The Magic Swordsman
The reason I decided to become a dark magic swordsman came down to a single spell.
The Night Parade of a Hundred Demons.
A spell that consumed mana to summon a legion of a hundred demons.
In the original novel, Saint Richmond once fought a famous dark mage from the East to protect the protagonist. The sheer scale of the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons that the mage unleashed back then was utterly absurd.
Since the number of summoned demons scaled in proportion to the caster's mana, if I—having reached the level of a Sword Saint—were to summon them using the mana stored within my seven stars, the resulting army would undoubtedly be astronomical.
That was why I chose to become a dark mage.
But that wasn't the only reason.
Anyone touched by the Contamination eating away at this world had to immediately amputate the affected area. Otherwise, they would either mutate into a demonic beast, transform into a Demonic Human, or face an agonizing death.
Therefore, I planned to use the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons to minimize human casualties. After all, even if the shadow demons came into contact with the Contamination, they would simply disperse without any lasting consequences.
Now, all I needed to do was obtain the dark grimoire containing the spell...
Should I pay a visit to that place?
“You wish to go to the Black Market?”
“Yes, sir.”
Marquis Dinlight narrowed his eyes.
“I trust you understand what it means to enter the Black Market?”
“Of course. However, I am only going there to retrieve a specific book.”
“And what book would that be?”
“The Dark Magic Encyclopedia.”
Marquis Dinlight’s brow furrowed.
“A Sword Saint walking the path of dark magic?”
“I am aiming to become a magic swordsman. However, given that my innate affinity is dark, I have little choice in the matter.”
Marquis Dinlight tapped his forehead with a finger.
“Do you have any proof that this book will even appear in the Black Market? There are plenty of other grimoires, so why must it be...”
“It has to be that book, and no other.”
The reason I knew about the Black Market was because the protagonist of the original novel had once been put up for sale there as merchandise. And among the items offered, there was one that had never once been sold: the Dark Magic Encyclopedia.
It was a tome containing every single dark magic spell in existence, making it the single most vital item for me right now.
“...”
Marquis Dinlight fell into deep thought. While practicing dark magic wasn't strictly a crime, it was heavily frowned upon, so his hesitation was understandable. After all, every lunatic who had ever dabbled in curses, human sacrifices, and other atrocities had been a dark mage...
After a brief silence, Marquis Dinlight finally spoke.
“I will permit you to go to the Black Market. However, you must promise me that you will only purchase the Dark Magic Encyclopedia.”
“Of course, sir.”
Upon hearing my reply, Marquis Dinlight handed me a necklace engraved with a Pentagon emblem and a mask.
“If you invoke the name of the House of Merian and present this token, you will gain entry without any trouble. As for the price... I will give you a blank check, so write in whatever amount is necessary.”
After rummaging through his desk, he produced a blank check bearing his signature.
Whoa, I've never seen a blank check in real life before.
As I stared blankly at the check, the Marquis pursed his lips.
“Do not forget that the White Magic Tower keeps a constant eye on anything related to dark magic. Be sure to wear that Aura-Disrupting Mask at all times.”
“Thank you for your consideration, Father-in-law.”
“Consider it an investment in you. Besides, simply giving you a training ground as a welcoming gift into the family felt a bit lacking.”
He had a point. When he offered to pull some strings for me, I had simply asked for a training ground, which must have seemed absurdly modest to him.
“Then, I shall take my leave.”
“I wish you the best of luck.”
With my preparations for the Black Market complete, I headed off to see Micaris. I needed to let her know I'd be out for a while.
I knocked gently on Micaris's door.
“Mica? It's Hound.”
The door opened, and Micaris greeted me, dressed in comfortable, casual attire. Having only ever seen her in formal uniforms or extravagant dresses, seeing her dressed down like this felt refreshingly new.
“What brings you here?”
“I need to head out for a bit.”
Micaris looked at me with curiosity written all over her face.
“Where are you going?”
“To find a dark magic grimoire. Since my affinity is dark, it's not easy to track down the right materials.”
“Should I come with you?”
“It won't take long, so I think I can handle it on my own.”
“...Alright.”
A hint of disappointment flickered across Micaris's face. Come to think of it, we hadn't gone out together once since we went to see the fireworks.
“Let's visit your family's estate next time. It'll be my first time visiting the Marquisate, after all.”
“I'd love that. You showed me around the Imperial Capital, so now it's my turn to show you around our territory.”
Seeing Micaris smile so brightly brought an involuntary, warm smile to my own face.
“Anyway, I'll be back soon.”
“Alright, take care of yourself.”
I kissed the back of Micaris's hand in farewell.
And so, I arrived at an alleyway that practically screamed, 'I am the Black Market!' with its dark and dreary atmosphere. I needed to enter the information broker's shop located here.
“What business brings you here?”
“I wish to enter the market.”
At the mention of the market, a burly man who had been sitting in the back approached me.
“Are you a guest? Or perhaps...”
I held out the token engraved with the Pentagon.
“...House of Merian.”
“Ah, forgive me. I failed to recognize such an esteemed guest. Right this way, please.”
The burly man guided me further inside. Soon, a seemingly ordinary bookshelf split down the middle, revealing a staircase leading underground.
It was the passage to the Black Market.
“Please, go on down. The auction has not yet begun.”
“Thanks for the guidance.”
As I descended the stairs, a musty, stale odor assaulted my nose. Seriously, would it kill them to clean up a bit?
Suppressing my grimace at the stench, I reached the bottom of the stairs to find a massive, crimson theater looming before me. Was this the auction house? In person, it looked just like a venue for musicals.
As I stood there looking around, the hushed whispers of the other attendees drifted into my ears.
“What do you think is coming up for bid today?”
“Haven't you heard the rumors? They say a princess from the East is on the block.”
“Yes, I know! In the East, they call her a beauty capable of toppling empires!”
“How pretty could an Easterner possibly be?”
“...”
So this was the underbelly of society. Honestly, I had absolutely no desire to be here, but what choice did I have? I just needed to secure the Dark Magic Encyclopedia and get out.
I took a seat in a suitable spot and waited for the auction to begin.
A short while later...
“One million!”
“Two million!”
...
...
The Aja? Where have I heard that name before...?
The auctioneer continued to introduce item after item, but none of them were what I was waiting for. Then, finally...
The slave was brought onto the stage.
She had snow-white hair and sky-blue eyes.
No matter how I looked at her, she didn't look Eastern at all.
Was the 'East' in this world different from the East I knew...?
While my brow furrowed in confusion, the bidders eagerly began competing.
“Ten million!”
“Thirty million!”
“Seventy million!”
“One hundred million!”
Her price soared as if it would pierce the heavens. A bitter taste filled my mouth. It was tragic that she was about to be sold to these lunatics. I could easily imagine what kind of future awaited her.
Still, I can't just stand by and watch. Maybe I should free her later.
Just then, a man with short blonde hair, a pig-like nose, greedy, narrow eyes, and a protruding belly shouted.
“Two hundred million!”
He wore a sinister smirk. No, it was just a downright repulsive grin.
Yeah, I definitely can't turn a blind eye to this.
Just as my brow furrowed in disgust, the item I had been waiting for finally appeared.
Before the auctioneer could even finish his sentence, I raised my hand.
“Five hundred thousand.”
No one else raised their hand. Every eye in the auction house locked onto me, and a low murmur rippled through the crowd.
“Is that guy a dark mage?”
“Why would anyone buy that...? Suspicious.”
“Maybe he's just crazy.”
I can hear you, you bastards.
As I approached the stage, an attendant handed me the book. The ominous energy radiating from the cover left no room for doubt. This was indeed the Dark Magic Encyclopedia.
The reason the Dark Magic Encyclopedia had remained unsold was simple. No matter how talented a dark mage was, their spells were ultimately useless against the Contamination plaguing the world.
In other words, dark magic was only effective against other humans. It was no wonder no one wanted to invest in it. Still, everything depended on how one utilized it.
Well, with this, my business in the Black Market was finished.
I wanted to leave as quickly as possible, but...
I should probably free her. Judging by the buyer's face, he's definitely up to no good.
I memorized the mask of the man who bought the slave, then climbed onto a roof with a clear view of the building's exit to wait. He would likely emerge once the entire auction concluded.
Might as well read the book while I wait.
The Dark Magic Encyclopedia was filled with countless formulas and magic circles. There were so many that my eyes squeezed shut at the mere thought of having to memorize them all.
“Ugh, I don't even want to think about it.”
But then...
Strangely, the magic circles and formulas began to make sense. In fact, they practically leaped off the page, perfectly clear.
Is this because of the Eye of Clairvoyance?
This was a jackpot. No, I might have just hit the ultimate jackpot. As I eagerly speed-read through the grimoire, the loud clanking of chains shattered my concentration.
“Hurry up and walk!”
“Ugh!”
It was the princess who had been sold into slavery. It was time for my entrance. I quickly began to tail the carriage carrying her.
They'll definitely head to that place.
There was only one destination for a carriage transporting a newly purchased slave: the very route where the original protagonist had been transported. Though the path was rugged, it lacked any guards, demonic beasts, or prying eyes, making it the perfect route for a discreet journey.
I would seize that moment to rescue the princess.
After tailing them for a while, we arrived at a deserted forest path. The road was unpaved and so rugged that even climbing it seemed like a challenge.
I stealthily closed in from behind.
“Haze.”
*Whoosh!* With me at the center, darkness enveloped the area.
“What's going on?!”
“It's magic!”
“An ambush?!”
I didn't even need to look at the red lines of hostility radiating from the escorts. Thanks to the Eye of Clairvoyance, my vision remained perfectly clear.
*Swish.* I swung my sword in rapid succession, knocking out the escorts one by one.
“Argh!”
“Where are they coming from—?! Urgh...”
The mercenaries and servants tasked with the transport all collapsed. Seizing the opportunity, I sliced through the iron bars of the cage and pulled her out.
“Do you speak the Western tongue?”
“Um, who are you...?”
Fortunately, she did.
“That's none of your concern. Go back to where you came from.”
*Clang!* I shattered the shackles binding her and tossed her the pouch of coins I had received from the Marquis.
“Thank you. May I ask your name?”
“...”
Come to think of it, she was from the East. Giving her a bit of pocket change wasn't going to magically get her back home. What should I do?
“Do you have a way to return home?”
“...No.”
Of course she didn't. How could she? She would have to board a massive ship and cross the ocean to another continent. That was practically impossible for a lone girl.
“What is your name? Was it Prin?”
“My real name is Sojeon.”
I presented Sojeon with a choice.
“The choice is yours. You can take this money and try to survive on your own, or you can come with me and become a servant of the Marquisate.”
Sojeon fidgeted, hesitating. Her darting eyes made it clear she was at an utter loss.
“If silence is your answer, then I shall be on my way.”
Just as I turned around to head back to the carriage, Sojeon grabbed my sleeve.
“I will go with you...”
The moment she made her decision, I took her by the wrist and led her toward the carriage.
When we reached the carriage, the coachman's eyes went wide.
“W-Who is this lady?”
“I rescued her from being sold into slavery. I plan to employ her as a servant of the Marquisate.”
“Shouldn't that be for the Marquis to decide?”
“I will handle that myself. Let's depart.”
Was that a bit too harsh? Micaris kept telling me to act like a noble, so my speech patterns had been changing lately... I felt a sudden wave of self-loathing, realizing I was starting to sound just like Whinston—the person I detested most.
“...How long until we arrive?”
“Since it's late, we'll need to rest. Shall we push through without stopping?”
“No, you must be tired as well. Let's rest before we continue.”
Feeling a bit guilty, I offered him some kindness.
...The Marquis is one thing, but I just hope Micaris won't be angry about Sojeon.