Chapter One
Dame du Lac, the city on the lake.
the Kingdom of Highland.
the heart of the kingdom. Especially moreso now, with the 'Festival of the Holy Sword'
"Amazing! So this is the capital of Dame du Lac....! It's so lively!"
ever seen.
down the street. Both sides of it were lined with stores, so many that if he paid attention
turning in all directions at once while walking, and as a result almost bumped into
"Oh, I'm so sorry!"
exasperation.
"Sorry, it's just that everything's so strange!"
mentally agree : Well, I do know how what you feel.
urgings of his curiousity, Mikleo did his best to reply in a calm and rational manner.
"I guess not. Now then, where should we start looking....?"
calling out to him.
Both Sorey and Mikleo turned at the voice to find a shopkeeper at one of the stalls
"From the way you look, I daresay this must be your first time in Dame du Lac! Well,
gald! A total steal, eh?"
Sorey tilted his head blankly. He could tell that the silk was of high quality just by
After all, there was no such thing as 'currency' back in Elysia, where he had lived his
As he left the stall behind, he realized once again that he really, truly was in 'The Outside
And currency wasn't the only difference here, either.
Hair the color of pale aquamarine, skin so fair as to seem almost translucent,
Even from his perspective, Sorey thought that there was a beauty to Mikleo that would
straight into him as if they didn't realize that he was there, even though they were walking
Everyone passed them by as if Mikleo didn't exist.
Mikleo asked, noticing Sorey's gaze.
"So it seems. That shopkeeper from before also thought that you were travelling alone,
Sorey frowned a little upon hearing Mikleo's blithe answer.
The Seraphim were beings unlike ordinary humans, living through time spans that
could use. Legends told of how they onced live alongside humans, but their existence had
for the people of Glenwood.
The Seraphim were still living in this world even now, quietly, avoiding all contact with
Elysia was one such place. And Sorey was the sole human to have been raised there.
where Seraphim don't exist, I guess...."
This time Mikleo, too, frowned at the tinge of loneliness in Sorey's voice. The somber
"It'd be so nice if there's a way for Seraphim and humans to live together, though!"
a smile.
way'.
first. If nobody can see Seraphim, then nothing can be done."
"If people can see Seraphim by having high spiritual power....then, can't we do something
"I've never heard of a way to do something like that, though......whoa!"
balance. He fell forward, headfirst, but a startled Sorey jumped in to catch him.
"Something just suddenly...."
"A pig!?"
"Excuse me! That pig's part of our wares!"
The girl, whose hair was as bright as her voice, slapped the pig's back lightly before
"Sorry for startling you, he just ran off while we were delivering him to the client. You're
"Um...."
she couldn't see Mikleo himself. But while he was racking his brains for something
just act normal'.
The girl sighed in relief at his answer.
name of the Wagtail Wing merchant's guild would've been ruined forever!"
The plump----and frankly delicious-looking---pig refused to budge, however. The girl
hand.
Together, they managed to get the pig walking to the horse-drawn cart it came from.
"By 'merchant's guild', do you mean you travel to all sorts of different places?"
"The whole world? That's amazing! But isn't it hard to travel across different countries all
"Well, yeah. We're all protected by treaties of commerce, though, so we basically get a
"Wow!"
with the help of guild members waiting there.
"Thanks a lot, you were a big help there. I'm Rose, and you are?"
"We'll be staying in this city for a while, so just holler if you ever need anything! We'll
Rose winked, grinning. With how she said 'cheap' but definitely not 'free', it looked like
As he waved Rose and her crew goodbye, Mikleo spoke up after staying silent through it
"That was careless of me."
Sorey asked. Mikleo gave him a slightly exaggerated shrug.
"Mmm. So they can, now that you mention it."
especially in cities."
"In other words....even if humans can't see me, there are things that know I'm here."
Even though he was the one who said it, Mikleo was turning away with a huff, as if he
------it's not as if everything treats Seraphim like we don't exist.
little way he could.
straightforward at all with his kindness, and pulled his enthusiasm back together.
"Isn't that what I've been saying all along?"
ahead.
2.
ended up in front of a large mansion in the nobility's district.
Since Dame du Lac boasted hundreds of times more population than Elysia, they were
easy to find her house. Even moreso after they learned the identity that she adamantly
"So Alisha's the princess of Highland, huh?"
Alisha was a dignified woman.
moved, and the white ornament she used to tie her pale blonde hair up was lovely and
through, and it didn't surprise him in the least to learn that she was royalty.
She had lost her footing, slipped and injured herself, and Sorey helped her when she was
They were both avid readers of the Celestial Records, a book which documented legends
got along well after that.
"To think that she'd go exploring the ruins all by herself, though, even if they call her the
"Maybe she's just that desperate. Even though we still have no idea why Alisha went to
legends as her last resort."
swirling in that place.
He asked, and Sorey turned to look at the same street corner. He saw nothing but ordinary
But a Seraph like Mikleo could see it-----the Malevolence that was driving this world
"Mmm....anyway, the Malevolence is strong here in this city. It's hanging everywhere,
"Are you all right, Mikleo?"
"I'm still fine. I'm starting to feel that I'd rather not stay here long, though."
His experience with the pig still fresh, Mikleo immediately turned to look behind.
"Mikleo, over there!"
low, tail high, as if it was ready to pounce at any moment.
"What!?"
a curtain of fireballs circling the dog threateningly. The dog, too, couldn't help but take a
"Tch....pipe down, you damned mutt."
fire. And yes, it was a man, clad all in black with his long hair tied back in a crude
"You! That fox guy!"
like Alisha----although for entirely different reasons. The foxlike man, Lunarre, the
".......What a pain in the ass."
"Hey, wait! Mikleo, let's go after him!"
was weightless, rushing through the streets and jumping from rooftop to rooftop like the
themselves ending up in a dark back alley.
No one was there. However, Mikleo could see a much greater Malevolence swirling here
"This feeling.....he's here, no doubt about it."
ceremonial sword he carried for self-defense and began to step ahead cautiously Mikleo,
"........More annoyances I don't need. Great."
nowhere and everywhere at once, and it was impossible to tell where it originated.
reverberated through the alley.
"!"
something buried itself into the brickwork with a loud clank.
Lunarre pulled his claws up from the engouged streets, whipping his head to face Sorey
Both of them got to their feet immediately and reassumed their combat stance.
"And just who the hell are you......?"
"Oh, I see, I see. The hors d'oeuvres that I didn't get around to eating back in that village,
"We're here to stop you. ---------You're not going to kill Alisha."
someone turned into something inhuman by the Malevolence. And Hellions were not an
Still, he couldn't just turn a blind eye to someone who tried to kill his friends.
"Oh, so you're going to get in the way no matter what? Fine. I'll just have my appetizer
A strange glint lit up in his golden eyes, then Lunarre simply disappeared.
alley with a rain of sparks. Lunarre had jumped up and brought his claws down on Sorey,
"Well, now......that was a good parry, eh?"
Lunarre said cheerfully, as if he was greatly enjoy all this. In contrast, Sorey was in no
There wasn't any opening for him to push back against Lunarre's attack even if he wanted
This is bad.....!
"What's wrong now? Is it over already?"
Lunarre clicked his tongue, then jumped out of the way of the oncoming rush of water.
"Thanks, Mikleo!"
sword again.
"Maybe he was weakened by Gramps' Domain of Divine Protection back in Elysia."
Lunarre said, reaching out towards Sorey. A ball of fire appeared from his hand and
backwards.
Sorey's face twisted in pain as he hit the ground. Across the alley, he could see Mikleo
"Mikleo!"
there, completely still, his eyes closed.
"I'll kill you properly this time. For having the gall to get in my way when you're such
Lunarre made a show out of licking his claws with his long tongue, as if he wanted Sorey
"Stop it!"
in the ground next to Lunarre's feet.
Both Sorey and Lunarre instinctively turned to the origin of the knife. Leaving
"Don't move."
Snapping to attention even if he couldn't move, he glanced at Lunarre and saw that he,
Who.....!?
to the one holding the knife to Sorey's neck, his voice filled with unexpected fear.
"Lunarre, have you forgotten our rules?"
Lunarre shook his head at the sound of it.
Lunarre nodded vigorously, and then person behind Sorey spoke once more.
More people suddenly appeared from nowhere at all. Grabbing Lunarre, they disappeared
Someone who could make that Lunarre so afraid....
"The assassination order on Princess Alisha is a mistake. We will target her no more."
"........Are you telling me to believe you?"
The knife quietly left his neck. He immediately tried to turn, but a thundering cry stopped
"Don't turn!"
"You don't have the leisure to be investigating us now, do you? If you're worried about
".......What do you mean?"
"Are you saying there are other people trying to put Alisha in danger!?"
"Why did you tell me about that?"
Only their voice rang through the alley. Sorey was lost in thought for a moment, then felt
"Maybe......I should've thanked them for that, I guess?"
of wind.
3.
It was a festival deeply linked to the legend of the Shepherd as told in Dame du Lac.
shrine would receive the blessings of its guardian, the Lady of the Lake, and they would
Held for the first time in many years, the festival was bustling with activity. The line of
number of people just trying it out for fun.
and decided to find another entrance.
Alisha was really at the shrine, after all.
Sorey said, remembering the decorative stylings on the front door, his voice more like a
"Probably built during the Age of Faith, I'd surmise."
"Is it? I wonder."
Their discussion began to heat up.
when archaelogy-related things came up. They had always been like this ever since their
it together well past their bedtime, the hours all but forgotten.
in Dame du Lac?"
always carried before catching himself.
He put it back, flustered, then continued to look for the alternate entrance.
upwards. However, the soldiers guarding it naturally prevented Sorey from getting in.
Denied entry and given no chance to bargain, Sorey hung his head down in
"Should I give you a hand?"
"Rose? Why are you here!?"
them on, and then I saw you arguing with the guards. You want to get in no matter what,
"Yeah, Alisha is...."
"Too much information, Sorey."
up and down frantically. "Um! A-anyway, I'd be glad for any help you can help! If you'll
He covered up his gaff clumsily, but Rose didn't seem to find him suspicious at all. She
"Okay, then. You're going to need some money."
"That's right. Something to bribe Sir Guard over there with. Cash always make
"How much do I need?"
"A thousand gald!?"
wouldn't change the fact that it contained far, far less than a thousand gald any.
Sorey stammered. Rose then asked, "Okay, how about I buy something from you?"
His hand still on his chest, Sorey tilted his head thoughtfully. He reached back to the
fingertips.
Rose and Mikleo's eyes widened when they saw what he took out.
Taking the pipe from him, Rose scrutinized it intently.
has got to be worth more than a thousand gald, we've got to get it properly appraised...."
Sorey looked at Rose as if he was urging her to go.
Lightly jumping up the stairs, she began to talk to the soldier guarding the back door.
The pipe Sorey just gave Rose was a farewell gift from Gramps, Sorey's foster parent.
he gave his favourite pipe to Mikleo and asked him to give it to Sorey as the latter was
Rose gave them a wave a few moments later. Transaction successful, apparently.
Mikleo said to Sorey with clearly intentional exuberance, giving him a push in the back.
Sorey closed his eyes once, lightly. When he started walking forward again, he was
---------
festivities, when she noticed someone approaching. As she realized who the new guests
"Sorey!"
"Welcome to our city! Are you here for the Trial of the Sword!?"
again.
who could pull the holy sword out of the altar and become the Shepherd, it'd be someone
Sorey shook his head no, however.
"Huh.....?"
How Lunarre appeared in Elysia after Alisha's departure.
followed Lunarre all the way to the capital.
"What that mysterious group said is true. There are many people who do not think well of
"But, Alisha....."
The strength of Alisha's resolve rendered Sorey speechless.
There was nothing more to be said.
soon. Please do stay and watch it to the end."
Mikleo had been watching everything quietly. Sorey leaned close to him and whispered.
"It's incredible...."
"Well, we've came this far. Let's have a look at the Festival of the Holy Sword, shall we?"
Peering at it from the side hall, both Sorey and Mikleo cried out all at once.
They weren't surprised at seeing the holy sword buried deep into the dais, the symbol of
They were surprised because a long-haired woman was sleeping on it, as if she had
"Mikleo! That's......is that the Lady of the Lake!?"
"No one here can see her, that means she's got to be a Seraph!"
And what's more, she was a person the legends told of.
"Indeed. It must be that you can't pull that sword out unless you talk to her. So that's why
Mikleo agreed, then continued.
The altar was filled with the groans and shouts of participants trying to pull the sword
comfortably. She was something, all right.
"Me!? But, it's...."
and Alisha appeared on top of the podium.
"My people of Dame du Lac! This long-awaited Festival of the Holy Sword had been
Alisha has granted us her understanding and complete cooperation, and that is why we
Urged by Maltran, Alisha stepped forward.
bad harvests, and political instability with our neighbours. I believe, however, that it is
The gathered civilians all gave her a loud applause at the end of her dignified speech.
at her side and waved it theatrically.
She said, throwing the torch into the pyre stacked behind her.
The noise of the fire woke up the Lady of the Lake, who got up and corrected her posture
wasn't entirely sure what was going on. Alisha, of course, didn't notice her antics as she
"Lady of the Lake! Purify our sorrows! Purify our sins with your inferno!"
light, the Lady of the Lake turned her head downwards, a strangely somber expression on
"Why does she look so sad....?"
along, maybe?"
Sorey leaned forward and peered at her.
solemnly, heralding the end of the festivities.
peace and prosperity!"
"Prayers!? To hell with your damned prayers!"
"Will praying bring back our jobs!? Can you answer me that!?"
"The entire reason the cabinet's withholding exclusive trade agreements for crops and
dogs!?"
who had all been enjoying themselves before. Their faces darkened with anxiety,
corner.
Mikleo frowned. Beside him, Sorey stared at the Lady of the Lake. She had been glaring
"You're only doing this to justify the cabinet's ego! We're not falling for this farce!"
grew louder. A guard standing below the dais started, as if he sensed danger, and thrusted
"Silence! Do not disturb the festival!"
stay silent at that.
Before she could even finish saying it, however, the soldier hit the man with his spear.
The crowd exploded in rage. Fueled by their discontent, they came rushing in, fists raised
"This is bad.....!"
shrine, mixing in with the insurgents. On a closer look, it was apparent that he was the
to be fighting were helping him get away from the shrine.
Sorey stopped mid-run at the sound of Mikleo's voice, then turned to Alisha and shouted.
Alisha immediately spun toward the direction Sorey was pointing to and saw the guard
"This is the minister's handiwork, no doubt about it."
Alisha bit her lips. An insurgent ran to her, fists raised.
Alisha's face crumpled in anguish. Then, she turned to strike back at the insurgent.
purity rang through the halls.
It was none other than the Lady of the Lake, standing on the top of the podium. It looked
And yet she continued.
Of course no one heard her, even if she had waited there alone for so long----or so it
"A Hellion!?"
raised his face upwards and wailed as if he was a beast.
Alisha exclaimed in surprise. She turned to Sorey and Mikleo.
It was right there in plain sight for Sorey and Mikleo. A swirling black fire, rising to
The man stopped shrieking then, spinning to face Sorey and Mikleo.
"Did he turn into a Hellion....."
Mikleo remained alert, too, as he looked around the shrine-turned-battlefield.
Hellions are born....more Hellions are going to appear if this isn't stopped!"
head hung low.
The Lady of the Lake started with a jolt. Then she turned to Sorey.
"Lady of the Lake, can't you do something!?"
Mikleo shouted, too, and the Lady of the Lake widened her eyes as she saw him, as if she
"Can.....both of you.....?"
Sorey nodded at the question she wasn't able to articulate.
Rushing it with a speed far surpassing that of ordinary men, it brought its claws down on
With a terrible sound, the pyre collapsed. The fire roared, rising up into a conflagration,
fire soon spread to the ceremonial banners hanging down from the ceiling, filling the
"Mikleo! Put out the fire!"
with ordinary fires!"
directed it on the roaring fire.
"It's getting worse, Mikleo....! The Hellions just keep popping up!"
Mikleo quickly scanned the room, too. Indeed, several more werewolves have appeared
"It's not just the violence, the fear and the confusion here are also giving birth to the
"If this keeps up.....!"
"The power of purification is not for me to use, but for the one who takes out this sword,
"Then!"
Both Mikleo and Alisha exclaimed in surprised at his sudden action.
His fingertips were about to touch the blade when---
Looking up, he saw the Lady of the Lake standing before him with sorrow written on her
"To become my sword is to become my vessel, and there will be a fate that you must
The black fire swell and rose. The heat was so strong that it felt like it could burn their
admonishing herself.
average man, there will be those who find you terrifying, and there will be times when
order to save mankind and Seraphim alike from the Hellions...."
As if she was praying.
The Lady cast her eyes downwards, brimming with the colors of sadness. Sorey looked
"Is that the fate of the Shepherd....? Are you saying that he has to accept that right now!?"
time, and in terrible circumstances like this, too.
"Yes. That's why....."
voice. Her fingertips were white.
He was being forced to make a terrible choice, but his heart was calm.
"May I ask for your name?"
The Lady of the Lake looked up to find Sorey's gentle gaze meeting hers.
"Lailah."
thought.
that somewhere in times long past lies the knowledge of how humans and Seraphim can
Both the black flames and the Hellions' onslaught were bearing down on them, but Lailah
voice.
purifying Hellions means saving humans and Seraphim both, that's got to be connected to
"Sorey.....you're....."
see an unyielding resolve there, as plain as day. It was easy to see for him. They had been
Sorey took a deep breath. His throat felt like it was on fire.
his dream at last was far stronger than any fire could be.
As he made that dauntless declaration, Sorey grabed the holy sword.
"I have long been waiting for this day. For a person with a heart so pure that the
She said, somehow sounding as if she was on the verge of tears, and light swelled from
gently released her hands from his, and on Sorey's hand was a mark of the dragon.
"Now, Sorey-san! Take the sword!"
Sorey gripped the handle of the holy sword once more, gathered all his strength together,
He closed his eyes. Something hot, something burning, was rushing from the blade to his
Everyone in the room turned to the epicenter of the strange tremor to see a young man
"Sorey, did you really.......!?"
Alisha stared, unable to take her eyes off him, forgetting how to blink.
"Haaaaah!"
number of paper slips into the air as if in response to his attack. The paper slips turned to
"The fires are gone....!?"
"O Great Shepherd! My Lord! That person, he's the Lord Shepherd come!"
too, were unable to take their eyes off him.
had removed most of the black fire, but it stilled roared in the big bonfire, burning,
He came to stand before it. Werewolves appeared out of nowhere, and even Hellion
"Let's do it, Sorey-san!"
In response to Lailah's voice, Sorey swung his sword in a great arc. Lailah's paper slips
As the paper slips turned into silvery white fire, they surrounded the werewolves rushing
"Gyaaa!"
"This is the power of purification...."
"Malevolence....I see. So there's just that much 'malevolence' tainting this world, then."
Lailah asked as she aimed for a slime sneaking behind their backs with silvery fire.
"Yeah....I think so. Is it that thing looking like a black fog hanging here and there?"
Even if he had become the vessel and everything, it was hard to believe that he could get
"Sorey-san, if it's you....!"
Just as Sorey turned to the sound of Lailah's voice.
The black flame in the pyre shook as if it was alive and with a mind of its own, surging
"......!!"
Sorey couldn't breathe in the midst of the searing flames, and he fell to his knees. Lailah
To make matters worse, the slimes had also entered the fire, heading straight on top of
"Nnnngh! I'm not going to sit here and let you kill me!"
"Sorey-san, it's time to show them the true power of the Shepherd."
"I shall give you my true name."
"That's......your....."
body with it. That's the true power of those who call themselves Shepherds!"
Using every ounce of strength he had left, Sorey stood up, held his sword high and cried.
The mark of the dragon appeared on Sorey's left hand again in that instant, and the same
grew to encompass Sorey.
change was occurring in him, too. His light brown hair turned gold, a color like that of
blue clothes turned white, embroidered with gold, his earrings and hair ornament dyed
As the light surrounding him finally faded, his eyes slowly opened.
blazing fire.
In the midst of flames, Sorey looked at himself on impulse, tugging at his own long hair.
Lailah's voice rang from inside his head.
"All right! Let's purify everything at once!"
bigger than the entire length of his body.
"Let's go!"
Raaaaaaaarr!!
fading away. All the flames faded away from the shrine, and Sorey quietly landed on the
"Sorey......!"
smile.
Alisha staggered towards him. The shrine was quiet, as if someone had doused the entire
"Mmm. I've become the Shepherd."
everything else.
For the first time in decades, a Shepherd was born.