Episode 261

Luther’s words made Zeke nod in agreement.

“Yes, unlike other pureblood Awakened, my abilities don’t activate just by removing my gloves.”

He tested his magic around Zeke, sensing something unusual and looking intrigued.

“It seems to repel my magic. It’s not just disrupting the flow; it actually reflects the magic itself.”

Luther stepped back, conjuring a small fireball with his magic.

Whoosh!

He hurled the fireball at Zeke.

Boom!

Zeke’s magic reflection skill activated, deflecting Luther’s fireball. The deflected fireball exploded to the side, causing a wall to crumble.

Watching Zeke, Luther pondered deeply.

“With this level of skill, you could apply a wider range of techniques than I initially thought.”

“Being able to learn the rare vision of a Magic Swordsman is truly fortunate.”

Luther waved his hand dismissively at Zeke’s words.

“Haha, there’s no need to say that. It was part of the agreement with the head of the family from the start.”

“You mean you made a direct contract with the head of the family?”

“Yes, due to certain circumstances, I can’t return to the Eastern Continent. While hiding in the Duchy of Dortha, I came into contact with the Black Stage and formed a connection with Draker.”

Zeke understood the situation from Luther’s explanation.

‘So, they changed his identity and made him an official knight of Draker. In return, he agreed to pass on the Magic Swordsman’s vision.’

The reason Luther, despite being a knight of Draker, didn’t take on external missions was because he was a fugitive hiding his identity.

At that moment, Luther drew his sword and spoke.

“I’m honored to pass on my skills to the continent’s greatest genius.”

“May I ask what your technique is called?”

Luther hesitated before slowly responding.

“In your language, it would be something like ‘Seven-Step Magic Mirror Sword Technique.’”

“What does that mean?”

“Where I come from, magic is known as a power granted by the Demon God through a mirror. Therefore, during the magic opening ceremony, a sword and a mirror are always present. The ‘Magic Mirror’ is a metaphor for a vessel that holds magic. So, think of it as a technique that disrupts the flow of magic within seven steps.”

Zeke found the tales of the Eastern Continent fascinating, as they were stories he rarely heard.

“In the Central Continent, magic is used by creating a magic ring in the heart. Is it different in the East?”

“I was also surprised to hear that when I came to the Central Continent. In my homeland, becoming a successor starts with the magic opening ceremony, which allows one to see the flow of magic. Only then can you wield a weapon imbued with the Demon God.”

It seemed that the Eastern Continent used magic in a completely different way from the Central Continent.

“So, there are no successors who train in aura in the Eastern Continent?”

“Once magic is opened, you can’t form a lower dantian, so that’s generally the case. However, with increasing exchanges between the continents, some places have started training in aura techniques, but old successor families still adhere to traditional methods.”

“Then how did you train in aura, Luther?”

Luther chuckled as he replied.

“I was actually tasked by the Sultan in my homeland to research the Central Continent’s aura techniques and swordsmanship.”

“You were with the Murk Empire’s royal family?”

“Yes, it’s a long story, but while researching aura techniques, I accidentally succeeded in forming a lower dantian and realized I could use both magic and aura.”

“You didn’t know you were an irregular before that.”

“Exactly. After succeeding in aura techniques, I studied Central Continent swordsmanship and researched how to use both magic and aura. One day, I got into a dispute with a warrior favored by the Sultan and ended up killing him.”

Luther continued his story.

“The royal family branded me as a corrupted soul who sold his soul to a demon for using both aura and magic, and sent pursuers to kill me. I fled for my life and managed to hide in the Republic of Dortha.”

“You’ve had quite a tumultuous life.”

“It seems to have worked out for the best. Although it was my homeland, I had no family and was destined to die researching under the Sultan.”

He picked up his sword again and addressed Zeke.

“I’ve refined this technique in my own way since coming to the Central Continent. I hope it aids in your growth, Sir Zeke.”

Zeke learned the Seven-Step Magic Mirror Sword Technique in the backyard of Luther’s estate.

Luther had always thought there would be no one to fully inherit this vision. It was a complex technique, combining the manipulation of both magic and aura with intricate Eastern martial arts movements.

But as he taught Zeke, Luther realized he had been gravely mistaken.

With his divine physique, Zeke not only mimicked the complex martial movements after seeing them once but executed them more skillfully than Luther himself.

Though he hadn’t opened his magic, Zeke repeatedly used his magic reflection skill to create effects similar to what Luther taught and applied them to his movements.

The more Luther taught, the more he was captivated by Zeke’s talent.

Within two days, Zeke had mastered and could apply all the movements of the Seven-Step Magic Mirror Sword Technique.

“My goodness, even though Sir Zeke is an irregular, to learn at such a speed… If I hadn’t taught him myself, I wouldn’t have believed it.”

Having already reached the level of a Black Knight and mastered several complex visions, Zeke’s achievement was possible.

Once Zeke mastered the movements of the Seven-Step Magic Mirror Sword Technique, the technique naturally integrated into his Infinite Sword Art.

‘I doubt I’ll ever use the Eastern Empire’s martial movements. The core of this technique is controlling magic.’

Zeke combined the Seven-Step Magic Mirror Sword Technique, his magic reflection skill, and the Resonance Strike he learned from Arata to create a new technique called ‘Magic Sealing Art,’ which blocked the flow of magic.

To use the technique freely, he needed to become accustomed to it, so Zeke practiced wielding his sword while simultaneously deploying the Magic Sealing Art.

Unlike the magic reflection that distorted the surrounding magic field, the Magic Sealing Art, derived from the Seven-Step Magic Mirror Sword Technique, directly attacked the source of magic, blocking its flow.

As a result, a magician hit by the Magic Sealing Art couldn’t control their magic, and the spell they were casting could backfire.

‘This will be very useful in battles against magicians.’

Zeke understood why Luther was known as the Mage Slayer in his past life.

Having mastered the Seven-Step Magic Mirror Sword Technique, Zeke found himself greatly impressed by Luther Zemben’s abilities.

Before leaving, Zeke proposed to Luther the idea of joining the Black Sword Knights.

“Are you referring to the knight order you’re forming, Sir Zeke?”

“Yes, now that I’ve become a senior knight, I’ll soon register it as an official knight order. Having you, Sir Luther, an official knight of Draker, would be a great asset.”

As a fugitive, Luther had been avoiding external activities as much as possible.

After some hesitation, Luther awkwardly declined.

“I truly appreciate the offer, but given my circumstances…”

Zeke, though disappointed, decided to step back for now.

At that moment, Luther, with a slightly trembling voice, asked Zeke.

“Um, Sir Zeke, do you… do you often see Lady Kali?”

Zeke tilted his head at the unexpected question.

“If you mean my sister Kali, yes, we’re close, so I see her often. Why do you ask?”

Luther, flustered, hiccuped as he replied.

“Oh, no! It’s just that I respect Lady Kali as a knight… I was just curious, haha!”

Luther’s flustered response made Zeke instantly realize his feelings.

‘He must admire Sister Kali.’

Kali Draker, the Silver Knight, was not only renowned in the Central Continent but also a figure of admiration for aspiring knights.

Zeke understood why Luther had joined the Draker rebellion in his past life.

‘He followed Sister Helen, who inherited Sister Kali’s will. And when Sister Helen died, he continued the fight against the Empire’s forces alone. It’s understandable if it was for a knight he respected.’

Zeke suggested to Luther.

“We’re planning a joint training session with the Silver Knights in the future. Why not join us for some exchange? Lady Kali will likely be there.”

Luther’s expression froze as if his breath had been taken away.

“Is that really true?”

“I always keep my word.”

Luther immediately grasped Zeke’s hand.

“Please take care of me. If you need anything, just let me know.”

It was the most precise common language Luther had spoken.

After receiving the special technique from Zemben, he headed to Agamemnon Castle.

---

“What on earth is this?”

Kay, who had been laying low in the Kingdom of Cusco for a while, arrived at the Southern Archipelago with members of the Syndicate.

He was tasked with overseeing the transformation of the Southern Archipelago into a central trade hub, following Zeke’s orders.

But upon arrival, the camp was in utter chaos.

The dwarves Gellion had brought were already drunk, having opened barrels of beer and singing loudly in broad daylight, while the merfolk on the island were hanging their catch to dry in the sea breeze.

At that moment, someone approached the bewildered Kay.

“Kay, long time no see!”

Arina, with her snow-white appearance, waved cheerfully.

Kay was taken aback to see her.

“Lady Arina? What brings you here?”

“Sir Zeke asked for help in taming the island. Apparently, it’s crawling with monsters. So, I came ahead with the kids to catch a few,” Arina said, as if monster hunting were just a casual outing.

Just then, a young girl soared through the air from the forest.

“Lady Arina! Sion and I caught this one!” she exclaimed.

It seemed Sion was using telekinesis to lift Alice into the air. She beamed as she flew around Arina, proudly displaying the monster’s head.

Arina smiled up at the airborne Alice. “Great job! But remember, monsters are dangerous. Always stay close to Sion and be careful.”

“Yes, ma’am!” Alice replied, before zipping back into the forest.

Kay, trying to mask his bewilderment, turned to Arina, who was smiling contentedly. “Um, Lady Arina, perhaps we should first get a sense of the island’s layout and make a plan? We need to know what’s here.”

Arina nodded, her usual smile in place. ‘She’s even scarier when she smiles,’ Kay thought.

Suddenly, a deafening roar echoed from the forest.

Kay was startled, but Arina waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, Kay, just a moment.”

She turned, raising her hand skyward. A massive circle of light formed above her, crackling with energy.

With a flash, a bolt of white lightning shot from the magic circle, striking where the roar had come from.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Several bolts followed in quick succession, and soon the forest fell silent again.

Arina turned back to Kay, smiling. “Sometimes big ones like that show up. So, where should we start?”

Kay began to understand why Zeke had sent Arina here. ‘She’s practically a one-woman army.’

But then, a flare shot up into the sky with a loud pop.

Arina’s expression shifted instantly. She spun around, shouting, “Everyone, emergency!”

With a wave of her hand, a massive magic circle spread beneath her feet, enveloping the entire camp in a translucent dome.

The merfolk drying fish and the dwarves drinking beer quickly grabbed their weapons, ready for action.

Kay was taken aback by the sudden change. ‘What on earth is happening?’

Moments later, the sound of pounding footsteps filled the air.

Rick and the Rose Knights rushed in, carrying the children of Luvern into the protective barrier Arina had created.

As Sion set Alice down, she ran to Arina, shouting, “Lady Arina! There’s something huge in the forest!”

Arina, having seen the emergency flare, knew this was no ordinary situation. Rick, Arin, Jason, and Claire were all checking to ensure no one was missing, their faces grave.

Arina turned to Sion and Aaron. Aaron spoke up, “We found a dungeon in the forest.”

The word “dungeon” made Kay’s eyes widen in shock. “A dungeon on this island?”

Rick, having confirmed everyone was accounted for, approached. “It’s not just any dungeon,” he said, pulling something from his cloak.

Arina and Kay examined what Rick had brought. Kay’s expression turned serious.

“This is…?”

Rick nodded, revealing a stone head. “It seems there’s a ‘Medusa’ here.”