Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

Chapter 246 'What is this thing babbling about right now?' Red Sky Sodin looked at the Magic Sword in his hand as if it were a leech clinging to his body. 'That rampage of power back then was not the Magic Sword's power, but that brat's power?' There was no need to make an effort to trace back his memories. That terrifying Vortex of Power was intensely carved into his mind. Enough to control Sodin's thoughts and actions now. The moment Sodin concentrated his mind, that scene unfolded vividly in his mind as if it were happening right before his eyes. Sandstorm. Black Flames. The army of insects. Each individual power that formed the Vortex of Power certainly harbored profound force and energy beyond what was visible. Even for an Archmage who had reached the pinnacle, handling just one of those powers properly would certainly not be an easy task. Yet. Those three powers unfolded harmoniously all at once, forming a Vortex of Power. Finally, even the masterful Swordsmanship that concentrated all of it! It wasn't a matter of possessed power or level. It was not the kind of power that beings constrained by the unstable framework of flesh could handle. Right now, even High Elves, who are said to be born with magical qualities comparable to superior Mages from birth, would immediately have their bodies torn apart from Overload if they tried to imitate that. Magic Sword! A being that defies logic, freed from the constraints of flesh and life. That Power That Defies Logic would only be permitted to such beings that defy logic. Therefore, Sodin believed without doubt that Vortex of Power was the Magic Sword's doing. Risir. He also considered the combination of powers that brat had shown to be part of the Divine Authority granted by the Magic Sword. Why? Because that was common sense. It was the law of the world that he, an old man, had felt at every moment throughout his not-short life. "Magic Sword!!!" Therefore, Sodin could not believe the Magic Sword's words. No. He would not believe them. He thought it was deceiving him. It bewitches people with cunning and shallow words. That must be why it's called a Magic Sword. "How dare you test me, Red Sky!!!" "...!" In an instant. Risir raised his arm to shield himself and stepped back. The Mage who was once praised as the pinnacle of flame. Red Sky Sodin released the Flame Energy he had meticulously stored without restraint. It was merely a fragment of will that had not yet taken form and transformed into power. Nevertheless, everyone in the place could feel that fierce heat on their skin. "Sodin!!! Please, don't do anything foolish-" Junggeom stopped the Seer who was crying out desperately. The Swordmaster's hollow yet sorrowful gaze conveyed it all. That was no longer their comrade. Perhaps, it had been that way from the beginning. Therefore- "Emotional responses end there. You understand what I'm saying, right? Shuon." "..." She wasn't the only one shocked by their comrade's betrayal. The Seer, who had been making eye contact with Junggeom, soon took on a resolute expression. It was truly a wise response. Even while they suffered from their violated camaraderie, Archmage Sodin paid no attention at all. Sodin released his Aura without restraint. Thus he appealed himself to the Magic Sword. Pure Energy that even transcendent beings like Superior Spirits and high-ranking Demons would covet. Sodin shouted confidently. "I'll say it once more. No!!! I'll say it for the last time!!! Magic Sword!!! I am the one who truly befits being your master!!! If it's me- no, only I! Can handle your power completely!!!" -... Thump! Thump! The Magic Sword's pulsation intensified as if excited. A fragment of the Night of the Sword. The Archmage's sincerity was enough to captivate even the Magic Sword that only coveted and despised Swordsmen. Sodin could feel that the Magic Sword was listening to his words. 'The Magic Sword is accepting my Aura... And, it's assimilating its own Aura with mine...!' The Archmage knew the fate of those who had been devoured by the Magic Sword. The Seer had shown him visions related to that destruction. Nevertheless, the Archmage began assimilating himself with the Magic Sword without hesitation. That power!!! If only he could grasp that chaotic yet magnificent power in his hands, he could willingly offer himself. "I'll give you everything I have. No! I'll give you everything in this world! So, use that power only for me! That power of chaos!!!" The Archmage raised both hands holding the Magic Sword high. Everyone present knew that posture. The appearance of containing the Vortex of Power in the Sword. Magic Swordsman. It was the appearance of that incomprehensible being's complete Manifestation. The Archmage's motion was a kind of proposal and presentation of a Contract. I will allow you to manifest as that Magic Swordsman using my body! If the Magic Sword granted the Archmage the Divine Authority of Magic Swordsmanship, the Archmage's existence would immediately be subordinated to the Magic Sword. "Damn it...!" Risir's group, who had been watching for an opportunity, immediately tried to step forward. However, at the same time, they realized why they couldn't act rashly. "Uggh- Guurgh...-" Master of Sealing Shelloa. Her body convulsed and the glasses that had been precariously perched fell to the floor. The flame noose that bound her body had become a snake and burrowed into her mouth. "I, Red Magic Sodin, swear upon my Soul and power- I will quietly leave this land after obtaining the Magic Sword!!! So do not interfere with me!" Risir's group was given two choices. Abandon the Hero of Sealing and settle things with the Archmage who obtained the Magic Sword. Or quietly let the Magic Sword and Archmage go and save the Hero of Sealing. "Let's just let him go!!!" When Risir readily shouted, everyone was startled. Even Sodin. "Hey, are you in your right mind!?" Junggeom widened his eyes and raised his voice, but Risir paid no attention. With trembling eyes, he spoke with a seemingly weak expression. "This Mansion is located in the middle of Illatdein residential area. If we fight an all-out battle with him here, it will cause uncontrollable damage. And, the Hero will lose her life the moment it starts. We cannot let that happen." A smile formed on Sodin's lips. He read the fear that Risir couldn't completely hide from his attitude. 'Coward!!! You're afraid to face me!' Kahahaha! Sodin burst into laughter with satisfaction. "Wise, Risir! Very wise! The cleverness you showed me back then wasn't an illusion!" It wasn't the appearance of praising a clever young man by any means. On the contrary, it was closer to mocking a foolish brat. Sodin shook his two hands that held the Magic Sword aloft. As if showing the Magic Sword that pathetic sight. 'Magic Sword!!! Look closely!!! Is such a brat truly more suitable as your master than me!!!' The assimilation had reached a certain level. Now the Archmage and Magic Sword could exchange thoughts through Will. Thus, the Archmage actively disparaged Risir where he couldn't hear. He picked out his flaws and shoved them before the Magic Sword. 'Please, don't disappoint me!!! If you deliberate any longer, even I will have no choice but to doubt your intelligence!!!' To urge the Magic Sword's decision. -... Eventually. A mysterious woman appeared beside him. The woman who wore her black hair that reached her feet like a dress was visible only to Sodin's eyes. -Beast... The woman's atmosphere, which regarded humans as mere tools named beasts, was extremely alien. A face that could perhaps imitate human form, but could not imitate human emotions. However- was it just his imagination. Sodin could glimpse fragments of human emotion in her expression. -Do not act rashly... It was something even the Magic Sword herself didn't realize. Right now she was feeling instinctive anxiety and revealing it in her expression. -That... might not be that monster's true form... "Kahahaha!!!" Sodin burst into laughter once more. Now as the Magic Sword's Erosion progressed moment by moment. He was continuously moving away from the appearance of an Archmage. That madly laughing thing didn't look like the red Archmage who had possessed sharp reason by any means. 'Night of the Sword, beast! That name suits you! At this point, it's safe to say you're not just acknowledging that brat but actually fearing him!!! Magic Sword! Is your hesitation in choosing perhaps to flatter that brat!?' -... *** When Sodin provoked harshly, the Magic Sword instead lost emotion and regained its original alien appearance. It gazed steadily at the old man blinded by power. The Archmage believed he could endure the Magic Sword's dominion and maintain an ordinary master-servant relationship of 'master and Sword'. However. From the Magic Sword's perspective, the period he could do so wouldn't be long. Before long the relationship would be reversed, and the Archmage would fall to being a mere tool. The Magic Sword could be certain because it had caused the Fall from Grace of countless beasts who had been blinded by power and overconfident in themselves. Therefore. It could be said to be a truly desirable situation for the Magic Sword. She too was clearly aware of that part. But. Why was it. The black woman turned her body away from Sodin toward the opposite side. Risir. A weak expression and cowering posture. That appearance seemed as if he was hoping the situation would just pass quickly, but at that moment. -...! The black woman. Her body flinched and trembled. "I see! Magic Sword!!! I understand!!! That brat! You desire the destruction of that brat who brought you humiliation!!! Good! As you wish, I'll burn that thing!!!" Meanwhile, the Archmage's patience reached its limit. When Sodin saw the Magic Sword continuously looking at Risir, he shouted with bloodshot eyes. -Foolish thing... when did I ever wish for such a thing... However, at the Magic Sword's subsequent reaction, Sodin felt his head cool down temporarily. The Magic Sword openly distanced itself from Sodin. As if he were setting himself on fire and rushing at it. -How about waking up from the fantasy moderately... just when will you realize... something like Magic Swordsmanship doesn't exist... Sodin's eyes almost rolled back. Something like Magic Swordsmanship doesn't exist. Was that truly something a being called a Magic Sword would babble!? Whoosh! Sodin's emotional turmoil had an effect, and his Aura began to rampage unstably. The interior of the room was instantly engulfed in flames. "...!" Junggeom and Karoer's eyes flashed with interest. Sodin's agitation. The weakness caused by it! They saw it as an opportunity to exploit his opening. "Where do you think you're going!!!" Sodin swung his arm. Then the flames that surrounded the space struck them. "Ugh...!" Junggeom raised his greatsword, and Karoer deployed a magical barrier. The fierce flames of the Archmage who had accepted the Magic Sword's power contained strength that was overwhelming even to block. Thus the Archmage was keeping his senses sharply alert even while losing himself. Certainly, everyone thought so. Whiing! Until one man kicked off the ground with a Gale. The cowering posture was actually crouching for a leap. Sodin's thinking, dulled by emotional turmoil, took longer than usual to accept that change. Eventually, when Sodin sensed the anomaly, Risir had already penetrated right up to him. "Where...!" Sodin panicked. Therefore, he tried to unleash all his power. The red Archmage's desperate struggle containing his full strength was more than enough to turn the swift but defenseless man into charcoal. Just as the Archmage's flames were about to devour the man- A strong spiritual Aura conveyed a specific message to everyone in the place. -If you help me now, I'll try to restrain the abuse of 'Magic Swordsmanship' as much as possible! They momentarily wondered if it was the Magic Sword's Will. It wasn't. It was a proposal a human made to the Magic Sword. It was what happened at the same time. "!!!" The black filth spewed out by the black Sword- That distinctive Aura became a helmet and covered the Archmage's face. The Archmage's flames that were about to perform the phenomenon of 'ignition' with intent! It was the moment when its momentum was about to weaken significantly. -...! The black woman clutched her chest. It was the aftermath of the 'Magic Swordsmanship' performed earlier. The Magic Sword couldn't endure the 'Magic Swordsmanship' and collapsed on the spot. In the end, the Magic Sword's action only created a momentary opening in the red Archmage. Junggeom's eyes widened as he watched that moment of fierce battle from beyond the flames. 'Dangerous!' At this rate, the red Archmage's flames would devour Risir along with his surprise sword strike. Yes. It would certainly be so. 'Wait, that's-' Junggeom doubted his own eyes and ears. Shaaaang- A sound like a glass cup vibrating. Purple afterimages drawn in the air. Sacred Sword of Sealing. The power of that sacred Sword was sealing the red Archmage's flames. 'Shelloa, could she have awakened!?' Junggeom thought so. The Sacred Sword's power could only be wielded by its master. "Stop!" The red Archmage swung his burning hand toward the man- the Magic Sword gripped in that hand. Slash! The Magic Sword floated in the air. The Archmage's arm that gripped it had been severed. "Stop!!!!!" The red Archmage spat out blood-red flames from his eyes and mouth. His flames covered Risir's Sword and arm. To prevent it from harming him! Risir lowered his left hand that gripped the Sword. Simultaneously, he pointed his empty right hand forward. Thud. The Magic Sword that had been floating in the air settled into his hand as if being sucked in. Slash! It was the sound of cutting through fire. The flames that had devoured the place subsided in an instant. The red Archmage collapsed powerlessly on the floor. "Phew." The man swung his left hand. Thus, he shook off the flames clinging to his Sword. Then he swung his right hand. Thus, he shook off the blood clinging to his Sword. Junggeom formed a pleased smile at the sight of that dignified young Swordsman. "...Huh?" But that smile hardened rapidly. Junggeom leaned his head forward and strained his eyes. The Sword that Risir usually carried was still hanging at his waist. 'Then the Sword that Risir just wielded was-' Junggeom's gaze moved slowly. Eventually he muttered in a trembling voice. "How is that there..." That man was holding both the Magic Sword and Sacred Sword simultaneously.