Chapter 107: Coming-of-age Ceremony (1)


    The air prickled their skin, causing a rising sense of pride. The room was filled with a suffocating demonic energy, so intense it stung the nose.


    The dining room was not a ce to rx and eat. It was a relief if they didnt get indigestion, but for Yuma, the source of the demonic energy, it didnt matter.


    What are you all doing?


    Yuma gestured to the three people who had frozen like statues.


    The meal I prepared will get cold. Please, take a seat.


    Right.


    Glen nodded and pulled up a chair opposite Shiron. But as they sat down, an odd arrangement formed.


    Not just Shiron, but also the distance between Lucia and Siriel had be too wide. Glen had no choice but to sit where he did, but it felt like treating them as outsiders, didnt it?


    But Glen couldnt sit next to Shiron.


    Glen was the head of the Prient family, an elder, and Shirons father. His dignity and pride wouldnt allow him to sit beside his son like an equal. Even if he didnt think so, Glens instinctsmanded him to sit across from Shiron.


    This awkward arrangement


    Shiron also harbored strange thoughts. He had just taken his seat as Yuma directed but somehow, it seemed like they were deliberately keeping their distance.


    Not wanting this, Shiron gestured to Yuma, who stood behind him.


    Yuma.


    Yes, Young Master.


    Isnt this table too big? Were family meeting after a long time, after all.


    Yuma bowed slightly and extended her hands into the air.


    She then grasped as if holding something in her hands.


    Whoosh- Whoosh-


    One step. Two steps.


    Three steps. The table narrowed.


    Yet, the tableware and food remained undisturbed. Yumas magic was so elegant, it was deserving of the word perfection.


    Good.


    Shiron smiled satisfactorily at Glen. Red hair, golden eyes. Aside from that, their appearances were strikingly simr.


    Shiron didnt greet first. He waited to see how Glen would react, saving his words.


    After a long moment of their gazes meeting in mid-air, Glen smiled warmly.


    Its been a long time, son.


    Yes, it has.


    Instead of bowing his head, Shiron responded with a smile in his eyes.<hr>


    Glen Prient. A human male in his early to mid-forties. Head of the Prient family.


    And someone with a somewhat odd mind


    Before his possession into this world. The only impression from the limited information provided was just that.<hr>


    Those around the table ate without speaking. The ttering of utensils was the only sound in the spacious room. Although they had exchanged greetings, the atmosphere remained awkward.


    It feels suffocating just eating.


    Shiron quickly swallowed a piece of half-cut meat.


    Even the stern and reticent Hugo would start a conversation, but Glen, despite his carefree appearance, was even more silent than Hugo.


    Well, he just stopped by in the middle of apostle hunting.


    Siriel thought Glen was a remarkably handsome middle-aged man, but what Shiron noticed first was the shadow cast over his eyes.


    Like the heads of the Prient family before him, Glen Prient too was devoting his life to hunting apostles.


    They cant die unless its by a holy sword.


    In Reincarnation of the Sword Saint, apostles were depicted as beings that could only be killed by a holy sword.


    This was to give a sense of specialness to the yer, symbolized as a hero. Or to metaphorically show the contradiction that one could not save the world no matter how much they wanted, unless they were the chosen one


    When ying Reincarnation of the Sword Saint, he had skimmed over these words as a mere diversion, but now that the game had be reality, it felt like nothing but the cruel intention of the developers.


    Shiron felt sympathy for Glen.


    A hell where one tried desperately but couldnt feel any sense of achievement. Glen Prient was a human living in such hell, just like Kyrie in the past.


    And that aside. Dont you have any questions?


    Shiron rolled his eyes towards Lucia, who seemed displeased with the situation, fidgeting ever since.


    Lucia, given her identity, and Glen being the head of the Prient family, should have many questions, but contrary to expectations, she was only fiddling with her utensils.


    Strange. Before heading to Lucerne, she would grind her teeth at the mere mention of Glen, but now facing him, she remained silent.


    And Siriel too.


    Unable to bear it any longer, Shiron wiped his mouth with a napkin.


    What does theing-of-age ceremony entail?


    Shiron carefully chose his words.


    The uinging-of-age ceremony was amon interest for the four seated at the table. Although he had a rough idea of what it involved, Shiron wanted to break the awkward silence first.


    Theing-of-age ceremony, you mean.


    Glen responded while sipping his wine. His face brightened as if he had been waiting for this question.


    Ahem- Glen cleared his throat.


    Well the purpose of theing-of-age ceremony is to verify whether one has be a warrior capable of fulfilling their role.


    A warrior?


    Lucia raised her head.


    Yes. It might seem odd, but the Prient family is quite traditional. Its been around for 500 years, so the terms used are rather blunt.


    Lucia nodded slightly.


    For 500 years, the content of theing-of-age ceremony hasnt changed. Surviving by crossing the Makal Mountains and reaching the Demon Realm. Although the details have varied at times, surviving the horrific magical beasts that attack day and night has remained the same. Of course, sourcing food and water locally is a given.


    So thats why Encia was storing preserved food


    Shiron thought of the yful maid.


    Encia had tantly told Shiron to cheat. Using his storage ability, even Yuma, who oversaw the test, wouldnt know if Shiron cheated.


    But


    Glen stroked his unshaven chin a few times.


    You lived mostly at your uncles ce instead of Dawn Castle.


    Is that a problem?


    It could be.


    Glen answered Siriels question firmly. Shiron looked forward in wonder.


    I hope its not because youve be weak-minded from livingfortably in the city


    No.


    Thats good.


    Living in Dawn Castle, surrounded by harsh cold and magical energy, naturally builds resistance to magical energy.


    But they all grew up well.


    Glen looked around at the grown children with a content smile.


    Lucia, destined to ascend to divinity someday, and Siriel, who might not resemble his uncle but already possessed strengthparable to Lucias.


    And Shiron


    Fortunately, hes not dead.


    A smile appeared and then vanished on Glens face.


    Did the prophecy miss again?


    His gaze on Shiron thinned.


    Divine.


    Its because we had to learn how to survive in the Demon Realm while living in Dawn Castle.


    Glen blinked a few times and continued speaking.


    Lucia listened attentively to his words.


    Indeed, the Demon Realm was no ce for humans to live.


    He hadnt seen it yet, but the ces called Demon Realms all boasted insane environments.


    Like a desert where finding a sip of water was a challenge, ces surrounded by volcanoes, or insane locations where lightning struck all year round.


    The Demon Realm was and designed to kill humans.


    Ill be fine. But.


    Lucia sipped her wine while ncing at Shiron.


    Even if Siriel is fine, is Shiron alright?


    Shiron, listening to Glen like a statue, seemed more mature than usual. Even with Glens mention of going to the Demon Realm, Shirons demeanor remained unshaken.


    A sharp nose, clean jawline, eyes filled with wisdom. His unfathomably deep ck eyes. He looked more handsome than usual. Where in that appearance could one imagine him abandoning Lucia and fleeing?


    Am I drunk?


    Lucia pinched her thigh and shifted her gaze back to Glen.


    Then, when does theing-of-age ceremony begin? I am ready to start tomorrow.


    Dont rush. This ceremony ispletely different from those held before.


    Glen smiled warmly at Lucias eagerness. The meal wasing to an end, and no one touched their tes anymore. Glen looked behind Shiron.


    Yuma.


    Yes.


    In Yumas hand was arge piece of paper. The maids swiftly cleared the table, and Yuma spread the paper on it.


    A rough line running through the center of the paper caught the eye.


    This white line is the Makal Mountains. And this is Dawn Castle.


    A pir of light rose from the map, pinpointing a specific location. It was Glens magic.


    The pir moved slowly across the map, as if showing the correct path, and then Glens magic stopped at a particr point.


    Beyond the white mountains, at the edge of the map.


    In a week.


    A slightly warm breath escaped Glens lips.


    Apostles will appear here.


    Glen said no more.<hr>


    The third floor of Dawn Castle.


    Though it had been a long time since Dawn Castle was emptied, the bathroom Shiron often used was always well-maintained.


    Shirony in the bathtub, lifting his head.


    How is father?


    Do you want an honest answer?


    The one-horned woman, creating bubbles with her hands, spoke.


    It might be time for a change.


    Isnt it too soon?


    Do you remember, Young Master? The day of your session ceremony.


    -Theres no next time. This ends now.


    A ten-year-old boldly dering his intentions. Yuma recalled the not-so-distant past.


    Yuma ced her hand on Shirons shoulder, visible above the water. Her soft, callus-free hand gently stroked his bare skin.


    There are only five Prients left now. Only three to undergo the ceremony. There used to be twenty, even fifty in the past. The Demon Realm is too vast to be handled by one person.


    Thats true.


    I cant see the future, but I know the look of a human on the brink of death.


    Yumas hand moved from his shoulder to his neck, then to his ear.


    She twirled her fingers around his earlobe and let out a chuckle.


    The Lords skills are still sharp, but hes exhausted. He needs to demonstrate his prowess in the uing ceremony and prepare for the next generation.


    Showing that there was an end to killing apostles.


    Yuma swallowed herst words.


    She didnt doubt the authenticity of Shirons holy sword. Its just that her heart was uneasy.


    Afraid that even with a true holy sword, it might not be able to kill an apostle.


    Afraid that even if there is a true holy sword, it might never reach the apostle.


    Yuma trusted Shiron, but centuries of repeated failures kept bringing negative thoughts. However


    Is the cksmith still there?


    Pardon?


    Ill need to go get a sword after killing the apostle.


    Her somber thoughts didntst long. The unworried demeanor, the radiant face of the young master, slowly lifted the corners of Yumas mouth.


    Atmos or Dolby? Which one?


    Both.


    I thought so.


    Giant Atmos.


    Fairy Dolby.


    Yuma recalled the owners of the forge beyond the mountains.