The Adventures of an Overpowered Knight in Another World Chapter 546- Blooming Delicia (3)

The training ground quickly filled with activity, as some knights moved towards the entrance for guard shifts, while others went to the weapon storage or sleeping quarters.

Delicia began to proceed as well. Yet rather than going to her assigned task, she headed to the distant side of the area, where the terrain sank in an odd way, like a massive impact had scarred the land long ago and it hadn't recovered.

It went without saying that she approached the pit where the Hammer of Resolve lay. Over time, attempting to raise it had turned into an unofficial daily habit.

Although the Commander mentioned they ought to attempt to wield it, it wasn't an order. Still, every person in the Temple of Light, whether experienced holy knights or new arrivals, had entered that depression at least once to try picking up the hammer.

They channeled all their mana, power, belief, and unyielding arrogance from their beings into that effort, giving it everything.

Yet, the result stayed the same: the hammer never stirred from its spot.

It wouldn't move, not even a quiver. In the end, folks ceased their tries, and the hammer was largely overlooked or rather integrated into the landscape of the training area like a permanent feature.

Therefore, as Delicia went down into the pit, just a handful of onlookers noticed her initially.

That individual then shared it with his fellow, who passed it on to someone else.

"Hey, isn’t that Delicia?"

"Hey, isn’t that Delicia?"

Soon enough, a scattered group gathered along the pit's edge. It included knights and senior knights who were on their way out, plus those driven purely by intrigue.

They created a broad ring around the depression, gazes locked on the solitary form at the bottom.

"Dame Delicia, huh? She's gifted, that's for sure, but that hammer is a whole different story."

"Didn't even Sir Bob manage to budge it just a few days back?"

"Not only Sir Bob, but every Holy Knight gave it another go and couldn't do it."

The chatter intensified as guesses spread.

There was no question that, despite her abilities being restricted, Delicia's achievements so far had been swift and attention-grabbing.

A few expressed optimism about her odds, swept up in the notion that perhaps, just perhaps, this day might change things.

Some took a practical view, even scoffing, remembering her summoning from the previous day.

Plus, that hammer was simply too blasted heavy.

At the same time, from the other side of the field, four people drew near.

Spotting the assembly, they headed there and found Delicia attempting the Hammer challenge.

Bob folded his arms, his forehead creased as he looked down into the pit.

Marcus gave a soft whistle, somewhat admiring yet doubtful.

Grey kept his face neutral, his gaze keen while examining Delicia's position.

Zerina cocked her head a bit, her panther tail at her back twisting in silent reflection.

"The Hammer of Resolve, huh? Even with fresh techniques mastered and progress made, that hammer stays beyond our grasp."

Bob grumbled, recalling his effort from a week prior.

Marcus smacked his tongue, a touch irritated.

"That thing isn't merely heavy. It pushes back against us. I promise, it seems to get weightier each time I attempt to raise it."

Grey agreed from nearby. "It's not solely about power. Neither attributes nor abilities have shifted it. The sole idea I have left is advancing to superior levels of Transcendent States."

Since their Commander set that hammer down in the training area and instructed them to try lifting it during practice, curiosity about the item had gripped them.

After repeated failures, they had kindled a rivalry among themselves to see who would raise the hammer first.

Their assurance came from the conviction that only advanced Transcendent States could enable lifting it.

This conviction arose because neither attributes nor techniques worked on it. If they did, then they, as the holy knights boasting the strongest attributes in the order, wouldn't face such difficulty before the hammer.

Observing the commander lift it reinforced their conviction that Transcendent States held the key.

What they failed to realize was that although they weren't entirely mistaken, they weren't accurate either.

The Hammer of Resolve, a legacy from Tollivar Stout capable of slaying a senior demon in a single blow, ranked as a supreme armament on par with sacred blades like the Galgano and Durandal.

"I know Delicia; she's not one to act impulsively," Zerina noted with curiosity. This lady, quite intimate with their Commander, served as both ally and romantic competitor.

In the pit below, Delicia remained calm in front of the hammer, undisturbed by the stir above.

In her perception, the sounds overhead faded to a far-off buzz, leaving only the hammer. Her palms lingered near the grip without touching.

Reinhardt had advised her the night before to attempt lifting the hammer, assuring that with her present self, success was certain. She refused to disappoint him or shatter his faith.

Thus, drawing in a deep breath, Delicia steeled herself.

In that instant, as her digits met the chilly grip of the hammer, time appeared to decelerate.

Delicia held her breath; her pulse seemed pulled by an unseen force.

BADUMP... BADUMP... Her immediate instinct was to scan her surroundings.

Finding no response from others, she refocused on the hammer. Now, surprise mingled with a profound realization deep inside her.

It truly is speaking...

She clenched the grip tighter. Indeed, her over-the-top response stemmed from the weapon addressing her.

[... who... touch...]

She concentrated her thoughts and heard the voice anew.

Shattered phrases came as fragmented notions. The tone made it tough to discern gender or intent. Yet one aspect stood out: the voice felt timeless, as though it had endured eras.

Delicia concentrated harder, striving to heed the voice in her head. Then, it sharpened.

[Is... it... you who... touched... me?]

"Y-Yeah," she murmured.

[I see.... so you.... are the one.]

With those words, the hammer went quiet.

After a brief pause, it resumed, testing her.

[Are... you the... chosen?]

Before Delicia could ponder, an intense force bore down, examining her mana, form, and determination.

Suddenly, visions surged in her mind. Sights of upright figures in gore-drenched plate, fields littered with the fallen. The horror was so intense it bordered on utter hopelessness.

Delicia nearly retched. Certain images were so violent and gruesome they vividly portrayed the terror and peril demons posed to this realm.

[Seen... many strong... all... broke... dead].

[When hope dies... when hands... bleed... when no one comes... will you... stand tall?]

Absorbing the hammer's words and the horrors it had endured across its path, she grasped the essence of being chosen.

She sensed the burden, the fallout of defeat. The load of enduring solo amid the fallen. The load of rising despite every urge to yield.

The hammer's heaviness wasn't mere bulk as assumed. No, its weight arose because only true resolve could bear it, not superficial intent.

To wield the hammer signified defending righteousness and crushing demons without waver.

Truthfully, its immense weight made her legs quake.

Faced with the barrage of queries, Delicia merely shook her head.

"I don’t know."

She reflected on her summoning. On the commander's statements, his confidence and hopes. She considered the countless setbacks and letdowns etched into her like scars.

Still, each dawn, she donned her gear regardless. This revealed her steadfast spirit. The resolve to battle her destiny.

"I don’t know if I can be the chosen one. However, I will never stop fighting. Even when it hurts, even when it feels pointless, I will keep moving forward."

The hammer vibrated faintly, as though evaluating her reply.

[The... resolve of pain... good.]

[But... not enough].

[Time thin... Call... despair arrives.]

Following that, the hammer hushed once more.

Gripping the handle, Delicia lingered still for an instant, seeking to decipher the hammer's message. Though not fully lucid, one truth emerged: she had earned its approval.

Otherwise, it wouldn't have started dialogue or revealed those sights. The oppressive aura lifted. Simultaneously, the surroundings flooded back—voices, steps, the chill breeze of winter grazing her skin.

Delicia drew a quiet breath, returning to the present. Before her, the hammer sat precisely as before, steadfast and immovable. Her fingers clung to it still, sensing its tremendous mass.