The 9th Class Swordmaster: Blade of Truth-Chapter 313: The Great Magic (2)

[The Great Magic, huh...] Ramine said in a low voice, almost as if he was sighing.

[Of course. When it comes to his power, you can’t leave that out.]

[But can a human truly grasp that power?]

Even the Spirit Kings, who knew Karyl well, spoke with a rare tone of skepticism when faced with the concept of Great Magic.

“Why? You think I can’t do it?”

[...]

Karyl chuckled drily at their silence.

“Your reaction only makes me more determined."

Karyl couldn't help but wonder just how powerful the Blader from the Mythical Era had to have been for the Spirit Kings to lack confidence like this.

[To be honest, I’m not sure if I can really help you. The Great Magic... certainly lives up to its name. I was confident in my mastery of magic, but this thing can’t be understood with magic alone.]

[The same applies to spirit power. All we can do is help amplify your spirit power. How you interpret and incorporate that is up to you.]

“I know. I never expected this to be easy. It takes enormous effort just to master swordsmanship. The same goes for magic, and it’s no simple task to reach a new level when contracting with higher spirits.”

[But you must do all three at once.]

[You’ll face some serious backlash if any of those three fall short.]

Indeed, even if merging swordsmanship with magic and spirit power seemed straightforward, in reality, it was like trying to combine three entirely different forces.

"Ramine, I once told you I intended to unite the powers of the spirits."

[Yes, at first it sounded like nonsense, but you’ve already managed to use our power through Arcane Mana.]

“But now I realize I was mistaken all along.”

[What?]

Karyl drew Lakna and took the First Stance: Crown Posture. Then, with both hands raised high, he smoothly transitioned into the Second Stance: Unicorn Posture without shifting his feet, and as he pulled his sword into position, mana surged into the blade.

Voosh!

With a single thrust, an Arcane Blade burst forth as Karyl stepped into the Third Stance: Long Weeping Posture, as though repelling an attack. He looked like a tyrant leading a savage war, just like the figure depicted in the mural.

Swish! Voosh—!! Woosh...!!

As the techniques flowed together, Karyl’s movements grew sharper, as though he was entering a state of complete focus.

In the Fourth Stance: Riffle Posture, he launched himself off the ground and unleashed a technique of the Colorless Air Sword. And as Ramine’s power surged into the Ein Trigger on his hand, Karyl’s blade emitted an intense heat.

His strikes did not relent, and as Ethereal and Duaat’s powers merged into Lakna’s blade, the Arcane Blade stopped glowing purple. Instead, it took on an indescribable, strange hue.

Crackle... Crackle, crackle...!

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Flickering with electricity, the Arcane Blade shifted into a deep, ominous black.

“Huff...!”

Just as Karyl was about to assume the final Fifth Stance: Spirale Serpent Posture, Lakna's blade wavered.

“Ugh?!”

Boom—!!

Then, the blade erupted with a deafening roar, the scorching heat surging through Karyl’s hand.

“Be careful!” Allen shouted in alarm.

“...”

“Your mana clashed with the spirit power. You almost brought the entire cave down!” Allen went on.

However, Karyl seemed oblivious to Allen’s scolding. He was merely staring at his scorched hand and the fallen Lakna, clearly lost in thought.

Maintain the sword stance, but don’t discard the volatile mana.

Karyl looked back at the mural.

Even then, it still holds the power of the spirits.

Though that Blader was just an image of a wall, Karyl could nonetheless feel the immense aura exuded by him.

“Is this really something a human can achieve?”

[See?]

[You’re thinking the same thing...]

The Spirit Kings seemed to sense Karyl’s thoughts. But Karyl ignored them, just as he had with Allen, continuing to trace the mural as if deciphering each of the Sword Demon’s moves.

“This is a sword technique that can never be mastered while alive.”

Shrrrrk— Shrrrkkk—

A blue serpent emerged from Karyl’s arm, circling around him before disappearing.

[Impressive... You’ve managed to deduce that much,] Mael finally spoke up.

“As expected, you knew about this all along, you cunning bastard,” Karyl hissed.

[His swordsmanship isn’t something you can be taught,] said Mael. [If you don’t know it, you’re no better than a fisherman who doesn’t understand his catch.]

“If I can’t master it, doesn’t that give you more chances to come after me?”

[That wouldn’t be so bad. If you can’t handle it, pass it on to me. I’ll kill the gods for you,] Mael said playfully.

“You’re insane.”

“What do you mean, a sword technique that can’t be mastered while alive?” asked Allen.

“Exactly what it sounds like. The Sword Demon’s techniques are the swordsmanship of the dead.”

“The swordsmanship of the dead?”

“The body that wields the sword, the mana that manifests magic, and the soul that controls the spirits,” Karyl said coldly. “The ultimate form of swordsmanship can only be achieved when all three are united.”

Crack—!

Woooong... Whooosh...!

An Arcane Blade formed on Karyl’s sword, and Ramine’s flames surged from his other hand.

“But each of these three forces has its own distinct ultimate form, and their paths differ. Combining them into one is, in fact, impossible.”

“Mhm...”

“To reach the highest level of the soul, one must forfeit your body. But without a body, swordsmanship becomes impossible, and if you focus on swordsmanship, your mana weakens.”

“So, you’re saying that the union of the three is inherently impossible?”

“Yes. If you only have one life, that is.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“It means we need to reconsider the nature of the Blader who lived during the Mythical Era.”

“...What?”

“Swordsmanship, magic, and spirit power may differ in their forms, but they share the same essence. However, the physical body becomes a hindrance in their full manifestation. It was the same during the war with the gods. The Sword Demon must have discarded his flesh and achieved completion as a spiritual being.”

“Mastering techniques only after death... How can the living understand the realm of the dead?”

“Exactly. They can’t. That’s why the Sword Demon’s techniques passed on to Alteman by Narh Di Maug are incomplete.”

Karyl let out a chuckle, eyes glimmering as he continued, “Death itself. Bending and defying time is no different from dying. In that sense, I’ve experienced death more deeply than anyone else.”

“Surely you don’t mean...” Allen began.

“For most people, it would be impossible,” Karyl responded. “But for me, it’s simply a matter of remembering a long-forgotten feeling.”

New Sense.

Only by pushing their senses to the limit can a human break through their current barriers. But to surpass those limits, one must transcend the physical body—something Karyl had already experienced in his passage through time.

“I can do it.”

With that, Karyl grasped Lakna once more.

***

“How long has it been since Lord Karyl went into the Thousand-Year Ice Cave?”

“Three days?”

“You think he’s alright?”

The tribe chiefs glanced up at the hill, worried about Karyl, whom they hadn’t seen since the Sword Festival.

“Maybe there was some sort of problem with the elders?”

“That’s unlikely. The three brothers of the Thunder tribe confirmed that he left the cave with Alteman. Not just them, but the other chiefs who participated in the Sword Festival have also decided to follow our lord, so the elders wouldn’t try anything reckless.”

Hashir of the Wolf-Fox tribe, though unable to enter the elders’ residence, kept a watchful eye from a distance, making sure to monitor for any potential developments with his keen vision.

“Hmmm... But it bothers me that only the master has ever returned from the Thousand-Year Ice Cave.”

“They said it’s a trial the Great Warrior must endure. We have no reason to doubt that.”

“How long will it take?” Lilliana asked.

“Who knows...” Hashir couldn’t give her an answer. “The only thing we know for sure is that the trail is beyond anything we could imagine. Even the master himself said he couldn’t predict when it would end.”

“Hah... A long road ahead, huh?”

“Indeed.”

Listening to their conversation, Kuntai and Patun also gave a sigh.

“What about Hwarin?”

“She’s purged all the poison from her body. She’s still recovering, but she’ll soon be able to move herself.”

“Surviving such a deadly poison is impressive enough, but her recovery is even more remarkable. I reckon those stories about the Jannabi’s poison being born from their chief’s sacrifice are true.”

“It’s unfortunate we can’t recreate the poison she used... Even our chief, after experiencing it firsthand, said no known material could replicate it.”

Hashir nodded at Lilliana’s words.

“That power was certainly unique.”

“It couldn’t simply be attributed to magic. They call it Divine Power, don’t they? With such a level of toxicity, it’s a fitting name.”

“That’s still not enough.”

At that moment, the chiefs, who had been solemnly gazing up at the peak of the Thousand-Year Ice Cave, turned around.

“Yes, the lord showed mercy, but if he possessed the power to kill gods, a simple touch would’ve been lethal.”

“Watch yourself.” Lilliana glared sharply at Aidan, who was casually speaking of their chief’s potential death.

“Hey, don’t take it the wrong way. I’m only saying our lord’s power is still lacking. It may seem impossible to us, but if your chief was defeated in her transformed form, then it wouldn’t be strange if our lord reaches a power that could truly kill gods.”

“...”

Though agreeing with Aidan, the other chiefs remained silent.

“That’s why the lord went to the Thousand-Year Ice Cave. He’ll return with something far beyond what he’s already shown us.”

“You’ve known him longer than we have, yet you don’t seem worried at all,” Lilliana remarked.

“I don’t just know him,” Aidan corrected. “I’ve served him longer than you, and from that, I’ve learned a very important thing—never judge him by our standards.”

“Hmph...”

“There’s no need to worry. It’s actually hilarious that we’re worried in the first place. I understand, though. We’ve had a similar experience before.”

Aidan settled by the campfire and took a swig from a bottle of hard liquor.

“Ahh...”

The harsh, fiery alcohol typical of the tribes burned as it went down.

After the Sword Festival, the tribes had kept celebrating, but by the third day, the festive mood had shifted to solemnity as everyone awaited Karyl’s return. Unlike the somber chiefs, Aidan seemed at ease, as if the festival were still going on for him, which didn’t sit well with the others.

“What do you mean by a similar incident?” Lilliana asked with a stern expression.

“It was right after our lord returned from the Gray Training Ground. The last stronghold left by the Assembly of Seven Elders, which even the sorcerers of Azor, the so-called “City of Magic,” couldn’t conquer. Everyone thought he’d die there.”

“And what happened?”

“He returned, stronger than anyone could believe, with an unimaginable power,” Aidan recalled the events with a sense of nostalgia.

After returning from the Gray Training Ground, Karyl began training the Colorless Air Sword in his subconscious alongside Allen. During that time, Aidan felt an instinctive pressure just watching Karyl sit there, as if fleeing were his only option.

That experience was certainly imprinted deeply in his mind, as it was the first time Aidan had truly sensed Karyl’s power, even if it was only for a brief moment. Compared to now, that even might seem almost insignificant. Yet in his mind, it remained the most vivid memory of Karyl.

“Back then, and even now, our lord will walk down that path as if it’s nothing. And he’ll show us the power he has gained.”

Despite Aidan’s confidence, the chiefs’ expressions remained grim.

“You don’t need to worry. If anything, you all know better than I do how great our lord is. Back then, I was just a clueless fool, and I paid the price for doubting him,” Aidan said reassuringly.

At that moment, a panicked voice rang out, “We have a big problem!!”

The entrance to the Thousand-Year Ice Cave was restricted to the tribal chiefs alone, but the urgency in the voice made them all turn toward the entrance.

Bang!

“Stop right there. Who gave you permission to come this far? I hope you know the rules.” Kuntai, the chief of the Tiger Shield tribe, threw his axe with all his might, embedding it firmly into a large rock at the entrance.

“This is a sacred place where the Great Warrior will be born.”

“I-I’m sorry, but the situation is urgent, and the other chiefs allowed me entry.”

“The other chiefs? Are you saying even the Cold Wind tribe permitted this?” Patun of the Red Moon tribe found it hard to believe that those closest to Karyl would allow an interruption at such an important moment.

“Enough with the foolish questions. Look, he’s one of the Cold Wind tribe. It means Alshar sent him,” Hashir whispered in response to Patun’s suspicions.

“That’s right. While the rules state I should have received permission from all the chiefs, Alshar allowed me to come. The other chiefs are currently preparing for battle and have left their posts.”

“Preparing for battle? What are you talking about?”

“Most of the tribes, except for the ones here, have scattered to prepare for combat. The Wolf-Fox has teamed up with the Cold Wind, the Red Moon with the Iron tribe, and the Tiger Shield with the Thunder tribe. The Jannabi tribe is under Lady Hwarin’s direct command.”

“Wiping out traces? Who’s coming to the north?” Patun demanded, his voice filled with frustration.

“Why ask the obvious? There’s only one force on the continent that despises the northern tribes this much...”

“Is it... the empire?”

At Aidan’s words, all the chiefs turned to the messenger.

“Yes. The imperial knights have reached the northern borders.”

“Who exactly are they?”

“Judging by their green armor, it appears to be the Green Knights, led by Gahwel.”

“Damn imperial dogs... They don’t waste any time.”

“They’ve moved faster than we thought.”

“But the lord has yet to return from the Thousand-Year Ice Cave. It’s only been three days. Alteman said it could take a long time... We have no idea when he’ll be done.”

“Ah, this ain’t good. We must prepare ourselves as well. Aidan, we’ll leave this place to you. If our lord returns, inform him immediately.” Hashir, realizing the gravity of the situation, pulled up his cloak and prepared to depart.

However, Aidan, still as calm as ever, said, “There’s no need for that

“...Are you drunk? Do you not realize what’s happening?”

Thunk—!

At that moment, Aidan tossed aside the bottle of liquor and pointed forward.

“Drunk? No, we should drink more. It’s time for a victory toast.”

While the chiefs glared at him, bewildered by his words in the face of an impending invasion, Hashir’s expression hardened.

“With your eyes, you should be able to see it.”

Aidan pointed toward the end of the Thousand-Year Ice Cave.

Despite the magical distortions, his senses as an assassin and near-master swordsman were exceptionally sharp. Even without the Infinity Circle of Sword Masters, his sight rivaled theirs.

“...Lilliana, Kuntai, Patun. Prepare to descend.”

Hashir’s lips curved into a smile.

A dark figure had emerged from the entrance to the Thousand-Year Ice Cave.

“The time for annihilation has come.”