Divine Realm.
“…Incrinew is dead?”
What should I even make of that?
Crimson clouds, mist.
I looked over a golden land where an indescribable being existed, with nothing at all.
There was supposed to be someone on that lone golden throne.
The death of a god.
That was something possible.
However, it was something that only another god could do.
A war among the gods for the enhancement of their birthright and powers.
In fact, thousands of years ago, a war erupted among the gods, leading to the death of many.
And since then, there has been no more war among the gods. There was no need for one.
The major gods that caused the war, the Eight Evil Gods, had all achieved what they wanted.
Overwhelming power compared to the other gods.
If they poked their noses in, the evil gods would unite to hunt down one of their own.
“So, it wasn’t the work of a god…”
The red clouds slowly moved toward the golden chair.
The crimson currents circled around the chair.
Finding out where, and to whom, Incrinew had died, wasn’t that hard.
“Astes Empire.”
To a god.
*
The next morning after hearing from Emperor Agares of the Astes Empire about naming Princess Brigitte the First Princess as the heir to the throne.
Yuma was heading to the training grounds.
It was obvious where Bell would be since she had just finished a simple breakfast.
Bell was swinging her sword.
[Cherten Style].
The swordsmanship of Balmung’s second master, Cherten Pel Deccan, was being displayed through Bell’s hands.
Yuma’s blue eyes captured Bell’s movements.
And those movements were also reflected in Balmung’s view.
-Perfect [Iron].
Yuma nodded slowly.
Then he stepped into the training grounds and approached Bell.
“You’re working hard.”
Bell slowly turned her head.
She probably knew he was there from the moment he stepped in. She only turned when he got closer to speak.
“Yeah, heh heh.”
And she grinned widely.
She looked cute, but there was an awkwardness in the air.
‘This is strange.’
In the past few days, Yuma had felt that Bell was subtly acting awkward around him.
But it didn’t feel like she was avoiding him. That’s why it felt off.
A gap.
It felt like something was standing between him and Bell.
Yuma opened his mouth.
“Is something worrying you these days, Bell?”
Bell’s response to Yuma’s question came out immediately.
It felt like she had something on her mind but didn’t want to say it.
“No! I’m not worried at all!”
Once again, her tone oddly rose, sounding overly cheerful.
It was heard.
Duke Yuma, smiling, wiped the face of Bell, who was looking at him intently, with a soft towel to clean the sweat off her forehead.
“If you have any worries, feel free to speak up.”
A deep voice seeped into her ear, hidden beneath her long blue hair.
Bell clenched her left hand tightly, which was not captured in Yuma’s gaze. Her heart ached sharply.
‘Why?’
Why do you take care of others to the extent of ruining your own body?
“The Evil God, it’s clear that Incrinew is an Evil God. It wouldn’t be strange for a few more Evil Gods to appear in this situation.”
Swish…
Yuma gently stroked Bell’s blue hair.
Her pink eyes met his.
“So, there must be no hindrances in your training. Not even the slightest obstacle can be allowed.”
Hindrance—.
Could it be that I’ve become a hindrance to you?
You, the savior who could be said to have saved this Empire.
With so little time left for you.
Am I really worth your time like this?
Bell couldn’t shake off such thoughts.
She couldn’t easily dispel the foggy anxiety and self-loathing that clung to her.
“Believe in yourself.”
But why do you trust me so much?
“Your sword is the sword that will save the world.”
Why do you say such things so casually? How can those transparent blue eyes remain so unwavering?
“Continue the tradition of swordsmanship.”
Bell slowly walked through the thick fog of questions and self-doubt.
She couldn’t let this precious time be buried under such bad news.
Thus, Bell smiled brightly.
“Yes, my Lord.”
Swish!
Bell drew her sword.
Yuma took a step back.
“First, show me again the [Chertern Style] that you learned yesterday.”
The blue blade lightning ignited in Bell’s hand.
The training ground, shrouded in shadows, flashed with brilliance.
And Bell’s movements began in earnest.
The more she handled the Dekan’s swordsmanship, [Chertern Style], the more she marveled at the intricacies of destruction and slaughter it possessed.
Self-confidence.
It was impossible to wield such swordsmanship without self-assurance. The density of sword energy. And confidence in physical superiority.
Kugugugu─!
The blue energy that surrounded her sword enveloped Bell’s whole body in an instant.
The energy spread throughout her body did not burn relentlessly.
Like a calm lake.
It gently rose like rippling water.
Though not overpowering, it was a solid energy that found no gaps in her body.
“Lady Bell’s mastery of qi is truly remarkable. Even the revered Lord Dekhan would be astonished by such density. Just as Master said, she is indeed a genius. A genius so exceptional it feels like a blessing from the gods. Ah, the god that Duke Yuma encountered was an Evil God, so I suppose we might call her a genius bestowed by the world.”
The words of Balmung echoed in his mind.
“At least you said something useful. The rest was all nonsense.”
Yuma once again tapped his sword sheath twice at his waist. It was a signal to shut up.
“I’ll stick to necessary words. Please spare my life.”
The effect was undeniable.
It seemed he desperately didn’t want to end up in that Spatial Pocket or Divine Bag.
After performing the second technique, the Twin Blades, and the third technique, the Thunderstorm, they moved to the spacious open area behind, to demonstrate the last sword technique of the Cheruten style, the Fourth Technique: Yellow Springs.
“If a genius like Lady Bell unleashed [Yellow Springs], this training ground would be reduced to rubble in no time. I assure you.”
Balmung’s brave proclamation, spoken in a situation where he might end up in a Spatial Pocket, had to be believed.
“What a lovely day.”
With a light smile, Bell briefly whispered her admiration for the clear sky and looked at Yuma.
“It would be nice to explore the capital together later. I don’t think you realize it, but I haven’t even had a chance to go out and have fun once. Yuma.”
Yuma’s eyes widened slightly.
Bell is different.
She is different from others. She had been trapped in the land of White Nights for 20 years because of the burden tied to the White Night clan.
Yuma suddenly realized he hadn’t been thinking about that.
Bell deserved the right to complain like that.
She had been suppressed for 20 years, deprived of the fresh air that others had enjoyed for granted.
‘I should have shown her the sights of the world a while ago.’
Evil God.
The suffering mercy, Incrinew.
Since that guy appeared, Yuma had become quite anxious. Hence, he was hastily passing down the legacy of sword techniques from the past swordsmen embedded in Balmung as well.
Yuma opened his mouth.
“I’m sorry. If there’s an opportunity for an outing soon, it would be good to explore the capital together.”
─I’m sorry.
As a word of apology nearly slipped from Yuma’s lips, Bell’s face inexplicably turned pale.
“No, no! My lord, I didn’t mean it like that! I just made an unnecessary remark at an important time; I’m sorry….”
That was a statement that should not have come from Yuma in Bell’s view.
She had thought that Yuma had no reason to be apologetic towards anyone in this world.
Yuma couldn’t help but feel another sense of unease at the flustered words coming out of Bell.
‘It seems like she’s hiding something.’
He decided he really needed to spend a day with her soon and ask.
Swish─
Bell drew her sword again.
The Fourth Technique: Yellow Springs of the Cheruten style was a horizontal slash, a single decisive blow.
A horizontal slash, a single strike.
Unlike any technique before, he focused the powerful energy that enveloped his entire body into the sword, swinging it—truly a decisive killing blow.
Blue light surged into the sword.
Jjeeok!
The blue currents that scattered like mist gathered into a single point.
Kiiiiiing…
At the gathering of powerful energy, the sword’s blade vibrated as if crying out.
A sharp glint flashed in Bell’s pink eyes.
Kwak!
As if throwing her body, she forcefully stepped with her right foot.
The blue currents stretched heavily.
Like a drop of black ink falling on a white sheet of paper, it shot up intensely into the sky.
Yuma watched the momentum of the strike that seemed to cut through that space.
‘…Soon, I might see the sky split open.’
In that moment, Yuma forgot that he had previously split the clouds with the [Absolute Counter] activated by parrying the Black Dragon [Elcam─Acreon]‘s dragon breath.
He confirmed that Bell could almost perfectly execute the 4th move of the Cheruten style, [Hwangcheon].
Yuma and Bell descended back into the training hall.
Then, they slowly transmitted the swordsmanship of Balmung’s fourth swordsman.
“At the end, twist the sword path.”
“Yeah, Yuma.”
Sarak-
Yuma’s blue clothing brushed against Bell’s white training outfit.
Bell cherished every moment of that brief contact.
Thus, the transmission continued until just before evening.
Training concluded. Bell sat quietly, clearly staring at Yuma with her pink eyes.
“Why is that?”
Bell smiled bashfully.
“Um, I just like training together.”
“It’s dinner time now. Let’s go rest.”
“Okay!”
Yuma and Bell walked side by side.
And they headed toward the dining area of the First Princess’s palace.
*
Princess Brigitte, having polished off a plate of pasta, looked at Yuma and said, “I’m thinking of scouting locations for the coronation ceremony. Tomorrow, I’ll be taking Michael and Cloney with me.”
The coronation.
A place to announce the next Emperor’s ascension to the people.
“Isn’t that something the vassals do?”
“I wanted to see and choose it myself, once this moment arrives.”
Yuma nodded slowly.
It was definitely worth it. A moment that would happen only once in a lifetime.
“Take Hestia with you too.”
Even though there was the reliable Sword Master named Michael, having at least one more useful guard would be good.
Yuma glanced at Bell, who was eating pasta on his right.
“Then, I’ll be exploring the capital with Bell. Tomorrow.”
“Uh, tomorrow…?”
Bell, who didn’t expect that the complaints she made a few hours ago would turn into plans for tomorrow, dropped her fork.
Her face was slightly flushed.
