500 Years Ago Sword Master - Chapter 201



Only Krnovel

Episode 201

Red.

The whole world is dyed red.

It may have been because the blood flowing from his forehead got into his eyes, but that wasn’t the whole reason.

“With this, life has become mine.”

Barkan, who pulled his hand out of my chest, smiled.

With this, I have only two sources left.

I could no longer be his opponent.

“Are you trying to do more with that body?”

Balkan spoke to me as I lifted myself up using Ibertan as a walking stick.

“Whoa… … “That sounds obvious.”

Balkan smiled in satisfaction as he roughly wiped away the blood flowing from his forehead.

“Yes, all that is left is time. “I’ll play with you until you get tired of it.”

Quaaaang!

As soon as he finished speaking, a strong explosion occurred on the left.

An explosion that occurred without any sign.

There was no time to prepare.

“Ugh!”

I was thrown back by the impact of the explosion and barely managed to keep my balance.

I just rolled my eyes and looked at my body to see that my side, which had been hit directly by the explosion, was a mess.

Blood was constantly flowing from the hollow wound.

It was fortunate that no bones were exposed.

“Healing… … “It doesn’t work.”

I tried to raise the source just in case, but it was no use.

Thanks to the loss of the source of life, further recovery was impossible.

It was possible to survive somehow as the source of existence, but it also had clear limits.

The original power that Balkan wielded was not something that could be controlled from the source.

I stopped thinking and looked at Balkan again.

The guy was approaching at a leisurely pace, probably thinking of playing with me.

“I wish you would give it to me as quickly as possible… … .”

I muttered softly and swung my sword at Balkan.

Compared to this guy, the meager initial power was released from the tip of Ibertan.

“This isn’t enough.”

Barkan blocked my attack by raising one hand.

It’s not an attack with all my might, but I never thought it could be blocked so easily.

“Nine, this is what killing an opponent is like.”

The guy with his signature smile snapped his fingers.

Then, all kinds of attacks came from all directions, centered on me.

Monsters made of rock, lava, and ice bit my body.

My whole body was in excruciating pain as the explosion exploded endlessly.

“Wow!”

No matter how much I am, I cannot endure the pain that continues.

When Barkan’s attack stopped.

My body was in such a state that I could no longer stand.

“Are you going to rest already?”

Balkan smiled at me as I knelt helplessly.

Eyes sparkling with joy.

That alone was enough for me to know.

What he has done to me so far is nothing more than a joke.

Coo!

A strong sound shook the earth.

At the same time, an enormous energy rose from the guy’s body.

Activation of the source.

My pain started now.

“Keuuuuuuu!”

I gritted my teeth and held on, but I couldn’t completely swallow the screams.

First it was time.

I experienced suffocation as time stopped.

I suffered without even losing my mind for a period of time where I had no idea how much time had passed.

What came next was death.

I was afraid of facing death with a sober mind.

Although I have awakened my memories as a source, I was originally a human being.

Directly experiencing death, which had been a vague fear, was terrible beyond words.

Attacks using the source continued.

I even tried to rebel against him in the middle.

It was no use.

My mind has already reached its limit.

It’s amazing that I’ve maintained my sanity like this.

“Let’s see. this time… … .”

Barkan was worried about me.

He took one look at my eyes and said, shaking his hand.

“Should I quit? “I think that’s enough.”

The sparkling eyes slowly got closer.

The guy’s hand was approaching, but I couldn’t even resist.

Thanks to the source of existence, my mind was fine, but my body could not move as I wanted.

widely!

The feeling of the palm being placed on my forehead was vivid.

“It was kind of fun, Nine.”

Balkan spoke in a whisper and opened his power.

Death and time.

Fantasy and life came together as one, creating a power that was close to the beginning.

As if drawn by that power, the source within me slowly tried to move.

I used my last willpower to stop the source from moving.

“Stop it, right? “I’m really sick of it now.”

Barkan said with a slight frown.

They look at me with pitiful eyes.

“Well, it’s only a matter of time. Besides, look. “The source of magical power is not something you can stop with your will.”

Barkan pointed to his hand.

As he said, the source of magical power was slowly moving to the guy.

“I know… … .”

I forced my mouth, which was not moving well, to open and spoke.

“Well, okay. First, get the magic power first. “You’re next.”

Barkan shrugged and tightened his hands even more.

Either way, I tried my best not to lose the sources.

How much time has passed like that?

“hmm.”

A small sigh escaped Balkan’s mouth.

His eyebrows twitch as if he doesn’t like something.

“Why are you doing that? “What don’t you like?”

I asked him with a smile.

“What’s so funny about a guy who’s about to disappear?”

A sharp voice returned.

He doesn’t seem to like my smile.

“Ahahahahaha!”

I smiled even louder at that sight.

“… … Have you finally come to your senses?”

Pow!

The fist containing the first force hit me directly in the face.

The soul-shaking blow left me momentarily dazed.

Still, I couldn’t stop smiling.

Of course.

Now it’s time.

“ha ha ha… … “Didn’t you think it was too easy?”

“You’re talking nonsense.”

Barkan snorts.

But even for a moment.

Immediately his face became perplexed.

“This… … You guy. “What have you done?”

A low growling voice.

I answered with a shrug.

“It’s not me.”

“If it’s not you… … .”

“Kreia did it.”

“Cre… … “Ia?”

The moment those words end.

The source of magical power that was moving towards Balkan began to return to me.

That wasn’t all.

Following the source of magical power is the source of death.

“this… … this!”

He quickly tried to interfere with the source, but it was no use.

Because death no longer belongs to him.

– I’m back, Nine.

A black energy rose from my shadow.

“You’re late. “I almost got hit to death.”

I smiled at the waving figure.

The source of death in the form of Kreia.

Balkan, seeing this, widened his eyes and shouted.

“Kreia! “How dare you destroy my origins!”

– It’s not yours. It’s for the source and the world.

Kreia spoke firmly and hid behind me.

“like this! “Do you know how to hand it over like this?”

Even though most of the deaths fell to me, Barkan did not give up.

He created the first power from the sources that still remained.

It’s as if he’s trying to finish me off right now.

However, the initial power he created quickly lost its form and dissipated.

“uh… … how… … .”

Looks quite embarrassing.

I kindly explained it to him.

“What are you doing? “That’s because Malond is alive.”

I slowly got up.

His battered body had already recovered.

It was thanks to the fact that, following the source of death, the source of life returned to me.

“That can’t be possible. Malond must be… … .”

“Did you forget? “That we are equal.”

I sighed towards Balkan, who was muttering helplessly.

The origin is all the same.

You can put your opponent to sleep, but you cannot destroy them.

It looks like he forgot that fact.

“Anyway, now that things have come to this, there is only one thing left.”

I looked at Barkan, who was trembling.

Even now, the source is steadily moving towards me.

Soon, there will be only one illusion left for him.

“I can not admit it… … To be taken away so easily… … .”

Balkan muttered to himself, perhaps embarrassed by the source that had suddenly become empty.

I shook my head and told him his mistake.

“Simply not.”

“Just go… … “No?”

“then. Kreia regains her lost powers and restores her death. In addition, she awakens Malonde’s sleeping self and covers her four eyes. “Do you know how difficult it is to keep this from being discovered?”

“that… … “There’s no way something like that would be possible.”

“It’s possible. “Because I left you alone for 500 years just for this moment.”

“What do you mean?”

“What do you mean?” “It means that it has been prepared for 500 years.”

He looks like he doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

It’s natural not to know.

I only found out about it recently.

Inuma kept a part of his death.

Istar sealed his memories.

It was all for this moment.

However, there was no need to explain all of that to Barkan.

Anyway, I’m saying goodbye to him here.

“This is goodbye, Balkan.”

I put my hand on his head like Barkan did.

Behind me, a source in the shape of Kreia and Malond soared.

“Don’t think this is the end! “I will definitely meet you someday!”

Balkan let out a roar of evil.

His voice could not continue until the end due to the intense light that immediately struck him.

* * *

A long war lasting 500 years has ended.

The final battle with Balkan left a bigger mark than expected.

The Pearl Continent where he fought suffered damage close to extinction due to the power of me and Balkan.

Now it has to be called an island.

The good news is that there was no life there.

Barkan’s ego, which had absorbed all of its origins, fell into a deep sleep.

I don’t know if he will come back someday.

To be honest, I wasn’t worried.

Of course, the source of the original return to one is managed by Kreia and Malond.

As long as those two were guarding it, it would have been nearly impossible for Balkan to separate the source and escape.

And I… … .

“what? “In the end, you were happily hit by Balkan, right?”

“They say I didn’t resist properly.”

“… … It’s not wrong, but it’s also not right. To be precise, I was pretending to be pushed away.”

“I came bursting out of laughter.”

“… … Are you not going back to your family anymore? “I should follow in Julius’ footsteps.”

I got the life I wanted.

Although there were many people around me who were annoying.

I was satisfied with spending a week worrying about tomorrow without worrying about anything.

“It will be up to you to lead the family. “I don’t have any strength anymore~”

Yuri hummed, ignoring my sharp gaze.

As he said himself, Yuri had lost all of his current magical power.

Magical power still existed in the world, but in the process of handing over the source to me, it all disappeared together.

Although everything he had achieved was gone, Yuri did not regret it.

There may be various reasons, but the biggest reason was that her older sister Erin was freed from the curse.

“Are you not interested in a successor?”

Yuri glanced at me and asked.

I answered by shrugging my shoulders.

Like she lost all her powers.

I also lost all my strength.

Even the curse was revived thanks to the loss of Hamel’s status.

Of course, Elina offered to lift the curse, but I refused.

Even though I have strength now, it is useless, and it is better to have a strong body to live the life I want.

“I like it now.”

“okay?”

With those words, silence fell between Yuri and me.

I looked out the window at the children playing.

As the forest became safer, the children started visiting it more often.

As they were watching, the closed door opened and Eve came inside.

“A letter has arrived from you.”

“oh? who?”

I, the person involved, stayed quiet, but Yuri came forward and made a fuss.

“It’s ‘from Tasha, a friend I spent my childhood with’?”

“babyhood? Nine’s childhood? see!”

“It’s not possible. Without your permission… … .”

“Don’t be like that, let’s see~”

Yuri and Eve bicker over a letter.

The scenery of the village seen behind the two.

Really.

It seemed like the hard work so far wasn’t a waste at all.

With a smile blooming naturally, I slowly closed my eyes.

– Completed

Sword Master 500 years ago

Side Story Episode 1: Ruin Istar

Istar.

A family founded by a hero who saved the world in the past, and is still considered the strongest to this day.

I was born as the third child in that family.

Although I was born into a family that everyone would envy, my childhood was not that bright.

The youngest age I remember is 5 years old.

It was from then on that I felt wary of my brothers’ gaze.

Only five years old.

From an age when it was difficult for me to even control my own body properly, let alone learn, I have been under caution from those around me.

My second brother, who was five years older than me, blatantly disliked me.

In the presence of adults, he often mocked me with subtle remarks.

It was even worse when it was just the two of us.

He pretended not to know and hit me, and when it got worse, he even pushed me near the stairs.

My eldest brother was no different.

It just doesn’t cause physical harm.

He even denied my existence.

Five years like that.

My younger brother was born when I was 10 years old.

The memories of that day are still vivid in my mind.

The birth of life seen for the first time.

My younger sister, who was born as a girl, was really small.

A little sister flailing in her mother’s arms.

A life so fragile that I was afraid to even touch it gave me a strange feeling.

I felt like I had to make sure this child didn’t have to go through the same experience as me.

That day, I met my second brother.

I, who had avoided meeting my older brothers from the moment I started holding a sword, had no other reason for meeting my second older brother.

To ask you not to bother my younger brother.

Perhaps my second brother would listen to my request.

Because the youngest sibling born as a woman cannot be the heir.

There is no need to get your hands dirty for someone who is not even a threat.

I told my second brother about my thoughts.

“good night. A child whose name will not be included in the succession plan anyway. “There’s no need to come forward for no reason.”

Fortunately, my second brother listened to my request.

I was relieved.

The moment I found out that she was my younger sister, I felt like my younger brother no longer existed in the eyes of my older brothers.

The price of that carelessness would soon come.

“It’s a demonic beast! “A demon has appeared in the backyard!”

“The barrier! “There is a barrier, so how!”

The year my younger brother turned three.

An accident occurred where the barrier in the Forest of Demonic Beasts managed by the Istar family broke.

Fortunately, the situation was quickly resolved.

The entire barrier was not broken, and the number of demons that crossed over was small.

At the time, my father had left for the affiliated Julius family, but the knights residing in the family quickly sorted things out.

It only took less than 10 minutes for the demonic beasts to set foot on the land of Istar.

Just in those 10 minutes.

My younger brother died.

It was my fault.

It was I who took my little brother, who had just started walking, out to the backyard for a walk.

I desperately tried to protect it.

However, as a 13-year-old, it was close to impossible for me to protect someone and fight without a sword.

In the end, all I could do was jump and protect my brother.

I even remember running away from the demonic beast’s attack.

After that, I lost consciousness due to the terrible pain.

When I woke up again.

I was lying on the bed in my room.

Surrounded by father and mother.

My two older brothers were looking down at me.

“Renia… … Where is Renia?”

When I came to my senses, I immediately asked how my brother was doing.

The expressions they showed at that time were all different.

My father looked at me with an expressionless expression.

The second brother had an expression of confusion and fear.

My mother has a face of pain and sadness.

And the first brother.

His expression was truly strange.

At first glance, he looked like he was worried, but I knew him well as I had experienced him over the years.

Deep regret hidden beneath the mask of worry.

This is a fact I found out later.

It was no coincidence that the barrier was broken that day.

It was the result of my eldest brother conspiring with Julius’s barrier manager to deal with me.

As for Renia.

My younger brother was just caught up in my older brother’s trap to get rid of me.

After losing my younger brother, I devoted myself to the sword like crazy.

I couldn’t bear it because I thought I was weak and couldn’t protect my younger brother.

Meanwhile, the older brothers continued to interfere.

They sometimes used servants to deliver poisoned drinks, and sometimes inflicted direct harm under the pretense of sparring.

But the father, the head of the family, took no action.

Only then did I find out.

The fact that Istar is not as great a place as others thought.

In the end, in order to survive, you have no choice but to become stronger.

What can I say for myself?

Fortunately, my talent was superior to that of my brothers.

My older brothers had no talent.

It was clear that he had outstanding talent compared to others, but it was not comparable to mine.

When I turned 18, under the control of my older brothers.

The second brother was murdered.

It was reported to the family that he was killed by a demonic beast during a coming-of-age ceremony.

But that’s a superficial reason.

Everyone in the family, including me, already knew everything.

The fact that he was murdered by his eldest brother, who attended the coming-of-age ceremony with him.

Even when my second brother was murdered, my father showed no reaction.

I sharpened my sword even more.

Now the only candidates left in the family are me and my eldest brother.

There was no telling what his brother would do to deal with the remaining heir.

The atmosphere in the family was always heavy.

Those thorny days continued.

My father called me.

“Ruin.”

“Yes, matriarch.”

“Do you want to forget your family history?”

A random question.

Until now, my father had never mentioned anything about the succession structure.

It might have been like that for my brothers, but at least it was a first for me.

I answered after some thought.

“I’m not interested.”

It was true.

It wasn’t that life was a waste.

He was willing to accept any number of fights.

However, it was also true that I was exhausted.

After losing my younger brother, whom I was determined to protect, I was falling apart little by little.

“is it.”

After giving that short answer, my father sent me away.

It was a few days later that he called me again.

“Ruin, you must participate in the war in the name of Istar.”

“Do you mean me?”

I knew there was a war.

The next country, the Kingdom of Kelton.

The Illian Kingdom, to which Istar belongs, was originally a country belonging to Kelton.

Perhaps that is why Kelton was constantly targeting Ilian territory.

Wars, big and small, have already occurred several times.

However, this was the first time our family participated.

“When the war is over, go to the branch.”

“All right.”

I had doubts, but didn’t ask questions.

I bowed to my father and left the office.

That was my last meeting with my father.

* * *

After leaving the family, I headed to the capital with 100 knights.

Originally, it was impossible for the men of Istar to leave the family home before the coming of age ceremony.

Since I became a member of the branch family after meeting the head of the family, there were no major problems.

The world outside my family, which I saw for the first time, was truly refreshing.

I lived within my family until I was 19, so it was natural.

It was my first feeling since witnessing the birth of my younger brother, and I thought it wasn’t that bad.

But even for a moment.

Immediately after arriving at the capital, I went to Hilbert by order of the king.

The place where the war took place was the plain between Hilbert and Rockfield.

Since the war took place in a small area, I thought it would not be large in scale.

The actual sight of war was not at all small scale.

Kelton, who seemed determined to lead a large army, quickly occupied the plain.

And when I arrived at Hilbert, they were pushing in right up to the castle wall.

The atmosphere within Hilbert was at its worst due to the constant barrage of attacks.

“You are reinforcements from Istar. “I will guide you.”

When I arrived at the garrison near the castle walls, a knight belonging to the royal family guided me.

I followed him and arrived at the top of the castle wall.

The person waiting for me there was an unexpected person.

Prince Balius.

I remember seeing him one day when he visited my family, and I recognized him at a glance.

Balius is the only heir to the Illian royal family.

It was quite surprising that he was in the most dangerous battlefield.

“Meet Prince Balius.”

“Ruin ​​Istar. “I already heard you were coming.”

Prince Balius greeted me calmly.

He didn’t even look at me.

I just looked at Kelton’s soldiers gathered a little distance away.

“Do you see that?”

In response to the prince’s question, I looked at the direction he was pointing to.

At Kelton’s garrison, several groups were approaching the castle walls.

At first I thought a messenger was coming.

But it didn’t take long to realize that wasn’t the case.

One general and ten knights following him.

Dozens of people in shackles were being dragged behind them.

“They are prisoners.”

Balius nodded at my words.

And then he continued speaking in a trembling voice.

“They are not soldiers.”

I knew it.

The people bound in shackles are of different ages and genders.

It was clear that they were probably residents of the village outside Hilbert Castle or people caught while out.

“You’re getting younger.”

Balius continued speaking in a grave tone.

“At first they executed the elderly, and then someone’s parents one by one.”

The tone of voice was grave, but it was filled with anger.

“And now… … .”

Balius kept his mouth shut, as if he couldn’t forget what he said.

As he said, the people being brought in now looked young.

There are many people who may have barely become adults.

Among them were several children as young as 10 years old.

To be honest, I didn’t think much of it.

A limited world called Istar.

In it, I have suffered from death threats since childhood.

There was no feeling of pity for me, who was already so dull that I was young.

But it wasn’t Balius.

“Lord Ruin, can you kill them all?”

It was a random question, but I answered by nodding my head.

Immediately after that, something happened that no one could have imagined.

“I have to save them.”

After leaving those words, Balius suddenly jumped over the castle wall.

“Wow, prince!”

“Open the gate immediately! “The prince has climbed over the castle wall!”

The panicked knights moved around busily.

I looked down the castle wall with dumbfounded eyes.

Balius landed lightly and was running towards the enemies with his sword drawn.

Kelton’s soldiers also looked embarrassed.

They probably didn’t know that the heir to the kingdom would jump in alone.

“It’s Balius! Catch it!”

At General Kelton’s shout, the knights drew their swords.

I quietly looked at them.

The momentum Balius felt was above average.

However, it was not at a level that could beat Kelton’s knights.

Unless he was a fool, Balius would have known that fact.

So why did he do such a reckless thing?

The answer was already decided.

From the moment they asked me if I could kill them.

widely!

I climbed on top of the castle wall and jumped into where the enemies were.

It wasn’t difficult to chase after Balius, who had gone ahead.

I caught up with him in an instant and kicked the knight aiming at Balius.

The knight’s armor, struck by a magical kick, was dented hideously.

The first real battle where life is at stake.

However, there was nothing difficult, perhaps thanks to the close experience I had in real life.

Above all, those outside were too weak for me, having only experienced the knights of my family.

The enemy’s movements were monotonous and slow.

The Istar family fights against monsters called Masu.

Compared to the knights there, they were nothing but weak beings.

It took only 10 minutes to deal with the nine knights and the general.

All that remained was one knight fighting Balius.

He looked at me with frightened eyes as I approached him and then ran away.

Even throwing away the sword.

“Why did you do this?”

After the incredibly boring Battle of Cheon.

I asked Balius.

This was something that anyone with a normal mind should never have done.

It didn’t matter if a few prisoners died.

But Balius is different.

If the royal heir were captured, what Illian would lose would be unimaginable.

There was no way that Balius, the person involved, did not know that fact.

Still, I was curious about the reason for such a reckless act.

“What reason do I need to save my people?”

It was absurd.

That could never be the reason.

So, what should the people who will be in danger if they are caught?

I don’t know what others might think, but to me it was just a stupid and foolish idea.

When I was looking at Balius with that gaze.

Balius smiled and continued.

“And you didn’t say. “I can kill them all.”

I couldn’t answer anything.

Part of it was because it was ridiculous, but that wasn’t the whole reason.

Balius’ eyes looked at me as he said those words.

It was as if the strange energy contained within it was looking right through me.

“I think it would be better to tell me in advance next time.”

In the end, I couldn’t ask any more questions.

“I will.”

Balius smiled slightly.

He hurriedly walked towards the approaching royal knights.

Sword Master 500 years ago

Side Story Episode 2: Ruin Istar (2)

Three months have passed since I joined the war.

Thanks to Balius’ sudden action and the full-fledged participation in the battle, my name began to be heard a lot even among the enemies.

Kelton’s soldiers were taking a passive attitude, perhaps reawakening to the fear of Istar that they had forgotten.

Thanks to this, the past week has been a quiet day.

“Lord Ruin, the prince is looking for you.”

“Let’s go soon.”

I got up from my seat at the words of the knight who came to the barracks.

These days, Balius has been looking for me more often.

There wasn’t anything urgent.

Even if I go there, they only ask questions about me or talk about themselves.

Thanks to this, I got to know Balius well enough to know what his favorite food was.

“It’s Ruin. “I heard you were looking for it.”

“I’m here? come in.”

When Balius calls out to him outside the barracks where he is staying, he is given permission to come in.

Balius’ attitude toward me changed a lot during our time together.

Would you say there is a sense of friendliness in the tone of speech?

On the other hand, I didn’t feel any special feelings towards him.

“Come on. “Sit here.”

As we entered the barracks, Balius pointed to the chair across from him.

After bowing my head once, I sat down on the chair and looked at Balius.

There were many documents piled on the table in front of him.

A sight I once saw in my father’s office.

If anything else, it was much more than my father’s.

“I’m sorry for calling you. I have some documents to process urgently. “Can you wait a moment?”

“You don’t have to worry about me.”

“thank you. “I’ll take care of it right away.”

After saying that, Balius lowered his head and focused on the documents.

I sat quietly without saying anything.

In the barracks, the only sounds that could be heard were Balius’s voice and the sound of his pen playing.

How much time has passed like that?

“Sorry, it took longer than expected.”

Balius, who had sorted out his documents with a sigh, got up from his chair.

After handing over the documents to the driver waiting outside the barracks, he came and sat down in front of me.

“Would you like a drink?”

“it’s okay.”

“Hmm… … Well, okay. “As always, I can drink alone.”

After savoring his appetite with regret, Balius picked up the glass bottle placed on the table.

The stopper that was tightly blocking the mouth of the bottle opened and a strong scent came out.

Just by the smell, you could tell that it was a fairly strong drink.

Balius did not pour the drink into a glass but drank it from the bottle.

“Big~”

He frowned after swallowing about four sips.

An attitude so informal that you wouldn’t think it would be the behavior of a prince of a country.

I was a little surprised at first, but I didn’t think much of it, perhaps because I’d been seeing similar things for three months.

“Woo~ It’s strong.”

Balius put the bottle down on the table and looked at me.

“what do you think about it?”

“What do you mean?”

“War.”

“If there are no variables, we will win sooner or later.”

I answered without hesitation.

That was actually the result.

The battle situation, in which Ilian was being pushed back, changed when the knights of my family and I joined.

For those of us who have been trained to hunt monsters, those who have only dealt with humans are no match for warming up.

It just takes time because there are so many opponents.

Victory was already decided.

“okay. “I knew you would answer that way.”

Balius chuckled and picked up the bottle again.

“I heard that in the previous war, Istar participated only once, 20 years ago.”

Balius took another sip of alcohol and then continued.

“It happened when I was young, so I didn’t see it with my own eyes, but I get a vague feeling when I see you. What is the level of skill of Lord Riven, your father and the head of Istar? I really can’t believe it even when I see it with my own eyes. “To change the situation with just 100 people.”

“That’s too much praise.”

I bowed my head slightly.

I knew my father’s skills well.

When I first learned how to use a sword, I was taught by him.

He truly showed his will to live in me, who was only 8 years old, saying that I must overcome the fear of others.

Thanks to you, I am still alive.

Thanks to my father’s training, I was able to react sensitively to my brothers’ lives.

“… … Ruin.”

“Please speak.”

“Are you loyal to me?”

Balius said something unexpected again.

Balius looked into my eyes as he said those words.

When I looked into his eyes, I felt a strange energy again.

An energy that is clearly different from magical power.

It was a feeling I had already felt several times, but I couldn’t get used to it.

However, it wasn’t a bad feeling.

Rather, should it be said to be familiar?

It was a similar feeling to when I was a child and saw my newborn sibling.

I felt like I had met a brother in the true sense of the word.

Not aiming for my life… … .

“I’m not interested.”

I expressed my honest feelings.

Balius was a type of person I didn’t see around me.

I knew enough from past experiences that he was a good person.

He was a man who took a fair attitude not only to soldiers, but also to ordinary citizens, knights, and slaves.

It was clear that this was a human being that could never be seen in Istar, where even servants would try to take my life if there was a brother’s order.

But that was no reason for me to remain loyal to him.

To be precise, I am not interested in anything.

“Ha ha ha ha ha! You are a truly honest person. “If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t have been able to say that for fear of being executed.”

Balius seemed to be satisfied with my answer and burst into laughter.

I didn’t know what was funny, so I stayed quiet.

“haha… … Phew~ Strangely enough, it just goes away when I’m next to you.”

Balius laughed for a moment but then looked embarrassed.

Then he immediately showed a serious expression.

“Lord Ruin.”

“yes.”

“You need your strength.”

The way I spoke comfortably has changed.

What does it mean?

Does this mean that they will use me and my family’s knights to invade Kelton?

I had that thought for a moment, but I could tell that I had misunderstood what followed.

“Kelton has been targeting Illian territory for a long time. There is only one reason why they have been quiet for the past 20 years. “It was thanks to your father and your family.”

Balius, leaning slightly, spoke in a low voice.

“There is something I felt after seeing the history of that time and the events unfolding before my eyes now. Illian needs strength. A strong power that no one can easily overcome. That power is Istar, you.”

I looked at Balius without saying anything.

The loyalty he desired was nothing else.

We simply needed a means to protect our country from surrounding invasions.

Certainly, if all the knights of the family come forward, it will be easy to protect the country from Kelton.

Not only that, he was confident that he would be able to block the invasion of the empire.

There is just one problem.

I told Balius about it.

“I am not the heir to the family. When this war is over, I plan to move down to the branch. Therefore, I cannot live up to your expectations.”

The role of the branch is to support the main family.

Therefore, it cannot move freely without orders from the head of the household.

Moreover, what Balius wanted was something that only the head of the family could choose.

As a member of a branch family, it was not something I could do.

“Isn’t it okay if you become the head of the family?”

“I’m not interested.”

“I’m not interested… … ”

Balius sighed and buried himself in the backrest.

The atmosphere seemed like there was nothing more to say.

“If you have nothing more to say, I will leave now.”

The moment I said that and was about to get up.

“Ruin.”

Balius called me.

When I looked at him to see what was going on, unexpected words came out of Balius’s mouth.

“Rhenia. “I’m talking about your sister.”

For a moment, I felt like my heart stopped.

A name I miss hearing after a long time.

It was a name I never forgot from the moment I lost my younger brother due to my mistake.

However, it had been a long time since that name came out of someone else’s mouth.

Maybe that’s why I reacted a little emotionally without even realizing it.

“Where did you hear that name?”

Despite the sharp response, Balius did not show any special reaction.

He just continued talking with a calm face.

“I am the person who will lead this country in the future. “It’s easy to find out if you want to know.”

After saying that, Balius clapped his hands.

Then, those waiting outside the barracks came in.

A man with his entire body covered and a man who was bound and unconscious.

“As you commanded, I saved my life.”

The person with his entire body covered kneeled in front of Balius.

Then he took out a neatly folded piece of paper from his pocket and held it out.

“You worked hard.”

Balius took the paper and immediately held it out to me.

“What is this?”

“Read it. “This is what you need.”

I looked at him for a moment and then took the paper.

Because it looked quite old, I had to unfold it carefully.

I carefully unfolded the paper and read what was written on it.

“… … “Is what is written here true?”

After reading everything written on the paper, I asked in a calm voice.

However, contrary to the voice, my stomach was quite upset.

Of course.

Because what was written on the paper that Balius gave me was very meaningful to me.

The day I lost my younger brother, who I swore to protect.

Content that can prove that the accident that day was intentional.

The paper contained a method to temporarily disable the barrier and the identity of the person who requested it.

“It’s true. “The one held here is the one who helped Cain that day.”

The name of his eldest brother flowed from Balius’ mouth.

The moment I heard that name, I felt like my mind was turning white.

Of course, I also had this thought.

I thought that maybe it was Balius’s plan to make me target my eldest brother.

But that thought soon quietly disappeared.

If Balius needed the family’s power, he wouldn’t necessarily use this method.

In that case, it would be better to demand loyalty from the eldest brother.

Above all, there was evidence to believe what he said.

“Let’s hear the truth from the person involved.”

A man whose entire body is tied up.

Balius gave him a drug when he lost consciousness.

A confession drug fed to those captured.

What I fed this time had a concentration of magical power that was twice as strong as what I normally used, as it was used on wizards.

And I could hear everything from the person who swallowed it.

The fact that it was my first brother who asked for a way to neutralize the barrier.

That it wasn’t just his own weakness that caused him to lose his younger brother that day.

Pop!

My fists suddenly clenched.

It was the moment when the anger that had been directed at myself until now returned to my eldest brother.

“Ruin.”

Balius approached me as I barely suppressed my anger.

“The eyes of the royal family exist within Istar. And ever since I heard about you and your sister, I have wanted to tell you this.”

Balius continued speaking with a confused expression.

“I have no intention of demanding your loyalty from me in return for this. Rather, it’s the opposite. When the war is over, you won’t be seeing me anymore, so I wanted to make it right before that happens. “I hope you no longer feel guilty about yourself.”

I looked at Balius in silence.

I was a little curious because the way people looked at me was strange.

I guess I looked like I was in danger in Balius’s eyes.

“The choice from now on will be up to you. “I wouldn’t care if you went back to your family right now or if you didn’t do anything.”

With those words, Balius fell silent.

I answered after gathering my thoughts for a moment.

“… … “For now, I will do what needs to be done.”

“Do as you wish.”

I bowed my head to Balius and left the barracks.

Returning to the family and making my brothers pay is a matter of later.

First of all, I wanted to end the war.

Sword Master 500 years ago

Side Story Episode 3 Ruin Istar (3)

After learning the truth about my brother’s death, my life did not change much.

Participating in battles and crushing opponents every day.

However, there was a clear difference in speed.

From the moment I decided to end the war quickly, I did not spare any effort.

I used all the techniques I learned in Istar against humans.

Once the battle began, there was no rest for even a moment.

I dealt with those running away as best I could without losing sight of them.

With the idea that the war will end as quickly as the enemies killed here.

It’s been a week since we went to war like that.

The enemies began to tremble in fear, calling me the Reaper.

Even my allies began to fear me, calling me the Shinigami.

“Don’t pay attention to the rumors among the soldiers. “Everyone calls us that out of admiration and reverence.”

Balius, who heard my news, called me aside and comforted me.

After our previous conversation, he started to feel comfortable with me again, and on the days when the battle was over, he would personally come to my barracks and offer me a drink.

Contrary to Balius’ concerns, I had no feelings about the reactions of those around me.

It was a little surprising that my allies were afraid of me, but they were people I wouldn’t see again after this war was over.

Even if it wasn’t for that reason, I also had the personality of not caring about what other people thought.

“Are you not going to drink today?”

I nodded at Balius’ words.

He licked his lips with regret and turned his gaze to the person standing next to me.

“Aldred, what about you?”

“If you don’t mind, I’d be happy.”

A man with a sturdy physique accepted the glass offered by Balius.

I just rolled my eyes and looked at the man.

Aldred Ilian.

A man who is a relative of the royal family and is like a real brother to Balius.

It was the man who had previously captured the barrier manager of Istar.

“You don’t know how lucky I am to have you. “Because there is no one who would enjoy drinking with me here.”

“Is it really common for someone to have the guts to drink with the person who will lead the country in the future?”

“Is that so?”

The two men had a casual conversation and drank a glass of wine.

Drinking alcohol is good.

I thought it would be nice to go back to my barracks and enjoy it if possible.

“More than that, Ruin.”

Balius called out to me as I quietly listened to their conversation.

“It’s been a week since you’ve been with Aldred, how are you feeling?”

Balius asked after taking a sip of his drink.

After our first meeting.

Aldred was moving with me under Balius’ orders.

At first, I thought they had put it on because they were worried that I would overdo it because I looked dangerous.

However, during the week they were together, Aldred did not show any special behavior.

Just fight quietly next to me.

I told him what I thought about Aldred’s evaluation.

“This person has the potential to become strong.”

I didn’t lie just because it was in front of the prince.

Aldred was strong enough and had the potential to become even stronger.

“I see that you have the potential to become strong. Ha ha ha ha ha!”

Balius laughed out loud, probably finding my evaluation amusing.

“He is already considered to have no rivals within the royal family. In Ruin’s eyes, it seems like it’s still not enough. “You need to work hard, Aldred.”

Balius, who had been laughing for a while, tapped Aldred on the shoulder and said,

Aldred smiled slightly at those words.

“It is an honor just to receive such evaluation from a member of Istar.”

“An honor?”

“yes. I saw Lord Ruin’s skills up close. “It’s an honor for such a strong person to praise me and say that I have enough qualities to become strong.”

“Is that what happens again?”

The conversation stopped for a moment there.

Balius, with a smile on his face, sipped his drink alone.

After a little silence like that.

“Ruin.”

“Please speak.”

“Fight with Aldred.”

Balius suddenly said something.

It won’t be about war.

We’ve already been acting together for a week.

Then there was only one thing left.

The only thing that could be called a fight for me was with my oldest brother.

“… … “It’s my personal matter.”

I expressed my refusal in short words.

“Don’t you like Aldred?”

“That’s not what I meant.”

I looked straight at Balius and said.

It wasn’t because Aldred was annoying or anything.

Now all the family’s successors are gone.

All of Istar’s power was the same as that of his eldest brother.

In such a situation, what it meant for me to question my older brother for his sins was simple.

It means to fight against all of Istar.

No matter how strong I was, it was difficult to deal with all of Istar’s knights.

It was difficult to take a member of the royal family, even if they were a relative, to such a dangerous fight.

The moment to reveal that fact.

“Trying to fight all of Istar alone is reckless.”

It seemed that Balius knew what I was thinking.

He put down his drink and continued speaking in a low voice.

“I know very well that you are strong. But it is difficult to deal with all the knights of Istar. Besides, isn’t the biggest enemy you have to deal with your brother?”

“… … .”

I just looked at him without saying anything.

What do you want to say?

Balius’ words certainly made sense.

That’s why I didn’t understand it.

It wouldn’t have happened if only Aldred was with him.

“It’s impossible with his skills.”

I told the truth.

Aldred’s skills are clearly outstanding.

It is also true that there is a high possibility that it will become stronger in the future.

However, he is currently unable to deal with Istar’s four elite knights.

The knights currently accompanying me are the most skilled elite knights in the family.

However, even if these were excluded, there were still 100 more elite knights remaining in the family.

If you add the lower levels, upper and middle, the number is even greater.

Being with Aldred meant that they were useless to anyone.

“furthermore… … The matter between me, my sister, and my brother is an internal family matter. It’s okay for me, the person involved, to step forward, but it’s difficult for someone from the royal family to be involved. If we are not careful, Istar, who feels that the royal family is persecuting them, may rebel.”

While the former was said out of concern for Aldred, the latter was out of concern for Balius.

Although I don’t know much about the relationship between the royal family and Istar.

Just from the sounds heard within the family, one could tell that the relationship between the two was not that deep.

The man called my older brother is a man who greedily seeks power, even to the point of killing his brothers.

As long as there was a justification, there was a good chance that he would reveal it to the royal family.

“So, unless you want to turn Istar into an enemy, please don’t say such things.”

Having said that, I stood up.

When the topic of family came up, I felt the anger that had subsided flared up again.

Rather than showing signs of discomfort like this, it would be better to go out and get some fresh air.

The moment I was about to leave with that thought in mind.

“What if you try to turn Istar into an enemy?”

Balius’ words caught my step.

“… … what did you say?”

I definitely heard it clearly, but it was hard to believe.

“It’s just as I heard.”

Balius kindly explained it to me.

“Ruin, I will destroy the current Istar.”

* * *

After Balius returned.

I climbed up on the castle wall and fell into deep thought.

Balius’ words that he would destroy Istar kept ringing in my mind.

What you said to me before.

I now seemed to understand what he meant when he said that Illian needed the power of Istar to be at peace.

Even before he asked me questions about loyalty, he was already thinking about changing Istar.

From a family that only cares about their own role to a family that is loyal to the royal family.

I’m just there to make things a little easier.

“Even if he looks like a good person, does he mean he is in control?”

I saw something unexpected, but somehow I didn’t feel bad about it.

To be honest, what Balius has shown so far has been unrealistic.

How many kings have laid down their lives for their captives?

Even if you look through history, you can probably count them on one hand.

Maybe there isn’t one at all.

Of course, changing Istar is also an act purely for the good of the country.

I rather liked the roughness of the method.

“Can you give me a moment?”

While I continue to think about Balius.

Aldred walked from the stairs leading to the castle wall.

“What’s going on?”

“The story from the barracks.”

Aldred gets straight to the point.

He said with a very serious expression.

“I know you already declined, but I ask you to think again. Please take me to what you will do, Ruin.”

After saying that, Aldred bowed his head to me.

I looked at him quietly and asked.

“What is the reason?”

Why do we do this even though we know there is no chance of coming back alive?

Aldred answered that question without hesitation.

“I hope you will grant His Highness Balius’ request in exchange for my life.”

“Just for that reason?”

“It may be nothing to Ruin, but it is an important matter to me. His Highness Balius is a person who cares about his country more than anyone else. Istar is absolutely necessary for the peace he envisions.”

To give up your life for the ideals of others.

This guy was also a type of human never seen in Istar.

That’s why I couldn’t say anything.

In addition, Aldred added a word.

“Besides, it is an honor for me to fight alongside you, Ruin.”

“her.”

Aldred raises his head and smiles.

I ended up nodding my head at the smile that wasn’t fake at all.

* * *

“Waaah! “I won!”

“Long live Ilian!”

“Your Highness Balius! hurray!”

The war ended fifteen days after the last conversation with Balius.

The result was Illian’s victory.

Illian’s surviving soldiers celebrated their victory by shouting out the names of Balius and Illian.

Although I occasionally heard my own name.

I didn’t care.

Because my role in the war ended here.

Now it was time to start my own war.

“What would you like to do?”

While looking at the soldiers drunk with victory.

Istar’s elite knight, who was waiting nearby, approached and asked.

Thanks to fighting the war together for several months, my relationship with them had become quite close.

“Do you want to leave right away? Or would you like to take a few days off?”

“… … .”

I was in trouble.

The meaning of departure according to the elite knight means whether to go to the branch.

How would they react if I told them I was going to my hometown?

Suddenly wanting to test it out, I asked him.

“Pian.”

“yes.”

“Are you loyal to me?”

“I am loyal to Istar.”

The answer came back immediately.

Then I thought so.

What answer did you want to hear?

They have always been on Istar’s side.

I knew very well that my thoughts wouldn’t change even if we were only together for a few months.

“Right.”

I nodded and turned around.

at that time.

“but.”

The knight’s words, which I thought were over, came back.

“If Ruin wants to become the master of Istar, we will be loyal to Ruin.”

I looked at him with surprised eyes.

The remaining knights standing behind him.

They also had the same expression as Pian.

“You don’t have to be surprised. We are the ones who follow orders. “Right now, I’m just following orders.”

Pian continued speaking with a smile on his face.

“The head of the family gave orders to serve Master, not Ilian. So, we will continue to serve you, Master.”

“her… … .”

A laugh escaped me.

You sent them for me, not for war?

It was a story that was hard to believe.

The fact that his father, who was indifferent to the death of his brothers, gave such an order.

But there was no reason for them to lie to me.

A person banished to a branch home is practically dead.

“is it… … .”

After leaving one word, I turned my head.

If they could help me, there was a good chance.

Of course, it doesn’t change that the remaining power in Istar is stronger.

So there was a need to give strength to our allies.

“I need to meet Balius.”

After saying that, I looked into the distance.

Balius is enjoying the joy of victory with his soldiers.

Now it was necessary to reconsider his proposal.

Sword Master 500 years ago

Side Story Episode 4 Ruin Istar (4)

The afterglow of victory did not last as long as expected.

Balius, who thought it would take at least a few days before we could meet, returned to the capital with me a day later.

“Take a look around the castle with Aldred. “I have to meet my father.”

After returning to the capital through the portal opened by the royal wizard, Balius went to see the king.

I quietly watched him as he walked away.

He was truly an unusual person.

The commander who led the war to victory returns through the portal.

Thanks to this, the joy and glory of victory became the responsibility of Hilbert’s remaining knights and soldiers.

“Luin, is this your first time coming to the royal family?”

As I stood still, Aldred spoke to me.

I nodded quietly.

Before the war, they could not escape the Istar domain.

Of course, it was my first time at the royal family.

“Then let me guide you. “Is there somewhere you want to go?”

I answered that question without hesitation.

“I want to see the training ground.”

“All right.”

Aldred smiled as if he knew that would happen and headed towards the outskirts of the castle.

I followed him without saying a word.

The atmosphere of the royal family was quite different from Istar.

Compared to the mansion in Istar, where you could only hear the cries of demonic beasts rather than a garden, this place was so beautiful that it could be said to be a paradise on earth.

As soon as you turn your head, something like a garden unfolds, so much so that you wonder if you are intoxicated by the scent of flowers.

It seemed to be the same for the knights of the family that came with me.

Although they did not show it outwardly, they also glanced at the atmosphere of the royal castle as if they were amazed.

“Here it is.”

Walk along the path leading to the garden for about 10 minutes.

Aldred, who was walking ahead, stopped in front of a large door.

On the door was written in large letters, “No. 1 Training Center.”

I went in through the door Aldred opened for me.

The inside of the training hall was spacious, but no one was using it.

Apparently, the people who could use it were determined.

“There’s no one there.”

“This is a place that can only be used by people of royal blood or those who have received special permission. If you would like to see others training, I will guide you to another training center.”

“No, this is enough.”

I shook my head at Aldred.

It is true that I wanted to see the royal family training, but there was another reason for coming here.

Because it was easier to organize my thoughts here than in the ornate royal castle.

I looked around the training hall and thought.

The eldest brother’s choice to neutralize the forest barrier in order to deal with his rival went too far.

Istar is a family that manages the Forest of Demonic Beasts according to the will of their ancestors.

The man who was supposed to be the successor to such a family was blinded by his little power and abandoned his family’s duty, so he deserved to be punished.

Even on that day, I lost the only person I wanted to protect.

“hmm.”

In an instant, the image of my younger brother passed by.

The guilt of not being able to protect it creeps in.

“Whoa~”

I took a deep breath and calmed down my messed up head.

It seems that I had a greater desire to get revenge on my brother for personal reasons.

“Enough.”

After gathering my thoughts, I returned to Aldred.

We couldn’t spend a long time here as Balius might be waiting for us.

at that time.

“Aldred!”

The entrance to the training hall opened and a small boy entered.

The boy, who looked to be barely over 10 years old, ran towards Aldred holding a small sword.

“Are you back now?”

“okay. “How are you, Cleard?”

Aldred gently stroked the boy’s head.

‘Are you of royal blood?’

I looked down at the boy and thought.

It is said that only those who can use this place are those of royal blood or those who have received special permission.

There is no way that child has received special permission, so it is probably a child of the royal family.

“Say hello, Cleard. “He is from Istar.”

Aldred gave a brief introduction about me.

Then the boy bowed his head to me.

“hello! It’s called Cleared! “It is a great honor to meet Istar, who is said to be the strongest!”

The eyes of the boy who greets me with an awkward expression sparkle violently.