WeTried Translations

Translator: Coughing Baby

Editor: Coughing Baby

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Reincarnation of the Sword Demon

Chapter 79

──────

Where Do I Even Start Getting Angry?

"Sir Kyle, we sensed signs of fighting behind us. What happened?"
"Nothing much. I killed a Demon Tribe member who was hiding."

He said it like it was nothing, but the members' faces stayed tense.

"Did they send pursuers after us...?"
"No. Not pursuers. He was hiding in that passage over there. We just walked into his hiding spot."
"..."
"Don't blame yourselves for missing him. His stealth was that good. His combat ability was nothing special, though."

Even after being forced into a berserk state, that was all he had.

"I searched his body, but found nothing special. Only thing was, he was wearing a white mask. Anyone know a Demon Tribe group that goes around in masks?"
"Most shady bastards wear masks."

Jade grumbled.

"A white mask, huh. I don't know anything about that."
"I don't know either."

Lucia shook her head.

"Who they are isn't important right now. Report first. The ones here, were they lying in ambush?"
"Yes, they were."
"Why were they in ambush?"

Kyle rubbed his chin and muttered.

"The monsters that should be swarming this Secret Realm are nowhere to be seen. Think about where the Demon Tribe members were waiting. First, near the entrance. Second, here. We didn't stir up the labyrinth. Thanks to our versatile Vice-captain Lucia, who graduated top in every training subject, we were heading straight for the exit."

'Our.'
'Versatile.'
'Vice-captain Lucia.'

Lucia rolled those words around in her head and proudly puffed out her chest.

"So this is a passage leading to the exit. Then why were they waiting here? Instead of searching the labyrinth for Azel."
"Then their ambush wasn't to capture Azel."

Bruno spoke up.

"They were waiting to catch third parties entering the Secret Realm."
"Ooooh."
"...?"
"That was praise."

Kyle smiled and patted Bruno on the shoulder.

"My guess is, they already know where Azel is. But they couldn't capture him."
"Why?"
"No clue. Maybe Azel grabbed their leader and started a hostage situation. No point guessing here. Let's head to the exit first."

Kyle strode forward, and Lucia quickly moved to his side.

"Are you sure it's fine if I don't take point?"
"I can find the path too."
"I trust your eyes, Sir Kyle. I only ask because you told me to cut down the most Demon Tribe members."
"And what if Madness Erosion swallows you?"
"You said that if that happened, you would knock me out."

Lucia said it with a faint smile. Kyle smiled back and nodded.

"Then let's do this. I'll find the route, and if there are any stragglers, you kill them."
"Yes, understood."

If Kyle's guess was right, Azel was holding out near the Secret Realm exit. The fact that he wasn't escaping outside meant he had a reason he couldn't.

Kyle didn't bother guessing that reason yet. He would find out once they met. Right now, what mattered was finding the exit and killing any Demon Tribe members waiting in ambush along the way.

'From what we've run into so far, this isn't even at a level where I need to step in.'

That masked one from earlier had decent stealth, but his raw strength was below Lucia's.

'I don't know how many there are, but their main force is probably gathered around Azel. Perfect. I'll use this chance to give the members real combat experience.'

Lucia and Bruno lacked real field experience.

If they lacked experience, they could make up for it. Chances like this, where they could kill enemies without consequences, were rare. Lucia had already steadied herself again, but Bruno needed this kind of experience. Kyle looked back at Bruno and asked,

"Pig, you scared?"
"You little... why do you keep calling me that...?"
"Do not fear."
"Shut up already!"

Bruno barked.

The place where the labyrinth's exit essence lay. The heart of the Secret Realm.

Nine Demon Tribe members in red masks stood with their hands behind their backs, and one Demon Tribe member in a black mask sat on the ground.

"Ruzan, the enemies are approaching."

A Demon Tribe member in a pure white mask rushed over, dropped to one knee, and reported.

"I know. Twenty-five are dead already."

The black-masked Demon Tribe member, Ruzan, had been sitting on the floor with his chin propped on his hand. He nodded.

"So the Aurora Knights came after all? No way an Alastor pure-blood personally comes to a mere grade-four Secret Realm..."
"According to the watching eye, they are not in Aurora Knights uniforms. It seems to be one of the new knight orders founded recently."
"Was it Sword Spirit Knights or Sword Wolf Knights, something like that?"
"Yes."
"I heard both are led by pure-bloods. Hmm, then it's probably Sword Wolf Knights. There are five approaching presences. So the owner of Fenris has come."
"What should we do?"
"What else? Stall for as long as possible."

"Yes, understood."

The white mask that had made the report vanished. Ruzan clicked his tongue and looked ahead.

"What exactly are you trying to do, Prince Azel? If this keeps up, all of us will run into Alastor."

Azel Beliar.

He was a wreck. The tip of his left horn was broken, and his clothes, slashed and torn in many places, were little more than rags. He had spent days running and holding out without sleep, so his complexion was pale and the skin under his eyes was dark.

But the light in his eyes had not gone out. Gripping the Secret Realm Core with his blood-soaked left hand, Azel rasped,

"Alastor feels more welcome to me than you lot."
"I hope you don't mean that sincerely."

Ruzan's eyes turned cold.

"I don't expect great honor from Prince Azel, who ran from the proving... but surely you aren't saying you'll entrust your fate to an inferior race?"
"At least they won't try to capture and kill me the way you do."
"You are gravely mistaken, Prince Azel. We did not come to kill you. We only came to return you to where you belong."
"Hah. Since when was where I belong in front of Nasdel?"
"You are brothers."

Ruzan whispered.

"Even if you are half-brothers, half the blood in your body flows in Prince Nasdel too. You two were close to begin with, were you not? When Prince Azel collapsed with a high fever from inheriting the Succession Mark, Prince Nasdel took care of you."
"..."
"Come with us. It's not too late. Prince Nasdel values Prince Azel's safety..."
"Bullshit."

Azel laughed hoarsely.

"Safety, my ass. He just wants my Succession Mark."
"..."
"He doesn't dare touch my older sister because he's afraid of her. So he comes after an easy target like me..."
"That is something you brought on yourself, Prince Azel."

Ruzan braced on one knee and rose to his feet.

"Princess Lizet did not run. She accepted receiving the Succession Mark as an honor and openly declared she had become a successor. But what did you do?"
"..."
"For royalty, receiving a Succession Mark is a great honor. But you did not treat it as honor. You didn't even declare your Succession Mark. You ran. Is that not true?"

Azel said nothing and bit his lip. Ruzan looked at him with contempt and said,

"Once you received the Succession Mark, you officially became a successor. Why that Succession Mark was carved onto someone like you instead of Prince Nasdel, I cannot understand at all."

Ruzan paused and looked back. He had ordered them to stall only minutes ago. But those presences were already close. The knights of Gladiheim would reach the heart's entrance after only a few more turns.

"Lak, Pio, Gain. Go block them."

At Ruzan's command, three red masks vanished. They were part of Prince Nasdel's direct hound pack, and the three he had just sent were especially skilled even among the red masks. Against a newly formed knight order, they could buy all the time needed.

"...Thanks to Prince Azel, our losses are massive. Thirty-five dead hounds already, and five whites too."
"..."
"Even now, think of your honor. Do you really think begging Alastor for your life is honorable?"
"Wouldn't all of us dying here together be fairly honorable?"

Azel twisted his face into a grin. As if to prove he meant it, he clenched the Secret Realm Core harder with his left hand. Kiiiiiik...! The rainbow-colored Secret Realm Core shrieked in dissonance between Azel's fingers. He didn't stop there. He raised pitch-black Aura and pressed down on the Secret Realm Core.

"Prince, the situation is urgent. I can no longer indulge this empty threat."

Ruzan took a step forward. Azel flinched and stepped back.

"You'll force the Secret Realm Core berserk and blow up the Secret Realm, then we all die. Until now, yes, until now, I listened to your hollow threats. The order I received was to bring you back alive, not die with you."
"..."
"But Prince, we're out of time. Those three I sent can block a snot-nosed knight order, but once Alastor has intervened, we cannot drag this out here."

No need for even the Thunder Emperor's children to come. If only elites from Alastor's main knight orders arrived, this force couldn't handle them. That was not what Ruzan wanted. His order was to capture Azel alive and present him to Prince Nasdel.

"Prince Azel, let's be honest. You don't have the resolve to blow up the Secret Realm and die with us. That's why you've been clutching the Secret Realm Core in front of us for two days and stalling, is it n-"

Ruzan's words stopped.

His eyes widened, and he turned in disbelief.

The three red masks had vanished. How long had it been since they left? At most five minutes. Yet their presences were gone.

'What... did I just feel?'

What shocked Ruzan most was the force he felt in the exact instant those three disappeared together. That power that flashed and burst for a moment. Ruzan stopped looking at Azel and glared toward the rear entrance.

Step, step.

Footsteps rang out, deliberate, as if meant to be heard.

"Wow."

A red-haired boy stepped out of the passage into the Secret Realm's core.

Wearing a bright smile, he said to Ruzan,

"Those last three were pretty decent."

Kyle meant it. Of course he didn't know the names of those three red masks. He hadn't asked, and they hadn't introduced themselves either.

The three Demon Tribe members had attacked all at once without warning, and they were beyond what Lucia could handle alone.

No, honestly, Kyle just didn't want to give them away. They were the strongest Demon Tribe members he had seen here today. If they had come one by one, he might have left them to Lucia or the other members. But all three came at once, so there was no helping it.

So Kyle cut them down.

"Good thing, Lucia. There are still Demon Tribe members left here."

Kyle grinned and patted Lucia's shoulder.

"How many have you killed so far?"
"One white mask, and twelve unmasked Demon Tribe members."

Lucia answered. Ruzan, who had been staring at Kyle with wide eyes, shifted his gaze to Lucia.

"One horn... heh, so you really are a Demon Tribe half-blood. The rumor was true, Gladiheim is raising mongrels? They even made one a knight? Has the Thunder Emperor gone senile?"
"Hey."

The smile vanished from Kyle's face.

"Where Do I Even Start Getting Angry?"

Kyle lightly flicked his blood-soaked Fenris.

"First, let me correct you. My grandfather is not senile."
"Heh."
"And Lucia isn't a mongrel. She's just half-blood. Gladiheim isn't raising her either. She's just there. Made her a knight? That's because she's worthy of being one."
"Heh heh..."
"What's funny?"
"You're young."

Ruzan laughed, shoulders shaking.

"You get stiff and angry over a few words. It's ridiculous. I heard the captain of Gladiheim's newest knight order, and the smallest one at that, was only fifteen. I thought the old Thunder Emperor had pinned a badge on his little grandson's make-believe game. Looks like that was exactly right."
"..."
"Brat, your youth would be a waste, so I won't kill you. You want to leave this Secret Realm, right? Stay still for now. Once this side finishes its business..."
"You're funny."

Kyle smirked and asked,

"Why are you pretending to be tough?"
"...What?"
"You're scared of me. So why pretend?"

Ruzan's eyes shook.

"What, you think I can't read your face because of the mask? If you wanted to hide it, you should've covered the eye holes better."

Kyle sneered, staring straight at him.

"When you first saw me, what your eyes looked like, what you were thinking, you think I didn't know?"

Of course he knew.

"Make-believe this, badge that. If you're going to bluff, bluff properly. Stop acting tough when you can't pull it off. You know this? Words that are too strong just make you look weaker."
"You brat-"
"What makes you better than me, that you call me a brat?"

Kyle stepped forward.

"Did you ask if I wanted to leave the Secret Realm? You don't decide that. Not you, and not that bastard over there gripping the Secret Realm Core either."

As Kyle started moving in, the six red masks behind Ruzan moved. In that instant, Fenris moved. Slash! A pitch-black cut drew a line between Kyle and the Demon Tribe members.

"Aaaargh!"

The red mask who moved fastest paid the price for being fastest. Clutching his severed leg, he collapsed and screamed on the floor.

"I wasn't done talking, so listen."

Gold flashed in Kyle's eyes. The Killing Intent that burst out froze the Demon Tribe members where they stood.

"My name is Kyle Alastor. Captain of the Sword Wolf Knights, under direct order from the Family Head to subjugate this Beltua Island Secret Realm."
"..."
"The Family Head said all spoils from this Secret Realm are mine to claim. You are Illegal Entrants. You are not citizens of the Empire. From my perspective, you inside this Secret Realm are no different from monsters or objects."
"So?"

Ruzan spoke. Even under the Killing Intent crushing his whole body, he didn't retreat and kept glaring at Kyle.

"What are you trying to say?"
"What am I trying to say? Your lives and deaths are in my hands."

Ruzan ground his teeth, stayed silent for a moment, then spoke.

"No intention of hearing our circumstances?"
"You want dialogue now? Guess you're scared."
"I simply do not wish to fight an Alastor pure-blood."
"Now?"

Kyle chuckled and shook his head.

"If you really wanted that, you shouldn't have attacked us in the first place."
"..."
"At first you were going to kill all of us, wipe the traces, and leave. Now that won't work, so you want to talk it out? Fine. I'll hear it."

Kyle's eyes left Ruzan and turned to Azel. That gaze alone made Azel flinch.

The Thunder Emperor's favored grandson. Captain of Gladiheim's newest knight order.

More than that, the rumor that made the boy famous was this: owner of Fenris. News had spread even across the sea to Erebos that the 500-year-old Sword Church Master had visited Gladiheim just one month ago to meet Fenris's owner, defeated the Thunder Emperor, and then met this boy alone.

According to what Azel had heard, Fenris's owner was only fifteen years old. But right now, Azel couldn't feel even a trace of age-appropriate youth from that boy.

Ruzan felt the same. He was one of Prince Nasdel's hounds. A mere fifteen-year-old, and not even Demon Tribe, should not have been someone worth tensing up over.

'No matter that he's an Alastor pure-blood... can he really be this much?'

Ruzan bit down on his lip behind the mask. It was just a small North Sea island. He had thought no pure-blood would personally come to a grade-four Secret Realm, so he had acted aggressively. Ruzan glared at Azel too.

This irritating, ugly situation had been created by that cowardly prince.

"Are you Azel Beliar?"

Kyle, staring at Azel, spoke. Conscious of the Secret Realm Core in his left hand, Azel slowly nodded.

"I am."
"I heard you're the Demon King's son. So why the hell are you doing this here?"
"Help."

Azel hesitated briefly, then spoke.

"...I request it."

Ruzan's eyes flew open at that. In that moment, he could no longer respect Azel at all. Woooooo...! Pitch-black Aura churned violently from Ruzan's body.

"Prince Azel...! Are you truly going to beg an inferior race for your life!"

Ruzan roared, and Kyle rubbed his chin.

"Help, huh. What kind of help?"
"I fled their attacks and made it this far."
"I know that much."
"I was cornered, and as you can see, I held the Secret Realm Core and endured. If I force the Secret Realm Core berserk, the Secret Realm explodes and everyone dies. Their goal isn't to kill me, it's to capture me alive."
"I see."
"Considering my situation, I ask for your protection..."
"Azel Beliar!"

Ruzan could not hold it in and shouted.

"How low will you sink?! You threw away your honor and ran from your duty! And now, you as a prince, will beg an inferior race for your li-"

Before he could finish.

Kyle moved. Ruzan did not miss it. He stepped in and blocked Kyle's sprint. The pitch-black Aura wrapped around Ruzan's right arm exploded. Unlike the other Demon Tribe members, his strike wasn't slow as it came down on Kyle.

Swoosh! Fenris split the darkness. Ruzan followed with another attack. He couldn't let him reach Azel. As Ruzan thought that, Kyle's whisper reached his ear.

"You're pretty strong."

Ruzan's right arm and Kyle's sword clashed again.

At least, they looked like they did. Kyle's blade rode Ruzan's attack and slipped past it smoothly.

"Hey."

At the moment their bodies crossed, Kyle whispered.

"Send him over first."
"...?"
"I'll capture that bastard and hand him to you. Let's do this nicely."

It made no sense. Before Ruzan could respond, Kyle spoke again, short and clear.

"Promise. On my name."

Ruzan had no choice but to be confused. Kyle had charged in out of nowhere, so what was this supposed to mean? Just moments ago, he had been pouring out murderous Killing Intent.

'There is no killing intent in his sword.'

Ruzan was an expert too. He could feel that Kyle's blade held no intent to kill at all. He said he would capture Azel and hand him over. He said let's keep it smooth. He was even an Alastor pure-blood, and he was making a promise on his name.

Ruzan didn't think long. He pulled his arm back. His goal was to capture Azel and deliver him to Prince Nasdel. The boy's goal was to close the Secret Realm. Neither side needed to wipe out the other, so Ruzan judged their interests aligned.

The opening from Ruzan's retreat let Kyle dash through. Azel, watching their fight with bulging eyes, gritted his teeth when he saw Kyle pass Ruzan so easily and come straight at him.

He had asked for help, but never heard an answer. Was he coming to cut him down? He didn't know. There was no time to judge. Kyle was too fast. Azel gritted his teeth and tightened his grip on the Secret Realm Core in his left hand. If he forced it berserk, the Secret Realm would explode. A Secret Realm was an independent space, and if one did not escape by normal means, everyone inside usually died.

Forcing a Secret Realm Core berserk was not easy, but if Azel gave everything, it was possible. That was why he had been able to hold off the hounds for two days.

"Ghk...!"

Azel did not force the Secret Realm Core berserk.

If he did, everyone would die. Instead, Azel swung his right fist to stop Kyle from getting closer. The force in that fist made Kyle's eyes light up.

"What?"

A grin rose on Kyle's lips. Bang! Azel's fist and Fenris collided.

"You're pretty strong too?"

As purple Aura and jet-black Aura mixed, Jor shot out from Kyle's chest. Azel had no choice but to panic. Anyone would be shocked if a snake head suddenly burst out of the chest of the person they were fighting.

Crunch!

Jor bit down on the Secret Realm Core. Azel was pouring his strength into blocking Kyle's blade, so naturally he couldn't focus as much on his left hand.

Sliiide...

Azel turned back with a blank expression. Jor coiled itself at the edge of the Secret Realm, the Secret Realm Core clenched in its mouth. Kyle grinned and praised Jor.

"Good job, Jor. Keep holding that and guard it until this is over."
"Yes, Master."

Jor answered. Kyle withdrew his sword from the stunned Azel, then patted his shoulder twice.

"You asked me to protect you, right?"
"...?"

Azel flinched and looked at Kyle. A small trace of hope had risen in his eyes.

"No."
"W-what?"
"Why should I? What's so lovable about you?"

Kyle walked past Azel a few steps.

Then he stood in front of Jor, blocking the way.

"Black one."

No one understood the abrupt words. Kyle clicked his tongue and pointed at Ruzan.

"You. I'm talking to you. Your mask is black."
"Heh."

A laugh leaked through Ruzan's lips.

"Prince Azel, what a pathetic sight. You threw away your right and your honor, and in the end you are still going to Prince Nasdel's-"
"If you want to leave here, kill me."

Ruzan's words stopped.

"And you."

Kyle pointed at Azel.

"If you want to live, kill me."

Azel's mouth fell open.

"I'm not letting either of you go."

Kyle smiled as Ruzan and Azel stared in shock.

Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried