Chapter 108

It had been several days since then.

I heard that stag beetles mostly live in deciduous forests.

When I asked the old man who once told me this about the reason, he said it was because the sap that comes out of trees is their food.

The bark of birch trees is snow white.

The last time I saw them, I couldn’t really tell much difference from regular trees, but as we ventured deeper, those strikingly pale, snow-white birch trees suddenly appeared in large numbers.

Their branches were even starting to grow lush.

Even though it’s the season transitioning into autumn, this lushness seemed a bit strange.

Not too far away, healthy branches with the characteristic flat and broad leaves of deciduous trees were clearly visible.

It was as if the world changed just a few steps apart; the climate and environment here were odd.

When the mist rising from the lake thickly blankets everything, it’s almost impossible to see even an inch ahead, like sunlight can’t penetrate through.

But then all of a sudden, when it clears up, you can see the distant scenery at a glance.

Climbing up tall trees enhances this sensation even more.

The view from high ground overlooking Soremn Village and its surroundings was distinctly different.

Unlike when we’d go on outings, awkwardly doubling as bridges with kids to pick flowers all day and casually wandering around, this place felt like a small world made of forest, quietly filled with solitude and tranquility.

“Deciduous wood is known for its hardness, while coniferous wood is considered soft. Each has its pros and cons, but if you’re not planning to make something roughly and leave it be, I recommend using pine from the west. As for tools…a single axe should suffice, and as for method, building it in an assembly-style form will do. For that, you’ll need a design…”

These people, who recently arrived here temporarily under the guidance of Gaejef, one of the Nine Heroes, to Lake Water User’s Forest, began constructing a small cabin.

Surprisingly, given how sturdy everyone was, the labor went unexpectedly smoothly.

Oddly skilled in such matters, Aiseus gave detailed instructions on what kind of wood to use regardless of whether the shelter was temporary or long-term, depending on its size and location.

Is this what makes mercenaries so capable?

The middle-aged blonde man named Mayer looked younger than before thanks to his somewhat trimmed beard.

His rugged features were robust, but his brown eyes looked incredibly steadfast.

However, due to always holding a leather flask of unknown origin, the overall vibe remained rather loose.

Meanwhile, the boy and girl who came with him were alike to Aiseus in both good and bad ways.

Mainly in terms of innate talent.

The boy hailed from Dabas Kingdom, which shares a hostile relationship with the Empire across the border.

This child exuded an otherworldly air, possessing a mature aura that didn’t match his age.

With reddish-brown hair and blue eyes, his build was average, but his entire body felt like a concealed weapon.

Reurik.

Having mastered the famous two-sword style of Dabas at such a young age, he caught Mayer’s eye and somehow ended up here.

On the other hand.

The girl named Aristeretis seemed timid and lacked self-esteem.

But she wasn’t ordinary either.

Her slightly tanned skin, silver-blue hair, and green-tinged eyes stood out. Though her age suggested otherwise, her chest was prominent, her waist slim, yet her hips were unusually large.

Despite her seemingly unsuitable physique for physical activity, she showcased ghost-like agility as if none of that mattered.

…Given her abnormally low self-esteem, it seemed like her upbringing hadn’t been easy.

“Well, since I’m a girl… I’d prefer to marry well and have children properly. To do that, I need to be attractive, but… I don’t really know how to do much.”

She says things like this.

Yet, with just a little grooming, she could look quite charming—surely that alone would be enough?

Even other women would find her appealing.

Moreover, her youthful face made her look cute and younger.

She claimed to be from Bartia Kingdom.

Creek, renowned for its ancient magical theories, philosophy, and various academic systems, was a confederation of states located in the southeastern tip of the continent.

Bartia was one of the descendants of Creek.

Though situated at the end of the Creek Peninsula, it was once a central part of the world.

After losing its dominance to the ancient empire of Bella, most of the Creek Peninsula’s allied states took turns ruling the continent until then.

And even Aristeretis, according to Mayer, had reached the level of mastery in the two-sword style—not merely learning it but surpassing it.

“Without ever wielding a sword, simply by observing, she reached this level. I consider her a genius beyond geniuses, an existence above that.”

To which Aiseus replied,

“About my level.”

Unclear if it was boasting or praise.

Why these people came here, what they sought, and why one of the Nine Heroes entrusted this task to Aiseus…

Minette inadvertently overheard the convoluted story.

“There used to be a master here—the Dragon of Lake and Benevolence, also known as the Sword Saint.”

The humiliation of losing to humans drove the Lake Dragon to research and develop martial arts and swordsmanship.

For decades.

The Lake Dragon challenged the Sword Saint with swords, only to surprisingly lose—even to an elderly Sword Saint.

The Sword Saint grew stronger with each passing year.

Even as his body weakened, he became ten times stronger than before every time they met.

Isn’t there a limit to how much stronger someone can get?

Every time, the Dragon of the Lake suffered overwhelming defeat after defeat, repeating cycles of shock and recovery.

Humans, right?

Aging should naturally weaken them, yet this defied logic.

Shortly after the final battle against the Sword Sage, the elderly Sword Saint peacefully passed away while sitting down, as if taking a nap.

Thus, the Lake Dragon never once defeated him in their ten encounters.

Many have inherited the title of Sword Saint afterward, but none of them managed to defeat the Lake Dragon during his lifetime.

However, the Lake Dragon still doubted whether he could have defeated the original Sword Saint back then.

That’s a story from hundreds of years ago.

This accumulation of centuries-long determination resulted in the current peculiar sword art practiced by the Lake Dragon and his descendants.

It’s called the Dragon Divine Sword (龍神劍).

And the two-sword style of Dabas? That’s merely an introductory technique to enter this art.

In other words, the ancient great warrior who spread the two-sword style in Dabas was originally a disciple of the Dragon Divine Sword.

“So that’s what happened.”

“See? I told you you wouldn’t care about stuff like this.”

Minette’s indifferent reaction prompted Aiseus to gesture with her hands.

“Tch.”

Mayer seemed to expect Minette to be shocked, but he picked the wrong person entirely.

“It was a top-secret matter within the kingdom, known to fewer than ten people.”

Even after adding unnecessary details, Minette merely nodded slightly.

“And this Aceletra here is also one of those who received training in the Dragon Divine Sword, as am I.”

However, Aiseus rarely used this secret art except occasionally to show off, preferring instead the knightly swordplay she learned from Grandoeu’s Knights of Aid.

Reason?

“That’s the most optimal swordplay for trampling opponents.”

At least, any opponent facing this technique for the first time will inevitably suffer miserably.

“When Carriel first told me the name of this swordplay meant ‘Fool’s Sword,’ I had no idea what he was talking about.”

The Fool’s Sword.

“I’ve roughly understood why I can’t fully master it.”

Ultimately, it suited Aiseus better to focus on the Dragon Divine Sword rather than the Fool’s Sword.

As for the legendary swordplay of the Sword Saint, she hasn’t seen it yet, so she doesn’t know.

In that sense, this art suits prodigies perfectly.

Mastering the two-sword style for a hundred years earns you the qualification to learn the Dragon Divine Sword.

However, most humans die before reaching that point.

So, if there’s someone who understands the enlightenment and principles gained from practicing the two-sword style for over a hundred years.

If there’s someone who not only understands but can even apply and use it…

They are granted the qualification to learn the Dragon Divine Sword.

Already, they qualify as the highest-level swordmasters and grandmasters.

But those who have climbed the highest mountains eventually realize:

No matter how high they climb, compared to the sky, they’re still incredibly low.

What if someone offers them a ladder to reach the heavens?

Could they resist climbing it?

“Well, I thought having the ability would help me find a good husband. And if he turns violent, I’d at least be able to defend myself. If things get unbearable, I’d need to run away, right? Being weak would make that hard.”

Aristeretis was different but surprisingly materialistic in her reasoning.

Still, receiving the qualification to learn was important.

No matter the reason, that was the only thing that truly mattered.

“…”

Minette herself, upon reflection, didn’t choose to become the heir to the legacy, did she?

Was it the Will of the Gods? Their Intent?

Whatever it was, there must have been a reason.

Mayer only offered advice without forcing anything on Reurik and Aristeretis.

In contrast, Aiseus…

“Yawning already? Want to exercise? You haven’t even broken a sweat despite all that movement. Are you guys even motivated?”

She engaged in mock combat, administering violence.

To Minette, both Reurik and Aristeretis already seemed extraordinarily skilled.

Yet, Aiseus was at least a few levels higher.

In terms of experience, understanding, and application of swordplay, she was overwhelmingly superior.

But the children she pushed weren’t pushovers either.

Living up to their reputation as prodigies, their daily growth was intuitively visible.

And yet, Aiseus relentlessly pushed them forward, step by step, driving them to their limits continuously.

Thus.

Amidst the repetitive routine…

While Minette regularly visited the rock cave where Carriel stayed…

He still hadn’t awakened.

But then, why…

“…?”

On a foggy dawn, hearing some commotion outside, Minette opened the door.

There he was, nonchalantly boiling soup in a pot in front of the cabin.

At first, Minette thought he might have imagined it or dreamed it, but…

“…”

Reality set in.

Meeting his gaze, Carriel stirred the pot with a wooden ladle as if his very presence here was nothing unusual.

Perhaps he knew beforehand or expected to wake up soon.

…Does it matter?

Although frail and emaciated, looking more like a moving corpse with no blood color in his face…

His eyes alone burned brighter than anything else.

Even the flames seemed dimmed by the intensity of his gaze.

He burned silently yet fiercely.

…And yet, his current action was simply stirring soup at dawn.

Somewhat touching, perhaps?

Or maybe Minette was still half-asleep.

Or perhaps just woke up and was emotionally sensitive.

“You’ve… awoken?”

“It would harm the body to neglect it further.”

Neglect?

Sitting on a fallen tree opposite him, Minette asked.

“So, the reason you’ve awakened now is…?”

“As long as we’re living beings, we must eat to survive, correct?”

Casually.

As if stating the most obvious common sense, Carriel spoke.

True.

Yet, hearing it from him in this state was somewhat confusing, though…

Minette cleared his throat softly and asked.

“Did you not expect to see me here?”

“All phenomena are possible. Whoever is here, if it’s reality, then it’s reality.”

Saying the obvious as if it were normal.

Yet, it somehow felt perplexing while leaving a heavy impression.

A sense of presence, perhaps.

Something rarely felt from peers…or generally from ordinary humans, emanated from him.

…Hard to describe exactly.

“So, you came here with something to say?”

“Ye…s.”

Though momentarily tongue-tied due to the situation, Minette still had to ask.

Thus.

“I… ”

Calmly smoothing his chest, Minette regulated his breathing before softly posing his question.

The sound of wood being consumed by fire, the gentle bubbling of the pot’s contents…

Mixed with his tiny query.

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