Sword Devouring Swordmaster

Translator: AkazaTL

Pr/Ed: Sol IX

***

Chapter 193. Radiance (6)

Chaos had arrived in the Southern Continent.

The land of peace was no longer peaceful. Due to the Holy War raised by the Crusaders, numerous cities disappeared, and numerous religious orders had to hang up the cross instead of their own emblems and offer false worship.

The only orders remaining intact in the Southern Continent were now the Order of the Star and the Order of the Sun.

Of course, the fact that the Order of the Star was intact did not become a comfort to the people of the Southern Continent. Most of those who believed in the Order of the Star were adventurers or travelers, and even if a battle occurred, they were pacifists who spoke of forgiveness or harmony.

The only practical force resisting the Crusaders was the Order of the Sun. Only the Holy Empire and the Monks fought to protect the order of the Southern Continent. However, the Crusaders were excessively powerful for the Order of the Sun to face alone. Not only the military force of the army but their doctrine itself was violent.

War was a good event to expand the influence of the Order of the Cross.

The longer their Holy War dragged on, the people of the Southern Continent, who were steeped in peace, gradually came to desire revenge, wished for sinners to be judged, and wished for the form of that judgment to be actual violence, not something like forgiveness.

Several orders were now sincerely serving the Cross, and countless people defected even from the Order of the Sun.

Everyone said the victory of the Crusaders was near.

The variable occurred then. Arhan Karavan. A bumpkin lord who made a name for himself in the Western Continent. That foreigner, who appeared with the Golden Merchant Group of the Black Archipelago, gained fame by liberating the Port City Visente and murdering the Proxy Warrior Ismael.

Since the Black Archipelago, which was adept at shaping public opinion, was moving, there was no one in the Southern Continent who didn't know the name ‘Arhan Karavan’ now.

Religious orders were unfairly oppressed by the Order of the Cross, and numerous cities trampled and burned by them were secretly wishing for ‘Arhan Karavan’s’ visit. Even the Priest of the Sun belonging to the Port City Visente was spreading a twisted teaching that ‘the only one who can protect oneself is oneself’.

Due to the teaching spreading instantly, resistance forces even arose in some cities ruled by the Crusaders.

Foolish things! Why worship a mere foreign sword-wielder? Those belonging to the Papacy slammed the table and said so. But a spark once spread could not be easily stopped. Well, it is natural. How could the peace-loving land of the Southern Continent stop the know-how of the Black Archipelago, which has done ‘war business’ countless times throughout long history?

Due to Zeppelin Gold’s tricks, there was no one in the Southern Continent who didn't know Arhan Karavan now. Some impious ones even blabbered that he might be a guardian of justice chosen by God, based on the fact that Arhan Karavan showed heroic actions despite his humble origin.

The Crusaders dispatched Inquisitors to find the one spreading false rumors, but the initial spreader could not be found. It was natural. Because that was what Zeppelin Gold committed.

People are originally enthusiastic about heroic tales. If it is not an easily recognizable ‘fake hero’ but a ‘real hero’, the spark burns even faster. Now the unrest in the Southern Continent could not be stopped. The Order of the Cross also knew that fact.

Furthermore, news spread not long ago that even the Monks who were training in the Sky Mountains had returned. Among them, it was said there was even the greatest Proxy Warrior across all Proxy Warriors, the Proxy Warrior of the Sun, Monk Buddha. Now the Order of the Cross became anxious.

If the Proxy Warrior of the Sun joins the Holy Empire, the Crusaders can never win. To fight a Proxy Warrior, this side must also send out a Proxy Warrior, but they cannot pit a newly appointed and still immature Proxy Warrior against a man called the strongest Proxy Warrior in history.

As the smoothly proceeding plan collapsed, the Order of the Cross felt like they would go crazy and jump. To reverse this situation, there was only one way. Killing Arhan Karavan, whom the people of the Southern Continent were hyping up, with the hands of the Order of the Cross. It would be perfect if that death was executed by the new Proxy Warrior of the Order of the Cross.

If so, the new Proxy Warrior of Condemnation would gather everyone’s attention as soon as he appeared, and the people of the Southern Continent who harbored vain thoughts would serve the Cross obediently again. Yes, that would do. But then what about the Proxy Warrior of the Sun? How should they deal with the Holy Empire that regained its strongest power…….

“Is there a need to think complicatedly?”

Amidst the complex thoughts in this situation.

There was a voice that kept tempting the Papacy.

“Accept my conditions.”

The old men of the Papacy. A huge man sitting arrogantly in front of them.

“Accept the Great Land, flowers in a greenhouse.”

The huge man stroked the pitch-black horse that was snorting. The horse thrusting its head by his side was pitch-black as if made by gathering the darkness of the abyss. If the darkest shadow in the world took form, wouldn't it look like that?

“You weak and insignificant things can solve nothing. So entrust your fate to the great me. I will trample and scorch this trivial land and hand it over nicely for you to eat.”

But even those ominous words only seemed like an ordinary beast beside the man. The old men of the Papacy were overwhelmed just hearing his voice, let alone meeting eyes with the man. From the moment they first faced that man, everyone had the same thought.

“Holy War? War for justice? No, what you are doing is not a war but merely gambling. I cannot bear not showing you what a real war is. So accept the Great Land, I will let you know what war is.”

How can such a human exist in the world?

“The color-eyed people of the western land wielding magic, and those calling themselves masters of the Machine Empire who dared to call themselves an empire, have already bowed their heads to us. They decided to lay a road for the warriors of the plains who will run endlessly under the Sun that never sets. A road made of silk.”

“……Th, that cannot be.”

“Why? Did I ask you to hand over this trivial land? Or did I ask you to hand over all the women? I demanded only one thing. Why is that difficult?”

As the huge man spat out his voice, the old men of the Papacy felt like their breath would stop.

An energy as if all the ominousness of the world was gathered. An existence close to a disaster that made one think perhaps this is what the word violence would look like if it materialized and appeared in reality.

A God of War descended on earth. The Descendant of Khan was there.

“You, intend to burn, the world.”

Even the old men of the Papacy who had already crossed the line by far knew.

The condition of that existence must not be accepted. Absolutely.

“Weak flowers in a greenhouse.”

The Descendant of Khan snorted.

“I will tell you one thing.”

“……Wh, what is it?”

“It is better to salvage ashes than to have nothing.”

“…….”

“Wouldn't it be better to grasp even a world that is burned and only ashes remain, rather than dreaming of having the world and losing everything?”

The old men of the Papacy could not answer.

While everyone was hesitating, a Crusader rushed in urgently and spoke.

“The Warp Gate has opened! It seems Senior Crusader Yohan has found Arhan Karavan!”

“……L, let’s talk more about this, next time.”

At the Crusader’s words, the old men of the Papacy rushed out. Looking at their backs, the Descendant of Khan sat still and tapped the table.

“Morons.”

The Descendant of Khan thought while putting a piece of meat on the plate into his mouth. Human greed is infinite. Those weak things will fail sooner or later and realize the truth he just spoke. That grasping ashes is better than losing everything. The flowers in a greenhouse who realize that will soon take his hand.

Humans are. Creatures originally created that way.

“It won't be long, friend. Look forward to your heart's content.”

Stroking his beloved horse. The Descendant of Khan murmured.

“For you will soon run through the hateful Sky Empire endlessly.”

***

With a heavy sound, Crusaders clad in armor appeared piercing through the Warp Gate.

Countless Crusaders poured out, and amidst them, a middle-aged man carrying a cross on his back walked out with blue light flashing in his eyes. I knew instinctively.

‘That guy is the newly appointed one.’

The Proxy Warrior of Condemnation I killed. I felt the same energy as Ismael.

“Foreigner from the West-!”

A thunderous voice rang in the desert.

“Under the Cross! Uninvited guest from the outside disturbing the land of the Southern Continent where righteous order is being established! Arhan Karavan of that filthy name-!”

The new Proxy Warrior of Condemnation was clad in brilliant armament. He was different from Ismael who appeared without any noticeable weapons or armor.

The guy wore armor and a helmet made of White Steel, a rare material comparable to Black Steel, and held a long spear emitting light. Furthermore, unlike Ismael who appeared alone, countless Crusaders, Priests of the Order of the Cross, and Inquisitors were by the new Proxy Warrior’s side. Moreover-

‘Not only the Great Land but even the Machine Empire joined that side.’

Those revealing familiar emblems came out from beyond the Warp Gate. Their attire was different from what I remember, but it was certain. War Mages of the Magic Corps.

“Ismael, who was a false Proxy Warrior, died to you. However, that old woman’s faith shook and she died after betraying. This Aaron, who shoulders a noble duty and is the sacred Proxy Warrior finally chosen by the Son of Sin and Punishment, shall never lose to a sinner-!”

I looked at the new Proxy Warrior, Aaron, speaking confidently. Honestly, I was dumbfounded.

‘Why so confident after wrapping yourself up like that.’

Armament clad in White Steel from head to toe. If given such armament, even a shepherd boy could establish heroic achievements in most wars. Since arrows, swords, and spears would all fail to pierce.

Furthermore, looking at those lined up around him, I was even more speechless. It was clear he intended to receive the blessings of numerous priests and even the magic support of War Mages.

‘Seems the Order of the Cross was anxious too.’

Well, since he is a Proxy Warrior appointed not long ago, it was understandable. He must have been a guy just offering prayers until recently. He would be much more immature and weaker than the terrifying old woman, Ismael, who drove me almost to the brink of death. Of course.

‘If he receives such support, he might be stronger.’

No, not might, I think I know. He is definitely stronger. Although it is said a master does not blame his tools, if one is a real master, they would know. Tools play quite an important role.

Furthermore, isn't that guy not only using good tools but also using good people? In contrast, I have a trash sword, trash armor, and absolutely no party members to help me.

「He is clad in plenty of magic tools too.」

“No, blabbering that I'm a foreigner, but isn't that side soaked in foreign influence?”

I said I’d call a bunch of friends…….I didn't know you guys had that many friends.

“Try cutting me down once too! Foreigner of the West-!”

It was clear the new Proxy Warrior Aaron had a thick skin on his face. His voice was thunderous enough to hurt ears, but while saying such things, he didn't step forward a single step and stayed behind the Crusaders. It was clear he intended to push with numbers to kill me, and then blabber outside that the new Proxy Warrior killed Arhan Karavan or whatever.

“Hmm.”

I didn't want to see that sight.

『The stars are beautiful.』

Light burst from my body. The radiant cluster of light soon became a single shape, and Swordswoman Mary, who was previously summoned, returned to my inner self again.

There is no limit to the number of souls 「Radiance」 can summon, but if a soul meets death in the Middle World, it cannot be summoned for a while. Since Mary is disadvantaged in this chaotic melee situation, I decided to put her away for now. Then who should I call?

『Because of a flower that cannot be seen.』

First. I needed a soul to shut that guy’s mouth.

If there is a difference in numbers, I should break their morale first.

“……I didn't know you would call me.”

“Really?”

“The old man holding a lamp would have been better than me. Isn't he a sword who has experienced war quite a bit? I am a knife-wielder who hides like a rat.”

“That’s why I called you.”

If his head seems about to fly off. That mouth would shut too.

“It is night right now.”

“…….”

“There must be a mouse hole in the darkness.”

Desert night. Two sharp daggers shone in the pitch-black darkness. The curved daggers looked like the beast's teeth rather than blades. Deadly fangs.

“You mean to borrow a friend’s strength.”

“Yes, isn't it your time right now.”

“A familiar task. Dealing with enemies stronger and more numerous than me.”

Assassin of the Free City. The assassin borrowing my eight pairs of Wings spoke quietly.

“I will become the darkness after a long time.”

With those words, the Assassin of the Free City disappeared under the darkness of the night.

Now he will become the most deadly fang at the most necessary moment and bite them. With the blade that made freedom ring in the Free City Crowley even during the days when he was merely a third-rate assassin. And.

“Then I will…….”

Just when I was slowly making a plan.

“You, dog-like bastards-!”

People who were crouching behind me stood up.

“Just how much! How much do you have to trample for you to be satisfied!”

“Damn it, you Cross bastards-!”

Insignificant people. People who constantly lost while bowing their heads. They began to rage. At the same time.

“……Traveler.”

A warm voice was heard from nearby.

“You don't need to fight alone.”

Turning my head, there was the girl in priest robes. No, not the girl in priest robes. I know that girl’s name now. Moses. The girl Priest Frey took care of.

“In the starlight Priest Frey gave, I came to know the will of the stars. A star is not a helpless light that crouches still enduring irrationality, constantly speaking only of forgiveness and harmony while being oppressed. A star is a light that respects and loves the one who goes furthest ahead. And it is the brightest light that illuminates the direction to go for the one moving forward.”

Moses’s atmosphere was peculiar. Moses seemed to have become a different person from the girl I knew. Moses, harboring sacred starlight, looked at me with eyes resembling stars. Eyes that seemed to suck me in were there.

“Traveler is running at the very front of this city. You are running for those seized by fear and those who lost their way. You are throwing your body for those who collapsed and fell.”

Along with that, starlight poured down.

“The stars will be with you, Traveler.”

Starlight dazzling enough to blind eyes.

“Even in the darkest night, stars exist.”

At the same time, I realized one fact.

“Stars do not disappear.”

What helps me is not just the sword.

“Go, Traveler.”

The light Priest Frey left while throwing away her life.

The girl she loved, whom she tamed.

The girl who loved her, whom she tamed.

People who love this city, people loved by the city. People who chased stars and loved stars, whom stars chased and stars loved. All of them were shining in the dark night.

“The stars will illuminate the path you must go.”

Accepting the starlight, I thought.

‘Order of the Cross bastards.’

That I should send them all to the side of the Cross today.