Therefore, for the time being, the contract had to be considered still valid. In the end, Kasim decided to ask Juliana directly what she intended to do.
“Princess Juliana. What do you intend to do from here on? We will decide our course depending on your answer, so I ask that you consider it carefully before deciding.”
Looking at Kasim as he asked with a grave expression, Juliana’s face hardened, as though she had come to a decision.
“The contract is still valid, isn’t it?”
“It remains valid until we arrive at the Crosen Empire.”
At Kasim’s answer, she replied as if there was no need to think.
“In that case, I want you to complete the mission. I have no desire whatsoever to hire another mercenary band either.”
The mercenaries’ faces twisted at once. To think they had to serve that ill-mannered girl all over again. Since they had no idea how much more trouble they would have to suffer from now on, the mercenaries sent Kasim pleading looks.
Of course, Kasim was not unaware of how they felt, but he was just as troubled. Still, it could not be helped. Though he was no knight, Kasim was a man who valued honor and promises.
“For now, Princess Juliana did not deny us during the interrogation. Even though she had to accept punishment for it. Therefore, it seems we must continue carrying out the mission. Does anyone have any objections?”
They looked utterly disappointed, but the mercenaries nodded as if they had no choice. Since it was the decision of their captain, who was like the heavens above them, they had no choice but to agree, whether they had complaints or not. At the very least, Kasim was a man with the unquestionable leadership needed to win the hearts of the mercenaries under him. Once their course was decided, Kasim looked at Damon.
“This is the decision we have reached. Do you happen to have any objections, Sir Mage?”
Damon silently shook his head. In truth, deep down, Damon was immeasurably delighted. Though he had said outwardly that he had changed his mind, it would also have been a lie to say he had no interest whatsoever in Juliana’s appearance… Still, he needed to put up a certain amount of resistance.
“If the captain has made his decision, then I will obediently follow it as well. However, you must obtain a firm oath from them. They may continue causing trouble, or perhaps even report me again, after all. To be honest, I’m not particularly fond of being locked up in prison. And I hate being cursed at even more.”
As if he had understood Damon’s feelings to some degree, Kasim gave Juliana a warning.
“If such a thing happens ever again, we will terminate the contract without hesitation. That includes any action that harms the safety of our mercenary band’s members. Do you agree to this?”
Juliana looked somewhat displeased at Kasim’s unexpectedly forceful attitude, but she accepted the demand readily enough.
“Very well.”
“And from now on, do not treat the mage carelessly. He is the most important person in our mercenary band.”
“That is a matter to be decided after I see how that man treats me from now on. I do not think you have any need to interfere in that matter.”
At Juliana’s more spirited reply than expected, Kasim could only smile bitterly. In any case, Princess Juliana had a personality so strong that none could rival it. Shaking his head as if to say there was no dealing with her, Kasim turned around.
It was time to depart. Because the experience had been so dreadful, Kasim and the mercenaries no longer wanted to remain in Dontrel.
“We’re leaving. Everyone, prepare yourselves.”
Since all the confiscated luggage had been loaded onto the carriage, there was no need to return to Dontrel. The mercenary band silently gathered their belongings and set out on foot. They had to retrieve their horses, but not a single one of the mercenaries wanted to go back to Dontrel. It was the same for Mitchell and Juliana, so the party decided to begin the journey as they were.
Kasim looked over the map and determined the road they would take.
“First, we’ll follow the main road for about a week, then turn west. We’ll acquire horses in the next city we pass through.”
The mercenaries silently moved their feet. Yet their steps were exceedingly light, filled as they were with anticipation that they could finally put an end to their lives as third-rate mercenaries.
The party, having begun traveling on foot, was able to leave Dontrel behind after a full day. Because it had been such a sickening experience, all of them wore relieved expressions as they passed beyond Dontrel’s borders. If things had gone even slightly wrong, they might have rotted in prison for the rest of their lives. When they reached a gently sloping ridge, Kasim ordered a brief rest.
“We’ll rest here before moving on. We intend to stay for about two hours, so make your preparations.”
The mercenaries busily began preparing for the rest. Each divided up their roles, some making food, others going to gather firewood or hunt. But there was a conspicuous change.
In the past, they had divided each task strictly into pairs, but now exactly one person was assigned to each task. In that way, those who remained could train in the mana cultivation method.
This was something tacitly agreed upon by all the mercenaries. Especially after hearing from Damon about the origin of the mana cultivation method, the mercenaries devoted themselves to mana cultivation whenever they had even the slightest chance. For it was the one shortcut to becoming stronger…
“You take care of it this time. I’ll do the work next turn…”
“Fine.”
The mercenaries readily departed to carry out their assigned tasks. Those who remained, without a single exception, sat down and immersed themselves in mana cultivation. In that respect, Kasim could be called fortunate. Thanks to being the captain, he could practice mana cultivation every time they rested. Damon leaned leisurely against a tree stump and looked around at their surroundings. A satisfied smile formed at his lips.
“They’re working quite hard.”
To him, he could not help but feel proud to see the mercenaries diligently immersing themselves in training. Since people from an entirely different dimension of time and space were becoming absorbed in the Asura Death Spirit Heart Method of the Demonic Cult, the sect he had come from, he could not possibly feel no pride. In a place where the orthodox internal energy cultivation method passed down by Emperor Crosen held sway, demonic arts were now about to take root.
Juliana watched the scene with an expressionless face. With the incident from a few days ago as the turning point, her personality had changed completely. She no longer stepped forward presumptuously, nor did she act stubborn. She had also become extremely taciturn, remaining silent throughout the journey.
One more thing that had changed was that she would occasionally stare fixedly at Damon. Considering that Damon did not cast any particular glances her way, it had to be said that their positions had been completely reversed. Of course, for Damon, this was nothing less than a vine that had rolled right into his lap. He merely did not turn his gaze toward her; he was already using magic to scrutinize every inch of her face…
Mitchell watched the mercenaries engrossed in mana cultivation with a very troubled expression. To be honest, he did not think very well of the mana cultivation method the mercenaries were learning.
‘I simply can’t believe it. That the mana cultivation method of the absolute being from another world mentioned by a black mage could be comparable to the first method passed down by Emperor Crosen…’
Of course, the mana cultivation method unique to Penslot that he had learned differed in every respect from the Crosen Knights’ cultivation method. Strictly speaking, it was only proper to say that it fell considerably behind in terms of power.
Though they had improved it over many long years, Penslot had still not caught up to the mana cultivation method of the Crosen Knights. The proof of that lay in the level of the knights themselves. The members of the Crosen Knights were that strong. Strong enough that an ordinary knight could deal with a Penslot royal guard knight without much difficulty…
‘It must be a bluff, no matter how you look at it, right? Yes. There’s no way that could be true.’
As Mitchell watched with doubtful eyes, he saw the black mage rise to his feet. Without hesitation, Damon approached Gerald, the youngest member of the mercenary band.
“Stop your mana cultivation and stand up.”
At Damon’s words, Gerald immediately stopped his mana cultivation. By now, the existence known as Damon had already taken root in him as an almost absolute idol.
“Yes, Sir Mage.”
Watching Gerald quickly rise, Damon nodded.
“There is one more thing I will pass on to you. This is something only you can learn.”
Damon intended to transmit the Left-Hand Sword Art to Gerald right here.
All thirty-six sword forms and seventy-two sword paths possessed by the Left-Hand Sword Art, as well as every applied technique derived from them.
The Left-Hand Sword Art could not have been more suitable for Gerald, who was naturally left-handed. And the strange, incisive techniques of the Left-Hand Sword Art, launched from unpredictable directions, would undoubtedly display tremendous power in this place. Compared to the extremely standardized swordsmanship of this world, the Left-Hand Sword Art could only be described as unconventional in the truest sense…
“What I will pass on to you is a sword art. Since it is a sword art executed with the left hand, it will be most suitable for you to learn. For reference, this sword art also originated from that absolute being of another world I told you about before.”
“R-really?”
Gerald’s eyes widened. To think he would be taught the sword art of the absolute being from another world, who was said to stand shoulder to shoulder with the legendary Emperor Crosen… Tears flowed from his eyes in joy. As if there was nothing more to think about, he bowed his head deeply.
“Thank you so much. I will never forget this grace, even if I die.”
Perhaps a little embarrassed by Gerald’s gratitude, Damon replied somewhat bluntly.
“There’s no need to be grateful. I’m only passing it on to you because you are left-handed…”
Even so, a smile had appeared on his face. In truth, the reason he paid particular attention to Gerald was because of their shared sense of having a physical defect. In the past, he had faced considerable difficulty in learning martial arts because he was short and hunchbacked.
Because of that, he understood well the sorrow of Gerald, who was left-handed and lame, and when he heard of his unfortunate circumstances in particular, he had taken an even greater interest in him.
‘In any case, it wouldn’t be bad to leave behind one unorthodox sword art in Arcadia, would it?’
Strictly speaking, the Left-Hand Sword Art was not a martial art unique to the Demonic Cult. As with most unorthodox martial arts, the origin of the Left-Hand Sword Art lay with some nameless wandering swordsman of the martial world. One could guess that, like Gerald, he had been left-handed…
However, as time passed, the Left-Hand Sword Art had been gradually refined through many hands, and by now it was also a sword art known by most sects of the unorthodox path. But the Left-Hand Sword Art Damon was passing on was somewhat different. It was one of the powerful martial arts that Sa Junhwan, the Chief Strategist, had completed through dozens of martial instructors while creating the Asura Death Spirit Heart Method, and so it boasted a considerable degree of perfection.
In particular, because it was a sword art suited for surprise attacks, most of the Guardian Demon King Corps had learned this sword art, and it had played a tremendous role in saving their lives in moments of absolute crisis. After briefly recalling the origin of that Left-Hand Sword Art, Damon had Gerald take a stance.
“From now on, I will teach you the sword paths and sword forms. So forget every bit of swordsmanship you have learned until now.”
“Understood, Sir Mage.”
Gerald nodded as if there was no need to think about it. In truth, Gerald had practically no swordsmanship he had learned so far, so there was nothing to forget or not forget. It had only been a little over five months since he had been accepted into Kasim’s mercenary band. Though he had learned the basics and stances from Kasim, he had yet to even taste proper swordsmanship. Moreover, since he had learned swordsmanship with his unfamiliar right hand, his movements could not help but be extremely clumsy.
“Give me your sword.”
With a tense expression, Gerald handed Damon the sword at his waist. It was a cheap sword bought from a blacksmith in a rural village, but because he had polished it with great care all this time, it gave off a fairly cold, keen aura.
“Watch carefully.”
Taking the sword, Damon began to dance a flowing sword dance. He deliberately unfolded the techniques slowly so that Gerald could clearly make them out. Though he had never performed it before, the essence of the Left-Hand Sword Art was all inside Damon’s head. Combined with Damon’s past experience, it was being conveyed clearly to Gerald.
“The essence of this sword art is surprisingly simple. Its greatest characteristic is that you strike, thrust, and slash while performing defensive and restraining movements as much as possible, then the moment you discover an opening, you instantly shift to the offensive. First, the primary task is to lower your body as much as possible, and to restrain unnecessary movements as much as possible while connecting point to point in a straight line—”
One must pay the closest attention to the line that connects them.
Though it could not compare to the martial arts of the orthodox sects, the Left-Hand Sword Art was one of the major sword arts of the unorthodox path, and boasted a more than sufficient degree of completion. Since its essence lay in extreme speed, it had the drawback that one could not use a heavy longsword or a supple, flexible sword, but had to use a relatively light sword of moderate length. At least in Arcadia, however, this posed no particular problem. Most swordsmen used highly standardized longswords, so all that was needed was to teach techniques suited to them.
In the Central Plains, there existed a truly vast array of weapons. Even the imperial guards were taught martial arts for the eighteen standard weapons, so if one considered the number of other exotic weapons, it exceeded imagination. Even the basic categories of weapons—dao, jian, spear, lance, halberd, dagger-axe, and so on—were beyond counting.
Of course, the oral formulae of the Left-Hand Sword Art contained methods for dealing with all of those weapons. But there was no need to teach Gerald all of them. Since Damon only needed to pass on a few techniques for handling longswords and spears, he thought Gerald would be able to memorize the forms of the Left-Hand Sword Art before long. After that, he would only need to build up applied movements and proficiency through repeated training.
Gerald did not even blink as he focused on engraving the movements Damon demonstrated into his mind. If he mastered this thoroughly, avenging his family would no longer be utterly impossible….
The mercenaries had now finished their mana cultivation. They drew near and stared intently at the swordsmanship Damon was displaying. Kasim’s eyes widened as he watched Damon’s sword dance.
“What an unfamiliar sword art. A sword art that uses the left hand….”
“Do you think it will really be effective?”
“Who knows.”
Kasim spoke curtly and shook his head. Even so, he could not hide his astonishment at the sword dance Damon unfolded. As a master of practical martial arts, recognized by both himself and others, Kasim immediately saw through the power of the sword art.
‘Truly astonishing. The defensive movements of the sword are made to handle almost every kind of attack. Hmm. I can’t see any openings at all. On top of that, the attacks that shoot out from time to time all develop along unpredictable angles. Which means they would be extremely difficult to block. I truly wish I could fight it once.’
If Damon had been a swordsman who had learned the sword in the orthodox manner, Kasim would have requested a spar without a second thought. But he could not very well challenge a mage to a swordsmanship duel. That was how refined the Left-Hand Sword Art was. Still, Kasim had no particular desire to learn the sword art himself. If he did, he would have to abandon all the swordsmanship he had trained in until now, and there was also the problem of training his unfamiliar left hand until he could use it freely. Thus, Kasim knew well that admiration had to end as mere admiration.
To the mercenaries, however, Damon’s sword dance appeared only as unfamiliar movements. The secret of the sword dance revealed itself only to the eyes of an expert. And there was one other person here who was just as shocked as Kasim….
‘Truly astonishing.’
The one who stood with his mouth agape, utterly absorbed in the sword dance, was Mitchell. Since he belonged among the fairly skilled, he could grasp the power of the Left-Hand Sword Art at a glance. Having been harshly trained from childhood by his father, even while being beaten, Mitchell had considerable discernment when it came to swordsmanship. To his eyes, the sword art being deployed by a mage was not something that could ever be taken lightly.
‘Astonishing. If I fought that sword art, I’d have quite a hard time. I can’t easily find an opening, so I wouldn’t be able to break through its defensive movements with ease, and the paths of its attacks depart from ordinary common sense….’
Of course, Mitchell also knew well that although he coveted the sword art, he could not learn it. The reason was the same as Kasim’s. Since time immemorial, the hardest thing for a person was to change long-standing habits.
Receiving the admiring gazes of the two men and the bewildered looks of the remaining mercenaries, Damon finished the sword dance.
“Have you familiarized yourself with all the forms?”
“N-not yet…. There are so many movements….”
Seeing Gerald shake his head in embarrassment, Damon smiled as if he understood.
“That is only natural. But do not worry. I will pass them on to you step by step, over time…. For now, practice only what you have memorized, and we shall do the rest later.”
“Understood.”
Glancing at Gerald as he bent his waist at a right angle, Damon sat down once more on the tree stump. Gerald soon began training, and the other mercenaries also scattered back to their places. Because they had spent so much time stealing glances at Damon’s sword dance, meal preparations had been delayed considerably, and Heinrich had to sweat profusely. Since Gerald, who was supposed to share cooking duty with him, was training in swordsmanship, Heinrich had to prepare everyone’s meal by himself.