NOVEL WEB Chapter 14 - Sage of the Sword
✦ Chapter 14 — Sage of the Sword ✦
「Translator – Creator」
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It might have seemed like someone was just clearing away fallen leaves; anyone witnessing the way a person was so effortlessly flung through the air might have thought as much.
“Kkkk!”
“Ugga!”
The guards tasked with protecting the nobles could do little more than scream in despair; the creature was displaying the full, unrestrained majesty of a Transcendent being.
“Lord Isaac!”
Jonathan hastily stepped in front of Isaac, shouting, “You need to get out of here! You’ll die if you stay!”
If we stay here, we’re dead.
But Isaac’s gaze was fixed solely on the Transcendent being, which had taken on a feline form.
‘Swinging that greatsword, is it?’
Jonathan’s voice was drowned out as Isaac stared intently at the Transcendent’s greatsword, his eyes locked on it as if mesmerized. Even as Jonathan tried to shake him back to reality, Isaac remained silent.
Suddenly—
*Pchhh!*
— Silverna’s spear lodged itself in the Transcendent’s back.
“You’ll…bleed too, it seems.”
Her lips twisted into a grimace that barely resembled a smile as she pulled the spear free.
*Drip!!*
The Transcendent being’s unusually thick blood began to flow down its back, and its slowly turned its body towards Silverna.
“Well, I suppose you’re a somewhat interesting human,” it said, its expression not a single bit distressed despite being pierced by the spear. Instead, the being seemed to be genuinely enjoying the warmth that was spreading through its body, and it began to swing the greatsword in a gentle, flowing motion, as if preparing to engage Silverna in combat.
Meanwhile, the other nobles were fleeing in panic.
It was already clear that the brief battle had been lost, and the inherent fear instilled by the Transcendent being was too much for the novices to handle.
“Lord Isaac, we must flee immediately!” Jonathan urged, finally unable to resist the urge to lift Isaac into his arms.
But—
“Jonathan,” Isaac pushed him away and asked. “Are you confident in your physical strength?”
“Yes?! What do you mean by that?!”
“Can you carry me to the Malideen Wall?”
At his question, Jonathan’s eyes widened as he pounded his chest with his fist.
“I will definitely succeed. I am a knight sworn to protect Lord Isaac, so I’ll do it right away-!”
“Good, then wait.”
“Huh?”
Jonathan, feeling secretly proud of what seemed like a perfect heroic moment, was bewildered to see Isaac walking past him.
“Lord Isaac?!”
“Get ready to run. We’re leaving immediately.”
“What do you-!”
Jonathan’s words trailed off.
Because Isaac had stepped forward, standing between the figures fiercely exchanging blows.
“Isaac?!”
Silverna, who was barely managing to block the Transcendent’s greatsword, looked at Isaac in surprise. Even at her unspoken question of why he hadn’t run away, Isaac didn’t answer.
‘There’s only one way to win here.’
A Transcendent being would never leave a human who had seen its true form alive.
If it dealt with Silverna and started chasing after the fleeing nobles, it would probably catch them soon.
A cold, hard assessment told him that even if they left right now, the Transcendent being could arrive at the Malideen Wall first and lie in wait.
So.
He had to draw its attention.
He had to make it clear that there was a human here the being shouldn’t simply ignore.
And Isaac stepped forward, offering himself up.
But how?
How could he, to a Transcendent being that saw all humans as the same prey, make himself seem like a special target?
“Run! Isaac! It’s a monster! That’s no ordinary demon beast!”
Despite Silverna’s cries, Isaac didn’t stop.
Rather, he was verifying his own judgment, testing it to the end.
Finally,
Just one sentence.
His breath escaped, and the wind carried it away.
“…….”
And the Transcendent being stopped its greatsword.
“Wh-what!?”
Silverna, who had been desperately parrying the creature’s greatsword, was flustered.
Not only did she not understand why it had suddenly stopped, but she also couldn’t hear what Isaac had said.
However,
The Transcendent being’s gaze was already fixed on Isaac.
“Just now.”
Its brow furrowed hideously, and a faint tremor, unbefitting of its monstrous form, could be felt in its voice, “What did you say?”
Isaac met the creatures’ blazing eyes with a sneer.
“Raven Swordsmanship. A sword style taught internally within House Blackson.”
House Blackson was one of the kingdom’s noble families, and there had been someone from the house among the dispatched nobles.
“At first, I was confused. You swing a greatsword, so I thought you specialized in greatsword techniques. But no, considering your size and strength, it should’ve been the opposite. I should’ve thought of single-handed swordsmanship, not greatswords.”
To the Transcendent being, a human’s greatsword probably wasn’t much different from a single-handed sword.
“Traces of that particular swordsmanship are all over your movements. Especially the way you deliberately widen your stance to maintain balance.”
“………….…….”
“Let me tell you something. You don’t have to widen your stance like that because your legs are shaped differently from a human’s.”
“Grrr…”
The Transcendent being, unconsciously lowering its gaze to check its stance.
“You know what this means, don’t you?”
Even at Isaac’s meaningful smile, the being couldn’t say anything.
Because there was no need to overthink it.
“It means someone from House Blackson taught you swordsmanship. They were probably the ones who tried to make that deal with Holstein’s treasures, too.”
However, it seemed House Blackson hadn’t planned on making a proper trade.
And sending a Transcendent being instead of gold just proved that.
Perhaps the grave robbers would have met the same end even if they hadn’t disturbed the demon beast nest.
“I’ve always wondered where and how the Transcendent beings have been getting their information on the Kingdom.”
The question that had lingered in his mind from his previous life was finally answered.
“So there was a traitor in the kingdom all along.”
The Transcendent being’s grip on its greatsword tightened; blood vessels throbbed beneath its skin, and its long tongue darted out to lick its protruding fangs.
No longer a prey to be let go.
This was now a man who had to be killed, no matter what.
“Just…swung a sword, that’s all.”
The Transcendent being muttered, a tinge of disbelief in its voice. It hadn’t revealed anything about its true nature; it had spoken little, and its use of a greatsword had made it virtually impossible to identify its origins.
“And from that alone, you discerned our true identity… and even uncovered the traitor?”
Isaac chuckled, folding his arms.
“If you think it’s just that, then you’re only that far.”
“Ha.”
The Transcendent being let out a hollow laugh.
Indeed, it had underestimated him.
This man, as he had said.
“A Sage you are, a Sage of the Sword.”
Just a few swings of the sword in front of him, and he had reached the pinnacle of understanding.
“Your profound wisdom and knowledge astound me. Might I inquire your name?”
“Isaac.”
“Isaac,” it echoed.
This man was certainly different from the other humans who were nothing more than prey.
“Definitely, you must be killed.”
“Isaac!”
Meanwhile, Silverna’s urgent voice ripped through the air.
She hastily charged at the Transcendent being with her spear, but it was just a wild swing, as it only pierced the air.
The being had already charged at Isaac, determined to kill him.
The others didn’t matter. Only this man had to die.
He had learned all of this from a single encounter.
From a few practiced swings of the sword, he had gleaned a dozen crucial insights.
‘He must be killed!’
The thought of letting him live, only to have him become a thorn in their side again and again, sent chills down its spine.
The Transcendent beings were not yet ready.
It needed time before its brethren could drive out the humans and claim this continent for their own!
“Lord Isaac!”
However, much like Silverna’s spear before, the Transcendent being’s greatsword also sliced through empty air. Because Jonathan, a faint red aura emanating from his entire body, was already running with Isaac slung over his shoulder.
“Jonathan, what in the Red Descent is this?!”
“T-this is no time for that, sir!”
Witnessing Jonathan’s clumsy handling of his aura, Isaac couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. He was a knight of House Helmund, yet this was all he could manage with the ‘Red Descent’ unique to his lineage?
“Get ahold of yourself! Right now, you’re the only one who can outrun that thing!”
Helmund’s direct descendants possessed an overwhelming physical ability.
They were the only humans who could stand toe-to-toe with the Transcendent beings.
And Jonathan, a knight of their house, had trained alongside them and wielded the same Red Descent.
“Y-yes, M’Lord!”
Glancing back as he heard Jonathan’s reply, he saw the Transcendent being running on all fours, its greatsword clamped between its jaws.
“Insane.”
Isaac swore under his breath at the creature’s horrifying speed.
It was far faster than he had anticipated.
Even with Jonathan being a knight of House Helmund, possessing considerable speed and stamina…
It felt as if the Transcendent being would catch up any second. Its strides were smooth despite the uneven terrain, and the trees scattered around seemed like mere toys to it.
“Jonathan! We need to head for the rear Wall! That’s the right way!”
“Hek! Hek! Yes, what do you mean?”
“The rear wall! The way the demon beasts came in! That’s where we have to go!”
“Whaaat?! No! Haa! B-but that place is swarming with demon beasts?!”
“That’s the only way we’re surviving this!”
“Haa… Haa…”
Jonathan seemed to want to argue, but exhaustion kept his mouth shut.
As Isaac tried to see how close the Transcendent being had gotten…
“Grrr…”
“……!”
It was already right behind them; close enough to reach with a mere outstretched hand.
Isaac gasped involuntarily.
‘It’s that fast?!’
Isaac’s face was contorted with shock, and he drew his sword.
It wouldn’t be much use swinging from Jonathan’s back, but he had to do whatever he could.
“Grrr!”
The creature swung its greatsword, still clamped between its jaws.
The sheer force of it would cleave through both Jonathan and Isaac in one go.
However, Isaac managed to narrowly deflect the greatsword by angling his own blade diagonally.
“Ugh!”
He had been able to withstand the blow by bracing his other arm against the flat of his blade, but…
“Damn it!”
His grip weakened, and he lost his sword.
Just from deflecting a single blow, he had lost his weapon.
“I will not deny the vastness of your knowledge.”
The Transcendent being muttered, its voice thick with hatred.
It had realized that Isaac’s knowledge of House Blackson’s Raven Swordsmanship was the only reason it had been momentarily stopped.
“But now, it ends.”
Just as the Transcendent being was about to swing its greatsword once more…
“I apologize, Lord Isaac!”
Jonathan let go of the hand that had been supporting Isaac’s behind; then, raising his arms, he gripped both of Isaac’s armpits, and…
“For the gloryyy of House Helmunddd!”
“Whoaaaa?!”
With a mighty heave, he hurled Isaac forward.
The force of that single throw, imbued with all of Jonathan’s Red Descent, was truly impressive.
Isaac soared through the air like a bird; there were a few close calls with branches, but he managed to avoid crashing into them by curling his body.
However,
“Jonathan!”
He was worried about Jonathan, who had been left alone.
The creature might not pay him much mind while chasing after Isaac, but it would only take a single swing of its greatsword to decapitate him. Given that the Transcendent being harbored an almost perverse hatred for humans, his survival was unlikely.
Just as he was coming to terms with the possibility of Jonathan’s sacrifice, Isaac finally reached the ground.
“Ugh!”
He didn’t hit solid ground.
Instead, he landed in something soft and wet.
It was only then that Isaac realized it was the blood of demon beasts; the bodies of demon beasts were strewn across the forest floor.
And in the distance, he could see the Malideen Wall.
It seemed they had successfully defended against the demon beast onslaught.
“Grrr!”
Just then, the Transcendent being appeared, descending from the mountain. Running on all fours, it began to rapidly close the distance.
It clearly intended to kill Isaac before he reached the Wall.
For Jonathan’s sacrifice to mean something, Isaac desperately sprinted towards the Wall.
Not just to survive.
But to kill that monster.
🎕
The Transcendent being, Beom Baek.
That was its name.
The pure white fur that coated its body had earned it the title.
{T/N :- Baek means ‘white’}
“Grrr!”
It was now running across the snowy field under the pale moonlight; to catch and kill the black-haired man in the distance.
‘The Wall is still far away. I can kill him before he reaches it!’
It surged forward with renewed determination; that man could not be allowed to live.
Even if it meant Beombaek’s own death, it vowed to sink its fangs into his throat.
As it reached the ground where the snow had melted due to the blood and corpses of demon beasts, its speed seemingly increased even further.
The distance between them was closing rapidly when…
…suddenly, arrows began raining down upon its path.
‘They’ve noticed from the Wall, have they?’
It seemed they were providing cover fire to protect that man.
‘Pathetic arrows.’
Its thick hide deflected the arrows effortlessly. When it was within a certain distance…
Beom Baek stopped running and grasped the greatsword in his jaws.
“Groaaaaar!”
With a ferocious roar, it drew its greatsword back and hurled it forward.
And the greatsword, spinning like a windmill, flew straight towards Isaac.
Right before it could reach him…
*Shhwooosh!*
*Clang!*
A massive spear descended from the sky, splitting the greatsword in half and sending it flying away.
“What…?”
Its blue eyes were clouded with bewilderment.
A single spear stood firmly embedded in the ground.
As the Transcendent slowly raised its gaze toward the Wall, it saw him.
A towering man stood atop the Wall, arms crossed, staring down with an air of calm authority.
“Ah.”
Before coming here, the nobles of House Blackson had warned it repeatedly.
‘Under no circumstances should you encounter him.’
‘He is said to be an equal to the Patriarch of House Helmund himself.’
‘The Hero of the North. They call him the Guardian Deity of the Wall.’
The Margrave.
“Ulderan… Caldias…”
For the first time in its long life, the Transcendent being realized it was trembling as it looked at a human. Ulderan’s gaze, cold and sharp, seemed to see no difference between the Transcendent being and the corpses of the demon beasts scattered around.
“Groaaaaar!”
It roared and charged forward.
It had come to the decision that it had to kill Isaac, even at the cost of its own life.
*Thud! Thud!*
The sheer force the being was putting into its legs made its paws slam against the ground, creating thunderous sounds.
And seeing Ulderan grasp another spear sent the Transcendent being surging forward with even greater ferocity.
“Groaaaaar!”
Just as the distance between itself and Isaac was closing, the being leapt.
*Shhwooosh!*
Once more.
A spear soared through the night sky of the North.
*Thud!*
And something entered its field of vision; the shaft of a spear.
Only then did the being realize the spear had pierced through its body, impaling its very heart.
“Ah, Aaagh…”
The Transcendent being reached out a hand, regret filling its eyes.
“Isaa… ac!”
Because it had let him live…
How many of its brethren would die now?
With a final, lamenting breath, the Transcendent being exhaled…
…strength drained from Beom Baek’s body, and its eyes glazed over as its head drooped.
END of CHAPTER
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