Sword Devouring Swordmaster

Translator: AkazaTL

Pr/Ed: Sol IX

***

Chapter 149 — Oz (1)

The Sky Mountains.

A forbidden zone of the continent and a land of mystery. Azure Heaven and beyond — the domain ruled by dragons — were called the forbidden realm that every adventurer dreamed of.

But not all the vast mountains belonged to dragons. There were lands where mysterious spirits dwelled, lands ruled by ancient spirit beasts, and even lands of perfect wilderness with no ruler at all.

And beneath all those lands of varying forms lay a hidden, lowly kingdom buried deep under layers of damp soil and stone — the Dwarves’ kingdom, concealed from the eyes of the sky, from the eyes of dragons.

If dragons were the rulers of the heavens, then Dwarves were the rulers of the earth.

“Grand General, the descendant of Steel has departed.”

Upon the fortress’s outer wall, a Dwarf clad in thick iron armor bowed his head and gave his report. The one receiving it was a Grand General wearing a suit of dark-black iron — the bravest and most steadfast of all in this lowly kingdom.

The unbreakable shield that guarded the Dwarves — the Iron Man, Dwight. Gazing up at the pale sky, Dwight murmured quietly.

“How complete is the descendant of Steel?”

“Still like iron that needs more tempering, sir. Hard enough, but not yet truly formed. As you know better than anyone, General, no matter how fine the ore may be, unrefined iron is still…”

“…less than a failed blade lying in the forge.”

Tempering — there was still a long way to go. But considering the characteristics of the Karavan bloodline, this rate of growth was quite decent. It could not be rushed.

The Karavan took far longer to reach perfection than the other Great Five Houses. But once they did reach completion, they became absolute beings none could stand before. For that was the essence of Steel.

“Yes. It was wise not to summon him here yet. Even if we brought him into the Dwarven Kingdom now, there is nothing we could do for him. The time has not yet come.”

The descendant of Steel had yet to reach that realm — the realm where a single swing dulled the edge, a single step shattered the boots, and a single leap tore the armor apart.

A stage where no equipment in the world could endure the overwhelming power contained within. When that time came, the descendant of Steel had to come to the Dwarven Kingdom, for only the treasures housed in the 「Golden Vault」 could withstand the terrible might of the Karavan.

“Hah…”

“Don’t fret too much, sir. There’s no need to rush — we Dwarves are best at waiting patiently, hiding deep and biding our time.”

“You’re right. But still…”

Dwight clasped his hands behind his back.

News of the ever-changing world reached even this buried kingdom.

The whirlpool of chaos devouring the world would soon reach the Dwarven Kingdom as well.

There would be no way to avoid its hand. The turmoil sweeping the continent was the world’s flow, and those insignificant beings living upon it could not resist the tide.

“…Still, I cannot help but wish that time would come a little sooner.”

Soon the Dwarves, too, would be drawn into the whirlpool.

The world was calling them.

Dwight prayed that the descendant of Steel would gain enough power and worth before this Dwarven Kingdom was swallowed by the coming age of blood. Before the dragons, who coveted this place and sought to steal all that the Dwarves held to adorn their own nests, could lay claim to it — so that even if the 「Golden Vault」 were opened before their eyes, no disaster would befall them.

For that to happen, the descendant of Steel had to reach that realm as soon as possible — the realm where the Karavan began to show their true, genuine nature.

The Realm of Immortality.

***

Because of the Dragon Tongue, the power of Liberation within 「Flight」 had activated, allowing me to escape instantly. By the time the effect waned, the avalanche was so far behind I couldn’t even see it anymore.

‘It’s insanely fast.’

The speed was incomparable even to Wing acceleration. It didn’t last long, but at this rate, even Sword Runners spreading their Wings would be annihilated before realizing what hit them.

It had conditions, yes, but not ones too hard to meet. I’d been bound by countless bizarre tricks in fights before — too many to count. Even without Liberation’s power, the Mystery of 「Flight」 alone was formidable.

Combine the Wing acceleration and the Mystery of Flight, and unless one was a master swordsman on Rhapsody’s level, no one could react.

Absolutely no one.

‘Good power is good, but I should still get off this mountain fast.’

The power 「Flight」 granted was exhilarating, but I didn’t want to experience that again.

The avalanche that spelled certain death if swept away, the overwhelming might of a dragon added on top — the true Dragon Tongue, utterly unlike Aion’s, was pure discomfort. To have my soul seized and tossed about like that — I felt like a pathetic insect. Never again.

‘I’m still too weak to face a true dragon.’

Naturally so. A mere Sword Runner who’d just absorbed one sword couldn’t suddenly become a Dragon Slayer.

Dragons were living legends of this continent — symbols of the most powerful violence among all seven races. I was lacking. For now.

‘…Still, it’s all about how I use it.’

At the end of 「Flight」’s memories, the old adventurer, with his broken body, had slain a dragon.

The dragon he killed had been far stronger and more seasoned than Aion.

Which meant the disgust and helplessness I felt earlier had stemmed entirely from my own inadequacy.

‘There’s no way the one dragon that came after me just happened to be absurdly strong. I can’t be that unlucky. Clearly, it’s because I lack the skill and experience…’

Nodding to myself, I hurried down the path.

It had only growled before, but maybe my sudden escape had riled it up enough that the dragons would pursue me.

In countless myths, dragons were depicted as noble, wise, and praiseworthy beings — but hadn’t I already learned that stories and reality were different? Just remembering Aion’s nerdy behavior was proof enough that dragons weren’t all that “cool.”

I caught my breath and descended. Then, from the bushes, a spirit beast easily three times my size leapt out. It wasn’t an ambush meant to kill — but just as I was about to draw my sword, the creature’s head suddenly burst apart with a pop.

“…?”

“I’ve been waiting.”

The beast’s head fragments splattered to the ground. When I lifted my gaze, I saw a terrifying orc drenched in sticky blood and the beast’s remains.

She looked like a demon risen from hell, yet she was smiling brightly despite the carnage — that chilling, murderous smile. Familiar enough to make my heartbeat rise involuntarily.

“…Sherizik?”

The most beautiful orc was waiting for me.

***

“…So that’s what the others were doing while I was here.”

Sherizik told me about my companions’ situation.

Apparently, more than two months had passed while I’d been here. I’d known some time had gone by, but hearing the exact number hit differently — two months. A short yet long time.

According to her, Tom and Audrey had returned to the Iron Kingdom and were faithfully guarding the Karavan territory.

Sherizik had stayed behind in case I was in danger, which was why she hadn’t heard any news since returning to the territory. She also added that there’d been no word from Seol Yoon, though that didn’t worry me much. If it was Seol Yoon, she could handle herself anywhere.

‘I really should return as soon as possible.’

Even as the nominal lord, I’d been absent for far too long. Hailyn, Sancho, Audrey, Tom… all good people like Fetel in the past, helping me. But leaving everything to them weighed on me with guilt. Besides—

“I don’t think things are going too well. The continent’s situation is… turbulent right now. Most nations except the Sky Empire are in a tense standoff.”

“A standoff?”

“Yes. Because of the conquered Free Cities and the deaths that followed, many races and nations now have justification for war. Some city-states have already started fighting each other, some nations launched coups in the name of vengeance, and others are just watching, calculating what gains they could reap from the chaos. Think of it as the calm before the storm.”

The situation outside seemed serious.

I could picture it — Rhapsody’s army stationed before the Karavan territory, the suffocating tension between us, ready to ignite at any moment. And now that same air blanketed the entire continent.

“And—”

Sherizik began to say something more. And then—

【Descendant of Steel─!】

Audrey’s voice crashed in.

***

Using the mages’ method of communication, Audrey shouted that I needed to return immediately — that she needed help — that at this rate, the Karavan territory might vanish from the map. When I asked for details, her hurried voice muttered:

【Just come first. I barely have time to explain. You’re still the lord in name — we need you. These maniacs— your butler Sancho tried to act as your deputy lord, and they drew swords on him right away. Said a non-noble had no right to speak. If it weren’t for old Tom, your butler would be dead now.】

“…They threatened my man? Who?”

【The Iron Legion. The Iron Kingdom’s strongest army.】

“Why would they do that? The Iron Kingdom’s barely holding off its own external enemies. Making new ones would be tiring.”

【It’s complicated. A lot happened in the two months you were gone. So just come. Ask my sisters—】

“You mean the Witches?”

【Yes! Who else? You think I’d tell you to go find some random woman who may or may not even exist to beg her for magic?】

“……”

【Anyway— ah, wait! Descendant of Steel, that adventurer’s sword — did you absorb the soul inside it?】

“Yes, I’ve finished absorption.”

Audrey sounded frantic, but when she heard my words, I caught the sound of a relieved sigh through the link.

【Good. Then go to my sisters immediately. Tell them you’ve absorbed the soul of a legendary adventurer’s sword… but don’t tell them what it is. Negotiate with that.】

“Negotiate?”

【Yes. In exchange for sending you here, have them assign another Witch to your territory. At least sixth… no, someone higher than my fourth sister. We desperately need a mage here. Desperately!】

“Hmm.”

A mage, desperately needed.

I couldn’t guess the situation, but Audrey’s voice alone told me it was dire.

‘Still, isn’t it funny to use information for blackmail when they’re your own sisters?’

Of course, that was a sweet deal for me.

Honestly, I half-hoped Audrey would get attached to the village and quit being a Witch altogether, staying on as a resident mage. After all, few things were as valuable — or as useful — as a high-grade mage-slash-servant.

“Yes, understood. But I’m a country bumpkin. Where do I even find the Witches?”

【In the Magic City.】

The Magic City.

【Go to the Magic City, “Oz.” Mention my name there, and you’ll meet my sisters.】

The city where Dorothy, the mage loved by the wandering swordsman of 「Gale」, had come from.

***

【Yes, understood. I’ll move as quickly as I can.】

Hearing the distant voice fade, Audrey bit her lip and nodded.

The magical connection broke. As soon as it did, she leaned forward and let out a long sigh, forehead pressed against the shelf.

“Please, move quickly.”

Behind her, in the dim room, a girl lay on the bed, breathing weakly and painfully. Her fair skin was covered in wounds, and though she groaned softly in pain, her eyes did not open.

Audrey gently poured some medicine she had hastily procured between the girl’s lips.

Soon, the groans subsided. Audrey looked at her with sorrowful eyes — the cute girl who had always listened to her, who had become her precious little friend in this land.

“If you’re late, Hailyn will die. And…”

Audrey’s trembling hand brushed Hailyn’s cheek, then slowly turned her gaze toward the window. Through the slight gap of the open pane, blazing flames were visible — vast and powerful, as if they could consume the entire village in one breath.

“…the village you love so much will disappear too.”