episode_0096

When the Holy Sword taught me swordsmanship, he had said:

‘This is the orthodox swordsmanship of the Hero.’

What does ‘orthodox’ mean?

It refers to a lineage passed down correctly. The Holy Sword could have simply called it the Hero’s swordsmanship, yet he deliberately added the word ‘orthodox.’

As if to imply that the current Hero’s swordsmanship is different from the true Hero’s swordsmanship.

‘If so, what does that mean?’

In other words, perhaps the current Hero’s swordsmanship has been developed along a different lineage.

And judging by the reactions of the Black Nether Lord and Vulcan…

‘That must be it.’

As if confirming my guess, Vulcan and the Black Nether Lord wore expressions of astonishment as they looked at me.

But there was one strange thing.

When Vulcan and the Black Nether Lord had explained earlier,

‘They said the Holy Sword had been passed down since the first Hero.’

So why does the Holy Sword know the orthodox swordsmanship of the first Hero?

I’ll save that question for later.

As I thought that far, I realized the most important thing.

Whether I participate in the Hero competition or not,

The Holy Sword is ultimately in my hands, so I must go there.

‘……For now, I’ll just owe Diago a favor.’

I looked at the Black Nether Lord.

And Vulcan was there too. Both of them were staring at me, demanding an explanation.

“What’s going on?”

The Black Nether Lord’s voice was almost growling.

Vulcan stopped him.

“Hey, don’t be too harsh on my disciple.” “Weren’t you the one who said he wasn’t your disciple?” “Well, I’d like to keep him as one, but I didn’t want him tangled in my grudges. But that’s not the point right now, is it?”

Vulcan stared at the Black Nether Lord with stubborn eyes. His gaze suggested that if the line was crossed any further, a fight might break out.

Under that gaze, the Black Nether Lord sighed and spoke.

“My apologies. I overstepped.”

The Black Nether Lord bowed deeply—not to anyone else, but to me—and apologized.

‘……That’s actually kind of impressive.’

Normally, wouldn’t high-ranking people apologize to Vulcan under his pressure?

But I stared straight at the Black Nether Lord.

—Honestly, the reason I learned this swordsmanship was because the Holy Sword taught me.

I couldn’t exactly say that, could I?

If I did, there’d be no way out.

I racked my brain quickly. The Black Nether Lord and Vulcan’s eyes were sharp.

‘In times like these, you just have to be shameless.’

I steeled my expression and announced to them as if it were nothing.

“It just happened.” “Yeah, it just… what?”

Vulcan nodded at first, then his eyes widened.

“People always say the world was different before the Labyrinth appeared, right? But the first Hero was said to be different, so I referenced some texts and practiced on my own.”

I had actually gone to research texts.

Back when I disguised myself as that mage—Clara? Or was it Elsie, one of the magic Hero candidates?—I did look into it a few times at the library.

“The first Hero’s swordsmanship was pretty interesting, so I tried copying it… and I guess I did a decent job?” “You… copied it?” “……”

My shameless answer left the Black Nether Lord and Vulcan with hilariously dumbfounded expressions.

“Hmm……”

Vulcan stared at the iron training dummy.

The Black Nether Lord stood behind him, blankly gazing into the air.

It was understandable.

What exactly was the orthodox swordsmanship of the Hero?

It was the swordsmanship wielded by the first Hero, who was called the strongest.

The second Hero had learned it but couldn’t wield it properly.

From the third Hero onward, no one could even use it.

Because of that, no one truly mastered the orthodox swordsmanship of the Hero.

Instead, people began learning the swordsmanship used by the second and third Heroes.

That was where the lineages split.

The Hero’s swordsmanship lineage.

And the one called the Black Nether Lord was the head of one of the families that branched from it.

‘No wonder he’s so shaken.’

After the Hero’s swordsmanship lineage split,

many tried to relearn the orthodox swordsmanship of the Hero.

But most of them failed.

Some even claimed the orthodox swordsmanship had already been corrupted.

Once, the Empire attempted to recreate the orthodox swordsmanship, gathering swordsmen from all families—but they achieved little.

As a result, the orthodox swordsmanship degraded to the point where anyone could claim to know it.

‘He must have seen something in it.’

Vulcan only half-believed Han Yu-Seong’s words.

Even if Han Yu-Seong claimed he created it himself,

no matter how talented he was, that was impossible.

So what did Han Yu-Seong mean by saying he ‘created’ it?

Perhaps he took inspiration from the bastardized versions floating around and made his own style.

‘This guy is absurd.’

Vulcan almost laughed at how ridiculous it was.

Absurd.

The Genius Slayer, So Yeon-Hwa.

Why was she called the Genius Slayer?

Because her overwhelming talent crushed all other geniuses.

—No one can defeat the Genius Slayer.

Every swordsman who faced her said the same thing.

The Genius Slayer was something beyond human.

Among swordsmen, it was almost an accepted truth. Even those of other races or from the Eastern Continent shared the belief.

This generation’s Hero is the Genius Slayer.

But Vulcan thought differently after seeing Han Yu-Seong.

‘He used Amwol.’

He wielded a secret technique of another race.

That was no small feat.

Even the Genius Slayer, who could replicate any swordsmanship at a glance, couldn’t use another race’s secret techniques.

The only one ever permitted to do so was

‘The first Hero.’

That being alone.

Vulcan had seen the possibility.

And Han Yu-Seong was the one who brilliantly brought it to fruition.

As Han Yu-Seong’s face—somewhat blank yet sharp—flashed in his mind,

Vulcan turned to look at his retreating figure.

Diago had once made an offer.

In exchange for meeting one person, he would gather the items I needed on my behalf.

“……Why did you buy such expensive things?” “I needed them.”

I stored the items Diago gave me in my hidden space. After releasing Rishiel’s soulstone and storing her body alongside it, there was now an empty spot, so I placed the box there.

‘Maybe I should get a bigger box.’

The three-compartment subspace was already getting cramped.

More importantly, if things followed the game’s logic, I’d need more space now that I had this item.

Diago watched me store things with a meaningful gaze.

Then, he spoke to me.

“Anyway, my condition is simple. Meet one person and have a conversation with them.” “……That sounds suspicious.” “It won’t be a loss for you. If anything, it’s someone who’s favorably inclined toward you.” “Right now?”

Smirk.

At my words, Diago simply smiled without answering.

“Don’t overthink it. I don’t want to be your enemy—if anything, I’d rather be on the same side.” “What, like friends?” “……Friends?”

Diago froze at my words, as if he hadn’t expected that.

That stung a little.

‘Did he not consider me a friend?’

I thought we were at least as close as glasses and their case.

Guess I was wrong……

“No, my apologies. It’s just… I haven’t heard that word in a long time.” “……?” “Never mind. It’s nothing. Just… it’s been a while since someone called me a friend.”

Diago said that, then led me forward.

“Ah, I should tell you a bit about the person you’re about to meet.” “Yeah, who is it?”

At my question, Diago glanced around cautiously.

Then, with an awkward expression, he replied.

“……It’s a bit hard to explain here. Anyway, they’re someone of high status, but surprisingly down-to-earth.” “Down-to-earth?” “Yeah. More than you’d expect……”

Diago and I stopped talking.

Suddenly, So Yeon-Hwa was standing beside me.

“Why are you here?” “Got curious and followed you.” “……”

What a brilliant answer.

But by now, I knew a thing or two about So Yeon-Hwa.

‘She’s just…’

A freakishly good swordsman.

And severely lacking in other areas.

‘The others probably didn’t care much about that.’

This was an era of barbarism.

As long as you were strong, nothing else mattered. The people around her probably preferred her this way—the dumber she was, the better.

‘Now that I think about it, she’s kind of pitiful.’

Not that it was a reason to travel with her.

I glanced at Diago.

But Diago seemed to misinterpret my gaze.

“Of course, you’re welcome too. That person has had their eye on you for a while.” “On me?”

So Yeon-Hwa frowned slightly.

She glared at Diago as if she didn’t want that kind of attention.

“It’s not like that. Well, maybe it is……”

As So Yeon-Hwa’s glare intensified,

Diago stopped in front of a building.

“We’re here.” “……It’s huge.”

So Yeon-Hwa muttered her thoughts.

I agreed. It was easily one of the most extravagant places in [The Cradle].

‘Though the price matches the luxury.’

A night’s stay cost ten gold coins.

Ten nights would set you back a hundred.

Just stepping inside made my hands tremble.

“……Just in case, I’m not asking you to pay.” “Ah, no. I wasn’t even thinking that.”

Snicker.

Diago, amused by my reaction, led me to the top floor.

Then, with careful reverence, he knocked on the door.

Knock knock.

“You may enter.”

A voice brimming with authority.

Diago cautiously pushed the door open with a creak.

Inside was a character who looked every bit the Crown Prince.

The epitome of extravagance.

Hair that shone like the sun.

Eyes that glowed golden.

But unlike the Saintess,

while her eyes held divinity,

‘Authority?’

His gaze embodied sheer dominance.

“A knight of the Empire greets the noble Crown Prince.” “No need for such formality.”

The Crown Prince waved his hand dismissively at Diago.

“But I see you’ve brought a guest.” “Yes, on the way here……” “Well, no matter. Given that the most famous figure in The Cradle and the Empire’s hottest topic are here, it’s better to bring them along than cause a scene in the streets.” “The Crown Prince……?”

So Yeon-Hwa muttered blankly.

“Kuhahahahaha! As expected, even the Empire’s famed Genius Slayer recognizes me!”

The Crown Prince threw his head back and laughed.

“Kuhahahaha! Today is a fine day! I’ve met the two people I most wanted to see! Kuhahaha!”

He kept laughing, bending backward.

And then.

Thud.

“……Diago. Sorry, but could you help me up?” “Did you throw out your back again?” “My apologies.”

Diago hurried over and carefully helped the Crown Prince to his feet.

“That guy seems a little weird.”

So Yeon-Hwa leaned in and whispered to me.

I agreed.

“……”

Is the Empire’s future… really in good hands?