Brainwashed Then Woke Up To Find My Childhood Friend a Hero

50. Priest Yaiba

“They just went…”

Gora mutters in astonishment.

Rainer sighs and scratches his head, addressing the two who stand frozen.

“Well, it seems they have a plan, so we won’t lose. It’s best for us to move on.”

With that, Rainer moves ahead.

Kelt and Gora exchange glances and follow.

◇◇◇

In the dead of night, only the sound of grass swaying in the wind can be heard.

This is the same field as before.

The surroundings are dim, and without the full moon illuminating the sky, nothing would be visible.

In the distance, the holy city asserts itself fiercely with light.

“You’re surprisingly compliant, aren’t you?”

Unlike last time, the fully equipped man peers at Gildia with his golden eyes.

“Ah… I have determined that you are the most dangerous in this operation.”

—

“Surprised, are you? To be held in such high regard by someone like you makes me quite proud.”

Yaiba says, surprisingly pleased.

“If that’s the case, then why are you here? Among those four, you are undoubtedly the cream of the crop.”

Yaiba questions, as if in doubt.

“Well, it’s a simple story.”

Gildia throws off the robe he was wearing.

“I personally dislike you, so I will crush you myself.”

Gildia has knuckle dusters fitted on both hands. They shine a deep blue, hinting at their magical embellishments, revealing them to be enchanted tools.

“Ha ha! Think you can do it?”

The man readies the sword he was holding.

The moonlight reflects off the blade, casting a golden gleam, while the knuckle dusters shimmer ominously.

And as they glare at each other, a moment passes.

Clouds drift across the moon, enveloping the two in darkness.

“I am fast.”

It is Gildia who strikes first.

With the super-speed granted by the divine revelation, he swings his fist at the swordsman’s temple.

However, Yaiba’s figure is no longer there.

“Over here.”

Yaiba’s voice comes from behind.

Gildia instinctively leaps back, but with a swift slash of the sword,

he receives a shallow cut to his abdomen. The wound, having been burned, does not bleed.

“Oh, you dodged it! You’re fast, after all.”

Yaiba says, deliberately flaunting the sword.

Gildia, glaring at the blade, responds,

“That sword is different from enchanted tools; it’s more akin to a ceremonial artifact used in rituals.”

“Oh! Impressive! As a chancellor, you can see that much! Indeed! This is the Sword of Flame, a legendary ritual tool said to have been forged from the primordial fire that humanity first obtained!”

And then,

“This blade cuts to burn and decay; if it inflicts a deep wound, it will consume a life.”

—

—

In the upper stance, sword poised

“Still, do you really think you can defeat me in that state?”

Gildia claps his knuckle dusters together, causing them to shimmer with a blue, magical light.

“Let’s see how this unfolds.”

Gildia grips the knuckle dusters tightly.

“I possess power.”

As Gildia steps forward, he approaches Yaiba.

“Isn’t that a bit reckless?!”

Yaiba swings his sword, attempting to slice through.

“Don’t move.”

At Gildia’s command, Yaiba momentarily freezes.

“Shatter.”

It seemed Gildia’s fist had sunk into Yaiba’s armor, but in the next moment, Yaiba had retreated.

“Surprising, isn’t it? That revelation works on people too…!”

Gildia glares at Yaiba.

“That teleportation of yours has a trick to it.”

“Well? There might be no tricks or seeds at all!”

Yaiba wears a defiant smile.