Chapter 56: Benjamin Anikius and the Fanatics

Chapter 56: Benjamin Anikius and the Fanatics

"Always remember, we are the descendants of heroes. We must protect the sealed sword, for it is our duty!"

Grandfather's constant lectures echoed in Benjamin's ears. And now, in his hands, he held the Magic sword Rubens.

"Aaah!"

"Stop! Stop them!"

The village was in flames. The villagers screamed in terror as blood spilled, and unfamiliar outsiders brandished their weapons.

"Benjamin! Take the sword and run!"

Someone shouted, but Benjamin stood frozen, clutching the purple cloth-wrapped Rubens.

He couldn't understand.

What was this sword? Just yesterday, the villagers had adored him, finding him cute. Why were they dying because of this insignificant blade? And why were these mercenaries killing innocent people over it?

"Found it! The sword is over there!"

At the cry of one of the mercenaries, the menacing men rushed toward Benjamin.

And the brave villagers who tried to protect him fell one by one.

"Why...?"

What was so special about this sword?

Benjamin removed the cloth wrapped around the sword and tightly grasped the hilt of the magic sword with both hands.

He couldn't escape.

He couldn't abandon the land where he was born and raised, along with the people of this village.

Shrrring.

With a faint sound, the magic sword gradually revealed itself from its scabbard.

Soon, Rubens, with its divine power, wailed.

Kiiiieeek!

A storm of magical energy erupted, and Benjamin felt a power he had never experienced before.

If he couldn't let it go, then perhaps killing all the enemies wouldn't be so bad.

Freed from its scabbard, Rubens emitted dozens of times more magic than usual, engulfing Benjamin.

Screaaam!

.

.

.

.

"Whoa."

Benjamin gasped for breath as he woke up, his eyes fluttering open.

As he looked around, he realized that it was close to noon.

Though it had been a nightmare, the deep sleep left him feeling refreshed.

"Are you awake?"

Adrias, who greeted Benjamin, handed him the water jug.

With a wary expression, Benjamin looked at Adrias but soon noticed the presence of Rubens in his arms. He accepted the water gratefully.

"T-Thank you."

Was it just ordinary water?

He had a slight suspicion but decided not to dwell on it and drank the water.

Before he knew it, the place they had stayed was tidied up, and Benjamin folded the blanket covering him and handed it to Adrias.

"Um, well..."

"To say thank you? Yes, I got it."

"Y-Yes..."

Why was this man treating him so well?

Since leaving the village, Benjamin had always been on guard and had never received such kindness before.

Was it sympathy? Pity?

Considering his current state, he couldn't help but appear pitiful.

"This is fate, so let's exchange names. I'm Adrias Cromwell."

"I'm Benjamin Anikius."

"Alright, Benjamin. I don't know what's going on, but do you have any particular destination?"

Adrias asked, and Benjamin fell into deep thought.

Since there was no predetermined destination, he wondered how to respond.

As Benjamin hesitated to answer, Adrias spoke again.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I was just curious. Honestly, I'm more interested in why you're wandering around like this rather than where you're going."

"Our village... was attacked by mercenaries."

After a moment of consideration, Benjamin decided it was fine to share this information.

Although Adrias didn't have the best impression, he didn't seem like a bad person either.

Upon hearing Benjamin's words, Adrias furrowed his brow and pondered, stroking his chin.

"It seems like you have nowhere to go."

"...Yes."

"What's going on? These guys weren't here when I last visited."

Although I couldn't understand the reason, Benjamin, who had been on edge since entering the village, swiftly drew Rubens without hesitation.

'This just got troublesome.'

The presence of the Soul Sword should be kept hidden if possible, but perhaps due to previous experiences, Benjamin instinctively drew his sword.

As Benjamin unsheathed his sword, the enemies seemed to target him first and launched their attack.

However, with a powerful surge of mana, Benjamin swung his longsword.

Crack!

The enemies collapsed, their upper and lower bodies separated.

'Impressive. The Soul Sword is quite something, isn't it?'

Judging from the current situation, Benjamin, wielding the Soul Sword, would be stronger than Louis.

By the way, I've killed them all without getting any information.

I gently ruffled Benjamin's hair and approached the trembling village chief in the corner.

"What on earth happened here?"

"I-I don't know! I don't know anything!"

"I won't harm you, so explain. Otherwise, I won't help you."

At that moment, I felt numerous presences converging towards this place from outside.

Damn, there are so many. What the hell is going on?

"I don't know exactly. They just kept repeating the order to worship Lord Zepar and threatened me. Please, spare me."

The Zepar Sect?

These despicable bastards...

They might be the ones targeting Benjamin.

I should confirm it for sure, considering the incident from last time.

Kwaaang!

While I was interrogating the village chief, I heard a commotion from outside.

It seems Benjamin couldn't hold back and got into a fight.

Given that he lost everything in the hometown attack, he must be on edge.

I left the village chief and went outside first.

Then I saw Benjamin fighting against numerous enemies surrounding the house.

Swoosh!

The opponent was quite leisurely in dealing with Benjamin.

In contrast, I could see that Benjamin had taken several hits, as his lips were split.

"Maximus Bandam, a subordinate officer of the Zepar Sect."

Although he was a subordinate, his strength surpassed that of an ordinary criminal.

Even if Benjamin had the Soul Sword Rubens, it was evident that Maximus' experience and skill were an insurmountable barrier.

At that moment, Maximus, who noticed my presence, turned to look at me.

"So the protagonist is here! You must be Adrias Cromwell, right?"

Even in the midst of the fight, he shifted his gaze towards me and spoke, indicating a significant difference in our abilities.

Since he even knew my name, it was clear that he had come to find me.

"What's this kid? A bodyguard? In any case, let's make a deal."

"A deal?"

Clang!

Whoosh!

"Ugh."

While he was talking, Maximus effortlessly blocked Benjamin's attack and kicked him away, nodding his head.

"If you promise to tell me who stopped the sacrifice at the academy without causing me pain, I will let you go. You wouldn't have killed Payat, so there must have been a third party involved."

So, that was his objective.

Listening to his words, I understood why he had sent only a lower-ranking officer.

"I underestimated you."

Ironically, that's good.

I drew Galakshur.

"Huh? What are you trying to do now? Adrian Cromwell, aren't you a magician?"

No matter what Maximus babbled, I walked slowly towards him.

'"It's time to put to use what I recently learned.'

And when the distance between Maximus and me was about three meters, I focused and swung the mana-infused pitch-black sword.

Swoosh!

Thud!

With a sound, silence fell.

In an instant, Maximus' head disappeared, bursting into a fountain of blood, and his body fell forward.

'This can't be true...'

I could hear someone mumbling.

The shockwave of mana-infused sword wind slowly filled the surroundings with awe.