Chapter 117 : Chapter 117

Translator: AkazaTL

Pr/Ed: Sol IX

***

Chapter 117 – Upheaval (2)

“I’ll be going to the Iron Kingdom for a while.”

That was what Hugo Rhapsody told his household. Their master had just declared that he would abandon his duty—yet no one took it seriously. Hugo Rhapsody had always done outrageous things for his son’s sake, and he had often left his post before. But not once had any trouble ever befallen the Free Cities.

The Six Free Cities were a natural fortress. They traded actively with the great powers of the continent, and were guarded by one of the Five Great Houses—Rhapsody. With all those factors intertwined, the Six Free Cities had long enjoyed their peace.

“Please, leave this place to us while you’re gone.”

And so, everyone in the Free Cities believed that peace was eternal. They thought the glory of the Free Cities would last forever. They never realized that there was no such thing as eternal peace—that peace preserved too long would crumble at the smallest disruption.

“As always.”

The Free Cities…had long since been swallowed by their own peace.

***

When I came to, I was lying in a bedroom inside the manor.

Apparently, Audrey had brought me here after seeing me heat a blade red-hot and shove it into my mouth.

She’d screamed that the heir of Steel Blood had gone insane, that she needed to summon a priest for an exorcism or healing or something.

When I calmly explained the situation, she finally settled down. Then, after grasping the rough sequence of events, she asked me a question.

“So, did it work?”

Work. Audrey’s eyes gleamed with expectation.

She must’ve been curious—she’d just witnessed with her own eyes the rumored power of Steel Blood, seeing me chew a heated blade like a loaf of bread.

But I couldn’t live up to her hopes.

“No.”

In short, I failed. I couldn’t digest 「Flight」.

“Why? Your soul grew bigger than before, didn’t it? Was that still not enough? What went wrong? Be honest—drop your pride. I can help you.”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know? What’s that supposed to mean?”

At her question, I shook my head.

“I really don’t know.”

And it was the truth.

“This sword is… different from all the blades I’ve eaten before.”

***

「Flight」—the blade said to contain a legend—showed me nothing.

Normally, when I ate a sword, at least a fragment of memory or a whispering voice would come. But this time, there was only darkness. As if telling me I wasn’t worthy yet.

「It’s certain that you’re still lacking. But you must find the true reason yourself.」

“Me?”

「Yes. You are unlike the Karavans before you.」

Liam had been right.

I was not one of the Great Karavans. Maybe my blood had thinned over generations, or maybe my talent was simply too small. Either way, the power of Steel Blood I carried couldn’t absorb blades unconditionally.

I needed understanding—time to accept them.

「Take time to reflect.」

“……”

「Being unable to easily digest a blade is a grave flaw… but it can also become a trial in itself. And trials are what make Karavans grow.」

A trial. It sounded noble, put that way. But wasn’t it really just saying I’d have to suffer through unnecessary pain?

There’s a saying: if your body lacks talent, your mind will suffer for it.

In my case, both my body and mind were suffering. Damn it.

“Ugh.”

Still, I wasn’t resentful. It wasn’t anything new. I’d gone through too many hardships to let a little powerlessness or inferiority shake me now. Instead of sulking, I went outside and picked up my sword.

I had no clue how to digest 「Flight」 yet. So rather than clinging to a blade I didn’t understand, it was better to focus on mastering the new weapons I’d already gained—from the Wings of Steel to the 「Flame of Doubt」.

I had to turn the unfamiliar into the familiar. Now that I was a Sword Runner, I had to fight like one. Taming the defiant sword that rejected me could wait until afterward.

“Seol Yoon, would you spar with me?”

Time to properly swing what I already held.

“As much as you wish.”

***

Training with Seol Yoon proved worthwhile.

Audrey showed up mid-practice to scold me, saying I should be figuring out how to digest 「Flight」 instead of wasting time sword-fighting—but I’d learned how to handle her by now.

There was no need to answer every complaint. Just let her words in one ear and out the other.

Eventually, Hailyn would appear from nowhere and drag Audrey away.

Only a mage could deal with another mage, after all. Hailyn was clearly no less formidable than any Witch— how else could she keep the endlessly ranting Audrey occupied for an entire day?

No progress, no clue, yet she keeps nagging me…

I ignored Audrey completely. When I’d made a deal with the Witches, I’d never promised any deadline. There was no reason this task had to come first.

I’d already consumed 「Flight」—if anyone was desperate now, it was her, not me.

「A very Karavan-like attitude. Steel must remain unmoving even as storms rage around it. Never mind the noise of others—especially those spell-flingers.」

A lofty way of saying: grow a thick face and ignore them all.

I took my teacher’s advice to heart. The Iron-faced Technique! A great art that lets me ignore any nagging, no matter how loud.

“Seriously… did you grow an iron plate on your face or something?”

Audrey, who had been pestering me day and night, finally realized the terrifying obstinacy of a Karavan. After seeing how I’d changed since swallowing 「Flight」, she looked at me with open horror. Still, nothing changed. If she’d wanted guarantees, she should’ve drawn up a contract.

In the end, she couldn’t return without completing her mission, and she couldn’t pressure me any further either. Thus, the Karavan territory gained the service of a top-class mage—a Witch, even—free of charge for an indefinite term.

Audrey and Hailyn, the two mages, used this unusual situation—not as a crisis, but as an opportunity. They spread word that the Karavan domain was not dangerous but blessed; that it had drawn the attention of the Great Houses; and that the young lord of Karavan had even defeated a Great House heir in a duel.

Thanks to them, the Karavan domain was booming. Gloriously so.

“Your sword grows sharper by the day,” Seol Yoon said. “And you’re getting more adept with your Wings. Your growth is remarkable—almost as if you’ve fought as a Sword Runner before. As if you’ve absorbed someone’s memories.”

“Haha.”

“Of course, you still have weaknesses. Try to move more fluidly when using your Wings. I know their shape is unique, but don’t be trapped by one form. Advancement comes from change.”

As the domain prospered, I gained another helper besides Seol Yoon.

Tom, now more relaxed, stayed in the training grounds and offered me guidance. There was only one reason he hadn’t gone back yet.

“I contacted the Arena a while ago,” he said. “They told me my leave’s been extended. Seems there’s been quite the incident over there. They didn’t explain much, but apparently some of the fighters they managed turned their blades on the organizers. Those proud directors are terrified.”

“The fighters did that?”

“Yes. It was bound to happen eventually. They never respected the fighters—treated them as mere tools. Anyway, it’s good for me. I love tending the Hall of Honor, but… seeing people again, watching your growth—it’s rewarding. Honestly, these might be the happiest days I’ve had in ten years. I almost want to settle down here.”

“You’d be most welcome if you did.”

I’d known those 「Arena」 bastards would cause trouble someday. Their mess wasn’t my concern. What interested me was Tom’s last remark. If I could coax him to stay as a neighbor, how great would that be? He was a Sword Expert—skilled in maintaining blades, steeped in the history of the continent, and deeply knowledgeable about the many swords scattered across the world. If I could bind him to this land like Audrey, the Karavan domain would grow exponentially…

“Haha, I’d love to, but as long as I’m employed by the 「Arena」, I must fulfill my duty. Besides, no one else can properly care for the blades in the Hall of Honor. You’ve proven that swords possess souls, have you not? I must return to the weapons that await me.”

People like Tom weren’t easy to recruit—and that made them all the more desirable. Still, I decided to keep trying when the chance arose. He seemed just soft enough that I might sway him someday. Either way, with time, the once-chaotic domain finally stabilized.

The residents no longer feared the Rhapsody and White families stationed at the gates. Those who’d hidden indoors came out again, and people—young and old alike—from nearby regions began to gather. The Karavan domain was rising as the new star of the Verdí region.

And then—

“My lord.”

One day, as normal life returned, a visitor came.

“No, young master.”

It was Sancho. The old butler who had left when everything was destroyed. He had been the most clever, the kindest—and to me, like family. The one who’d told me that only a Swordmaster could kill another Swordmaster. The one who’d told me to give up revenge—to live instead. He’d been the one who left me in torment… and now he’d returned, weeping and smiling.

“I’m sorry. And thank you—for enduring, for still fighting, for continuing to honor the glory of Karavan…”

How did I feel seeing him? To be honest, when everyone left me, I resented them. I’d raged at how they could abandon this land so easily. But the moment I saw his face, all that resentment washed away. I ran forward and embraced him.

“Why did you take so long? I came back ages ago.”

“I… had no face to show you.”

“Come inside. Be our butler again. Take care of our humble home. Tell me those old stories again. Stay by my side, Sancho.”

Sancho didn’t answer—he just wept. After a long while, he said,

“Would that… be all right?”

“Of course.”

“There are great people here now. I’m old, my mind stiff. The two mages have shaped the Karavan domain far better than in my day. I thought there was no place for me anymore. But still… seeing this manor fills me with unbearable longing. Even if all that remains are ashes, I want to stay. Even if that Swordmaster comes again to destroy everything, I want to end my days here.”

His words came haltingly.

Even if only ashes remain, I want to stay here.

Even if everything falls again, I want to end it here.

I understood. I felt the same.

“I need you, Sancho.”

“……”

“You remember our old home. You remember who I was, my parents, the manor, the village… You must stay. This is where you belong, Sancho.”

Hearing me, Sancho stopped crying. Instead, he smiled— the warm, steadfast smile I remembered.

***

With Sancho’s return, it finally felt like everything was back to how it once was. The people were smiling, the domain thriving, my sword sharpening, and I, as a Sword Runner, growing stronger each day.

If only things could stay this way forever.

That hopeful thought had barely crossed my mind when a guest arrived at the manor.

“The heir of Steel Blood?”

The guest’s skin was green. An orc.

I’d heard the orcs had come to help and left as swiftly as the wind once things ended, but apparently, not all had returned. Under the moonlight, the orc stood tall and dignified.

“You must be one of the kind friends who helped us. I wanted to thank you, but you all left too quickly. Could you perhaps deliver my gratitude—”

“No thanks needed. I’m here for another matter.”

At those words, my body stiffened.

A being disguised by magic?

An orc using honorifics? My mind froze. Her speech was refined—almost aristocratic—and every gesture followed proper etiquette. I felt chills crawl up my spine.

This… this was horror beyond words.

“You’ve been quite busy. Never alone long enough for me to just appear, you see. As a lady, I had hoped you’d notice me first, but you’re rather dense.”

“……?”

“So I decided to compromise. I suppose I’m giving up the initiative between man and woman, but it can’t be helped. I hear these days women are expected to take the lead in relationships. I’m conservative, but a little rebellion now and then isn’t so bad.”

She twisted her huge, muscular body coquettishly as she spoke. Seeing an orc—one who looked strong enough to crush me with a single hand—move like that made my vision blur.

Not even Jerry Selfit’s black magic was this devastating. The sight filled me with fury and indescribable dread. This had to be a mental assault. No such orc could truly exist—unless the Nine Goddesses and Seven Lords had all made a colossal mistake.

I gathered my composure and spoke in a trembling voice, a mix of anger and fear.

“You’re an uninvited guest.”

“Uninvited? How rude.”

She laughed softly. Even that laugh made my skin crawl.

As I struggled for words, the orc continued.

“I suppose I should introduce myself before you misunderstand. I am Sherizik, second daughter of Orc Elder Sherdik. My father wishes for you to become my husband. I never doubt his judgment—but I thought I should see with my own eyes the male who might become my mate. So, here I am.”

“……?”

My mind reeled. That terrifying face… it was familiar. Sherizik—the Orc Elder’s daughter.

Memories surfaced: after the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, on the descent from the Sacred Ground, Sherdik had mentioned his daughter—said he could entrust her to me. And I had glimpsed a shyly smiling orc in women’s garb back then…

All the pieces clicked together. It was like being struck by lightning.

“Don’t stare at me like that. I’m still a lady who knows how to blush.”

At that moment, the Orc Elder who had once run to aid me now felt like my mortal enemy. As I faced the bashfully fidgeting orc, Sherizik, I felt pure terror and despair rise inside me.

Only one thought echoed in my head—Oh, damn it.