Chapter 245
Chapter 245
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Master of the Demon Sword (3)
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The death of the World Tree and its descendants.
Ilatdein didn't even have the leisure to mourn that tragic event.
The embers of the disaster, which had seemed to burn everything to ash and fade away, reignited.
The karmic blaze engulfed the turquoise city.
Whoosh...
A lone figure was helplessly swallowed by the inferno.
She had once been called a Seer.
"Y-You...!"
Her narrow, slit eyes flew open wide.
From the agony of burning flames.
And from the shock of betrayal.
Before the Seer's eyes flashed a montage of her comrades' futile deaths.
At the end of it all was her own image, vowing never to lose her last remaining companion.
"Why..."
Her drying eyes couldn't even shed tears.
The Seer exhaled her final breath and asked her last comrade.
"Seer, you who have witnessed countless cataclysms... yet you failed to foresee your own."
The Apostle of Karmic Blaze replied in a parched tone.
"..."
Ah.
The Seer's words cut off there.
Her body crumbled to ash.
A fate shattered like broken glass.
A cataclysm.
Shuon and her companions knew little about that power.
A cataclysm was less a force that Shuon perfectly controlled and more an enigmatic phenomenon she occasionally experienced.
Even Shuon couldn't observe every cataclysm.
However.
They held one strong conviction.
The cataclysms Shuon experienced foreshadowed or observed massive events that would impact the world.
Based on that rule, Shuon's group wandered the continent, preventing impending cataclysms or resolving those already occurred.
But now.
The rule that guided their actions had cracked.
"Shuon. You sure? That thing I just saw was a 'cataclysm'?"
Scratch, scratch.
A middle-aged man with short stubble scratched his chin.
Swordmaster Drfol.
His face still bore traces of last night's drinking as he turned to the kindly-faced old woman beside him—the high priestess.
"Granny. Think you could describe that 'cataclysm' you just saw in words for me?"
"..."
The high priestess looked just as flustered but quickly composed herself and gathered her thoughts.
"A star was born in a city teeming with greenery... a very bright star..."
"And?"
"Countless stars rose toward that city..."
"And?"
"It reunited with family, reminisced... then passed away satisfied."
A cataclysm was akin to indirectly experiencing the perspective of its central figure.
Vague in one sense, yet clear in another, it allowed them to empathize with the 'star's' viewpoint—the protagonist of the cataclysm.
Thanks to that, they knew the star had been born solely to reconnect with 'family' and, mission complete, ended its life contentedly.
Hearing the high priestess's account, Drfol turned to the crimson sky, the Hero of the Seal, and Seer Shuon in turn.
Each nodded in agreement with her words, in their own ways.
"Thanks, everyone. Glad you confirmed I'm not crazy. So, this means either we're all crazy, or we all witnessed a flawed cataclysm."
All eyes naturally turned to the Seer.
"..."
Back to her signature slit-eyed expression, she looked as if lost in thought with eyes closed.
At last, she spoke.
"This is a first for me too, so I'm flustered... but like Drfol said, something's definitely off."
Shuon made a bold decision.
Rather than accept this as a cataclysm, she'd admit her own shortcomings!
"This isn't the cataclysms I know. Something must be wrong with my ability to observe them due to some external force, or maybe we saw a different kind altogether... something like that."
Shuon's self-sacrifice smoothed things over, calming the mood quickly.
"Well, could be. Don't get too down. No one here doubts your ability's the real deal."
Drfol laughed heartily and clapped Shuon's arm.
Shuon smiled lightly, unperturbed.
Yet inwardly, she mulled over the cataclysm.
'A city teeming with greenery... definitely Ilatdein. If what we saw wasn't an illusion... what does it signify?'
Another conclusion Shuon reached.
She suspected the scene foreshadowed a metaphorical prophecy, unlike past cataclysms.
After all—
Star born.
Met family.
Star died.
Such a baseless sequence couldn't happen literally in reality.
As Shuon pondered the riddle-like prophecy—
"Well then. Seems we've sorted the cataclysm issue, so onto the next agenda?"
Archmage Red Sky stroked his mustache and spoke up.
"Next agenda? What, you see a cataclysm too, old timer?"
"Don't talk nonsense this early. I'm talking about the demon sword. Caroer—that high elf—called us here to discuss it, but shouldn't we settle things among ourselves first?"
"Even if we conclude something ourselves—"
Drfol chuckled and raised both hands.
"We don't have much authority anyway, right? What was his name? Ri—Rishir?"
The high priestess widened her eyes at Drfol.
"You remembering a name on the first try? Sun rise in the west today?"
Drfol shrugged and continued.
"Rishir. He found the demon sword, and he neutralized it. So, its disposal is entirely up to him, no? Not our place to meddle."
Red Sky, who brought it up, now looked displeased.
"That differs somewhat from what we discussed last night, doesn't it?"
The previous night.
After individual meetings with Rishir, they gathered to deliberate.
On the topic: 'Can we entrust the demon sword to Rishir?'
"Didn't we agree, 'We should handle the demon sword ourselves after all'?"
The archmage pressed forcefully.
Swordmaster and high priestess looked troubled.
"Even if we agreed—"
Their opinions had aligned somewhat.
All judged Rishir a 'man of sufficient strength and responsibility.'
But friction arose after.
—He's strong and responsible enough, so entrusting him with the demon sword should be fine, right?
That was Swordmaster and high priestess's view.
The archmage's, however—
"Do you really need to see that young man corrupted by the demon sword before you're satisfied!?"
Thus.
The archmage insisted strongly they manage the demon swords themselves, unwilling to watch such a fine youth ruined!
"I've said it time and again! The demon sword's corruption might already be underway—we need action now!"
"Didn't look like the demon sword was corrupting him, at least not to my eyes."
The high priestess replied with kind yet firm eyes.
She sensed divinity in the man.
A faint glow, like unrefined ore—
Yet she knew its authenticity.
The high priestess was certain.
Such a man wouldn't misuse the demon sword's power, even as its master!
"Ho. Is that so? Then how do you explain him wielding divinity, magic, swordsmanship—all of it!"
"..."
"..."
Swordmaster and high priestess's faces twisted.
Like the archmage said, the man's bizarre abilities were hard to accept.
Wielding magic and swordsmanship in one body.
Proficiently, no less!
Even their vast experience couldn't explain it.
The archmage, however, had a theory.
The man was unknowingly controlled by the demon sword.
That fusion of powers was possible only through the demon sword's might.
"So frustrating! You saw the same thing I did!"
Evidence: the demon sword's rampage they'd witnessed.
Swordsmanship. Magic. Black magic. Even shamanism!
A vortex of mingled powers.
Channeling it into the blade—that embodied the true essence of a demon sword.
"I assert: the demon sword's power lingers in Rishir! He's enthralled by it!!!"
It was a side of Red Sky unfamiliar to them.
He pushed his argument with unbridled fiery temperament typical of crimson mages.
"Sodin...! Calm down—"
Shuon, who had been observing quietly, reacted in surprise.
Red Sky Sodin's fiery nature aimed at allies, not enemies—this was a first.
"How can I calm down! My comrades are deluded with optimism, about to ruin one man's life!"
For a moment, Shuon's group wondered if they were wrong.
Red Sky looked so unfamiliar, like another person.
And—
That judgment was spot on.
Red Sky Sodin's mask was cracking under felt crisis.
Once the master of the Crimson Tower, lauded at the pinnacle of flame magic.
He no longer pursued pure fire.
The karmic blaze.
Red Sky had willingly offered himself to its impure, overwhelming flames, reborn as its Apostle.
Apostle of Karmic Blaze Sodin.
He traveled with Shuon's group for a certain purpose.
Obviously not to fix cataclysms with them.
All for the karmic blaze.
No.
For his own power!
His current actions stemmed from that mindset.
'Demon sword... I must secure it somehow...!'
In truth.
Securing the demon sword wasn't his original goal.
Yet he prioritized it now for a simple reason.
'Sword's Night... to think its fragment held such immense power...'
The unfathomable might of the demon sword, confirmed with his own eyes!
Sodin thought.
'With that power, surely...!'
Thus, he desperately tried convincing his comrades.
Let us handle the demon sword's disposal!
We must take it!
So he could later steal it and flee!
"Shelroa! Tell them! Do you really think that brat can fully control that demon sword without your sealing power?!"
"..."
But.
His comrades' reactions were far from satisfactory.
His claim 'Rishir's diverse powers prove demon sword corruption!' lacked persuasion—
"That demon sword was found in Ilatdein. And Rishir neutralized it first. Plus, guardian Caroer fully trusts him. No room for us to intervene. At best, we ask the man nicely."
The Seal Hero Shelroa adjusted her glasses and said.
Sodin shouted in frustration as everyone else nodded.
"What's the point! The demon sword's in your hands right now anyway!"
The demon sword was currently held by Shelroa, the Hero of the Seal.
A measure to halt its recovery via her sealing power.
Sodin spoke of the sword in Shelroa's room as if it were in his own pocket.
Shelroa's eyes narrowed behind her glasses.
"What? You planning to snatch it and run off secretly?"
"Foolish talk—it's not running! Don't overreact!"
"...You. Better calm down."
"This is maddening. What's wrong with you!?"
"Sodin, calm down. Please."
As Sodin's arguments veered into coercion, comrades began averting their gazes.
"..."
Finally, Sodin took several deep breaths to compose himself.
"Hoo."
He exhaled deeply.
"Fine. You're right. I got... too excited."
Regaining calm, he spoke weakly, and comrades sighed in relief, offering comforts.
"Sorry for the unseemly display... thanks for understanding..."
They didn't know.
Sodin's downcast eyes blazed.
"Whoa!? Rishir? Why'd you pop up there? I was knocking forever—no answer, so I wondered..."
"Oh. Were you waiting the whole time? Sorry. Just finished morning training."
"Morning training... huh? Wait—this is kinda funny, isn't it?"
"What do you mean?"
"Usually, lazy people make others wait, but Rishir, you're so diligent you made me wait?"
Rishir nodded at her words.
Ratsil's mouth was running overtime, delaying her errand.
Chatter chatter giggle giggle.
"Ughhh."
It took Rishir a while to finally get a word in.
"So, Ratsil... what brings you here so early?"
"Oh right! My head's all over! Caroer-sama summoned you about the demon sword! One hour from now—huh? Time flew? About 20 minutes from now, same place as yesterday!"
"Then those folks will be there too?"
Rishir mentioned Shuon's group, and Ratsil nodded.
"Technically, no need!"
"Pardon? No need?"
"You found the demon sword! You subdued it! Obviously yours! Caroer-sama probably called them just to say 'That's that, got it~'!"
"Oh..."
This moment.
Ratsil's voice sounded exceptionally beautiful to Rishir.
Last night's worries vanished with her words.
Despite discovering and neutralizing the demon sword first, Rishir hadn't been sure of ownership.
Due to the demon sword's unique nature.
Not like a holy sword—something you could claim just because you wanted it.
But.
Hearing Ratsil changed his mind.
'Right. She's spot on. No need to overcomplicate.'
The demon sword was found in the elves' city, Ilatdein.
Thus, its disposal rightfully fell to the elves.
If High Elf elder Caroer said 'Demon sword goes to Rishir,' who could object?
Rishir thought.
Unless Sword's Night itself showed up saying 'Excuse me, heard you have my stuff'—
He was the rightful keeper.
"Ratsil. Shall we head there early?"
"Still 20 minutes left—sure?"
"With you here, what's 20 minutes?"
Rishir headed lightly with Ratsil.
"They're late."
Seated Caroer murmured lowly.
Ten minutes before the appointed time.
Most were already gathered.
Ten minutes passed—
Another ten.
The empty seats remained.
"No, where the hell are they?"
Archmage Sodin.
Seal Hero Shelroa.
Drfol scratched his chin at the empty spots.
"...Wait."
He froze.
Drfol's eyes widened slowly.
"No way, right?"
He chuckled repeatedly.
As if his own thought was foolish.
But his expression grew anxious.
"..."
Not just him.
His unease spread to comrades.
"Something wrong?"
Rishir sensed their clear discomfort.
"..."
Drfol exchanged glances with comrades before speaking.
About that morning's minor commotion over demon sword ownership.
And Sodin's unnatural behavior during it.
"..."
Caroer shot up and headed somewhere.
Rishir reacted first, following her lead.
"Damn it...!"
Shuon's group followed belatedly.
"Damn, old man! What the hell! You lost it!?"
Their fears materialized.
Seal Hero Shelroa.
The moment they reached her room where the demon sword was kept.
"Urk—..."
The Seal Hero lay collapsed, glasses askew.
Her body bound unnaturally by fiery tendrils—clearly ambushed.
"How..."
Archmage Sodin.
Holding the demon sword, he couldn't hide his dismay as Rishir's group burst in.
"For your level, breaking that barrier should've taken at least dozens of minutes...!?"
"Barrier? Ah."
Rishir glanced meaningfully at his hand.
Sodin felt inexplicable dread at the gesture.
But briefly.
Sodin smirked vilely and gripped the demon sword tighter.
"Whatever. Doesn't matter."
"Sodin!!! Please, stop!!! It's not too late!"
Shuon cried desperately, but Sodin ignored her.
As Rishir and all moved to act—
"Ugh—...!"
Seal Hero Shelroa groaned in pain.
The fiery bonds around the hero blazed fiercely, scorching her.
"Come closer, and the hero becomes charred meat."
"...!"
Rishir's group instinctively stepped back.
In their hesitation, Sodin acted swiftly.
"Shelroa. Release the demon sword's seal."
"G-Go to hell—"
Shelroa's words halted.
Sodin's flames devoured her.
The ferocious blaze inflicted agony, stripping her consciousness instantly.
Having been comrades with the Seal Hero for ages, Sodin knew.
Her sealing power as hero tied directly to her will.
Shelroa slumped limply.
Not killed.
That would void her value as hostage.
"Old man... you really snapped?"
Swordmaster gnashed teeth, confirming full betrayal.
His killing intent pressed the room.
"..."
Sodin was unfazed.
He knew the Swordmaster wouldn't easily abandon a hero comrade.
Rather, he was the one urging such sacrifice.
"I only want this demon sword. Don't interfere, and your fears won't come to pass."
"..."
Sodin smiled contentedly.
His comrades now eyed Rishir and Caroer.
Ready to block if they moved.
"Got it?"
Caroer looked to Rishir.
Rishir nodded without hesitation.
"..."
Sodin was greatly surprised by Rishir's reaction.
He wasn't the hero's comrade, yet acted as demon sword's de facto owner.
Still prioritizing the hero's life without qualms—
"Don't resent me too much. No matter how I look, you're no demon sword master. Holy sword, maybe."
Sodin jested with some sincerity.
Meanwhile, his resonance with the demon sword progressed.
Thump!
Thump!
Thump!
"...!"
All in the room shuddered.
The jet-black sword pulsed again, emanating ominous aura.
"Ha, haha! Yes!!! This is it!!!"
Sodin thrilled at the sinister, mighty aura and drew an item from his bosom.
"...!"
That instant.
Immense shock filled Caroer's eyes.
The item in Sodin's hand was familiar.
"That's... the First Hero's legacy..."
"...!"
Rishir startled at her words, scrutinizing it closer.
The cube-shaped object.
"Oho! Guardian Caroer, as expected! You recognize it!"
Master of all holy swords.
The greatest hero in history.
As Caroer said, the First Hero's legacy.
Also, a sort of key—
The reason Sodin stuck with Shuon's group till now.
"Hero's legacy! Answer my query!"
With Sodin's shout, power surged into the cube.
Runes appeared on its surface, followed by brilliant light pouring forth.
"I'll fulfill every condition you mentioned right here! Demon sword!"
Thump!
Thump!
—Yes... beast... what do you desire of me...
"Grant me power!!! The same power you gave that man!!! Then I, Red Sky Sodin, pledge to be your rightful master!"
—The same power as given to that man...
"Yes!"
Sodin cackled maniacally in ecstasy.
"Hero's legacy! You said it then! Current comrades insufficient for your approval! Needed a black mage and shaman like me! It begins now! Watch closely!
That was why the archmage resolved to steal the demon sword.
The power the demon sword gave Rishir.
Defying logic, wielding all powers.
The vortex from its rampage possessing Rishir's body—that origin!
With that, gaining black magic and shamanism too, he could activate the legacy instantly!
Thus reach where it led!
Sodin focused feverishly on the demon sword.
On the power it would bring.
However.
"..."
Wait as he might, the demon sword remained inert.
Thump!
Thump!
Thump!
Silent pulsing only.
As if speechless.
"Demon sword!!!"
Sodin urged impatiently.
At last, it spoke.
—Beast... I know not what you babble... I gave no power to that wretched monster...
"What nonsense... Then recreate that rampage using my body now!"
—Rampage...
"Yes! That vortex of power! Sword! Magic! Shamanism! Black magic! Shatter boundaries, encompass all! Your great power to me too...!
—Common sense... such absurd power exists...? Fool...
The demon sword rebuked sternly.
"What—"
Sodin was speechless.