The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 424

259. Next Destination

“Alkar.”

Khalil called the Divine Beast’s name.

Without hesitation, the young verdure [referring to Alkar, the Divine Beast] pierced the ice-covered Geumnyeong Pond with its hind legs, creating a hole in the ice, and plunged its head inside.

Bubble… Bubble…

Steam rapidly rose from the ice, and the ice Khalil had created began to melt instantly.

[Interesting. It’s ice made with magic, so it shouldn’t melt with heat unless the magic supply is cut off… It’s melting like natural ice.]

Arun noticed a very small horn growing on Alkar’s forehead, which hadn’t been there before.

[The Great Forest is the land of the Fairies, so the power of nature is strong there. That means it’s closely related to the power of spirits.]

[Fairies are trivial beings, but they have become spiritualized over a long period, so they can be considered a type of spirit. The five Fairies inside that child are boosting Alkar’s energy.]

Lasis, who had the same light attribute as Etheral, seemed somewhat pleased as he looked at Alkar.

Woo-woo-woo…

The pond, filled with thick miasma [a noxious or poisonous atmosphere or influence], began to emit light as Alkar’s power touched it.

“Huh…”

Halkata was taken aback by the sight. A swamp with such potent poison that even monsters couldn’t handle it was being purified in an instant.

“This is something neither a priest nor a magician could do. It’s changing the order of nature, a power only spirits possess.”

Khalil scooped up the water from the now clear pond and took a gulp.

“…”

Halkata still looked tense at his actions.

Even though it had been purified, just moments ago, this was a terrible place where one could lose their life just by touching it.

“Hmm.”

Khalil, after swallowing the purified swamp water, seemed to ponder for a moment before nodding.

“Lasis, can you place a blessing on this pond?”

[If it’s because of Alkar, I don’t think it’s necessary. Although he hasn’t been born long, he has the power to drive out this much poison.]

“It’s more to control the Fairies.”

[Ah… I understand.]

Lasis nodded as if he understood Khalil’s words at once and began to fly lightly around the pond.

Clang…!!

Then, an intense light, incomparable to Alkar’s, burst out from the swamp. The water had already been purified and was transparent, so the light seemed dazzling.

[But you know, too. When I bestow a spirit’s blessing, I won’t be able to use my power for a while. I probably won’t be able to help when the second corruption descends.]

“Of course. Not being able to use your power, which can deal the most damage to corruption, is a risk… but it’s worth it. With your blessing, it will be much easier for Alkar to establish a base.”

Khalil said, looking at the purified swamp.

“The terrain here will also change. From a humid jungle to a lush and healthy forest with high mountains. In the future, this place will become land that will give us strength during the remaining battles.”

[Besides, it will be easier for you to handle that Fairy child. Do you think I don’t know your shady thoughts?]

Khalil gave a bitter smile at his words.

[I will bestow a spirit’s blessing.]

With those words, unintelligible words began to flow from Lasis.

[?????-?????…?????…?????]

It wasn’t Runian [likely a known language or magical system], but a spirit language that couldn’t even be found in literature anymore.

Just as Runian drew out the essence of magic, spirit language was a medium that allowed one to use the true power of spirits.

It might seem natural for a spirit to use spirit language, but in this situation where the spirit realm is disappearing, using the power of the spirit realm was like consuming the spirit’s own life.

“Laminu, can you use a blessing?”

[Impossible. Only the two Great Wildernesses can use a spirit’s blessing. Our Elemental Spirit Kings directly manifest physical power, unlike them.]

“Hmm. That’s a shame.”

[If we could, we could have fought a little more in the Divine Spirit War.]

[But there is an existence who can bestow blessings separately from us, even though he is an Elemental Spirit King.]

Etheral said.

“Who is it?”

[The Lightning Spirit King. Thunder Lord KunGen.]

At her words, Laminu said to Khalil with a slightly troubled expression.

[Certainly, he has both light and darkness attributes, so he can bestow blessings… but the effects of the blessing are erratic, like lightning that doesn’t know where it will strike, so it can’t be said to be necessarily helpful.]

“Interesting. If what you say is true, it means we could get a much bigger effect than expected.”

[Conversely, it could be a curse instead of a blessing.]

Khalil became even more interested in KunGen at his words.

[If you want to find KunGen, it would be good to gain the power of the Great Rock Lord first. He is the only one among the Spirit Kings who can stop KunGen.]

“I see.”

Khalil nodded at Laminu’s words.

[That means it’s time to open the door to the spirit realm.]

Arun said with an expectant voice. There were spiritists even in the Magic Era, but no one had a contract with the Spirit King. That meant that research on the spirit realm had hardly been done.

He seemed to be enjoying the interest in the unknown world.

“The task is set. Just move forward without worrying.”

Khalil spoke as if talking to himself.

Ssae-ssae-

Hugging Anchar, who had lost consciousness after constantly transforming because she couldn’t control the power of the Fairy, he slowly pushed her into the purified pond.

“…!!”

As her face completely submerged in the water, Halkata looked at Khalil with an anxious expression, not knowing what to say.

“Don’t worry. The water in this swamp with Lasis’ blessing is not ordinary water. Being inside will actually help restore the Fairy’s energy. But she needs to rest for a while. Halkata. So, from now on, come here every day to take care of her and look after Alkar.”

“…Th, thank you.”

“And I will send someone to send her to the Free Country when she recovers.”

Khalil checked on Anchar, who was asleep under the water, and then spoke to Halkata. She no longer needed to live alone and lonely in Geumnyeong Pond.

‘Anchar. Just bear with it a little longer until the purification ritual is complete. But unlike before, Halkata will be watching over this place now, so it will be better.’

He slowly stood up.

‘This is the time of peace I can give you. From the moment you open your eyes, you will spend day and night in a constant battle.’

Regardless of her will, she would be trapped in a terrible battle from now on. And it was Khalil himself who pushed her into that battlefield.

‘But I won’t feel sorry for you. In my past life, I knew that you resented your weak self.’

Khalil turned his head.

‘Anchar, you are that kind of person. You hate fighting, but you are an existence who has no choice but to stand on the battlefield. Although you may resent me now… I will give strength to myself.’

Then he said to Halkata, who was standing behind him.

“While Anchar is recovering, create a base for the Divine Beast. The place should be here at Geumnyeong Pond. The poison in this place will completely disappear over time, and it will be filled with the power of light. From now on, you will serve and care for Alkar like a Fairy.”

“I understand.”

“How many wildlings live in the Great Forest?”

“If we only count the warriors, excluding children and women, there are at least about 1,000.”

“That’s certainly a large tribe. Are you the largest among the wildlings?”

Halkata nodded at Khalil’s words.

“Yes, we are the largest among the tribes in the Great Forest. There are other tribes, but they don’t use the power of the Holy Spirit properly. At best, they only receive a little blessing. Moreover, after Anchar was born, the power of the Fairy became even more abundant.”

“You received such help, but you left her alone in Geumnyeong Pond.”

“It was what she wanted…”

Halkata gave a bitter smile at Khalil’s sarcastic words. He couldn’t blame him. What parent would want to imprison their own daughter?

He was the leader of the tribe before he was a father, so he had no choice but to make a difficult decision.

[There is a difference in blessings… Interesting. Is the bloodline divided here too?]

‘Don’t talk nonsense.’

[Keke…]

Khalil silenced Arun so that Halkata couldn’t hear.

[Well, what about it? Not only the Empire, but also the North, the South, and now even the Great Forest. All the pure-blooded lineages of the continent are kneeling before you. Isn’t that a joyful thing?]

‘I have no intention of dividing them by bloodline. If I had the same thoughts as the Emperor of the Empire, I wouldn’t have created the Free Country in the first place.’

[You’re so prickly… I was just trying to praise you. You’ve become so serious about the Empire ever since you met that brat, Oliven.]

Arun smacked his lips slightly and said awkwardly.

[Is it because of what he said before he disappeared? Frankly speaking, it might just be empty boasting. After all, you are the one who killed him. It might be a desire not to let the person who killed him live in peace.]

‘I hope so too.’

Khalil couldn’t deny Arun’s words.

Ever since Oliven left the words that he had something to say to him in the Imperial Tomb, Oliven’s last words had been lingering in his head.

‘He’s dead anyway. It’s more important to finish what needs to be done now.’

Khalil tried not to think about him anymore.

“Mew…”

As Alkar fell asleep next to her, submerged in the water as if trying to protect Anchar, the rampaging Holy Spirits regained their peace, and her breathing became more stable.

[Certainly, the Three Phases and the Fairies are similar but different. Unlike the Phases who directly received the power of the Spirit, the Holy Spirits were originally just ordinary animals that became spiritualized after being worshiped for a long time. There will be a difference in the superiority of that power as well.]

It was ridiculous, but if you had to compare, it could be said to be a difference in bloodline.

It could be confirmed with this result that the Three Phases, who directly received power from the Spirit Kings, had higher-level, purer spirit power than the Holy Spirits.

[Even trivial beings have their value divided, so do you understand how difficult it is to realize the realization of autonomous will, not the will of blood that you are trying to do?]

‘But it’s not impossible.’

At that moment, Arun, who had a soul contract, could vaguely feel Khalil’s mood.

[Yes, it’s not impossible. Neither equality nor freedom nor even god-slaying… The path you are trying to walk is truly a thorny one, but it’s not like there is no path.]

Arun chuckled and said.

[Where is the next journey?]

“Not far. Before the second corruption appears, we will probably be able to find the last companion. However… the problem is whether he will be with me.”

[Why? Didn’t you say they are those who are suffering after the corruption broke out? Like that child, the remaining person will also be saved thanks to you.]

“That guy thinks that even the pain he is experiencing is a test given by God and is humbly accepting it.”

[Don’t tell me…]

Arun frowned at Khalil’s words.

“That’s right. The next destination is the Order [likely a religious order].”

[You’re going to ask the Apostle of God to help with god-slaying now? That’s really absurd.]

At Arun’s words, Khalil shrugged lightly as if he always did.

[There’s going to be another mess.]