Chapter 144
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: The First Emperor's Arrangement
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“Could I possibly borrow a boat?”
At the unexpected words from Aint, who had come to see Silver as usual, Pernyan realized the time had finally come.
“A boat?”
“Yes. I’ve found a clue regarding the First Emperor’s arrangements.”
“It must be at sea, then?”
“For now, yes.”
“You won’t know how to sail, so I’ll provide you with some tight-lipped crewmen as well.”
“Thank you.”
Pernyan arranged for the fastest, most stable, top-of-the-line small vessel and a crew of veterans.
“Then, when will the boat be ready?”
“Head to the harbor at once.”
“What? Right now?”
“It’ll take about twenty minutes to prepare. Go have a look around the harbor while you wait.”
Aint was truly able to set out to sea twenty minutes later. The prepared speedboat swiftly carried him to his destination.
‘…I never thought I’d be going this quickly.’
- Didn’t I tell you no one can match the Fallenbergs in matters like this?
In anything that could be solved with money, the Fallenbergs were second to none.
“This is the spot. Please stop here.”
The boat came to a halt between the two islands Gardner had mentioned.
‘This is it, right?’
- The years have changed their shape a bit, but those are the islands. There’s a cave on the seafloor here. You can enter through there.
Aint tore the breathing scroll Pernyan had given him and dove into the sea.
As he descended into the deep, a small cave came into view.
“Puah…!”
Upon entering and setting foot on the ground, he was greeted by pitch-black darkness.
“…It’s quite dark.”
But the natural darkness could not impede his vision. Aint slowly began to walk along the path.
“So you’re saying the true Armian swordsmanship is here?”
- It’s all true swordsmanship. However, what’s hidden here is a version advanced by one step, containing the insights the late emperor gained in his final years.
Gardner said it was just one step, but Aint couldn't even begin to fathom the level of insight from the greatest emperor and knight to have ever lived.
‘Can I obtain it?’
Could he truly make it his own just by seeing and imitating it?
He had grown much stronger, but he had only just surpassed the level of an academy student.
Excluding the special power of the Light of Armian, he was merely at a level to contend for first or second place within the academy.
Of course, the average skill of an academy student did surpass that of a typical knight.
That in itself was impressive, but with demons as his opponents, Aint didn't think it was enough.
‘But I have to. I must become stronger.’
If he didn't become stronger, he wouldn't be able to stand against the demons.
Because he wasn't strong enough, he nearly died at the hands of Schwaben's assassins.
He had to become strong. Stronger than anyone.
That's why he was desperate.
It wasn't a question of whether he could obtain it.
He had to obtain it.
Even if it was impossible right now, he had to find a way to make it possible.
Before the determined Aint.
A colossal block of ice.
And the monster trapped within it, revealed itself.
“…What is that?”
- Ah, I forgot to mention, there is a guardian protecting the gate.
- He said there would be no point in learning the swordsmanship if you weren't skilled enough to deal with the guardian.
“Why are you telling me this now! Did you really forget?”
- It wouldn’t be meaningful if you knew beforehand and prepared, would it? That is a Chimera.
- It was created by Eargrat, the first Archmage and the first Pope of the Dragon God Cult. The late emperor said that unless one was strong enough to defeat that Chimera alone, they could not obtain the swordsmanship.
To be precise, he said it would be meaningless.
Aint couldn't refute Gardner's addendum. He himself had recognized that fact and had been pondering it the entire way here.
“…So if I beat that thing, I can obtain it?”
- I cannot say for certain.
- However, from your perspective, that is by no means an easy monster.
- It is superior to you both physically and in swordsmanship. And since it is not a demonic beast or a demon, the power of Armian will not shine as it usually does.
He had to defeat the Chimera through pure skill alone.
- That is the test the late emperor has given you. Prove your worth.
- If you are afraid, you don't have to fight it now.
“…Can I really turn back after coming all this way?”
Demons do not permit retreat. Though it was sudden, Aint resolved to face it.
“Let me ask just one thing.”
- What is it?
“Gardner, you brought me here because there’s a chance I can defeat that Chimera, right?”
- I do not believe it is entirely impossible.
“That’s enough for me.”
No matter how strong it was, it had to be weaker than a demon.
Aint infused his blood to open the gate, awakening the slumbering Chimera.
*Krrrk-*
No words were necessary.
The ice melted completely, and the frozen Chimera began to move. The moment their eyes met.
Without a signal, they charged at each other.
───!
The trajectory aimed at the Chimera’s heart was blocked by its arm.
The limb, which looked as if a sword had been attached in place of an arm, immediately slid along the flat of his blade, targeting Aint’s fingers.
─!
Aint deflected it and took a step back. In the next moment, the Chimera was instantly upon him.
A greatsword, imbued with a pure white aura, fell toward Aint.
Faced with its power, Aint chose to roll away rather than block. The ground shook with a massive shockwave.
The debris that shot up struck Aint’s body as it flew past.
“……!”
From just a single exchange, Aint felt a chill run down his spine.
This was a more dangerous opponent than anyone he had ever fought.
He was reminded of Andromalius, who had been summoned with his power restricted. The pressure from back then constricted him. The fear from that time enveloped him.
*Grit.* Nevertheless, Aint gripped his sword and took his stance again.
As if showing mercy, the Chimera, which had paused for a moment, grinned and swung its sword once more.
Utterly brutish.
*Kwhaaaaang!*
Even though he deflected it, the recoil sent his body flying into the air. The beast did not miss that brief moment of vulnerability.
The dozens of strikes unleashed in a single breath were like a tidal wave. Aint’s eyes widened as he thrust his sword to meet them.
Blocking, deflecting, dodging, and at times, accepting minor wounds.
He ultimately avoided a fatal blow.
His heart pounded as if it would burst.
“Hah, hah…!”
He exhaled a breath that felt like it was boiling up from his lungs and unleashed his aura.
*Kwang!* The Chimera took a step back from the counterattack that pierced its opening. Aint followed.
The tables had turned. This time, it was Aint who unleashed a barrage of strikes.
The only difference was that what the Chimera had done in a single breath, Aint managed in three.
And unlike Aint, who had to desperately avoid only fatal wounds, the Chimera effortlessly blocked everything without a single injury.
And right after that, the beast’s mouth opened.
A condensed ball of aura shot out like an arrow.
─!
He barely managed to react and block it, but that was the end.
The ensuing impact sent him flying into a corner like a puppet with its strings cut.
“Keuk…!”
Aint coughed up blood.
The Chimera’s eyes curved like crescent moons. It then sat down and beckoned with a finger.
As if to say it would wait for him.
“…Haha, am I not even worth killing?”
Aint gritted his teeth, drank some of the potion Pernyan had provided, and poured the rest on his wounds.
Torn flesh and broken bones regenerated rapidly.
- That is not it, Aint.
- That Chimera is imprinted so that it cannot kill one of Armian blood.
Aint used his sword as a cane to stand up.
“…You knew from the start that I would be so miserably defeated.”
- I apologize.
“It’s fine. I understand what you were thinking, Gardner.”
So that didn't matter.
In a way, it was a welcome development.
For Aint, who still wasn't confident he could perfectly defeat a demon, the chance to fight an overwhelmingly strong opponent as much as he wanted was undoubtedly a stroke of luck.
“Hoo, so this is a private training ground arranged by the First Emperor for his successor, is that it?”
He calmed his breathing and activated the senses of his body.
Aint dashed forward.
The Chimera reacted.
─!
The battle resumed.
That day, Aint experienced three battles and three defeats, consuming six high-grade potions.
* * *
“Could I use the boat a little longer?”
“I understand.”
“And, I know it’s shameless, but could I also get some more potions…? I’ll be sure to repay you later.”
“I don’t know what’s going on, but just let me know whenever you need them.”
As soon as his lectures were over, Aint took the potions and disappeared.
Pernyan watched his retreating back and recalled the prophecy book.
*The Chimera arranged for the descendant was incredibly strong, and Aint would suffer dozens of defeats.*
*But he wouldn’t give up and would continue to challenge it, eventually defeating the Chimera in the end.*
And the fruit of his labor was a mountain of treasures…
‘Still, by giving him potions, I’ve shortened what would have taken dozens of days.’
Yes, those treasures were the payment for the potions.
It felt like a bit of a rip-off, but the value of an item was always determined by the seller and the buyer.
The seller had decided to sell it as such, and the buyer had bought it anyway, so it was a fair price.
‘I’ll wish you luck.’
May you become stronger and become the hero who vanquishes all the demons.
* * *
─!
──!
The cave trembled. Fragments from the ceiling, unable to withstand the shock, rained down.
Pure white auras clashed violently, tearing at each other.
Neither Aint nor the Chimera gave an inch.
‘How many times has it been?’
He would be defeated, endure with potions, and fight again and again.
If he couldn't win that day, he would challenge it again the next.
He couldn't remember what day it was, or how many times he had fought.
Despite it all, Aint’s mind was as sharp as a finely honed blade.
While he grew numb to the wounds and pain, his blade and movements became ever more precise.
- Careful!
The Chimera did not try to kill Aint. But that didn't mean he was completely safe.
It wouldn't kill him after the duel was over, but the Chimera's aura was deadly enough to take his life at any moment.
If he couldn't endure, he would die.
He was afraid.
Yet, Aint did not retreat.
As strong as the Chimera was, it was nothing compared to the demons. It wasn't more terrifying.
Compared to the enemies he would have to fight in the future, this was nothing. If he couldn't even overcome this, there was no future.
So he fought. Though he was afraid, he advanced rather than retreat.
He clashed swords.
Dodged its fangs.
Inflicting wounds, and receiving them.
And at a certain moment.
The Chimera vanished.
In its place, a massive wall blocked his path.
An impossibly high, majestic, and thick wall.
Aint swung his sword.
*Crack-*
Dozens, hundreds, thousands of times.
The wall, which at first showed not even a scratch, slowly began to crack.
And the moment the wall shattered.
“Ah.”
The Chimera’s heart appeared through the gap. Aint’s sword pierced it.
*Krrk…!*
The Chimera coughed up blood.
The beast’s sword had narrowly missed Aint.
- Cut off its head! Don’t underestimate a Chimera’s life force!
Aint raised his sword and sliced upwards.
That was the end.
From its heart to the crown of its head, the Chimera’s upper body split in two and collapsed.
“…Did I win?”
- Yes, you won.
Aint slumped to the ground, panting heavily.
“…Really?”
He couldn't believe it. The life-or-death battle was over, yet ironically, he felt a surge of energy.
Everything felt new. He felt he could control his own body and aura much better.
“My body feels light.”
- You just shattered a wall. Congratulations.
“A wall…”
He recalled the massive wall.
Was that not real, but something in his mind?
“…I really won. I won.”
Hahahahaha…! Aint laughed. He had never had such a difficult victory, which made him all the more joyous.
“I have to thank Pernyan Sunbaenim. I couldn't have done this without the potions.”
- That is likely so.
After drinking a potion to heal his battered body, Aint pushed himself up.
“Am I a little more worthy now?”
- You were always worthy. Go. Go and obtain the late emperor’s final insights.
“Yes.”
Aint opened the door.
*Rumble-*
The scene within was finally revealed.
And there…
“……”
- …….
There was nothing.
Only the pitch-black darkness filling the massive cavern greeted Aint.
- What is this?
Just then, Aint’s foot brushed against something. It was a single, worn-out piece of paper.
“This is…”
[Defeating the Chimera is not enough.]
- Don’t tell me?
- …My goodness, Your Majesty. Did you deceive even me?
The note’s meaning was clear.
There was nothing here.
The First Emperor’s arrangement was a lie.
“…Haha.”
Aint let out a bitter laugh.
“…I think I understand why Pernyan Sunbaenim had such a hollow look on his face when I caught Andromalius.”
To go through all that for nothing.
Of course, it wasn't truly ‘nothing.’
Through countless duels with the Chimera, he had overcome the brink of death time and again.
In that process, he had gained an epiphany, shattered a wall, and moved forward.
That was likely the First Emperor’s true arrangement.
Still, he couldn't help but feel disappointed that what he had been expecting wasn't there.
- I am sorry.
“It’s alright. It’s not your fault, Gardner. And thanks to you, I was able to break through my wall and gain more confidence, so that’s enough.”
Aint smiled. It wasn't in his nature to dwell on something that wasn't there.
Besides, just by arranging for the Chimera to help him gain enlightenment, the First Emperor had given him a great deal.
“I will absolutely win this jousting tournament. And I’ll get my hands on the other arrangements. I swear it.”
The person he was most likely to meet in the finals was probably Ruina.
‘Sunbae, this time, I will be the one to win.’
Aint steeled his resolve.
* * *
The day after Aint finally defeated the Chimera.
Another visitor arrived at the cave.
“Just as I thought!”
The visitor’s lips curled into a grin as they confirmed the corpse of the Chimera, its upper body split open.
“Aint Armian. I knew you wouldn’t bother to take this.”
Hehehe.
“There’s no way the core or corpse of a Chimera like this would be ordinary. I wonder what it’s made of, what it can be used for, and how much it’ll fetch when I sell it.”
The visitor placed the corpse into his subspace and vanished.