Chapter 73
Chapter 73
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Sword Dragon
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The day of the promised sparring match was blessed with clear skies, thankfully.
The Sword Dragon woke early in the morning and grinned broadly as he checked the weather outside the window with a heart full of joy and excitement.
Even if the skies had been overcast or rain had poured down, he wouldn't have dreamed of postponing the sparring date.
During the month that Thundercloud had stayed with the Orsia Family, the Sword Dragon had counted down the days in his mind every single day, eagerly awaiting this moment. Having longed for it so desperately, there was no way he would delay the sparring now.
If it rained, they could spar in the rain. And if, by some chance, Thundercloud didn't want to, he would have grabbed the Selvis Magic Tower Lord, Wind Calamity Jaydolf Selvis, and begged him to clear the skies somehow.
"A fine day."
Letting his spreading smile run free, the Sword Dragon sat cross-legged on the floor.
The moment he entered meditation, the smile vanished. His mind filled with the image he had visualized dozens, hundreds of times over the past month leading up to today.
That underground chamber. Basing it on Thundercloud's movements from the battle with the old crone. Adding the enhanced internal energy and physical abilities boosted by the elixir. The training sessions of Thundercloud that he had been permitted to observe in the mansion's training grounds. Incorporating those movements and simulating the sparring.
The process varied each time, but the result was always the same. Thundercloud victorious, Sword Dragon defeated. He could force a win if he tried, but such contrived victories were so forced they offered no reference value.
For example, if Thundercloud had eaten something bad the day before and gotten a stomachache...
Or if it turned into a life-or-death duel instead of a spar.
In those cases, the outcomes diverged, with about a 30% win rate after ten death matches.
'Maybe down to 10% now.'
The highest win rate had been in life-or-death scenarios. Only by using the radiant sword from the start to pressure Thundercloud could he achieve that 30%, but after watching the duel with the Fist King the other day, even that dropped to 10%.
Joyful news. He visualized a death match, ending with his head exploding under Thundercloud's fist. Opening his eyes, the Sword Dragon felt a thrilling shiver course through his entire body.
"Opportunities like this don't come often."
Thanks to the intense visualization, his body was drenched in sweat. Standing on trembling legs, he flashed a toothy grin.
"Reality will differ from imagination. Which makes it all the more exciting."
He had lived a life where being hailed as a genius was only natural. From childhood, he had learned the sword from the Sword Emperor, the antithesis of the Heavenly Demon. He had consumed dozens of spirit elixirs that others might never taste in a lifetime, and even drunk the elixir.
He knew the world was full of powerhouses. Yet the Sword Dragon never doubted that he would one day match them—surpass them.
He even thought it natural that he was currently weaker than the supreme beings ruling the world. After all, decades separated him from them.
But there was no such gap with Thundercloud. In fact, in terms of 'time' and 'environment,' the Sword Dragon held an overwhelming advantage. That's why this spar and its inevitable defeat held such great value for him.
Like a frog at the bottom of a Pantheion well, trapped in the frame of genius its whole life, shattering upon glimpsing the true world. This was an invaluable experience money couldn't buy.
After washing up and dressing, he knocked on the door of the family head's chambers and found guests inside.
The Fist King, who had arrived out of the blue two days prior.
And Wind Calamity Jaydolf Selvis. The tower lord, holding a dessert piled high with whipped cream in his thick fingers, grinned at the Sword Dragon.
"Hey there, Estor. Feeling healthy?"
"I'm always in top shape."
The Sword Dragon bowed his head in greeting and continued.
"You look even more robust than last time, Selvis Tower Lord."
"Haha! Robust? More like I've piled on the fat."
Jaydolf patted his ample belly with his other hand and laughed.
"Have you come to observe my sparring as well, Selvis Tower Lord?"
Jaydolf, who had just popped a piece of dessert into his wide-open mouth and was chewing, nodded.
"Honestly, I had little interest in Thundercloud or Dark Flame. But hmm, it turns out Heavenly Thunder personally asked me to come."
"Heavenly Thunder of the Derusia Magic Tower?"
"Mm~ That's right. Orca Derusia. It was some time ago... yes, when we set up the barrier in the Uzra Rift, that's when I forged a bond with Heavenly Thunder."
Not all magic tower lords get along. Though lumped together as magic towers, they pursue different magics, making most towers fiercely independent.
The Ludelra Magic Tower is derisively called corpse lovers by the others, the Haberth and Lefer Towers share ancient grudges, and right now in Oxibel, the Lucionel and Casward Towers are slaughtering each other like sworn enemies. Countless other towers are entangled in alliances or vendettas.
Unlike them, the Derusia and Selvis Magic Towers maintain peaceful relations with the others. Especially Jaydolf, who inherited Selvis Castle twenty years ago, steadfastly upholds his predecessor's moderate stance.
"Heavenly Thunder contacted me with a request. To take a look at Thundercloud."
"Heavenly Thunder is a prickly woman."
The Sword Emperor muttered. He shot Jaydolf a displeased glare and snapped.
"But how does Heavenly Thunder even know about the sparring?"
"Ahem..."
"Jaydolf, I asked you to prepare a barrier in advance for the spar, just in case. I never thought your lips were that loose."
"F-Family head. It wasn't exactly a secret worth keeping, was it?"
"True, but I'm displeased that you spread it on your own."
"Didn't our tower suffer greatly capturing and killing that Foul Fragrance cultist...? Since you didn't step in yourself, I had to drag this bulk of mine out..."
"Who needs us to handle a rat ourselves? Besides, you could stand to move that body a bit more."
Stung by the rebuke, sweat beaded on Jaydolf's forehead.
"My apologies. If you wish, I-I'll make sure Heavenly Thunder hears nothing of today's spar..."
"That would put you in a tough spot. Forget it. As you say, it's no real secret."
The Sword Emperor replied, then glanced at his grandson.
"Or should we keep it secret?"
"Why ask me?"
"You must have some idea of the spar's outcome. I do too. Unless you gain some profound enlightenment mid-spar, beating that Thundercloud kid will be tough."
"I'm no petty fool who obsesses over face-saving by hiding defeat."
The Sword Dragon puffed out his chest proudly and answered.
"You could even announce it like last time. 'The Sword Dragon's blade shatters before Thundercloud!'"
"What's there to brag about in that? You may not care for face, but the Orsia Family must. We're the pride of the Cartel."
Grumbling, the Sword Emperor turned to Jaydolf.
"So, why is Heavenly Thunder interested in Thundercloud?"
"Don't you know, family head? Before Thundercloud became a wanderer, he was close to Heavenly Thunder's disciple, Radiant... ahem, Golden Lily."
"Her disciple must be precious to her. For Heavenly Thunder to take such interest."
"You bet she is. Talent-wise, she's on par with young Estor here."
Jaydolf hurriedly changed the subject.
"The Derusia Magic Tower has promising successors. Not just the disciple Golden Lily, but another outstanding talent. Well, not exactly a child anymore."
"Leysi Yuzha?"
"Yes, yes. I naturally assumed she'd be Heavenly Thunder's disciple..."
"So. Did she ask you to report back on Thundercloud for her disciple?"
"Urgh... not just that. Heavenly Thunder herself is interested in Thundercloud. Two years ago, she gave him a thunder-attribute martial art, and she's curious if he's using it well."
At that, the Fist King burst into laughter.
"I see. The Fist Fury doesn't practice that sort of art, so I wondered why he's called Thundercloud. Turns out he got one from Heavenly Thunder too?"
"Talent earns favor. I even gave Thundercloud an elixir myself."
"Elixir!"
Gulp! Jaydolf, swallowing his dessert, clutched his throat in shock. He barely forced it down and caught his breath.
"E-Elixir! You gave him that priceless thing?"
"Jealous?"
"How could I not be! I've never even laid eyes on one in my life!"
"Ask Heavenly Thunder for one, then."
As if she'd grant it. Despite friendly ties, Heavenly Thunder was a daunting senior among tower lords for the youngest, Jaydolf.
Staring blankly at the ceiling, Jaydolf let out a hollow laugh.
"Elixir... an elixir!"
The Ascard Family maintained connections everywhere, but not with Selvis Tower. Jaydolf inwardly lamented it.
"Family head, out of pure curiosity, is the elixir you gave Thundercloud the latest model?"
"Yes. Alfreon made it himself."
"Grrrrr..."
Not some outdated stockpile from the Ascard Family, but the new-model elixir from that genius alchemist, Alfreon Ascard!
As far as Jaydolf knew, new-model elixirs as gifts went only to key allies like Heavenly Thunder and the Orsia Family. Even if Selvis Tower now cozied up to the Ascards, they'd get at best old stock. Yet a freshly risen star like Thundercloud had received a new one...
"So, how's your condition?"
Ignoring Jaydolf's groans, the Sword Emperor looked to the Sword Dragon, who was massaging his joints and muscles. He grinned and replied.
"Slept well. Perfect."
"No excuses after defeat, then."
"Yes. If I lose today, it's solely because I'm weaker than Thundercloud."
"Braggart."
The Sword Emperor clicked his tongue, but his expression wasn't bad. His grandson had grown steadily without hitches. But no genius avoids walls forever. They could be psychological, in martial attainment, or from rivals.
Hitting one now and tumbling was a necessary lesson. The Sword Emperor had once despaired before the Demonic Cult's Heavenly Demon. A tale from his immature youth, trapped in genius conceit.
Unfamiliar with defeat and despair, it had tormented him viciously. How many years wasted? He didn't want his cherished grandson repeating that path.
Fortunately, the boy was so positive it bordered on inhuman. Arrogant at times, but humble enough to acknowledge superiors.
Best of all, Thundercloud wasn't an enemy. Quite the opposite—his grandson liked him immensely. Defeat might teach him something and even strengthen their bond.
That was good for the Sword Emperor and Orsia Family. Thundercloud was already dragon-worthy, with potential to become a supreme being. No reason to make him a foe.
"Then I'll go prepare."
He had come to pay respects. Having done so, the Sword Dragon bowed and left the room.
The still-empty training ground held an invisible barrier. A safety measure for the intensifying spar. Grinning, the Sword Dragon plopped down outside it and closed his eyes.
After reliving defeats in meditation, he opened them and glanced aside. Thundercloud had appeared some distance away, sitting, with Dark Flame standing behind him.
"Even in your own backyard, isn't this a bit too defenseless?"
"So you had a guardian?"
"I meditated too. Ha-ryeong stood guard."
Ha-ryeong, standing with hands behind her back, brought one forward. Seeing the V-sign aimed at him, the Sword Dragon chuckled.
"Condition?"
"Good."
"Glad to hear."
Time. The Sword Emperor, Fist King, and Wind Calamity emerged onto the grounds. Orsia knights and servants, numbering in the hundreds, ringed the area.
"Many spectators bothering you?"
"Not really."
As the two rose, Wind Calamity stepped forward, waving his wand. The transparent barrier parted wide.
"Rather than just sparring, wouldn't a light wager make it more fun?"
The Sword Dragon suggested. Drawing his sword from its sheath, he grinned.
"The loser grants the winner one request, within reason. What do you say?"
"Isn't that to your disadvantage?"
Yuri had no weapon to draw. Instead, he brushed off his wrists and ankles.
"You're the young master of the Orsia Family; I'm a nobody without backing. Even if you win, your options for requests from me are limited."
"I don't mind."
The Sword Dragon smiled back.
"You lack backing now, but not forever."
"So you won't make a request right away, even if you win?"
"Doesn't matter to me. If you win, hold it for ten years or so. Until I become Orsia Family head."
"Shouldn't you get the Sword Emperor's permission first?"
"I'm not asking him to fight in my place. Why would I need it?"
The Sword Emperor overheard, of course. At a loss for retort, he just sighed deeply.
Yuri didn't answer immediately, pondering. He couldn't know until they fought, but his estimate gave him a 70% edge. Even that assumed sealing Holy Flame Force Emission. With it, aiming for a one-shot kill, victory was certain.
But Holy Flame Force Emission was off-limits. Hard to control its power. Unusable against the Sword Dragon, whom he absolutely couldn't kill. Besides, experts like the Sword Emperor or Fist King might recognize it.
'A request, huh...'
As Yuri noted, the terms hugely favored him. Yet the Sword Dragon proposed it.
'If the War Church ever discovers I'm a possessor and hunts me... could I ask the Sword Dragon for help?'
Uncertain if he'd remain friendly knowing that. But in the month observing him, the Sword Dragon didn't strike Yuri as one to renege on promises over personal feelings.
"Fine."
Hearing Yuri's reply, the Sword Dragon smiled.
"Shall we begin?"
Sparring ended when one conceded defeat or could fight no more. As neither was green, ideally they'd pull back before overheating and accept the admission.
—Fwaaah!
The Sword Dragon's extended sword wrapped in golden light.
'A radiant sword?'
Too aggressive for sparring. Potent, yes, but forming it took too long. Underground, he'd clocked three minutes at the Sword Dragon's level.
No reason to wait. Starting with radiant sword was a fatal blunder. Yuri was confident he could kill the exposed Sword Dragon a hundred times in three minutes.
'No, not full radiant sword.'
Yuri's foot shot forward. A simplified version? Golden sword aura fixed to the blade, not overflowing.
'So that's what he trained on with the Sword Emperor this month.'
The internal energy cohesion dwarfed normal aura. Clashing blindly would shatter his own.
Normal aura, perhaps. Yuri's Heavenly Principle Annihilating Evil Art lay beyond that. Its flames turned anything they touched to fuel.
The Sword Dragon knew this.
'I see. You want to test it.'
Yuri felt the same curiosity.
Could this simplified radiant sword withstand the Annihilating Evil flames?
—Crackle! Lightning qi mixed into his ground-pushing foot.
'Curious, sure, but swinging fists at sword aura is madness.'
A martial artist's basics: evade the weapon, close in, strike the body. Brandishing bare hands at blades when you had an edge was foolish.
Simply put, if fists outdid swords in qi manipulation, why bother with swords? Smashing blades barehanded was circus for weaker foes.
The Sword Dragon was no such weakling.