Chapter 286
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[Translator – Night]
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“I’ve severed it. The flow of all the mana you possess.”
With those unbelievable words, the battle ended in an instant.
If there was one consolation for Arpheus, it was that, except for his accompanying lieutenants, his other subordinates did not witness this utter defeat.
However, that was little comfort.
Arpheus stared blankly at Leciel.
‘…Is something like this really possible?’
Of course, he hadn’t expected an easy victory.
He had just confirmed the exceptional skills of Gerald, who was merely a member of the Lotus Knights and one of the lesser-known disciples of the false hero.
But he had calculated that he wouldn’t be so easily overpowered if he used his full strength.
As his ‘benefactor’ assured him, his mana was the greatest in the human world.
…Yet, to be defeated without even properly drawing his sword was completely unexpected.
Buzz….
The mana he relied on remained coiled in his mana core, refusing to move.
Its immense presence was still there, but no matter how much he tried to manipulate it, it remained immobile as if it belonged to someone else.
As Arpheus stood there dazed, Leciel spoke curtly.
“Do you wish to continue?”
“…….”
As a swordsman, Arpheus could recognize the supreme level of mastery Leciel had achieved.
A level of skill that rendered the amount and manipulation of mana meaningless, a state of mind and willpower.
Unless one’s weapon skills reached a similar level to resist such profound swordsmanship, the result would be the same no matter how many times they fought.
“…I’ve had enough.”
As those watching had expected, Arpheus let his arms drop limply.
But his next action was something no one had anticipated.
“What must I do?”
“What?”
“What must I do to avoid such a futile defeat next time?”
Arpheus’ lieutenants coughed awkwardly and averted their gazes.
Though they felt embarrassed seeing their lord immediately acknowledge defeat and seek instruction, Arpheus himself was rather dignified.
“…….”
Leciel also seemed a bit surprised, narrowing her eyes as she studied Arpheus.
She hesitated for a moment.
‘He’s even more hopeless than I thought… should I help him or not?’
If she were alone, she would have turned away without mercy.
But Arpheus was now a comrade who would help protect an important seal.
The better his skills, the stronger their protection of the seal would be.
‘We must bring him up to a level where he won’t hold us back.’
After some deliberation, Leciel opened her mouth.
“You must first address the dissonance.”
“Dissonance…?”
“You’ve likely neglected the basics, relying on your mana quantity.”
At this, Arpheus’ expression became peculiar.
Neglecting the basics?
He was a training enthusiast who had never skipped a session, even with his busy schedule.
He knew his lack of talent, so he worked even harder.
“…You need to revisit the elements that have become dull without you realizing it.”
Instead of explaining further, Leciel chose to demonstrate.
“First, let’s start with the ‘Endurance on the Sword’s Edge.’”
“…Ugh.”
At Leciel’s words, a faint sigh escaped from the Lotus Knights watching from afar.
Someone’s shoulder flinched at the same moment.
Endurance on the Sword’s Edge.
It was a grueling basic training often assigned by the hero to their extreme disciples.
“…A nostalgic training.”
“Is it really nostalgic?”
“Hmm….”
Arpheus felt a bit uneasy at their reactions.
But only for a moment—
Thud—!
When Leciel pulled out a dagger and planted it upside down in the training ground, the surroundings fell silent.
It was literally ‘upside down.’
The blunt handle pierced the solid ground in an instant, making Arpheus marvel again.
‘Is that the level of mastery with willpower?’
In Leciel’s hands, even a straw would perform like a famed sword.
Swish—
Leciel pulled out another dagger.
She grasped the dagger in her right hand, and with her left hand behind her back, she balanced herself on the blade of the dagger embedded in the ground.
“Gasp!”
It seemed almost like a suicidal act, causing Arpheus and his lieutenants to involuntarily hold their breath.
But the sound that echoed was not one of flesh being pierced, but a sharp metallic ring.
Screeeech—!
Arpheus watched Leciel with trembling eyes.
‘…Is that possible?’
With the tips of the daggers touching and forming a balance, Leciel was bearing her entire weight.
…Extreme force concentrated on a very narrow point.
Her body, glowing faintly with a blue light on the shining blade, formed a perfect straight line.
If she lost balance for even a moment, the blade on the ground would pierce her body.
As Arpheus stared in awe, Leciel’s calm voice reached his ears.
“This is Endurance on the Sword’s Edge.”
“I see.”
Long, slow breaths.
A perfect posture without a hint of disturbance.
A face devoid of distractions.
“When was the last time you felt the balance of the sword, the chilling tension, and the heightened concentration?”
Arpheus shook his head silently.
…He couldn’t remember.
His battles had always been about overwhelming his opponents with sheer mana.
“The path you’ve chosen seems quick for now, but ultimately, it’s a long detour.”
Swish-!
Leciel swiftly straightened her bent arm.
She stood up with extraordinary grace, controlling the shifting center of gravity.
One of Arpheus’s lieutenants clapped instinctively, then quickly put his hands down after noticing the eyes around him.
The movement was that tense and impressive.
At Leciel’s level, she could have even done a handstand on the blade, but that would have been excessive.
Thud-
Leciel, after adjusting her clothes, handed the dagger she held to Arpheus.
“If you can hold out for about 30 minutes, we can talk.”
As she turned and walked away, she added a word.
“Of course, without using any mana.”
She then rejoined the Lotus Knights and headed back to the camp.
Their retreating figures seemed to chastise him: ’How can you call yourself a hero when you don’t even measure up to a disciple of the false hero?’
Arpheus clenched his fists tightly.
“…Go about your duties.”
“What? Are you really going to do this absurd training?”
Arpheus answered by lying down on the dagger.
Screech-!
The tips of the daggers touched, and his body wobbled precariously.
It was quite different from Leciel’s display.
“…….”
His lieutenants, who had been watching with a mix of worry and disappointment, retreated, leaving Arpheus’s heavy breathing echoing in the training ground for a long time.
* * *
A few days ago.
“Did you say Ignotus just now?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Well, the name….”
“The name?”
“It’s too unusual.”
“…Does it matter?”
Ignotus.
A name as unique as the new hero, Arpheus.
Mother Ghost, who smacked her lips at the hero, added further explanation.
“Though the name is unique, there’s no problem with the identity. He was a ghost unknown to even other agents, except me.”
“…Really? So what happened to the real Ignotus?”
“He died in the line of duty a few years ago.”
…This was part of a conversation between Mother Ghost and the hero right before departing for the seal of Feynel.
In any case, disguised under this identity, the hero arrived at the destination and prepared to meet the disciples and ‘guardians.’
‘It was almost a mental preparation.’
Even as a hero, it took great courage to face the disciples.
He knew most of them had joined the Lotus Knights, affirming his actions, but he couldn’t be sure of their true feelings.
After all, he was a liar who had deceived them by pretending to be ‘Ted Redymer.’
There was bound to be some disappointment.
Especially Leciel’s state of mind was entirely unpredictable.
‘…But they would have to accept it.’
With such determination, the moment he faced Leciel and Ban, an unexpected proposal was made.
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[Translator – Night]
[Proofreader – Gun]
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[For now, let’s just replicate their abilities.]
‘…What? Why?’
[It’s better to fully integrate them later.]
Though the hero couldn’t fathom the reason, ??? stepped back.
Thanks to this, the hero could focus on aspects other than the psychological concerns of the disciples, which he had overlooked….
‘Growth, precisely.’
▼
Leciel Hyacinth was replicated anew.
▲
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Ban Dietrich was replicated anew….
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……
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Gerald Bryce was replicated anew.
▲
The greatest talents of humanity had blossomed.
All the children had become masters, each developing their own ultimate skills, and these achievements were directly transferred to the hero.
He felt like a farmer who had just harvested an incredible bounty.
Ban’s ultimate skill, ‘Perfect Stance.’
Gerald’s ultimate skill, ‘Vortex.’
Luke’s ultimate skill, ‘Chaotic Transformation,’ among others.
Their accomplishments were so remarkable….
▼
The flames of logs that once could not burn now shone like stars.
▲
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Rescue Technique: ‘Sixth Form: Starfall’ has been unlocked.
▲
Progress had accelerated rapidly, unlocking the long-dormant army technique, Starfall.
‘Now, I’ve reached a level where I can contend with the fully awakened Yol.’
It was remarkable progress.
Three years ago, even with the support of the former Sword Saint, the Dawn Knights, and all the forces of Rosenstark, a draw was the best outcome.
However, what most captured the hero’s attention was the heart sword that Leciel had just demonstrated.
The moment the invisible slash completely neutralized the immense mana Arpheus had been summoning.
The hero felt the same awe as when he had watched Ted Redymer’s swordsmanship in the past.
‘She’s already surpassed Zion.’
It was unfortunate for Arpheus.
The problem was that he had sparred with Leciel.
If he had sparred with Ban, who specialized in defense, or Luke, who preferred firepower battles, he might have avoided such humiliation in front of his subordinates.
The hero clicked his tongue and looked at Arpheus, who was still in the training ground.
The ground was slick with his blood and sweat.
Since Leciel left, Arpheus had been wholly focused on the ‘blade balancing’ exercise.
However, unable to grasp the technique, he already had several deep cuts on his body.
“Ugh!”
He lost his balance and fell again.
Fortunately, he twisted his body just before hitting the blade, avoiding a serious injury.
Cold sweat ran down the side of his face.
Still, he was not using any mana, as Leciel had instructed.
‘This training requires maintaining perfect senses and concentration amidst growing pain and fear.’
However, there was no hesitation on Arpheus’s face as he mounted the blade again.
That determination and tenacity were why the hero viewed him favorably and supported him covertly.
He had appeared as if dropped from the sky.
Most of the world was curious about his past… the hero had known roughly even before replicating him.
‘He walks a path similar to mine.’
Thud-
The hero revealed his presence and approached him.
Arpheus, focused on his training, was slightly startled and straightened his posture.
“…Who are you?”
Thinking he had shown an inappropriate side as a ‘hero,’ his ears turned red.
Without a word, the hero handed him bandages and medicine.
“You’re bleeding quite a bit. Treat your wounds first.”
Only then did Arpheus look at his body.
As if the pain was belatedly hitting him, his face twitched slightly.
“…Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Arpheus.
He, too, was deeply connected to Zero.
* * *
Meanwhile, in the Immortals Realm… In the hidden place where Laplace first planted the World Tree’s seed, the densest forest, an unusual commotion was occurring.
The tranquil and serene atmosphere was replaced with tension and unease.
The gazes of the gathered Elven priests, with their hardened expressions, were focused on one place.
Among them were members of the Dawn Knights, such as Taylor and Iira, dispatched to protect the third seal.
Muriel asked their leader on behalf of everyone.
“Master, why have you summoned us all?”
Laplace.
The elf who had lived for a thousand years and the most famous prophet had seen a very dire future today.
…A clear and brutal fate.
A burning forest and helpless screams.
Laplace, postponing his answer, gazed at the lush forest and the gathered elves with dry eyes.
“Yes… It is inevitable.”
Woooom-!
The staff made from the first fallen branch of the World Tree was lifted into the air.
“Theo is coming.”
Amidst the chilling silence.
The old prophet finished his words.
“Protect the seal.”
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[Translator – Night]
[Proofreader – Gun]
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