The Failed Swordmaster - Chapter 151

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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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Chapter 151 58. Lumian Calard vs Kingdom of Cairo (3)

 

– Cough, ahem. So that’s what happened… Cough, cough. Yes, my son must be returning here?

 

“That is correct, Your Majesty. We judged that staying here would worsen his anxiety symptoms, so this morning we immediately escorted him back to the kingdom with Guard Knights.”

 

– Good. A blessing in disguise. Cough, wheeze!

 

The King of Cairo, Shumaha XVII, who kept coughing, looked gaunt and emaciated. It was hard to believe that just 30 years ago, he had been one of the strongest Sword Masters on the continent.

 

However, despite his frail appearance, the people in the auditorium were crushed by his presence.

 

It was strange.

 

He wasn’t even actually here. He was only visible through a magic screen, his physical body far away from Tarasan.

 

‘And yet…’

 

‘I can’t say anything.’

 

It felt like being in several times the normal gravity.

 

The thousand or so people couldn’t utter a word. The silence created by so many people deepened the heavy atmosphere even more.

 

Only the knight’s situation report and Shumaha XVII’s responses echoed softly. Even Adolf Anner, who was seriously injured, couldn’t make a single groan and cowered in the corner.

 

The King of Cairo called out to him.

 

– Sir Adolf.

 

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

 

– I am greatly disappointed. Cough, wheeze.

 

“I… I am ashamed. I deserve to die.”

 

The king had already heard all the facts without omission through his subordinate’s report. All Adolf could do was repent his sins with his injured mouth.

 

Shumaha XVII clicked his tongue in disapproval. To think that one of the Eight Pillars of the Great Cairo Kingdom was in such a state. There could be no greater disgrace.

 

However, there was something more important than that.

 

The fact that his beloved son, who was precious beyond measure, had suffered terrible hardships.

 

That a small nation like Tarasan dared to bare its fangs at the Kingdom of Cairo!

 

This could not be overlooked.

 

Shumaha XVII, who had been lying in bed all along, raised his upper body.

 

Then, like a giant emerging from the depths of the sea, his enormous presence filled the auditorium.

 

“…!”

 

“Ugh…!”

 

Groans escaped from people’s mouths. Some widened their eyes and stepped back from the magic screen projected from the crystal orb.

 

But doing so couldn’t free them from Shumaha XVII.

 

For just a brief moment, he could momentarily display the majesty of his prime. Though old and sick, with teeth and claws fallen out, a tiger was still a tiger.

 

The people of Tarasan couldn’t withstand such overwhelming presence.

 

Fear began to take root in the students’ hearts.

 

Then, words like cold steel began pouring from Shumaha XVII’s mouth.

 

– As of this moment, I declare war on the Kingdom of Tarasan.

 

“…!”

 

– For the crime of daring to harm my noble bloodline, for threatening the life of Sword Master Sir Adolf Anner, and for repeatedly uttering disrespectful words that diminished the dignity of the Kingdom of Cairo.

 

The King of Cairo’s eyes flashed. As he swept the auditorium with his frost-like gaze, everyone’s shoulders shrank.

 

It felt like a massive stone wall was pressing forward emotionlessly. Amid such terror, Shumaha XVII’s words continued.

 

– The only price for this will be Tarasan’s destruction.

 

“…”

 

– I will burn Tarasan’s wheat fields. I will topple Tarasan’s villages and cities. After destroying your proud Academy without leaving a single foundation stone, I will receive a direct apology from that fool of a Tarasan king who rules over stupid subjects.

 

Having said this much, his gaze turned to one place.

 

A young man standing alone at the center of countless students, staring at the magic screen with an unreadable expression.

 

Looking at that insolent figure, the King of Cairo spoke his final words.

 

– Your foolish actions have led the kingdom to ruin. Lumian Calard, you foolish wretch.

 

“…”

 

Lumian did not waver.

 

Like a cleric who had cultivated his mind for many years, there was not the slightest tremor.

 

Rather, it was everyone else except him who wavered. Students, professors – all fell into confusion without distinction. And they began glaring at Lumian with uncomfortable gazes.

 

It was ridiculous.

 

No one here was unaware of the situation.

 

Those who had arrived early at the auditorium had heard the conversation between Adolf Anner and Lumian, and had told the people around them.

 

The current situation did not stem from Lumian’s fault. The Kingdom of Cairo was simply displaying unreasonable tyranny.

 

Yet despite this, people’s anger was directed at Lumian.

 

He smiled bitterly.

 

‘It can’t be helped.’

 

When the target of anger is too powerful, the displaced rage tends to flow toward something lower and more manageable. Lumian could fully understand their feelings. Separate from his disappointment.

 

Sigh, Lumian exhaled and quietly closed his eyes.

 

What he was concerned about now was not their reaction.

 

‘The reason I’ve been hiding my power to some extent until now…’

 

It was because of fear.

 

The moment he revealed his full strength, the moment he revealed his identity.

 

At that time, what kind of reaction would the relationships he had formed in this life show?

 

The moment they learned he was a reincarnator, what words would his parents, Teoro, Bumer, Cal Krone, and… Tania Eloise speak?

 

‘I’m scared!’

 

He was so frightened he couldn’t bear it.

 

That they might not accept him.

 

That the happiness he had shared with them might be buried in the past rather than the present and future.

 

That the joyful days of this life might disappear far away like a midsummer night’s dream.

 

For fear of this, Lumian had to control his power within acceptable limits.

 

‘But…’

 

He opened his eyes.

 

And looked behind him.

 

Among the crowd that was furious but looked more anxious than a kitten that had lost its mother, he saw four faces.

 

Three friends who, despite their confusion, never stopped worrying about him.

 

And his lover, Tania Eloise, who resonated with similar feelings and the same wavelength as him.

 

The moment he felt their emotions with his body, Lumian smiled without realizing it.

 

“Phew.”

 

He exhaled again and turned his gaze forward.

 

He had to protect his friends.

 

He had to protect Tania Eloise.

 

Even if they showed uncomfortable reactions to his revealed identity, even if the relationships built up in this life crumbled because of it. Right now, he had to give his all.

 

Lumian, having made his firm resolve, released his aura.

 

Rumble rumble rumble rumble rumble!

 

“Gasp!”

 

“Ugh!”

 

Suppressed groans burst from the mouths of those gathered in the auditorium.

 

It wasn’t fear they felt. Unlike the King of Cairo’s aura, Lumian’s energy contained no killing intent or hostility. Rather, his will to protect gradually erased the anxiety in people’s hearts.

 

However, Shumaha XVII’s reaction was different.

 

Seeing the young man directly resist his majesty, he unconsciously widened his eyes.

 

Whooooooom!

 

Lumian did not stop.

 

He didn’t hide it. He concealed nothing. His aura continued to grow and soar without hitting any walls.

 

It was incomparable to when he had locked eyes with Adolf. It was even incomparable to when he had defeated the Previous Demon King.

 

Lumian, emanating a more intense and massive aura than ever before, looked at Shumaha XVII beyond the magic screen with burning eyes.

 

He unconsciously let out a violent cough.

 

– Cough, wheeze…!

 

He couldn’t believe it. He couldn’t accept it.

 

Even when he heard that Adolf Anner had been defeated single-handedly, but now he was truly so flustered that he couldn’t maintain his composure.

 

A young man not even twenty years old, at an age where reaching Expert level would be impossible, emanating such overwhelming presence?

 

Spreading intimidation and presence so intense it seemed to pierce through the magical screen? Pressuring him like this?

 

Tremble tremble tremble.

 

His legs shook. Anxiety amplified this trembling.

 

He wanted to cut off the communication right now. If not that, he wanted to call the royal guards to block his view.

 

‘This cannot be!’

 

Of course, he couldn’t do that.

 

He was a king.

 

Not just any ordinary king common throughout the continent, but the king of the Great Cairo Kingdom, which had an even longer history than the Kingdom of Jenas!

 

For someone like him to show weakness before a mere knight cadet from a small nation – it was unthinkable!

 

Clench!

 

Shumaha XVII gripped his knee tightly. He also gripped the courage in his heart. The dignity and stubbornness he had built up over a lifetime forcibly lifted him up as he was crumbling.

 

Though his days as a knight had long ended, he was still a king!

 

Roaring inwardly, he took a deep breath. He intended to resist Lumian Calard’s overwhelming presence with a great shout.

 

Just then.

 

A third figure intervened between the two giants.

 

Another giant that no one gathered in the auditorium could have anticipated.

 

Opening the door and entering with dozens of people, he shouted with aura infused in his voice.

 

“Both of you, cease this conflict!”

 

A tremendous resonance.

 

His voice contained power that defied common understanding.

 

It had to be so. His dignity, perfect both as a king and as a knight, possessed weight sufficient to intervene between the two giants.

 

People who recognized his identity unconsciously muttered.

 

“The Knight King…”

 

“Philip III!”

 

– What did you say?

 

The startled King of Cairo turned his gaze.

 

And his jaw dropped wide open.

 

This was the very person who had first given him, someone who had lived his entire life in arrogance, a sense of defeat that lingered still. After Philip III ascended to the throne, the power gap between the two nations had begun widening even further.

 

‘But why is someone who should be in Jenas here?’

 

The question naturally followed.

 

It was Lumian Calard who voiced this question instead.

 

“Your Majesty!”

 

“Haha! Lumian Calard. It’s good to see you.”

 

“But when on earth did you arrive here…”

 

Lumian’s eyes widened greatly. Undisguisable surprise showed across his entire face.

 

Moreover, the Knight King wasn’t the only one who had appeared in the auditorium.

 

Bercal Garcia and Morghen, who hadn’t shown themselves all day, were also there.

 

And even Archbishop Abram Russo, an existence far more difficult to encounter than them, was with them.

 

“How did the Archbishop come to be here…”

 

Lumian asked another question.

 

While the Knight King was free-spirited for a king and this might be expected, Archbishop Abram Russo’s case was different.

 

He moved according to Goddess Allia’s commands. He moved for the peace and well-being of the continent.

 

Sure enough, a reverent voice flowed from his lips.

 

“Abram Russo, faithful servant of the Patron Deity, delivers Goddess Allia’s divine oracle – all of you, kneel!”

 

“…!”

 

“…!”

 

At the suddenly changed atmosphere, people showed bewildered reactions.

 

However, at Archbishop Abram Russo’s subsequent sharp rebuke.

 

“Why aren’t you kneeling immediately! Do you not fear the wrath of the divine?”

 

“N-no, we don’t!”

 

“We’ll kneel!”

 

People had no choice but to belatedly kneel.

 

Even Shumaha XVII beyond the magical screen was no exception.

 

Though he possessed power counted among the fingers on the continent, even so, he could not dare challenge divine authority.

 

– …

 

Confirming that even the King of Cairo had knelt with an uncomfortable expression, Archbishop Abram Russo nodded.

 

And he looked toward Lumian.

 

With his lips slightly curved upward, completely unexpected words flowed from his mouth.

 

“Knight among knights, Lumian Calard, armed with outstanding talent, burning passion, and righteous conviction.”

 

“…”

 

“I formally appoint you as the hero to fight against the Demon King – let all humans of the continent rejoice in the birth of a new guardian!”

 

Everyone’s gaze fixed upon Lumian Calard’s face.

 

A dazed voice flowed from Adolf Anner’s mouth.

 

“Wh-whaaaat…!”

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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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