Lost Sword story · Main story, Part 1
Chapter 50: Knights of the Holy Flame
3 scenes, 284 lines
1. Britannia Western Shore
78 linesGuided by Enya, we arrived at a small cabin deep in the forest.
Elizabeth was lying in bed, her expression twisted in pain...
As if trapped in a nightmare.
Elizabe...
Shh. Keep your voice down, babe... The Empire could still be nearby.
And honestly, shouting won't help...
She's been like this all day.
What the hell happened to her...?
Princess Elizabeth fought against Apostle Anessa.
What? Then why...
I can explain.
A girl slowly stepped out from deeper inside the cabin.
She set down her massive spear and offered a small bow.
Nice to meet you. You must be the Swordbringer?
My name is Kay. I've been friends with Eli for a long time.
......
In my world, Kay was Arthur's stepbrother, one of his closest companions.
Judging by how much Enya trusts her...
and how she casually calls her Eli...
it seems they're just as close in this world, too.
I'm Ethan. Thank you for saving Elizabeth.
No, I should be thanking you.
I've heard all about the great Swordbringer.
Thank you for staying by Eli's side while I was gone.
So... what's her condition now?
Side effects...?
Swordbringer, do you know about Elizabeth's power?
Her power... you mean the Blessing of the Red Dragon?
That's right. The blessing grants strength so great, it's often called a miracle...
But it comes at a cost.
If she used enough power to take down an Apostle on her own...
She won't recover easily.
In the worst case... she might not wake up for years.
..!
Just one look was enough to know Elizabeth was in immense pain.
If it lasted for years... her life would be in serious danger.
I had to find a way.
(Wait... if this is because of the Red Dragon's Blessing...)
A memory flashed through my mind.
The Fire Dragon we encountered on our way to Avalon.
Back then, we did receive a promise of help.
If I could meet the Red Dragon's kin and reason with them directly...
Maybe I could bring Elizabeth's consciousness back.
I think that might be our only option.
But no one has seen them in decades.
And with the war going on, there's no manpower to go searching for the dragon's nest
No. It might be possible.
Wait, do you mean... you know where they are?
Nope. Sorry babe, but you've gotta stay here.
This cabin's gonna get discovered by the Empire soon.
And if the Swordbringer is here when that happens? Every enemy soldier in the area'll come charging in.
That's why someone less well-known has to stay behind, to protect Princess Elizabeth.
......
I get that you want to save her. She's like a little sister to you...
But this one's gotta be left to the Swordbringer, babe.
......
Kay. If I use Merlin's magic, I can get to the nest quickly.
I'll find the Fire Dragon and make them listen...
So please, just stay with Elizabeth until morning.
...Sorry. I lost my composure.
Enya's right. If the Swordbringer stays here, Elizabeth's location will be exposed.
I'll protect this cabin with my life if I have to.
Please save her, Swordbringer.
2. Britannia Western Shore
91 lines
Vivien knew of the World Tree's power.
But the nature of that power was something only Morgana and a handful of ancient fairies were aware of.
Vivien wasn't quite as young as the elven youth of Avalon, but being younger than Merlin...
Suspicious, considering she could wield such ancient magic.
Flip
Morgana turned another page.
"It didn't take me long to realize that tree was the World Tree."
"Even someone like me, with no real talent, could use magic freely."
"If it weren't for this pure mana, none of it would be possible."
"Even if it's brief, I should savor this joy."
Flip
"The World Tree was swarming with powerful monsters I'd never seen before."
"Probably to keep outsiders away."
"So why was I allowed in?"
Flip
"I was attacked by monsters... and saved by the spirit of the World Tree."
"But why would a guardian spirit help me?"
"The more time passed, the less things made sense."
Flip
"The goddess... said she needed me"
"Me! The one always seen as a troublemaker! Becoming a guardian of the World Tree!"
"Today's a day I'll never forget... not even on my deathbed."
Flip
"The elders of Avalon came to visit."
"They wanted me to return... but I refused."
"I want to stay somewhere I'm truly needed."
Flip. Flip. Flip.
Huh..? That's it?
Even on the next page, and the page after that, there was nothing.
Morgana quickly flipped through more pages. And then...
..!
There, on a sheet soaked in dried blood and warped by old tears...
About to tear at any moment, was a single short line:
"Fairies are all liars."
Morgana slammed the diary shut and began frantically searching the shelves for other records.
What on earth happened while I was gone?!
Books neatly arranged until now tumbled helplessly to the floor.
Geographic ley line survey..?
From the far end of the study, Morgana pulled a book with a peculiar spine.
And the moment she opened to the first page...
Boom!
Aaaaah!
Morgana was caught in the blast and launched all the way to the Fairy Forest.
Intruder located!
Location confirmed: Avalon Castle entrance! Requesting backup immediately!
So you want to do this the hard way, huh.
Fine, Vivien
I'll find Bedivere... and flatten that smug chest of yours
Not noticing such a simple trap...
Seems you'll still need some time before you regain your full strength.
Vivien calmly began organizing the now-chaotic study.
Dusting off the old diary that had fallen to the floor, she whispered softly:
I'm sorry I couldn't protect you...
I raced to the coast and used Merlin's magic to arrive at the nest in a flash.
Come to think of it, where did that fairy run off to?
She's prickly, sure, but she's still the Fairy Queen. I doubt anyone's gotten the better of her...
Still, it's been over a week since she left. Starting to get a little worried...
Haha! Life sure throws you curveballs.
A booming laugh echoed through the valley, and a group of unfamiliar knights stepped out from the shadows.
Never thought we'd find visitors here, of all places, the nest of a fire dragon.
Judging by that armor, you're no ordinary soldiers. Who are you?
..You mean you don't recognize this armor? Seriously?
Guess our reputation doesn't extend across the sea.
We'll have to fix that.
Just answer the question.
Haha! Bold one, aren't you? Fine, if you insist!
We are the Knights of the Holy Flame.
The Empire's brightest blades. Enforcers of order.
The Ygritte Empire... so you're Lucius's lackeys?
That pompous brat is stirring things up again, huh?
How dare you speak of our Sun with such disrespect!
Whoa there. Stand down.
You seem to know our highest... Lucius. Personally.
Oh, I know him real well.
He's the guy who got his butt kicked by me in the Colosseum, then ran off with his tail between his legs.
......
The air turned heavy.
Haha... Looks like we were the blind ones.
To think we'd find something worse than a dragon in a dragon's nest...
The knights silently drew their weapons, forming tight formation.
All units, prepare for battle.
Priority target has been updated. Forget the fire dragon. The Swordbringer comes first.
Let's finish this before the commander arrives.
3. Forgotten Isle
115 linesYou're probably not going to answer truthfully, but let me ask you one thing.
Why are you trying to reach the Fire Dragon's Nest?
Why else would anyone head to a dragon's nest?
To eliminate the calamity threatening the world, of course.
There are plenty of other threats out there. Why the fire dragon?
As expected from one who sows chaos, you're painfully simplistic.
You wouldn't understand the meaning of the Holy Flame even if I explained it.
......
You know, I'm surprised. We might actually agree on one thing.
Even if you explained, I still wouldn't let you through.
......
So you're asking to die, huh?
Draw your blades! Let the Holy Flame...
Enough.
C-Commander...!
So this is why I received no report.
A rat's crept into the serpent's den.
Commander, he's no ordinary swordsman.
He's the Swordbringer who defeated Lord Lucius!
I know.
But it changes nothing.
We are the sword that reflects the Empire's sun.
Our will burns like the Holy Flame itself...
And the Flame of Purification shall not forgive those who threaten order.
Oh stop with your rambling.
So you're the big boss? Great. Let's get this over with...
I'm on a tight schedule.
Grhhk...
So much for "enforcers of order." That was weak.
Swordbringer...
The price of defying the Holy Flame won't be yours alone to pay, the whole world will suffer for it.
And as for you...
You'll regret this day for the rest of your life.
Nah, I won't.
Because today... I protected someone precious to me.
And if what you said is true, if the world really does fall into danger...
Then I'll save everyone. I'll take that responsibility.
You who have strayed from truth...
You shall never... become a hero...
Destiny will... lead you to ruin...
Thud.
Before finishing his words, the commander collapsed.
Hm? What's this...
There, wedged in the cracks of his armor, was a small map.
I've never seen this place before...
Some of the countries on it still existed...
but others were unfamiliar, marked with names I didn't recognize.
And right in the center, a massive tree.
I couldn't make out much else.
...Guess I'll take it with me.
The Ygritte Empire's finally making moves.
Might be a good time to study their next move.
I'll have Merlin decode it later.
I tucked the map away and headed deeper into the nest.
Thank you, Swordbringer.
You fought well, despite the odds.
Forget about thanking me, just grant me one request.
What is it?
Remember that red-clad girl who came to see you before? Elizabeth?
She's collapsed. They say it's backlash from overusing her powers...
Is there anything you can do to help her?
......
Power always comes with a price.
For one of the Red Dragon's lineage, that's not something I can grant lightly.
......
But since you saved my life...
I must pay that debt in full.
ROOOOOAAARRRR!!!
The dragon's roar shook the cave. I instinctively dropped my sword and covered my ears.
I have paid the price she would have borne.
She should awaken soon.
I merely fulfilled my ancient pact.
Now go...
I would like to rest.
The Swordbringer's been spotted!
Prepare for battle!
We won't lose him this time.
Charge! Eliminate the Swordbringer!
HAAAAH!!
Ethan. Kay told me everything.
You went all the way to the Fire Dragon's Nest for me... alone.
I'm so sorry. I've put you in danger again...
Hey, don't say it like that.
If the situation were reversed, you would've done the same.
It's only natural to protect someone you care about.
..!
Elizabeth stepped closer and took my hand.
Remember what I said? That I wanted you to rely on me?
Looking back now... That was kind of a foolish thought.
You've always been there to save me, even when I never asked.
So now, I'm going to do the same.
Not as a princess who stands behind you...
But as an ally you can rely on. I'll protect you, Ethan.
Elizabeth...
......
She gently closed her eyes.
I took her trembling hands and pulled her into an embrace.
My heart was pounding. Her breath... ever closer...
Ethan! Elizabeth!!!
..!
..!!!
W-We should be asking you that! Where the hell did you go without saying a word?!