Chapter 202
Chapter 202
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 202
Chapter Title: Secrets of the Explosive Sword
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“……!”
Valtre’s eyes widened in shock.
The Explosive Sword was the Peridri family’s heirloom?
He couldn’t make any sense of it at all.
“There seems to be a misunderstanding. This is indeed the Tomoya family’s heirloom.”
Natarcian spoke while eyeing the silver armor Valtre was wearing.
“Isn’t the Tomoya family’s heirloom the Silver Meder you’re wearing right now?”
“How did you...?”
It was shock after shock.
The Tomoya family’s heirloom had never once been revealed to the outside world.
That was why no one outside the family knew it was the heirloom.
Watching Valtre’s reaction, Natarcian slowly shook his head.
“Damn it!”
He sheathed his sword and asked,
“Do you truly know nothing about this?”
“I swear I know nothing. This sword has always been in the family head’s vault since I was a child.”
“Ugh...”
Natarcian let out a low groan and fell into thought for a moment.
Valtre was stunned to learn that what he believed to be his family’s heirloom belonged to another house.
‘The Explosive Sword isn’t the heirloom? Then what the hell happened?’
His mind was racing with all sorts of thoughts, ready to burst.
“Ugh...”
It was then, as Valtre grimaced and staggered.
Natarcian spoke with resolute determination, as if he had made up his mind.
“That Explosive Sword is indeed the Peridri family’s heirloom.”
“Then how did it end up in the Tomoya family?”
“It’s all because of Nervis Tomoya.”
“M-Mother?”
Why was she suddenly brought up in this situation?
Nothing good had ever come from her being mentioned before.
That gave him a bad feeling.
Even Natarcian seemed reluctant to bring it up, so it probably wasn’t good news for him either.
If his mother was involved in something bad for both families!
Lightning flashed through his mind, and one possibility emerged.
‘No way!’
Valtre’s face twisted.
“It seems you’ve already guessed.”
“Are you saying that because you know what I’m thinking?”
“No need to beat around the bush now, right? The previous head of the Peridri family and Lady Nervis Tomoya were in a secret affair.”
“Damn it!”
His guess had been correct.
He had suspected someone from the Peridri direct line, but the previous family head?
It matched exactly what was written in the family’s secret records.
Among the Oscar Empire’s nobles, there wasn’t a single one who hadn’t fallen for his mother’s beauty—or so it was said—and he hadn’t imagined even the Peridri family head would succumb.
He was known as a steadfast man who cared only for swordsmanship.
But it seemed he had a secret he couldn’t share with others.
“Tell me about the Explosive Sword.”
“Do you know its secret?”
Valtre nodded silently.
“The sword has an ancient enchantment that amplifies the user’s mana. My own sword has the exact same magic.”
“Then did you reach your current level by borrowing the sword’s power?”
“A Grand Sword Master is a realm permitted only to those chosen by the gods. If you’re not chosen, don’t you have to borrow the power of a sword like us?”
Natarcian wore a bitter expression.
Meanwhile, Valtre’s face hardened, realizing the man had seen right through him.
That aside.
He still hadn’t heard how the Explosive Sword ended up in the Tomoya family.
“When my father was on his deathbed, I learned that the Explosive Sword was missing. He told me he had given it to someone truly in need and not to search for it. That became his dying wish, so I’ve let it be until now.”
“Someone truly in need...”
Natarcian glared at him with murderous eyes.
“It seems he was mistaken.”
“No! Then what’s the connection between the Silver Meder and the Explosive Sword? The scabbard on the armor and the sword feel like they were made as a set.”
“That’s what baffles me too. But after assessing His Majesty’s condition, I think I understand now. Why my father gave the Explosive Sword to Nervis Tomoya.”
“What’s the reason?”
“The Peridri and Tomoya families aren’t complementary—they’re opposing. You might think the armor’s scabbard restrains the Explosive Sword’s rampage, but in truth, it suppresses its power.”
“……!”
“Nervis Tomoya knew that and approached my father, eventually taking the Explosive Sword and passing it off as the Tomoya family’s heirloom.”
“Why the hell...”
Valtre’s mind went blank.
“His Majesty would know best.”
Natarcian turned away as he continued.
“I’ll honor my father’s dying wish and not reclaim the Explosive Sword. However, our personal alliance ends here. We’ll maintain our status as allied nations.”
Natarcian left, radiating a cold aura.
Thud.
Valtre collapsed right there.
His faith in his family had shattered.
Distrust piled up, leaving him unable to believe anything anymore.
Pity, anger, and conflicted love for his mother welled up from deep within his chest.
‘I built a kingdom longing for Mother...’
The place he had devoted everything to was now on the brink of collapse because of her.
He couldn’t let it end like this.
Fortunately, Natarcian hadn’t severed ties completely and remained an ally.
He slammed his fist into the ground with all his might.
Boom!
‘First, deal with Artisan.’
Valtre gritted his teeth, stood up, and repeated the thought in his mind like a mantra, vowing to himself.
‘As long as I’m here, it won’t fall!’
***
-Artisan has attacked the Tomoya Kingdom.
Arthur’s eyes widened at Parsia’s sudden report.
He halted the group and received her briefing.
Then, with a grave expression, he addressed the expedition members.
“Artisan has changed targets.”
Skevin quickly asked,
“To where?”
“The Tomoya Kingdom. A battle just broke out near the border.”
“Hmm.”
Millerph and the others all looked serious.
Arthur had planned to ally with the Tomoya Kingdom to face Artisan.
He hadn’t expected Artisan, who was heading for the Christen capital, to suddenly switch to the Tomoya Kingdom.
“Could they have split their forces to attack both sides, anticipating our alliance?”
“All their forces are advancing on the Tomoya Kingdom.”
“What does Your Majesty plan to do?”
“The Tomoya Kingdom’s strength is essential to us. If they fall, we’re in trouble too.”
“I’ll head to the kingdom, gather the knight order, and come.”
As Skevin prepared to depart immediately, Blizan quickly added his piece.
“I’ll move with you.”
Arthur thought for a moment before speaking firmly, as if resolved.
“I’ll go ahead and scout the situation. Return to Grada Castle, prepare the forces, and rendezvous at the Tomoya Kingdom’s border.”
“Won’t that be dangerous?”
To Millerph’s question, Arthur replied solemnly.
“It’s urgent. Moving together would be too slow. I’ll travel under the spirits’ protection and won’t engage unless it’s critical.”
“What if they spot you and attack...”
“Valtre won’t just watch. If he doesn’t act, Natarcian will. Don’t worry.”
“……?”
Millerph tilted his head.
“The Tomoya Kingdom wants to ally with us too. If I’m in danger, they’ll see it as a chance to help me and strengthen the alliance.”
“Understood. I know Natarcian’s knight order is formidable. But I’m not sure it’s worth the risk.”
“What if there’s a Grand Sword Master, and the knight order captain is on Skevin’s level?”
“Did you just say Grand Sword Master?”
Skevin’s eyes bulged.
When he met Natarcian, he couldn’t gauge his power.
Seeing his aura perfectly restrained, he wondered if he might be a Grand Sword Master.
But no one had reached that god-granted realm before.
So he dismissed the thought...
‘If he truly reached the divine realm, he’d be a huge asset. But somehow...!’
Skevin worried for Arthur, then his eyes widened.
‘How did His Majesty know he’s a Grand Sword Master?’
Common sense dictated you couldn’t gauge a knight stronger than yourself.
Only if they were weaker or equal.
Not just Skevin—Millerph and Blizan thought the same and stared at Arthur.
They also understood what he meant by Natarcian acting.
Meeting Arthur, he’d see him as a great mutual asset.
‘Two Grand Sword Masters...’
Their chests swelled with rising anticipation.
Arthur pondered for a moment too.
After reaching 6-stars with Salamander’s help, he hadn’t properly tested his abilities.
So he didn’t know his exact level.
Whether he sensed Natarcian’s realm due to his own power or because his senses evolved after contracting the spirits, he had definitely grown stronger.
Close to Grand Sword Master level.
Above all, what he was most curious about now was weapon summoning.
At 5-stars, instead of guns, he summoned a Kremao and grenades—unexpected weapons.
What would summon this time?
He planned to check before battle.
One thing was certain: it would be stronger than before.
A smile tugged at Arthur’s lips as he said,
“There probably aren’t many who could face me now.”
“T-That might be true...”
Skevin nodded in agreement without thinking.
Millerph saw Arthur as a mage equivalent to 8th Class, but couldn’t shake his worry.
“Please be careful.”
“Got it. Head out now.”
“Yes! We’ll arrive at the Tomoya Kingdom within two days at latest.”
“I’ll ask Parsia to inform Drakan, so by the time you arrive, they’ll be ready to deploy.”
“Understood!”
Millerph spurred his horse vigorously toward the Julius Kingdom.
Skevin and Blizan bowed deeply and followed.
Before leaving, Aria said to Arthur,
“I’ll bestow a blessing.”
She clasped her hands in front of her chest and prayed in a soft voice only she could hear.
His head glowed brightly, illuminating the surroundings.
The light swirled from his feet, coiling up his legs like a snake.
Soon it enveloped his entire body and vanished.
With eyes shimmering with ethereal light, Aria said,
“Lady Karen will protect you.”
“Thanks.”
Blessed, Arthur galloped toward the Tomoya Kingdom with a heroic aura.
As Aria watched his receding figure.
Snap.
One of the white strings on her wrist broke.
It had faintly sensed the Demon King’s power and reacted.
Artisan, as a Guardian’s familiar, wouldn’t trigger it like this.
‘No way!’
Aria’s face darkened rapidly.
One of the Demon King’s Guardians had likely appeared there.
Aria clasped her hands tightly.
‘Your Majesty, please be careful!’