HEL SCANS
[Translator Peptobismol]
[Proofreader Demon God]
You were right. The culprit is clear.
Zaifa spoke. The bisected body of Nodrek was convulsing at her feet. Ronan frowned as he looked at the wound on her chest.
Damn it, did you really have to confirm it like that? Hurry up and get treated.
Its fine, its just a scratch.
Zaifa shook her head. It was an ignorant verification thod. Of course, there was no better way to determine who the sword marks belonged to, but it was certainly a rash thod. Red blood was seeping out over the coarse fur. After a mont of silence, she spoke again.
A single strike.
Huh?
I ended this bugs life in a single strike. If I estimate the ti it took, it was probably less than a second. Do you know what that ans?
A murky sadness flickered beyond her red eyes. Zaifa, who had been rummaging through her pockets, pulled sothing out. Dozens of flat insignias made of tal were threaded onto a long, thin leather strap. Ronan and Naviroses eyes widened. They were recognition tags issued to imperial soldiers.
If I had been with my subordinates just for a second longer, all of this wouldnt have happened.
The sound of grinding tal was poignant. Ronan was about to say sothing but stopped himself. Allowing the attack to happen, even though he could have easily prevented it, was his own way of mourning and atonent. Ronan gritted his teeth and muttered under his breath.
Fuck.
There were accomplices. At least two more.
Yeah. People who can handle a sword better than this guy.
We need to catch them all before sumr cos. If youre willing to cooperate, co find .
Ronan nodded his head. They were going to catch them as soon as possible anyway. Zaifa, putting away the recognition tags, turned to Navirose.
Youve beco sharper. It seems like your Aura still has not manifested
How did you know that!
I can tell just by looking at you. In respect, let give you a piece of advice.
Navirose didnt respond, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. Zaifa spoke with a more serious tone.
Life is about walking through storms. People naturally end up with countless scars, so of which never fade and remain as permanent reminders. I imagine the fact that you lost to repeatedly has beco such a scar for you.
What are you trying to say?
You cant erase scars. They are, quite literally, scars. However, how you choose to deal with them is entirely up to you.
Suddenly, Zaifa pointed to her chest. Beneath her tattered clothes, a long scar was etched. It was the mark left by Naviroses blade. She extended her hand for a handshake to Navirose.
Ive never once felt ashad of this scar.
You
Navirose looked up at Zaifa, her gaze intense. Perhaps because the tiger spoke so impressively, she seed like a granddaughter standing in front of her grandmother, despite usually appearing mature. After hesitating for a mont, Navirose clasped Zaifas hand. It was a historic mont. After a light handshake, Zaifa turned away.
Then Ill be waiting for the third challenge. Farewell, Ronan.
With those words, Zaifa leaped away, making almost no sound upon landing or takeoff. With a single leap, she reached the pedestal where she had been standing. Ronan, still watching Zaifa converse with Allogin, spoke up.
She doesnt seem particularly dangerous, does she?
The atmosphere has changed a lot. Ultimately, does all hatred fade away with ti?
Hatred What exactly happened with Zaifa in the past?
Ronan asked, a long-standing curiosity. What could have happened to Zaifa in the past that made her issue such warnings? Navirose, who had been staring at Ronan, turned her head calmly.
Why dont you ask her yourself. Arent you close enough to drink together? Co to think of it, weve never had a drink together.
Ah, why is an adult so upset about sothing like that? So childish.
Im not upset.
With that, she walked briskly out of the arena, leaving Ronan behind. Only then did the officials, who had been watching cautiously, rush over to start clearing away Nodreks remains. The symtrically dissected corpse was not a pleasant sight to linger on. Ronan watched as they swept the entrails into a bucket, hands in his pockets. Allogin, overseeing the process, tilted his head.
Hmm Arent you leaving?
Its my turn anyway. Besides, I have the right to choose.
True, but why dont you rest a bit? Youve been through a lot.
Im fine. Its better to finish quickly and then rest. Ill make my choice now.
Ronan pointed towards the participants from Aran Parzan. It wasnt so much a deliberate choice as it was simply pointing at soone. The man he happened to point at let out a sigh. He was a knight wearing full armor, looking sowhat formidable. Ronan flicked his finger dismissively, as if annoyed.
Co down.
Hmph! How dare this scoundrel!
The knight grumbled, exhaling heavily, as he descended into the arena. It took precisely 3 minutes and 12 seconds for him to surrender, screaming for rcy like a child.
Ugh! I-I was wrong! Please, have rcy!
Im sorry for being such a scoundrel. No matter how much I learn, so things never change.
The man threw down his main weapon, a lance, and fled. Ronan sheathed his sword upon hearing Allogins declaration of victory. The final test proceeded smoothly, like water flowing. Half failed, half passed. Aside from the divided body of Nodrek, there were no casualties. Shullifen grinned triumphantly, having taken exactly 44 seconds to erge victorious.
Hehe what a sha, Ronan.
Ugh. Are all talented people like that?
Ronan grimaced as if he were fed up. It seed strange that he had manifested Storm Sword right from the start; perhaps it was all for this mont. He was deeply worried about the future of Garcia.
After tallying up the scores so far, Ronan and Shullifen were tied for first place. Ronan relinquished his right to be ntored by Zaifa to Shullifen. After all, he had just fought to exhaustion in the cave the other day. Zaifa, who had also fought against him, patted his shoulders and spoke.
Hmm, you possess the most outstanding Aura Ive seen. You show potential to surpass even .
Thank you, Sword Saint.
I dont have any specific advice, so just keep striving. Im curious to see which of you two will beco the next Sword Saint.
Zaifa smiled satisfactorily as she alternated her gaze between Ronan and Shullifen. Her exposed fangs sparkled white. Despite being in the midst of lancholy, she seed genuinely pleased.
Well then, with this, the final test cos to an end. A farewell to both the victors and the vanquished. Parzan will never forget the blood and steel youve shed.
The test didnt end until late at night. Allogin, descending from the pedestal, shook hands with each participant.
The test did not end until late at night. Allogin ca down from the podium and shook hands with everyone.
Those who passed returned to the base, while those who failed descended down the mountain. As they left the arena, they could see the Milky Way stretching across the sky from one end to the other. Ronan moved forward, realizing afresh that this long journey was coming to an end.
****
HEL SCANS
[Translator Peptobismol]
[Proofreader Demon God]
Join our Discord for release /invite/dbdMDhzWa2
After dinner, Ronan returned to his lodgings. Shullifen, who had returned first, was busy cleaning his sword.
Damn bastard. Just look at how his facial expression has changed.
Although the ti he actually wielded his sword was short, so much had happened that Ronan felt ntally exhausted. He sighed as he lay down on the bed.
Haa Finally, tomorrow is the day. I wonder if those in Philleon are all doing well?
Nothing will happen. Im just worried about Miss Iril.
Even with so many guards around? Just be honest and say that you miss her.
Shullifen didnt respond. His flushed ears looked sowhat amusing. In truth, Ronan wouldnt have been so reassured if he hadnt received a promise of protection from the Emperor.
He recalled the conversation he had with Allogin in the dining hall. The autopsy results confird that Nodrek was indeed Croden, the infamous Ferocious Sword. Ronan sighed as his thoughts beca tangled.
Alright, he was healed because they could use him. But what was the purpose behind using a mory-sealing technique? And why did his hair and eyes change color like that?
Although the urgent fire had been extinguished, many questions remained. Nodrek had a significantly different feeling from Nebula Clazier Ronan had encountered so far. He was still a despicable jerk, but there was sothing particularly irritating about him. He felt an alienation on a fundantal level.
He really resembles him. I could feel it.
He thought the alienation might have sothing to do with Nodreks hair and eye color. It was clear he was involved with the betrayer bastard, but it wasnt clear exactly how. Ronan raised himself up and questioned Shullifen.
That Ferocious Sword bastard, why do you think he ca here?
Wasnt it to seek revenge on Instructor Navirose?
Nah. It felt like he had so ulterior motive. These guys are assholes with principles, making them even more despicable Ah, damn it.
Ronan wiped his face with his palm. Today, he just couldnt seem to get his thoughts straight, and he felt like he needed so sleep. As he rummaged under the bed, he pulled out a bottle of liquor. Shullifen, recognizing the label on the bottle, raised an eyebrow.
Millenium Snowflower liquor. Its quite rare. Where did you get that?
I secretly brought one with when I was drinking with Zaifa.
What?
Shullifen narrowed his eyes. Without a word, Ronan uncorked the bottle. Since there were no cups, he drank straight from the bottle. The liquid going down his throat was sweet. After taking a few sips, Ronan offered the bottle to Shullifen.
Do you want so?
Of course, thanks.
Yeah, alright. I thought so Huh?
Ronans eyes widened. He had expected a refusal, so it was an unexpected response. Taking the bottle offered by Ronan, Shullifen boldly tilted his head back and drank the liquor. Watching him gulp down the strong drink, Ronan exclaid in shock,
Hey, thats quite potent!
Well its better that way.
Do you have sothing troubling you? Like, did you blurt out so nonsense about proposing to my sister after returning or sothing?
No. Its to calm my excitent since earlier Its not over just because I received praise from the Sword Saint.
Ronan chuckled dryly. So, he was drinking to calm his inflated ego after receiving praise from Zaifa. Ronan had seen many people drink to forget their troubles, but this was a novel reason. Snatching the bottle back, Ronan shook his head.
Youre insane. Youre probably the only one who drinks for a reason like that.
We must always strive our best to survive. So we can protect the weak
Alright, alright, just drink moderately. Your tone when you mumble reminds of Elizabeth.
Suddenly, mories of Elizabeth, drunk on the airship heading to the Dawn Magic Tower, ca to mind. What trials had he endured to stop her from using fire magic inside the wooden ship? Ronan was about to say sothing when Shullifen, who had been silently mumbling, spoke up.
Ronan.
Huh?
I miss Miss Iril.
Damn it.
Ronans face contorted. Shullifen lowered his head deeply and began praising Iril, his vocabulary seeming enough to fill a book.
Ronan couldnt stand being with this drunkard, so he was about to gulp down the alcohol to pass out. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and it opened. A woman dressed as a guide appeared.
Excuse Participant 44? Ah, there you are. Im glad.
Huh? Whats going on?
Please accept this. I ca to deliver this.
The woman cautiously extended a letter envelope. The envelope was quite luxurious, with a magical seal engraved on it that would ignite if anyone other than the intended recipient attempted to open it. Ronan raised an eyebrow.
Who sent this?
Its from Mr. Russell, who was murdered by the Ferocious Sword this morning. We found it while cleaning up the lodging, and it was addressed to you.
Russell?
The woman nodded, then left the room. She seed quite busy, perhaps due to the recent events involving the Ferocious Sword. Ronan scratched his head and tore open the letter envelope. Unlike the envelope, the letter inside was made of ordinary paper. Small letters filled one side of the paper.
What did you write that made you put so much effort into it?
Ronan slowly began reading the letter. The beginning and middle were what he had expected. Apologies for my rudeness. Thank you for your help. I truly trust you, but I want to make sure to finish things off firmly
The letter detailed a plan to ambush the Ferocious Sword, concocted with the participants of Aran Parzan. A plan that ended in a miserable failure, leaving everyone torn to pieces. Ronan clicked his tongue as he read.
Damn it.
If he had just stayed still, no one would have had to die. The taste of the alcohol suddenly seed to diminish. Even though he had read up to that point, there was still about half of the content left. Ronans eyes widened as he read the middle and later parts of the letter. The location and internal structure of the ruins where he had encountered the Ferocious Sword, along with information he had gathered while tracking the Ferocious Sword, were all written there.
This stupid old man
Ronan let out a deep sigh. Among the information were also the locations of places presud to be bases of the Nebula Clazier. It was incredibly valuable information. It seed that deploying Imperial troops here would likely be his first mission as the Dawn.
The mont on the cliff where Ronan had threatened him flashed before his eyes. Even the female knight Riley, who sat across from him drinking, ca to mind. Folding the letter neatly, Ronan muttered as he grabbed the bottle.
Rest well.
Ronan downed the liquor. With its robust flavor, the scent of the Millennium Snowflower filled his mouth. The end of the journey was imminent. Tomorrow, he would finally set foot in the Holy Land.
[TL/N: looks like this arc is finally coming to an end, a lot of things have happened my favorite part was def when Ronan saw mommy Navirose in the pond hehe~ comnt your fav part bellow]
HEL SCANS
[Translator Peptobismol]
[Proofreader Demon God]
Join our Discord for release /invite/dbdMDhzWa2
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