SWNOVELXO Chapter 543
Chapter 543. Remembrance and the Clock
Bishop Lexar… must have been filled with regret.
That man believed he would live and die as a vampire hunter.
I remember him boasting, “If I were caught off guard, I’d unleash a thunder spell to self-destruct along with the vampire before falling to its poisonous fangs.”
Who would have thought that such a Bishop would lose his life in battle against the Demon Lord’s Prince?
In terms of vanquishing the enemy of humanity, there isn’t much difference between vampire hunting and battling demon kind…
Yet, not being able to defeat that very Demon Lord’s Prince must bring him immense frustration. A swift vampire extermination and rescue of survivors at Aulitos Lake had been a remarkable feat, but the regret must be all the more profound…
(Speaking of which… Aulitos Lake)
At that thought, Tiisan suddenly remembered.
The letter left by Bishop Lexar at the Holy Church in the City of Toodoi. It mentioned, “I have joined forces with a user of extremely special secret arts, and since we have prospects for vampire extermination, I must hurry ahead…”
(“User of extremely special secret arts,” huh…)
It seems to overlap with the current situation.
Due to its confidential nature, the details weren’t stated, though.
“………”
Could this individual named “Alexa” have been recruited by Bishop Lexar—or could they be the same person?
(No way, right?)
Most likely, the one who thrived at Aulitos Lake was a user of secret arts adept at detecting vampires. Even if they could identify the location of vampires, a different skill would be needed to exterminate them.
It seems that this Alexa specializes in rapid extermination. I wish I could humbly request how one could defeat a vampire lurking in the depths of a collapsed mine in an instant…
On the flip side, anyone who is a vampire hunter would surely hand over their recruitment paper, whether they were Bishop Lexar or not. It wouldn’t be strange for Alexa to carry that.
(Well, there can’t possibly exist a versatile secret art that comprehensively handles everything from detection to extermination…)
If such a skill exists, I desperately want them to become a vampire hunter!
If it were Bishop Lexar, his eyes would light up, and he would recruit anyone regardless of whether they were a hidden child of a king or from a hero’s noble lineage.
Thinking this way, a bittersweet smile welled up within me.
Nostalgic, mournful…
(Bishop… it seems I, too, may soon join you over there…)
Gazing up at the slanting sun, Tiisan muttered to himself.
The day—and humanity’s time flooded with light—was gradually wearing away.
The term “setting sun” came to mind.
He thought he probably wouldn’t survive this battle.
Could someone like him, who specialized in vampire hunting, fare well in a formal battle?
…No, it would be like a hero trained solely in formal combat challenging vampire hunting. Considering it the other way around, it’s easy to see how reckless it would be.
At best, he might last a few hours; two days would be remarkable…
(Of course, I don’t plan on going down without a fight.)
Just like Bishop Lexar, before falling into the enemy’s hands, I’ll scatter thunder magic and make a striking exit. If possible, I’d like to take two or three demon race warriors or demon soldiers with me…!
“Speaking of Pitalar Kingdom, their herbal liquor is famous. I really like that stuff.”
“Yeah, the herbs grow well in our village.”
“What? Is that true?! That means I can drink it as much as I want…!?”
“No, I can’t drink at all, so I don’t really appreciate it.”
“You look like that but can’t drink?!”
“Hey, that’s pretty rude!”
“Ah, I’m sorry…”
“Ahahaha, don’t worry about it! I hear it all the time.”
As always, Reitar and the knights were in high spirits.
If possible, I wish to save as many knights here…
No, if I can help save the people living in this country, then I won’t hesitate to give my life.
(I’d like to avoid a scenario with no achievements.)
I must discern how best to use my life.
If I could meet a glorious end, surely Bishop Lexar would commend me in the afterlife.
And she too…
“………”
With a snap, Tiisan opened his pocket watch and gently ran his fingertip over the date engraved inside—her date of death.
Would that girl, my first love, also praise me?
Could I passionately narrate how I risked my life vampire hunting and how many achievements I garnered?
Just like when I offered her a bouquet in childhood… would she smile, looking perplexed?
“—What seems to be the matter, Tiisan-dono?”
Noticing Tiisan, who appeared to be checking the watch, Valentius asked with a hint of concern.
They likely think there’s something else on his mind.
“No, no.”
While closing the pocket watch, Tiisan answered with a wry smile.
“—It’s just a habit of mine to check the time.”
“Well, Tiisan is quite particular about time.”
Knowing the situation, Reitar chimed in to lighten the mood.
“Haha, and yet you’re always late…”
Tiisan played along, eliciting hearty laughter.
“—Well, thank you for the meal. It was very delicious.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Here, if you like, some dried fruit and sweets. Please enjoy them when you’re tired on the frontline.”
“How kind… thank you.”
Tiisan’s cheeks brightened as Valentius handed him a gift.
“Stay well, Reitar-dono!”
“Good luck!”
“Yeah, you all too! Let’s have a drink after the war; I can’t drink, though!”
Having warmed up to the knights, Reitar waved farewell.
Contrary to his initial apprehension, the two left Valentius’s tent feeling refreshed and satisfied.
“They were pleasant young ones.”
“Indeed.”
They were spirited youths, filled with a sense of mission. Hopefully, they too—
“………”
Amid the tents of knights and soldiers, he walked through the people resting in various forms.
These nobles, knights, and retainers were the sword and shield protecting the innocent.
However, from the perspective of those who lit the sacred light…
They, too, were “humans” worthy of protection.
“Reitar.”
“Yeah?”
“Let’s do our best.”
“Alright.”
Smiling, the moss-bearded giant, Reitar, grinned back at Tiisan’s words.
“If we don’t do this, we won’t be able to hold our heads up to Bishop Lexar.”
“Right?”
They shared a laugh, feeling as steady and clear as a cloudless sky.
—And then.
It was that night when it was discovered that Holack Fortress, presumed to withstand the demon army’s assault for several days, collapsed utterly within a day.
As the unseasoned people quivered at the terror of war finally revealing its fangs, the seasoned hunters of the Holy Church sharpened their blades while gazing at the night sky.
—Let this accursed night end here.
†††
“Guh… ugh…”
A sound of tortured groaning.
“Ugh… Guh! Nugh…!”
Lying suspended against the ceiling as though crucified, there was a man.
—His name, shining silver, was Lexar.
He looked like a deathly figure. In fact, he was already dead.
“Guu… nu…!!”
Bishop Lexar, twisting his face in agony, lamented—
“I haven’t hunted a vampire for over two days!”
Like a fish stranded on land, he thrashed about wildly.
The vampire hunters could only watch him with pitying expressions.
“Damn it, there were times when I couldn’t hunt anything for a month before!”
“After continuous nights of extermination, my senses became unhinged!”
“Damn it, it’s because this Odigos is capable…!!”
While the impatient vampire hunters glared at him, Odigos chuckled, stretching back triumphantly.
“I can’t… take this anymore!!”
Bishop Lexar’s eyes flared wide as he glared at me.
“Alex-kun!! Can’t you do something about this?!”
“Sorry, I can’t help right now!!”
Pouring all my dark magic into the task, I desperately replied.
Next to me, a sweat-drenched Ainz swung a hammer repeatedly.
And that’s how it is; I’m Alexa, who has been almost sleeplessly assisting with the blacksmithing ever since.
The reforging of Adamas isn’t even close to finishing!!!