The Sword Genius of the Magic Empire - Chapter 63



Only Noblemtl

Episode 63. The Flame that Opens the Future (4)

The empire has instigated the warlocks.

Enoch’s eyes narrowed at that fact.

‘Are you saying that the existence of dark magicians was ultimately defined as a means for the empire to control?’

The warlocks who are universally hated in the empire.

But not all of them are evil.

Because in the original work, there were countless characters who were clearly unfairly branded as warlocks.

[…I heard the whole truth from the people.]

Geomseong hears the whole story from Suin.

[At the time of the mass emergence of demons, the empire was an unstable nation that was still laying the foundation after the unification of the continent.]

[Moreover, it was absolutely necessary to conceal the evil spirits that might cause confusion among the people of the empire.]

Therefore, in order to block the Empire’s clutches, high-level magicians are not officially dispatched.

If the empire’s best magicians were to participate in the war, it would inevitably attract public attention.

[However, if we leave the endless pouring of evil unattended, eventually everyone in the empire will suffer and find out.]

[So the Empire secretly joined hands with the warlocks to devise a solution.]

In this way, acquiescence to unethical experiments was guaranteed.

[The warlocks supported by the Empire found the answer to stop the evil through repeated human experiments.]

The black magicians, who have completed the ‘trial and error’ of human experiments, finally come to a conclusion over the corpses of numerous non-magicians, including the parents of the black magician.

[… In order to stop the demons, they use their biological information to create powerful bio-weapons.]

The process was simple yet terrifying.

[If you implant a demonic factor into the body of a test subject and manipulate them, they will gain powerful magical talents.]

[However, as a side effect, most of them soon lose their reason and their bodies become transformed. They become ‘demonized’.]

Of course, no matter how powerful a biological weapon is, if it loses its reason and ability to control itself, it has no value as a weapon.

[Therefore, ‘Suin’ were chosen as the material.]

Suin, who was born with a body that was naturally stronger than that of a normal person, is the best experimental subject who can suppress side effects even a little.

[Therefore, the Empire offered the only way for some of the water people who were pushed to the outskirts and marginalized by other water people because they had no magical talent.]

The black magicians went to the non-magical beasts who were being trampled helplessly in the war against the demons.

[People who cannot use magic.]

Not only are they alienated and despised by the Empire, they are also outcasts who are driven into a corner by the devil.

The warlocks suggested that these non-magicians become subjects for biological experiments.

[The best bioweapon material, but also one that can be easily used and thrown away since no one in the empire cares about them.]

Those who are not wizards and therefore have no value.

The marginalized people who no longer have a place to cling to.

[The people, who were on the verge of losing their last home, had no choice but to accept the only option.]

The non-magical people took their hands.

But after the war ended.

No matter how strong the bodies of the beastmen were, they could not be forever free from the side effects of human experimentation.

[Eventually, one by one, the beastmen lost their reason and became ‘demonized’ as a side effect of the experiment, and they attacked the peaceful citizens of the empire as they came across them.]

To the people of the empire at the time, the water people were perceived as extremely dangerous beings who could transform into demons and attack them at any time.

[The imperial people who were attacked without knowing anything were gripped by fear and regarded all the water races as indiscriminately hateful beings. Just as the empire had wanted.]

Now the Suin people were treated by the ordinary citizens of the empire as a time bomb that could explode at any moment.

Even the beastmen who naturally manifested magic and lived ordinary lives in imperial society quickly became targets of everyone’s hatred and contempt.

[In a war that no one will remember, without even knowing that their sacrifice had stopped the demons.]

“… Please, accept us. No, at least the innocent people and their families as your people.”

In front of the throne where the Black Swordsman sits.

The man of the water tribe lying there seemed to be unable to even speak properly due to the side effects of the experiment.

However, he shudders from the pain of his body turning into a demon’s beast, but he asks for mercy from the Black Sword Master.

“We have no place in the Empire any longer.”

[Whether or not they were experimented on, the Empire began to indiscriminately track down and eliminate them, using the pretext of the Mercenaries’ transformation as if they had been waiting for it.]

[And the last group of survivors who escaped came to my territory, where they were once comrades.]

“As a former comrade, and also as a sinner, I beg you on behalf of Chieftain Lycaon!”

The man of the Suin tribe looked up at him and shouted.

“Have mercy on us!”

In front of the fortress’ throne where the Black Knight sits with his sword in his hand.

The man, suffering from the side effects of the body-eating experiment, still desperately pleads with Geomseong.

“If things continue like this, we will inevitably perish. So please… .”

Their poor backs, which had once made great sacrifices on the battlefield, trembled pitifully in the pain of side effects.

Geomseong grabbed the armrest of the throne.

[…what is good and what is evil.]

He repeated quietly.

[The people who struggled to survive. The black magicians who participated in the experiment. They were all just used by the Empire.]

The black magicians who participated in the secret magic experiment had already been eliminated by the imperial family.

Warlocks are ostracized by the Empire.

The fact that the Empire joined hands with evildoers should not have existed in the history of the Empire.

Scrub

Geomseong stood up from his seat without saying a word.

His grip on the sword tightened.

[…Is the empire to be cut down?]

It was the Empire that ordered the black magicians to conduct human experiments and killed them to destroy the evidence.

The empire also used and discarded the people who were just struggling to survive as it pleased.

For a moment, a violent impulse passed through the hand holding the sword.

So, should we cut down the empire?

So, if I just kill all the people of the empire and cut off the heads of all the magicians in the royal family, will my revenge be fulfilled?

[No, no.]

The blacksmith denied it lowly.

My parents were killed by warlocks for no reason.

Did I reach the realm of the Black Sword just to recreate that past?

The flames that bloom in my sword are not flames meant to repeat the history of suffering that someone has experienced in the world.

[…That can’t be called true revenge.]

Even so, the Empire will heal all its wounds in a matter of years or decades.

The magic used by the people of the empire in the present age was such an omnipotent power.

[The only way to truly take revenge on the Empire is….]

“Kwaaaaah!”

Finally, the Suin man who had been pleading in front of Geomseong screams.

He was writhing in extreme pain, but was unable to overcome the side effects and was transformed into a demon.

The other people who were lying face down together saw this and screamed in a mixture of fear and despair.

But just before they all panicked.

Geomseong cut off the head of the man who was letting out a twisted roar with a sword engulfed in flames.

“Listen.”

He aimed his flame-covered sword low and spoke to the other agitated water people.

“If you turn into demons, I will cut you down with my own hands.”

The people were trembling with fear and helplessness.

Geomseong quietly added to them.

“But in my domain, no one but me can kill you.”

[… to preserve and leave for future generations the wrongdoings that the empire wants to hide and erase.]

“Even if they are royal magicians.”

Hurrruk!

The sword of the Black Spirit pointed at the people was once again burning with intense flames.

[The world always returns to the black and white logic of good and evil defined by someone.]

Ultimately, the standard of good and evil is up to you to decide.

It was the lot of those who believed without any doubt and even had a distinction between the values ​​of light and darkness.

The world is so unfair and unreasonable.

That’s why.

[The flames that bloomed on my sword finally found meaning.]

The empire defined incompetence as evil.

He defined his former comrades as evil.

He grabbed his sword.

[If the world defines the things I tried to protect as darkness─]

He raises his sword from his throne in the dark fortress, and swears to himself in the blazing flames.

[─I will be the final flame that illuminates the future of those who are engulfed in darkness.]

The flames of the sword he raised illuminate the people kneeling in worship of the Sword Saint in the dark fortress.

The red-hot heat from the sword dispels the darkness that has settled over their backs.

like that.

Geomseong accepted the people into his territory.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Enoch’s vision was filled with blazing fire.

And above the engulfing flames, a huge amount of white letters began to rise.

? Source of Memory: Succession Complete!

? Synchronization with successor target: Limit reached!

? The proficiency of the skills inherited to date has increased significantly!

? Notification: Overall swordsmanship proficiency increases!

Sense of Mana: Limit Reached!

Type 1 Explosion Sword: Limit reached!

Type 2 Fire Wheel: Limit reached!

? Achieved the full synchronization schedule: Successfully enhanced “Glass Shards of the Inner World” to Stage 1!

? “Glass Fragments of the Inner World” – First Feature: [Communication with the Black Star’s Consciousness] Unlocked

? Achievement: “The Seeker of the Lost Truth”

? Notice: Achievements earned can be used as content goods for the ‘Free World’ that will be unlocked later.

?

***

Enoch slowly opened his eyes.

My senses are confused.

But even in the midst of all that, I barely managed to realize that I had just come out of the world of nothingness.

My vision was blurry, perhaps because it hadn’t recovered yet.

‘I guess you’re quite stressed out.’

As he felt his sense of reality slowly returning to him, he suddenly realized that his body had lost its balance and was falling down.

‘Did you fall?’

My body still hasn’t regained its strength.

‘Well, it’s been a bit too much so far.’

A much stronger sense of fatigue enveloped my body than when I had previously entered and exited the world of nothing.

But that wasn’t all.

Enoch’s heart was pounding wildly.

In the past, all the emotions that the last swordsman of the empire had felt were swirling in his heart.

A feeling that it was not mine but felt like it was mine was burning inside me like a flame.

‘I didn’t know why it was called ‘anti-immersion’, but now I think I understand.’

I think it was the source of memory.

The story closest to the will of the sword itself.

It seemed like it would be a huge burden to inherit that.

Even now, in reality, my body is out of balance and I am lying down. I can’t even imagine what would have happened if the safety device hadn’t been activated last time.

‘But why doesn’t it hurt even though I’ve collapsed?’

Suddenly, a random question occurred to me.

Obviously, the floor of the fortress was made of stone and would be hard.

I was in a situation where I had to hope that the back of my head was okay since I had fallen backwards, but I found it quite strange that I felt no pain at all.

‘It’s rather soft and smooth. What the heck…’

Blink

And when Enoch’s vision finally returned fully, his pupils dilated slightly.

‘…?’

Long hair that has a faint silvery glow.

Lien was looking down at him blankly.

Enoch looked at her for a moment and then suddenly realized something.

Enoch was lying down with his head on her thigh.

Lien was quietly holding him as he fell over, having lost his balance, and putting his lap on him.

Enoch realized that and muttered quietly.

“…I didn’t know you were following me.”

She answered as emotionless as usual.

“This was a Vendetta stronghold. There may be remnants of troops or traps left.”

That’s not wrong.

If she were someone who put Enoch’s body’s safety first more than anyone else, it would be natural for her to follow him to a place like this.

‘By the way, given the circumstances, Lien must have seen me fall.’

Even if Lien had pressed her about breach of contract like last time, she would have nothing to say, but she just quietly watched me and spoke.

“You’re overdoing it, you.”

Instead of answering, Enoch tried to raise his body, but he let out a weak groan without realizing it.

“Ugh.”

As expected, my body was quite sore.

As she said, the crowd is right.

Because I’ve been working nonstop on my missions so far.

But there were reasons why it had to be that way.

Scrub

Lien unbuttoned Enoch’s shirt sleeves and rolled them up without saying a word.

Red blood was flowing from a gaping wound on his arm.

‘Come to think of it, I’ve been working nonstop on my missions so far, my wounds haven’t had time to heal properly.’

Lien took out the bandage he had prepared in advance, as if he had anticipated Enoch’s condition.

Then he began to carefully wrap the wound.

There was silence for a moment.

Silver hair flowed down Lien’s white cheeks.

Surprisingly, she did not scold Enoch or ask about his condition as she had done so far.

At her unfamiliar appearance, Enoch also watched her bandage his wound in silence for a moment.

‘It’s still hard to know what he’s thinking.’

At least, it seems like he already has a rough idea of ​​Enoch’s physical condition.

Somehow, now, I strangely found that aspect of Lien trustworthy.

“… As you know, too.”

Lien, who had buttoned Enoch’s shirt again, finally opened her mouth quietly.

“We can’t go on like this forever.”

Lien spoke quietly as he examined Enoch’s wounds.

Enoch also nodded briefly.

“I guess so.”

The swordsmanship that this side is currently using is an extreme swordsmanship that does not even have a single technique for defense or deflection.

The only sword technique that is ‘one-sided attack’ is Jechoi Geom’s sword technique.

And it was literally like walking a tightrope, metaphorically speaking.

If you get hit by an enemy attack even once due to a momentary mistake, it will be a critical hit.

‘Of course, I’m the best swordsman, and I was able to cut down magicians with this kind of swordsmanship, but that was only possible because I was a swordsman who had completely perfected my swordsmanship.’

Now, Enoch has not yet inherited all of his sword skills, nor is he as skilled at dealing with magicians as a swordsman who has experienced all kinds of hardships throughout his life.

You never know when you might suffer a fatal injury, not just a minor one.

So what Lien said wasn’t wrong.

Enoch glanced at his wounds and said.

“There is a way to solve it.”

“method?”

“Yes. But this mission will be difficult.”

Enoch added, pointing toward the top of the fortress.

“Because there are healers dispatched from the religious order, not from the clan, on this joint mission.”

The reason Enoch had avoided the family’s healers until now was because it would be troublesome if they noticed something strange while examining Enoch’s wounds.

‘But what if the healer isn’t from the family?’

Healers belonging to the religious order.

Since they are not part of the Elseid family, there is probably much less information about the original Enoch.

So even if you see something strange on this side, you won’t easily notice that it’s a possession.

But Lien just shook her head quietly.

“No matter how much of a religious denomination they are, you can’t completely trust them.”

“I know. That’s why I held out until the limit.”

It was clear that even healers belonging to a religious order had some element of uncertainty.

That’s exactly why I held out as long as I could without receiving treatment until it was this close.

‘Hold on until HP reaches 1 and recover!’

The number of times you come into contact with others and receive treatment is proportional to the threat on this side. So, just like in the game, it is natural that efficiency is important in the number of times you receive treatment.

‘Extreme efficiency is the essential quality of a veteran!’

The mindset that even if it is reality, it is no different.

‘… Of course, it’s not like the condition is serious enough to require immediate treatment anyway.’

If I had felt from the beginning that it was a truly dangerous limit, I would have found a way to treat it a long time ago.

But so far, there hasn’t been any major issues with the fight. It’s holding up well enough.

at that time.

There were loud noises outside the castle corridor.

“Nemesis returns!”

As if to signal that preparations were complete, the sounds of people and noises were heard outside.

Lien spoke quietly to Enoch, who was standing up.

“What are we going to do from now on?”

Enoch answered simply.

“It’s obvious.”

He said, turning his gaze in the direction of the village of the Suin tribe.

“We must prevent what is going to happen in the future.”