The Regressed Sword Demon Is a Catastrophe-Class Inquisitor - Chapter 128

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 128. Now It’s My Turn.

I asked from my seat in the chair.

“But why didn’t you tell us? About becoming the Emperor’s guardian knight, and your current condition, and all the rest.”
“Tsk tsk, that damned bastard. He never keeps his promises.”

Valter seemed to have already guessed that we had met with the Emperor.

“I had no face to show my teacher. The teachings were excellent, but my own foolishness delayed my understanding of them.”
“Don’t you think that’s even more disrespectful to your teacher?”
“You’re right. That’s why I’m grateful to that Emperor bastard this time. Thanks to him, I was able to see you all again.”

A smile appeared at the corners of Valter’s weathered lips.
Seeing that, Bella’s eyes glistened faintly, as if teardrops were falling.

“So what did the Emperor say?”
“As per our agreement, he permitted me to exercise the authority of a Heretic Inquisitor even within the Empire.”
“Hmm, I’m worried he might casually change his word later.”
“That won’t happen. It benefits the Emperor if I root out the vermin in the Empire.”
“True enough. At least there won’t be problems as long as your interests align with that bastard’s.”
“I think so too.”

Valter asked.

“How is the Family Estate faring?”
“Thanks to your efforts, not a single monster has been spotted near the territory. The quarantine should hold for some time.”
“That’s fortunate. My only regret is that we couldn’t encounter Barsenon.”
“That one knows how to use Yejis’s stigma. Barsenon is someone I must defeat with my own hands.”
“Tsk tsk, you’re busy indeed. But if it’s you, you’ll surely bring him down. After all, you’re my teacher.”
“You’re stating the obvious.”

Valter, smiling wryly, turned to look at Bella.

“Bella, is your Orphanage doing well?”

Bella quickly wiped away the moisture gathering at her eyes and nodded briskly.

“Yes. The children are eating well, and the Orphanage Director hasn’t stopped training, so most people wouldn’t dare to cause trouble.”
“I see. Lately, has anyone given you grief for being a Mage?”
“There are still some Clergy who dislike Mages, but I can definitely feel that attitudes have improved recently. The people of Luminara greet me warmly when they see me.”
“You’re walking a difficult path yourself.”
“It’s alright though. The Interrogator continues to help me from beside me. Without the Interrogator, I wouldn’t have come this far.”

Bella turned to look at me. I wanted to say something, but seeing her expression, I decided to hold back for today.

“You’ve found a good superior. And Kael, you’ve gained an excellent Deacon. If the two of you walk together, there’s nothing you cannot overcome.”

Valter gazed down at his own hand.

“I wish I could pave that path a little further for you, but it seems I won’t be able to now.”
“I’ve never heard of a disciple paving the way for his master.”
“Well, that’s true enough.”

Valter chuckled softly, then blinked his eyes slowly. A gentle breeze blew past with quiet stillness.

“Kael, Bella.”

He called our names.

“Speak.”
“Yes.”

Valter opened his mouth one last time.

“I will die soon.”
“….”
“I can feel the vital energy within my body gradually draining away. It’s quite remarkable that someone who has always lived as the strong can become this weak.”
“You could have lived longer if you hadn’t overexerted yourself.”
“No, I would surely have regretted it then. I’ve always wielded my sword to kill someone. But after meeting you both, I’ve used my strength to protect someone instead.”

Valter looked at us.

“I am grateful for this. For allowing someone as irredeemable as me to live even somewhat like a human being.”
“….”
“Thank you, all of you.”

Bella pouted her lips and whimpered, while I let out a soft chuckle.

“That’s all I needed to hear.”
“I see.”

Valter nodded, then suddenly coughed several times. After composing his breathing with a long exhale, he spoke.

“Bella.”
“Yes, Valter.”
“Even if the world despises you, don’t let it wound you too deeply. There are far more people who cherish you than those who don’t.”
“….”
“You are a woman worthy of love. Despite the hardships of your past, you shine so brightly, and your strength is remarkable.”
“….”
“However, your beauty may attract parasites, so always remain vigilant. I’ve traveled across The Continent and learned that a fair countenance can be a terrible poison.”

Bella sniffled and smiled faintly.

“Are you nagging me now, Valter?”
“Tsk tsk… It’s about time I repaid the favor.”
“….”
“In any case, if anything happens, stay close to Kael. Though knowing him, he’ll resolve it before it comes to that.”
“…Yes.”
“I believe your magic will become a bridge connecting the Theocracy and the Mages. So never give up.”
“….”

Bella couldn’t respond. Tears continued to flow, and she kept her head bowed.

“Bella. Answer me.”

At my words, Bella wiped her tears with her palms and opened her mouth.

“Yes… I will… I’ll work hard and truly change the Theocracy… This is no longer just my dream anymore….”
“Good, that’s all I needed. You’re an adult now—you’ll do well on your own.”

As Bella wiped her tears and nodded firmly, Valter smiled.

“And now, my teacher, Kael.”

Valter gazed at me with profound eyes.

“Is there anything else you wish to tell me?”
“I suppose I’m more of a chatterbox than I realized.”
“I see.”
“But between us, there exists a far more certain means of conversation than mere words.”

Valter grasped the scabbard he had leaned against his side.

“It’s been a little over four months since I began receiving your teachings.”

In my previous life, Valter and I had known each other for merely a month.
Originally, Valter would have died of old age about two months later, but we had met even later back then.
Yet in this life, having met sooner, I was able to know him for far longer.

“During this time, you have taught me much—beyond merely your swordsmanship. So I too wish to teach you something, but you have already surpassed me in skill, leaving me with nothing to impart.”

No, you may not remember, but you have already taught me so much.
That is why I stand here now.

“Then allow me to fulfill my duty as your disciple.”

Valter drew his blade from the scabbard. A gentle ring of steel sang through the air.

“I have lived as the Wrath of the Seven Deadly Sins, always consumed by fury. I could not survive without being obsessed with something.”

Valter raised his sword upright before us, as if to display it.

“But through your teachings, I have learned to master my wrath.”

A soft crackling echoed.

Tiny flames bloomed upon the pristine blade—a flame far more humble than during my battle with Dominion.

“What do you think?”

Yet I perceived it differently.
So fragile that even a gentle breeze could extinguish it—his fury had diminished greatly.

“Magnificent.”
“Tsk, I’m relieved.”

The flickering flames that danced like candlelight scattered and vanished.
Yet Valter still held his sword upright, as if he had more to show me.

“I asked you before, didn’t I? What is joy?”
“You did.”
“Now that I think back on it, I’m certain I have felt joy before. But that joy was long ago replaced by wrath.”

And the greater that joy had been, the more immense his fury had grown.

“And that remains unchanged even now. Yet….”

Valter’s gaze fell upon us.

“I believe I have felt that joy once more today.”
“….”
“No, to be precise—it was already there beside me, but I simply failed to recognize it. I shall show you the proof of that now.”

He closed his eyes for a moment.

A gentle ripple—

A faint aura of mana emanating from him.
In his previous life, Valter had easily obtained the Sword of Wrath alone. His physical prowess had already far exceeded the requirements, and he had harbored that distant rage all along.
But the other swords eluded him. Even when taught the relatively easier Sword of Joy, he remained shackled by wrath until death.
Yet now, thinking back on it, how absurd it seems. I taught him the Sword of Joy despite being trapped in the same prison myself.

‘But now….’

Is it truly different?
I am no longer the Sword Demon, nor the Wrath of the Seven Deadly Sins. I am merely a Heretic Inquisitor and Holy Knight who pursues my own will.
If I possess the right to teach another the meaning of joy, and if I hold the power to kindle smiles rather than fury upon another’s face….
Then surely Valter too shall grasp the Sword of Joy in his hands.
For we were both teacher and disciple to one another.

“Behold.”

Valter spoke softly.

“What you have taught me.”

The moment the magical aura that had shimmered around him dissipated.

Whiiiiing──

A cool breeze swept in from somewhere. Leaves and grass rustled gently, and the bangs of both Bella and I swayed softly.

Shhhhh──

The wind rising from Valter’s blade. It was “Delight,” the pinnacle of my swordsmanship.
Someone who witnessed this wind might scoff. As if something so trivial could be remarkable.
Yet I could say with absolute certainty: this was far more difficult than Valter destroying the Empire itself.
This wind carried no killing intent, no malice whatsoever. It resembled nothing more than a spring breeze brimming with vitality.

“How is it.”

Valter had opened his eyes at some point and was gazing at us.
And he wore a radiant smile.

“This is my ‘Delight.'”

At the pleasant breeze flowing from his blade, I found myself naturally smiling.

“It is flawless.”
“I see. I’m relieved. That I could keep my promise with you….”

The wind swirling around the blade quickly subsided. The sword that had stood upright slowly descended, its tip finally touching the ground.
Valter, having wrung out his last strength, let his body go limp as he opened his mouth.

“Kael, Bella….”

We waited quietly, wordlessly, for his voice.

“Thank you truly for teaching me Delight….”
“….”
“At the end of this long road, I pray you find what you seek….”
“….”
“Though you may waver, do not break. Though you may despair, rise again….”

His voice, carried on the wind, gradually scattered.

“My name is Valter….”
“….”
“I am a disciple of Kael Luminara and a friend of Bella…. I assure you, they will rise even higher….”

A sudden gust of wind swept through. Leaves that had flown from somewhere brushed past us.
The sword that had been held in Valter’s hand slowly, ever so slowly, fell to the ground.
A moment later, Bella wept silently. And I gazed upon Valter as he slept peacefully.
He who had lived his entire previous life as the Wrath of the Seven Deadly Sins before dying.
Even in this life, he had lived constantly alongside fury, yet at the corner of his mouth….
A small yet profound smile bloomed like a sprout breaking through parched earth.
For a time, I stood guard so that his smile would not be scattered by the wind, then I rose from my place.

* * *

I covered both ears and looked up at the sunset-painted sky.
A great rainbow hung in the heavens—one Bella had created by pouring her mana to sing a hymn.

“….”

Bella was singing earnestly before a cold gravestone.
The air trembled, and the grass cried out. It was evidence that vast mana was leaking from her.
After shrieking for a while, Bella finally pressed both hands against the ground.
Only then did I remove my hands from my ears.

“…Waaaaahhhhh.”

Bella was weeping, tears and mucus streaming down her face.

“Why won’t it work…. I need to sing a proper song for Valter….”

In the old days, that rainbow would have been enough, but my mana reserves had grown far greater than before.

“This won’t do…. I’ll have to expend all my mana….”

I let out a small laugh and approached her.

“Enough. Do you mean to burn this entire place down?”
“But, Interrogator….”

Bella looked at me with tears welling up in her eyes. I gently placed my hand on her head.

“You’ve done well. Let me take it from here. Step back. You can sing for me later.”
“Sniff… Yes…”

Bella wiped her tears away and stepped back.
It was only right that I see him off.
I stood before Valter not as a Heretic Inquisitor, but simply as Kael Luminara.

「Valter.」

His name was carved simply into the gravestone. I drew the demon blade from my waist and tossed it to Bella.

“Hold onto this for a moment.”
“Yes…”

Bella clutched my sword to her chest and sniffled.
I grasped Valter’s blade that leaned against the gravestone. Then I stood before the stone and closed my eyes for a moment.

‘We will never meet again.’

Thanks to my regression, I was able to reunite with him even in death, but a second meeting would be impossible.
So now I must let him go.
Yet there was one difference from my past life—he fell asleep with a smile. It was thanks to ‘Bliss’ that I had taught him.
But this was merely repaying the debt I owed him in my previous life.

‘Thank you. For teaching me so much.’

I bowed my head lightly and opened my eyes. Then I slowly drew the blade.
Though well-maintained, the sword bore the weight of countless years.

‘Behold. How much I have grown.’

I gripped the sword firmly. My stance held not a single tremor.

Whoosh!

The blade suddenly cleaved through the air, piercing the atmosphere as if sinking into it, a harsh sound of wind rupture erupting from the sword’s path.

Screech! Screech!

I swung my blade as my body dictated, yet the keenness that could cleave through all things remained undiminished.

– Move like riding the wind, gentle and flowing, then strike with the fury of lightning when the moment arrives. This is the most efficient way to wield a sword.

Though Valter is no longer here, his teachings remain vivid in my heart and mind.
Because of those teachings, I could repel the Theocracy’s pursuit and drive my blade into the Demon God.
Certainly, my connection with him was but a fleeting moment. Yet sometimes such moments cling so persistently that they shake a person’s very soul.

Screech!

Such bonds are like water—they cannot be severed by a blade. Even flames extinguish in an instant before such a connection.
Humans are fragile beings, swayed by emotions both great and small.
If one tries to suppress them, a breeze becomes a tempest, and a faint spark becomes a volcano that erupts.
Then there is only one way to master this emotion.

‘Simply let it flow away.’

In the end, emotions are not fixed—if left alone, they naturally drift somewhere distant.
They may become a vast reservoir, but they no longer remain in the depths of one’s heart.
I cannot stay here. For my purpose, I must take each step forward willingly.

‘So then….’

This sensation of my mind turning blank, this emotion of my lungs filling with water….
I must let it evaporate and dissipate elsewhere.

‘Yet I shall not forget.’

I release only the sorrow that stems from this.
Only then will joy, not sorrow, well up when I recall that presence.

Seep seep seep—

The ‘sorrow’ that leaks from my chest seeps into the blade. It becomes a mournful droplet, clinging to the steel.

Screech! Screech!

I wielded the sword of ‘Sorrow’.
A swordsmanship I had never shown him before. Yet paradoxically, it was a realm I reached precisely because he existed.
And so, once again, I find myself indebted to you.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Each time the water blade cleaved through the empty air, the sorrow that had filled my lungs flowed out gently.
The blade grew heavier by that measure, yet this too was merely a passing shower destined to scatter somewhere beyond.
It would become nourishment and sprout new life, and the once-drenched earth would grow firmer, no longer easily shaken.
For some, a shower that washes away a day’s fatigue. For others, a deluge that presses their bodies down with greater weight.
What meaning I ascribe to the rainwater falling from heaven is determined solely by my circumstances and my resolve.
Thus, a swordsmanship whose utility shifts according to the form of the vessel I have shaped.
This was the sword of ‘Sorrow’—the realm beyond ‘Wrath’.

Whoooosh!

Suddenly, the blade soared skyward. With it, ‘Sorrow’ too reached the heavens and spread like a vast pool.
Having expelled all my grief, I gazed up at the twilight sky.
The sorrow that had halted above now fractured into countless droplets, large and small, pouring down upon this place without mercy.
I did not avoid it. I accepted it fully.

Pitter-patter-patter-patter-patter—

Sorrow poured down like a fierce squall. In an instant, it drenched my entire body, soaking the earth and grass.

Drip… drip…

Yet as if it had never been, the shower ceased just as quickly. Above my head, a single rainbow had appeared.
Though small and humble compared to the rainbow Bella had conjured with her magic, it held far greater meaning for me.
As I exhaled deeply, the remnants of sorrow at the bottom of my heart were swept away. Yet moisture still clung to my body.
Thus sorrow does not fade easily. Even when released, memories of it linger throughout one’s being.
But I cannot afford to stand still, for I have duties and responsibilities. And because there is a Disciple who wishes I do not remain here, rooted in place….
Watching the fading rainbow, I speak my final words softly.
My voice flowed out with the water droplets falling from my jawline and the tip of my blade.

“…Go now.”

If only, at this very end, there could be peace….

(Continued in the next chapter)

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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