Chapter 55
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Please, Stop the Young Master
-----------------------------------------------------------------
1.
A chilling silence fell over the training grounds.
Karrons blatant provocation.
Anger flared on the faces of the Imperial Guards watching the duel.
Yet, not a single one of them moved.
Karron looked at the Imperial Guards and let out a smirk.
Even now, theyre still calculating?
Their junior was just brutally defeated. And despite being provoked like this, no one was willing to make a move.
They were probably weighing the pros and cons in their heads even at this very moment.
Whats this? No ones next?
He prodded them once more.
He knew the Imperial Guard had changed, but he hadnt realized it was to this extent.
The Imperial Guard, who were once far more aggressive than the knights of the Azure Sea.
But now, all Karron saw were half-baked knights, softened by peace.
You dont even know the meaning of honor
Just as Karrons taunts were about to continue.
If you are curious about the sword of the Imperial Guard, then I shall be your opponent.
It was a familiar face.
Ryuk, whom he had seen around quite often.
Karron smiled at Ryuk as he stepped into the training grounds.
Now thats a big catch.
A prize he hadn't even been hoping for.
Ryuk approached Karron with a cold expression.
A wicked demon has appeared in the Imperial Palace. In a situation like this, we must refrain from any unnecessary loss of strength. That is why no one stepped forward. The safety of the palace, and by extension, His Majesty the Emperor, is more important than a meaningless duel.
His tongue was still sharp.
Karron chuckled at Ryuks excuse-like words and nodded.
Of course. Thats only natural. His Majestys safety is the Empires safety, right? I can completely understand.
Nevertheless, the reason I am stepping forward is to show you, Sir Karron Leston, what the true sword of the Empire is.
It wasnt difficult to see through his opponents intentions.
It seemed he didnt want to create a scene where knights who had already been ordained were losing to a thirteen-year-old.
In other words, it also meant he already acknowledged Karrons skill.
To step in himself and resolve the situation.
That seemed to be Ryuks goal.
Karron narrowed his eyes, gauging the gap between himself and Ryuk.
The peak of the 6-star level. Does that mean hes aiming for 7-star?
The difference between himself, who had just reached the 5-star level, and Ryuk, who was at the end of the 6-star level, was clear.
Could he win?
No, winning isnt whats important in the first place.
Eimi wasnt enough.
His body was just starting to warm up.
He wanted to see with his own two eyes just how much his juniors swordsmanship had developed.
Karron twisted the corner of his mouth into a grin and looked at Ryuk.
If Sir Ryuk is willing to teach me a thing or two.
He had already heard about Ryuk from Rebellio.
A knight with a high chance of being appointed the next vice-commander, and one sponsored by the Diaz Marquisate.
If they clashed with pure strength against strength, he would lose unconditionally. The gap was that significant. Thats why he needed another variable.
By the way, Sir Ryuk, I heard the Imperial Sword Style is a swordsmanship that values real combat.
That is correct.
I want to see the true essence of the Imperial Sword Style. A half-assed version with wooden swords just wont do, dont you think?
Are you suggesting we duel with live blades?
If Sir Ryuk is amenable.
Ryuk frowned and averted his gaze.
He expected Jeras Winterguard, the commander of the Sea Wolf Knights, to stop a duel with live blades.
But Jeras was simply watching the situation with his mouth shut.
What in the world are you thinking, Sir Jeras?
He already knew Karron Leston was insane. It was natural for a madman to do mad things, but why was the commander of the Sea Wolf Knights just watching this unfold?
Does he think that young boy has a chance of winning?
Having reached that thought, Ryuk spoke to Karron in a cold voice.
My sword is not so gentle. This means you could suffer a severe injury. Are you still fine with that?
To which Karron replied with a bright smile.
Of course, Im fine with it.
Then let me ask one last thing. Anything that happens during the duel
What happens in the training grounds, stays in the training grounds. We dont drag it outside; that is the law of the Azure Sea. Isnt that right, Sir Jeras?
At Karrons words, Jeras sighed and nodded.
We will not hold you responsible, Sir Ryuk.
If you say so, then very well.
Ryuk nodded.
I will not aim for any vital spots. This is, after all, a friendly duel.
He just had to refrain from attacks that would cause permanent disability.
Ryuk was confident he could subdue his opponent without aiming for vital points.
It would be a good lesson for this pup who was running wild, fearing nothing.
While it was a situation where he had little to gain, if he could suppress him completely, he could at least save some face.
Shing.
Ryuk spoke as he drew his sword from its scabbard.
Seeing this, Karron waved his hand at Leo. Leo then threw Guillotine toward Karron.
Karron skillfully caught Guillotine and immediately drew it from its sheath.
Then, Guillotines voice echoed in his mind.
-You cant hope for a fluke like last time on the train, master.
I know.
He had fought a 6-star knight during the train attack. But back then, he was only able to take his head because Hans had created a diversion.
Moreover, the opponent before him was stronger than that knight.
It would be a difficult fight, but that was no reason to be intimidated.
It was a fight worth having.
A perfect match to gauge his own level.
He wasn't at a complete disadvantage.
The swordsmanship his opponent had learned was one he had once clung to with the will to die.
I will yield the first move.
Ryuk said, taking his stance.
Seeing his opponent still looking composed, Karron licked his lips and replied.
Then I wont refuse.
Let us begi
Just as Ryuk was about to announce the start of the duel in a low voice.
Whoooosh.
A wave of mana erupted from the tip of Guillotine, splitting the training ground.
2.
Craaaash!
Every time their swords clashed, an explosive sound erupted as if dynamite had gone off.
Ryuk bit his lip as he barely managed to parry the sword flying toward him.
How can his sword be so vicious?
Experience fighting the Sea Wolf Sword Style?
Of course, he had.
It wasn't frequent, but the Sea Wolf Knights and the Imperial Guard had dueled as part of their exchanges.
A straightforward swordsmanship that unfolded based on immense mana.
It was the Sea Wolf Sword Style that was reminiscent of an endless ocean.
But the Sea Wolf Sword Style Karron displayed before him was completely different from the one he knew.
Claaaaang!
His opponents sword tip changed relentlessly.
It would seem to aim for his legs, only for the path of the sword to twist at the last moment.
The afterimages left by his opponents sword mesmerized him.
The boys sword was seasoned.
When he swung his sword to block an attack, the boy would follow up with the next, as if he had anticipated that very reaction.
Fakes and real attacks mixed before his eyes.
The dark blue blade closed in on his neck from all sides.
Could this truly be called the Sea Wolf Sword Style?
No, in the first place, was this boy really thirteen years old?
Countless questions swirled in his mind. But the boy didnt give him even a moment to think.
Booooom!
In an instant, mana exploded beneath Ryuks feet.
A destructive force powerful enough to carve a crater.
Ryuk took a small step back, dodging the attack by a hairs breadth. He then thrust his sword toward Karrons upper body, which had been exposed by the previous attack.
Shhhk.
Ryuks sword grazed past the left side of Karrons chest by the slimmest of margins.
The difference was so slight that it barely cut the leather armor Karron was wearing.
If it had been aimed just a little more to the right, his chest would have been pierced.
At that moment, Ryuk noticed the smile on Karrons face.
Just as he was trying to decipher the meaning of that smile, Karron trapped Ryuks sword under his arm. He then immediately swung the pommel of his sword at Ryuks head.
Caught by the unexpected attack, Ryuk quickly ducked to avoid it. He then forcefully infused his sword with mana.
Booooom!
Ryuks mana mixed with Karrons, unleashing a shockwave.
Ryuk used the recoil to retrieve his sword, then quickly retreated to create distance.
The duel entered a brief lull.
You dodged that. I really put my all into that one, you know.
Karron grinned, breathing heavily.
But Ryuk could not smile.
The boy before him was Grand Duke Halos youngest grandson. In other words, the scion of a renowned family.
Scions of famous sword-fighting families almost always wielded a rigid sword. Flexibility came with real combat experience, but that kind of flexibility wasnt something one could master at such a young age.
But why.
A sword fiend.
How could a thirteen-year-old wield a sword like that?
He displayed near-prescient judgment and improvised based on that judgment.
That was the sword of someone who had crossed the line between life and death countless times.
Its familiar.
Was he sensing traces of his seniors in the boys sword?
Ryuks mind became endlessly complicated.
To defeat that sword, he had to give it his all.
Otherwise, he would lose.
His instincts were screaming at him.
Wooooong.
Without hesitation, Ryuk began to draw up his mana.
He had to admit that he could lose to this young boy.
This was a monster.
A being beyond human comprehension, a true catastrophe.
If he was this strong at thirteen, he would become an even more unstoppable existence as time went on.
And he would undoubtedly become a new wing for the Leston Ducal Family, which was already supported by the giant named Halo.
You should prepare yourself.
Ryuk warned Karron in a low voice.
His complicated thoughts had cleared.
As a member of the Imperial Guard, as a protector of the Imperial Palace, there was only one thing left to do.
Break its wings.
And if he could not break them, he would at least wound those wings.
That was what he had to do for the Imperial Palace, for those he served.
So youre finally going to use your full strength now, is that it?
Havent we had enough of a preliminary bout?
Shouldve done that from the start. Youre a little late.
Karron raised the right corner of his mouth and readjusted his grip on Guillotine.
Ryuk raised his sword, taking a high stance.
There was only one technique in the Imperial Sword Style that began with a high stance.
Sixth Form, Moonlight.
A finishing move that decapitated the opponent in a single breath.
It was a technique akin to a one-hit kill.
Ryuks decision to use Moonlight meant he intended to end this fight as quickly as possible.
-That guy seems to be thinking bad thoughts. I can feel his killing intent, master. Why dont you go tell your guardian?
Guillotine spoke sarcastically, but contrary to its tone, a chilling aura began to spread from its blade.
In that case, Ill receive it with all my strength, too.
A ghastly smile bloomed on Karrons lips.
At the same time, a vast sea of mana formed around Karrons body.
Sea Wolf Sword Style, Fifth Form: High Tide.
The sea, which was at first endlessly blue, was dyed by the ominous light emanating from Guillotine, turning a dark, murky blue.
Fwoooosh!
A crescent-shaped sword aura shot out from the tip of Ryuks sword toward the dark blue sea. Simultaneously, Ryuks body vanished from sight.
Imperial Sword Style, Sixth Form: Moonlight.
A technique where one hides their body behind a sword aura shaped like the moon to take the enemys life.
The moment ones eyes are captivated by the beautifully shining sword aura, their head is severed.
It was a technique that most first-time opponents fell to helplessly.
But that Moonlight
Was my main technique.
It was the technique Karron had favored most in his past life.
There were two main ways to overcome that one-hit-kill move.
Either detect the sword hidden behind the crescent and dodge it, or
Devour the crescent moon entirely.
Just as Halo had done long ago, extinguish all the sword aura.
Karron chose the second method.
Kwoooooooosh!
The dark blue sea began to churn violently.
The moment the crescent moon touched the surface of the sea, it vanished without a trace.
Each time the dark blue sea surged, a wave formed. And those waves mercilessly erased the crescent moons.
Without a moments hesitation, Karron stepped into those waves.
Just as Ryuk hid behind the moon, Karron also hid his body behind the waves.
Their mana tangled endlessly with each other.
The ripples born from the clash of mana paralyzed all senses.
Karron focused his entire mind on manipulating his mana.
If his senses were paralyzed, he just needed to use his widely spread mana to act as his senses instead.
Just as Karron was trying to locate Ryuks presence.
Swoooosh!
From the upper right, a single crescent moon pierced through the sea and surged toward Karron.
A crescent moon exuding a sharp edge.
But Karron couldnt help but realize that crescent was a fake.
A long time ago, in his past life, there was only one person who deployed Moonlight in this way.
A fake moon and a real moon.
A brilliant fake, hiding the unseen real one behind it.
The Moonlight Ryuk was using was a Moonlight that should never have been passed down.
Because.
Kerua?
It was the Moonlight of his subordinate, Kerua, who should have been buried here long ago.
Shhhhhk.
The fake crescent slashed past Karrons waist, and immediately, the real one hidden behind it revealed itself.
A black crescent moon that devoured even light.
A moment later,
Thunk.
Ryuks sword, extending from the crescent moon, pierced Karrons side.
At that instant, Leo, who was watching the duel, drew his sword from its scabbard and shouted.
Karroooooon! Sir Jeras. Right now
But Jeras placed a hand on Leos shoulder and shook his head.
Stay still, Sir Leo.
How can I stay still.
Just keep watching. It is not over yet.
Jeras stared at the center of the training grounds with a grave expression.
There.
Keoheok. Keoheok.
Stood Karron, his side pierced, his hand gripping Ryuks throat.
From now on, you will answer my questions carefully, Sir Ryuk.
H-how my my Moonlight?
I hope youll answer me earnestly. This is a very important matter to me.
Karrons sea, which had maintained its dark blue hue, was dyed in pitch-black darkness.
Standing within that darkness, Karron asked Ryuk in an icy voice.
That Moonlight, who taught it to you?
Karrons eyes shone with a ghastly light.