Sword Devouring Swordmaster

Translator: AkazaTL

Pr/Ed: Sol IX

***

Chapter 141 – The Temple (2)

“You met a great one.”

When I told Helen that I had spoken with the old monk Buddha, he nodded in admiration.

“He is the one who has endured the longest ascetic practice, and the first Monk in centuries to attain Nirvana. Since the foundation of the Order of the Sun, no one has ever drawn closer to the Sun than he.”

“……”

“When you speak with him, it feels as if peace itself settles within your heart. No matter how foolish the question, he will always answer with wisdom—with an answer that pierces truth itself.”

Helen smiled as he handed me several fruits.

“When I said you could stay as long as you like, I didn’t mean it as mere courtesy. Remain here until your heart finds ease. If you leave this place with even a small enlightenment or a fond memory, I would be glad.”

***

The view of the Sky Mountains from the temple was breathtaking. The unseen summit—its peak shrouded in clouds—was awe-inspiring just to look at.

“Young Master, when do you plan to depart? If we wish to stick to the plan, we should head to the Empire by tomorrow. Thanks to the Monks, the road ahead may go more smoothly.”

The plan—Tom was referring to the one we made before leaving the Iron Kingdom.

Our goal had been to reach the Sky Empire, hire an experienced sherpa or ranger who knew these mountains well, and then ascend them together. We would procure the necessary equipment in the Empire’s city, climb as high as possible, and search for the clues needed to fully assimilate 「Flight」.

Through that process, I would see more of the world and continue my growth—that was the core purpose.

But due to the dragon Aion, we were already within the Sky Mountains. That in itself wasn’t bad—but the problem was that we had been separated from part of our group and entered this perilous region without proper preparation. Still, that issue was now partially resolved.

I had the adventurer’s memories contained within 「Flight」, and through my past connection with the Monks, we were granted shelter and safety here. Under such circumstances, was there truly any reason to detour to the Sky Empire?

When I voiced my thoughts, Tom replied,

“You’re not wrong. But ascending the Sky Mountains without a mage or ranger would be far too dangerous. The mountains are full of Mysteries, and only those who can wield Mystery can resist them. Swordsmen can channel it to a degree, but they are no match for mages. To be thorough, we must recruit magical support. And most importantly… to wander these harsh lands without a ranger’s guidance is…”

Tom’s voice trailed with concern.

But Seol Yoon, unexpectedly, had a different opinion.

“I think it’s fine to go as you are.”

“Do you?”

“Yes. But Arhan, I have a favor to ask.”

“What kind of favor?”

And then— Seol Yoon made an unexpected proposal.

“The Monks told me that the Sky Mountains are close not only to the Empire but also to the Great Land.”

“……”

“I want to visit the Eastern Continent.”

Her eyes gleamed.

“Traveling with you has been an incredible training. Climbing these mountains with you will grant me enlightenment, and watching you might teach me even more. But unlike you, who chases after lost memories, I may not gain as much here.”

“That may be true.”

“But if I go to the Great Land… I feel I’ll gain something far greater—truly great.”

“……”

“I’ll miss traveling with you. It’ll be dangerous. But I think this is my chance—an opportunity to unravel something that’s been buried deep inside me… and to come closer to paradise.”

Her eyes were unwavering. There was no reason to stop her. Above all—

“Go well, Seol Yoon.”

There was no reason to hold her back.

“I pray you return alive.”

Seol Yoon had joined me to see higher places. But if she had now found a better path toward that goal, who was I to block it? Even Tom—who’d warned me about danger countless times—did not stop her. Perhaps because he knew what I knew: Seol Yoon could survive on her own. She was strong.

“Take this.”

Tom handed Seol Yoon a small metal piece.

“What is it?”

“It’s an arrowhead from the East. They say it wards off evil spirits. There’s no proof of that, of course—but one never knows.”

It was one of the many relics Tom carried around.

Seol Yoon accepted it and, for the first time in a long while, smiled like an ordinary girl her age.

“Thank you.”

And so, one of our party members left.

The Monks gladly guided her on the path to the Great Land, and by the next morning, Seol Yoon departed alongside a middle-aged Monk.

It was a parting, but not a sorrowful one. I knew she would return—and when she did, she would be utterly changed. There was no need to worry about her. The one who needed concern was me.

When Seol Yoon returned from the Great Land, she would no doubt have grown immensely, as befitted a true genius. As for me—the dullest of dullards—I would have to grow just as much to keep from being left behind.

Yes, I would have to be very, very busy.

“Arhan.”

Just before she left, Seol Yoon said something curious.

“When I return—when we’ve both grown strong enough, when we’ve overcome all the trials that await us…”

“……”

“Let’s go to paradise together.”

Go to paradise together. An abstract phrase. Of course, she didn’t mean a vacation to some resort… or did she? Knowing Seol Yoon, perhaps she did mean that.

Well—there wasn’t time to dwell on it. Her eyes were shining more brightly than ever when she said it. So I met her gaze and nodded.

“Yes. Let’s.”

And thus, Seol Yoon left. No—“left” wasn’t the right word.

She returned. To the land from which she came.

And one day, she would come back. Stronger than ever.

“Go well, Seol Yoon.”

It was a farewell, but not a sad one. I wasn’t used to parting with companions, but this kind of farewell—I could welcome. It wasn’t eternal. It was a brief separation for the sake of growth.

‘If only Sherizik would go off somewhere for a while… though maybe I shouldn’t wish that. She’s far too capable to lose. Then again… maybe just for a bit? No, actually…’

Well. Inner conflict was unavoidable.

After Seol Yoon’s departure, I still couldn’t decide what to do next. Tom’s words—that we should gather more allies before climbing—made sense. But so did my own urge to continue as I was.

Another day passed. The temple remained peaceful and warm. I even caught myself wishing that my own domain might someday be a place like this.

While I drifted in that serenity, I met the old monk Buddha once more.

“The young lady from the East has left, I hear. I suspected she might.”

“Did you offer her counsel as well?”

“Just a few simple words. I told her that the knots in her heart must be untied—that she couldn’t take flight while still bound by her past. Wherever she was going, she couldn’t go there with regrets holding her down. She seemed enlightened after hearing that.”

“You said something good to her.”

“And you? What will you do now?”

“I haven’t decided yet.”

Buddha merely smiled faintly.

“Then take your time. The act of deciding and reflecting is itself meaningful. Only through a good process can a good result be born. Think well.”

***

Night fell again.

Tom spent the evening polishing his blades, telling old stories to the young acolytes, even boasting about the weapons he’d bought in the Blade City, Cherville—ancient pieces, each with its own worth.

As for me, I sat before the great pillar of flame at the temple’s heart. Just watching it filled my heart with calm and warmth.

When I lifted my gaze, the dark sky stretched wide above me. Beyond the drifting clouds, I could faintly make out the shadow of the Sky Mountains—their peaks piercing the heavens.

My mind was heavy with thought. War would soon come. If Ian Cherville’s intentions were true, the whole world would be swept into a colossal conflict. Its key players might be the Prince’s Executioner, or the strongest champions of the continent—warriors far beyond my reach.

What was I to do? Should I gather those I’d met and form an army to intervene? No—war only begets war. The innocent would bleed again, and that was the last thing I wanted. Then what should I do? To fulfill my vengeance, to end the world’s injustices, to create a world that made sense… What path should I walk?

As my thoughts tangled, Liam spoke.

「Do not overthink it.」

“Then how should I think?”

「Simply.」

He looked down at me.

「When you first devoured me, you sought revenge. You longed for the fall of Swordmaster Carlos, who ruined your life. Even now, that vengeance remains unfulfilled. And still, you desire it.」

“……”

「Do not be distracted by the chaos of the world—the wars, the blood of others. Focus only on one thing: hone your sword. Forge a blade that can reach anyone.」

Beneath the starlit sky, my master spoke.

「Only then will you be able to build the right world. Only then will you have your vengeance. Only then will you see the end of all things. Just as I once did.」

“How did you do it, Master?”

「I made the world my enemy.」

“You fought every army, every nation, every race—with only a sword?”

「At times, yes. But not always.」

“Then…”

「To achieve your desire in this continent, you must satisfy one condition: become the strongest individual.」

His eyes gleamed.

「Think only of that, young descendant. Become a Swordmaster. Only a Swordmaster can kill another Swordmaster.」

“……”

「I promise you this—when you forge your own sword, I shall tell you how to obtain everything you desire. The Karavan way.」

In an instant, all my tangled thoughts aligned into one. My master was different from the old monk Buddha, yet wise all the same. After all, he was a man who had already found his own answer long ago.

“It seems I’ve decided what I must do.”

I looked up at the night sky. Far away, the mountains loomed higher than clouds.

“Instead of heading to the Empire, I’ll finish assimilating 「Flight」 here—and fully accept the legend.”

「Do you know how to accept it?」

“Yes.”

Far above, at a height that seemed impossible to reach, was a sheer cliff—its outline faint beneath the stars. I knew its name, for the memory of the old adventurer had called it so.

“I’ll climb.”

To the place closest to the heavens— the spot where the old adventurer’s son had died, where the old man himself had fallen, where one man’s struggle had ended, and a legend had begun.

I could feel it instinctively. Once I reached that place, this blade would yield everything to me.

“Up to Azure Heaven.”