Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Civic

◆

Come to think of it, from the point of possession, Carlisle was already an outsider within the knight order.

He was already a famous underachiever within the knight order, and he remembered being such a quiet and inconspicuous person.

Thanks to that, Carlisle knew several places within the bustling knight order where he wouldn’t be noticed by others. 

That seems to be valid even now, which is long before the original regression point. 

In short. It meant that he knew places secluded enough that even while doing the bizarre act of oiling and maintaining his sword while conversing with that sword, he wouldn’t run into people.

[…Mmm, kuk.]

“…”

Carlisle ignored the moaning sounds coming from the sword and moved his hands briskly.

[How, how about being a little gentler?]

“…”

[Th, kruuuuk…] 

“No, could you please shut up.”

[It tickles.]

“…”

Why does a sword have sensations in the first place?

Carlisle made a thoroughly disgusted expression and rubbed the flint against the Holy Sword again.

[You shameless bastard. How can you touch such areas so nonchalantly?]

“I said shut up.”

Thank goodness. If someone else had seen this, he would have been treated like a madman.

‘If I carry this as is, it’ll cause chaos.’

According to what the Hero said, the Holy Sword Bestowal Ceremony was coming soon.

A monumental event where Gray Chasefield of the Imperial Knight Order is proclaimed as the Hero to the entire world.

If Carlisle were to bring the Holy Sword, which is the Hero’s symbol, to such a place, great chaos would surely ensue. What he’s doing now is also working to disguise the Holy Sword so it doesn’t look like a Holy Sword as much as possible.

‘If it’s the Holy Sword Bestowal Ceremony…’

It’s a good opportunity to make contact with Gray. 

Since the Hero herself inside the sword asserted it so confidently, it must be right. In the first place, from the position of having to reform that side somehow, there’s no reason to delay time. The sooner the meeting, the better. 

‘…The first meeting only has bad memories, though.’

Let’s see, so.

How was it based on the previous cycle?

“Hero.”

[What?]

“Do you remember when we first met?”

[No. I don’t remember at all.]

“When I just talked to you then, and you broke all my arms and legs as stress relief, remember?”

[…]

“If I hadn’t been moved immediately then, I would have died.”

[…Was that so?]

Of course.

Carlisle let out a bitter laugh at the answer that came back as if she didn’t remember at all.

With this many things she can’t remember, you’d think she just has a bad head, but for that, the Hero’s usual memorization ability is at an extraordinary level.

Therefore, it means that the fact that someone almost died because of her isn’t a particularly important matter to this side.

To the extent that it’s not worth remembering.

‘What am I even talking to this one about?’

He sighed deeply and changed the subject.

“More than that, let’s talk about what you promised the last time.”

There were no words, but he could feel Gray inside the sword flinching.

[…Th, that thing about, se, seducing me?]

“Why are you being embarrassed again? Annoyingly.”

[…]

Does someone think I want to do this?

From Carlisle’s position, who has seen all there is to see with this side during those countless regressions, even such a reaction is an eyesore…

“I say seducing, but it’s about making you a bit humble, isn’t it?”

Carlisle doesn’t really have thoughts about doing anything in a real man-to-woman way either.

Rather, it’s physiologically impossible. Thinking about how much he’s suffered because of this woman.

Considering there were quite a few cycles where Gray herself directly killed Carlisle, it would be fortunate if trauma doesn’t resurface when seeing her face.

However, breaking that temperament is essential whether he likes it or not. Only then will she at least pretend to listen to his words when trying to prevent future accidents.

‘For that, first…’

Based on experience so far, Gray is the type who intentionally erases the existence of people who don’t catch her eye from her mind. You could say contempt for the weak is basically equipped.

To proceed with socialization, she needs to at least recognize his existence.

Therefore.

“I think I need to go with a pretty intense first impression.”

Anyway, it would be good if he could just intensely impress her when they face each other.

[Presumptuous as it may be, how do you plan to impress her?]

“…”

[As you said, don’t you have no ability at all.]

“…”

[Though it’s awkward to say this, I’m confident I could win without a single scratch even if there were thousands of you. Even if it’s me from my inexperienced days when I just received the Holy Sword.]

That’s also true.

Carlisle is really an empty can with nothing.

[ Status Info ]

< Carlisle Belfast > [Knight Order Recruit]

[ Traits: Not yet unlocked. ] 

[ Skills: Not yet unlocked. ]

He glared at the window floating before his eyes with narrowed eyes.

Well, it seems possessive privileges aren’t completely absent.

Honestly, seeing how they haven’t opened even once during all those regressions, it might as well be considered nonexistent.

‘There must be some conditions though…’

In the Demon Hunter world, traits and skills have different unlocking conditions for each character.

Of course, usually they open when you fulfill very common-sense conditions like ‘practice swordsmanship,’ ‘learn magic,’ or ‘hone crafting skills.’

Cases like Carlisle where they don’t open at all even after trying all sorts of things are completely nonexistent.

‘…Still, I have to do it.’

If you don’t have teeth, you have to use your gums.

This time is really the last cycle where there’s no next chance if he fails. The first button must be fastened well.

Even if it’s throwing eggs at rocks, he needs to shatter spectacularly and catch the opponent’s attention.

“Anything is fine. Even just a tiny bit, isn’t there something to stab and get in with?”

When he spoke matter-of-factly, Gray inside the sword fell into silence for a moment.

Gray, who had maintained such silence for a while, soon opened her mouth with difficulty.

[There is one thing that comes to mind.]

“Oh.”

Carlisle looked down at the sword with delight.

“Really? Is there some way to win?”

[You can’t win. Do you think there’s a way for you to beat me in knowledge or combat?]

“Look at that attitude.”

It’s more annoying that it’s true and can’t be denied.

No matter how much younger she is, there’s a gap between human and demigod, between Carlisle and Gray.

[However.]

Then, with a cough, Gray’s words flowed out.

[If it’s a ‘way to be remembered’ as you said, there is one.]

“…Hmm?”

◆

There are people who live lives where they can’t help but be convinced they are the strongest.

In Gray Chasefield’s view, her life was no different from such a case.

Age 7. Joined the Imperial Knight Order as the youngest successful candidate.

Age 10. Won the Imperial Martial Arts Tournament.

Age 15.

Subjugated a dragon called a calamity. After that, too, she continued to live a life knowing not a single defeat.

Victory is as natural to her as breathing.

And it would be a very natural progression for such a person to see all other humans except herself as… Substandard.

Some opposed granting her the Holy Sword, saying she was too arrogant to be chosen as a Hero.

She wasn’t even angry.

That was nothing more than the miserable wailing of losers to Gray.

Why would she be angry? When you see bugs, you feel disgusted, but what kind of person would seriously get angry at bugs?

For her, most of the emotions she felt toward other people didn’t deviate from such premises.

The weak are bugs. That she can treat however she wants.

Even in today’s sparring to determine who the truly suitable Hero candidate is, she revealed such thoughts without reservation.

The knight order was horrified, and the Orthodox Church was also at a level of shock, but Gray felt no emotion whatsoever.

She didn’t understand why they made such a fuss over mere broken arms and legs and one eyeball popping out.

‘Isn’t being weak the problem?’

It’s not like she killed them.

It was wrong for them to dare cross swords with her at just that level.

She looked at the Holy Sword being extended toward her while thinking such thoughts indifferently.

“Against all great evils that shall rise from the sulfurous depths.”

In the large auditorium where the knight order was lined up, a high-ranking priest of the Orthodox Church bestows the Holy Sword to Gray who is kneeling.

“Against all great sins that humanity shall commit.”

A sword made of star iron, forged from a meteor that fell from the heavens above in ancient times.

A weapon of the chosen one, containing the radiance of the goddess.

For generations, the Holy Sword is bestowed only to those who can indisputably be called ‘humanity’s strongest.’

“Only you have been chosen.”

As Gray received it, cheers erupted from all directions.

The birth of a Hero.

“For a Hero to be born from the Imperial Knight Order! This is an achievement that will remain in history.”

“Come on, Gray! We must hold a banquet!”

“…”

Among the people noisily surrounding her, Gray looked around expressionlessly.

She was annoyed.

It was disgusting that hypocrites not worth attention were acting friendly with her.

“Move aside.”

When she coldly spat out such words, all the humans around her hesitated.

There wouldn’t be anyone who wouldn’t show such a reaction to the anger spat out by humanity’s strongest.

And even that fact was nothing but annoying to Gray.

She strode through the other humans who were hesitating and backing away.

In the end, that’s all people were to her.

Those who would all grovel on their own if she showed even a little fang.

Those who didn’t even have the guts or courage to face her and have a conversation.

“…Miss. You went too far.”

Next to Gray, an attendant whispered with a bitter smile on her face.

She doesn’t remember her name. Though she seems to have seen her face for a long time, she wasn’t significant enough to pay attention to.

However, unlike other people, she was somewhat useful.

“I’m going to practice swordsmanship. Prepare a place. I need somewhere to use alone.”

“Yes. I will.”

At least when she demanded something, she solved it quickly.

But at the place they went following the attendant’s guidance, there was already one man using the training ground.

“…”

The attendant looked back and forth between the man and Gray, flustered.

Gray answered with a cold gaze.

Such an incompetent bastard. Can’t she even fulfill her simple request to be alone?

She sighed and approached the man swinging his sword in the center of the training ground.

“Hey.”

The man didn’t answer.

He didn’t even turn his head toward her.

At the already annoying reaction, Gray’s voice became a bit more menacing.

“I’ll give you 5 seconds. Get lost.”

She spoke such words matter-of-factly.

The man remained unmoved.

“Didn’t you hear? I told you to get lost.”

“Fuck off.”

“…”

For a moment.

She thought her ears were wrong.

Gray blinked blankly while looking at the man.

Probably, seeing the attendant next to her with her mouth agape, she didn’t mishear.

“…What did you just say-“

“Didn’t you hear? I said fuck off.”

“…”

“Did you rent out the training ground? What kind of person are you?”

At the man’s continued profanity, Gray’s sense of reality became distant.

◆

‘Hero.’

[What.]

‘You really had a terrible personality when you were young too.’

[…I won’t deny it.]

Carlisle chuckled at the voice echoing in his head.

At the consecutive profanity he just spat out, he can see Gray’s face becoming terrifying. Even with a childhood face where baby fat hasn’t properly gone away, the speed at which she was filled with murderous intent is terrifyingly fast.

Newly.

Seeing Gray from a time when she hadn’t socialized even a little bit, it’s fascinating that this person later decided to change on her own… 

‘This one’s going to pick a fight, right?’ 

[Definitely will.] 

When the Hero, who already has a terrible personality, is in a bad mood, and he scratches her temper with profanity that would start a fight even by ordinary standards. 

Violence will fly without question. The sight of Gray approaching Carlisle with a menacing expression right now proves that. 

And that’s exactly what Carlisle is aiming for. 

He recalled the conversation they had earlier.

[In short, if I make myself someone you care about, that would work, wouldn’t it?]

There’s a method that comes to mind for that, Gray had asserted.

[Just give her a taste of a very small failure.]

What’s needed is a crack.

A very small crack. 

‘Come at me.’ 

Even if I can’t win. 

I can humiliate you. 

He grinned inwardly while looking at Gray.