Chapter 457: Change (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 457: Change (1)
A woman sat amidst the devastation, her expression distant and hollow.
“…”
The air grew still. From the clouded look in her eyes, it was clear she was utterly spent.
Clack.
Using her sword as a crutch, she pushed herself to her feet.
Even if her mind and body were exhausted, she could not afford to remain seated. She could not show weakness.
Clutching that thought, she forced herself to stand.
“Hah…”
A wave of dizziness washed over her as she rose—the recoil from forcing her energy forth. Making matters worse, she had been cut off mid-technique, amplifying the backlash.
“Cough-!”
The Celestial Sword coughed violently, spattering the ground with blood.
After a moment to survey her surroundings, she wiped her mouth clean.
“…”
Tap. Tap.
She scuffed her foot over the bloodstain, erasing the evidence. Then, she produced a small vial and downed its contents in one gulp. Only after swallowing it all could she finally release a sigh.
“…”
Her dry eyes scanned the area.
Powerful Lightning Qi still crackled across the scorched earth, searing everything nearby. Trees had been uprooted by the earlier shockwaves—the unmistakable scars of a brutal battle.
As she assessed her condition, the Celestial Sword reflected on what had just transpired.
This wasn't mere recovery from a fight; the need for that had long since passed. Nor was she particularly disappointed about letting the Demonic Sword escape.
No… my disappointment lies elsewhere.
Her thoughts turned to the young man who had intervened just as their clash was reaching its climax.
“…”
He was the one from the Black Flame Army whom the Dancer had ordered her to retrieve. The Dancer hadn't described his appearance or character, insisting only that the Celestial Sword would recognize him on sight. And so, she had set out.
As expected, she had encountered the Demonic Humans, and indeed, she had found the one she was sent for. Just as the Dancer had said, she knew him the moment she saw him.
So that’s what she meant.
How could she not know? The young man possessed an energy unique to one person in all the heavens. Moreover, he seemed acutely aware of it himself. The resonance between their energies had been intense.
…
Even if his face, voice, and aura were different, the Celestial Sword knew he was the one the Dancer sought. In fact, she knew his true identity. How could she not? It was impossible for her to be ignorant of it.
Of course, accepting it at first had been difficult. The existence of two identical individuals in one world was unnatural. That very strangeness had forced her to be cautious.
…
She thought of the young man who had stopped her battle with the Demonic Sword.
She had failed to prevent him from carrying away the collapsing Demonic Sword. But as he made his escape, their eyes had met.
She hadn't been able to ask the question burning in her mind, and it still haunted her.
-What’s your name?
It was the question she had wanted to ask last night but never did. If he had answered, what would he have said? Would it have been the name she expected? Or something entirely different?
Whatever the case, the chance was gone.
“…”
In the end, the Celestial Sword had not stopped the young man from taking the Demonic Sword to safety. No—it was more accurate to say she had failed to stop him.
She shouldn't have let them escape. For the good of the Alliance, she should have captured the Demonic Sword. But when her eyes met the young man's, she found she couldn't bring herself to do it.
…Why?
Why had he looked at her like that? His gaze had been filled with pity and concern, stirring a conflict deep within her. That unknown, mysterious stare left her wondering… why?
She wanted to ask him. She wanted to know what connection they shared, if they knew each other in some other world, and if the energy he wielded was truly the same as hers.
But burdened by her duties, she had remained silent.
“…”
After wiping the last trace of blood from her lips, the Celestial Sword stared at the spot where the young man had vanished. A powerful recoil was coming, and though it wouldn't last long, she needed to find a secluded place to rest.
“Ah…”
A profound weariness settled over her. The thought surfaced, unbidden, but she immediately suppressed it. She could not afford to be tired.
With that resolve, she steadied herself and began to move.
“Are you sure you can let them leave?”
“…!”
A cold voice cut through the silence. The Celestial Sword turned to see its owner: the Heavenly Venerable. His icy blue eyes fixed upon her.
“…Heavenly Venerable…?”
“I don’t understand.”
Crack.
Lightning Qi flickered around the Heavenly Venerable’s form.
“You had your chance. Why did you hesitate?”
“…”
“Or perhaps,” he continued with a smile that did not reach his eyes, his voice laced with clear annoyance, “you wished to give this old man an opportunity?”
His body began to levitate. Though he kept his Lightning Qi tightly controlled, its mere presence was so overwhelming that cold sweat trickled down the Celestial Sword’s face.
“How unfortunate… I should have arrived sooner.”
“Heavenly Venerable… what are you— …Wait!”
“I have already received the order.”
“…!”
The Celestial Sword’s eyes widened.
“The command has been given. There is no reason to wait any longer.”
She bit her lip, understanding his meaning perfectly.
“Decide. Will you join me, or will you stay?”
“…”
The Celestial Sword could not form a reply. Seeing her hesitation, the Heavenly Venerable shook his head silently.
“I pray this indecision does not plague you until the end.”
Slam-!
His expression calm, the Heavenly Venerable merged with his Lightning Qi and shot forward like a bolt.
“Ugh…!”
The Celestial Sword tried to shout, to stop him, but a sudden wave of recoil forced her to her knees.
“Huff… Huff!”
She gripped her sword tightly, but her breathing grew ragged and her vision blurred. Finally, her consciousness flickered and went out.
* * *
I managed to reach the forests of Sichuan, running like a madman with the sun at my back. The landscape blurred past as I pushed my speed to the limit.
How much further?
My destination was the heart of Sichuan. Having been brought here blindfolded, I had no idea of my exact location and was navigating by guesswork alone.
Ugh, for fuck’s sake.
My original plan had been to slip away and observe the situation from hiding.
What is this mess?
But the girl on my back had ruined that plan. The Lightning Emp— no, the Demonic Sword, who had been swinging her lightning blade with such frenzy, was now slumped unconscious across my shoulders.
“Huff… Hah…”
I could hear her labored breathing in my ear. It seemed the recoil had finally taken its toll.
Is this the backlash?
I knew the Thunder Fang technique placed a strain on the user, but it shouldn't have been enough to knock someone like the Demonic Sword out cold. Yet, she had collapsed suddenly, right after seeming relieved to see me.
…Her body must have been at its absolute limit.
She had used the Thunder Fang while already completely exhausted.
Why did you have to go that far?
I couldn't help but grind my teeth. There was no need for such recklessness. It would have been over if she’d died.
My situation was different; I had regressed into a new life. I doubted the same was true for her. So please, just live for me. Stop risking your life so carelessly. At the very least, I didn’t want her to do it for my sake.
Dammit all.
I frowned, suddenly aware of how light she was. Was she even eating properly? Her weight—or lack thereof—was worryingly slight, and that concern annoyed me. I pushed myself to leap faster.
I had to get out of here. I risked a glance backward.
…Celestial Sword.
As I’d hurried away with the Demonic Sword, my eyes had met the Celestial Sword’s. I’d expected her to stop me, but she had only watched with a furrowed brow, saying nothing. Had she intended to let us go from the start? Her inaction as I fled suggested so. If she had wanted to capture me, she certainly could have.
But I didn't understand why she let us leave.
Are you different in this world?
This was a different world, after all. It was possible this Celestial Sword had a personality distinct from the one I knew, even if they looked identical.
“…Hmgh…”
A movement stirred on my back.
“Are you awake?”
“…”
I called out to her, but received no response. Still unconscious, then.
Do I just head straight back to headquarters like this?
With the Demonic Sword in this state, I had little choice. But there was a problem…
How am I going to explain this?
I had no good story.
…Maybe it’ll be fine?
The Demonic Sword had, after all, stormed the enemy base alone to rescue me. I could simply say she succeeded but lost consciousness from overexertion.
I hoped that would be enough.
But it’s not going to work, is it…
The real problem was that I’d be explaining this to none other than myself. Setting aside the Demonic Sword’s recklessness, the Alliance wanted me more than her. The fact that I was perfectly fine while she was in this state was going to be difficult to justify.
Maybe I should just come clean?
Tell him to his face: I’m actually you, I’m from another world, nice to meet you, dumbass. The temptation was there…
…But would he believe me?
If it didn’t work, it would be a disaster. And it was safest to assume it wouldn’t. Knowing my own personality, he’d never buy it.
There was one small comfort.
He won’t kill me.
Since we both returned alive, he’d likely see some use in keeping me around. The Celestial Sword had wanted me, and I’d brought the Demonic Sword back alive.
…However.
The bigger issue was that this incident would probably be reported to the Heavenly Demon. A major event like this demanded it.
And then…
The Heavenly Demon might come herself.
She might appear in Sichuan to witness this twist of fate firsthand. If that happened, I would be in serious trouble.
I had to choose: run, or find a way to resolve the situation.