Ch.22875. Sword of Chaos (2)

This is a miracle possible only when all conditions are miraculously aligned.

A demonstration that arbitrarily manifests a miracle as a phenomenon.

It is an infinite driving force established between two entities, encompassing both external and internal.

And the ability to control it.

A vessel capable of containing and handling it.

Also, advanced techniques and methods to control and regulate this power regardless of its classification.

Finally.

Highly sophisticated theories, refined and completed to apply all of these.

Once, during the time I was secluded in the Valley of the Lake Dragon.

In an imaginary world of consciousness reminiscent of the cosmos.

The Demon Lord, facing Grandeus and me, once said this:

“Far from here, beyond several boundaries, there exists such a concept.”

Taiji (太極).

“The harmony of yin and yang. Perfect balance. According to that theory, everything in heaven and earth can be explained by two opposing qualities, the energies of heat and cold.”

I thought it seemed overly simplified.

“Heat and cold? It feels like an expanded version of the four elements theory—water, fire, wind, and earth.”

The four elements theory is also essentially about duality, I recall.

I remember a magician telling me that water and fire, wind and earth, represent above and below, heaven and earth, and the essence they contain.

“It’s not much different from the theory that tried to understand the world’s structure and standards through heaven and earth. The differences only arose due to racial characteristics and the developmental structure of society and civilization. They’re all standards created by sentient beings. By that logic, day and night would fall within that category too. But day and night, to begin with, are phenomena distinguished by this planet’s rotation. In space, day and night don’t exist. So day and night are also concepts you’ve created.”

Rotation? Day and night?

“…Is that so?”

“In the demon realm, the moon rises but the sun doesn’t properly appear for similar reasons. It’s not that there’s no sun, but anyway, that’s how it is.”

“…I’ve never heard before that there’s no daytime in the demon realm.”

“Didn’t I mention it before? Those who can’t distinguish whether it’s day or not, well, that can’t be helped. How would they know if I don’t tell them?”

Anyway, what’s important is not this.

“If you use the principles of darkness well, you could utilize what I just mentioned—yin and yang, and taiji. That’s what I wanted to tell you.”

“…?”

I couldn’t understand a word of it.

“For example, imagine fire and water mixed together, yet neither heating up, cooling down, nor evaporating, but coexisting harmoniously. Isn’t that amazing? The mass and power are preserved intact while coexisting.”

“Is that… amazing?”

“What if it happened without any artificial intervention?”

“……”

Did she expect me to be surprised?

But what’s so surprising about that?

I get that it’s impressive, but what does it have to do with me? I’m not even a magician.

“…This is why ignorant swordsmen are…”

She sighed pitifully.

“Listen carefully. If there were a fire capable of burning the world and water enough to cover the entire world, and they coexisted without colliding or harming each other, would that be normal or abnormal?”

“…Abnormal, I suppose?”

“Physically, in terms of phenomena, yes. But when it comes to energy, mana, and such things, it’s a bit different. However, when energy is excessive, it inevitably affects matter and phenomena… By harmonizing them, you make them coexist. You overcome physical laws.”

“……”

I’m still dubious.

I’m not exactly on friendly terms with mana to begin with.

“In the case of the darkness you handle, it’s a technique that uses one powerful force as a driving force to absorb even miracles manifested in phenomena and return them to void and chaos. But due to your lack of skill, neutralizing that power or barely managing to release it is the best you can do for now. Even that much is impressive since you can unilaterally neutralize an enemy’s powerful force, which is great as a shield… but I wonder how effective it is as a weapon.”

That’s when it happened.

“Though we call it darkness, it has a proper name.”

Grandeus, who had been quiet, joined the conversation.

“What is it?”

Given that even the Demon Lord called it darkness, perhaps Grandeus had kept his mouth shut or strictly maintained secrecy.

“Ensis. A sword.”

“A sword? That’s it?”

The Demon Lord, the golden girl, scoffed.

Regardless, Grandeus remained composed.

“That’s what it takes to be a sword.”

“It seems you have an absurd fantasy about swords.”

The Demon Lord grumbled, then turned to me to explain.

“When he talks about a sword, he doesn’t mean the piece of metal you hold… but a definitive weapon, an armament that can kill, dispose of, and defeat someone. You’ve figured out that much, right?”

“Roughly.”

Then the Demon Lord’s expression changed slightly.

“Then there must be a specific way to handle it.”

To this, Grandeus nodded his helmeted head and spoke confidently.

“Of course. That’s where it all begins. Unfortunately, with this body, I could only imitate it. So I only conceptualized the theory and methodology.”

Then he turned his helmet toward me and said:

“And you will be able to do it. When you build the star within you, complete it, and merge it into one, becoming a star yourself, you will earn the right to wield it.”

And only then.

“…You’ll be able to break the cursed shackles of fate. Only then will you be able to freely do what you truly want.”

That’s what it all comes down to.

“True freedom. And the realization of genuine free will. That’s why we need to acquire power and embrace wisdom.”

Therefore, you must become both a star and a sword.

“After that, whether you stand with order or chaos… judge for yourself.”

====

The military god, who bore the dishonorable title of Great General of the Demon Realm, inwardly applauded the massive wave of light that covered the cross-section of the World Tree.

“It’s nauseating, but yes. That’s how it should be.”

Though his form was shrouded in pitch-black darkness, making him appear like a shadow, his distinct blackness and accompanying mist, even when exposed to light, made his very existence seem composed of absurdity.

“But I wonder if that alone will be enough.”

The military god rose languidly from his black skeletal throne.

Taking a step forward, he tilted his head.

“If I were to intervene at this point… I wonder what kind of restraining force would activate. I’m getting curious.”

Just as his soliloquy ended.

A powerful aftershock swept through the forest.

At first, it was unclear what it was, but it was some living being with enormous volume and overwhelming mass.

It struck the ground like a massive projectile shot from a catapult.

However, it neither shattered nor broke, but scraped the ground intensely due to inertia, destroying and damaging some trees in its path, before coming to a stop near where the military god stood.

Partly due to the dust that rose despite the damp ground, it took some time to visually identify the form.

“Hmm…”

A being with a large build covered in plain fur.

The deer antlers on its head were familiar, and its build was several heads larger than his own miserable form.

“So connections can be made this way too. Pathetic.”

The military god snorted and grumbled.

“What’s so funny?”

The sturdy deer beastman narrowed his eyes sharply and questioned.

“Nothing much. Just a rather welcome face.”

“…You speak as if you know me.”

“Do you only know me?”

Suddenly, black chains erupted from behind the military god.

They shot up vertically as if piercing the sky, blocking a shadow that was about to attack the military god from behind, causing it to fly around through the air to one side.

“Huh?”

“……”

The deer beastman, Gazef, one of the Nine Heroes, instinctively looked in that direction.

“Loloana? Why are you here?”

“…Sigh.”

A deep voice settled heavily.

The figure wrapped in dark cloth finally clicked their tongue and revealed the worn hood covering their upper garment.

What was revealed was skin color close to teal.

However, it would be more accurate to describe it as scales rather than skin.

Densely, neatly stacked teal scales.

If these covered the entire surface of a being’s body, it wouldn’t be difficult to guess what it was.

“Why are you… here?”

“You? I asked first!”

“I’ve been here for a while.”

The being that Gazef, one of the Nine Heroes, was addressing was a lizardman.

And speaking of Loloana, a member of the lizard folk with teal scales… that being was also a famous figure known to everyone on the continent.

One of the Nine Heroes.

In other words, a great hero on the same level as Gazef.

“My, two of you to stop just one of me? What a waste of restraining force.”

The military god clicked his tongue.

“……”

For Gazef, who had just arrived, the situation was still unclear.

But the most serious issue was that the corruption had ended, and demonification had been achieved.

“This brings back strong memories.”

“Sigh.”

Loloana exhaled in response to Gazef’s words.

“I bear no particular ill will toward either of you, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t interfere with my event.”

“Then couldn’t you just step back?”

“I can’t do that. I’m not irresponsible enough to abandon my purpose over petty sentiments.”

“It’s strange that a being from the demon realm acts like it knows us… Odd. I don’t know why, but… you have a very familiar scent.”

“Is that so? I would think the smell of burning or blood would be stronger.”

The snickering tone grated on the nerves.

…Gazef’s arrival here wasn’t coincidental.

He was essentially drawn here.

The most dangerous thing was that after being engulfed in that light for some unknown reason, there was no trace of energy or presence.

And now, this dark and shadowy being before him.

The malice emanating from this being… was pressing down on the surroundings.

Yes, if I were to compare it to something I know…

‘It’s similar to that arrogant emperor who commands a great army.’

However, the experience and dignity it exuded easily surpassed that of the emperor.

Above all, the pressure and threat it conveyed was… extremely tyrannical, enough to make the arrogant emperor seem insignificant.

‘I see. It’s quite similar to that one.’

One of the demon realm’s legion commanders.

That crazed slaughterer who, unable to become the king of the demon realm, tried to become a hegemon in the middle world.

Due to his boundless self-esteem and pride, he ultimately made a fatal mistake and was killed by our combined attack… that deranged legion commander.

‘However… while the essence is similar, the depth is different.’

Though both walk the path of tyranny.

The being before me is not simply one who shakes the world with overwhelming power.

Rather, it seems to be a being that has achieved the meaning and essence of tyranny in the most extreme way.

Trampling on righteousness and shattering compassion.

A being that pursues efficiency, profit, and utility to the extreme through pure force, conspiracy, and strategy, seeking only the desired results.

“Well, it doesn’t matter. This won’t end with words anyway.”

With that, the military god briefly clicked his tongue, declaring the end of the conversation.

Dozens of black iron chains rose from behind him, spewing crimson fire.

“Let’s see how far you can go. It’s only right for a descendant to accommodate the senility of their elders, isn’t it?”

====

Meanwhile.

Light flickered and the world seemed to rush toward destruction, as if everything was heading for annihilation.

But.

<ABRASADABRA>

With that single word, all light was extinguished into a single point.

One miracle is countered by another.

Though the fairness seemed quite skewed.

“What… happened?”

While Delica was bewildered.

“…Captain. We just died.”

“What?”

“Our lord revived us.”

It’s unbelievable.

I had no awareness of dying… but I died?

“It was incredible before, but now it’s twice as amazing.”

“……”

Moreover.

Where is this place?

A world of vast, desolate sandy plains stretching out.

In the distance, there appears to be some massive fortress… a stone fortress with a rather archaic structure compared to modern times.

“This is… that, isn’t it?”

Delica responded with just a short “Ah” to Cain’s ambiguous question.

“Yes. We’ve been drawn in.”

Whose world is this?

Whose domain?

That’s unclear, but…

What’s certain is that the World Tree and other enemies who could influence things in different ways have completely disappeared.

And there, only…

He remains.

“……”

A staff.

Cariel, carrying the completed Hvatein in his left hand.

In his other hand, he carried another wooden spear.

And Lutetia, whose form had completely changed from before.

As she extended her hand, a red trajectory stirred the world.

A momentary void.

Then, an intense heat storm and flames with a red glow shook the world.

However, some of it lost its power before reaching Cariel, neutralized by the Hvatein he wielded.

“Here, neither you nor I have anything to hold back.”

Cariel said, pointing the Mistilteinn in his right hand.

“I hope neither of us will have any regrets.”

As Lutetia once again extended her hand, scattering red trajectories.

Cariel instantly struck with Mistilteinn.

Simultaneously, a black crosshair tore through the atmosphere.

“Indeed… it’s useful.”

Though I can’t generate any power on my own.

The more powerful and formidable the opponent…

The black trajectory and crosshair shine as brightly as dark starlight.

This technique, designed to mock the oppression of absurdly powerful beings.

Darkness.

Black Light.

And Ensis.

“Para Ensis.”

Second.

“Cānus.”

It absorbs the expressed darkness, the black crosshair, and returns it as a pure white crosshair.

Intense light becomes a blade of light, cutting through space and annihilating the target with light.

<Ugh!>

A short scream escapes from Lutetia.

But it’s not a fatal wound.

Strictly speaking, darkness cannot intentionally cause direct damage.

When the technique and skill were immature, neutralization was the most it could do.

But once you gain some knack and mastery.

Eventually, through Cānus, you can intentionally convert that power into damage, making it a practical attack and counter-technique.

“……”

But certainly… it’s not easy.

<!!!>

My eyes met Lutetia’s.

In those mysterious eyes, a blend of red and brilliant gold.

My existence is infinitely feeble, but.

“……”

It doesn’t affect her.

Meeting eyes with a god is itself an intense death sentence, imposing a burden and load beyond comprehension.

But I’ve been free from such things for a long time.

Not only because of my innate physical condition that can’t be swayed or controlled by mana or other energies.

But also because what I’ve learned constantly reminds me of its natural efficacy and efficiency in countering and responding to such things.

“……”

Moreover.

Through arduous, repeated, long hours of training and mastery.

My mind has been worn to the point where it rarely wavers or moves for anything ordinary.

And with Ennea, regulating my breathing.

Any mental or psychological ability…

All becomes futile.

What wavers is my eye.

What holds the sword is none other than my hand.

Doubting and guarding whether I can swing the sword to cut, stab, and hit the opponent is, everywhere, only my mind.

…The world and reality have always been there.

In the end, it’s enough if I remain steadfast.

And when I, being such, build and complete my own unique world.

I too will be one solid world.

<ABRA—>

“Hvatein.”

Intense flames instantly fill the entire world.

<—SADABRA>

But as soon as that voice is pronounced, everything disappears as if it never existed.

Yet, this still remains.

“Mikate.”

The flames of Hvatein.

And Lutetia’s power that instantly ended it.

The action and application are so instantaneous that everything is concluded before I can take any measures from my side.

‘…Slowness and quickness are always relative.’

Who said that?

…Was it the Demon Lord?

So if the opponent moves quickly, you just need to devise means and methods to catch up.

And that is…

Phenomena and powers rolled into a single point.

Without understanding their essence, it’s impossible to handle them perfectly.

‘If you want to get something for free from the start, that makes you a thief.’

So I don’t expect it.

Only the fruits built up step by step will give us rightful victory and reward.

Even that can betray and be betrayed in this world.

We must never turn our eyes away.

From those moments of absurdity that try to destroy our sincerity and righteousness!

Once again.

Light covers the world.

But this time, it’s infinitely less than what I first demonstrated.

However, it’s all in how you use it.

‘A sword doesn’t need to fill the entire world.’

A sword…

If it fills the necessary area, that’s sufficient for its purpose.

The rest…

…depends on the capacity of the swordsman, knight, or warrior who wields it.

<Again! Again—!!!>

Light instantly strikes Lutetia.

But that alone cannot inflict damage on her.

However.

<?!?!>

From within the outpouring light, a sharply honed wooden spear is shot like a thrown projectile.

Lutetia’s eyes, belatedly discovering it, widen as if about to tear.