Chapter 218

“That’s an interesting thing to say.”

I muttered, sitting on a bench in a deserted corner of the academy grounds.

Eyes.

Headmistress Arifer had definitely said that.

What it meant was…

‘The Church also knows about the existence of the eyes.’

As I had guessed, the hidden dungeon was definitely related to the Saint.

Then…

‘Is the heart also related?’

The heart that was buried in the hidden dungeon beneath the desert fortress.

The central and southern regions, the desert and the island, the fortress and the temple.

Judging from the locations alone, they seemed completely unrelated, but at this point, it was stranger to assume they weren’t connected.

I felt a clear connection.

Lost in thought, I stared blankly at the empty sky.

And…

“…I don’t know.”

I ended up muttering those words.

It was impossible for me to find out anything more.

But one thing was certain.

‘I can’t trust the Church either.’

Especially when it came to top-secret matters.

Naively trusting the Church and revealing everything honestly could very well be a foolish act that would hasten my demise.

I wasn’t that naive.

‘I have to do it myself.’

The importance of this item was now beyond doubt.

A secret of the Church, and an item that Red Rain was after.

Considering its importance, it could be the key I had been missing, the key to breaking through the dead ends I had repeatedly encountered in the latter half of the game.

No, it definitely was.

I was certain.

So I had to hold onto it tightly.

I couldn’t lose it.

Because the time would surely come when this item would play a crucial role.

“Alright.”

I stood up, having finished my thoughts.

* * *

The Red Moon Tragedy that would soon arrive.

The very incident where I, Max, would die.

There was something I had to do before that.

‘I have to complete my swordsmanship.’

Baker’s Swordsmanship had played a significant role in allowing us to overcome this incident without major casualties.

Of course, it wasn’t solely due to Baker’s Swordsmanship.

The Invisibility Scroll and the surprise attack using it, the Eight Imperial Forms, the Executioner’s Strong Sword, the Swindler’s Illusion Sword, Hiresia’s archery including the Explosive Shot and the Concentration Shot, and Ran’s Orichalcum masterpiece sword.

It was because all of these elements worked together perfectly that we were able to crush the dark mages and survive the crisis of facing the Red Rain executives.

But it was clear that Baker’s Swordsmanship had played an important role.

Return, Fall, Fly, Net, Speed.

Learning the five forms that formed the foundation of the swordsmanship had been a great help.

Now all that was left was…

‘The secret technique.’

Five forms, one secret technique.

That was the entirety of Baker’s Swordsmanship.

But I had realized this time.

That it might not be all there was.

Because I had learned the true identity of Old Man Baker.

The vengeful spirit of a fallen nation, the Master Slayer.

Killstein.

The one who killed a Master without being a Master himself.

That’s why I was certain that there was a hidden, true secret technique.

Because the five forms and one secret technique, while powerful, were insufficient to kill a Master.

There had to be a hidden ace up Old Man Baker’s sleeve, a move that allowed him to kill even a Master.

However…

‘He wouldn’t tell me so easily.’

At least not with our current relationship.

To uncover what was hidden, I needed something more.

‘The problem is, I don’t know the answer.’

It was a sensitive matter for Old Man Baker, involving his personal history.

If I approached him recklessly, I might end up empty-handed.

And I knew.

That there was nothing more unpleasant than having your true identity exposed to others.

If there was another way to approach him…

‘Wait a minute.’

An idea suddenly popped into my head.

Another approach.

I had a feeling it might work.

‘Will it work?’

I pondered.

But in the end, I decided.

‘I have to try, whether it works or not.’

You can’t gain anything without taking action.

There were risks, but you couldn’t achieve great things without taking risks.

With a determined look, I headed towards the shores of Lake Ariara, where Old Man Baker was waiting.

* * *

“I heard there was a big incident on the island.”

Old Man Baker, who was casting his fishing line as usual, asked as soon as I arrived.

It meant he was concerned about my affairs.

I could feel our relationship had definitely become closer.

Perhaps it was because I had mastered his swordsmanship faster than he had expected.

A reevaluation of my talent, and admiration for my relentless efforts.

I guessed those were his feelings.

Anyway, it was a good sign.

Because our relationship was the key to uncovering the hidden secret technique.

“Yes, there was a major incident. Many people, including my academy juniors, lost their lives.”

“It’s always sad to see innocent people lose their lives.”

Old Man Baker said with a bitter smile.

Having experienced the loss of his country overnight, he probably understood the weight of innocent deaths more than anyone.

“You’re right.”

I nodded heavily.

“But even so…”

I held the scabbard of my sword.

“Thanks to the swordsmanship you taught me, I was able to survive. And I was able to save as many people as I could.”

Old Man Baker’s expression changed at my words.

He wasn’t affiliated with the academy or the Empire.

The information he had heard about the island tragedy was probably only what was publicly known.

So he couldn’t help but be interested in my words.

“Huh, is that so? I’d like to hear more about it.”

“Yes, I’ll tell you everything, sir.”

I plopped down next to Old Man Baker.

And I began to tell him a story that only those who were there could know.

Having experienced the most intense parts firsthand, my story was vivid and engaging.

Old Man Baker listened intently, expressing admiration, sighs, and surprise at times.

“Huh, you’re saying you were able to handle over ten dark mages by yourself?”

“It was possible because of your swordsmanship.”

“No… It was all your own strength. Learning swordsmanship and using it in actual combat are two completely different things. But you managed to do it perfectly in a real battle.”

“I’m still far from perfect.”

At least one thing was certain.

This incident had left a deep impression of me on Old Man Baker.

The story ended.

I expressed my gratitude once again.

“Not only my life, but also the lives of my precious friends were saved thanks to your swordsmanship.”

“Haha, stop saying that.”

He waved his hand dismissively, but I could see the pleasure on his face.

It was only natural for him to feel that way, knowing that his swordsmanship, which was his everything, had been used to save lives.

This was it.

The perfect timing to cast my bait.

“But sir…”

“What is it?”

“It might not be the right time to say this, but…”

“Huh, what is it? It’s fine, just say whatever you want.”

“If you say so… Alright.”

I deliberately paused for a moment.

Old Man Baker, impatient, urged me on.

“Come on, just say it.”

At his urging, I spoke with the most serious expression.

“I’m sorry, but I’m quitting. Learning your swordsmanship.”

A bombshell declaration.

“…”

Old Man Baker, unable to grasp the meaning of my words, stared at me blankly with wide eyes.

And then…

“Wh-What?!”

A beat later, he let out a gasp of shock.

* * *

– Wh-What do you mean all of a sudden? Why are you suddenly quitting swordsmanship?

– I’m truly sorry.

– Stop apologizing and tell me the reason!

– Because I hit a wall.

– …A wall?

– Yes, a wall that I don’t think I can break through. Your swordsmanship definitely saved me and many others. But I also realized that I couldn’t reach that wall with your swordsmanship.

– Huh, what wall are you talking about?

– I met them. Opponents I couldn’t defeat no matter what I did.

– What?

– No matter what technique I used from what you taught me, it didn’t work. I felt utterly powerless. Even if I become more proficient in your swordsmanship, it would be the same. I had no choice but to come to that conclusion.

– Huh… How could that be?

– I’m sorry.

– So who were these opponents?

– Dark elves.

– D-Dark elves?

– They were dark elves who used strange swords with invisible blades.

Sip.

I finished my recollection, taking a sip of warm coffee.

I had used Natasha’s name as bait.

Even enemies should be used when they can be useful.

Since she was a real person, not a made-up one, the story was all the more convincing.

She was a truly monstrous being in reality.

It meant I didn’t need to embellish the story.

He would have no choice but to believe it.

– I’m going to find another path to break through this wall. Thank you for everything.

A perfect finish.

Then I bowed politely and left immediately.

Hesitating and beating around the bush would have the opposite effect.

I had to show him that I was decisive.

Honestly, it was me who would be at a loss if I just gave up and left, but he wouldn’t know that unless I showed it.

So he would have no choice but to get fired up.

Especially since I had declared that his swordsmanship, which he had created, couldn’t break through the wall. His pride would be hurt.

‘He would want to prove me wrong.’

Even if it meant revealing the hidden cards he had been keeping close to his chest.

That was exactly what I was aiming for.

In that sense, encountering Natasha on the island was both a misfortune and a blessing.

Because I had obtained a tool to use as bait at this perfect timing.

Before the Red Moon Tragedy.

“Um, senior.”

“What?”

I turned my gaze to Camian, who was sitting across from me.

“The other day, a suspicious old man suddenly approached me.”

“A suspicious old man?”

“I don’t know his identity, but I couldn’t think of any other way to describe him. He suddenly started asking me about a dark elf who uses a strange sword.”

“Yes, me too.”

Annette raised her hand and joined in.

“Pfft!”

I spat out my coffee.

“Huh? What’s wrong, senior?”

“S-Senior?”

“N-Nothing. I just choked.”

I wiped my mouth, breaking out in a cold sweat.

I had deliberately avoided him for a few days to give him some time, but I didn’t expect Old Man Baker to be lurking around the academy already.

This is working perfectly.

“Ahem, ahem, anyway, so?”

“I didn’t answer him in detail. I had a feeling he might be an informant from another country.”

A fitting answer from the matured Camian.

On the other hand…

“Huh? I just told him everything honestly…”

Annette said, her face flushed with embarrassment.

“…Why did you do that, Annette?”

Camian shook his head.

“W-Well, he didn’t seem to have any bad intentions…”

“It’s okay, it’s okay. You both did well.”

I reassured them.

Annette’s honesty might have actually convinced Old Man Baker that my words were true, which was helpful for me.

It was then.

“Huh?”

Camian, who had been looking out the window of Cafe Monica, suddenly widened his eyes.

He pointed outside with his finger.

“That’s the old man, senior. The suspicious one.”

Annette also turned her gaze towards the window.

“Y-You’re right. That’s him.”

Of course, I saw him too.

Old Man Baker, loitering outside the cafe building.

…He’s even stalking me now?

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

No, it was more like a triumphant smile.

“Hey, everyone.”

“Yes?”

“Yes, senior.”

“I’ll take care of that old man, so don’t worry about it.”

I finished my coffee, stood up with a grin, and walked out.