Episode 324: Grandmaster (2)
A meteor falls.
The moment the Empire’s greatest swordsman swung his blade, Vahel thought of it as a falling star.
Of course, it was a ridiculous notion. It wasn’t a star, just a sword wielded by a human.
Yet, even knowing this, Vahel couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed.
A flawless, graceful strike descended upon Vahel’s head.
The shockwave alone shattered nearby buildings, split the ground in two, and unleashed a fierce gust.
But.
Despite such a formidable technique, Vahel remained unscathed. Not even the Empire’s greatest swordsman could penetrate Vahel’s power.
“Wow, that was a close one.”
Vahel remarked, pointing to his head, his tone and expression as relaxed as ever.
“So, even this isn’t enough,” the swordsman said, his expression unchanged despite his failed attack.
His opponent was a duke-level demon, often called the true ruler of hell.
He had known it wouldn’t be easy to bring him down.
“You’re not surprised? Do you have more tricks up your sleeve?” Vahel taunted.
“You’re right. You haven’t yet tasted the full might of the Empire.”
“The full might?” Vahel laughed dismissively. “Aside from you three, there’s not much to see. Full might, you say?”
The imperial palace was filled with waiting knights.
But they couldn’t interfere in the battle before them. They would only hinder the Empire’s greatest swordsman.
“Whatever this ‘full might’ is, you’d better show it soon. Your friends don’t look too comfortable either.”
As soon as he finished speaking, lightning flashed in the distance. The Mercenary King had summoned a storm to attack Bas.
-Haha! That tickles!
But Bas took the Mercenary King’s attack head-on, unfazed.
“You brute…!” The Mercenary King fired lightning relentlessly, but it couldn’t even slow Bas down.
“Your friend doesn’t seem too at ease either,” Vahel pointed out behind the swordsman.
Every time the demon Laria flapped her wings, a pink-tinged whirlwind blew. The swordsman couldn’t even approach, busy dodging the gusts.
“In this situation, what ‘full might’ do you plan to show me?” Vahel mocked. The Empire’s greatest swordsman stared at Vahel and spoke.
“Now, I can show you.”
“Now?” Vahel asked, puzzled. Suddenly, a dimensional gate opened in the sky above the capital.
As the gate opened, wizards emerged. A white-haired wizard addressed the swordsman.
“Eos! How dare you work this old man to the bone!”
The five magic towers of the Empire.
Among them, the White Tower wielded the greatest influence.
Its master, Gergh Axel, raised his staff high.
“But I’ve brought them as you requested!”
The dimensional gate expanded, and a group of people poured out.
They were all dressed in white, the sunlight reflecting off their clothes, dazzling to behold.
The Holy Order.
A massive group said to rival the Empire in power.
They had crossed the dimensional gate to the capital.
“Oh my, so many vile sinners,” a beautiful woman said, covering her mouth.
She was Radiance, one of the Five Saints.
“Everyone, let’s get started,” Radiance commanded, raising her hand. Her followers unleashed their holy power.
A blinding light enveloped the entire capital. Vahel watched in astonishment.
“This is…”
He looked down at his arm. The power surrounding his skin was evaporating.
“A barrier that weakens demonic power?” Vahel murmured, intrigued.
To instantly deploy a barrier effective even against a duke-level demon?
Vahel looked at the priests in amazement.
“It’s too early to be surprised,” the Empire’s greatest swordsman said quietly.
As he finished speaking, a golden pillar rose from the imperial palace.
The golden light enveloped the entire capital, causing Vahel to stagger.
”…!”
For the first time, Vahel’s face lost its composure. He looked at the swordsman in disbelief.
“According to legend, when the Empire’s first emperor built the capital, he made a pact,” the swordsman began, addressing Vahel.
“To bring disaster upon those who invade the Empire and blessings to those who protect it.”
The golden light surrounded the swordsman, amplifying his aura.
“You’ve prepared something quite entertaining,” Vahel’s lips twisted into a grin.
“Then I suppose I should show you something in return.”
At that moment, an explosion sounded in the distance. A fist connected with Vahel’s face.
Vahel’s body flew backward. As soon as he hit the ground, he lifted his head.
Thanks to his power, his face was unharmed, but he was clearly shocked.
“What just hit me?”
“It was I, you vile hellspawn,” an old man stood before the swordsman.
The old man wore a fearsome expression, reminiscent of a demon.
“You dare crawl out of hell, ignorant of your place. I shall crush you myself.”
The foremost of the Five Saints.
Azure Flame, wreathed in blue fire, growled.
“Thank you for your support, Azure Flame,” the swordsman said.
“Think nothing of it. As one who follows the words of the Great One, it’s only natural.”
Even as he conversed with the swordsman, Azure Flame’s gaze was fixed solely on Vahel.
“By the way, the other saints have joined the others. They’re not as good as me, but they’re capable, so don’t worry.”
“Then we can focus on this one,” the swordsman said, standing beside Azure Flame. Vahel chuckled at the sight of the two grandmasters.
“This won’t be easy, will it?”
“How is it possible for you to speak?” Demian asked, his expression wary.
“Have you been pretending to be mindless all this time?”
“Oh, no, that’s not it. So don’t look so scary,” Ruin shook his head.
“I’m a remnant thought left behind when my original body died. But when I died, the shock mixed my emotions, tainting my reason.”
When people die, they leave behind remnants of thought. The stronger they were in life, the stronger their remnants.
The stronger the remnant, the clearer its memories and reason. Some remnants were identical to their original selves.
“Why did you suddenly regain your reason?”
“Because you killed me. Each time you did, the shock scattered my emotions, clarifying my reason.”
Ruin dusted off his clothes with his hands.
“So, the fact that we can talk like this is all thanks to you. I’m grateful. Oh, do you know who killed me? You’ll be surprised when you hear.”
“The Salvation Order, wasn’t it?”
“You even know that? Are you my follower or something?” Ruin laughed brightly.
Ruin was much more talkative than Demian had expected.
Demian found it hard to adjust to Ruin’s demeanor.
“Then you must resent the Salvation Order.”
For a remnant of a hero like Ruin to lose its reason, the betrayal must have been immense.
“Well…” Ruin’s expression grew complicated.
“I remember everything from when my original body died. The shock of being betrayed by trusted comrades and the pain I felt just before dying are all vivid.”
Demian recalled Ruin’s corpse and the wounds left behind.
There were too many, too deep for one person to bear.
“But strangely, my original self was sad but didn’t resent them.”
“I can’t understand that.”
“Really? I can. I’m a remnant of my original self, after all.”
Demian pondered for a moment before speaking.
“You may not know, but the world doesn’t know about you. All your achievements are credited to the Salvation Order. Do you still not resent them?”
“Not at all,” Ruin answered without hesitation.
“My original self, I didn’t fight for glory. I fought for humanity.”
“Then why did you fight?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I fought for humanity,” Ruin said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Demian was taken aback. He had never met someone so pure.
“I have questions. What exactly are you? What’s your connection to Dorgo? And Dorgo…”
Demian began to ask the questions that had been on his mind, but Ruin shook his head.
“Sorry, but I don’t have much time left.”
“What?”
“I’m about to be consumed by emotions again.”
Demian looked into Ruin’s eyes.
The once-clear eyes were becoming clouded.
“Just dying twice wasn’t enough to fully regain my reason.”
“Then at least tell me about Dorgo…”
“More importantly, I have something to tell you. It’s crucial advice, so listen carefully.”
Ruin pointed to the sword in Demian’s hand.
“You’re too confined by your own limits.”
“Limits?” Demian almost laughed at the absurdity.
“A mold? I’ve never heard anyone say that to me in all my years of wielding a sword.”
“You’ve probably never met anyone more extraordinary than yourself. You can master any skill just by watching, and even make the achievements others spend a lifetime perfecting your own.”
But what followed left me utterly speechless.
Ruine had seen right through Damian’s talent.
“How did you…?”
“But that’s not all. Your abilities are far greater than you realize. Yet, you remain unaware of it.”
Ruine spread his arms wide.
“Damian, don’t set limits on yourself. Imagine it. You were born with the ability to do anything.”
Then he added with a grin.
“Of course, that doesn’t mean you can do everything. You’re only capable of what your body can handle. Even a genius can’t wield a sword as a child, right?”
”…”
“It’s like how a weak bow can’t shoot an arrow with much force.”
Ruine gave Damian’s shoulder a friendly punch.
“So first, strengthen your body. Accumulate more magic. The stronger your foundation, the more you’ll be able to achieve.”
“How do you know so much about me?”
“Well, that’s obvious.”
Ruine replied nonchalantly to Damian’s question.
“Because you’re my reincarnation.”