Chapter 17

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on February 8, 2025

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Over the perfectly flat, yellow-hued ground without a single curve.

A battlefield that seems eerily familiar unfolds somewhere.

However, the perspective from which the battlefield is viewed shows a drastic difference compared to before.

Which makes sense, since Carriel was currently positioned in the sky.

The domain of hawks and vultures circling the skies.

Due to the immense height, everything below looked as tiny as an ant colony.

“Is it too high?”

Before her words could even finish, in the blink of an eye, the world zoomed in.

Now the distance was clear enough to distinguish not just ants, but actual crowds of people.

“With the situation changing, the process must change too. From now on, what you need to carefully observe are…”

The combat processes.

“Take in as much as you can. And next, you’ll be exposed to battle techniques spread far and wide across the world.”

Among them, pick the ones that suit you.

“Don’t beg me for help; choose wisely on your own.”

Afterwards, Carriel observed countless battles displayed by the Demon King.

Various weapons and means of combat were fully mobilized. One-on-one fights, group battles. Clashes between camps.

Contrasted preparations. The pitfalls of reckless audacity without readiness. Similar weapons colliding in some cases, while others faced off using entirely different arms and methods.

Some factions dominated one-sidedly, while others did the opposite, or got stuck in stalemates. A small variable could make a camp retreat or completely overturn the situation. Gigantic sea monsters rampaged, tearing up the earth’s crust, while flying units dominated the skies with overwhelming force.

Some quickly countered these threats, while others had no choice but to endure until the tides turned against them.

From the perspective of invading daemons.

And from the viewpoint of the numerous races of the Middle Realm defending themselves.

There were instances where offense turned into defense. Cases where geographic advantages led to total annihilation, or mutual destruction despite all preparation.

“In one-on-one combat, you might boast of absolute superiority, but surviving and excelling in such places is another story altogether.”

Even champions of jousting and arena battles, when placed on the battlefield, never know when or how they might die.

They may perform according to their skills.

But if struck by an unseen arrow, or left defenseless under a barrage without proper gear? Or if repeated mistakes pile up due to being overwhelmed by sheer numbers, leading to accumulated injuries, or worse, a vital spot slashed or pierced?

Who knows if unexpected magical bombardments will fall, or if siege weapons like catapults might turn them into absurd sacrifices?

What if they charge toward the wrong place instead of heading where they should, wasting precious time? Yet somehow, that very mistake turns out to be a stroke of luck, altering the course of the battlefield at the last moment?

While some mysterious experts fight among the ranks as mere soldiers, there are also situations where five or six such individuals appear, surrounding and overwhelming the enemy commander.

What if the ground flips or splits unexpectedly?

Or if the sky collapses out of nowhere, burying you? Or if lightning strikes rain down upon you?

What happens if fog thickens so much that you can’t see an inch ahead? If storms rage or blizzards sweep violently? What about chaotic battles in muddy fields?

What if you’re exposed to one-sided attacks while crossing a river?

On unstable surfaces like seas or rivers instead of solid ground. How do you fight on rocking decks?

Even as the ship sinks, everyone rushes forward recklessly, shouting “You die! I die!” If you slip or get tripped while climbing hills, slopes, cliffs, or towering castle walls?

“How do you anticipate and handle all this in every battle?”

“That’s why fundamentals are crucial. It’s practically impossible to prepare for everything, though not entirely… but it’d take way too much effort.”

Then what does she mean by ‘fundamentals’?

“Just because someone excels in swordsmanship doesn’t mean they can handle all these situations adeptly. That’s a separate issue.”

Even a master swordsman will drown if they don’t know how to swim. Perhaps the only difference would be slightly lower drowning chances when heavily versus lightly armored?

And without wings, even a master swordsman falling from great heights will undoubtedly die from impact. Even if they survive miraculously, regaining full mobility would be tough.

Of course, if they devise clever countermeasures during such moments, that might change things.

Overcoming immediate injustices.

Conquering present trials.

That’s why strength is necessary. And if strength falls short, wisdom and strategy can compensate.

Skill is proven precisely through such means.

“This isn’t something you can resolve right away. Just keep it in mind for now.”

Eventually…

“There are countless sword techniques in the world. However, swords were originally tools for the weak.”

“Because they use tools, right?”

The tool called a sword.

It doesn’t necessarily have to be a sword, but why specifically a sword?

The Demon King asked.

“Do you know why the sword became the representative weapon of our era?”

“It’s because it’s the symbol of the Order.”

“Ah, surprisingly well-informed.”

The sword wasn’t chosen for its overwhelming usefulness. In fact, it requires quite a bit of skill to wield effectively.

If you’re going to grab anything blindly, blunt weapons or axes would be far more efficient.

With minimal training, spears are arguably the most practical weapons.

But not swords.

So why were swords chosen?

Swords mimicking crosses.

Arming swords eventually became the emblem of knights.

When knight oaths were conducted informally, any weapon could suffice. But as straight swords became standard for ceremonies, even priests began blessing not only the knights but also their swords.

Thus, the culture and symbolism of chivalry and knightly oaths took root.

Nobility equals knighthood.

This notion became natural within the Empire, though neighboring countries varied.

Why must nobility equate to knighthood?

What connection exists between blue blood and knights?

“Still, swords are useful in many ways. They’re portable and look good.”

Spears are inconvenient and cumbersome to carry.

Axes seem brutish and savage.

Bows are associated with hunters and those who can’t afford close-range weapons, making them problematic.

Blunt weapons are efficient but require immense strength and appear crude and brutal beyond measure.

Warriors of the gods.

Using such symbols would be inappropriate indeed.

It wasn’t always this way.

At some point, knights wielding swords that mimicked crosses emerged.

Precisely as manufactured replicas of crosses increased, these knights came to embody the image and prejudice of divine warriors.

In the Empire, swords became synonymous with kings and emblems of warriors of the gods.

Even heroes’ sacred swords follow this trend.

The reason heroes and warriors in old tales always wield swords is symbolic representation.

“The prominence of swords dates back to prehistoric times.”

The Demon King dismissed further historical lessons, stating to remember this much.

“Anyway, unlike the Middle Realm, weapon usage in the Demon Realm is less common.”

If used at all…

“Either the user has the right constitution and aptitude, or the weapon offers overwhelming efficiency and power.”

Understand this well.

“A sword is ultimately just a tool; there’s no truth or ultimate meaning behind it. It’s merely a convenience, a means to achieve a goal.”

So erase your biases and continue observing.

What kind of swordplay suits you?

Or perhaps other types of weaponry and combat styles, whether suitable or unsuitable.

“Don’t confine yourself to a singular worldview.”

Even if you don’t end up using them,

eventually, you’ll face those who do.

“If you don’t want to be caught unprepared later and suffer one-sided defeats…”

Even so.

If you manage to avoid death or becoming disabled while losing, that itself is peak luck.

====

“The masters of Imperial swordsmanship may share similar movements, but their methods of application vary widely.”

Some rely on brute strength.

Others use agility and quickness.

Some mix unconventional tactics and deceit to gain advantages through numerical fights.

And then there are those who simply wear down opponents with patience and perseverance.

“Each method has its own strengths that define the characteristics of their swordplay.”

In this regard, Imperial swordsmanship stands out quite impressively in terms of accessibility.

It’s not for nothing that even prestigious families within the Empire practice it.

Basic foundations are laid here, and afterward, learning other styles becomes possible.

“However, as I mentioned earlier, this is the swordplay of the chosen few. Still, it’s not entirely the wrong approach. Nations need fast, practical combat skills after all.”

In this aspect, the original Imperial sword style allows anyone to reach mastery given time.

“But it takes too long.”

The Demon King stated.

“If you start today, it’d take at least five years, sometimes nearing ten, of pouring your entire soul into it to barely make it usable in real combat.”

Forming a body suited for swordplay.

Reprogramming reflexes and senses to instinctively execute optimal actions and responses.

Adapting to the point of naturally mastering sword paths.

Later, even without formal teaching, the technique optimizes itself to fit your nature and physique.

“One day, if you teach your child just one sword art, this would be the finest choice.”

“Provided you overcome the extreme boredom. It’s easy to teach and doesn’t require much dedication.”

However, you don’t seem particularly attached to Imperial swordplay, do you?

Rather, you might even despise it.

“In contrast, in Dabas Kingdom, which opposes the Empire, there’s something called the Divine Warrior Style, wasn’t it?”

An outrageously named style.

Yet one that lives up to its name in some respects.

“Still, it’s not something you can learn now.”

To begin with, this isn’t knightly swordplay.

It’s warrior swordplay.

The swords used aren’t cross-mimicking straight swords but rather a variety of swords.

Before learning the technique, practitioners first select the sword that best suits them. Other options can come later, but that’s a future concern.

Looking at this, while the Divine Warrior Style clearly surpasses in systematic and deep education,

it inevitably loses out to the Empire in terms of mass appeal and producing large armies.

This aligns with each nation’s unique circumstances.

“Additionally, humans employ various other sword techniques, and other races have developed equally diverse ways of handling swords…”

Not every detail,

but fighters proficient in multiple styles.

Their combat scenes flow endlessly like a rushing river.

The Demon King explained not only the origins of these sword arts but also why they evolved, changed, or regressed in certain ways.

Carriel absorbed all this, engraving it deeply into her mind as she watched.

Finally, she reached a conclusion.

“In light of that, how exactly did your father wield his sword during his prime?”

Quite intriguing, isn’t it?

“You should aim to topple that as your goal.”

Not just swordplay, countless warriors fell to the sword of her father, Ruelde.

Most suffered serious injuries but rarely fatal ones.

Subjugation.

Or neutralization.

Results made possible by overwhelming skill.

Though some met extreme deaths in fierce battles,

Ruelde wasn’t among them.

“That was his level immediately after obtaining the Sacred Sword.”

He grew incredibly strong.

Though hard to explain, he simply transcended previous dimensions.

Even before acquiring the Sacred Sword, he was far stronger than what Carriel could imagine now.

“Still, compared to the emperor of that time, there were plenty of regrets.”

The hero emperor celebrated throughout the land.

And her father.

Despite appearing younger or around the same age,

they exuded seasoned prowess and spirit far beyond her grasp.

The young emperor wielded a sword and shield.

Her father gripped the Sacred Sword with both hands.

They stood opposed and clashed.

The young emperor used his shield as a blunt weapon to deflect the Sacred Sword.

In an instant, like a snake striking along the ground, he thrust his sword towards Ruelde.

Ruelde suddenly spun to evade.

Even while retreating, their swords crossed once more. When the shield was half severed and thrown aside, the emperor lunged low like a weasel.

Ruelde narrowly avoided the attack again.

Meanwhile, the emperor, already wielding a dagger at his waist alongside his sword, skillfully parried some of the Sacred Sword’s strikes with the small blade.

In terms of pure skill, Ruelde was infinitely inferior.

Yet they seemed evenly matched because…

Ruelde possessed overwhelming physical abilities.

“Wasn’t that around the time you were one year younger than now?”

“…”

This wasn’t a mock duel.

It resembled a bloody battle akin to real combat.

If your skill reaches that level, even a simple sparring match creates such intense imagery.

“First, aim to surpass that level.”

If you can’t even do that…

“Defeating a fully prepared Ruelde? Not a chance in hell.”

As the Demon King hummed a tune, the duel between the two raced towards its conclusion.

“Did Father ever lose in either real combat or duels?”

“He lost a lot. Very often.”