Tomorrow is the CSAT. To all my senior-year high school readers, I sincerely hope you do well on the exam. My sister-in-law is taking the CSAT tomorrow too. I hope you all have good results…….
To make sure no one is left waiting, I’m uploading the full amount of the consecutive releases all at once. There will be no more updates today.^^
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The one who rose to his feet was none other than Kasim. Behind him, Mitchel was also awkwardly getting up. Judging by the situation, it seemed he had been holding Kasim back from rushing out until now.
“Ka, Kasim.”
A film of tears instantly welled in Matilda’s eyes. She had never dreamed Kasim would step forward.
Kasim’s face was stiff and tense. He already loved Matilda more than his own life, so how could he possibly stand by and watch her be dragged off to the Demon Realm? On Kasim’s face, having already prepared himself for death, there was even a tragic resolve.
“I cannot allow you to take her.”
From Shurnak’s eye sockets, which were fixed on Kasim, a chilling gleam spread out thickly.
“And who are you?”
Morcer, who had been dazedly stroking the Shire Blade, started in surprise and answered in his place.
“H-he is a guard from the bride’s household. Little different from a servant.”
“A guard? Why would a fellow like that step forward? An expression of loyalty to his house?”
Kasim walked forward in silence and answered clearly.
“Loyalty…… Perhaps it may be that. The lord and his wife are no different from benefactors to me…… But no. Because she is, to me……”
Having walked to the center of the wedding hall, Kasim stared straight at Shurnak.
“She is someone more precious than my own life. Until now, there has not been a single moment when I did not think of her, and it will be so forever. Though there is no possibility of us being joined because of the wall of status, though I am in a position where I can do nothing but watch her wedding, the only woman in this world whom I think of as a woman is her alone……”
His emotions heated to their peak, Kasim poured out the words in his heart without the slightest hesitation. But Shurnak did not seem moved by them at all.
“Love between a young lady of the house and a servant…… A typical tearjerker love story. How amusing, to think there is another fool volunteering to be dragged to purgatory.”
“For her sake, I could be dragged to purgatory with a smile. But before that, I intend to protect her with my life. Even if my body is ground to dust……”
Shurnak sneered coldly.
“I wonder whether you truly possess the power to do so.”
“It doesn’t matter whether I have the power or not. Even if I had never learned swordsmanship, I would have stepped forward without hesitation……”
Having finished speaking, Kasim abruptly turned his head.
“Mitchel.”
Mitchel responded at once.
“Yes, Captain.”
“Leave this place immediately and go to the Arke River. Tell Daymon and the mercenaries who are fishing there about this, and bring them here at once.”
Hearing those words, Mitchel hesitated for a moment. It seemed he could not bring himself to leave Kasim behind alone.
“B-but Captain……”
Kasim’s tone was as stern as frost.
“Th-this is something I must settle myself. I will stop her from being taken, even if it costs me my life. So hurry. With your skill, you should be able to get out of this place.”
“Understood.”
Having said that, Mitchel did not argue further and launched himself forward. In midair, Mitchel lightly picked up a sword that one of the soldiers had dropped. Watching him, Shurnak sneered.
“Madman. Did you truly think you could escape through the Doom Warriors and the curtain of darkness? Huh?”
When a blue radiance suddenly surged from the sword Mitchel had picked up, Shurnak was so shocked his eyes nearly popped out. It was a perfected Aura Blade, something only a Sword Master could manifest. As Mitchel approached, three or four Doom Warriors launched themselves forward to block his path. As if there was nothing to think about, Mitchel swung his sword fiercely.
“To think pathetic monsters of darkness would dare block my way……”
Slice.
There was not even a scream. Having mercilessly cut down two Doom Warriors together with their swords, Mitchel pressed his momentum and split apart another Doom Warrior charging in from the side. Seeing that, the remaining Doom Warriors rushed in all at once, but Mitchel was already close to the door. One Doom Warrior stood before the door and swung its hooked sword at him.
Clang.
Mitchel cut through the hooked sword blocking his path with a single stroke, then drove his longsword deep into the Doom Warrior’s abdomen. The sword, brimming fully with Aura Blade, buried itself deep into the curtain of darkness covering the door, together with the Doom Warrior’s body.
Kiaaaa!
With a bizarre scream, the Doom Warrior was nailed to the door and left trembling. In that state, Mitchel focused his mana into the sword.
Crackle, crackle.
A dazzling radiance burst from the sword. As the Aura Blade concentrated, cracks like a spiderweb began to spread out with the sword at their center. Before long, the barrier of darkness covering the door shattered into pieces. Together with the body of the Doom Warrior skewered on the sword……
Papapak.
The instant he sensed energy assailing him from behind, Mitchel spun his body and swung his sword fiercely.
Shuak.
The two Doom Warriors that had been lunging at him were turned into four pieces on the spot. Beside their remains fell a hooked sword that had likewise been turned into four pieces. Before the Aura Blade of a Sword Master, nothing could endure.
“Captain. Hold out just a little while. All right?”
After shouting at the top of his lungs, Mitchel turned and began running at full speed. His speed as he raced, cutting through the wind, was such that even a well-trained fine steed could not keep up with him at a glance. The people watched the scene in a daze. Until Shurnak waved his hand again and laid a curtain of darkness over the door……
Srrrr.
The curtain of darkness once again isolated the wedding hall from the outside. Shurnak spoke in a voice filled with surprise.
“I failed to notice that he was a Sword Master. How astonishing that Doom Warriors could be defeated so futilely. Who in the world is that man? Is he your subordinate?”
Though he had been left alone, Kasim did not lose a shred of his composure.
“He is a mercenary under my command. But I think of him not as a subordinate, but as a comrade.”
“A mercenary? According to what I know, there are almost no cases of Sword Masters becoming mercenaries.”
A faint smile passed over Kasim’s lips. It was a smile imbued with considerable pride.
“That is because my mercenary corps is a little special. Since the tasks we take on are special, it is only natural that the members must be special as well, wouldn’t you say?”
Shurnak shook his head as if he could not understand it at all.
“Special tasks…… Don’t tell me you hunt dragons or something?”
Kasim clapped his hands as though Shurnak had guessed correctly.
“That’s right. That is our mission. Dragon hunting.”
A look of disbelief spread around Shurnak’s eyes.
“Madman. Do you know what sort of beings dragons are……? Even we warriors of the Demon Realm, who fear nothing, cannot help but avoid dragons. Dragons are creatures that powerful.”
“What can I do when it’s the truth? Our Kasim Mercenary Corps has already hunted several dragons. Among them was even an Ancient-class dragon.”
“I cannot understand. As far as I remember, such a tremendous mercenary corps has never existed across both continents.”
Unlike Shurnak, who could not believe it, the people’s faces were filled only with shock. Since most of the guests were high nobles of Penseulleot, there was no way they would not know of the Kasim Mercenary Corps. Even the people of the Arne territory had heard rumors about the Kasim Mercenary Corps.
“H-heavens, that man is the leader of the famous Kasim Mercenary Corps?”
“Ka, Kasim was that famous……”
The lord and his wife, as well as Matilda, were staring wide-eyed in disbelief. To think Kasim was the leader of the famous Kasim Mercenary Corps…… The names matched, but they had never dreamed it could be true. Into the ears of the astonished people echoed Shurnak’s cold voice.
“There is a limit to how much of your boasting I will listen to. It is time for me to return, so I shall capture you as well.”
“I will not be taken quietly.”
After speaking, Kasim walked forward steadily. Shurnak watched him without making any move to stop him. From that, it seemed he believed he had already captured his opponent for all intents and purposes. The place where Kasim stopped was where the sword Morcer had thrown lay on the floor. Looking down at the sword fallen there, Kasim began to murmur in silence.
“Poor thing, you were abandoned by your master. But do not worry. I will become your new master. We will be facing terrifying monsters of the Demon Realm, so I shall never disgrace your honor. Please accept me as your master.”
Having finished speaking, Kasim bent down and picked up the sword.
Srring.
Kasim drew the sword and threw the scabbard to the floor. It was the mindset of a swordsman resolved to complete his duty, even if he had to throw away his life. When he poured mana into it, the blade instantly turned blue.
Sssss.
Watching that, Shurnak reacted with some surprise.
“You can control mana as well?”
“My skill can’t help but fall short of Mitchel, who is a Sword Master. But that fellow is kind enough to treat me properly as his captain. I can only be grateful.”
Kasim raised the sword and took a fighting stance.
“Now, come. Even if I die and become a vengeful spirit, I cannot allow Lady Matilda to be taken away. She is everything in my life. Even if I must suffer endlessly in purgatory in her place, I will gladly accept it.”
Shurnak sneered as if he found him laughable.
“Kekeke. What a truly tear-jerking tale of pure love. Amusing. In admiration of your spirit, I shall specially assign four Elite Doom Warriors to you. I look forward to seeing how long you can endure.”
“As many as you like. Even if my opponent were a Balrog, I would not step back.”
As Kasim gripped the sword hilt so tightly it seemed it might crumble, four Elite Doom Warriors slowly approached him. The Elite Doom Warriors surrounded Kasim, blue-black Death Blades streaming from their swords. At a glance, it was clear they intended to attack together.
Crackle, crackle.
Because of the battle aura emitted by the Elite Doom Warriors, the people felt as if their hearts were shriveling up. Though the battle aura digging into his entire body made it difficult even to breathe properly, Kasim’s mind was, on the contrary, calmly settling. As he gripped his sword and waited for the moment of attack, there was only one thought in Kasim’s mind.
‘I will protect her with my own hands, no matter what.’
The tedious moment of waiting passed, and at last the Elite Doom Warriors’ attack began. The very Elite Doom Warrior that had easily defeated the paladins and soldiers swung its massive sword straight at him. Kasim tensed and moved to block the attack.
‘This thing truly has tremendous power. I can only endure by effectively diverting its strength.’
Fortunately, Kasim was able to maintain the angle of his sword effectively. After all, even after receiving the Elite Doom Warrior’s sword head-on, he did not lose his grip.
Pukang.
But that was only the beginning. The terrifying attacks of the four Elite Doom Warriors began pouring down on Kasim all at once.
Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa!
Kasim’s body, absorbed desperately in offense and defense, looked precarious, as if it might collapse at any moment. Because of that, sweat slowly began to gather in the hands of those watching the battle.
“Ka, Kasim.”
Matilda was frantic with worry. She had never dreamed that Kasim, whom she had tried to forget after deeming him a coward without courage, would act like this. To think he was waging a bloody battle against the monsters of the Demon Realm, terrifying at a glance, in order to save her…… Tears welled up.
Tears streamed down so heavily that she could barely distinguish what lay ahead.
"O-Oppa. Kasim Oppa, the most reliable man in the world."
A form of address she had long forgotten slipped from her lips. In this very moment, she had become the young Matilda who had adored Kasim. Any thought of Morcel, her fiancé who had sold her away for a single sword, had vanished from her mind as if washed clean.
Only Kasim, his entire body drenched in blood as he fiercely fought a bloody battle, was her true man. Matilda was now in a state where she no longer obsessed over the battle's outcome. She had resolved to bite her tongue and end her own life the moment Kasim's life was extinguished. Not only she, but also the Lord and Lady and all the others held their breath as they watched the bloody battle.
Kasim's body was literally covered in blood. As if proving how difficult it is for one hand to block many, he had already allowed several attacks to strike his body. Fortunately, however, he had not sustained fatal wounds. His opponents were terrifying demonic beasts that had even easily subdued a Paladin—Elite Doom Warriors. That he could fight so fiercely against them was, in some ways, close to a miracle.
Unlike the grueling skirmish before, Kasim was now focusing on offense and defense with extreme composure. Blocking attacks that came without a moment to breathe and then counterattacking was as natural as flowing water, and he effortlessly deflected the tremendous power carried by the Elite Doom Warriors' swords.
Yet on Kasim's face, covered in blood and immersed in close combat, there was a look full of bewilderment.
'Strange.'
The sword paths of the Elite Doom Warriors were extremely familiar to Kasim. Their sword paths showed not the slightest difference from those of the Death Knights he had sparred with countless times. Attacks identical as if stamped from a mold. Because of this, Kasim grew calmer as time passed. Since he knew completely the routes and timing of the attacks, facing them inevitably grew easier.
"Death Knights were the supreme beings of Truvencia in the past... Then could these bastards' true identities also be dead knights of Truvencia?"
But there was no leisure to think deeply. Even though he thoroughly understood their sword paths and attack directions, the combined assault of the Elite Doom Warriors was truly terrifying. If his mana were to disperse even for a moment, the sword he held would shatter in an instant, and then everything would be over.
Swoosh.
Dodging the sword that swept diagonally toward him by a hair's breadth, Kasim pressed his advantage and drove straight into the Elite Doom Warrior's chest. Based on his experience sparring with Death Knights, in such situations the opponent's chest tended to be fully exposed.
"I'll take down just one."
Kasim decided he had to aim for that opening even at the risk of danger. It was literally an attack relying on luck, and fortunately the Elite Doom Warrior was making the same move as a Death Knight. The moment the opening was spotted, Kasim thrust his sword in without hesitation.
"Hah!"
Kasim's sword dug deep into the Elite Doom Warrior's chest without the slightest deviation.
Kaaaah!
The Elite Doom Warrior thrashed violently. At that sight, Kasim could instinctively tell that the Elite Doom Warrior was a different being from a Death Knight. Death Knights, beings nearly immortal, were hardly affected by wounds of this degree. The fact that they could continue fighting unless their torsos were cut into several pieces was the greatest strength of a Death Knight. Having realized this, Kasim twisted his sword with all his might and charged forward. He had seen through the attack creeping from behind.
"Hiyaaaap!"
Two swords brushed past his body with a minute difference. Kasim forcefully pushed down the Elite Doom Warrior whose chest was pierced and hurriedly pulled out his sword. The Elite Doom Warrior, stabbed through the chest, seemed to have reached the end of its life, as its body went limp the moment the sword was withdrawn. At that sight, Kasim regained his courage.
"If it's only this much, it's worth a try."
Kasim roared fiercely and took an attacking stance like lightning. Three Elite Doom Warriors were still emanating fighting spirit, overwhelming his momentum. Kasim was displaying monstrous strength several times greater than his current combat capability. It was a strength he could wield solely through his single-minded determination to protect Matilda.
"Zktla ajtwlsep."
With unintelligible cries, the Elite Doom Warriors rushed in all at once.
Clang-clang-clang-clang.
Kasim's sword rotated so fast it was nearly invisible, deflecting the incoming blades. After narrowly dodging the massive longsword stabbing toward his abdomen, Kasim immediately launched a counterattack. He had already thoroughly grasped his opponent's evasive patterns. His abdomen was cut and blood flowed down, but he had no time to feel pain.
Kiaaaah.
The Elite Doom Warrior let out a terrible scream, half its neck cut and hanging in tatters. Perhaps because it was a demonic beast, not a single drop of blood flowed out, but seeing its body tremble violently, it seemed to have lost much of its combat power. Kasim was not one to miss such an opening.
Pukk.
As Kasim's sword, brimming with mana, ruthlessly churned through the heart and pulled free, the Elite Doom Warrior could do nothing but lay its cursed flesh on the cold earth and tremble uncontrollably.
"Kuh. So only two remain?"
After wiping away the blood obscuring his vision, Kasim roared ferociously. The remaining two Elite Doom Warriors seemed hardly moved by his fierce struggle and attacked indifferently. But Kasim had now regained his composure.
Though in a state of extreme exhaustion, as long as he thoroughly understood his opponents' sword paths and attack directions, there was nothing to fear. The fierce bloody battle that followed left several sword marks on Kasim's body, but that was the limit of the Elite Doom Warriors. Kasim, having become a Berserker, stamped the final mark on every single one of their cursed lives with his insane hand speed.
"Hah... hah..."
Kasim caught his breath roughly and turned his body. Before him, two Elite Doom Warriors who had completely lost their combat power lay sprawled on the ground, trembling. One bore a long sword wound from its left shoulder to its right flank, and the other had a deep penetrating wound in its abdomen.
Turning his head, Kasim struggled to compose his blood-soaked body and glared at Ssirnak. His entire body felt as heavy as waterlogged cotton, and repeated blood loss had made even his consciousness hazy, but he exerted his utmost to stand upright.
"It seems the first round has ended in my victory. What's next?"
Ssirnak shook his head as if dumbfounded and sneered.
"Not bad. To think you smashed four Elite Doom Warriors... But it seems that is your limit. Isn't it?"
Ssirnak's words were true. Kasim no longer had the strength left to swing his sword even once. But he was not one to retreat obediently.
"I have already made my will clear. If I cannot swing a sword, I shall fight with it in my mouth; if I cannot walk, I shall crawl, and still prevent her from being taken."
"Truly an admirable loyalty. But it cannot be helped. It is time to return to the demon realm, which means I no longer have time to entertain your antics."
The mad glow emanating from Ssirnak's eyes deepened.
"Now I shall finish you off. I intend to commit both Dark Shades and all the remaining Doom Warriors to deal with you, now that your strength is spent, so try facing them. I believe they will be more than sufficient to dispose of you."
A look of despair settled on Kasim's face. In his current physical condition, he could not properly face even a single Doom Warrior, let alone a Dark Shade. There was simply no way to prevent Matilda from being taken.
Kekekeke.
As if the order had been given, the two Dark Shades began to let out low cries. At the sight of the fearsome Dark Shades, Kasim was at a loss. Ssirnak, who had been watching as if enjoying the spectacle, looked around at the people who couldn't even catch their breath.
"You too should prepare yourselves."
"......"
"Having seen us, I cannot leave you alive. Consider yourselves fortunate that you will not be dragged to the demon realm..."
The moment Ssirnak finished speaking, the people felt chills to their bones. That detestable lich had never intended to let any of them live from the start. Morcel, who had been caressing his sword, cried out in surprise.
"T-that is not what we agreed upon, is it? The deal has already been struck..."
"A deal is a deal, and silencing witnesses is silencing witnesses. Until now, have you ever heard rumors of Lord Kerubim taking a human woman as his bride?"
It was unheard of, so Morcel could only shake his head.
"That was only possible because mouths were effectively sealed. The bride, her parents, and that fool aside, the rest of you will die here. Of course, you should consider yourselves lucky. Death ends in an instant, but those dragged to Purgatory must endure pain recurring for eternity..."
Having finished speaking, Ssirnak stared intently at Kasim.
"Your courage is admirable, but this is the end, brat. Go ahead and experience what Purgatory tastes like."
The moment Ssirnak finished speaking, the Dark Shades began to lumber toward Kasim. The Doom Warriors filling the walls did the same. At that sight, the word 'death' began to be clearly etched into the people's minds. There was simply no room to resist. But surprisingly, an expression of anticipation rose on Kasim's face. Coincidentally, he had thought of a way to break through the situation.
"Truly surprising."
A light of hope flashed across Kasim's face as he reached into his bosom. He had finally recalled the item Daemon had given him that morning—the Holy Grail of Berhazel, a divine artifact capable of efficiently suppressing undead and demonic beasts. And he also had the Dragon Heart to activate it.
'Perhaps this might resolve the situation.'
Having composed his mind, Kasim slowly lowered his sword to the ground. In that instant, Ssirnak's roar pierced his ears.
"Do you think I will simply forgive you because you've given up resisting at the last moment?"
"Of course not. I'm planning to use a more effective weapon."
Kasim looked at Ssirnak with regained confidence.
"As you know, we are a mercenary band that hunts dragons. Long ago, we crossed into Truvencia and raided a dragon's lair. This is something obtained from there—I wonder if you know of it."
On Kasim's hand, which had gone into and out of his bosom, the Holy Grail of Berhazel sat conspicuously.
Tsssss.
As if sensing the presence of the demonic beasts filling the hall, the Holy Grail of Berhazel emitted a blinding light. Unexpectedly, Ssirnak seemed to know what it was.
"The Holy Grail of Berhazel. I saw many of them during the First War of Darkness, but they are extremely difficult to find these days. But discard the thought that you can resolve this with it... Judging by your physical condition, it would be difficult to even activate the grail, and even if you could, it might only affect Doom Warriors—it would hardly inflict any damage on me or the Dark Shades..."
"Then what about this?"
The second item Kasim pulled out was precisely the Dragon Heart. Zygriat's Dragon Heart shone with blinding light in his hand. Ssirnak let out a cry of astonishment upon discovering it.
"Huk. T-that is... Could it be a Dragon Heart?"
Kasim nodded as if to confirm.
"You know your stuff. If the vast mana contained within the Dragon Heart were combined with this Holy Grail of Berhazel, what result would it bring? Aren't you looking forward to it?"
Ssirnak maintained his silence. But seeing the highly intelligent Dark Shades flinch and step back, it seemed the threat had properly taken effect. Kasim could now regain his composure.
"Why? Does the situation look difficult to handle...."
"Let us make a deal."
At Ssirnak's absurd response, Kasim's eyes widened.
"What do you mean?"
"The Dragon Heart is a treasure not easily found even in the Demon Realm. If you hand it over, we
will give up the bride without a fuss."
"………."
"Not only that, I promise we will not touch a single hair on anyone here.
And if you wish……."
Having finished speaking, Shurnak stretched out a finger that was nothing but bone and pointed at the Shire Blade
that Morser was clutching in his arms.
"I will give you five treasured swords that surpass the Shire Blade, all manner of magical arms and armor, and
one hundred tons of gold. What do you say?"
The conditions Shurnak had offered were so tremendous that everyone’s mouths fell open. It was
wealth beyond measure. But Kasim did not seem particularly impressed.
"That is quite a fortune. However."
Kasim’s gaze slipped toward Matilda. She, too, was looking at Kasim with a face
streaked with tears. The moment their eyes met, an emotionless voice flowed from Kasim’s lips.
"To me, there is only one greatest treasure in this world. No treasured sword or treasure,
not even ten thousand tons of gold, let alone one hundred, could be exchanged for Lady Matilda."
As soon as Kasim finished speaking, Shurnak shouted in desperation.
"I swear on my name that I will not take her away. If you hand over the Dragon Heart,
you can have her and amass an enormous fortune at the same time."
"I don’t need wealth."
As if his mind was already made up, Kasim’s face had hardened.
"So long as my lady was born under the Red Scorpion Constellation, even if not today, you may well
target her again. Here and now, I intend to eliminate the source of all this unease."
"W-wait a moment."
Now their positions had reversed, and it was Shurnak who had grown desperate.
"Do you think a mere human body can withstand the explosive power of a Dragon Heart? The
moment the Dragon Heart shatters, your body will be reduced to dust."
"I don’t care. If it is for my lady, I can accept death with a smile."
Having spoken, Kasim slowly raised the right hand that held the Dragon Heart.
"Though the Dragon Heart may be a treasure beyond imagination, at this moment it is
nothing but a worthless trinket to me. Because no treasure in this world can be exchanged for
my lady’s happiness. Do you understand?"
The instant he finished speaking, Kasim quietly poured mana into his right hand. Seeing that,
Shurnak shouted like a thunderbolt.
"Open the dimensional gate. We must return at once."
"It’s already too late."
A cold sneer appeared at the corner of Kasim’s mouth. As if there was nothing to think about, he struck
his two hands together with all his strength.
Crack.
The Dragon Heart, struck against Berhazel’s Staff in his left hand, began to crack. What followed
was a tremendous explosion of light.
Flash.
In an instant, the inside of the hall was engulfed in blinding light. The waves of light swept through
the hall like a raging tide, and whether human or monster, all were forced to squeeze their eyes shut
without exception. Amid it, a scream presumed to be Shurnak’s rang out shrilly.
Kieeeek.
With their eyes tightly shut, the people waited only for the light covering the hall to vanish. But
that time was far too long.