Episode 252: Destination (2)
Why was the Weapon Master in the city of Bissal Hammer?
Even Damian didn’t know the exact reason. The information extracted from the Weapon Master’s apprentice didn’t include it.
However, he could make an educated guess. He had seen something in his past life.
“He’s probably trying to forge that demon sword.”
The demon sword was a vessel created by demons to exert their influence on the mortal realm. It contained the power and authority of a demon.
But the demon sword the Weapon Master intended to create was not just a mere “vessel.”
He planned to use the corpse of a high-ranking demon to forge the sword. In other words, the sword would be a demon in its own right.
“They say he used the corpse of a duke-level demon that descended to the mortal realm long ago and was vanquished.”
Thus, the sword contained the full power of a duke-level demon.
The Weapon Master used the sword’s power to slaughter countless knights.
Even those considered strong, the master class, couldn’t put up a proper fight against that sword and lost their lives.
“Bissal Hammer city…”
Damian was lost in thought about the Weapon Master when Malta, stroking his beard, asked, “Why the sudden interest in those blockheads?”
“If you call them blockheads, they must have quite the reputation.”
“Reputation? They’re so stubborn and closed-minded that even their own kind shun them. I can’t stand dealing with them.”
Malta waved his hands as if shaking off a bad memory.
“We dwarves are known to be a bit reclusive, but those guys take it to another level! They don’t let anyone into their city, not even their own kin!”
“Is it that bad?”
“There was a time when we didn’t hear from Bissal Hammer for decades. Turned out, a plague had ravaged the city, but they never asked for help.”
If Malta’s words were true, it was more than just a reclusive place.
“Rumor has it that Bissal Hammer holds the ancient knowledge and mysteries of their ancestors. Maybe that’s why they’re so secretive.”
Then, suddenly, Malta seemed puzzled.
“But wait, did I just call them blockheads? That makes it sound like I’m the blockhead.”
“Of course not. It was just a slip of the tongue.”
“Really?”
Malta looked skeptical. Damian quickly changed the subject.
“So, you don’t know how to get into Bissal Hammer city?”
“Nope! And I doubt anyone else does either. We only have a rough idea of its location. Why? Want me to tell you?”
“I’d appreciate it.”
“Sure, it’s not a big deal. But first, I need to finish working on this one.”
Malta said, patting the sword, Dawn.
“How long do you think it’ll take to complete Dawn?”
“Give me three days. I’ll make it even more magnificent.”
Malta spoke with confidence.
“If you understand, get out. I need to focus on this one now.”
With that, Malta turned his attention back to Dawn.
“Oh, you lovely thing, how can I make you even more beautiful? Just tempering won’t be enough…”
Malta was quickly lost in his own world, seemingly forgetting Damian and Agnes were even there.
“Please understand, Damian. He’s incredibly skilled but not the best at reading the room,” Agnes said with an awkward smile. Damian didn’t mind as long as Dawn was repaired.
“You must be tired. Let me show you to your quarters. We have plenty of empty rooms in our sect’s building, so feel free to choose one.”
Suddenly, the workshop door swung open, and a petite woman strode in.
Curiously, she kept her eyes tightly shut, yet she navigated the room without stumbling and approached Malta.
“Malta.”
”…I need to add more materials. Since Dawn is made of meteoric iron, I should incorporate some rare metals.”
“Malta?”
”…How much rare metal do we have left in storage? I remember it being low. Mixing in divine steel would be better, but I doubt the Holy One will part with it.”
“Malta!”
The woman shouted, finally catching Malta’s attention.
“Who’s making all this noise… Oh, it’s you. What do you want now?”
“I heard the sword’s resonance was off this morning. I came to ask you to take a look at it.”
The woman held out the sword she had been clutching. Malta took it and flicked the blade with his finger.
The sound of the sword’s resonance filled the room. Malta listened closely.
“Hmm? Yeah, the resonance is a bit off.”
“Right? I’ll leave it to you, then. Please take care of Gosani.”
“No can do. I don’t have time for that right now.”
The woman’s head tilted in confusion at Malta’s firm refusal.
“I didn’t know you could joke, Malta.”
“I’m not joking.”
“Have you gone blind like me? This is Gosani, the sacred sword you crafted yourself. You told me to come running if anything seemed off.”
“I did. But right now, there’s another sword that needs my attention more urgently.”
Malta handed the sword back to her.
“So, ask someone else to take a look.”
“What nonsense is that? You want me to entrust Gosani to another dwarf? I’d be too anxious to sleep!”
The woman exclaimed in horror. It seemed she wasn’t quite normal either.
“Please, take care of Gosani now!”
“No.”
“Why not? What sword could possibly be more important than Gosani?”
The woman demanded, and Malta pointed to Dawn beside him.
“I need to transform this one into something magnificent.”
The moment she saw Dawn, the woman’s expression changed instantly.
She picked up Dawn with both hands, examining it with awe.
“Oh my, what a remarkable sword. I’ve never seen one so straight and true.”
“Isn’t it? It’s my greatest masterpiece.”
“It’s not just the appearance. It holds immense power. It seems to be a sacred sword of the highest order. Who’s the owner?”
“That would be him.”
Malta gestured to Damian. The woman turned to look at Damian, her eyes widening in surprise.
“Oh, I didn’t realize there was someone here. Sorry, when I’m in a hurry, my senses narrow.”
She approached Damian.
“Oh my, you’re not a paladin? I sense magic, so you’re just a knight? Oh my, it’s been a while since I’ve felt such powerful magic.”
She marveled repeatedly.
“I didn’t realize someone so extraordinary was visiting our sect. May I ask your name? I’m… well, it’s probably easier if I use my title.”
The woman placed a hand over her heart and introduced herself.
“I’m Nokpung.”
The master of the wind bound by the sect.
One of the five absolutes symbolizing the sect.
Nokpung, one of the Five Saints, stood before him.
“It’s been a while.”
Damian had recognized her identity the moment she entered. He had fought her in his past life.
Nokpung was the youngest among the Five Saints, and thus the least skilled.
But that was only in comparison to the other Saints.
Nokpung was a formidable warrior worthy of her title.
“We fought for over two days.”
Damian had relentlessly pressured Nokpung, eventually stealing her techniques and skills.
And then he crushed her heart, killing her.
”…This dreadful feeling is familiar.”
Meeting someone he had killed in a past life was never a pleasant experience. It was like confronting his own sins.
“It’s an honor to meet one of the renowned Five Saints.”
“Oh, no, it’s nothing special.”
Nokpung replied with a gentle smile.
“I’m Damian Haxen.”
But the moment Damian revealed his name, Nokpung’s expression changed.
”…Damian Haxen?”
She spoke with a face full of displeasure.
”…What is a traitor doing here?”
Nokpung’s words cast a chilling silence over the room.
The most shocked was Agnes, who quickly stepped between them.
“Nokpung, that was too harsh. Sir Damian is a knight of honor recognized by the Holy One and a collaborator with our sect.”
“I know. But he abandoned the sect for the Empire, that arrogant group that mocks the divine.”
Nokpung’s voice was sharp.
As she said, the Empire did not worship the divine. They revered their first emperor as a god. This often led to conflicts between the Empire and the Holy Sect.
“That’s a misunderstanding. Sir Damian has never pledged loyalty to the Empire.”
“Yet he received a sword from the Emperor, joined the Academy as an instructor, and is close with the Sword Saint. How can I believe that?”
“That’s…”
Agnes was at a loss for words. It was a situation ripe for misunderstanding.
“I never imagined you’d be the one bringing the sword here. A traitor trying to use our guild’s resources? I can’t allow it.”
Damian recalled memories from the past. Come to think of it, Nokpoong was the most rigid among the Five Great Sages.
“Leave the guild immediately,” Nokpoong commanded with a firm voice. Damian sighed inwardly.
“Nokpoong, I’ve never betrayed anyone.”
“I told you, I can’t believe that.”
It was clear Nokpoong had no intention of trusting anything Damian said.
“If you refuse to leave, I’ll have no choice but to call for help. Unless you want things to get ugly…”
“Go ahead, call them.”
”…What did you say?”
Damian pulled out the insignia of an Honorary Knight from his pocket.
“My rank was personally recognized by His Holiness. Even you, Nokpoong, don’t have the authority to label me a traitor and throw me out.”
Within the guild, Nokpoong held a higher position. However, Damian had a close relationship with the Holy Emperor, Cheongyeom, which gave him some leverage.
“If you keep resisting like this, I might have to take matters into my own hands.”
“That’s fine by me.”
Damian replied nonchalantly. Nokpoong was indeed one of the Five Great Sages, but Damian’s skills were now on par with his.
‘Technically, he’s still superior to me,’ Damian thought. But the gap wasn’t wide enough to make him yield to threats.
“If you want me out, you’ll need to get formal permission from His Holiness.”
That’s why Damian could stand his ground against Nokpoong’s orders.
”…”
Nokpoong stood silently for a long moment. Suddenly, a menacing aura began to emanate from her. Damian braced himself, ready for anything.
Just then, the workshop door swung open, and someone shouted, “Both of you, stop this!”
A stunningly beautiful woman entered, her presence immediately commanding attention.
“Nokpoong? Why are you here, sister?” Nokpoong asked, puzzled.
“I came to see Sir Damian. I heard he was here…”
The woman was Gwangmyeong, the leader of the sect ‘Dazzling Pain’ and one of the Five Great Sages. She looked between the two of them and said, “The atmosphere here is quite tense. Nokpoong, you’ll need to explain what’s going on.”
“There’s nothing to explain. I’m stopping this traitor from entrusting the Holy Sword to Master Malta for repairs,” Nokpoong replied, glaring at Damian again. Gwangmyeong sighed deeply.
“Nokpoong, I told you not to act without knowing the full story.”
“There’s no need to know more…”
“And whether Damian Haxen is a traitor or not is for His Holiness to decide, not you.”
Gwangmyeong’s smile vanished as she fixed Nokpoong with a stern gaze. “Nokpoong, haven’t I told you? I despise presumptuous actions.”
Nokpoong’s face turned pale, and she began to sweat profusely. “S-sister… I didn’t mean…”
“We don’t have time for this now. We’ll discuss it later. Damian Haxen, will you come with me? We need to get to the Holy Palace quickly, or things will get complicated.”
Damian looked puzzled. “Complicated? How so?”
“Oh, you really don’t know what’s happening outside?” Gwangmyeong opened the door wide, revealing a crowd of knights and priests gathered outside.
“That’s Damian Haxen!”
“The knight who killed the great evil, Slah!”
“It’s really Damian Haxen!”
As soon as they saw Damian, the knights and priests erupted with excitement.
“Damian Haxen! Thank you! Thank you so much for killing Slah!”
“You took down that cursed heretic! You’re the best!”
“Pandemonium! Those vile bastards must be shocked out of their wits! All thanks to you, Sir Damian!”
The noise was overwhelming, like waves crashing over him. Gwangmyeong closed the door, and the sound diminished significantly.
“See? They’re all here to catch a glimpse of you,” Gwangmyeong said, gesturing outside. “If you don’t leave now, you won’t be able to take a single step out of here.”