Chapter 250
Chapter 250
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 250
Chapter Title: Parting (3)
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Demian couldn't bring himself to reach out for the fragment of Erebos right in front of him.
"You know what this is, yet you're still giving it to me?"
Erebos was a weapon of unknown origin.
All that was known was that it could never be destroyed, no matter what, and that even a small fragment held tremendous power.
"I know it's incredibly dangerous if misused."
"And you're still handing it over to me?"
The Empire's Greatest Swordsman lifted his head slightly. Staring off into the distance, he said,
"Its fate has led it to you."
Handing over the fragment of Erebos for such a reason confirmed he was indeed a madman.
But Demian had no choice but to accept it. The fragment the Empire's Greatest Swordsman brought was quite large.
Absorbing it into Erebos would undoubtedly greatly enhance its power. It might even unlock new abilities.
At a time when he was considering a battle with a Weapon Master, it was too valuable an opportunity to pass up.
"I gratefully accept."
Demian grasped the fragment of Erebos. He felt Erebos, dormant as a tattoo on his wrist, react to it.
"Demian Haksen, do you still have the sword bestowed upon you by His Majesty?"
Once Demian took the fragment, the Empire's Greatest Swordsman asked an out-of-place question.
Already accustomed to the Empire's Greatest Swordsman's manner of speaking, Demian replied calmly.
"Yes."
"I heard you used it to impersonate an imperial edict."
"I will gladly accept the punishment."
"No. Keep doing it from now on."
"......Pardon?"
Demian stared at the Empire's Greatest Swordsman with a look of utter disbelief.
"I've already spoken with His Majesty. Use His Majesty's authority freely for your goals."
Not only Demian but even the Sword Saint couldn't hide his shock.
What the Empire's Greatest Swordsman had just said meant the Emperor would back Demian. This was a privilege that surpassed even royalty.
"Furthermore, even if it's revealed that you are a Dark Knight, I permit your use of the sword. At that time, not only His Majesty but I will protect you."
"......Are you sure that's wise?"
"Correcting the distortion is more important."
Using black magic power was the ultimate taboo. That was why Demian had only ever used it out of others' sight.
But if the Emperor and the Empire's Greatest Swordsman vouched for him, the situation changed.
Of course, that didn't mean he planned to abuse black magic power openly in front of others. It was too risky, and he had no desire to invite needless scandals.
'But if an unavoidable situation arises...... I can use it without worry then.'
The right to use black magic power without regard for others' gazes had fallen into his hands. It would prove useful someday.
"Oh, and His Majesty asked me to relay that you must visit the imperial palace without fail."
"I'll go as soon as the investigation wraps up."
"No, it's better if you don't come."
"Pardon?"
"If you go to the palace, His Majesty and the bureaucrats will grab you and never let go. But don't you have a mountain of things to do?"
With those words, the Empire's Greatest Swordsman turned and left the room without so much as a farewell.
"......"
Demian stared at the door with a bewildered expression. He'd thought he was used to the Empire's Greatest Swordsman's personality, but apparently not.
"That guy just leaves without a word."
The Sword Saint clicked his tongue as if he'd expected it.
"More importantly, is what he said true? You're really a Dark Knight?"
"Yes."
"......You're joking, right?"
There was no need to hide it now that it was out. Demian removed his bracelet and released a bit of black magic power.
He then manipulated the black magic power with his fingers, showing it off.
"......My god."
The Sword Saint rubbed his dry face with both hands. He looked genuinely shocked.
"You can use black magic too?"
"What? This is insane."
The Sword Saint sighed heavily.
"Are you going to execute me?"
"No, I won't."
The Sword Saint spoke in a firm tone.
"That guy's a bit of a weirdo, but he never compromises on black mages or Dark Knights. He kills them all. The fact that he let you live means...... there's some reason for it."
The Sword Saint trusted the Empire's Greatest Swordsman more deeply than expected.
"It's true that I can use black magic power, but I've never killed anyone with it."
"Then what about this?"
"I killed black mages and gathered the scattered black magic power to use it."
"So that's why he let it slide."
The Sword Saint scratched the back of his head.
"I should get going too. Leaving that guy alone makes me uneasy."
Before leaving the room, the Sword Saint said,
"Oh, and I recommend not going to the palace either. Like he said, His Majesty won't let you go once he has you."
With that, the Sword Saint left the room as well.
But shortly after they departed, there was another knock at the door.
Demian thought the two had returned. But the person outside was neither the Empire's Greatest Swordsman nor the Sword Saint.
"Sir Demian, thank you for opening the door."
It was Academy Dean Altmann Bedepulrite.
* * *
At their first meeting, Altmann Bedepulrite hadn't liked Demian at all. No, he'd gone so far as to show outright dislike.
"May I come in?"
But now was different. He was shrinking back, gauging Demian's reaction.
"Please, come in."
"Thank you."
Demian guided Altmann into the room. The two sat across from each other at the table.
"I've decided to step down as dean."
Altmann said it the moment he sat. Demian blinked several times.
"That's sudden."
"It's the natural course. Not only did Slla infiltrate the Academy, but several students were sacrificed too."
Slla had kidnapped Academy students with special bloodlines to use as research materials.
The investigation into Slla's remnants at the Academy had uncovered all of it.
"So it's only right that I, as dean, take responsibility and step down. Not just me—the entire faculty will be overhauled."
There was no trace of regret or injustice in Altmann's voice.
"If anything, it's insufficient. This happened because of my shortcomings."
Far from it, it was filled with guilt.
"Resigning as dean isn't simple, and I'll be busy starting tomorrow. That's why I came to see you beforehand."
Altmann rose from his chair. He knelt on one knee and bowed his head.
"Thank you."
Altmann said in a small voice.
"Thanks to you, we stopped Slla. Otherwise, more students would have been sacrificed."
Altmann's gratitude didn't end there.
"And thank you for rescuing the kidnapped students from Class 13."
"I thought you disliked Class 13."
"I don't like them. But what teacher wants their students to die?"
Altmann slowly rose. He took a small vial from his pocket and offered it to Demian.
"Please accept this."
The vial contained a golden, glowing liquid. Demian asked with a puzzled look.
"What is this?"
At Demian's question, Altmann said quietly,
"It's an elixir."
* * *
The moment he heard that, Demian nearly dropped the vial.
Elixir.
The legendary potion said to bring even the dead back to life.
Of course, it couldn't truly revive the fully dead. But it was an incredible potion worthy of such legends.
Even if one's heart was ripped out or their lower body severed entirely, taking it just before the final breath would regenerate it all.
"I've heard only the Pill Refining School succeeded in recreating the elixir."
"I have a personal connection with the school's patriarch. It was hard-won back then."
Altmann held out the elixir and added,
"The elixir is called a spare life for good reason. But it has other effects too. If a healthy person takes it, their body undergoes reconstruction."
Body reconstruction.
Demian's eyes lit up at those words.
"You're talking about shedding the mortal coil."
Shedding the mortal coil referred to the rare physical awakening that occurred when master-class individuals broke through their walls.
It wasn't mere growth or mutation of the body. The body was fundamentally and completely reconstituted to reach a higher dimension.
That was called shedding the mortal coil.
"However, drinking the elixir doesn't guarantee it. It depends on the individual's aptitude, from what I've heard."
That was fine. Just providing the possibility of shedding the mortal coil was an immense opportunity.
"Is it really okay for me to take this?"
"If anything, I'm the one begging you. Only then can my burden lighten, even a little."
Demian nodded and stored the elixir in his subspace. The dean's face relaxed slightly.
* * *
A few more days passed before the investigation finally concluded.
With it over, Demian prepared to leave the Academy.
He packed his things and left his lodging. But instead of heading to the main gate, he went elsewhere.
The place Demian arrived at was where Blanca Roshe had died.
The building had burned completely. All that remained was black ash and rubble.
"You foolish woman."
Demian had told the investigators everything about Blanca Roshe. He hadn't hidden a single thing.
He didn't care if her reputation was ruined forever and she was branded a traitor eternally.
She had collaborated with Slla to save her child, sacrificing countless students.
Death alone wasn't enough to atone.
"What did I tell you? You'd lose everything."
Demian opened his subspace and took out her spear. He thrust it into the ground.
"I've avenged you."
The reason Demian had taken Blanca Roshe's spear at the end was to finish Slla with her own weapon.
He had pitied her.
Her actions were unforgivable. Demian had no intention of forgiving her.
But in her death, toyed with by a black mage, he had seen his past self.
That was why he had shown final mercy.
"Farewell."
Demian turned away. He headed to the main gate to leave the Academy.
But at the gate, familiar faces had gathered.
"What are you all doing here?"
Oliver, Penelope, and the Class 13 students exchanged glances. Then one shouted,
"Th-thank you for everything!"
That started it, and one by one they called out.
"Th-thanks to you, teacher, I got a good grade for the first time!"
"M-my family contacted me! They asked if I really did it!"
"I-it's been so long since I got praised like this!"
Demian looked at Class 13 in surprise.
He never imagined these delinquents would wait to thank him.
They must have wised up in that short time.
"......Teacher."
Then, Oliver and Penelope stepped forward from the students. They couldn't lift their heads, as if guilty.
"I-I'm sorry."
"What for? Did you do something worthy of a beating again?"
"You saved us two...... but we...... you know......"
They still harbored guilt over being scared of him.
"Don't worry about it. I'm fine."
Demian spoke sincerely. But their expressions remained dark.
"Come here."
Demian beckoned. They hesitated but approached. He hugged them and said,
"Oliver, you have talent in swift sword. Hone it steadily."
"Y-yes!"
"Penelope, to be honest, you're average. You'll need bone-grinding effort to reach higher realms."
"I'll...... keep it in mind."
Demian released them.
By then, a bright smile graced Demian's lips.
* * *
"I just don't get why you insist on walking."
The Sword Saint grumbled as he walked.
"You rushed here on horseback saying we needed to hurry back. So why take it so leisurely on the way home?"
The Empire's Greatest Swordsman made no reply. No, it seemed he wasn't even hearing the Sword Saint.
"......Hm?"
Then, the Empire's Greatest Swordsman's steps halted. The Sword Saint said curtly,
"What is it? See another fate?"
"Yes, I see it."
"What? For real? What do you see?"
"It's strange. New fates have appeared. The distortion has eased a bit. How did this happen? Did Demian Haksen do something again?"
The Empire's Greatest Swordsman muttered and resumed walking.
"At least pretend to listen when someone talks."
The Sword Saint grumbled as he followed.