Chapter 107 : Chapter 107
Chapter 107. Banquet (4)
Bahel Batra whom Simurtr remembers had talent. Effort was on the excessive side compared to others.
Relationship wasn’t good. Remember it being good when living in Mectera, but not on the battlefield. Were incompatible.
Since expulsion, Exa changed. Relying on instinct using respected master’s teaching as background.
Bahel was still a guy carrying out given orders thoroughly.
‘I’m telling you they seem to be hiding there? Certain. Chance to crush at once.’
‘Sword Master said to lead this battlefield to victory.’
‘No, killing those hiding there leads to victory on its own.’
‘Where is there.’
‘There.’
‘The battlefield Sword Master ordered is not there.’
‘So I said just going for a moment is enough.’
‘It is disobeying orders.’
‘You like sudden actions.’
‘It is Sword Master’s order.’
‘Damn it.’
Although rolling his head in his own way, that was only when there was no separate order from Mectera.
Regarding Mectera, he is more honest than anyone.
Enough to follow that retarded Gerehk’s order.
‘While knowing your father died because of that bastard.’
Heads rolled in own way all fail.
Yet doesn’t think his head is the problem. Because such ideas…… were all for Mectera.
Isn’t it so now too.
“Heard you are with 6th Head of the Sword.”
“Cleaning up the sh*t you took instead.”
Aran is organizing the messed up West Villa.
Taking out again Meram’s items that the guy named Daike shoved roughly into tattered boxes.
“It was a proper inspection.”
“Did you get permission?”
“This Head of the Sword possesses authority equal to Inspection Unit Head.”
Unilateral decision.
Medeoban considers the favor given so far insufficient too. Wasn’t Meram’s research fund included in West Villa’s support proof of that.
“If proud, should have spoken first. At least to Aran. Don’t you think so?”
“Judged no problem in taking preemptive action.”
What about kicking out a main family spell-caster?
Bahel’s eyes do not shake. Not something to make an issue of. Furthermore, isn’t she a spell-caster ruining the young vessel who will become Sword Master.
“All is for the Young Master.”
Not trying to train Mectera’s Black Sword.
Instead taking interest in Degrate, coveted Bahab’s Swelling Flame. Now trying to touch even magic.
“Why does a guy I met for the first time today decide that.”
“That is the role possessed by one walking the path of the sword ahead.”
“Then are the old man and Sword Master-nim over there doing that because they are my juniors?”
“Those words and actions also need correction in the future.”
Generous to talented swordsmen.
Bahel passed Simurtr’s rudeness lightly.
However, cannot tolerate that talent being used elsewhere than sword.
“That is what I decide. Not you deciding.”
“Wandering occurs to anyone, but correction by others is the fastest path.”
“I am not a blockhead.”
Dull, and honest.
Bahel never wandered since birth.
Mectera painted the background, and he walked the path of his father, the former 1st Head of the Sword, intact. Aran was by his side.
“Following conviction isn’t my business. You can do whatever the f*ck you want, but shouldn’t cause harm to your own side. I hate that most in the world.”
Looking at Bahel, Simurtr ended up recalling Baperr’s lieutenant.
Conviction. Just as Bahel has Mectera, that lieutenant bastard also had a huge conviction.
There was a time I thought that was the reason for betrayal. The guy wanted to receive pardon by accumulating contribution in Baperr.
‘Son of a bitch. If he stayed still, I would have done it for him properly.’
Thanks to that, Prophet’s bloodline was pardoned from extermination.
Lieutenant became a hero, took hidden kin and set up territory outside the Empire. Living receiving worship to the point of sickness.
“I warned. Don’t interfere with me.”
Suddenly killing intent rushes in.
Bahel touched the sword handle inadvertently. It was that density.
“Cannot do so.”
Such density…… Bahel finds hard to accept.
Killing intent worthy of achievement attained? No. Achievement isn’t closely related to killing intent. That is what accumulated experience achieves.
Killing intent of one who killed merely a few doesn’t reach the opponent. Killing intent making opponent tense belongs to a halfway murderer.
‘How many.’
How many did you kill.
Bahel almost asked inadvertently.
Simurtr’s killing intent isn’t halfway. Just by expressing, has power to threaten and shrink the opponent.
Contained emotion that even average veteran cannot mimic.
“Next time I kill.”
“Then this Head of the Sword who doesn’t die will go.”
“I have no intention of becoming Sword Master.”
“Momentary wandering.”
“No, f*ck. I said I won’t do it?”
Bahel doesn’t back down.
Killing intent that eats away opponent the more left alone, but not reaching Bahel yet.
“If time passes, you will regret.”
“Said I won’t.”
“Will do.”
Bahel’s eyes scan below the training ground.
Those who were whistling holding alcohol cups, enthusiastic about duel just a moment ago.
“Fourth Young Master is neglecting talent. If time discarded looking away was invested in sword, would have grown even more than now.”
Swordsmen of 6th Sword Order.
They were just observing Simurtr going astray.
Tolerating remaining in Degrate, considering going to Bahab as guest insignificant.
“More than now? Bullsh*t. Can’t do more than this.”
“Nothing more arrogant than premature conviction.”
“That is correct words.”
Bahel’s face hardened coldly.
Main family swordsmen always proud of, not liking today.
Aran Lubeil entered that category too. Can accept magician, but at least should have separated from that future Sword Master.
“Not too late yet. If stopping wandering even now, Fourth Young Master can obtain qualification to challenge Sword Master again.”
Bahel didn’t ask Medeoban and Orde’s opinion. Bloodline is meaningless. Such is Mectera.
If solely immersed in sword, Simurtr is material who should able become Sword Master. Genius to change Mectera’s bloodline maintained for thousand years.
‘Head grew a little too?’
Enough to screw over Emperor’s envoy.
Simurtr recalled Aran’s words and laughed.
‘Bastard without malice.’
If Simurtr were an ordinary young Mectera.
If hoping for Sword Master, Bahel’s words would have become the answer.
Would have become huge strength to adopted son with only talent.
‘Right. Knew he was originally this kind of guy.’
Sending inspection to West Villa, trying to split Meram and Simurtr.
Loyalty to Mectera.
Goodwill bestowed on adopted son according to sword ideology.
…Goodwill. Right, no malice. Head cools down a little.
“Fine. Done. Let’s stop. Didn’t come to talk anyway.”
Mectera.
Regarding that conviction, Bahel has no flexibility.
“Just watch. Since I am a body that can’t become Sword Master already.”
White mana swallowed Simurtr.
***
Gap.
Even if not sword, that distance every martial artist cares about…… is meaningless.
Bahel realized Simurtr reached a stage not bound by gap.
Distance quite far though. Vital spots tingle. Killing intent Simurtr emits. Instinct warning can be targeted right away.
“…Hah.”
That being 17 years old.
Bahel’s eyes contained a monster.
Simurtr Mectera is…… correct to be the person who will become future Sword Master. Kang! Bahel finished judgment watching scabbard bouncing off.
“Fortunate. Great Swordsman Daike was defeated fair and square.”
Making Great Swordsman Daike near death wasn’t carelessness or status or such.
Scabbard targeting shoulder, Simurtr blocked very simply.
While converting mana bouncing off from impact point into aura, something even Great Swordsman cannot react easily.
Without using hands or sword, very simply.
“Then, must stop even more.”
Amount of mana blocking scabbard. And power.
Bahel laughed inadvertently. Simurtr blocked the shot scabbard with minimum power.
Recognized power contained in scabbard, responded with less mana than that. Since bouncing off is enough with that much.
‘If power was even slightly less, couldn’t deflect.’
Finished such calculation in that short time, and responded.
Means can handle mana freely as own limbs.
‘Not just sword talent. Mana talent is also worthy to call monster.’
Possessed sense hard to describe.
Operation and control superior to active duty Great Swordsmen.
…And that form.
‘Thought it was familiar somewhere.’
Cannot distinguish body and mana.
Assimilated with white mana swallowed.
“Baekhwa (White Transformation).”
Overwhelming sense, improved reaction speed, emission method not obsessed with weapon.
That freewheeling nature.
Bahel knows that technique. Its usefulness and efficiency. But undeniably requiring innate talent to wield…… extremely tricky hero’s secret technique.
Saw a few times on battlefield, but familiar for another reason.
Homer Harkinwagen. That Count respecting Exa Mectera embodied that secret technique.
“How does Young Master know that?”
“Well. Learned outside I guess.”
“Learned from Homer Harkinwagen? Heard met in Bahab.”
“Why. Don’t use?”
“Unnecessary to Mectera.”
Exa’s is not Mectera’s.
Bahel hoped Simurtr wouldn’t be stained by things other than Mectera.
Simurtr shook right hand lightly. Retrieved prepared Black Hemisphere again.
‘Heard became 1st Head of the Sword.’
Simurtr glanced at Orde.
Not much difference. During past 21 years, Bahel Batra grew enough to stand side by side with Sword Master.
Name of vanguard not wasted. Surpassed father, former 1st Head of the Sword.
1st Head of the Sword buried in sword graveyard would really like if knew this fact. No, maybe heard already.
‘Not fighting to win.’
Bahel Batra is a strong person current Simurtr cannot covet.
Aran whose prime ended couldn’t surpass. Winning against Bahel Batra is still far off.
Yet throwing scabbard, casting Baekhwa is…… not recklessness.
‘If possible, don’t want to use sword either.’
Then duel is not established in first place.
Simurtr thought of Pagna.
5 lines. Sufficient time to prove. Mana assimilated with body is not fixed. Baekhwa flows constantly.
First step from stopped state is…… not run-up. Moment of stepping, reaching top speed.
“Gasp.”
Someone inhales sharply.
Swordsman watching duel. Who was it. Right, 6th Sword Order high-ranking swordsman Jayden. Due to Baekhwa, senses become sharper. More information pours from Sword Net than usual.
While digging in, Simurtr was reading everything caught in Sword Net.
‘Doesn’t hurt. Possible.’
Body hardened by Dujeu’s Secret Elixir endures Baekhwa. And Star-Breaking Style too.
5-Star. Slash couldn’t even mimic until last year covers Bahel.
Kwaaang! Sword bounced back. Bahel gave strength to whole body. Puduk. Crushing sound from sword handle. Forcibly grabbed sword trying to slip out of grip.
“Hup!”
Didn’t lose sword, but dragged by sword.
Chest opened wide. Right arm thrown back largely. This much? Bahel’s eyes went round towards Simurtr.
‘More than assumed.’
Failed to measure. Chest exposed. Will take it? No. Contained unusual power. Can protect with mana but…… shouldn’t do so.
‘Must be overwhelming.’
Simurtr’s sword squirms.
That, Bahel must block insignificantly.
Must prove Black Sword is superior to Degrate or Bahab…… and that petty magic.
Only then can turn that monster’s direction to Mectera, to sword.
‘Gaining upper hand through mana is meaningless. With same level of power, must break solely with sword. Only then can turn interest.’
Magnitude of mana won’t hit home.
That is proportional to time, element Simurtr will inevitably reach someday. Cannot turn interest with mana superiority.
So with mana of same level as Simurtr, must break Simurtr overwhelmingly…….
‘Chest. High probability heart.’
Muscles swell. Bahel forcibly closed opened chest and pulled sword.
Sword strike is fast. Already experienced once but still surprising. Beyond expectation. Great Swordsman Daike? Defeat was natural.
‘Monster indeed.’
Swordsmen’s evaluation not wrong.
Now lowered output, Bahel cannot capture Simurtr’s sword completely in eyes. Half entered realm of prediction. Fresh. When was last time focused like this.
‘As expected.’
Stabbing heart. Bahel twisted body and shoved sword into that trajectory. After blocking and retreating, will express honest impression.
With such talent, refusing to become Sword Master is huge loss to sword world…….
“Hm?”
But Bahel’s face distorts shortly.
Stab. In Simurtr’s sword, contained huge power unable to ignore.
So colliding, roar will ring, Bahel emitting same output should be pushed back correctly.
‘Phantom Sword?’
But no. Wrong.
White Sword Aura pierced Bahel’s sword. No, passed through. Interpretation of that process…… Bahel deferred briefly. Cannot read immediately.
‘No. Not Phantom Sword.’
When reason grasped the move, instinct controlled body. Late. Intuited body reaction was slow simultaneously with twisting body.
Instinct raised output. Black Hemisphere. Mectera’s secret technique swelled centering on Bahel’s heart.
‘Sword strike.’
Intended to crush only Simurtr’s sword.
Just with that, part of duel ground collapses.
Simurtr? Bahel’s eyes open wide. White Sword Aura not suppressed by Black Hemisphere. Its tip touched chest.
…Though touched, no tactile sensation.
Even though heart will be pierced soon, instinct no longer rings alarm.
Only then realized.
‘Degrate.’
Only after heart pierced.
Only after feeling absurd pain in right shoulder not heart.
“…Did you learn Phantasmal Ability?”
Watching swordsmen just considered it Phantom Sword.
No, most didn’t see that speed properly.
“Good eye. As expected of 1st Head of the Sword.”
“How?”
“If I tell that, I am not Degrate’s VIP.”
Blood flowed from right shoulder.
Flowed down arm wetting sword handle.
Drup. Drup. When blood drops wet collapsed duel ground, Bahel gave strength to shoulder muscle. Then cut muscles stick together. Blood stopped.
“…That guy…….”
That 1st Head of the Sword Bahel is bleeding.
When swordsmen watching duel were astonished at that fact, Medeoban realized Simurtr implemented Phantasmal Ability.
“…Did you hate Sword Master that much.”
Baekhwa. Don’t know when, how learned but…… up to there is fine.
But a guy not interested in Mectera. Seeing him using Degrate’s illusion grinning like that, stomach hurts.
…Ended up feeling like robbed by Degrate.
“You spared me.”
Bahel’s expression changed subtly.
Who could know Mectera’s adopted son possessed illusion authority.
Assumed only sword so matched output to Simurtr, thus suffered.
“Can’t kill main family’s power.”
“Fortunate. Not indifferent to main family.”
If Simurtr harbored killing intent.
Unfitting to name of 1st Head of the Sword, Bahel would have died truly vainly. Most shamefully.
Died holding back on main family’s adopted son? Bahel has no confidence to meet his father even after death.
“Phantasmal Ability. Is that why you said body unable to become Sword Master.”
“How is it?”
“Just don’t use from now on.”
Coveting other things, but still Simurtr is thinking of Mectera…….
That fact makes Bahel harbor hope.
Baekhwa turns off. White mana disappears, body regains original form.
Simurtr raised hand to chest height. Mana degenerated into illusion becomes flame and rises.
“Even with this?”
“…Swelling Flame…….”
Watching expanding White Flame.
Bahel’s face turned pale white.