Chapter 217: Pointing Toward Two Heroic Spirits

After Lance turned around and left without the slightest hesitation—

The tranquil canyon was soon filled with the sound of light footsteps.

A figure dressed in a silver-blue armored ceremonial dress slowly parted the hanging vines and entered the waters.

Standing by the lakeside, Elvira's emerald-green eyes carried a trace of confusion.

Back in the Astral Realm corridor, she had indeed received guidance from a powerful Noble Phantasm.

However, according to the notes left behind by previous monarchs within the royal family's secret archives—

Once the Heroic Spirit Baptism trial officially began, participants would normally be transported directly into the core area where the Noble Phantasm was located.

Yet she seemed to have been thrown outside the valley.

The Noble Phantasms displayed within the corridor were all spiritual manifestations in the Astral Realm of legendary artifacts that existed in the real world.

The Heroic Spirit Baptism possessed a secret benefit known only among a handful of great noble families.

During the trial, as the participant carried the will of the Noble Phantasm—

They would naturally form a faint thread of fate connecting them to the actual relic left behind in the Material Realm by the ancient Heroic Spirit represented by that Noble Phantasm.

With that special connection established—

If Elvira later sought out those sacred relics in reality and attempted to gain their recognition, the difficulty would be drastically reduced.

Of course—

For every trial participant who entered the Astral Realm, the greatest reward remained the Heroic Spirit Blessing obtained after completing the trial.

The effects were completely different from the low-tier blessings commonly discussed among ordinary Adventurers.

The highest-grade Gold Legendary Blessings even possessed the power to transform a Professional's talent or bloodline.

Elvira pushed aside her wandering thoughts.

Stepping across the protruding stones on the lake's surface, she made her way lightly toward the massive boulder at the center.

The moment she saw the magnificent cross-shaped sword embedded diagonally within the stone, its hilt engraved with a bird motif—

Her heart immediately began pounding.

Excitement surged within her.

The appearance of this sword was identical to the paintings preserved within the royal family!

The Sword of Selection.

The personal sword of the founding monarch, Clovis Pendragon.

This sword representing kingship possessed frighteningly high standards.

Throughout centuries of royal history, very few descendants had ever managed to truly resonate with it.

And every royal ancestor fortunate enough to gain this Holy Sword's recognition during a Heroic Spirit Baptism—

Without exception, later became wise rulers of extraordinary vision and capability.

Taking a deep breath, Elvira calmed her excitement.

Stepping forward, she wrapped both hands clad in silver gauntlets around the azure-green hilt.

The moment she exerted force, she could clearly feel the Holy Sword trembling violently within the stone.

The sensation...

Was as though it had been provoked by some deeply frustrating emotion and desperately wanted to escape this wretched stone prison immediately.

Gritting her teeth, Elvira exerted all her strength and slowly pulled the sword free inch by inch.

“Protect all who are weak beneath heaven. Reject all demands for reward...”

As the blade gradually emerged from the stone, the Holy Sword's voice echoed within her mind.

One by one, the five demanding requirements of kingship were presented by the will of the Noble Phantasm.

Elvira showed no hesitation whatsoever.

These were responsibilities that a king should naturally bear.

Without the slightest doubt, she accepted every single one of the rules.

When the final inch of the blade emerged completely from the stone accompanied by a clear sword cry—

Brilliant golden light instantly illuminated the entire canyon.

However—

Just as Elvira prepared to receive the trial details, the Holy Sword suddenly made a request that completely baffled her.

“Go beat that spear-wielding scoundrel into the ground!”

Confusion and astonishment instantly flashed through Elvira's emerald eyes.

The spear-wielding scoundrel?

Hadn't the royal family's elders always said that Heroic Spirit Baptism trials were completed individually?

How could another trial participant suddenly appear within the Astral Realm?

...

Meanwhile—

Within another desolate valley.

Lance stood atop a cliff.

Firmly gripped in his hand was a heavy spear.

Its appearance was ancient and even somewhat crude.

The ferocious dragon head carved onto the butt of the spear and the dark crimson cracks running along its shaft were identical to the weapon he had seen within the Fate Trajectory visions of the King of the Northlands.

Lance did not believe there had been anything wrong with shoving the Sword of Selection back into the stone.

In his view, selecting the equipment most suitable for oneself was simply normal player behavior while clearing an instance.

Nor did he think that a righteous hero would suddenly appear in a solo instance to avenge some foolish sword.

Holding the spear one-handed, Lance slightly twisted his wrist.

The crimson patterns along the spear shaft that had previously dimmed suddenly lit up once more as though blood were flowing through them.

Immediately afterward—

A bold and hearty voice exploded directly within Lance's mind.

“Hahahahaha!”

The laughter was wild and uninhibited.

“So you really did abandon that sword in the end!”

The will of this Noble Phantasm sounded extremely pleased.

There was even a trace of schadenfreude, as though it were delighted to see an old rival suffer.

“Looks like I chose the right person. Given that sword's obsession with maintaining appearances, it's probably so angry right now that it wants to snap its own blade in half.”

After laughing, the spear spirit quickly became serious.

“You not only possess a Fate Trajectory extremely similar to Leonidas, but your personality also guaranteed that you would eventually draw me.”

“Listen carefully, young man.”

“My name is Ascalon.”

“My trial has always been straightforward.”

“I only have one requirement.”

As soon as those words fell—

A blue notification screen appeared before Lance's eyes.

【Spear of the Lake · Conqueror's Creed (Reputation Acquisition Rules Activated)】

【Equivalent Protection: A conqueror never offers cheap mercy. Whenever you grant protection to the weak, provide them with safety, or resolve a crisis on their behalf, they must offer wealth, resources, or absolute loyalty of equal value as annual tribute in exchange for your mercy.】

Upon seeing such a direct rule—

Lance could not help whistling inwardly.

This one was good!

This reputation system fit his tastes perfectly.

Money for services rendered.

Fair exchange.

No debts left behind.

“The trial requirements of us Heroic Spirit Noble Phantasms are actually formed from the legends passed down throughout the Material Realm over hundreds of years.”

Ascalon's bold voice continued explaining.

“That sword's legend spread far and wide. The common people glorified it far too much, so it ended up burdened with the greatest number of restrictions and requirements.”

“But I'm much freer in that regard.”

Ascalon snorted.

“Most of my legends only spread throughout the northern Frost Plains, so naturally I wasn't saddled with all those ridiculous rules.”

“But remember this.”

“As Gold-Rank Legendary Noble Phantasms, the Heroic Spirit Blessings represented by the two of us are absolutely equal in status. Both belong to the highest tier available through the baptism.”

At this point, obvious pride entered Ascalon's voice.

“And there's one thing in which I unquestionably surpass that broken sword.”

“I simultaneously serve as the personal Noble Phantasm of two top-tier Heroic Spirits!”

“One is Leonidas, the first King of the Northlands who accomplished the feat of dragon slaying.”

“The other is the White Dragon, Lothair Nibelungen, who later contested dominion over the world against Clovis Pendragon.”

“No matter which of their blessings you receive, you'll obtain incredible power.”

Ascalon paused.

“Of course, because that sword forcibly interfered with this trial—”

“The gaze of White Dragon Lothair will certainly fall upon this place more frequently.”

“He may decide which blessing is appropriate for you based on your performance within this world.”

“So then, have you made up your mind, kid?”

After hearing everything—

“I've more or less made up my mind.”

Lance answered honestly.

“However, I've always used swords or hand-to-hand combat before. I've never seriously studied spear techniques.”

“What kind of trivial problem is that?”

Ascalon laughed dismissively.

“During this trial, I'll personally teach you bit by bit.”

“In that case, I have no reason to hesitate.”

Lance immediately made his decision.

Ever since the Fate Trajectory of the Spear of the Lake had been forcibly grafted onto him—

He had already been considering whether he should find a reliable spearsmanship instructor after returning to reality.

Now that the will of a Legendary Noble Phantasm was offering to become his personal coach free of charge—

Only a fool would reject such an opportunity to freeload skill training.

And—

After hearing Ascalon's explanation regarding the Noble Phantasms' backgrounds—

Several vague clues in Lance's mind suddenly connected together.

He finally understood.

Back in the Astral Realm corridor—

Why had his half-dead Secondary Class, 【Fate Jester】, suddenly acted at the last moment?

Not only had it forcibly interfered with his choice—

It had even forcefully blocked the option representing the 【Immaculate Scabbard】.

Once everything was viewed through the lens of Fate Jester's core advancement requirement—

The answer became obvious.

The essence of the Fate Jester class from beginning to end had always been:

“To see through falsehood and resist a fate manipulated by others.”

And for such an intense rejection response to emerge before the class had even officially advanced—

There could only be one deeply unsettling truth.

That hidden option, the 【Immaculate Scabbard】, was highly likely to be the predetermined path carefully arranged by the mastermind manipulating everything from behind the scenes!