Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Galaxy Sword
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I had now half-accepted this being as the Martial God.
Perhaps that was why, despite his somewhat discourteous remark, I felt more curiosity than anger.
“Why is that?”
[That martial art is incomplete.]
I paused and asked.
“…How did you know? Its level of completion should be flawless.”
[This is a difficult matter to explain theoretically. Think of it like looking at a painting. No matter how brilliant the artist, if a conspicuous spot is left bare, you would naturally consider it unfinished.]
“……”
[However, my recommendation that you cease your training is not simply because the White Sun Eclipse is an incomplete art.]
The Martial God continued.
[My chosen, you have shown me ten forms of the White Sun Eclipse. And those forms had no particular commonality, save for the fact that they bore an aura of extreme yang.]
It was an accurate analysis, so I nodded.
As I’ve mentioned before, every move of the White Sun Eclipse is a killing blow.
Of course, depending on its application, it can be used for feints or in combinations, but fundamentally—
It is a technique meant to kill an enemy, without fail, in a single move.
[There was another unique characteristic. The further you progressed into the latter forms, the stronger its power became, like a flame that grows hotter as it devours its surroundings.]
“……”
[With your current body, my chosen, you should be able to use up to the seventh, or perhaps the eighth form. The final two forms seem beyond your current ability. Am I correct?]
“…You are.”
[Furthermore, the forms you have yet to create must be far more powerful than what you have now. From the eleventh form onward, it could likely no longer be called a human martial art.]
That’s true.
That is why I haven’t even been able to start creating the latter half of the White Sun Eclipse.
Because I wouldn't be able to use it anyway.
The Martial God let out a sigh.
[It is a dangerous martial art.]
“……”
[Its destructive power is immense, but it is an art that fundamentally requires a transcendentally durable body to wield. A body of flesh and blood will inevitably reach its limit one day.]
Though I couldn't see him, I felt a presence as if he were scanning my expression.
[You are not surprised. My chosen, were you perhaps already aware of this?]
“Yes.”
[Then why do you continue to practice it? Do you not fear the side effects?]
I hesitated for a moment before speaking.
After all, it was unlikely that a secret told to this divine being would spread far and wide.
“The Art of Refinement I practice is highly effective for physical recovery. No matter how much strain my body is under, it’s possible to offset it with the art’s restorative power.”
[I saw well enough from the bloody battle just now that you have learned a special Art of Refinement. Despite reaching a state of utter exhaustion, you recovered your energy in an instant. But that, too, is merely a temporary fix. In the end, are you not just drawing upon your true energy?]
“……”
I was once again surprised by the Martial God's insight but did not let it show.
The Martial God sighed again and spoke.
[Most martial arts invariably include an element of tempering. They guide you through gradual steps, ascending through stages in order, naturally leading you to the next level. Thus, a martial art learned from one's predecessors is, in itself, a guidepost.]
“……”
[Thanks to this, a student can cultivate not only their body but also their mind in the process—that, too, is a consideration of the founder. After all, to handle a high-level martial art, one must also possess a strong mind. However.]
The Martial God’s voice grew heavy.
[The White Sun Eclipse has no such consideration. It is a mere collection of destructive techniques. Personally, I would not even want to call it a martial art.]
“……”
[I am not telling you not to use it. I am telling you not to develop it further. The ten forms you have just shown me will be more than sufficient for combat. To pursue anything more is akin to shattering your own vessel.]
The Martial God paused for a moment before speaking.
[To be frank… I cannot fathom the true intentions of the master who taught you such a martial art.]
“He must have had his reasons.”
[A reason worth achieving even if it means breaking his disciple?]
The Martial God spoke sharply, but strangely, I wasn't particularly offended or shocked.
It wasn't because I thought the Martial God was lying.
It was because I had, to some extent, already felt the same.
Throughout my training, I too had felt that the White Sun Eclipse was, in many ways, a bizarre art.
His words about it being dangerous to continue practicing were true.
But is that necessarily wrong?
“There is such a thing as aptitude between a person and a martial art. What is a treasure to one person may be worth less than a pebble to another.”
[This is a matter of danger, not aptitude.]
“I know. I simply wish to say that there is also a kind of compatibility between a master and a disciple.”
[…….]
“O Martial God, my master did not force me to learn the White Sun Eclipse. The choice was mine, so the responsibility must also be mine.”
I could feel the Martial God’s gaze.
Perhaps I was being rude.
What I realized from our short conversation was that this Martial God was fundamentally benevolent.
This advice, too, must have stemmed from goodwill.
However, I did not appreciate someone encroaching upon the domain of a master and disciple.
Even if it was born from good intentions.
[…I understand your intentions well, my chosen. I can also vaguely guess why you refused my martial art.]
“Yes. Therefore, it would be best for you, O Martial God, to find another chosen one besides me—”
[You mean the one who is on their way here now?]
“…That’s not ideal.”
Come to think of it, a subordinate of Hadenaihar is rushing over here.
The cave is quite large, so there should still be some time... but this is no time to be complacent.
I desperately racked my brain and said.
“How about this? When I leave this place, I will find a follower worthy of you, O Martial God.”
[Hmm. So you want me to postpone choosing a follower until then?]
“That’s right.”
[It seems you do not approve of the martial artist coming here, my chosen.]
“That’s right. He is an evil man who worships a Calamity God.”
Saying such a thing to a divine being probably wouldn't be very persuasive, but I said it anyway.
[Hmm…….]
The Martial God seemed lost in thought for a moment, then spoke.
[My chosen, if you agree to one condition, I will accept your proposal.]
“What is it?”
[Learn my martial art.]
“As I said, I—”
[You may continue to practice the White Sun Eclipse.]
The Martial God said.
[I will not interfere in that matter. But it is an incomplete art, is it not? Unless you plan to devote yourself entirely to its development, learning another martial art will do you no harm. And I, for one, am rather confident.]
“Confident?”
[That my martial art will be of great help to you.]
“…Why would you go to such lengths for someone like me?”
I asked, unable to understand.
[It is a matter of pride as a Martial God.]
“Pardon?”
[I am certain. As you learn my martial art, your way of thinking will surely change along the way.]
“You believe that I will change and stop my training in the White Sun Eclipse on my own?”
[That is correct.]
“Hah.”
A dry laugh escaped me.
“…Isn’t it customary to hide such intentions?”
[I felt it would not matter whether I hid it or not. Besides, the longer one hides such a truth, the greater the fallout. Trust is fundamental between a master and a disciple, is it not?]
“But I am not your disciple, O Martial God……”
[Indeed.]
The Martial God replied nonchalantly.
I felt as if I’d been roped into something, but I didn't press the issue.
“I understand.”
I accepted.
I felt it would be discourteous to refuse any longer when a being like the Martial God was humbling himself to this extent...
And in truth, it was also because the proposal itself held no disadvantage for me.
Ah.
Come to think of it, I hadn't asked the most important thing.
“By any chance, what is the martial art you intend to teach me?”
[It is called the Galaxy Sword.]
“……”
My mouth fell wide open.
A name that no citizen of the empire could fail to know.
I barely managed to conceal my shock as I asked.
“…O Martial God, are you... by any chance, the Nameless King?”
* * *
Galaxy Sword.
A swordsmanship style now lost to time, it was the art of the Nameless King, who is hailed as the greatest king since the founding monarch who established the empire.
Among the Nameless King's achievements were unifying the scattered nations during the great demonic invasion of his time and forming amicable relations with most of the other races.
And he did it all with a single sword.
On the foundation of the relationships the Nameless King forged in that era, the kingdom of today is now called an empire.
Now, no one thinks it strange that only a single nation exists on the continent.
But just five hundred years ago, countless nations and races were at odds with one another on this land.
All while the great evil known as the Dark Cult openly existed.
[I am not.]
But the Martial God denied my words with a bitter smile.
[The Nameless King was human, after all.]
“The Nameless King and the other four kings hold a god-like status in the current empire. There are even religions that worship them.”
[Is that so? Times have certainly changed…….]
The Martial God murmured in a slightly surprised tone.
[Still, I am not the Nameless King. If I were such a famous figure, I would hardly be called a forgotten god, would I?]
He had a point.
Accepting the Martial God's words, I asked cautiously.
“Then what was your relationship with the Nameless King?”
[…He was once my chosen. That is all.]
Rumble…….
Just then, a tremor shook the entire cave.
Small fragments of rock crumbled from the ceiling.
[It seems this cave will not hold for much longer.]
“You mean it’s going to collapse?”
[The battle you just fought was that intense.]
The Martial God said.
[My chosen, if you are to inherit the Galaxy Sword, there is something you must take. At the very top of that tower, you will find a sword embedded there.]
“…It couldn’t be the Seven Sins Sword, could it?”
The weapon the Nameless King used in the past when he united the seven races of the continent.
The Seven Sins Sword was the name of the famed blade that never broke, even in consecutive battles against the strongest of each race, ultimately leading him to victory.
Of course, I had heard it was now lost.
Only a replica is displayed in the imperial palace.
The books I had read described its appearance in detail.
It was said to have a bizarre, branch-like blade, and strange patterns on the sword's body—
[If you mean the sword with a bizarre, branch-like blade and twenty-seven runic characters engraved on its body, then yes, that is the one.]
So it is.
“…You said it’s at the top of the tower?”
I'd better hurry and grab it.