As Yuma picked up Balmung, he felt a sound resonating in his head.
– “The sword of lamentation and annihilation, Balmung. Initiating operation now.”
It was a voice that reminded him of a modern gentlemanly AI. Yuma narrowed his eyebrows.
– “Is it an ego sword?”
– “My heart trembles at functioning after a millennium.”
– “What are you talking about?”
He had just swung it around in the hands of the god Incrinew yesterday.
– “This ego, Balmung, cannot sprout in the hands of non-beings. There is only consciousness. I’ve been trapped in the damned god Incrinew’s divine waste for 312 years. Most of that time was pure darkness… Finally, it’s in the hands of a human.”
Balmung continued.
– “And it’s in the hands of the divine assassin who killed that god Incrinew. I absolutely love it. Quite exhilarating.”
Whatever it was, it was definitely something strange.
– “Please do use me, Balmung. Just perform the master ritual.”
This guy was giving him the creeps.
– “What abilities do you possess?”
– “To list the amazing abilities of this ego, first, I can rapidly detect long-range attacks based on magic or aura, analyzing their direction, angle, position, trajectory, and so on.”
Yuma wanted to shout that he would use it right away but barely suppressed the urge.
A power to perfectly prepare against long-range attacks.
It was precisely what Yuma needed, but he needed to know more about this guy first.
– “Any other abilities?”
– “The swordplay of all the swordsmen who have used Balmung has been recorded. The sword techniques of five top-tier Grand Sword Masters are all documented. Their stances, sword energy, and movement are all noted.”
‘This isn’t a power I need; it’s what Bell needs.’
But for that reason, handing it over to Bell just wouldn’t fly. The ability reminiscent of the previous “Raider” was way too necessary for him. And that ability probably wouldn’t be of much use to Bell either.
Without such abilities, she would likely notice danger through her ki sense.
The divine martial genius.
That was Bell.
‘Every one of those former masters of Balmung must have been the strongest in history.’
While Yuma was deep in thought, Balmung’s voice continued in his head.
– “And for you, the current owner, though it may not be necessary, I can also cast a barrier-type defensive magic that replenishes magic power on its own.”
But surprisingly, what interested Yuma the most was that last ability…!
He felt his thoughts organizing in his mind.
I felt it was becoming.
First, I concluded that the owner of this Balmung had to be myself.
‘Not enough.’
Evil God.
If someone like Incrinew appears again, I will ultimately have to step in. Bell and Cloney haven’t awakened their powers yet.
‘I feel like I’m not the one who will save this world in the end, you know?’
It doesn’t fit.
My ‘Parrying’ doesn’t match the [Clear] of this world.
Yuma thought this way. Someday Cloney and Bell, who currently can’t use their powers in front of the Evil God, will completely awaken.
‘Until then, I guess I have to protect them.’
To properly carry out that mission, Yuma decided to become the owner of Balmung.
‘Whatever knowledge the Balmung has on swordsmanship and other things, I can pass it down to Bell.’
There’s no need to show her directly; I can just write a sword manual, and Bell will fully grasp the techniques by herself.
She was literally a genius bestowed by the gods.
“How do I perform the Master recognition?”
– Just drop a drop of blood onto the small gem on the hilt.
– Once you become my master, I can only communicate with my master. If anyone else tries to grab me, they won’t be able to talk to me.
“Once I become the master, I can’t give it up afterwards?”
– I’m not a magical sword. You can give it up whenever you want. However, once you relinquish it, you cannot become a master again.
“I understand.”
The blood within Yuma’s body started to change into the Manticore Blood, but luckily, he didn’t start coughing up blood just yet. Yuma eventually called a servant standing in the hallway to fetch a needle.
Drip…
A drop of blood fell onto the small gem on the hilt.
The gem glimmered with a radiant light.
– You have become my master. Master.
Balmung continued.
– To communicate both ways, you must hold me in your hand and speak, but I can deliver information unilaterally at any time.
“Alright, unless it’s an emergency like an attack coming from afar, keep your mouth shut.”
Balmung’s words did not come from the sword.
They kept ringing in Yuma’s head.
And it wasn’t a very pleasant sensation.
There was no response to the command.
“Answer me.”
-…I’m disappointed, Master.
“Answer.”
– Understood, Master.
Balmung scanned the condition of its master.
And discovered an astonishing fact.
– There is no mana heart, Master. You’re… not using aura… or sword energy?
Even the mechanical voice had a hint of shock in it.
“It’s a mere mortal body. There’s no talent whatsoever.”
Yuma simply explained.
If you successfully parry an opponent’s attack, you could deal damage to them exceeding the power of their attack.
– And… you killed a god with that? What kind of life have you led, Master?
“Are you disappointed?”
– No! I’m moved. I’ve never met a master like this before. It’s truly moving.
This little guy.
Seems genuinely touched.
And it made Yuma a bit scared.
Yuma continued his conversation with Balmung, clarifying a few more things.
How to cast defensive magic.
And how to store swordsmanship knowledge.
Unfortunately, Incrinew only seemed to see the world when used. Being trapped in divine realms, he had no knowledge of other Evil Gods’ movements.
As their dialogue continued, the day flew by quickly.
“…I’m just a little tired, is that what I said?”
Brigitte looked at her chief attendant, Royan, standing by her side.
The middle-aged attendant, Royan, bowed his head while looking at First Princess Brigitte.
“Yes, that’s what you said.”
Brigitte couldn’t bring herself to pick up the fork in front of the pasta that had been prepared by the chef.
Neither could Bell and Cloney, who were sitting beside Brigitte.
Whoosh!
Except for one person, Hestia, the 19-year-old Cat-Folk Swordsman.
“Mmm… you asked for lunch, right? Isn’t it okay? You could be tired.”
Hestia’s words were valid.
Considering yesterday’s events, it made sense to want at least a day to rest in peace alone.
Especially if nothing was particularly wrong.
“Yeah, Yuma could certainly be tired.”
But the appetite that had completely vanished wouldn’t return.
‘…The Emperor.’
Am I really someone deserving of the title of Emperor?
Brigitte fell into deep thought.
Yuma.
It was entirely the result of Yuma’s actions.
The power that completely turned the tide in the highly disadvantageous imperial succession competition was Yuma’s strength.
‘What weak thoughts am I having?’
If no one were here at this moment, Brigitte would have slapped her own face.
‘Yuma stood proudly even before the gods.’
And yet, having finally obtained the long-desired position of Emperor, she was now afraid.
But after finally acquiring the long-desired throne of the emperor, how can I be this scared now?
‘Rise up.’
Like an emperor.
To become the empress of the great Astes Empire.
‘I will prove it.’
To the citizens of this land.
To the nobles.
─And to Duke Yuma.
I must let them know their choice was not wrong.
Princess Brigitte’s blue eyes sparkled vividly.
Cloney slowly stood up from her seat.
“I’m not hungry. I’ll have dinner. Sorry.”
With a faint smile, Cloney bowed her head and trotted down to the first floor.
‘I’m much weaker than Sister Bell.’
She was heading to the training ground.
‘It’ll be of help to Duke Yuma.’
I’ll definitely stand by his side.
Cloney spurred herself on.
Bell frowned slightly and lowered her head.
– So it really was just due to the divine oracle that I was brought here.
‘Why did I say such a thing?’
She let out a rash remark to the savior of her clan. To her savior, who seemed so great, she fell into a solo inferiority complex in front of Duke Yuma’s sword.
Bell kept blaming herself.
Then she followed Cloney to the training ground.
*
Early morning.
Step, step…
Bell hurried her steps while watching the leaves flutter in the breeze.
Walking every morning was a routine she had even done while trapped inside the Fortress of the Midnight Sun.
After completing her walk and returning to the entrance of the princess palace, Bell widened her eyes.
Because she saw Duke Yuma walking regally in front of her.
‘He must have gone for a walk first.’
Should I suggest we walk together next time?
Bell followed Duke Yuma with her pinkish eyes.
Cough—!
Bell came to a sudden halt.
It was quite a sharp cough.
‘Was he unwell? He was yesterday too…’
Concern flooded over her.
At that moment, Duke Yuma’s deep voice pierced her ears.
“Not much time left….”
Duke Yuma said that and walked up the stairs.
Bell slowly walked as she confirmed that Yuma had completely gone up.
Then she gazed at the stair railing he had just held.
A very light red color was smeared on the white railing.
“…Blood?”
Bell’s complexion turned pale.
– Not much time left.
“…Uh.”
Duke Yuma’s recently whispered words echoed in her ears.
Her mind started to blur.
– You will surely become an even greater swordsman than I.
A strong headache bore down on her brain.
