Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: The Road to the Tower
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A legendary famed sword is destined to shine once more when touched by fire, as if reborn, no matter how much time has passed.
Whoosh.
'Just like this one right now.'
When I thrust the rusted sword I'd bought from the weapons dealer into the flames, the blade gleamed as if absorbing the firelight, revealing its true form.
Just moments ago, it had looked so chipped and unusable, yet it had recovered this quickly.
"How is it, Master?"
Siegfried gave a thumbs-up with a satisfied look. The smile on his face told me just how exceptional this sword was.
"Do you know how incredible this blade is, kid?"
"Not really."
"It's one of the seven famed swords humans forged in ancient times to slay a god. It carries a curse so powerful that ordinary humans can't wield it."
"A curse?"
"Yeah. Legend says anyone who tries to use it has their life force drained until they die. But look at you... no issues at all, right?"
I gazed at the brilliantly shining blade and replied.
"True. By the way, you're saying this sword was made to kill a god?"
"Exactly. Its name is 'Mistilteinn.' It's considered the pinnacle among famed swords."
I knew that already.
I'd heard about it even in my previous life. But I feigned ignorance, putting on a puzzled expression.
"An amazing artifact. But how did something like this end up in a place like this?"
"Mistilteinn wanders the continent on its own, seeking its rightful master."
"The sword itself?"
"Yeah. True to its original purpose—roaming endlessly to slay a god."
"Ah..."
"So how did you know this sword was here?"
"Just a hunch."
"A hunch?"
"Yeah. I had a feeling there was a great sword here, and that you, Master, could find it."
This hunch had triggered in my previous life too.
Back then, I'd had the exact same conversation with Siegfried, and he'd reacted just like this.
"You're one spooky bastard. The ghost isn't me—it's you."
Of course, in that life, I hadn't become the sword's master.
I'd arrived here at over fifteen years old, and I'd bought the sword as a gift for Brother Gunter.
'I regretted it.'
Why on earth had I given this sword to him? I was such an idiot back then.
If I'd known he would try to kill me, I never would've shown him any kindness.
'Whatever. Water under the bridge.'
In this life, I was Mistilteinn's master anyway.
I smiled brightly and replied.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"Whatever. Anyway, it's your first time handling a sword this big, right? I'll watch—why don't you swing it a few times?"
"Yes, Master."
I swung the sword, which was as long as my body, through the air.
Swoosh— swoosh—
The blade was so long it was hard to wield properly.
It wasn't particularly tricky for a two-handed sword, but my current body was too short for a blade sized for an adult.
"It's awkward."
"Can't be helped. The blade alone is way longer than your arms."
"At least it's not heavy. That's a relief."
"Not heavy?"
"Yeah, it's much lighter than the training swords."
No joke—it really was.
It felt like swinging a wooden practice sword; no strain on my wrists at all. Even lighter than the dagger from Valentine.
"No way."
"It's true."
"...Then it must have chosen you as its master."
"Me, its master?"
"Yeah. I can't say for sure since swords don't talk, but if it feels light, that means the sword and its wielder are in sync."
I raised Mistilteinn above my head. Even in this position, it didn't feel heavy.
'The famed sword Mistilteinn.'
Had it truly chosen me as its master?
Swoosh.
I swung it once more, then...
Click.
...sheathed the blade in the scabbard on my back.
"Master, want to borrow my body for a spin after all this time?"
-Roooar!
The arena erupted in cheers.
The crowd waved green flags overhead with wild enthusiasm.
"Pereira! Pereira! Pereira!"
Everyone cheered for the same man.
As their voices grew louder, five men in black cloaks emerged from one of the arena's entrances.
Step, step, step.
"So noisy."
One of them pulled back his hood. Pereira, the green-haired knight directly under the Bourbon family, pressed a finger to his lips as if annoyed.
-Rooooar!
The crowd roared even louder.
"Kuhahaha!"
The man beside him pulled back his hood and burst into laughter, clutching his belly. A plump woman with long green hair.
"Why do these idiots love you so much? All you know is fighting, you blockhead."
"Shut it, Nunes. I'm smarter than you."
"Oh yeah? That's why you said the North Pole is colder than the South Pole?"
"It is. The North Pole is colder than the South."
"No, it's not, you blockhead knight! The South Pole is colder!"
"North Pole!"
"South Pole!"
Thud, thud, thud.
A massive figure in a black cloak approached and whispered harshly.
"Shut up, you morons. If you're so curious, go visit both!"
Pereira and Nunes replied in unison.
"Sorry."
"Sorry."
"Idiots."
Toot, toot!
The man at the arena's center blew a horn, and the five in black cloaks gathered in the middle.
Another five knights, who had arrived first and were waiting, bowed politely in greeting.
"I'm Orca of the Foxtail Knights."
"Pereira."
"Pleased to meet you, Sir Pereira. It's an honor to face someone of Gold Class."
"Yeah? Not for me."
"...Pardon?"
"You're Silver Class, right?"
"Yes."
"Ha! What rotten luck... No, why am I matched against trash like this this week?"
"That's too harsh."
Pereira twitched his eyebrow.
"Harsh isn't my words—it's whoever made this bracket."
"......"
"What kind of idiot pairs Silver and Gold Class? Huh?"
As the argument dragged on, the referee stepped between them.
"Now, now—calm down, both of you. Win this, Orca, and you'll be Gold Class. Win this one, Pereira, and you get Diamond Class challenge rights, right?"
No response.
Pereira and Orca continued glaring at each other.
Thinking it might escalate, the referee quickly started the match.
"Then, the match between the Foxtail Knights and the Bourbon 2nd Knights begins now!"
Flames ignited atop the tall beacon in the arena's center.
Whoosh!
At the same moment, the Foxtail Knights—armed with swords, shields, spears, and axes—charged at the enemy.
Thud thud thud.
"Take them down one by one, steadily!"
Orca shouted.
"Yes!"
His knights replied.
In contrast, the Bourbon Knights didn't even prepare for battle. Only Pereira stepped forward alone, bare-handed.
Fighting unarmed in an arena where aura and mana were banned? It was like begging to be killed.
Those who'd never seen Pereira fight might think that. But those who knew his strength said this:
'His fists are like steel.'
Bam!
Pereira punched a Foxtail Knight in the gut. The impact crumpled the plate armor, sending the body flying into the air.
Thud.
One knight down in a single blow.
Pereira beckoned the remaining knights with a smile.
"Get lost. You're not ready for Gold Class yet."
Lily, the pink-haired staff member at Legion Arena, beamed.
"Then I'll find three adventurers without parties for you."
It was a necessary choice.
Arena matches required five-person parties, and right now, it was just me and Rox.
"Please pick good ones."
"Yes, then..."
Lily scanned the Bronze Class entrant list.
She furrowed her brow, slowly crossing names with a pen, then circled the ones at the bottom and showed me.
"Chihuahua... Collie... Bichon? Aren't these dog names?"
"They sound like it at first glance. But they're knights who pull their weight from West Gerard County."
"Gerard Count? Never heard of him."
"I asked a western merchant, and he said the guy's pretty renowned there."
"I see."
The names were weird, but their skills seemed decent. Listed as 4-star knights, so above average.
"Please form a party with them."
"Just a moment? They might not want to join even if we do..."
"Sure."
I waited in the lounge for the three knights she'd recommended. For matches, numbers were all that mattered, so they'd have to join unless there was some issue.
To reach the tower as fast as possible.
Knock, knock, knock.
Someone knocked on our lounge door.
Rox cautiously peeked through the crack, then scowled deeply.
He shook his head—definitely not a good sign.
"Don't freak out."
"Why?"
"You'll see."
Rox took a deep breath and slowly turned the knob.
Creeeak—
Three knights stood outside. Their chainmail looked expensive for 4-stars, and their weapons mid-grade or better.
Properly equipped—good enough for party members.
Step, step, step.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Baron Bichon, escort knight to Count Gerard."
Bichon. A real, live Bichon.
He looked exactly like one—anyone would say so.
Even understandable why his parents named him that.
"Berddin."
Bichon grinned and extended his hand.
I stood and shook it lightly.
"Berddin! Great name. My young knights said they wanted me in their party, so I came. These are some fine lads!"
Bichon looked back and forth between me and Rox.
He seemed pleased with us, beaming proudly.
"Miss Lily said you're from the Strange family?"
"Yes."
"Ooh, what an honor! To fight alongside Strange in the arena!"
"So you'll join us?"
"Of course! Thanks, really. Truth is, I couldn't enter without a party."
"No, thank you—we needed members too."
And so we formed our party and registered for today's Bronze Class match via Lily.
"Today's match is at 5:30 PM. Arrive on time or face disqualification."