Chapter 35 : Chapter 35
Chapter 35: 6th Sword Order
“Debt. Don’t forget it. Young Master.”
Aran, visiting the west annex, announced the dispatch of the 6th Sword Order. As requested, Simurtr would be accompanying that dispatch.
“I know. A week from now?”
“It’s a dispatch, so we’ll need to prepare.”
“We probably won’t need to prepare that much.”
“I think so too. It’s called a dispatch, but for now, the goal is verification.”
Aran, having regained his composure, suspected that Degrate was not the culprit.
For a name like Degrate, the opponent was a bit too weak.
‘If I know, there’s no way that woman doesn’t.’
Moreover, they had Semenu Degrate over there. A hidden Phantasm. A squad member who had spent a full five years with Exa.
She had realized that Simurtr was Exa's successor even before he did.
‘She realized it before me.’
When he threatened Medeoban, Semenu had taken Simurtr's side. It was probably because she had noticed earlier that he was Exa's successor.
‘Whether I like it or not, it’s a fact that she spent more time with the Young Master.’
The Young Master Aran remembered was a figure from the past.
The ones who knew the Exa of the Doom War better were not Aran, but his squad members.
Therefore, he could understand. The fact that he had been preempted was still unpleasant, but she had been hell-bent on finding Exa more than anyone.
Semenu Degrate's efforts were such that they made even Aran, who truly hated Baperr, feel a sense of pity.
“It’s probably not Degrate.”
“Why are you so sure? You experienced it firsthand.”
“Janya said it wasn't.”
It wasn't Degrate! Janya, detained in the dungeon, was said to have shouted so in a hoarse voice.
“You believe that?”
“That woman. She can't lie.”
Indeed, Janya was an imperial noble.
That must be why she was asserting Degrate's innocence.
“It means Degrate is scarier than the main family.”
“My pride is hurt.”
“She’s an imperial noble.”
Degrate is the group that the dirty imperial nobles fear second only to the imperial family.
Janya was afraid of the retaliation from Degrate that would come later.
Requests and revenge. The things that Degrate loves most and seeks to carry out with the highest priority.
“That doesn't mean we should just believe her blindly. Do you believe the words of a detained person that easily?”
“Then interrogate her until she’s believable. What era is this that there’s still no interrogation officer.”
“It’s an era of peace. Where such a title is not needed.”
“Says you.”
Even when the empire was in turmoil, the words torture or interrogation did not exist in Mectera. They were a group with interest in only one field.
Such tasks were usually entrusted to the Information Bureau. It would be even more so now.
Whatever the hierarchy of the relationship, it was true that they had grown closer to the Information Bureau.
“Then our 6th Head of the Sword can do it himself. Wouldn't she confess if you just swing your sword around a few times?”
“The 3rd Head of the Sword already tried.”
“What did she say?”
“You already heard.”
That it wasn't Degrate.
That was all Janya said, and it was something Simurtr also agreed with.
“True. I think so too. The probability of it being Degrate is low.”
A similar conclusion would have been reached at the Grand Council Hall.
That's why they had set verification as the goal, not war.
“Then why did you report at the banquet that it was likely Degrate?”
“They are Degrate of Phantasm. I have to go there at least once before I die.”
All the circumstances pointed to Degrate, but… it wasn't Degrate. Simurtr was certain of it.
“…What are you going to do there.”
Aran furrowed his brow.
Going to Degrate even though they weren't the culprit? There was only one person he could think of. The only connection between Simurtr and Degrate was Semenu.
“Nothing good will come from getting close. You’ll only be tainted. You’ll just ruin your personality for no reason. Your mouth will become foul, and you’ll only pick up bad habits for your sword.”
“What. All of a sudden?”
He hates us, the Baperr unit.
Simurtr was reminded of the words Semenu had said sometime ago.
‘Is he talking about me? Is that why he hates them?’
Come to think of it, Aran had always wanted to pull Exa away. He didn't particularly like the squad members he associated with.
‘No. If that was all, he wouldn't have called him crazy.’
If it was just dislike, there was nothing to say. It wasn't like he could correct someone's feelings. And he wasn't in a position to do so now.
‘Why did she say he was crazy?’
He could dislike Baperr. But, Semenu had said Aran was crazy.
Simurtr looked at Aran. The wrinkles had increased, but he wasn't much different from his past self. He was still strong and vigorous. If left alone, he would live for quite a long time.
‘That’s supposed to be crazy?’
Then the world wouldn't be able to call a madman a madman. There would be no way to distinguish them. The Aran he saw was perfectly fine.
The fact that he still cherished his past self? That wasn't crazy. It was a situation where he should be grateful.
“But why did you create the 6th Sword Order? You were the one who pushed for it.”
Simurtr blurted out suddenly.
If he were truly crazy, it would have shown in his daily life. The establishment of a new Sword Order. It was an act the past Aran would not have done.
“It was to find the whereabouts of Young Master Exa.”
“What?”
“The Young Master’s memorial is massive, but the inside is empty. There isn’t even a body.
That is why I created it.”
Aran looked at Simurtr with a strange glint in his eyes.
“I see.”
Simurtr said with a reluctant expression.
For a moment, Kanan and Mei's Unsetting Sun came to mind, but…….
‘It’s possible. Something like that.’
Unlike that strange group, Aran had a relationship that was more than sufficient for that.
***
“But don’t you carry out missions brought by the Information Bureau?”
“Mostly. There isn’t that much to do in this era. The 1st Sword Order in the Black Land. The 5th Sword Order in the Great Forest. Except for the two dispatched to conflict zones, most are on the leisurely side.”
“A leisurely Sword Order carries out missions requested by the Information Bureau?”
“That’s right.”
“Then what about the 6th Sword Order? You said you were searching for Exa’s whereabouts.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to speak more formally? He’s a successor, after all.”
“What are you talking about. Who’s a successor.”
“For now, he’s a Mectera, isn’t he.”
“Even though we’re not related?”
“Let’s just say so for now. The 6th Sword Order is on the free side. Even when it’s not a rest period. The Information Bureau also tends to only bring information related to the Doom Species. Or something related to the Young Master.”
“They give you special treatment? Who does?”
“Who do you think? The Director of the Information Bureau.”
“You’re on good terms with the Director of the Information Bureau?”
“Not that good, but it’s a kind of cooperative relationship. We are rivals in the end, though.”
“Rivals? Who’s the Director of the Information Bureau.”
“It’s hard to disclose. It’s information that the other Hero Families don’t know. The Imperial Family doesn’t fully trust the Hero Families either. And the Hero Families are the same.”
Aran’s steps stopped.
The place they arrived at was the 6th Sword Order. If you open the main gate and enter, you can immediately see the training ground.
The largest space in the Sword Order's residence is, of course, the training ground. A space where one can play with swords.
“Isn’t that the Head of the Sword?”
“There’s one more person.”
“Isn’t that Young Master Beden?”
“What are you talking about. Young Master Beden is in seclusion in the sacred mountain with Elder Kelken.”
“Then who is it.”
“It’s the youngest Young Master. The adopted son.”
“Ah. The one who is said to be the most outstanding of this generation?”
“Yes. They say he’s joining the dispatch with us.”
As they passed the training ground, the curious gazes of the swordsmen were fixed on his brow. It was the same for Simurtr. He was looking at the swordsmen of the 6th Sword Order with fascination.
‘There are a few familiar faces.’
The 6th Sword Order was a place newly established at Aran's suggestion.
‘They all followed when he said he was creating it.’
This was a part where one could see Aran's position in Mectera. There were few young faces. When the quiet Aran said he was creating a Sword Order, they must have happily transferred.
“They all don’t know about the Young Master’s achievement.”
“They wouldn't.”
Medeoban wants to hide Simurtr's achievement. It was a part Simurtr also agreed with.
Although he had decided to make Mectera his home after learning about the right of summary execution, he had no intention of becoming the Sword Master.
“But it will be known soon.”
“You told them? That I caught him.”
He caught a Degrate.
To explain that process, he had no choice but to reveal his achievement.
Probably all the Heads of the Sword who participated in the Grand Council Hall knew. It meant that it was only a matter of time before his achievement, which was hidden from the swordsmen of the Sword Order, would be known.
“Was it just words? We saw it on video.”
“Video? There’s something like that?”
“Deban secretly recorded it.”
“Wow. In the middle of all that?”
Simurtr let out a dry laugh.
He was an amazing guy. To think of recording while being suspected of being an enemy.
“Well. Wasn’t that part of the reason you wanted to take him in?”
Simurtr glanced at the swordsmen out of the corner of his eye.
They had stopped the swords they were playing with. They were repeatedly gripping and releasing the hilts. It was probably because Aran was nearby.
‘That’s why they’re called sword-freaks outside.’
If he had been alone, they would have rushed over long ago. Wanting to have a sparring match one way or another.
“Do they know too?”
“They don’t. Not yet.”
“So you want me to show them now?”
At Simurtr’s words, Aran grinned.
The sword-freaks who confirmed it did the same. They didn't know Simurtr's achievement, but they already knew the news that he was joining the dispatch.
“If you are to join the dispatch, you must show them. Without hiding anything. Boldly.”
The sword-freaks rushed over.
***
Sword Order.
The group of swordsmen that the Holy Land of the Sword, Mectera, prides itself on.
In the end, it's largely the ducal family's knight order, but the method of joining is simpler than any other group.
You take a test, and if you pass, you enter the training center.
If you achieve good results at the training center, you finally become an apprentice swordsman of the Sword Order.
They don't care about gender, origin, or criminal records. Anyone can participate in the test, and if they are outstanding, they can even skip the training center process.
The former 3rd Head of the Sword rose to the position of Head of the Sword from being a death row inmate. The only thing Mectera's Sword Order looks at is the sword.
‘But they’re damn picky.’
As he sent the sword of the tenth swordsman he had just started sparring with flying far away, Simurtr thought.
The forces of other ducal families may be powerful, but if he had to choose, Simurtr would pick Mectera's Sword Order without hesitation.
‘The overall level is high here. It’s just that there’s no absolute powerhouse.’
That thought hadn't changed even now that he was reincarnated.
The knight order of the Hero Family Bahab? Mectera's Sword Order would be higher. It's just that Mectera doesn't have a powerhouse who can handle the traitor Akarr Bahab.
“Kehellan, high-ranking swordsman of the 6th Sword Order.”
“We’re going right away?”
“Yes.”
They were the swordsmen who had followed Aran.
Veterans who had served in the Sword Order for a long time.
Each one was overwhelming. It was difficult to handle them easily with his current body. A creaking noise echoed from all his joints. If he focused on his hearing, he could hear it without difficulty even from quite a distance.
“Jayden, high-ranking swordsman of the 6th Sword Order.”
“Right away.”
Nevertheless, the reason the turns kept coming was due to pure skill. He was deliberately ignoring the physical disadvantages and capturing the hearts of the swordsmen with swordsmanship alone.
“…Vice-captain of the 6th Sword Order. Naor.”
Even while deducing that, the vice-captain Naor could not accept that fact.
***
Mectera.
The fact that the name was attached to someone who wasn't even of the bloodline meant that he was a genius that the era would covet.
A genius who was guaranteed to one day reach the state of a Sword Master.
‘Simurtr Mectera.’
He was reminded of Aran’s words from sometime ago, calling him a frog in a well. There was nothing as abstract as a genius that one had not experienced firsthand.
Now, having passed the Selection Ceremony with the most outstanding results and even overcome Janya’s ambush, Naor had no choice but to acknowledge it.
“Naor? It’s been a while.”
“…Yes.”
The position of vice-captain was second only to the Head of the Sword. A Sword Master, of which there were few in each Sword Order.
Moreover, to be the vice-captain of the 6th Sword Order meant that his skills had been acknowledged by the meticulous Aran.
“You remember me, right?”
The fact that the vice-captain’s turn had come… meant that he had faced and defeated every swordsman in the 6th Sword Order.
‘…A genius.’
As he pondered his answer, Naor inadvertently thought. That guy just defeated 20 people? It was absurd.
He was drenched in sweat. That was a given. Even to Naor’s eyes, that body was pathetic.
“I remember.”
If he hadn't seen the sword, he wouldn't have been able to believe that the name Mectera was attached to that body.
Even in this moment of facing him, that body, which had reached its limit, was trembling.
“How could I forget. You are the one whom the 6th Head of the Sword addresses as Young Master.”
He had defeated twenty people with that body. Although it was a duel where mana was allowed, was that even possible?
‘This is the 6th Sword Order.’
It was different from the 3rd Sword Order that participated in the Selection Ceremony.
Although they were the same Sword Order, it was inevitable to implicitly rank them.
The 6th Sword Order was a group of those who admired Aran Lubeil. This meant there was no swordsman who was not a veteran.
The true value of a swordsman like Aran Lubeil was something one came to know better the longer one stayed in Mectera.
“You’re the youngest, yet you’re the vice-captain?”
“That’s because the average age in the 6th Sword Order is exceptionally high.”
It was so much so that having experience participating in the Doom War was known as one of the conditions for joining.
The rumor that being a participant was a condition was also rooted in skill. The experience each and every swordsman of the 6th Sword Order had accumulated was not lacking even when compared to the elite 1st Sword Order.
“Still. In the end, you’re the second-in-command, right?”
“……”
“Isn’t humility not a virtue in the Sword Order? Everyone would dislike it.”
“…Yes.”
In the first place, since mana was allowed, that youngest Young Master should have been knocked out long ago.
But how? He had seen all 20 of them get defeated, but Naor still found it difficult to accept.
“You’re a genius.”
“Is that a better expression than Young Master?”
A genius? Sixteen. What had he been doing at that age? Naor searched his memory. It was around the time the war was in full swing. When the heroes were writing their legends.
When Akarr Bahab single-handedly burned a battlefield, and Exa Mectera led a unit of just eight people to annihilate the Black Land.
He had reached sword ki at nineteen. Although he was called a genius for reaching it before twenty, it was less due to talent and more thanks to experiencing the harshness of war.
‘At just seventeen, five Heads of the Sword couldn’t match him in swordsmanship.’
Aran’s words suddenly came to mind. The past of the hero Young Master he admired so much.
He never thought the deification he had mocked would hit home like this. Perhaps in 20 years, an anecdote about Simurtr single-handedly facing and defeating the 6th Sword Order at once would be attached to him.
‘Sword ki at sixteen. He will surely reach the next stage at a young age.’
Naor had reached Sword Master at thirty.
It was a rare case even in Mectera. Considering that the average for an Expert was twenty-five, it was a tremendous achievement.
It didn't fall far behind even when compared to the past achievements of the direct descendants of Mectera. He had even received direct recognition from the respected Aran.
…Nevertheless, he was lacking to be compared to that hero Young Master. No, it was a huge lack.
Aran had never once compared himself to Exa Mectera. As if even a hypothetical comparison was presumptuous. Never.
‘To the point of being called Young Master?’
Exa Mectera was the most important existence to Aran Lubeil.
If, as the purpose of the 6th Sword Order suggests, that hero is alive. And if a crossroads were to come, Aran would abandon Mectera and go to him.
Naor was confident. Aran was crazy about Exa Mectera.
‘He shouldn't exist.’
That’s why he was anxious.
Such an Aran was calling Simurtr Young Master? Didn't that mean he had placed him on a similar level as Exa Mectera?
‘Just like when he returned the position of 1st Head of the Sword.’
Just like in the past when Exa was adopted, he had returned the position of 1st Head of the Sword and volunteered to be his escort.
He might give up the position of 6th Head of the Sword and volunteer to be Simurtr's escort…….
That vague anxiety becomes clear when looking at Simurtr before him.
The skill to subdue the 6th Sword Order at that age.
And yet, the still immeasurable potential.
That obsession of not letting go of the sword even when his body is trembling, something sword-freaks can't help but be crazy about.
“I heard you were hiding something.”
“Me?”
“…Could you show me.”
If this continued, he would be taken away.
Sword Aura formed on Naor's sword.
“Ah. You want to go with that?”
And on Simurtr’s sword as well.
“Huh?”
Naor’s eyes widened, as if he had seen something he shouldn’t have.