Ch 241
I was surprised.
If you were to ask whether Lisir was surprised or not, he was clearly surprised.
The sight the sword showed. That power.
Because it far exceeded expectations.
‘That a sword itself possesses that much power… It’s far beyond the category of a mere tool. Is a Dark Sword a different kind of item from a typical Ego Sword?’
However, separately-
Lisir completely lost interest in the sword’s power the moment he witnessed it.
In this case, it was as expected.
The Dark Magic Swordsmanship the Dark Sword spoke of was vastly different from the ‘Dark Magic Swordsmanship’ he pursued.
The reason Lisir had been interested in the ominous-looking sword was his expectation that it might help him achieve his Dark Magic Swordsmanship.
Moreover, even if the sword did help him achieve Dark Magic Swordsmanship, he had no intention of taking it lightly.
‘How many people around me have nearly ruined their lives by picking up the wrong item?’
Even if it completely satisfied his desires, that’s all he would consider!
In that case, if it doesn’t even satisfy those desires?
There was no room for deliberation.
Lisir eliminated all possibilities of becoming the Dark Sword’s master.
Thus, the deliberation entered a new phase.
‘So, this Dark Sword. What should I do?’
Lisir thought.
This Dark Sword.
If he just left it because he didn’t like it, it was something that would cause a huge problem.
For instance, wasn’t the memory of showing off his power the attack on the Green Tower Master?
Even the nature of that power.
‘Calling them beasts, beasts, but treating people like beasts…’
He pondered.
What was the best course of action he could take at this point?
First-
‘Dangaleon. Do you know anything about this sword?’
-Of course!!! That’s why my name is the radiant flame that illuminates the unknown abyss!!! I know for sure after seeing that power just now! It’s a ‘beast’!
‘Beast?’
-Night of the Sword! One of the three great Dark Swords imbued with its will!
‘What…’
Lisir was so disgusted that he let out a chuckle.
‘Another night? Isn’t my life too dark?’
It had only been a short time since he had faced a life-threatening situation after encountering the forest and deception, yet he was once again coming into contact with the night.
‘Did my connection to that side open up after meeting Grandmaster? Or is this Illathein cursed?’
The only comforting thing was that the Dark Sword didn’t seem to be a complete ‘Night’.
‘Dangaleon. The fact that it’s one of the three great Dark Swords imbued with the will of the Night means that there must be two more like this before it becomes a being worthy of the name Night, right?’
-That’s right!!! Unless all the pieces come together as one, it is ultimately nothing more than a specter that has lost its true form!!!
Lisir nodded at Dangaleon’s words.
As per the spirit’s（?） advice, he decided to focus on the fact that it wasn’t in its complete form rather than being intimidated by the name of the Night.
‘Since this Dark Sword suddenly appeared before my eyes, it wouldn’t be strange if the Night of the Sword appeared and caused a commotion. So-‘
Lisir decided to ‘dispose’ of the Dark Sword.
If he took it to the Elf Elder or the Green Tower Master, they would surely offer a suitable countermeasure!
‘Now, the problem is how to transport this Dark Sword-‘
Lisir looked at the dark-colored sword stuck in the ground upside down.
The sword that had just moments ago boasted a terrifying power in the form of a woman.
‘Can I even hold it? Can it even be pulled out in the first place? Dangaleon. What usually happens if you grab that?’
-That inanimate thing is a thing that wields humans like tools!!! Just as barbarians imbue their power into the sword, it also imbues its power into humans!
‘…So, the moment I grab it, I’m the one being wielded?’
Lisir felt disgusted as he recalled the humans who had become beasts.
Judging from the Dark Sword’s words, it seemed to give him the power to command those beasts-
But in his view, it was ultimately the same thing.
‘Oh, wait?’
At that moment.
Lisir’s eyes widened.
The images of certain individuals appeared in his mind.
Items imbued with powerful energy.
The sight of humans being wielded because they couldn’t handle that power.
‘The moment I grab the Dark Sword, I’m the one being wielded…’
Perhaps.
He might be able to neutralize the Dark Sword more easily than he thought.
Just as Lisir was organizing the thoughts that had come to his mind, it happened.
-Swordsman… I… I seem to have overestimated you…
The silent Dark Sword spoke again.
-Seeing you fear this power… you are not yet a complete beast…
The Dark Sword concluded that this was why Lisir was able to escape the temptation of Dark Magic Swordsmanship.
That he was now afraid of becoming the Dark Sword’s master.
-In that case, there’s nothing I can do… I have no choice but to waste some of my power…
Thump!
Thump!
The Dark Sword suddenly began to pulsate.
The vibrations produced by the pulsation gradually spread throughout the area.
At the same time, Lisir felt as if the space around him was shrinking.
It was like being crammed into a mold.
That pressure forced him to act.
Without realizing it, Lisir was approaching the Dark Sword and trying to grab it.
It was a different kind of restraint than mental interference.
Should I say it was literally the feeling of being wielded?
‘Damn it, is this okay!?’
Lisir suddenly felt doubt about his plan.
If the Dark Sword’s domination was achieved through this unknown restraint rather than mental interference, the risk of the plan relying on the ‘Purifying Power’ would increase exponentially.
-Master!!!
At that moment, Dangaleon shouted.
-Do not doubt Master’s power!!! Master’s power is not something that a mere thing like this can deny!!!
‘Dangaleon!? What exactly is my ability!?
-I don’t know exactly, but I believe it’s an absolute power!
‘…’
It was truly boundless encouragement.
However, that encouragement did its job.
‘Right. In a situation where there are no other choices, it might be better to believe blindly like this rather than doubting myself…!’?
Lisir entrusted his body to the restraint that was moving his body.
‘This really feels like being wielded by someone else?’
With that thought as his last.
Lisir’s hand finally reached the hilt of the Dark Sword.
Clack!
His grip tightened involuntarily.
Lisir’s eyes stared at the dark-colored blade.
The blade slowly being pulled out of the ground.
-Beast… now you are mine…
The Dark Sword’s blade began to emit an ominous dark-colored light.
That light clung to Lisir’s body, forming armor.
The dark-colored flow, which gradually enveloped him from the tips of his limbs, finally became a helmet, completely covering his face.
Thus, Lisir was completely consumed by the Dark Sword’s energy.
-Cough… Cough… Cough…
Magic Swordsman.
The beast under the Dark Sword’s control let out a pathetic breath.
He screamed, spitting out saliva and tears.
-Let’s go… beast… Let’s get out of this disgusting Elf City…
The Dark Sword’s voice became the beast’s will, moving its body.
Clunk.
Thus, a foot was taken.
One step.
One step.
Another step.
And that was the end.
-…
Starting with an unnatural hesitation, the movement stopped.
-This is…
The Dark Sword could clearly feel it.
The incongruity that had come over the body that was now its possession.
Drip.
Something flowed from the eyes and mouth.
And from the nose and ears as well.
✦✦✦
At the same time, Caroer.
She was acting to resolve the considerable commotion that had occurred in Illathein.
It was caused by a group of heterogeneous races that appeared at the main gate of Illathein.
Humans.
Dwarves.
Even ‘that race’.
The group, composed of various races, caused a commotion by going through the proper entry procedure at the main gate.
Caroer immediately sent someone to guide them to her.
The Watchers who had been tracking them from the forest had already reported on their identities.
“Broken Glass Shuon. What brings you to Illathein?”
Caroer was clearly wary of the person sitting opposite her.
Broken Glass Shuon.
She was a being who occasionally glimpsed the future, and the futures she glimpsed were, like her name, mostly unpleasant.
“Catastrophe. We arrived at your city following that crack. To give you a warning.”
Her eyes, narrowed slightly, looked like she was squinting.
Can she even see with her eyes like that?
It was an impression that evoked that feeling in the other person-
But Caroer, facing her, felt as if she were naked.
She was a truly mysterious woman.
A female dwarf attending Shuon tidied her bangs that were covering her face.
“…”
Caroer checked the faces of the group.
Broken Glass, due to the nature of her abilities, has many followers.
Her followers were mostly heroes who sought to correct the ominous future through her abilities.
Heroes. Sword Masters. Even an Archmage.
Caroer looked back at Broken Glass, ignoring the army-like force behind her.
“Broken Glass. As you know, we in Illathein do not listen to outside voices.”
“…”
A heavy sigh escaped from the group.
“However.”
Caroer added.
“That’s something we can decide after hearing the story.”
Surprise appeared on Broken Glass’s face.
She never imagined that Caroer, the Elf Elder and Guardian of the World Tree, would react so mildly.
What kind of change of heart had there been?
Shuon put that question aside and spoke to Caroer.
“Right now. A human is staying in Illathein.”
“…”
Human.
As soon as that word was mentioned, clear emotions appeared on the surprised Elf’s face.
Curiosity. And worry.
“That human is in danger.”
“…”
However, the Elves burst into laughter at the following words.
That scornful laughter was perfectly in line with the Elves’ characteristic arrogance.
One of the group tried to get up angrily, but Broken Glass raised her hand to stop him.
“My warning is not welcome, I see.”
“…No, it’s a little different.”
“Then…?”
“…”
A moment of silence.
Caroer looked at Broken Glass’s narrowed eyes with a meaningful gaze and said,
“I express my gratitude for the warning.”
“Then…!”
“However, separately, I would like you to leave Illathein right now. Illathein does not need your help.”
“…Why?”
“Because the possibility of the future you saw coming true is not at all clear.”
“Are you doubting my abilities…?”
Caroer seemed to be thinking deeply about something, then let out the same chuckle as before.
“This time, your foresight might be wrong.”
“You’ll be suffocated to death.”
A man with a greatsword on his back jumped up from his seat.
“Hey, Elf. We don’t have time for this. Even at this moment, that ━ ‘Dark Sword’ might be consuming that poor human.”
“Dark Sword?”
The Elf Elder reacted to that word.
“A piece of the Night of the Sword, why is it in Illathein?”
“How should I know. The only thing for sure is that the moment that Dark Sword obtains a suitable body and is released, the aftermath won’t be Illathein’s alone.”
“…”
“I know it’s none of your business what happens to one human, but think about it. If this goes wrong, what kind of repercussions will befall this vibrant city.”
The Elf fell into anguish.
They thought that the Elf’s heart only moved because they mentioned the city’s crisis.
That wasn’t entirely wrong.
Right now, the Elf Elder was clearly worried about the city’s safety.
“Lisir…”
His safety was the same as the city’s safety.
“I will guide you.”
It’s unimaginable no matter how much I think about it.
But just in case.
The Elf Elder guided the group with a face reflecting both thoughts.
✦✦✦
“Ha! What, so what? Maybe Shuon’s foresight was wrong this time?”
Broken Glass’s companion said with a bitter laugh.
-Cough… Cough… Cough…
What greeted them upon arrival was the worst-case scenario they had feared-
The future they had warned the Elf Elder about.
Night of the Sword.
The Dark Sword, having obtained a new human, appeared in the world once more.
They felt a sense of despair as if their insides were rotting.
Dark Sword.
It never let go of the ‘human’ it had grasped until it was ruined.
“How on earth… do we separate it…?”
To the cautious words someone uttered, an impassive reply came.
“Impossible. Once synchronized with the Dark Sword, the only way to save the host is to completely destroy their body. Especially in the case of a powerless host like this, who cannot resist.”
“Oh, is there nothing we can do?”
Thus.
Just as Broken Glass’s followers were uniting to destroy the Dark Sword’s host, it happened.
“Wait, hold on!”
Elf Elder Caroer stopped them.
They were surprised for a moment that a High Elf would worry about a mere human’s safety-
Tsk.
Someone clicked their tongue in annoyance.
“Didn’t you hear!? Give up! Once synchronized with the Dark Sword to this extent, it’s too late! The Dark Sword won’t let go of it until the host is completely ruined and unusable!”
“Trust us! This is the way to save him! He’s still alive! His body and mind are vividly connected to the Dark Sword! Even at this moment, he must be suffering under the Dark Sword’s tyrannical power! We must save him as soon as possible!”
-Kaaaaack━ Kaaaaack…!!!
At that moment, the Magic Swordsman screamed in pain.
As if responding to their words.
A viscous liquid flowed from the gaps in the helmet.
His whole body convulsed as he writhed in pain.
“Caroer…”
Broken Glass pleaded as she watched the Magic Swordsman.
“He’s suffering so much. If you truly care about him, please━”
“…”
“…Caroer?”
At that moment.
Broken Glass sensed something strange from Caroer.
It wasn’t a worried expression, nor an expression of suffering at the ruin of an acquaintance.
“Ha.”
As expected.
Caroer, who had been hesitant until now, finally chuckled.
Once again, a viscous liquid flowed from the gaps in the helmet.
A crimson liquid ━ blood.
-Huuuck…! Huuuck…!!!
It looked like he was suffering from an abomination that wouldn’t leave his hand.
Magic Swordsman.
He was suffering from something he couldn’t let go of.
To be precise, from a certain power it wielded.
Whoosh!
Black flames erupted around the Magic Swordsman.
A gust of wind swept through.
At the same time, the Magic Swordsman’s body accelerated.
Lisir.
He was now defying the Dark Sword’s control and displaying ‘Dark Magic Swordsmanship’.
Using the Dark Sword’s power he had temporarily absorbed into his body.
For example-
Lisir willingly gave himself over to the Dark Sword’s grasp.
-Let… go…!!! Let go, I say…!!! You vile beast…!!!
He became the Dark Sword that destroys its wielder.
He became the Dark Sword of Dark Swords.
✦✦✦
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