novelraw Chapter 206 : Chapter 206
Chapter 206 : Chapter 206
Chapter 206: Subjugation Battle (6)
The preparations for the Red Magician’s subjugation proceeded more slowly than expected.
Logistics and equipment checks were completed long ago. Thanks to the support from the Magic Towers, who despised Black Magicians, we received plenty of Subspace Backpacks and top-grade equipment. There was no need for a separate supply unit; the paladin forces alone could transport sufficient supplies, allowing us to focus solely on combat without the burden of heavy gear.
Finding ways to counter black magic wasn’t a major issue either. No matter how formidable the Red Magician was in the realm of black magic, the Holy Kingdom, the continent’s greatest superpower, wasn’t so incompetent as to be unprepared. While there might be some losses, the consensus was that no trickery would be severe enough to turn the tide of battle.
So, what was the problem?
Diplomacy.
To secure the travel route to the Red Magician’s lair, we had to gain the consent of each nation.
“Idiots. We’re offering to take care of their problem, and they’re still so uncooperative…”
“Tell me about it.”
Some paladins grumbled.
Contrary to their complaints, the southern kingdoms were actually quite cooperative with the Holy Kingdom. However, their slow bureaucracy made it seem like they were dragging their feet on the Red Magician’s subjugation. Given enough time, it would be resolved.
For this reason, the powerhouses gathered for the subjugation had to wait idly for a considerable amount of time.
What did they do to pass the time?
Whoosh.
Whoosh-!
Training.
It was only natural.
Some might ask how much stronger one could get in just a month, but it was this consistent diligence that had brought them to this point.
The paladins and Demon Inquisitors participating in the subjugation trained relentlessly, leaving no room for regret, while the Acanthus members honed their combat senses in their own way. Despite cooperating to defeat a common enemy, they were like oil and water, unable to mix.
However, some Acanthus members interacted with others: Konjinyu, Zeb, and Heitz.
Especially Heitz, who sparred with Gael almost daily, prompting surprised reactions from the paladins.
“They’re really going at it.”
“Yeah, don’t they ever get tired?”
“I heard most Sword Masters are cautious about preserving themselves… but these two don’t seem to care about that at all.”
“That’s true for the old ones. These two are in their prime…”
“Right. Heitz is one thing, but Gael isn’t even twenty-five yet.”
“Hah, seriously. What did he eat to become a Sword Master in his early twenties? It’s absurd.”
“Beats me… If he survives this subjugation, he might just be the next strongest on the continent.”
“No denying that. Even in the Holy Kingdom, there’s no talent like him.”
As the paladins said, most Sword Masters were highly cautious. Losing to another master in a spar or duel would bring unparalleled disgrace.
While some criticized this as cowardice, it was understandable considering the burdens masters carried. Most were the strongest in their kingdoms or leaders of major organizations, so their honor wasn’t just their own.
But Heitz and Gael had no reason to care about such things.
Heitz was an avatar of vengeance, dedicating his life to killing the Red Magician, and Gael saw honor as worthless as a pebble on the roadside.
Sometimes they sparred like friends, sometimes like enemies, fiercely swinging their swords at each other.
Today was no different.
Crack-!
Heitz clenched his fist.
Sharp frost crystals floated in the air.
Gael, watching his opponent repeat the same action several times, wore a troubled expression. Heitz used these crystals to attack by detonating them or as a defensive tool. The best counter was to prevent him from creating them in the first place.
But there was no helping it. Heitz, a cut above in skill, always found openings, using them to create frost clusters and tilt the situation in his favor. This time was no different. To defeat him, it seemed a big gamble was necessary.
Ziiing…!
In that moment, the Blue Sword surrounding Gael’s blade grew sharper.
He recalled past memories. Specifically, his time in the village, filled with nothing but darkness and the stench of blood.
Back then, Gael had no sense of self. He merely cut down his peers, again and again, to become the strongest Godok as per the calamity’s will and his father’s orders. Those memories made his sword sharp and precise but fragile, as if it could shatter at any moment.
But that wasn’t the end.
Gael’s thoughts began to extend to more recent events.
The frail blue blade, which seemed ready to crumble, started to solidify, little by little.
Rumble-!
It wasn’t a sword learned in the village.
It was a sword he forged himself after being freed, experiencing the world.
A sword shaped in Marzen to protect those he truly cherished.
It wasn’t a path set by others.
It was a path he chose himself.
Recalling this, Gael’s sword, no longer just sharp, became far sturdier and more resolute as he charged at Heitz again.
Clang!
Boom-!
Kaboom!
After a prolonged clash, the outcome was finally decided.
As expected, the victor was Heitz, the strongest of Acanthus.
But Gael wasn’t discouraged. He had lasted far longer against Heitz than in their first spar.
“Next time, huff, I’ll do better. Hoo.”
“……I look forward to it.”
Leaving a brief comment, Heitz returned to a corner of the training ground to focus on his personal training.
His expression was cold, but his eyes toward Gael were not. Konjinyu thought that Gael had become one of the few Heitz acknowledged.
“Impressive…”
“Indeed.”
Duke Muel and Rough Schroeder, watching the spar, also let out exclamations.
They hadn’t sparred themselves due to concerns about appearances. Rough Schroeder, a wandering knight, had fewer burdens, but Duke Muel, representing a nation, had to mind public perception.
Yet, even he felt his blood boil at the intensity of Heitz and Gael’s spar. Knowing they were genuine with each other made it all the more thrilling.
Duke Muel spoke again.
“Amazing. Truly… truly amazing. What is it?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why does that young man train so fiercely, so relentlessly? Don’t you think? If I became a Sword Master in my early twenties, I’d be satisfied and enjoy life… but he’s whipping himself as if twenty-four hours aren’t enough.”
“Hmm, that’s… a curious point.”
Rough Schroeder nodded.
Duke Muel was right. In his twenties, Rough had strutted around, proud just to have reached Graduate level.
‘It took me a while to let go of that arrogance….’
But this young man, Gael, was neither arrogant nor lazy.
He trained diligently, persistently, almost terrifyingly, as always.
‘Should I ask?’
That thought spurred Rough Schroeder into action.
What was it?
What drove this young man to train so relentlessly every day?
Was it a grudge against the Red Magician, like Acanthus?
Or was there another reason?
With these thoughts, he approached Gael, sweating profusely as he swung his sword, and shared his honest curiosity.
“There are two reasons.”
“Two reasons?”
The answer came immediately.
Confirming the conversation was flowing, Rough Schroeder’s face lit up as he asked.
“Can you tell me both?”
“It’s not difficult. The first reason… is to protect those dear to me.”
“Hmm, I see.”
A textbook answer.
It also brought to mind his background.
He had settled in Marzen, a place heavily damaged by the Red Magician, so it made sense he’d feel a greater need for strength.
But.
The second reason Gael gave was something Rough couldn’t comprehend.
“The second… is because there’s someone I want to catch up to.”
“Someone to catch up to? Heitz?”
“No. The guy I mentioned before… Harang.”
Gael’s expression hardened as he thought of him.
Unlike before, he wasn’t obsessively fixated on catching up to Harang.
But Harang was still clearly a goal to surpass, a driving force pushing him to greater heights. There was no reason to deny it.
He said.
“I may never catch up to him… but I’ll keep trying. Until I can cross swords with him.”
“…….”
“That’s all.”
With that, Gael resumed swinging his sword.
Rough Schroeder, leaving him to it, looked at Duke Muel with a furrowed brow, and Duke Muel returned a puzzled look.
‘What’s he talking about?’
'What’s that mean?’
Their honest thoughts.
It was only natural.
Hadn’t he said before? That Harang was facing a great wall.
That meant he hadn’t yet reached the Master level.
Of course, reaching that level in his twenties was impressive, but was it enough for a Master like Gael to speak of him like that?
“No way…”
“It doesn’t make sense.”
Thus, the two Sword Masters could only ponder the meaning of Gael’s words with puzzled expressions. No matter how much they thought, it was clearly an unsolvable riddle.
But a moment later.
Step, step.
The moment a stranger with black hair appeared in the training ground.
The moment they realized his appearance matched exactly what Gael had described.
“…….”
“…….”
“…….”
Shock flashed through the eyes of the three Sword Masters training in the ground.
“You’re here, Harang.”
“Yeah.”
Of course, not everyone reacted that way.
Those who knew Harang’s strength, like Gael, simply nodded as if to say, ‘As expected.’