Chapter 01: Sword Saint

The Azure Temple, situated in the Aquallia Kingdom, was widely famous for its devotion to the gods and its belief that every karma has a reason behind it. Many who wanted to purge their sins joined the temple and dedicated themselves entirely to God.

In such a divine place, hundreds of devotees knelt on the polished white marble floor, reciting their prayers. Among them, a female figure appeared. Her silky white hair, reaching just above her waist, flowed as she walked toward the throne. A black blindfold covered her eyes. Being a divine being, her only flaw was that she was born blind. Yet, carrying this flaw, she could still form an image of living things by sensing their mana flows.

But—

Reaching for her throne, she tried to feel for it, waving her hands low to sense the distance—four steps to the left. Yes, she might be able to visualize living things, but for non-living objects like her throne, she was quite helpless. However, no one knew this except her and her attendant, Shawn.

Confused by her actions, every devotee whispered in concern.

Is this some kind of divine message she is trying to deliver to us? the High Priest thought.

Still unable to find her throne, her hand reached for her divine blade, known as the Infinity Hilt.

"Everyone! Be alert! Our Sword Saint has sensed a demon's presence nearby. Hold your staves, we will—" His voice was cut off by the sharp voice of the Sword Saint.

"Silence!"

Everyone fell silent, focusing on her as she called for her attendant. "Shawn… Shawn."

Entering from the side room, yawning and rubbing his eyes, Shawn said, "What?"

Noticeably annoyed, as everyone glanced at him furiously, his tone softened. "I mean, how may I serve you, Aria-sama?"

She gestured for Shawn to come closer. He walked over and leaned in.

She whispered softly, "Shawn, the chair… where is the chair?"

"Move four steps to the right, and stop gripping your sword handle so tightly. Everyone thinks a demon is nearby," he replied in a low voice.

"Ah… I see. Thanks." She shifted four steps to the right, found her throne, and sat down with extreme caution.

"Safe," she muttered to herself, as if she had just won a war.

Ahem.

The High Priest cleared his throat and bowed low before her.

"O Blessed Daughter of the Sky! The living descendant of God, the Vanguard of the Heavens, Holder of the Divine Being, and Sword Saint of the Empire!"

That is quite a long title, Shawn thought, glancing at Aria.

"Please bless your people with your divine words and show us the path to Heaven. Your wise words will guide the new devotees on their journey."

She scanned the crowd and focused her head toward the center of the largest cluster of human mana. She offered a gentle smile to her devotees. Filled with joy and divine energy, every devotee chanted with all their might:

"Long live the Sword Saint! Long live the Sword Saint!"

"Hehe…" She giggled softly as she stood and walked toward her room.

What about the wise words? Hey, what about that? Shawn was both confused and surprised by the devotion of the crowd, looking back and forth between her and the devotees.

Oh, right, I was supposed to offer some guiding words. Let's see, hmm… Yeah, this will work, she thought as she turned back, putting on that distant divine smile once more. "Oh, dear followers of the gods. Your devotion shines like a beacon of hope. Walk in peace, and the heavens shall guide your oars."

"Long live the Sword Saint!" they chanted again, some even bursting into tears as she turned and walked away confidently—only to walk straight into the wall beside her room's entrance and fall flat on her back, her forehead turning bright red.

Thud.

"Sword Saint!" The devotees panicked and rushed toward her.

Sitting up, she raised her hand to stop them and called out, "Shawn… Shawn."

Hiding his laughter at the scene, Shawn replied, "Ahh… Sorry, Aria-sama, I'm coming." Reaching her side, he helped her up. She leaned on his arm as they entered the room, leaving the devotees behind in the hall.

The moment the door shut, Aria the Sword Saint melted onto the sofa like ice, lounging casually and groaning:

"Wine."

"Huh? Have some shame. You just walked into your room, so at least act like a real Sword Saint for their sake," Shawn complained, teasing her as he picked up a wet handkerchief to wipe the spot on her head where she had hit the wall.

"Oww… That hurts." She pouted, annoyed, and added, "I hate that damn wall, and that stupid chair too."

Shawn stood up after applying the ointment and began to walk away, but she stopped him by grabbing the edge of his clothes.

"Don't pretend you didn't hear me, Shawn. Right now, I am like a wanderer in a desert desperately needing fermented grain or grapes within the next three minutes. If I don't get it, I swear I will unleash a divine calamity upon this land, starting with this temple."

"I can't do that…" He walked over to a cabinet and poured water into two cups while Aria tracked him, following the golden mana of his soul. "Last time you drank wine, you flew to the royal garden and challenged the first emperor's statue to a duel. I had to tell the guards you were purifying it. I'm not doing that again."

"But that statue always mocks me!" Aria argued, hugging a cushion and puffing out her cheeks. "Besides, it has an arrogant mana. I can feel it every time I'm near it."

"Stop lying. I know you can't sense non-living things because they don't have mana like us." Shawn walked back to her and held out a cup of water. "Here."

She took it, sniffed it, and raised her voice as if Shawn had betrayed her. "Water?! What about the wine? Are you trying to humiliate me, or is this your way of betraying my trust?"

"At least drink it first. It has a drop of wine in it," Shawn replied. "Besides, tomorrow the Kingdom Vanguard Captain suggested a sparring session with you. I don't want you showing up like a drunken woman who can't even stand straight."

"Hey! What do you take me for? I am the Sword Saint. Before he can even draw his sword, I can blow him away like a feather."

"And what about the people watching you? You might be fine afterward, but as your attendant, they would definitely behead me, thinking I did something to you."

"I don't care about that. I need real alcohol. Real A-l-c-o-h-o-l."

"Look, stop acting like a child—"

He was cut short by the sudden slam of the door as the High Priest burst in with a panicked look.

"I apologize, Sword Saint, for disturbing your meditation," he said, completely ignoring the fact that Aria—whom they worshiped like a goddess—was currently slumped sideways over the sofa.

"River pirates and mercenaries have infiltrated our southern canal and are demanding a massive ransom. They're threatening to burn the hostages alive inside the Golden Fish Tavern along with the building if we don't pay."

The Golden Fish Tavern was famous across the entire continent for its fresh seafood.

Aria's ears perked up. She stood up slowly, her silken robes falling back into effortless perfection. She rested her hand on her sword's hilt as her childish pout vanished, replaced by the cold, terrifying mask of the divine.

"Hostages?" Aria said, her voice laced with an anger that made the High Priest tremble. "How dare they try to threaten us in such a pathetic manner? Justice shall be served."

"Oh, Divine Maiden, please calm your anger! Have mercy on all living beings!" the High Priest cried, raising his hands. "Oh Divine Maiden, I request that you show mercy to them as well, for they are merely foolish children who have lost their way."

"Yet serving justice to them is my responsibility," Aria declared solemnly.

Behind the priest, Shawn covered his face with both hands and let out a long, silent groan. He knew that look. He knew that tone. Aria didn't give a damn about the hostages or the five thousand gold pieces.

The Sword Saint was going to war just to save her favorite restaurant.