Rising Shadows: The Fight for Freedom I

Chapter 55: The Holy Light Spell

It was an indescribable, vague sensation. Whenever Darn grasped the hilt of the Sword of Horgani, he felt as though the fighting spirit within him flowed more swiftly than usual. Yet, when he focused intently and observed closely, he seemed to discover nothing, except for the fact that the Sword of Horgani appeared somewhat indistinct.

This was a divine sword capable of slicing through space! Staring at the blade in his hand, every intricate pattern clearly visible, Darn recalled the words he had heard during his first temptation by the demon Ramis. At such moments, the sword in his hand seemed even more nebulous, as if it yearned to tear through the fabric of reality and enter another world!

More accurately, it was the inherent properties of the Sword of Horgani that caused the blade to intersect with countless parallel dimensions, creating the illusion of obscurity. However, this illusion could only be perceived by the one wielding the Sword of Horgani, for only the bearer could be influenced by its unique attributes and discover its wondrous nature!

This was not Darn's assertion, but rather the words of Epicteus, the grand mage residing within Darn's soul. Epicteus had only imparted a fragment of knowledge regarding the Sword of Horgani, dedicating the remainder of their time to teaching Darn a spell-one entirely different from the blood cloud technique of the demon Ramis, and one that Darn was eager to embrace.

The Holy Light Spell, a technique said to be known only to the clergy of the Church of Light, was learned by Darn, who possessed no magical foundation and had no understanding of light-based spells. Whenever he recalled the process of mastering this spell, a radiant smile would inevitably grace his face.

Epicteus was truly a benevolent soul! Just a little tinkering in my dreams, and I could sense the omnipresent light elements. Hmm. Although the Holy Light Spell I can currently cast is quite feeble, providing only minimal benefits and healing effects akin to merely applying a bandage, it is still a genuine light-based spell! If one day my magical power increases sufficiently...

Imagining himself enveloped in golden light, invincible like an indomitable cockroach, Darn momentarily forgot the thoughts he had been pondering regarding his rising strength. He also overlooked Epicteus's admonition, conveyed through their soul connection, to steadfastly uphold justice in his heart and to use light to dispel evil. Instead, he wholeheartedly began to meditate on the newly acquired spell.

Every individual possesses their own brilliance, varying in size and focus. Regrettably, Darn belonged to the category of individuals with exceedingly few points of brilliance when it came to spellcasting talent. Thus, when Darn comfortably awoke from his meditation, he found that his magical power had not increased significantly; rather, his fighting spirit had surged considerably!

Phew, perhaps my talent is better suited for being a warrior rather than a priest or a cleric in the temple! Feeling the emergence of soft, scattered light points within him, the identifiers of light-based magical energy, and sensing the fighting spirit flowing like a rushing stream, Darn sighed and embarked on a new day's journey.

When Darn no longer felt fatigued or dizzy, and the color had returned to his face, indicating recovery from his previous blood loss, the long journey finally showed signs of nearing its end. As Darn cautiously ascended a grassy knoll slightly higher than the surrounding terrain, a great mountain gradually emerged from the distant sea of clouds.

That was... the Cordillera Mountains! Stretching across the northernmost edge of human territory, this mountain range separated the fertile plains from the Nagran grasslands!

Momentarily stunned, Darn instantly recognized the identity of the mountain appearing amidst the clouds, and a wave of immense joy surged through him, overwhelming his heart, thoughts, and soul...

The Cordillera Mountains, one of the longest and most expansive mountain ranges on the continent of Isilia, traversed nearly half of Isilia from east to west. At one end lay the home of the orcs-the Nagran grasslands, while the other end bordered human territory, encompassing numerous human nations, both large and small.

The Kingdom of Bylins was situated at the very end of the Cordillera Mountains, with half of this prosperous kingdom shielded by the mountains, while the other half backed against the human empire of Cesaria, facing the Nagran grasslands and the orcs.

The various human kingdoms were the northern bulwark of the Cesaria Empire, a fact well known to all. Darn was aware of this and often complained about why his country had to serve as a shield for others. However, at that moment, he did not dwell on the grievances the mountains brought to the Bylins people; instead, his heart was filled with the thought, I am returning to the realm of humanity!

With this singular realization, Darn felt an overwhelming excitement and joy. The fatigue and weariness of recent days vanished in an instant, and the spirit that had been languid from pain and blood loss was revitalized. Urging his horse with a firm squeeze, Darn galloped towards the distant Cordillera Mountains at a pace much swifter than usual.

As Darn raced towards the mountains, his mind was flooded with countless images-fallen comrades, the severely injured General Matteus, countless orcs trampled beneath his hooves, and the days spent battling on the Nagran grasslands. The sight of humanity's territory finally within reach, the distance to the Kingdom of Bylins no longer insurmountable, brought tears of joy streaming down Darn's cheeks.

He wondered if General Matteus had escaped, how many from the Lionheart Legion would make it back, and whether Lieutenant Gerald, Sergeant Kweil, and Corporal Kahi were still alive!

Familiar and unfamiliar figures flashed through his mind, and Darn felt grateful for his own fortune while worrying for his comrades-in-arms. Amidst this intertwining of emotions, the distance between Darn and the Cordillera Mountains continued to diminish.

After a day of frantic running and half a night of travel, by the next morning, Darn could clearly see the full silhouette of the distant mountains. However, after a day and night of exertion, his excitement and exhilaration had waned considerably, and reason and calmness returned to him.

How reckless I was! I was truly too impulsive yesterday! I ran for a day and half a night without a care. Thankfully, I did not encounter any orcs; otherwise... it would have been a great joke to be discovered by orcs just a step away from home!

As these thoughts crossed his mind, Darn prepared his breakfast. A few bird eggs he had scavenged from the grass were cradled in his palms, while a wild goose, its neck twisted, served as his lunch.

Bringing his hands together, he held the bird eggs in his palms. As his fighting spirit flowed, wisps of steam began to rise from the eggs. After about a quarter of an hour, Darn opened his hands with a beaming face.

Success! Bird eggs roasted with sixth-tier fighting spirit; even the great King Frederick of Bylins has likely never enjoyed such a delicacy!

Basking in the gentle morning sunlight and the refreshing scent of grass and dew, Darn felt that life could not be more beautiful. When the steaming eggs were peeled and placed in his mouth, he, a once-privileged noble, felt even more so.

In a manner unbecoming of noble decorum, he swallowed an egg whole, chewing vigorously. Darn felt his body rejuvenate significantly. Although the aftereffects of anemia lingered, the increasingly potent fighting spirit restored his confidence and courage, making him feel that even if he encountered orcs again, he would not be without the strength to fight!

My fighting spirit is now at the sixth tier! Lieutenant Gerald's fighting spirit is only at the sixth tier! So, if I encounter orcs again, I should be as formidable as Lieutenant Gerald!

As these thoughts occupied his mind, Darn found himself left with only one bird egg. Just as he was about to crack the shell and finish his breakfast, the ground suddenly trembled slightly.

What is this... the sound of a large group of cavalry advancing! Startled, Darn quickly leaped onto his warhorse, urging it to gallop swiftly away from the direction of the rumbling earth.

As he raced across the grasslands, remaining highly alert to the sounds behind him, Darn began to analyze the sudden occurrence. When he charged up a low grassy knoll and dismounted, hiding in the thick grass, the tremors from the distance grew louder.