174. Festival of the Sword (17)
#174
“…It’s just as you said. “I’m sure he’s the culprit.”
Zaifa said. Nodrek’s half-cut body was convulsing at his feet. Ronan frowned when he saw the stab wound on his chest.
“Did you really have to check it like that? “Go quickly and get treatment.”
“This is okay.”
Jaipa shook his head. It was an extremely ignorant verification. Of course there was no better way to confirm who the sword marks belonged to but it was a bit harsh. Red blood was spreading over the black fur. After being silent for a moment he continued speaking.
“…It was a blow.”
“ok?”
“I cut this bug in two with one blow. If I were to calculate the time it took it would probably be about a second. “Do you think you know what this means?”
A damp sadness was fluttering beyond the red eyes. Suddenly Jaipa was rummaging through his inner pocket and pulled out something of his own. Dozens of flat tags made of metal were threaded onto a long thin leather strap. Ronan and Nabirose’s eyes widened. It was a dog tag issued to imperial troops.
“It means that if I had been by the side of my subordinates for just one second something like that wouldn’t have happened.”
The clanking sound of metal was sad. Ronan was about to say something but then stopped. Allowing the slash even though he could have easily blocked it was his own act of remembrance and atonement. Ronan who was chewing his lower lip let out a curse.
“…shit.”
“There was an accomplice. “Were there two more people?”
“okay. “They are better at using swords than this bastard.”
“I’ll have to catch them all before summer comes. If you are willing to cooperate come see me.”
Ronan nodded his head. Anyway even if he didn’t say that he was going to be caught and punished as soon as possible. Jaipa who put in the dog tag turned his attention to Nabirose.
“You’ve become sharper. “It seems like the aurors are still not manifesting.”
“How could you do that…!”
“You can tell that much just by looking at it. “In lieu of paying my respects let me give you some advice.”
Butterfly Rose put his hand on the hilt of his sword and did not reply. Jaipa spoke in a more serious voice.
“Life is walking through storms. People naturally suffer countless wounds and some of them never disappear and remain as scars. “I guess the fact that you were defeated by me one after another has caused such a scar on you.”
“…What do you want to say?”
“You can’t get rid of scars. That’s literally a scar. However it is up to you to decide how to deal with it.”
Suddenly Jaipa pointed to his chest. Beyond the tattered clothes there was a long scar. It was a knife mark left by Nabi Rose. He waved the scimitar in the air brushed off the blood and shook hands with Nabirose.
“I have never been ashamed of this scar.”
“…you.”
I glared at Jaifa as he raised his head. Maybe it was because the tiger said such wonderful things but she always looked like an adult but standing in front of her grandfather she looked like a granddaughter. After hesitating for a moment Nabirose held Jaifa’s hand. It was a historic moment. After a light handshake Jaifa turned his back.
“Then I’ll be waiting for the third challenge. Sentai Sword Saint.”
Jaipa jumped up after saying those words. Just like when I landed there was almost no sound. In just one leap he reached the platform he was originally standing on. Ronan opened his mouth with his eyes focused on Jaifar who was talking to Alogin.
“It doesn’t look as dangerous as the instructor said.”
“…The atmosphere has changed a lot. In the end does all hatred fade away with time?”
“Hate…what on earth happened to Jaifa?”
Ronan asked. It was a car I had been curious about for a while. What on earth happened to Jaifa in the past to warn her so much? The Jaipa he met in person at least did not seem like a war criminal who would cause the Night of the Fangs. As the butterfly was staring at Ronan I innocently turned my head towards him.
“You ask yourself. Aren’t you two close enough to drink together? “Now that I think about it we’ve never drank together before.”
“Ah why is an adult so upset about something like that? “Childishly.”
“I didn’t sulk.”
She walked out of the arena with long strides leaving Ronan behind. Only then did the committee members who had noticed rushed over and started clearing away the remains of Nordrek. The beautifully symmetrical corpse was not worth looking at for a long time. Ronan with his hands in her pockets watched as they swept up the entrails with a broom. Al Login who was in charge of the supervisor tilted his head.
“hmm…? “Aren’t you going out?”
“It’s my turn anyway. “I have the right to be nominated first.”
“That’s true but…why don’t you pull yourself together a little? “She’s been through a lot.”
“It’s okay. It’s better to finish quickly and take a break. “I will nominate you.”
Ronan looked back at the participants of Aran Farzan and extended his finger. Of course rather than choosing I was just pointing at someone. The man who happened to be in the direct path of his index finger sucked in a breath. He was a knight who looked strong in his own right wearing his full body armor. Ronan twitched his fingers as if he was annoyed.
“Come down.”
“Mmm! How dare this scoundrel…!”
The knight snorted loudly and went down to the arena. Exactly three minutes and twelve seconds passed before he screamed like a child and declared surrender.
“Huh oh! I was wrong! Please have mercy!”
“I’m sorry for being a robber. “No matter how much I learn the fundamentals don’t seem to change.”
Her man threw away her polearm her main weapon and ran away. Ronan sheathed his sword upon hearing Alogin’s declaration of victory. After that the final test proceeded smoothly. Half fell and half stuck. No one died except for Nodrek who was torn in half. Schlieffen who took exactly 44 seconds to win smiled triumphantly.
“Hehe…what a shame Ronan.”
“I’m going to turn. Are all good people really that childish?”
Ronan frowned as if he was tired. It was strange that the storm sword appeared right from the start but it seemed like it was for this purpose. I was very worried about Grancia’s future.
After adding up the scores so far Ronan and Schlieffen were tied for first place. Ronan transferred the right to receive guidance from Seiffa to Schlieffen. Anyway I had a hard fight in the cave the day before yesterday. Jaipa who had competed with him for a few points touched his chin and said.
“Hmm you are the most outstanding Auror I have ever seen. “I see the potential to surpass myself.”
“thank you. Sword Saint.”
“I don’t have any advice so just keep moving forward. “I wonder which of you two will be the next swordsman.”
Seifa looked at Ronan and Schlieffen in turn and smiled with satisfaction. The exposed fangs sparkled pure white. Even though he was in the midst of being depressed he seemed really happy to see him doing that.
“Then this concludes the final exam. It’s a tribute to both winners and losers. Farzan will never forget the blood and iron you gave.”
The exam didn’t end until late at night. Alogin came down from the stage and shook hands with each person.
Those who passed returned to the base and those who failed went down the mountain. As I left the arena I could see the Milky Way crossing the sky from end to end. Ronan continued his steps realizing once again that this long journey was coming to an end.
****
Ronan returned to his lodgings after finishing his meal. Schlieffen who returned first was polishing his sword.
‘You damn bastard. Look at how even his facial expression has changed.’
Although the time he actually wielded his sword was short a lot of things happened so the mental fatigue was considerable. Ronan who immediately lay down on the bed sighed.
“Hehe…it’s finally tomorrow. “Is everyone in Phileon doing well?”
“Nothing will happen. “I’m just worried about Miss Iril.”
“Even with the guard attached like that Yunan. Just tell me honestly that you miss me man.”
Schlieffen did not answer. The red-hot ears were very funny. In fact if Ronan had not been promised escort by the Emperor he would not have been able to feel this relieved.
He recalled his conversation with Alogin in the restaurant. After completing Nodrek’s autopsy it was confirmed that he was indeed the Tortoise Sword Kroden. Ronan whose thoughts were complicated fell asleep.
‘Let’s say the reason I saved the dying one was to use it. But what was the purpose of using the memory sealing technique? ‘Why are your hair and eyes like that?’
The fire was quickly extinguished but many things were still questionable. Nordrek had a very different feel from the Nebula Clazier I had seen so far. It was the same thing that was a fucking baby but it should be said to be badly. I felt a sense of heterogeneity in an essential way.
‘As expected they look alike. I feel it.’
I thought that perhaps the feeling of heterogeneity was related to hair or eye color. It was obvious that he was involved with a traitor but it wasn’t clear what that was. Ronan raised his upper body and asked Schlieffen a question.
“That bastard with the explosive sword. “Why do you think you came here?”
“Wasn’t it to get revenge on Instructor Butterfly Rose?”
“no. I had a strong feeling that it was something I did concurrently. “These bastards are even more shit because they have a cause… Damn it.”
Ronan ran his palm down his face. I felt like I needed to get some sleep today because I couldn’t get my head to work. He was rummaging under the bed and took out a bottle of alcohol. Schlieffen recognizing the label on the bottle shrugged his eyebrows.
“Lord of eternal tales. “It’s quite a valuable item. Where did you get it?”
“I secretly brought one with me when I was drinking with Jaifa.”
“…What?”
Schlieffen narrowed his brows. Ronan pulled out the cork without saying a word. Since there were no cups he drank from the bottle. The liquid flowing down his throat was sweet. After taking a few sips Ronan handed the bottle to Schlieffen.
“Do you want a drink?”
“Of course. thanks.”
“okay. Hey Sannim. “I thought so… huh?”
Ronan opened his eyes wide. I thought he would naturally refuse but it was a surprising answer. Schlieffen took the bottle boldly tilted his head and took a swig of the liquor. Ronan who saw Mokuldae giggling was shocked and said.
“Wow that’s pretty harsh.”
“Hehe…it’s a little better.”
“Is there anything difficult? Before I came here I heard you said some bullshit to my sister about proposing to me when I came back…”
“no. “This is to calm my excited mind from earlier… Because it’s not over just because I received praise from the Sword Saint.”
Ronan laughed. So he was saying that he drank it to calm his agitated mind after receiving a compliment from Jaipa. I’ve seen a lot of people drink to forget painful things but this was a novel reason. Ronan snatched the bottle back and shook his head.
“Crazy guy. “You will be the only person in your life who drinks alcohol for that reason.”
“You must always do your best and live well. “Only then can we protect the weak.”
“I understand so drink in moderation. “The tone of this bastard’s hiccups is similar to Erzsebet’s.”
Suddenly Erzsebet who was drunk on the airship heading to the Dawn Magic Tower came to mind. What trouble did she go through to stop her from using her fire magic inside her neck? Ronan was about to say something. Schlieffen who had been quietly hiccuping opened his mouth.
“…Ronan.”
“ok?”
“I miss you Miss Iril.”
“Fuck.”
Ronan’s face distorted. Schlieffen lowered his head and began praising Iril. I felt like I could write a book because the vocabulary was so rich.
I can’t be with a drunkard like this. He was trying to drink alcohol all at once to lose his mind. Suddenly there was a knock on the door and the door opened. A woman dressed as a guide appeared.
“Hey…Participant 44? Oh there you are. Thank goodness.”
“ok? “What’s going on?”
“Take it. “I’m here to give you this.”
The woman carefully held out an envelope. The quite luxurious envelope was imprinted with a magic spell that would set it on fire if someone other than the recipient tried to open it. Ronan tilted her head.
“Who sent it?”
“This is Mr. Russell who was killed by a torrent sword this morning. I found it while organizing my accommodation and the recipient was Ronan. ”
“…Russell?”
Nodding her head the woman left her room. She seemed quite busy perhaps because of the work done by the torrent sword. Ronan who was scratching her head opened the envelope of her letter. Unlike the envelope the inside paper was plain parchment. Small letters filled one side.
“What did you write that took so much effort?”
Ronan began to read her letter slowly. The beginning and middle part were what I expected. I’m sorry for being rude. Still thank you for your help. I really trust you but I still want to make sure I get the job done…
In it the plan to conspire with the participants of Aran Farzan to defeat the Tortoise Sword was written in full. The plan ended in a miserable failure and left everyone in dismembered corpses. Ronan who was reading her letter clicked her tongue.
“…Damn it.”
If we had stayed still no one would have died. The taste of alcohol has gone down drastically. Even though I read that far there was still about half of the content left. Ronan’s eyes widened as he read the middle and latter half of the book. She wrote down the location of the ruins where she encountered the torrent sword and the internal structure as well as the information she found out while tracking the torrent sword.
“This stupid man….”
Ronan sighed. Among her notes were the locations of places presumed to be Nebula Clazie’s base. It was information of enormous value. Deploying her Imperial forces here would likely be her first mission as a young woman.
The moment of scaring him on the cliff flashed before her eyes. There was also a female knight named Riley who was sitting across from him and drinking. Ronan who had folded his letter neatly muttered while holding a bottle of alcohol.
“Get some rest.”
Ronan took a sip of the brew. The scent of perennial snow blossoms spread throughout his mouth along with the spicy alcohol. The end of the journey was approaching. Tomorrow we finally set foot on the sacred site.
