Chapter 60: Subjugation Campaign (2)

They used wooden pillars reinforced with planks and a timber frame interlocked together as a skeletal base, then wrapped cloth around it to form a makeshift tent.

The process was simple, but the holy knight seemed used to it. With just a few swift, practiced movements, he easily assembled the tent.

Though it looked unstable—clearly built for temporary use while securing a foothold—it seemed serviceable enough for resting.

I stepped inside and quietly sat down on the ground. The earth was barren and rough, with only coarse weeds growing here and there. It was slightly uncomfortable, but not enough to be truly bothersome.

‘...It’s quiet.’

An awkward silence filled the tent. When I subtly turned my head, I saw the priestess and the holy knight sitting side by side.

I wondered if I should greet them first, but the priestess looked preoccupied with her prayers.

The holy knight too seemed absorbed in his own, quietly clutching a crucifix with closed eyes.

Watching them pray in that tense silence made things unbearably awkward.

Sensing my discomfort, Sylphi chimed in from within my mind.

[What’s got you so uncomfortable?]

‘Well… it’s our first time meeting.’

[Ah, right. I forgot my contractor’s shy.]

Silphy chuckled softly. For some reason, that smug tone really got on my nerves, and I sighed.

‘Just shut up.’

[Sure, sure. I’ll zip it.]

And with that, Silphy abruptly cut the link.

I hadn’t meant don’t speak at all—just don’t be annoying. But now that even the ever-chatty Silphy was gone, the awkwardness inside the tent doubled.

The silence was so oppressive it was getting hard to breathe.

Since they were still in prayer, it wasn’t like I could just start talking either. That made things worse.

Just as I was reaching my limit, the holy knight finally lowered his crucifix. The blue-haired man steadied his breath, then stood up.

Bowing his head slightly, he spoke first.

“My apologies. I couldn’t speak earlier—it was prayer time.”

“Ah, no, it’s fine. Really.”

...Not that it really was fine. But thankfully, their prayer hadn’t dragged on for too long.

The blue-haired knight cleared his throat and continued.

“I’m Karl Heron, a holy knight of the First Holy Knights Division.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Yde, a spirit knight from the Black Raven Order.”

As I replied, I lightly touched the necklace around my neck.

Thankfully, the disguise enchantment was still working properly.

Even the hair that slightly covered my view remained white—so far, so good.

‘They said I needed a false identity.’

Adele von Este.

As the daughter of a count, there was no way I could officially attend a subjugation battle.

After all, this wasn’t some ceremonial event—it was a warzone. Using my real identity here was out of the question.

And so, Yde the Spirit Knight was born.

White hair, blue eyes—using the enchanted necklace I’d used once before, I’d assumed an entirely new persona for this mission.

It still felt a bit awkward. I’d have to stay like this for a while, so I needed to get used to it.

Thankfully, Abel had infused the necklace with a hefty amount of mana. It’d take quite a bit to expose the disguise.

When the Pope had gotten uncomfortably close last time, I was sure I’d been found out.

‘Guess he didn’t notice, after all.’

This necklace was a powerful artifact in its own right.

Though it lacked the basic perception-blocking enchantments most disguise tools had, it was perfect for taking on a new identity.

“Pleased to meet you, Yde-nim.”

Karl extended his right hand as he spoke. I reached out and shook it firmly.

“Likewise, Karl-ssi. Looking forward to working with you.”

His hand was calloused, the kind that came from years of swordsmanship—a strong, trustworthy grip. He smiled warmly and let out a hearty laugh.

Karl turned slightly, then glanced at the praying priestess beside him. Watching her silently, he sighed.

“Yuruf Prayer time is over.”

“Is it now?”

The priestess opened her eyes just a sliver at his words, then slowly removed the hood she’d worn so deeply that her face had been hidden.

She rose from the floor with deliberate slowness.

And then—I finally saw her face.

Thin, branch-like hands. Arms so slender they looked like only bones remained. Sunken cheeks, deep shadows under her eyes…

The image of a priestess was vastly different from what I’d expected.

Perhaps noticing my gaze, she quietly approached me. Startled, I quickly offered an introduction.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Yde the Spirit Knight.”

“I know. I heard.”

“...Yuruf.”

Karl narrowed his eyes slightly, clearly signaling something.

“Alright, alright.”

With a weary nod, she gave a formal bow.

“I’m Yuruf, a priestess of the First Holy Knights Division. Let’s get along.”

Her tone was flat, like she was reading a textbook aloud. It made Karl furrow his brow in frustration.

He opened his mouth as if to say something but then swallowed it back with a sigh—maybe hoping for just the bare minimum of politeness from her.

Still… her condition looked seriously concerning.

Could she really take the field like that?

She looked so frail, I was honestly worried she might get hurt just being near a battle.

“You’re... okay, right?”

“Don’t worry. Even in this body, I can still heal just fine.”

Yuruf responded calmly to my question. It wasn’t that I doubted her abilities.

I was simply worried about her—that she might get injured out there.

[She’s exhausting.]

Before I realized it, Silphy had reconnected the mental link and spoke in a low tone.

As much as I hated to admit it, she was right.

Karl, who had been quietly observing Yuruf, stepped forward as if to shield her.

“I’m sorry. She’s been fasting lately, and it’s made her sensitive.”

“Fasting? But...”

Fasting…? In that condition?

Her body looked like it could collapse any second—and she was fasting?

I didn’t want to criticize someone’s religious practices, but this just felt dangerous.

Noticing my visibly darkening expression, Karl quickly added with urgency:

“She’s doing it of her own volition. I’ve tried to stop her...”

Behind him, Yuruf snorted and sat back down on the floor. Then, with a firm tone, she said:

“I have no intention of stopping.”

Karl sighed again and again, clearly at a loss.

‘How’s her condition, really?’

[...Pretty bad.]

Silphy’s voice, still sharing my vision, grew grim. For once, she sounded serious.

[She’s drinking water, thankfully... but other than that, it’s severe.]

‘How severe?’

[Honestly... if she didn’t have divine power, she’d have collapsed by now. Easily.]

That bad, huh.

Just enduring things to that extent with human willpower alone was already impressive.

But what on earth had happened to drive her to keep fasting in such a condition?

Curious, I glanced at Karl, but he simply shook his head, as if to say he couldn’t tell me.

A classified matter, then?

It seemed her fasting was tied to something far more serious than it appeared.

That made it all the more frustrating for me—especially since I didn’t have a clue what it was about.

But for now, there was nothing I could do except keep an eye on the situation.

****

A massive rift hovered in the air—a tear in space itself.

From its center pulsed a brilliant blue energy, radiating outward like heat from a furnace.

At its core, something orb-like swirled and writhed grotesquely, like a giant rolling eyeball.

That must be the dimensional rift I’ve heard so much about…

‘Looks nasty.’

To close the rift, they’d first need to weaken the power source at its center. That core would be using its strength to summon monsters from another world.

Which meant… starting now, catastrophe-level monsters would begin pouring through that opening.

I knew this was coming. I had prepared myself.

But standing face to face with it—feeling the overwhelming presence—it was impossible not to tremble.

I took deep, steady breaths, sharpening my focus entirely on the rift.

[This is insane.]

Even Sylphi, appearing at my side, gave a rare, blunt assessment.

Turning slightly, I saw the same tension reflected in the eyes of the holy knights standing nearby.

The knights from our own order were also clutching their weapons tightly, refusing to let their guard down.

At the very front, Abel adjusted his uniform with a calm expression, staring directly at the dimensional rift.

To remain so composed in a moment like this… that was something to admire, no doubt.

[Get ready, contractor.]

“Right.”

At Silphy’s cue, the first monster burst through the rift.

It had dozens of eyes scattered across its body, and metal blades extending from both wings.

It resembled some kind of twisted bird—and the moment it locked eyes on us, it let out a piercing shriek.

KRRRRAAAAAAGH!

“Are you ready?”

Karl asked as he stepped forward. I gave a firm nod and raised my rapier.

Even if we were just part of the escort team, avoiding battle wasn’t an option.

The main subjugation force would handle most of the monsters, but the clever ones that slipped through would be our responsibility.

“O wind…”

A current of air rushed around me, brushing against my entire body.

Strands of my snow-white hair fluttered at the edge of my vision.

Yuruf, the priestess, stood quietly at the rear, showing no signs of fear or tension as she gazed at the monsters flooding in.

Meanwhile, the knights and holy knights of the subjugation force began charging toward the swarm.

“To the goddess, we dedicate this glory!!”

“Take them down!”

Various auras flared to life around them—sword auras, holy light.

Even among the crowd, the presence of Sword Experts and Sword Masters was undeniable.

The divine power radiating from the holy knights was nothing to scoff at either.

Holy light surrounded their bodies and took on unique forms—each suited to their individual strength.

BOOM!

An explosive blow—infused with a mixture of divine power and aura—tore a monstrous creature clean in two.

Behind it, a seemingly endless wave of monsters surged through the rift, as if the real battle had only just begun.

The subjugation had officially commenced.

– – The End of The Chapter––

 

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