bookpower Chapter 212 : Chapter 212
Chapter 212 : Chapter 212
"Rather than facing an ugly end, they're choosing a glorious demise, I see."As I looked around the brazier of the altar, Kuhn, who was walking a couple of steps behind me, murmured. Uncharacteristically for her, a hint of emotion bled into her tone.
"They are foolish. What is the point even if they win? Honor and glory are fleeting, and all that remains is a miserable prolongation of life."
........
"Perhaps losing would be their path to salvation. The moment their illness is exposed to the world, reverence will soon turn to pity or contempt. Isn't facing that what they fear the most?"
I stopped walking and just sat down. The golden stars on the ceiling felt dazzlingly bright all over again.
"Swordsmen are that kind of lot."
"Pardon?"
"A sword's merely a tool for killing. Training the mind and body's just an extension of the survival instinct to avoid being trampled, and honing your technique's a struggle to turn that instinct into desire."
The essence doesn't change. No matter how much they dress it up with various words—
"In the end, it's to reign above everyone else."
That's what a swordsman is.
"Standing at the peak to end the era of violence is ultimately the same logic for me."
"....Then, how do you plan to stop this war?"
I looked at Kuhn. I deliberately furrowed my brows.
"It seems my impression that you've grown a bit dull wasn't just a trick of my mind after all."
"What?"
"What's the point of asking back when you said it yourself?"
Kuhn blinked. A faint crease formed between her pale brows.
"By standing at the peak?"
I nodded.
"If they won't listen to a damn word, I've got no choice but to snap their wrists by force."
Then, suddenly, the brazier of black flames that Kuhn had lit caught my eye. Come to think of it, I haven't been able to use it yet.
'A sword that cuts sorcery, huh.'
What should I call it? Spell-Breaker Sword? Sorcery Destroyer? Hmm, not quite.
"How about a sword that cuts sorcery ?"
In an instant, the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.
"Kuhn, don't tell me you read my mind—"
"You were staring at it for quite a while."
"......Ah."
"It means to crush evil and manifest righteousness."
The corners of Kuhn's lips quirked up slightly. It was a faint smile.
"May the righteous intentions harbored by the Young Master never be broken by wicked things."
Remaining seated, I simply turned my head away. She really has a knack for flustering people sometimes.
'.......'
Suddenly, an unknown sense of incongruity washed over me. A subtle sensation scratching at my spine. It was something incompatible with me that I had never felt in the Altar of the Abyss before.
Snap—
I snapped my fingers.
Everything except for me changed. The golden stars on the ceiling, the flames of the brazier, and Kuhn vanished in an instant as if scattering away......
In their place stood the Wall of Dead Souls. The entire surface of the wall swelled with the shapes of faces, sagging like rotting flesh. Thousands upon thousands of dead souls wailed, struggling desperately to break through the wall.
Kieeeeeek—!
The Wraith Cries crossed chaotically. If sound had a physical form, this would undoubtedly be a ferocious storm.
Amidst that raging gale sweeping from all sides, I stared at a single entity existing in absolute silence.
'An uninvited guest.'
This is the fourth time I've seen this bastard. Just like before, only a black silhouette floated loosely.
"You tumor-like bastard."
Even though it lacked facial features, it felt as though it was smiling in amusement for some reason.
"I'm pretty sure I warned you not to show your face."
[A warning? What can you even do?]
Honestly, it's true. From the start, this bastard's very existence makes no sense; it's an entity impossible to even explain.
"How can you be here when I haven't even given you permission?"
[Hmm, well. Maybe it's because I'm a tumor, just like you said. Hee-hee.]
I couldn't even distinguish whether I was hearing an actual sound or merely perceiving a waveform scratching inside my head. Perhaps all of this was distortion itself.
[But still, you shouldn't hate me so much. You just had your life saved thanks to me recently, didn't you? Ah...... no. In the first place, you wouldn't even exist if it weren't for me. Well, I suppose the same goes for me too, though.]
"What kind of nonsense are you spouting? What the hell are you?"
[You and I share a common destiny.]
In an instant, the Wraith Cries raging from all directions ceased abruptly, as if severed by a single blade.
[We're each other's shadows.]
·
·
·
"Young master! Young master! P-Please wake up, hurry! Hurry!"
Whether I should call the timing impeccable or what...... I managed to wake up right at the moment an immense wave of displeasure was about to overtake me.
At any rate, my mood was far from good.
"Why are you making such a fuss?"
"I-I-It's not a fuss......! O-O-Outside......!"
The moment my mouth fell wide open in a massive yawn, the servant blurted out as if throwing up the words.
"The-The-The Family Head has arrived! Along with the Hwarang Unit!"
"The Family Head? What on earth is the Hwarang Unit?"
When I asked nonchalantly, the servant sputtered, looking utterly at a loss as to where he should even begin explaining.
"The Hwarang Unit is Springeus's elite guard! They're the absolute finest, composed entirely of high-tier Sword Experts!"
"You're going to burst my eardrums."
"Ye-Yes......? No, this is no time to be so leisurely! The Family Head leading the Hwarang Unit here means—"
I threw off the blanket, stood up, and stretched grandly. I spoke to the servant, who was letting out ragged breaths beside me.
"Bring me some water to wash my face."
"Young master......?"
"And tell the Family Head to wait for a moment."
The servant stood frozen for a while, his mouth agape, unable to utter a single word.
"What are you doing?"
"......Ah, right away."
Only then did he finally drag his feet to move. He silently brought over a basin and placed it carefully in front of me.
As I rolled up my sleeves to wash up, the servant stopped just as he was about to leave.
"Ah, what should we do about your meal?"
"I tend to skip breakfast, so don't worry about it."
"You should still eat. It might be your last meal, after all."
The two of us just stared at each other silently. After blinking for a brief moment, the servant gave a polite bow and receded from my sight.
'Did he eat something rotten last night?'
I washed my face thoroughly. After rinsing my mouth completely, I looked around the bedroom I had grown attached to over the course of a single day, then swung the door open with vigor.
"Wow. No, what the......"
An exclamation escaped my lips involuntarily. I almost reflexively closed the door and went back inside.
Centered around the Family Head, the courtyard in front of the detached villa was packed with armed knights and family members who had returned yesterday without receiving treatment. With their attendants factored in, it was impossible to even estimate their numbers.
'Looks like every single person from the mansion has gathered.'
Everyone's gaze was entirely locked onto me alone. It felt a bit burdensome, so I had no choice but to look away. Thus, my stray gaze lingered up in the sky. It was exceptionally clear today.
"Bihen Benkou."
It was the Family Head standing far ahead in front of me. He seemed to be deliberately making his voice sound deeper and more dignified.
"Speak, Family Head."
"Did you have a peaceful night?"
A snort escaped me. Why was he making such trivial small talk just to maintain formalities at a time like this?
"Just get to the point. The point."
The Family Head nodded, then spread his arms wide. It was as if he was telling me to look around.
"This is my—no, Springeus's answer."
Behind the Family Head, individuals clad in lightweight plate armor and donning red capes stood lined up in formation.
The Family Head added.
"You cannot take a single step out of here. Do not misunderstand. It is only until the war ends. You just have to endure it until exactly then."
"........"
"Can you do that for us?"
Step.
The moment I took a step down the stairs, the surroundings stirred along with a commotion of whispering voices. It felt like ripples spreading out.
"You're asking too much. Why should I do that?"
"Aren't the reasons more than enough? It was the same in the Grand Assembly Hall yesterday. Our Springeus did not lift a single finger against you, who entered completely unarmed."
I wondered what he was talking about, but it turned out he was referring to me leaving my armaments at the Sword Disarmament Area yesterday. In other words, he meant they would have attacked me at a moment's notice.
"Consideration is a two-way street. Since we respected you first, it is your turn now."
"It seems the definition of consideration is a bit different around here."
"What do you mean by that?"
"If what you say is true, then I'm the one who showed mercy first."
The Family Head chuckled low. His shoulders shook minutely.
"Seeing this now, it turns out your title of Sword Fiend was nothing but an empty reputation. Did you blindly walk into the Grand Assembly Hall yesterday without even knowing that Springeus's secret technique is the Ethereal Sword?"
Every Springeus family member in the Grand Assembly Hall had been unarmed. At the time, I thought it was just a simple custom, but hearing the Family Head's words, it seemed I had been slightly mistaken.
The Family Head's smile grew thinner.
"I thought you were bold, but you're just an ignorant brat."
Just then, someone among the gathered family members raised their voice.
"Family Head! You are going too far!"
It was Richardson. He stepped between the Family Head and me. He was dressed formally, just like when we first met.
"There are quite a few who received grace from the Cult Leader yesterday. It is improper to pour out such rude remarks when expressing gratitude wouldn't even be enough. Family Head, please show the dignity of Springeus."
"We have shown this much courtesy to a renowned swordsman of the opposing faction during wartime; if this is not showing dignity, then what is? And 'Cult Leader'? Richardson, do you not realize that you are the one lowering the family's prestige right now with such bizarre remarks?"
"Family Head......!"
"Step aside! We will not harm him. But while he is staying with us, it is only right to teach him the manners of Springeus."
I shouldn't laugh here......
I lowered my head as if a headache was coming on, firmly massaging my cheekbones with my left index finger and thumb.
"I am Neil Springeus of the Hwarang Unit."
I lifted my head at the voice coming from the front.
A man around the same age as my current self...... No, can that even be called a man? His face was completely pale without a single wrinkle or blemish, yet his lips were as bright red as if he had eaten a rat.
'So that's why they're called the Hwarang.'
Although it is widely known that Yin energy overwhelming Yang energy due to Severed Meridians is a symptom that usually appears in women, men are no exception.
"Father!"
It was then. Someone else burst out from the crowd.
"Chloe!"
The woman who had been sobbing while holding her child in her arms last night was gone. Standing before me now was a battle-hardened female knight.
She glanced back at me once before staring straight ahead again.
"Father, please listen to the Cult Leader! Shouldn't we listen closely at least once to why he wants to stop this war and what kind of method he has?!"
"Chloe! What on earth are you saying—"
"Will you truly be at peace only after driving this many family members into the jaws of death?! Is that the only way to preserve the honor of Springeus?!"
"Ch-Chloe......!"
Chloe raised her sword, gripping it with both hands, up in front of her face. Her reddish-brown hair and the red cape behind her back fluttered long in one direction.
"Lead the world with light!"
"......!"
"Surely you haven't forgotten the precepts of the Sharon Faction!"
Silence settled over the area. At Chloe's cry, everyone watching hung their heads one by one like guilty sinners.
Just as the cold air began to shift into a solemn atmosphere......
"Step back, Chloe. If you disgrace the family name any further, I cannot overlook it, even if it is you."
"Father......!"
"Masa's death!"
His voice trembled at the end of his words. For a brief moment, it felt as if the resentment he had barely managed to suppress had leaked out.
"......Will not be left as an insult."
I scanned the scenery of the mansion stretching endlessly above the heads of the crowd. I felt like I finally understood why the people of the Benkou family kept coming to my mind ever since I first set foot here.
The Springeus Family Head standing over there right now was the spitting image of my father.
'A foolish father and a great family head.'
A person who treasures his family more than anyone else, yet knows better than anyone that that heart alone cannot protect the household.
A person who suffers more than others because he is smart, and must become tougher because he is foolish.
And ultimately—
A person who pushes himself to the edge of the cliff with his own hands.
"Come to think of it, I forgot to ask this."
I tapped Chloe on the shoulder. Chloe turned around. The rims of her eyes were red, just like yesterday.
"What is the child's name?"
Chloe parted her tightly closed lips.
"I haven't named them yet."
"That's perfect timing then."
I pulled Chloe aside and stood face to face with Neil of the Hwarang Unit.
"How about Eugene?"
"Eugene?"
"Yes. He's one of the greatest knights I know. I didn't want to go as far as saying this, but your daughter is born with talent, so she will surely become an excellent knight."
And now.
"Everyone, watch closely."
The oral secrets of swordsmanship directly passed down to me by the titan of Springeus, Sword Saint Luke.
"This is the real sword of Springeus."
The Formless Sword.
That sword, which a supreme human forged to slay a transcendent being, materialized in my grasp.