The Arena’s recovery ward.
It was a place where veteran healers and priests from various orders were dispatched, providing the highest level of service to ensure wounded fighters did not die.
On a bed in one corner of the ward lay a small boy.
And standing before him was a girl with disheveled black hair.
The gladiator known as the Black Bride.
She was a girl who had recently lost her title of “Undefeated” and recorded her first loss in a duel. Yet, she was not consumed by a sense of defeat. Instead, her face was flushed with excitement.
The legends were true.
A legend passed down in her hometown. The paradise one could reach by ascending once their mastery of the sword touched the heavens—it truly existed. There was only one reason she was so certain.
The old man she had witnessed with her own two eyes.
That old man was undoubtedly an Immortal from the legends.
— Seol-yoon, they say that if your mastery of the sword reaches the heavens, you can ascend and leave for paradise. In that paradise, the ones you cherished are waiting for you, and it is filled with sweet happiness.
It was a tale from her hometown on the outskirts of the Eastern Continent.
If such a being wasn’t an Immortal, then what kind of existence could possibly match the descriptions in the legends? Seol-yoon still couldn’t shake the memory of that mysterious encounter.
Reflecting on that moment, Seol-yoon stared intently at the boy lying there—the small gladiator, Liam.
If I stay with this boy, I might be able to meet that Immortal again.
Seol-yoon stroked the cheek of the boy, who lay as if asleep.
Of course, her decision to follow Liam wasn’t purely because of the Immortal. In Seol-yoon’s eyes, this boy was also special. Whether it was the sword he wielded, the way his atmosphere shifted as if his soul had been swapped, or his heart that remained as steadfast as steel despite being a mere Sword Beginner…
No matter how she looked at it, staying with this boy would be beneficial. At the very least, it was far better than rotting in the disgusting Arena of this Steel City.
“Tsk, must be nice.”
“Damn it. Why do only these grimy bastards come to visit me…”
“Fuck!”
Naturally, the other fighters in the recovery ward had no way of knowing her circumstances.
*
The fighter who, until just a moment ago, had been crossing swords with me in a life-or-death struggle: the Black Bride.
I couldn’t understand the words of the girl who introduced herself as Seol-yoon. To say she “wanted to be with me” the moment I woke up in a daze—what on earth was going on?
Am I still dreaming?
My first thought was, Is she mocking me?
However, Seol-yoon’s expression was far too serious. No matter how much I scrutinized her, I couldn’t find a trace of deception on her face.
If this was acting, Seol-yoon would have long since succeeded as a lead actress in a theater troupe wandering the free cities, rather than as a gladiator.
“What do you mean, you want to be with me?”
“Exactly what I said. I want to go wherever you go, and see, hear, and feel everything you do.”
It was a statement prone to misunderstanding.
In fact, the other fighters in the room let out groans of “Fuck!” and “This is bullshit.” Ignoring everyone else, Seol-yoon looked only at me and spoke.
“It will help me achieve my dream.”
“…And what exactly is your dream?”
I asked because I was genuinely curious.
Seol-yoon hesitated for a moment before giving a short answer.
“To reach the end of the sword.”
It was an unexpected answer.
At the same time, it made even less sense.
She possessed talent far more brilliant than mine, had reached a higher realm, and regardless of the match’s outcome, she had overwhelmed me throughout our duel. So how did she conclude that I would be of help?
Fortunately, someone else answered the question within me.
「That girl saw me.」
Liam’s ancestor spoke.
「Among women from the East, there are rare individuals sensitive to souls. It seems that girl is one of those who inherited such blood.」
「The moment you lost consciousness, she sensed my presence. As soon as she recognized the greatness I possess, she became fascinated by me.」
The ancestor spoke with triumphant eyes.
「Originally, those who held a sword would become my followers just by seeing my back. Young descendant, be honored to be of my bloodline. Of course, I was superior not only in swordsmanship but also in appearance and character, so women were always—」
“…Ah, yes.”
I cut off the ancestor, who was once again adding unnecessary commentary. At any rate, thanks to him, I understood why Seol-yoon wanted to join me.
「You didn’t think she fell for your looks, did you?」
“…”
「Ho-ho. What woman would like a pretty-boy face like yours? Women naturally prefer dignified and rugged men like me.」
To be honest, I had been hoping that was the case—just a little bit—so I couldn’t immediately retort.
Damn it. I’m a teenage boy, too.
When a beautiful girl my age says something like that, it’s only natural for a boy in his prime to feel flustered or have stray thoughts.
Just as I was thinking that, the ancestor spoke again.
「Well, such thoughts are natural at your age, young descendant.」
“…”
「It would have been nice to enjoy a pure love with such a lovely girl. Rather than living obsessed with the sword, a terrible past, and a blood-stained revenge as you do now.」
As if he had never been joking, the ancestor spoke with a somewhat bitter expression.
「Sometimes, I feel a sense of pity.」
To be honest, sometimes—very occasionally—I thought about it too.
Like the butler and the nanny had said.
Like the words my mother left in her final moments. What would it have been like to truly forget everything and just leave? To throw away the name Caravan and enjoy the youth befitting my age.
Because I was human, too.
A human who sometimes got tired and sometimes questioned himself.
But.
「But what can be done?」
It was already too late to turn back.
「Once you’ve stepped forward, you cannot stop.」
If I’ve started, I must see it through to the end.
Even if the end is death, I will keep running.
「Do not think with the eyes of a boy. As the descendant of Caravan and the avenger Arhan, weigh the value of the swordsman Seol-yoon.」
「Exercise the doubt you are best at, young descendant.」
I closed my eyes for a moment, then opened them.
And the doubt began.
*
Swordsmen from the East are rare.
On top of that, genius swordsmen are even rarer.
Crucially, someone who would show me goodwill with such a clear purpose is the rarest of all.
What Seol-yoon wanted was to accompany me to see the “end of the sword.” It was safe to say there was almost no time or effort I had to invest in her. In contrast, what would I gain? More than I thought.
An expert with a higher realm than mine who is well-disposed toward me. A genius who constantly produces creative sparks.
Since she wanted something from me, she would become a reliable ally, and at the same time, she could become a new resident to help protect my village.
Thinking rationally, Seol-yoon’s proposal offered nothing but benefits.
Rewards would pour in without any risks to shoulder.
Logically speaking, this was an opportunity.
However, there was one thing that bothered me.
Even so, we’re a young man and woman. What if we catch feelings?
I didn’t know what kind of relationship Seol-yoon and I would develop.
And among the warnings Swordmaster Carlos had given me was the command: “Do not produce offspring.” I knew that wasn’t a hollow threat.
The moment I formed a family and produced descendants, he would find out somehow. And that monster, praised as the most powerful Swordmaster in history and the greatest sword on the continent, would march to my village to completely sever the Caravan line.
Just like that day when he arrived without warning and destroyed everything I had.
I would have to fight Carlos eventually, but not now.
I still needed a lot of time.
I, who couldn’t even defeat a mere Sword Walker, wasn’t ready.
With those worries, I spoke to Seol-yoon.
“This might sound strange, but please don’t misunderstand.”
“Okay.”
“Due to complicated circumstances, I cannot enter into a romantic relationship with a woman. I know that wasn’t your intention, but aren’t we a young man and woman? So, if we journey together and happen to fall for each other…”
“Aha, I see. I think that’s a valid concern.”
Seol-yoon listened to me seriously.
Then, after nodding, she replied.
“But you don’t have to worry.”
Just as seriously as she had listened, she answered earnestly.
“You’re not my type. That will never happen.”
With a very serious face, Seol-yoon even added unnecessary details.
“I like men who are taller than me, have lots of muscle, and look a bit rugged. Like the Immortal I saw through you…”
“…”
“I’m sorry, but rationally speaking, I can’t stand men like you. Pretty-boy looks, thin bones, the kind of guy who looks like he’d break if you poked him…”
As Seol-yoon continued, the fighters in the recovery ward beamed.
The ancestor floating behind me also beamed.
For some reason, a fire rose within me.
“…Ah, yes.”
Anyway, that was how the genius swordsman from the East named Seol-yoon became my companion.
*
After most of my injuries were treated, I left the recovery ward and prepared to return to the village. Having achieved my goal, there was no longer any reason to stay in Ferma.
“Hmm.”
Though I had only stayed for a short while, I had somehow grown accustomed to the noisy atmosphere of this city. People who were always loud and lived busy lives. A heated air that was the complete opposite of where I lived.
I was promoted to the Silver Medal rank and received the rightful payment for the matches I had fought as a gladiator. With the money I received from the receptionist, I purchased food to eat in the village and basic equipment I would use in the future.
A light chain mail to protect my body, along with gloves and boots to protect my limbs.
I mostly chose equipment that was light in weight.
This was because my combat style was focused in that direction.
I invested most of the money I received into my weapons.
I commissioned a new, slightly thinner and sharper “Needle,” and poured the remaining money into purchasing four daggers to be used as “Fangs.”
The prices were similar to the blades sold in the small city near our village, but the quality was much better. The reputation of the Steel City was not for show.
「Next time we come, let’s improve your skills so you can buy something made by a dwarf.」
My heart felt bolstered now that I had changed my equipment.
As I donned the iron gear, the fact that I had entered the path of the sword felt even more real. A day later, I met Seol-yoon in the plaza, boarded a carriage, and departed.
A single bundle was the extent of her luggage.
“I don’t usually have much. I think a single sword and enough food for the day are sufficient.”
“What will you do if you run out of food?”
“I can dig up herbs or hunt in the forest. There are many mountains in my hometown, so I’m skilled at that sort of thing.”
It was a new fact I learned, as I didn’t know much about the East.
Besides that, I shared trivial stories with Seol-yoon in the rattling carriage. It had been quite a while since I’d talked with someone my age, so it was more enjoyable than I expected.
And so, unlike when I came here, the time in the carriage passed with two people instead of one.
“Our village has no people and is in the middle of nowhere, but it’s a pretty good place to live.”
I mostly boasted about our village.
And unlike the trip there, this time we were able to reach our destination in just four days. It was likely thanks to riding a more expensive carriage than the ones from the small city.
When we arrived at the village, Seol-yoon’s reaction was somewhat lukewarm.
“Uh, well, there really is nothing here.”
“…”
“It does look like a good place to live, though. Uh. Yeah.”
Her face practically screamed, I didn’t expect it to be this much of a countryside. Damn it. To get such a first impression even from a girl from a backwater country in the East.
“It will get better in the future.”
Just as I was making that vow, Petel came out from afar to greet us.
“Young Master, you’ve returned.”
Petel’s condition had noticeably worsened compared to before I left. He now looked like a sick man to anyone’s eyes. His face and body were strikingly gaunt, and he seemed out of breath just from walking.
“I look quite ill, don’t I? Haha.”
“…No, you don’t.”
“Nonsense. I can feel it too—that I don’t have much time left.”
As he spoke, Petel gave a bitter smile.
Perhaps because he didn’t want the mood to sink, Petel jokingly remarked.
“I suppose it’s because of your good looks that you’ve brought back such a lovely lady. You two look well together.”
“We’re not like that.”
“…?”
Well, the problem was that unlike Petel, Seol-yoon was a girl with zero social skills.
Looking at Petel’s embarrassed face, I felt sorry for some reason.
Petel explained what had happened in the village while I was away. During the explanation, he let out hacking, blood-flecked coughs. It was pitiful.
“Nothing much happened in this village. Occasionally, uninvited guests would show up, but most of them turned back obediently as soon as they saw me.”
Unlike me, Petel was someone who looked like a knight to anyone.
The weight of a small young lord threatening someone versus a seasoned knight giving a warning must have been entirely different. Petel had protected the village excellently, just as he had promised.
He recounted everything down to the smallest detail, and the more I heard his report, the more he seemed like a talent I absolutely wanted to keep in this village. It was a shame that he didn’t have much time left.
「He would have made a better administrator than a knight.」
I agreed.
Anyway, while listening to the stories as I unpacked, one interesting topic came up.
“Ah, I almost forgot, but there was one thing that concerned me. My health hasn’t been good lately, so I often forget important things.”
“What is it?”
“Among the uninvited guests who came here, there was one peculiar one. He didn’t back down even when I threatened him, and since he drew his sword and charged at me, I had no choice but to kill him.”
Oh boy.
There must have been a very stupid uninvited guest.
In the context of the entire continent, Sword Walkers and knights are a dime a dozen, but in this backwater, they are terrifying monsters.
However, the more I heard, the less I could just let it slide.
“As he was dying, he said this: ‘You’ll regret killing me. Hand over the village obediently while you still can, before our Brotherhood swarms in and burns this place to the ground…'”
“Brotherhood?”
“Yes. It seemed he was an uninvited guest who was part of a group.”
Petel nodded as he answered.
“Isn’t this barren Iron Kingdom originally overflowing with outlaws and bandits? They’re probably a band of thieves making a name for themselves in this vicinity.”
A band of thieves.
The moment that word came out, the ancestor spoke.
「Young descendant, it’s an opportunity.」
An opportunity?
I whispered softly so Petel wouldn’t hear.
“What do you mean, an opportunity?”
「An opportunity to digest the new sword you’ve consumed even faster.」
The ancestor smiled meaningfully.
「Something has come up that will make for good training.」
“…?”
「Young descendant, extract the memories of the assassin who was the former owner of those daggers, and wipe out that band of thieves alone without anyone’s help. You must not receive help from that knight fellow, nor from the girl you brought as a neighbor.」
At the ancestor’s words, my eyes widened involuntarily.
Wipe out a band of thieves, alone?
That’s absurd.
How would I know what they have or who is there?
The assignment my master gave me this time was excessively reckless. However, I immediately shut my mouth at his next words.
「If you accomplish this alone, you will be able to create a ‘Path,’ however faint it may be.」
“…!”
「Not a mere imitation, not something incomplete and full of holes, but a truly plausible ‘Path’ of your own.」
What that meant was clear.
“…I’ll have to do it.”
If I can just pull this off, I can draw closer to becoming a Sword Walker.
In other words.
To the realm of the Superhuman.
“Sir Petel, I’d like to hear more about that story in detail.”
