Sword Master With One Strike Kill - Chapter 248
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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One-Strike Kill Swordmaster Episode 248
Episode 248. After the Battle of Vilopozy (1)
Slowly—.
As he opened his eyes, his blurry vision gradually became clear.
The first thing that came into view was a low, rough stone ceiling.
Next, weathered bricks bearing deep traces of time and the red sunset light seeping through the window cracks revealed themselves in turn.
“Ugh…”
Tyrant Dragon slowly raised his upper body and looked around.
The rough texture of the blanket touched his fingertips, and old weapons hanging on the walls glowed softly in the reflection of the sunset.
Even the old wooden table placed in the corner—every single thing in the room evoked a sense of déjà vu.
‘This place is…’
Suddenly, memories from a few days ago came flooding back.
This was the very space where he had awakened after losing consciousness to Dorico Shiro’s illusion.
Pause—.
For a moment, Tyrant Dragon’s brow furrowed.
‘What is this?’
The situation was far too identical.
Waking up while lying in bed. The dull pain felt throughout his body. Even the color of the sunset visible through the window.
It was enough to create the illusion that time had returned to its starting point.
Gulp—.
The moment he realized this fact, dry saliva went down his throat.
‘Don’t tell me…’
A spine-chilling possibility crossed his mind.
It felt as if all the blood vessels in his body were growing cold. An ominous premonition began to stir in one corner of his chest.
‘…Was all of this Dorico Shiro’s illusion this whole time?’
Challenging the Ancient Dragon’s dungeon together with Gaon. Facing Zahhar again and finally achieving victory.
Most of all, that thrilling moment when he awakened a new transcendent realm and broke free from the shackles of the past.
Perhaps.
Had all of that been nothing but mere illusions?
Just as such anxious thoughts were crossing his mind.
“It seems you’ve finally fixed that violent sleeping habit of yours.”
“…!”
Right then.
A calm and familiar voice echoed from one corner of the room.
“…Ah.”
The moment he heard that voice.
The tension smoothly drained from Tyrant Dragon’s shoulders.
When he turned his gaze, he could see Gaon sitting in a chair in the corner of the room, looking down at him.
Only then could Tyrant Dragon be certain that everything he had experienced was all real.
“Is Zahhar dead?”
That was the first question that came to mind. An instinctive doubt that arose while his head wasn’t completely clear yet.
To this, Gaon chuckled and answered.
“What are you talking about when you personally beheaded Zahhar yourself?”
“Well, I mean… that’s true, but…”
Tyrant Dragon scratched his head.
Should he say he still lacked a sense of reality?
The fact that he had truly disposed of the nightmare-like existence that had tormented him for hundreds of years with his own hands wasn’t easily accepted.
“Then what happened to the others?”
What came out next was a practical concern.
Tyrant Dragon had been so focused on his battle with Zahhar that he couldn’t know anything about what had happened outside. He had also been trapped within the Flame Wall.
Gaon recited the results of the Battle of Vilopozy in an indifferent voice.
“There are a few injured, but not a single casualty.”
“…”
“Ataraxy’s Black Mage and Dorico Shiro fled immediately as soon as Zahhar died.”
Whew—.
Hearing those words, Tyrant Dragon let out a sigh of relief.
It was regrettable that they couldn’t completely eliminate the enemies, but more important than that was the fact that they had ended the battle without anyone losing their life.
It could truly be called the best possible outcome.
“…”
As his heart became much lighter, another thought crossed his mind.
That issue he had been most concerned about from the moment he set foot in Vilopozy.
“Then perhaps my prospective disciple is…”
“If you’re going to talk about that.”
Slowly—.
Gaon interrupted Tyrant Dragon’s words and rose from his seat.
Then he slowly walked toward the door.
“Let’s move locations so we can also have a conversation with your prospective disciple. There’s a mountain of things that need to be resolved.”
“…What?”
“Originally, there’s always the most work to do after a battle ends.”
Gaon added as he placed his hand on the door handle.
“During the Jark von Haibrunn subjugation, Middle Temple’s priests helped with the cleanup, but this time there’s no such support, so we have to handle everything ourselves.”
* * *
Whew—.
I let out a deep sigh.
As I had told Tyrant Dragon earlier, there really was a lot to do now that the battle was over.
The highest priority was the matter of the dwarves’ future.
A core issue directly connected to the two major scenarios I would have to face in the future: the Rashutku Ruins exploration and the Wintershield defense battle.
I had succeeded in persuading the dwarves of Vilopozy, but discussing specific implementation plans was a completely different dimension of problem.
Moving hundreds of dwarves along with their equipment and daily necessities across the dangerous Uncharted Wilderness was a massive migration equivalent to several times the scale of a major merchant guild.
‘But…’
There was nothing to worry about.
I had already prepared a solution.
“Middle Temple, the Ruin Guild, and Wintershield will join forces to help you.”
“Pardon?”
Pause—.
The Dwarf Village Chief’s eyes widened upon hearing my words.
Middle Temple, which maintained the Silk Road and possessed the most powerful military force on the continent.
The Ruin Guild, which operated a massive merchant organization and had extensive experience crossing the Uncharted Wilderness.
Plus Wintershield, where the continent’s finest mages had gathered.
If these three forces joined together, safely relocating all of Vilopozy to Wintershield would be entirely possible.
Of course, the village chief who heard my words asked back as if he couldn’t believe it.
“Is, is that possible? For what reason would they do such a thing for us…?”
It was a question about why they would take on such trouble for the dwarves when it would clearly require enormous time and resources.
It was truly a reasonable doubt.
However, considering the upcoming Wintershield defense battle, the resources poured into Vilopozy’s dwarves would never be a loss. Rather, it was closer to an essential investment.
‘Of course, from the perspective of others who don’t know about the Wintershield defense battle or anything else about the future, my judgment would seem insane…’
That didn’t matter.
Because.
“I will make it possible no matter what.”
“….”
It wasn’t for nothing that I had focused on uniting the three major powers all this time.
A solid foundation had to be laid for everything to proceed smoothly in the future.
And now was the time to utilize that foundation.
* * *
After that, I had various discussions with the Dwarf Village Chief and outlined the primary framework.
Since it was an enormous large-scale migration project, considerable discussion would be needed, but from now on, it was something the aforementioned major powers would have to think about together.
For now, this much was sufficient.
‘Then the second thing I need to resolve is….’
The matter with the Sisterhood of the Forsaken.
A few days ago, the conversation had been cut short when Dorico Shiro suddenly barged in.
The dwarves had said they would migrate to Wintershield, but specific discussions with the Sisterhood of the Forsaken had not yet taken place.
However.
“The aunts say they will follow Gaon oppa’s… no, Lord Gaon’s plan.”
The Girl answered concisely.
I was momentarily surprised. I had thought additional persuasion would be necessary, but a conclusion had been reached surprisingly quickly.
No matter how much they were copies of the Saintess, each member of the Sisterhood of the Forsaken had their own will and judgment.
Therefore, accepting my proposal should have required considerable deliberation. Especially in a situation where their resentment toward Middle Temple and the Elders was severe.
But during those few days, they had apparently reached the conclusion to follow me unconditionally among themselves.
‘This never happened even once in the game….’
While I was having such thoughts, The Girl continued speaking.
“The aunts said that’s the path to the best future in their view.”
“….”
Hearing those words, I remained silent for a moment before slowly nodding my head.
Then I stared at The Girl for a long time. Wordlessly.
“Hm?”
The Girl made an expression asking why I was suddenly looking at her. She then looked back at the aunts, but sensing something strange in the fact that they were also looking at her.
“Little one.”
I opened my mouth.
“As I said a few days ago, the dwarves and the aunts will move to Wintershield. They’ll safely establish themselves in the new territory called Magic Academy.”
The Girl nodded. As if it were an obvious matter.
“Then what do you want to do?”
“…?”
The Girl tilted her head as if asking what I meant. She slightly furrowed her brow as if trying to grasp the true meaning of my question.
“Of course I’ll be with the aunts….”
“No.”
I cut off The Girl’s words.
“I already heard from Tyrant Dragon. You said that in this world, you can’t survive if you’re useless, right? And that you wanted to develop your own abilities.”
At those words, The Girl fell silent for a moment.
“I….”
The Girl glanced back at the Sisterhood of the Forsaken. But the aunts said nothing and just quietly watched.
I continued speaking.
“You have the talent of a swordsman, little one. It’s a talent directly acknowledged by a Sword Master who is revered as a master of the sword on the Continent. Are you going to just bury such an opportunity?”
“….”
“I already have a disciple, so I can’t teach you. But Tyrant Dragon is different. He’s seeking a student, and he likes you.”
The Girl pressed her lips tightly together. Her eyes wavered.
“His skill is… well, you already know it well.”
In fact, The Girl had been looking at Tyrant Dragon with eyes of awe from earlier. Precisely since witnessing him defeat Zahhar alone.
The Girl’s lips twitched.
Although no words came out of her mouth, I could already predict the answer she would give just from her eyes.
‘I told you, Tyrant Dragon.’
As long as you don’t do anything stupid, you can become that kid’s master, right?
* * *
Phew-.
With that, I had finished most of the things that needed to be handled in Vilopozy.
Of course, there were still countless things to worry about.
I had to hold meetings with the three major powers for the great dwarf migration.
I had to visit Jeungmu and the Relic Exploration Society to visit the Rashutku Ruins.
I also had to begin discussions about the Intruder with Middle Temple.
And above all, the whereabouts of Dorico Shiro and Hodupayi, whom I had deliberately let go.
‘But.’
That was a problem to think about later.
There was something else that was most important right now.
Namely.
Rescuing Muwolcha who was trapped in Hodupayi’s Laboratory.
‘However….’
Before executing this, there was something I needed to confirm first.
[The Protagonist] : Sis, I’m going to rescue you now.
[The Protagonist] : By any chance, is your karma this round… normal?
Future plans would drastically diverge depending on what state Muwolcha’s karma was in.
I needed a definitive answer first.
[Muwolcha] : ☑
“….”
A note that came back immediately.
Of course, I didn’t believe her words.
Because Muwolcha and normal karma could not coexist.
Her range of ‘normal’ was very different from ordinary people. No, it would be more accurate to say it was completely different.
I changed my question.
Kind of like playing twenty questions.
[The Protagonist] : Is the character’s skin fluorescent colored?
[Muwolcha] : ☑
[The Protagonist] : Does the character have 2 eyes, 1 nose, and 2 ears?
[Muwolcha] : ☒
‘Ah, damn….’
You said it was normal.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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