The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 62

55. Nether Rock

“Nether Rock…”

Cahill said in a low voice, a bitter smile on his face.

A map covered with complex notes was laid out on the table.

Having been away for a while, he needed to plan his future journey.

Among the destinations, one place was circled in red.

“It’s been a while since I’ve heard that name.”

[It may not be a pleasant place for you, but I’m not going there just to upset you.]

“I know. I know someone who has lived for a thousand years wouldn’t do something so childish.”

Cahill replied, looking at the map. The map he bought from Barso Sira’s shop was a little different from ordinary ones.

Generally distributed maps show up to the Istria Three Kingdoms in the south.

But below the Three Kingdoms, there was the real southern region of the continent.

The northern kingdoms called them barbarians, referring to the tribal forces that were completely different from them.

‘Unlike the northern ethnic minorities who are on the verge of extinction, the southern barbarians are powerful even if their forces are divided.’

Among them, a tribe with particularly strong power.

That was the Digon tribe of Miliana, who was once Cahill’s comrade.

The Nether Rock that Aln Zabis mentioned was located in this south.

[I never thought that the southern barbarians and the northern kingdoms could unite in my life. I was honestly a little surprised that you ended your last life in the south.]

“We are in a crisis right before the extinction of mankind, so we can’t afford to divide the north and the south.”

Cahill said, taking a moment to catch his breath.

“Going to Nether Rock isn’t a big problem. It’s a gateway we have to go through to get to the south anyway.”

He pointed to other small circles around the main circle on the map.

“The five major families who guard Nether Rock are the most powerful forces except for Miliana’s Digon. If we bring them to our side, it will be easier to sway Digon.”

[Don’t tell me… Do those guys still believe that legend?]

“You were there back then too, right?”

[How long has the power of the spirits been weakened… To think that the absurd belief that the Spirit King exists in Nether Rock has continued for a thousand years. This is why they are uncivilized barbarians…]

Aln Zabis shook his head and let out a low sigh.

“Uncivilized barbarians… I don’t know who is living as a parasite in the body of the northern ethnic minorities right now.”

[…Haha, haha. The north and the south are completely different. I definitely don’t mean it that way.]

“Just kidding.”

Aln felt his non-existent heart pounding at Cahill’s words.

“Whether there is a Spirit King or not, that’s not important. However, the tribes of the five major families believe in the legend that only those who reach the top of Nether Rock can rule them.”

[You’re going to climb it?]

“Yes.”

Aln Zabis grinned.

[I knew we were a good match. The same goes for the purpose of going to the Platinum Dragon’s Lair. If you’re going to climb to the top of Nether Rock, I can help you.]

“Help?”

[There’s a secret hidden there.]

Cahill tilted his head.

[There’s a way to unlock your bloodline.]

“……!!”

At his unexpected words, he couldn’t hide his emotions on his face, which had maintained composure even when talking about the death of his friend.

“Is that real?”

[It’s real. Of course, as someone who ate the Dragon’s Heart, it would be most perfect to follow the Dragon’s way, but I am also someone who has studied magic for a thousand years, comparable to them.]

“How?”

[In fact, the five major families of barbarians worship Nether Rock as the tomb of the vanished Spirit King, but it’s not entirely wrong. It’s the place with the strongest spirit power on the continent.]

“Hmm…”

[As you know, spirits are now hard to see. Even during the Magic Era, it was rare to see spiritists who had contracts with intermediate spirits.]

“That’s right.”

Cahill nodded.

[Dragon Magic is completely different from ordinary magic. Among the seven elders, I was the only one who properly accepted that power.]

Aln Zabis said in a proud voice.

[Dragon Magic has the name of magic, but it can be said to be similar to spirit power. Magic and spirit both have attributes, but they are different.]

“Then what should I do?”

[Do you remember what I said about Blue Phosphorus before?]

“Of course. How can I forget that? You burned that expensive Blue Phosphorus without a second thought.”

Cahill clicked his tongue regretfully, recalling the marble he had thrown away before taking out Ice Claw inside the Gray School.

[Haha… You fool, why would you regret that when I’m here? The reason we’re going to Nether Rock right now is to get that Blue Phosphorus.]

“To get Blue Phosphorus?”

[Yes. I told you before that Blue Phosphorus is not a mineral but solidified moss created from the Secret Spring. That Secret Spring is in Nether Rock.]

Gulp-

Cahill unknowingly swallowed his saliva at his words. In his previous life, Blue Phosphorus, for which the manufacturing method and how to obtain it were unknown, was so precious that it only remained in the weapons passed down to the king and a few high-ranking aristocratic families.

[Do you know why weapons made of Blue Phosphorus are so effective against corruption? I think it’s because Blue Phosphorus has the power of spirits.]

“Spirit…”

[Yes, what the Dragon ordered us while teaching us magic and magic power was to manage the Secret Spring. I was the manager, and after being there for decades, I realized one thing.]

“That Dragon Magic is related to spirit power?”

Aln Zabis nodded with a pleased expression at Cahill’s words.

[You got it right. Although it is an animal living in the human realm, the Dragon is essentially a being belonging to the spirit realm. The spring water of the Secret Spring is very important to the Dragons because it strengthens Dragon Magic. It is the only place with vanishing spirit power.]

“You mean I can stabilize my Dragon Magic there too.”

[That’s right. Besides, the Secret Spring is on the top of Nether Rock, so wouldn’t it be killing two birds with one stone?]

Cahill clenched his fist.

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

After obtaining the Dragon’s Heart in Einherjar, he was able to use magic power, but he had not found a way to unlock the bloodline that could increase his magic power, so it was an unparalleled opportunity for him, who had been stagnant.

[See? Now you know how much it benefits you to help me get out of the Gray School, right?]

Cahill chuckled at his words.

“I admit it. I think I did a good job making a contract with you. But I don’t think that’s the end of it, is it?”

[……What?]

“You’ve been enduring the meeting with Nar Di Maugh for a thousand years. Are you saying that such a person would change course just to increase my Dragon Magic?”

[Anyway… You see goodwill with suspicion.]

Aln Zabis said as if dissatisfied, but Cahill slyly gave a look and nodded.

It was a meaning of permission to understand whatever he said.

[크크…….]

After a moment of silence, he finally looked at Cahill and smiled awkwardly.

[I can’t hide anything from you. Sometimes I get fooled by your young appearance.]

“I understand that going to Nether Rock is beneficial enough for me, so I need to know your purpose to help you. Isn’t that right?”

[That sounds like you might refuse if it’s not beneficial.]

“You understood well. If you’re going to deceive me and do it secretly, it will be even more detrimental later.”

Cahill leaned back in his chair with his arms crossed and nodded once again.

Aln eventually gave in and answered at his sly words.

[It’s because of tempering.]

Aln’s words were meaningful, but Cahill seemed not to understand and asked back.

“Tempering?”

[I told you before that Ice Claw was a collaboration between dwarves and elves, right?]

“Are you talking about the Blader organization? I heard that the Seven Elders also belonged to it.”

[That’s right. Well, that’s not important, but anyway, all five magic weapons made by Blader were born from the Secret Spring. That’s why they have the power of spirits.]

“And?”

[If you feed the spring water of the Secret Spring to Ice Claw, the spirit power will be strengthened. Spirit is literally like a soul existing in the natural world. If Ice Claw’s spirit power is strengthened, it may be possible to accept even my soul.]

“Are you saying that you can materialize from the spirit body through the sword?”

[That’s right. Of course, I’ll need your magic power, though.]

“Interesting.”

Cahill said with a strange smile at Aln Zabis’s words. Aln was rather puzzled by his unexpected reaction.

[Aren’t you surprised?]

“Well, there are monsters of the Wraith lineage that can sometimes materialize. It’s not that strange. Of course, it’s my first time seeing it in person.”

[I don’t think that’s it.]

Aln Zabis glared at Cahill and said.

[It seems like you have another scheme as soon as you hear my words.]

“Did it show?”

[……You’re a guy I can’t let my guard down on.]

Cahill shrugged lightly, unfolding his arms.

“It’s not something to do right now. I just had an interesting thought. If you can materialize a spirit body using a weapon tempered with the spring water of the Secret Spring as you said…”

[Hmm?]

“You said that there are more magic weapons made by Blader besides Ice Claw, right?”

[That’s right.]

“Out of the five weapons, I’ve seen Burning Punishment and Breath of Infinity in my previous life, so I can get them. Besides, the other two have been lost, but if you’re here, I might be lucky enough to find them.”

[……What are you trying to say? I’m scared when you talk with that expression now.]

Cahill chuckled at Aln Zabis’s words.

“Find the remaining magic weapons and use them as a medium for the spirit body by tempering them as well. If Ice Claw is possible, the others will be possible too.”

[It’s theoretically possible, but are there any other spirits besides me?]

“There are many. And useful ones too.”

[Don’t tell me…….]

Aln Zabis looked at Cahill, unable to close his mouth as if something had come to mind.

[You crazy bastard.]

Then he said before he could even hear his words.

[Are you planning to create an immortal army?]

“It’s not impossible.”

[That’s a place that even the magic era a thousand years ago couldn’t conquer. It’s a place where humans shouldn’t set foot.]

“I told you, it’s not now, it’s later.”

Aln Zabis said with a disgusted expression at Cahill’s calm words.

[……I’ve never seen such a tenacious guy like you. You light up your eyes trying to use me whenever I say something.]

“크큭…….”

Cahill laughed at his words.

The forbidden land where not only the northern ethnic minorities but also the empire that unified the continent could not even think of encroaching and created a huge barrier to draw the boundary.

There is one dungeon that has not been conquered for over a thousand years in that place where the dead live.

Mansion of the Wraiths, Ghost Castle.

‘If I can handle the lord of that place, the Lich, Jarka Hoch, the landscape of the war can be completely changed.’

Another new goal has been set.

And that thought excited Cahill.

“Aln, create a phantom space. It’s a waste of time to be still. I need to finish the rest of the training.”

[Of course. Your body must be itching. It will be different from when you were the headmaster. I’ll use a lot of magic power to make it, so the number of monsters that come out won’t be a joke.]

Cahill gripped Ice Claw and said quietly.

A word he could never say in his previous life.

“Magic power is nothing.”