Chapter 622
Chapter 622
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 622
Chapter Title: God's Atlantis
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I looked at Baron Estor's wife and daughter and said,
"I'll give you a chance to live."
I swung the bloodstained sword. Baron Estor's left leg was severed clean off. This was a warning for them.
"Strip."
The air around us grew deathly still. They must not have grasped my words amid the sudden chaos. To jog their understanding, I pointed the sword tip at them.
"Does my command not register as words?"
"Ar-Are you after Baron Estor's lordship?"
The baron's wife asked me.
With the baron dead and me married to his wife, I'd claim Estor territory. It might sound utterly ridiculous by normal standards, but given my backing, it was entirely feasible.
"I have zero interest in this piss-ant little fief. Survive, and it's yours."
"...Milord. Please, spare at least my daughter. She just had her coming-of-age rite. If word gets out she was defiled by you, her marriage prospects are done for."
"Isn't a dead-end marriage path better than a nunnery?"
"...At the very least..."
The baron's wife's gaze shifted to the butler, Ridella, and Estor. I beckoned the butler, who stepped out the door.
"This one's my personal fuckhole, so she stays."
"..."
The baron's wife clutched her dress hem tight. She was hesitating. No way she'd move on her own anytime soon, so I took matters into my own hands.
I swung the sword. The dresses of the wife and daughter shredded away. Naked now, they screamed and covered themselves with their hands.
"Kyaaak?!"
"N-No...! Milord! I beg you! Leave my wife and daughter out of this!"
"Shut your trap, Baron."
I kicked Baron Estor aside, hurled the naked wife and daughter onto the bed, and stripped down myself.
"Let's have some fun. Heh heh."
???
For half a day, I fucked Baron Estor's wife and daughter senseless.
Baron Estor croaked midway through.
I wanted to hole up in the city and rest, but duty called, so I shipped out the next day.
Baron Estor's wife and daughter? Didn't kill 'em. No reason to. Their pussies had some nice grip to them.
I shipped Ridella off to the desert. No point dragging her around anymore.
'Time to wrap up my mission.'
A massive city gate loomed before me now.
It dwarfed Estor City's walls in size and splendor.
Sector 6,101. Arphis territory.
Home turf of one of the Empire's Five Great Dukes—the Foolish Sword Duke.
The gate guards snapped to attention at the sight of my cloak and bowed low.
"A knight of Balderth. Welcome to Arphis territory."
"...Need a pass or something?"
"Pardon? We've heard some cities charge tolls, but Arphis territory lets anyone with verified status pass freely."
"Figures. Name's Sung Yu-jin, knight of Balderth. Here to deliver Duke Balderth's letter to Duke Arphis. I'd like an audience ASAP. Possible?"
The soldiers showed no surprise. Not even when they first spotted me. They'd been expecting me.
I figured they'd nod and clear the way like it was routine. But they held position.
"Sir Sung Yu-jin. Apologies, but we have orders from the Duke."
"What orders?"
"Bar you from the city... and hand you this letter instead."
"..."
Something felt off. Grimacing, I snatched the letter from the soldier and unfolded it. My hands shook as I read—pure rage and frustration.
Crumple.
Duke Arphis's letter balled up in my fist.
"Milord?!"
"Ah, sorry. The contents caught me off guard. Got a bit heated."
"Haha... Understood."
"Understood?"
"His Grace the Duke Arphis occasionally tests people. That letter's probably one such test for you, right?"
"Spot on. He's ordering me to pass through the Sword Graveyard first."
The soldier flinched, then gave me a pitying look.
"The Sword Graveyard? His Grace must think highly of you to assign such a brutal trial."
Sword Graveyard.
A dungeon-cum-training ground.
No entry without Duke Arphis's explicit permission.
"Hoo. Duke's command—I can't refuse."
"Milord, it's not all bad. He doesn't grant access to grunts or even most knights. Letting you in means he expects great things."
"You sure know how to spin it."
"Just the facts."
"I'll be off."
"Take the letter. The Duke's seal makes it your entry pass."
"Got it."
???
I glanced around.
Brick-walled room. Two doors—one behind me where I'd entered, one ahead I needed to pass through. Lockers lined the right wall.
Before me lay a black training uniform and practice sword. Standard fare, nothing special.
I stripped naked, down to nothing, and slipped on the uniform. Figured it'd be awkward without underwear, but damn, it felt incredible. Weirdly, even swinging my junk around didn't feel heavy.
Stashed my old clothes in a locker.
'Huh? One locker's already shut. Someone beat me in here.'
Not a big deal.
No competition in the Sword Graveyard anyway.
Before diving in, I mulled over the Foolish Sword Duke.
'Why send me here? Can't read the guy's mind.'
Foolish Sword Duke.
A duke obsessed solely with the sword—hence the moniker.
'Even if it's a test, why the Sword Graveyard specifically?'
Made no sense.
But orders were orders.
This guy wielded power leagues beyond Baron Estor. Too soon to cross him.
Screeech.
I pushed open the door.
A vast gym-like space unfolded ahead.
My body grew leaden. The sword in my grip felt like at least 30kg, and gravity crushed down, making even leg movement a chore.
Then over ten orcs materialized before me.
'No clue what the Foolish Sword Duke's thinking, but silver lining—the Sword Graveyard's a golden opportunity for me.'
I gripped the hefty sword two-handed and swung at the orcs.
Whooosh.
The added weight slowed it more than expected. But speed's relative. To the orcs, it was blindingly fast.
"Kueeek!"
An orc split open. The others raged and charged. I swung again—but the weight threw off my control.
"Tch."
I clicked my tongue and tried releasing the hilt. Better to go bare-fisted, I thought. But the sword wouldn't let go.
"What?!"
In my brief panic, an orc clubbed me. I staggered back two steps, scowling.
"You fucking pig shits!"
I swung. Couldn't unleash Heavenly Demon Style.
No lightning to fry 'em crisp. Spark didn't even come.
Lightning skills were off-limits here.
'Astrafe!'
Crackle.
The weapon-boost skill Astrafe worked. Though it piled on another 10kg or so.
'Screw this—better plain swings. Astrafe off.'
Lighter now. I gripped two-handed and started mowing down orcs.
'Damn. Too heavy for Heavenly Demon Style.'
Heavenly Demon Divine Art guzzles mana. Just the start here—gotta conserve.
"Kueeeeeek!"
An orc punched for my head. I leaned back, dodging, then slashed low-to-high. Its right arm and leg came off.
'Next, right flank!'
Downed all ten orcs.
Ten more spawned. My body and sword grew heavier still.
"What kinda bullshit grind is this..."
I gnashed my teeth and heaved the sword anyway.
???
"Hah! Huh! Huh!"
Finally felled all 100 orcs. Panting, I wiped sweat from my brow with my arm.
The last ten were pure hell. Sword tipped past 100kg, legs jelly—barely stood.
I grinned.
Tough, but rewarding. Each room cleared bumped stats.
'No better stat farm than the Sword Graveyard.'
Problem: Empire's Five Dukes-level permission required.
'Stamina's topped up some... On to the next.'
No slowdown on body or blade.
I charged the deer right in front of me and swung. Neck sliced clean. Corpse vanished traceless.
'Got it. Match the sword speed on purpose.'
Slashed much slower at the next deer.
'Still too quick?'
Slow as a normie could dodge. Any slower, I'd miss.
Matched what the system wanted. Deer sidestepped leisurely. I scowled.
'What the hell? How do I kill deer at this speed?'
No quitting now.
'Time for a Yuria chance.'
Popped to the [Hundred Returns] world, met Yuria. Fucked as a bonus.
'Figured it out.'
Simpler than thought. Not killing with my swing—but making the deer do it via their own momentum. Had to read their moves right.
First two hours were trial and error, but once I got the knack, deer dropped easy.
???
My body froze upon entering the room.
Someone was already there.
A woman in the same black training uniform.
Tall—about my height.
Ash-gray hair cascading wavy to her waist.
Her black eyes fixed on me intently.
I froze. Never expected to run into her here.
"Greetings, Lady Arphis."
"Who are you?"