After tacitly agreeing to Xiao Ai and Ilya's actions, Qiesi and Alisfall returned to their rooms and opened the long cabinet that the patriarch had entrusted them with. Both of them were attracted by the things inside.
"I didn't expect to really find this thing…"
Qiesi, who was usually calm, seemed to be very touched at this moment.
It was a scabbard.
It was made of fine gold and decorated with dazzling blue glaze. Such luxurious equipment was not so much a weapon as a treasure that displayed the dignity of a noble like a crown and a scepter.
The insignia carved into the scabbard was the long-lost language of the demon race, proving that the scabbard was not a work of art made by human hands.
"…Why are there no flaws? Could this really be an unearthed cultural relic from 1,500 years ago?”
"This is just a treasure in itself. " Of course, it's weathered as a material, let alone a medium for summoning a holy relic. After all, this is a treasure in the field of magic." Alice took out the golden scabbard from the box with inner lining respectfully and held it carefully in her hand." Legend has it that this scabbard can heal the wearer just by wearing it. It could stop aging…Of course, the prerequisite was that its original owner provided it with magic power.”
"In other words, as long as the summoned heroic spirit uses it, this thing can also be used as a Master's treasure, right?”He was fascinated by the scabbard's unique design and extraordinary beauty. In just a short while, his thoughts immediately switched to the pragmatic direction of using it as a " tool."
Alisfall looked at Qiesi and smiled bitterly." If that's the case, then even Servants are like this…No matter how famous a hero is, as long as they are summoned as Servants, they are just tools to a Master…Those who have unrealistic fantasies about this will never win this battle.”
When he revealed the side profile of a warrior instead of a father or husband, the side profile of Emiya Qitsuki turned extremely cold.
In the past, before she understood her husband's heart, Alisfel was very afraid of seeing such a cut." Only people like you deserve this scabbard. This is my judgment."”
"Is that really the case?" Qiesi was clearly displeased.
If old man Ahad had known that his grandson-in-law and adopted son had reacted this way to the holy relic that he had tried so hard to get, he would have been so angry that he would have been speechless.
"Are you dissatisfied with Grandpa's gift?”Alisfall didn't have any intention of reprimanding Qiesi for being rude. Instead, she asked as if she was having fun.
"How is that possible? He has already done enough for us. There was no other Master who could obtain such a trump card.”
After a slight pause, a troubled expression appeared on his face." With such a perfect holy relic, the heroic spirit we summoned must be the one we want, right?" But his personality is too different from mine as a Master…"
Originally, when it came to Servant summoning, the nature of the summoned Heroic Spirit was largely determined by the Master's spiritual temperament. If it was not a specific heroic spirit, in principle, the summoned heroic spirit would be similar to the summoner's spiritual temperament.
However, fate with the holy relic was the priority. The more accurate the origin of the holy relic was, the heroic spirit that appeared would usually be locked onto a specific person.
"That means you are uneasy about the contract with the Earth Riding King, right?”Alisfell teased as she keenly saw through her husband's thoughts.
"Of course. " I don't think there are many men like me who go against the path of chivalry." Qiesi's tone was not as serious as before, influenced by his wife's playful style." Fighting openly is not my style, especially when it comes to life-and-death battles. If I attack, I should attack from behind or when the enemy is asleep. I don't have to choose the time and place to destroy the enemy more efficiently…Do you think that noble knight will accompany me in such a battle?”
Upon hearing this, Alisfall fell silent and carefully stared at the shiny scabbard. "Indeed, Qiesi is such a warrior. He will do anything for victory. There is no need to try. He and the original owner of this scabbard definitely don't get along.”
"But don't you think it's a pity?‘Excalibur, he would undoubtedly be the strongest ace in Saber's class.”
Looking up at the troubled Qiesi, Alisfall's words hit the nail on the head.
Indeed, only this shining scabbard was compatible with that supreme sword.
In other words, this must be the relic of the legendary Knight King, King Arthur, who had been circulating since the ancient Middle Ages.
"That's true. Saber is the highest class among the seven classes summoned by the Holy Grail. And if the Knight King occupied this position…it would be equivalent to me obtaining an invincible Servant. However, the key was how to effectively use this strongest combat ability. Honestly speaking, if I were to look at it from the perspective of ease of control, Caster and Assassin were more in line with my personality.”
Of course, Wei Miya Qieti did not forget about the important matter just because he was a little worried. After checking the completion of the magic circle drawn on the floor of the chapel, which had been triggered by Ilya once, Cheese repaired the parts that had been damaged by the magic impact.
"Even such a simple ritual doesn't matter?”
In the eyes of Alice, who had been guarding at the side, the preparations seemed a little too simple and unexpected.
" Perhaps you'll be disappointed, but the summoning of Servants doesn't require such a high-profile ritual." Cech was repairing the pattern drawn with mercury while checking for any distortions and mottled spots." Because it's not the magician's power that summons Servants, but the power of the Holy Grail." As a Master, I was merely a link between the Heroic Spirit and this world, and then provided him with the magic power to materialize in this world.”
As if he was satisfied with the completion of the magic circle, Cech placed the sheath of the legendary holy sword, which he had carefully prepared, in the center of the magic circle and straightened his body.
"-announce
Thy body is under me, and I entrust my fate to thy sword.
Obey the summons of the Grail, and if you obey this decree and the laws of nature, answer at once-"
The feeling of abnormal magic power surrounded his body. No magician could escape the coldness and pain caused by the magic circuit in his body. Qiesi gritted his teeth and endured it while continuing to chant.
"I swear. I do the good of the world and get rid of all the evil of the world.”
Then, Qiesi's vision darkened.
The magic seal that had been passed down from generation to generation in the Wei family was engraved on his back. In order to help Qieti's spell, each of them began to chant incantations as a single entity. Qiesi's heart began to beat rapidly like a bell in the dimension that was separated from his will.
Qiesi ignored the excruciating pain caused by the conflict and focused on chanting the spell. Even the existence of Alice, who was holding her breath and guarding him, was no longer in his consciousness.
"The three spirits that bind you are from the Wheel of Restraint, the guardian of the scales!”
With these words as the end of the prayer, Qiesi felt the magic power in his body accelerate to the limit.
Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled, and the wind and clouds stirred. Under the pressure of the wind, which was so strong that even Qiesi and the others couldn't open their eyes, the summoning pattern shone with a brilliant light.
Finally, the circuit in the magic circle was connected to the place that was not in the human world…From the dazzling light that constantly flowed out, a wind-green figure stood up.
From the other side to this side, the whirlwind and lightning wrapped around the legendary illusion.
As a human, he had already left the realm of humans and was elevated to the elven species with inhuman divine power. The place where those extraordinary primates gathered... The heroic spirit of the sword that came from the throne that had suppressed divine power and was made by countless people's dreams descended on this land.
The last city of Ainz Belem, sealed by ice, was also the secret lifeblood of the ancient magicians. It was an ancient city located in the desolate mountains. On that day, it was liberated from the wind and snow for a long time.
Although the sky was slightly gray and not sunny, the milky white sky was much brighter than a snowy day.
In this land of winter where there were neither birds nor green plants, only light was sufficient.
On such a day, no matter how busy and tired his father was, Elias Phelps was always busy. von Ainz Belem and Guardian Qiesi would both go for a walk in the forest outside the city. That was one of their unwritten agreements, but there were some changes today.
"Very good, I definitely won't lose today!”While making such a passionate declaration, Elias Phelps walked in front of Xiao Ai and excitedly advanced into the forest.
He stepped through the thick snow with his little boots while looking at the trees around him calmly. He did not miss a single spot, nor did he show any gaps. The young girl was currently in the middle of a serious competition with the young lady she had just met.
"Oh, I found it, the first one today.”
Hearing Xiao Ai's proud declaration behind her, Elias Phelps's eyes revealed a look of surprise and disbelief. She turned around and said," Liar! Where, where? I clearly didn't miss it!"
Xiao Ai smiled happily at the cute girl whose face was flushed red and regretful. She pointed at a small branch on her head.
On the frosty walnut branch, a small and hidden winter bud could be seen.
"Hmph…hmph hmph, you scored first. Let's continue to work hard today.”
"I won't admit defeat! I definitely won't admit defeat today!"
The two girls with delicate faces were competing in the Winter Forest to find the winter buds of walnuts. This year, Eliya's record was 12 wins, 9 losses, and 1 draw. Compared to Eliya who had a total of 427 points, Qiesi had 374 points.
At the moment, although Eliya had the upper hand, the recent three consecutive victories were like raging waves, bringing great pressure to the champion. However, she did not expect that even Xiao Ai, who had replaced Qiesi, could easily defeat her.
Elias Phelps began to move forward in a huff. Xiao Ai smiled bitterly at her but did not stop her. Judging from the locations of the winter sprouts that he had discovered, Ilya was also going all out today. It seemed like she was going to expose her clumsy methods.
"Ah, I got it. " Eliya found one too," said Xiao Ai with a wicked smile behind the elated Eliya." Humph, I found a second one too."”
This time, Eliya jumped up like a cat that was splashed by water.
"Where? Where?" To the girl, this time, she was betting on her self-esteem. She could be certain that she would not miss out on it.
In fact, she did not miss it at all. It was just that the competitors had actually used the " cunning egg " that lost its heroic spirit identity.
While anticipating Eliya's reaction in ten seconds, Xiao Ai held back her laughter and pointed at Dongya, who had declared that she was the second one." Eh? Isn't that tree branch a walnut?"
Xiao Ai was referring to the tree branch that Elias had been ignoring as a search target.
"No, no, Eliya. That branch is Ze Walnut, it's Walnut's partner. Therefore…That is also the winter bud of the walnut."
After two or three seconds of silence as if she had been teased by a fox, Eliya puffed up her cheeks and shouted," Shameless! Shameless, shameless, shameless! You've always been shameless!"
It was really shameless. From the beginning of the game, Xiao Ai had counted the winter buds of the Ze Walnut into the winter buds of the Walnut. Rather than calling it cheating, it would be better to call it a sophistry foul.
"But, if I didn't do this, I wouldn't have any hope of winning.”
"This won't do! Only you know that walnuts and whatnot don't count!”
Elias Phil, who had nowhere to vent her anger, began to hit Xiao Ai's shoulder.
"Hahaha, but Eliya, you've learned another lesson, haven't you? However, the fruit of the Ze Walnut is different from the walnuts. You can't eat it. You have to remember this well.”
Looking at Xiao Ai who did not show any signs of self-reflection, Ilya grinned and muttered as if she was trying to scare him," If you keep acting like this, Ilya will never play with you again!”
"That's a headache…I'm sorry, I'm sorry.”
After being given an ultimatum, Xiao Ai apologized " honestly " and " in fear and trepidation ". This time, Elijah's mood finally began to improve.
"You promise you won't cheat anymore?"
"I promise, I promise. It's no longer considered a Ze walnut."
" But next time, there's still the Wild Walnut…" Xiao Ai snickered in her heart.
Elias, who didn't know that Xiao Ai was unrepentant and had other plans, and didn't know how to doubt others, nodded in satisfaction. She puffed out her chest and said," Very good." Then, let the competition begin again. The champion could accept the challenge at any time.”
"Yes, I'm honored, my young miss.”As proof of her obedience, Xiao Ai became a porter for the rest of the competition.
"Ahaha, so high, so high…it's still not as high as Qiesi's shoulders.”Although it was Elias 'first time, she liked to lie on Xiao Ai's back. Even if it was snow that she couldn't step on, Xiao Ai could easily cross it. Moreover, her field of vision was slightly higher than before, which was more beneficial for finding winter buds.
"Alright, let's go!" Xiao Ai let Ilya lie on his back and began to jog in the forest. Elias Phelps screamed because of the rhythmic vibrations.
The slight increase in weight on her body made Xiao Ai's heart ache.
Perhaps it was because she had undergone some random adjustments at birth, but this beloved daughter of Qiesi and Alisfel was clearly growing slowly. Even if he continued to grow older like this, he did not know if his body could reach the standards of an adult.
No, it should be said that such expectations seemed empty. There was a high chance that Elias's growth would stop at the early stages of secondary sexual characteristics development.
As she thought about this, Xiao Ai's eyes glanced in the direction of the castle. She was a little concerned about the huge magic power that had just erupted.
In the direction of Xiao Ai's gaze, a pair of emerald eyes were watching the figure playing with Ilya at the entrance of the forest from the castle window.
The girl's figure standing by the window gave off an ethereal feeling that she was far away from the mortal world. Her light, soft, and mesmerizing blonde hair was draped over her head, and her slender body was wearing an old-fashioned gown. Although it was a perfect match for the appearance of a young lady from a boudoir, the aura she emitted made the air in the room tense just by standing there, making it seem solemn and cold.
The girl's cold aura was more refreshing and pure like a stream than the coldness of ice.
To the heavy and gloomy winter scenery of Ainz Belem Castle, her existence seemed out of place on a certain level.
"What are you looking at, Saber?”
" Your daughter is playing with that heroic spirit in the forest outside."”
She was a little surprised and confused. Although she frowned slightly, it did not damage her beauty at all.
Compared to a charming smile, she was more suitable for a dignified and serious gaze. After all, she was a rare beauty. How could this dignified presence make people believe that she was the physical form of a heroic spirit?
However, she was the real Saber…one of the seven Heroic Spirits summoned by the Holy Grail, the Servant who occupied the throne of the strongest sword.
Alisfeldt stood beside her and looked out the window. She happened to see Xiao Ai, who had Elias perched on her shoulder, and the girl who was smiling happily like a lark running into the depths of the forest.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]