Chapter 09: Status: Error

Aria and Rikka found the Hero on their way to the Verdantis Kingdom, but the situation was tense as the Hero was currently facing a one-eyed monster called a Cyclops. Hiding in a bush, they witnessed the power of the isekai hero for themselves.

“He really looks strong... at least his sword. It shines as if unleashing an unbearable amount of mana…” Rikka said, glancing at him.

“But…” Aria started as she looked at his stance.

“But what?” Rikka pressed.

“It seems like he has power, but not full control over it. His mana fluctuation is so high, plus his stance is completely off… it seems like he is weaker than the one they summoned before…”

“I see… Huh? Wait…” Realizing what Aria had just let slip, Rikka was stunned and asked, “What do you mean by 'weaker than the one they summoned before'…?”

“Well…” As Aria was about to explain, a sharp growl emerged from the monster as it dashed forward to tear off the arm of the Hero.

The Hero remained calm and grinned, raising his sword to guard. The moment the monster touched the blade, it instantly dissolved into particles.

Rikka's eyes widened in disbelief at what she had just witnessed. “That was… so quick!”

“Hm…” Aria murmured.

The Hero dashed over to the beastkin mother and her daughter, dropping to one knee. “Are you alright? I have some potions here if you need them…” He pulled a small pouch from his waist and handed it to them.

“Ahh… Thank you, you really saved us today,” the beastkin mother said. Her little daughter's eyes shone with excitement, though she still looked nervous.

“Mister…”

“Hmm?”

“Can I shake your hand?” the little girl requested.

He warmly accepted and shook her hand, causing her to jump with joy. After a few brief moments of praise and appreciation, the mother and her daughter bid their farewells.

“Let’s go… Rikka, we have observed him enough. I should return to the temple now,” Aria said as she retreated, crawling backward on her knees.

“Huh? But didn’t you say we were visiting the Verdantis Kingdom?” Rikka crawled backward to ask.

“I was just curious about the Hero they summoned, but it seems like he is a kind person at least. I was worried for nothing, thinking they brought a corrupted person again.”

“Ahh….” Rikka wanted to press the issue, but left it alone for now. She stood up and dusted herself off. “Okay, Aria-sama, let’s go.”

“Hm.” Aria smiled and nodded as she took her first steps.

Crack… Slam!

Aria's foot stepped on another trap, and she fell backward into a pitfall.

“Augh… Why… Why in the whole world must I be this unlucky?!!!”

“Aria-sama, are you alright?! Don’t worry, I will find a long branch….” Rikka said, peering into the hole.

“Here…” a voice whispered, handing Rikka a long branch. She took it without looking up.

“Thank you! Here, Aria-sama, catch this branch!” Rikka called out. But as she turned her head, her eyes widened. The person who had handed her the branch was the very same Hero they had been watching just moments ago.

Aria used the branch to climb out. Her dress was covered in dust and mud, and she was panting.

“Thank you, Rikka…” she said, lifting her head and sensing the mana of the Hero sitting right next to her companion. She coughed, stood up, dusted herself off, and offered a distant, divine smile. “Hehe…”

Don’t 'hehe'~ Aria-sama! What are you doing? Falling into a hole and getting covered in dirt is not the time for your holy act! A distant smile is not going to save this situation!

“Are you…?” The Hero's eyes narrowed as he looked at Aria. He suddenly took several steps back in panic, raising his sword and pointing it directly at her.

Sensing the sudden spike of mana from the Hero, a confused Aria tilted her head. Rikka, panicking, immediately scrambled to hide behind a nearby tree.

What the hell! Her power level... my danger detection skill is screaming at me to run from this blind lady. I need to check her status.

[Target Name – Aria Seraphis]

Level: Error

Strength: Error

Endurance: Error

Agility: Error

Mana Lvl: Error

Her level can't be measured?! How… Is she the one Goddess Freyja warned me about? No, this is bad. If I make a single wrong move, she might kill me on the spot.

A bead of sweat rolled down his forehead as he ground his teeth, trying to figure out what to do.

Aria took calm, measured steps toward him. The Hero froze in fear. She gently wiped the sweat from his temple with her finger, smiled, and said, “Now, do you see? I am not going to hurt you, so you can relax.”

She turned to walk away, stopping beside Rikka before glancing back at the Hero. “It was nice meeting you. I hope our paths cross again.”

With that, she launched straight into the air with a massive boom, disappearing over the horizon in a second sonic boom.

“And there she goes…” Rikka sighed, glancing back at the still-stunned Hero.

What the hell was that woman?!

Meanwhile, back in the Azure Temple.

Princess Celestia sat on her bed, crossing her arms and puffing out her cheeks. She tapped her foot impatiently against the floor while Shawn let out a dry, awkward chuckle to try and ease the tension.

Where are you, Aria…? It's already dinner time. I don't know how much longer I can keep Princess Celestia waiting.

“Hey…” Celestia called out.

Shawn straightened immediately. “Yes, Princess Celestia?”

“If you don’t mind, I would like to ask you something,” she said. Her tone shifted slightly, carrying the natural authority of a royal addressing a commoner.

Huh? Why the sudden shift in tone?

“Ask away, Princess…”

“Tell me about the Sword Saint.”

“I am a bit confused, Princess. What exactly is it you want to know about Aria-sama?”

“Geez, who made you her attendant? What I mean to ask is about the Sword Saint everyone worships,” Celestia huffed, leaning forward. “People always describe her as this flawless, perfect being. Is she really? You are her personal attendant, so you must know something. What are her flaws?” The princess pressed, as she had wanted to ask this question for a very long time.

Well, people worship her and call her all kinds of grand titles, but... Shawn paused, took a deep breath, and forced a calm smile.

She never deemed herself a Sword Saint. The title was forcefully thrust upon her, and though she never asked for it, she still does her best for the people. I want to say that, but there is no way I could reveal the reality. To someone as prideful as the princess, giving away Aria's flaws might damage the fragile peace of the temple.

“Hey… are you listening to me? What were you going to say?”

“Ah… forgive me, Princess. I was merely thinking. What I meant to say is that she truly is worthy of her title. That is why the people view her as a perfect, divine being.”

“So, you’ve become one of her mindless followers too…” Celestia muttered quietly to herself.

Just then, the sound of light footsteps approached, and they both turned toward the doorway.

It was Aria, standing there with a serene, warm smile, completely unaware of the dirt clinging to her clothes.