Chapter 232: Sword Master (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 232: Sword Master (3)
Like most people from Leon, I was someone who performed better in practice than in theory.
Well, putting it that way makes it sound like I don't know any theory at all...
But I am a man from a count’s family—at the very edge of the high nobility—and a royal instructor to boot. My basic education wasn't lacking. In fact, it was more than sufficient.
However, I have to admit what needs admitting.
The sword isn't exactly a subject that lends itself well to theoretical explanations. Most of the "academic" side of it consists of chasing clouds and grasping at shadows.
Instead of spending time trying to gain enlightenment from a book, it was faster and more efficient to just grab the Captain and have a bout. Because of that, I wasn't well-versed enough in theory to explain what I knew to others.
Magic was the same.
I could now proudly call myself a mage. I even possessed that "long-titled" list of certifications starting with the Leon Tower Master, but I still lacked the theoretical foundation to teach anyone else.
Surprisingly, however, there was one field where I was quite knowledgeable: weapon-crafting theory.
"Generally, a magic sword refers to a blade that possesses one of three characteristics."
This wasn't a theory I learned in Leon. It was knowledge I’d picked up at the Imperial Academy, specifically from a dwarf.
"The first is having basic magical abilities. Some call magic swords with this trait 'artifacts,' but while they're similar, that's technically incorrect."
They are the same in that they are tools imbued with magic, but unlike artifacts, the primary purpose of a magic sword is, ultimately, to be a sword.
"The second type is a sword under a curse. It grants power in exchange for something. These are blades related to dark magic."
The classic example is a sword that comes pre-installed with the line: 'Do you desire power?'
"They satisfy the first condition while offering even greater strength, but the price is usually steep. Do you know why?"
"Is it, like, the Law of Equivalent Exchange or something?"
"To think an ignorant sword-swinger would know such a sophisticated term... It’s impressive, but that’s not the answer. A magic sword isn't a god. Unless it’s a semi-manifested curse, it cannot grant the user power beyond the magical strength engraved into the blade."
That was why Old Man Derf said they were engraved with curses rather than simple magic.
"Through the curse, it unlocks what we commonly call the limits of the flesh. That’s why most magic swords used by dark mages are enchanted with mind-control curses."
By dominating the mind, they bypass physical limiters.
As a result, the user gains immense power... but because they’ve exceeded their physical limits, their body breaks down the more they use it.
"However, there is a pinnacle of magic swords that eliminates such drawbacks. The Ego Sword."
An Ego Sword.
A blade possessed of its own consciousness.
They were the stuff of legends, but surprisingly, several nations were said to possess them. A sword used by the first King of Leon was hidden within the royal palace, and the Empire was rumored to have about three of them.
"Usually, a dark mage's 'Do you desire power?' is nothing more than a startup command. It’s not that the sword has a soul; it’s a command to activate the magic sword's system and an act of contracting with the user. That’s why it can’t be controlled. The moment it’s controlled, it can’t draw out those limits."
But an Ego Sword is different.
Because the sword has its own ego, it can stop just before the user breaks.
"Not only that, but most Ego Swords are masters of the blade. They can't swing themselves, but their theoretical knowledge is peerless. Do you know why?"
"Why?"
"Because such swords are usually held by swordsmen who dominated their era. An Ego Sword exists until its soul dissipates or the blade is completely destroyed. Since they are passed down and used by absolute masters across different eras, the ego dwelling within the sword naturally becomes a master itself."
Truly, the ultimate end-game of the magic sword world. The pinnacle!
"Then make one for me."
"If I could make those, dwarves would be ruling the world, not humans."
As expected, he said there was no known way to manufacture them. It wasn't for any other reason than this:
"A soul dwelling in a sword... how do you even do that?"
"Well, I thought if a great master puts their heart and soul into crafting it, a spirit of iron or something would inhabit it?"
"Do you think life is that easy?"
Imbuing a soul into a sword was said to be nearly impossible, not just for regular magic, but even for dark mages.
"A soul of that caliber isn't something you can just dominate. You have to find common ground."
"And besides, any human capable of meeting those conditions wouldn't need a sword like that in the first place."
"Exactly."
That was why Ego Swords only appeared in legends. Unless the wielder was an equal, the Ego Sword would only choose a talent worthy of becoming a legend.
"So, if you want to make a magic sword, go find a soul."
"You think that's possible?"
"Coming from the brat who brings back Demon Tribe corpses to grind them up, you sure are acting coy."
Old Man Derf probably wasn't being serious. You can get a demon's corpse by defeating it, but ownership of a soul doesn't just transfer over because you won a fight.
That was why I couldn't let this opportunity pass.
The soul of a powerful swordsman.
I had hesitated for a moment seeing him try to let go of all his regrets and pass on... but those regrets hid a massive secret.
If he had still chosen to let go even after hearing that secret, I was planning to give up, but...
"That can't be! There's no way!"
Seeing Arberus, in Asran's form, spitting blood in fury, it seemed passing on was out of the question.
And so, the incident ended... or rather, it didn't.
Even though the false charges against Count Moleste were cleared and the Sword Emperor and Asran had forgiven them, there were quite a few people who knew the full story of the kidnapping, so punishment was unavoidable.
"Thank you, Asran."
Asran showed his magnanimity by forgiving House Moleste.
"Because Count Moleste is innocent."
"To think you'd think of my father that way..."
"What are you talking about, Senior? The Count really is innocent. You're the one who committed all the crimes by yourself."
"......?"
"First, let's start with a beating."
"Hey, I'm your senior!"
"I'll let you live, at least."
With one kidnapper becoming a punching bag to vent frustrations, the House Moleste incident came to a close. However...
"...There are this many?"
"The state of the Empire..."
"Urgh..."
According to the confession of the butler who was a spy, three neighboring territories were essentially under the influence of dark mages.
It looked like it would take quite some time for the Sword Emperor’s expeditionary force to return to the Academy.
Well, not my problem.
Returning with Daisy’s holy water and the Sword Master’s soul, I handed the necklace containing Arberus’s soul to Old Man Derf.
"I told you to bring one, and you actually did."
Derf looked dumbfounded as he pried the gem from the center of the necklace.
"Everything else is ready, so two days should be enough."
And two days later.
"I have crafted the greatest sword of my life."
The magic sword that the dwarven master Derf called his masterpiece was complete.
The blade was forged from the body of the "Sword Father"—the demon known as the Axe Demon—after removing its limbs and hammering it anew.
And embedded in its center was the gem containing the soul of Arberus, the Sword Master known as a peerless hero 500 years ago.
-To think such an absurd sword could exist...
Even Arberus, whose soul dwelt within, was stunned. It was the ultimate Ego Sword.
"This sword is mine."
"Fine. You brought all the materials, so even the Empire won't be able to say anything."
Well, it was a sword I didn't really need now that I was a Sword Master, but I could use it for "auto-grinding" when I retired as an instructor and had to train juniors.
If that didn't work, I could just sell it to the royal family for a high price. With an Ego Sword of this caliber and the achievements I'd piled up, I might even be able to land a hereditary countship.
-Keep your promise.
But before that, there was a condition I had to fulfill to use Arberus.
"...Who did you say it was?"
"Your father's friend."
"There's no way any of my dad's friends are still alive."
In the training grounds where all the key personnel, including myself and Ellen, had vanished, the Ancestor, who was acting like the king of the hill, tilted her head in confusion.
"It's this."
"...No, I don't care if my dad was called the Sword Saint, he didn't call his sword his 'friend.'"
"No. I put your father's friend inside this sword."
"...They say if you fight dark mages, you become one! Dark mage! There's a dark mage right here?!"
I gently suppressed the horrified Ancestor and pressed the sword into her hand.
"...Wait, for real?"
Had she heard Arberus's voice?
The Ancestor's face turned pale. It might have been my imagination, but she seemed to take three steps away from me.
However, after a conversation and a few nods, the Ancestor took a stance and began to swing the sword as if performing a dance.
"......"
It was a familiar style.
The swordsmanship of the Leon Royal Family.
Of course, since it was a style from the past, it was a bit more rugged than the current royal swordsmanship, but it was clear enough to see the origin of Ellen's current technique.
"Phew. It's over."
The sword dance, which had lasted for quite a while, ended. The Ancestor caught her breath and handed the sword back.
-D-Dain. You really...! It was true?!
Arberus seemed to be in significant shock after learning that his rival, whom he thought was dead, had actually gone into hiding with a dragon and become a "dragon-lover."
-T-That can't be. Dain... Dain...
And so, Arberus began to go through the five stages of grief.
-Dain, how could you! You, who were revered as a Dragon Slayer, were actually a Dragon Slave! To think you became a voluntary slave to a dragon...!
Seeing as he described a happy family with a daughter as "slavery," it seemed his own experience with marriage hadn't been great.
...Come to think of it, did the hero ever get married? I wouldn't know.
-Right. Dain. You must have had your reasons. Love sometimes makes the impossible...
He reached the bargaining stage.
-Just what have I been lingering for in this form...
He fell into depression.
-Yes... this too must be the Goddess's will. There must be a reason I remain in this world.
He reached acceptance.
-I have a request.
"You certainly have a lot of requests."
-If you grant me this one, I will do whatever you wish.
"Well, as your junior, I suppose I should do what I can for my senior."
-In that case...
It seemed the senior couldn't quite let go of his lingering regrets.
Asran—his reunion with the man had been the worst.
For the sake of the dark mages hiding in the Empire, his grandfather, his friends, and even the girl he liked had all set out on a journey.
But Asran had returned to the Academy alone.
"Phew."
And without meeting anyone, he did nothing but swing his sword.
The Academy was currently in a semi-vacation state anyway. Rumors were rampant that after the Sword Emperor and the professors returned, they would just retake the final exams and end the semester.
Thus, Asran swung his sword in solitude.
He followed the trajectory his body had moved in, even if it hadn't been his own soul. It was a realm he thought was absolutely impossible, but his own body had done it.
It wasn't impossible.
Even if it was 0.1%. No, even if it was 0.000000001%.
"It's not zero."
He would uphold the final words of Arberus, who had finally passed on... or so he thought!
As Asran was toiling away, Adam Smith came to find him.
And then.
"Senior said he wanted to see you."
-I shall complete your sword.
"Lord Arberus?"
-......
"Didn't you pass on?"
-......
"Lord Arberus!"
I had brought back Arberus, who had already passed on in everyone's hearts, by resurrecting him in the form of a magic sword.