episode_0088

Swordsman Sarzohn

After Aria and Bahent’s duel ended, a total of thirty matches were held. Although not as much as during Aria’s match, the spectators watching the games still cheered and roared as they watched the fighters. And I described all of it in my record book, thinking.

‘Hmm… everyone seems to believe that no slaughter will occur in this match, and they’re vigorously cheering for the players. And among the participants, I see not only people from the Herlos region but also those from other areas. Furthermore, some people have intentionally traveled from other regions just to watch this match. I’m not sure how famous this match is yet, but at this level, it must be a well-known event in the Herlos region.’

The fact that this is one of the last explorable villages in the Herlos region, its proximity to the Kriton region, and the participants’ ability to prove their strength, coupled with significant rewards, were more than enough reasons for this event to become famous. But…

“But that Maghnod’s Tear… it’s definitely real… Who on earth just gave that away?”

I still couldn’t understand why Maghnod’s Tear, which was displayed next to Orgun, had simply been donated to the tournament organizers. With Maghnod’s Tear, one would gain enough wealth to buy a mansion and still have plenty left over… They just donated that to the tournament? They couldn’t possibly not know what Maghnod’s Tear was…

“Ahhh!! And just like that, the final match concludes!!! All first-round matches have ended! The tournament officials are now bringing out the bracket again!!!”

As the last match of the first round ended, tournament officials brought a gigantic scroll and showed it to Orgun. Then, they showed the scroll to the spectators, and Orgun pointed to it, shouting.

“Alright!!! The next bracket is out! The first match is…!!! Ah!!! The participant for the first match of the second round is!!! The one who surprised us with a massive reversal in her first match and has now secured her place as a championship contender in this tournament!!! The Black Saintess, Aria Ritt!!!”

“Saintess-nim!!!”

At Orgun’s announcement that Aria would be in the first match of the second round, the spectators began to cheer. Did… did everyone have so much ill will towards Bahent…? I didn’t realize they liked Aria this much… As the spectators roared, Orgun smiled brightly and said.

“Whoaahhh!! My heart is pounding too!! I’ve hosted many Last Point Tournament matches, but I’ve never seen a player so full of reversals and pushing limits like this!!! However… can the Black Saintess truly defeat this opponent!!! The Swordsman who showcased brilliant techniques in the first round reappears!!”

The people who had been cheering at the news of Aria’s appearance suddenly started to quiet down as they realized her opponent’s epithet was “Swordsman.” What… what is it? Why did the atmosphere suddenly become so chilly?

‘What… what is it? Who on earth is this “Swordsman” that everyone looks so bewildered…?’

“Th-th-the Swordsman just now?! Wait, the order…”

“That’s right!!! The Swordsman who has won the Last Point Tournament three times in a row!!! Can he really defeat the Black Saintess, who showed a brilliant reversal in the first round?!”

“Sa-Sa-Sarzohn?! Ah… I see!! The order definitely turned out that way!!”

One of the spectators, hearing Sarzohn’s name, finally realized that Aria would be fighting Sarzohn in this round and was greatly surprised. It was certainly surprising. In the first round, his fighting style was like a dance, and amidst his free movements, he even cut opponents just enough not to kill them. Indeed… that person might be a bit dangerous…

“Alright!! Player Aria, Player Sarzohn!! Please reveal your magnificent forms once again!! Players!! Enter the arena!!”

With Orgun’s words, Aria and Sarzohn appeared from both sides. Yes, that’s him. A man with long indigo hair, wearing a cotton outfit, a large straw hat, and two swords at his waist. He was certainly not ordinary…

“So you are the Black Saintess. I was truly impressed by your fight against Bahent. You subdued him very simply.”

“If he hadn’t disparaged my beloved, I wouldn’t have trampled him so mercilessly.”

“Hmm… I see… By the way, the Black Saintess Aria Ritt… I feel like I’ve heard that name somewhere. I’m a wanderer who follows the wind, so I know many stories. Well… sometimes I suddenly can’t recall things because of that.”

As they chatted, Sarzohn slowly brought his hand to the sword at his waist, and Aria began to warm up. Is he about to start? Aria could easily subdue an ordinary person’s sword or knife. But that Sarzohn… Huh? Wait… that face…

‘I’ve seen it… somewhere?’

“Alright… have you finished warming up?”

“Yes, I ha…?”

Aria, having finished her warm-up, looked at Sarzohn’s face again. At that moment, Aria’s head tilted in confusion as Sarzohn’s face seemed familiar. Sarzohn, seeing her reaction, smiled and asked.

“Is something wrong?”

“You… you look familiar…”

“Alright then!!! The first match of the second round!! Let the match begin!!!”

The moment Aria tried to recall someone while looking at Sarzohn’s face, Orgun’s words were followed by the ringing of a bell. Sarzohn then slightly lowered his hat and spoke to Aria.

“Something seems to be bothering you. For now, focus on the match. We can talk about the rest after this fight.”

“…Alright. Although it’s bothering me quite a lot…”

“Yes… then… I will give it my all, Saintess-nim. Please take care of me.”

Sarzohn slowly began to draw a sword from his waist. Aria then unclenched her fists and slowly started to approach Sarzohn. That sword Sarzohn drew… it must be made of good material. If so, it would be even harder for Aria to subdue him… I estimated the durability of the sword Sarzohn drew and worried about Aria.

‘Aria… I’ll be rooting for you this time.’

“It’s fortunate that you’re not like that rude man I met earlier.”

“Hahaha… I wouldn’t want to die so soon by the Saintess-nim’s fist. I may look like this, but I’m still a spry 38-year-old.”

“I see… Then!”

Hearing Sarzohn’s reply, Aria immediately charged at him. At that moment, Sarzohn stepped backward, setting his sword towards Aria. Aria, seeing Sarzohn’s actions as she ran, thought.

‘He’s stepping back, and once I get close enough, he plans to cut me. In that case…!!’

As Sarzohn continued to retreat, Aria, who had been charging straight at him, suddenly began to run sideways. Sarzohn immediately turned his body in Aria’s direction. Aria then started running in another direction, and seeing this, I could understand what Aria was thinking.

‘Aria knows that sword is dangerous. That’s why she keeps changing direction to disorient Sarzohn. And she’s advancing little by little.’

“Player Aria!!! Is she trying to disorient Sarzohn?! She’s moving all around him!!”

“Oh ho… I thought you only performed head-on movements, but to show such diverse movements. I’m a little surprised. But why? Why is the Saintess-nim, who could pierce through armor just earlier, showing these kinds of movements against me?”

“Because your movements are extraordinary. I’ve learned not to carelessly underestimate anyone. That’s why my gut feeling tells me you’re a somewhat formidable opponent.”

“You’ve become able to grasp an opponent’s strength. You’ve truly learned something good, Saintess-nim. Excellent.”

As if pleased with Aria’s realization, Sarzohn grinned, keeping his sword pointed at Aria, and continued to turn his body towards her as she moved around. Then Orgun noticed something and shouted loudly.

“Ahhh!!! Player Aria!! She wasn’t just disorienting Sarzohn all this time!! She was slowly closing in on him! Sarzohn seems to know it already, preparing to meet Aria with his sword raised!!”

‘That swordsman probably doesn’t intend to let Aria get away. By the way, for Aria to show such movements… Usually, Aria, who would confidently unleash her fists, believing herself strong… Is she thinking Sarzohn is *that* formidable an opponent?’

“Oh ho… your movements are good. This means I can’t help but be tense. Well… I was already tense, though.”

“An opening…!!”

Seeing an opening in Sarzohn’s waist, Aria immediately rushed towards him. At that moment, Sarzohn suddenly twisted his body, and with his sword raised, he charged at Aria in reverse. Aria was startled as Sarzohn suddenly ran at her, and instinctively twisted her waist to dodge Sarzohn’s sword. As their positions swapped, Orgun, watching the moment, shouted excitedly.

“Ah!!! Both players are strong indeed!!! Aria dodged Sarzohn’s counterattacking sword in a fleeting moment!! Truly thrilling!!”

“Th-th-that’s the Swordsman for you… To try to counterattack in that instant…”

“…Quite impressive, Saintess-nim. To twist your waist and dodge my sword in a fleeting moment.”

“Gasp… gasp… my clothes… oh no… huh?”

Aria, having dodged Sarzohn’s sword, was panting heavily when she discovered something and was greatly shocked. As Aria suddenly wore a shocked expression, Sarzohn felt something strange and tilted his head, examining Aria. I, too, looked at Aria with a bewildered expression. Why is Aria suddenly like that… oh…

“Ah… ahh… Zeke… Zeke-nim’s hand-mended clothes…”

“…Clothes? What are you talking about, Saintess-nim?”

‘Oh… this is bad!!’

Ah… I see!! I should have considered that such a situation could happen!! I was foolish to believe that such a situation wouldn’t occur because Aria was absurdly strong. Sarzohn’s sword seemed to have grazed her clothes, and a part of the waist was slightly torn. People who saw Aria shocked by this began to murmur.

“Why is the Saintess-nim acting like that?”

“Surely she wasn’t grazed by the sword?”

“Is that why she’s so shocked?”

People who don’t know Aria might think she was shocked because she got injured… but I know. Aria has a personality where she will protect everything I’ve given her, even if it means risking her life. If such an Aria couldn’t protect the clothes I mended myself… Th-this is bad!!

“Saintess-nim? Why are you suddenly like this? Ah, your clothes are a little torn.”

“Zeke… Zeke-nim’s… Ah… ahh… No… No…!!!!”

‘D-damn it!! Aria still has an unstable mental state where her emotions can explode over even a small thing!! If this continues, Aria might lose her mind and commit murder! What do I do… Huh?’

The moment I was at a loss for what to do, I suddenly felt a stinging sensation on my back. I then looked at Trahan, who was behind me, and thought.

‘Trahan…? Does it want me to use it? …!!! That’s it!!’

Seeing Trahan, who had sent me a signal, I remembered something and immediately picked up Trahan. And then I lightly plunged Trahan into the audience floor, sending demonic energy into the ground.

‘Please reach her…!! Reach her!!!’

I channeled demonic energy into the ground through Trahan. And from underground, I directed the demonic energy towards Aria. Finally, when the demonic energy touched Aria’s feet, I infused my thoughts into the demonic energy. Aria then startled and turned her head towards the audience stands.

‘Th-this feeling?’

‘Aria! Listen carefully to me! I’m sending my thoughts to you through demonic energy right now!’

‘Zeke-nim…?’

As my voice suddenly echoed in her mind, Aria looked around. Sarzohn, who didn’t know what was happening, tilted his head and asked Aria.

“Saintess-nim? Are you alright?”

‘Aria, act as if nothing’s wrong.’

‘Z-Zeke-nim… I’m sorry… I… I, who Zeke-nim personally…’

‘I’m sending these thoughts urgently because I saw your clothes torn, so I can’t read your mind. Aria, don’t worry, I can mend your clothes anytime. I just hope you don’t get seriously hurt in this tournament.’

‘…But…’

‘Don’t dwell on it. Your safety is the most important thing. So… don’t get seriously hurt. Since this is a tournament you wanted to enter… definitely win.’

…!!

With these words, I stopped channeling the demonic energy. Channeling more might arouse suspicion. But my intentions were accurately conveyed to Aria. This was because Aria looked at me with a bright smile, then turned her head back to Sarzohn. Seeing that, I felt a great sense of relief.

‘Phew… that’s a relief…’

“Hmm? You seemed to have a problem earlier…”

“I did. But not anymore. And… my mind is much more at ease now. I won’t be counterattacked like before.”

As Aria smiled faintly and clenched her fists, Sarzohn seemed pleased with her demeanor. He broke into a wide smile and began to draw another sword. Orgun, seeing Sarzohn holding a sword in each hand, was astonished.

“Wh-what is this!! Sarzohn… Th-the Swordsman has drawn two swords for the first time in this tournament!!!”

“Wh-what?! Wh-what are you doing, Swordsman!!! The Saintess-nim is bare-handed right now!! Aren’t you ashamed to face someone like that?!”

The spectators, one by one, began to grow furious upon seeing Sarzohn use two swords. Sarzohn glanced at the crowd and chuckled, then said.

“The crowd is scoffing at me. But they wouldn’t know. Your current appearance… my intuition tells me I absolutely cannot win fighting with a single sword.”

“I see… You have good intuition, then…!!”

As Aria charged straight ahead, Sarzohn slowly approached her, raising both swords. Then, when Aria got close enough, he swung the sword in his left hand to attack her. Aria then leaped to the opposite side, dodging the sword.

“As expected. But… how will you dodge the second sword, Saintess-nim!”

As Aria leaped to the opposite side to dodge his sword, Sarzohn immediately raised the sword in his right hand and swung it towards Aria. However, at that moment, Aria slapped the flat of the blade with her right palm.

‘!!! The flat of the blade with her palm?!’

Sarzohn was greatly astonished as Aria slapped his sword with her palm. At that moment, Aria twisted her body and struck Sarzohn’s face with her left elbow, sending Sarzohn recoiling from the blow.

“Gasp!”

“Th-this can’t be!! Player Aria!! She retaliated against Sarzohn’s attack!! And…?!”

The moment Orgun was astonished that Aria had parried Sarzohn’s attack and countered, Aria didn’t stop there and struck Sarzohn’s abdomen. Sarzohn then gagged and was sent flying backward, leaving Orgun dumbfounded.

“Sa-Sarzohn… was sent flying!!!”

“Gasp… ugh… Th-this isn’t going to work… I… I surrender! Haha… I surrender…”

Sarzohn, who had been sent flying, seemed to decide he couldn’t possibly defeat Aria, so he immediately raised his hand and declared his surrender. Then the bell rang, and Orgun shouted again.

“Ah!!! It seems even the Swordsman is no match for the Black Saintess!!! Match over!! The winner is Aria Ritt!!!”

As Orgun declared Aria’s victory, the spectators began to cheer. Sarzohn then chuckled and stood up, and Aria went back inside.

‘Alright… Aria’s match is over, so… I should go to the restroom.’

As soon as Aria’s match ended, I headed to the restroom. Five minutes passed, and I emerged from the restroom feeling lighthearted. At that moment, someone placed a hand on my shoulder from behind.

“Hey, Zeke. So you were here after all?”

“…? That voice…?”

At the voice from behind, I turned around, and there was Sarzohn, smiling faintly and resting his hand on my shoulder… Wait… what did he just say…?

“…? How do you know my name…?”

“Hmm? Isn’t this too much? Even if it’s been 18 years since we last met… Ah! I see! It’s because of my hairstyle! Wait a moment. Let me take off my hat first…”

Sarzohn seemed to remember something, took off his hat, and pulled a string from his pocket. He then started tying his hair, along with the back of his head… Huh…? Wh-what…? Huh?!

“There. Do you recognize me now?”

“G-G-Gid Uncle?!”

As Sarzohn tied his hair back, I immediately recognized his face. Gid Looprian. My younger paternal uncle… my uncle.