The Failed Swordmaster - Chapter 178

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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 178 68. Unexpected Ally (3)

 

‘What is this? This energy?’

 

It wasn’t only the person involved who sensed the change. Baku’s eyes widened as he watched the hero whose atmosphere had suddenly shifted.

 

A strange energy was flowing from his body. At first glance, it seemed completely different from the Demon Realm, but he could sense a familiar scent mixed within. It was impossible.

 

“Lord Lumian? What on earth is happening right now…?”

 

“Wait.”

 

Lumian Calard stopped Baku from approaching him.

 

Then with a serious expression, he asked him to guard the surroundings. Despite his young appearance, there was a weight and desperation that could only be seen in an elderly man getting his last chance in life. Baku quietly stepped back, unable to even breathe properly.

 

After confirming this, the hero slowly closed his eyes, and shortly after, a strong flow of aura arose centered around his body.

 

It was a mystical sight.

 

No matter how strong a knight might be, they inevitably become vulnerable to external attacks during aura training. They become defenseless as they sink deeply into their inner selves.

 

That’s why ordinary people only entrust guard duty to those they trust most. Blood relatives, or comrades who have crossed the threshold between life and death together multiple times.

 

But to entrust his life to a demon he had only met for a month, who wasn’t even human. If others on the continent had known, they would surely have been breathlessly worried.

 

However, there was no such ominous atmosphere between the two at all. Rather, they showed a nonchalant attitude as if they were lifelong friends, brothers. The bond formed between them was that strong.

 

Two men who shared the same pain, shared the same sorrow, and harbored the same anger.

 

As if afraid of their thick trust relationship, no high demons showed themselves until Lumian’s training was complete.

 

When three days had passed like this.

 

“Whew…”

 

“Oh, is it finally over? Did you perhaps achieve satisfactory results?”

 

The hero opened his eyes. Baku, who had been standing guard, hurriedly approached as he watched Lumian slowly rise from his position.

 

Though his specialty was magic rather than aura, that didn’t mean he had no eye for it. In fact, even a complete outsider wouldn’t have mattered. The energy that had been swirling around Lumian for the past three days was truly tremendous.

 

And Baku’s guess was correct.

 

With a low shout of “Hup!”, tremendous energy burst forth from the hero’s body.

 

Gooooooo!

 

“Ooh…!”

 

Despite having quite high expectations, he couldn’t help but gape.

 

The density and size of the aura were impressive, but what was even more surprising was the unique atmosphere he had never experienced before.

 

Ordinary aura, the tickling energy that could only be felt from Allia, the goddess of the continent, combined with the warm feeling commonly felt in the Demon Realm. Yet there was no sense of discord at all.

 

‘As if they came from the same root… This is remarkable. They’ve been antagonistic toward each other for thousands of years without any thought of understanding each other.’

 

Baku closed his eyes and savored Lumian’s energy.

 

As before, it seemed like there would be no being capable of facing him now.

 

Of course, no matter how strong he became, there wasn’t much he could do as long as he couldn’t find Sekaros’s hideout, but at least he had gained the driving force to endure longer in the Demon Realm…

 

It was while he was thinking such thoughts. The hero, who had maintained silence even after finishing his training, finally opened his mouth.

 

“I can sense it. About 50 kilometers from here. There’s a place that appears to be the headquarters of one of the 108 Families.”

 

“…!”

 

Baku showed a surprised expression. Whether he was surprised or not, Lumian continued to direct his gaze to various places. From his mouth, locations presumed to be headquarters of the 108 Families were recited one after another.

 

The number exceeded forty. It meant he had grasped most of the families currently remaining in the Demon Realm. Baku exclaimed in admiration.

 

“Wow, amazing! Could it be that your senses became much sharper as your level increased?”

 

“Rather than saying my senses became sharper… it would be more accurate to say I’ve adapted to the energy of the Demon Realm.”

 

“I see. Anyway, this is good news. Really, really fortunate!”

 

An extremely excited voice flowed from Baku’s mouth.

 

Until now, Lumian hadn’t been on the defensive because he lacked strength. It was because his opponents wouldn’t engage in battle while he was under a time limit, because he was fighting with penalties in enemy territory rather than his home ground.

 

But now the situation was different. The hero had succeeded in adapting even in the Demon Realm, which was completely different from the Human Realm, and the hideouts of the 108 Families were being grasped one by one within his senses.

 

‘Perhaps he’ll be able to find Sekaros soon too?’

 

With such thoughts, he couldn’t contain his excitement. Finally, finally thinking he could avenge his brother, a fierce smile settled on Baku’s face.

 

However, Lumian’s following words completely shattered such expectations.

 

“There’s nothing fortunate about it.”

 

“Huh? What do you mean…?”

 

“Though my senses have awakened more than before, at best I can only barely chase after those 108 Family subordinates. I don’t know what method he used, but I can’t sense Sekaros’s energy at all. Even though I searched the entire Demon Realm thoroughly.”

 

The fact that he had searched the entire Demon Realm while sitting in place was remarkable, but Baku didn’t ask about this. Right now, he felt like Lumian had become an omnipotent Demon God.

 

That’s why he couldn’t just quietly accept it. Baku thought Lumian could definitely do it.

 

“Can’t you sense even the slightest bit of energy?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“If you run around and search on foot, wouldn’t something come up?”

 

“I’ll try since that’s all I can do, but… honestly, I’m not confident.”

 

“Hmm… But if you continue adapting to the Demon Realm like now and gain even stronger power and sharper senses through training, then in the near future you could surely catch that guy…”

 

“I’m sorry to say, but that’s also impossible. Short-term growth will probably end here.”

 

Lumian made a bitter expression.

 

He had no choice. Just a little more, just a tiny bit more power and he felt he could find and beat up Sekaros. That tiny bit was lacking.

 

His gaze turned toward Baku, who didn’t know what to do.

 

‘He’s a good guy. So much so that he doesn’t feel like a demon.’

 

Including the knight order members from his previous life and academy acquaintances from this life, he was wonderful and excellent enough to be counted among the top ten. They had much in common too. He felt that 90% of his current growth was thanks to him.

 

However, to put it differently, it also meant that unless it was someone like Baku, seeking further aura growth through demons was nearly impossible.

 

‘Well, it is ridiculous to think of receiving help from demons when I came to kill the Son of the Demon Lord.’

 

Lumian gave a self-deprecating smile. Then he explained about his growth to Baku, who still didn’t understand.

 

“…That’s how it happened. If this were the Human Realm, I naturally could have received tremendous power. Countless people would have sent massive trust and hopes to me, the righteous hero protecting the continent. But this is the Demon Realm, and I’m just an invader. Unless it’s a special situation like yours, Mr. Baku, it’s natural that no one would open their hearts to someone like me.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

“They are demons, and I am human.”

 

“Hmm, hmm.”

 

After hearing the story, Baku kept pacing back and forth with his head lowered.

 

It seemed he had something on his mind. Of course, that didn’t mean he thought the current situation could be changed.

 

However, Baku seemed to think differently. After frowning for a few minutes, he suddenly raised his head and looked at Lumian. Then he opened his mouth.

 

“It’s too early to give up.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“Didn’t I tell you before? Even if our races are different, our gender is the same. Men can understand men. You can definitely receive encouragement and support from demons to grow stronger.”

 

He wanted to ask what kind of nonsense that was, but Lumian couldn’t.

 

Baku’s blazing eyes. After staring at them for a long while, he soon nodded. Then he asked.

 

“I don’t know what method you’ll use, but… I’ll trust and follow you.”

 

“You may do so. Just trust me. However…”

 

“However?”

 

“Would it be alright if your current situation… became rumored throughout the entire Demon Realm?”

 

Though he used the uncertain expression ‘current situation’, Lumian seemed to know what Baku was talking about. And he roughly guessed how he would win the hearts of the demons.

 

Lumian nodded heavily.

 

“It’s fine. Even if rumors spread that I’m impotent, even if I’m ridiculed, even if I’m pointed at.”

 

“That won’t happen.”

 

Baku, still looking at the hero with burning eyes, said firmly.

 

“If there is, I’ll rip out that bastard’s dick.”

 

* * *

 

The great city of Muscalum, located between the Demon Realm’s largest trade route connecting north and south. This place was bustling with countless demons as usual. Recently, that extremely wicked hero had invaded and was destroying the 108 Families, but they couldn’t abandon their livelihoods and hide underground.

 

“Damn it. What the hell are the 108 Family lords doing? A hero has invaded all the way to the Demon Realm and they’re nowhere to be seen.”

 

“This hero seems incredibly strong. I heard even the high-ranking ones don’t dare face him and have all gone into hiding?”

 

“Damn it. I work day by day to eat day by day, so I can’t even run away…”

 

“Surely the hero won’t come all the way here, right?”

 

“I wish that hero bastard would die quickly.”

 

Whether trading, working, or gathering at taverns to drink, the demons always poured out curses about the hero without reserve. They had no choice. From their perspective, the hero was no different from a Demon King who invaded the peaceful Human Realm and caused chaos.

 

Who started the fight first wasn’t important at all. They just hoped the current unstable state would end quickly, that the hero tormenting innocent people like them would be caught and peace would return.

 

“Everyone, listen to my story!”

 

“Huh? That person is…”

 

“It’s Baku! It’s the dark mage Lord Baku!”

 

“Could it be he came to protect us?”

 

“Even though all the 108 Clan lords fled, for our sake?”

 

“As expected of the dark mage Baku!”

 

“No, that’s not the issue. Didn’t Baku rebel against the Demon God? I heard he was wanted for that, so why is he here…?”

 

With Baku’s sudden appearance, the demons gathered in the city square poured out all kinds of stories.

 

Sekus and Baku were both legendary figures who, despite their humble origins, had achieved strength that rivaled the 108 Clan, so they were very famous and naturally drew attention.

 

Moreover, the content flowing from his mouth was endlessly fascinating.

 

To be more precise, it was shock itself.

 

From the introduction through the main point to the conclusion, the demons who listened intently to Baku’s words without even properly swallowing their saliva were greatly stirred.

 

“The Son of the Demon Lord, Lord Sekaros…”

 

“Cast a curse of impotence on the hero?”

 

“And most of the 108 Clan agreed to that plan?”

 

Murmur murmur.

 

Buzz buzz.

 

Expressions of horror appeared on the faces of all the male demons.

 

Some trembled and brought their hands to their vital areas.

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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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