Chapter 234: Opening (1)
Chapter 234: Opening (1)
"If I die, Zeppelin disappears as well."
Those were Liam’s words, repeated verbatim.
I didn't know if they were true or false. That was precisely why they worked so well.
Martina Gold wouldn't be able to read my reaction to discern the truth. In an uncertain situation, the advantage lay with me. Here was a Swordmaster who had existed since the Era of War, yet had rarely ventured beyond the Black Archipelago. A living witness to history had traveled all this way just to verify the facts. Such a person would not act rashly when faced with "uncertain information."
"So, you want me to stand by your side when war breaks out."
The condition I set was simple: her support.
"If that is all, there is no need for such a negotiation. I already support you. I loathe the descendant of Khan—that disgusting wretch who worships the foul monarchs of the Era of War. The Black Archipelago has already joined the alliance of the Sky Empire."
"It’s a bit different from that."
"Different? How so?"
"I am not asking for the support of the Black Archipelago. Martina Gold, I am asking for your absolute support."
During the Infinite Duel, when I first encountered Ian Chervil... the man who was once the Iron Prince had made a declaration. He said he would summon a whirlwind.
Assuming I were Ian Chervil, there was only one way to create a whirlwind capable of plunging the entire continent into chaos: seizing control of the Swordmasters.
I didn't know the specifics of Ian Chervil’s schemes. However, if I knew his objective, there was a way to intervene. The Swordmasters were the center of everything happening on the continent. Only a Swordmaster could deal with another Swordmaster. I couldn't let myself be swayed by the branches; I had to pierce the core and hold the center. If one held the center, weight would inevitably follow. Eventually.
"Not the Black Archipelago, but my personal support?"
"Yes."
Martina Gold fell silent for a moment after hearing my words. Then, she spoke.
"I see your goal now."
"……."
"I couldn't tell just by looking at your surface, but you truly are the descendant of that man. Do you intend to choose the Path of Steel?"
"……."
"If you do, I will support you. To repay the debt this Martina Gold owes to the Caravans. And to ensure those who committed crimes pay a just price."
Martina Gold’s eyes flashed. Just like Zeppelin’s, they glowed with a golden light.
"Last Caravan."
"Yes."
"Do you know what the First Caravan did in the past?"
"I don't know the details."
"There is no need to know. It is in the past, and it cannot be changed," Martina Gold continued. "But there is one thing you must know."
"What is it?"
"The First Steel was more powerful than anyone. Perhaps even after a thousand years, no sword more powerful than his will ever appear. The first sword was stronger, sharper, and harder than any that followed. But because of that, the First Steel failed."
"……."
"Remember this. You must not become 'the Maverick.' No matter how great an individual is, they cannot achieve their desires alone. Many insignificant people are better than one great individual."
Her gaze swept over me.
"You have inherited the sword held by the First Caravan. Liam Caravan’s sword is so dazzling and glorious that it will constantly tempt you. It will tell you to follow the original intent, to discard your trivial convictions. It will tell you to cast aside your humanity and become a single blade."
"……."
"The Maverick is powerful. That sword will tell you it can erase your hardships, your pain, and all your trials at once. A sword from the distant past truly possesses such power. That blade holds the omnipotence to accomplish anything. But you must not overlook one thing. A blade is just a blade. The moment you confuse the ends with the means, you will repeat the mistake your most distant ancestor made."
As Martina Gold spoke, Liam Caravan watched her in silence.
「A mistake, she says. She’s not wrong.」
My master soon chuckled.
「That foolish girl is right as well. I will also tell you one thing, young descendant.」
"……."
「If you kneel before my Maverick, you will obtain everything you desire. The revenge you craved so much, the peace and safety of your people, glory and prosperity. Those brilliant things will fall into your lap with ease. You will lose yourself in the process, but in exchange, failure will not exist.」
Liam’s eyes shone like a blade.
「Let me be clear. If you accept me, there is no failure. You are the only one who will be broken and ruined. And from the moment you first held a sword, you never spoke of your own happiness. That is why I also said I would be a master who fulfills your purpose, not one who brings you happiness.」
Liam was also right. Liam Caravan was not a malicious specter. It was a repetition of the conversation we’d had since the moment I first picked up a sword. It was a fact I already knew and acknowledged.
In the end, I was the one who would decide the outcome. If I were great enough to surpass Liam, I would remain myself. If I failed to surpass him, I would cease to be myself.
But regardless of which I became, my revenge would be completed. Just as my master had promised me the moment I first gripped a sword.
But well... it would be a bit embarrassing if the descendant was inferior to the ancestor.
If possible, wouldn't the former be better?
I will complete my revenge myself.
Only then could I be convinced and satisfied. Of course, to achieve that, there was one condition that had to be met first.
One step.
Becoming a Swordmaster.
Only one step remains.
*
Martina Gold had taken my side.
With this, I had secured the support of the Black Archipelago alongside the Dwarf Kingdom. Their help would play a massive role in the coming chaos. Of course, I didn't intend to stop here. There was no telling the scale of the whirlwind Ian Chervil was preparing.
"You’ve been to the Golden Treasury, Last Caravan."
"How did you know?"
"I can feel the aura. The aura of the Era of War." Martina Gold’s eyes sparkled. "It’s impossible not to recognize a soul from that time."
"……."
"So, whose blade did you devour?"
"Would you know them if I told you?"
"Of course. Last Caravan, I was actually closer to the other Caravans than I was to Liam Caravan. They were more friendly and familiar."
"……?"
"Your progenitor was... honestly, not an easy being to talk to." She shook her head with a smile. "Anyway, tell me. I’m curious."
"……I devoured the sword of Leon Caravan."
At the mention of Leon Caravan, a shadow momentarily crossed Martina Gold’s face.
"You devoured the loneliest sword."
"……."
"If it’s that child’s sword, then yes. You will surely learn the truth behind the Caravans—why your progenitor, the First Caravan, became such an object of hatred, and what the sins and karma of the Caravans truly were. And... it suits you well."
It suits me well? What did she mean by that?
"I am relieved that you devoured that sword. If you can digest it completely, you will have enough power to survive even this chaos. Perhaps... you might even become stronger than me before long."
"……."
"Do not focus on the harsh winter; focus on the flame that blooms within it. Then you will be able to accept Leon Caravan’s soul quickly. The fact that he gave you his blade in the first place means Leon Caravan has acknowledged you. If it were a sword you couldn't digest, he wouldn't have given it to you. He looked sharp, but he was a kind child."
Martina Gold tapped my shoulder.
"Still, it would have been better if it were the 「White Night」."
"The White Night?"
"Aria Caravan. The only Swordmaster to become a 'female Matriarch' of the Caravan family."
Aria Caravan—it was a name I knew. In the Small Land of Swords, wasn't she the one who had passed down a technique to me?
"I wanted to see her sword again after all this time. Personally, it’s a blade I love very much."
"……."
"It is also the heaviest debt I received from the Caravans."
The heaviest debt. Her sword. It seemed Martina Gold had a strange connection to Aria Caravan, who had vanished into history. When I looked at her inquisitively, Martina Gold spoke briefly.
"Last Caravan."
"Yes."
"I hold the grand title of the first female Swordmaster. Countless female swordsmen look up to me, training with high expectations. But, you see, I do not like this title. Do you know why?"
"I don't know."
"Because this title was never originally mine."
"……."
"Before Steel vanished from history, the title of the first female Swordmaster originally belonged to the Caravans. To Aria Caravan, who possessed a sword more beautiful than anyone’s."
Martina Gold’s eyes flashed.
"And, to her, who was my master."
"Your master?"
"Last Caravan. The swords held by the current Great Families, the Five Families, are all derived from Steel. That is why your family was the first to be erased, and why you were erased so thoroughly."
Just then, a bolt of lightning struck from the clear sky with a thunderous roar.
Martina Gold spoke.
"I cannot speak in detail. There are always Great Eyes watching the continent. However, I will speak assuming you already know some of the truth. The Great Beings want every blade pointed at them to vanish. After the Caravans are completely gone, the Five Families will follow, then all blades, and finally, the potential of all living things will disappear. This world will become a farm of souls whose potential has been castrated, doing nothing but worshipping and praising the Great Beings. Just as the esteemed Seven Chief Gods and Nine Goddesses desire."
"……."
"In the distant past, the first Era of War was their failure. As the second chaos approaches, the gods do not wish for a second failure. And just as it was the first time, the Caravan family will hold the key to the second era. Just as the First Caravan settled everything, you, the Last Caravan, will settle everything this time. According to the fate engraved in your blood."
Martina Gold said.
"Follow that man’s path. But arrive at a different destination. You may resemble him, but you must not become him. If you remember this, you will succeed."
Another bolt of lightning struck between Martina Gold and me. Watching the smoke rise from the brilliant lightning, she spoke.
"Those esteemed beings are rushing me again."
"……."
"Last Caravan, if you follow the Path of Steel, you will need people to help you. And among the Five Families, there is one family suited for that role."
"Which family is it?"
"The family that replaced the position of the Caravans, the greatest family that vanished from history. The 'Fake Caravan' whose non-existent history was newly written."
"……."
"Last Caravan, take your trusted people and seek out the 「Novas」 family of the Armand Alliance. The fabricated Five Families who wear a false shell."
Martina Gold laughed.
"They will tell you the truth of the world. And they will help the forgotten Caravans reclaim their original place. After all, the 'Pilgrims of Dawn' never wished to become a Great Family in the first place. It was an undeserved position they were pushed into against their will. If the original owner of that seat returns, they will gladly return the glory. With a joyful smile."
Lightning struck once more, right over Martina Gold’s head.
"Then, I shall see you next time. When you need me most."
CRACK-BOOM!
With a thunderous roar, a flash of light erupted. When the light faded, Martina Gold had vanished with the lightning. Leaving only black smoke behind, she was gone. In the spot where she had stood, a single faded gold coin remained. I picked up the coin, tucked it into my robe, looked up at the sky once, then hurried forward.
There was much I had newly learned. Even so, the task I had to do right now didn't change.
I was going back to my land to prepare for the final journey.
*
The Armand Alliance.
A multi-racial allied nation. It was one of the Great Powers and was actively moving to resolve the crisis facing the central continent. In the southern lands of that nation, amidst a wheat field bathed in warm sunlight, an old man with a long gray beard lay with a dazed expression.
Beside the old man was a girl who looked to be about sixteen.
"Family Head, how long are you going to stay like this?"
"I don't know. Until the world ends?"
"Hmm. What if our territory goes bankrupt before the world does?"
"That would also be the end of the world. Isn't this land our world?"
"You certainly have a way with words."
"I do, don't I? I got to this position with nothing but that silver tongue."
Heh heh. The old man chuckled.
The old man called the Family Head was indeed the master of a family. And not just any mediocre family, but one of the "Great Families," the most influential on the continent—the head of the 「Novas」 family.
However, the old man possessed no dignity. Dignity? He didn't even have a presence. From a distance, he looked like a perfectly ordinary farmer. He lacked the typical aura of a noble, the majesty of a family head, or the charisma that great powerhouses usually exuded. He was just an old man.
"The war is in full swing. Is it really okay for us to be like this?"
"Of course it is. Let’s grill some steaks for dinner."
"Why is it okay?"
"We have no duties, do we? Our only duty is to stay trapped in the territory they gave us and never venture out into the outside world for the rest of our lives. They told us to maintain an air of mystery so as not to break the inflated rumors and the image built on lies..."
"Hmm. Looking at your current state, Family Head, I think your image would be completely shattered the moment you stepped outside."
"Ho ho, right? It would be a disaster if I went out. People these days are crazy; they say if this old man goes to the central continent, the chaos will be settled and whatnot. There’s so much talk about whether I could win a duel against that warmonger, the descendant of Khan. As if that makes any sense."
"It seems everyone is eager to send you to the side of the gods as soon as possible."
"Watch your mouth, you brat. Ho ho."
The old man laughed leisurely. The golden wheat swayed, and the sunlight sparkled in the blue sky. In this atmosphere, so far removed from war, the old man simply kept his eyes closed. Feeling the breeze, the old man, Mario Novas, muttered softly.
"Tsk tsk, this useless position in the Five Families."
"……."
"I wish someone would just come along and take it away."
Glory, honor—what was the point of all that? None of it mattered to Mario Novas. What mattered was safety and peace, and a moderate amount of leisure.
Mario Novas muttered with his eyes gently closed.
"Anyone can take this useless name of the Five Families. I don't need honor or glory, so take it all, and return freedom and liberation to this frivolous old man. I’d also appreciate it if you could stick it to those sages in the Sky Empire—the place I hate most—who are even older than me yet still live so busily..."