The Magnificent Battle Records of A Former Noble Lady
Chapter 19 - The Being Called ‘Kreutz’

The voice that echoed was Syltinas.

In thedarkness, where one couldnt identify left nor right, it was the lone voice that rang clearly.

Let the unforgivable karma come to light. I am the one who will hand down your judgment.

As soon as Syltinas words ended, the spreading darkness instantly gathered at the top of Rufhana village, forming a palm-sized orb.

Repent!

Syltina brought down her raised right hand.

At the same time, the orb of darkness started to descend to Rufhana village and burst just before it arrived at the village. The fragments that popped off from the orb of darkness moved as if they were living beings and made their way into the village.

The moment it faced off with the demons who were wandering in the village, it changed from just darkness into black flames and attacked the demons. The demons who touched the black flames burned up in a flash, leaving nary a trace as they burned out. The demons let out otherworldly screams as they burned up one after another.

Within a few minutes, the cries coming from all over the village died out.

Wh-what in the world.?

Milliane, who watched everything unfold, whispered, wondering where the darkness covering everything moments ago suddenly disappeared to.

Thats Syltinas and Kuros composite magic.. Aaand, there you go.

Alhart explains while using his magic and sword to finish off the demons who escaped from the black flames.

Darkness, Fire, and Wind attribute..but, Kreutz-sama.thatswhat exactly is.

The demons inside the village have been wiped out. The black flames once again reverted todarkness, and began to gather directly above Rufhana village.

Thats Kuros true form.

Eh!?

That very being isdarkness, you see. He dwells in peoples hearts, he is the antithesis to everything, he is the instinctive fear that every being harbors. He is the despair that does not shine even a single light and is also the tranquility that wraps up everything. Thats him. Syltinas familiar, Kreutz.

That very being isdarkness

He doesnt have a true form. Thats why he can be anything. A human, a horse, a cat, or even a bird. However, for that very reason, he cant be anything either. Sad, isnt it?, Alhart said, gently directing his gaze towards Kreutz, who had reverted back to an orb.

The flame that he produces burns everything. Whether its living or not, justice or evil, right or wrong, beautiful or dirty, those trivialities dont matter. It burns everything it touches into nothing. When Kuro takes on a form, his power is suppressed to some extent. You saw it with the bandits from that time, didnt you? Kuros black flames merely burned the bandits and didnt erase them. Thats why you and I, or Saint-sama and her company didnt suffer from any injuries. That was how Kuro adjusted his flames. However, if he reverts to his original form, that suppression is lost. He attacks with his black flames indiscriminately, chaotically, and in full power. Its Syltina who controls that.

The orb of darkness continued to repeatedly contract and expand, gradually taking on a form.

Syltina uses the wind to keep the spreading darkness from attacking indiscriminately, and adjusts the direction and power of the black flames so that no damage is done to anything but the demons. In order to control the enormous amount of darkness and adjust the black flames, it is necessary to possess large amounts of magic power, concentration, and control. After that, Sylti decides.

Ah!

Syltina swayed and fell down due to gravity.

But, just before she could hit the ground, Kreutz, who had yet to take on a form, acted as a cushion and slipped between her body and the ground.

She always faints.

Alhart sighed, as he slashed the last demon in sight before approaching the two.

Kuro, hand over Sylti to me.

You cant do anything in that form either, can you? Give Sylti to me and quickly take on a form. Were still not done here after all.

Kreutz who had yet to take on a form understood the situation and reluctantly handed Syltina over to Alhart.

Well then. Tyr!!

Yes, master.

Please confirm whether there are still any survivors around.

Understood.

Tyrtinkle dissolved theWind Blade Prisonand, as instructed by Arhalt, headed towards Rufhana village alongside the wind.

After laying Syltina on the ground, Alhart turns to face Milliane.

Milliane-sama, can you put up a light barrier around the village?

Ah, y-yes.

After seeing Milliane nod and activate her magic, Alhart once again turns to face Kreutz.

Alright, youve more or less taken on human form.

Master, I have confirmed that there are no more survivors around. The extermination has been completed.

Tyrtinkle, who headed to Rufhana village, returned and reported to Alhart, who nodded satisfactorily and Kreutz, who was slowly taking on human form.

All right. If thats the case, then after taking a proper form, wake Sylti up so we can have the Saintess perform the purification for us. Hurry up.

You dont have to tell me.

In a low, telepathic voice, Kreutz spoke, It will be just a bit more till I regain my voice.so, Saintess, please prepare for the purification.

Purification.

Alhart laughed at the sullen sounding Kreutz and turned around to answer Akari, who was deliriously muttering from behind.

Yes, purification. You have to remove the impurity from this land. Thats your job.

My-my.job.

Saintess?

Alhart leans towards Akari, who seemed to be repeating his words in an incoherent manner.

I.. dont.

Hmm? What was that?

Unable to hear Akaris words, Alhart approached her and bent forward so he could align his face with hers and pick up what Akari was saying as she looked downward.

.cantI cant! I cant do it!! Theres no way I can do it!!

Haaah!?

Its impossible!! After all, I.I dont know anything about this, I havent even done a purification before! Thethe only thing closest to magic that Ive done before is to heal a simple wound. Such a thing.

..This, what the heck?

To Akari who was crying and screaming, Alharts response was terribly flat and cold.

You are thesaintess. Didnt you go on this trip knowing that you bear the responsibility of that title? Dont go saying nonsense like its impossible, or you havent done this before at this point in time!

But, the one who insisted on this journey was the king!! I never wanted anything of the sort!! Moreover, I didnt even know that it was going to be this dangerous!!

Even if someone showed you the way, its still your choice whether you go forward or not. Stop blaming others for it.

Whawhat are you

Besides, this danger is an everyday thing in this world. Even though demons rarely appear, the bandits, thieves, and pirates like the ones we encountered before are common, and the warring between countries is continuing. Its been two years since you came to this world, so saying that nonsense at this time.

II mean, I havent even been outside of the Kingdoms capital beforeIn the first place, I dont even belong to this world! Why do I have to put my life on the line to help the people of this world!?

If thats the case, then, should I kill you here and now, Saintess?

Hiiiii!!!

An excessively cold bloodlust hung in the air. A dangerous glint flashed in Alharts amber-colored eyes.

I dont really care to know whats going to become of this kind of country. Heck, I even think its better if it fell to ruin. But, you mustnt forget, right? That you are now here in this worldthanks to the people of this country.

II know that!! Thats why I also gladly took it on! Butbutbut

But, however, after all, still.thats all there is to you, isnt it, Saintess?

Sylti.

Even though her voice sounded exhausted, Syltina stood still on her own feet and approached Akari with the help of Kreutz who had finally taken on a human form.

It seems like Ive said this a lot of times already, but we were entrusted with the task of escorting theSaintessso we are protecting you. To escort the Saint as she travels around to purify the land and save the country was the content of our mission. In other words, we wont escort otherworlders who act spoiled and are useless because they cant purify the tainted lands. If you abandon the purification of the tainted lands and escape, then your personal safety is beyond our control. Well, I dont know how peaceful the other world is, but as far as I can tell, you probably grew up in a place free of conflict, so a bloody, violent, and disorderly place like this doesnt suit you. So please, go ahead and run away.

Eh?

But, however, after all, still, it would be better for you to run away if you are going to keep on complaining. Just like Al, I also want this kind of country to perish, so it doesnt really concern us. We only took upon the task of escorting the saint and not to pointlessly chase after a fleeing saint or be made to purify the land, so we dont carry the burden of being blamed by the king. In fact, wed prefer to immediately leave this fast declining country.

Syltina finished speaking with an air of indifference. The expressionless way Syltina continuously drew her words forth seemed terrifying.

Syltina-sama! Arent you being too irresponsible!?

Irresponsible? In which way are we being irresponsible, Tedla-sama?

Are you that eager to abandon the mission you accepted!?

Abandonment? Us? Youre wrong about that. Your Saintess is the one who will be running away first. I am merely saying that if she abandons being asaintess.

Akari couldnt possibly betray us.this country!!, Syltina turned a completely shocked gaze towards the shouting Frackt.

Wasnt he listening to the conversation up until now? Didnt he hear the exchange that was happening so close by? Or was there something wrong with his brain?

Syltina seriously thought that it might be better to somehow introduce him to a good doctor.

Akari! Come now, show us how wonderful your power is!!

Uhummm..II.!!!

Akari!?

Uh-oh. Looks like the prince dealt the final blow.

With a blank expression, Syltina merely looked on as Akari turned her back from them and escaped to the forest.