ODGD 61

Chapter 61

Forming holy power into a bead shape was fairly simple for holy knights like me.

But shaping it into anything more complex was quite tricky.

Knights of the Cardinal rank, who were much more skilled, could even shape their holy power into unicorns. But that required intense concentration, years of experience, and a vast reserve of holy power.

After a short moment of focus, a faintly glowing orb appeared above the gun barrel. It was a holy power bullet.

To think I’d end up making bullets out of holy power of all things.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d use divine energy like this.

“Huh? So what now? Can I fire it here?”

“Wait! Don’t you dare pull that trigger. I can’t have you destroying all my possessions! Come with me.”

“Okay.”

Still holding the gun, I followed Cyril.

He opened a back door and stepped out. To my surprise, it led straight into an outdoor garden. So this place only looked like a basement from the outside.

“Alright, now you can pull the trigger here. But don’t shoot the trees, statues, benches, or the grass. I’ve spent countless sleepless nights perfecting this garden. If anything gets damaged, it’ll break my heart.”

“…Got it. I’ll aim at the sky.”

So he brings me into the garden but tells me not to touch a single thing in it, huh.

As I lifted the gun skyward, Cyril quickly rushed over.

“Wait! Not yet. This gun can aim precisely at your target. See this sight? Use it to line up your shot.”

He placed a hand on my shoulder, adjusting the barrel with his other hand, correcting my stance so I could aim properly.

Though he came quite close for a moment, he quickly stepped back.

“Now can I shoot?” I asked.

“Go ahead. Pick a cloud and pull the trigger, my lady. But how far that bullet flies will depend on your own power.”

“Alright.”

Finally, I get to fire it!

After glancing at Cyril to make sure there were no more warnings, I found a cloud and took aim.

I’d never fired a gun before.

But imagining it as simply releasing holy power, it didn’t feel all that foreign.

“I’m firing!”

With those words—bang! A small sound rang out.

The orb of holy power I had created shot through the air, faster than an arrow. It was an astonishing sight.

“Whoa!”

C l a p, c l a p, c l a p!

Cyril gasped and clapped in excitement.

I was amazed too. It actually worked!

“Wow! I did it!”

Shouting in triumph, I turned to Meteor.

“Have you ever seen a weapon like this before? It’s lightning fast.”

“No. There’s nothing that fires holy power like this.”

So this really was the first weapon of its kind.

The pale bullet streaked across the sky, scattering a cloud violently as it pierced through.

I was stunned.

It could do that much damage?

As expected, a bullet made of holy power was in a league of its own.

“I hit it!” I shouted.

“My lady, that was incredible!”

C l a p, c l a p, c l a p!

Cyril clapped again, clearly delighted.

Of course he was—he’d invented it.

“This is amazing. To think my invention would be used so perfectly. I knew showing it to you first was the right choice.”

“Huh? You showed it to me first?”

“Of course. I only made one. I wouldn’t just show it to anyone.”

“Why only one?”

Spinning the gun with my finger on the trigger, I tested its balance. It was surprisingly light and easy to handle.

Cyril smiled as he answered.

“Even if I made more, I doubt the esteemed holy knights would buy them. They’re all so used to swords. And besides, I want my most treasured inventions to exist as only one in the world. Doesn’t that make it more special?”

“Ah, I see.”

He was surprisingly proud of his creations.

Cyril being this serious about inventing was unexpected. Back at the orphanage, I never imagined him devoting himself to anything so earnestly.

Just to be sure, I asked Meteor.

“Meteor, what do you think? The gun’s pretty good, right?”

He studied the weapon in my hands before answering.

“…It seems fine for long-range. But in close combat, it would be a disadvantage. It can’t stab or slash directly like a blade, so its offensive ability is weaker. If anything, making metal bullets and imbuing them with holy power before firing might have more destructive force—if that’s possible.”

“!”

Both Cyril and I widened our eyes.

Now that he said it, it made perfect sense.

Without a medium like a sword, holy power attacks had their limits.

It would take much harsher training to overcome that.

Only knights at the highest levels could shape holy power into a sword and wield it freely like a real blade.

But Meteor didn’t seem like he had any intention of pursuing that legendary feat.

Cyril spoke in awe.

“As expected of you, Lord Meteor. You’ve struck at the most crucial point. True, I could design it to load metal bullets as well. But I developed this weapon purely to channel holy power. I wanted knights powerful enough to fight with nothing but holy energy to wield it.”

“I see.”

Meteor answered casually, as though it didn’t really matter.

Still, he added thoughtfully:

“In the end, either way, it’s a path toward greater strength.”

“Right. It’s like forging a weapon purely out of divine energy.”

Even if the gun helped compress and fire it, it was still an attack made purely of holy power, like the legendary swordmasters.

Just thinking about it made my heart race.

I looked down again at the silver gun, a bittersweet feeling welling up inside me.

“…I want this. I’ve saved up so much allowance. I really like it.”

“I’m honored. For the lady who appeared after 150 years to find my invention so lovely.”

“So how much is it?”

My eyes sparkled.

Knowing this was the only one of its kind in the world made me want it even more.

And I could see so many ways it might come in handy.

But just as I worried he might refuse to sell it, Cyril’s lips curved gently.

“It’s a gift. A special token from me to an old friend.”

“…Huh?”

I nearly dropped the gun.

A gift?

For free?

“No, I can’t just take this! I have plenty of money!”

Even if we were old friends from the orphanage, I couldn’t accept such a weapon for nothing.

Besides, it felt too heavy a gift since I hadn’t kept in touch with him at all.

But Cyril’s smile didn’t falter.

“Don’t worry about it. Just by wielding it, you’ll be promoting my precious ‘Ciel Weapons.’ You’re the most talked-about celebrity in the North right now, my lady.”

“Still… I’d feel bad just taking it.”

I really didn’t want to accept it for free, but Cyril didn’t look like he’d back down either.

As I was worrying over what to do—

“Then let’s do this.”

“?”

Meteor suddenly spoke up. He pulled something from his pouch—several gold coins.

I instantly recognized them.

They were official coins issued by House Pluto. Other major noble houses also minted their own.

These coins were used mainly among the upper nobility, each engraved with the house’s crest.

Each one carried the value of an entire gold bar.

What was he planning to do with those?

Then Meteor handed a few to Cyril.