Chapter 290: Cale, more than a Dragon (4)

But Clopeh couldn't see how Cale, Choi Han, and Raon were retreating. A strange voice resonated in his ear. A clear and seductive voice.

- ...Surrender...

- Offer your life... to the one and only great beings... the Dragons...

- You, who are ready to give your life for your lord... offer your life to the Dragons...

But the voice of the wooden sword did not continue.

"Should I destroy you?"

It was because of Clopeh's whisper.

- ...

Suddenly, the wooden sword fell silent. However, Clopeh maintained a soft smile as he murmured.

"But I shouldn't destroy you. The problem is that a sword shouldn't talk so much."

According to what Clopeh had heard from Choi Han, holding this wooden sword made the heart beat strongly, but it didn't mention anything about hearing a voice. Therefore, Clopeh thought that rather than being inhabited by a soul, the wooden sword reacted to some kind of 'condition' and was a device or illusion.

'He said without conditions.'

Without conditions to give life. It seemed that this wooden sword evaluated the mind of the wielder.

'I dislike it.'

Unlike Choi Han, his heart did not beat strongly. Instead, a strange and unpleasant sensation rose up his hand. For a normal person, it might seem like a fresh and clean breeze from a forest, but for Clopeh, the feeling of something foreign covering him was simply repulsive. And he understood it instinctively.

'An elf.'

This sensation reminded him of an elf.

A smile escaped Clopeh's lips.

'They said this is the sword of a guardian knight for the Dragon Lord?'

Perhaps this wooden sword was designed to, when held, turn the wielder into someone who would give their life for the Dragons, through brainwashing or mental reprogramming. Although it was just a conjecture, it seemed plausible.

'Somehow, it seems right.'

The clear and seductive voice had a peculiar power that shook people's hearts. Could it be an elven mystic art or Dragon magic? Regardless of the answer, Clopeh had to find his own and, to do so, he spoke.

"The solution is simple."

With a kind expression, Clopeh gently caressed the wooden sword and, with an affectionate voice, said in a calm tone.

"I will cover your body with the blood of a Dragon. I will offer you the life and blood of a Dragon. Then you will understand, right?"

Without noticing that Cale's expression was becoming increasingly unpleasant, Clopeh caressed the trembling wooden sword with apparent affection and continued speaking softly.

"A sword must be a sword. It must not speak without permission."

Yes, a sword is just a sword. It should move according to the wielder's will. A knight never changes masters because of a sword.

"Hehe."

Clopeh couldn't help but laugh.

- ...Damn lunatic...!

The wooden sword trembled violently, trying to escape Clopeh's hands. However, for Clopeh, there was no way to let go of this sword, the symbol of Cale's guardian knight. Therefore, he held it tightly against his chest.

- ...Offer your life to the Dragons...!

"I will bathe you in blood."

- ...Damn lunatic---!

Clopeh raised his aura and made a small cut on the palm of his hand. As blood covered his palm, he caressed the wooden sword with it.

"Well, you just needed a few drops of blood—"

Cale's genuinely surprised voice reached Clopeh's ears, but he just smiled. And in response to his words, he spoke.

"I don't want to give what Cale-nim gave me to anyone else. That's why I want to make it clear that it's mine."

- ...Ugh...Ugh...!

Even though the wooden sword groaned in pain, Clopeh ignored it and covered it with his blood. As his palm passed over the blade, the red blood covered the wooden sword. The wooden sword, without even applied oil, absorbed Clopeh's blood, turning a dark crimson color.

"Hehe—"

And Clopeh laughed.

"This... human! It doesn't seem like Clopeh's palm hurts!"

He ignored the young Dragon's words. As he continued to caress the sword's blade, he finally withdrew his hand. He had bled quite a bit, and the wooden sword had been stained with his blood.

"I like it more now."

Tap, tap.

He tapped the blade.

"Next time, I will bathe you in Dragon blood."

At that moment.

- Ugh—...

The wooden sword stopped emitting any voice.

Buzz~

Instead, it began to vibrate again. But unlike before, it did not try to escape from Clopeh's hands but remained quietly in place.

Buzz~

The wooden sword, soaked in Clopeh's blood, slowly absorbed the blood.

Swoosh~

A fresh breeze emanated from the wooden sword and began to fill the space.

'The forest.'

Cale perceived the smell of the forest in that breeze.

- Sniff, sniff.

Suddenly, the Sound of the Wind reacted. In an instant, Cale paused as the Sound of the Wind, which only reacted to sacred objects, emerged and left a few words before disappearing.

- It's not a sacred object, but it's impressive.

- If it's fully unleashed, it will be interesting.

Cale's eyes sparkled. His gaze turned towards Clopeh and the wooden sword.

Swoosh~

The wooden sword, which emitted wind, finally absorbed all of Clopeh's blood.

Seeing this, Raon exclaimed.

"It's white!"

As Raon said, the blade of the wooden sword had turned completely white. Like the color of Clopeh's aura. But that whiteness did not emit light. Instead, it seemed to absorb light, giving a dark impression despite being white.

"You're just like them."

Cale murmured unintentionally while looking at Clopeh, who raised his gaze from the wooden sword and smiled at him.

"That's right."

"Has the seal been undone?"

Clopeh nodded.

"Yes."

When the wooden sword turned white, a concept filtered into Clopeh's mind.

"I think I need to test it to be sure, but the name of the power is simple."

"What is it?"

"Equivalent Exchange."

Cale's face, which had been watching with interest, contorted.

Equivalent Exchange.

The name evoked an immediate sensation. Having read many genres of novels, Cale expressed his guess.

"What, does it exchange part of your life for power? Something like that, right?"

"Hehe."

Clopeh simply laughed, and Cale sighed.

"It's a useless power."

"Hehe."

Clopeh's persistent laughter irritated Cale, who frowned and warned.

"Hey, don't use that kind of power. I dislike it."

"Hehe."

When Clopeh just kept laughing, Cale felt more annoyed. Then, Clopeh stopped laughing and spoke.

"Unfortunately, Cale-nim, you're wrong."

"...What?"

Wrong?

"The Equivalent Exchange sealed in this sword is a bit different."

Clopeh explained in a calm tone, revealing the concept that had been imprinted in his mind.

"The stronger the enemy whose life I take, in proportion, my power is amplified for a limited time."

Cale paused. And Clopeh wasn't done speaking.

"And in critical situations, depending on the circumstances, not only the enemy but also by offering the blood of an elf, the wooden sword amplifies the wielder's power. Haha—"

Clopeh laughed.

"It seems this wooden sword was made so that elves could even sacrifice their lives to protect the Dragons. Haha!"

Cale involuntarily swallowed.

A sword given to the elven guardian knights who protect the Dragon Lord. Cale realized he had a prejudice.

He had imagined that, as the power of the elves, it would embody honor and nobility, akin to that of a knight.

"But actually, the more enemy blood it absorbs, the stronger it becomes?"

This is not a knight, it's a berserker!

"...Is this, okay?"

Cale murmured unintentionally, and Clopeh responded calmly to that question.

"Don't worry. I'm not stupid enough to be swept away by the madness that comes with blood and death, seeking more power. And a knight lives by his beliefs, not by power."

Clopeh's appearance was quite reverent, filled with unshakable conviction. Cale observed him in silence, listening in his mind to Raon's urgent voice.

- Human, Human! Isn't Clopeh already crazy? How can he say he won't be swept away by madness when he already is? I think that wooden sword is already imbued with Clopeh's madness.

Cale pretended not to hear Raon.

"...Did I make a mistake...?"

He also ignored the resigned murmur of Choi Han. There was no other choice. It was already spilled water.

Cale approached Clopeh, placed a hand on his shoulder, and spoke seriously.

"I like that you continue forward like a shadow, fighting in the way you desire. Don't forget that."

In other words, don't stand in the front and don't attract attention.

"I haven't forgotten."

How could he obstruct the path of the Legend?

Clopeh smiled.

'We might end up fighting against the Gods.'

In such a situation, he temporarily gained power by facing strong enemies.

'I like it.'

It’s hard to fight and defeat a strong enemy head-on. Therefore, as always, it’s better to become a shadow that infiltrates the bright light and attacks the enemy’s gaps. And with that increased power, he could protect Cale.

'I really like it.'

Clopeh's smile grew brighter.

'However, it seems this wooden sword does not show its full power.'

A spark of passion gleamed in Clopeh's eyes as he looked at the wooden sword. Seeing this, Cale, Choi Han, and Raon took a step back.

In any case, the sacred sword of the elves was in Clopeh's hands.

***

Crack!

The crystal ball cracked and shattered instantly.

"Great Elder, are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

The Elder frowned as he looked at his arm, cut by the shards of glass that flew out when the crystal ball broke. The elf watching cautiously spoke.

"That broken crystal ball means-"

"Yes."

The Elder spoke before the elf could finish.

"The owner of the sacred sword has changed."

The Elder's face was reflected in the broken crystal ball. Although he knew he was an elder, his appearance was that of a young man in his twenties.

"Great Elder, which elf-"

"I don't know. It seems it is not one of our elves."

The Elder's voice grew deep, as if he were submerged in despair.

“...But regardless of the elf, the sword meant for the Dragon Lord has finally been born. Despite our attempts to seal it, the seal failed. Even Maxillienne-nim failed.”

The Elder waved his hand.

Swish~

The shards of the crystal ball on the ground floated gently in the air and fell into the trash bin.

"When is the meeting?"

The elf responded immediately to the Great Elder's question.

"Tomorrow, when the Pope arrives, the first meeting will be held."

"Hmm. Did the Pope betray us?"

"Yes. That's what I heard."

"Will the Inquisitors also come tomorrow?"

"Yes. The First Inquisitor will come with everyone."

Inquisitors.

Among the elves who decided to follow the Dragons, they were the most extreme.

The Great Elder closed and opened his eyes.

"...A human who faced the Two-Star Dragon and the One-Star Dragon."

He uttered a phrase.

"The World Tree can no longer resist."

"...Great Elder-"

"Most of the elves have allied with the Dragons. I too-"

He paused for a moment before continuing.

"I too allied with the Dragons."

"That was to protect our tribe-!"

Despite the elf's urgent voice, the Great Elder shook his head.

"I decided to see the end of the world with the World Tree."

He stared at the shards of the crystal ball in the trash bin.

"Only you and I know about this crystal ball. So, the fact that it's broken is just a secret between us. Understand?"

"Yes, Great Elder."

"And stop calling me Great Elder. I am no longer that."

The elf could not hide his sadness at the Great Elder's smile.

"I cannot do that."

He bit his lips.

"You are one of the greatest elves. The only heir of the line of craftsmen who made the sacred sword."

"All that is ancient history."

The elf elder, with the appearance of a young man, took a bag from a corner of the room and slung it over his shoulder. It was an old bag, full of gardening and pruning tools.

The bag was old, just like the room where it was found.

Exion Castle.
Even in this place, as beautiful as a scene from a fairy tale, there were old, worn-down corners. Among them stood a wooden house on the verge of collapse. The elf who lived there spoke to the young elf who had come to visit.

"I'm leaving now. Don't come here often. You are a talented child, destined to shine brightly for our tribe. Being with me will only make you enemies."

"I don't care. I will come to see you often."

The elder smiled bitterly and left the room. The young elf spoke to him as he left.

"I will also come to inform you about the meeting."

"There's no need. What's the use of seeing a powerless old man?"

The elder sighed and headed to the large garden at the back of Exion Castle.

The young elf watched him carefully before returning to the castle.

"Third Inquisitor."

Entering the castle, the young elf turned his head at the sound of a voice calling him.

"What is it?"

"The First Inquisitor wants to see you."

"Understood."

With a cold expression, showing no emotion, he walked. Only his eyes strayed for a moment towards the garden of Exion Castle. A high wall covered in vines was visible.

Behind that wall was the World Tree. And there was an old elven gardener protecting the tree.

The Third Inquisitor murmured softly.

"...Lies."

The elder had said:

'There's no need for you to come. What's the use of seeing a powerless old man?'

The Third Inquisitor did not believe those words.

'The Great Elder must be hiding his power. Without a doubt, he is preparing his last move.'

Just as I became the Third Inquisitor by meddling in this dirty game. Just as the Great Elder must be preparing his last move.

'Pride.'

To regain the lost pride as an elf.

The Third Inquisitor turned his gaze away from the garden and headed to the depths of Exion Castle.

***

"How long do we have to stay here?"

"Huh?"

"...Nothing."

The Dragon Rasheel grumbled, avoiding Eruhaben's gaze.

"...Old man...."

"What?"

"I didn't say anything."

"Sigh~."

Eruhaben, sighing, murmured as he looked at Exion Castle, barely visible in the distance.

"By now, Cale should have arrived at Exion Castle with the Pope."

Eruhaben had brought Rasheel near Exion Castle in advance. And not just Rasheel.

Shhh, shhh.

The Sword Master, Hannah, was calmly cleaning her blade next to the two dragons. Eruhaben, sighing while keeping the two troublemakers by his side, patiently awaited visual communication from Raon when they arrived at Exion Castle.

***

Flash.

At that moment, a bright light appeared as the Pope Casillia, accompanied by two servants, Cale, and Clopeh, arrived at Exion Castle.

***

If you find any errors or have suggestions, please feel free to provide feedback.

Thank you for reading!

[Author – Yu Ryeo Han]

[Translator – Anowa]

[Proofreader – Rai_Mayank]