Sword Pilgrim

"My goodness…”

“The Freak Spear is dead!!”

“Waaaaaaaaaaaaghh!!”

The death of one of the imperial monsters –

Although it was by a surprise attack while the man was already injured and exhausted from battle, the Kingdom Army didn’t care about such trivial details.

What was important, was that a Master was dead.

The famed imperial strongman, the Freak Spear, was dead!

As morale rose, the Kingdom Army began to counterattack and slaughter the soldiers of the Imperial Army, forgetting that they’d frozen in despair just a while ago.

The Masters of the empire were the ones now feeling bewildered.

"Haah… How can one bastard make such a difference? Our scheme’s completely fallen through.”

All their plans; to make Prince Chloe rampage, to kill the queen, and to destroy the royal castle – had been in vain.

In the first place, they hadn’t expected the archbishop to die so helplessly.

Who would’ve dared to imagine this scene?

A legendary piece of trash whose infamy had reached even the empire –

Callius von Jervain, had saved the kingdom!

‘This is a huge loss.'

The empire had lost two Masters.

But what about the kingdom? Whom did they lose?

Nobody worth mentioning.

Most of their dead were the worms that’d been devouring the kingdom. Weren't the pillars that supported the country all still in good health?

Besides –

It looked like another pillar was beginning to take shape.

They couldn’t leave things like this.

“A newborn star might shine brightly, but it’s easy to blow it out.”

Step!

The Ghost Spear made a decision.

“Ghost Spear! Where do you think you’re going!!”

“Fighting you is such a bore. I’ll have to find my entertainment elsewhere.”

His spear gleamed, giving an impression as if it was licking its lips.

The second strongest Spear of the Empire.

The Ghost Spear, Semka.

His spear, called ‘Ten Thousand Return to One’, could seal the souls of the strong people he killed.

The more souls of noble knights it contained, the more powerful it would be.

The number of dead souls contained in Semka's spear was beyond counting.

The souls of all those knights shining with nobility –

Was nothing less than the proud chronicle of his victories.

And also, a powerful force to help him in battle.

“Howl, Ten Thousand.”

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!

All of a sudden, a black spirit began to materialize at the Ghost Spear’s back.

Aiming at the neck of the newly appeared knight –

The Ghost Spear made a thrusting motion.

The shadowy spirit screamed and transformed into a black spear, shooting along that trajectory.

Like a ligature made of pure force, as heavy as the tallest mountain!

“Try and block this, Queen's new sword!”

Jerk.

The queen's new sword finally turned his head.

Callius' grey pupils once again transformed into their earlier draconic shape.

Krrrrr!

A wave of terror surged.

The hairs all over his body were standing up.

How long has it been since I’d last felt like this?

A faint trace of excitement appeared at the corners of the Ghost Spear’s lips at the thought, and at the same time, Callius' sword moved.

Swing.

“!”

He’d thought the young knight, intoxicated with the power of the Light Dragon, would try to compete with brute force, but no.

‘Did he parry that?! How?!'

As if all power had been completely drained from his blow!

The Ghost Spear quickly backstepped as if afraid of getting stuck in melee.

But the spear he’d shot couldn’t escape with him.

A spear made from the soul of a mighty continental-level figure.

It definitely couldn’t be dealt with lightly!

Yet it’d been cut down in one swing.

“… What.”

As if it were no more than air!

He could feel the intense dragon power mixed in that swing.

But that wasn’t enough to stop a Spear of the Empire.

Semka had retreated instead of advancing for an entirely different reason.

‘The soul… was destroyed.'

Semka’s weapon truly suited his moniker, the Ghost Spear.

And he had an innate sense of how many souls his spear contained, therefore it couldn’t escape his notice that the number had suddenly decreased.

The soul was annihilated! He couldn’t make any sense of it!

“… That sword! What is it?!”

Callius' lips curved up in an arc at the question.

「Predator Sword – Loas」

Grade – Spirit Sword

Infused Soul – A mixed soul

Unique Ability – Predation

Noble Predation – 36

‘What a windfall.'

The Ghost Spear’s sudden attack had been nothing short of terrifying, but an idea had flashed inside Callius’ brain at the hair-raising sight of that spear pouncing upon him.

That spear was one of the ghosts trapped in the Ten Thousand Spear, meaning it was made of a soul.

If so, wouldn't it be possible to prey upon it with the Predator Sword?

A fleeting idea that he’d immediately put into action.

‘It’s like this even with Dragon Might. The Spears of the Empire really are sharp.'

His hand holding the sword trembled a little.

Because of how hurriedly he’d had to cut the spear, the blade of the Predator Sword had dulled at a spot or two.

There’d definitely been a strong and lethal force behind the attack.

A little delay and he would’ve been dead.

And honestly, such a feat should’ve been impossible for Callius.

It was the Light Dragon Sword stabbed inside his heart, and his physical abilities being awakened by Dragon Might, that had made the task merely arduous instead of straight-up impossible.

“What’s wrong, Ghost Spear? Bring out some more ghosts.”

“…”

The Ghost Spear was finding this whole situation absurd.

Was somebody really standing right in front of him and daring him to summon more ghosts?

But the fact that a ghost had disappeared with a single swing of the young knight’s sword, no matter the reason, made him wary. This was unprecedented.

Not to mention Callius seemed to be rather delighted and urging him to summon even more.

The Ghost Spear frowned.

‘I couldn't kill him in one blow, and I won't get a second chance.'

Victor, who’d been caught off guard just now, was watching him with a singular focus, and the other knights were also ready to attack at any time.

Trying anything more would mean overextending himself.

“Aren’t you bringing them out?”

Callius was hoping to get a chance to turn the Predator Sword into a vision sword, but the Ghost Spear didn't seem interested in cooperating.

As soon as it’d devoured the soul, Callius had felt the power of the Predator Sword increase.

Its form was unchanged, but he could vaguely feel the power inside the blade surging.

This was also due to the keenness of the senses brought by Dragon Might.

“Tch! We’re done for today, kid. I won’t forget this.”

Step!

The imperial vanished.

‘It's a shame.'

Truly he’d been a Master of the empire.

His eyesight was keen enough.

He’d understood in an instant that this was a bad match-up, and given up the battle.

But while that wasn’t a wrong decision –

“This is better for me, anyway.”

Cold sweat was running down the back of Callius’ neck. It didn’t seem likely that he could’ve maintained his current level of strength if the Ghost Spear had been adamant to continue their battle. The situation had been on the verge of becoming untenable, in fact.

Flash.

Callius' pupils returned to their original state and power began to leave his body.

[You used Dragon Might as a human. High adaptability reduces the recoil due to backlash.]

“…!!”

Backlash of Dragon Might.

A tidal wave of pain began to engulf and drown Callius.

“Uugh!!”

As if his whole body was being ripped to pieces.

Sting after sting cut into him like immaterial blades.

As if every single nerve junction was being meticulously lit afire.

An indescribably excruciating agony coiled around and through his senses.

‘It's… this much?'

Carried by the waves of torment that kept gnawing at his sanity, Callius couldn’t control himself anymore.

“Aah… aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!”

Callius' eyes shone with tears as he fell bonelessly on the ground. A wave spread through the air.

[Your constitution, Smelting Bones, comprehends Dragon Might.]

[Comprehension of Dragon Might at 3%.]

[Pain will be reduced by 3% when you next suffer backlash from Dragon Might.]

Callius' consciousness shattered like glass.

Along with the Ghost Spear’s retreat, the Imperial Army also began to flee. The same went for the rest of the Masters.

So they couldn't care less about Callius falling over screaming. Rather the kingdom’s troops who were supposed to pursue them had no choice but to hesitate at the sight.

The queen grabbed her skirt with both hands and ran.

Towards the fallen form of Callius.

just before she arrived –

“Callius! Wake up! You haven't paid me back yet!!"

The red-haired form was already there.

Paladin Helena, the Golden Death, rose from the shadows and started checking on Callius’ condition.

A woman with blue hair followed, and the other knights and soldiers also gathered in a hurry to guard against treachery.

Thanks to them, Queen Clara came to her senses.

She was able to regain her composure as she looked at the fallen forms of Callius and Prince Chloe.

Both were still alive.

Not in good condition, but alive.

And a Master of the kingdom, Gerald, was also still alive.

His condition was critical, but he’d survived.

So this battle was finished for today.

As long as they survived, the chance for revenge would also be there.

“…”

“…”

The battlefield was filled with silence.

The soldiers of the Imperial Army was all retreating, and the defeated rebel soldiers had no will left to resist.

It should’ve been a natural action to pursue and destroy the enemy, but the Kingdom Army was already in shambles.

The sudden invasion of the empire had been terrifying, and that’d been coupled with the uprising of the rebels stabbing the kingdom in the back.

Therefore, half the palace had become a ruin, and although the kingdom’s soldiers were the final victors, their eyes were blank with trauma and fatigue.

Callius had been the centre of the overall situation, but since he too had collapsed, the soldiers had lost all sense of calm and were engulfed in anxiety.

Things couldn’t be left like this.

Although no one warned her, the queen understood the situation. She quietly gulped and moved forward.

Clutching her pounding heart with one hand, she spoke to the soldiers stained with emptiness and anxiety.

“Listen, everyone.”

The voice of the queen who’d made a decision for herself –

Was still that of a young girl, but it thrummed with the unyielding dignity of a monarch.

“Some nobles who’d lost their way conspired to rebel against the nation, and the archbishop of the Order invited in the empire. Carpe has lost many experts today because of that.”

“…”

“…”

Among them was Sullivian, who’d been a paragon, teacher of a multitude of people.

“But we survived. Today, we defeated the proud empire.”

Although the queen herself felt like she’d contributed nothing to the victory.

The marks left on the kingdom were deep, and there was no erasing them.

The empire's invasion had been fierce, and even the royal castle had collapsed.

She honestly had no idea how much time and effort would be needed for its recovery.

But –

“Carpe, won.”

A pyrrhic victory was still a victory.

“Carpe, is strong! Today's pain will be another stepping stone on our path! It will make us grow even more!”

Tears welled up in the queen's eyes.

A single stream of tears flowed down.

But no one pointed it out. Because there was no one here who did not know the meaning behind those tears.

The queen was furious.

As well as full of sorrow.

Therefore, this was an encouragement and declaration from the ruler of the nation.

“Carpe will never forget this.”

The shame of this day.

The anger and sadness of this day.

And –

“Those who led us to victory.”

The queen's eyes roamed over the collapsed form of Callius, and the broken royal castle.

There were those who’d fallen on the crumbling walls.

A man who’d died after having his limbs severed. Another who’d been impaled against the walls by the imperials. And many, many more.

They’d perished fighting for Carpe.

Not only the survivors –

All those who’d died fighting with honour, had their place in today’s roll of heroes.

“Victor.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Healing Prince Chloe and Count Jervain is our priority.”

"Understood."

The queen as still looking at the broken walls.

Her fists clenched as she kept surveying the ruined castle.

And finally she drew her sword.

“From today on, the Incompetent Queen shall be no more.”

Blub, blub.

The first sound he heard was that of boiling liquid.

He listened to it, quietly.

It was intensely familiar.

‘Is this Beatrice's workshop?'

Maybe that’s where he was.

But why, he wondered.

There was still a long way to go before the mansion's underground workshop would be completed.

Why was he here?

Callius opened his eyes.

“… What are you doing?”

“I felt like you were awake.”

“Would you mind moving your face away? I can’t get up like this.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’ll bump into your nose.”

“I won’t mind if you bumped into somewhere else.”

“??”

Callius's eyes rested upon Beatrice’s seductive cherry-red lips.

He frowned.

“Why am I here?”

“Because you were hurt. A lot of time has passed.”

Licking her lips with her tongue, Beatrice got up from her seat, and started poured the bubbling liquid from the cauldron into a bowl.

She blew air on the surface and stirred it with a spoon to cool it down.

"How long?"

“Winter is over. It’s spring now.”

“!”

Callius jerked up, but a wave of excruciating pain quickly washed over him.

“Ugh.”

"Careful. All your bones and muscles were torn apart. An ordinary person in your position would’ve had to rest in bed for several years.”

Beatrice eased Callius back onto the bed, and scooped some of the mysterious medicine with a spoon, bringing it to his mouth.

“Now say ‘aah’.”

“… I can drink it myself.”

“Are you refusing the favour I’m doing you?”

“You’re calling this a favour?”

“Of course it’s a favour. What else could it be? Hmm?"

“… I think you might be angry with me.”

“Oh, I was.”

Callius thought about why she might be angry with him, but nothing came to mind.

“While you were unconscious, Carpe’s been recovering. Even the royal castle has been mostly repaired. By the way, do you know what the world calls you now? The Queensknight. What a change from being a famous maniac, huh?”

Winter to spring.

It’d been almost the end of winter when Callius had arrived at the royal castle, so apparently three to four months had passed.

“… This. What is it?"

“That’s what you’re curious about? Huh. That's the TD potion. It’s a hundred times more concentrated than what you fed to the Sixth Squad.”

“What about clinical trials?”

“That’s all over with. It’s safe, so drink. It should also help your body recover.”

Then there was no reason not to drink.

Callius, downing the potion in one gulp, began to feel the changes in his body.

“Are you feeling alright?”

“Not bad.”

It seemed that having the Light Dragon Sword in his body made it easier to sense the draconic energy.

Callius was able to experience firsthand how the trace amount of dragon blood in the potion had a beneficial effect.

As the purified troll's blood also played a role, the feeling of pain clearly reduced.

A tickling sensation spread through his body, and he was almost being healed in real time.

“Carpe hasn’t had any problems lately. Rumours are everywhere that two of the empire’s Masters died this time, and they even lost quite a few relics in the bargain. They say the emperor’s furious, since he couldn’t kill the queen even after spending so many troops.”

“That side should be quiet for a while. What about Krasion?”

“Krasion’s the s–”

Beatrice's gaze sharpened as she was about to answer.

She paused and took a deep breath.

“Did you already know?”

“From the beginning.”

"How?"

“Since I saw you hold Vivi.”

“… Vivi’s too cute. It should be illegal.”

“So? What about Krasion?”

“Yeah, they’re the same as always. Krasion is made up of people from forgotten faiths anyway. Some want the empire to grow, some don’t.”

It sounded like they weren’t leaning one way or the other as a whole.

Then the chance was low that they’d bring any danger to Carpe in the near future.

‘It's similar.'

Compared to the situation he’d known about and anticipated, there wasn’t much difference.

Now that he’d stopped the imperial invasion in its tracks, it was time to take a breath, recover, and build up strength.

Callius felt his body recover and checked the messages that’d appeared in front of him.

[Imperial Invasion]

[Kill a Master of the Empire]

[Queensknight]

[Light Dragon Lord]

[Hero of Salvation]

Even quest complete notifications numbered more than five.

He decided to check their rewards first. 𝘣𝘦𝘥𝘯𝑜𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝑐𝑜𝑚

“Why did you start laughing by yourself? You didn't bump your head somewhere, right?"

“… No. I want to be alone, so could you please leave for a bit?”

Beatrice made a face as if he was talking crazy.

“… This is my room, you know?”

Callius had no choice but to fall silent and start checking the quest rewards.