It feels like just yesterday we passed through the marshlands and entered the grasslands, yet now, the grasslands themselves were beginning to fade behind us.
Wherever I looked, the sky met the endless plains. Tilting my head back, I watched clouds drifting gently across the vast blue sea above, as if guiding us along the same path without pause. At this pace, we’d likely see the city soon.
“Eh~.”
A meaningless voice came from behind us during the quiet march. Being at the very front, I couldn’t see who spoke, but from the tone, I guessed it was Lee Yoo-jung.
“Looks like we’re almost there.”
“Huh?”
“Yeah? Why?”
“No, you just said the same thing earlier, oppa.”
“So?”
“I don’t get why you’d repeat what we already know.”
Oh ho. For An Sol, that was a surprisingly sharp jab. Lee Yoo-jung must have felt it too, because she let out a sharp “Huh?”
“But there’s a saying: you have to hear someone out till the end.”
“Well, that’s true. I’ll admit it.”
“Admit it? Wow, when did you get so cheeky?”
“D-Don’t come near me! Just so you know, my mercenary rank is EX… ughhhhh!”
Since I kept my eyes forward, I had no idea what was happening behind me. But from the shrill scream, I could imagine An Sol’s chubby cheeks stretching sideways in surprise.
A moment later, An Sol sniffled, and Lee Yoo-jung’s clear voice rang out.
“Phew~ By the way, where did Yeon-ju unnie go? Now that I think about it, I don’t think I saw her once during the whole march. …That’s what I really wanted to say. Got it?”
“Sniffle… yeah… but I think I saw her a few times…”
“I saw her sometimes too. But I said during the whole march.”
“Now that you mention it, that might be true…”
Suddenly, I felt someone bounding toward me. I deliberately ignored it and slowed my pace. But the person came close anyway and poked their head beside me.
“Oppa, oppa! Where did Yeon-ju unnie go? Did you tell her to leave?”
Why is she only sharp when it suits her? I wish she’d just let it go nicely.
“Huh? Huh?”
Lee Yoo-jung even poked me in the ribs. It was a tricky question to answer honestly, and I found myself at a loss. How should I respond?
Just then, something fortuitously caught my eye and saved me from the dilemma. Without a word, I quietly pointed ahead.
“Huh?”
Lee Yoo-jung turned to look, her eyes widening before breaking into a bright smile.
“The city!”
There it was—a small city standing in the middle of the grasslands.
It was unexpected. As soon as we entered the city, a grand crowd had gathered, swarming the streets. Word must have spread that we’d arrive this morning, because the moment we passed through the main gate, applause and cheers erupted from all sides. I felt like a triumphant general returning from battle.
Of course, those who stayed behind in the Northern Continent also fought the war against the Western Continent, but strictly speaking, those who joined the rescue on the Eastern Continent had it tougher. That was an undeniable fact, but I didn’t feel like boasting about it. Our situations were different, and the rewards varied. So it was best to just accept the welcome with a good spirit.
After the initial celebration, things moved swiftly. Since we’d skipped any formal ceremony at departure, there was no grand farewell either. They simply explained why we brought back survivors from the Eastern Continent and emphasized that the war was far from over, then gave the order to disband.
As thousands dispersed, I exchanged brief greetings with the mercenary clan members who had come to meet us. Jo Seung-woo, true to his word, smiled warmly and gently took my hand. He said they had prepared a lavish festival at the mercenary stronghold.
Honestly, no matter how easy the war had been or how peaceful the return, home was always more comfortable than anywhere else. After nearly four months of sleeping rough and eating outdoors, it would be a lie to say I didn’t long for a soft bed and warm food. So there was no reason to refuse.
Watching the clan members head toward the warp gate amid the lively atmosphere, I finally felt it sink in.
We had truly defeated the demon—and returned safely.
The next morning, I woke and immediately examined Excalibur with my Third Eye.
『Excalibur』
Ⅰ. Excalibur is a legendary holy relic dating back to ancient times. It is said that “In the Age of Gold, it symbolized absolute good, rewarding virtue and punishing evil; in the Age of Darkness, it was a brilliant light piercing the shadows.” It is fair to call it an absolute holy sword that has influenced many eras.
Ⅱ. It is an equipment that chooses its master. Once the user succeeds in bonding, it remains bound to them until death. However, Excalibur may leave on its own if it judges the user unworthy.
Ⅲ. Excalibur is a symbol of good. Since its appearance in the world, it has never been wielded by an evil person. Even if a user is qualified, the sword is unlikely to accept one whose nature leans toward evil.
Ⅰ. Grants the master infinite strength. The user’s strength increases by 6 points unconditionally.
Ⅱ. Grants the master greater vitality. The user’s health increases by 4 points unconditionally. (Sealed: Unsealed when linked with Excalibur’s scabbard.)
Ⅲ. Grants the master greater agility. The user’s agility increases by 2 points unconditionally. (Sealed: Unsealed when linked with the Ring of the Nibelung.)
Ⅳ. The vast experience accumulated in Excalibur forcibly elevates the master’s level. All of the user’s innate, special, and potential abilities increase by 2 ranks unconditionally.
Ⅴ. The magic power within Excalibur is strong enough to break through any barrier. Each swing delivers a terrifying strike imbued with magic.
Ⅵ. Excalibur’s energy automatically links with the user’s mana circuit. The user’s mana flow increases by 2.5 times.
“Phew.”
Reading the output message, I couldn’t help but exhale deeply. The first time around, I only had fragmented information, but seeing it now was truly breathtaking. Yet the more I read, the more I felt not desire, but regret.
In fact, having read this several times during the march, I already suspected why Excalibur wouldn’t recognize me as its master. It was probably because of the third condition in the general description. My nature was not order and good, but balance and chaos.
Chaos is a step before evil, so it’s no surprise the sword dislikes me. After all, I even did terrible things to Eldoran, the original master, right in front of Excalibur.
I understood, but it didn’t ease the ache. The moment Excalibur accepted me as its master, my user stats would skyrocket.
My strength would jump to 105 points, my Third Eye would reach EX rank, and my mana flow would increase up to sevenfold. At that point, the fifth detailed effect would be just a bonus.
And that’s not all. If I unlocked the sealed effects…
“Damn.”
Why bother thinking about all this? I could feel the sword’s disdain clearly. For now, I had to be careful not to touch it. There was no choice but to wait for Excalibur to calm itself.
Just then, as I was licking my lips, a faint vibration ran through the communication orb’s surface. I poured in mana, and before the image appeared, I heard heavy breathing.
(Hey!)
A sharp shout burst out. When I looked at the screen, a woman with intelligent features slowly came into view. Lee Hyo-eul glared at me, clearly furious.
“L-Long time no see.”
(Long time no my ass! You wanna die? Or are you trying to get me killed?)
“What’s wrong? Why are you mad the moment we start talking?”
(Don’t you remember? Eastern Continent survivor! Still don’t recall?)
Ah.
“Oh, right. Good timing. How did the war with the Western Continent go?”
(Huh? Didn’t you hear? I thought you’d have heard on your way back.)
“I heard we won, but I don’t know the details.”
(Oh… really?)
Nope. That’s a lie.
Lee Hyo-eul frowned but tilted her head.
(Well… it’s exactly as I said. After you left, we holed up in Muel and focused on defense.)
“I heard there wasn’t much direct fighting?”
(Yeah. We thought they’d charge recklessly, but it was the opposite. They were annoyingly cautious. We even tried surrounding the castle and attacking, but they just retreated without looking back.)
“Huh…”
Let me just add a quick comment here.
(They’d retreat when we attacked, then sneak closer when we returned to the castle. They kept advancing and retreating, and then suddenly disappeared the day your war ended. Strange, right?)
“Yeah. Strange.”
(Right? And you guys too. You won a few big battles, but quite a few ran away, didn’t they?)
“Oh. You know exactly, huh?”
(Well, this isn’t too bad. Victory is victory, but it seems even angels have their reservations. Once the discussion wraps up, they’ll probably call for you, so you’d better be ready.)
“Alright. Got it. Maybe I should just go to them first.”
I subtly reached out my hand toward the communication orb, signaling that I was about to end the call. But then Lee Hyo-eul suddenly straightened up, looking serious. I thought I’d successfully changed the subject, but clearly, she’s different from Vivian. In the end, she threw in the towel.
“Can’t you just handle it?”
(No way!)
Lee Hyo-eul shouted back, utterly firm. For a moment, I thought she was made of stone.
“I’m busy. And like you said, the angels might call me at any moment, so I have to be ready to move fast.”
(Who isn’t busy? Then why even bring them here in the first place?)
“It was unavoidable.”
(I don’t care! How are you supposed to take in thousands of people, not just a couple hundred?)
“You’re the only one who can do it. Besides, didn’t you agree to help me?”
(That’s ridiculous. Don’t get the wrong idea. You’re the Guardian now, not me. You brought them here, so you deal with it!)
Lee Hyo-eul crossed her arms and snorted dismissively.
Oh? So that’s how it’s going to be.
“Fine… If that’s how you feel, I guess I have no choice.”
I muttered quietly, and Lee Hyo-eul flinched.
(What are you planning now…?)
Her voice trembled with unease, but I said nothing and poured magic into a fresh communication orb. Not long after,
(Hey! Suhyun?)
I heard my brother’s voice.
Hmm. I haven’t used this trick since the first time, but maybe it’s time to try again.
I lowered my gaze about forty-five degrees, forcing a strained smile. Stammering a little and dragging my words always works well.
“Uh, hyung… it’s me…”
(Yeah. What’s with the sudden call? What’s wrong?)
“Uh… nothing…?”
(Your face and voice sound weird. What’s going on? Did something happen?)
As expected, his reaction was the same as always. Time to change my expression. Like a son forced to smile and say, “No, it’s nothing. Don’t worry,” when his mother asks if he fought with a friend.
“No, it’s nothing… just…”
“Just?”
“Ha ha. I’m a bit busy. Sorry. I’ll call you back when I’m done.”
(When you’re done? Doing what?)
“Ah… I brought survivors from the Eastern Continent. I think I have to take care of that.”
(Huh? Why you? What’s the Central Management Agency doing?)
Sigh “They just called earlier. Said they can’t handle it and told me to figure it out myself.”
(What!)
As expected, my brother’s reaction was intense. I glanced sideways at the orb I’d set aside, and Lee Hyo-eul’s mouth dropped open. She looked like she’d just seen something she shouldn’t have.
(Lee Hyo-eul said that? Wow, I didn’t think she was that funny.)
“No, that’s not it.”
(What do you mean it’s not? Suhyun, just stay put. You don’t have to go.)
“B-but…”
“Enough. Don’t move an inch. I’ll handle it.”
“Hyung?”
Before I could say anything, he cut the communication.
Is it over? I relaxed my expression immediately, tilted my chin from side to side, then sank deep into my chair, staring at Lee Hyo-eul inside the orb. Now all that’s left is to watch what happens next.
A moment later.
(Yes. This is the head of the Central Management Agency.)
(Uh, yes. Kim Yuhyun…)
(Please don’t address me so casually. I’m the Hamill Clan Lord.)
(…….)
I could see Lee Hyo-eul’s awkward expression and hear my brother’s icy tone in real time.
(I won’t waste time. I just heard from Suhyun. Is it true?)
(Wait. Hear me out first, okay?)
(I’d appreciate it if you didn’t speak informally. Anyway, why are you dumping this on the Guardian? Lee Hyo-eul, you know how things work, don’t you? And you told Suhyun to handle it himself? What’s the point of the Central Management Agency then?)
(Hey! Yeah! I said that! And who do you think took care of them yesterday? Fed them, sheltered them? Me! It wasn’t me passing the buck, it was Kim Suhyun!)
(What? No! We just ended a war. It’s normal to pass on some tasks! Why are you trying to crush my little brother’s spirit?)
(Ha, ha!)
For a long while, they exchanged every little detail—“Don’t you remember Suhyun saved your life?” “If you were going to act like this, you shouldn’t have made me the Guardian in the first place.”
But in the end, my brother won. When he’s determined, no one can out-argue him. So what could Lee Hyo-eul do?
(Alright! Alright! I’ll do it! Happy now?)
My brother got the final word: “The Central Management Agency will handle it.” Then he ended the call with a warning to “get your act together from now on.”
I took a drag from my cigarette and shrugged at Lee Hyo-eul, who looked thoroughly fed up.
She muttered one last bitter word before cutting the communication.
(You bastard.)
---------------------------= Author’s Note =---------------------------
Alright, understood.
I’ll address the points readers mentioned soon.
Also, one of the illustrations might be finished earlier than June 30th.
The illustrator is really enjoying the work, so I’m happy too.
This time’s illustration is a remake of one I drew before, as I mentioned earlier.
So one of Seraph, Ko Yeon-ju, An Sol, or Han So-young will appear with a new image.
Kim Suhyun and Hwa-jeong’s illustrations will come later. :)