The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 56

49. Aln Zabiuss

“Why is it doing this?”

Never before had it acted this way.

Kahlil, seeing Agnel suddenly emitting light, grabbed the dagger, his face more bewildered than when he encountered the Fallen [demonic creatures].

Even in his past life, Kahlil possessed Agnel, but he had never witnessed such a change.

Agnel.

The dagger, named with the ancient word meaning ‘Black Pearl,’ had obsidian embedded in its hilt, true to its name.

The blade was engraved with intricate characters.

They were ancient, forgotten words of a tribe that even Kahlil, who knew Runes, could not read.

Upon closer inspection, the characters engraved on the blade were emitting light from the obsidian.

“…….”

Kwell had given it to Kahlil as a memento left by Kaliak, Kahlil’s biological father.

However, Kahlil was the third son.

If the clan hadn’t been wiped out by the Order of Heresy Extermination, this memento would have naturally gone to Kajin, the eldest of the tribe.

‘Come to think of it, I’ve never used this.’

After receiving it from Kwell.

In his past life, he had only kept it with him, never using the dagger as he was doing now.

The McGovern family swords were all specially crafted, making Agnel seem crude in comparison.

He had merely kept it close, thinking of it as a memento of his clan, not his father.

Kahlil stared silently at Agnel.

The characters that had been emitting light gradually began to dim over time.

“Hmm?”

After completely losing its light.

The hand holding Agnel felt slightly heavier.

‘What is it? It got heavier?’

It was a subtle change, but Kahlil, who had been using the dagger continuously, did not miss the difference.

Whirring-

The dagger rotated a few times on his palm before stopping.

“It definitely got heavier.”

He felt a strange, inexplicable sensation.

Could it be that even Agnel, which he had thought little of and never used in his past life, held a secret?

‘I thought I knew the past, but perhaps what I know is just the tip of the iceberg.’

He thought as he placed the dagger inside his coat.

‘That guy might know.’

He had a feeling that there might be something more than just a simple treasure at the end of the Gray Church.

“For now…….”

Thud- Thud- Thud-

“I need to finish things here.”

Kahlil descended the stairs, relying on his memory.

* * *

“It… It worked!”

With that shout, a sharp explosion erupted in the quiet forest.

Crackling…!!

Several trees in the dense forest were cut down without even the sound of them falling.

“…….”

Aidan wore an incredulous expression at the sight.

‘Crazy, he really succeeded without magic modification?’

He let out a low sigh, watching the four magic nodes on Mikhail’s body flash and disappear.

The number of magic nodes was proof that Mikhail had entered the ranks of the 3rd class [a level of magical ability].

‘A mere mercenary… is at the same level as me?’

Being a 3rd class might not be that surprising in some ways.

There were many disciples in the Magic Society with that level of magic.

The difficult part was 4th class or higher.

It was about whether one could reach the ranks of a mage. That barrier was so immense that mages were rare even on the continent.

But…….

Aidan was surprised by something else.

‘Is it possible for a 2nd class to reach 3rd class in less than a month? Unless he had that much magic from the start…….’

He had taught Mikhail magic modification at Kahlil’s prompting, but even then, Mikhail’s magic was slightly below that of an average 2nd class user.

It wasn’t a situation where he could aim for 3rd class from the beginning.

That’s why Aidan taught Mikhail the basics of magic modification without worry.

Just the basics.

However, from learning magic modification to reaching the ranks of the 3rd class, he showed an unbelievable level of acquisition, even for Aidan.

‘There wouldn’t be someone like that even in the Dark Shadow.’

Even in the institution in the Eastern Country where Aidan came from, which selected and taught children with special talents, he had never seen anyone learn magic so quickly.

‘Did I… make a mistake?’

It was too late to regret it.

Aidan watched Mikhail, who was rejoicing in his first successful 3rd class magic without magic modification, and thought.

‘He seemed to know from the beginning that Mikhail could reach 3rd class. How?’

It would be impossible without investigation.

From the first time he met Kahlil, he had found it strange that he knew so much despite his young age.

And that question reached its peak with Mikhail’s growth.

‘He would never do something like this on his own. There must be someone behind him. If it’s an organization that knows these secrets…….’

He pondered.

First of all, it wasn’t the Dark Shadow he belonged to.

It was also hard to imagine guilds from other countries moving in this way.

‘Could it be…!?’

At that moment, Aidan was surprised by the eerie feeling that ran through his body.

‘If all of this is a planned action and there’s a backer who can do this much…….’

It felt like everything was falling into place.

From his unknown confidence to his overwhelming power.

‘The First Prince Ruon?!’

Aidan shuddered at the chilling feeling, unable to even consider that his reasoning might be wrong, and trembled without realizing it.

‘This won’t do.’

Ironically, Aidan thought his deduction was perfect.

Biting his parched lips, he thought now was the chance while Kahlil was away.

‘I need to find a way.’

However, he didn’t know what this false assumption would lead to later.

* * *

[It’s real. It was real. Kikikik…….]

A sinister voice.

Kahlil looked up and then down again at the voice coming from the darkness.

“…….”

It was something to be surprised about, but for some reason, he seemed unfazed by the voice as he investigated the underground hall.

“Hmm, it’s not here either. Where on earth did they hide it?”

[You… You bastard!!]

The rough voice, like scraping metal, raised its voice at his appearance, but Kahlil was still busy searching for something.

[Can’t you hear me!!]

“Don’t be noisy. After the Fallen, now a vengeful spirit? How typical. What else would you expect from the Gray Church?”

Only then did Kahlil respond to the voice.

“It’s not strange for the spirits of the dead to remain. Especially if it’s the last place the great Council of Seven Elders stayed. So, which one of the seven are you?”

[…….]

“Or were you unjustly killed by them? If you’re thinking of revenge, forget it. I have no intention of doing that, but they’re all dead anyway.”

The voice fell silent, as if at a loss for words at Kahlil’s sharp words, delivered with a calm face.

[I’ve never seen anyone like you in my life.]

“To be precise, I’m not alive right now.”

It was too different from what he had expected, which was someone to be startled.

It couldn’t be helped.

Kahlil had wearily experienced things that couldn’t be explained in words. He had faced death and even gone back in time, so a mere soul was laughable.

“Then let me ask you one thing.”

[……What?]

“Where is the Ice Claw? Narr D. Maugh said he found it here.”

At that moment.

The voice stiffened at Kahlil’s words.

[How do you know about the Ice Claw? No, more than that, Narr D. Maugh? That damn dragon knows about the Gray Church?]

Suddenly raising his voice, Kahlil showed interest in him.

“Looks like you have a grudge against the Platinum Dragon? Don’t worry. He doesn’t know about the Gray Church right now. He’s probably sleeping in his lair… He’ll find out in a few years.”

[What does that mean?]

“It’s not important. More importantly, did you think you could deceive a dragon? This ruin was discovered by Azor’s mages, let alone a dragon?”

[That’s different. It’s not the church itself that’s important.]

“Hmm.”

It was a passing remark, but Kahlil didn’t miss it.

‘Even the Ice Claw is an incredible artifact. So, this place is to hide something else besides that?’

Kahlil said.

“Then why don’t you tell me who you are first? That way, it seems like we can have a conversation.”

[You crazy bastard.]

Although the situation had changed from what he had planned, the voice didn’t deny Kahlil’s words.

[Alright. The pathetic mages so far couldn’t even find their way in front of the Fallen. You’re definitely different from them.]

“Thank you.”

Aln Zabiuss spoke as if he were doing a favor, like a living person.

[I am Aln Zabiuss.]

“……!!”

Kahlil glared at his words.

‘This is quite surprising. Is it really him?’

Even he, a foreigner without magic, had heard of the name.

There was no mage in the history of the continent as famous as him, except for Kaie Essir.

Because he was the chief elder of the Council of Seven Elders and the founder of the now-lost profession, the Visionary [a type of mage with enhanced perception].

‘Why didn’t Narr D. Maugh mention such an important fact? Or… did his soul disappear from the destroyed church after the oracle?’

He could make various guesses, but none of them were certain.

But what was important now was that he had met one of the Council of Seven Elders.

[It’s amazing, isn’t it? Seeing the great Council of Seven Elders in person. How long has it been since I’ve seen a human… It feels like at least a thousand years have passed.]

Aln Zabiuss laughed heartily.

However, Kahlil showed no reaction as he looked at him.

“I see.”

[What? Is that all? You’re a strange one. Aren’t you surprised by this situation of meeting me? No, more than that, don’t you suspect that I’m a Specter?]

Kahlil chuckled at his words.

“A Specter… Certainly, it’s a higher species among the undead monsters, so it would be annoying right now, but there’s no way something like that would be here.”

[Why are you so sure?]

“As you said, this is a place created by the great Council of Seven Elders. If they were so great, the original magic found in your tombs is something no one can learn now.”

He shrugged lightly.

“But there are many mages who can handle a Specter. There’s no way such a mere wraith could remain. It would have died from the magic.”

[Keke… That’s not wrong.]

Aln asked with a laugh that sounded like scraping metal at the compliment that wasn’t a compliment.

[But original magic? We never left anything like that behind.]

“Well, the name might be different. The magic you created is the first magic in human history. That’s why I call it that.”

‘But the time he’s been asleep is only about a thousand years. He’s not a divine being who spread magic to humanity in the beginning, as told by people.’

With that thought, Kahlil seemed even less impressed by the ghost in front of him.

He had faced truly divine beings in Parell to return to the past.

[What is that magic?]

“Well, I don’t know the name. I just know that it refers to the three magics that are currently preserved.”

[Three magics… Could it be that you’re talking about that.]

Kahlil didn’t miss Aln Zabiuss’s interested reaction and asked.

“Do you have any expectations?”

[I’ll have to see it to know, but if it’s what I think it is, it’s not the magic of the Council of Elders.]

“What?”

An unexpected answer.

Ironically, Aln asked back as if he had been waiting for Kahlil’s question.

[Why? Are you curious?]

The tables had turned in an instant.

It was then.

A spirit appeared in front of Kahlil with a hazy mist.

He was in the form of an old man, and he slowly bent over and spoke to his face.

[Then will you make a deal with me? Then I’ll tell you what you want to know.]

How long had he been waiting for this moment?

For him, who had mastered countless books and realized the truth of the world, it was easy to handle the little boy in front of him.

Even as time passed, he thought that humans were ignorant and under his feet.

But even he couldn’t know Kahlil’s past.

“I’ve seen those eyes a lot.”

That the time Kahlil McGovern had lived and endured was longer than the time Aln Zabiuss had been trapped in death.

“And ten out of ten are fools who talk nonsense.”

Kahlil stared silently at Aln Zabiuss. Aln stepped back, forgetting that he was a spirit at the sharp gaze that seemed to see through him.

[……Huh?]

“A deal? No thanks.”

Then he turned his head again as if nothing had happened.

“Get lost. I’m not interested.”