Vol 8 Chapter 3 (1/2)
Chapter 3 - The Knights and the Sword Trial
Part 1
That human kept opposing him with wonderful tenacity.
As leader of the divine beings called Danann, he swung an invincible
sword.
He was a king and a warrior, a mighty G.o.d. His opponent, although hard to
believe, was no hero. The blond man was not even a mage.
But the long spear swung by that human showed splendid skill.
He could give high praise to the martial arts that child of man had learned.
”Let us stop this, you who are destined to die. However hard you try to
fight, it will not change my victory. Saint George, who brought you to this
other world, has already perished. He pa.s.sed, leaving nothing but that
spear. Even if you follow him in death, you can choose a gentler way.”
Thrust, slash, swipe.
The human's spearmans.h.i.+p was ever-changing. There was not a single
mediocre attack.
But he did not bother with them one by one. Moving his sword and arm
purely by reflex, he warded them all off.
Alas, child of man, your enemy is an unrivaled invincible G.o.d.
Most likely the human had used up all of the skills he had learned.
Gradually he cast technique aside and simply thrust the spear. Aiming at
his — the G.o.d's body, he thrust out the spearhead with a clear heart.
Again and again, he foolishly repeated it. With a clear heart. With a clear
mind. Not thinking, not feeling anything.
Or maybe combat experience had made him realize the most difficult
secret along the martial path, that of attaining the mental realm of serenity
and nothingness.
If that was the case, this human held unimaginable talent.
Splendid. He smiled.
The spear the human wielded sent the invincible sword in his hands flying.
The sword danced high through the air and fell at the human's feet.
However, Saint George's spear which had allowed this exploit had been
smashed to pieces. Before reaching its end it had saved the human
warrior. Repelling his sword was truly worthy of praise.
”Your master George has perished and you have reached your limit.
Therefore, child of man, your hope has already vanished.”
”...Nahh. We're just starting. With this I can finally fight for real.”
The blond human stretched his hand out towards the sword sticking in the
ground before him.
Claiomh Solais [1] .
He gripped the otherworldly steel that should be handled by the lord of the
Tuatha De Danann^ and took it.
”Spears aren't bad, but this type of thing is still better. If I don't lay my
hands on a weapon like this, I can never get fired up enough to enter my
truly serious mode. Sorry, but I'll be borrowing your sword.”
He was striving for victory, fighting to the very end.
Commendable spirit. It was truly magnificent fearlessness. Or maybe he
was just a moron.
In reality, a mortal human should not be able to handle that sword. He
shouldn't be able to use it as a simple blade, to say nothing of the divine
power hidden inside. Well, it might be useful as a steel club...
He called a new sword into his hands and casually took a stance.
Although not as much as his s.h.i.+ning sword, it was sharp. With this he
would bring death to the fool who challenged a G.o.d. It was the least he
could do for that idiotic hero.
The G.o.d and the simple human crossed blades, fighting between life and
death.
After a long, long time, a winner was finally decided and the duel came to a
close. The tale to be told this time takes place after this event.
Part 2
The refres.h.i.+ng early summer atmosphere of June was hanging over the
hills of Tuscany.
”It's not too bad after all. If only the one accompanying me wasn't you.”
The current location was the southern gates of Porta Romana at the
ancient city of Florence.
As the car continued along its way, swathes of farmland soon came into
view.
This scenery of green rolling hills covering the landscape was unique to
Tuscany. This was the time of year before the arrival of the merciless
summer heat, and the air was filled with joy as it came rus.h.i.+ng through the
open windows of the car.
”Hey Gennaro, you should be a relatively sensitive person. Isn't this a
wonderful occasion?”
”So annoying! You are a little girl who chatters away without end!”
Roaring at the graceful Erica Blandelli was the driver, an unrefined man.
Gennaro Gantz.
A Great Knight belonging to the magic a.s.sociation, the [Copper Black
Cross].
His ma.s.sive bearded appearance was full of solemnity and completely
concealed his mere age of nineteen. One could easily mistake him for
twenty-five or six in age. He was not very tall but extremely well built. A
patterned bandanna, wrapped around his head, made him look like a
pirate who had jumped out from a movie screen.
”If it wasn't our great leader Paolo who made the request, 'Please give my
niece a ride,' and therefore impossible to refuse, I wouldn't have said
something like 'Leave it all to me!' without a thought!”
”Precisely, your inability to come up with a pertinent manner of refusal
shows how slow-witted you are. Truly hopeless.”
Retorting at nineteen-year-old Gennaro, Erica was only twelve at the time.
However, her adult-like beauty and slender figure as well as lady-like
demeanor were not typical of her age.
”Since I have no wish for you to drive and you don't want to be anywhere
near me, look, our interests are aligned. But you have agreed to Uncle's
requests twice already... How about it, let me give you a lesson on the
basics of social etiquette right now?”
”Give me a break, I'll never be able to remember your sharp-tongued
manner of speech!”
Erica was not sitting on the pa.s.senger side next to the driver but on one of
the back seats.
Obviously, it was to avoid sitting beside Gantz.
Both of them were knights and members of the [Copper Black Cross].
In the world of magi in southern European countries like Italy and Spain,
”knights” meant Templar Knights. Of course, the real Order of the Knights
Templar recorded in history — the ”Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of
the Temple of Solomon” had already disbanded in the early fourteenth
century.
However, a small number of people survived.
There were those who inherited their magic and martial arts, as well as
those who inherited their wealth.
These people, who continued to call themselves ”knights,” were not simply
magi but also special ability users skilled in martial arts and priding
themselves on their n.o.ble spirit of chivalry.
(Originally, Templar Knights were supposed to be members of Christian
monastic orders — commonly called monks, but this distinction blurred
over time, allowing women like Erica to become knights. The original
Knights Templar did not accept women as members.)
Whether Erica or Gantz, both were comrades who aspired to the same
ideals of chivalry.
But their fundamental incompatibility could not be overcome.
Born in Reggio Calabria on the southern tip of the Italian peninsula, Gantz
was a wild and rough but good man with a kind heart. On the other hand,
Erica was an elegant young beauty born and raised in the northern Italian
metropolis of Milan, as well as being the little princess of the prestigious
House of Blandelli (and even tracing their ancestry to a Devil King
Campione).
The difference in upbringing was an unbridgeable gulf.
Furthermore, as the closest rivals, the two of them were inevitably going to
compete for the [Diavolo Rosso] position. This was the t.i.tle of the premier
knight representing the [Copper Black Cross].
They were members of the [Copper Black Cross], one of the top magic
a.s.sociations in the world.
On the other hand, not all members were Italians.
Particularly for talented members amongst the core leaders.h.i.+p, many were
recruited from various countries. However, it was customary for the
commander-in-chief and the [Diavolo Rosso] to be selected from Italians.
And amongst the young and talented destined to rise to ranks of the core
leaders.h.i.+p, Erica and Gantz were the only two Italian-born knights.
This was the fundamental reason why they always maintained their
distance from each other.
The present generation's [Diavolo Rosso], Paolo Blandelli, was Erica's
uncle.
His request for Gantz to take care of his niece must have been an attempt
to improve relations between the young candidates for core leaders.h.i.+p... It
carried such sentiments.
— But anyway, the sports car driven by Gantz was now racing across the
Tuscan fields.
Their destination was a village roughly twenty minutes away from Florence.
This was an old monastery probably established during the Middle Ages.
Rumored to have been built as a stronghold, its surrounding stone walls
were of st.u.r.dy construction.
After Gantz stopped the car on the outskirts of the premises, Erica got off
together with her baggage.
”The means of return has already been prepared so there is no need for
you to wait here. I wish you well, Gennaro. Though it wasn't a delightful
journey, it is necessary to express thanks for your efforts.”
”If you want to say thanks, be more upfront with it! Bye!”
Gantz left and drove off in a hurry.
Erica walked towards the monastery.
Her extraordinary talent had already been recognized at the age of twelve,
and she had been officially awarded the t.i.tle of ”Knight” two weeks earlier.
Receiving a blessing at this place was customary for new inductees like
her.
...In that case, that other girl was likely here as well.
She had heard that there was another who received the t.i.tle around the
same time at another magic a.s.sociation, the [Bronze Black Cross].
”Just as I thought, exactly as predicted.”
A familiar girl was standing there in the garden of the monastery.
The beautiful silver hair was kept straight and long. Delicate facial beauty
made for a perfect combination with the slender and glamorous figure,
producing an appearance akin to a fairy descending upon the mortal realm
from the moon. However, the girl's profile revealed a stern expression.
Despite her young age, her eyes shone with a resolute l.u.s.ter of knightly
pride.
Like Erica, she was twelve years old.
Similarly, she was a prodigy from a prestigious magic a.s.sociation based in
Milan.
Standing before Erica was Liliana Kranjcar whom she had already known
for the past ten years.
”Greetings, Lily. Truly, our fates are bound together tightly as ever.”
”...Please do not call me using such an intimate nickname. Furthermore,
our meeting here is not coincidence. Instead, it should be described as
inevitable. You too, came here to receive the 'sword'?”
Her stiff manner of speech suited neither her age nor her gender.
This was, of course, part of Liliana's personality, which Erica smilingly
accepted.
The silver-haired childhood friend was flawless in appearance and intellect,
but lacked lady-like aspirations. She would make a good knight, a good
wife and a good mother, but she would never become a flower of the court
like a salon patroness.
”Yes, it is exactly as you say, Lily.”
”Hmph... I already reminded you and here you go acting intimately without
any mindfulness.”
Whether Erica, who never changed her ways, or Liliana, set in her
displeased expression, both of them were here for the same purpose.
It was customary for new knights in northern Italy to be bestowed their
personal sword at this San Gilardino Monastery (of course, it was limited to
just the knights of the seven prestigious magic a.s.sociations).
Weapons used by knights were all specially crafted.
Taking steel smelted through alchemy, master craftsmen forged and
polished them into blades further strengthened through alchemy — only
such swords and spears were worthy of being treasured.
Ever since ancient times, this monastery had been the holy sanctum where
young knights were bestowed with weapons and blessed.
It was said that the Medici family in Florence at the height of the
Renaissance was already managing this industry.
”Having been summoned here specially, allow me to express my deepest
grat.i.tude. Erica Blandelli pays her respects today as invited.”
Noticing the approaching monk, Erica greeted gracefully.
Since she was visiting as a knight, vulgar behavior would not be tolerated.
Erica Blandelli's a.s.sertive yet graceful personality made her the center of
attention in the vast majority of situations.
”I am the eldest daughter of the Kranjcar family, Liliana. I shall be in your
care.”
In comparison, Liliana's greeting lacked individuality and common
pleasantries.
Despite being a knight with a witch's disposition, as well as possessing
great potential rivaling Erica's, she only applied herself towards being a
soldier no matter what.
”For a long time, I have heard much about you two prodigies of Milan.”
The monk in a black habit was a man in his prime who replied calmly to the
two girls' greetings.
Despite the loose fitting garment, it was apparent that the man's physique
was very well-trained.
From his approaching footsteps and the manner he carried himself, his
extraordinary martial arts was readily apparent. As befitted the leader of
the monastery of swords.
”It is truly delightful to witness such outstanding talent from the two girls
hailing from prestigious families. This monastery will perform the blessings
for the award ceremony and bestow weapons worthy of chivalric honor.
May you one day follow in the footsteps of our predecessor Saint
Raffaello.”
”Yes, in order to become a praiseworthy knight, I shall strive to improve
myself.”
Liliana bowed her head in response to the monk's polite words.
Doing everything by the book was in her character. But acting in all
seriousness did not suit Erica, who wanted to say something more
interesting.
”As newcomers like us, I am extremely touched by this rare occasion... By
the way, speaking of following in the footsteps of Saint Raffaello, it would
be most delightful if we can begin emulating with the ”Blessing of the
Sword” ceremony.”
”Oh?”
The monk showed emotion for the first time, smiling wryly in response to
Erica's politely delivered words of audacity.
At the same time, Liliana was frowning beside her.
”Wait a minute, Erica. What is the meaning of such shameless words?”
”My, Lily, what adversarial interpretations. Listen well then, our esteemed
monk here asked us to 'walk in the footsteps of Saint Raffaello,' right? That
means learning from the great lady swordsman, the one who received the
'Position of the Knight of the Holy Grail,' as well as being the highest
ranking Templar Knight.”
The t.i.tle of the premier knight at Erica's [Copper Black Cross] was the
[Diavolo Rosso].
[Saint Raffaello] was also a t.i.tle of similar nature.
The Florentine a.s.sociation [Capital of Lilies] bestowed the t.i.tle on the their
most gallant knight. The present generation Saint Raffaello was a woman.
Though she had retired from the front lines long ago, she was still
considered Europe's strongest swordsman.
”Due to Saint Raffaello's outstanding swordsmans.h.i.+p, a special exception
was made and two swords were bestowed instead of one, becoming a
legend pa.s.sed down in this monastery.”
”That's right, it's the Twin Swords of the Lion and the Master Musician.”
Erica's eloquence forced the monk's wry smile to become even more
severe.
Finally, Liliana erupted in an expression full of anger and glared at Erica
furiously.
”So in other words, Dame Erica, let us imitate the story of Saint Raffaello
and bestow you with two swords, how about that?”
”Please do not joke of such matters! No matter how much you wish to
follow in the footsteps of the great knight, going that far would be too
disrespectful!”
” — No, I was not suggesting that. Besides, it would be too impertinent.”
Met with their objections, Erica's beautiful face smiled like the devil.
This was completely unexpected. This was Erica Blandelli, the one who
always accomplished what no one could predict.
”A few years ago just before her retirement, Saint Raffaello paid this
monastery a visit, bearing her two bestowed swords. Back then, she said
'rather than have these two swords accompany an old lady like me, why
not give them a more befitting mission of helping young knights in their
adventures?”'
With that, she had returned the two famous magic swords.
”Having learned of the above story, we, Erica Blandelli and her ally, Liliana
Kranjcar, wish to come here as the new masters of the twin swords.”
With extravagant words, she expressed her wish.
The elderly Saint Raffaello had exited the world stage a long time ago.
(To be precise, she belonged to the same era as Italy's highest ranked
witch, Lucretia Zola.)
The anecdote of her retirement was picked up while researching the details
of various top European magi.
”Seeking to receive two swords at once like Saint Raffaello would, of
course, be too impertinent. However, if we were each to receive one of the
twin swords left behind by the great predecessor, there is nothing
impertinent about inheriting her will. I implore you to satisfy my wish.”
After all, if a sword was to be bestowed, it was only natural to wish for a
better one.
Erica had planned this from the start. Taking into account that Liliana
happened to be around to satisfy the requirement for the twin swords, it
was perfect.
However, the silver-haired childhood friend and rival still bore an
expression of displeasure.
She was struggling against opposing emotions — anger at being used by
Erica's scheming on one hand, and intense temptation offered by Saint
Raffaello's twin swords on the other.
”I see. I now understand Dame Erica's wish.”
The monk went from a wry smile to a complete laugh. What was going to
happen next?
The famous ”Twin Swords of the Lion and the Master Musician”
reappearing in the world once more and bestowed upon new users —
such an event could not possibly happen without widespread report.
”However, in actual fact there are conditions here that you two may not
know. The great one has retired in seclusion in the vicinity of Florence. In
response, this monastery proposed to her the following — we entrusted
Saint Raffaello with the twin swords again together with the task of
personally testing prospective new users to see if they were worthy of
receiving the swords and continuing her legend.”
So that was how things worked. It required meeting the legendary paladino
for her personal approval.
Erica nodded arrogantly, while Liliana suddenly became greatly emotional.
”What... Not only do I get to meet Saint Raffaello, but also the chance to
inherit her magic sword — What are you dallying for, Erica, hurry and let us
set off now!”
”What's come over you, Lily, with this sudden motivation?”
The unexpected intensity of her childhood friend's enthusiasm seemed to
be slightly ruining Erica's mood.
”I have always wished to follow the same path as my admired idol, Saint
Raffaello. Though it is with great reluctance that I yield to your conniving
schemes, it is of no importance at this time. Let us go meet her
immediately! Go!”
” Well, I see now.”
Once roused, Liliana's pa.s.sion knew no bounds. The silver-haired
childhood friend essentially acted in complete accordance with Erica's
predictions.
Though manipulating her was a simple matter, there were times when she
exceeded expectations. In those occasions, even Erica found it difficult to
keep her in check. It was exactly like the type of girl who is so
simpleminded that she is impossible to understand and unexpectedly
difficult to handle.
”So, esteemed monk, where does Saint Raffaello live?”
”For real...? Actually, we don't know either.”
The monk gave a perfunctory answer to Liliana's impatient question.
”Saint Raffaello apparently thinks that this sort of information should be
found out by yourself. That is why she disappeared into seclusion without
letting us know.”
”Oh my... this turns out to be unexpectedly challenging.”
Erica smiled, intent on taking on the unforeseen challenge.
There were many villages and roads scattered across the countryside in
the surroundings of Florence. Trying to find a woman whose name and
face were unknown would prove to be quite a troublesome ch.o.r.e.
However, this was welcomed. This kind of trouble, I shall overcome as
many of them as they present themselves.
”Other than us, have there been any others who sought the twin swords?”
Liliana posed another question to the monk.
”Quite a few. However, almost all of them gave up because they were
unable to locate Saint Raffaello.”
”Almost all... In other words, there were exceptions?”
”Yes, one. No one could have expected such an idiot to succeed.
However, that fellow was not seeking to inherit the twin swords. All he
wanted was to meet Saint Raffaello.”
The monk cast aside his strict tone of voice for once, using the word ”idiot.”
”His swordsmans.h.i.+p was truly exceptional. Yes, having witnessed the skill
of so many masters, I've never seen anyone like him. However, he was a
complete failure in magic. With such low ability, he was never regarded as
a successor candidate in the first place.”
So that was what happened. Erica nodded.
No matter what, it was useful to know that someone had once succeeded.
In that case, surely she can do the same. Erica's lips naturally shaped
themselves into a glamorous smile.
It was neither a n.o.blewoman's smile nor a devil's mischievous smile.
Rather, it was more like a lioness' smile. An expression fitting for the
beautiful female knight about to undertake a difficult and risky challenge.
— At this time, an unexpected intruder appeared.
A young man had squirmed his way through the gates of the monastery.
He was a handsome man with well-proportioned facial features and messy
blonde hair, but looked rather haggard and lacking in ambition. Despite his
slim physique, it was clear that his body had undergone intense training.
Around twenty in age or so, he was from the same generation as Gennaro
Gantz. Dressed casually in a half-sleeved t-s.h.i.+rt and cotton shorts,
everything was wide open and in a tattered disheveled state.
This young man was walking unsteadily with no strength in his steps.
”This man?! ...What a coincidence. Returning here again after one year.”
Muttering softly, the monk approached the young man.
Liliana went over to inquire about the situation.
”Is he affiliated with this place? I've never seen him amongst the monks.”
”No, but he is related to the current conversation. He is the hopeless idiot
mentioned just now. The method he used was to visit each of the nearby
villages, and against every single female he encountered — even young
girls and old ladies without exception — he would swing a wooden branch,
saying that out of these hundred and seventy people, the one who dodged
his strike must be Saint Raffaello. That is why we call him the hopeless
idiot.”
Well, he did withdraw all attacks on contact. The fact that no one was hurt
was rather laudable.
Explaining this, the monk sighed.
Liliana went ”Huh?” with a shocked expression. Erica too, agreed that he
was an idiot, for it was quite a surprise that such a dangerous man was not
arrested by the police...
However, it stood as fact that such an unbelievable method succeeded.
Because she was — rather, precisely because she was the brilliantly
talented Erica, such a ridiculous idea never occurred to her.
”Hey, what is going on!? What on earth happened!?”
The young man did not respond to the monk's questions.
Instead, he fell over headlong, losing consciousness. The monk frantically
hurried over and started examining the young man's body.
Was injury or disease the cause? The conclusion was neither.
The young man's stomach gave off an enormous rumble. Apparently he
had fainted from hunger.
”Scaring others for no reason just like before... Hmm? What, this wound
is?”
The monk's gaze focused on the upper body which had been undressed
for examination. There was an enormous red-black scar where the right
arm connected to the shoulder.
It looked like the entire right arm had been amputated and welded back
together —
A strange and horrifying sight. An ominous feeling, as well as a mysterious
and incredible scar.
Part 3
”Ah, so full now, I'm so grateful.”
The young man was wolfing food down with a delighted voice.
In the modest kitchen of the monastery, plates on the workbenches were
filled with hard bread local to the region of Tuscany.
Then there were bottles of unlabeled red wine fermented in the village.
Both were provided by the monks.
”Then having expressed my thanks, it would be even more perfect if I
could have some meat and vegetables here. For me, right now,
carbohydrates are not really enough...”
”Regrettably, today's food has all been consumed.”
The monk spoke casually unlike the way he was talking to Erica and
Liliana earlier.
”We've never gone out to buy other stuff, so give it up... By the way, where
have you been and what have you been doing all this time? A year ago,
after you found Saint Raffaello, you were clearly training under her for a
while, but disappeared after a month.”
”Haha... That's it, so that's what I did, maybe.”
”This fellow never talks seriously, just like before! Respond seriously to
me!”
The monk started to get annoyed at the young man's stupid face.
But the young man remained unfazed and calmly wiped his mouth with a
napkin.
”I am being serious in my own way. Well, let's put that aside for now, it's
time to get going.”
”What?”
”My first priority is to recover the state of my body. I will gladly express my
thanks for your hospitality, someday... But first, I need to find some place
better stocked in food.”
The young man got up and quickly left the kitchen.
”So, I'll be going now, bye!”
The young man's footsteps were as quick and light as the spring breeze.
Calling out was not going to delay his departure. Erica and Liliana
exchanged glances as they observed quietly.
”Esteemed monk, we will also take our leave.”
”We will surely obtain Saint Raffaello's approval and return with the twin
swords. When that time comes, please bestow the blessing upon us.”
The two knight inductees got up from the table and bid their respective
farewells.
Liliana rigidly adhering to preset forms, while Erica was as glamorous as a
n.o.blewoman. The monk smiled wryly as he prayed for their safety.
”On the battlefield, only unparalleled speed is truly invincible. Taking action
swiftly and never letting fortune slip by — such spirit and initiative is
admirable. But that man is too much of a fool, but at the same time,
someone extraordinary. Please take care.”
Those were the monk's final words as he saw the two girls off from the
monastery.
”Hey, wait up! Where on earth are you going?”
Erica yelled at the young man who was hurrying on his way ahead.
As he walked briskly along the dirt road in the countryside, his blonde hair
was shaking side to side.
”Umm... Sorry, who are you people again?”
”I am Liliana Kranjcar, knight of the [Bronze Black Cross], this one here is
Erica Blandelli of the [Copper Black Cross].”
”Hmm, sounds a bit familiar, did I remember wrong?”
The young man looked bewildered after Liliana announced their names.
”There's some kind of familiar feeling.”
”We just met at the monastery. Standing next to the monk.”
”Oh, so that's why you look so familiar!”
The young man looked very laid back, but did not seem to be lying.
Could he really have forgotten faces he had met mere minutes ago?
”I'm sorry, I'm someone who's not very good at remembering names and
faces — that's what I believe. It's like those kinds of memories are
sometimes there, sometimes not.”
”Why are you talking about yourself as if commenting on another person...”
”Well, you know, it's surprisingly difficult for humans to look objectively at
things related to themselves. So it's not a bad idea to practice this kind of
thing.”
”Even so, for memories to become fuzzy after a mere five minutes, it is
very problematic!”
Liliana angered for the first time at the young man's lack of serious att.i.tude.
However, this kind of conversation was not going to lead to any progress.
”You said you wanted more to eat, so where are you going exactly?”
”Hmm, I still haven't figured that out yet.”
The young man complained about his hunger in response to Erica's nosy
question.
”In truth, I am actually quite poor, there's not too many coins left in my
pockets.”
”Well, that was pretty much what I expected.”
Liliana whispered softly as she stared at his appearance.
He had no belongings other than the t-s.h.i.+rt and the cotton shorts he was
wearing, not even a bag. Besides, if he were flushed with cash, he would
not have reached such a famished state in the first place.
”So, I just thought of a perfect plan to get myself a full meal despite being
penniless. Listen well, first I will wander around the area to find local
residents and yell out names of single women.”
”...You know a lot of people in this neighborhood?”
The young man standing before her seemed rather incompetent?
Liliana questioned with eyes full of doubt.
”No, I don't know anyone here, but it doesn't matter. Francesca, Gianna,
whatever, just call out a random name. I will pretend... that I mistook them
for someone I know and use the opportunity to strike up conversation,
gradually get familiar and becoming more and more engaged. Once the
time is ripe, when mouths are dry and stomachs are empty, I will gradually
make my way into the home of this single lady, and sit down for a delicious
meal.”
A perfect plan? How naive of this young man to conclude.
Erica coughed deliberately before offering her opinion.
”In that case, there is an even faster method. If you wish, come together
with us to a nearby restaurant — how about that?”
Thus, the three of them sat down at a restaurant in the village.
Soon after, their orders arrived and covered the table: pasta with tomato
sauce, mushroom and cheese pizza, fried rabbit and beef, cow offal stew,
a large bowl of salad, and a complete set of white wine, rose wine, red
wine and soda water.
All this was essentially swept away by the blonde young man.
Normally, someone who had fainted from hunger would eat something
easily digestible to avoid straining the stomach.
However, this young man wolfed down everything in huge mouthfuls
whether it was cheese, meat, deep-fried, or alcohol. What an amazing
digestive system. Back in the monastery's kitchen, it was already apparent
from the way he casually cleared out the bread that was hard as rock
(usually eaten with sauce or gravy).
”Yes yes, now this is what I call being alive!”
The young man smiled as he exclaimed.
A cheerful and delightful smile, but also incredible in the way it felt like a
monster's.
”By the way, we still have not asked for your name yet, right?”
Liliana's question made him pause in his conquest of food.
”...Name?”
”Yes, having been edified by Saint Raffaello, you must also be a knight,
right? Next comes the most important question, that great person — the
respected master who instructed you, could you tell us the location of her
residence?”