758 – 9. Not a single day goes by without this (7)
Cheongeomsan (天劍山) was so high that it almost reached the sky.
A wide wilderness spread out in the western part of the continent. The vast sandy plain that extends all the way to Arancourt on the western coast was a place that people in the distant past called ‘the Anvil of the Gods.’
The desert formed by the strong cold current flowing in the west coast was dry and capricious. Of course, it was not an environment suitable for life, so many people on their way to Arancourt disappeared before the warp gate was installed.
Still, there is only one place.
There was one place where the climate was particularly noticeable. The land is colored with blue light every time spring comes, as if it monopolizes the vitality of the entire desert.
“Should we call it the mystery of Heavenly Sword Mountain?”
These were the words spoken by senior Delphine, who was walking next to me.
Should we really say that he is the head of the Yurdina family? She was surprisingly knowledgeable. Even just now, aren’t they explaining the climate of Cheongeomsan Mountain?
Every time I took a step, the flowing blonde hair distracted my vision. Her hair was so bright that even the pouring sunlight made it docile.
“Only the Cheongeomsan Mountain area has a rich ecosystem. “The precipitation itself won’t be much different.”
“Isn’t it some kind of oasis?”
“Maybe… However, the scale is so large that some people seem to be proposing new hypotheses.”
When Delphine said that, her voice was as calm as always. For a moment, it felt like we were traveling to an unfamiliar place just the two of us.
It was a confusion for a reason.
Warp gates were items installed only in base cities in various regions. Of course, there was no way to get to Cheongeomsan Mountain in one go, and it took a total of two days to get from the nearest gateway to here.
It was a place we finally reached after only being hit by sand and dust for that entire time.
I couldn’t help but be impressed by the small animals that appeared occasionally and the colorful landscapes made of chlorophyll. Should I really say that it felt like I had reached ‘paradise’?
Even thanks to the humidity, the temperature was relatively cool. At night, on the other hand, the temperature will be somewhat mild.
This makes you feel like you are in a foreign tourist destination.
Also, the fact that the woman walking next to me was senior Delphine also played a part.
To be more precise, it feels like an ‘affair trip’.
It was rude to Delphine, who continued her explanation in a relaxed tone.
“Do you know the story behind Heavenly Sword Mountain?”
“Yes, the hero’s sword that cut down Delphirem a long time ago is buried there… Did you say ‘heavenly sword’?”
“In fact, the ‘Heavenly Sword’ was not the only thing that mankind feared at the time. There was a unique person who could wield that sword, a human who had become so strong that humanity could no longer handle it… “What do you think happened?”
It was the first time I heard this secret story. There was no way that such shocking information would have been forgotten, and it probably seemed to belong to the ‘hypothesis’ mentioned above.
After remaining silent for a while, a retort comes out from my lips.
“…… How is that possible? “If humanity is too strong to handle, that means it can’t be killed.”
“I don’t know the details. He was such a great person that he was called a ‘hero’ at the time, so he may have chosen to sacrifice himself. “For the well-being of the continent.”
“Then that mountain must be a tomb.”
Soon, our eyes naturally turned to the front. There, there was a mountain so tall that it could not be hidden by anything, let alone trees.
A rocky mountain whose altitude is clearly engraved on the retina thanks to the cloudless sky.
Even at first glance, it had a unique appearance. For a mountain that high, it must be part of a mountain range to be the summit.
It’s not even a volcano, but it can stand so tall alone.
Naturally, speculation arose that there might be a hidden story.
While not taking his eyes off ‘Cheongeomsan Mountain,’ senior Delphine finally finished the story.
“That’s right. The body of the ‘hero’ buried beneath was still overflowing with blood, and the nutrients from it were what made this land so fertile… “It’s literally a rumor like a legend.”
It is a land prospering with blood.
Although it was something the world would like, it was a hypothesis that left an unpleasant aftertaste. Even if we don’t do that, the world is already full of tragedies.
For example, like Shien’s family history, where he looks around with his eyes shining.
“Brother Ian! There are so many plants that I have never seen before. I heard that the area around Cheongeomsan Mountain has a unique ecosystem, but there are so many indigenous species…..!”
Like a curious wizard, it was an exclamation with a burning desire to explore. Every time you show such a bright side, even though my heart burns.
How much does Shien know?
Common sense suggests that he would not have known that his maternal family existed in the western part of the empire. In that case, since I am here, I might be able to have a word with my biological mother.
But Shien said nothing.
Have I not found the courage to meet you yet? Or maybe he was planning to bring up the story only after finishing his business at Cheongeomsan Mountain.
How long have you been walking alone like this, worrying?
Suddenly, an unfamiliar building appeared before my eyes. A gateway with two pillars, a roof, and a signboard with a unique handwriting hung on top of them.
It was the entrance to Cheongeomsan Mountain.
The one who got excited after seeing this was none other than Shien.
“It is a mountain gate…… !”
There was no need to even ask what that was. This was because Shien’s excited voice continued.
“It is said that a long time ago, there was a country founded by peoples from beyond the sea. I heard that Cheongeomsan still retains the architectural style from that time…….!”
Hmm, I guess that’s information I don’t really need to hear.
Ignoring Shien, who was intoxicated by the new discovery and starting to talk, I took a step forward and narrowed the distance between me and ‘Prose Gate’. This was because there was already a person there looking at us with honest eyes.
A short boy wearing a uniform.
He looked young, probably in his mid-teens. In the past, I might have ignored it, but the feeling of reaching ‘master’ was telling me.
The true skill that boy is hiding.
It was unique. There isn’t a lot of magical power stored in the body, but it gives an impression so sharp that it makes your hair tingle.
No matter how worldly the ‘Sword Circle’ was, there was no way it would be overflowing with talent of this caliber. So I had to ask in the most polite tone possible.
“Did you come down from Heavenly Sword Mountain?”
“Hmph.”
What came back instead of an answer was a snort. The boy seemed to glance at me out of the corner of his eye, but then closed his eyes and spoke irritatedly.
“He’s an incredibly strong guy… It must be you, right? “That ‘Jian’s disciple’ guy.”
I guess there was no need to introduce myself. Well, the swordsman said he had already made a statement.
Of course, there were no problems at all.
Sir Irene got angry at the boy’s rude remarks.
“What is this…?” Take care of yourself! This person is the ‘Iron-Blooded Duke’ of the empire. He is someone who should be treated with courtesy and law…… !”
“Steel Blood Ball?”
“Yes, you are the fourth master of the continent and someone who is treated with the same respect as His Majesty the Emperor. Of course you have to be respectful…… !”
However, despite Sir Irene’s passionate words, the sour expression on the boy’s face did not change.
He even cut off mid-sentence, saying he was tired of it.
“I am Master Heo.”
“…… ?”
It was the first time in her life that she had heard a title. Sir Irene couldn’t help but stiffen.
Taking advantage of that opportunity, the boy’s words continued indifferently.
“How do you feel about respecting me?”
“No, that, that…” ….”
At the moment when Sir Irene looked intently at me and looked at the group, asking for help.
“Of course not, because it’s probably the first time I’ve heard this name!”
The boy who introduced himself as ‘Instructor Heo’ clicked his tongue as he said that.
“I don’t think you know it yet, but this is Cheongeomsan Mountain. Heavenly Sword Mountain! “No matter how high your reputation in the world is, it is not a reason to seek my respect.”
Sir Irene’s face turned red as she was immediately caught off guard. He was stammering, his lips moving as if he were trying to come up with a rebuttal, but no proper sound came out.
Of course, Master Heo just turned his back on us as if he liked our thoughts.
“Of course, as someone who walks the path of martial arts, I admit that you are a talented person. But compared to his strength, what is his sword skills like? ….”
That’s the end.
Instructor Heo started walking, and we had no choice but to stand at a distance behind him. Until Sir Irene got angry again.
“What kind of person is that…. Anyway, Dear Ian! Even if His Majesty the Emperor was reigning, would he still be so arrogant? It looks like we’re easy…… !”
“Stop.”
In the end, it was up to me to calm Sir Irene down. As he let out a deep sigh.
“I guess we didn’t know much about ‘Cheongeomsan Mountain.'”
Or, ‘Cheongeomsan Mountain’ is not welcoming us.
Thinking that it wasn’t a pleasant start either way, we followed in Master Heo’s footsteps.
*
And now.
There were several buildings gathered on the gentle slope of the mountain. Sien explained in an excited voice that he had put ’tiles’ on it. Considering various circumstances, it seemed clear that this was the center of Heavenly Sword Mountain.
The crowd gathered here is approximately hundreds.
It is no exaggeration to say that most of the ‘Sword Circle’ had gathered. No matter how mystical the sect was, if the guest from outside was a big person, there was bound to be interest.
In particular, there were some who stood out among them.
Even among countless swordsmen, these swordsmen shine especially brightly. These were people who devoted their whole lives to swordsmanship, and whose prayers themselves felt as sharp as a blade.
First of all, there was one boy who guided us.
And there is a woman whose face cannot be seen because her cotton threads are flying high, and an old woman who exudes an unusually strong presence like the sun at dawn.
The last one was the woman I greeted.
It was a girl who looked like an ice artifact carved with great care by a craftsman. She has gray hair that exquisitely crosses the border between black and white, and eyes that seem to have a North Pole star in them. She is also someone whose pale, white skin gives a cold impression.
Could there be another being with such cool beauty?
That was because of that. Without thinking, I raised her hand and greeted her as she walked.
“Seria!”
However, Seria did not even flinch at my call. Even though she was gradually getting closer to me.
We are located in the center of a wide open space on the midslope.
It was already a place where only the elites of the ‘Sword Circle’ gathered. Because it was the spot where the boy who guided us here, the woman in the veil, and the old woman were located.
It seemed rather clear that Seria was heading here. So, I went to Ceria’s side and tried to grab her arm.
“Seria, it’s been a while! Have you been well…… !”
Tap.
I didn’t even know that my hand would be struck down so mercilessly as to be pitiful.
It was around this time that I was dumbfounded by the unimaginable rejection. Only then did Seria’s pupils begin to glance at me.
With extremely cold eyes.
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“…… Who are you?”
What, should I answer?
Of course I couldn’t know. While I was unable to say anything due to the unfamiliar response, Seria quickly lost her attention on me and started walking again.
Behind the old woman who was holding her back.
With this, the composition was divided into two. An old woman and three men and women standing behind her.
Across from there, the members of the Empire, led by me.
The old woman let out a faint laugh. Although she did not move her gaze, it was clear where the question was directed.
“…… “Is it an earthly relationship?”
Seria did not answer. Instead, she just stood behind the old woman and put her hands into the sleeves of her gi.
“There is no need to be so cruel. Because the arrangement of royalties is not something that can be done so easily…….”
“I don’t know this person.”
However, Seria’s answer is as firm as ever.
“And, I don’t even want to know.”
In the end, the old woman had to smile bitterly.
“Nice to meet you, disciple of ‘Jian’… On behalf of Heavenly Sword Mountain, I welcome you. This is the sword circle! It is a place where people who have cut off ties with the world and follow only the path of the sword gather. This person, despite his shortcomings, is called the ‘Great Instructor’ who is in charge of this place…….”
The self-introduction continued even before I could recover from the shock.
Soon, the men and women in the background begin to bow their heads one by one, following the old woman’s gaze.
“…… “The instructor is ‘Heo.'”
The first boy I met was the first.
“The teacher is ‘nothing.'”
The second woman is wearing a veil.
“The teacher is ’emptiness.'”
And Seria is the last.
The introduction ended with a unique greeting where the left hand was extended and the right hand was closed into a fist. Until then, Seria had not even cast a glance at me.
I finally felt like I could understand the swordsman’s advice.
‘Don’t say hello.’
“Welcome to the challenge of ‘Cheongeomjiro (天劍之路)’ for the first time in decades. Of course… ….”
This was not advice for Seria. Rather, it was advice for me.
“You will have to pass our instructors’ test, though.”
Then, when the old woman glanced back, the three men and women who were introduced as ‘instructors’ immediately bowed their heads.
It was the beginning of a messy relationship.