Episode 227: Temporary Contract (1)
After that, Damian, along with three others, headed to the nearby territory of Count Alpen.
Count Alpen, the lord of this region, was secretly one of the families supporting the Demon Slayer Order.
”…The injuries of these two are severe. Please, come inside.”
Count Alpen generously provided healing potions from his family’s reserves for Rainy and Wilhelm. Due to the secretive nature of the Demon Slayer Order, they couldn’t just call in priests or doctors.
Fortunately, the potions from Count Alpen’s estate were all expensive and highly effective. Rainy and Wilhelm’s conditions improved rapidly.
While Roger tended to the two, Damian met with the Count.
“To have fought such a formidable foe and for none of you to perish… all four of you are truly remarkable.”
Upon hearing a brief account of the day’s events, Count Alpen was astonished, shaking his head in disbelief.
“I’ve sent word to the Sword Saint as you requested. He should be on his way.”
True to his word, the Sword Saint arrived at Count Alpen’s estate before sunset.
“What on earth happened? Rainy and Wilhelm are seriously injured?”
The Sword Saint, having rushed over, was practically steaming with heat and sweat.
Damian recounted everything that had transpired in the laboratory to the Sword Saint.
As Damian’s story unfolded, the Sword Saint’s expression grew increasingly bewildered.
”…You faced Salik and Barche alone?”
The Sword Saint asked incredulously. It was a natural reaction. Both were figures even the Sword Saint knew by name.
Salik was one of the infamous Slah’s consorts, each known for their prowess rivaling that of great evils.
Salik, in particular, had once held a position among the great evils, ranking among the top three of Slah’s consorts.
Barche was no less formidable, being a first disciple of a Weapon Master with power comparable to Slah.
A first disciple was one who received all the teachings under the master’s favor. Although Barche wasn’t the master’s top disciple, he was among the strongest of the first disciples.
“If you don’t believe me, you can go and see for yourself. Their bodies are still in the lab.”
After a moment of contemplation, the Sword Saint spoke.
”…No, on second thought, you have no reason to lie to me.”
Perhaps because the claim was so outlandish, the Sword Saint quickly accepted Damian’s words.
“But… how did you manage to fight and defeat both of them at once? They’re leagues above the dark knight who attacked the tournament.”
This was why Damian had tried to keep his abilities under wraps.
Damian’s skills far outstripped his experience, making him a prime target for suspicion.
But now that he was exposed, he had no choice but to dispel the Sword Saint’s doubts, even if it meant stretching the truth.
“Well, I’m just that good.”
The Sword Saint looked at Damian with an incredulous expression, as if wondering if he was joking.
“Didn’t you and the Empire’s greatest swordsman hear similar things in your youth?”
At this, the Sword Saint had a moment of realization.
Though not to Damian’s extent, both the Empire’s greatest swordsman and the Sword Saint were geniuses of their time.
It was only natural that they were met with astonishment, admiration, and skepticism.
”…So this is what it felt like. I used to think people were overly suspicious, but I might need to rethink that.”
The Sword Saint murmured, scratching his forehead with a finger.
“Now that I think about it, I got the order wrong.”
The Sword Saint placed a hand over his chest and knelt on one knee. He spoke to a startled Damian.
“Thank you for saving my disciples.”
It was a simple yet deeply heartfelt expression of gratitude.
Damian was once again overwhelmed with complex emotions.
In his past life, Damian had killed the Sword Saint and annihilated the Demon Slayer Order under Dorgo’s command.
It wasn’t Damian’s will. As a Death Knight, he had lost all control over his body.
Trapped within himself, he could only move according to Dorgo’s orders. But the fact remained that Damian had killed them.
“I wish I could spread word of your achievements far and wide. But the activities of the Demon Slayer Order must remain secret.”
The Demon Slayer Order was a force created to counter the machinations of Pandemonium.
Pandemonium’s most terrifying aspect was its ability to operate in the shadows. Thus, the Demon Slayer Order had to conceal its identity as well.
“Moreover, it wouldn’t be in your best interest for this to get out. You might become a target for other great evils.”
That didn’t particularly frighten him. Damian actually hoped the great evils would come to him, saving him the trouble of hunting them down.
However, Damian wasn’t one to crave recognition, so he had no qualms with the Sword Saint’s decision.
“Instead, if there’s anything you desire, I’ll see to it. I want to repay you for saving my disciples and for having to keep your deeds under wraps.”
The Sword Saint, alongside the Empire’s greatest swordsman, was considered a pillar of the Empire.
It wasn’t every day one had the chance to request something from someone with such power and influence.
‘What should I ask for?’
Damian pondered the Sword Saint’s offer.
Having reached the Master Class, his next goal was to aim for the Grandmaster level.
Of course, becoming a Grandmaster was no easy feat.
He would need to overcome multiple barriers of enlightenment. Physical prowess and magical depth were also crucial.
‘I’ve had enough enlightenment. What I lack is physical strength and magic.’
Currently, Damian’s physique was exceptional, even among the Master Class. This was thanks to pushing the limits of the Starfire Elixir when he ascended to the Master Class.
But it still felt insufficient for reaching the Grandmaster level. He needed a stronger body and more magic.
“I’d like to obtain an elixir. Preferably one that enhances both physical strength and magic.”
“Oh… Are you aiming for the Grandmaster level?”
Damian nodded. The Sword Saint looked at him with an amused expression.
“Perfect timing. I happen to have just the elixir for you.”
“What is it?”
“A Dragon Heart.”
Damian paused, staring at the Sword Saint. The Sword Saint added playfully.
”…Or rather, a fragment of one. It was a gift from the late Emperor.”
Even a fragment was an extraordinary elixir.
“But I don’t have it on me right now. It’s too precious, so I keep it stored elsewhere. I’ll have it sent to you later.”
“Understood.”
A fragment of a Dragon Heart was worth waiting for.
There was likely no elixir in the world more potent than that.
“And there’s one more thing I’d like to ask.”
“Go ahead.”
“Please use your influence to get me into the Empire’s Academy.”
The Sword Saint’s face showed surprise at Damian’s request.
”…You want to enter the Academy? Surely you don’t mean as a student?”
“Of course not. At my age, how could I be a student at the Academy?”
The Academy admitted only teenagers. Damian was far too old.
“Whether as staff, a guard, or a security officer, the position doesn’t matter. I just need to stay at the Academy for an extended period.”
“Is there a particular reason?”
“Slah is there.”
The Sword Saint’s eyes widened in shock.
”…Slah is at the Academy? Where did you get that information?”
Damian knew Slah’s location from glimpsing Salik’s memories.
But he couldn’t reveal that directly, so he mixed in a bit of falsehood.
“During our fight, Salik let slip a few things. He mentioned the Academy quite a bit.”
“So you suspect Slah might be there.”
The Sword Saint fell into contemplation once more.
”…Honestly, it’s just a hunch at this point. There’s no concrete evidence.”
Just as Damian feared he might be refused, the Sword Saint continued.
“But Pandemonium leaves no trace. We can’t afford to overlook even a hint like this. I’ll grant your request.”
The Sword Saint’s gaze shifted. It was no longer that of a drinker or a mentor grateful for his disciples’ survival.
It was the gaze of a hunter ready to capture his prey.
“But why go to such lengths? You’re not even from the Empire. Why are you so intent on capturing Slah?”
“I once saved the Mercenary King. During that time, I encountered Slah.”
“I know of that incident.”
“Slah showed a keen interest in me. I realized then that if I didn’t kill her first, she’d become a great threat.”
The Sword Saint nodded at Damian’s words.
Slah was a woman who never let go of a man she set her sights on.
She was a madwoman who wouldn’t rest until she made them her slave by any means necessary.
“Moreover, Slah is a Grand Dark Sorceress of the Frenzy School. She can transform into a monster or disguise herself as an ordinary human. Isn’t that why the Empire hasn’t been able to find her?”
It was the same in his past life.
While other great evils had been tracked by the Empire at least once, Slah had never been caught.
“As you saw today, I’m far more skilled than people know. It’s perfect for catching Slah off guard. Plus, Slah is very interested in me.”
It was none other than Damian who thwarted Sla’s plan to kidnap the Mercenary King.
“Sla will try to approach me in some way. When that happens, I’ll catch him,” Damian declared.
The Swordmaster had no choice but to agree.
“Are you offering your help?”
“Of course. The only issue is what position to bring you in under…”
He was too old to enter as a student. Bringing him in as a worker seemed beneath him, and there were too many obstacles to bringing him in as a security knight.
“How about as an instructor?”
“An instructor?”
“Yes, for subjects like swordsmanship or practical training, they sometimes hire temporary instructors from outside.”
“I don’t mind, as long as I can get into the academy.”
“But there’s a problem. I can write you a recommendation, but I’m not sure if it’ll be accepted.”
Damian looked puzzled. How could a recommendation from someone of the Swordmaster’s stature not be enough?
“The Empire’s academy has a long history. It was established by the first Emperor to nurture future talents. It’s produced many distinguished individuals.”
The Swordmaster continued, “The people of the Empire take great pride in the academy. Letting in a knight from another kingdom as a teacher… I’m not sure they’ll allow it.”
In other words, many would be displeased with someone from the Apple Kingdom teaching the Empire’s nobility.
“If His Majesty the Emperor permits it, it could happen… but he’s a stickler for rules and principles. I doubt he’d allow it.”
Even for something as critical as the Demon Slayer Order, there were lines that couldn’t be crossed. This would disrupt the academy’s traditions and order.
“We should consider alternative plans, just in case.”
“That seems wise.”
Damian nodded in agreement with the Swordmaster.
“Let it be done.”
In a secret meeting within the palace, the Emperor spoke in a small but resolute voice.
“What?”
“What do you mean, Your Majesty…?”
The high-ranking officials and nobles present were taken aback.
The Emperor repeated, “I will allow Damian Haxen to be hired as an instructor at the academy.”