Chapter 217
Chapter 217
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 217
Chapter Title: 86. Master's Grace (2)
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Two streams of sword energy showed no haste whatsoever. They advanced slowly, warping the very air around them.
Like lightning flickering within thunderclouds, thunderous rumbles echoed between the two blades at times.
Yuri's vortex, which drew enemies in and tore them apart, soon overlapped with Moyong Chan's serene sword energy, which quelled anything it met head-on.
All the onlookers tensed up.
Such overwhelming sword energies clashing would surely unleash a massive explosion.
But the catastrophe everyone anticipated never came.
Instead, there was a flash of light.
"……!"
No thunderous roar followed.
Only a high-pitched ringing, like tinnitus, filled their ears.
As the sword energies collapsed, gusts of wind whipped outward in all directions.
With that single burst of light, the two forces exhausted themselves against each other—their power and trajectories perfectly matched—before vanishing completely.
What the spectators witnessed was merely the collision and annihilation of two colossal powers, followed by the fierce winds of their aftermath.
"Ngh……."
"The wind……."
The gale swept through the area, kicking up sand that blinded everyone in an instant.
Few grasped the true significance of this clash.
But they all knew something monumental had just occurred.
One of the Ten Strongest. The foreigner from the East, Moyong Chan.
And Brioll's royal prodigy, Yuri Brioll, who might become the next among them.
Their spar left onlookers unable even to fathom reaching such heights.
As the dust finally settled, the two stood facing each other.
"Whoa……."
"Moyong Chan is incredible, but Brioll's prodigy is no slouch either."
"How is that even possible……?"
"To achieve this at such a young age……."
"Do we talentless folk just drop dead……?"
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Some knights gripped their sword hilts tightly, the only way to contain the overwhelming emotions surging in their chests.
It was a spine-tingling sight.
How could a single sword produce something like that?
The realm every knight dreamed of unfolded vividly before their eyes.
Yet the two who had created this spectacle remained largely unmoved.
Yuri spoke up.
"Master."
"What."
"I've shown you what I can do."
"That's my line."
"Doesn't feel like it."
"I went easy on you."
"You didn't."
"I did."
They lowered their sword tips and caught their breath.
"In any case, I can see you've leaped forward by harnessing the power of chaos. Nothing less could explain such progress."
"Time is short and the road long—had no choice. I wasn't exactly spoiled for options."
"Carrying the weight of the world on those shoulders, eh?"
Moyong Chan clicked his tongue.
"And yet, you must bear it all the same."
"Yes."
"Understood."
"Your pronunciation, though……."
"Moga?"
"Over there."
"Mo."
Moyong Chan's speech had slipped back into its odd cadence.
Yuri was certain now. Moyong Chan was doing it on purpose. His diction sharpened amid the focus of battle, only to loosen when he had breathing room.
"Mind at ease."
"Gorae."
"Well fought."
"You too, fought well."
The master and disciple, half-mangling their words with fatigue, praised each other's efforts before clasping hands in a traditional Eastern salute.
Moyong Chan stayed in Liberda, elevating the knights' skills.
His reasons aligned closely with Yuri's own intentions.
"The world is overrun with evil."
He had realized this fully during his encounter with Donchichi.
Those three ogres had long steeped in darkness, twisted into aberrations.
And Liberda's knights were utterly unprepared to face such foes.
As a disciple of the Azure Purity Sect, sworn to eradicate malevolence and uphold righteousness, Moyong Chan sought to train Liberda's knights to preserve the world's balance. Without it, the kingdom would crumble in the war against the Empire.
"Liberda's knights have reached a decent level now."
"Yes."
"My goal is for these lads to handle Donchichi on their own."
Though Moyong Chan would eventually depart, this was all for victory in the war against the Empire.
"Didn't Donchichi flee?"
"He'll slink back the moment I step away."
"Cunning bastard."
Yuri nodded.
Around them, countless knights balanced on one leg, swinging their swords.
It was balance training.
To teach so many, Moyong Chan focused on imparting self-practice methods rather than direct instruction, guiding only those with standout talent personally.
"Anyway……."
As the knights trained, Yuri and Moyong Chan conversed.
"A metal that mirrors the power of black magic?"
"Yes. Should be ready to supply soon."
"Gorae. That might just restore balance to the world."
"And……."
Their talk turned to recent events, future plans, and heart demons.
Even Moyong Chan offered little advice on heart demons.
It was Yuri's burden to bear.
"Not much help, then."
"But doesn't your heart feel warmer now?"
"Yes……."
Yuri cleared his throat.
"I'll take my leave. Long road ahead."
"To Valshard?"
"Yes."
"Very well. Give Grandmaster Hernando my regards."
Moyong Chan still treated Hernando like nobility.
Yuri knew Hernando was no ordinary mage, but he couldn't fathom why Moyong Chan held him in such esteem.
"Master. Is Hernando truly that remarkable a mage?"
"Tsk tsk. Still blind to it?"
"No idea."
"Then live in blissful ignorance."
"Yes……."
Yuri tilted his head. Something Moyong Chan perceived that he couldn't.
Before departing, Moyong Chan placed a hand on Yuri's shoulder.
"Yuri Brioll. Remember this: darkness cannot overcome light."
Yuri looked up.
A cliché, but from Moyong Chan's lips, it carried weight.
Darkness cannot overcome light.
The disciple of the Azure Purity Sect—who had spent his life slashing shadows, journeying from distant lands to purge evil—believed it utterly.
Yuri grinned and nodded.
"Yes. I'll keep it in mind."
"Good."
Yuri offered a clasped-hand salute, Eastern-style.
Nearby knights mimicked him, especially Simon and Gineus—his former disciples—their forms impeccable.
"Oh, and you there."
Before Yuri left, Moyong Chan called to Francesco.
"M-me?"
Once a peer among the Ten Strongest, mana-less Francesco now shrank before him.
"The world has balance."
"Hm?"
"Regain what you lost, and you'll surpass your former self. Prepare accordingly."
With that, Moyong Chan turned away.
Francesco blinked in confusion.
"What was that about?"
Yuri explained.
"Means you'll be stronger than before once your mana returns."
"For real?"
"Yes."
Yuri clapped Francesco's shoulder.
"Even this state is an opportunity. How often does one train without mana? Prep now, and it'll pay off huge when it comes back."
"Er……."
"Though chugging booze all day won't yield miracles."
Francesco scratched his head.
"Didn't think I'd ever recover……."
"Opportunity favors the prepared. It might never come—but without prep, you can't seize it."
"Got it, got it."
"Let's go."
Yuri's group mounted up.
Just before departure, the Gale Knights called out.
"Safe travels!"
"Great show!"
Yuri's party set off once more for Valshard.
The Allied Forces had culled the orcs, but not eradicated them. Scattered remnants formed small packs, ambushing travelers here and there.
"Pathetic."
Yuri kicked an orc corpse.
"Weak."
"Tell me about it."
"Weaker than before? Or have we gotten stronger?"
"Both, probably."
Orcs no longer brimmed with their former ferocity.
With Oqua—the absolute ruler—gone, and all his summoned elites slain, only the weaklings unfit to be called true orcs remained.
The hardy ones knights once dreaded were rare; most were just brute, lumbering fools.
"Numbers are higher than expected, though."
"That's how they are."
Yuri wiped Guilty on an orc carcass.
"When their numbers dwindle, they breed like roaches."
"Back to the old days?"
"With armies garrisoned on the plains... but the Empire's not what it was."
Yuri recalled the absorbed hunter's memories.
Orcs bred this way, necessitating such hunters to cull them on the plains.
"Once we beat the Empire, we'll handle this side too."
"Orcs'll seem like pushovers by then."
"Yeah."
Lounging amid the corpses, Yuri spotted a distant group approaching.
"That……."
"Merchant caravan."
Yuri's eyes pierced farther than most.
"Where from?"
"Guess."
Yuri smirked.
"Ireine Merchant Company."
The caravan spotted them and veered slowly toward.
"Heading our way. What if we were bandits?"
"Scoped my face with a spyglass."
"Why's that?"
"Don't look the bandit type."
"Ah, right……."
Soon, Ireine personnel arrived.
Up close, it was a sizable operation—plenty of wagons, escorts.
They halted at a distance, and one man approached—a mild-mannered fellow.
"Greetings."
"Hello."
The man paused at Yuri's casual tone, then smiled warmly.
"If I'm right, you're Brioll's prodigy, His Highness Yuri Brioll?"
"Spot on."
"Black hair. Handsome features. Impeccable build. That relaxed air. Matches the descriptions perfectly."
"Who told you?"
"Of course……."
He grinned.
"The whole world says as much. About you, Your Highness."
Jared, listening behind, sucked in a breath.
"Whoa……."
Francesco was blunter.
"Damn. Mind blown."
Yuri apologized on their behalf.
"My apologies for them. Petty souls envy their betters. Forgive their narrow minds, wise one."
"Hahaha……."
"What's all this, anyway?"
"Ah, these."
Merchant secrets usually, but as Brioll royalty tied to Ireine's HQ, Yuri got a pass.
"Goods from the East."
His group perked up.
"Not from Valshard—straight from the East?"
"Yes. Since Madam President opened trade, caravans have been rolling out nonstop."
"Must be a ton of stuff……."
"No exchanges for ages—both continents are starving for novelties. Name your price anywhere. Our stock's soared. Heh……."
"I see."
Soaring stock meant Yuri's fortune leaped too—he held most shares with Ireine.
Yuri probed casually.
"Not in a rush? Mind showing us the wares?"
"Gladly. We've been on the road forever—due for a break anyway."
The man nodded readily.
"Plus, you cleared these orcs for us. Rushed or not, we owe Your Highness a look."
Charming way with words—left everyone in good spirits.
Yuri patted his shoulder approvingly. Such talent was growing his wealth.
"Appreciate it."
"One moment, Your Highness. We're camping here tonight!"
Yuri glanced skyward. Sun still up, but not for long.
"We'll bunk here too. That work?"
"Perfectly. An honor for us."
"Your name?"
"Rick."
"Rick, good to meet you."
"The honor's mine."
And so Yuri spent the night with the Ireine caravan, laden with Eastern treasures.