A Failed Hero's Voyage Chapter 11: Chapter 11: Judgement without Grace

Read chapter 11 of A Failed Hero's Voyage by churro on NovelPedia.

Alice held Atherius gaze through the narrow slit of her helmet for only a moment before she moved again. With a sharp twist of her wrists, she wrenched the spear free from his grasp and spun it in a fluid arc, the weapon cutting through the air as she redirected its momentum into a second strike aimed directly at him. The motion was precise, controlled, and fast, far beyond that of an ordinary knight. Atherius his expression softened into a faint, almost indulgent smile. He leaned back just enough for the spear to pass inches from his face, the tip slicing through empty air where he had stood a moment before. As the weapon extended past him, he reached forward and caught it mid-motion, his grip closing firmly around the shaft. Alice reacted instantly. Releasing the spear without hesitation, she stepped forward into his space, her body shifting seamlessly from weapon combat to close-quarters engagement. Her fist shot toward his face with sharp intent. Atherius turned his head slightly, allowing the strike to pass him by with effortless ease. She pivoted on her heel, transitioning into a kick aimed at his torso, It landed and struck him cleanly. The impact cracked against him with enough force to fracture the stone beneath his feet, thin lines splintering outward from where he stood. Atherius did not move however. Not even an inch. Alice froze for the briefest moment, her eyes narrowing behind the helmet as realization settled in. Atherius sighed softly, almost wearily, before extending the spear back toward her. “Your attacks don’t affect me,” he said calmly. “You remember that, don’t you?” For a fraction of a second, her composure slipped, surprise flickering across her gaze. Then she let out a quiet hiss, snatching the spear from his hand. The weapon dissolved into a streak of lightning that shot upward into the sky, vanishing as though it had never existed. Alice reached up and removed her helmet. Short, deep brown hair fell free, framing a pale face that contrasted sharply with the intensity of her emerald-green eyes. There was something restless in her expression, something defiant that refused to be fully subdued, even beneath the discipline of knighthood. She glanced at Atherius from the corner of her eye, her posture sharp and her demeanor unyielding. Atherius by contrast, remained entirely at ease. “So,” he continued, as though their brief exchange had been nothing more than routine, “how is the position of Knight-Captain treating you?” Alice her eyes narrowed slightly. She considered the question for a moment, then gave a small, noncommittal shrug. Atherius closed his eyes and exhaled. “I see… so it’s that bad,” he said, before adding, more pointedly, “or is it your inability to speak that makes it worse?” At that, Alice snapped her gaze back to him, irritation flashing openly as her jaw tightened. For a moment, it seemed as though she might lash out again, not with her weapon, but with something far less restrained. Then she stopped herself. Her posture straightened, discipline reasserting control over her impulse. She raised her hand and made a brief, practiced motion in the air, a simple gesture indicating that it was not as bad as he implied. Atherius watched her, a faint chuckle escaping him at the familiar exchange. Before either could continue, a new voice cut through the courtyard. “Atherius… so you have returned.” It was old and worn, yet steady, carrying the weight of authority shaped by time. Atherius turned toward the entrance of the Holy Temple. Two figures approached from its entrance. The first was an elderly man, tall despite his age, with a long beard and medium-length grey hair framing his face. A white ceremonial hat rested upon his head, marked with the symbol of the cross, and his robes flowed with quiet dignity as he walked. Beside him stood another, a bald man with a shorter beard, clutching a heavy holy book against his chest. His posture was rigid and his expression was already tense. Atherius