Ch.73. The Grim Reality Tightens Its Grip

Having finished lunch quickly, I had plenty of time to spare.

“You don’t seem to mind me clinging to you as much as I expected.”

Libraries require silence.

However, given the library’s considerable size compared to the number of users, it was sufficient to simply avoid raising one’s voice.

“…Would anything change if I did mind?”

“No, but accepting it so readily is also suspicious.”

Learned helplessness.

Rock-bottom self-esteem.

Among many other reasons.

‘Rather than being passive, has he given up on thinking for himself?’

In other words, he’s been driven into a corner that much.

She may be a ghost, but she’s still a Demon Lord.

Yet he’s taking this so calmly?

That in itself suggests he’s not in his right mind.

“Well, I understand you wouldn’t want strange rumors spreading from wandering around too conspicuously.”

“……”

His expression clearly said ‘if you understand, then stop asking.’

The Demon Lord suppressed a laugh.

‘You’re more concerned and bothered about watching your surroundings and not causing a scene than my existence?’

How absurd.

“Besides, don’t you think I’m just bullying you one-sidedly?”

“……”

After a moment of silence, Kariel furrowed his brow and replied.

“If it were just mindless, malicious harassment… I would have taken some measures, if only to survive.”

“Oh? So life is bearable?”

“At least.”

Kariel exhaled briefly before continuing.

“When I thought about it, I realized there’s some logic to it.”

“Huh? To what?”

“…If I endure and overcome this situation, I’ll at least be better off than I am now, right?”

“……”

Wait, he’s interpreting it this way?

What kind of heart does this guy have?

Let’s say he can intellectually understand and accept the benefits.

But accepting it emotionally is an entirely different matter.

‘Actually experiencing near-death situations isn’t something a sane person can handle easily, is it?’

Since his body is intact, does he think he just needs to endure this too… some kind of tough mindset?

‘It’s strange to say he has a strong sense of equanimity or ambition.’

If you think he has a strong need for approval, that’s not it either.

There are signs of affection deficiency syndrome from indifference, neglect, and humiliation, causing him to crave positive attention, but…

Nevertheless, this was an exceptionally unusual way of thinking.

What kind of person is he? Not a gold mine, and yet.

How is it that whenever I dig a little deeper, another gold nugget appears?

Or did he instinctively understand?

That no matter how much he resists and struggles.

Unless he reaches the level she’s aiming for.

…She will never stop this insensitive method of growth.

“Right. If you take it so positively, it motivates me too.”

“…If you get any more motivated, wouldn’t that be actual torture?”

“Training and discipline are originally like torture. The difference is that one aims to break and destroy the body and mind as its ultimate goal, while the other breaks the body and mind to reassemble them in the proper form.”

“……”

It sounds impressive, but the conclusion is that both are hell, isn’t it?

“If…”

“Hmm?”

“If I… endure this… how far can I grow?”

“I told you, I only provide opportunities. The rest depends on you. But I’ll tell you one important thing.”

“What is it?”

“Rather than explaining with words, wouldn’t experiencing it directly be faster?”

With those words, the Demon Lord turned her gaze to one side.

“You’re not planning to just sprawl out here, are you?”

Faced with this not-so-subtle coercion, Kariel found the most secluded spot possible.

Soon after.

Despite his supposed insomnia, Kariel’s consciousness quickly plunged to the depths.

====

“There are three things you need to understand.”

“Three things?”

But more importantly…

“Why do you look like that?”

“Hmm? Like what?”

When she normally wandered around as a wandering spirit, she appeared as a mature woman.

But now before him stood a young girl.

Transformed from a golden woman to a girl… she still displayed extraordinary beauty.

“That’s a suspicious look in your eyes.”

“Not at all.”

“Well, it can’t be helped. My human form is largely modeled after your ideal form, your ideal type.”

“What? That’s nonsensical…”

“I’m not human, little one.”

The youthful woman, with a girl’s face but the intimidating presence and unique aura of a Demon Lord, smiled and curled up the corners of her mouth.

“Perceiving me as human is entirely a product of your imagination, a construct of your mind.”

“That’s… hard to believe.”

“Perhaps being persecuted by the world has impoverished your thinking and imagination.”

Accepting things without question.

That is, she’s good at acceptance.

…Because that’s how she was educated and brainwashed.

“Well, enough idle talk. The point is, my current appearance is a combination of your imagined ideal woman and my golden characteristic. Simple, right?”

“……”

“Now to the main point. The three things are very simple. First is accuracy. Second is efficiency. Third is sincerity.”

“…?”

“What? Too ordinary?”

Kariel unconsciously nodded.

“Having held a sword for so long, whether because of your father or imperial doctrine, you must know that training with incorrect posture reduces efficiency. Effort will betray you then. You’ll end up wasting more time later correcting your posture. Isn’t that right?”

“…Yes.”

“It’s the same with magic—memorizing useless formulas and equations is a waste of time, isn’t it? Everything is about method. That’s why countless families and schools research, develop, and evolve their own optimized approaches.”

All of this was orthodox wisdom.

“On the other hand, those who don’t understand this, no matter how hard they try, end up hovering around mediocrity before giving up and becoming frustrated. Even if they don’t give up, they inevitably hit a wall.”

Occasionally.

“Some break through that valley, but that can only be explained by extraordinary luck. Divine fortune, perhaps.”

That’s why, unless one is a genius, self-made success is impossible.

Even geniuses must overcome all sorts of hardships and trials to stand on their own.

“What if you had proper guidance? What if the level you achieved after desperately struggling between life and death for ten years could actually have been reached in less than a year? But because you developed bad habits and built your body incorrectly… you unknowingly hit a limit? And now you’re told to throw away what you’ve spent your whole life honing? And worse, to learn again from scratch like a toddler taking first steps? Do you think that’s possible at an advanced age?”

“……”

A devastating story.

“By then, all you have left is experience, mere seniority. But can that truly bring strength? Unfortunately, that’s simply being resourceful. It’s closer to survival skills, to social maneuvering.”

“So, you’re saying I need to build a foundation and develop skills using accurate methods?”

“You grasp the point well. Your learning attitude is excellent.”

For now, he’s passive and lacks creativity… but that’s actually the right approach at this stage.

Rather than scribbling messily on a blank page, it’s far better to keep it blank.

For learning something new.

However…

‘His physical condition is terrible.’

What makes it more painful is that it’s the product of effort.

The Demon Lord clicked her tongue briefly and asked.

“That’s why your swordsmanship is problematic.”

“My swordsmanship?”

“In the current Berk Empire, everyone is taught the Imperial Swordsmanship—Six Forms, Nine Forms, Thirteen Forms, right? Both the Emperor and your father.”

“That’s a story from over 300 years ago.”

300 years ago.

When knights were just beginning to emerge.

The strongest of that era.

Swordsmanship compiled by Iland, called the strongest knight of the Empire, and presented to the imperial family.

Currently part of the Empire’s official swordsmanship manual, the most popular and versatile swordsmanship.

“It is excellent swordsmanship. With a solid foundation, one can certainly reach the level of a top-tier knight with just this. That’s for sure.”

But.

“…It’s impossible with the current imperial sword. It’s changed a lot from 300 years ago.”

“Changed… you say?”

“Yes. Shall I show you properly?”

The Demon Lord created an iron sword from thin air and demonstrated briefly.

Exactly six movements.

Impeccably clean, but.

Simple and unadorned.

“What do you think?”

“It’s a bit different from what I learned. Is that the Imperial Six Forms?”

“No.”

She shook her head.

“The original Imperial Six Forms consisted only of what I just showed.”

“Huh? But it’s different from what I learned.”

“I told you. It’s been modified.”

By worms, doing worm-like things.

“What you’re learning now is what was modified and expanded by pretentious worms and arrogant worms claiming to improve it. It’s changed and grown quite a bit, hasn’t it?”

“……”

“It is an improvement in its own way.”

However.

“It’s a sword form suitable for those with talent and innate qualities, what you might call aptitude.”

While the original Imperial Six Forms was a masterpiece of swordsmanship that could lead anyone from basics to advanced levels regardless of physical condition or talent, depending solely on effort.

“What you now know as Imperial Swordsmanship is thoroughly aristocratic swordsmanship, suited only for those meeting certain conditions.”

“…What does ‘meeting conditions’ mean?”

“First is innate understanding of mana, second is the physical flexibility to handle it. Finally, extraordinary concentration.”

“……”

“Yes. All talents you lack. Therefore.”

Without those talents, having invested time and effort in the superficially impressive Imperial Swordsmanship.

“That’s why your skills are in such a state even now.”

“……”

“Just a little more effort and you’ll grow. You didn’t try hard enough. You need more time. Put your life on the line and swing your sword with sincerity. If you face real battles and continuously hone your skills, you’ll surely reach your target level.”

How about that? Quite familiar consolations and advice, right?

“These are the worst deceptions that rot people, but surprisingly, those who offer such advice and consolation don’t even realize they’re committing such sins. Isn’t that the real comedy?”

Why are they allowed to say such things?

“Because I~ succeeded! Because we~ succeeded! So~ if you can’t! That’s! Your fault! Your blame! I did it! Why couldn’t you? Why didn’t you try harder? With sincerity, putting your life on the line, wholeheartedly!”

However.

That’s like telling someone without arms to grip and swing a sword.

Like urging someone without legs to run hard.

“How about it? Isn’t it pathetic?”

“Then…”

“This is about you! About you! With no arms or legs, all limbs completely severed, how are you supposed to grip and swing a sword? How to plant your feet? Swing the sword not with arm and shoulder strength but with waist power, lower body? You still don’t understand any of this, do you? You’ve just vaguely accepted it?”

“……”

“Want to hear something even more interesting?”

With a mischievous smile, the Demon Lord made the worst confession.

“I don’t know the first thing about swordsmanship.”

After all.

“I prefer tearing things apart with my claws rather than wielding a sword! Why would I need that? My hand structure isn’t even designed to grip things!”

Isn’t that amusing?

“Yet why is it that I know the true nature of your empire’s precious sword techniques, preserved like treasures for 100, 200 years, while you don’t?”

For reasons unknown, it sent chills down his spine.

Nevertheless, Kariel reflexively uttered a specific word.

“Wis…dom?”

“Ah, that’s slightly off but hits the mark. That’s right.”

That’s why I am.

“The Demon Lord of Wisdom.”

Merely possessing knowledge doesn’t lead to the realm of wisdom.

The amount of knowledge.

Large or small, abundant or vast.

Such things don’t even approach the foothills of wisdom.

Therefore, wisdom is.

“The ultimate knowing, the correct and just understanding and grasp of principles. That is, insight into essence. That is wisdom.”

And when you reach beyond that.

“Then you enter the realm of truth. And after that is the realm of providence. The levels and realms are thus endless.”

In that sense, aren’t you curious?

“Am I, who was defeated by your father and mother, truly a failed Demon Lord? Did I really fail to predict my own defeat and death?”

Suddenly, Kariel realized he had forgotten to breathe.

Cold sweat that had seeped out was cooling rapidly.

His mouth had dried up, and even the inside of his throat had stiffened like dry tree bark.