Chapter 403: The Believer of Wisdom

Close to the outer wall of the Gharast Royal Capital. There was an unmistakable battle between the Gharast and Heraldic armies and the roaring demonic beings.

Blood stained the white soil, and flesh burst with heat. This was the daily occurrence on this battlefield.

On that site, where the armies of humans and demons locked fangs, it was the demonic army that had the upper hand. Although the demonic beings were inferior in number, each one of them was a mass of threat. A human couldn’t win against a demonic being on his own. The power of those who resembled Kobolt was much stronger than that of humans. Those like Logom had a skin tougher than rock.

Humans couldn’t easily gain superiority even though they had the upper hand in numbers. The sight of the demonic beings eating humans and trampling on their blood as they marched forward looked like something out of a nightmare.

*explosion*

During that nightmare, a sound blasted. It was a roaring sound that shook one’s organs. It even felt as if it hit one’s skin directly.

That was not the sound of magic. It was wilder and more violent than magic. At the same time as the roar echoed, Saint Matia saw blood exploding in the distance. A slight wave of unrest spread among the demonic army.

Then, as if to create a signal, Matia raised her spear high into the sky. A few moments later, two violent roars echoed. Every time, blood oozed out from the demonic army. The enemy’s strength, which resembled hellfire, had weakened.

「…Is this the card you hid for Gharast? It’s a big reveal. I hope it won’t be troublesome. 」

Beside Saint Matia, Philos Trait frowned and held her ears as she spoke. Although she was bravely wearing a leather armor and a sword, her expression was somewhat stiff.

After all, the smell of the battlefield didn’t seem to suit her skin. Her lips also seemed to be quivering.

Matia lowered her arm and watched her Heraldic soldiers advance below her eyes.

「Yes. It’s just a large rock ejected with the force of explosion. It might seem unusual. 」

A stone gun. A cannon made of iron was filled with large stones and fired using the explosive force of the collected gunpowder. To be honest, the explosion of gunpowder and the smoke it created was extremely troublesome, and it was not something that could be easily avoided. There were some doubts about its usefulness.

However, it was not a bad idea to spread something unknown to those around you. There were local nobles who were collaborators on this battlefield. Therefore, Saint Matia thought she should show off the Heraldic’s military power to them.

Matia came to an understanding after seeing the Battle of Sanyo with her own eyes.

There were many heroes in that battle, but the one that caught Matia’s eyes was Filaret’s violent Battlefield Magic.

The battlefield that had been in Matia’s mind all along was the one where people fought, their spears and swords clashing, without deciding whether they were male or female.

This was definitely not a place where you could judge others. There was flesh and blood, and tactics that matched intelligence.

But what about Filaret? An overwhelming force that made tactics no longer meaningful. The same went for Caria’s strength and Eldith’s blessings. Their fangs were too sharp and wouldn’t allow others to bite them.

Matia realized something that day. She may no longer have to fight other humans on the battlefield. A battlefield was the place where overwhelming winds mowed each other down.

If so, Matia thought that she must obtain that storm no matter what sacrifice she made. Those who could do this would hold the future in their hands.

「That’s a sound that hurts my ears. How long will this last? 」

「It’s over now. It’s not that easy to use. 」

After reading many documents and getting material assistance from Gharast nobles, Matia was finally able to create this rock gun. Even though it was proposed in the past, it was simply discarded because its firepower could be replaced by a magician’s power.

And it was also difficult to use. The one that was built could only fire a large stone at once. After firing the stones, the heat increased, making it difficult to move, and often causing damage. If you could call it a magic device, then the title “degrading magic” would fit it the best.

Still, it had meaning. Yes, it had an important role to play. The accumulated knowledge was given form, and the path of the Heraldic Order was formed. That was the true essence of the Heraldic Order.

…Showing others how you could surpass demonic beings with your wisdom.

The person named Matia could be described as a fanatic of wisdom. Deep within her heart, she believed that no matter how difficult it was, she could overcome it with wisdom.

The same went for her management. Matia said while lightly grasping the golden emblem in her slender finger. The violent sounds finally stopped.

「The card has done its job. The rest goes as planned. 」

After this, all that was left to do was how to defeat the demonic army and enter the royal capital. Matia clapped her hands. In that case, there was no other choice but to try as hard as possible.

Matia leaned her spear slightly, still astride at her horse. The flags raised by the Heraldic army could be seen as they went from defensive to offensive. However, the small hesitation could destroy them all. Then, all she had to do was step in and encourage them directly.

That was what it meant to be a Saint, to become their banner. Matia momentarily glanced at Philos beside her. Philos’ face still looked as if it were frozen solid.

Matia whispered her name, and Philos bit her lips in response.

「I’m alright. However, you probably don’t know this, but I’ve never won on a battlefield before. I was unfortunate even in the Sanyo Plains. I just hope your luck doesn’t turn bad.」

Philos said with unmistakable self-mockery. Hearing Philos’ unusual soft voice, Matia sensed what was going on in her heart.

Behind Philos’ eyelids was the defeat at Sanyo, and the subsequent rebellion of Roseau was probably still visible. It became an invisible weight attached to her limbs.

Defeat easily knocked people to the ground to the point where they couldn’t stand up anymore. No, perhaps people who could stand up for themselves were rare.

Matia thought it didn’t mean by being weak or strong, but something that was innate. Just like among the Heraldic believers, there were those who could fight and those who couldn’t. Naturally, there were those who could stand up and those who couldn’t.

Matia opened her mouth and closed it again, lost in her words. Philos was a person who moved forward. But now she had something dark in her heart. If Matia said something harmful to her, she would probably end up swallowing something even larger as she moved forward.

That was not good.

What should she say? After thinking about this for a moment, Matia opened her mouth again.

「…No matter what kind of person you are, no human being has ever won before winning for the first time. Philos Trait. 」

That’s how her words naturally flowed. Matia felt her strength slipping from her shoulders.

That’s right. Her life was spent running and hiding until she achieved victory in the walled city of Garoua Maria. She endured the stones of persecution, hid from the public eye, and somehow managed to survive. Still, she had to stand up.

Because she was the Saint herself. She had to keep running until she achieved victory, even if it meant sacrificing her life.

And now she was here. Matia inhaled her breath strongly.

「If you have continued to lose until now, then it was for the sake of today. To bless today with the crown of victory and glory.」

Matia continued, trying to overlap her former self with Philos. She felt something hot go down her throat. She gripped the horse’s reins tightly.

「In the royal capital, Lugis is probably swinging his sword for our victory. He’s doing something reckless for sure, without listening to what others say. Then, we have an obligation to fight for his victory…or are you just a decoration, Philos Trait?」

Philos’ eyes slightly distorted at those words, but she opened her mouth with enthusiasm. It was as if something heavy that had been wrapped around her limbs had been blown away.

「…Don’t joke with me. I’m not such a convenient person. Let’s get prepared. 」

Philos said with a cunning smile like the one she showed Lugis.

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