< 154. Toward the Holy Land (1) >
#154
“Hmm…not bad.”
It was late in the morning when Ronan returned to Phileon. A half moon hung in the clear night sky. She was so hot that it felt really good to be intoxicated.
The banquet was enjoyable. Contrary to the expectations of the comrades of the punitive forces there was no such thing as fried fairy food or alcohol made from dragon tears. Although there was just as good food on the table.
‘It’s dawn.’
Ronan suddenly lowered his gaze and looked at his waist. Balon’s sword was clattering as it welcomed its new owner.
She still didn’t quite feel it. An untrained swordsman who used to be an arrow catcher in his previous life ends up becoming a secret agent of the empire. At this point the novel would have been criticized for being improbable.
‘Everything has been searched.’
However Ronan was clearly aware that this was reality. Now that he had done it he had no intention of doing it half-heartedly.
He was going to eat up the rights and privileges he had earned by uprooting his pillars. Although he was of humble origin he had served seven years in the army so he was confident that he could make good use of it.
‘…It really bothers me.’
However if there was one thing that kept bothering me it was Jaipa the current swordsman. The reason he didn’t get very drunk even though he poured all the alcohol into his stomach was largely due to his concern for the tiger.
Jaipa never showed up at the banquet hall. Aside from being criticized by the emperor in front of people I had a feeling that he might harbor a terrible misunderstanding about himself.
‘I’m not a person who would cause harm to unrelated people but…’
Those bright white eyes still lingered in my mind. His only survivor Major Nemea was still unconscious and could not wake up. Only when she comes to her senses can we find out the truth about her case. It was the moment when Ronan was about to enter the Navardose coffin.
“You’re late. Ronan.”
“Oh fuck it’s a surprise.”
A voice came from the darkness. Ronan turned his head. Schlieffen was standing leaning in front of the dormitory entrance. He was so busy with his thoughts that he didn’t even notice his presence.
“I heard roughly what happened so far. “A lot happened.”
“Where did you go and are you coming back now?”
“It’s around noon today. I went to Grancia Estate. As soon as I arrived I stopped by Miss Iril’s house and she said it was her first time around and treated me to a dish I didn’t ask for. “Live your life with the awareness that you will always be a fortunate person.”
Schlieffen was right as he said those words with a serious expression. It was truly a long time since I had seen a waiting table. His handsome face was still shining white in the moonlight.
After that Schlieffen continued to mutter for a long time saying things like how he had gifted his sister a spring outfit that he had commissioned from his personal tailor and how the outfit really reminded him of an angel. Ronan who was nodding soullessly happened to land on Schlieffen’s chest.
‘This kid got into something too.’
Ronan laughed. Surprisingly there was no significant change in his size but it was clear that he had suffered as much as himself for a month. His core energy had increased by almost 20% since the last time I saw him.
But that wasn’t what was important right now. Ronan’s brow furrowed.
“But you crazy guy. “Have you been waiting here the whole time?”
“Hmm…your body became more disciplined there. Mana has also become much more pure. After all you are my only enemy.”
Schlieffen diverted his words but did not deny that he had been waiting. Anyway he was an insane kid. He turned away from the wall and continued speaking.
“Then let’s move because we have to spar. “I have to leave for Farzan in a few hours.”
“ah.”
Schlieffen’s expression was extremely serious. Today is the departure date but I couldn’t make a decision so it was worth it.
Judging from his reaction it seemed like this bastard didn’t know the truth about the Festival of Swords. Ronan sighed and brushed his bangs back.
“Uh…I don’t know how you’re going to hear this. “We don’t have to fight.”
“What do you mean?”
“It means that she deceived us. Damn I think it’s all about being pretty and having a good body.”
Ronan relayed the information he had heard to the Emperor. In the first place anyone can apply for participation and it is about selecting those who can thrive within it. Nabirose deceived us.
“…”
Although it was quite shocking information Schlieffen’s face showed no signs of confusion as the story progressed. After finishing his explanation Ronan yawned profusely. Perhaps because I had been busy since the morning fatigue was rolling in like a wave.
“Aaaam…maybe he will tell me the truth in the morning. “I’m sleeping.”
“Wait.”
He was just about to enter the dormitory. bang! Schlieffen who made a bold move blocked the door with his sword. Ronan frowned.
“Are you crazy?”
“We haven’t even sparred yet so where are we going? “Follow me.”
“Did you listen to what I said with your asshole? “You don’t have to fight.”
“I already knew about the conditions for participation. But instructor Nabiroje said he would take one person with him and that would be the person who won the sparring match. “I certainly heard that.”
I completely sobered up. There was no such stubbornness. Ronan spoke in an exasperated tone.
“No that means it’s definitely a trick. To be honest who would you rather leave out between you and me?”
“You’ll find out tomorrow morning.”
“…I’m tired bro. “If anything I’ll deal with you in the morning so go wash your feet and go to sleep.”
“Sparring with you was also one of my main goals. “Are you afraid that you might lose to me?”
“What?”
A vein appeared on Ronan’s forehead. I wondered what I heard just now. He took a deep breath to calm his mind and opened his mouth.
“Say it again.”
“I asked him if he was afraid of losing to me. Otherwise there would be no reason to withdraw in such a lame manner. “His body has grown but his heart seems to have shrunk.”
“under.”
Ronan laughed. Now that I see it I see that he is not only good with his sword but also with his tongue. His ability to defy his will was extraordinary.
“Such a small bastard.”
Ronan who was laughing pulled the hilt of his sword. In his two lives he had never heard something like this and ignored it.
Slurp! La Mancha’s sword came out of its sheath emitting a dark light. He snarled aiming the tip of his sword at Schlieffen’s neck.
“Come at me right now.”
“Now you’re back. “Let’s move the location first.”
“You better be prepared. “When your baby loses I’m going to cut off the butt part of his pants and bring it to my sister.”
The two walked side by side. I tried to get over it on a good note but it didn’t seem possible. The hangover and fatigue were long gone.
****
Dawn dawned. The chirping of birds could be heard under the slowly fading sky. Perhaps because it was still early there were no students walking around the school.
“Where on earth did you go?”
Nabi Rose who was walking around the campus sighed. She was wearing a neat uniform and had the secret sword Urusa slung on her back. The carriage heading to the Holy Land of Farzan was waiting at the main gate but the two men who were going with me were nowhere to be seen.
‘I heard that you both came yesterday.’
She was neither in the dormitory nor in the first arena. Even after taking a large walk around the campus his whereabouts were unknown. If we had to leave slowly we could arrive on time but it was difficult.
‘ah.’
At that time an image of a certain space flashed through her mind. She remembered going once when they had a welcoming party for Ronan after he returned from a holiday.
Butterfly Rose took her steps north of her campus. Before long the warehouse connected to the special adventure club came into view.
As she went down the stairs ignoring the hallucinogenic firewood a huge training ground reminiscent of a runway unfolded before her eyes. Nabirose froze.
“This is…”
The training ground was literally a complete mess. Sword marks large and small covered the floor walls and even the high ceiling. It was a landscape that looked as if a storm in the shape of a blade had swept over it.
All the equipment and weapons that were helpful in training such as scarecrows and magic engineers were cut into pieces. There was a strong feeling of being swept away and destroyed rather than being cut with intention.
The club building made of wood was completely cut vertically and divided into two. It was so dangerous that it seemed like it would fall to both sides at the slightest touch. Nabirose laughed.
“Did she risk her life to fight?”
There was no room for excuses and it was Ronan and Schlieffen’s sword marks. Nabirose slowly walked into the training ground. Not long after she was able to find two people lying around in the middle of the training ground.
It looked like a drunk dog rolling around on the floor without permission. It was funny to see the subject wearing rags and holding a sword tightly. Blood stains were scattered around the two people.
Fortunately he collapsed from exhaustion and did not die. I touched her forehead and opened her mouth with a moaning butterfly.
“Get up.”
“Huh…! Instructor?!”
“Big!”
The two people jumped upright. The skin exposed through the torn fabric was full of wounds. It seemed like they were sparring while not applying the medicine properly. Nabirose said.
“What on earth did you do last night?”
“Uh…nothing happened.”
“Stop talking nonsense.”
Nabirose sighed again at Ronan’s answer. Even if two companies fought in close combat they would have fought better than this. She extended her finger and pointed to her exit.
“Get ready and come within 10 minutes. “They both go together.”
“All right.”
“What is ‘I understand’? “I’m right you idiot.”
Perfect! Ronan hit Schlieffen on the back of the head. Still I accepted him obediently as if he had a conscience. Ronan asked Nabirose a question.
“That instructor. “You were planning on taking them both with you from the beginning right?”
“no. The person who really lost was going to leave it behind. “That way you can be sure of motivation.”
Nabirose said firmly. Ronan’s face hardened. Schlieffen who had been stroking the back of his head looked back at him. Ronan opened his mouth avoiding eye contact as much as possible.
“Uh…then why are you taking everyone?”
“Because it was obvious that we would not win or lose. “You both worked really hard.”
I expected that both of them would do well but I had no idea it would progress to this level. A smile appeared on Butterfly Rose’s lips.
‘We can look forward to this sword festival.’
In many ways they were unprecedented disciples. We’ll have to wait to find out the exact details but it seems clear that it will cause a huge stir. She took her steps briskly.
Exactly ten minutes later with the sound of a whip a carriage carrying three people departed. The destination is the holy city of Farzan. It was a noble land where the sword festival was held.
