Sword Master With One Strike Kill - Chapter 52

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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 52

Episode 52. Sacred Covenant (2)

* * *

All the councilors of Middletemple stared at the altar with their mouths agape.

Above the head of the man who had completed the sacred covenant, brilliant rays of light poured down.

A dazzling radiance that engulfed the Holy Sanctum.

This meant that the Great Ones had accepted the sacred covenant.

Whoooosh—!

In truth, everyone knew.

That this world was racing toward the tragedy of its end.

Though there had been no divine oracle from the Great Ones, the flow of decline that had continued for hundreds of years proved this.

The barriers of the Silk Road grew ever narrower, and humanity’s sphere of activity became limited to the vicinity of major cities.

The traces of once-brilliant civilizations had become the territory of monsters.

Everyone was simply turning away from that fact.

Since the situation had already spiraled beyond control anyway. Since nothing would change even if something were done now.

—I will save this world from its end.

But finally, today.

The wish that everyone had desperately hoped for echoed through Middletemple’s Holy Sanctum.

The councilors watched Gaon with bated breath.

Hope that no one had dared to dream of even in this desperate situation.

This was the moment when it was promised not as a mere ‘wish’… but as a Sword Master’s sacred covenant.

“Ah.”

Adelia, who had been staring blankly at this, let out a quiet sigh.

‘Indeed.’

The seal that had been covering her mouth had long since been released.

Even the priests around her were watching the seeker who swore to save the world in a daze.

Was this what the birth of a mythical hero would be like?

It was such a sacred moment. Witnessing the figure of one who dedicates his life before a noble great cause.

‘…Indeed, a covenant worthy of Lord Gaon.’

* * *

“The thirteenth star has risen above the Holy City.”

Inside a dark crypt.

Blood-red patterns drawn on the floor dimly illuminated the surroundings.

With members in black robes lined up along the corridor, a woman sitting on a throne answered in a gentle voice.

“How interesting.”

Though her face was half-hidden in shadow, it was certain that she was smiling.

“I wonder why only amusing things keep happening these days.”

“…”

“Not only was Cheongyeong mobilized for the first time in thirty-odd years, but the next day a new Sword Master is born.”

The woman’s gaze turned toward a man at the far end of the crypt.

“I heard that very person requested a meeting with me, Berillov?”

“…Yes.”

The robed man, Isaac Berillov, nodded his head.

“Based on the circumstances, it’s likely he is the thirteenth Sword Master.”

The woman on the throne slowly nodded. From each of her small gestures, elegant grace naturally emanated.

“Good. Please arrange a meeting soon.”

…This was the moment when the meeting between the Shadow Sect’s “Crimson Empress” and the thirteenth Sword Master was confirmed.

* * *

‘Phew. It’s finally over.’

The sacred covenant had been established.

With this, all the official procedures of the sacred trial to verify that I was a Sword Master were complete.

When the ceremony was fully finished, a priest guided me to the guest hall.

“The meeting of the high councilors is still in progress. If you need some simple refreshments while waiting…”

“No need.”

I declined the priest’s offer of refreshments and took a seat by the window.

Looking down at Middletemple’s scenery from the high spire, I became lost in my own thoughts.

‘It ended much earlier than I thought.’

It was surprisingly fast.

After all, even just the sacred trial typically took several weeks.

To undergo the subsequent tests and covenant would usually take anywhere from several months to several years.

In Heukgol’s case alone, didn’t it take seven years for him to be recognized as having the qualifications of a Sword Master?

‘In contrast, I finished everything in less than a day…’

If my memory is correct, this would be the shortest record among all Sword Masters in history.

‘Anyway.’

With this, I had achieved my first objective in visiting the Holy City.

Claiming to be a Sword Master was all for the purpose of making this “Sacred Covenant.”

By swearing to the Great Ones to save the world, I made it so that Middletemple had no choice but to become my ally.

‘Of course, it will take some time to gain Middletemple’s complete trust.’

But that too is only a matter of time.

If I slowly prove my abilities like I did with Sikan Bauer, everything will be resolved.

To already have the backing of major powers like the Ruin Guild and Middletemple.

Just thinking about it was truly reassuring.

‘And above all…’

There was still one most important thing remaining.

‘…The power gained in exchange for the sacred covenant.’

The heavier the constraints shouldered by a sacred covenant, the greater the power obtained.

It’s a kind of high risk, high return.

And the content of what I swore before the gods was as follows:

‘To save this world from its end.’

Just hearing it sounds like it would come with a terrifying sense of responsibility, doesn’t it?

However, this covenant was literally nothing short of the ultimate free lunch.

‘After all, it was what I had to do from the beginning anyway.’

That’s right.

This covenant was the goal I had set from the moment I possessed this body.

If I didn’t do this, the world would end anyway and everyone would die.

‘But from others’ perspectives, it would seem like a tremendous burden.’

Having all actions subordinated to the purpose of saving the world would, at first glance, seem like an enormous constraint.

But the reality was the complete opposite.

The truth I realized through 200 playthroughs. This world will inevitably perish. Without the existence of a player, that is.

In the end, I had to survive in order to save the world.

In other words, it was essentially saying that the salvation of the world could only be achieved with the premise of ‘survival’ in place.

‘Ultimately, protecting my own body well is the core of this covenant.’

There was almost no risk.

Why? As I said before, it was something I had to do anyway, even without the sacred covenant.

But since the mission following the proposition was so grand, the return had to be equally great.

A truly perfect plan. Now it was time to reap those rewards effortlessly.

Knock knock-.

Just then, the sound of someone knocking on the door came from outside the guest hall.

I could guess the identity of the visitor through the level window visible beyond the door.

【Lv. 90】

A master who had crossed the wall of level 90.

In terms of military power alone, he was practically the second-in-command of Middle Temple.

The door opened and a handsome young man entered the room.

“Greetings, Protagonist.”

Neatly groomed platinum hair and blue eyes.

The man’s appearance somehow resembled Adelia.

The pure white armor decorated with gold revealed his noble bloodline.

“I am Chief Paladin Arwen von Goldhart.”

Arwen von Goldhart.

As his name suggested, he was a member of the Noble Families and Adelia’s older brother.

Arwen, who had entered the guest hall, bowed his head with graceful movements.

His perfect etiquette and composed voice made it clear how strict an education he had received since childhood.

“I sincerely apologize for keeping you waiting so long.”

I gave no response and simply stared at Arwen intently, maintaining my dignity.

Normally, when a Sword Master glared like this, one would feel intimidated, but Arwen’s expression remained perfectly calm.

“The meeting seems like it will run long, so I came to ask for your understanding. The sacred covenant you made is somewhat of an exceptional situation.”

Arwen began explaining the contents of the meeting so far.

“Unlike typical prohibitions that restrict specific actions, the fact that all actions must be grounded in saving the world… the scope is too broad and many felt it would be difficult to verify.”

Well, I agreed with that assessment.

The sacred covenants made by other Sword Masters had clear restrictions.

There were definite ways to stop those guys if they went out of control.

‘But what about me?’

While the justification and purpose of the sacred covenant were admirable, it couldn’t serve as a means to control me.

Having finished that thought, I opened my mouth.

“In other words, the old men are throwing a tantrum because they can’t properly leash me.”

“Haha.”

Upon hearing my words, Arwen simply smiled without giving any response.

His restraint in not agreeing or disagreeing showed his experience.

“For reference, Adelia and Baron Bauer actively defended you in the meeting. They said you are a noble person and there’s nothing to worry about.”

Arwen continued his explanation. According to him, the council members’ opinions were split exactly in half.

─There’s a grand mission to save the world, so what’s there to worry about? All of Gaon’s actions will be for the greater good anyway, so there’s no need to worry.

There was a faction that argued this way…

“The opposition showed a skeptical and conservative attitude. They even suggested making another sacred covenant since we need more definite restrictions than what we have now.”

…And there was an opposition faction desperately trying to put a leash on me somehow.

‘Damn it.’

I’m trying to save the world, so why are they trying to restrict me further?

Anyway, those narrow-minded religious fanatics were living up to their reputation.

They were just as frustrating when the game became reality.

“So what’s the conclusion?”

At my question, Arwen shrugged his shoulders.

“It will probably take some time, but the council members’ opinions will lean toward approval.”

“…”

“Actually, there’s no need for us to debate back and forth. You’ve already made a contract with the Great Ones.”

Of course that’s how it should be.

Once the sacred covenant was made, the situation was essentially over.

It was a contract acknowledged even by the great gods.

So what right did some petty priests have to oppose it?

‘If the opposition council members continue to be stubborn…’

I half-jokingly imagined the situation in the meeting hall.

─What? You oppose it? Fine. Then you can get ‘Cedric’d’ too.

─Wh-what…?

Crack-!

The opposition priests would meet the same fate as ‘Middle Temple’s scoundrel’ Cedric, who died split in half.

Of course, they’d have nothing to complain about even if they died that way.

After all, they would be denying what the Great Elders acknowledged. And that would be tantamount to blasphemy.

For reference, committing blasphemy in Middle Temple was as good as natural death.

Knowing this, the opposition old men would surely bend their opinions eventually.

‘Anyway, this really is a brutal world.’

Persuasion?

Why bother with that in meetings?

There was a much more convenient and effective means of dialogue available here.

If things went south, you could just stab the opposition first.

Then you could list all sorts of justifications and rationalizations while framing them for blasphemy.

‘Of course, no one would actually commit such insane acts…’

Just the fact that such thinking was possible made Roel worthy of being called a wonderful world full of dreams and hope.

“Oh, and.”

While I was continuing such various fantasies,

Arwen began explaining the next schedule.

“If the meeting ends without problems like this, the audience with The Saintess is scheduled for 4 AM tomorrow.”

“…”

“A Novice Priest with authority to enter The Saint’s Domain will come to escort you.”

I nodded upon hearing his words.

‘…4 AM.’

The audience with The Saintess.

This was the occasion where I would receive the power granted as compensation for the sacred covenant.

Not only that, but it was also one of the few opportunities to directly converse with the Great Ones who orchestrate this world.

Perhaps it would be the most important event I’d face since falling into this world.

“Understood. I’ll be ready by 4 o’clock.”

“Yes.”

Arwen bowed politely and headed toward the door.

“Protagonist.”

Stop-.

Then, Arwen, who had stopped at the door, turned to look at me as if something had occurred to him.

He then suddenly began introducing his family relationship.

“I forgot to mention, but I am Adelia’s older brother.”

“I know.”

“…Ah, I see.”

After choosing his words for a moment, Arwen asked me a question.

“By any chance, do you plan to continue keeping Adelia as your disciple?”

Hearing his following words, I chuckled inwardly.

Right.

As expected, there was a real reason he came to find me.

‘Of course, you bastard. How could I let go of the bus driver I worked so hard to get.’

Of course, I couldn’t say this directly, so I gave a roundabout answer.

“If Adelia herself wants it, then I plan to.”

Though I said it that way, it was practically an affirmation.

Adelia would try to follow me around no matter what anyway.

“So don’t worry about useless things, and hurry up and go finish the meeting.”

“…!”

Startled-.

Arwen showed a momentarily surprised expression upon hearing my words.

Arwen’s eyes widened as if someone whose inner thoughts had been seen through.

He moved his lips as if he had something to say, but soon nodded and stepped back.

“…I understand.”

Before long, conviction had settled in his expression.

“Then I’ll go finish the meeting now. Please have a comfortable night.”

* * *

Arwen, who had left the meeting hall saying he wanted to get some fresh air, returned.

Swish-!

With a menacing greatsword gripped tightly in both hands, no less.

“Wh-what are you doing right now…?”

Several council members stepped back with bewildered expressions, but Arwen ignored them and asked back.

“Who were the opposition members?”

“….”

“Raise your hands. I can’t remember.”

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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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