Chapter 58, I’m Alive (6)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

Sleiman was the second Sword Master of the continent.

 

This meant that among the living, he was the second person who had walked the path of the sword for the longest time. Of course, the duration spent as a Sword Master could not be considered completely proportional to one’s strength, but the time spent after enlightenment could not be completely disregarded either.

 

To put it simply, Sleiman was strong, undeniably strong.

 

Sleiman’s sword resembled its owner’s personality. It was weighty but not dull.

 

*Swoosh!*

 

Every time Sleiman’s sword moved, the sound of air being torn apart could be heard. The Blue Aura that fluctuated along the tip of the sword left afterimages before repeatedly disappearing.

 

Kalian’s sword was fiercely fast. But it was never boisterous. His sword sliced through the air that Sleiman had torn through. It weaved like a shower of rain between Sleiman’s sword that made sounds like raging thunder.

 

*Slash!*

 

Sleiman’s sword came in aiming for Kalian’s neck. Quickly turning his body to avoid it, Kalian extended his sword toward Sleiman’s side, which was momentarily exposed.

 

As Sleiman deflected Kalian’s sword with a sweeping motion, Kalian immediately aimed for Sleiman’s heart.

 

They were both shooting lethal strikes at each other, with neither holding back.

 

This was because what Kalian had requested was not a gentle sparring match.

 

Gray Beurisen. And Evan Beurisen.

 

There would certainly come a time when Kalian would have to cross swords with them. Therefore, to face them, Kalian needed to accurately grasp the power he possessed.

 

*Kang! Kang! Kang!*

 

Sleiman was here was a whetstone, helping Kalian to push his limits.

 

The Blue Aura aimed for Kalian’s shoulder, but Kalian was already no longer there. Instead, a sharply honed Mana Sword flew from behind Sleiman. Kalian’s sword, which had somehow moved to Sleiman’s back, was already approaching within a hair’s breadth.

 

[He’s fast!]

 

Kalian was so fast that even Sleiman occasionally lost track of his movements. Although he lacked strength, and thus the power behind his sword was insufficient, the speed at which he moved his sword was extraordinary.

 

Sleiman retrieved his sword and struck upward at the sword made of Mana.

 

*Kang!*

 

The exchange of attacks, defences, and deflections continued without pause. The sound of colliding blades and concentrated Mana filled the training, far sharper than ordinary blades colliding.

 

After deflecting Sleiman’s sword once more, Kalian exerted force on the hand holding his sword.

 

*Kang! Kang! Kang!*

 

Four consecutive slashes come in an instant, all targeting Sleiman’s vital points. Sleiman’s sword showed amazing strength as it fended off all of Kalian’s attacks.

 

It was a considerably sharp attack, but Sleiman defended without much difficulty, causing Kalian’s mouth to form a long arc. As an intensified killing intent was directed toward Sleiman, a similar energy extended from Sleiman, attempting to constrict Kalian’s limbs.

 

*Pat*

 

Kalian’s foot moved as if treading on empty air.

 

His figure invariably disappeared after that.

 

Sleiman quickly extended his sword to hinder Kalian’s movement. In response, Kalian deflected it with a motion that seemed like he had gently brushed up along the blade of the sword.

 

Sleiman forcefully pulled back his sword that had been deflected as if free from inertia. There was no delay in extending or retrieving his sword.

 

Sleiman swung the retrieved sword directly towards Kalian’s upper body, where Kalian once again deflected the attack by brushing the sword off.

 

Sleiman grinned.

 

“If you keep running around like this, how will I know the limits of the power you possess?”

 

Soon Sleiman concentrated power into the sword in his hand.

 

*Woong!*

 

Sleiman’s sword made a sound as though it was trembling.

 

The Blue Aura around it deepened, as the intensity of Aura contained in the sword increased.

 

Sensing this, Kalian’s eyes narrowed.

 

*Stomp!*

 

Sleiman violently stomped on the training room floor and launched his body. He raised his sword high above his head and struck down with the force to split Kalian’s body in two.

 

Kalian quickly raised his sword horizontally to block the attack. A chill that felt like it could freeze all the blood flowing through his body emanated from Sleiman’s sword.

 

But at that very moment.

 

Kalian’s sword flickered like a flame and disappeared.

 

“…!”

 

It had failed to properly withstand Sleiman’s Aura, which was several times heavier than his own.

 

This happened while Sleiman’s downward striking sword and Kalian’s blocking sword were in contact with each other. With Kalian’s sword disappearing, Sleiman’s sword, which momentarily lost all resistance, fell straight down.

 

Surprised by the unexpected event, Sleiman let out a startled sound and tried to retrieve his sword. However, Kalian was one step faster.

 

Kalian immediately twisted his body as soon as he felt the Mana Sword disperse. As a result, the tip of Sleiman’s sword merely grazed the side of his face.

 

There, a long thin line of red formed on Kalian’s cheek.

 

But instead of paying attention to the wound or immediately worrying about the major problem of the disappearing Mana Sword, Kalian immediately grabbed another sword that he had created.

 

*Swoosh!*

 

Kalian’s figure disappeared from the range of Sleiman’s sword strike. Sleiman instinctively twisted his waist, turning to the back and extending his sword.

 

With the move having been read, Kalian stepped on Sleiman’s extended sword as if tapping it and launched his body again. Adding the force of his momentarily suspended falling body, he thrust down his Mana Sword, aimed precisely at Sleiman’s crown.

 

Sleiman quickly twisted his sword to block it and then immediately extended it. There, the sound of blades fiercely colliding rang out again.

 

*Kang!*

 

With sword against sword, Sleiman and Kalian’s eyes met.

 

And this time, Kalian grinned.

 

A similar sound of a blade trembling, like the one Sleiman’s sword had made earlier, emanated from Kalian’s sword this time.

 

*Woong!*

 

The Mana Sword, which had been like glass fragments, took on a blue light. He had coated the Mana Sword with Aura, with more Aura!

 

Kalian’s fighting spirit was more intense than ever.

 

It was as if he was saying, ‘I too have a trump card I’ve been holding back!’

 

*Woong!*

 

Sleiman did not wait and thrust his sword once more. Kalian’s feet moved even faster, and then the Mana Sword with blue light surging fell towards Sleiman’s shoulder. Sleiman twisted his sword and lightly deflected it. As for Kalian, whose attack was blocked, he re-gripped his sword and struck upward. However, Sleiman deflected it.

 

*Pat!*

 

Kalian disappeared from Sleiman’s sight again.

 

Knowing that following the Prince’s afterimage was meaningless, Sleiman opened his senses. He extended his sword towards where he felt Kalian’s steps were heading. But Sleiman’s sword sliced through the empty air to no avail.

 

His move had already been read once, and Kalian would not make the same mistake twice.

 

Only after thinking this did Sleiman realised, he had been tricked and quickly turned around. He saw Kalian standing on the opposite side, swinging his sword toward Sleiman’s neck. Sleiman was startled and blocked the attack.

 

*Kang!*

 

Kalian’s sword barely stopped right next to Sleiman’s neck.

 

A long wound formed on Sleiman’s neck, and blood began to flow.

 

And simultaneously

 

*Woong!*

 

Sleiman’s sword made a cry once more.

 

The Aura permeating the sword changed to a deep sea-like color.

 

Kalian’s eyes widened as he felt the more threatening sound, with greater energy.

 

Unbelievably, Sleiman’s Aura had deepened once more.

 

With this, Sleiman raised his arm high, and he thrust his sword down toward Kalian.

 

[This is dangerous!]

 

This is not a sword that can be deflected. All of Kalian’s heightened senses were roared in warning.

 

Kalian gathered all the Aura he had in reserve to protect his body and transferred it to his sword. He struck upward with all his might against Sleiman’s sword that was approaching in an instant.

 

*Kwang!*

 

A deafening roar louder than any sound heard so far erupted.

 

*Crack!*

 

Sleiman’s weighty sword cracked.

 

At the same time, Kalian’s Mana Sword lost its light. It scattered in all directions and disappeared.

 

It had reached its limit.

 

* * *

 

Sleiman’s sword had a long crack in it.

 

Looking at it, Sleiman’s heart also had a ‘long gash’ in it.

 

It was not because of the sword. It was definitely regrettable that his beloved sword was damaged. But Sleiman’s mind was not so narrow as to be disheartened by such a thing.

 

He had heard the strange saying somewhere that ‘raising a daughter is of no use’.

 

He understood the saying. But in his case, he had started hearing at some point that ‘raising a son is of no use’.

 

He did not want to accept it… But… reality was…

 

When blood was still dripping from his own father’s neck! What did his son say!?

 

“What if it leaves a scar on His Highness? Why did you wound his face? Your Highness, are you alright? Is nothing broken?”

 

Ian, who had burst through the training room door as if to break it, immediately rushed to Kalian. His son was handling him with utmost care, as if touching the Prince would cause him to crumble or bumping him would break him. Sleiman, who had thought of himself as a broad-minded man, grumbled towards Ian, who was restless over Kalian’s hairline-like wound that was healing on its own.

 

“Are you sure you are really my son?”

 

Next to such a Sleiman, a small laugh was heard. It was Hina.

 

Hina’s hand was glowing. She was in the process of treating the wound on Sleiman’s neck.

 

Of course, they were not the only ones who had rushed over, Startled by the thunderous sound that had reverberated through the training room, all the Knights who had been around, with Kyrie, had gathered. Thanks to that, Sleiman had one more thing to feel wronged about.

 

Sleiman had clearly won the recent duel.

 

He had not even used all his Aura, so he had won quite comfortably.

 

Yet Kalian’s broken sword had no form in the first place, while Sleiman’s sword had a clear crack in it.

 

The wound on Kalian’s face was not large to begin with, and thanks to the power of Syspanian’s Blessing, it was gradually healing. Meanwhile, Sleiman had a half a palm length line on his neck.

 

“Your Grace… Don’t tell me you lost…?”

 

So, it was inevitable that Yuran would ask this with much hesitation.

 

Sleiman was at a loss for words, and Kalian burst into laughter once more.

 

* * *

 

In the morning, light emanated from the cave, and in the afternoon, an explosion occurred in Sleiman’s training room. Just by Kalian’s arrival, the usually quiet Land of Elephants was bustling with blusterous activity.

 

And that evening, a grand dinner was held.

 

It was a lively gathering with not only Kalian and Sleiman but also Kalian’s companions, like Allan’s relatives: Rauchel and Veronica, and the twenty Knights who had escorted Kalian.

 

And thus, Kalian was finally able to hear Sleiman’s long-awaited violin. It was an excellent performance that was hard to believe came from hands that handled a sword so well. Hence, Kalian was genuinely moved.

 

A moment later, Sleiman, who had set aside the violin, came to sit beside Kalian.

 

“I enjoyed it, very much so. I knew you were good with a sword, but a violin? Truly remarkable.”

 

“I’m Siegfried, you know? Even if we can’t handle a sword, we must be able to play the violin.”

 

After saying this, Sleiman let out his characteristic hearty laugh.

 

Sleiman’s wound, treated by Hina, had healed considerably by this point – though not completely. Seeing Kalian examining the neck wound, Sleiman waved his hand as if to say not to worry.

 

“This much doesn’t even itch!”

 

“That match was very helpful. Thank you.”

 

Kalian smiled and once again conveyed his gratitude.

 

Thanks to Sleiman, he had learned that his Mana Sword disappears when faced with power beyond its limit. Moreover, he also knew now at what level of power the Mana Sword disappears, so there could not be a greater harvest. If something like what had just occurred during an actual fight, it would have been disastrous. Therefore, he needed to train on ways to maintain the Mana Sword so it would not disappear while wielding Aura and Mana.

 

“I’m glad it was helpful.”

 

Sleiman, saying this, had a slightly reddened face. Though he could probably avoid getting drunk due to the application of Aura, he did not want to drive away the intoxication.

 

Kalian poured wine into Sleiman’s glass. Sleiman also asked if Kalian would drink wine, but Kalian shook his head.

 

As the Knights became moderately drunk, the surroundings became quite noisy.

 

Back then, when Hale Latran pretended to be drunk and made a ruckus, it had been so unpleasant to hear, but now, the sound was both exciting and soothing.

 

While sitting quietly and observing the surroundings, Sleiman spoke up.

 

“Fast sword techniques aren’t that peculiar, so it’s fine.”

 

Kalian turned his head to look at Sleiman.

 

Sleiman continued in a low voice.

 

“Putting strength into the waist first when slashing your sword horizontally or after a combo is characteristic of Secritia Knights, Your Highness.”

 

As if proving that his name was not in vain, Sleiman had accurately grasped Kalian’s sword technique.

 

“Thanks to my son, I’ve heard about Your Highness until my ears grew calluses. Of course, I also heard how much you dislike sword lessons. Yet, with Secritia’s sword technique, you’ve walked the path of the sword in just a few months, and the Aura accumulated in that time is surprisingly substantial. A few months is a short time to learn how to handle Aura right after stepping onto the path of the sword. Yet, it seems as if you already know well how to handle and accumulate Aura… how strange.”

 

Kalian waited for Sleiman’s next words without any change in expression.

 

Sleiman tapped his thigh and spoke again.

 

“Anyway. In Cyries, we center on the legs. If we look at sword techniques separately, whether using the waist or the legs that could just be considered an individual’s habit, but when cumulating together with other noticeable differences, it will just grow seeds of suspicion. Others might not notice, but Count Beurisen (Gray Beurisen), who takes care of the border, will certainly recognise it. So, you need to be careful.”

 

It meant that while it might not be strange for Kalian to use the sword of Secritia Knights, if someone were to connect it with other situations suggesting Kalian’s rapid change, they might suspect Kalian’s identity, so he should be cautious.

 

Instead of answering that, Kalian looked at Sleiman. Reading the meaning in that gaze, Sleiman grinned and said,

 

“We are Siegfrieds. Even if the head of the Elephants notices what’s inside the Third Prince’s shell, it does not matter to us. Just spar with me once more later.”

 

To those words, Kalian briefly replied.

 

“Thank you.”

 

Sleiman poured wine into Kalian’s glass.

 

He was not forcing alcohol on Kalian, who had said he would not drink, but rather an action to make it look natural to those around that they were conversing.

 

“But I certainly am a bit curious about how it came to be this way, can you tell me?”

 

Kalian smiled and shook his head.

 

“Somehow it became like this. So, I’m just living like this.”

 

With that as an answer, Sleiman laughed heartily. He glanced at Ian, then looked back at Kalian.

 

“Does he know the truth?”

 

“That’s what I want to ask you. Whether he’s noticed or is pretending not to know, or whether he truly doesn’t know. I’m not quite sure myself.”

 

“He probably does know.”

 

Saying this and laughing, Sleiman momentarily recalled what kind of person his son was. Erasing his smile, he quietly added.

 

“…Surely he can’t really not know, right?”

 

[Oh, no way…]