The Sword Of Salvation
Ch. 2 — Sterminatore & Training

MARIEL today marks the tenth anniversary. Almost three years have passed since Lukhiel gave him hellish physical training. During this time, Mariel was really focused on improving physical and stamina. The interlude in training is just a sword lesson and Kosiong hand martial arts.

In her spare time, Mariel uses it by reading the various books that Lukhiel carries. The devil goes away every seventh day. One of the things he brought was a chessboard and the number one game that favored the nations-women and the rich. He and Lukhiel often played chess when Mariel ran out of books to read.

In almost three years, the relationship between Mariel and the devil has been really close. At least Mariel no longer felt the need to be vigilant before the demon. Sometimes he throws spit into the face of the devil— especially when Lukhiel cheated in their chess duel. So close are they. Despite Lukhiel's old appearance, he doesn't act so old. However, of course, Mariel did not scrape the past of the devil in the least.

Because it's his tenth birthday, practice is closed until the day after tomorrow. Lukhiel had left the cave this morning, and the demon said he would be back in three days. So, during these three days, Mariel will only be alone in the cave. And unlike two years ago, this time Lukhiel did not fence the cave with his wind spear. Mariel was able to overcome the attacks of a group of forest lions at once; lukhiel believed him to be able to stand guard.

With a spear in her hand, Mariel exited the cave after tidying up the contents of the cave. He was barefooted; his white sandals broke—and there was no straw reserve he could use. Mariel was wearing only a short-sleeved black shirt and long black pants. Closing the mouth of the cave with vines that they deliberately planted above the cave, Mariel ran north.

There, some twenty kilometers to the north, was a long-abandoned former countryside. It was the village his mother meant, which she said would help him if he jumped at the time. However, based on Lukhiel's investigation, the village had been abandoned more than ten years ago. Mariel had seen it herself several times, and she thought the devil was right.

Mariel did not intend to visit the village again. The cliffs on the east side of the village have sections that can be climbed. Lukhiel has not taught Mariel how to use prana. He also did not give her any books related to prana. So, Mariel can't go up the cliff freely. It has to do it conventionally, and the cliff wall there is a perfect place to climb.

Of course, Mariel did not leave empty-handed. He did not want to visit the mother's grave without bringing any flowers. He first looked for flowers to take to the navel. Although the mother had been gone for almost three years, she wanted the tomb to be well-groomed. Mariel also did not know when Lukhiel would take her away from the cave; she would not be able to visit her mother's grave often.

This isn't the first time Mariel has looked for flowers to take to her mother's navel. So, the search didn't take much time. You can collect the flowers in just a few minutes. And thirty minutes later, Mariel was already crawling on a cliff wall trying to reach the top. It would have been easier if he had not brought the spear and the flowers, but this could also be called training.

Mariel finally arrived at the top of the cliff after almost twenty minutes. He immediately threw his body to rest with both hands outstretched. His breathing was a little irregular, and both of his arms were quite sore—especially his fingers. Mariel really needs a break, although actually he is still strong enough to do heavy activities again.

Without prana, human abilities are really limited. Although Mariel has been training hard under Lukhiel's torment for almost three years, compared to trained prana users he is still nothing. To be as strong as her mother wanted, Mariel still had a long way to go. There was no lightning method to become strong.

Sighing deeply, Mariel finally got up after nearly five minutes of rest.

A dozen seconds later, he was next to his mother's belly button. The grass that he grew was covered. The flowers he brought he sprinkled neatly. Then Mariel shared her story with her mother. Of course he knew there was a chance the woman wouldn't hear him, but he didn't care. Mariel really doesn't care.

...——————————...

The Great Kingdom of Camelot was arguably standing in the central part of the Western Continent.

On the southwestern to northwestern boundary of the kingdom stood their ally, the Kingdom of Denland. On the north side of Camelot is the Mangolla Kingdom. From the northeast to the eastern side was the vast Neiracian Empire. The kingdom of Urakhna stood in the southeast direction. And standing tall south of Camelot was an enemy throughout their history, the Great Kingdom of Celteckna.

Camelot was a powerful kingdom, both militarily and economically. Both are the main reason why their territory has never been successfully annexed by other countries, even though they are surrounded by other countries from all directions. And both are also the reason why Camelot is not thinking of expanding their territory. Camelot is arguably one of the most prosperous kingdoms in the Western Continent.

The Great Kingdom of Camelot in total had eight major cities: Pendragon, London, Liveroel, Elchester, Birmithan, Gothhant, Brenthound, and Britticia. Pendragon stood at the center of the kingdom, while the easternmost city was Londinia. And in this eastern city also now Lukhiel was—of course his fingers were hidden gloves, and his eyes were blocked by the wide round hat which he tilted forward.

Unlike the previous, Lukhiel this time came not to buy his needs and Mariel. He could do it before he returned to the cave. Lukhiel today came to meet one of the members of Serenity who during his last visit asked him to meet. Although he was not part of the organization, but they often communicate. If it is not he who seeks them for information, they seek it.

Lukhiel walked—in the steps he thinks are the most normal—pelan down the brick road Londinia City.

Celinee, the name of the half-human half-demon who asked to meet her, did not specifically say the location of the meeting. The woman only asked to meet in London. He also cannot feel it; Celinee was a former ninja from the Eastern Continent before being kidnapped and used as an experimental material. He is very good at hiding his existence. Therefore, from earlier Lukhiel just walked down the streets of the city.

The call that came suddenly shocked Lukhiel. He really did not feel the presence of the owner of sound— as could be expected of a ninja. However, Lukhiel remained calm ‒ his expression did not show the slightest surprise. He immediately turned to the source of the voice after almost two seconds had passed. He acted as if he had expected Celinee's arrival.

“Thank you for coming, Mr. Lukhiel.”

Celinee is a woman with a height of 157 cm, clad in a long shirt with no sleeves and buttons. The black belt becomes a blue shirt cover with the leaf. White bandages can be seen covering the upper body, clearly visible from between the clothes. Meanwhile, for Celinee's subordinates were only wearing black knee-length pants and white bandages covering her entire legs. And completing his footwear was a pair of straw sandals.

Celinee has long gray hair that she ties with a ponytail model. Celinee's hair color was originally black, but it had turned gray since her heart was replaced with a demon heart when she was ten years old. This bright white-skinned woman with a somewhat pointed nose had lived as a half-demon for almost twenty years. And since she was half demon, Celinee's demonic features would only be visible when she didn't suppress her demonic power.

“What do you want to talk about?” lukhiel asked, shortening his distance to the ninja. “If it takes a long time, let's go outside. It would be troublesome if members of Sterminatore suspected me.”

Sterminatore ‒ the only demon hunter organization in the world. They have headquarters on every continent and in every country. Each country funds the Sterminatore operation in their country. Therefore, no country is active in hunting and eliminating demons. All countries have agreed to give the mandate to the Sterminatore Organization.

Therefore, Sterminatore members are given free access to all existing countries.

Londonia is no exception.

There's a branch of the Sterminatore headquarters in the city. However, the demon hunters that were here were none of them at Level 1. Sterminatore members have six levels based on their level of strength and experience. Level 5 is the lowest, and Level 0 is the highest. In this city, the highest Sterminatore members are only Sterminatore Level 2 ‒ the number is only three people.

However, Lukhiel still does not want to until his existence is known. It has been off their radar for a long time. If his whereabouts were to be known, Sterminatore would again send a group of their Tier 1 members to hunt him down. Of course he's not afraid. Lukhiel just doesn't want to be bothered.

“We can talk while walking, Mr.”

“Then, come.” Lukhiel stepped right past the woman. “We are heading west.”

Celinee did not give a verbal response, but she had already aligned her steps with the demon.

“So?”

“There is an underground laboratory on the northern edge of Birmithan City,” start Celinee with half whisper. “We can't probe into it; two members of Sterminatore Level 1 escort the entrance. However, we had a chance to see one of Doctor Lergen's assistants in Birmithan. We have not seen him come to the laboratories, but obviously the reason for its existence in Birmithan is not just a walk.”

Doctor Lergen is the man responsible for the creation of half-demon half-human beings. He himself was also half a half-human demon. That was also the reason why he was still alive today. Lukhiel had never met the man in person. However, from what he heard, the doctor had great power and was very good at hiding. That's why until now Serenity can not finish the doctor.

“If it is true that Doctor Lergen's assistant has business in the laboratory, our suspicion so far that Anathema has a relationship with Sterminatore proved true. Doctor Lergen has always admitted to working independently, but there is no way he can get much of the devil's top-tier heart supply if the claims are true. We need to enter that lab and make sure of everything, Mr. Lukhiel.”

Anathema was an organization that overshadowed top-tier demons. The leader was the oldest demon Lukhiel had ever known. He was also a demon dubbed the Primordial Devil just like Lukhiel. However, his strength was in a different class. Maybe all the lower level demons—iblis have no high sense.— agrees that he is the strongest demon.

Nessthanovla sta. The name is a terror to any human being who has ever read or found out about history. Emperor Gilgamesh, who had led the Great Kingdom of Babylon to glory, was killed in a battle against Nessthanovla. The same thing happened to Alexander the Conqueror – he died after challenging Nessthanovla duel. In fact, even among the Primordial Devil no one dared to look for trouble with him.