Chapter 73 The Holy Beast’s Sacrifice and the Undead Knight’s Redemption in the Lax Empire
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
…It was Pope Cera, the current head of the Lax Empire, who forcibly held his soul—the soul of Ayle Bizeldia, who should have finished his task in this world, Alysphia—anchored to his corpse, keeping him as a loyal puppet.
At last, this day had come. I’ve brought the Evil Noble, whose unparalleled strength can be used against Pope Cera, from the distant Regain Kingdom. That child’s power is strong against all forms of evil… with that power, a light will surely arrive in this dark Empire, which has been controlled by the Fallen Angel (堕天).
”…Calling this a foundation as solid as a rock is ridiculous, Ayle,” Fenrir declared, her voice firm and ringing with disdain. “Don’t you agree that a leader who neglects the citizens of the Lax Empire and our dear friend should simply be gone?”
”G-g-g-gi… What foolishness are you speaking?” Ayle’s corrupted voice rasped, the sound like grinding stones. “Pope Cera is the supreme being! He alone is worthy to rule this world! Holy Beast, you, too, should bow your head before him!”
”Impossible! I would never serve such a creature of the dark,” Fenrir countered, unwavering. “Besides, I am Fenrir, the loyal servant of the Holy Maiden, Shin Seyfried. It’s time to end this. Farewell, my former friend, Ayle… Sacred Artifact¹ Activation: Silver Wolf’s Fang!”
That immense killing intent! What are you planning, you creature! The corrupted knight bellowed as he unleashed a counterattack: JUDGEMENT! OOOOOOH!!
It was the Sacred Artifact, ‘The Holy Knight’s White Lance,’ which Ayle once treasured. But with the master’s body in a state of death, it couldn’t unleash its true power. Still… the Bizeldia spear technique, delivered by Ayle’s massive form, was once the finest in the Lax Empire. If Fenrir took such an attack head-on, she would not emerge unscathed.
”So, I shall strike back… No consciousness, just a corpse, yet still worshiping the Holy Maiden?” Fenrir said, her tone filled with sorrow. “My former friend… farewell. Silent Daggers!”
Fenrir directed the thousands of daggers—her collection gathered over a thousand years—that she had tipped with the Saintess’s Holy Water². They launched in a single, massive wave, piercing the undead body of Ayle Bizeldia.
That was a tense moment! It sounds like Pope Cera is quite the malevolent puppet master. Are you working on a story, or does this world just have you hooked?
”G-g-g-gi… What is this?! Seira’s Holy Water?! Fenrir! Why do you still possess the Holy Water that Seira created, even in this age?!” Ayle shrieked, the holy liquid agonizing him.
”…That is a tale from a long time ago. My first mistress, Lady Seira, begged me right before she died,” Fenrir explained, her voice softening. “Please save my love, Ayle, who was stolen by the Fallen Angel (堕天). Save the Lax Empire and him, my dear Fenrir, she told me.”
”Seira did…? Save the Lax Empire and me…?” Ayle stammered, his corrupted mind struggling against the truth. “What are you saying? The Lax Empire is still at peace… No, it isn’t… This Empire is not peaceful at all… I remember! It was ruined by the Fallen Angel (堕天) long ago!”
”…Yes, that is correct,” Fenrir confirmed gently.
”The Fallen Angel (堕天) killed Lux, my master and Fenrir’s master, and the Saintess Seira was also killed!” Ayle cried out, the clarity painful.
”…Yes, that’s right,” Fenrir repeated.
”Pope Cera… that agent of evil… she has nothing but wickedness in her heart! She’s a monster! And she’s ruling this Empire from the shadows, trying to cause terror!” Ayle’s voice was filled with righteous anger, his true self emerging.
”…Yes, that is why I came here. To save my dear friend Ayle and the Lax Empire,” Fenrir affirmed.
”…I see. Thank you, Fenrir… Because of you, I could return to my senses, if only for a brief moment…” Ayle whispered, his voice now his own.
The armor Ayle was forced to wear fell away. His deceased body began to dissipate into particles of light, the effect of the Saintess Seira’s Holy Water finally freeing him.
”Now, my mission is complete. I was planning to join you once the Fallen Angel (堕天) is defeated. We would be together again, Lady Seira, Ayle, and I…” Fenrir murmured, a sense of peace washing over her.
”You cannot do that… Evil still exists besides the Fallen Angel (堕天)… If you are with the one who can defeat it, you must help them until the very end, Fenrir… Seira also wishes for you to do so!” Ayle urged, his voice already fading.
”Lady Seira is? Is she close, Ayle?!” Fenrir asked, looking around desperately.
”Yes… She has come to welcome me. But I have one last thing to do… Sacred Artifact Release: The Holy Knight’s White Lance!”
The Sacred Artifact, ‘The Holy Knight’s White Lance,’ which had not recognized Ayle Bizeldia as its master until now, began to shine a brilliant silver.
”This is…?! Is this the true color of ‘The Holy Knight’s White Lance’ when Ayle used it in life? …Could it be that the Artifact recognized the Ayle who had regained his sanity as its master once more?!” Fenrir gasped, astonished.
”It seems so… After I pass on, I will entrust this Sacred Artifact to you, Fenrir… Use it well in the battles ahead! Farewell… Sacred Artifact Awakening: JUDGEMENT SPEAR BELL!”
A blinding silver-white light burst from ‘The Holy Knight’s White Lance,’ which Ayle held in both hands. The light descended, piercing deep into the dungeons beneath the Lax Empire.
* * *
(Altar of Descent, Underground Lax Empire)
”Amazing, isn’t it? Even when your body separates like a slime monster, it comes right back together… Just what are you people?”
[EEK! If things continue this way, I’ll have no choice but to sacrifice myself and summon the Heavenly Messenger!!] shrieked one of Cera’s minions.
WHOOSH… THUD!
[AUGH?! …Why is Ayle Bizeldia’s Holy Lance—my toy—here?!] Pope Cera bellowed, her voice high-pitched and frantic.
”Whoa, that’s incredible! All this weird white light is pouring out of that gross old woman!”
”My, what a sight, and a truly disgusting sight, desuwa! Pope Cera’s current form… It’s so divine, desuwa!”
”…Yeah, it is. In so many ways,” the Hero’s companion agreed.
* * *
(Clock Tower of the White Night)
”……”
”He’s gone, my former friend, Ayle… This was for the best, wasn’t it, Lady Seira?” Fenrir whispered, looking up.
Thank you, my Fenrir… Truly, thank you, a gentle voice echoed in her mind.
”…? Was that my imagination? I felt like I heard Lady Seira’s voice… but she shouldn’t be here. After all, she traveled with Ayle to a far-off place. Now that I’ve saved my friend, I shall go to my Master, Shin Seyfried, to save the Lax Empire. For the future of Alysphia (World).”
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Summary:
A bittersweet farewell closes a thousand-year tragedy. The loyal Holy Beast, Fenrir, uses ancient Holy Water to finally free her friend, the undead knight Ayle Bizeldia, from the dark grasp of the Lax Empire’s puppet master, Pope Cera. In a final, shining act of redemption, the knight Ayle regains his soul, entrusting his legendary Sacred Artifact to Fenrir before his spirit reunites with his beloved Saintess. The Holy Lance descends like a silver comet, striking a powerful blow at the core of the corruption in the underground Altar of Descent, setting the stage for the ultimate battle for Alysphia.
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Character Insight:
Fenrir’s true nature is revealed as a creature of intense and enduring loyalty—her friendship with Ayle and her bond with the Saintess Seira transcend death and a millennium of time. Her determination to uphold her promise defines her entire existence, showcasing her as a fierce and tragic hero in this epic dark fantasy story. Ayle, the undead knight, finds his final peace not in battle but in the quiet moment of regaining his lost honor and soul, proving that even the most corrupted can find redemption.
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Behind the Scene:
The true target of the Sacred Artifact, the Judgment Spear Bell, is not Pope Cera herself, but the dark forces she is trying to summon in the underground Altar of Descent. Ayle’s final, noble sacrifice ensures a crucial distraction and damage to the enemy’s plans, giving the main hero a massive advantage in the upcoming fight for the Lax Empire and the future of Alysphia’s world.
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T/L:
1 Sacred Artifact (神創神儀, Shinsou Jingi): This term is for powerful, divine relics in the story. They are super important weapons or items. ↩
2 Saintess’s Holy Water: This is super important because it was made by the former Saintess, Seira, and it’s basically poison to the undead and the ‘Fallen Angel’ (堕天) and anything related to them. It’s the key to Ayle’s redemption. ↩
Notes:
• Ayle – the No. 6 Holy Paladin of the Lax Church’s Eight Holy Lords (Seiibitsu no Ayl). He is a young man in simple white religious robes with an earnest expression. He is a minor supporting figure inside the cathedral, representing the slight concern over the external situation.
• Uru – The wolf.
• Seira – The former Saintess, the original mistress of Fenrir, and Ayle’s beloved. She was killed along with the kingdom’s ruler, Lux, during an attack by the ‘Fallen Angel’ (堕天). Before her death, she entrusted Fenrir with the task of saving Ayle and the empire. Her presence is now only a grateful, fading voice, guiding Fenrir toward her next duty.
• Alt – A Dragonkin member of the Twelve Apostles who was researching Dragonkin-related Divine Artifacts. He becomes Shin’s primary source of information and suggests consulting his mentor, Lin, for a potential cure.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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