Translator: AkazaTL
Pr/Ed: Sol IX
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Chapter 189. Radiance (2)
From the perspective of the Order of the Cross, the occupation of the City of Stars, Antoine, was a task that had to succeed.
The territory of the Order of the Cross was expanding day by day, but their objective was not the conquest of the Southern Continent in the first place.
The Order of the Cross was not a normal army but a religious army. For their power to be maintained even after the unification of the Southern Continent, all lives living in the southern land had to serve the Cross.
In other words, their goal was to unify the religion, not the land of the Southern Continent. If everyone served a single God, no one would plot rebellion. Emperors and kings die soday, but a God does not disappear. He is the absolute law that reigns forever, and He shall beco the holiest monarch to spread faith under the Southern Continent.
The grand dream of the Order of the Cross was being successfully realized. Various religious orders that existed in the Southern Continent succumbed under the Crusaders. Now, only those who believed in the Sun and the Stars remained in the Southern Continent.
The Order of the Sun did not break easily due to the giant tree called the Holy Empire and the Monks who were incomparably powerful against the Crusaders. However, how long could their faith remain intact before the death, flas, and blood scattered by war? In a situation where precious ones die like dust, the faith of the Sun will shake. Not all beings can be as great as the sun.
Could everyone accept the pouring pain as a pure trial and an asceticism to be endured? Even if they accepted it, could they endure it? They would not be able to. For all life possesses the instinct to desire revenge and wish for sin and punishnt.
Thus, the Order of the Cross saw the breaking of the Order of the Sun as a matter of ti. However, before they broke, the Order of the Cross shook first. The Great Judge, Proxy Warrior Ismael, had died. Even while committing betrayal, the taboo of the Order, at the last mont.
It was a very dangerous matter. A matter that could shake the faith of the Order. Therefore, the Order of the Cross intended to produce a ‘visible achievent’ even if it was sowhat unreasonable. Instead of the Order of the Sun, which would not break easily, they decided to absorb the Order of the Star, which could be easily trampled.
They were a peaceful bunch, excessively so, unfitting of the reputation of being one of the three great orders of the Southern Continent. Foolish things that forgave the opponent no matter what irrationality they suffered. To absorb the Order of the Star, the Order of the Cross targeted the City of Stars. This task absolutely must not fail. So the Order of the Cross sent not only Inquisitor Abel but also additional support.
A portion of the Crusaders who should be facing the Holy Empire. And…….
“We shall give you help, flowers in a greenhouse.”
The barbaric warriors of the East who call their own country the Great Land, who perhaps dream of a grander and more terrible dream than them.
“……Thank you.”
Disbelieving attitude. Barbaric nature.
They didn't like any of it, but the Papacy had no choice but to accept their proposal. It was truly unpleasant, but their strength alone was genuine.
The Order of the Cross was that desperate for this matter. To debut the new Proxy Warrior grandly and to raise the status of the Crusaders again, they had to completely trample the Order of the Star.
They had to bring down the shining star and hang a cross there. So that more people would serve the Cross. So that everyone would look upon the Cross more fervently.
“We must not fail, brothers.”
Having fully heard such desperation of the Order, the Chief Crusader, Yohan, spoke while looking at the Crusaders advancing in step. Amidst the brilliant flags fluttering, the Crusaders bearing sacred duty were following Yohan.
“Is there any reason to fail?”
“The flowers in the greenhouse are cowardly, so it can't be helped.”
Of course, the conquest army of the Great Land as well. Yohan looked at all of them and spoke.
“Brother Inquisitor Abel has headed to the City of Stars. I am certain Brother Abel will not neglect his work, but we do not know if the Goddess of the Stars will still stand by and watch even when Her Sacred Ground is being trampled. So we must put a definite period to this.”
A definite period. Yes, that was their mission.
“Do not let your guard down. Sinners always-”
“Slowpokes clad in iron armor!”
While Yohan was diligently giving a speech, one of the warriors of the plains shouted.
“Over there! Look ahead!”
“Yes? What all of a sudden…….”
“So wench is climbing on top of that high wooden plank! Behind her, a moron wearing the sa clothes as you guys is waddling and following her! Anyone can see things have gone twisted, can't they?”
“We cannot see anything…….”
“Shoot! The weapons you brought!”
Shoot, hearing those words, the Crusaders’ gazes turned to the siege weapon. A weapon brought to prepare for variables that might occur. But this is not a weapon to use in that small city.
“I said shoot! You morons!”
“However…….”
“Stupid things!”
As the Crusader stood frozen for a mont, the warrior of the plains kicked his chest. The iron armor dented and with a “keuk”, the Crusader who coughed up blood flew away. The warrior of the plains spat saliva and approached the siege weapon.
“It is disgusting to help things like you, but since the Sun that never sets desires this southern land, I have no choice but to act actively!”
Saying that, the warrior of the plains soon activated the siege weapon. Along with the activation, a huge stone flew and demolished the Primordial Observatory with a loud bang. Amidst the collapsing observatory, Inquisitor Abel falling vainly was visible to the Crusaders’ eyes.
Crack, Abel’s neck snapped and he fell to his death. So Crusaders let out sighs.
“What kind of act is this…….”
“Shut up! If you say one more word, I will make you into fertilizer for the desert first.”
The warriors of the plains did not accept the Crusaders’ rebuttals. The Crusaders were cowed by the spirit of the warriors growling while exuding a ferocious atmosphere. And.
“……Everyone shut your mouths, and lift your precious maces.”
From within the dust rising from the aftermath of the siege weapon firing, an insanely sharp aura erupted. An energy that felt like it would slice flesh. Not only the warriors of the plains but the Crusaders also sensed the crisis.
“Damn it, they said it was a peaceful land…….”
The Crusaders’ pupils shook. Why would an existence emitting such energy be in the City of Stars, Antoine? No, it’s not Antoine. Why is such an existence in the Southern Continent……?
“Even in the East, such things were rare.”
Instinct scread to run away. While the Crusaders stopped in place, the dust cleared, and soon the residents of Antoine trembling in fear were visible. Far away from the residents, there was a girl sobbing sadly. A beautiful starlight lingered on the girl’s body; that starlight was mysterious but not threatening. It ans it did not have the ‘sense of crisis’ they just felt. The warrior of the plains focused his mind and slowly drew his sword. And-
“What, wher-”
With a sharp slicing sound, the warrior's head flew into the air.
The head of the warrior with eyes wide open soared. The neck was cut, and soon blood burst out from the severed section. The bursting blood beca a red fountain under the starlight, and before the red fountain could touch the dry desert, another head flew. Next, three heads, and after that, five heads flew. Like that, when ten people lost their lives without even knowing how they died, only then was the blood scattered over the Crusaders. As if a ghost had passed by.
“……It’s you.”
The Crusaders fell into a panic. But the warriors of the plains did not. They knew the existence capable of doing such a thing. Ghost. A ghost of the battlefield. Their other na is…….
“It’s a Sword Runner-!”
* * *
The nickna of a Sword Runner is a ghost of the battlefield. They are existences who polished their Path to the limit to bloom Wings. A Sword Runner who has entered the battlefield can penetrate all situations of the battlefield with a single glance. A Sword Runner who has penetrated all situations can lay down a Path across the entire battlefield, and thus can exist anywhere they desire. And no one who is not a Sword Runner can escape their sword.
“Morons, don't scatter, gathe-”
In addition to that, a Sword Runner can instinctively sense which existence in the enemy army is a core force and a dangerous force by utilizing superhuman senses and the Path that has reached the extre. It ans they can distinguish soldiers, officers, and commanders just by looking at them.
“Bind him, bind his feet-ugh.”
The existence who should give orders dies in the blink of an eye. If one wanders into a chaotic situation, where dozens of comrades are rolling on the ground without their heads. In war, a Sword Runner reigns as an existence like a nightmare.
‘Slow. Slow to the point of boredom.’
I didn't know because the scale of the enemy was relatively small in Visente. I didn't know because I had never fought such a large-scale enemy since becoming a Sword Runner. Before , these were rely large in number, but never threatening existences.
‘The mory of「Gale」 helps here.’
The Ronin of 「Gale」 faced an army alone to protect Dorothy. The thod of dealing with an army I saw from him was being used usefully at this mont. I was a wisp of wind, and when the wind brushes past, the heads of insignificant things fall and scatter like fallen leaves.
“Chains of Punishnt!”
Furthermore, the enemies' authority does not work on . With a crack sound, chains shot by the priests of the Order of the Cross poured down. Like a miracle using divine power, not a single one of their authorities missed. However, binding is practically the sa as giving wings.
『Do you know the genius who beca a stuffed specin?』
With a ring sound, the night sky instantly beca an azure heaven. Under the blue sky, I was a single ray of light, and after I passed, enemies reaching one hundred rolled on the ground, cut by the blade. Red blood sprayed inside the blue world.
“Wh-what in the…….”
Crusaders who saw my appearance faltered. Soon, the Inquisitors standing behind shouted.
“A body to punish the sinner!”
The Inquisitors beca transparent spirit bodies. Existences that cannot be cut unless by Mystery. However, that too is useless. Now my Wings have beco eight pairs, and along with the shining Wings, the Mystery I possess has also grown drastically. I stomped my foot while swinging the gripped sword widely. Soon, the Fla of Doubt that blood from burst out like an explosion and covered the area.
“Uh…….”
The next mont, the Mystery they wielded was annihilated all at once. The Inquisitors standing blankly also all died. In an instant, the waist of the army was snapped. Amidst the enemies surrounding in a formation, ridiculously, none of them dared to rush at first. They were like children facing a lion in the forest. While looking at them one by one, I felt a strange displeasure surging in my head.
‘……This isn't it.’
That was dissatisfaction with my sword.
‘I shouldn't be swinging it this insignificantly.’
Liam Karavan. The sword that Master swung with my body keeps flickering before my eyes. I shook off the chaos, but I couldn't shake off the sensation engraved in my body. The more I swing the sword, the more regret and shabbiness I feel. To the point where I want to put the sword down on the ground right now.
‘Was my sword originally this terrible?’
My Steel. Countless blades I swallowed. The souls of all of them feel trivial. 「Needle」, 「Fang」, 「Wild Instinct」,「Gale」…… all of them feel futile. What aning do these have? In the end, even if hundreds of such blades gather, they would be shabbier than a single strip of Master’s sword. Wouldn't it be better to rather abandon everything and accept the Master's single sword…….
‘……No.’
But the inner demon did not last long.
‘The Swordswoman Mary. The Assassin of the Free City. Orc Great Warrior Beric. The King who tried to beco a lamp himself, the Ronin who beca a wisp of wind, and Fetel.’
Deep inside my heart. Because there was a thought that they are not insignificant existences.
‘Their lives shone one by one.’
I am insignificant. Therefore, I have no right to consider other things insignificant. When it is not enough even if I cherish all of my things, how can I do such a thing? The mont I thought so, the chaos departed once again. The mont my head cleared, a shadow was cast sharply before my eyes.
‘Ambush.’
The mont the shadow was cast, I extended the Path and retreated one step. Amidst the flapping Wings, a warrior with a heavy physique appeared in the spot where I was just standing. Not a Crusader. A warrior of the plains. And a warrior exuding a ferocious spirit sowhat different from other warriors at that.
“You, you are a guy who doesn't fit in this land.”
The warrior glared at with burning eyes. Soon, other warriors appeared to his left and right.
Three warriors. The spirit they exuded was not to be taken lightly.
“Ah, you are that guy.”
And
“The Little Gladiator.”
I ca to hear unexpected words.
“That terrifying wench blabbered. If I follow the path the Sun that never sets takes and leave the eastern land…… I will et you soday.”
Terrifying wench. For so reason. I felt like I knew who ‘that wench’ was. Seol Yoon.
“Of course, I didn't know I would et you in this southern land though.”
“…….”
“It is exactly as that wench said. A body that looks like it would break if tapped, a fair face like a flower in a greenhouse, sharpness that doesn't match the appearance…… and even the talent to wield nurous swords.”
The warriors’ eyes glistened.
I observed the three warriors closely. As a result of searching for a mont, I could vaguely tell that the one in the middle among the three warriors was the leader. I finished the preparation to attack as soon as I knew. A Sword Runner is also a human in the end. The fleeting gap when he inhales and exhales, in that mont, I flapped my Wings and rushed in. An ambush he cannot react to. However.
“But one thing about that wench’s words was wrong.”
Instead of the feeling of slicing flesh with the sword tip, a hard sensation was conveyed. The ambush failed. Their leader blocked my sword diagonally with his own blade. Skillfully.
“That wench said the guy called Little Gladiator was stronger than herself.”
The leader’s sword twisted. At the sa ti, my sword was pulled sharply. I retreated back before falling for his trick. Soon, the leader who let out a snort, spoke.
“You are weaker than that wench.”
He was different from other warriors. Distinctly.
“……Is that so?”
However, that was not important.
“It might be so.”
I looked at the leader staring at with blazing eyes. The mont the leader caught his breath, suspicion began. As if penetrating beneath the skin, inside the world reflected in my eyes, his information was pouring down like waves.
“However.”
I rushed at him once again. He tried to push my sword away in the sa way as before. However, this ti was different. A single downward stroke, the sword cut from top to bottom was a single martial art form. The first Steel, the form that activates Forging.
“I think I’m stronger than you.”
Soon the leader’s eyes grew wide. Steel cos twice. With a sharp ring sound, the heaviest sword in the continent was swung. The sand the leader was stepping on was dug out deeply. Blood leaked from between his lips. Amidst the groan pouring out, I lowered my body and prepared the second Steel. Polishing.
“Rabbit, Eagle!”
The leader shouted. Soon the warriors guarding his sides moved. The movents of the two warriors were mysterious. As if one person was controlling two bodies.
‘These things are trickier than that leader.’
Individually they are not threatening. But combined, they are threatening.
Tsk, I clicked my tongue and retreated two steps. Polishing was stopped right before activation. Instead, I inhaled while looking at the pouring sword tips. It is a sword containing techniques too flashy for to parry. Normally, I would have retreated and pushed with my advantages, firmness and doubt. But now, there is no need to do so.
‘I see it.’
Dokbul. I experienced Master’s sword shortly, but I did not understand a single thing about that sword. However, even if I didn't understand, the sensation of that ti is intactly engraved in my body. For a mont. Just for a single mont, I can ‘mimic’ it.
“Hoo-”
A sword where one cannot know what profundity is contained, or what essence is contained. A ‘perfect sword’ as if shouting that all blades were made for that sword. A part of that sword, no, rely an extrely small fraction of a part, unfolded from my hand.
“……!”
The two swords pouring towards soon moved as if being sucked into my sword. That was natural, like water rippling in the blowing wind, like flas swaying. Flash, my old sword poured out a sharp light. The next mont when I raised my head, the two warriors had retreated far away.
“Wh, what…….”
And. One of each of their arms had fallen to the ground.
“……Attack at once!”
The leader shouted. At his order, the two warriors prepared to rush in without showing any fear, even though they had just lost an arm. I saw blood dripping down. Red blood seeped into the desert sand under the night sky. Amidst the sll of blood piercing the nose, I felt the fact that I cannot use the Master's sword I just showcased twice. This is an excessively great sword. A sword not permitted to the current . But there was no problem.
『The stars are beautiful.』
Because the power I newly gained. Is not just that.
『Because of a flower that cannot be seen.』
The soul of the one who had the na ‘Little Prince’.
The blade possessed by the soul that seeped into .
The ti has co to draw that blade.
『And what makes the desert beautiful is.』
The new sword, 「Radiance」.
『That it hides a well sowhere.』
The mont I drew that sword, a blinding light burst from . A light radiant enough to push away the night cast over the desert for a mont. Amidst the light brightening the surroundings, the clusters of light that exploded from soon beca blurry human shapes. The shape was not one. A total of three. The three clones made of clusters of light all had faces I knew very well.
“Fortunately it is night. I hate hot things.”
Owner of 「Needle」, Swordswoman Mary.
“Right, we must fight! There is no paradise in the place you run away to!”
Owner of 「Wild Instinct」, Orc Great Warrior Beric. And.
“……Eastern warriors, it has been a long ti.”
Owner of 「Gale」, the Ronin of the Eastern Continent. The forr owners of the blades I swallowed responded to my call and appeared at this mont. The swordsn of the past who appeared with the light were all guarding my front while holding the blades symbolizing each of them. At the sa ti.
『To be tad by soone might an that there will be reasons to shed tears.』
The voice of the sword ringing inside my head. Now grew unbearably loud. As if calling .
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