Sword Devouring Swordmaster

Translator: AkazaTL

Pr/Ed: Sol IX

***

Chapter 153 – Oz (5)

The Machine Empire, Lafrien.

Unlike the Iron Kingdom, which revered the sword, the Machine Empire worshiped magic, knowledge, and engineering. It was a strict hierarchy ruled by one Emperor and ten Masters—hence its nickname, the “Machine Empire,” for its unmatched mastery of magitech across the continent.

Throughout history, it had repeatedly gone to war with the Iron Kingdom of Cherville.

The two nations shared a border, but beyond geography, their values and beliefs could not have been more opposite.

Centuries of political intrigue, recorded atrocities, and ideological hatred had long since hardened into an unbreakable feud.

***

“A fierce war, you say? What do you mean by that?”

The wars between the Iron Kingdom and the Machine Empire had gone on so long that they had become almost annual events.

Whenever the Iron King needed to strengthen his rule or regain public support, he would declare war on the Machine Empire.

The Iron Kingdom, a nation founded on strength and conflict, could not exist without war—and the Machine Empire was always the easiest target.

Once an external enemy was set, even the most unruly of the Iron Kingdom’s people would unite as one.

The Machine Empire? It was the same. Though the imperial throne was inherited, the Emperor was largely symbolic—one who ruled but did not govern.

Real power lay with the Ten Masters, whose positions were decided every five years by a vote among the nobility. When election season approached, or when the public needed a distraction, war would once again ignite.

Thus, despite the hatred between them, both nations used each other—a convenient cycle of mutually beneficial conflict.

***

“But aren’t those wars basically… events? Political theater?”

Exactly.

For generations, both sides had kept their wars carefully contained. Yet the Witch Elizabeth had said that parts of the map were being erased. That was no mere “event.”

“Yes. Until now, that’s how it was.”

“……”

“This time, it’s different—for both sides.”

Elizabeth let out a slow, weary sigh.

“The land you called your domain, Heir of Steel—it’s already surrounded by the Machine Empire’s magical corps. Verdí region of the Iron Kingdom has been neglected for years. No standing army, not even a knight order remains. The anti-magic barrier? Long gone. And on such open plains, the mage corps fight like fish in water.”

“……”

“It’s easy to infiltrate, easy to fortify. Mostly farmland, so they can sustain themselves. No strong enemies nearby.”

“……”

“We don’t know exactly what deepened this war so suddenly. But none of this is false—I swear it on the Seven Lords and the Nine Goddesses.”

A vow. Her words carried divine weight.

Damn it.

‘So everything’s already falling apart?’

‘That land… might vanish from the map soon.’

Audrey’s desperate voice echoed in my memory. And suddenly, everything made sense—why she had sounded so urgent.

“We desperately need mages right now!”

Because—

“Only magic can fight magic. A swordsman can’t stand against magical beings unless he’s at least a Sword Runner. The Machine Empire’s mage corps are all trained combat mages… but in the Karavan domain, those capable of opposing them…”

Damn it.

‘…Not even five.’

This was the worst.

***

Behind the veil covering her face, Witch Elizabeth’s lips curved faintly upward—a subtle, knowing smile.

“Now you understand. We can’t send our sisters to such a dangerous place. We may be skilled mages, but that doesn’t make us powerful ones. The Machine Empire’s War Mages are not scholars—they’re weapons, bred purely for destruction. To fight them would doom my sisters as well.”

“So you’re saying you won’t help? Even though your youngest sister Audrey is there?”

“Of course Audrey is precious to us. But if one person is drowning, and another leaps in to save them, they both may die. We can’t risk losing more sisters to save just one.”

Her tone made it clear—she was ready to abandon Audrey.

Expressionless, she spoke of sacrifice like one might discuss the weather.

Then she smiled again.

“However… there is a way for everyone to be satisfied.”

“And that is?”

“The Heir of Steel has devoured the soul of a legendary adventurer. You succeeded splendidly in completing our earlier request. Now, if you decipher the adventurer’s immortal code—Labyrinthos—and retrieve the Witches’ treasure for us… everything will be resolved.”

“You’re saying if I bring you this treasure, things will change?”

“Yes. The treasure we’ve long sought—our master’s gift from ages past… 『Thunder』. If we reclaim it, the mage corps will be no threat to us.”

Her silken voice rippled through the air.

“Decipher the code. Deliver us the treasure. Do that, and not only will we teleport you to the Karavan domain immediately—we’ll send our finest sisters with you. It’s the best outcome for all.”

“Help us first. Then I’ll do as you ask.”

“That’s impossible. Without 『Thunder』, my sisters would die in the Iron Kingdom. And casting a teleportation spell across nations is no trivial matter—it demands immense power and sacrifice. No mage pays such a cost for nothing. Surely you understand that, Heir of Steel.”

Her logic was sound on the surface. But Audrey’s warning rang in my head again—“Never reveal the code. Use it to negotiate.”

Did Audrey know this situation would happen? Were the Witches lying? Would they really forsake their own sister?

While I hesitated, our land could already be burning.

Confusion clouded my thoughts. I glanced toward Sherizik. Maybe it was time for the “orc method” again?

“By the way,” Elizabeth said, her tone sharp, “half-baked orc antics won’t work on me, Daughter of the Stars. I know you’re a wise orc. And if you wish to settle this by strength, I won’t refuse. But understand this—this is the Witches’ domain. I’ve existed since the birth of the Empire. Can you handle me?”

Sherizik murmured, “Tricky.”

“Tricky? What do you mean?”

“I could win, but not quickly. In her own domain, a Witch can be tenacious. Best to set aside the straightforward orcish method for now.”

Damn it. No easy way out.

If things continued like this, we’d have no choice but to dance to their tune.

But if I agreed to their deal, how long would this “treasure hunt” take? By the time I returned, my domain could already be gone. And what guarantee did I have that they wouldn’t delay again—or kill me once I’d delivered what they wanted?

No. I couldn’t trust them.

My mind raced. The Witches needed me. Only I, the last Karavan, could solve Labyrinthos.

That meant—I had the leverage.

I closed my eyes, gathered my thoughts, and reached my conclusion.

“I’ve decided.”

“Oh? You’ll help us then? Excellent—let me bring the map—”

“Send us to the Karavan domain. Now. And if you’re worried about your sisters dying, you come with us yourself. You’re stronger than Sherizik, aren’t you? What are you afraid of?”

“…What are you saying? I already explained—this is nonsense—”

“There will be no compromise.”

I wasn’t the one cornered here.

“Stop wasting time. You’re the ones who can’t afford delay. Do you know why? Because I have nothing left to lose except that land. The moment I lose it, I’ll become someone with nothing left—no reason to live, no reason to help you.”

“……”

“If my domain burns and everyone I love dies, I’ll take my own life. I have nothing to protect, no vengeance to seek. But I made a contract with a young dragon, remember? When I die, I’ll take it with me. And then its mother—the Ruler of the Sky—will come looking for whoever caused her child’s death.”

“Dragons do not frighten—”

“And then I’ll meet my ancestor—the first Karavan, Liam Karavan. I’ll tell him everything. That his bloodline was extinguished because of the Witches. I’ll beg him for vengeance. I’ll curse you to meet the same end.”

Don’t help?

Then we all die.

“So, what will it be, Lady Elizabeth? Will the strongest Witch accompany me, save her beloved sister, and retrieve her treasure—or face a dragon’s wrath and the vengeance of the Karavan bloodline? Is that really a hard choice? I’m just a dumb swordsman; I wouldn’t know.”

Elizabeth froze.

“So decide, wise Witch.”

The tremor in her body was unmistakable.

From within, Liam’s laughter burst forth—

「Pffft… Hahaha… hahaha!」

I glared at Elizabeth.

「That was one hell of a bluff, my young descendant.」

Yeah. It was a bluff—pure blackmail.

I had no intention of dying. Not before facing Swordmaster Carlos. Both Liam and I knew that. But did the proud Witch know that? Of course not.

「That’s it.」

Even the most “wise” Witch couldn’t possibly imagine the level of madness that ran through my veins.

「That’s the Karavan way.」

Not the orc’s way. The Karavan way.

Time to see if she could handle it.

***

For a long moment, Witch Elizabeth said nothing. She had indeed pushed the Heir of Steel, trying to get what she wanted without giving anything in return. But this response—this insane threat—was beyond anything she’d expected.

And yes, what he said was full of contradictions.

‘A few dragons wouldn’t threaten the Witches. And revenge from the Spirit World? Impossible. No spirit can interfere with the mortal realm. If they did, they’d violate the world’s laws and pay dearly for it…’

Yes. It was illogical.

But—

「My Elizabeth.」

A thunderous, divine voice echoed inside her mind.

The voice of her husband—one of the Seven Lords—the Heavenly Father himself.

「The Karavan speaks the truth. Do as he says.」

‘But if I comply, we lose our leverage. If I press him just a little more, we could—’

「Not this time. This time… don’t calculate gain or loss.」

‘What? Why…?’

The god’s mighty voice trembled.

「Please, just do as I say… if you don’t want to become a widow.」

As if even he were afraid.

It wasn’t only Elizabeth who fell for the Karavan’s bluff—even a god had taken the bait.