The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 288

194. Kwell McGovern

“I remember what you said to me at the mansion.”

Despite Carryl’s provocation, Kwell spoke in a surprisingly calm voice.

“You said you wanted to surpass me.”

Carryl smiled bitterly, recalling the day at the table when he declared his ambition to learn magic and join Einherjar [a hall in Norse mythology for slain heroes].

The reason he acknowledged Carryl.

It might have seemed audacious, but Carryl had stated his intent to surpass Kwell back then.

Not only his brothers, but virtually everyone who wielded a sword on the continent believed that the absolute wall known as Kwell McGovern was insurmountable.

Faced with such a towering figure, a mere twelve-year-old had vowed to overcome him.

Kwell had admired Carryl’s spirit.

“…….”

As expected, seeing him again, Carryl reflected that Kwell was consistent in both his past and present lives.

“Do you remember what I said then?”

“Of course,” Carryl said in a low voice.

“Magic for a knight is ultimately for the sword. If you truly want to surpass me…….”

“The answer lies in the sword.”

At his response, Kwell smiled contentedly.

Although Carryl had used his integrity to enter Einherjar back then, his mindset as a martial artist had remained unchanged across both lives.

“Are you confident?”

“My answer was already given then.”

“Heh heh…….”

Kwell chuckled softly.

“Your confidence in the sword is certainly worthy of Kaliak’s son. And that spirit suits Kwell’s son as well.”

Carryl retorted to Kwell, who seemed pleased with his growth.

“My name is Carryl. Not someone’s son.”

“I wish my brother or Mart would learn that confidence of yours,” Kwell said, as if scolding him.

People had gathered due to the commotion caused by the collapse of the inner quarters. Among them were familiar faces.

Mart and Randolf.

The two McGovern brothers had never imagined meeting their father and younger brother in this way after so long.

‘To point a sword at Father…… You must be completely insane, Carryl. Are you really thinking of turning the Empire into an enemy?’ Mart thought, biting his lip.

No matter how he reasoned, abandoning both family and country was something he couldn’t comprehend.

“…….”

However, on the other hand, he envied Carryl’s resolve, running without hesitation on the path he wanted to take, even if it seemed reckless.

Family and country.

They were certainly important, but also shackles that served as excuses for his own shortcomings.

Creak―

Especially Kwell’s last words felt like a dagger piercing his heart.

‘Carryl…… I am surprised and admire your courage that you came, but…… what are you thinking?’ Randolf wondered anxiously.

‘You clearly told me that our family is needed in the future you will create. But if you point a sword at Father, we will become complete enemies!!’

Clench―

He unknowingly gripped the small scroll in his arms, which he had not let go of since returning from the South.

‘You told me first to see with my own eyes if you are worthy of becoming king. But…… no matter what justice you have, if you harm Father, I will activate the Oath of the Word [a magical contract bound by one’s word],’ Randolf resolved.

Randolf, who had fought with Carryl, knew his skills better than anyone else.

No, perhaps he didn’t truly know because he had fought him. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t even scratch the surface of his abilities.

‘If it’s Father…….’

Kwell’s skills were beyond doubt, but Randolf held onto the oath, knowing that he was the only one who could potentially save Carryl in case of any unforeseen danger.

‘Mart, Randolf…… and.’

Standing before the continent’s strongest Sword Master, Carryl instead turned his head to find someone for the last time, after confirming that the two were present.

‘Oliver.’

After spotting him being guarded by Kwell’s disciples, Carryl thought, ‘Everyone’s gathered.’

The stage he had created was finally filled with its audience.

It was time to execute the plan.

Kwaaaang―――!!!

Kwell’s sword and Carryl’s ice claws collided simultaneously.

A heavy impact and stinging pain shot through Carryl’s wrist. It felt as if he had been struck by a giant rock, not a sword blade.

‘Heavy.’

‘Sharp.’

The two exchanged thoughts, as if they had grasped each other’s swordsmanship with a single exchange.

Carryl released one hand from the ice claws he was holding with both hands and thrust his hand towards Kwell’s face.

Kwell tilted his head to avoid the instantaneous fist.

A fleeting gap.

He didn’t miss it, grabbing the sword with both hands again, taking a stance.

2nd Unicorn Posture.

Pulling his arm back towards Kwell, who was retreating, Carryl narrowed the distance again with a one-point attack stance.

Zzzzzz……!

The flashing lightning of Visionary Power [a type of magical energy] scattered in all directions, and the net of Visionary Power, unable to withstand the speed, scattered like a cone from the tip of the sword, resembling a giant mounted spear.

Clang!!

However, the experienced Kwell deflected Carryl’s sword despite his disrupted posture.

Whoosh……!!

Boom―!!

But Carryl seemed to have anticipated Kwell’s movement and twisted the direction of the stabbing sword blade, instead slashing at his waist.

4th Riffle Posture.

The speed of Carryl, who was wielding the sword, increased explosively, and the sword blade was swung in a semicircle.

Whoaaaang―!

A sound like a giant tree being uprooted echoed, and the area where the sword passed was overturned by the wind pressure alone, scattering debris.

Even a knight would not have been able to withstand that attack, but Kwell instead bent his waist back like a bow, raised his sword above his head, and struck down towards Carryl.

“Haaap!!”

Along with his loud shout, a powerful sword aura was emitted, threatening to cut through and destroy Carryl’s sword storm.

Kwaaaaaang!!!

As if the waves of the sea were parting, a fierce wave erupted to both sides, centered on his sword, at the same time as he struck down on the floor.

“Kugh?!”

“Hooop……!!”

The knights and priests around hurriedly turned their heads and tried to escape from the aftermath of the two’s clash.

Chajajajang……!!

Clang……!!

The sound of swords colliding did not cease amidst the wildly rising dust cloud.

A speed so fast that it was impossible to discern how many sword strikes had been exchanged.

Clang!!

Hwaaaak―!!

With the sound of the two swords colliding strongly at the apex of the clash, the dust that had been covering them scattered.

“…….”

“…….”

Most of the people present were those who had reached a certain level of skill, but they were simply watching in a daze at their swordplay, which was unbelievable even when witnessed firsthand.

“Amazing,” Kwell said, warding off Carryl’s offensive.

Clang―

Carryl also took a step back and looked at Kwell. He pretended to be nonchalant, but in reality, Carryl himself was even more surprised.

It was because he had never imagined that there would be someone who could perfectly block the sword stance he had honed by wielding the sword for countless years.

Surprisingly, there was an unbelievable lightness hidden within the rock-like heaviness.

Did they say that the ends ultimately meet?

It was a completely different swordsmanship from his own, but strangely, there were similarities.

“But this isn’t the end, is it? To not use all your strength while competing with me, Kwell.”

“It’s the same for you, isn’t it.”

Carryl knew that Kwell had parried his attacks with only basic swordsmanship.

Of course, that alone was strong enough, but Carryl, who had been taught his swordsmanship by Kwell before he died in his previous life, knew better than anyone what he was like when he gave his all.

Clench―

Carryl gripped the ice claws.

Etheral trembled slightly at his strength, as if in pain.

It was a matter of pride.

Even without using the power of the spirits, he had blocked the swordsmanship he had created after reaching the pinnacle of the sword.

‘Was he this strong in my previous life too?’

Kwell McGovern was definitely strong in his memories as well. He must have felt even stronger because he had no magical power at the time.

But something was different.

No matter how strong he was, he was different from the Kwell of his previous life that he remembered.

Or…….

‘Was there something else I didn’t know?’

Carryl kept thinking about the serendipity that Kwell had mentioned.

“For you to reach this level before you’re even an adult. It’s something I can’t even imagine. I wonder…… if even the Sword Demon was as skilled as you at your age.”

“……Sword Demon?”

Carryl looked at Kwell.

“One of the companions of the Archmage Kaie Essir 250 years ago. There’s not much known about him, but…… the McGovern family’s swordsmanship was created from his foundation.”

It was the first time he had heard this story.

Surprisingly, Carryl had not expected that the other companion he was looking for would be connected to his family.

“Are you saying he’s an ancestor of the family?”

Kwell replied, surprised by Carryl’s interest.

“No. He wasn’t a continental [referring to someone from the main continent]. He was just someone who was asked for sword advice, and their relationship was just a coincidence.”

‘Not a continental……?’

Carryl thought that perhaps the reason why Kwell had a deep relationship with Kaliak, who was from a different race, was due to that influence.

It was certainly important to find his companion in order to obtain Kaie Essir’s remaining legacy, but it was an unnecessary thought at this moment.

“Enough with the digression.”

And Kwell seemed to have the same thought as Carryl, as he regripped his sword and said,

“I will now give it my all.”

Meaning to end it.

Kwell took a low breath and pointed Yulston at Carryl.

Whirr……!

A fierce mana blade, different from anything before, was emitted from his sword blade.

It was then.

“……!!!”

Carryl looked at Kwell as if he couldn’t believe it.

He couldn’t see it because it was hidden in the flames of the sword blade that flickered as if it were alive, but there was definitely a foreign magical power felt within it.

“Impossible.”

Perhaps no one would notice.

He was certain that he was the only one who could feel Kwell’s magical power.

Because that magical power was the same as his own.

‘……Dragon Magic?!’

Carryl felt breathless.

He was confused.

He looked at Kwell with questioning eyes, but Kwell swung his sword instead of answering.

Clang!! Clang Clang Clang!!!

The moment he blocked Kwell’s sword, which was slashing down vertically, Carryl’s body staggered greatly, unlike before, and slid back.

Kwell thrust his sword without giving him a moment’s respite after he was knocked back dozens of meters by the impact and barely stopped.

“Kugh!”

Since Kwell’s basic magical power had already reached 6th class, it was clearly different from Milliana’s, even if it was the same Dragon Magic.

As he had forewarned, each of his attacks was heavy, as if filled with all his might.

Serendipity.

‘What…… what happened?’

Carryl doesn’t know what kind of incident is hidden in his missed serendipity.

But at least he could be sure that there was one clear being involved in it.

‘Nar Di Maugh……!!’

Just as his future had changed,

Kwell McGovern’s future had also changed.

Kwaaaang―――!!!

The two’s swords clashed again.