Ch.83Sword Master, Juel Lazian (3)

A sword cry resembling a human scream.

With a shrill, tearing sound, a whirlwind swept through the deepest part of the underground waterway. What brought wind to a place where no wind should exist was a sword wielded by a human.

Juel Lazian swung her sword.

The Sword Master swung her sword.

In that moment, Najin saw it. The sight of Kefalon’s workshop being carved away into the distance. The process was different from splitting, cutting, or breaking. Different, and thus alien.

Carved out of the world.

Like cutting paper with scissors, she carved out the scenery with her sword. It was closer to dismantling than cutting or splitting. Even seeing it with his own eyes, Najin couldn’t understand how the process worked.

Juel Lazian swung her sword once, and the workshop disappeared without a trace. The process evaporated, leaving only cause and effect.

-I’d heard rumors, but it’s quite impressive to see in person.

Merlin’s voice echoed in Najin’s ears.

-Remember what I told you about mysteries before?

He did remember.

That which is unbound by rules and lies beyond common sense.

-Yes. Masterpieces are called weapons containing mysteries, and why do you think they’re called masterpieces? They’re called masterpieces because they make the impossible possible.

Merlin sighed and continued.

-Originally, mysteries dwell within living beings.

-There are several types of creatures born with mysteries. Certain races like dragons, demons, fairies, things like that.

-But occasionally…

After a brief pause, Merlin continued.

-Mysteries can dwell within humans too.

-Some are born with mysteries, though the probability is extremely rare. Of course, not all of them become aware of their mysteries.

Only an extremely small number realize their mysteries.

A rare probability multiplied by another rare probability, so the odds are beyond words. Merlin muttered this with a bitter smile.

-Surprisingly, there are two of them here.

Two, Merlin said.

-One is me, whispering to you, and the other is that madwoman standing over there.

Najin looked at Juel.

A woman holding a greatsword classified as a Zweihander. When she set the greatsword down, it dissolved into the air with a soft hiss.

She turned her head to look at Najin.

Though still expressionless, Najin had witnessed the madness hidden beyond that blank face. Meeting her sticky, blood-colored gaze, Najin unconsciously swallowed.

-Dismantling.

That is the mystery Juel Lazian possesses.

That’s what Merlin was saying. There was no need to ask how the word “dismantling” was used in this context. The example was right before his eyes.

The scenery dismantled and carved out of the world.

The empty landscape of the workshop explained the usage of the word. Najin inwardly clicked his tongue.

‘That’s creepy. This mystery thing.’

-Most of them are incomprehensible.

Then what mystery do you possess, Merlin?

Najin asked. Merlin remained silent at the question. After a brief silence, Merlin spoke.

-Period.

Merlin didn’t elaborate further. As if he didn’t want to discuss this topic any more.

2.

Kefalon’s workshop had disappeared without a trace.

Originally, it would have required dozens of inquisitors to clean up the facility, but Juel Lazian finished the job with a single swing of her sword. However, she herself didn’t seem particularly satisfied.

“Haaah…”

Juel exhaled deeply.

While exhaling, she rummaged through her clothes. What she pulled out from her Order uniform was a liquor bottle, but having emptied it earlier, not a single drop fell when she turned it upside down and shook it.

“Aah…”

Juel groaned.

She quickly turned her head to look at Najin.

“Ivan.”

“Yes.”

“Do you happen to have any alcohol?”

A completely unexpected question.

Najin shook his head, and Juel sighed even longer. Seeing Juel continuously sighing, Najin pulled out a water bottle from his pocket.

“I have water, would you like that instead?”

“I’ll take that for now, lacking better options.”

Juel took the water bottle and moistened her throat.

Even after emptying the entire bottle, her thirst didn’t seem quenched as she smacked her lips and looked at Najin. As if asking if he had anything else. Najin shook his head.

He did have potions, but he didn’t want to give expensive potions to Juel. She wasn’t even injured.

“Are you thirsty?”

“It’s a habit. When I want to kill someone but can’t, I get thirsty. Drinking alcohol helps, but unfortunately, there’s no alcohol here. A sad situation.”

Saying this, Juel glanced at Najin, which wasn’t a particularly welcome look from his perspective. Was she saying she wanted to kill him but couldn’t, so she was thirsty? It was quite a chilling statement.

He decided to change the subject.

As they climbed back up through the underground waterway, Najin conversed with Juel.

“You seem to like alcohol.”

“Yes, I do. I enjoy the burning heat in my throat. If it contains a bit of poison, that would be perfect.”

Juel smiled faintly.

“I particularly enjoy the sacred blood wine brewed by the Sacred Blood Order. I’ve heard it’s known as holy water or sacred wine among the public… but did you know that undiluted, premium sacred blood wine is actually a poisonous drink?”

“You mean it’s strong?”

“Both meanings apply. It’s a strong drink containing components that act as poison to the human body.”

She caressed her liquor bottle, smacking her lips.

“When you drink it, your throat burns with pain. Your eyes become bloodshot, and all your senses become heightened. Sacred blood wine is the only drink that can make me, who has reached a transcendent state, feel intoxication and pain.”

Some people say sacred blood wine is crazy stuff, but they’re just fools who don’t understand alcohol. Juel muttered this with a smile spreading across her face. She seemed happy just imagining drinking it.

‘I thought she was an emotionless doll…’

But that doesn’t seem to be the case.

Najin thought this as he continued walking. Suddenly, Najin stopped. Juel also stopped alongside him.

“Do you have something to say?”

“May I ask you one question?”

“Of course.”

Juel nodded, and Najin spoke.

“I remember you saying you wanted to swing your sword at me and try to kill me.”

“Indeed. I am interested in you. I want to clash swords with you, and I also want to kill you.”

There was no hostility in Juel’s words.

Pure interest. It was creepy how she mentioned death out of mere interest, but if one thought of Juel Lazian as ‘that kind of person,’ it wasn’t incomprehensible.

“Excuse me for asking, but I understand that the Order’s executioner wields enormous power.”

“That’s correct. Above me are only the Empire’s Sun and the High Priests who represent the three Orders.”

“Then, wouldn’t you face no punishment for killing an adventurer like me?”

Aren’t you in a position where you could swing your sword as you wish? That was Najin’s question.

Najin knew what kind of world this was.

Even if Juel were to execute Najin on the spot, the incident wouldn’t become a big deal. Who would dare defy the Order’s executioner?

But Juel doesn’t do that.

Najin wanted to know why. Although asking this question might be dangerous, he had a feeling that Juel wouldn’t kill him here.

“Yes, killing you now wouldn’t bring me any particular sanctions. That’s true.”

Juel answered his question.

“But that would be making an exception to the rules I’ve set for myself. One exception leads to two, two leads to three and four. So it’s impossible.”

“…Rules, you say?”

“Rules for survival.”

She exhaled deeply before continuing.

“Living according to desires. Killing as one wishes. Yes, about a hundred and fifty years ago, I lived that way.”

She was talking about herself.

“I killed as I wished. It was an era of war. On the battlefield where people kill and die, there is no good or evil. No right or wrong. So I lived that way. It was truly a joyful time.”

She killed indiscriminately and became intoxicated with blood.

“But time passed, and the war ended. Then, shouldn’t I change my methods as well?”

She spoke calmly.

“I am a murderer. I enjoy killing people and love those who bleed. However, I also have a longing for life. A desire to enjoy this pleasure for a long time.”

“I see.”

“Yes, indeed. To enjoy this pleasure for a long time, shouldn’t I conform to the world’s standards of good and evil, right and wrong?”

So she set her own rules.

Juel Lazian said so.

“Those who commit crimes. Those who do wrong. Apostles who dabble in black magic. Evil and wicked things.”

“The world doesn’t condemn me for cutting down such things. But if my sword were to slit the throat of an innocent person and make them bleed…”

“They would come.”

Juel shrugged.

“The Lighthouse Keeper of the Sacred Light Order, the Sacred Host of the Sacred Body Order, Sword Star Charon, the Empire’s First Horn Gerd.”

Not from the battlefield of stars or the land of the abyss.

Superhumans residing on the continent.

They are beings who would rush in one step to kill a murderer running rampant on the continent.

“Ah, they are strong. Even if I were to go all out, I couldn’t survive against all of them. Of course, I also have the desire to fight and bleed with them, but I’ve postponed that wish for the very end.”

Saying this, Juel smiled.

It was a pure, unblemished, clear smile.

“Shouldn’t the most delicious dessert be saved for last?”

While he couldn’t understand everything she said,

Najin agreed with her last statement.

“I see.”

“Yes, that’s how it is.”

He felt like he understood a little about what kind of person Juel Lazian was. Although he didn’t want to empathize with her way of life at all, understanding was a separate matter.

“So I’ll be patient with you for a while.”

“…Pardon?”

The end of the underground waterway came into view.

Tap, Juel stepped onto the stairs leading to the surface and turned to look at Najin.

“You have the qualities to reach Sword Master. At your age, to have reached such a level. You will surely rise to the same position as me before long.”

Her snow-white hair sparkled in the incoming light. Standing with her back to the light, she smiled at Najin.

“When that time comes, I will challenge you to a duel again. I hope you won’t refuse then.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Ah, you’re welcome to commit a crime too. Minor crimes can be pardoned under the Sword Master Special Law, so preferably a massive massacre…”

“That might be a bit difficult.”

“Is that so?”

Juel shrugged.

“That’s a shame.”

3.

When Juel and Najin emerged from the underground waterway, the city lord breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed the matter had been handled more quietly than expected.

“I’ll be heading back to Cambria now.”

Having finished all his business in this city, Najin returned to Cambria, and the carriage carrying the inquisitors also returned to the Sacred Blood Order.

But Juel Lazian didn’t leave.

Only the carriage she had arrived in remained in the city.

As the lord watched her nervously, Juel, who had been standing still, slowly tilted her head. Her gaze was directed toward a narrow alley in the commercial city.

“I understand that Regenoff City is a commercial city.”

“Y-yes. That’s correct, but…”

“Let me ask you something. Be aware that depending on your answer, you could become a criminal complicit in a crime.”

“…Pardon?”

The lord’s shoulders trembled. Juel looked at the lord with her red eyes. She extended her arm, pointing with her fingertip to the depths of the alley.

“I sense demonic energy from there. It seems forbidden items are being sold. I hear voices. Merchants’ voices.”

Nothing could be heard.

Even the knights guarding the lord couldn’t hear anything, and even if Najin or a Sword Star were present, they wouldn’t have heard any sound.

But Juel Lazian could hear.

Her senses were abnormal even among Sword Masters. Her ears heard the voices of merchants engaged in black market deals. Her nose smelled the stench of the items they were buying and selling.

“Is this a business managed by the lord, or is it the independent action of cultists who have settled here?”

The lord realized what Juel was talking about.

‘The black market.’

There is a black market in Regenoff City, and its existence is tacitly acknowledged. It was quite profitable, and the commercial city was able to grow quickly thanks to the existence of that black market.

The lord had turned a blind eye to the black market’s existence. Sometimes he even supported it and allowed it to grow.

But he couldn’t reveal that fact. The executioner before him was someone who would behead a person just for being involved in a crime, and would face no punishment for doing so.

“I… know nothing… about this…”

“Is that so?”

The lord before her was lying.

Despite knowing this fact, Juel merely nodded. It didn’t matter either way.

“Then, I shall clean it up for you. This is my duty as the Order’s executioner.”

It was a minor incident that didn’t require someone of her caliber to handle. Nevertheless, Juel Lazian stepped toward the alley. The lord had no grounds to stop her. The lord tightly closed his eyes.

That day, the alleys of Regenoff City were stained with blood.

Though no screams echoed.

Only the sword cry resembling a human scream reverberated.