episode_0046

Ethan quietly looked at the devastated landscape in front of him, as if a huge explosion had occurred.

And as time passes.

When the dust that had obscured my view finally settled.

In the land where everything had blown away, there was only one man standing.

A man whose hair, clothes, and entire body were a mess.

The man was standing with his sword swinging forward.

“… … .”

“… … .”

Ethan, the man, and Wade looked at each other.

Without saying a word, without making any sound.

And the silence that fell between the two.

It was broken by one minor sound.

Jeokjeok─

Pachang!

The sound of Wade’s sword cracking and shattering into pieces.

“… Are you planning to kill me?”

Wade asked in an exhausted, yet dissatisfied voice.

Ethan answered that question with a cheerful smile.

“You’re not dead.”

“… Ha.”

Wade snorted, as if it was absurd.

Then he slumped down in his seat.

“… I lost.”

With a quiet word.

“You’re quick to admit it.”

“The sword is broken, how do I fight anymore? No, even if it’s not that, we won’t fight anymore.”

With a face full of instructions, Wade poured out words that sounded like complaints.

“Shouldn’t you do it in moderation in the first place? Against a distant junior. If you do something wrong, you could really die.”

“Isn’t it okay because he didn’t die?”

“… I really shouldn’t say anything.”

Wade shook his head with a look of disgust on his face.

Ethan looked at Wade with a grin.

Actually, that’s what he said, but Ethan had some kind of confidence.

I am confident that Wade will not die from that blow.

Although the basis was intuition, it is difficult to say that a superhuman intuition is a simple intuition.

Sometimes it’s so scary that it’s almost like precognition.

In fact, Wade survived safely, following his intuition.

no. I overcame it… The expression might be more appropriate.

Ethan clearly saw what movements Wade made right before he was caught in his blow.

Wade swung his sword towards the storm he had created with all his might.

At first glance, that seemed reckless.

It was a blow that contained the full power of Ethan, who was overwhelmingly superior to Wade in both strength and magical power.

Instead of avoiding it, you try to confront it. On the surface, it was an act that seemed ignorant.

However.

Wade’s sword produced results.

It actually cut down the storm.

Although it didn’t cut through everything, Wade’s sword definitely cut through the storm.

Thanks to that, I survived despite facing the storm like that from the front.

Although the sword was broken in return, it was definitely a great thing.

‘Even with technology that hasn’t been perfected yet… ‘That’s right.’

That sword that was seen last.

Ethan saw clearly that the technology was still incomplete.

In other words, that unfinished technology cut down his strength.

Ethan, like Wade, collapsed in his seat, laughing inwardly at that fact.

Then he opened his mouth.

“Use a good sword. It might be okay when you’re dealing with losers, but when you’re fighting against skilled guys, it’ll hold you back.”

By infusing magical power into a weapon, its strength and destructive power can be increased.

The higher the martial artist’s skill, the stronger the effect becomes.

And a warrior who has reached the state of intention can change even a humble sword into a level equivalent to a famous sword through intention.

It is not for nothing that they say that a good martial artist uses any weapon.

But, that doesn’t always apply.

It may be true if the opponent is of a lower rank, but if the opponent is equal or superior, the words change.

There is a limit to how much magic power and intent can support a weapon, and in a fight where there is no time to spare, even that cannot be maintained until the end.

In such situations, the quality of the weapon often determines the outcome.

Even now, if you ask me, it could be said that the situation is similar.

Wade said that he would have admitted defeat even if the sword had not broken, but Ethan knew that the reality was different.

Even though Wade looks like he’s in shambles, he still has energy left.

Since I didn’t start the fight with the intention of killing him, it wouldn’t have gone to the end, but if the sword hadn’t broken, the fight would have continued a little longer.

And Ethan wasn’t sure that the result would necessarily be his victory.

Of course, I thought there was a high probability of winning.

“I don’t have the money for that. Do you know how expensive swords are? A guy like me can’t even dream of a famous sword.”

It was his intention to give advice in his own way, but in reality, Wade accepted it and only complained.

“Why? What about the girls behind them? At first glance, it looked like he had some money. Plus, it looks like he’ll buy you a few famous swords right away just by saying a word.”

Ethan recalled the group of young people he had met at the lakeside.

These women all had unusual appearances.

Moreover, one of them had a bodyguard that even he could not ignore.

And Ethan immediately noticed that the way those extraordinary women looked at Wade was unusual.

If you feel that way, wouldn’t you just buy me a sword?

“… I don’t know what you’re imagining, but it’s not like that.”

“There is no need to deny it like that. Because if you pretend, you pretend.”

“So it’s not like that.”

“… … .”

At Wade’s sharp answer, Ethan narrowed his eyes and looked at Wade.

At first, I thought Wade was denying it because he was embarrassed.

Because I’m at that age.

but.

Looking closely, he didn’t look like he was shy.

no way… .

‘this guy… ‘Do you really not know?’

… no. No way.

If there is such a thing as tact, there is no way not to notice that clear look in his eyes.

A person really could do that… … .

“By any chance, don’t say something like that in front of him. Because the atmosphere becomes strange.”

“… … .”

… There may be.

I may be seeing that ridiculous person with my own eyes right now.

Ethan looked at Wade with tired eyes.

How can a person with such a destructive mind exist?

Even though I didn’t even look at it for a while, I realized it right away.

Could it be that he lost his tact in return for gaining a talent that would make heaven jealous?

If that were true, Ethan thought to himself, the world might be a place that operates on its own fair principles.

“… Anyway, no matter what you do, get a proper sword and use it. Because that difference could save your life or lose it one day.”

With an untimely realization, Ethan continued the conversation.

“Okay, how long are you going to hide your skills?”

“… I have no intention of revealing it if possible.”

Wade’s expression, which had been grumbling all along, calmed down.

“… Well, that’s only when Tougwi hides it.”

Then he added:

“Ha. Don’t worry. Because I have no intention of going anywhere and talking.”

At those words, Ethan snorted as if he was worried for no reason.

I had no intention of doing so from the beginning.

I was just curious about Wade’s skills, and now that business is over.

So, I had no intention of doing something that the other person would not like.

“… Hmm.”

Ethan, who was about to end the topic with that, fell into a moment of contemplation along the way.

And that worry ended not long after.

Although he is young, he speaks in a lively manner, and there is nothing cute about him, but if you look at him, he is still a junior.

Besides, his personality isn’t bad either.

I thought it wouldn’t be a bad idea to give a few words of advice to my junior, considering his future.

okay. OK.

How difficult is it to say a few words?

Ethan gathered his thoughts and opened his mouth.

***

“Children, the world is wide.”

“… … .”

… What is that noise again all of a sudden?

I stopped and stared at Ethan, who suddenly started talking like a local elder.

“It may sound like bullshit, but listen.”

“… Yes.”

I didn’t say anything, but you noticed.

He is extremely quick-witted.

Ethan, who was looking at me as if he didn’t like me, continued speaking.

“The world is wide, and there are many strong people. Probably more than you think.”

That’s right.

“They say ten swords, ten swords, but in fact, the ten swords are not really a selection of the ten strongest people on the continent. To begin with, the name is Ten Swords, right? There are people who voluntarily refuse the position of the Ten Swords because they don’t like the name.”

… When I think about it, that’s right.

Although the sword is the most popular and versatile weapon, not all warriors living in this world use swords.

Turning… Well, even so, there are people who use spears, maces, hammers, and at least fists.

If you think about it from their perspective, the title of Ten Swords may not feel very welcome.

“As you may have noticed, all of the Ten Swords are people who have reached the state of determination. And clearly, the level of intention is a level that cannot be easily reached. However, there are warriors who have reached the state of enlightenment other than the Ten Swords.”

I roughly expected that much.

Even among those who did not make it into the Ten Swords, there must be someone who has reached the state of enlightenment.

I am an example right now.

I kinda… No, it’s a very special case, but here’s an example, and there’s no way to prevent others from doing the same.

“Among those people, there are many who are weaker than me, but on the contrary, there are also those who are stronger than me. perhaps… There may be more than you think.”

So, he added right away.

“If you want to hide it, hide it thoroughly. If you feel something strange, don’t come forward at all. There is no guarantee that those people will view you favorably. You are so foreign. There will probably be some people who, if they notice your talent, will rush to kill you.”

“… … .”

surely.

There is no way that everyone will be kind to me.

As Ethan said, there are definitely people who want to harm me.

Among them, there may be some that I cannot handle with my strength alone.

“Or, it would be a good idea to have a background that they can’t easily touch. Something like being under someone like an emperor. Once they see your skills, they will probably stand on their hands and welcome you.”

“… … .”

As I said, I know that if I reveal my skills and enter, I will be able to get in anywhere.

However, I wasn’t very reluctant.

Honestly, I have no desire to be tied down.

“… hmm. Looking at his face, he doesn’t seem to like that. That’s the easiest way… Well, it’s not that I don’t understand that feeling.”

Ethan scratched his head.

If you look at it that way, he is also an unmanned person who does not belong anywhere.

If he had that level of skill, anyone or any force would want him.

Maybe he, like me, has a personality that doesn’t like being tied down somewhere.

Ethan hesitated for a moment, as if he was thinking about it, but soon resumed speaking again, as if he had organized what he wanted to say.

“… Well, if you don’t think it’s going to work, just run away. Hiding in the wallpaper where not even a single human shadow can be seen. And stay there for 10 years and then get out. Because at that level, there is probably no one in the world who can help you.”

Run away.

Maybe it’s the wisest move.

That is, against an enemy that cannot be defeated.

However, even that was not a move I was very willing to make.

Well, I don’t know what will happen if I get cornered.

Anyway, it wasn’t something that made sense right now.

“Well, the point is to be careful of people. You need to be more alert. … Oh, especially be careful with that old man from Elbrent. That guy is a bit… Because he is a distorted human being in many ways.”

The old man of Elbrent.

Although he didn’t mention it directly, I immediately knew who he meant.

He symbolizes the power of the Elbrent Empire and is the strongest warrior in the empire.

At the same time, he is ranked at the top without any disagreement in the Ten Swords that discuss the continent’s strongest warriors.

Swordsman Dreir Hexler.

“Is the swordsman’s personality that bad?”

I’ve heard that he’s a cold or hard person, but I’ve never heard that his personality is completely ruined.

So, hearing those words come out of Ethan’s mouth, I felt a bit puzzled.

“It’s not a problem of bad personality or something like that. That person is distorted at the fundamental level. So don’t even think about approaching. Don’t even come into sight. Until you’re sure you can overpower the old man.”

Ethan, who had been smiling the whole time, had a rare expression on his face and spoke in a calm voice.

As a result, I realized that he was giving advice with a serious heart.

“… Why are you giving me this advice?”

Suddenly I became curious about the reason, so I asked him.

“… Well.”

In response to my question, Ethan raised his head and looked up at the sky.

To be exact, the moon rising in the night sky.

How long had it been like that?

“There are other minor reasons… … Of course, the biggest reason is that I am also one of the warriors.”

His head lowered again.

And, I was reflected in those unwavering eyes.

“I’m curious to see what level you can reach when you have talent that makes me think it might be God’s mistake.”

“… … .”

A talent that makes me wonder if it was God’s mistake.

Well, it’s overrated.

I’m not that great of a person.

That’s why Ethan’s sincere words came across as a bit of a burden.

… However, through this series of conversations, I felt like I understood a little bit about the character Ethan Bertrand.

Although he is reckless and does things to the point where you wonder if he is even thinking about it.

He is not a bad person by nature.

That’s what I thought.

“… You put up a tough fight and almost killed me halfway, but now you’re back on form.”

Of course, I had no intention of saying that out loud.

“Ha. This cocky guy.”

At my words, Ethan burst out laughing again.

“Now that I’m avoiding a topic that I had no intention of avoiding.”

At the same time, sharp words were thrown.

This was just as Ethan said.

I could have avoided fighting him if I wanted to.

If he had borrowed Estelle’s power, he would have had no choice but to step down.

It was unclear whether Ethan would meekly step down before the name of emperor of the empire, but he also knew that Estelle’s guard was unusual.

If he had threatened to attack with the guards, I think Ethan would have easily backed down.

However, it is more likely that it is because the excitement is broken rather than because they are scared.

Anyway, there is a reason for accepting a fight that could have been avoided.

It was because I wanted to compete with a swordsman of the Ten Swords level.

How strong is the warrior of the Ten Swords, and how far can I fight against him?

I wanted to check that.

That’s why he didn’t avoid fighting.

Ethan probably noticed that too.

… Well, I didn’t expect that they would fight so fiercely.

anyway.

The fight ended safely without any major damage, and I confirmed what I wanted to confirm.

The sword was broken, but it wasn’t a big deal since I could just buy it again.

In other words, it was a day with a lot to gain.

… Although I was that tired.

“Phew.”

Get up from your seat.

Now it’s time to go back.

“But what are you going to do with my sword that was broken because of you?”

“What man? Hey, why are you blaming me for getting broken in a fight? Don’t you know that it’s your responsibility in the first place?”

“Oh, I don’t know about that. Please buy me a new one. You have a lot of money anyway.”

“… This was absolutely crazy.”

After that, there were various words exchanged between me and Ethan, but I came down the mountain safely.

And, finally, the day came to an end.