Chapter 40 : Chapter 40
Chapter 40: Degrate (4)
The possibility of war had vanished.
They had proven their innocence with the existence of Asha, the shame and secret of Degrate.
Without needing to check Semenu’s heart or inspect the remaining blood relatives one by one, Simurtr and Aran believed their words.
Then what about the culprit? The four people in the office had not yet dealt with that agenda.
Although they were thinking of maintaining the alliance and that they would need Degrate's cooperation.
“I’m asking you. My Asha.”
Because Semenu had suddenly dropped a bomb.
“No!”
Jiaren was the first to be aghast.
Asha. A shame and at the same time a treasure. The essence and symbol of Degrate that could not be exchanged for anything in the world.
“Absolutely not. Never. Even if I die. Even if you become the Phantasm, that’s not happening.”
It was something that could not be given even to a top-class assassin who had contributed to the main mountain for decades. But to an outsider? To that ill-mannered little kid?
“Jiaren Degrate, even if you don't act like that, we will refuse it from our side. It’s not even worth considering.”
Next was Aran Lubeil.
The Phantasmal Ability of Degrate. Its versatility was admirable, but Simurtr was a Mectera.
It was irrelevant to the wishes of Semenu, the owner of the Asha. He would refuse even if she grabbed his pants and begged him to take it.
Moreover, he was the successor of Exa. He would have refused it even if it were any other Mectera, but to the successor of a Sword Saint, something from an assassin.
“What? Have you said your piece? What’s wrong with a Phantasmal Ability.”
Jiaren was provoked by the remark that ignored illusions.
Although she had no intention of giving it, Asha was not an object to be belittled like this.
“What’s wrong with it. Isn’t it something from those gloomy people.”
“What are you talking about. It’s the authority of the elves. An authority. Something that you ordinary humans can’t even dream of.”
“Why dream of it. Something that’s not needed.”
“Hah. Really. Funny. I wouldn’t give it to you even if you cried and begged for it.”
“Then this Head of the Sword would be grateful. Since I can’t tarnish the name of Mectera.
Young Master, there’s no need to listen further. Let’s go.”
Aran stood up abruptly.
He was recommending a shortcut to a swordsman. To Mectera, it was an unparalleled humiliation.
“Wait.”
But Simurtr’s eyes were fixed.
They wouldn’t leave Semenu. The Asha, which was still illuminating the office, shone on his eyes.
“Continue.”
Semenu.
She was still convinced that he was Exa.
That was the reason why she had consistently taken his side even with the Phantasm Jiaren present. From long ago, she had prioritized Exa over Degrate.
“You’re still weak.”
“He’s only sixteen. You’ve chosen the wrong comparison.”
At Semenu’s words, Aran’s eyebrow twitched.
The Phantasm and the hidden Phantasm. The 6th Head of the Sword.
The reason Simurtr seemed weak was because everyone in the office was a powerhouse.
If one turned their gaze to the outside, and to those of a similar age, Simurtr would receive the opposite evaluation.
Because not only the three people here, but no other historical figure had achieved such a feat at that age.
“Comparison is not for others to make. It’s for Simyun to make. He won’t be pleased.”
“Even so, something from Degrate……”
“Aran.”
Simurtr raised his arm and cut off Aran’s words.
“Continue.”
Then he looked at Semenu. Unlike Aran. Semenu thought of him as her captain.
The advice to take the Asha was aimed not at the sixteen-year-old Simurtr, but at Exa.
“There will be a lot to do.”
“……”
“It will be a great help. Until you become strong enough.”
He didn’t know if she knew the truth… but at least he could be certain of one thing. Semenu had seen through the weakness he had perceived.
“Aran Lubeil, please leave for a moment.”
The already failed path. A means to overcome it.
She was scratching the itchy parts of Simurtr.
“What?”
“I want to talk comfortably.”
“I’d rather not. Who knows what you’ll do.”
“The verification is over. We’ve reached an understanding. The remaining agendas are maintaining the alliance and tracking the culprit. We can postpone it.”
Apart from the shock he had experienced earlier, Simurtr was surprised. Semenu, who had been inept at communication, was now quite eloquent.
“Degrate has no intention of being hostile to Mectera.”
Semenu said as she looked at Simurtr.
As long as Simurtr was in Mectera. That’s what Semenu was saying.
“However, that is a separate matter from this Head of the Sword leaving the office.”
“Aran.”
When Aran refused to the end, Simurtr called him.
“Just for a moment.”
“……”
“If you want, I’ll owe you a debt.”
“…Just for a moment.”
Aran’s shoulders, which had been full of anticipation, slumped. He left the office, sympathizing with Jiaren, who had no one on her side.
***
A means.
Until he reached the end of Star-Breaking.
Or until he regained the strength to rival the traitors.
A means to erase all possibilities of death that would occur until he reached that moment, a means to supplement his current weakness.
‘Degrate’s illusion.’
Asha, the Phantasmal Ability, would surely be a good means. Simurtr clearly remembered the illusions Semenu had created.
‘Even if it’s not to the level of a unique Phantasmal Realm.’
He didn’t even hope for the manifestation of a simplified Phantasmal Realm, which was usually described as a state only permitted to Phantasms. He had no intention of investing that much time in a Phantasmal Ability.
An illusion without physical force was sufficient. It would surely be a great help.
“Even with a little practice, you’ll be safe.”
“Safe? Do you think that’s possible with just a little practice?”
As Semenu said, safety.
Degrate was annoying, but they were a truly tenacious kin. Once they reached a certain level, the implementer would not die.
‘Bastards who are the best in the world at looking after their own lives.’
Because they had an illusion that could get them out of any situation.
“Unlike elves. We implement our illusions with mana. Simyun can do it.”
“Do you think it’s as easy as it sounds?”
Physical force, which is often mentioned when evaluating a Phantasmal Ability, usually means killing power.
If one doesn't reach the level of implementing a unique Phantasmal Realm, direct attacks are impossible.
‘But everything else is possible.’
Indirect attacks were possible as much as one wanted.
Hallucinations, auditory hallucinations. And Degrate’s illusions do not simply end as illusions.
‘Do I need killing power?’
Really? Simurtr shook his head. He had the Star-Breaking Style. The fact that it lacked killing power didn’t really resonate with him.
Simurtr was reminded of the attack in Huit. The strange man with the Phantasmal Ability.
That strange man had created an illusion on his own face and had perfectly deflected the attack that had been thrust at him.
‘Even that much would be good.’
It was a good means.
So excellent that it had saved even that pathetic guy once.
“Semenu, are you serious?”
“Yes. I’m asking you.”
“No. Logically, how could he learn that?”
“Simyun can.”
“Asha is engraved on the heart.”
“I know.”
“But, he. He’s a swordsman. A martial artist who has to choose his dantian as the vessel for his mana!”
“It’s okay.”
“What’s okay! Semenu. Do you know why magic swordsmen are considered legends?”
“Because it’s hard to grow in both fields at the same time?”
“No. They can’t even start, let alone grow.”
“Then why are they legends?”
“Because they all died. That’s why they’re legends. The heart and the dantian. The bastards who tried to use both as vessels are all dead already!”
Jiaren shrieked.
At a glance, it sounded like a remark made out of concern for Simurtr, but it was a threat. To not be greedy if he didn’t want to die a dog’s death.
It was proof that a Degrate’s request held that much power. Unless Semenu or Simurtr refused, Jiaren had no choice but to hand over the Asha.
“It’s okay. Simyun’s vessel is his heart. Not his dantian.”
“What?”
Semenu ignored Jiaren and looked at Simurtr.
“……”
The Star-Breaking Style was the only cultivation method that used the heart as a vessel.
Simurtr could be certain. No knight, no swordsman, used their heart as a vessel.
“…Right?”
Certainty. He had thought so. Was it really certainty?
Simurtr did not avoid Semenu’s gaze and met it.
“…Answer me.”
It wasn’t certainty. That trembling. That wetness.
Right now, Semenu was hoping for certainty.
‘Why?’
It was a familiar look. As he traced his memory, Simurtr felt an emotion that he could not easily describe rising within him.
The soldiers on the battlefield. The children who had hidden under the ground of the stable, prepared to be buried alive. Their eyes had been like that.
They had all looked at the hero with the same eyes. Unable to say it out loud, they had hoped for certainty with their eyes.
Because without looking like that, without thinking like that, there was no hope for survival.
“Please.”
Semenu wanted to confirm the Star-Breaking Style.
The fact that the heart was the vessel was a huge clue. It was sufficient evidence to prove his past life.
“That’s right.”
Now, even without dreaming.
When he closed his eyes, the traitors appeared.
It was right to deny it… but Simurtr couldn’t bring himself to do it.
“That’s a relief.”
Semenu smiled brightly.
It was a smile so big that he had seen it only a few times even in his past life.
“…I guess so.”
Simurtr smiled bitterly.
He had resolved himself so much.
With this, he had caused trouble for an acquaintance from his past life.
***
“Eat it. If you eat it, it’ll be engraved.”
Jiaren doesn’t know about their connection.
She doesn’t know that the Star-Breaking Style uses the heart. No, in the first place, she doesn’t know about something called the Star-Breaking Style. Very few people know of its existence.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
That’s why she can’t understand why Semenu’s attitude has changed so much.
She had already been full of favor, and now she was even linking arms with him from the side.
“But I can’t be sure if it’ll have any effect.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Thump. Thump. Jiaren kept hearing the sound of something snapping in her head.
“There’s no precedent for a human without elven blood consuming it. It’s a treasure that no one besides our blood relatives has ever taken.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
It was hard to bear.
Jiaren took a deep breath and let it out.
“I’m not going to help. The request was only to give you the Asha.”
“I’ll help you.”
“Thank you.”
She felt like an invisible person.
Jiaren hoped she wouldn’t be forgotten.
“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!”
“What’s wrong with her again?”
“Sometimes.”
“Sometimes she’s like that?”
“Yes.”
“There’s a problem. Can I eat this? I’m not going to become like that, am I?”
“Other people aren’t like that.”
“The probability must be quite low. Then, well.”
Simurtr did not hesitate and picked up the Asha.
It was a strange texture. It was soft as it looked, but at the same time, hard. He didn’t feel any particular resistance. It was something Semenu had given him. There was no way it would be harmful.
“This is a bit big.”
Simurtr opened his mouth wide and gave up.
The Asha was comparable to the size of a heart. This wasn’t a mouthful. He had to bite it.
“They say it melts when it touches your tongue.”
“Ah. Really?”
“Wait!”
As he opened his mouth again at Semenu’s words, Jiaren’s hand intervened. She grabbed the hand holding the Asha tightly.
“What. Are you having second thoughts?”
Contempt seeped into Simurtr’s eyes.
After all this time, she had been going on about the ideology of Degrate and pretending to care for Semenu so much.
And now she didn’t want to grant the request?
“No. It’s not what you think. I’ll give it to you. I’ll give you the Asha! No, I’ve already given it to you!”
Of course, it was a waste. But this was a Degrate’s request. Jiaren had already given up ownership of the Asha.
“Then what.”
“You’re not really going to eat it now, are you?”
“You told me to eat it.”
“…Semenu, don’t you know?”
“What?”
Jiaren let out a sigh.
She wasn’t going to help with the consumption process, but Semenu really didn’t know anything.
Semenu had never taken an Asha. She had never seen another blood relative engrave an Asha either. That’s why she was like that.
“If you eat that now, you’ll be in a forced sleep for a whole week.”
“What?”
“You think engraving an authority is easy?”
It was a nice way of saying sleep, but in fact, the heart stops.
The consumer’s heart stops until the Asha is engraved on the heart and becomes one with it.
“Then what do I have to do?”
“You have to massage the heart from the side.”
“How?”
Massage the heart?
Simurtr was suddenly reminded of a memory from his past life. A time when he had forcibly made a heart beat? Of course, there was. He had put his hand between the torn ribs and massaged the heart.
“It’s not that.”
Jiaren guessed his thoughts from Simurtr’s expression.
“Then what is it.”
“Are you stupid? Where do you think we are.”
“Ah.”
Degrate. The main mountain of the clan of illusion.
“I can make it beat with an illusion. Or I can give you the illusion that your heart is beating.
Even that much will keep you from dying.”
If one could implement a unique Phantasmal Realm, it was the former.
If not, it was the latter. Of course, there was a risk with the latter, but there were two Degrates with unique Phantasmal Realms here.
“That’s cheating.”
Simurtr blurted out inadvertently.
This is why they haven’t died yet.