episode_0027

The waves did not stop.

The movements of the orcas, still trembling slightly in fear, also did not stop.

And my hand, moving to manifest that existence, also did not stop.

‘Can I withstand it with two…?’

Because I didn’t know how many heart-swords had broken from that simple strike, I hesitated.

However, since I didn’t know how much durability they would have if combined, I simply created two masses.

The orcas dwelling in the thin swords spiraled as if dancing with each other, then,

they merged.

Two gigantic swords.

A gigantic sword, about my height, stood beside me.

And a sword, slightly smaller than that one, remained still on my left.

Is the phrase “calm before the storm” referring to such a phenomenon?

Those two swords were connected by gentle waves that began from the left.

Then, a colossal being that had been slumbering within my sword technique gradually charged towards the ground.

Thus, I was able to unleash the Cetus Style, Third Form.

Just the act of placing my hand on the sword.

It was a very small movement, but knowing its power, I focused all my strength into the heart-sword.

My magic power was merely illuminating the old man, detailing only the part where he stood, as if shining a spotlight on the protagonist of a stage.

My mind sent even more concentrated magic power to follow his movements.

The old man charging forward, striking the ground.

However, there was one difference from before.

‘When I concentrate, I can see it to some extent…!’

I couldn’t see his speed freely, but I started to perceive it somewhat, like stop-motion.

One step.

Two steps.

And

‘[Cetus Style, Third Form]’

His sword was aimed at my arm.

Before that wicked object could touch me, I muttered inwardly.

‘[Menkar]’

Then, the being that had been silently sleeping behind me revealed its colossal maw.

It looked as if it would swallow everything, and it actually did.

The whale sucked in.

Magic power.

Sword energy.

Air.

And everything in front of it that could be called magic power or sword energy.

*Shatter… shatter…* The sound of glass breaking was heard.

Only after hearing that sound did I realize that the heart-sword, formed by combining two swords, could not withstand his power.

There was only one reason I could only realize it after hearing the sound.

The whale tried to absorb not only Regulus’s sword energy but also all the power in front of it.

The magic power of the student fighting the instructor behind there, and the instructor’s sword energy.

And it seemed to have manifested with the intention of absorbing the magic power of everyone present.

However, the fortunate part was that the absorption speed was extremely slow.

I moved the heart-sword, the medium containing power, with all my might.

Tug-of-war.

It was like a tug-of-war where the opposing team had a sturdy player, but my side of the rope had no one.

The more strength I exerted, the more the whale behind me coveted magic power, and the heart-sword was slowly breaking apart.

‘It’s surprising that all of this is happening in less than a second… but perhaps it’s natural to perceive time like this when I focus, given that my mental strength matches their stats…’

I exerted even more strength, trying to transfer the blade formed by the two merged heart-swords to three,

The whale looked down at me as if asking if it had been summoned just to use one person’s sword energy, and did not obey my command.

‘It’s not fitting for its level… Furthermore, if that sword technique is a constellation’s sword technique, then such a disaster would occur… Constellations can ‘think’ to some extent… the stronger their power becomes, the more so…’

This sword technique was not learned through normal means.

It’s an existence that the orcas manifested while wandering the ocean in fear.

In a word,

‘It’s illegal… using such a sword technique right now…’

But since I had activated such power, it was perhaps natural that this whale wouldn’t listen to me.

‘It was comfortable having the orcas dancing beside me…’

The orcas also possessed a certain degree of intelligence, but because it was a legitimate method through the system, they obeyed to some extent.

However, I didn’t know that awakening a different sword technique like this would happen.

‘Of course, learning a new sword technique is good, but… this… it wouldn’t be good to use it in a place with so many people…’

As I continued to exert force and hold on, the colossal whale behind me briefly looked at me with a pathetic expression, then disappeared into the ground, leaving behind several trails of sword energy.

What happens when someone lets go of a taut rubber band?

Only the hand of the person holding the rubber band gets hurt.

In that way, the two swords merged into five, and before I could stop it, my mental power and his sword energy combined and struck him.

*Boom! Crash!* At the same time, Regulus was embedded in the wall, groaning.

Blue mane.

The lion with the beautiful mane simply sat on its master’s lap and disappeared as if falling asleep.

As if it had fulfilled its duty.

Around the time the scattering blue sword energy disappeared,

I finally released my concentration,

And instantly, a tremendous headache struck my head.

Was it because I used power like theirs?

I couldn’t help but be grateful that my body had withstood such power.

Originally, to use power like theirs,

Yes, one would have to pour in immense effort, just like that person.

From that corner, I saw a faint smile.

However, I slowly approached Regulus, who wore a truly satisfied smile.

I was so dizzy from the hide-and-seek of magic powers in my head that I couldn’t properly collect myself,

My legs trembled, and my arms were already exhausted, unable to even lift properly.

“Excellent, child.”

Regulus looked up at me and said.

To others, his expression might have simply looked like a smile,

But I, who could see the flow of magic power, could glimpse fragments of his true feelings.

The knot that had been deeply tied in his heart disappeared.

As if I had resolved a very serious concern for him.

“Thank you.”

Even if he was a former Sword Saint, a Sword Saint was still a Sword Saint.

Moreover, not just any Sword Saint, but a Sword Saint who had once contended with ‘them’.

The Sword Saint who was the master of the current Sword Saint.

The fact that I had defeated such a person made my hope of surviving here grow even stronger.

With such hope, I couldn’t hide my smile.

“Ah, apologies, but it seems I cannot get up on my own.”

The old man extended his hand to me.

“Perhaps you could help me up?”

“Of course.”

I took the hand he offered and helped him up.

***

“Your… Highness…?”

It had been a very long time.

Whether she was happy to finally show her face after announcing her appearance, or simply pleased with the thought of drawing the Rapier to the east.

She gazed at the Rapier, who had defeated the former Sword Saint, with a faint smile.

“So, what happened to the favor I asked for before?”

A noble voice.

A voice that absolutely did not suit the warm word ‘affection’.

However, inside what seemed like a cruel blade,

‘Wow… amazing… how did he defeat the Sword Saint… he was truly an incredible person…’

There was fluffy cotton.

“A-As for that matter, we proceeded by secretly bribing them.”

The maid beside her, startled by her smile, said.

The maid’s trembling voice spoke volumes about her feelings.

“Yes, well done. It was disguised as a simple gathering mission, correct?”

“Yes! That’s right!”

The maid, as if so surprised to be praised by her, retreated with a frightened expression.

“Then you relay it. Another subordinate will inform the instructor.”

The Princess handed the maid the envelope in her hand.

She seemed apologetic.

However, with her head bowed, she received the envelope, cold sweat dripping from her face.

“I will ensure it is delivered without a single mistake!”

At her rigid words, the Princess merely gestured for her to leave.

Once she left and only the Princess remained in the reception room, she slid back down in her chair.

“Waaaaah… How is it that he’s the only one I’ve properly talked to since coming here….”

Although she had been there for a long time, he was the only person she truly liked.

Because the techniques he used were so much more familiar and accustomed than the magic techniques used here.

The Princess, suddenly saddened by the fact that she had never truly revealed herself since coming here, buried her face in the chair.

Even in the East, everyone had only seen her noble appearance and formed acquaintances based on that, so no one had ever seen her true self.

That continually constrained her, and believing it was a personality a princess shouldn’t possess, she had been constantly suppressing her true nature.

Would there at least be someone here with whom she could open her heart without worrying about her status?

She had come with such thoughts, but due to her personality which acted as social anxiety, the only person she had properly spoken to was that blind man.

“Still… if this mission fails, he’ll come to us… *sniffle*…”