Chapter 149
Chapter 149
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 149
Chapter Title: Why Is That There?
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Vallak and the academy's third-year students prepared for battle.
The third-years formed up with the strongest among them, Albert, at the center.
They intended to use the standard wheel tactic against strong foes, just as they'd been taught at the academy.
But their opponent was a poor matchup.
Whoosh!
"Huh?!"
"That's no good if you're that slow."
Having let their guard down slightly from the conversation moments ago, they missed Vallak's movement.
One of the students assigned to a flank in the wheel formation was bisected and killed.
Of course, the dead student perished instantly without realizing what happened.
Before vanishing in a burst of blue light, the horrific sight of their friend's death turned the other students' faces pale.
"What's wrong? In the end, death is fleeting."
"""..."""
"Instead, the process of reaching that destination called death holds meaning. So, decide now. Will you die here pointlessly, or steel yourselves and clash with me at least once?"
The students froze at Vallak's words.
For these youths with bright futures ahead, death felt distant—very distant.
Just as their resolve began to waver...
"Everyone, snap out of it!!"
"Ah, Albert?"
"But..."
"Aren't you curious too? Just how far we can push that being!"
Was it thanks to the shout from their most reliable friend?
The students gritted their teeth and charged at Vallak.
"Yes! Charging in even knowing you'll die—that is resolve!"
"Jeenjaang!!"
"Damn it!!"
And so the third-years rushed at Vallak.
Albert, the top of the graduating class, wasn't lying about his skills; he managed to deflect Vallak's attacks to some degree.
But each time his sword clashed with Vallak's, his whole body creaked, and his sword arm—his dominant right—began turning black and blue.
Realizing this wasn't the time, Albert drew the secret swordsmanship of the Barche Ducal House.
Riiing!
Craaack!
"Hoo, that's some fine swordsmanship."
"It's the technique passed down through the generations of my house!"
Deploying the Barche-style Arang Sword, Albert managed to exchange blows with Vallak through nimble movements.
His friends supported him, swinging their swords.
But the opponent was far too strong.
Two whose teamwork faltered against his swift movements were torn apart by his powerful blade.
While Albert was sent flying, the last one took a massive hole through the gut and died instantly.
Now alone, Albert gritted his teeth.
Clang!
'No way!!'
Albert slashed down hard, but Vallak blocked it effortlessly.
'No matter what, he can't be this far ahead!'
Twisting his body further, Albert swung using the centrifugal force.
Vallak read the move and sidestepped lightly.
'The world's strongest can't be this untouchable!!'
The secret swordsmanship passed down through generations in the Barche Ducal House couldn't even graze Vallak, let alone land.
In his family, at swordsmanship tournaments, at school...
Everywhere, he'd been hailed as a genius.
But feeling a true wall for the first time, Albert's face drained of color.
And moreover—
"You're holding up well. Time to step it up."
Whirrr!
Thud!
A massive spear appeared from nowhere in Vallak's empty hand.
The moment he recalled Vallak's profile, Albert was dealt a massive shock.
'That's right—that being uses every kind of weapon?!'
Sword, spear, axe, hammer, fists, and more.
Vallak, who wielded all weapons, had only used the 'sword' so far.
If he started using the spear now too?
Albert felt like he was at a dead end with an enormous wall closing in, suffocating him.
Seeing the student whose mind was shaken so violently, Vallak lowered his weapon for a moment.
"What you're feeling is only natural."
"W-What?"
"Even now, countless brave souls challenge me to reach me. Some sacrifice themselves to help comrades, others are crushed body and soul. Some even stake their lives against colossal beings."
Just as Vallak said, countless beings were fighting to challenge him right now.
But they were all top-tier powerhouses to begin with.
Unless they cheesed it somehow, no one could reach Vallak.
In this situation...
"Unlike you, most can't even face my final trial. So I'll ask one thing. In a situation where revival is possible, do you still see this as mere 'misfortune'?"
"!!!"
Albert was struck by Vallak's words.
Even assuming he kept growing, could he ever face Vallak in the main dungeon?
Even heroes blessed by the gods kept challenging but never met him.
Click!
"...I've been thinking nonsense."
"That's it. Remember this: steeling yourself for death can bring happiness. And one last thing—keep training, and you'll reach me someday."
Albert received unexpected encouragement.
He hadn't thought he'd learn anything here.
But through this 'fortune,' the promising youth gained much.
"Your resolve seems honed now. Come at me!"
"Huu!"
Albert steadied his breath, unleashed his full power, and charged at Vallak.
**********
By now, even as Albert's body was battered, he kept clashing with Vallak.
Those who'd encountered Vallak in the mini-dungeon awoke in the church.
Word quickly spread that Vallak was on Sky Island.
"Huh? Why's that boss there?"
"Did the black market open like last time?"
"Or maybe beastkin have been causing too many crimes lately. Could be he's there to flip everything upside down."
"Hmm... Lately the seaside's turned into a full tourist spot. Maybe he's gone to smash it all."
"Ugh... Too many possibilities."
A debate raged on why Vallak was on Sky Island, but no conclusion was reached.
Still, what they had to do was clear.
"Gonna have to rest for the next week..."
"What's wrong with that? Time to relax."
"Or wanna travel somewhere else?"
"In this summer heat? Hmm... Beach sounds good."
And so everyone continuing their livelihoods on Sky Island declared a brief break.
But one side blew up upon hearing the news.
Booom!
"Is that true!?"
"P-Professor, please calm down."
"How can I calm down! Why has that being moved?!"
"W-Well, from the info I brought..."
Vallak had been confirmed in the mini-dungeon exactly twice before.
First time: Those pushed out by Laiter's established powers started nesting eggs on Sky Island.
When they took over hunting grounds, Vallak showed up to smash them.
Second: Peddlers taking exorbitant profits, price-fixing, and other shady dealings across Sky Island—he appeared to clean it up.
So this third time...
"T-Too many possibilities?!"
From the outside, not knowing Vallak or Orek's perspective, the mini-dungeon interior was a total mess of chaos.
Beastkin issues, black market problems, specialty good monopolies, spirit stone cartels, seaside tourism boom, etc.
With crowds pouring in and incidents popping up everywhere simultaneously, no one could guess why Vallak appeared.
"Could it be... because our students went in?"
"What? Don't be ridiculous."
"Nah, no way~ That boss wants fights with the strong, from what I know."
"No reason to target students anyway."
Thus the truth was revealed.
But it was buried in an instant.
The professors fell deep into thought.
"Sh-Should we halt the practical exam immediately?"
"With all our students scattered across the vast Sky Islands, no signal magic tools—canceling's impossible."
"Haa..."
The meeting went in circles after that.
But truth is simple.
"Let's go meet that dungeon boss's sworn brother."
"Y-Yes?! P-Professor, you mean...?"
"Heading to that tavern? But reaching it..."
"I hear they're selling early dungeon skip tickets right now."
Catching a few golden spirits inside Sky Island.
Or some buying from shops—skip tickets were circulating outside.
But golden spirit skip tickets had gold borders, specially made unlike shop ones.
Their rarity and symbolism tempted collectors into a buying frenzy, ballooning prices instantly.
Plus, basic skip tickets sold for Abyssal Coins anyway...
"Those skip tickets are basically coin checks!"
"M-More than that, you'd burn enough for a small mansion? Where's that kind of money...?"
"I hear the imperial office's new attache is here. Let's explain to him."
Hadn't the imperial family pressured the academy into all this?
The exam was rushed, lacking exceptions.
And now the worst: Vallak spotted inside Sky Island.
Time to take responsibility!
The academy professors rushed to the current imperial attache.
************
Radeon, the successor to the previous imperial attache, was in high spirits.
And why not...
'M-My cousin!! Thank you so much for this position!!'
'Yeah... Live well.'
Once the 15th imperial prince, Radeon had faced utterly bleak prospects.
Married with kids, even!
To protect his rabbit-like daughter and fox-like wife, he needed power.
But his grandmother, Empress Eileen, looked younger than him.
Having made the Sword Saint her husband, she'd secured absolute power.
She'd banned political schemes against her bloodline, so imperial assassinations stopped!
Positions were filled, but with extras, some royals couldn't find jobs!
In this mess, he'd caught his cousin's eye and landed this killer post.
Sure, stuck in the city forever with family.
But Laiter was booming massively, bribes flowing from everywhere—no real downsides.
And as Empress Eileen's grandson.
Plus his hard efforts to survive made him quite capable.
Having finished handover and started his official job happily,
"The academy's chief professor requests a meeting?"
"Th-They say it's urgent."
"Push other schedules back. Let's meet."
Thus, the current imperial attache met with the academy professors.