Chapter 158: The Festival of Swords (1)
“It’s for the Sword Saint Zafiz.”
“Huh? Zaifa?”
Ronan’s eyes widened. The unexpected visitor left him perplexed. Simultaneously, he felt like he knew why the boy had crawled all the way to the Festival of Swords.
‘If it’s for Zaifa, it makes sense.’
Zaifa was known to roam the continent under the Emperor’s orders. The only thing that’d guarantee her staying in one palace for a certain period of time would be the Festival of Swords. The boy nodded.
“Yes, my master wanted to present it to Miss Zaifa with great reverence. He hopes Miss Zaifa will use it during this Festival of Swords, so…”
It seemed the person he referred to as his master had a deep connection with Zaifa. Considering Zaifa’s reputation as the greatest swordmaster in history, it would be strange if there weren’t admirers. Ronan suddenly recalled Zaifa’s usual sword, the Crescent Moon Blade, and tapped his chin with his finger.
“I see… But isn’t it too small for Zaifa?”
Although it was a reasonably large longsword, it was still based on human standards. After two years without seeing each other, Ronan felt Zafia had grown even more. He worried that when Zaifa wielded it, it might look like a toy. The boy chuckled meaningfully and nodded.
“Hehe… it might seem that way, but that’s not the case. This sword has a special ability.”
“An ability? Does it sing when you touch it?”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t go into details. My master told me to only show it directly to Miss Zaifa after meeting her.”
The boy stated firmly. Ronan had thought he was just a shy brat, but surprisingly he had a sharp side too. Ronan decided not to press further. He wasn’t particularly curious.
‘This bastard…’
However, he couldn’t help but feel a bit annoyed by the swollen face. Observing the exposed flesh through torn clothes and the flowing blood, Ronan sighed and took out a potion bottle from his pouch.
“Alright, then show me the wounds.”
“Wh-What? Is that a potion?! It’s okay! I really…”
“I have a habit where I hit people who make me say the same thing three times. Until they wet themselves.”
“Uhh…!”
The boy sealed his lips. Ronan, with an indifferent expression, started applying the potion with his fingers. Varen’s special potion quickly healed the wounds. While examining the wound on his shoulder, Ronan noticed something.
‘Hmm?’
He realized that the boy’s injuries were superficial. There were no broken bones, and nothing seemed internally damaged. Considering the size of the rookie hunters, he had received very minor injuries.
“For someone who got beaten by those bulky bastards, your injuries are very minimal. I guess you’ve been beaten a lot?”
“Ahaha… yes. I managed to take the hits with some skill. My master is a rough person by nature, you see.”
“But to even beat up a brat like you, that’s quite a ruthless master. It’s done.”
Ronan finished the treatment by rubbing the potion on the boy’s cheek. As the bruising faded and the swelling subsided, a rather smooth face emerged. His appearance, delicate like a girl, was quite distinct from that of a typical swordsman.
‘Gray hair and brown eyes, what an interesting combination.’
His gray-white hair resembled snow dusted with ash. The boy, now free of wounds and pain, widened his eyes in amazement. As if experiencing a miracle, he began to touch his face.
“Th-this is incredible… It doesn’t hurt at all now.”
“Awesome, right? The person who made that potion is no ordinary individual.”
“Th-thank you. I’m truly grateful. This kindness…”
“Enough. Just finish your delivery.”
Ronan waved his hand as if he was annoyed.It wasn’t something I had hoped for in the first place. The boy, bowing respectfully, quickly started gathering his belongings. Observing this, Ronan raised an eyebrow.
“Are you leaving now?”
“Yes! If I walk diligently from now on, I should arrive by tomorrow evening. I need to finish my duties quickly and return.”
“You can join us if you want. I can ensure your safety.”
“Thank you very much, but I’ll gratefully accept your kind intentions. I don’t want to bother you anymore. I will never forget this.”
The boy once again expressed his gratitude, bowing his head. Though a bit uneasy, Ronan couldn’t forcibly detain someone who insisted on leaving. Scratching his head, Ronan asked.
“What’s your name?”
“I’m Darman. What about that…?”
“Ronan. When you meet Zaifa, send my regards. Tell him ‘let’s have a drink and clear up any misunderstandings’.”
“Misunderstandings… with Miss Zaifa?”
Darman’s face stiffened. It wasn’t a story he wanted to boast about. Ronan gestured for him to go quickly.
“There’s something like that. If it’s burdensome, you don’t have to.”
“…No, I’ll definitely convey your message. I will not forget today’s grace. Ronan.”
“Go.”
After saying that, Darman turned around. He walked backwards three steps and bowed to Ronan. Ronan turned around only to see Darman disappear behind the trees.
He suddenly noticed that all the junk that had been lying around had disappeared. Even pieces of the torn sleeping bag and the crushed sandwich were missing. Apart from the dying campfire, there was no trace of Darman left.
‘What a fascinating guy.’
Only the blood stains and the six arms laying on the ground confirmed that what happened moments ago was no dream. Coming all the way to Parzan to deliver something, he was a kid that gave off an odd impression in many ways.
Ronan covered the campfire with soil. Psssh! While gazing at the starry sky, a rustling sound came from behind.
“Hmm?”
Ronan, gripping the hilt of his sword, turned his head. The approaching aura felt peculiar. Was it an animal? Just as Lamancha was pulled out of its sheath, a familiar face emerged from between the overlapping trees.
“What?”
Ronan raised an eyebrow. Shullifen, meeting Ronan’s gaze, stopped in his tracks. He was also holding the hilt of his sword, ready to strike at any moment.
“Ronan. Were you here all this time?”
“I want to ask the same thing. Why are you here?”
“I came here after hearing screams. It seems the situation was resolved a long time ago.”
Shullifen glanced around and nodded as if he understood the situation. Ronan frowned.
“A long time ago?”
It had been too short of time to be called a long time ago. Shullifen released his grip on the sword hilt.
“That’s right. I don’t sense any traces of the one who screamed. Did they not leave a long time ago?”
“That’s true… but it really hasn’t been that long?”
Ronan concentrated, expanding his senses. About a hundred meters ahead, he sensed the presence of three individuals. They were the rookie hunters he had dealt with.
Whether it was from severe bleeding or not, one of them gradually extinguished like a candle. Darman’s presence, on the other hand, was nowhere to be felt.
“What’s going on?”
“It seems one of the owners of those arms is dead. I still can’t sense the energy of anyone other than them…”
Shullifen couldn’t detect Darman. The fact that Shullifen, whose senses were much more acute than Ronan, couldn’t detect Darman meant that Darman was already quite a distant away. Despite appearing incapable in combat, was he exceptionally fast on his feet? Ronan chuckled at the absurd situation.
“Damn, I feel like I was haunted by a ghost.”
“What happened?”
“I’ll tell you on the way. What about Instructor Navirose?”
“She returned a little while ago. She praised you, saying you’re a guy with much more guts than she expected. What happened?”
“…Well, that’s a story that might actually kill you.”
Ronan grinned wickedly. Even considering his two lifetimes, it was one of the most bizarre nights of his life. Two moons, the naked body of an Instructor, and a mysterious delivery person on a quest to find Zaifa.
Ronan and Shullifen walked together. Though the way back was long, it wasn’t boring as there was a lot to talk about. Between scattered branches, starlight sparkled as if it were pouring through the sparse leaves.
****
It was two days later when Ronan and his group arrived at their destination. As they emerged from the dense forest, a short grassy field covered in dew appeared. Navirose, who had scanned the surroundings, encouraged the two.
“Everyone has worked hard. You’ve arrived precisely on time.”
The air was fresh. The dawn, ripening into morning, still held a dark blue hue. Ronan raised the corner of his mouth as he saw the twinkling lights beyond the field.
“At last.”
It was Dran Parzan, one of the four villages existing in Parzan. It was also a place where every swordsman who wanted to participate in the Festival of Swords had to stop by. Ronan’s gaze shifted to the back of the village.
“Is there a shrine at the top?”
“Yes. It’s a place only those who have passed the ritual can go. It’s been a while since I’ve seen it, and it feels refreshing.”
“It’s ridiculously high.”
Ronan chuckled. Behind Dran Parzan, a giant mountain rose. With a gentle slope, the mountain seemed like a cornerstone supporting the sky.
Perhaps due to the high altitude, Dran Parzan’s appearance was bluish, as if it were draped in a blue veil. The head of the mountain was stained pure white with perpetual snow.
‘Come to think of it, those guys…’
Suddenly, Ronan realized that numerous people were crossing the field. At least fifty were visible to the eye. As if bound by a promise, they were all moving towards Dran Parzan.
Some carried torches, others used the fading stars as makeshift lanterns. Though their appearances varied, they all shared one thing in common – each had a sword at their side.
“Shall we go too?”
It was a solemn procession, much like pilgrims. After exchanging a few words of encouragement, the three set off in the direction the others were heading.
When they arrived at the village, the surroundings were already brightened. People who appeared to be guides were directing the participants. Suddenly, the guide who crossed paths with Navirose gasped.
“Thank you for your efforts in coming here. If you plan to participate in the Festival of Swords, please proceed to the plaza immediately.”
By the time they reached the village, the surroundings were already bright. People who appeared to be guides were instructing the participants..
“Thank you for your efforts in coming… Ugh! Miss Navirose?!”
“It’s been a while. I’m pretty sure it was around four years ago.”
“Thank you for remembering me. It’s an honor. I guided you back then too. Let me escort you to the Supervisory Committee headquarters.”
“No, there’s no need for that. I came as a participant this time.”
“…What?”
The guide’s eyes widened. Ronan and Shullifen were equally puzzled. Navirose turned around from the guide who seemed like he wanted to say something and walked away. Ronan, who was dazed, quickly caught up with her.
“What? Even someone the Instructor can participate?”
“As long as one doesn’t make a mistake that violates the regulations, there shouldn’t be a problem. Is there a law that says people like me can’t search for the Holy Sword?”
“That’s true, but it’s unexpected. There is sparring between participants during the filtering process, right?”
“Probably, since it’s a consciousness-based ritual.”
“I feel sorry for the person who’ll have to face the Instructor. That’s too much”
Ronan shook his head. He had no idea what kind of test it would be, but this was no different than a massacre. Following the instructions of the guide, they headed towards the plaza. Ronan’s eyes widened.
“This is…”
People were crowded together in a place similar in size to Philleon’s plaza. Looking around, Ronan chuckled at the sight. There were a lot more people gathered than expected.
“Is this everyone that made it through the filtering process?”
“…It’s an unusually large number. They even moved the event date forward. What happened?”
Navirose also seemed puzzled. Moreover, people continued to gather. Ronan turned to the two and spoke.
“It seems like it’ll take a bit before it starts. I’ll go take a look around and come back. I’m getting sore from trying to stay still.”
“Go ahead.”
Navirose muttered. Ronan, stretching, moved his feet. Their auras were so powerful that there was no need to worry about losing each other.
About five minutes had passed as he wandered around. Then, an unfamiliar voice came from behind.
“Who might this be, isn’t it the hero who brought spring back to the continent?”
