198 Sometimes It's Nice To Take It Slow

I guess from a stroke of luck, the way was paved. Wilharrow and the others safely traversed the river in awe of the halted current.

"Incredible…" [Wilharrow]

We could see fish floating around, and some that were caught up in the slash. They would fall into the open space, leaving them as prey to Leon who would stuff them into a bag for later consumption.

"Was that the Unseeing Sword?" [Raon]

"Unseeing sword?" [Solace]

"That's his… nickname. The Unseeing Sword. Or… swords. if you count that he dual wields." [Raon]

Now that's something. We met up on my side of the bridge, in which the river collapsed afterwards.

"We got quite lucky with the timing." [Wilharrow]

"I'm more surprised the Unseeing Sword left us alone." [Raon]

"What do you mean by that?" [Solace]

My allies gave me a strange look.

"You know he attacks people at random right?" [Raon]

Ah, so he was a psychopath.

"He's also considered the closest to becoming a Sword Saint." [Fina]

"Sword Saint? What about the Sword King?" [Solace]

Just as Fina was about to open her mouth, Wilharrow cut in.

"Hold on, this seems like it's going to be a long conversation. We should move on first." [Wilharrow]

It was a unanimous decision. We really didn't want to stay any longer. We trekked through a forest first, which led to a sandy environment. Namely, a desert.

"It's getting late. Let's set up camp here." [Wilharrow]

It was agreed. We were tired for certain reasons. One: We spent a whole day walking. Two: The forest had several strange animals or stupid monsters that kept attacking us. Three: Upon entering the desert, we found that it was stamina draining to just walk. Our feet would sink into the sand, or the sand would shift strangely so we would have to constantly try to maintain balance. Fourth: The heat. It was so nice in the forest, but the sun was practically beaming down on us in the desert. Fifth: Now that the sun was down, it was freezing.

"Raon, can you start up a fire? I'll help Leon start preparing the fish she snatched. Fina and Solace will set up the tents." [Wilharrow]

We set off to do our assigned tasks in an exhausted state. I tried my best to do more of the labor since spirits don't get tired, but everyone finished their assigned tasks faster than expected. In the end, we sat huddled around a fire with skewered fish cooking around it.

"Ugh… I feel like sand is going to be in my clothes when I get up tomorrow." [Raon]

"Do you not have |Cleanse| to get rid of it?" [Fina]

"You know |Cleanse|?" [Raon]

"I do too." [Solace]

"You do?! Someone, please teach me!" [Raon]

Now that I think about it, how do you teach someone a skill?

"I don't have anything to make a |Skill Book| for you at the moment. Maybe next time." [Fina]

"Why don't I cast |Cleanse| on you tomorrow instead?" [Solace]

"I'll pass." [Raon]

"Wha-?" [Solace]

"I can't accept help like this from a commoner. I can do it if it's Fina though." [Raon]

…Was this a form of discrimination or did he just want to get closer to a girl?

"Putting that aside, how did you manage to kill a Divine Beast?" [Raon]

There was the anticipated question of the day. How did a mortal slay something of the divine?

"I… got lucky." [Solace]

I chose not to tell them that I made a deal with Hema, for multiple reasons. One of them being Hema's terrible reputation.

"Bullshit. You can't just luck your way into winning against a Divine Beast. Those things are considered impossible to kill!" [Raon]

"Well, not impossible anymore." [Wilharrow]

Raon turned to Wilharrow.

"And why are you so calm? Don't you come from a holy temple yourself? Preaching the word of your god? You've got a blasphemer right here and you're just… calm?!" [Raon]

Wilharrow slowly turned the fish grilling by the flames, allowing the raw side to be cooked evenly.

"You see… I have very mixed feelings about it. The teachings of the holy temple tell me not to go against the gods. So, I did. I even tried to spread their teachings, but was met with backlash from Alt. His talk of not pushing my ideals onto others had me thinking a bit." [Wilharrow]

He must be talking about when we argued back when the bandits were a problem.

"I started thinking… Or rather… questioning. Are the gods… correct? Is following their teachings… correct? I started to go through my lessons and legends of gods, leaving me with even more questions." [Wilharrow]

Wow, he was going deep. At this rate he could become a renowned philosopher.

"Sacrifices upon sacrifices. Most legends have some sort of sacrifice for the gods. Why? Why would the gods need the lives of mortals? Especially when the gods were the ones who created us?" [Wilharrow]

I went silent on this. Hearing about sacrifice caused my memories of Elisse to stir.

"Then, Alt killed the Divine Beast." [Wilharrow]

He let out a mellow chuckle.

"Gosh, I've heard tall tales. Never have I ever heard of someone killing a Divine Beast though." [Wilharrow]

I could feel the corners of my mouth going up. Wilharrow always knew how to lift the mood a bit.

"I've been feeling pretty conflicted here. One of my friends is a blasphemer. However, it was for good reason." [Wilharrow]

"...Or it could be called a selfish one." [Raon]

"Please don't say that. That's rude." [Fina]

It made me happy to think that I had people to defend me.

"It doesn't matter. What's done is done. I killed it, and now a god hates me." [Solace]

"I think more than just a god hates you. If any believer finds out that you've killed a Divine Beast, you will be public enemy number one." [Wilharrow]

"Hold on. What if those villagers spread the word?" [Raon]

That was an eye opening realization. We all looked pretty worried there.

"Eh… We'll get to it when we do." [Wilharrow]

"Pretty lax for a Hero." [Solace]

"I'm still human. Besides, what use is there mulling over it now? Like you said, what's done is done." [Wilharrow]

"Using my own words against me…" [Solace]

"The food is ready." [Leon]

That was the first sentence she had said in a good while. Matter of fact, I think she only had her eyes on the fish.

"Let's eat." [Wilharrow]

My friends devoured the fish like it was their last meal. Aside from Leon who usually eats faster than the speed of light, it was like watching it at double speed.

"Oh! You guys never mentioned the Sword Saint!" [Solace]

"Ah, let me explain." [Fina]

It was nice that Fina paused her meal to speak to me, but I couldn't help finding it a bit adorable that she had fish crumbs around her mouth.

"There are Kings that are recognized by the gods. You know that right?" [Fina]

"Yep." [Solace]

"Then there are Saints. They are beings recognized by mortals. They are considered to have reached the pinnacle of their expertise." [Fina]

"Uh-huh…" [Solace]

"...Your reaction is telling me you didn't quite get it." [Fina]

"Sorry. I get that they are recognized by gods and people. Can you give me an example?" [Solace]

"The most basic would be the Sword King and the Sword Saint. Two different people, but both are considered the best in the world." [Fina]

"Ah, so the Sword King is considered the best by the gods and the Sword Saint is considered the best by the people?" [Solace]

"Exactly." [Fina]

I felt like I was getting tutored for some reason.

"So you're telling me that Unseeing Sword guy is close to becoming recognized as the Sword Saint?" [Solace]

"Only if he beats the current one." [Raon]

"Oh, I thought it was a title with an empty seat. I didn't think one would be alive." [Solace]

"I heard the current one lost his arm in battle a decade ago. Is that rumor true?" [Wilharrow]

"Probably. I've seen him once when I was little and he did have one arm." [Raon]

"Then his position might be taken away soon." [Wilharrow]

Raon hit the thinker pose.

"I can't say for sure, but I think the Sword Saint got that title when he only had one arm. So, he should be at his peak." [Raon]

"Even so, isn't he an old man now?" [Wilharrow]

"Guys, why are we gossiping about random guys now?" [Solace]

"You're the one who brought it up." [Raon]

That was true.

"I think we've been talking too much. We should get some rest. After all, we've just set foot into demon territory. We need the energy to progress." [Wilharrow]

"Now THAT is something I can't disagree with. Night night." [Raon]

It didn't even take ten seconds for him to pass out in his tent. I could tell considering that he started snoring.

"That was quick." [Solace]

"Haha, I suppose it may be the same for me." [Wilharrow]

He then patted my shoulder.

"Don't worry. None of us think you're a bad guy for killing the Divine Beast." [Wilharrow]

Did it show on my face? I was indeed pretty anxious about everyone's reactions.

"Thanks man. I consider you a great friend." [Solace]

I expected a reply, but found that everyone other than myself had fallen asleep.

"Haha… How embarrassing." [Solace]