“Things may have come to this, but in the end, our task remains unchanged.”
Immediately after the War Duel commenced, the fighters assigned to the 「Great Land」 camp gathered in one place.
“I despise standing on the side of those who once trampled our homelands, but the 「Arena」 has declared they will grant a Dragon’s Relic to the winning side. Even if our hopes of restoring the honor of our lost lands have been dashed, we must at least reclaim what remains of our faded glory.”
Most of the fighters gathered here hailed from the Eastern Continent.
They were people from nations like Han who had lost their homes in the wake of the 「Great Land’s」 war of conquest. They weren’t pleased with the situation, but they didn’t intend to sit around grumbling. They had a purpose.
“Once this War Duel ends, the precious heritage of the East will be put up for auction. And the grim reality is that we, who have lost our nations… cannot afford to buy them back. The plutocrats from the West and the Central regions, the collectors who live atop mountains of gold, will snatch them all away. We won’t even be able to participate in the bidding war. Forget a Dragon’s Relic—we won’t even be able to get our hands on a decent blade.”
The fighters from the Eastern Continent couldn’t refute those words. Though they had gained some wealth and status as wandering fighters, they were nothing more than insignificant brawlers compared to the true elite. All they possessed was their skill with a blade. Some among them were only just beginning to find their footing again. Rebuilding one’s life after losing everything was an arduous task. A truly, painfully difficult one.
“Fortunately, everyone here knows the truth. The conquering army of the 「Great Land」 is more cruel and powerful than any other army on the continent. If the legions we experienced have been recreated exactly as they were, defeat is impossible. It might even reach a point where we aren’t even needed…”
“…”
“But even so, we must prove our worth. To bring honor to our homelands whose names have vanished, and to reclaim even a sliver of glory, we must raise our swords. So, humiliating as it may be, let us give our everything.”
Humiliating as it may be, let us give our everything.
Those words struck a chord with every fighter from the East. They had heard that the 「Red Bank」 of the Black Archipelago and the 「Machine Empire」—which was obsessed with rare collectibles—would be participating in the auction hosted by the 「Arena」. Winning a bidding war against them was impossible. How could they fight with gold against those known as the masters of wealth on this continent?
Therefore, they had to win to secure at least one Dragon’s Relic. Defeat was not an option. They had to prevent the Dragon’s Relics from being scattered among foreigners from other lands. They had to protect at least one.
“I have a question, though.”
Just then, a fighter who had been listening to the determined words of the Easterners voiced his doubt.
“Just what are these Dragon’s Relics that you’re so obsessed with? Do they possess legendary power like the treasures in the Dwarves’ 「Golden Treasury」? Or are they massive artifacts that break the laws of nature, like the magic tools crafted by Witches?”
Not every fighter present was from the Eastern Continent.
There were ordinary fighters who had simply chosen the Han camp. It was only natural for those ignorant of the East’s circumstances to have such questions.
“The Dragon’s Relics possess no legendary power. In fact, they are merely ornaments with edges duller than a steel sword made haphazardly by a young Dwarf,” an Eastern fighter replied.
“Then why…?”
“Because to the people of the East, they are more precious than any blade.”
“…Why? Because of their historical value? Are they symbolic items passed down through the Royal Family?”
“No.”
How could he explain it?
The Eastern fighter pondered. To the people of the East, recovering the Dragon’s Relics was a given. It was so obvious that it was difficult to even explain the reason. After a moment of thought, the fighter answered.
“How do you think Han, which was one of the smallest among the many nations of the East, managed to hold out against the 「Great Land」 for so long?”
“Sturdy city walls?”
“No. City walls were meaningless before that demonic conquering army. The only reason Han could persist so stubbornly was because of their monarch. Their King.”
The fighter continued, his expression turning deeply solemn.
“And there is an old legend in the lands of the East.”
“A legend?”
“He who holds the Dragon’s Relic shall call forth the true King.”
* * *
There were seven Dragon’s Relics brought by the General in total.
A sword, a shield, a helmet, a suit of armor, a bow, a spear, and a ring.
The relics were all colored in a blend of crimson and gold. At a glance, they looked like magnificent treasures. But upon closer inspection?
They just look like fancy decorations.
The sword alone was proof of that.
Despite its grand name, the Dragon Sword, its edge was excessively blunt. The other items were the same. They were all fine for display, but seemingly impossible to use in actual combat. As I stared at them with a meaningful gaze, the General spoke up.
“Do not look at them with such eyes. These are items that originally only members of the Royal Family could hold. Each one is a great treasure imbued with the spirit of our ancestors.”
“…Spirit or not, I don’t think I could even scratch a suit of armor with this.”
“Now, see here!”
“…”
From what I had heard, Seol-yoon was supposed to receive the Dragon Sword as payment for interfering with my promotion match in the past. If that was the case, it meant these items were of low enough value to be given away for a mere fight between a 「Sword Beginner」 and a 「Sword Walker」. Since the greedy organizers of the Arena wouldn’t be ignorant of an item’s true worth, my assessment was likely correct.
They’re like white elephants.
That’s probably why they weren’t being kept in a vault, but were instead being given a narrative through this 「War Duel」 to be sold off at a high price. If they were truly precious treasures, they wouldn’t be handled this way. I looked at the fighters gathered around. One fighter, sensing my doubt, spoke up.
“The Dragon’s Relics are weapons from an old legend passed down in the Eastern Continent. I’ve heard there are dozens of folk tales about them, but the core message was always the same: he who holds the Dragon’s Relic can call forth the true King.”
“…”
“However, research by scholars has revealed them to be nothing more than fairy tales passed down by word of mouth. Even the Dwarves who appraised them said they were well-crafted but had low value as weapons. The appraisers of the Machine Empire also stated that no sorcerous or magical measures were placed within those items. So, it’s correct to treat them as mere antiques.”
Antiques.
Yes, that’s exactly what they looked like.
While I was lost in thought, Maia shouted.
“The ring! I choose the ring!”
“Wait, if you just pick first like that—”
“I like the ring! I am a woman, after all! Of course, Sword Demon Liam! If you want it, I can give up something like a ring! Do you want it?”
“I’m fine…”
I shook my head at Valkyrie Maia’s booming voice. As the first relic was chosen by Maia, she beamed with a wide smile. There was no change in her after she put on the ring. The flow of Mana and the aura felt from her body remained the same. It was the moment it was proven that these Dragon’s Relics were indeed just antiques.
Well, it didn’t really matter.
“Then I’ll choose as well.”
Whether this was a real antique or not, it would function differently here in the 「Arena」. I remembered clearly what the Arena Announcer had shouted earlier.
— The defender faction also has one benefit!
Right.
A benefit given to this side to balance the scales.
— The one who holds the Dragon Sword of the defender faction can summon the 「Guardian Dragon」, the dragon that once protected the Fallen Peninsula, for one minute, up to three times before the War Duel ends!
The most powerful race among the seven races.
The masters of the sky who grow endlessly, fueled by the passage of infinite time.
Dragons.
“I’ll take the Dragon Sword.”
As a man, I couldn’t pass this up.
Holding the ornate sword, I thought to myself for a brief moment.
…I shouldn’t eat this, right?
Really.
Just for a very brief moment…
* * *
The selection of the Dragon’s Relics happened very quickly. Since they held little value aside from the Dragon Sword, everyone just picked whatever. Thus, the time for choosing passed, and we had to dive back into the fierce battlefield. As I sheathed the blunt, decorative Dragon Sword, Liam’s voice reached me.
「The passage of time has certainly dulled everyone’s eyes.」
“Pardon?”
「Young descendant, does that sword look like a mere antique even to your suspicious eyes?」
My Master, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke up after the selection was over.
“Then what is inside this sword?”
「Ho ho, it seems you are still but an ordinary man. You have a long way to go.」
“…?”
「To think you haven’t noticed what is contained within that blade.」
The thundering sound of drums echoed. The ground shook as the terrifying cavalry began their charge once more. This time was different. Their momentum was far more intense than their previous advance. As we faced them, Liam’s voice continued.
「A flame dwells within that piece of metal.」
“…”
「A solitary flame that had to lead the way and light up the world when not an inch ahead could be seen. A flame that had to cry out that light would one day return.」
A flame.
Those words resonated somewhere deep within my heart.
「The eyes of the world have grown quite dim. A sharp edge that can cut anything? A heroic power that can shake heaven and earth? A strange and mysterious force? Those are not what truly matters for a sword. Haven’t you realized this yourself after devouring so many blades?」
“…”
「A soul is contained within a sword. And the value of a sword is determined by that soul.」
The enemies were drawing closer.
Their momentum was so overwhelming that it was doubtful if those gathered here could break it. There was no room to retreat. If we were pushed back while clashing with them head-on, the enemies would reach the walls in an instant. Then, we would lose. We had to break the enemy’s momentum decisively.
「The moment you truly understand that meaning, a new path will open.」
“…”
「Remember, young descendant. To spread your wings, you must become able to hear the voice of the sword without devouring it. That is the first step.」
My Master’s words were still difficult to grasp.
Perhaps that was why useless thoughts kept popping into my head.
…Seriously, I shouldn’t eat it, right?
Because an easy path lay right before my eyes.
But whenever I tried to take the easy way in life, things always ended up horribly twisted. It would likely be the same this time. So, as I always did, it would be better to choose the difficult, shitty path.
“I’ll give it a try.”
「Yes, as you always have, clash against it ignorantly and stubbornly. Like the ordinary talent you are.」
“No. I’m not going to be ignorant and stubborn this time.”
I put away the sword I was holding and drew the Dragon Sword I had sheathed.
「…Hm? What do you mean by that?」
“I’m going to take the easy way just once. I have three chances, don’t I?”
At that moment, a hot energy flowed through my palm. An incredibly hot energy. And a voice echoed in my head.
— Is it time for me to step forth?
It wasn’t hard to tell whose voice it was. I had felt it from the moment I gripped the Dragon Sword. The moment I responded to the voice, the ‘benefit’ the Arena Announcer mentioned would be activated. I looked at the army swarming before me.
I had three chances.
And no matter how I looked at it, now was the time to use one of them.
“Step forth.”
The heat that had seeped into my body grew like a wildfire. Simultaneously, with a thunderous roar, a bolt of lightning fell from the clear sky. Dozens of the approaching cavalry were turned to ash by the strike. Black smoke rose from the charred remains of the riders.
“…”
A sudden silence descended upon the noisy battlefield.
Friend and foe alike, everyone looked up at the sky.
The heavens were opening.
“Uh…”
From the wide-open sky, an incredibly massive creature revealed itself. The mere shadow of the creature cast the battlefield into darkness. The creature, with the sun at its back, opened eyes that sparkled like jewels. Everyone knew what ‘it’ was without needing an explanation.
“Re—Retreat.”
It was only natural.
Everyone on the continent grew up hearing stories about ‘it’ from a young age. Countless legends and fairy tales featured ‘it.’ ‘It’ was the protagonist of myriad fables and a central figure in creation myths.
“Retreat! Sc—Scatter at once—!”
The most powerful creature among the seven races.
The great race that made the summit of the Great Sky Mountain Range its nest, and the undisputed master of the firmament. An arrogant being that looked down upon everything on the continent.
“Hurry, run away—!”
A Dragon.
The 「Guardian Dragon」 that once protected the Fallen Peninsula had descended upon the sky at this moment. To annihilate every last insignificant creature crawling upon the earth.
Watching that sight, I smiled with satisfaction.
“I’ll make sure to understand the soul in the sword and hear its voice. Just a little later.”
Very satisfied.
「….」
“I’m going to take the easy way just this once.”
Ah, seriously.
