Ch 243
“Perhaps… is he still mentally consumed by the Dark Sword?”
Sword Master Junggeom muttered.
It was Junggeom’s own joke, but he thought that it wouldn’t be at all strange if his joke became reality.
Junggeom and his party looked at the man in question.
Then, the rampage that the Dark Sword had caused just before vividly comes to mind.
That power surge where all kinds of strange powers swirled.
The man was none other than the Dark Sword’s host, at the center of that rampage.
Overload.
They clearly remember that state being mentioned by the man.
Immediately after being freed from the Dark Sword, he had diagnosed his condition, where he was bleeding from every orifice on his face, as an overload.
‘It’s not an overload…’
Shon’s party could be certain.
If he were experiencing an overload, he wouldn’t be standing steadily on two feet; he would be dying moment by moment.
However, that appearance of him gushing blood freely!
Judging by that alone, it seemed safe to say that while it might not be an overload, it was a sufficiently serious condition.
And so it was.
Immediately after the Dark Sword used his body to perpetrate such a tremendous deed.
“You said you were Master Lisir…? Are you alright?”
Broken Glass Shuon.
Her characteristic narrowed eyes opened slightly, revealing her deep brown eyes.
Those sharp eyes, in stark contrast to when they were narrowed, were directed at Lisir.
There was a mixture of suspicion and worry towards the target.
Judging from the clues given so far-
Lisir’s display of interest in possessing the Dark Sword was clearly unusual.
‘The Dark Sword’s power might have affected the host’s mind…’
Their gaze turned once more to the Dark Sword.
Thump!
Thump!
They chided themselves, saying that it wasn’t over until it was truly over.
“I am somewhat fatigued, but it’s a level I can endure. Thank you for your concern.”
Lisir responded to Shuon’s question with a polite smile.
It was a response that lacked nothing in giving the other party faith and goodwill, but the unease felt by Shuon’s party only intensified.
‘Somewhat fatigued, but at a level I can endure? What is that?’
Broken Glass.
Seer Shuon.
She was in the position of wandering across the continent with her comrades to prevent the catastrophic future she foresaw.
The knowledge that she and her comrades had accumulated while traveling across the continent was perfectly described as vast.
Nevertheless, they had never seen anything like this before.
“Oh, excuse me.”
Swish swish.
A person who was calmly acting while bleeding from every orifice on their face.
He leisurely wiped away the blood that had begun to flow again with a handkerchief.
“…”
“…”
“…”
Lisir did not know.
The fact that his calm demeanor, intended to reassure Shuon’s party, looked even more like he was dominated by the Dark Sword than when he was consumed by it.
“…Everyone?”
Lisir had to endure considerable hardship to prove his innocence.
✦✦✦
“Let’s leave it at that. I understand what you’re worried about, but there’s nothing to worry about regarding that man. As you can see, he’s quite uniquely constituted. I, Caroer, will vouch for that.”
Shuon’s party’s anxiety towards Lisir only subsided after Caroer vouched for him with her name.
Lisir, who had tried his best to persuade them until his mouth was dry, felt quite wronged.
‘They barely listened to what I said.’
Separately, he had no complaints.
He, too, knew what it meant for a High Elf, an Elder of Illathein and Guardian of the World Tree, to vouch for a mere human.
Now was the time to be proud of receiving the trust of such a great Caroer.
“Let’s move on.”
Afterwards, Caroer looked around and said.
The place where the series of events took place was a secluded vacant lot on the grounds of the Green Tower, which had become Lisir’s private space, and the commotion was attracting people.
“Lisir!”
Ratsil, who had arrived just in time, approached Lisir in surprise.
“What happened!? Just now, there was such a commotion here!? Fire, sandstorms, swarms of insects flying around, and, and, and, and, and!!! Could it be, Lisir did it!? No, that’s not it! Lisir, are you alright!? Oh, there are bloodstains on your face!? Are you alright!? Just now, did Lisir stop that!? Did you do it, did you stop it!? Isn’t that the important thing right now!? First of all━”
Ratsil, saying “Guardian’s Wisdom!”, took out all sorts of medicines from her bosom and began to apply them to Lisir or force-feed them to him.
“This too, this too, this too, this too━”
“Uuuugh━”
Lisir, who had even endured the Dark Sword’s domination, became incapacitated.
Surprisingly, it was effective.
Thanks to Ratsil, Lisir, having regained his vigor, set out to move with Caroer and Shuon’s party.
“But, that is━”
Shuon’s party’s gaze turned to the Dark Sword lying on the ground.
Thump!
Thump!
Even now, long after the Dark Sword had been left unattended, no one dared to touch it.
“…”
At that moment.
Among Shuon’s party, someone stepped forward silently.
She was a woman with glasses, a calm impression, and short hair.
The Sealed Hero, Shelloh.
“Hero!?”
At Shuon’s words, Lisir was startled and stared at her waist.
A sword of extraordinary appearance was clearly hanging from her waist.
Shelloh approached the Dark Sword and drew the sword.
The pattern, which seemed to be engraved with amethyst on the blade, shone with a divine light.
“Liroon.”
The owner of the Seal called the Holy Sword in a calm tone.
In keeping with the owner’s nature, the Holy Sword responded with a reaction of power instead of words.
Woooong-
A purple light beam was born from the Holy Sword.
It began to circle the Dark Sword, leaving an afterimage.
A moment later.
A geometric pattern appeared above the Dark Sword.
“…”
At the owner of the Seal’s gesture, the purple thread fell and entangled itself with the Dark Sword.
Thump-…!
The Dark Sword’s pulsation stopped in an unnatural state.
“Good heavens, Shelloh. Could it be, you sealed the Dark Sword?”
An old woman among Shuon’s party asked in great surprise.
High Priest Horna.
The owner of the Seal made a strange gesture, neither nodding nor shaking her head.
“It won’t last long. However, it will be enough to transport the Dark Sword for now.”
Shelloh bent down, picked up the Dark Sword, and pushed up her glasses.
Her calm, light blue eyes, like a river, gazed at Lisir.
“…”
After a while, she silently gestured with the hand holding the Dark Sword.
It meant, ‘Shall I carry it instead?’
‘Is it because I was claiming ownership?’
When Lisir politely declined, Shelloh turned her head without hesitation.
She said.
“Let’s move.”
✦✦✦
“Is Star of the Flower Garden unable to attend?”
“She is temporarily absent.”
“I see.”
Afterwards.
Lisir moved with Shuon’s party, following Caroer.
It was Caroer’s mansion located in the Illathein residential area.
“Master Caroer. Aren’t you going to take them to the Verdant Council?”
“One cannot arbitrarily bring such outsiders to the Verdant Council.”
“Ah, I see.”
To be treated as mere outsiders despite being heroes.
Lisir realized anew how unusual his case was, being acquainted with the Princess.
“Please prepare for the guests.”
“Understood.”
After instructing the servant, Caroer guided them to the spacious reception room.
“Lisir, I’ll sit next to you!?”
“You say that after sitting down and after about 30 seconds of eye contact.”
They sat down in a row, centering around the desk in the middle of the reception room.
The Sealed Hero and Sword Master Junggeom, for example, stood side by side next to the Dark Sword, which was leaning against the wall.
“Oh, we haven’t introduced ourselves yet.”
The woman with narrowed eyes stood up and bowed politely.
Looking at Caroer and Lisir, she began to introduce herself and her party.
The Seer, praised under the name Broken Glass.
The Swordsman, bearing the name Junggeom as a Sword Master.
The High Priest of the Order.
The former Red Mage Tower Master.
Finally, the Sealed Hero.
‘What is this?’
Lisir was shocked by the excessively extravagant personnel.
Big shots who would normally be difficult to meet individually were forming a group.
‘If such guests came to Vendel, the city would be turned upside down.’
To the point that they couldn’t even use the grand title of ‘Hero Party’ for fear of it being reversed.
‘Among such big shots, she’s acting as the focal point…’
As Lisir checked their identities, his interest naturally focused on one person.
The woman with narrowed eyes who was acting as the focal point among such incredible big shots-
Seer Shuon.
“…”
She responded with a small smile when her eyes met Lisir’s.
Then, she continued the conversation, turning to Caroer.
“Shall we summarize the situation again? Caroer. As I’ve already mentioned, my visit to the city was because I foresaw a catastrophic future related to the Dark Sword.”
“Then, it can be said that your objective has already been achieved.”
Caroer gestured towards the Dark Sword and said.
Then Shuon smiled wryly.
“Well.”
“What else is there?”
“There are still matters to discuss.”
Former Red Mage Tower Master, Red Sky.
The old man, who stylishly grew a brown beard tinged with red, spoke.
“Matters to discuss?”
“The Dark Sword.”
Sword Master, Junggeom-
A middle-aged man with a messy, or rather unkempt, beard pointed to the Dark Sword and said.
“By any chance, do you know why this Dark Sword was found in Illathein?”
High Priest-
An old woman with a kind impression asked Caroer.
Caroer thought for a moment and said.
“Lunadien might know something. Separately, what do you want to talk about?”
It was Seer Shuon who accepted Caroer’s questioning gaze.
“It’s nothing more than to ensure the disposal of the Dark Sword. If you don’t know the proper means or method to deal with the Dark Sword, we can’t just leave it in Illathein.”
“In other words, you will take charge of disposing of the Dark Sword?”
Shuon confidently nodded.
Caroer couldn’t rebuke such an attitude as presumptuous.
Surely, they might be able to handle problems that even a city would struggle to take on.
“And, although it’s not quite in exchange━ we would like to make a few requests of Illathein.”
“Since it’s the matter of disposing of the Dark Sword, it’s only right to receive compensation.”
When the stubborn High Elf readily answered, they were surprised but also pleased.
“However.”
However, Caroer’s added words.
“Entrusting the disposal of the Dark Sword to you is impossible.”
“…Why?”
“Because the original discoverer of the Dark Sword is claiming ownership.”
Creak.
Everyone’s gaze turned to a certain man.
Lisir turned his head to the side, uncomfortable with the gaze.
-The Dark Sword, is it really that amazing!?
Then, Ratsil, who had poked her face forward, asked with an excited expression.
The superhumans present did not miss her voice.
“How about reconsidering? That power may not be as simple as you think.”
Junggeom’s gaze, as he spoke, was filled with genuine concern.
The expressions of the others were not much different.
They were still worried about the young man who had become the Dark Sword’s host.
Yes.
Host.
The Dark Sword does not have a master.
The fate of those entangled with it was simply to be manipulated by the Dark Sword and ultimately become its tool.
It was a fact proven by history.
They couldn’t just watch a man with enough mental strength to overcome the Dark Sword’s domination make a wrong choice and be destroyed.
“Perhaps the Dark Sword wasn’t in perfect condition at the time. It may have been thanks to that that you were able to escape the Dark Sword’s control. There’s no guarantee that the next time will be the same.”
“…”
“Above all, do you think you can completely control that tremendous power, that power that defies reason?”
Black Flames.
Sandstorm.
Swarm of Insects’ Curse.
They said, recalling the swirling vortex of that strange power.
“The power of the Dark Sword…”
On the other hand, Lisir was recalling the convenient power of domination of the Dark Sword.
Soon.
He confidently spoke to them.
“Then, if I prove it to you, there will be no problem, right?”
“…”
At that bold answer, some showed surprise, some chuckled as if to say it was ridiculous, and some burst into laughter, finding it amusing.
The atmosphere became strange.
In that atmosphere, Caroer said.
“First, everyone must be tired in various ways, so let’s have a short rest and then summarize the story again. You are tired from your journey, and Lisir is tired because of the Dark Sword. Isn’t that so?”
In the end, the situation was settled for the time being.
They were each given rooms in the mansion and had time to rest there.
✦✦✦
Lisir.
How long had he been resting in his room?
A guest came to his room.
“Got a moment?”
“You are…”
Sword Master, Junggeom.
The man came to Lisir and subtly brought up the subject.
“Come to think of it, I don’t think I asked this. Do you happen to know how to handle a sword?”
Lisir responded with Blue Breath instead of an answer.
Then, a cheerful smile appeared on Junggeom’s face.
“A fellow swordsman? Then we can talk.”
Junggeom pointed to the greatsword on his back and said.
“How about it, can I ask for a lesson?”
“…!”
A sudden opportunity for a sparring match with the Sword Master.
Lisir readily accepted his offer.
✦✦✦
Lisir.
How long had he been resting in his room after his sparring match with Junggeom?
A guest came to his room.
“My boy, spare me some time.”
“You are…”
Former Red Mage Tower Master, Red Sky.
“I have something I want to talk to you about concerning the Dark Sword. How well do you understand magic?”
Lisir created a vortex of wind on his palm instead of answering.
Then, an interested smile appeared on Red Sky’s face.
“A fellow student?”
✦✦✦
High Priest Horna came.
A familiar conversation.
This time too, Lisir responded with Divine Power instead of an answer.
“Amazing. I never thought you would be a follower of the Divine Power, following the God. Then━”
✦✦✦
That night.
Shuon’s party had a meeting again.
To discuss a certain spirited man who coveted the Dark Sword.
Again.
Previously, they had discussed whether it was alright to entrust the man with the Dark Sword.
They had also visited him for that reason.
“Well, he seems like a decent fellow?”
Junggeom, leaning back in his chair, said with a laugh.
He was quite drunk, as if something good had happened.
“I agree with that.”
Red Sky stroked his mustache and responded-
“He’s a young man with an impeccable character.”
The High Priest agreed with a smile.
“However.”
Then, Junggeom, who had changed to a serious atmosphere, added.
Junggeom recalled the time he spent with Lisir.
Although he couldn’t spar with him due to concerns about the aftereffects of the Dark Sword’s control-
It was a time when he could fully infer his skills through his discernment, breath, and posture.
Junggeom confirmed that Lisir possessed incredible talent for a swordsman, unbefitting his age.
Ah!
That’s why that Elf favored him!
To the point where he felt that way.
However.
“He’s not yet ready to shoulder the tremendous… fate of the Dark Sword.”
The Dark Sword was an item that even Junggeom, a Sword Master, could hardly handle easily.
In that respect, Junggeom judged that entrusting Lisir with the Dark Sword was extremely dangerous.
Red Sky and the High Priest also nodded in agreement.
“I agree. For his age, he has achieved great magical feats, but━”
The Dark Sword was an item that even Red Sky, an Archmage, could hardly handle.
In that respect, Red Sky judged that entrusting Lisir with the Dark Sword was extremely dangerous.
“As a priest, he is a young man with unlimited potential, but…”
The Dark Sword was an item that even the High Priest could hardly handle.
In that respect, the High Priest judged that entrusting Lisir with the Dark Sword was extremely dangerous.
Thus.
“””Huh?”””
Each of them, discussing what they had seen and felt regarding the man’s talent, felt a sense of incongruity.
“Wizard? Priest?”
“Swordsman? Priest?
“Swordsman? Wizard?”
They looked at each other, wondering what they were saying.
✦✦✦
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