Chapter 109
Chapter 109
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 109
Chapter Title: Wings of Radiance
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I hardened my expression at Alkheim’s perplexed thought.
It was because I could feel a cloying energy, beyond mere pressure, encroaching upon the space.
It wasn't so strong that I couldn't shake it off, but it was an utterly unpleasant power.
—So what is this energy?
—I’m not quite sure myself.
—Dammit! Useless bastard.
I cursed at Alkheim in my head and carefully observed my opponent.
But since he was completely encased in armor, I couldn't discern his identity.
*Swish!*
The attacks pouring from my opponent were exceptionally sharp and precise.
A sword style that anticipated where I would dodge.
It was a swift swordplay, but its application was a little different.
It felt as if I were being cornered by a massive net.
"You’re doing this because you can’t hit me."
A smirk escaped my lips as I gently swung the Black Dragon Sword.
Then, with a brilliant flash, the opponent's incoming attack came to a halt.
I had unleashed the Forbidden Current Sword, the first form of the Imperial Sound Lock Sword's middle sequence.
A perfect move, flowing as flexibly as a fish to sever the momentum of an attack!
*Clang!*
"Urk!"
As expected, the Black Knight couldn't react properly, and the flow of his swordplay was broken.
Naturally, the torrent of swift strikes should have vanished in an instant.
And yet, manifesting a crimson energy on his blade, my opponent unleashed another volley of swift attacks.
*Screeech! Thud-thud-thud!*
I hastily took a defensive stance, stumbling backward.
But even so, I couldn't stop the Black Knight's fierce assault.
Left with no choice, I executed the Nine Fiends' Expanse to create distance between us.
*Craaaang!*
As the powerful, heavy sword swung horizontally, a thunderous roar erupted, and the Black Knight’s charge stopped.
Simultaneously, the crimson energy that had been flowing along his blade vanished.
*What in the world was that? It’s definitely not an aura.*
Auras could take on various colors depending on the type of energy arts.
So, the existence of a red aura wouldn't have been strange.
The problem was the way the energy was being emitted.
An aura would progress from a shimmering, indistinct haze to wavering threads, and finally to the form of a perfect blade.
But what had formed on my opponent’s sword was completely different in shape.
*The manifested energy circles back into the blade? That’s really strange.*
Of course, it was possible that some energy art existed somewhere that made an aura move in a unique way.
What I knew wasn't absolute truth, after all.
But one thing was certain: just as Alkheim had said, I felt a sense of unease from the Black Knight.
A kind of fundamental revulsion, perhaps?
"Kukuku! To let your mind wander in the middle of a battle. You must be dying to die."
*Swoosh!*
Perhaps realizing I was distracted, my opponent immediately thrust his sword.
But it wasn't as if I had taken my eyes off him.
It only appeared that way.
*Clang—!*
I used the Imperial Sound Lock Sword to deflect his strike and control the distance.
I wanted to get a closer look at the source of the Black Knight's power and his swordsmanship.
It was at that very moment.
The sword strike, which had been retracting after thrusting into the air, began a bizarre transformation.
*Craaaang!*
Though quite surprised, I swiftly brought my sword up and succeeded in defending.
Of course, having moved so abruptly, my posture was poor, and the impact shot through my entire body.
*This is a bit problematic.*
I had thought I could win just by using the Imperial Sound Lock Sword, but it seemed I was mistaken.
The Black Knight's martial prowess was far greater than I had anticipated.
However, using a superior secret art felt like a bit of a burden.
As I was lost in momentary contemplation, Alkheim's subtle voice reached me.
—Are you in trouble? The solution is simple. Draw Calipe. I will take care of the rest.
*Wooooong!*
At the same time, a hum erupted from the sword at my waist.
That rascal Alkheim had stimulated the treasured sword, creating a strange vibration.
But I just scoffed and used my mental transmission.
—Cut the crap. I know you were just throwing it out there, but you’re aiming too high. I’ll handle this myself, so just shut up.
—It doesn’t look like you’re in a very good situation, though?
—Watch closely and see who I am, you world-ignorant spirit.
I let my sword hang low, cracking my neck from side to side as I began to walk.
Perhaps bothered by the sudden change in atmosphere, the Black Knight also began to move in the opposite direction.
This resulted in us circling each other, gradually closing the distance.
Finally, as we came close enough for our swords to reach, my opponent and I moved at almost the same time.
*Swish!*
The Black Knight's specialty was a swift swordplay, as fast as lightning.
The tip of his blade, imbued with crimson energy, shot forward in the blink of an eye.
But when it came to speed, I was just as fast.
The moment our flashing blades were about to clash.
*Spurt—! Clang!*
"Kuh!"
The one who groaned and retreated was the Black Knight, who had charged in so boldly.
I unleashed streams of white light from my blade, completely dominating the space.
The pure white afterimages left in the air thoroughly sealed off my opponent, as if to confirm my influence.
"D-damn it all!"
Eventually, the Black Knight began to swing his sword wildly, spewing curses.
The crimson light resisted fiercely, but to no avail.
The haze of white light spread like wings before closing in to envelop him.
*Clang-clang-clang-clang!*
"Kuaaaargh!"
Trapped in a festival of brilliant light, my opponent screamed.
He must have felt as if his entire body was being torn to pieces.
"Because that’s what a sword style like Cataclysmic Glory does."
As a final touch, I swung my blade wide to the left and right, finishing my attack.
The condensed white light momentarily fanned out.
It was as if I had sprouted wings of radiance from my back.
*Thud!*
"..."
The Black Knight, his body lacerated, collapsed powerlessly to the ground.
The arena was plunged into silence.
The arbiter, as well as the spectators, were all speechless.
The result was just that shocking.
*They look like they never thought I'd lose, huh?*
A sneer spread across my lips as I leisurely looked around.
Soon, a voice broke the silence.
"Ah! Is that... the Wings of Radiance?"
"I-isn't that the nickname of the Commander of the Luminous Knight Order?"
"Was he that young?"
"Of course not. He must be someone who properly learned Sir Jerome Klébitz's sword style, right?"
"Yes! There was a huge fuss a few years ago about him looking for a disciple."
"For the Mergier Guild to recruit the disciple of the Luminous Knight Order's Commander... the Silant Guild is finished now."
As the murmuring voices grew louder, I lifted my chin and looked at the arbiter.
Only then did he declare the result.
"The Champion's Duel is a victory for the Mergier Guild. The Silant Guild must honor the conditions they themselves have set."
"Wooooah!"
"We won!"
As the victory was decided, cheers erupted from behind me.
It was the voices of the Mergier Guild's employees.
In contrast, the mood among the spectators filling the arena was quite somber.
*So those bastards were all in on it.*
They must have been promised a portion of the Mergier Guild's torn-up interests.
That must be why they participated in this charade, forcing this ridiculous duel to happen.
It was obvious what kind of backroom deals had been made.
Besides, even after winning the duel, it would be extremely difficult to get the Silant Guild to meet the demands.
They would surely use Count Poben's family as backing and struggle desperately to get out of it.
*Of course, that’s none of my business.*
I had fulfilled my role simply by winning the Champion's Duel.
On top of that, I had also planted the impression that Jerome Klébitz's true disciple was with the Mergier Guild.
"Ah, the tattoo."
I paused as I was about to turn away and looked closely at the Black Knight's corpse.
Thanks to Cataclysmic Glory shattering his plate armor, checking his arm wasn't difficult.
But unfortunately, his bare skin was perfectly clean.
*Of course, they wouldn't have sent out someone who was openly a member of the Crimson Blood Order.*
As I gave up and was about to leave the arena, my eyes fell on the employees of the Silant Guild.
*Shuffle, shuffle!*
They hurried onto the stage and tried to remove the Black Knight's body.
They were moving with considerable speed, even though there was no rush.
*Why?*
The duel was over; there was no obligation to clear the arena as quickly as possible.
They could have handled it methodically, but their haste seemed strangely out of place.
If this hadn't been the final duel, I might not have felt this sense of unease.
I immediately stopped the Silant Guild employees who were trying to move the body.
"Wait."
But they completely ignored me, grunting as they moved the corpse wrapped in a cloth.
They must have been in such a hurry that they didn't even bring a stretcher.
*Scrape. Thump.*
I stepped on the corner of the cloth that was being dragged along the ground.
The workers' movements came to a halt.
They couldn't overpower me while I was channeling my aura.
"Move."
As a chilling killing intent began to dominate the space, the Silant Guild employees didn't know what to do.
They probably never imagined that I, having already checked the arm, would come back for another look at the corpse.
Eventually, a red-faced Silant climbed onto the stage and began to argue.
"Even if you won the duel, how can you do this! Show some respect for the dead!"
He shouted loudly, looking around at his surroundings.
It seemed he was hoping for the crowd's sympathy, just like before.
And just as expected, agitators mixed in with the crowd began to speak up.
"What an arrogant man! Is he trying to tarnish Commander Klébitz's name!"
"There's no way such a despicable person is his disciple!"
"That's enough, you vile Mergier dogs!"
Swept up by the atmosphere, the spectators hurled all sorts of accusations.
But I could just ignore such petty insults.
*Riiip!*
I sliced the cloth open with the Black Dragon Sword and calmly looked down at the corpse.
With the plate armor torn to shreds, it wasn't hard to check for a tattoo.
The Black Knight's body was clean, and his face had ordinary features.
"What is it you want!"
Seizing the opportunity, Silant yelled angrily and approached, trying to cover the body again.
But he was forced to stop his actions.
*Thump.*
Because I kicked the corpse over.
Surprisingly, tattooed on the Black Knight's buttock were dozens of repeating fang shapes.
The corners of my mouth curled up as I grabbed Silant by the collar and murmured softly.
"Gotcha."