Chapter 32
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: A New Path
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It was light.
Of course it was; the sword had been broken in half.
But he wasn't talking about its physical weight.
'What... is this?'
With half the blade gone, the sword was shorter.
Naturally, the center of gravity was thrown off, making it awkward to swing.
But aside from that.
'My body... feels more at ease.'
Swinging the sword felt more natural, and it was easier to maintain his balance.
Could he really feel this way just because the sword was lighter?
"Do you understand?"
"Huh?"
Demian spoke as he effortlessly parried Dianal's attack.
Dianal faltered.
"It was too much weapon for you from the start. Not just the weight, but the size of the sword too."
The sword Dianal used, including the hilt, was about as long as his shoulder was high.
Simply from top to bottom.
Even a simple downward swing would inevitably scrape the ground.
And as he twisted his body to swing the sword in combination attacks, it was only natural for his balance to be thrown off.
"I understand why, but it's a sword that doesn't suit you. A weapon like this would be a better fit for Kyle, actually."
*He doesn't bother with combination moves.*
*Only single, deadly strikes.*
*His style is to finish an enemy in one blow, and if that fails, he takes the enemy's attack with his whole body.*
That's why Kyle is better off using a heavy handaxe and a shield.
Or a greatsword like this one, paired with heavy armor.
Listening to Demian, Dianal stared blankly at his broken sword.
'The weapon I've been using all this time... was wrong for me?'
He was confused.
For a moment, he even debated whether he should accept Demian's words.
"Let's go for now."
"...Where?"
Dianal asked.
He felt he needed to sort out his chaotic thoughts first.
But Demian paid him no mind and said.
"You can't use that anymore."
"...Ah."
Dianal let out a small sound of realization.
Demian was right. But...
*'I don't have any money, you bastard.'*
He barely managed to swallow the curse that rose to his throat.
What a relief it was the sword that broke and not my body.
An attack like that could have cut me in half, too.
"As a token of my apology, I'll buy you a new sword."
"Really?"
"Of course."
At that, Demian grinned.
Dianal wasn't the type of person who could live with being in debt.
'Gaining Dianal's favor for the price of a single sword...'
Wasn't that too cheap a price?
Demian had an incredible amount of money, after all.
'I-I've never... met such a good kid.'
Dianal looked at Demian with an expression of deep gratitude.
Feeling burdened by that intense gaze, Demian quickly started walking.
"Let's get going."
And so, he went with Dianal to a blacksmith in Erkal.
While there were no swords of exceptionally high quality, it was a conflict zone, so there were some pretty decent weapons.
"Hmm..."
Dianal wore a cautious expression as he looked at the greatswords on display.
Since he had mainly used a greatsword, he was hesitant to change.
However.
'Maybe I should try... something a little lighter?'
Looking back, the sword he used before had been quite heavy.
Hadn't he constantly trained to build up his strength just to handle that sword?
But just then.
"Private Dianal, what about these?"
"...Huh?"
In Demian's hands.
Were two swords.
"W-what? What are those?"
They were slightly shorter and narrower than a typical longsword.
They were slightly curved swords with a single-edged blade.
They were scimitars, often used by warriors from desert regions.
"Scimitars?"
"Yes. I got a sense of it during our spar earlier. I think they would suit you well, Private Dianal."
"Hey, no way. I've never used one before. And dual-wielding, even less so."
Dianal waved his hands in refusal.
The lack of experience was a problem, but with blades that thin, he couldn't possibly cleave through the bodies of creatures like orcs.
At best, he'd only be able to slice through muscle.
But Demian spoke without hesitation.
"There's a sword style I know. I'm sure you'd be able to learn it quickly, Private Dianal."
"A sword style?"
"Yes. I'm certain you can become... several times stronger than you are now."
Demian's tone was absolute.
At those words, Dianal's eyes wavered.
'Several times... stronger?'
It was a baseless claim.
But for some reason.
It didn't feel like Demian was lying.
No, perhaps it was because he'd witnessed the boy's skill firsthand during their spar that he felt a greater sense of trust.
Besides.
"If it's not these swords, I'm not paying."
"Hey! Kid, that's a dirty trick!"
"Hehe, then let's go with these."
Demian chuckled lowly and paid the blacksmith.
It cost a fair bit of money, but if this could make Dianal stronger...
'First, I'll start by refining this one.'
Just one person.
If asked if there was someone he could entrust his life to, he could answer without a moment's hesitation.
Dianal. This guy.
In the past, the final image of him still flickered before his eyes.
His comrade-in-arms and dear friend, who had died fighting for him.
What wouldn't he do for him?
'I'm going to send you straight to the top, so look forward to it.'
But that path won't be an easy one.
Demian grinned at Dianal.
And in that moment.
"...Huh?"
Dianal shuddered.
Why... do I feel a chill?
He couldn't understand why.
***
The punitive expedition into the Bronserian Forest had sent the Temple of Adelante into a flurry of activity.
The Monk Corps, which typically only mobilized in a crisis threatening the temple itself, had begun to move.
"High Priest."
"Priestess Claire. What can I do for you?"
The High Priest asked, looking at Claire who had suddenly appeared.
"Is it true that the Monk Corps will be joining the punitive force?"
"It is. And twenty priests will be joining them as well."
From the temple alone, fifty monks and twenty priests would be participating.
Claire looked surprised at the unprecedented numbers.
"I wish to participate in the expedition as well."
"...You, Priestess? You must have suffered a great deal during the last reconnaissance mission."
"It is an expedition to a place I have been to myself. That is why I must participate."
At Claire's firm words, the High Priest looked at her.
If that is her will...
"Very well. If that is your wish, Priestess, I shall grant you permission."
As the High Priest gave his permission, Claire bowed her head respectfully. And then...
"Will the Neokalitz Unit be participating in the expedition as well?"
"As far as I know, yes. There are none who know the Bronserian Forest as well as the Neokalitz Unit."
"Yes."
Claire replied.
'...Demian, was it?'
The boy she had met then.
She recalled his youthful face, which contrasted with his build.
—Snap out of it!
The way he had shouted at her.
He was by no means an ordinary boy.
He would probably be participating in the expedition as well.
'...One week.'
According to the plan, the punitive force would arrive in Erkal in one week.
Afterward, they would join with the priests and the units stationed in Erkal and head into the Bronserian Forest.
A forest tainted by demonic energy.
Even now, the demonic energy was likely expanding its domain, stretching its power further.
It was her mission to eradicate that ominous aura.
Claire offered a prayer to the gods, wishing for a successful expedition.
***
Unit training in the morning.
After that, training with Dianal continued until sunset.
"Twist your waist a little more as you swing. You'll put much more power into it."
"Like this?"
*Swish!*
Demian nodded at the sword strike that cut through the air.
Dianal definitely had talent.
Enough to be called a genius, at least when it came to this sword style.
'He's growing by leaps and bounds now that he's learning a style that fits his body.'
For the first two days, using two swords had been quite awkward for him.
But once he got used to it, he became a completely different person.
*Swish! Shing! Chwak!*
A flurry of rapid strikes.
It was a style completely different from his previous one, which focused on single, powerful blows.
"Try to connect your movements more fluidly. You're slowing down because you're putting too much force into it."
"...Got it."
Despite Demian's scolding, Dianal silently continued to swing his swords.
Just as he'd said, the longer the training went on, the more his body tensed up.
It was due to a lack of stamina.
"Hoo..."
Finishing the move, Dianal looked at the hands gripping his swords.
Trembling hands.
Continuously gripping a sword in each hand demanded an immense amount of grip strength.
Then, Dianal turned his head to the side.
"Hah!"
Kyle was there, swinging a large handaxe.
On the third day, Kyle had joined in, saying he wanted to train with them.
Unlike himself, the guy had the stamina of steel.
'...Something is seriously off with these new recruits.'
He'd heard they were from the north, but could they really be this different?
And just then.
"Kyle! Come over here."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"Let's have you spar with Private Dianal."
"Now?"
"Yes. Is there a problem?"
Demian asked.
In response, Dianal tried to hide his trembling hands and shook his head.
"No, it's not that, but..."
Dammit, can I even fight?
Against that monstrous build when I can barely even hold my swords...
But as the senior, he couldn't back down.
Before long, Kyle had approached.
"Both of you, remember this is a spar. These are real weapons, not training ones."
"Got it."
"Understood."
Demian glanced at Dianal and Kyle.
Both of them looked exhausted from the rather intense training.
'Fighting at a time like this is what gives it real meaning.'
In the end, battles on the field are decided by that slim margin of who can hold out at the very end.
Demian stepped back and watched the two.
If polished just a little, both of them could become great assets.
'The real test... will come after the expedition is over, though.'
In a few days, the punitive force would arrive in Erkal.
The matter of 'demonic energy' was so serious that the kingdom had prepared swiftly.
'However, it still hasn't been announced which units are coming for the expedition...'
Given the gravity of the situation, it wouldn't be some no-name unit.
Demian continued his train of thought while watching Dianal and Kyle's spar.
"Hmm... that guy's pretty good, isn't he?"
The spar between the two was quite evenly matched.
Although Dianal's attacks were more menacing.
*Clang!*
Kyle blocked Dianal's sword with his shield, then swung his handaxe threateningly.
It was a fairly heavy handaxe, but his immense strength made it incredibly dangerous.
For the exhausted Dianal, just getting close was a challenge in itself.
And when the spar had gone on for some time.
"Hah... hah... hah..."
"Hoooo..."
The two of them heaved, their shoulders rising and falling with exhaustion.
Seeing this, Demian stepped in and spoke.
"That's enough for now. Let's rest until the expedition force arrives. It's important to make sure you're in top condition before the real battle."
"...It's getting hard to tell who the senior is around here."
Dianal said, looking at Demian.
The way Demian spoke, didn't he sound just like the highest-ranking senior?
But Demian simply grinned in response to Dianal's remark.
And a few days later.
The punitive force arrived.