Chapter 232
Swords clashed.
The collision of divine power, bursting with multicolored flames and lightning.
A halo, brimming with sanctity, hovered over our heads.
Adonis, caught in shock, his eyes wide as saucers.
All of it was vividly clear, as if time itself had stopped.
Zap-Crack!
Suddenly, a burst of light erupted from the crossed holy swords.
An immense backlash was felt from the Sacred Sword I held. At the same moment.
Clang!
Our bodies were flung backwards.
Zzt-Crack!
Adonis, pushed back, braced himself and regained his posture.
And I...
"Argh!"
"..."
...fell backward with a thud. My legs had even flung over my head.
This meant Adonis was now looking right at my backside.
‘...This is really not cool.’
[Notification]
[You have survived for 5 minutes (Success)]
The third condition was now fulfilled.
Was it too reckless to cross swords with a nine-star knight? Indeed.
It was a valid point.
‘Originally, this wasn’t the plan.’
I had intended to buy time through conversation.
Logic, the objective truth, and the fact that I knew Adonis was actually Douglas, and even the deal involving Caron.
I was confident I could drag it out for not just 5, but 10 minutes.
After fulfilling the quest condition of surviving for 5 minutes.
‘Keke, in fact, I too am a bearer of a Sacred Sword. Behold—this is proof that I am an ally~.’
‘What a radiant light! Indeed, it is as I thought. Such a pure soul as yours could never be a demon! I deeply apologize for my earlier mistakes.’
‘Hahahaha! Lord Adonis!’
‘Hahahaha! My dear Zero, let’s get along from now on!’
Unsheathing the Sacred Sword and even satisfying the second condition, ‘Prove not to be an enemy,’ thereby clearing the sixth quest!
—It was a perfect plan, but Adonis reacted more violently than expected, and we ended up crossing swords.
‘Well, it doesn’t matter. The outcome is the same.’
I was unharmed...
"Ouch..."
Just as I tried to get up, a severe pain shot through my arm.
Ah.
It was then I realized. Both my arms were broken.
The bones had even pierced through the skin.
Desperately suppressing a groan, I clutched the Sacred Sword stuck in the ground.
"Sacred Sword, release."
Whooosh!
Warm, multicolored flames enveloped my body. Soon, my arms returned to their normal state.
This was one of the powers of Artana’s ninth Sacred Sword, [Flame of Healing].
Looking back at Adonis, who sent an incredulous gaze my way, I reviewed the recent events.
‘So, it was good timing that saved me...’
If Adonis hadn't let his guard down when I pulled something out.
If the multicolored flames imbued with divine power hadn't flared up.
If Adonis hadn't relaxed his force feeling the Sacred Sword’s energy.
‘My head would already be rolling on the ground.’
Maybe it's because I lost blood. My condition feels off.
My brow furrowed naturally.
But Adonis seemed to be in a similar state.
"...What are you, exactly? How do you possess a Sacred Sword? No, why can you even wield one?"
Adonis blurted out, his usual composure nowhere to be seen.
It was enough to disturb his speech, a clear sign of his shock. Given his profound experience, this was notable.
Step.
As I approached Adonis, I sorted out my thoughts.
‘From Adonis’s perspective, I appear to be...’
An owner of a sinister appearance that sends shivers down the spine.
A body flowing with demon's blood.
At just fifteen, capable enough to fend off his attacks.
Not only possessing a Sacred Sword but also able to wield its power.
This goes beyond suspicious; it's an 'unexplainable something.'
Conditions met with Adonis:
1-on-1 Conversation (1/1)
Prove Not to Be an Enemy (0/1)
Survive for 5 Minutes (Success)
The sixth quest was now nearing its end.
Only the second condition remained to be fulfilled.
The plan went slightly awry, but from now on, it should be easy.
Having drawn the Sacred Sword, it’s undeniable that I'm an ally.
"Keke, calm down. Haven’t I proven that I’m an ally?"
"Not at all. You haven’t proven anything yet."
"Even though I have the Sacred Sword’s recognition?"
I lifted the Sacred Sword demonstratively as multicolored flames blazed along its blade.
"How can someone with demon's blood..."
"Keke, is that what’s important? I think it’s more important that I am a benign human."
"...Why do you have demon's blood in your veins?"
"Keke, it's related to a demon’s curse I received."
"What benefit would they have in changing your blood?"
"To make humans kill the bearer of the Sacred Sword... Something like what’s happening now."
Adonis shuddered.
Because it was exactly what he was doing at that moment.
"Have I fallen for a demon’s trickery?"
"Keke, strictly speaking, not exactly. I’m still alive, after all. Though, my arms do hurt a bit."
"...I should have cut off that mouth of yours, not the arm. I made a mistake."
"Ouch!"
I thrust the Sacred Sword into the ground and knelt down.
Startled, Adonis hurried over.
"What’s wrong! Are you hurt somewhere? Is it related to the demon’s curse?"
"Keke, it’s just my arm hurting. I recently had a rough encounter with a suspiciously handsome young man. Ah, now that I think about it, he also wielded a Sacred Sword."
"..."
"Why would a user of the Sacred Sword do that? Anyone can see I'm an ally just by my use of one."
Sacred Sword, Sacred Sword, and again Sacred Sword.
I may sound like a broken record with all this Sacred Sword talk, but it doesn’t matter.
Sacred Sword = hero = good person = Zero(?).
It’s a flawless logic that no one can refute.
The next episode was during a conversation in Caron’s class after the children of the Holy Kingdom had arrived.
‘Anyone benign can wield a Sacred Sword. It’s just that there are hardly any recognized... That’s why there are quite a few who can actually handle one.’
‘Does that mean we can wield one too? Should we ask a hero to let us try it?’
‘Certainly, you can. As long as you don’t burst into flames.’
‘...Excuse me?’
‘The phrase benign is quite subjective. Of course, it’s the Sacred Sword’s judgment.’
‘...Even if it’s subjective, wouldn’t there be some commonality?’
‘Right. People guess it might be whether someone can serve the world. Yes, whether they are a noble being... That’s the current thinking, though it’s just speculation.’
Not for personal gain.
For the people, to kill demons, and to protect the world.
Only a ‘noble being’ prepared to make sacrifices can wield it.
Yes. In this world, that's what a ‘Sacred Sword’ means.
"...The legends of the Sacred Sword are just that, legends. Even a villain might be able to use it. Don’t you have proof you’re not a demon?"
"A demon! Don’t even bring them up! They are my enemies! My targets for revenge!"
"I find it hard to believe... Why didn’t you show this anger when I mentioned demons before?"
"I’m sorry. It’s just that holding the Sacred Sword makes me dislike demons..."
"Hmph..."
Adonis clasped his forehead.
Seasoned and battle-hardened as Adonis was, he had never faced a situation like this before.
‘He'll have no choice but to recognize me as an ally.’
Just as I was waiting for the quest completion.
Adonis opened his eyes, his golden irises shining.
"...Indeed, I have no choice but to recognize it. That you are an ally."
"Keke, as expected, you are wise. It might feel a bit uneasy now, but if you visit Teacher Caron and talk it over, you’ll be able to clear all your suspicions about me."
"I shall do so. But there's one thing to do before that."
"What would that be?"
"Hand over the Sacred Sword to me."
"Excuse me?"
"It's surprising that you have been acknowledged by the Sacred Sword, but your current skill level is even more astonishing. With such skill, you can't possibly harness the full power of the Sacred Sword, can you?"
Adonis was right. The Sacred Sword Artana was currently rated as an F-grade item.
The information window also stated something similar: 'The user's ability is so poor that it cannot draw out the sword's inherent power.'
"If you were killed by a demon, and then the Sacred Sword was destroyed? There would be no greater loss to the human alliance. Being smart, you should understand that better than anyone."
Adonis's argument to take possession of the Sacred Sword was entirely rational.
It was a well-known fact that the sword would be safer in Adonis’s possession than with a student like me.
"...When would I be able to get it back?"
"After you graduate from the Academy... no, it might even be later than that. I'd like you to have reached at least the Seventh Star level."
"What if I were to die at the hands of a demon in the meantime?"
"Then my choice would have been the right one. It would mean we didn't lose the Sacred Sword."
If you're weak enough to die to a demon, having the Sacred Sword or not wouldn’t change the outcome.
Adonis extended his hand and said,
"Come now, hand over the Sacred Sword."
"..."
"What are you hesitating for? It’s a chance to keep the Sacred Sword safe, while also proving you're an ally."
Wow, he was so logical I was speechless.
I couldn't believe it. A hidden piece about losing the Sacred Sword.
'...Is this a test?'
Handing over the Sacred Sword might lead to 'Hmm, you really are an ally. Sorry for doubting you. I’ll return it.'
But given Adonis’s character, that seemed unlikely.
He was a character who took everything seriously.
'...I can’t just let the Sacred Sword be taken here.'
It was the most powerful weapon in a fight against demons.
But there was an even bigger issue.
'After Adonis leaves the Academy, he'll be killed by Broken.'
At the same time, Broken would also destroy the Second Sacred Sword, Durandal.
It was clear that the Ninth Sacred Sword, Artana, would disappear along with it.
Knowing such a future, it would be foolish to hand over the Sacred Sword.
There was no choice but to show my true ability.
I activated the [Eye Opening] skill. At the same time, I used a technique stored in [Divine Imitation], and my body began to move automatically.
Left foot forward, right foot back.
My feet were firmly planted on the ground, reflecting my determination not to be moved by any storm.
Both hands, gripping the sword, raised above my head and then slashed downward.
The fourth secret technique of the Lucid family.
Sky Splitter.
About five seconds of silence passed. And then.
Crash!!
The ceiling, walls, and floor.
Everything cracked in a straight line along my sword path.
Multicolored flames imbued with divine power fluttered in the air, and moonlight poured through the cracks.
The astonishing thing was that not a single piece of stone fell.
"Lucid family's Sky Splitter...! How do you know this technique!" Adonis was astounded.
The reason Adonis had stayed still while I used [Sky Splitter] was simple.
'I swung it from a distance.'
And I used it from a very distant spot.
Given Adonis's level, he would have quickly realized that he was not the target of the attack.
He must have been curious about what I was up to.
Adonis’s eyes widened, but it was too early to be surprised.
Crack!
I stomped the ground toward Adonis.
My left knee slightly bent, the sheath of my sword set at a right angle.
My waist bent further due to this.
An explosive rotation flowed from my ankles, legs, waist, arms, to my wrists.
"...!!"
The lights of the magical lamps in the sparring hall, the gleam in people’s eyes, the divine power of the Sacred Sword.
Starlight and moonlight.
Every light in the world disappeared momentarily.
And in that darkness,
A flash of light shone through.
The first secret technique of the Lester family.
One Flash.
--TL Notes--
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at /MattReading
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