Chapter 119 : Chapter 119

Translator: AkazaTL

Pr/Ed: Sol IX

***

Chapter 119 – Upheaval (4)

The Watchers of the White family were not to be underestimated. Their renown extended far beyond the northern Iron Kingdom, across the entire continent. The achievements of the “Northern Sword” were recognized by all seven races.

Yet they hadn’t lasted even a single night. Every corpse bore the mark of just one strike—each person slain with a single cut. What had happened here wasn’t a battle. It was a massacre.

The light that had bound Toma Rhapsody wasn’t mere magic; it was the divine judgment of the Seven Lords and Nine Goddesses. There was no one in the Rhapsody Legion capable of defying such divine power— at least, that had been true until yesterday.

“Answer me.”

Common sense— Every shred of it was overturned by the being standing before me.

Hugo Rhapsody. The Swordmaster who overturned everything merely by appearing now stood motionless on the desolate plain. His very presence ruled the land around him. Amid this incomprehensible scene, I saw a man lying cold and still.

“Let us hope Hugo Rhapsody does nothing foolish.”

Polite, sincere, the very image of a knightly ideal— the Watcher who had introduced himself as Kalsen now lay dead, as if peacefully asleep. And the words he’d spoken before his death rang faintly in my ears.

“We must fulfill our duty as Watchers.”

Duty. Even in their final moments, the Watchers of White had held fast to their convictions. Before absolute power, they never bowed their heads. They raised their swords in the name of duty— but winter can never freeze the sea. Before that endless, vast ocean, even winter was swept away like a sandcastle collapsing into the tide.

“Answer me quickly.”

Their steadfastness was worthy of respect. Toma Rhapsody’s confession of his own faults had been admirable. Edan Rhapsody’s willingness to accept defeat after witnessing his brother’s choice was likewise admirable.

Everything that had happened here—the great reversal—had been born of human choices, of honor, conviction, and courage. It had been a noble sight. Beautiful, even. But all of that was shattered by the arrival of one being. Utterly, unreasonably.

“I’m not a patient man.”

Facing Hugo Rhapsody’s gaze, I remembered my master’s words after our duel. The vortex has not yet ended, he’d said. As always, he was right.

“If you don’t answer, I’ll draw my sword.”

Yes— the vortex was only just beginning.

“I’ll count to three.”

***

Seated upon the Iron Throne, Ian Cherville brushed his fingers over the rusted crown on his head. It was heavy, uncomfortable— and he loved that weight. Even if it bent his neck and broke his spine, he would wear it until the day he died.

From the highest seat, gazing down upon all who served beneath him, one of his ministers bowed and spoke reverently.

“If this campaign succeeds, Your Majesty, all shall praise your name. Not only the people of today—the feats you achieve will be carved into history and remembered for ages.”

“Is that such a great thing?”

“Of course. With the Six Free Cities under our control, every fundamental problem of the Iron Kingdom will be solved. There will be no more endless, wasteful wars. No more famine born of barren lands. When hunger ends, peace will follow, and even crime will fade. The Iron Kingdom may even extend its reach across the sea! With the Free Cities, we’ll no longer depend on imports; we’ll become exporters of abundance—a continental power, wealthy and self-sufficient!”

The minister’s expression wasn’t flattery—it was genuine awe.

Ian Cherville, however, responded dryly.

“So if we claim the Six Free Cities, every problem is solved, and the Iron Kingdom may even become one of the great powers.”

“Yes, Your Majesty! A glorious achievement—”

“Then why did my father never do it?”

“Pardon?”

“No—let me rephrase that.”

Ian’s face took on a look of genuine curiosity.

“Why did the kings before me, my ancestors—why did none of them do something so simple? To seize just six Free Cities—so simple a task.”

The minister froze, then stammered a reply.

“Because it was not simple, Your Majesty.”

“Not simple?”

“Yes. Though nominally a confederation of city-states, the Six Free Cities are the successors of the Grid Republic—a united nation in truth. Geographically, they’re a natural fortress, with one of the top three naval powers on the continent. They are Rhapsody’s territory, rich in resources and industry, and maintain strong diplomatic ties with the great powers. To attack them is no easy thing. Even thinking of such a war has long been unthinkable.”

“But it’s easy now, isn’t it?”

“By Your Majesty’s grace and fortune, yes. But it took an unlikely convergence of chance. It’s not that your forebears were inept, but that fortune favors you. You have Swordmaster Carlos, the continent’s greatest blade. The Freedom Legion has vacated their post, and even Swordmaster Hugo Rhapsody has left his seat. Their best mages are gone, so the Free Cities don’t even realize our Iron Legion has entered their waters. Your Majesty’s ability is beyond compare, of course—but surely the gods, too, have guided this moment. So, please—speak not ill of the—”

“Pfft—wrong.” Ian laughed softly. “My forebears were all fools. Born lucky into royal blood, but unworthy of the crown. Worms who only cared to protect their seat. That such blood runs in my veins is an insult.”

“Your Majesty—”

“Tell me, foolish one—do you truly believe in coincidence?”

Ian’s smile deepened.

“Long ago, in a distant land, I met an old sage who taught me a proverb from his people. ‘Without leaving one’s house, one may know the world.’ I sit here, and yet I see all that unfolds across the continent. I foresaw what would happen in the Free Cities, in that pitiful Karavan territory in Verdí. How do you think I knew? Divine vision? Prophecy? No. Even the Nine Goddesses and Seven Lords cannot see what tomorrow brings—the future belongs to fate itself.”

“……”

“Fate, my foolish servant—what is it? To the weak, fate descends as disaster. But to those who stand atop the world, fate is something to forge. To shape. This is not chance—this is my design. I am merely placing each piece upon the board I built. Why can I see the world from this seat? Because I designed this world.”

The minister looked up into Ian’s ashen eyes— and saw an entire landscape reflected within them.

“They didn’t leave their posts by chance. I made them leave. From the moment I decided, the Free Cities were already mine. War isn’t decided in battle; it’s decided before it begins. I am the one who decides the outcome. Do you understand?”

The minister couldn’t answer.

“Don’t speak of mere prosperity or greatness to me. I don’t care for those paltry results.”

“Then… what is it you desire, Your Majesty?”

“I will place every nation and every race upon my board. I will set the world atop it and move them as I please. None shall resist. None shall flee. Just as it was in the ancient age of ruin.”

The minister suddenly remembered the old histories—the age when all seven races and every kingdom collapsed into war.

The age of sword and spear, of fire and blood.

The Age of War.

“The world will enter another Age of War. And when it ends, the Age of Iron shall begin— the Iron Age ruled by Cherville.”

Madness. Yet the minister couldn’t argue.

The young king who had slain his own kin for the throne—perhaps he could make it so.

Perhaps soon, not just the Free Cities, but every nation on the continent would be swept into the storm— never knowing who had unleashed it.

He looked up, dazed, at his new monarch.

“The Six Free Cities are only the beginning. Rhapsody is only the beginning. Everything begins now.”

The one who gazed upon the world from above— the one who designed it, shaped it, decided its end. The Iron Throne’s master. The minister realized what his king sought to become.

“Watch, and do not doubt.”

A god.

***

I looked at Hugo Rhapsody.

He hadn’t even drawn his sword, yet instinct told me— every life in this place already rested in his hands. If he unsheathed his blade, he would control everything.

That was what it meant to be a Swordmaster.

“...Yes. I am the fighter Liam.”

I met his gaze head-on. He spoke again.

“Why did you do this to my son?”

“Toma Rhapsody’s words were false. Our duel was mutual and honorable. He accepted the result.”

“He accepted it.”

“If you doubt me, ask him when he wakes. I swear by the names of the Nine Goddesses and Seven Lords— even they proved my innocence by punishing your son instead.”

“I saw that myself.”

“Then why—”

“I’m not asking about truth or lies.”

Hugo’s tone was calm, almost languid.

“Why did you make my son this way?”

“What—”

“Yes, he erred. The gods proved your innocence. But that doesn’t change the fact that my son was humiliated, wounded, and broken. Are you saying you bear no blame? None at all?”

“……”

“Speak honestly. You cannot hide from my eyes.”

In that instant, Hugo Rhapsody no longer looked human. He was a sword— a blade pointed at me, forged solely for violence, wearing the shape of a man.

“I know my son’s soul is shattered. I know a Swordmaster’s blade caused it—a blade stronger than mine. I was a foolish father who misjudged his child’s pain. I will not repeat that mistake. I seek the answer, as a sword myself. Tell me, pitiful fighter—did you add anything to my son’s suffering?”

Excuses were useless. I could feel it—he could see through me. His gaze pierced through flesh, bone, and soul alike. There was no hiding from that light.

But then—my curse of doubt stirred. Had I truly done nothing? After all, Toma had been attacked on his way home. Was his broken state due to my duel with him, or something after? Had defeat alone driven him to despair? I couldn’t say for certain. So I couldn’t answer.

My eyes wavered. Just then, from a nearby tent, a voice cried out—

“Father! Stop this senseless violence! We’ve already forsaken enough honor and broken enough oaths! That fighter bears no guilt. Please—think of Toma’s own confession, and cease this!”

Edan Rhapsody. His second son’s voice rang out, but Hugo didn’t even turn.

“No guilt, perhaps. The gods vouched for him, yes. But I must see and hear it myself. So tell me, fighter.”

“Father!”

“Did you—truly—hurt my son?”

And then—

「Hugo Rhapsody. Wielder of Seven Swords.」

The sky opened.

「You have crossed the line.」

“……”

「You have abandoned your sacred duty and let your emotions rule your power. This defies divine law.」

A pillar of radiant light descended, enveloping Hugo and Toma Rhapsody. Divine energy—the same judgment that had bound Toma before. The gods themselves had descended to chastise one who broke the law.

A holy sight. But Hugo didn’t even blink.

“Silence, you voyeurs upon the clouds.”

「……」

“You too are sinners. You are among those I shall judge. Wait your turn.”

「Blasphemy—!」

“When my son called for you, where were you? Were my years of devotion meaningless? Was our house’s loyalty taken for granted?”

Thoom—Hugo stamped his foot, and the pillar of light shattered instantly.

“We will serve you no longer. I am sick of your favoritism. Since Carlos appeared, everything has changed. You think I’m the only one weary and betrayed? You’ll pay for failing to honor our devotion. You know this— the swords of the Six Masters can reach even the heavens.”

「Retract those words. Even now, if you repent—」

Hugo gave no answer. He only stamped again.

The heavens themselves began to close.

As the light vanished, the gods’ voices echoed one last time.

「Then the heavens shall hunt you. You will pay the price for breaking divine law. Those who bear the greatest duty shall deliver your ruin.」

Hugo didn’t even look up.

“Then so be it. Such an end suits a father who couldn’t protect his son.”

The gods were gone. Only the Swordmaster remained— his gaze still fixed on me, demanding an answer.

Then came a weak cough.

“F… father.”

Toma Rhapsody.

“Toma.”

“Please… stop.”

“……”

“This fighter… bears no guilt. In truth, he showed me a new light. Meeting him… was precious.”

“……”

“This foolish son wished to be his friend.”

With all the strength left in his frail body, Toma spoke for me.

“I swear it—by the blood of Rhapsody. That man did not harm me. And he is not… insignificant.”

“……”

“So please… if you truly love this wretched son… allow him to befriend that man. Father.”

“Then… who…”

Hugo’s eyes widened. But Toma said no more.

He had spent the last of his strength to defend me.

Silence fell. At last, Hugo looked up again. His gaze, when it met mine, was no longer as sharp.

“Fighter.”

“……”

“We should talk further.”

Only then could I breathe again. My body felt drained, my limbs weak— and just as I caught my breath, a knight burst from the tent, pale-faced.

“Attack! We’re under attack!”

Attack. At that word, Hugo turned his head.

“Th—the White Legion is approaching! The Swords of Winter come to avenge their fallen!

N-no—that’s not all! The Free Cities are burning!”

His words hit like fire falling upon silence.

“Explain,” Hugo said quietly.

“It’s the Iron Legion! They’ve invaded the Free Cities while we were gone—landed their fleet and are slaughtering civilians—”

“Why?”

“I—I don’t know!”

“And how? Their fleet couldn’t have broken the Free Fleet’s defense—”

The knight gasped out the impossible.

“Dragons.”

“…Dragons?”

“They’re being helped—by the Lords of the Sky!”

Even to me, it sounded insane. But Hugo Rhapsody just stood there, silent.

“Dragons moved? Those beasts that have slept for over a century? No… Why would the Iron Kingdom strike the Free Cities? How did they even know we’d left? Was there a leak? Even if so—too fast. Too perfectly timed.”

His eyes hardened. Then he muttered,

“…So it’s his board. All of this—planned from the start. The Iron Prince moves his piece, using that pampered Swordmaster who scorns the law. I see now whose blade dared deceive my sight.”

His hand trembled. But the knight wasn’t done.

“You must leave, my lord!”

“Why?”

“They’re already here! The Swords of Winter surround us! The Ashen Knights of Blade City have joined them—and… the Lords of the Sky who burned our home—”

He didn’t finish. He didn’t have to.

High above, a shadow appeared— a black speck that grew larger and larger until its shape was unmistakable.

A creature— vaster, greater, and mightier than any that soared the skies of the continent.

The master of the heavens.

The noblest of the seven races.

A symbol of absolute power—

“A checkmate, then…”

A Dragon.

The most exalted beings of all had descended.

And then—My heart began to race. A pounding that filled my head. Heat surged from within my gut. Something I had swallowed was stirring— the undigested blade that held a legend within it: 「Flight」.

The dragon’s form blotted out the sun— and with it came a vision, memories of someone long gone, and a voice—majestic, echoing in my mind.

The voice of one who once dreamed a grand, impossible dream.

『Do you know a genius who became a relic of himself?』

The sword’s voice.