Episode 100: Thornblade (1)
In this world, there existed numerous weapons imbued with special powers.
The most notable among them were the holy swords crafted by the church.
These holy swords, infused with divine energy, excelled at protecting their wielders and vanquishing evil.
Next in fame were the relic swords discovered in ancient ruins.
Forged with ancient techniques, these relic swords possessed vast and destructive capabilities, often classified as weapons of war.
Yet, there was a weapon even more renowned than the holy and relic swords.
The demon sword.
Among all the weapons in existence, the demon sword wielded the greatest power.
Even a lowly soldier could slay a knight with a demon sword in hand, and a knight could leap several levels in prowess.
However, the demon sword came with a fatal flaw: it was cursed.
The curse had a devastating effect on its user.
Initially, users resisted, but eventually, they succumbed to its power, becoming madmen who committed horrific crimes without exception.
Thus, demon swords were designated as forbidden items, often destroyed upon discovery.
“Hehehe, it feels good to be in front of people again.”
The demon sword “Thornblade” let out a bizarre laugh.
Unlike Demian’s demon sword “Erebus,” “Thornblade” was quite talkative and intelligent.
Demon swords were originally created by demons from hell to exert influence on the earthly realm.
As such, they all possessed distinct personalities and could communicate.
The fact that “Erebus” showed no trace of a personality, despite its high restoration rate, was unusual.
“So, partner! What’s the plan? Are we running away?”
“Run? What a foolish thing to say. That would mean giving up everything I’ve achieved.”
“Hehehe, so what’s the plan then? Could it be what I’m thinking?”
“Yes, I’ll kill them all. Not a single one will be left.”
At those words, the demon sword laughed loudly, its unsettling laughter echoing all around.
“That’s why I like you, partner! Though you do some stupid things sometimes!”
Liam Bluegreen pointed his sword at Alexander Apple.
“Your Excellency, do you intend to resist?”
“And if I don’t? Will that save my life?”
“You might be able to keep your life.”
“You think I’m a fool. I’m entangled with dark magic. Even if my brother spares me, the church won’t stand idly by.”
Alexander Apple had already made up his mind.
“In that case, I’ll kill everyone here. Erase the truth completely. And ascend to the throne.”
Liam Bluegreen spoke with disbelief.
“You’re out of your mind.”
The two men glared at each other, tension crackling between them.
“Heheh, a mere high-class dares to act up.”
At that moment, the demon sword “Thornblade” spoke with disdain.
“Partner, what are you doing? Show them my power!”
Alexander Apple lunged forward, swinging his sword at Liam Bluegreen.
Liam Bluegreen swung his sword in return. Their blades clashed repeatedly in mid-air.
With each collision, shockwaves and bursts of air erupted. The people in the audience chamber screamed.
“Ahhh!”
“Ugh!”
Demian watched their battle intently.
Amazingly, Alexander Apple was parrying all of Liam Bluegreen’s attacks.
A newly ascended high-class matching a seasoned high-class?
Under normal circumstances, it would be impossible.
“Typical of a demon sword. It’s not being wielded by its master; it’s wielding its master.”
Demian quickly grasped the relationship between Alexander Apple and the demon sword.
The demon sword was channeling its power to move Alexander Apple’s body.
“That’s how he reached the high-class level.”
Alexander Apple hadn’t reached high-class on his own.
By accepting the demon sword’s power, he had ascended to high-class, mistaking borrowed strength for his own.
“Sir Demian!”
In the midst of the fight, Liam Bluegreen shouted.
“Take Their Highnesses and flee! It’s too dangerous to stay here!”
Demian nodded.
High-class warriors were battling right beside him. Staying here was too risky.
“Let’s go, everyone.”
Demian led the people in the audience chamber to safety, issuing an evacuation order to everyone in the building.
“Think of it as a volcano about to erupt and run as far as you can!”
At Demian’s words, the people hurried their steps. When the palace was a small speck in the distance, an explosion rang out.
People screamed and turned back. The top of the palace had been completely blown away.
In the wreckage, two figures glared at each other.
“Heheh! It’s been a while since I stretched my legs! This is fun! So much fun!”
The demon sword’s laughter echoed loudly.
Demian watched the scene and spoke.
“Prince Oliver, please lead the people in my stead.”
Prince Oliver Apple looked bewildered at the sudden request.
“What? What about you, Sir Demian?”
“I must assist Sir Liam.”
“Sir Liam will be fine. He’s never lost a battle!”
Prince Oliver spoke with pride.
Demian looked at the two men and said quietly.
“Today will be his first defeat.”
Demian could see it. The dark energy emanating from the demon sword was increasing in real-time.
The amount of dark energy had already surpassed high-class levels. Even Demian couldn’t predict how strong it would become.
“But if Sir Liam loses… won’t you be in danger too, Sir Demian?”
Prince Oliver asked with concern. Demian replied nonchalantly.
“Do you think I’m crazy enough to fight a demon sword?”
“I plan to evacuate Sir Liam and escape, depending on the situation.”
Prince Oliver hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
”…You must return safely.”
Demian grinned and said.
“It’s a hundred years too early for you to worry about me.”
Demian turned to Veronica Sanchez.
“Veronica, come with me. I need your help.”
“What? Why me?”
Veronica Sanchez looked puzzled. Michael quickly interjected.
“Brother Demian! Let me go instead of her!”
“Yeah! Let him go! Why are you dragging me into this? It’s a hassle!”
“Michael, you need to protect Their Highnesses, don’t you?”
“Well, she can do that too….”
Mid-sentence, Michael Ryanbloom’s expression turned serious.
”…I guess she can’t. Understood. I’ll protect Their Highnesses.”
Michael led the people away. Veronica Sanchez tried to follow them.
“I told you to come with me.”
Demian grabbed Veronica Sanchez by the scruff of her neck.
Veronica sighed deeply.
“Ugh, I should’ve run away sooner.”
Liam Bluegreen looked down at his sword.
It wasn’t just any sword; it was a legendary blade passed down through the Bluegreen family. It contained a large amount of rare metal.
It was so durable that it had never dulled despite being used by generations of ancestors.
Yet now, this legendary sword was chipped like a saw blade.
“Heheh, you can’t come at me with such a shabby sword! My body is so tough!”
The demon sword in Alexander Apple’s hand shouted gleefully.
Unlike Liam Bluegreen’s sword, the demon sword “Thornblade” was unscathed, as if freshly forged.
“I can’t keep clashing head-on.”
Thornblade pierced through the aura and damaged the sword. A few more clashes, and the sword would likely shatter.
“Your Excellency, I will now take this seriously.”
“How courteous of you, to give me a warning.”
Alexander Apple mocked.
“Sir Liam, you seem to have forgotten. I also trained in swordsmanship at the Bluegreen Marquisate. I know exactly what techniques you’ll use.”
The Bluegreen Marquisate was known for its flying sword technique.
Flying swordsmanship involved projecting aura to attack. It consumed a lot of magic, but allowed for unpredictable combat.
Thus, the battle was inherently in Alexander Apple’s favor.
“No, Your Excellency knows nothing.”
But Liam Bluegreen refuted Alexander Apple’s words.
“Do you know why the knight’s ranks are divided into four? Because each rank allows for different techniques.”
Low-class knights can only manifest aura.
Mid-class knights can freely manipulate aura.
And high-class knights…
“Let me show you the essence of our family’s swordsmanship.”
Liam Bluegreen infused his sword with magic. A white haze spread wide.
“Fool, brace yourself.”
The demon sword’s voice turned serious. The technique Liam Bluegreen was preparing was formidable.
“Your Excellency, please be careful.”
Liam Bluegreen swung his sword. Countless crescent-shaped auras rained down.
“This is insane….”
Alexander Apple had no time to be surprised as he swung the demon sword. Each time he deflected an aura, his body was pushed back.
“Hey! Put more strength into it! Why are you so weak!”
The demon sword shouted irritably. Alexander Apple gritted his teeth and held on.
At that moment, Liam Bluegreen appeared behind Alexander Apple.
“Liam Bluegreen…!”
Before Alexander Apple could even react, Liam swung his sword down.
A massive slash descended from the sky, slicing Alexander from the crown of his head to his groin.
“Argh!”
Alexander screamed and collapsed, his head bowed as he let his cursed sword fall to the ground.
“Huff…”
Liam steadied his ragged breathing. Using the cursed sword required a tremendous amount of magical energy.
Even for someone of high class, it was exhausting.
“Your Excellency, I truly believed in you.”
Liam had long since given up on the crown prince, convinced that his reckless nature would never change. Instead, he had chosen to support Alexander Apple.
“I’m sorry it had to be my hand that brought you down.”
“Spare me your empty words.”
A voice came from Alexander Apple, startling Liam as he looked up.
“Your Excellency?”
“That really hurt. Is it always this painful to be cut by an aura?”
Alexander stood up, seemingly unharmed despite the aura-inflicted wound.
Liam stared in disbelief.
“Surprised? This is the power of this sword. It grants my body the same hardness as the cursed blade.”
The cursed sword, Thorn, grumbled in annoyance, but Alexander ignored it.
“Since Sir Liam put on such a show, I can’t just stand by.”
Alexander gripped the cursed sword in reverse, pointing the tip toward the ground.
“Watch closely the power of the cursed sword.”
With a powerful thrust, Alexander drove the sword into the ground. Instantly, countless thorny vines erupted.
The vines shot toward Liam with blinding speed, leaving him little time to react.
Liam instinctively tried to cut them down, but his sword shattered upon contact.
Before he could evade, the thorns pierced through his body.
What just happened?
Liam looked down at himself, seeing thick branches piercing through his body.
“Cough.”
Blood spurted out, and he could feel his life slipping away.
“This is the power of the cursed sword,” Alexander said triumphantly.
“It can sprout thorns at incredible speed, with enough force to shatter even a high-class aura.”
Liam coughed up more blood, unable to speak.
“I’d love to chat more, but I have many more to kill.”
With a gesture from Alexander, the surrounding thorns bent toward Liam.
“Time to close your eyes.”
The thorns lunged at Liam, who quietly shut his eyes.
Just then, two figures descended from the sky. One of them plunged a sword into the ground just before landing.
The impact cracked the earth, turning the thorns to dust.
Liam was freed from their grasp.
“Damian Haxen!”
Alexander exclaimed with glee.
“I was hoping to kill you next! How delightful of you to show up so soon!”
But Damian wasn’t looking at Alexander. He was assessing Liam’s condition.
“His wounds are severe. We need to treat him quickly. Get Sir Liam out of here…”
“Got it!”
Before Damian could finish, Veronica Sanchez whisked Liam away, leaping out of the building.
Damian watched her disappear, surprised at her speed.
“Well, I didn’t expect that…”
He had brought Veronica instead of Michael precisely for this kind of order. Michael’s loyalty would never allow him to leave Damian behind.
He had thought Veronica would follow orders easily, but he hadn’t expected her to leave so readily.
As Damian resolved not to entrust her with important tasks again, Alexander’s voice cut through his thoughts.
“Stalling for time, are we?”
Damian turned to face him.
“A middle-class trying to stop a high-class? That’s the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard.”
Alexander adjusted his grip on the cursed sword.
“Let me show you how wrong you are. First, I’ll pierce your limbs with thorns…”
“Everything’s visible from here.”
Damian suddenly spoke up.
“What?”
“It’s all exposed. The height, the location. If I kill you here, everyone will know.”
Alexander couldn’t believe his ears.
“Kill me? You think you can kill me?”
“Is your hearing going already?”
Veins bulged on Alexander’s forehead as he growled.
“You really have a death wish… Fine, I’ll grant it!”
Just as Alexander was about to charge, Damian shouted loudly.
“What!? You’re going to use dark magic to trap me?”
The unexpected accusation stopped Alexander in his tracks.
“What, what did you say?”
“You coward! Trying to imprison me with dark magic!”
Damian’s voice echoed throughout the castle.
“Damn it! You think I’ll be scared? Not a chance!”
“What are you talking about…?”
Damian removed a bracelet from his wrist, releasing a dark energy that spread around them.
Alexander and the cursed sword were shocked.
“Dark magic…?”
Damian used the dark energy to cast a spell, enveloping the entire building in a black veil, concealing them completely.
“Now we can fight without holding back.”
Damian cracked his neck, exuding confidence.
“Time to take out the trash.”