The Swordmaster Wants To Live Peacefully [EN]: Chapter 293

Sacred Relic (2)

Hong Seohwa explained the situation unfolding in Japan.

As Yuseongwu instructed, they had burned down the shrine dedicated to Susanoo [Shinto god of storms and the sea] right on schedule, creating quite the spectacle (explosion).

This caused widespread chaos in the Kansai region [region in western Japan], with firefighters dispatched from all over and divers [individuals with supernatural abilities] on standby for any eventuality.

Only a few divers suspected who was behind the incident, but they couldn’t act rashly.

This was because Hong Seohwa and Schua Nel’s performance during their recent attack on the Abyss [a dangerous, monster-filled dimension] had been extraordinary.

Despite being just two people, they possessed the power to overwhelm dozens.

Knowing they couldn’t capture them alone, the other divers hesitated to take action.

Meanwhile, Schua Nel even earned the nickname ‘Arcade Elf’ by dominating game after game in the arcades.

Up to this point, the situation was relatively contained, but it escalated rapidly when the Kanto region [region in eastern Japan, including Tokyo] learned about the chaos in Kansai and intervened.

The Kanto divers, acting as if they had lost their minds, rushed in and declared war, attempting to forcefully suppress Kansai and bring it under their complete control.

The Kansai divers rushed to the front lines to stop them, and a full-scale battle erupted.

And that war is still raging.

Koyuki had been on the front lines and stopped by the shrine to gather some belongings.

After hearing the full story, Yuseongwu closed his eyes, focusing on the information carried by the water currents.

The war is ongoing, with divers from Kanto and Kansai clashing in a fierce battle starting from Nara, which has become the primary front line.

Yuseongwu carefully assessed the Kanto divers, a slight smile forming on his lips.

“A big shot is here. Hong Seohwa, Schua Nel, prepare to depart.”

With that, Yuseongwu turned and entered the main hall.

Koyuki struggled to calm the panting Inari [likely a fox spirit or associated with the Inari shrine].

Yuseongwu addressed them both.

“While it’s not much of an apology, I’ll resolve the situation that’s happening now. Guide me, Inari.”

***

“If we continue to push forward like this, we should be able to occupy Kansai smoothly.”

A man observed a hologram displaying various parts of the battlefield from inside a tent.

This was Seiji Yukimura, the son of the Emperor from Kanto.

Seiji had come to invade Kansai, leading the Kanto divers under the Emperor’s command, much like Susanoo had done in the past.

He intended to seize Kansai for themselves.

Government officials in Tokyo had authorized the invasion, making it a legitimate act of force to discipline Kansai for their disobedience.

Seiji, having rationalized the situation in this way, smiled as he examined the battlefield, which was turning in their favor.

“I don’t know who it is, but I should be grateful to whoever set those fires in Kansai at just the right time.”

At that moment, Kudan’s prophecy [a prophetic yokai or spirit] flashed through Seiji’s mind, but he dismissed it as insignificant.

It wasn’t as if the entire Japanese archipelago had become a sea of fire.

He simply assumed it was the work of someone who, like them, was dissatisfied with Kansai’s actions.

‘This is a truly golden opportunity.’

Such a chance might never come again.

If he seized this opportunity to conquer Kansai, his father, the Emperor, would surely recognize his achievements, granting him the opportunity for ‘Ascension’ [likely a power-up or promotion within their organization].

“I will achieve Ascension faster than the others. If that happens…”

The Japanese archipelago would become his, and he would rule it forever.

Seiji suppressed his rising excitement.

He was getting ahead of himself, thinking about the future before the war was even over.

“Then, shall we drive in the wedge? This war will end in Kanto’s victory.”

Seiji muttered to himself, rising from his seat and exiting the tent.

Outside, his loyal subordinates stood in formation, ready to sortie at any moment. They saluted Seiji.

“It’s time to sortie! Let’s wipe out those Kansai guys!”

***

It didn’t take long for Yuseongwu to reach the front lines.

The Fushimi Inari Shrine [a prominent Shinto shrine in Kyoto] was located in Kyoto, and the front line had formed in neighboring Nara.

To be precise, the fighting was centered around Nara Park, famous for its roaming deer.

Before Yuseongwu even exited the car that Koyuki was driving, he said, “There are some enemies detouring upwards. It would be wise to deploy people to intercept them.”

“Ah, understood!”

Koyuki immediately made contact, and Yuseongwu stepped out of the car with Hong Seohwa and Schua Nel.

They had arrived at a slightly elevated hill, a terrain strategically chosen by a magician for command, offering a clear view of the battlefield.

“Hmm.”

Yuseongwu glanced over the battlefield and immediately recognized that the situation was unfavorable.

This was understandable.

Thanks to Schua Nel and Hong Seohwa setting fire to shrines in various locations under his instructions, the Kansai divers were stretched thin, lacking the resources to effectively fight a war.

Those on the front lines must be cursing the arsonists.

Yuseongwu turned to the two women and said, “You two will live a long time.”

“…? Yes, thank you?”

“Elves are naturally long-lived, idiot.”

Even when he gives a compliment, he has to be rude.

Yuseongwu chuckled and raised his head. Suddenly, a figure descended from the sky, landing next to him.

“Nice to meet you, Master Yuseongwu.”

“You’re the Master of the Magic Tower [organization of powerful mages]? I heard you’re in charge of commanding the war.”

“That’s correct.”

It was Nagi Seo, the Master of Yasaka Tower in Japan, who had landed beside him.

“Divers from Kanto are continuing to push in. According to our intelligence, their commander is Seiji Yukimura, the son of the current Emperor. They have six S-class divers, and approximately four hundred A-class and B-class divers under their command.”

“Hmm.”

“Some of the S-class divers are unregistered, not listed with the Japan Diver Management Agency…”

“That’s enough. Hearing more won’t change anything.”

Nagi nodded at Yuseongwu’s words and stepped back.

‘Yes, this is the kind of person he is.’

Nagi had witnessed Yuseongwu’s power firsthand.

A monster who had defeated an enemy that even the Masters of the Magic Tower couldn’t handle together, and shattered a desperate situation with a single sword.

Moreover, he was now even stronger than before, his power seemingly limitless.

It felt like facing a god who had descended to the human realm.

And that might not be far from the truth.

Yuseongwu, who had been observing the battlefield, said, “Tell all the divers to retreat. I’ll take care of everything at once.”

At Yuseongwu’s words, Nagi immediately relayed the order.

Regardless of who started this war, Yuseongwu was the only one who could quickly resolve the situation.

At Nagi’s command, the Kansai divers quickly retreated, expressing their confusion.

The Kanto divers, seeing this as an opportunity, began to advance.

Yuseongwu stared at their advance and summoned a sword.

A hilt that appeared to be made of haphazardly piled scales.

And the most beautiful blade towering above it.

The Eight Virilities [likely a reference to the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, a legendary Japanese sword], the sword that Yamata no Orochi [an eight-headed serpent in Japanese mythology] had forged with his remaining years and was reborn as a true divine sword after cutting Susanoo, revealed its appearance.

Those around him gasped at the divine power emanating from the sword.

What kind of sword is so ferocious?

Just looking at it made it difficult to move.

“Th, that sword is…”

“It’s a newly acquired sword. You might also know it by its previous name, the Cloud-Gathering Sword.”

Nagi’s eyes widened at Yuseongwu’s answer.

Cloud-Gathering Sword, wasn’t Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi [another name for the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi] Susanoo’s sword?

As if sensing Nagi’s thoughts, Yuseongwu added, “It’s not the sword that Susanoo used. It’s a better sword than that.”

It was a sword that had cut down what Susanoo used and even severed Susanoo’s neck.

Yuseongwu turned the Eight Virilities upside down and plunged it into the ground.

Then, the world swayed.

The divine power contained within the Eight Virilities began to manipulate the surrounding water currents.

Underground water and river water gushed out from various places according to Yuseongwu’s will, forming the shape of a massive dragon’s head.

The Kanto divers were flustered as they were suddenly surrounded by dragon heads made of water, firing magic and abilities indiscriminately.

But their attacks did no damage.

The dragon heads were made of divine power, a power forbidden to humans, rendering their attacks useless.

“Ya, Yamata no Orochi…?”

“You recognize it immediately.”

This time, it was Koyuki’s murmur. Having made contact and approached Yuseongwu, she looked down at the battlefield, utterly shocked.

Huge and ferocious dragon heads sweeping away the Kanto divers.

A tsunami sweeping away humans like bugs on land – what else could this be but the power of a god?

“I’m a little tired, but this much isn’t very difficult…”

‘H-he’s tired?’

‘This is still an absurd ability.’

Koyuki and Nagi couldn’t believe that the spectacle before them wasn’t even his full power.

Yuseongwu had returned from Takamagahara [the High Celestial Plain, a divine realm in Shinto mythology] after cutting down Susanoo just a few hours ago.

He had recovered somewhat in the meantime, but he was still not in perfect condition.

Even so, it was a piece of cake to push back insignificant forces at once simply by wielding divine power.

“As expected of my teacher! Even if hundreds of those losers come, if my teacher steps up, they’ll all be taken care of in one shot!”

When Hong Seohwa flattered him from the side, Yuseongwu flicked her forehead with his finger, as if annoyed, and said, “I’m not going to kill them all. They seem to have been subtly brainwashed… If I leave them like that for a little while, they’ll come to their senses on their own.”

The battlefield was currently filled with river water, resembling a washing machine.

Spinning around inside like laundry were the Kanto divers.

If they bumped into each other and lost consciousness, waking up dehydrated, the brainwashing would be undone.

“Besides, what we have to deal with isn’t such small fry…”

Yuseongwu raised his hand and pointed in one direction.

A group of people stood apart from the swirling river.

Each of them exuded a fierce aura, their expressions unchanged even as their comrades were tossed around like laundry.

Standing at the very back was Seiji Yukimura, the son of the Emperor that Nagi had mentioned.

“I can feel the energy of the Ascension Church [likely a cult or organization focused on achieving ‘Ascension’].”

As he became more adept at wielding divine power, he could more easily distinguish those affiliated with the Ascension Church.

Whether they were touched by the power of the Ascension Church or not…

And the guy far away was definitely one of them.

‘Was the Japanese Emperor involved with the Ascension Church?’

If so, he should pay the Emperor a visit while he was in Japan.

Having roughly decided on his next course of action, he called out to the two women.

“Hong Seohwa, Schua Nel.”

“Yes!”

“Why?”

“Show me your skills for the first time in a while. Those guys over there are all from the Ascension Church. They seem to be low-level, but it doesn’t matter if you kill them all… Just bring the leader back alive. I have a few questions to ask.”

“I will do as you command!”

“Annoying…”

One is too disciplined.

One is too undisciplined.