Chapter 18 : Chapter 18

Chapter 18. Fang (1)

The Arena’s recovery room. A place staffed with veteran healers and priests from various orders. To prevent wounded gladiators from dying, the best services were provided here.

On one of the beds lay a small boy. And before him stood a girl with messy, tangled black hair.

The gladiator, the Black Bride. In the recent duel she lost her undefeated title and recorded her first defeat. Yet she was not consumed by the sense of loss. Rather, her face was flushed with excitement.

‘The legend was true.’

The legend passed down in her homeland. That if the sword’s realm reached the heavens, one could ascend to a paradise. She had become convinced it was real for one reason.

The old man she had faced with her own eyes.

That old man could only have been the immortal from the legend.

– Seol Yoon, they say when the sword’s realm reaches the heavens, you can ascend to paradise. There, those you cherished await you, and sweet happiness overflows.

The legend that had spread in her homeland, located on the fringes of the Eastern Continent.

If not an immortal, then what other existence could match the immortal written in the legend? Seol Yoon could not forget that mysterious encounter.

As she recalled it, she stared at the boy lying asleep, the Little Gladiator Liam.

‘If I go with this boy, perhaps I can meet that immortal again.’

She gently brushed the cheek of the boy who appeared asleep.

Of course, deciding to follow Liam was not only because of the immortal. In Seol Yoon’s eyes, the boy himself was special. Whether it was the sword he swung, or the way his atmosphere shifted as if his soul had changed, or the steel-like firmness of his heart despite being only a Sword Beginner…

No matter how she looked at it, being with him would be to her benefit. Far better than staying in this filthy Arena of the Iron City.

“Tsk, must be nice.”

“Damn it, why do I only get these ugly bastards visiting me….”

“Shit!”

Well, of course the other gladiators in the recovery room knew nothing of her reasons.

***

Until just now she had fought me with a blade to kill. The gladiator, the Black Bride. A girl who had introduced herself as Seol Yoon. I could not understand her words. To wake up half-conscious and hear, “I want to go with you”—what kind of situation was this?

‘Am I still dreaming?’

My first thought was, ‘Is she mocking me?’ But her expression was far too serious. No matter how suspiciously I examined her face, I found no sign of a lie.

If that were acting, she would already have succeeded as the star of a theater troupe wandering the Free Cities rather than as a gladiator.

“What do you mean you want to go with me?”

“Just as I said. Wherever you go, I want to be with you, to see, hear, and feel everything about you.”

Her words were ripe for misunderstanding. Indeed, the other gladiators in the recovery room muttered curses under their breath. But Seol Yoon ignored them, staring only at me.

“It will help me achieve my dream.”

“…And what is your dream?”

I asked sincerely, curious.

She hesitated briefly before answering.

“To reach the end of the sword.”

An unexpected answer. And at the same time, even less convincing.

She had greater talent than me, had already reached a higher realm, and throughout the fight, regardless of the outcome, she had overwhelmed me. So how had she concluded that I could help her?

Luckily, someone else answered the question inside me.

「That girl saw me.」

Liam spoke.

「Among Eastern women, there are rare ones with sensitivity to spirits. She seems to have inherited such blood.」

「When you lost consciousness, she sensed my presence. And the instant she recognized my greatness, she was drawn to me.」

His eyes gleamed with self-satisfaction.

「Those who held the sword often became my followers simply from glimpsing my back. Be proud, young descendant, for you are my descendant. And not only for the sword—my appearance and character were superior as well, so women never ceased to flock—」

“…Yes, understood.”

I cut him off before he went on with useless talk. At least, thanks to him, I understood why Seol Yoon wanted to go with me.

「You didn’t think she was attracted to your looks, did you?」

“……”

「Haha. What woman would like a delicate face like yours? Women prefer men like me, imposing and rough.」

Honestly, I had vaguely entertained that thought, so I could not refute him right away. Damn it. I was still a boy in my adolescence.

When a beautiful girl my age said such things, my heart raced and stray imaginations surfaced.

While I was thinking that, Liam spoke again.

「At your age, such thoughts are natural, young descendant.」

“……”

「To enjoy pure love with such a pretty girl would have been fine. Better than being obsessed now with swords, bloodstained revenge, and the past.」

He said it with a bittersweet face, as if regretting.

「At times, I feel regret.」

Truthfully, I too had thought about it, sometimes, just sometimes.

Like the butler and nursemaid had said.

Like my mother’s final words. What if I had forgotten everything and left it all behind? What if I had abandoned the name of Karavan, and simply lived a youth befitting my age?

Because after all, I was human.

Sometimes weary, sometimes doubtful of myself.

But.

「What can we do.」

It was too late to go back.

「Once you step forward, you cannot stop.」

Since I had begun, I had to see it through. Even if the end was death, I would run.

「Do not think with the eyes of a boy. Judge the worth of swordswoman Seol Yoon as the descendant of Karavan, as the avenger Arhan.」

「Do the thing you do best—doubt, young descendant.」

I closed my eyes briefly and opened them again. And the doubts began.

***

Swordswomen from the East were rare.

And geniuses among them were rarer still.

Above all, someone with such a clear goal, showing me goodwill, was rarer still.

What Seol Yoon desired from me was to accompany me, to reach the end of the sword. The time and effort I had to invest in her would be negligible. And what would I gain? More than expected.

‘A higher-level, friendly swordswoman. A genius with flashes of creativity.’

Because she wanted something from me, she would be a reliable ally, and possibly a new villager to help defend my home.

So, rationally, her proposal only brought me gain. No risks to bear, only rewards.

Yet one thing nagged at me.

‘But what if, as a young man and woman, our feelings grow?’

I could not know what might happen between us. And among the warnings Swordmaster Carlos had given me was, “Do not have descendants.” I knew it had not been an empty warning.

The moment I made a family and had children, he would find out. And the strongest Swordmaster in history, the greatest sword of the continent, that monster, would come to my village to wipe out Karavan’s line.

Just like that day, when he had come without warning and destroyed everything.

I would fight Carlos one day, but not yet.

I needed far more time.

If I could not even beat a Sword Walker, then no.

Thinking such things, I told Seol Yoon:

“This may sound strange, but please don’t misunderstand.”

“Mm.”

“I have complicated circumstances, so I cannot have a romantic relationship with a woman. I know you didn’t mean it that way, but since we’re young men and women, if our feelings change as we travel together…”

“Ah, you have your reasons. I think that’s a valid concern.”

She listened seriously. Then nodded and answered.

“But you don’t need to worry.”

Just as sincerely, she replied.

“You’re not my type. That will never happen.”

She added unnecessary words with a very serious face.

“I like men taller than me, with muscles, and a rough look. Like the immortal I saw in you…”

“……”

“Sorry, but you’re really not my type. Pretty boys with thin bones, who look like they’d break if nudged—I can’t stand them.”

The gladiators around us smiled. Liam, floating behind, also smiled.

For some reason, my blood boiled.

“…Yes, understood.”

And so, the Eastern genius swordswoman named Seol Yoon became my companion.

***

Once most of my wounds were healed, I left the recovery room and prepared to return to the village. I had achieved my purpose, so there was no reason to remain in Ferma.

“Hmm.”

Though I had only stayed a short while, the city’s bustling atmosphere had grown familiar.

Always noisy, people living busily. Completely opposite from where I had lived.

I received the proper reward for my gladiatorial match as a Silver Medal fighter. With the change

I bought food and basic gear.

A light chainmail and gloves, boots to guard my ankles. Most of the equipment was chosen for lightness. Because my fighting style leaned that way.

Most of the money went into swords.

I commissioned a new, thinner, sharper Needle, and with the rest bought four daggers to use like Fang.

They were better quality than weapons sold in small towns near my village, at similar prices.

The Iron City lived up to its name.

「Next time, increase your skill so you can buy a dwarf-made weapon.」

Changing gear made me feel more secure. With iron at my body, I could feel I had truly stepped onto the path of the sword. After a day, I met Seol Yoon in the plaza, boarded a carriage, and departed.

All she carried was one bundle.

“I usually don’t carry much. A sword and a day’s food is enough.”

“What if your food runs out?”

“Then I’ll gather herbs or hunt in the forest. My homeland is mountainous, so I’m good at such things.”

I hadn’t known much about the East, so I learned something new. We chatted idly in the rattling carriage. Talking with someone my age was more enjoyable than expected.

Thus, unlike when I came here, I returned not alone but with another.

“Our village is small and quiet, but it’s a good place to live.”

I boasted of my home. And unlike the four days it took to arrive, this time we reached it faster, with a better carriage.

When we arrived, Seol Yoon’s reaction was mixed.

“Oh, um, there really is nothing here.”

“……”

“Still, it looks nice to live in, yeah.”

Her face clearly said, “I didn’t expect it to be this rural.” Damn it. To even hear that from an Eastern borderland girl.

“It will get better.”

As I said that, from afar Fetel came to greet us.

“Young master, you’ve returned.”

Fetel’s condition was clearly worse than when I had left. His face and body had grown thin, and he panted even from walking.

“I look sick, don’t I, haha.”

“…Not at all.”

“Well, I know my time is nearly over.”

He smiled wryly. To lighten the mood, he joked.

“As expected of you, you brought back a pretty lady. You suit each other well.”

“We’re not like that.”

“…?”

But unlike Fetel, Seol Yoon had no social graces.

Seeing Fetel’s awkward face, I felt strangely sorry.

He explained what had happened while I was gone. Several times he coughed blood while speaking. Pitiful.

“There’s been nothing serious in the village. Sometimes intruders came, but most left once they saw me.”

Fetel looked every bit the knight. A small young noble threatening was one thing, but a seasoned knight warning was another. He had guarded the village well.

He described everything in detail. Listening, I realized he was someone I wanted to keep in the village. It was a shame his time was short.

「He’d do well as an administrator, not only a knight.」

I agreed. While unpacking, he mentioned something interesting.

“Ah, I nearly forgot. There was one peculiar intruder. Even when threatened, he didn’t back off. He drew his sword and forced me to kill him.”

So there had been a fool. Across the continent, Sword Walkers and knights were common, but here in this countryside, they were terrifying monsters.

But the more I listened, the less I could dismiss it.

“As he died, he said this: If you kill me, you’ll regret it. Surrender the village now, before my brotherhood comes to burn it down…”

“Brotherhood?”

“Yes. It seems he belonged to a group.”

Fetel nodded.

“This harsh Iron Kingdom is filled with criminals and bandits. They're a band of bandits known in the area.”

Bandits.

At that word, Liam spoke.

「Young descendant, this is your chance.」

A chance? I whispered so Fetel wouldn’t hear.

“What do you mean, chance?”

「A chance to digest your new sword faster.」

He smiled meaningfully.

「A fine training opportunity has arrived.」

“……?”

「Young descendant, draw the memories from that dagger’s former owner, and on your own, without anyone’s help, wipe out that band. Not that knight, nor the girl you brought back.」

I widened my eyes. Wipe them out, alone?

It was absurd. What did I know of them, or what they had? This task my master set was reckless. But his next words shut my mouth.

「If you do it alone, you’ll begin to forge your own Road.」

“…!”

「Not a clumsy imitation full of flaws, but your own genuine Road.」

The meaning was clear.

“…Then I must.”

If I did this, I could approach the level of a Sword Walker.

Yes. The realm of the superhuman.

“Sir Fetel, I’d like to hear more about that matter.”