Ch 225
A Black Mage killed Outer Sword and wore his leather!
This rumor started circulating one day.
The rumor originated from a sudden change in a certain Sword Master.
-A Black Mage killed Outer Sword and wore his leather? What nonsense is this?
-He suddenly changed! It’s certain! Something definitely happened to Outer Sword!
-What, just because someone changed a little, you treat them like discarded skin? What in the world happened? It’s probably just a fuss, but.
-That Outer Sword, he just let the ruffians who didn’t recognize him alone!
-If he let them alone, does that mean he broke their arms and legs? That’s surprising.
-No, you idiot! I mean he literally left them alone!? He just sent them away with a chuckle!!! And, he stayed still until those guys later found out and came to apologize!!! He’s even helping people in need in the city!!!
-Hmph, a Black Mage killed Outer Sword and wore his leather!!!
Outer Sword.
That swordsman’s terrible personality was as famous as his superhuman feats that earned him the name Sword Master.
It was so bad that there was a joke, “Follow a typhoon, but don’t follow the path Outer Sword took.”
That Outer Sword is shedding his terrible personality?
And pursuing good deeds?
It was an event more than enough to create strange rumors about him.
It was more believable that his skin was stolen than that ruffian Sword Master became a new person.
Suddenly.
The ruffian Sword Master’s change became a topic of conversation wherever he went.
Sordan, descendant of the hero Broph.
The same was true in the city they ruled.
-Lord Rodan! I would like to formally request! Please, stop the wicked witch who is eyeing the legacy of the great hero Broph!
That was why the hero’s descendant sought out Rodan.
-A witch?
-Yes! In this chaotic age! A witch is rampant, targeting only the legacies of heroes who have achieved glorious merits and raised their families! Considering the witch’s actions, our Sordan family is likely to be the next target!
In fact, Sordan didn’t have high expectations when he went to Outer Sword to ask for help.
That ruffian Sword Master, who even severed my mother’s arm, leaving her one-armed, has become a new person and is helping those in trouble.
Because with that level of gullibility, one couldn’t survive in this harsh world.
But unexpectedly.
-What would that guy have done in this situation…
-Yes? By “that guy,” you mean-
-No. Don’t worry about it. Fine. I’ll help.
Rodan readily agreed to Sordan’s request.
He even refused the valuables prepared in case of emergency-
Even though he noticed the troops Rodan had hidden in anticipation of similar situations where he would act like a ruffian, he simply chuckled it off.
Sordan was convinced.
That the rumor was true.
That ruffian had truly changed into a new person.
✦✦✦
“Rodan…!!!”
Sordan, descendant of the hero Broph, shouted in anger.
“I, I trusted you…!!! Surely, you didn’t do this too!!! You said you now pursue righteous deeds and values!!!”
Wouldn’t a face like that appear if one looked at a house burned to ashes by a lightning strike?
The situation had reversed due to Rodan’s betrayal.
Sordan looked like he would die from anger any moment.
Even for that ruffian-
He never imagined that he would so easily break his word.
How could a so-called Sword Master so easily flip his words like a pancake!?
Even someone with the modifier “ruffian” had limits.
Sordan felt intense shock and repulsion at the superficial actions of the superhuman who lacked conviction, philosophy, or anything else.
Of course.
Sword Master Outer Sword was unapologetic.
“I am pursuing them, aren’t I? Righteous deeds and values.”
“What nonsense…! Look around you!!!”
Sordan’s knights and the mercenaries he hired.
Furthermore, even the heroes who, having heard Sordan’s situation, willingly joined forces to exterminate the wicked witch-
All of them were subdued and lying defeated by Outer Sword and the witch.
“Is abandoning them, abandoning us and joining the witch, truly a righteous deed!?”
“Yeah.”
“Yes?”
The members of the extermination squad, including Sordan, lost their composure at the immediate and straightforward answer without a moment’s hesitation.
“Th-this insane ruffian…!!! Y-yes, they say you can’t change a person’s nature!!!”
And finally, Sordan, having lost his reason, rebuked Outer Sword.
“That’s right! Now I understand!!! You! You planned this from the beginning!!! You planned to join hands with the witch from the beginning and trap us━”
“Hey, calm down a bit.”
Whoa~ whoa.
Rodan raised both hands as if calming a furious beast.
Just as Sordan’s eyes were about to roll back.
“Before we start bickering, let’s clarify something. The root cause of this problem. Sordan, are you really the victim? Is this lady really the perpetrator?”
“What nonsense━”
“This lady says that your ancestor came here to fulfill a contract he made with her master?”
“Do you believe that!? Truly!?”
“What reason would I have not to believe it?”
“Sh-she’s a Dark Elf!!! A cursed being! Our Sordan family are descendants of the great hero Broph!!! The great Broph owed a debt to a vile witch!!! Do you truly believe such nonsense!?”
It was a crude and primal plea.
Nevertheless, the extermination squad members showed support for Sordan.
Dark Elf.
It was clearly a vile being that spread curses.
On the other hand, Broph was a great hero whose name was recorded in history.
That a great hero would owe a huge debt to a cursed Dark Elf?
It was hard to believe.
Prejudice sometimes acts stronger than any reason.
That was the same reason why Rodan participated in the extermination in the first place.
Sordan glared at Rodan as if pointing out that fact.
“Yes. If I only listen to you, this lady could certainly be a cursed witch who covets the hero’s legacy.”
“Then━”
“But, we should also hear this lady’s side of the story.”
“What did she say that made you do this!!!”
Sordan’s eyes gleamed, as if praising himself for saying that.
Until just now, Outer Sword was a proper member of the extermination squad, fulfilling his duties and pursuing righteous values.
But, after having a conversation with the Dark Elf━ he suddenly reverted to his old ruffian self.
Sordan even thought that the Dark Elf might have cast a spell on Outer Sword.
“I just said it, didn’t I? This lady is here to fulfill a contract made between your ancestor and her master.”
“That’s not what I’m asking!!! I’m asking why you’re suddenly taking the Dark Elf’s side!”
“Ah, that.”
Rodan burst into cheerful laughter.
“This lady. She’s an acquaintance of Lisir.”
“…?”
Sordan’s expression became blank.
Who is Lisir?
He finally regained his composure and continued.
“So, is that it? Because that witch knows your acquaintance━ you’ll take the witch’s side?”
Because they know each other, he’ll take the villain’s side instead of the hero’s.
Sordan shuddered at that utterly ruffian-like reason.
“Hey, that’s not it.”
But Outer Sword clicked his tongue and denied it.
“What do you mean it’s not!? Does he even realize he’s doing something shameful!?”
Despite the desperate situation, a triumphant smile appeared on Sordan’s face.
Persecuting noble families by taking the witch’s side.
Even for Outer Sword, it was clearly crossing the line.
Sordan could be certain.
That the injustice Outer Sword committed here would be revealed, leading to his downfall and ultimate ruin.
It was also Sordan’s last hope.
“Outer Sword. You’d better not forget that this is our Sordan’s city. Even you can’t completely cover up the evil deeds you committed here, unless you annihilate the entire city.”
“…”
“I’ll ask one last time. Outer Sword. Really, because of that one Dark Elf━ will you shoulder all this for your personal connection with her?”
Sordan’s expression suddenly contorted as he pressed on, full of momentum.
Outer Sword was wearing a very meaningful smile.
“Let me make it clear. I’m taking her side not because she’s my acquaintance.”
To be exact-
Outer Sword raised a finger, emphasizing his words.
“It’s because she’s Lisir’s master.”
“What nonsense━”
“If she’s Lisir’s master, she must be an excellent person, right?”
Outer Sword spoke as if stating a self-evident truth.
“This is insane, what nonsense━”
“So, Sordan. What you said won’t happen. She’s simply exercising her rightful rights.”
Pamon, the Dark Elf, who was watching from the side.
She was wearing a joyful smile.
It wasn’t just the joy of escaping a crisis.
“My, to think I’d benefit from my disciple like this~”
It was a master who unexpectedly encountered traces of her disciple.
They were so happy that they forgot the exhaustion from the indiscriminate discrimination and malice of humans.
“That’s right~ Our disciple. Perhaps he’s become a respected Master of the Grey Tower by now~?”
“I’m worried~ What if our disciple becomes a better person than me~?”
“What to do~”
The Dark Elf looked into the distance and made her characteristic lively smile.
“Since this is the case, I should strive to be able to act as a master, even through magic?”
The master recalled the fact that her disciple had recently reached Rank 6, feeling tense and relieved at the same time.
It was certainly an immense presence, but the huge wall between Rank 6 and Rank 7 was more than enough to slow down that momentum.
“With this momentum, he might reach Rank 7 by the time we meet again.”
The grimoire shook its head at the master’s excessive faith in her disciple.
It’s a book, but anyway.
“Oh, Master Rodan?”
At that moment, the Dark Elf looked at Outer Sword who called her.
The situation had been resolved while the master was reminiscing about her disciple.
Except for those belonging to the Sordan family, the members of the extermination squad, after Outer Sword’s persistent persuasion （physical）, came to listen to the Dark Elf’s story.
Afterwards.
When Pamon took out the contract written by the hero, Sordan’s ancestor, and her master, the atmosphere tilted further towards her side.
She whispered to Sordan secretly.
“If possible, I recommend a quiet and amicable settlement. If things get bigger, I’ll have no choice but to reveal the details of this contract to everyone.”
“…”
When Pamon subtly mentioned the details of the contract━ the shocking truth about the hero━ Sordan showed an unbelievable reaction.
And, imagining the aftermath of that event, he became even more anxious.
“W-whatever you want━ witch… no, Pamon.”
Pamon.
It was the first time she fulfilled the contract as a rightful claimant, not as a ‘Dark Elf witch’.
After the incident was resolved.
Pamon and Outer Sword had a conversation, as their interests coincided.
The topic was naturally a certain man.
“Anyway, I was surprised. To meet Lisir’s master here of all places.”
“I was surprised too! That our Lisir is sworn brothers with Outer Sword━”
Outer Sword.
The Forest Witch.
It was a shocking sight for those who knew about them.
They engaged in conversation in a respectful atmosphere.
It wasn’t an easy task.
‘Lisir’s sworn brother…?
‘Lisir’s master…?’
Their ordinary master-disciple relationship had become terribly complicated because of each other’s existence.
Nevertheless.
They ultimately decided to respect each other.
‘He doesn’t seem like a swordsmanship master…’
‘She doesn’t seem like a magic master…’
At least, their master-disciple relationship didn’t seem to be related to magic （swordsmanship）.
There were various kinds of knowledge and skills in the world besides magic （swordsmanship）.
‘What did he learn from Outer Sword’s master… Knights’ etiquette?’
‘What did she teach Lisir? Landscaping… or something?’
In the end, if the most important fact that there is only one magic （swordsmanship） master remains unchanged, wouldn’t that be enough?
They kept reminding themselves of that point as they continued their conversation.
“By the way. I haven’t asked this yet. Master Pamon, what kind of master are you to Lisir?”
Pamon answered confidently with a graceful smile.
“I helped that child walk the path of magic.”
“?”
Outer Sword tilted his head.
“By magic, do you mean something like the etiquette of mages?”
“No? I mean the overall knowledge and skills related to magic, literally.”
“…Isn’t Lisir a swordsman?”
“Yes? What nonsense━ Didn’t Master Rodan just say it? Lisir of the Grey Tower━”
“Strictly speaking, he was an ‘Honorary’ Mage of the Grey Tower. You know, anyone can be an Honorary Mage, even if they’re not a mage.”
Outer Sword recalled Lisir he met at that time.
He wore a sword at his waist, had clear signs of training, and cultivated his mind and body with Blue Breath-
Above all, the man who was recognized by his master.
That’s right.
Outer Sword considered Lisir a swordsman.
“…Anyway, Lisir is a swordsman? What nonsense is this?”
As Rodan was confused and trying to organize his thoughts, Pamon said.
“Lisir was recognized as a disciple by my master, who recognized his talent as a swordsman.”
“…Didn’t Lisir lack the talent for swordsmanship?”
Pamon remembered Lisir being persecuted in his swordsmanship family.
“…How can someone like that perfectly handle Blue Breath?”
“…He handled Blue Breath? Not Resonance?”
“…He handled Resonance?”
Yes?
Yes?
Yes?
The two’s confusion deepened.
✦✦✦
“Child, are you worried about that?”
Before Lisir moved beyond the fissure, following Caroer.
Labella read the confusion on his face and asked what he was worried about.
Grand Master Labella could only smile wryly at the answer she received.
Because he received so little teaching from his master-
He was worried that if the teachings he received from his Grand Master surpassed that, their master-disciple relationship would be disrupted.
“My child, you also have that quirky side. This is the first time I’ve seen someone worry like that.”
“Y-yes, right? It’s probably just a needless worry, right?”
Lisir let out a playful sigh of relief.
“Still, since we’re on the topic━ Bella. What usually happens in this case? When the period of instruction received from the Grand Master exceeds the period of instruction received from the master.”
“I don’t know either.”
“Yes?”
“This is the first time I’ve seen someone worry like a child. But this is also the first time I’ve seen someone in a situation like a child.”
“…”
Sajjo and Sasun awkwardly looked at each other.
-My disciple~
They had the illusion of hearing that characteristic lively laughter somewhere.
“Is the conversation over?”
At that moment.
The High Elf urged them.
“I am a busy person. Although I have been forced to cooperate with you, remember that wasting time unnecessarily could disrupt the situation.”
Labella couldn’t help but complain that she was prickly.
It was a self-evident fact that she, the Elf Elder and Guardian of the World Tree, was a busy person.
“Go. Go and achieve what you desire.”
“Yes? Aren’t you coming with me, Bella?”
Labella stroked Lisir’s head and said.
“I really want to. However━”
The Dark Elf cautiously looked at the High Elf.
Then the High Elf was horrified.
The Dark Elf smiled wryly.
“To leave this place, I need a lot of troublesome preparations. Above all, as Caroer’s reaction shows, if I go there with you, it will cause unnecessary confusion.”
“What kind of place is it…”
Illathein.
The High Elf answered Lisir’s question.
“Illathein…”
Lisir’s eyes widened at those words.
“The place we are heading to is the sacred city of the Elves. Therefore, I urge you to be cautious in your words and actions.”
✦✦✦
-Damn it!
It happened shortly after Lisir entered the fissure, following Caroer.
Labella’s lush forest-
Lisir, standing in the middle of an even vaster forest, felt a presence surrounding him.
Along with their clear hostility.
-How did a human get here!
-Tell me how you infiltrated this place and your purpose! Otherwise, I will kill you immediately!
Kwaak-
Lisir’s sharpened senses detected the taut sound of a bowstring being drawn.
They were hiding behind the grass and trees, aiming their bows.
And there were dozens of them.
“This is a new kind of situation…”
Since Caroer was nowhere to be seen, no matter how much he looked around, Lisir felt a headache coming on.
At that moment-
“Everyone, stop!”
It was a voice from the sky.
A woman appeared before them, riding a giant eagle.
Lisir first checked her ears.
Long ears, as expected.
She was also an Elf.
“It’s Caroer’s order! This person must be guided to Illathein!”
-Caroer!?
The Elves surrounding Lisir-
The Forest Watchers stopped their immediate threat, but showed even clearer caution and hostility than before.
As Lisir was wondering if he should be relieved, he felt a strong gust of wind.
The giant eagle landed, flapping its wings.
The Elf who was riding it landed and stood before Lisir.
“Are you the human Caroer spoke of?”
Lisir received a strange impression from her.
Her gentle and youthful appearance and the primal humiliation towards humans reflected in her expression were incongruous.
It’s more like an impression that doesn’t match her aggressive expression.
“If you mean the human who followed Caroer, then it’s me.”
“…”
The Elf closed her eyes tightly when she heard that sacred name from the human’s mouth.
Hoo.
Then, after calming herself with a deep breath, she continued.
“Follow me. I have received Caroer’s order to guide you to her.”
The Elf said that and immediately started walking ahead.
Without realizing it, Lisir looked at the eagle she had ridden.
Then the Elf said.
“Did you expect to ride on that creature?”
A bitter smile appeared on her lips.
“If so, I’m sorry. It may look like a mere beast to you humans, but it is a sacred divine beast. Do not approach it, even by mistake. Humans who get close will have their eyes pecked out immediately.”
Her expression showed genuine concern, not just sarcasm.
However, her warning was in vain.
The divine beast moved its feet, swaying its body, and approached the human.
The divine beast lowered its body towards the human.
As if to tell him to get on its back.
Or perhaps, as if to ask for a head pat.
“…”
Murmurs.
The forest was in turmoil.
✦✦✦
Translator’s Blog
Blog
- Naruto Runners Storming Area 51: A Weeb’s Perspective
- Your Crush is With Someone Else? Channel Your Inner Samurai, Not a Sad Puppy Dog.
- Is My Brain Turning Into a Pile of Mush From All This Light/Web Novel Reading?
- Light Novel Addiction: How One Hour of Sleep Loss Can Ruin Your Day (and Your Life)
- The Social Isolation Speech Impediment: How Being a Shut-In Can Make You Sound Like a Robot
Leave a Reply