Chapter 19

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

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The Demon King explained things in meticulous detail, but…

I have my own say on this.

“I told you before, but I don’t know much about swords.”

As soon as he heard that, there were mountains of rebuttals piling up in various directions, but Carriel couldn’t quite bring herself to argue.

Do you mean to tell me that if you don’t know about swords, then most people in this world are all deaf and blind, plus completely unqualified?

It’s not because she’s being unusually humble.

It’s simply because it doesn’t meet her standards, leading her to such conclusions.

“Well, the only reason you’ve had any luck so far is because I memorized a manual written by that kid.”

“A manual?”

“In some ways, it could be considered a record, but it’s detailed enough to almost qualify as a sword technique known as Zettel.”

Carriel asked skeptically.

“…Did you intend to guide me through this from the start?”

“Not particularly. If you choose the sword, your options will eventually boil down to one of three.”

One is the swordsmanship created by an eccentric dragon.

Another is the swordplay of someone once called the Sword Saint.

“As for that grumpy old dragon, as long as his territory isn’t invaded, he doesn’t care whether the continent falls or thrives—so we never crossed paths. But if we had, it would’ve been a headache for me too.”

“And the Sword Saint’s techniques… There’s an heir, but no one has yet reached the level of the original Sword Saint, so when I invaded the Middle Realm, they were essentially defunct.”

“…….”

“There might have been other powerful figures I didn’t know about, but it’s irrelevant now.”

And here’s where the problem arises.

“I don’t know anything about the remaining two styles of swordsmanship, nor do I care.”

“…….”

“What’s with that condescending look? I only know what I know. Just because I don’t know something doesn’t mean I’m supposed to naturally understand everything. Do you think I defy logic and common sense to such an extent?”

Apparently, even she can’t grasp every single truth in the universe as if it were second nature. Who knew?

“Enough chatter. What’s your plan?”

“There aren’t really any other choices, are there?”

“In that case, why not learn the Empire’s sword style anew?”

…What nonsense.

====

Though he said there was no name for the sword technique, if pressed for one:

“It’s the Fool’s Sword.”

“……?”

The Sword of Fools?

“You’ll understand once you try it.”

Before mastering posture, one must internalize the right mindset.

“When taking a stance, be like rock and tree. When flowing through motions, be like water and wind. Pierce like the flame consuming firewood, chill like frost freezing rivers.”

“…….”

“These are the principles you must endlessly repeat, memorize, and reflect upon. Don’t forget them.”

She then demonstrated grip methods, stances, and movements using illusions.

Even the Knight in Obsidian Armor personally showcased these forms via hallucinations.

Para.

Holding the sword with both hands raised in front of the chest—a preparatory stance.

“That’s literally just a ready stance.”

Grate.

“A stance to greet enemies.”

The sword rests over the shoulder or behind the back.

Fortes.

Conversely, the sword is held as if ready to stab at any moment.

Like a horned beast or fierce bull charging ahead, ready to plunge its head forward at any instant.

Bettyta.

Both hands raise the sword skyward without restraint, though tilted diagonally, with the tip pointing toward the ground.

“This is a stance to receive the enemy’s attack.”

That concludes it.

“The four basic forms you just saw will serve as the foundation.”

“Isn’t that too few?”

“Having more doesn’t necessarily make it better.”

Still, one can’t exactly claim this is the definitive answer.

“What can I say? That’s the conclusion drawn by the guy who mastered this.”

Learning or not learning is entirely up to you.

“If you’re dissatisfied, feel free to choose something else.”

“But isn’t this a bit strange?”

The stance she called Para…

Isn’t this…?

“A posture usually reserved for showing respect or politeness, right?”

Raising the sword straight in front of the chest like this… It’s just… How can one possibly face, block, or counter an enemy in this position?

“Don’t blame me; take it up with the kid demonstrating it.”

Naturally, the illusion remained silent.

Nevertheless…

“…….”

When he effortlessly threw Ruelde to the ground, starting from that exaggerated and rigid stance, seamlessly transitioning into another form…

He ultimately toppled his young father with ease.

“Hmph.”

It became increasingly clear that mastering this wouldn’t be easy, evoking a deep sense of anxiety.

====

The Demon King added casually as they moved on to the next step.

“While practicing postures, keep repeating until you can maintain them perfectly—even when your eyes are closed, your body is exhausted, or your consciousness fades.”

No matter which skill you learn, this process is unavoidable.

Still, even so…

‘There’s not even a single swing involved.’

Not even a stab.

Typically, the most fundamental aspect of learning swordsmanship is swinging, i.e., striking downward.

But according to the manual memorized by the Demon King, there’s no need to specifically learn how to strike.

The key lies in posture and movement.

It’s less about executing actual sword techniques and more like…

‘Not quite dancing, but it feels like I’ve become a statue or an exhibit.’

“Emulate rock and tree. Remember that?”

Just when you’re about to forget, the Demon King suddenly reminds you.

“That said…”

“If you don’t know, practice until you do.”

How fortunate indeed!

“At least time is meaningless to you. Even so, mastering this here won’t guarantee adaptation in reality. So focus on grasping the essence and understanding the principles.”

Time isn’t infinite.

However, compared to others, it’s undeniable that you’ve been granted an almost limitless opportunity.

“And apparently applies during normal clothing, armor, and mounted combat, so keep that in mind.”

“Is that distinction really necessary?”

“Why? With mana infusion, doesn’t it matter whether you’re wearing regular clothes or armor since you can cut through both anyway? Or do you plan to obtain a Divine Sword capable of slicing through armor like leather?”

“…….”

“None of that applies to you, does it?”

Moreover…

“Such weapons would be far stronger in the hands of others than in yours. Try refuting that if you can.”

By now, it comes down to whether you believe or disbelieve.

However, the choice remains clear.

“Let’s give it a shot.”

Reality doesn’t concern us here.

Time flows chaotically within dreams.

A day becomes a month.

A month feels like a year.

“Can I stay here indefinitely?”

Even though there’s clearly a gap between dream and real-world time, lingering here for so long seemed unrealistic.

After enduring patiently, it finally felt off, prompting the question.

While repetitive drills might get monotonous, it’s hardly bothersome.

With a clear purpose, no hardship or boredom seems insurmountable.

Only…

At this point, wielding the sword feels less like action…

‘It’s as if I’m becoming a rock or a tree myself.’

“But rocks break under hammers, and trees fall when chopped by axes, don’t they?”

Just as I began feeling somewhat accustomed to the motions, she abruptly spoke.

“Unless otherwise specified, breaking or bending under any circumstances is unacceptable.”

“Is that part of some mantra or meditation?”

“If you stretch it to fit, consider it advice to aid understanding—like annotations in a book. Depending on how you interpret it, it could also qualify as meditation.”

How many times did I repeat maintaining and transitioning between stances? Thanks to not needing to eat or sleep…

All sense of time faded away.

An empty world devoid of sun or moon.

Just me and a sword.

And the Demon King watching over me.

Even she wasn’t always present.

From a certain point onward, the time spent alone grew longer and longer.

Occasionally, I trained so deeply immersed that I forgot the Demon King existed altogether.

“Looks like you’re getting the hang of the basics.”

Her sudden voice startled me occasionally.

“Alright, moving on.”

Para, Grate, Fortes, Bettyta.

“Rocks and trees don’t attack. But what you’ll learn next involves water and wind. Remember?”

“Move fluidly like water and wind… Wasn’t that what you said?”

“That’s right.”

Paviarm.

“Striking down during each motion results in Paviarm.”

Necata.

“This is thrusting.”

And Punita.

“Upward strike.”

Starting now…

“Using the four foundational stances, chain these three techniques together as smoothly as flowing water or blowing wind.”

“…….”

“Stop thinking and let your body act. Swinging the sword isn’t about overthinking. Still don’t get it… tch tch!”

Just adding three more techniques made the combinations of posture and movement incredibly varied.

Depending on how you adjust your grip and stance height…

…Simple yet somehow extraordinarily versatile.

“Once you’ve gotten somewhat comfortable, I’ll check back in.”

With that…

For a while…

…the Demon King didn’t appear before Carriel.

All that remained was an endless void.

Yet, strangely enough…

Even amidst moments of boredom or loneliness…

It started feeling amusing.

Despite frequently encountering moments of overwhelming difficulty, pain, and sorrow…

‘The more thoughts arise, the more troubled and weary you become. Conversely, the fewer thoughts, the stronger you grow. Thinking itself is exhausting and laborious. Don’t let trivial matters distract your mind; focus solely on the task at hand.’

Reflect on this.

During ceaseless battles where soldiers fell left and right…

‘Did you ever have the leisure to entertain stray thoughts?’

Recalling and reaffirming these lessons, I concentrated on refining my posture.

No reminders were necessary.

I remembered everything already.

Exerting my utmost effort.

Devoting my whole heart.

…Truly.

Pouring my sincerity, risking my life.

Ever since meeting her, I learned this crucial lesson first: throwing oneself fully into every endeavor.

Why the Demon King emphasized this as the most important aspect…