A Fake Familiar Reborn

Chapter 25: Holy Sword Part 5

Beta read by Shigiya and Paragon of Awesomeness

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-Kuoh shore-

“Hn!” 

It was a strange sensation, to say the least, something Xenovia had only felt previously through the horrid beatings administered to her by a certain nun who served the Church — also as her sole teacher… and motherly figure.

Though this was far colder and… instant, to the point she failed to even gasp what even hit them in the first place. Whether it was a sword, spear, arrow, or even a punch — it failed to register before the next thing she became aware of was the disgusting taste of the sand and the pain that came with it. 

She had been an Exorcist known to be above her peers when it came to the sword. Having trained for countless hours under the guidance of Mother Griselda, the person who was basically her mother figure, having raised Xenovia since she was barely a child. The nun had always done her utmost to thoroughly impart everything it took to ensure Xenovia would become a competent exorcist throughout the years. 

The blood, sweat, and tears she invested during her childhood led her to finally be amongst the few chosen to wield the Excalibur swords, along with another, even greater blade that surprised even mother Griselda. She could not stop herself from feeling immensely proud of all this, and the gratitude she felt towards Mother Griselda and the Lord could not be understated for always pushing her to work so hard.

That gratitude extended to Irina as well, the girl having basically grown up alongside her, and was right by her side even when the training had seemed unbearable. She was one of the few people Xenovia held in high regard and as an equal. 

This was one of the many reasons why she held such confidence when setting foot upon the land known as the rising sun. Undeterred and unafraid of the challenges they would face in this mission, whether it be Fallen Angels, Devils, or any supernatural entity that dared to cross their path — all of them would eventually fall to her once her holy blade tasted their vile, heretic flesh. With the grace of God and His guidance lighting up her path, both she and Irina — despite being confronted with the realization that this was a suicide mission beforehand in the eyes of many — she held full confidence that, some way or somehow, they would succeed in the end. Such was the will of God. 

Yet…

Despite that certainty that fueled them…

Despite having been gifted some of the finest holy swords the Church had to offer to ensure they would accomplish their mission…

Despite having confronted the younger siblings of the Satans themselves head-on without any fear nor backing away once…

Despite all of those clear signs of their inevitable triumph…

"Ugh!" 

…At this very moment, every single fiber of her body refused to obey her will to stand tall and fight. Trying to get up bore little to no results and only made the darkness at the corner of her eyes grow closer ever so slightly with each passing second and vision becoming blurred.

"Don't push yourself. Got to hand it to you that you managed to last for so long. But either way, you shouldn't be going around Kuoh and your oh so holy swords around like some kind of lunatic, it could end bringing attention that you might not be able to deal with.."

This heathen… no, this devil in human skin, who had the audacity to taint their Lord's greatest weapon, had the gall to speak to her with such a tone, as if he knew any better. Even as the sand clung to her skin and left a bitter, nasty taste in her mouth, she refused to simply lay down to this… this…