[Legend of Lineage] Episode 11: Prayers of the Holy City and the Tower of Despair (Chapter 4)

Chapter 4: The Military City and the Journey of Fate

Episode 11: Prayers of the Holy City and the Tower of Despair

[Summary of Previous Episodes]

The party arrived at the fortress city of Meridius and entered the martial arts tournament held before the King. Despite having lost his memories, Artorius overwhelmed the formidable opponents he faced using the royal sword techniques etched into his body. However, waiting for him in the final match was Silva, a female mercenary with flowing crimson hair.

Against Silva, who unleashed the pinnacle of assassination techniques, Artorius achieved victory with a flash of his awakened bloodline. He narrowly escaped the predicament and managed to obtain the travel permit.

[Character and Terminology Guide]

If you are new or would like to review the overview, please see the [Introduction] below.

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1. The Broken Dagger, Monologue of a Cold Moonlit Night

　The frenzy and excitement left behind by the Meridius tournament had vanished as if it were a lie. A cold silence enveloped the city.

　Sitting on the roof of the inn, on the exposed, inorganic stone floor, Zeke held a "broken dagger" up to the moonlight while being blown by the night breeze. The silver blade was chipped everywhere and had been cruelly snapped in the middle. However, only the intricate pattern carved near the hilt emitted an eerie glow as it bathed in the moonlight. Zeke's eyes, as he gazed at it, were in a sense very calm, a mixture of eyes that had given up on everything and the madness of staring directly at an inescapable fate.

“...Everyone has a fate they can't escape, don't they? ...Hey, don't you think so, Sir Knight?”

　Faint footsteps approached from behind. Perhaps he had noticed the sound of armor rubbing together, but Zeke asked without even turning around. Standing there was Artorius, who had also been unable to endure the silence of the night.

“Couldn't you sleep, Artorius?”
“...Yeah. The sensation of the day's match is still lingering in my palms. Zeke, that dagger... it's a unique pattern. It doesn't look like a craft from any country I know; is it a family crest or something?”

　At Artorius's quiet question, Zeke raised the corners of his mouth slightly. A shadow, deeper than one could imagine from the cheerful man he was during the day, fell across his profile.

“It's from Solas. It's a 'protective pattern' passed down through an old bloodline in the Holy City of Solas. ...I used to live in that land. But everything turned into impure ash, and the sky was dyed in the color of death.”
“...Zeke, you...”
“Hahaha, sorry, forget it. Solas is a good city.”

　As if to block Artorius's pity, Zeke skillfully spun the dagger with his fingertips and tucked it away as if slamming it into his pocket.

　While listening to Zeke's monologue, Artorius felt a chill deep in his chest.

(Helios of Exaltia...)

The moment it was thrust upon him that the name referred to him, what struck him was not relief, but terror. The spreading flames and the collapsing spire. He felt as if the past he needed to reclaim was wrapping around him like a deep despair.

"The fact that I found this dull blade and have been carrying it on my journey without throwing it away might mean that fate itself has something to say to a guy like me, who’s been wandering around having abandoned everything. ...Well, it’s a story that doesn’t suit a low-life swindler like me one bit."

(Fate, huh... If so, is losing my memories also a part of fate?)

The meaning of being Artorius, not Elios. What could it possibly be? To that unanswerable question, Artorius quietly closed his eyes.

Zeke stood up and gazed at the horizon far to the east. Beyond the mountain range, he could see the "Astral Pillar," a massive tower piercing the pitch-black night sky in an eerie fashion. From its summit, a pillar of impure black light rose up, defiling the heavens and swallowing the beautiful stars around it.

"That thing is a curse itself. Just getting close to it feels like it would rot your soul. But as long as I don't touch that place, my time remains... stopped, just like that day."

2. The Star Compass and the Foot of the Tower of Despair

The next morning, the group left the inn early amidst the rising morning mist. When they held up the "Special Pass" they had obtained, the intimidating south gate of Meridius opened with a heavy metallic sound.

The group passed through the wilderness, aiming for Reald. Elise spread out the ancient document entrusted to her by Gallet and gazed at the antique "Star Compass." The needle of the compass would occasionally tremble unnaturally as if afraid of something, pointing toward the distant Astral Pillar before hurriedly returning to the south as if trying to escape.

"...According to Grandpa's letter, the crest to awaken the ancient 'flying vehicle' is hidden in that tower. But look... at the reaction of this compass. There is a powerful negative force at work there, like a deep, black darkness."

Where Elise pointed, the foot of the Astral Pillar was covered in a pitch-black fog so thick it completely obscured the view. It was not a natural weather phenomenon, but a jet-black barrier that seemed to be trying to block their entry with a clear will of its own. From deep within the fog, a low, unearthly growl echoed from time to time.

"Yeah, that. It's not just a barrier. The moment you touch it, your flesh and soul will be torn to pieces. With our current strength, we wouldn't even be allowed to clean the entrance."

The words were cold as ice, but cruelly true. To reach the great legacy left behind by the heroes of light of the past, they were currently far too ignorant and far too fragile.

Zeke turned around and started walking away quickly, with an expression that suggested he didn't want to touch upon the subject.

Elise bit her lip in frustration and gripped the parchment of the ancient document so hard it felt like it might tear.

"...You're right, we can't... get in yet. I can tell just by looking at the movement of this Star Compass. But if our... no, if the fate of this world lies there, the day will surely come when the fog clears. I believe Grandpa entrusted this compass to me because the 'truth' to clear this fog lies ahead on our journey."

She whispered in a trembling voice, as if to convince herself. Will the day come when they obtain the crest and the legendary wings spread across the sky once more? As the world is swallowed by darkness in secret, the sun shining in the sky is as bright as ever, and the earth still stretches out majestically.

While gazing at the desolate scenery spreading around her, she was desperately searching for fragments of hope yet unseen. A massive black shadow stretching from the tower coldly and eerily crossed their path.

3. A Premonition of the Tide, Toward the Hometown of Reald

Before long, the group passed through the wilderness of Meridius, crossed the steep checkpoint, and set foot into the territory of the Holy City of Solas. At that moment, the view opened up all at once.

Below them, the azure sea began to come into view, sparkling like jewels under the sunlight, along with the beautiful castle town of the Holy City of Solas, which spread out in an orderly fashion along the coastline. It was his beautiful hometown, scented with the sea breeze, where a young Sieg had likely once run about.

For a brief moment, Sieg glared at the beautiful scenery with a searing, sharp gaze. But the next instant, he slapped his own face with both hands, returned to his usual fearless expression, and called out to Artorius and Elise.

Hey, hey, it doesn't look like we have time for leisurely sightseeing! We've got pursuers to worry about, too. The Holy Knights of Solas are far more tenacious than the soldiers of Meridius, you know? Come on, let's get fired up!

Their destination was further south of Solas. It was Realdo, the holy land where the 'Legendary Shield'—which Elise's parents had risked their lives to protect until the very end—was said to sleep, and where Elise herself was born.

As they passed through the single road leading to the Holy City of Solas, the cool sea breeze whipped Elise's hair. She gripped the compass in her hand tightly, as if to confirm the beating of her own heart.

(Wait for me, Father, Mother... I will become strong. I will see my own destiny through with my own eyes.)

The journey of the three accelerated toward their true home, heading in the direction where the sun was gently setting.

As the scent of the tide grew stronger, the beating of Elise's heart intensified to the point of pain. The selfless love of her parents, who had once helped her escape the flames of war, had now transformed into a certain, warm courage that stopped her fingertips from trembling.

However, behind them—

From the summit of the abandoned Astral Pillar, a pillar of black light still looked down upon them. It continued to erode the sky and emit an impure radiance, as if prophesying that all paths of hope would eventually converge into that despair.

▶Read Episode 12 '(Interlude): Selene of the Moonshadow'

▶Click here for the Prologue

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