Chapter 144
Chapter 144
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: The Spirits of the Heroic Tombs (4)
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[You've successfully uncovered additional hidden information about [The Secret of Time].]
[You are now glimpsing a fragment of [The Secret of the World]!]
As he read through the message windows.
Theo felt he could now vaguely guess the true identity of the [Nameless Lord].
『Do you know what else they call the [Nameless Lord]?』
Lodbrok's voice still carried a hint of amusement.
But Theo didn't miss the deep resentment and lament beneath it.
‘I don't know.’
『The Caller of the <End>. That's what they call it.』
‘The <End>……!’
『And the <Guardians> are those who seek to prevent the <Origin>—the cycle of time—from rewinding back to the starting point with the <End> as its pivot.』
Guardians.
Watchers…… That was the name for themselves, positioned at the opposite end from the [Nameless Lord].
That raised a question.
For so long, the Ragnars had been the ones blocking the [Nameless Lord] from crossing the barrier—what exactly were they?
And what were the <Chosen>, those who escaped the <Origin> and could turn back time?
‘If Cassandra's prophetic ability synthesizes the various remnants left by the <Origin>, then what is the regression performed by the Chosen?’
『They are the only beings who can stand against the <Origin>.』
Theo's eyes flashed open.
Did that mean?
『Heh heh. Sometimes you all ■■■ and ■■ the ■■■■ ■■■■ ■■■■■■■ ■■……!』
Noise riddled Lodbrok's voice, making it impossible to understand.
『Oh dear. It seems your <Rank> is still insufficient for more. You'll have to work much harder to reach deeper into the world's secrets.』
It seemed some restriction made it hard for him to speak further, but Theo had enough from that.
The quest's direct solution was something he'd have to figure out himself.
‘For now, I understand what you're saying.’
『That's fortunate.』
‘Then it's time to decide what to do with these chatty folks.’
Theo sighed as he looked at the ghosts still circling around him.
Fwaaa!
Blue light was emanating from them.
* * *
The blue light wasn't just enveloping the ghosts.
It covered the entire heroic tomb.
Meaning the quest's answer was directly tied to this place.
-Huh?
So Theo locked eyes with the chattiest ghost among them.
He had already asked his companions to play along and ignore any strange behavior he showed from now on.
-W-What's that? It feels like he's looking right at me!
-Nah, cut it out. It's just a coincidence, like I said. He's been circling us for a while now and hasn't glanced once……!
“Hello there?”
-Gasp!
-H-He just greeted us, right?
-I-It sure seems like it!
“I couldn't properly greet you earlier because my companions were with me. Allow me to introduce myself properly now. I'm Theo Ragnar.”
The ghosts flipped out at Theo's polite greeting.
-It was real!
-Wow! A human who can actually see us!
-How long has it been!
-Hold on! More importantly, Ragnar?
“Yes. That's right.”
-He's a descendant!
The first human they'd spoken to in centuries was a descendant of the family they'd given everything to protect.
Their emotions swelled even more.
-See! The Ragnars survived! Our sacrifices weren't in vain!
-Hey, hey! I believed in them, damn it!
-Yeah, yeah, we all knew the Ragnars were fine. What's with the overreaction?
-Ah, even after centuries, you're still clueless. Can't you read the room for once?
The ghosts bickered among themselves, then one suddenly stared intently at Theo from the side.
Wondering what was up, Theo tilted his head.
The ghost narrowed his eyes.
-Are you really a Ragnar? You don't seem like one.
-What's this guy on about?
-Dunno. He's always been like this.
-Black hair, crimson eyes! That's a Ragnar trait. What's the problem?
-Tsk tsk tsk! You idiots. He has the same features as us, but you still haven't noticed the weird part?
He clicked his tongue like a master detective and wagged his finger side to side.
Theo stared, wondering what he was getting at.
-So, what's so weird?
-He's too handsome.
-……What?
-……What nonsense is this now.
-Look at your ugly mugs! Do you really think a face like that could produce a descendant like him!
-What's wrong with our faces!
-Well, with a mug like Keon's, it's impossible, but I could! Are you my descendant?
-Cut the crap, Yard. With half your face scraped off on the ground.
-What, you bastard? With your potato face rotting for three years!
-What about me! Honestly, I've never thought I was handsome, but among us, I'm the best!
-What are you babbling, idiot! I'm the best here!
-Hah, just being compared to you guys is insulting.
Murmur murmur.
Whisper whisper.
-Hmm, I'm pretty decent, right?
The ghosts were now grabbing each other by the collars, brawling.
Some had slipped aside to check their reflections in the ice, primping away.
“…….”
Chaos. Total chaos.
Theo said nothing, not wanting to get involved.
The master detective ghost who started it all shot his hand up.
-And! Here's the decisive proof he's not our descendant!
-What now!
-Lates, if you're gonna spout nonsense, just stay crumpled up over there……!
-He's too polite!
-Huh?
-Huh?
-No Ragnar descendant would ever use such polite, sweet words! It's impossible!
The detective ghost jumped up, and the others nodded solemnly.
-True.
-That's right.
-No way a Ragnar with our shattered personalities could produce a descendant like that.
-So what? What happens to my感動? Give it back!
-Hey, what the hell are you?
Now all the ghosts stared at Theo intently.
As if trying to uncover his hidden identity.
Theo sighed deeply.
Not a Ragnar because he seemed too upright?
Where in the world did they get that idea?
The problem was, Theo had no real rebuttal.
“I am a Ragnar.”
-No, no way!
“Would I have greeted you if you weren't Ragnars?”
-He is a Ragnar!
-A fine Ragnar indeed!
Theo pondered seriously for a moment.
‘Ragnar…… Is this okay?’
If their ancestors were like this, it should be fine going forward.
He sighed again.
“More importantly, why are you ancestors still lingering in this world?”
-He's asking why we haven't passed on?
“Yes. Is there some lingering attachment……?”
-Nope. Nothing like that.
-I do!
-Me too! Me too!
-Huh? You guys had that? Never heard you mention it.
-Well, it's embarrassing. I'm worried my wife didn't find the erotic book stash under the bed.
-Wait, you too? Hey, me too!
With so many of them, any question veered off-topic immediately.
Theo thought he needed to stay focused.
“You all don't seem to be lingering due to regrets.”
-Hey, descendant. You're a Chosen, right?
“Yes.”
-Mind swinging your sword here once?
A sudden shift in topic.
But Theo sensed it was connected to why they remained.
He was inwardly pleased.
‘I might learn about ancient swordsmanship.’
Even aside from the quest, their insights would hugely benefit his swordsmanship.
“My skills are too meager to demonstrate before such renowned ancestors, but in hopes of your advice, I'll give it a swing.”
-Kya, listen to that flowery talk.
-He could be a politician. Hey, descendant. You really a Ragnar? Not diluted blood or something?
“I'm direct lineage. I even have succession rights.”
-Gasp!
-Hey, you branch family bastards with no rights, shrink back.
The ghosts sat neatly on the floor in orderly rows, eyes sparkling as they watched Theo.
It was a bit embarrassing to swing before so many masters.
But Theo calmly drew Drake's blade and assumed his stance.
In that instant, the atmosphere around him shifted.
-Ooh, sharp eyes.
-A true Ragnar!
-Everyone, shh! Watch closely.
The ghosts stared at Theo, who seemed more talented than expected.
『Those guys are Ragnars, alright. A skilled descendant shows up, and they immediately show their competitive side.』
‘You were still watching?’
『Of course.』
‘Then why haven't you said anything……!’
『Too annoying to chat with wordy old fogeys. Especially Ragnars—once they age, they default to know-it-all mode.』
‘…….’
With no retort, Theo pursed his lips and focused on his sword.
All his senses sharpened—
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
The motion began.
Thump thump thump—
Boom boom boom!
Each wild heartbeat sent booming pulses through the ground.
-Not bad.
He swung and swung again.
The sword strikes, contained in a single breath, split and split again, soon filling the cave.
Incredibly fast for such a large, heavy greatsword.
When the demonstration ended, Theo exhaled deeply.
“That's it for now, though lacking.”
-Kiyaa!
-The Ragnar picked a real gem!
-Details are still rough, but his eye for the sword seems sharp.
-Hey, descendant buddy. How old are you?
“Sixteen this year.”
-Nah, not that. How old after regressions?
Theo counted on his fingers roughly.
“Thirty-two before regression…… so exactly thirty-three.”
-Huh? Only that? What regression cycle is this?
“First cycle.”
-…….
-…….
-…….
Silence fell over the ghosts.
Theo blinked, wondering if he'd said something wrong.
-Really first cycle?
“Yes.”
-Wow! And this level of mastery?
-No reason to lie to us. Hmm!
The ghosts stroked their chins.
Then exchanged quick glances.
-A few points I'd like to critique.
“Please, I'm all ears.”
-When starting the first motion, don't you inhale deeply? At that point, angle your feet 15 degrees outward……!
-I'd like the sword motions more concise. Like this……!
-This is a secret technique I mastered in life, but……!
-You seem to wield thunder-attributed mana. Thunder is fast and fierce but risky, so at that point……!
With 299 people tossing in even a word each, it was chaos.
And they were all talkative types, each insisting on their opinions, making it worse.
But Theo tried to absorb every bit of advice.
“Like this?”
-Yeah, angle upward there.
-Distribute the breath a bit, cycle mana to the shoulder blades?
-Oh, right. Stimulate the nerves with brain energy to draw out more power……!
Before long, the scattered opinions turned into a discussion.
They pooled their heads on how to make Theo's swordsmanship cleaner, more powerful, more explosive.
As century-defining masters, every suggestion was razor-sharp.
And through collective intelligence, the depth grew far deeper.
Theo tasted a new world of the sword he'd never imagined.
-The sword is the fusion of lines and circles. From that, planes form, and stacked planes create shapes. Volumes, masses pile up, then color is applied atop…….
-So swordsmen are like painters. The sword becomes the brush. The air, the canvas. Just as a painting captures the artist's view of the world, so do sword forms drawn with the blade…….
-A painter's works vary: landscapes, portraits, watercolors, ink washes, oils, and techniques beneath…….
-So a swordsman must ponder how to capture their unique world view…….
It clicked.
Parts from the Plum Palace Lord's and Julius's discourse collection that he hadn't understood unraveled like magic.
His sword orb kept sparking inspiration in sync.
Countless sword forms drew, stacked, curved, vanished, and reappeared in his vision.
His many secret arts—Nibelung's Claw, Wind Thunder God, Thunder Dragon Quick Strike, Rain Sword Walk—shattered and reassembled.
Pop.
Something burst in his head.
Theo fell into ecstasy.
The ghosts' voices faded away.
-Oh!
-We thought he grasped something, but crossing the wall already?
-First cycle, right? This guy's the real deal.
The ghosts stared at Theo standing stock-still.
Starfields of dozens, hundreds streaked across his pupils, deepening like containing the universe.
They recognized it—the explosion of enlightenment, gathering the dispersing remnants.
They knew, having passed through it themselves, so they left him be.
Some volunteered as protectors against potential disturbances.
Thankfully, none came, and soon Theo overcame the lingering afterglow, regaining his senses.
-Back with us?
Seeing 299 pairs of grinning eyes, Theo realized what happened.
They'd given him great instruction.
A fated encounter.
The moment others chase a lifetime without guarantee.
6th Circle.
Theo knew exactly where his achievement had landed.
He was confident he wouldn't lose to other advanced swordsmen.
With Dragon Blood Awakening added…… maybe even higher.
“Thank you.”
Theo bowed in sword salute.
It felt like peeking into a new world thanks to them.
Much to refine remained, but he'd freshly rebuilt what he had.
-Heh heh heh! You should be grateful!
-We’re that great. No second chances like this?
-Looking closer, he's so un-Ragnar-like. But un-Ragnar-like, he knows thanks—and has proper character!
The ghosts laughed happily, then the detective spoke.
-You asked earlier why we're still here, right?
Theo's head snapped up.
The blue light intensified.
-Follow me. I'll show you. A Chosen like you will find it quite amusing.