Reborn As A Maid

Chapter 38: Chapter 38 - Seven Divine Blades ( Part 2)

Jennie stood still on top of the moonlight hill.

The silver pillar of mana was growing towards the heaven.

It seemed almost unreal.

As if some giant construction connected the Earth and the Sky.

Mana around was becoming restive.

Wind was swirling around as if welcoming back its king.

Jennie’s red eyes narrowed.

"...It’s really opening."

Excalibur sounded calmly but underneath its calmness was visible a clear sign of concern.

"Yes, Master."

"The first seal has been broken already."

Jennie tightened the grip on the holy sword.

"I designed twelve independent barriers."

"I made six divine seals."

"I even created three false entrances."

Jennie frowned.

"Who broke them?"

"I do not know."

"But I suppose..."

The sword kept silence.

"...that time itself became the enemy."

Jennie sighed.

Eight hundred years.

Even divine magic was not eternal.

Suddenly—

The pillar of mana became bigger.

The low rumbling started from everywhere.

BOOOOOOM!

The whole hill started shaking under Jennie’s feet.

Birds flew out of the surrounding forest from fear.

And far below in the academy lights started appearing as people got out due to shock.

"What was that?!"

"An earthquake?"

"No..."

Someone pointed on the horizon.

"To the sky!"

The silver light had appeared above the clouds.

There were ancient runes in it.

The symbols which no modern scholar could decipher.

Jennie knew each and every one of them.

The First Seal.

The Oath of the Seven.

The King’s Final Lock.

Her own handwriting.

"...I really liked making things complicated."

Excalibur replied politely.

"Master always was dramatic."

"I was not."

"You made a tomb inside the mountain."

"..."

"...That’s fair."

A moment later...

The sound of the bells echoed across the whole Royal Academy.

Dong!

Dong!

Dong!

The sound of the emergency bell.

Students immediately fell into silence.

Professors appeared on the campus.

Royal knights ran out from the castle.

In several minutes the peaceful academy turned into the military fortress.

In the Headmaster’s office...

The Headmaster Orion Valerius was staring at the enormous enchanted window which overlooked the light on the distant horizon.

Usually gentle expression of his face disappeared.

Professor Gareth hurried in.

"You’ve seen it?"

Orion nodded.

"I’ve been dreading that day for many years."

"The ancient records were real."

Another professor entered the room with the old scroll in hands.

"It fits the description perfectly."

"A pillar of silver mana."

"Visible across the whole continent."

Headmaster silently closed his eyes.

"...Then the Ancient Sword Tomb has been awaken."

Meanwhile...

In the headquarters of the Hunters Association of Seraiya...

The huge crystal became shining.

Several alarms started ringing through the building.

The Guild Master Rowan Blackthorn – a broad-shouldered warrior with old battle scars covering his body – looked towards the crystal.

"What rank?"

The young receptionist gulped.

"The crystal cannot define it."

"...What?"

"It just says..."

She started reading the glowing letters.

Ancient Relic Event Confirmed

Continental Threat Level

The entire headquarters went quiet.

Rowan immediately gave an order.

"Summon every A-Rank Hunter!"

"Call back all investigation teams!"

"And inform the Royal Palace!"

"Go!"

Within the seconds hunters started running through every corridor.

At the Royal Palace...

The King Aldric was already awake.

He stood on the highest balcony with Queen Celestine besides him.

Both were watching the pillar of light.

Arthur Queens came in shortly dressed in the full set of armor.

"I came as soon as I heard."

King nodded.

"I hope so."

Arthur looked at the distant mountains.

"I’ve never seen such mana."

"Me neither."

The face of King Aldric became very serious.

"This is not a disaster."

"This is something older."

In the Cathedral of Goddess Miasa...

Priests and priestesses were kneeling before the altar.

The candles were put off.

The Divine Statue was starting to shine.

The High Archbishop was slowly opening his eyes.

"...The Age of Heroes..."

"It has been moving once again."

Back in the academy...

The students were crowding every balcony.

The excitement was spreading rapidly.

"I heard there is treasure!"

"My brother said the ancient relics appeared!"

"Legendary weapons perhaps!"

Everybody was speaking simultaneously.

Everybody...

Except Jennie.

She was quietly turning Excalibur back to its dragon-shaped hairpin form and tucking it to her white hair.

Lilia found her under the oak tree.

"There you are!"

Jennie smiled.

"I was just walking."

Lilia looked at the distant light.

"Do you know what is going on?"

Jennie answered honestly.

"A lot of trouble."

"...That is quite specific."

"I have experience."

Right at this moment the royal messenger entered the academy gates.

His horse slowed down only to stop in front of the Headmaster.

The knight saluted.

"A royal decree!"

Headmaster took the scroll.

Unsealing it quickly, he read the contents.

His face became hard.

He immediately amplified his voice with mana.

"Attention!"

Everybody turned their heads towards him.

"By order of His Majesty King Aldric KingHeart..."

"The Royal Academy will suspend all practical classes immediately."

The murmuring started.

"No student is allowed to leave the academy grounds."

"Borders of the kingdom are under the military surveillance."

"All hunters and royal knights are mobilized."

The whispers became louder.

Lilia frowned.

"...He really closed the academy."

Jennie silently nodded.

It means that King understands how serious the situation is.

Good.

Perhaps the army will protect the tomb before somebody will come to the deeper chambers.

But...

Excalibur spoke to Jennie only. freewebnøvel.coɱ

Its usual soft voice became urgent.

"Master."

"What is it?"

"They will not arrive in time."

Jennie’s heart skipped.

"What do you mean?" freēwebnovel.com

"The tomb does not pick the strongest."

"The tomb picks the fastest."

Before Jennie could ask anything else—

A pulse of mana started from the distant mountains.

The pillar of silver light divided into seven smaller pillars.

Each of them started flying in different direction of the sky.

Jennie’s pupils contracted.

"...No."

Excalibur finished her sentence.

"The Seven Chambers have opened."

"The race has already started."

In the distant mountains hidden among the thick forests...

The hooded person raised his head towards the seven pillars of light.

A cruel smile appeared under his mask.

"So..."

"The tomb has finally welcomed us."

Behind him the dozens of armed people started appearing out of the darkness.

They were wearing black robes with the symbol of the crimson serpent wrapped around the broken sword.

The hunt for the Divine Blades had started.