The End of a Fallen Mage
‘What exactly is a Swordmaster?’
It is a title given to those who have reached the pinnacle of the sword, walking a path entirely their own. Once one touches that realm, they begin to see things that were previously invisible and cut things that were previously impossible to sever.
For someone like me, whose primary combat style is physical, it was the perfect level to aim for.
I can crush mountains and pierce fortress walls with a single punch. I can even reach out and tear apart visible magic with my bare hands. That is because those things belong to the same dimension as I do.
However, I could not do anything about entities that belonged to higher or different dimensions.
The prime example is a Spirit residing in the Spirit Realm. Even if they manifest with a physical form, their true essence remains in the Spirit Realm, which meant I could not kill them.
A Swordmaster is different. It is not because they can handle Aura more precisely. The greatest standard that divides a Swordmaster from a non-Swordmaster is the ability to see what the eyes cannot.
If you cut a spirit that has manifested in reality, you can strike its true body in the Spirit Realm.
It was a truly attractive prospect. It meant I could eliminate my weakness.
So, I did it.
“A… Swordmaster?!”
Vallak gasped in shock.
He had every right to. The Emperor of the Empire, a Swordmaster? It was information that had never been revealed. It wasn’t that I had intentionally hidden it; it was just that there was no need to disclose it.
Besides, there was rarely a need to draw my sword for most matters.
Above all, just because I hold a sword doesn’t mean I suddenly become significantly stronger. It simply means there are enemies I can only deal with when I am armed.
“This cannot be, this cannot be! With that much talent, with that much favor bestowed upon you…! It’s impossible!”
I can vividly feel the inferiority complex of a black mage who has hit a wall and stopped moving forward. It wasn’t a remark worth my response.
“Hmph.”
Lily wore a smug expression.
“So that was it. That’s why you were so confident!”
Vallak glared at me. He had claimed to have lost his form and ascended to a higher dimension, yet he had already regained a human shape.
“I hate you! Emperor!”
“If you hate me, then hurry up and attack.”
“Grrr. Do you take me for a fool?”
I thought he had lost his reason after abandoning his humanity, but it seems that wasn’t the case. Rather than rushing in, he seemed to be prioritizing situational judgment.
However, his attempt to mimic a human felt forced, and his appearance was, well…
“You look disgusting.”
Lily spat out an honest assessment.
That was inevitable, considering he had given up on being human. I clicked my tongue.
“The end result of a mage who gave up on moving forward.”
“What do you know to talk like that!”
Did my words strike a nerve? Whoosh! Vallak’s form swelled. Yet, he still didn’t attack, only glaring at me.
Hmm.
Should I provoke him a bit more?
“Wasn’t a mage supposed to constantly seek the truth to reach it? The moment you gave that up and offered yourself as a sacrifice, you lost the right to be called a mage.”
“……!”
Is it working?
Vallak’s form shook violently. Perhaps agitated, his dark, mist-like appearance flickered imperfectly.
“I, I…”
My words must have touched something deep within him. Vallak stuttered.
“An opening.”
Seeing that, I didn’t hesitate and unleashed a sword strike.
Swoosh—!
Vallak’s body scattered in terror as the slash tore through the air.
Did he barely dodge it?
As expected, he was a formidable opponent—the strongest I had fought so far, without a doubt.
“You cowardly bastard! A sneak attack?”
“Is there any reason why I shouldn’t sneak attack you?”
“…….”
Vallak shut his mouth at my words. Right, you have nothing to say, do you? Why are you looking for fairness between us?
That should be enough. The useless conversation had gone on too long. I slowly raised my sword.
“We aren’t on terms to have a friendly chat. It’s time to end this.”
“W-wait.”
A desperate voice. He scattered dark mist in a panic.
I can see it. Where I need to cut. I swing, following the path visible to my eyes.
Slash—
A simple iron sword cut through the flesh of a grand mage who had ascended into a half-demonic existence.
“Aaaargh!”
Vallak screamed. The air in the vicinity trembled just from his scream. Ignoring it, I continued to cut where I needed to.
“W-wait.”
He used magic. As expected of a temple he had built himself, a vicious spell was activated instantly.
Magic is a realm within my reach. I reached out and crushed it lightly.
Crackle—! The formless magic reverted back into mana and dissipated.
“You monster…!”
I reached close proximity to Vallak. It wasn’t difficult. He changed his body back into a human form and said,
“……Stop! Let’s talk, let’s…”
“As I said before, we don’t seem to be on terms to have a conversation.”
“Information! I’ll give you information!”
Information. I paused my sword for a moment. Feeling he had found a way to live, Vallak continued urgently.
“The witch! I’ll give you information about Hecate!”
“Hmm.”
“She is a witch who has lived for an unimaginably long time. Even you must know how dangerous that witch is!”
Well, it is true that Hecate’s existence is a major variable. She is a character I only know from the game’s settings, after all.
“Emperor, do you know the reason why Hecate does not die?”
I don’t. I thought the information he was about to give might be very important.
However.
“I’ll just hear it from her directly.”
“W-wait. Why!”
Why, you ask?
Would you trust someone who betrayed their superior to join you?
I raised my sword.
“Goodbye.”
That was the end. I swung my sword along the path I could see.
Whoosh! A black flame, like some kind of curse, flared up. It seemed to be his final struggle.
“Tsk.”
It felt quite dangerous, so I had to exert some effort to shake it off.
The black mage, who had abandoned his human form but ultimately spoke to me in the guise of a human at the very end, died just like that.
I calmed my battle excitement for a moment and looked around.
“Your Majesty.”
Lily approached quickly. The surroundings were practically a ruin. The temple a mage had poured his heart into was already losing its shape and on the verge of collapse.
“Was I a bit too much?”
It had been a long time since I had a proper battle. I think I got a bit carried away and put too much strength into it.
“Before we leave.”
“Yes.”
Guided by Lily, I went inside. It seemed she had seized control of the interior while I was fighting Vallak, as the path was clear.
“This is where the hostages are.”
I easily tore open the locked door. Looking inside, I saw the hostages sleeping.
“Take them all for now.”
“I will borrow your shadow for a moment, Your Majesty.”
I nodded. Slide— My shadow covered the people’s bodies like a blanket.
Hostages rescued.
Everything I needed to do here was finished.
It was the workshop of a black mage who had reached the level of grand magic, so I did think about looting, but…
Hmm.
Is it necessary?
If I needed anything, it seemed better to ask Hecate for advice.
After cleanly letting go of any lingering attachments, I exited the underground.
***
“You’re back, brother!”
Logan welcomed me with a smile. As I had ordered in advance, guild staff had come out and were setting up hospital beds.
Logan’s eyes trembled. The way he kept glancing at me made it clear what he was hoping for.
“Lily.”
“Yes.”
Lily emerged from the shadows along with the hostages.
“Lucy!”
Logan smiled brightly and hugged the girl who appeared to be his younger sister.
“My goodness.”
“To think something like this was under the guild building…”
The guild staff were horrified.
They hurriedly moved the other hostages onto the beds.
“Thank you, brother! I don’t know how to repay this kindness…”
It’s hard to watch a middle-aged man tearing up. By the way.
“Your sister looks very young.”
“Ah, she’s not my biological sister, but…”
He looked at the girl in his arms with a complex expression. It seemed there were complicated circumstances.
“From now on, I’ll truly live for Lucy. Thank you so much. You’re my benefactor. If there’s anything you need, just tell me.”
“Help, you say.”
I turned to Lily.
“How many people are left in the royal family right now?”
“Including the young prince, there are four left.”
“W-what?”
Logan, who had been listening, let out a dumbfounded sound. Lily’s words meant the head of this country had completely vanished.
A void where neither the king nor the prime minister remained.
All that was left was a young prince.
It wouldn’t be strange if the country collapsed tomorrow.
It can’t be helped.
“Logan.”
“Y-yeah.”
“I have a task for you.”
“Wait a minute, it’s not what I’m thinking, is it?”
Well, I mean.
I can’t stay in this kingdom forever.
“Don’t worry too much. I won’t give you an unreasonable request.”
“Haha, r-right?”
“Being the guardian of the young prince would be the perfect role for you.”
“Huh?”
From a middle-aged adventurer to the guardian of a prince.
This is a massive promotion.
I pulled a small emblem from my pocket.
“Here.”
“This is?”
“It is the emblem of the Emperor of the Aquitaine Empire.”
“…Gasp!”
Oh dear.
Logan rolled his eyes back and fainted on the spot.
“……He fainted.”
What should I do?