory.Andafterawhiletheysawagiantmassoffogappearbehindthem.ThefogmeantthattheirpathofretreatwasgoneanduntiltheydefeatedTheMajintheywouldn'tbeabletoleavetheterritory.Butthat'sgood,Adletthought.Thebattlewasonetheyweren'tallowedtolose.Itwasbettertorejectanyideasofescape.33Chapter 12 ChapterOne:PartTwoApeninsulaextendedoutfromapartoftheeasternedgeofTheWailingDemonTerritorytowardsthenortheast.Asforitssize,anordinarypersonwouldprobablytakeaboutfivedaystocrossitonfoot.Theterrainwasextremelycomplex,andevennowthefulldetailsweren'tclear.TheonlyinformationthathadeverbeenpassedoncamefromtheSaintoftheSingleFlower'smemoriesandtheincompletemapsdrawnbypastHeroesoftheSixFlowers.Rumorssaythatitwascurrentlyimpossibletobringaboatashoretheterritory.Theentirelongcoastwassurroundedbyshallowsandifoneweretoapproach,theirboatwouldbeattackedbystoneblades.TheKyomahadspentalotoftimechangingthepeninsulaintoagiantstronghold,sootherthanapproachingbylandorflyingthroughtheair,therewasnowaytoentertheWailingDemonTerritory.TheintendeddestinationoftheHeroesoftheSixFlowerswastheplacewhereTheMajinslept,atthenorthwestpointoftheterritory.TheSaintoftheSingleFlowerhadnamedthatareatheHomeofSpilledTears.AfterTheMajinawoketherewereabout30daysuntilitsrevivalcouldbefullycarriedout.Andiftheheroescouldn'tmanagetoreachthatpointbythattimethentheworldwouldend.Halfadayhadpassedsincetheycrossedoverintothepeninsula.AdletwasleaningonRolonia'sshouldertohelphimstand.ThewoundwhereNashetaniahadstabbedhimstartedtohurtagainandhecouldtellthatbloodwasoozingoutofhisstomach.34Chapter 12 "Adkun.I'lltreatyourstomach.Relaxforabit,"Roloniasaid,thentouchedAdlet'sstomach.ThepowerofbloodRoloniausedamplifiedthenaturalhealingpropertieswithinhisbloodandsoonhisbleedingstopped.TheHeroeswereintheeasternareaoftheterritorycalledtheFallingBloodValley.ThevalleywascalledFallingBloodbecausewhentheSaintoftheSingleFlowerfoughtTheMajinbefore,shehadbeensofatiguedthatshehadvomitedbloodinthevalley.Theyhaventencounteredanyfightsfromtheforestupuntiltheyhadsetfootinthevalley.Theydidn'tseeanyKyomawaitingtoambushthemalongthecoastliketheyhadthought,andtheymanagedtoreachthevalleyfarquickerthantheyhadimagined.Thesevenwereonguardandcautiouslyadvancedthroughthecomplicatedterrainofthevalleystretchingoutinfrontofthem.AlthoughtheywerepreparedforanattackfromtheKyomafromtheoutside,thecompanionswerealsosearchingforanyindicationofbetrayaloratrapwithinthevalley.Andsotheywalkedslowly.Thevalleywaseerilyquiet.FremysnipeddownseveralKyomathatseemedtobeonthelookout,butotherthanthosetheyhaventseenanyenemiessince.FremyandMorahadgoneaheadtoscoutthecurrentsituation,andtheremainingfivewerewaitingfortheirreturn."AreyoualrightRolonia?You'recompletelypale."35Chapter 12 "...I'm..al...al...alright."AwhileagowhiletheywereprogressingthroughtheterritoryAdlethadtoldRoloniaabouttheirbattlewithNashetania.ForawhileRoloniacouldntbelievethatshehadbetrayedthem.AfterthatAdletalsotoldherhowFremywasthedaughterofaKyomaandthatshewastheSixFlowerkiller.ThatwaswhenRoloniahadgonepale.ShesaidshehadknownAsleytheSaintofIce,oneoftheHerocandidateskilledbyFremy."IunderstandthatfightingalongsideFremyiscomplicated.Butfornowletitbe.WereallcompanionsandIreallydontwantustofightamongourselvesanymore.""...Ri,right.""Adlet."Atthatmoment,Fremyreturned."Hie!"RoloniascreamedtheinstantFremyspoke.ButFremyseemedevenmoreshockedthanRoloniawas."...What'sthematterRolonia?""...Nothing,nothingatall.I'mfine."Roloniawasscared.Butitwasn'tjustofFremy,shewasalsoafraidoftheassassinHans,theviolentChamo,and36Chapter 12 Nashetania'sfollower.TheonlypeopleshecouldspeakhonestlywithwereheroldfriendsAdletandMora.Oneofthemwastheenemy.Andthoughitwasunderstandabletohavefear,tobetooafraidwasaproblem."...Ican'tseeanyKyoma.Sowe'refineatthemoment.SinceMoraisgoingahead,let'sfollowandmeetupwithher."AfterthatFremyturnedherbackonAdletandwalkedaway,andthefivehadtoincreasetheirpacetofollowafterher.SuddenlyacryechoedabovethevalleymakingRoloniatremblewithastart.ButwhenAdletlookedupheonlysawadeercrossingthevalley.TheWailingDemonTerritorysurprisinglyhadalotofanimals.ThepoisontheMajinemitteddidn'taffectanylivingcreaturesotherthanhumans,meaningthatotherthantoeat,eventheKyomadidn'tattacktheanimals."It'sadeer.Ah,it'scute.ThoughChamo'spetsarecuter."Chamosmiled,buttheonlyoneshockedwasRolonia.AndherbeingshockedbyadeermadeAdletworrywhethershecouldhandlewhatwasaheadofthem."Heycowgirl.AreyoureallyoneoftheSixFlowers,despitebeingsoweak?"Chamoasked,idlytwirlingherfoxtailgrassinherhands."Um,well..."37Chapter 12 "Chamoknows.TheGoddessofFatemadesomekindofmistakeselectingadunceofaSaint.ChamocantbelieveyouwouldbechosenasaFlowerifthatwerentthecase."Um..."Roloniajuststareddownattheground."...Ivealsobeenthinkingthat...per...perhapsI'mnotreallyoneoftheFlowers."Whatareyousaying?Adletthought."Chamothinksyou'reirritating.Soifyou'retheseventhChamowantsyoutoconfessrightaway.Ifyouapologizenow,Chamowon'tdoanythingbadtoyou.""Hey,cutitout!"Adletshouted."...WhenthecrestappearedIdidn'tbelieveIwasoneoftheFlowers.Perhapsselectingmewassomekindofmistake...""Wellthatsettlesit,huh?"AdletwasabouttoshoutatChamowhenavoiceinfrontofthemspoke."IthinkRoloniaisstrong."ItwasFremy."IheardMorawascharmedbyherabilityandgaveherspecialtrainingherself.WhenRoloniawasattheHeadTempleIcouldn'tmakeamoveagainstMora."38Chapter 12 "Well,perhapsshe'salittlestrong.""Tha,thankyouverymuchFremysan.""Youdon'thavetothankme.I'mstillsuspiciousofyou.""...Um..."Roloniashrunkbackabit."MoreimportantlyIwanttohearmoreaboutyou.AllIknowfromyouisyouridentityastheSaintofFreshBloodandthatyouseemtobeaconsiderablystrongperson.""That'sright.TalkRolonia,"Adleturged."IbecameaSainttwoandahalfyearsago.BeforethatIwasworkingasaservant.Really,Ishouldhavequitthepositionsoon,butbyMorasan'scommandIpursuedbecomingaHerooftheSixFlowers.AndsoattheHeadTempleMorasanandWelynntheSaintofSaltinstructedmeonhowtofight.""...TellusthedetailsofwhathappenedtoyouaftertheMajinwokeupuntilyoumetupwithus."39Chapter 12 "Oh,okay.Umm,whentheMajinawokeandIreceivedthecrest,IwasattheTempleofFireinthekingdomoftheYellowFruit.Lenellesanand...ahLenellesantheSaintofFireandIhadbeenstudyingtogether.""Andthen?""Really,Ishouldhavearrivedmuchfaster,butonthewaysomeKyomaattackedandtherewereinjuredpeopleaskingmetotreatthem.IwonderedwhetheritwouldbealrightifIwerelate,butIcouldn'trefuse...AndsoIwasdelayed.I'msorry."Roloniabowedherhead."HowaboutwhenyouarrivedattheIllusionFogBarrier?"Adletasked."Iarrivedattheforestyesterdayinthemiddleofthenight.Atthattimethebarrierhadalreadybeenactivated.ThekingofGwinvalewasatatowerandhewastheonewhotoldmeaboutthebarrier.Healsosaidthathehadbeencapturedbyunknownsoldiersandhadnoideaaboutthecurrentsituationorwhythebarrierhadbeenactivated.""Andthenmorningcame,thefogclearedandyoumetupwithus?"Rolonianoddedinagreement."Isthereanyonewhothinksthereissomethingoddaboutherstory?"Adletasked.40Chapter 12 "WereyoureallyattheTempleofFire?"Hansaskedinresponse."Let'sconfirmthatwithMoralater.Youdon'tthinkthereisanythingstrangeaboutwhatshesaidthough,right?""That'sright,meow."AfterquietlylisteningtoRolonia'sexplanation,Chamoasked,"Hey,whydoyouknowAdlet?"RolonialookedatAdlet'swayandtheireyesmet.Thenhenodded,givingherasignthatitwasokayforhertotalk."AdkunandImetabouttwoyearsago.DoyouknowAtroSpykersan?"AsRoloniaspoke,Adletrecalledhispast.Backthenhehadn'tevendreamedthathewouldseeRoloniaagain.Thefirsttimetheyhadmetshedidn'tseemanythinglikeagirlwhocouldbebroughtupasawarriorthatwouldendupbeingselectedasoneoftheSixFlowers.WhenAdletwasaroundtenhebecamethepupilofAtroSpyker,amanlivinginisolationdeepinthemountains.41Chapter 12 AndforthenexteightyearsAdletabsorbedallthefightingtechniques,knowledge,andmethodstocreatesecretweaponsthatAtrohadfiguredout.ButAdletwasn'tAtro'sonlypupil.ManyyoungpeopleseekingtobeoneoftheFlowersapprenticedunderhim.However,noneofthemcouldfollowAtro'sunusualtrainingandultimatelyleftthemountain,withonlyAdletremaining.Otherthanpupils,Atrohadalsoreceivedrequestsfromeachcountry'selites,renownedmercenaries,andSaintstoteachthemhisfightingskills.Theyappearedbearinglettersofintroductionsfromnoblemenandmercenaryleaders,andtheyapprenticedunderAtroforashorttime,acquiringnewbattleskillsandknowledge.ThoughAtrolivedhislifeasahermit,bynomeansdidthatmeanhehadseveredhistiestotheworld.ItwasperhapsalittleovertwoyearsagowhenRoloniaManchestervisitedAtro'shome,holdingoneofthoselettersofintroduction.Shewasn'tanydifferentthanhowshewasnow.No,nowshewasevenmoretimid."Adlet."Deepinthemountains,AdletwasfocusingsolelyonhisdartthrowingwhenAtrosuddenlyspoketohim.ButAdletcontinuedhistraining;itdidn'tmatterifhismasterwerestandingbesidehimornot.Withrupturedblisters,tornflesh,andblooddrippingdownhisfingers,hethrewthedarts.42Chapter 12 "ThisgirlisRoloniaManchester.SheistheSaintofFreshBlood.ForthenexttwomonthsIwillbeteachingherabouttheKyoma'swayoflifeandhowtodealwiththem.Don'tbotherher."AsAtrospokehepointedtoagirlstandingnearby.ButAdletdidn'tgreethernorreply.Hispersonalityatthattimewasdifferentthanitwasnow.Hehadbeenfarmorebitterandstarvedforvengeance.Hecursedeverythingintheworldandmorethananythinghehatedhisownweakness."Justsayyourname,"Atrosaid.WhilehidinginAtro'sshadow,RolonialookedatAdletwithafearfulgaze."I'mAdletMaia.EventuallyIwillbethestrongestmanintheworld,butrightnowI'mnot.Don'ttalktome.""Su...sure.I'msorry.""MoveRolonia,"AtrosaidjustasAdletmoved.HethrewadartatAtroandatthesametimedrewaknifeandslashedathim.TothesideRoloniascreamedandsankdowntotheground.Atrodeflectedthedartwithasinglefinger,grabbedAdlet'swristandthrewhimdown.Butwithoutamoment'srest,thefallenAdletswunghisknifeatAtro'sankles.43Chapter 12 Yetjustbeforetheblademadecontact,AtromovedoutofthewayandkickedAdletintheface,causingbloodtorushouthisnose."Are...areyoualrightAdletsan?""Didn'tIsaynottotalktome?"Adletthentriedtostand,buthislegsgottangledunderhimself,preventinghimfromgettingup."Don'tworrySaintofFreshBlood.He'llbegoneshortly.""...Ah,umm...""Igavehiminstructions.Hecanusewhatevertactichewants,itdoesntmatter.Butifhecan'tkillmebythetimehe's16thenhe'llbekickedoutfromthisplace.He'sgotonemonthleft.""...Ugh..."AtrokickedAdletinthefaceandsaid,"Laugh."44Chapter 12 Adlettriedtomovehislips,buthecouldnolongersmile.Hunger,asenseofpowerlessness,anddespairhadevenstolenhissmilefromhim.AtrofacedthefallenAdletandspatathim."Garbage."AtrothenleftAdletontheground,takingRoloniawithhim.AndthenAdletpoundedhisfiststothegroundandscreamed.#RoloniastayedatacottageAtrobuiltforvisitinggueststouse.Itwasaplacewhereonecouldseeminglylivealoneinthemountains.AtroandAdletontheotherhandlivedinacavelikebeasts.AtrowasconstantlyatRoloniasside,teachingheraboutwhatheknewregardingtheKyoma,eatingwithher,andtakingpersonalcareofher.AndduringthosetimesAdletdidn'tinterfere.ItseemedlikeeverydayAdletchallengedAtroatsomepointandthenlost.Andthoughhewasinjuredeachtime,throughsheerwillheforcedhimselfthroughthepainandstoodbackup.HeunderstoodthatAtrowouldnotgosoftonhim.Soifhecouldnotdefeathiminonemonthhereallywouldbekickedout.45Chapter 12 Ontopofthat,Adletstillhadn'tlearnedeverythingfromAtro.Andifhewereforcedtoleave,thepathtobecomingaHerooftheSixFlowerswouldbeclosedtohim.AsingleKyomaclungtoAdlet'smind.TheKyomawiththreewingssproutingoutfromitsbackandwalkedontwolegs.TheKyomawiththenarrowlizardfaceandhadappearedwithagentlesmile.TheKyomawhodestroyedhisvillageandstolehissisterandbestfriend.Hecouldn'tforgetabouthimforevenamoment.TheonlythingrulingAdlet'smindwashatred.Hecouldn'tevenliveaslongashecouldn'tkillthatKyomaorwatchitdie.Rolonia'sexistencedidn'tevenoccupyacornerofhisheart.Thenonenight,likealwaysAdletwasbeatenbyAtroandwassleepinginthecavelikealog.HefeltsomethingtouchhisbackandjumpedupjusttoseeRoloniasittingbesidehimholdingalamp."Whatdidyoucomeherefor?!"Adletyelled,causingRoloniatofleetothecornerofthecave,trembling."A,A,A,MasterAtrotoldmetotreatyou...""Atrodid?"46Chapter 12 "I'm...theSaintofFreshBlood...SoIcanhealpeople'sinjuries.""...Please."Adletsaidashelaydownontheground.RoloniathenofferedaprayertotheGodofFreshBloodandborrowedtheirpower.AndwhensheplacedherhandstoAdlet'swoundstheyclosedupinablinkofaneye."Humanbloodcontainsthepowertonaturallyhealwounds.ByamplifyingthatpowerIcanhealinjurieslikethis.""ThepowersoftheSaintsareincredible,"Adletsaid.Rolonia'scheeksreddenedhappily,justabit."...AreyoutryingtobecomeaHerooftheSixFlowers?"Adletasked."Huh?""DoIevenhavetoask?Thatistheobjectiveofallwarriors."TohisclaimRoloniashookherhead."Um,thismightseemstrange,but..."47Chapter 12 "Whatisit?""I'mthinkingofgoingbackdownthemountain.""DidsomethinghappenwithAtro?""No,that'snotit.Umm,I'vebeenthinkingIshouldgiveupontryingtobecomeoneoftheFlowers.Infact,IthinkitwouldbebetterifIquitbeingaSainttoo."Adletwasshocked.Hehadlivedhislifeuntilnowinordertogetstronger.Inordertogainpowerhehadthrownawayeverything.Toletgoofthepowerhe'dgainedwassomethinghecouldn'teventhinkabout."But...butIcan'tbecomeaHerooftheSixFlowers.AndifbysomemistakeIwaschosen,itwouldcausetroubleforeveryone.Sowouldn'titbebetterfortheSaintofFreshBloodtoquit...""Whyareyouhere?Don'tyouwanttogetstrong?""Ummwell...""Explain!"Adlet'svoicewasfullofanger.48Chapter 12 Nervously,Roloniatriedtoexplain.Inthebeginning,Roloniawasn'tanacolyteseekingtobecomeaSaint.Actually,shewasaservantattheTempleofFreshBloodwhowashedtheclothesoftheacolytes.FivemonthsagothepreviousSaintofFreshBloodretired,andaceremonywasheldtoselectthenewSaint.Butthepersonchosenwasn'toneoftheacolytesthatattendedtheceremony,butRoloniawhowasdryinglaundryinthegarden."Issuchathingpossible?"Adlethadaskedherwhilesherecountedherstory."TheSaintischosenbythegods...andnobodyknowswhatthegodsarethinking."RoloniasoontriedtoquitbeingaSaint.ThepreviousSaintandacolytesthoughtthatwastobeexpected.However,shewasthenorderedbytheHeadoftheTempleswhosupervisedtheSaints.SoRoloniacontinuedtobetheSaintofFreshBlood.AndwiththegoalofbecomingoneoftheSixFlowers,sheunderwentbattletraining.ShemovedtotheHeadTempleandthereshereceivedintensivetraininginordertobecomeagreatSaint."TheTempleHeadsaidIwouldbecomeanextremelypowerfulSaint,butthatisimpossible...andnomatterhowmanyyearsItrain,itlljustbeabignuisancewhensherealizesthatIveremainedthesameweakgirlIvealwaysbeen.49Chapter 12 AsAdletlistenedtoRolonia,hatredbubbledoutfromhisheart."...I...IwishIhadbeenbornfemale...IfIhadbeenbornagirlthenIcouldbecomeaSaint.""Huh?""IfIbecameaSaint,Iwouldgetstronger.Iwouldacquirethepowertokillhim.ButIwasbornaboy."Adletsmashedhisfistintotheground."Stopscrewingaround!""Ah,uhh...""Whydidsomeonelikeyoureceivepower?Whynotme?Whywasityou?"AdletgrabbedRoloniabythecollarandshookher."Iwantpower.Iwantpower!Iwantthepowertokillhim!Idon'tcarewhatIhavetoexchangetogetit,Ijustwantthepowertokillhim."Everydayashethrewupblood,herealizedtherealitythathedidn'thavepower.Andeverynightashecursedhisownweaknessandsleptlikealog,herepeatedoverandoveragainwithinhisheart,Iwantpower,Iwantpower.AndnowRoloniawastryingtothrowawaysomethingwhichAdletcouldneverreceive,nomatterhowmuchhewishedforit.Andthatwassomethinghecouldnotforgive.50Chapter 12 "Handoverthepower!Giveittome!""...I...Ican't.Itisanextremelydifficultskilltogivepowertoanotherperson.""Shutup!Giveittome!Givemethatpower!""Ican't!ItwouldbeimpossibleforeventheHeadoftheTemples,orevenLeurasama.Someonelikemecouldn't...""Whycan'tyoudoit!?Giveittome!Someonegivemepower!Ijustwanttobecomestrong!"AdletreleasedRolonia,threwhimselfflatdownontothegroundandstartedtocry."...I'm...I'msorry.Ididn'tmean..."EvenRoloniastartedtocrybesidethesobbingAdlet.Inthecavethetwoofthemcontinuedtocrythroughoutthenight;thegirlwhohadreceivedpowerandtheboywhocouldn't.51Chapter 12 ArounddawnAdletapologizedtoRolonia.Hewasn'ttheonlypersoninpain,butitwasanobvioustruthwhichhehadforgottenforalongtime.RoloniaalsoapologizedtoAdlet.ShehadsaidsomecruelthingswithoutunderstandinghowAdletfelt.Andafterthatthetwoofthembecamefriends.Forjusttwomonthstheyonlyhadanephemeralrelationship.Itwasarelationshipthatshouldhavebeenforgottenastimepassed.However,RoloniawasoneofthefewfriendsAdlethadbeenabletomake."...Andthat'swhathappened."RoloniaomittedalargeamountofAdlet'spastandinhisheart,AdletthankedRolonia.Hefeltbothashamedanddepressedwhenhethoughtbacktothattime."Wasn'tMorathepersonwhomadeyouapprenticeunderAtro?Ididn'tknowsheknewAtro,"Adletsaid."Itdoesn'tseemliketheyknewoneanother.Atrowasjustveryfamous."Somethingseemsstrangeaboutthat.Iwonderifthereisaconnectionbetweenthem,Adletthought.52Chapter 12 "Meohihihi,itseemslikeyoutwogotawfullycloseintwomonths,meow.Adlet,youdidn'tpretendtobeanunsociablepersonthenhavesexwithher?""Shutup!"AdletpushedHansaway,whileFremywatchedthetwoofthemwithacoldstare.ItwasatthatmomentthatMorareturned."What'sup,Mora?""Icouldn'tseeanyKyoma.Thevalleyiscompletelydeserted."Adletdidn'tentertainanydoubtsaboutherwords.ItwasclearthattherewerenoKyomainthevalley.Adletwasn'tawareofanythinghiddenbeneathherwords.#Abouttenminutespriortoherreturn,Morasurveyedhersurroundingswhilewalkingthroughthevalley.ThoughitwastruethatalotofKyomacouldn'tlurkinthevalley'scomplicatedterrain,theareawasidealforambushes.SoMorawatchedherbackandtheskyaboveherassheadvanced.AtthatmomentMorasawasingleKyomaatopacliff.Itwasarelativelysmallone,intheshapeofamonkey.53Chapter 12 ButthemomentMoramadeafistandpreparedtoattack,theKyomathrewitsbodyacrosstheairandlandeddirectlyinfrontofher.Thenitlowereditsheadinsubmissionandstartedtoapproachheronallfours."Whatthe...?"MoramutteredasshelookeddownattheKyoma'sback.Charactershadbeenwritteninblackinkonitsflesh[Thisisawarning,Mora.Youareoutoftime.]ForawhileMorajuststaredatthemonkeyKyoma,bowinginsubmissiontoher.ThenMoraresolutelystompedontheKyoma'sback.Itdiedwithasinglestrike.IthadbeenalowlevelKyomaandwascompletelyinconsequential.ButMorastompedontheKyoma'sbackagainandagainuntilshecouldnolongerreadthecharactersthathadbeenwrittenthere."Youareoutoftime...thatmustmean...,"Moramuttered.ThenleavingthesingleKyomacorpse,Moraleftthearea.#"Youdidn'tencounterasingleKyoma?....Thatisactuallyscary,"Adletsaid.54Chapter 12 "Theseventhhasn'tdoneanything.Thatskindofaletdown,"Chamoreplied.Thatwasexactlyright.AdlethadthoughtthatthenexttrapwouldbewaitingforthemassoonastheyenteredtheWailingDemonTerritory,orthattheseventhmightseizetheopportunityandcometoattackthem.Butthecurrentsituationwastoopeaceful."Maybeit'snotthattheyhaven'tcometodoanything,butthattheycouldn'tdoanything,meow."Hanssuggested."Whatdoyoumean?""Wellsinceweenteredtheterritory,Fremyhasbeenstaringatuslikeshewantstokillus.Sheintendstoimmediatelyshootusdeadifwedosomethingevenalittlebitstrange."AdletlookedoveratFremy,butshedidn'tdenyHans'claim."I'vebeenafraidforawhilenow.She'safrighteningwoman."Thenasifenjoyinghimself,Hanslaughed."Mora,what'supahead?"55Chapter 12 "Aboutfifteenminutesaheadyoucanseeaknoll.1Thereisamountainbeyondthat.Withoutadoubt,itlookslikethemountaincalled,TheEternalFlower"AfterhearingthatAdletcheckedhismentalmapofthearea.Itseemedliketheyweren'tlostandwereadvancingpreciselyalongtheroutetheyhadplannedout.IfAdlet'smentalmapwerecorrect,theninthemountainwasarelicleftbehindbytheSaintoftheSingleFlower.TheregioncalledTheEternalFlowerwasavaluablesafezone.Atnoontheywouldrestthereforamoment,thentheyintendedtocontinuedeeperintotheterritory."Ihaveasuggestion.Afterwegetoutoftheopen,let'srest,"Fremysaid."It'sstillnotnecessary.I'dliketocontinuetothemountain...toTheEternalFlower,whileit'sstillearly.ButassoonasAdletsaidthat,Fremyshookherhead."IhavesomethingIwanttotalktoyouabout.Assoonaspossible.Itwillbealongconversationandit'sserious,soIwantustosettledownandtalkitthroughthoroughly.""Aboutwhat?"1asmall,roundedhill56Chapter 12 "AbouttheinnerworkingsoftheKyoma,"Fremysaid,causingeveryonetotenseup."SurelyshewantstotalkaboutthethreeKyomaleadersthatcommandalltheKyoma,"Morasaid.ShehadforgottenaboutthefightwithNashetaniaorRolonia'sappearance.AsFremysaid,talkingabouttheKyomaleaderswasoftheutmostimportance."Wouldn'titbegoodtotalkatTheEternalFlower?It'snotsofarfromtheknoll.""IfIweretheenemyIwouldpositionmymilitaryforcearoundthatarea.Itdoesn'tlooklikewewillbeabletotalkfreelythere,"Fremysaid."Thatmightbeso.Andsincethereisnoindicationthattheywilllaunchanambushinanopenarea,let'shearyououtattheKnoll.""Ifthatistheplan,thenlet'sgoquickly."Hanswalkedfirst,followedbyChamoandMora.ThenGoldofcameafterthemwithapowerlessgait.ButwhenAdletstartedtowalk,Fremygrabbedhissleeve.57Chapter 12 "What'swrong?""...Doyoufeelit?""What?""He'shere.TheKyoma,"Fremysaidandlookeduptothesky.AtthatmomentthesilhouetteoftheKyomahewouldneverforgetappearedinhismind.TheKyomathatdestroyedhishometownwhiletalkinggentlytothevillagersandshowingabewitchingsmile.TheKyomathathadtakenhissister,hisbestfriend,andeverythingfromhim.Adlet'sheartwasracingandarushoftensionranuphisback.Itwasn'tthathefeltdeathintheair,northathesenseddanger.Neverthelesssweatstartedtoappearonhisforehead.Hecouldn'texplainthefeelingwithreason,butwhateveritwasitgothimextremelyworkedup."Isensehispresence.Idon'tknowwhereitis,butheissurelyhere.Iwouldneverforgetit.Thefeelingofthatexistencecoilsaboutmyskin."58Chapter 12 AdletrecalledwhatFremyhadtalkedaboutthenightbeforeyesterday.ShetalkedabouttheonewhohadorderedotherKyomatohurtherinthepast.OneofthethreeleadersoftheKyomaandthesameKyomathathaddestroyedAdlet'shometown.Adlet'ssoulwastellinghimthattheonehewassensingwasthatKyoma."Let'sgo.Isaidearlierthatthiswouldbealongconversation.""CanIaskyouonethingfornow?WhatisthatKyoma'sname?"Fremylookeduptotheskyandansweredquietly,"Tgurneu..."22TheJapanesepronouncesthenameTeguneu59Chapter 13 ChapterOne:PartThree"Hey,whatdoyouthinkisthestrongestpowerthatexistsinthisworld?"SomeonewhisperedataboutthesametimeAdletheardTgurneusname."Ifyoucompletely,completely,completelythinkitthroughyoullrealizethatitsloveafterall,"saidaKyoma.TheKyomahadtwoarmsandtwolegs,anditsheightwasalittleovertwometers.Comparatively,itcouldprobablybeclassifiedasasmallKyoma.Thegreenscalesandcolorofitstrunkweremadeofamottledpattern.Itsarmsandlegshadwhitefeathersonthem.However,onjustitspalmsithadthedampskinofanamphibian.Italsohadthreegiantbirdwingsextendingfromitsback.Butstrangely,betweentwoblackwingswasasinglewhite,swanlikeone.Andinitschestithadalargeamphibianlikemouth.TheKyomasstrangefigurewaslikeadisorderlyjumbleofvariousanimals.Anditsheadwasextremelylongandnarrow,resemblingalizard.AtthemomenttheKyomawassittingonasmallwoodenchair."...Ireallydontgetit.""Isee."60Chapter 13 TheKyomawasholdingasinglebookinitshand.Itwasaplainbook,clothboundanddecoratedwithgoldenthread.Insidewasacollectionofscriptswrittenbywellknowndramaplaywrights.Withitsfinger,theKyomaturnedthepage."OhPrinceVeezell!Ivebeencursedbyyou!Ohthebeautyandbluenessofyoureyes!Boththemotherandfatherthatgaveyouthoseeyesandmyownselfwhoappearsreflectedinthoseeyeshavebeencursed."TheKyomawasreadingthescriptofaplaywhereinordertopoisonthekingofanenemykingdom,asecretagenthadtosneakintothekingdombutintheprocessfellinlovewiththatkingdomsprince."Whydoyouthinktheprotagonistshoutedthis,whenalittlewhileagohermouthhadbeenspeakingaboutlove?Iknowit'snothingmorethanalistingofwords,butithaspresentedmewithaneternalmystery.Thepowerofloveistrulyfrightening.""...Withallduerespect,youshouldstopplayingaround.TheHeroesoftheSixFlowersaredrawingcloser.""Hahaha,thatisright.Weshouldpartfromtheillusionsofloveforthetimebeingandfacetheloveofreality."TheKyomasetdownthebookthenpickedupabigfigfromonthetable.61Chapter 13 "Before,TheMajinlostduetotheloveoftheSaintoftheSingleFlower."TheKyomabitthefig,chewedit,andthenswallowed."WehavelosttotheHeroesoftheSixFlowerstwice.Bothtimestheirpowerhadbeensupportedbylove.Butthethirdbattlewillbedifferentfrombefore."TheKyomastood."Thistimelovewillbethecauseoftheirdefeat."Lookingup,theKyoma...Tgurneulaughedsilently.#15minuteslaterAdletandtheothersmanagedtoreachthesummitoftheknoll.AsMorahadsaid,therewasnoindicationthattheywouldbeambushedthere.Andevenifanenemyappeared,theheroeswouldbeabletoprepareforanyambusheswhiletheywereclimbinguptheknoll.ButfromtheirpositiontheysawnosignsofanyKyomainthesurroundingvalleyorthesky.62Chapter 13 Exhalinginrelief,Adletloweredtheironboxfromhisback.Hethentookoffhisleatherarmorandlookedathiswound.WithMorasmedicineandRoloniastreatment,thewoundwasnearlyclosedup.Itwouldprobablybecompletelyhealedbynightfall."What,youreexhaustedeventhoughyouhaven'tdoneanything,meow?"Hansasked.AdletagreedwithHans'sentiment.Hewasn'tjustbeingcautiousaboutasurpriseattack;variousotherconcernsalsoweigheddownonhismind.TheKyomathatstillhaventshownthemselves.Theexistenceoftheseventhwhomtheycouldn'tdetermine.Andthoseweren'ttheonlythings.Fremylookedlikeshewasabouttokillsomeone.Hedidn'tknowwhenChamomightbecomeviolent.AndRoloniawasalwaysconfusedandfrightened.Thereweremanyelementsabouthiscompanionsthatmadehimuneasy.Butaboveall,hisbiggestconcernwastheknight."...Areyoualright,Goldof?"Adletasked,butGoldofsimplysatdownwithoutansweringatall.Hiseyeslookedvacant,hislipshadbeendrawntight,andhisexpressionwasblank.63Chapter 13 EversinceRoloniasappearanceandtheiradvancethroughtheWailingDemonTerritory,hehasntspokenasingleword.Heonlylookeduptotheskyasifhisheartwerentinhim.Itwasunderstandable.Ontopofbeingbetrayedandsneeredatbytheprincessheloved,hehadbeenabandoned.ItwasafeelingAdletsympathizedwithalltoowell.Andsosincenotevenadayhadpassed,iftheytoldhimtopullhimselftogetheritwouldlikelybeimpossible.Thoughhewascelebratedasaprodigyoftheknights,hewasstillsixteen."Goldof,itmightbeaskingtoomuch,buttrytoputherbehindyou,"AdletsaidtoGoldof,buthedidntrespond.Itwasasifhisvoicedidntevenreachhisears."Youllquicklyforgetaboutthatkindofwoman,meow.Youhavegoodlookssowomenwillcometoyouevenifyousaynothing."GoldofdidntsayawordbacktoHans."HaveyoubeeninlovewithNashetaniaallthistime?""Wellapartfromwhatsheslikeontheinside,shedoeshaveaniceface,meow.AndasfarasIcouldsee,shealsohadconsiderablebreasts."64Chapter 13 "...Thatsnotthepoint."Adletsighed.ThensilentlyhetookoutadartfromapouchonhiswaistandwithoutmakingasoundhethrewitatGoldofsface.Withoutlookinguporseeingthedartatall,Goldofcaughttheprojectilewithtwofingers,andthenthrewitbacktoAdlet."Eventhoughhisheartisbroken,itdoesntseemlikehehaslosthisfightingability.Hesquitethewarrior,"Adletsaidwithasmile,butGoldofsfaceremainedcompletelyblank.MorathenbeckonedAdletoverwithherhandandAdletwalkedovertohearwhatshehadtosay."Adlet,IfearthattheseventhmightbeGoldof.Shouldntwetakesomekindofmeasuresagainsthim?""...Ithinkheissuspicious,buthisbeingtheseventhhasntbeenconfirmed.""Inolongerthinkitcanbeanyoneexceptforhim.Itsnotme.ItsnotRolonia.Itsnotyou.HansandChamobothtookdownNashetaniasoitsnotthemeither.AndifFremywerethesevenththenshewouldhavenoreasontohelpyou.SoitcantbeanyonebutGoldof."65Chapter 13 "Mora,stop,"Adletsaidinaquietbutfirmvoice."Themostfrighteningthingrightnowisnottheexistenceoftheseventh.Itstheframingofoneofourinnocentcompanions.Arentyoujustspeculating?""But""Isnowalright?Iwanttotalk,"Fremysaid,interruptingMoraandAdletsconversation."Dontworry,Illfindtheseventh.Justrelaxandwait.Iamthestrongestmanintheworld,"AdletsaidtoMora,andthensmiled."Istillfeeluneasy...butIunderstand.Ivedecidedtotrustyou.""Good.Thenbequietandfollowme."ThecompanionssatinacirclearoundFremy,keepingtheirweaponsintheirhandssothattheywerepreparedforanambushatanymoment.ItwouldprobablybethefirsttimeinhistorythatinformationabouttheinnerworkingsoftheKyomawouldbeheardbyhumans.Foralongtimenooneknewaboutthisinformation,nottomentionthefactthatnoonewasevenabletofindoutaboutit.66Chapter 13 SoperhapsFremysexistencewastheHeroesoftheSixFlowersgreatestadvantage.Knowingabouttheenemycouldlargelychangethetideoftheirbattle."Ivesaiditmultipletimes,buttheKyomaarecommandedbythreeKyomaleaders.TheirnamesareCargikk,Tgurneu,andDozzu,"Fremysaidquietly.Herwordswereconciseandstraightforward."70%oftheKyomabelongtothelowerorderofcreaturesthatonlyhavetheintelligenceofanimals.Eventheremaining30%,thoughtheyhaveintelligence,dontpossesscomplexemotions.Otherthankillinghumanstheyareunabletothinkaboutanythingelse."ButthosethreeKyomaaredifferent.Theyhavetheirownwill,emotions,philosophy,andasenseofbeauty.TheyalsohavesufficientpowertocommandtheKyoma.Excludingme,alltheKyomahaveunconditionallypledgedtheirloyaltytothesethree.Andwithjustanordertheirloyaltywouldcompelthemtoeasilythrowawayeventheirlives.""Howstrongarethey?""Idontknowexactly.ButIbelieveitsbetterifwethinkthatthosethreearepeoplewhowellhavenochanceofdefeatingoneonone."Thethreewereopponentsthattheycouldneverwinagainstoneonone.TheHeroesnowknewjusthowunfavorableasituationtheywerein.67Chapter 13 "Butifwecandefeatthosethree,itwillbethesameasusdefeatingtheKyoma.NoneoftheotherKyomaarecapableofleadingtheKyoma.AndiftheKyomalosetheirchainofcommandtheywouldbecomeadisorderlymob.SothenwewouldbeabletofreelychoosewhethertocrusheachoneofthemorjustignorethemandproceedtotheHomeofFallenTears.""Isee.""Butthisistheimportantpoint.Farfromnotjustgettingalong,itssafetosaythatthosethreefiercelyopposeoneanother.Itwasanastonishinginformation,butFremycontinuedtospeakwithoutgivingthemanytimetoindicateiftheywerefollowingwhatshewassaying."Ofthethree,thestrongestseemstobeCargikk.HeisaKyomaintheformofalionwhocanbreathefirehotenoughtoincineratehumans.Inaddition,thesmokegivenoffbyhisflameisextremelypoisonous.Heisaterrifyingenemy.""Whoisstronger,Chamoorhim?""Idontknow.ButthefactthatImnomatchforeitherofyouhasntchanged.Anyway,Cargikkcommandsabout60%oftheKyoma.HalfofthemhaveassembledinthevicinityaroundwheretheMajinsleepsin,TheHomeofFallenTears,andarepositionedtointerceptanyattacks.68Chapter 13 IfearCargikkwillnotmovefromthatplaceandIbelieveheintendstodevoteallofhisenergyincompletelyguardingthatplace.""Thatsthemosttroublesometypeofenemy,Adletsaid.Itwasasimplestrategy,butthemosteffectivesincefromthemilitarilyweakerHeroesstandpoint,itwouldbebesttoseparatetheenemysforces."Nextis...Tgurneu.Itsabitdifficulttotalkabouthim."UpuntilthenFremyhadbeenspeakingindifferently,butnowshewasunexpectedlyhesitating.AndthemomentAdletheardthatnamehisheartonceagainstartedtorace."Untiljustalittleoverhalfayearago,Tgurneuwasthemostimportantpersonintheworldtome.""Andnow?"Moraasked."...NowheisthepersonIdespisethemost.BacktowhatIwassaying,Tgurneucommandsabout40%oftheKyoma.HewasthemastermindbehindmycreationandhewastheKyomawhoorderedmetobetheSixFlowerKiller."ThereweresomepointsthatshedbroughtupthatAdletwasintriguedby,butfornowhedidntsayanythingandleftthetalkingtoFremy."TgurneuisaKyomacomposedofamixtureofparts.HepossessesthepowertoarrangehisbodyfromthepartsofcountlessKyomas.69Chapter 13 Asforhisfightingabilities,simplyspeakinghehastheoverwhelmingphysicalstrength,speed,anddurabilitytocrushhisenemies.Ithinkitssafetoassumethatthereisntanythingthatcantbedestroyedbyhishands.Butfarmoreterrifyingthanthatishisingenuity.""Hisingenuity?""Creatingmewasnothingmorethanapartofhisplan.AndthoughIhonestlydontknowthefulldetailsofwhathehadintended,IdobelieveTgurneuwastheonewhosentNashetaniaandtheseventh,whoiswithusnow,intoourranks.""ThattheprincessofthewholecountrycouldfallintoaKyomasclutches...Istillcantbelieveit,"Moramuttered."Thatisquitepossible.LongbeforeIwasborn,Tgurneuhadextendedhishandsintothehumanworld.HeusedshapeshiftingKyoma,Kyomaskilledinespionage,andKyomathatutilizedhypnotismtogatherinformation,andfromthosehelaidouthisplan.Idontknowhowfarhisreachhasextendedacrosstheworld,buthecalmlygatheredinformationthatsdifficulttoacquirewithouthavingtopersonallycometothecenterofthekingdom.""...""IwasmadeandraisedbyTgurneu.UnderhisinstructionIgotstrongerandcontinuedtokillSixFlowercandidates.IdeeplyrespectedTgurneu,andattimesIevenfearedhim.70Chapter 13 Heseemedverywarm,andattimeshealsoletmefeelhiscoldness.ItwasacoldnessthatIdidntknowthedepthsof,acoldnessIcouldntunderstand."AdletnoticedthattherewasstillanairofrespectwithinFremyswords.1"No,hewassomeoneIcouldntunderstand,"shequicklycorrectedherself.#"Ohdear,"Tgurneumutteredsomewhere.ItwasattheexacttimethatFremywastalkingabouthim."YouthoughtthatwayaboutmeFremy?Itsabitsadthatyousayyoucantunderstandme."Tgurneuthenchuckled."EvenafterIhadlovedyouso."#Fremycontinuedherstory."CargikkandTgurneuopposeoneanother.AndalltheKyomathatobeythemareprimarilysplitintotwogroups.IfTgurneusfactionofKyomaandCargikksKyomaweretomeettheywouldntspeaktooneanother.Andeventhelowerorderof1 The Japanese reads that Fremy had used Honorific Language to speak about Tgurneu, but there is no real way to convey this nuance of the Japanese language without twisting the English.71Chapter 13 Kyomawhocouldntspeakwouldbaretheirteethandwouldthreatentheothers.""Why?""Therearemanyreasons.TgurneuplacesagreatdealofimportanceontacticssohiswayofthinkingisatoddswithCargikkwhotriestoattackthingsheadon.Butthebiggestreasonishowtheyinteractwithhumans."Tgurneubelievesthathumansaretoolshecanusetoachievehisends.ButCargikkfiercelydespiseshumansandhasadeepdisdainforthem.Heevenconsidersassociatingwithhumanstobedirty."ItseemsliketheycamewithinastepofkillingoneanotherwhenTgurneuhaddevisedtheplantohavemeborn.CargikkhadbelievedthattheproudbloodofKyomamustnotmixwiththebloodofhumans,""Couldyouwaitaminute?"Rolonia,whohadbeensilentlylisteningtoFremyuntilthatpoint,raisedherhand."Umm,didntyousaytherewerethreeleadersthatcommandedtheKyoma?"Adlethadalsobeencuriousaboutthat.FremyhadcompletelynottalkedabouttheotherKyoma.AndifCargikkcommanded60%oftheKyomaandTgurneutheother40%,hewonderedwhatthethirdwasdoing.72Chapter 13 "Idontreallyknowanythingaboutthethird...Dozzu.Otherthanthefactthatheexists,Ihaveheardnothingabouthim.""Whatkindofpersonishe?""Dozzuisatraitor.ItissaidthathepossessesapoweronparwithTgurneuandCargikk.ButIheardthattwohundredyearsagohebetrayedTheMajinanddisappearedfromTheWailingDemonTerritory.Ihaveabsolutelynoideawhatheisdoingnow.Tgurneumayknow,buthenevertoldme.""Isheourenemyoranally?""Idontknowthateither.ItseemsliketherearesomeKyomawithinTgurneusfactionandCargikksfactionwhohavesecretlypledgedtheirloyaltytoDozzu.ButIonlyknowoftwoKyomathatwerepurgedafterbeingsuspectedofthat.""...Meow,meow.Thingslikefactionsandpurgesaredirtyaffairsmeow,"Hansgrumbled."Fremy,ifyousawthemcouldyoutellwhetherornotaKyomabelongstoTgurneussideorCargikksside?"Adletasked."Toanextent.IthinkthattheKyomaweencounteredatthevillagewherewefirstmetwereonCargikksside.However,theKyomathattrickedyouwithinthe73Chapter 13 IllusionFogBarrierandtheonethatateTheSaintoftheSunLeurawereonTgurneusside.""SothePrincesswasbeingusedbyTgurneuafterall,"Morasaid."Thereisahighpossibilitythatisthecase."Andwiththattheyhadcompletedthefirstpartoftheirconversation."Butisnttheproblemhowweshouldattacktheirpositions?AndinparticularshouldntweconsiderTgurneutobemoredangerous?"Morawasthefirsttospeak."CargikkwilldefendtheMajin,butIthinkTgurneuwillattackus.Whathewilldoorhowhewilldoitthough,Idontknow.""IthinkitisveryunlikelythatTgurneuwillattackushimself,"Adletsaid."Iagree.IfTgurneuisdefeatedthen40%oftheKyomawouldlosetheircommandstructure.IthinksomewouldsubmitthemselvestoCargikkscommand,butthenumberwouldbesmall.ItwouldbeamassiveblowfortheKyoma.AnditdoesntseemlikeTgurneuwouldriskthatchance."74Chapter 13 "Ihaveonequestion.Regardingwhatwouldhappeniftheirchainofcommandislost,ifTgurneuweretodiewhatexactlywouldhappentotheKyoma?"Moraasked."TheKyomaaremainlyconnectedbysomekindofinvisiblebond.IfTgurneuweretodie,instantlyalltheKyomashouldsenseit.Itwouldonlytakeamoment,Ithink,tocausemassiveconfusionwhichleadstoastateofpanic.""Wouldyoufeelittoo,Fremy?""...Probably,"Fremysaidassheavertedhergaze."Isee....Hmm,soTgurneuhuh?"Adletsaidashethoughtaboutthesituation.MorawascuriouslyinterestedinTgurneu,eventhoughunlikehimandFremyshedidnthaveanypersonalconnectiontohim."Hewillusetheseventhandprobablysetatrapforus,meow."TheconversationsoonmovedontothenexttopicandAdletforgotabouthisminorsuspicions."Perhaps.Thequestioniswhatwillhedo?"75Chapter 13 Chamothenraisedherhand."Hey,heyChamohascomeupwithsomethingthatmightbegood.""Idontthinkitwillbe,butatanyrate,"Fremycoldlyresponded.ButChamoignoredher."WithoutthecrestoftheSixFlowersahumancantbreatheinTheWailingDemonTerritory."ItwascommonknowledgethatthecrestoftheSixFlowersrenderedthetoxinintheairattheWailingDemonTerritoryineffectivetothosewhopossessedit."Therearesixhumanshere.Andallofuscanbreathewell.Soinotherwordsdontweallhavegenuinecrests?AndsotheseventhistheKyomaFremy.""Itwasntgoodafterall,"Fremysaidwithasigh."EvenhumanswhodonthavethecrestcansurviveinTheWailingDemonterritory.OnTgurneussidethereareKyomathatspawnspecialparasites,whichiftheyenterthebodytheywouldmakehumansimmunetothetoxinsinTheWailingDemonTerritory.""Doyouhaveproofofthat?""AtthecenteroftheWailingDemonterritoryisaplacecalledtheEarCroppingPlainwheretherearemanyhumanslaves."Asshesaidthat,FremyshotafleetinglookatAdlet."Tgurneuhasgatheredhumanslaves,butforwhatpurposeIdontknow.Adlet,thepeoplefromyourhometownareprobablythere."76Chapter 13 Withoutthinking,Adletstoodup.Bothhishometownthathadbeendestroyedandthepeoplethathadbeentakenawayappearedinhismind."Thoseslaves...howarethey?""Idontknow.Iveneverbeenthere.""Youdontknowanything?Anythingyoucouldtellmewouldbefine,"Adlethoundedher,butMorasteppedinwithareproachfullookonherface."Iknowyouareanxiousaboutthosepeople,butweshouldprobablyfocusondefeatingTheMajin.SavingthosepeopleandreturningthemtotheworldofhumanswillbeimpossibleifwedontdefeatTheMajin."Shewasright,Adletthought,justasallthefinehairsonhisbodystoodup.Chamocranedhernecktotheside."Adlet,whathappened?"ButwithoutansweringAdletpushedChamoaway.Fremyrolledbackwardsandstoodbackupwithherrifledrawn.AndHansplacedbothhishandsandhisfeetontheground,roundedhisbackandassumedacatlikeposture.77Chapter 13 ThenattheplacewhereChamohadbeenjustamomentago,thegroundmassivelyswelledupthenexplodedintoacloudofdirt.FromthatcloudasingleKyomajumpedout."Hello,"itwasastrange,highpitchedandhoarsevoice.Butthemomentheheardit,Adletsheart,whichhadcalmeddownearlier,onceagainstartedtopoundinhischest."Whatareyoutalkingabout?Youmustntgothere.Imean,arenttheslavesinconsequential?""Tgurneu!"Adletshouted.Hisbloodboiledandhisheartfilledwithrage.Tgurneu,thebeingthathadstuckinthebackofhismind,theonethathadcausedhimsomanynightmare..RightnowhewasstandingrightbeforeAdletseyes."Youshouldbemoreconcernedaboutme."TgurneufacedAdletandspreadhisarmswide.Itwasasifheweresayingcomeatme.Thenfasterthantheeyecouldsee,Adletdrewfourdarts.HethenleapedtowardsTgurneu,throwingtwopaininducingdartsatbothofTgurneuseyesandtwoparalysisdartsathiselbows.Itwillbesettledinaninstant,Adletthought.ThenightmareIvehadforeightyearswillendinamoment.78Chapter 13 However,thefourdartsdidntworkonTgurneu.HethenextendedthelengthofhisarmseveraltimesandlashedoutatAdlet.SinceAdletwasstillintheairhehadnowaytoevadetheattack.Hejustbarelymanagedtogethisswordoutandblocktheblowwithit,buttheforcestillsenthimflyingbackwardsandcrashingintotheground."Watchout!"MorawenttoattackTgurneufromtheside.AtthesametimeHansranalongthegroundandaimedforTgurneuslegs.FremyshotatTgurneusfaceandfrombehindGoldofchargedathimwithhisspearheldfirmlyunderneathhisarmpit."Takethismeow!"Hansshouted.AndasAdletfelltothegroundhewatchedthebattleunfold.OneofTgurneusarmsfoldedaroundMorasarmoredfistandabsorbedthestrike.Thenheliftedoneofhisfeet,dodgedHanssswordandwithoutamomentsrest,kickedhimintheface.Hethenextendedhisotherarm,whichhitGoldofandendedhischarge.AndwithhisteethhecaughtFremysbullet."Asexpected,thatwasclose,"Tgurneussaid.EveryoneimmediatelydistancedthemselvesfromTgurneu.Itcantbe,Adletthought.Hehadbeenabletoblocktheattacksofallfourofthematonce.79Chapter 13 "Didyounotanticipatethisbeforehand?NomatterwhichtacticIuseIcankillyouall.Icanusetheseventhtoassassinateyou,orhavetheseventhleadyouintoatrap.Well,atanyratethatsthesituationyouarein."Tgurneuspreadhisarmswide,buttherewasnobreakinhisdefenses.Adletstoodbackupandreadiedhissword,buthecouldntmove."Sohowdoyoufeelaboutthissituation?Withoutsomekindofstrategyorplanyoullbeannihilatedifyouattackmeheadon."TgurneuthenlaughedandrushedtowardsAdlet.80Chapter 21 81Chapter 21 ChapterTwo:PartOneOnedaythreeyearsagosomethinghappenedattheheadtemple.ItwastheeventthatledMoratothemomentwhenshewouldkillHans.#TherewasasmallannexinthecorneroftheheadtemplewhereMora,herhusband,andtheirdaughterShenieralivedinameagernestoflove.Thebuildinghadbeenwellusedwithanoldinteriorandoldstylefurnishings,whichhadbeenappropriatedtoMorainthesameconditionaswhentheprevioustempleheadhadusedthem.Asbefittingsomeonewhoservedthegods,itwasahomeofsimpleconstruction.Morawassittingonasofaintheparlor,holdingherfacewithtremblinghands.ItwasonemonthaftershehadbeguninstructingNashetaniaandtheothers."TempleHead...areyoulistening?"Therewerethreepeopleintheparlor.OnewasMora,andanotherwasherhusband,Gunner.However,theonecallingtoMorawasanelderlywomandressedinasimplewhitedress.HernamewasTouloMaynesandshewastheSaintofMedicine.82Chapter 21 Heronlypowerwasthatshecouldcureinjuriesandillnesses,whichwasthesameassayingshehadnofightingskills.Sheandhermedicalfollowerswentaroundtheworldextendingahelpinghandtothoseseekingtobesaved.ShewasagreatSaintandsomeoneMoradeeplyrespected."TempleHead...trytostaycalm,"Toulosaid,butasshetrembled,Morawasunabletorespond.Itwasdifficulttobreatheandhervisionwasshaking.Shewasusingallofherpowerjusttomaintainhercomposure."ForgiveusSaintToulo.Mywifeisnotinatalkingstate.Illhearwhatyouhavetosay."GunnerthenpulledonMorashandandtriedtoleadherintotheresidence,butMoraslippedoutofhishandandonceagainsatdownonthesofa."Sorry.Tellmeagain.""YesTempleHead.Shenierasillness.thereisnothingIcando."TwoweekspriorShenierahadcomplainedaboutaterriblepaininherchest.Itwasslightlytotheleftofthecenterofherchestandonherskinastrangebruiseappeared,whichlookedlikeacentipede.Itwasasicknesstheyhadneverseenbefore.Thepaingotworsedaybydayandsoonitwassobadthatitmadehercryoutinpain.Therehadbeenabsolutelynowaytocurethesicknessandaftertendaysitwassobadthatshewasclawingatherchest,tothepointwherehernailswerediggingintoherskin.83Chapter 21 Moraexhaustedalloptions.Shesawtheresidentdoctoratthetemple,calledtothetopdoctorinthekingdom,andthentriedtohealherwiththepowerofthemountains.AfterthatshewrotealettertoToulowhohadbeeninaremotelandandrequestedthatshecometotheheadtempleonherfastesthorse."..Whats...Whatshappening?TellmeToulo."However,assoonasToulofinallymanagedtoarriveatthetemplethreedaysago,Shenieraspainhadsuddenlydisappeared.Therewerescarsonherchestfromherdigginghernailsintoherskin,plusthecentipedelikebruisewasstillthere,butotherthanthatsheseemedfine.Leaningherheadtotheside,ToulocheckedShenierascondition.Morafiguredthatsincethepainhadbeencuredtherewasprobablynothingtoworryabout.Unfortunately,herexpectationswerecrushedbywhatToulosaidnext."Thereissomekindofmysteriousinsectnestinginsideherheart,butitcannotbeseennorheard.IvetriedallthemedicinesIcanthinkof,butIhavenoideawhynoneofthemhaveworked.Evenadministeringthemedicinedirectlyintotheinsectwithaneedletoherchestdidnotwork.""Whatwillhappen?WhatwillhappentoSheniera?"84Chapter 21 "...Idontknow.""Please.Tellmeitsnottrue."Touloshookherheadandheldherfaceastearsspilleddownfromhereyes."Ah,poorMora.Imsosorry,pleaseforgiveme."NowordsofblameappearedinMorasmind.Toulohaddoneeverythinginherpower.Andifevenafterusingallofherenergytheillnessremained,thenSheniera..."...Mom.Dad."TherewasaknockontheparlordooraccompanyingShenierasvoicefromtheotherside."Gunner,please.Donttellher.""Ah,alright."Itwasntthathewasntsadeither.No,hemusthavereceivedalargershockthanher.ButoutofsomesenseofobligationhewasfeelingtosupportMora,hebarelymanagedtomaintainhiscalm."Sheniera,yourmomishavinganimportantconversationrightnow.ItsatopicfortheSaintssoyoucanthearit."Gunnersaidtotheirdaughterontheothersideofthedoor.85Chapter 21 "Dad,amInogood?"MoracouldheartheanxietyinShenierasvoice."Whatareyoutalkingabout?Yourenotinpainanymoreright?Touloobasansaidthatyoullbealrightnow.""Imbetter?Theresnothingwrongwithmychest?""Yes,andinalittlewhileeventhebruiseonyourchestwillfade.Yougotbetterbecauseyoutougheditout.Youreagoodkid."ShenieraandGunnerthenwalkedawayfromthedoor,downthehall.Andastheydid,theyleftbehindMora,whosilentlysobbedwhilelookingonwordlessly.#AfterthatTouloleftanumberofmedicinesbehindandlefttheheadtemple.Moratriedtokeepherfromleaving,butGunnerstoppedher.Therewasnothingshecoulddoevenifshestayed.Besides,astheSaintofMedicineshehadanobligationtosavethesufferingpeoplearoundtheworld.Morathenleftherdutiesasthetempleheadtoherhusbandandclosedherselfoffinherroom.AnditseemedlikeShenierawasworriedthatthistimeitwashermotherwhohadgottensick.86Chapter 21 However,threedaysafterToulosdeparturetheyreceivedaletterfromher."Urgent"waswrittenonthecoveroftheletter,withaprovisothatnooneotherthanMorashouldbeallowedtoseetheletterscontents.Inherroomdevoidofotherpeople,Morareadtheletter.Firstheremotionsturnedintofear,butthentheychangedintoanger.#"Whatintheworldhappened,Mora?"Itwasinthemiddleofthenight,fivedaysafterMorahadreceivedtheletterfromToulo.ASaintwasstandinginfrontofMora,buttheywerentintheheadtemplesparlor.Theirlocationwasasmall,oldcastletwodaysawayfromthetempleifahorsecarriagerushedthere.Therewasnooneinsidetheoldcastleorthesurroundingarea.Eventhecoachmanwaskeepinghisdistance.Itwasacoldplaceandasstillasdeath."Ahthisistiresome.Iwanttodrink.Ifyouhavebusinessletshurryandgetitoverwith."Aftersayingthatthewomancombedahandthroughherdyedredhair.ShewaswearingagorgeousdressandflashymakeupwhichwerentverySaintlike.87Chapter 21 ThealcoholicstenchofahangoverdriftedovertoMora.Shewasabeautifulwoman,butsheappearedtobeasloth.HernamewasMarmannaKeynes.ShewastheSaintofWords."Itwasterribleofmetocallonyousuddenly.Iapologizeformyrudeness."Morabowedherhead."TheressomethingIvewantedtoaskyouforalongtime.CanI?""Whatisit?""Whydontyouage?Howdoyoupreserveyouryouth?""Byeatingvegetablesandnotstayinguplate.""...Wellyourenohope."Itdoesntmatteranyway,Morathought.MarmannawasaSaintbestowedwithpowerfromtheGodofWords.88Chapter 21 Itwasprobablysafetosaythatevenamongthe78saintsthereweresomewhoconsideredthatpowerheresy.Yetthoughithadabsolutelynoutilitywithinbattle,itwasextremelyuseful.ThepoweroftheSaintofWordscouldstoppeoplefromlyingandmakepeoplekeeppromises.OnewasnotallowedtobreakapromisemadewithMarmannabecauseiftheydidtherewouldbesuitablereparationstopay.Itwasafatenoonecouldrunawayfrom.Infact,evenifMarmannadiedthepersonwouldstillhavetopaythereparation.NomatterwhatkindofabilityaSaintpossessed,orwhatkindofabilityaKyomahad,theycouldnotnullifytheSaintofWordspower.Thepowerhadbeenusedforgenerations,andinthepastthepreviouswomenwhoheldthetitleofSaintofWordshadbeenpresentattransactionsinvolvingroyalty,aristocrats,andimportantbusinessmen."Well,amatterwhereyoucallmeisprobablynotagoodone.Isitabackroomdeal?Ordoyouwantmetosealthelipsofanadulterouslover.""...Itsasecretnegotiation.Iwanttorequestyourguaranteethatthesedealingsareasuccess.Itwouldbeabigproblemformeifthepromiseswerebrokenlateron."Marmannagrinned.89Chapter 21 "Really?AbackroomdealfromthehighlymoralMorasama?Whateveritis,thisisgoingtobefun.""Mydaughterhasbeentakenhostage.Imheadingofftonegotiatewiththeoneresponsible."TheletterhadbeendeliveredtoMorasresidencewithToulosname,butthecontentsrevealedthatithadbeensentbythepersonwhohadplantedtheparasitewithinSheniera.TheyhadindicatedadateandtimeanddemandedthatMoracometothisoldcastle.AndifMoradidntcomplytheletteraddedthatShenieraslifewouldend."What?Shenierachanwaskidnapped?Hahahah,"Marmannalaughedmaliciously.Moraglaredather,butMarmannawasnotperturbedintheslightest.SoshethenurgedtheSaintofWordstowalkwithherintotheoldcastle.Theothernegotiationpartywastherewaiting."Isntthatbratjustsomethingyougavebirthto?1ImustsayIwonderwhatthebigdealis.""Ifyouhaveachildyoullunderstand.Andifyoudont,thenfortherestofyourlifeyoullneverknow."190Chapter 21 "Buttherearealotofparentswhodontknowthatevenaftergivingbirth."Moradidntsayanythingtoherresponseandinsteadchangedthesubject."IalsocalledWelynn,butshecouldntmakeit.""Welynn?Whatdoyouintendtodobycallingthatidiot?"TheSaintofSaltwasoneoftheSaintsthatMorahadinstructedamonthago.Shewasskilledincloserangecombat,andshecoulduseherpowertodriveawayandpurifypoisonsandevilpresences.Icandependonherasawarrior.Andasaperson.""...Hey,byanychancewilltheotherpartybedangerous?"Marmannasfacewentstiff."Wearenearingthemeetingplace.Iunderstandthatyoucantsenseit,butthepresencebeforeusseemstobeapowerfulenemy.Inthecentermostpartofthecastletheyfinallyreachedaplacethatlookedlikethekingsthroneroom.Astrangesound,likesomethingwaschewingwasechoingoutfromtheroom.Butitdidntsoundlikeahumaneating.Rather,itseemedtobecomingfromabeastorsomethingfarmorerepulsive.91Chapter 21 Someonewashavingameal,witharoughnessofaglutton.Eventuallythetwoofthemfoundthesourceofthesoundsittingintheruinedthrone.Therewastrashscatteredallaroundthethrone,suchasthefeetandfeathersofasmallbird,halfeatenfigs,rawoats,andfroglegs.IntheseatwasasinglelargeKyomabitingintoafreshlyseveredboarhead.AndrightbeforetheireyestheKyomaplacedtheentireheadintoitsmouthinaninstant.Ithadtheheadofalizard,butthebodyofabeast.Andthreewingsstretchedoutfromitsback.ThroughherintuitionMoraguessedhewasthewriteroftheletter,Tgurneu."Hello.""Tgurneu,Ipresume.Youreanextremelyvilebeing,"MorasaidasshelookedupatTgurneuandwatchedhimsuckonhispalms."Thatsrude.Itsinmynaturetobeaheavyeater.IlldieofstarvationinnotimeatallifIdroponeofmymeals.ButwaitamomentwhileIcleanup."Whetheritwasoutofgoodmannersornot,Tgurneustartedtopickupallthescrapsonthegroundandputthemintoabaghewascarrying.Thenwhenhewasfinishedheapproachedthetwowomen.92Chapter 21 "Itsnicetomeetyou,Mora.MynameisTgurneu.IamthetopfollowerofthegreatMajin."Hetouchedhishandtohischestinarespectfulsalute.Thoughhisbodywasverydifferentfromahumans,hecarriedhimselfandmovedaboutinaveryhumanlikeway.Itwasanunbearablyeeriesight."....Aha,ahaha,Morathisisabitsurprising,"Marmannasaid,thoughhervoicewasshaking."Excuseme,butwhoisthisbeautifulperson?"Tgurneuasked."SheisMarmannatheSaintofWords.Imentrustingthebusinessdealingstoher.""DidntIsayyouhadtocomealone?""Yourletterdidntsaythat."Tgurneushrugged.ThenhebowedtoMarmannainthesamewayhehadbowedtoMora."Wellthatsfine.Itsneveraproblemtobeclosetoabeautifulwoman,nomatterhowmanytimesithappens.93Chapter 21 "...Aha,ImadmiredbyaKyoma."TgurneuapproachedMarmannaandextendedhishand.ThoughMarmannaseemedtobewonderingwhathewasthinking,shestilltookhishandandbowedasmannersdictated."Fromnowwewillbeginthenegotiations,butMarmannapromisemeonething.Youwillnottellanyoneelseaboutwhatwetalkaboutheretoday.""Naturally.Ifthiskindofstoryweretobeleakedtoothersitwouldcauseabiguproar,"Marmannasaid,andthensheactivatedherabilityastheSaintofWords.Asmallballoflightemergedfromthetipofherindexfinger.Shethenpointedittoherselfandbegantospeak."IpledgetotheGodofWords.Iwillnotspeakofwhathappensinthisplacetodaytoanyone.IfIbreakthispledge,itwillbeokayformetodie."TheballoflightthenflewintoMarmannaschest,completingthepledge.Now,notevenMarmannaherselfcouldundoit."Tgurneu,willyoumakethepledgeaswell?Youwontspeakofwhathappenedheretohumans,Kyoma,orTheMajin.Youdontmindright?"IfwhathappenedinthatplacewereexposedtotheworlditwouldbetheendofMora.94Chapter 21 ShewouldbebanishedfromtheheadtempleandthenprobablyloseherqualificationastheSaintofMountains.AndasforthefamilyofacriminalwhodealtwiththeKyoma,herhusbandanddaughterwouldprobablyalsobepersecuted."Thatsfine,"unexpectedlyTgurneuquicklyagreed."IfIdontpledge,Iprobablywontgetyoutomakeadealwithme.Andyouwouldhavevisitedfornoreason."MarmannaproducedaballoflightandTgurneumadehiscontract.Thelightthenwentintohischestandthecontractwascompleted.ThepoweroftheSaintofWordsalsoworkedonKyoma.ItwasafactprovenbyanexperimentconductedabouttwoyearsagoonacapturedKyoma."WellMora,arentyougoingtomakethepledgetoo?""Isthatnecessary?""...Well,Iguessthatsfine."Tgurneushrugged."Sothen,shallwebeginthenegotiations?Asyouknow,oneofmyunderlingshasproducedaparasitewhichisnownestingintheheartofyourdaughter.Thereisnowaytoremoveitotherthanbymyordertodestroyitself.95Chapter 21 "Withasnapofmyfingersyourdaughterwouldexperiencethesufferingofhell,whichwouldthenbringaboutherdeath.Sofarsheonlyknowsthetipofthatsuffering."ThetendaysofhellShenierahadsuffered.TgurneuwasdanglingthatmemoryinfrontofMoraasathreat,causingadizzyingangertoboilupinsideher."However,relaxMora.IdonotwishtokilltheadorableSheniera.IfyoulistentomyrequestthenShenierawillabsolutelybereleased.AndassoonasIgivetheorderforittodestroyitself,theparasitewillvanish.""Whatsyourdemand?""Doesntitgowithoutsaying?Weonlyhaveonedesire."Tgurneuspreadhisarmsoutwideandstartedtousebodylanguageandgestureslikeabadactorashecontinued."WhentheMajinawakensthehumansandtheKyomawillbattleforthethirdtimeinourhistory.Andthetimeofthatdecisivebattleisalreadycloseathand.""Stateyourdemands.""Mora.IwantyoutokilltheHeroesoftheSixFlowers."96Chapter 21 "Irefuse,"Moraansweredinaninstant.ForamomentTgurneujuststaredathersilently."...Oh?""IftheHeroesoftheSixFlowersaredefeatedtheworldwillend.AndifTheMajinisfullyrevivedbothmydaughterandmyhusbandwillbekilled,whichwouldmakeanydealImadewithyoumeaningless."MarmannalookedatMorawideeyed."Waitasec,areyouserious?DidntyoucomeheretosaveShenierachan?"Moradidntrespond.Shejustfoldedherarmstohidehertremblinghands.InrealityshewantedtoclingtoTgurneusfeetatonceandbeghimforhismercy.Shewantedtoshouttohimthatshewoulddoanythingifitwouldsaveherdaughterslife.Butifshecouldntprotecttheworldthenshewouldntbeabletoprotectthedaughtershelovedeither.Tgurneuthoughtforamomentinsilence.Thenforsomereasonhebegantoclap.Whenhestopped,hesmiledandsaid,"Goodanswer,Mora.Ihadthoughtyouwouldrespondlikethat."97Chapter 21 "Soletscontinuethenegotiations.Thenightisstilllong.Andwehaveplentyoftimetotalk."Tgurneubroughtovertwochairsfromthesideofthethrone.HethenrecommendedthemtoMoraandMarmannaandhehimselfsatdownamongthecastlerubble."Mora,Iunderstandthatyoucamehereinordertosaveyourdaughter.Thismeansthatyoucameheretonegotiateadeal.Soitisnecessaryforustotalk."Afterhesitatingforawhile,Morasatdownonthechair.AndeventhoughMarmannawasalsoconfused,shetoosatdown."IfyouhaveanotherrequestIintendtocomply.AndifitismylifeyouwishIwillpresentitatonce.However,takingthelivesoftheHeroesissomethingIabsolutelywillnotdo.""Isee.ButIdontneedyourlife."Tgurneueerilylaughed."IdeclaretoyouMora.IwillabsolutelymakeyoukilltheHeroesoftheSixFlowers."98Chapter 22 ChapterTwo:PartTwoIneverimaginedthiswouldhappen,AdletthoughtasTgurneuchargedstraightathim.HisinitialexplosiveattackfrombeneaththegroundhadtakenAdletbysurprise.Butwhatsurprisedhimevenmorewastheideathatoneoftheenemycommanderswouldlaunchasurpriseattackagainsttheminperson."Oops,Idforgotten."Tgurneusuddenlystopped.TheotherswhohadhadtheirattacksdodgedbyTgurneuencircledtheKyomaandreadiedtheirweapons.ButTgurneuwasnotperturbedatallandwithasmile,hebegantospeak."Well,youshouldntbesoimpatientHeroesoftheSixFlowers.Isnttheresomethingyoushoulddobeforewefight?""Whatareyoutalkingabout?""Greetingsofcourse.Whenyoumeetapersonyousay,hello.Whenyoudepartyousay,goodbye.Arentgreetingsthefirststeptoabrightlife?"99Chapter 22 AdletdidntunderstandwhatTgurneuwassaying.Sure,heunderstoodthemeaningofthewords,buthecouldntgrasptheKyomasintent.However,atAdletssideHansnoddedquickly."Hello,meow.""ThatsrightHans.Hellotoyoutoo.Wellthen,shallwebegin?"Tgurneuopenedhismouthandlookeduptothesky.Theycouldnthearhisvoice,buthewasshoutingsomething.HewassendingacommandtotheKyomabyusingaparticularfrequencywhichnooneexceptKyomacouldhear."Reinforcementswerecalled,"Fremysaid.FrombeyondtheknollandthenorthwesttheycouldfaintlyhearthevoicesoftheKyomaechoingtheirway.ItwasatthatmomentwhenAdletfinallyrealizedthereasonfortheabsenceoftheKyomainthevalley:itwassotheycouldassembletheirmilitarystrengthforanambush."Thisisbad,Adlet.Whatshouldwedo?"Fremyasked."Isntitobvious?Shoothimnow!Attackallatonce!"MorashoutedasshebegantodashatTgurneu,whoatthemomentseemedcalmandperfectlycomposed.However,noneoftheothersfollowedMorascharge.100Chapter 22 "Whyareyouhesitating?"Moraasked,suddenlystoppingandjumpingback."ComeAdlet.Whatswrong?Shallwenotenjoykillingoneanother?"Grinning,TgurneutookastepclosertoAdlet.Adletdidntknowwhattodo.Theareawouldsoonbesurrounded,Tgurneumightbesettingsomekindoftrap,andontopofthatAdletdidntknowhowtheseventhwouldact.NormallyAdletwouldhavedecidedtorunwithouthesitation.Atrohadtaughthimthathemustnotfightontheenemysturf.ButatthemomentAdletwasnotthinkingrationally."Chamo!Hans!Goldof!Holdoffthereinforcementscomingfromthenorthwest!"Adletshouted,grippinghisswordinhisrighthand."Fremy,backthemupfromafar!Mora,Rolonia,andI..."Adletdrewasmokebombfromabeltathiswaist,smasheditatTgurneusfeetandthenrushedforwardthroughthesmoke."IwillgoafterTgurneu."101Chapter 22 Everyonemovedsimultaneously.ChamostuckthefoxtailgrassdownherthroatandvomitedoutthesocalledJyuma1withinherstomach.ThenHansandGoldofranalongsidetheJyumatothenorthwest.Fremyleapedbackwards,readiedherrifleandaimeditatTgurneu.Herrolewastokeephimfrommovingwithsupportingattacks.Meanwhile,MoracircledaroundbehindTgurneuasAdletchargedathimfromtheoppositedirection."Right,right,"Tgurneusaid."Ihadthoughtyouwouldtrythat."TgurneusarmextendedthroughthesmokeandtriedtohitAdlet,buthedroppedtothegroundandavoidedtheattack.Adletthenblockedthefollowupstrikewithhisswordandtheshockfromtheimpactmadethebonesinhisarmnumb.Therewasanoverwhelminggapinboththeirpowerandtheirspeeds.AndevenAdletssmokehadbeenineffective.MorathentriedtobringdownherarmoredfistontoTgurneusshoulder.However,theKyomadodgedtheattackjustbymovinghisupperbody.Hisflexible,effortlessdodgeswereclearlythemovementsofsomeonethathadstudiedmartialarts.OneafteranotherMoratriedtostrikehimwithherfists,butnoneoftheblowsevencameremotelyclosetohittingTgurneu."Adletstepback!Youarenomatchforhim!"Morashouted.1Jyuma,literallysubordinateorslavedemons.ItismeanttocontrastwithKyoma ,whichmeansevildemons.102Chapter 22 ButAdlethadknownthatfromthebeginning.Ifheconfrontedhimdirectly,nomatterhowmuchhestruggledhewouldntbeabletostandachance.However,itwasthatkindofopponentthatAdlethadcomesofartofight.Whilehisnextattackdidhavethepowertokillhim,Adletstoppedtheblowwithhisarmoredshoulder.Hisbreathcaughtinhischestandhisbonescreaked.ButtheninthatmomentAdletslammedthesecretweaponhehadbeenconcealinginhislefthandontoTgurneusarm.Itwasamanacleconnectedtoalongchain.ThebarbedattheedgeofthemetalfittingdugintoTgurneusfleshandatthesametimeasturdywirewrappedtightaroundTgurneusarm."Muu,"Tgurneugroaned.Adletthensheathedhisswordandgrabbedthechainwithbothhands.HepulledonTgurneuscapturedleftarmwithallhismight,topplinghisbalanceandcausinghisfacetobarrelrightintoMoraspunch."Isee.Soyouintendtorestrictmymovements,"Tgurneusaidashepulledonthechainwithunbelievablestrength.Realizingthathecouldntholdhisground,Adletpromptlyjumpedforward.AndasTgurneuliftedhisleftarm,Adletsbodywasraisedupintotheairlikeafishonahook."Watchout!"Fremyshouted.103Chapter 22 TgurneuthrewafollowupstrikeathisairbornetargetandAdletbarelymanagedtostoptheblowwiththeironslabfashionedintotheheelofhisshoe.Afiercepainrushedthroughhisankleandtherewasaslightlyunpleasantsound,butAdletdidnotletgoofthechain.AlthoughTgurneusleftarmhadbeencapturedbythechain,AdletstoolhadbeenlargelyineffectiveatrestrictingTgurneu.Nevertheless,Tgurneusmovementswereindeedslightlyslower.Takingadvantageoftheslightopeninginhisdefenses,MoraswungherfistattheKyomaandFremyshotherrifle.ButsinceAdletwaspreoccupiedwiththetugofwar,hisevasivemovementswereslow,resultinginMorasfistgrazinghisfaceandFremysbulletpiercinghisshoulder."DontletgoAdlet!"Fremyshoutedassheloadedanotherbulletintoherrifle."ImputtingeverythingIhaveintoholdinghim.Youtwofinishhimoff!""GoodAdlet!Holdhimlikethat!"MorablockedTgurneusfistwithherarmoredhand,andtriedtocounterwithapunchofherown.Butthenaninhumanshriekresoundedacrossthebattlefield."DontspeakyourenothingmorethanafilthyKyomapieceofshitDanicaswillnotlethimgetawayAdlet!"22Roloniaisspeakingwithoutanypausesinherspeech,asifshewerepossessed.IhaveremovedthepunctuationtopreservethefeelingintheoriginalJapanese.104Chapter 22 AsAdletpulledonthechain,helookedaroundthearea,readyinghimselfforanewenemy.HecouldseethatFremyhadautomaticallyrepointedherrifleinthedirectionofthevoice.AndevenTgurneuseyeshadgrownwide."IwillshowyouhisentrailsIwilltearouttheentrailsofthisfilthyKyomaandshowthemtoyou.ItwasRolonia,speakingunbelievablyfastwithouttakingabreath;herwordsmaliciousandmurderous.Rolonia,whohadbeenwatchingthebattlefromafar,wasnowgrabbingthewhipatherside.Shethenraisedithighintotheairwithbothhandsandwhensheswungit,the30metermetalwhiptwistedaboutlikealivingcreature.Thetipofthewhipalmostcouldntevenbeseenbythenakedeye.Tgurneubenthisupperbodyandavoidedthewhip,butthetipslightlygrazedhischest.Thenextmomentalargeamountofbloodgushedoutofhischest.Itwasthesameredashumanblood."Guu."ThegruntwasthefirstsoundofpainthathadslippedoutfromTgurneusmouth2Also,ImunsurewhatexactlyDanicasrefersto.MyguessisthatitmightbethenameofheralteregoasIhavenotbeenabletofindthephraseinanydictionary.105Chapter 22 AdletknewaboutRoloniaspower.Thecoreofthewhiphadbeensoakedwithherbloodandranthroughtheentireweapon.Andbyusingthatbloodshecouldmakethewhipmoveinawaythatanormalwhipcouldnt.Andontopofthat,thatwhipforcedoutthebloodofanyopponentittouched."Noway,"Adletmuttered.RoloniahadmaturedinawaythatwasfarfromwhatAdlethadexpected."Thebloodwillnotstop.Showmeyourinsides.Showmeyourentrails.Iwillchewthemapart."Roloniacontinuedtoswingherwhipwithalookonherfacethatseemedtosuggestthatshewasnolongerthecompaniontheyhadtraveledwithandthatshedidnotwanttorun.MeanwhileAdletdesperatelyheldontoTgurneu.ThestrengthinhisarmswasoverwhelmingandAdletsimplycouldntcompare.However,Adletknewhowtopullonthechainattherightmoment.IfTgurneupulledonthechainheloosenedhishold,andifTgurneureleasedhisenergyAdletpulledintheoppositedirection.HowtocapturesomeonewithachainwasanotheroneoftheskillsAtrohadtaughthim.Tgurneutriedtoremovetheshacklediggingintohisleftarm,butFremyshotathimandpreventedhimfromsucceeding.AndinthatopeningMoralandedaswiftblowthatsentTgurneuflyingbackwards.106Chapter 22 AdletgruntedasRoloniaswhipscrapedhisear,buthecouldntletgoofthechain.Astheytwirledaboutintheairandthen