Chapter 108 : Chapter 108
Chapter 108. Banquet (5)
If this much, roughly how much.
Bahel recalled the past. Rather than humans, tried to compare to Doom Species. 21 years passed but that was more familiar.
‘Count…… slightly less than that.’
Current output.
Meaning, Simurtr’s power usually deployable is such.
But…… white. Mana quality is truly unique. With this quality, won’t suffer from mana problems in future. Enemies facing Simurtr will only have headaches.
‘Exa…… Is this why Aran-nim calls him Young Master.’
Just what thought and evaluation is this.
Bahel let out a chuckle inadvertently. Isn’t it funny. Only 17 years old now.
Leaving child not even adult yet, recalling Exa, comparing to Count-rank Doom Species Count.
‘Count would be possible too.’
While mocking self so, corrects evaluation soon.
Illusion. That is clearly authority of Degrate bloodline, but for some reason implementation from Simurtr feels more uncomfortable.
Real? Tricked again. Stabbed Simurtr doesn’t bleed. Fake. Ssseuk. Thin long cut generated on left flank. Bahel stopped bleeding forcibly.
Hook! This time stabbed real. But…… evasion skill utilizing Phantasmal Ability. Now adjusting output to same level, Bahel cannot break Simurtr’s illusion.
‘Elder had nothing to teach.’
Simurtr’s sword path.
Bahel could react. But sometimes, cannot understand. Miss. Whenever disappearing from view, cut definitely remains on one place of body.
In causing that confusion, element called illusion clearly takes huge part. But Bahel is in position unable to accept that.
‘I am 1st Head of the Sword.’
Just because illusion intervened.
Does it make sense Mectera’s vanguard misses young Mectera’s sword.
‘No.’
Evaluation corrected in real time again.
Even excluding Phantasmal Ability…… maybe already smeared mud on name of 1st Head of the Sword.
Bahel hoped Simurtr would withdraw Phantasmal Ability please. Wanted to compete solely with sword.
Such capability, existed in Simurtr.
‘Don’t know why.’
Moments Phantasmal Ability doesn’t intervene exist. Whenever so, heat contained in Bahel’s eyes.
Hoped reason for that moment is desire as swordsman wanting to clash swords.
Enough to hope that, Simurtr’s sword was raising Bahel’s fighting spirit.
‘Now.’
Now.
Simurtr’s illusion cannot distinguish, but Bahel was certain.
‘Now!’
Simurtr’s eyes saying so.
Joy flickers. Wants to share sword with swordsman called Bahel.
Moment swordsman’s desire wins over reason came again.
Baekhwa. Simurtr’s sword accelerated and sensitized by it strikes head. Bahel’s sword blocking doesn’t get pushed back.
Conversely Simurtr’s sword bounced largely. Intentional. Bahel inferred what Simurtr intends to do with that motion.
‘Got me.’
Not Bahel reading trajectory and blocking.
Forced to read trajectory, coerced to block.
Sword already reaching top speed by Baekhwa, accelerates further through recoil. Trajectory constantly filling space constructs domain.
Seemed facing dozens of swordsmen. That fast quick sword. Seemed trying to hack whole body, when Bahel reacted to it…… suddenly becomes heavy. Trajectories dense everywhere disappeared.
Kuung! Bahel’s sword blocking sky sank deeply. Bahel felt his hamstrings stiffening.
When twisting sword blade to flow and floating body to side, Simurtr’s sword curved largely. What was slashing down space Bahel escaped targeted back.
‘…Pushed again.’
Rare single moment, dragged around again. Kwang! Bahel allowing slash bounced off largely.
Lower back quite throbbing, but no wound. Peculiar body held mana. Sturdy enough not to be cut by Sword Aura.
Geugeugeuk. Intense mana wave felt from behind. Bahel contacting that heat stuck sword into ground.
Balanced body flying in void and landed two feet. Back seems burning. Somewhat unfamiliar sensation. Never suffered burn since Doom War.
Hwaaak!
Thing starting to lick again, was proof Simurtr regained reason. White Flame. If didn’t hurry landing…… would have been swallowed by that fire pit expanding again.
Then would have had to raise output again. Losing face to see Simurtr.
‘Heard less than 2 years since entering main family.’
Since first showing, until now.
White Flame never disappeared for single moment. Only stopped expanding briefly when Simurtr focused on sword.
Just how much mana does he have. Did he pour in elixirs? White Flame swallowing duel ground made Bahel harbor such question.
‘Predicting retreating space, deciding expansion direction in advance.’
Simurtr regaining reason implements illusion again, expands White Flame that stopped.
More digging, only admiration comes out. Just spent 1 year in Bahab, such proficiency.
‘…Crazy.’
End up recalling Bahab on battlefield inadvertently. Not that never experienced on battlefield but back then was ally.
Facing directly, understand Doom Species’ feelings. Even though not Bahab’s specialty field battlefield, didn’t know it would be this tricky.
‘If using detonation too, it will be trouble.’
Fortunate point is, Simurtr isn’t using Swelling Flame actively.
Because still clumsy? No way. That monster isn’t type to suffer such difficulty. Talent unable to experience difficulty.
In Simurtr, will to defeat opponent isn’t visible. Just showing off.
From beginning to end, proving himself not swordsman to become Sword Master.
“Continuing? Think showed enough.”
“…….”
‘Because of this, flew around on battlefield.’
Swelling Flame. No, White Flame is.
Efficiency better than thought. Simurtr laughed in disbelief. Realize how Akarr could cover battlefield with fire.
‘Though mana possessed thanks to family pouring in is huge, ultimately cheat was Swelling Flame.’
Curious about First Bahab’s face.
Though fixed repeating generations, just what kind of human to build foundation of this technique.
Simurtr shook right hand lightly. Remaining White Flame fell in front of Bahel then swells suddenly.
Bahel widens distance again. White Flame splitting between blocked Bahel’s entry path.
‘Still two lines left.’
Pagna decreased only 3 lines.
Even that mostly used to operate rotation of Star-Breaking Style 5-Star.
Swelling Flame drawn out once…… doesn’t disappear. Even left alone, if conscious, expands on own.
If injecting mana will encroach faster, but even left alone will cover battlefield someday.
‘Said for mass slaughter. Useful like this even against one person? If opponent wasn’t Bahel, would have ended long ago. Without need to go to detonation.’
Detonation.
At Bahab’s banquet, what Hejel showed.
Basic of Swelling Flame. Exploding kindled flame, next step of kindling.
Not showing stage of detonation to Bahel is because no need.
If such moment comes, obvious Bahel will raise output instinctively.
‘Same whether seen or not. Important thing is learned White Flame.’
Able to clash swords, illusion working, White Flame not subsiding is.
Because Bahel is matching this side’s level. If did full power, defeated long ago.
In first place, fight unable to establish with current level.
‘With Akarr? No. Still lacking compared to Akarr. Fathe…… Similar to Orde. If Doom Species, can match up to Duke.’
Bahel seen after long time grew a lot.
Guy only big in size became truly strong now. Should have grown like this earlier. No. This guy is guy swayed by Gerehk anyway.
‘Matched output, but that body can’t be helped. When dangerous instinctively output rises too.’
Therefore fine even after experiencing White Flame.
If similar level to real Simurtr, couldn’t endure.
‘Satisfied.’
Had many things wanted to check in real combat anyway.
Bahel matching level became good opponent.
Cannot beat connection of previous life, now doesn’t arouse much feeling. Became accepting.
‘Baekhwa. If Pagna filled sufficiently, no burden. 5-Star same. Body can handle.’
Wanted to check amplification via Pegna but…… cannot. Not like big event happened.
Don’t want to overwork body already treated roughly again.
‘Let’s be satisfied with checking White Flame. Bahel doesn’t touch White Flame rashly. Means if similar level cannot extinguish White Flame.’
White Flame was superior to Haryun’s Swelling Flame.
Simurtr has already confirmed such fact.
Haryun’s Swelling Flame isn’t this hot, nor expands this fast.
Just as Degrate’s Phantasmal Ability reinforced by Star-Breaking Style, Swelling Flame becoming White Flame became hotter, expanding faster.
‘Good thing went to Bahab.’
No. Good thing met Haryun at Pakun’s underground banquet someday.
Without her, power unable to learn.
“…I admit.”
Beyond one streak of White Flame splitting the two, Bahel said.
“What?”
“Body unable to become Sword Master. What Young Master said is not wrong. Spell-caster’s expulsion would be meaningless too.”
Implementing Degrate’s illusion freely.
Executing Swelling Flame excellently enough to suspect Bahab’s bloodline.
Late. Meaning, separating spell-caster now won’t change. Bahel turned gaze. Beyond White Flame. White-haired magician with direct descendants Ael and Jahar.
‘Spell-caster unable to see duel even.’
Simurtr went up to training ground to prevent spell-caster’s expulsion.
Yet that spell-caster isn’t even watching Simurtr’s fight.
That fact is funny. Bahel clicked tongue inadvertently. Cannot understand why Simurtr stepped up for such magician.
‘But must embrace.’
Must force laugh even seeing that spell-caster.
Whatever done, must hold Simurtr in Mectera.
“Apologize for inspection. Spell-caster…….”
“Magician.”
“…Won’t interfere regarding magician Meram anymore either.”
“Must apologize too.”
“Repeatedly apolog…….”
“No. Not me, to Meram.”
“…Will visit villa later.”
Only then Simurtr sheathed sword as if satisfied.
White Flame expanding beyond training ground disappeared. Collapsed, sunken, melted training ground revealed appearance.
It was then Bahel spoke.
“But Young Master must become Sword Master.”
No trace of sword in training ground.
Watching swordsmen saw Phantasmal Ability directly. Know scars of training ground are by Bahab’s Swelling Flame.
“What?”
“Phantasmal Ability and Swelling Flame. Or magic. Everything other than Mectera, if Young Master, can put aside.”
There are things that cannot hide true value even if all sorts of dirty things attached.
Eyes dirtied by illusion, training ground damaged by Swelling Flame but.
Not 1st Head of the Sword Bahel’s body. Scars dense on whole body are all traces left by Simurtr’s sword.
“Owner of sword. Sword Master, must be Young Master.”
Whether illusion disappeared, Swelling Flame stopped expanding, moments shared solely with sword.
In those short moments, Bahel ended up falling for him.
“Stop!”
Medeoban jumped up.
***
“I don’t like it. If becoming Sword Master, shouldn’t have learned others.”
“Still with that talent must do. Didn’t see sword? Equal to 1st Head of the Sword. If not Fourth Young Master who can do.”
“Went easy. Don’t know who Simurtr-nim is? Young Master of 6th Head of the Sword whom 1st Head of the Sword serves as master.”
“Did you ever see 1st Head of the Sword go easy? Don’t know about mana but sword goes full power.”
“Right. Bluntly speaking, just stop using from now on right?”
“Hm. Just use only sword from now on.”
Voices flow in beyond window.
Belonged to 1st Sword Order Great Swordsmen. Spoke carefully in own way, but those inside office are all sensitive Sword Masters.
“What will you do now?”
Medeoban said.
Situation worried during Selection Ceremony happening intact. Much faster than thought time.
At least 1st Sword Order is half and half, familiar 6th Sword Order already thinking Simurtr as future Sword Master.
“Siblings aren’t weak kids to get hurt by such words. Jahar will have more motivation, Ael well…… might say it’s nothing new.”
“Not them.”
“Then?”
“Because of you main family started getting distracted.”
“Why is this my fault.”
“Then whose fault.”
“Grandfather. Troubling if you keep doing this.”
“What? What troubling. You caused accident.”
Medeoban glared at retort grandson.
“Heard everything. Isn’t this all because Grandfather blew vain wind.”
“What? When did I vain wind…….”
“Then call it backbiting?”
“…Didn’t intend that.”
Wanted Bahel to turn off interest in Simurtr.
“Would I have known this would happen.”
“If main family’s biggest elder doesn’t know who knows.”
“I retired, you punk.”
“What retirement when coming down from Senate of Elders saying bored frequently. And, even retired know subordinate’s personality. Not just swordsman but 1st Head of the Sword.”
“Why complain to me that guy is weird.”
“Grandfather provided cause.”
“Said not me!”
Ferocious eyes directed to Bahel beside.
“You, guy being 1st Head of the Sword caused such accident without word?”
“Pardon?”
“Didn’t I tell you repeatedly not to roll that stone. Pretended not to know accident in 1st District, now repaying kindness with enmity?”
“Head of the Senate of Elders.”
“If doing should have reported first. What? Preemptive action? By whose will preemptive action in main family.”
“Said retired sometime.”
“To Senate, you punk!”
Bahel looked at grandfather and grandson with bewildered eyes.
According to information he heard, Simurtr and Medeoban are relationship unable to be good.
“Main family, heard doesn’t want Fourth Young Master to become Sword Master.”
“What? Which guy? Just what guy spouted such reckless remark.”
Medeoban flinched.
Flinched openly, but in Bahel’s eyes looked really not knowing.
“Heard from trustworthy friend.”
“Friend? Where do you have friend.”
“Homer Harkinwagen right?”
Simurtr said correct answer.
Not many people Bahel can call friend. Counted on one hand, even that one was dead Exa.
“What? How do you know that?”
“Obvious isn’t it. Came up from Harkinwagen just today. Who else is there besides there.”
“Grandson indeed. Must be Harkinwagen, that brat spreading false rumor.”
“Didn’t even come to meet sometime.”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
Homer is trustworthy man, so Bahel had no choice but to be confused.
“Really false rumor?”
Really Medeoban, Mectera refusing Simurtr right.
“What?”
“Main family refusing Fourth Young Master becoming Sword Master, really false rumor correct?”
Degrate’s illusion, Bahab’s Swelling Flame, even keeping magician by side as if wanting magic.
Reasons to refuse sufficient. Simurtr picking only things Mectera hates.
Yet remaining as adopted son is…… probably because possessing sword talent offsetting all those flaws and remaining.
“…….”
It is true.
Medeoban couldn’t open mouth. If uttering those words, Bahel rebelling was visible.
Possessed talent offsetting all flaws and remaining. Material must become Sword Master. Bahel started considering Simurtr so.
“Not false rumor.”
When doubt generated in Bahel’s eyes, Simurtr opened mouth.
Medeoban and Bahel’s gaze gathered on Simurtr. Especially Medeoban’s face was worth seeing.
“Why look so. Not completely wrong.”
“…….”
“But not Mectera refusing, me refusing.”
“Pardon?”
“Don’t know what Homer Harkinwagen said, but heard everything with that much. Not deprived of succession right, me refusing.”
Color returns to Medeoban’s face.
“Just why…….”
“That is my heart.”
Bahel couldn’t understand Simurtr.
“If can’t understand think like this. Mectera is insufficient to contain me, like that.”
Medeoban squirmed at quite arrogant words.
Sounded underestimating Mectera, but couldn’t deny exactly. Simurtr is talent to surpass hero eventually. Today’s duel gave conviction again.
“Still cannot understand. If wanting to take more, must become Sword Master even more.”
“So, that deciding is me. Bahel Batra. Not you whose goal was merely 1st Head of the Sword.”
Bahel still cannot understand.
To him, Mectera is everything.
Lived so all life, will be so in future. Will follow new Sword Master and volunteer for Mectera’s vanguard.
Won’t covet more than that…….
“Stop.”
Medeoban said.
“Need time mutually. Bahel 1st Head of the Sword. Even if you say so, this guy won’t feel it yet. Child not even adult yet.”
“So even more correction…….”
“If guy to be corrected would have been long ago. You know. Unprecedented talent. Nothing good touching rashly.”
“…….”
Simurtr grew alone without someone’s teaching.
But more proficient than anyone, already equipped martial power above Great Swordsman.
“If direction wrong couldn’t have done so. Simyun found own direction. Can you take responsibility if talent withers trying to control pointlessly?”
Proved directly that path is right.
So, shouldn’t block. Shouldn’t disturb future by confusing pointlessly.
As Medeoban intended, Bahel accepted so.
“…Understood.”
Bahel left office.
Bought time for now. Medeoban satisfied with that. Anyway will be hit, decided to consider getting hit early.
“Grandfather solve well.”
Not perfect acceptance.
Probably Bahel will act annoyingly a lot in future.
“Don’t worry, you punk. Only you do well.”
“I am doing too well.”
“What did well shouting.”
“Learned Phantasmal Ability, this time learned Swelling Flame too. What more do I do here.”
Preaching with whole body not becoming Sword Master.
“You…… Surely learn magic too? So keeping that spell-caster…… Meram by side?”
“Oh.”
“Oh my! Don’t even dream of magic.”
For some reason, Medeoban felt that heartless.
“Not allowed?”
“Naturally not. Where Mectera magic.”
“Doesn’t matter for me. Fall to branch family anyway. Or Head of the Sword?”
Said so, but when Sword Master decided Simurtr won’t be in Mectera.
Either killing traitors, or killed all and went to meet Master.
“Still no. Mectera is Mectera.”
“Will remember for now.”
“Said no!”
“Yes.”
“But…… Really no thought?”
Suddenly Medeoban asked implicitly.
“What.”
“Sword Master. Still unchanged.”
“If say changed you kill?”
“…Not kill.”
“Don’t worry. None at all.”
Assertion. Medeoban smacked lips.
Sweet, and somehow a bit bitter. Not something Mectera can give up lightly like that.
“Why regret.”
“What regret.”
“Can’t kill.”
“No thought of killing either.”
Medeoban rolled eyes.
How hard worked until now, how well treated. That detestable adopted grandson is still just heartless.
“Why would I kill my grandson.”
“No such thing in future either. Won’t do Sword Master even if told to.”
“…Never told to do.”
Impudent fellow.
Medeoban grumbled small and said.
“But is it okay. Told to hide, this guy doesn’t listen.”
“Swelling Flame?”
“Right, you punk. Said learned secretly. But showing where everyone present what to do.”
“It is fine.”
Phantasmal Ability doesn’t become problem. Degrate members know Simurtr took Asha.
But Swelling Flame learned secretly, through Haryun. Big problem if Bahab knows. Not only Simurtr but Haryun dangerous too.
“Said shouldn’t be caught so what fine.”
“Exactly. Just catch now.”
“What?”
“Threw such big bait, can they endure not coming out.”
Will show somehow. Can only be so.
Bahab’s secret technique at that.
“Call snake. Black Snake Vice-Leader name is Jugelseu.”
“You call. Said VIP.”
“Jealous?”
“Who!”
That dawn.
Degrate’s Black Snake coiled in Mectera’s castle.