A beautiful land beneath the azure sky. This peaceful sanctuary, akin to an oasis in the desert, was being desecrated, buried under a deluge of earth and rock. A landslide roared as if the heavens themselves were collapsing. This merciless violence was not the whim of the mountain, but the will of the sky. The celestial energy permeating the peaks raged in sync with the wrath of the gods.
The Nine Goddesses and the Seven Chief Gods did not want the Last Caravan—the one who carried the bloodline of Steel—to come even a step closer. They were truly displeased.
“Hmm, that looks dangerous.”
Sherizik watched the threatening landslide. Observing the deluge of natural violence, she slowly raised her glaive. Arhan’s soul had grown incomparably larger than before. The Arhan who had begun the ascent of the Sky Mountain Range and the Arhan standing there now were different enough to be considered entirely separate beings.
However, no matter how strong he had become, he wouldn’t emerge unscathed if he were swept away by that. This wasn’t a mere natural disaster; it was the wrath of the gods, infused with celestial energy. Thus, Sherizik, who had been observing her friend from a distance for over two months, slowly stood up.
“A high-maintenance man… not bad.”
A dangerous smile played on her lips.
* * *
The moment I invoked the authority of 「Soaring」, I was swept away by a thrilling sensation of liberation. It felt as if everything that had been binding me until now had simply vanished. It was like swimming underwater my entire life, only to step onto land for the first time and run freely without resistance.
It’s insanely fast.
The euphoria was like a two-legged beast gaining wings and taking flight. My movements reached a level of speed incomparable to anything I had experienced before. It was different from the acceleration of the wings I possessed as a 「Sword Runner」. If those wings simply made me faster, this felt like I had been transformed into a completely different creature.
Boom—!
With a thunderous crash, a boulder smashed into the spot where I had been standing a heartbeat ago. If I had been even a fraction slower, I would have been flattened like a pancake. But I wasn’t afraid. In the blue world reflected in my eyes, blue paths began to manifest.
Paths I couldn’t see before. Because I had become faster, my vision had been opened anew. As if clearly seeing into the immediate future, I tore through the slopes like a wild beast. The landslide could never catch me. As I sprinted through the cool wind, a voice echoed in my head.
【What—what have you done!】
A vibrating, frantic voice. It was Aion, the dragon hatchling I had turned into my personal pushover.
【It’s absolute chaos here! They’re saying a human has entered the Azure Sky. Everyone is raging that an insignificant race has encroached upon our domain!】
Aion’s voice sounded urgent, bordering on panicked.
【Even the elders are taking an interest in this. They’re babbling incomprehensible things about Steel trying to emerge into the era again, or the Sword of the Sky breaking the pact… I’ve only just returned, and now I’m in a terrible spot. I’m on the verge of being interrogated!】
“…”
【This is bad. If you’re going to pull stunts like this, at least swear that you won’t take me with you if you die! I’m so anxious I can’t sleep, and if I miss out on sleep at my age, my growth will be stunted…】
It seemed Aion was in quite a predicament because of my actions. Well, that made sense. Looking back at the memories within 「Soaring」, the dragons had personally intervened and caused an uproar just because a human had come close to the sky. But this time, a human had crawled all the way to the entrance of their nest. It was bound to be a madhouse.
However…
“…Sword of the Sky?”
Only one phrase stuck in my mind.
“Did you just say ‘Sword of the Sky’?”
【No, were you even listening to me? I said I’m in a huge mess!】
The Sword of the Sky.
It was a familiar term. It was part of the forgotten history shown to me by my other ancestors in Cherny before I left the borders of the Iron Kingdom.
‘Do not face the Sword of the Sky. They are the natural enemy of Steel.’
I didn’t expect to hear that name here. While I was lost in thought—
“Whoa.”
With a heavy thud , a massive tree collapsed right in front of me. I almost ended my life right then and there. Catching my breath, I kicked off the ground, leaped over the trunk, and resumed my sprint. It was an important term, but now wasn’t the time to dwell on it.
【Wh-what was that? You didn’t die, did you? Eek, if you’re dead, just go back to the spiritual world. Don’t take me with you!】
“…I’m not dead yet. I get that you’re in a bind, but handle it yourself. It’s not like I can go there and slice everyone to death, can I? You handle your problems on your end. That way, when I get into trouble later, the promising Dragon Aion can help me out.”
【Huh? I solve my own problems, and I help you with yours? What kind of logic is—】
“Ah, don’t nitpick. I’m a bit busy right now. If I die like this, I’m definitely not going alone. I’ll ride to the afterlife on the back of the cute Dragon Aion. So stop talking to me.”
【…Yes, sir.】
With a whoosh , a tree trunk flew at me like a cannonball. It came from my blind spot, but my superhuman senses warned me in advance. Without even looking, I spun my sword in a full circle. With a sharp crack , the trunk split in half and fell away. Escaping another crisis, I spoke one last time to Aion.
“And while you’re solving your problems, look into the details about the Sword of the Sky. It’s important.”
It really was. The Sword of the Sky, a concept I hadn’t even had a clue about, had finally provided a lead—and it came from the dragons. There was no way for me to access information circulating among the dragons, the most isolationist of the seven races. Dragons only trusted their own kind. The baby dragon Aion was my only key to digging up this vital information.
【No, how am I supposed to—】
“Thanks!”
I unilaterally severed the connection. Cutting the link with Aion wasn’t difficult. In the contract forged upon the Dragon’s Heart, I was the superior and he was the subordinate. Once I willed the communication to end, I felt Aion’s presence vanish like smoke. His energy continued to knock on my soul like someone pounding on a door, but if I didn’t respond, it wasn’t my concern.
Actually, I’m too busy to talk anyway.
A roar thundered. The landslide trying to swallow me didn’t stop, relentlessly pursuing me. It didn’t feel like a natural disaster, but like a living entity. I could feel the malice radiating from it—a spite determined to kill the human known as Arhan at any cost.
Forget the lead about the Sword of the Sky; I have to survive first.
I steadied my breathing. Along with my pounding heartbeat, the world was dyed in an even deeper shade of blue. My movements became swifter, and as I sprinted to avoid the earth, a massive spirit beast lunged at me with a growl. Not just nature, but the very creatures of this mountain were hell-bent on my demise.
If I stop, I’ll be caught by the landslide. If I’m buried, my Heart of Steel will be crushed. I can’t stop, but I can’t let this thing bite me either. Then what?
There was only one way. To break through.
The moment I thought that, a blue path unfolded. It narrowed instantly, becoming as thin as a line drawn with fine paint. The line flashed, and in the next instant, my body shone like a bolt of lightning. Becoming a streak of light, my blade sliced through the spirit beast’s body. As flesh and blood spilled out, my speed didn’t decrease in the slightest.
And then…
“ Stop. ”
A booming voice, loud enough to burst eardrums, echoed throughout the entire mountain range. The voice rang out like a clap of thunder, repeating in a haunting echo. The moment the word poured down, my body stopped against my will. My muscles and bones refused to move, as if they were broken. It was as if the ownership of my body had been stolen.
What is this?
It was an alien, terrifying sensation. As I struggled, my Master spoke.
「It is Dragon Speech.」
“…”
「One of the countless authorities of the dragons. Primordial magic, a mystery that no race other than dragons can manifest. It is word magic that twists reality simply by speaking words infused with will.」
Dragon Speech.
I had experienced it before—that chilling sensation when Aion had muttered on the cloud bridge. The fear that weighed down my soul. But the Dragon Speech I was experiencing now was on a completely different level. If Aion’s was mere intimidation, this was an incomprehensible calamity.
「This is the true Dragon Speech of an adult dragon, young descendant. What you experienced before was nothing more than a child’s bluster. True Dragon Speech crushes the soul and strips away the will to fight simply by being uttered. It forces all things to kneel before their greatness.」
“…”
「It seems the lizards are quite angry at the uninvited guest. These are different from that young dragon. True dragons are pursuing you.」
It was a different league entirely. I felt like an ant standing before a giant.
However.
‘Now, nothing will be able to bind the boy.’
I had a newly acquired power. Whether it was the true word magic of a dragon or a terrifying landslide, as long as I had this power, nothing could bind me. Never.
‘For that is our legend.’
The old adventurer who wanted to fly until his final moment. The will of an old man who inherited the dreams of his bloodline. The sword that wanted to soar, that wanted to resist, and thus struggled until it finally took flight and became a legend.
If I were to name it:
『Let us fly just one more time.』
The authority of ‘Liberation.’
“Phew—!”
Blue light surged from my body. The light exploded, and everything that had been holding me vanished like smoke. A sense of total liberation washed over me, and the obstacles before my eyes began to blur into transparency. The moment everything in my sight vanished, a long path unfolded. A free path that no one could obstruct.
『Let us try flying just one more time.』
With that, I gained a speed incomparable to before. Having become a single streak of light, neither the landslide nor the true dragons could pursue me. They wouldn’t even be able to see me. Because that was the legend I had newly embraced.
* * *
“You lost him.”
“…I am sorry.”
Beyond the Azure Sky.
Kalua, the watcher who had guarded the dragon land atop the Sky Mountain Range for hundreds of years, bowed his head. He had failed his duty. A human had set foot right in front of the dragons’ nest, and Kalua should have snuffed out the life of the intruder. It should have been an easy task. For the human who dared to look upon the sacred land was a Caravan, carrying the hateful bloodline of Steel.
“No, it is fine.”
While Kalua could not lift his head out of guilt, the Great Ancient Dragons did not hold him accountable. They issued no reproach, no punishment.
“It is not because of your inadequacy. We cannot leave the nest. No matter how capable you are, it would have been difficult to restrain that human from within this stifling nest. Forget it. What can be done? He has already departed…”
The Ancient Dragons spoke generously. To an outsider, they sounded merciful. But Kalua knew that these old dragons were neither merciful nor generous. They were incarnations of violence who desired to destroy everything that offended them. There was only one true reason they showed such an attitude.
“No, it is not fine! If you permit it, I will fly out this instant, tear that arrogant human’s body apart, and trample his soul!”
“There is no need. That which has already left should be let go, like flowing water—”
“Are you afraid?”
Fear.
“A forgotten family that no one remembers! Are you still trembling because of the remnants of a past that history has carved out? Because of the fear from back then, are you unable to step forward even though their insignificant descendant has insulted us? Just because of a bygone past—!”
Kalua shouted with fury. The clear sky and the earth began to fluctuate in response to the great dragon’s wrath. As nature raged alongside him, the old dragons quietly stared at their watcher.
“Just what are you so afraid of?”
Kalua could not understand. Dragons do not age. Time is on their side. Through ages nearing eternity, the old dragons had become beings close to gods. If they wished, they could shake the continent with a single gesture and reclaim the era where they reigned at the pinnacle of the seven races. Kalua felt their greatness poignantly just by standing before them.
However.
“Yes, we are afraid. We are terrified beyond measure.”
Kalua saw it then.
“Long years have passed. But none of us have forgotten that day. We will likely never forget it. Young watcher, we cannot go outside. No dragon who has experienced Steel will ever dare to step out into the world…”
The absolute beings who had reached godhood were trembling like newborn hatchlings.
“You ask what we are so afraid of?”
Mighty beings who could annihilate someone like Kalua with a single breath had an indelible fear etched in their eyes. An inexpressible, primal terror.
“You—you do not know.”
Kalua could not comprehend why the dragons, who should stand above all else, lived imprisoned by a distant past. Why the dragons, who should be the most free, huddled like insects while eons flowed by…
“The pact must not be broken. Dragons must remain here. If we leave, he will come. Liam Caravan, the inevitable death and the destroyer of worlds… he will return. That—that must never happen…”
Kalua’s vision grew blurry as he listened to the trembling voices of the Ancient Dragons. When Kalua was a young dragon, the old ones who had lived since the Mythical Era were objects of absolute respect. The most powerful, wise rulers of the sky.
“…I cannot understand.”
But seeing them seized by fear, his respect vanished. It was a pathetic, ‘un-dragon-like’ sight. A race that must always reign. Born conquerors. A dragon trembling in fear was a contradiction that should not exist.
“It is pathetic, unsightly, and disgusting.”
Kalua no longer bothered with politeness. The Ancient Dragons merely remained silent. Seeing them like that, Kalua cast aside the proud mark on his horn—the mark of glory held only by watchers.
“Now I understand why the brave watcher Charlotte abandoned her duty, left for the Iron Kingdom, and joined that Ian Chervil. Now I understand why so many young dragons followed her. They couldn’t stand you, who are possessed by the past. They couldn’t endure the nausea and rage surging from their very souls.”
Not long ago, Dragon Charlotte, the bravest watcher, had left with several young dragons. At the time, Kalua could not understand her. To think she would cling to a human monarch? He thought she had gone mad. But now, Kalua understood. It would be much better to serve a human than to look at the hideous state of these elders.
“I am leaving as well. And I will take all the young and powerful dragons with me. There is no hope here. A dragon must soar. If we stay huddled up, we will forget how to fly. You are ruining our race.”
Having said that, Kalua turned his back and left. The old dragons left behind whispered quietly.
“…We are only protecting the dragons.”
“You don’t know. You know nothing.”
“Of what a Caravan is capable of…”
Words that the hot-blooded young dragons would never hear.
* * *
I barely managed to escape. The authority of liberation contained within 「Soaring」—this was the real deal. It was a broken power, something I wanted to brag about.
However.
【Descendant of Steel—!】
There was no time for pride.
【Help—I need your help!】
The moment I escaped the crisis, a message came from Audrey via the spiritual world.
“Did something happen?”
【Did something happen? Are you joking? Do you know how long you’ve been gone! Without a single contact! Do you have any idea how much of a mess everything has become! What were you even doing—!】
“…”
【Anyway, come here right now. Go to the Sky Empire, find my sisters, and tell them to send you to the Caravan territory. Tell them to teleport you immediately!】
“Is it that urgent?”
The answer came instantly.
【This place… might disappear from the map soon.】
It seemed that while I was stuck on the mountain, the world had taken a grim turn.
【So, hurry—!】
* * *
「Name: Soaring」
「A sword infused with the legend of an old adventurer.」
「Contains the Mystery of Soaring.」
* Can deploy the world of the Azure Sky to perform extremely fast movements.
「Contains the Legend of Liberation.」 * Liberates the user from all elements that hinder movement. For a short time immediately after liberation, the user can move at a speed that transcends limits.
「Digestion complete.」
「The blood of Steel is hungry.」
「Please consume a new sword.」
