Ch 176
『Would you like to use the item?』
『Item: Memory of a Man Called the Master of Swords』
✦✦✦
What is a sword?
What is swordsmanship?
And, what is a swordsman?
Did you come to me to ask such questions?
You should have gone to Wongeom, our Master.
Well.
Still, I received quite good liquor, so I should at least pretend to answer.
Let’s see.
It’s an easy question to ask, but a difficult question to answer.
You should have come 10 years earlier.
If it were me back then, I would have answered much more easily.
But now-
I don’t really know.
No.
I don’t know at all.
You’re asking if I haven’t achieved great things in the past 10 years?
Yes. I did. Of course, I did.
That’s why.
That’s why I can no longer answer that question.
To answer such a question, you must be deluded into thinking you have awakened the sword yourself.
If you swing it a thousand times, it seems like you can grasp something.
But if you swing it ten thousand times, you realize.
That what you were trying to grasp was a mirage.
Even if you swing and swing and swing again, there is always a Sword Path you haven’t unfolded yet.
That is what a sword is.
Those eyes.
You must be thinking that I’m talking grandly for someone who said they don’t know.
Well, please look kindly on this much.
Still, if it’s someone like me, I can say this much, right?
There’s a saying.
He who knows his own ignorance is not ignorant.
In that sense, I can say that I am in a Realm where I have realized my own ignorance.
How can I, who am like that, define a sword?
I can at least nitpick those who define the sword without qualification.
What?
If I’m like this, are you saying that no one in this World can define a sword?
We’re back to square one.
I told you.
Wongeom.
You should have gone to our Master.
Well.
Even if it’s not our Master, there must be several others.
Those who temper their Will into a sword and break down the Law of the World.
If those who can freely control Sword Qi define the sword, who would dare raise an objection?
I’m talking about the Sword Masters.
They would surely know.
What a sword is.
✦✦✦
‘I don’t know at all.’
Wongeom.
Grey Wolf.
Gorein.
After gaining Insight into Lisir’s Swordsmanship（?）, this was the one thought that dominated their minds.
Originally, they prided themselves on understanding what a sword was.
With that, they were going to present Lisir with a path to move forward.
Lisir, who was born with innate Talent but neglected Swordsmanship and drifted around.
They wanted him to have the thought of ‘What is Swordsmanship’ and approach the sword with a more serious Heart.
But.
Somehow, the tables had turned.
Now that Lisir’s Swordsmanship demonstration was over.
It was not Lisir, but Wongeom’s party, who were dominated by the worry of ‘What is Swordsmanship’.
That Swordsmanship that Lisir just unfolded-
-Lisir. What did he call it? The name of that Swordsmanship…
“It is Dark Magic Swordsmanship.”
-Yes… Dark Magic Swordsmanship… It was Dark Magic Swordsmanship by using the Power of Magic in conjunction…
“That’s right.”
Can that ‘Dark Magic Swordsmanship’ really be called Swordsmanship?
‘No!!!!!’
‘This is not Swordsmanship!!!!!’
They could hear a meticulous cry coming from within.
The source was the Stubbornness of an Orthodox Swordfighter.
In fact.
It wasn’t even a meticulous Stubbornness of an Orthodox Swordfighter.
How can the intervention of Magic be allowed in discussing the sword?
It was Common Sense that applied to all swords.
Yes.
Common Sense.
The combination of Swordsmanship and Magic is impossible.
It is Common Sense without room for disagreement, and a self-evident Reason.
Therefore, no Swordsmen involved Magic in discussing the sword.
And that’s not all.
-Lisir… that… rapid surge in level just now…
“Ah. It’s called the Power of Advancement.”
-Rapid Advancement Holy Sword. Did you borrow Zallak’s Power?
“No. It is a part of my Swordsmanship that utilizes the synergistic effect of Blue Breath and Resonance.”
-Resonance… So, Swordsmanship that uses the Reason of Magic.
Power of Advancement （estimated）.
That is the same as well.
It brings about a rapid surge in level.
It is truly a useful Power.
If you can handle such Power, the number of moves a Swordsman can unfold will increase explosively.
Not to mention the power of that number.
But.
No Swordsman includes that Power of Advancement when discussing Swordsmanship.
In the first place, it is a Power in a Realm that Swordsmen cannot handle.
The Power of Magic as well.
The Power of Advancement as well.
The Spirit Power as well.
And Dark Magic Swordsmanship, which unfolds all of that in one Strike, as well.
The reason they can assert that it is not Swordsmanship is-
Because it is a Realm that is absolutely not allowed for Swordsmen.
…But he’s doing it?
The Swordsmen fell into Confusion like that.
If it is possible to do what is impossible as a Swordsman and therefore not Swordsmanship, can that really be called Swordsmanship?
And can the one who wields that Swordsmanship be called a Swordsman?
But, if they call them Swordsmen-
If they call that Swordsmanship-
What is the Swordsmanship I know?
What is the Swordsman I know?
No.
What is Swordsmanship in the first place?
“…”
It was an Anguish that could be had because they walked the path of Orthodox Swordsmanship and were convinced that their sword was right.
They couldn’t shake off that Anguish no matter what.
“Kuh-!”
“Huh?”
Gorein suddenly vomited blood.
Lisir hurriedly approached Gorein and supported him.
“Are you alright, Gorein!?”
The disordered thoughts also affected the Mind.
A slight Mana Backflow had occurred.
“I’m, I’m alright… Lisir… Are you alright…? Your face is covered in blood━”
“Ah. I’m fine. It’s a slight Overload.”
“Cough!”
Gorein, whose Mana Backflow had worsened, collapsed on the spot.
“Go, Gorein!?”
Lisir was in Confusion.
“Suddenly vomiting blood… What on earth is this…!”
He was Restless about Gorein’s condition.
While bleeding from every hole in his face.
“I, I’m alright, Lisir…”
At that time, Grey Wolf, Gorein’s Master, said to Lisir.
“From what I see… it’s a slight Mana Backflow… If he takes Stability and rests… he’ll be fine soon…”
“Is that so? Whew. That’s a relief to hear. Is there anything I can do to help?”
“…You said you can use Spirit Magic━ Cough! You can handle Spirits?”
“Ah, that’s right!”
“The Energy of Spirits is of great help to a weakened Mind and Body… Can you attach your Spirit to that Child? I will take Stability on my own━”
“Is that so? But, would it be alright? My Spirits are originally children who were Demons━”
“Cough!!!”
“Duke Torben!!!”
Grey Wolf followed his Disciple.
“Oh my, what on earth is going on!!!”
“Hic! Hic! Hic! Hic!”
“Goodness, Lord Dray! How can you laugh in this Situation!?”
“Uh!”
“I’m going crazy, really!”
The Energy of Spirits works beneficially.
Lisir, recalling Grey Wolf’s words, hurriedly took out Dangaleon.
“Dangaleon! Can you do it!?”
-Should I wrap those Worms in my flames!?
“Ah! This is not it after all!”
Lisir put Dangaleon back in.
At that time, when he couldn’t do this or that.
“…”
“Ah, Duke Torben!”
Torben, who had been sitting down, got up again.
“Don’t worry, Lisir. I will take care of Duke Torben’s Body.”
“Lord Ronhart!”
Wongeom, who was dwelling in the Ego Sword, had briefly moved into Grey Wolf’s Body to examine his Body.
Of course.
He was also not free from the aftermath（?） of Lisir, so his condition did not look very good.
Nevertheless, the reason he forced himself to move into Torben’s Body was not only to examine his Body.
“Lisir… there is something I want to ask you…”
There was a Conversation he needed to have face to face with him.
Wongeom said, looking directly into Lisir’s eyes.
“That Swordsmanship you unfolded just now…”
“Yes! You mean Dark Magic Swordsmanship! Please, speak!”
“That’s not what I’m talking about…”
“Yes?”
What is making Wongeom the most uneasy among the elements that make up Dark Magic Swordsmanship right now is not the Power of Advancement, the Power of Magic, or the Spirit Power.
The last Action of Dark Magic Swordsmanship.
If you take that part alone, it is a pure Swordsmanship.
Wongeom glimpsed a Fragment of himself in that sword.
Originally, he thoroughly controlled himself with the framework of Form and Style-
He was talking about the ultimate of One Sword Style, which he had developed with the Realization he gained from the Combat with the Murderer.
Sharp Sensation sometimes leads a Swordsman to the best result.
To a Realm that cannot be reached even with refined Form and Style.
Wongeom, who clearly realized that in the Combat with the Murderer, awakened the Nuance of blurring the boundaries between Form and Sensation.
That Nuance could be said to be the core of the ultimate of One Sword Style.
That kind of Nuance-
Was also contained in Lisir’s sword.
‘How?’
During his lifetime, Wongeom worked tirelessly to pass on that Nuance to his Disciples.
But.
That Nuance was something that the body could not understand if explained in words-
And the head could not understand if shown with the body.
Bestial Sensation.
It was a Nuance that could only be mastered by being born with a Talent that could be said to be contrary to Orthodox Swordsmanship.
Is that why?
No Orthodox Swordfighter was able to inherit Wongeom-
And so, One Sword Style was lost.
But.
To encounter that Fragment of One Sword Style here, transcending time.
There’s no way Lisir could have mastered that with his own Power alone.
‘Who on earth!?’
If so, who on earth passed that on to Lisir?
Who unknowingly inherited the ultimate of One Sword Style?
Wongeom asked Lisir in a trembling Voice.
“Lisir, who taught you that sword? Can you tell me about the one who is your Swordsmanship Master?”
“Ah. You mean the person who taught me Swordsmanship? Lord Ronhart, it’s someone you also know.”
“…!”
Ronhart’s eyes widened.
“Is that so…!”
The moment he heard Lisir’s words.
The first thing that came to his Mind was none other than the faces of his Disciples.
Even after his death, his Disciples did not give up and finally realized the Nuance of One Sword Style.
The foundation of Orthodox Swordsmanship.
That Will.
Even after Wongeom’s death, it was clearly being carried on.
Trickle.
Tears of emotion flowed from Wongeom’s wrinkled eyes.
Wongeom felt his Body becoming lighter.
That feeling of being freed from all Worries and Lingering Feelings was beyond compare.
Side effects of gaining Insight into Lisir’s Swordsmanship. The Influence of Mana Backflow.
That kind of thing didn’t matter anymore.
Wongeom’s mouth was trembling with emotion.
He asked Lisir in a Voice that betrayed that trembling.
“Will you tell me the name of your Master…?”
“Klana. Blue Lotus Klana.”
“…Cough!”
“Lord Ronhart!?”
Wongeom, whose Mana Backflow had rapidly worsened, followed the other two.
“Lisir! That’s amazing…!”
At that time, Dray approached Lisir and grabbed his shoulder.
As if he was shedding Tears of emotion（?） like Wongeom.
Dray’s eyes were also moist.
“Amazing… What do you mean?”
“You defeated those two Sword Masters all by yourself!”
“Ah.”
Is it my fault?
Lisir looked at the three fallen people with a complicated Expression.
✦✦✦
Afterwards.
Lisir moved the unconscious Swordsmen to the sickroom and took measures to allow them to recuperate.
And fainted.
It was the Influence of unfolding Dark Magic Swordsmanship to the extreme to subdue the three Swordsmen（?）.
Lisir regained consciousness the next day in the afternoon.
-Master! Wake up!!! It’s not time to sleep!
Awakened by the Crybaby Spirit’s energetic encouragement, he first had a Conversation with Klana.
“…-That’s how it happened, so it seems like I’ll have to postpone learning Wongeom’s Swordsmanship. Actually. Looking at the reaction that person showed after seeing my Swordsmanship, I don’t think there will be much to gain even if he comes to his senses. I’m sorry, Klana. You were frustratingly isolated for several days for nothing.”
-Is there such a thing as frustrating isolation? At best, all we did was not have a Conversation. Above all, it was I who urged you to respond to that guy’s offer, so it’s not something you should worry about.
“Honestly, I was surprised. For Klana to urge me to learn someone else’s sword. Is that person’s sword that great?”
-It’s the sword that killed me, albeit in Joint Attack with a Disciple.
“A sword that killed Klana. Now that you say that, I’m interested again.”
-Insane.
“Ah. That’s not what I meant━”
-That’s enough. And. I think it’s time to lose interest in that guy’s sword now.
“Yes? Have you changed your Mind already?”
-When I thought about it, I felt like I had already stolen everything worth stealing. Learning that guy’s sword any further here would be a meaningless repetition. Above all. That guy’s sword, which causes Mana Backflow after seeing your Dark Magic Swordsmanship, doesn’t seem like it will be helpful to you.
“Now that I think about it, that’s true. After all. It seems like Klana’s sword suits me best.”
-…I will allow you to enter the Barrier and touch the breasts of my Body.
It was a line that didn’t match the tone of giving a candy to a Child.
“What kind of crazy talk is that all of a sudden?”
✦✦✦
The next day in the afternoon.
Pallag, who had briefly left the Mansion in connection with Klana’s Resurrection Ritual, finally returned.
With one companion.
It was a Woman whose darkly faded undereyes and sunken cheeks created a gloomy Impression.
“Who is that person…?”
When Lisir spoke to Pallag to greet him, the Woman answered instead.
“You don’t need to know.”
“Yes?”
“There’s no point in knowing anyway.”
Lisir felt a kind of Yin Energy from her.
Perhaps, if you live in an underground crypt, wouldn’t this kind of Energy permeate your Body?
Pallag nodded at Lisir to confirm whether the Woman’s words were true.
The Woman then said.
“First. Shall we check the condition of that Barrier and Body?”
They moved to the room where the Chest was placed and entered the Barrier.
The Murderer’s Body was still left in that place.
The Woman immediately approached it.
She touched various parts of the Murderer’s Body with her emaciated hands.
Then, after examining the inside of the Barrier, she said to Pallag.
“As expected. It’s as I guessed.”
“…Is that so.”
“Yes. Both the Barrier and that Body. The Incantation that is the center is too unstable. If an external factor intervenes in that Body in this state, the Incantation will collapse immediately.”
“Is there a solution?”
At Pallag’s words, the Woman examined the Murderer’s Body once again and shook her head.
“There isn’t. I should say that it’s practically like that.”
“Practically? It sounds like there is a way?”
“Yes. As you said, there is a way. However. You won’t be able to satisfy that method before the Barrier collapses.”
“Is there not much time left until the Barrier collapses?”
“It’s not that there isn’t much time left━ unless you touch it separately, it’s a Barrier that can last for at least a few more days.”
“But?”
“A few days is hopelessly insufficient.”
It’s a problem from the start.
The Woman started like that.
“First, instead of the unstable Incantation, we need a medium containing strong spiritual Power that will support the bond between the flesh and the spirit.”
“For example?”
“Well. A Necromancer’s Core? Treasures that Shamans have hidden away? I don’t really know. What kind of Item exactly has that kind of Power. Usually, we would have to create it anew. Spending a huge amount of time and money.”
“…”
Pallag’s Expression crumpled at the Woman’s words.
To find such an Item, he would have to spend months or years searching all over the Continent.
So Pallag said.
“Lisir, do you happen to have such an Item?”
“Shamans… I wonder if something like this would be okay?”
Lisir began to rummage through his Pocket.
It looked like he was taking out a Coin.
The Woman frowned.
Unless it was a secret warehouse or Vault hidden in the deepest part of the Dungeon.
If it was an Item that could be taken out of a Pocket like that, would she have said such a thing?
“Pallag. Are you kidding me━”
At that time, the Woman’s words were cut off.
Rummage.
Lisir took out a High Spirit Core from his Pocket.
“That’s…!”
“Ah, this is not it.”
“…”
Rummage.
Lisir took out the next Item.
It was the Black Orb that Lisir had received as an offering（?） from the Crow.
“No…”
The Woman, who recognized its identity, put strength into her hollow eyes.
What is the state of the Pocket?
✦✦✦
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