The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 163

128. Undead (2)

[Keeeeeek……!!!]

The ancient trees animated by the earth dragon began to scream as if in pain from Carryl’s flames.

Aidan felt a strange sense of dissonance as the trees, clearly imbued with magic, behaved as if they were truly living beings.

“Those…….”

“Necromancy is, after all, about summoning something that once existed in some form. Those ancient trees may or may not be recreations of real trees from the past.”

“You mean, they might not be…….”

“Who knows? Maybe they’re collecting the spirits of the elves who died here.”

“…….”

For some reason, Aidan felt a bitter taste in his mouth at Gordon’s words.

“By the way, how did you notice that? The unique rhythm of the elves. You wouldn’t know that unless you knew elves. Has your master even encountered elves before?”

“W-Well, I’m not sure…….”

Aidan had been fascinated by Carryl’s strength, but at Gordon’s question, he sensed that Carryl was sometimes distant and enigmatic.

“Well……. The victory is decided. Flames that even Zarka Hoch’s magic can’t extinguish. Even the mages of the Empire would be speechless at that level of magic.”

Gordon realized in their first battle that Carryl possessed dragon magic. But his current display was beyond his expectations.

The standard for a Sword Master is whether they can condense 4th class magic into a Mana Blade.

Of course, with exceptional talent, someone who has reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship may wield even more powerful magic.

‘That flame……. It’s definitely not ordinary. Is it possible because it’s dragon magic?’

It is known that Kwell McGovern, one of the continent’s 5 Great Sword Masters, possesses magic close to the 5th class, surpassing the 4th class.

But the magic Carryl was showing was not simply limited to the Mana Blade like Kwell McGovern.

Pure magic that doesn’t rely on a sword.

‘No. Even Muriana, the former leader of Digon, who was said to have inherited the purest dragon magic among the later generations, couldn’t wield magic like that.’

Gordon thought, recalling Miliana’s biological mother.

‘Unless he’s a real dragon…….’

He chuckled at the absurd thought.

He knew that dragon magic could transcend the boundaries of attributes and use all of them.

But no matter how many different attributes you can use, you can’t exceed the limits of your magic power.

‘In the end, that guy… He didn’t show me all his cards until the end.’

Gordon also realized that Carryl hadn’t used his full power when fighting him.

Ironically, the two were gauging each other’s skills in a fight with a third party.

“That rascal. Making me suffer unnecessarily.”

He said it as if grumbling, but Gordon didn’t seem to dislike it.

[You……!!]

Zarka Hoch said with a bewildered expression.

“Shh. Quiet. You would know, wouldn’t you? The power contained in this magic. Even if you’re dead, if you’re an elf.”

[How…….]

The elves were the race most closely connected to the spirits. Zarka Hoch would have clearly felt the aura of the Flame King in the flames.

Surprisingly, his magic barrier, which had seemed impregnable even against Gordon’s fierce attacks, crumbled as it reacted to the spirit force.

Paah……!!!

As the barrier broke, Zarka Hoch staggered backward.

“Elves are elves. It seems that your magic is based on spirit force. Seeing you crumble like this in the face of a higher being’s power.”

Moreover, Lamine’s flames were extremely incompatible with elves, who had a strong connection to the forest.

“Even as a Lich, the foundation of your magic remains the same… Like the necromancy you use, you couldn’t let go of the strings of your past life even in death. Well, that’s why you’re doing such ridiculous things.”

Carryl shook off the remnants of the barrier that were dripping down and said to him.

[Get out of here!!!!]

Magic fluctuated wildly around him.

Although the barrier was broken, 1,000 years of accumulated magic still remained within him.

[Kuaaaaaaa……!!!]

Black magic became sharp spears and poured toward Carryl. It felt like the very air was being poisoned.

The venomous energy flowing from the spearheads stung his nose.

It was the necromancy of a Lich, not the life-giving magic of an elf.

“B-Be careful……!”

Aidan shouted as he watched the scene.

But Carryl shook his head as he looked at the seventeen black spearheads flying toward him.

“Black magic this time? Decide whether you’re going to be a dead man or remain an elf, Zarka Hoch.”

Thud! Thud! Thud-!!

By the time eight black spears were embedded in the ground, Carryl was no longer there.

He had already moved behind Zarka Hoch, and he said in a low voice.

“The power is strong, but too slow.”

[……!!!]

“The elven barrier that protected you is gone. If you confront me as a dead man, I will do the same.”

Pajijijik…… Pajijik……!!

Carryl’s Agnell [his sword] emitted light.

A sword aura with purple electricity that had never been seen before.

The power of light and darkness.

The power of Arcane, a hidden force that possesses both sides, pierced Zarka Hoch.

[Kuaaaaaaa!!!]

A dizzying pain stirred his body.

Even though he was a Lich and not a living being, he seemed to feel pain.

[Arcane……?! How do you know Alrune’s power…….]

Zarka Hoch said, looking at Carryl. The staff he was holding trembled slightly.

The spearheads of the black spears floating in the air shook violently.

“Do you know him?”

[……A cold and selfish bastard.]

Carryl smirked at Zarka’s words.

“Accurate. I won’t deny it. But I’m not going to give a dead man Arcane power. I’m just using this power to see if you’re a member of the Blader [a secret organization].”

[……What?]

“I still think you’re too good to be destroyed.”

Pook-

Carryl slammed his other fist into Zarka Hoch’s side.

[……!!]

At that moment, Zarka Hoch shouted with a bewildered expression.

“That’s right. It’s Mithril [a rare and magical metal]. It has the strongest power to repel magic among the existing minerals. It’s the metal that you elves, who are called the race of light, love, right?”

In the darkness, Carryl’s lips were clearly seen rising.

“Isn’t it funny? A human has elven armor and an elven sword.”

Seokeong-!!

Carryl put strength into the fist he had stabbed into Zarka’s side. Then, a sharp blade popped out of his gauntlet and pierced him.

[Keok…… Keokeokeok……!!]

Zarka let out a painful breath.

Black smoke soared from the waist where the sword was embedded.

Cheujeujeuk…… Cheujeuk……!!

Zarka Hoch’s body trembled with a rotten stench. Carryl watched him and put strength into the sword he had stabbed into him once again.

[Aaaaaaak!!!]

A scream erupted, and as his magic weakened from the pain, the entire fortress of wraiths shook.

[Y-You…… you bastard!!]

Zarka Hoch did not lose consciousness and struggled to grab Carryl’s shoulder with a hardened face.

Badeuk-

The few teeth attached to the skull collided and made a sound.

At that moment, Carryl pulled out the gauntlet sword without hesitation.

Then, a black liquid as sticky as blood flowed out of the pierced wound.

[Heok…… Heoeok…….]

Only then did Zarka exhale as the sword was pulled out.

“I know elves and gnomes don’t get along, but I’m going to hate them even more now. Actually, a gnome gave me this sword.”

[Damn it…….]

Miliana and Aidan watched Carryl and trembled as if they had been stabbed by the sword.

“Zarka Hoch. I’m playing along with your ridiculous game. You put a human mask on an elven corpse, so I, a human, have to wear an elven mask to defeat the devil.”

At Carryl’s words, everyone looked at the corpses lying on the floor.

“They are the dead. You’re the one who’s dreaming, holding onto them for 1,000 years.”

[H-How dare you……!]

Zarka Hoch shouted as if spitting out.

But Carryl still said in a cold voice.

“Do you find this fun?”

Seogeok-!!

Carryl once again stabbed the Mithril gauntlet sword into Zarka Hoch’s spine.

[……Keok!!]

With a final scream, his body fell to the floor.

Every time he tried to move his body, the sword embedded in his waist cried out with a creaking sound.

Jeobeok- Jeobeok- Jeobeok-

Carryl walked past him, who was struggling, and walked onto the throne where he had been sitting a moment ago.

“There’s one thing that bothers me. Who is this?”

Once again, everyone’s eyes turned to him. There was a small frame standing next to the throne.

It was the one Zarka had been looking at a moment ago.

[Don’t touch it……!!]

In the old frame, there was a picture of a beautiful elf in a dress.

Carryl stared at it for a moment.

After the illusion was dispelled, everything else was old and broken by the power of time, but this picture remained as clean as if the power of magic remained.

The name of the woman who seemed to be the subject of the picture was written on the frame.

Zarka Hoch staggered and took steps as if compelled, approaching Carryl.

It was then.

Pajik……!!

Carryl mercilessly stepped on the frame.

The sound of the glass breaking was clearly heard in Zarka Hoch’s ears.

[Kuaaaaaaa……!!!!]

Even if he was a dead man, he had memories.

“…….”

Aidan tried to stop him, thinking it was too much. But he couldn’t say anything and just watched Carryl’s cold appearance, which he had never seen before.

“The Elven Kingdom is gone. Now wake up from your childish dream. Zarka Hoch.”

[Y-You……!! Do you know what that is!!]

“I don’t know. And I don’t want to know.”

Carryl replied without changing his expression.

Kaang……!!

Then, he set the Ice Claw [Carryl’s sword] upside down and stuck it into the floor.

“Everyone has lost something.”

Carryl, who had lived a previous life and had been trapped in the tower for countless years, knew the meaning of those words better than anyone else.

[Are you trying to take away what you took from me……. Even in death?]

Zarka Hoch said in a trembling voice.

The existence in the frame could be guessed from his low murmur.

Lover? Family?

But nothing mattered.

It was clear that it was precious.

“I admit that humans have defiled the land of the elves. Do you resent humans? You probably do. But I’m not going to apologize on their behalf.”

The cold chill flowing from the Ice Claw was emitted as if driving out the evil spirit of the fortress of wraiths.

“I can’t stop the humans of 1,000 years ago. I don’t know what the humans took from you. But even if you put a human mask on the corpse of a dead elf and attack us, we won’t feel anything.”

Carryl smiled bitterly.

“There’s no race as accustomed to killing their own kind as humans. Suffering from such things only works for clean elves like you.”

[…….]

The coldness now wrapped around Zarka Hoch, caressing his cheeks.

“I don’t know anything about you, but I know at least this one thing.”

Carryl slowly got up, pulled out the Ice Claw that he had stuck into the floor, and pointed it at Zarka Hoch.

At first glance, it looked like he was going to cut off his neck, but the blade moved slowly and touched his shoulder.

“Actually, I was going to say this to someone else… To think that the Lich Zarka Hoch was an elf from 1,000 years ago.”

Seueueueueuk…….

The cold chill permeated Zarka Hoch’s body, and the green sphere shining like a heart inside his ribs began to turn blue and freeze.

“This sword will guide you. Follow me. Then, instead of this childish game…….”

Zarka Hoch raised his head at his words.