SSS-Class Revival Hunter - Chapter 47

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ SSS-Class Revival Hunter ◈

Chapter 47: How to Confront the World (1)

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Thus, in the place where one king and his subject remained, neither of them was the one who spoke.

Rather, it was the 'Emperor', neither king nor subject, who solemnly opened his mouth...

“...Sword Emperor, even at a time like this, must you always 'be the Sword Emperor'?”

Always an expert at ruining the mood, that man.

Twisting his body like a pretzel, he seemed in agony.

-Yeah... I have to... I don’t want to, honestly... Deep down, I wish I could just stay away from you guys, pretend I don't know you... Oh, but I'm the only one who can say this.

“Ah, what are you saying?”

-What are you guys doing?

I wondered what he meant, but apparently, that's what the Sword Emperor wanted to convey.

“What do you mean? As you can see......

-Yeah. You killed the Demon King, right? You brought her back with your skill. Even gave her a name... Ah, jeez, even the name. Preta for a girl? If you had to name her Preta, at least make it cute, like "Chorong* Preta" or something.

*Chorong is a famous korean singer/songwriter/actress.

“Are you seriously quibbling over her name now?”

-Forget the name. The thing is... why did you suddenly form a master-servant relationship?

The Sword Emperor scrutinized me and Preta as if he had seen the strangest of things.

-What kind of bond do you two even have? Fine! Let us say you have one, Zombie. As you said, she is your prey, right? Maybe that gives you the right to sing some old hit from your world, like, “You are my slave, I got you under my skin~.”

“You listen to popular songs too, Sword Emperor?”

-One of Marcus’s hobbies is... Never mind. Anyway, I can understand why you would act like this, but I cannot understand why she is sitting there saying, “Yes, my lord.”

I learned one of the Sword Emperor’s hobbies.

Something I wish I hadn’t known... but that's not what's important.

Hmm.

“So, you’re wondering why Preta is willing to serve me unquestioningly?”

-Yeah. Zombie? Let me objectively list what you did to her.

I nodded.

-You blocked her path and played "Hehehe, can't escape," right?

“That’s how it started.”

-You destroyed everything she built, and later, shattered her mental state with a truth bomb.

“That’s how it unfolded.”

-Then you literally beheaded her. Oh boy, the cherry on top was dragging her out into the world with Ghoul Reincarnation, despite her refusal.

“That’s how it ended.”

The Sword Emperor clicked his tongue.

-Hah, you truly heartless bastard. Are all the arteries in your heart made of pit vipers?

“Maybe some cobras too. You forgot to mention, I also broke her sword following someone's advice on 'showing the fate of those who aren't even swordsmen’.”

-That was necessary, and she must be deeply grateful for it, if there's still a spark of a swordsman within her.

The Sword Emperor spoke solemnly.

I thought this ghost was only good at throwing fits, but now I saw that his bullshit was first-rate too.

-Anyway, I thought she'd be filled with hatred and anger toward you. So why is she kneeling and submitting? Was the great calamity that swallowed a world actually just a massive masochist?

“Wow......"

The Sword Emperor had said he wanted to distance himself from us, but now I took a step back.

His level of thinking was just...

“Sword Emperor... It’s because Preta willingly submitted to me.”

-Why?

“She knows.”

I glanced at Preta.

“Soon, you will know too, Sword Emperor.”

Weeping echoed through the acacia forest.

“Hic... ah... sob.......”

Preta was crying. Tears of frustration and sorrow. Heartbreaking sobs fell drop by drop.

Indeed.

Preta knew all too well.

[Searching for the Demon King's existence on the 20th floor.]

What tragedy was about to unfold.

[Not found.]

Preta’s shoulders jerked, convulsing.

[Confirming the absence of the Demon King.]

Shaaah!

Lights erupted everywhere. They sprang from the ground and flowed from the acacia trees. The 20th floor stage was a small world, quickly surrounded by a swarm of light.

[Timeline Alteration.]

And the world expanded.

[The twentieth-floor stage is being revised.]

Beyond the road, the village returned. Buildings that had burned away regained their forms. Wheat fields rose. Orchards appeared. Paradise took its place once more, filled with children’s laughter and made beautiful by its people.

The world had been rewound to before Preta was covered in filth, to just before the Demon King of Autumn Rain was born.

“Ah...”

But Preta greeted the resurrection of that paradise with a horribly distorted face.

She knew.

She knew what would happen next as well.

“No... please. No...”

Preta trembled and moaned. But it was no use.

What had to happen simply began.

“Ah...”

With her face wet with tears, Preta looked into the distance. Something was approaching from the direction opposite the village, at the entrance to the acacia forest path.

Clank! Clank!

Each step they took, their armor and helmets cried out fiercely. Flags of various colors fluttered above them.

“Please...”

Numerous banners.

Sounds of military boots, hooves, and flapping wings.

“Not again, the village will burn... Burn to ashes...”

To restore history as it was.

To burn the paradise.

Now, the allied forces dispatched from around the world entered the acacia forest path.

“Please, no... Oh, ah..."

Preta collapsed onto the path, huddling.

Huddled, her head and clasped hands pointed directly at me.

“My lord......."

As the Sword Emperor said, to her, I should be an unforgivable nemesis.

For her to bow deeply to someone like me must have been so infuriating and bitter that her heart felt ready to burst.

“My lord......!”

But she did.

She had to.

“I will not hold grudges...... I will not seek revenge......."

Becoming my subordinate and accepting me as her master was the only choice Preta had.

When a powerless person has something precious to protect, they can become a Preta, able to swallow any humiliation.

TL/N: Preta is the Sanskrit for “Hungry Ghost”.

“I will do anything, follow any order...... I'll be your maid, your slave... Whatever happens to me doesn’t matter, just please,”

She begged on her knees.

“Please save my village.......”

“Yes.”

I replied.

“Alright.”

I didn't say much.

I took a step.

Led by my step, the Sword Emperor followed. Just moments ago, he mocked me and Preta with a ridiculous expression, but now, his face was heavy as a mountain.

-So, that’s how it is.

“Yes, that’s right.”

Step.

-The subject is obliged to follow the sovereign.

“The sovereign has the responsibility to protect his people.”

Step.

-I’m sorry for being sarcastic.

“You lost the bet, remember? Just think about the compensation.”

I walked past my subject.

Inhaling deeply, I infused aura into my voice.

And shouted.

“Halt, all troops!”

The acacia petals scattered as if an invisible giant had swung its fist.

The wingbeats of the wyverns ceased, and the rattle of armor fell silent. Hoofbeats stopped, as did the clank of spears and swords.

I stood.

On the acacia's single path.

Between me and the legion, there were only petals.

Petals make no sound when they flutter. So when they cover the world, it seems as if the world quietly melts into sleep.

But eventually, petals that leave the branch must fall to the ground.

The commander of the Aegim Empire stepped forward, fully clad in sea-colored armor with the seal of the sun engraved on his breastplate.

I knew who he was.

“I am General Sarbast Aegim! Who dares block our path!”

And of course, he had no idea who I was.

Hmm.

“Well...”

I had fought hundreds of monsters and thousands of zombies. I had even faced Preta’s gaze head-on when she was the Demon King at the height of her power.

Few people could have experienced as much murderous menace as I had. Even so, I had to steady my breathing once.

I gripped my sword handle.

“What business do you have in such a remote village?”

“It is the will of Their Majesty, the Emperor!” bellowed General Sarbast Aegim.

“Uoooooh!” A force of soldiers large enough to form a unit shook their spears in response. Instead of more petals falling, birds burst from the forest and fled.

“We have heard that a witch here incited the good people of the continent! They say there are even monsters who foolishly fell for the witch’s seduction and cast themselves into the pit of evil. How could we stand by and watch?”

“And so?”

“We shall purify with holy fire!”

I silently glanced at the blue dots on my ‘minimap’.

“It’s not just the will of the Emperor!”

There weren't just one or two blue dots. Hundreds. Thousands. The map was filled with them, and more were still converging towards this location.

I knew who they were.

“The Pope decreed, punish the heretic who dares call herself a saint!”

Paladins from the Temple, whom I saved on the 13th floor.

“The lord of the forest entrusts us, may all spirits bless our path!”

Elves from the Forest, saved on the 14th floor.

“The wise ruler of the merfolk has shared the Soul Orb with us, and it recognizes our judgment!”

Magicians from the Falls, saved on the 15th floor.

“For the honorable oath, warriors from the ancient volcano have come forth!”

Warriors from the Volcano, saved on the 16th floor.

“The merchants of the Free City Federation, the Field Cavalry, and the soldiers of every vassal state have all agreed to join us!”

Armed merchants from the 17th floor, nomads from the 18th, and soldiers from small nations and territories from the 19th floor.

“All worlds unite for our retribution!”

From the 11th to the 19th floor.

Places I trod, stood upon, and saved.

Heroes of those stages, ranging from dozens to hundreds, rallied under their respective banners.

"......"

I knew them all, yet they did not know me, just as Sarbast Aegim didn’t.

“I ask again!”

Sarbast Aegim roared.

“Who are you to obstruct our mission!”

I looked at my mission window.

[The Hero of a Time-Frozen World]

Difficulty: Unknown

Objective: You have made up your mind. You will not tolerate even a single sacrifice.

It is called justice to not expect anything back from those you have saved. It is called devotion to not expect recognition from those you have saved. And they call those who are dedicated to justice a hero.

Hero!

The people of the continent will not know your justice. They will not realize your devotion. But still, justice remains justice, and devotion remains devotion. Will you continue to choose to be a hero in this frozen world?

The Demon King has escaped after being injured. She hasn't gone far. If you wish, you can still pursue her.

Now only your choice remains.

Of course, my decision was already made.

“General Sarbast Aegim.”

Sarbast Aegim faltered.

I pointed at him with a taunting tone.

“You said you came under the Emperor’s command?”

“You… you dare? To me, a general under imperial command, you now······"

“Hah, what a joke. Who knows the situation of the Empire better than you to talk about imperial commands?”

“H-how could you......"

Well, I saw your trauma when I killed you to steal your skill.

I also knew about the intensifying power struggle among the princes.

Wasn’t it the talk of the Empire’s capital when I liberated the 12th floor?

Instead of saying all that, I just glared at Sarbast Aegim with a stern gaze. The general, who had been leading the allied forces, frantically scanned his fellow monarchs.

My earlier words touched a sensitive nerve about the imperial family, but his confusion didn’t last long. The dragon knight captain and paladin leader frowned, but the rest acted as if they hadn’t heard.

The world's most powerful nation's general cleared his throat and glared.

“......How dare you say such a vile thing! Are you another minion of that witch over there?”

“Vile? Ha. You’re talking about vile when you’re plotting to dethrone the legitimate crown prince and raise the third prince to that position? You’re the one spouting vile words!”

Sarbast Aegim was shocked again. This time, his expression shattered under the weight of his surprise.

I continued to provoke him with a calculated tone.

“You know, you cannot live like that. Do you even understand how much grace Their Majesty has shown you? You were a wastrel destined to spend your life mending nets at the harbor, yet after all those twists of fate you received the title of Imperial Uncle and even became a general, all thanks to Their Majesty. And now you have gone mad with hunger for power...”

I spoke calculatedly to incite his anger.

Finally losing his cool, the general exploded.

“This makes sense now. You're from the Amber Palace, aren’t you? Trying to sway public opinion at a gathering of world unity! If you're a true imperial, you should know the only rightful heir is His Highness, the third prince......"

“Fool!”

I sharply cut off his fury.

And changed my tone, catching the flustered Sarbast Aegim off guard.

“The Amber Palace, you say? Ha! Did I look like the lackey of a mere deposed consort? Perhaps because you used to weave nets, your eyes are no better than knotholes! You foolish, witless man!”

“Then, who sent you......"

“Who am I, you ask!”

I raised my sword and shouted boldly.

“See for yourself!”

Sarbast Aegim's eyes filled with horror.

“Do you see it!”

Indeed.

“Even with those knot-hole eyes, you can see this, Sarbast Aegim!”

I had raised [Leafanta Aegim's Holy Sword of Protection]!

[Leafanta Aegim’s Holy Sword of Protection]

Rarity: Legendary

Description: 'Whoever seizes the holy sword, shall conquer the continent.' The legendary ancestral sword of Aegim. Rumored to be bestowed upon the founder of the Aegim Empire by the Goddess. 'He who conquered the continent, shall be seized by fate.'

The founder named his successor and then disappeared. Suicide? Betrayed? In a time when legend and history had not yet diverged, his whereabouts became unknown, and the holy sword vanished without a trace. Leaving only a prophecy as a guide.

'On the day destiny arrives, whoever seizes the holy sword shall also arrive.'

The owner of the Holy Sword of Protection receives absolute support and trust from those of the Aegim Empire.

I declared loudly.

“The emissary sent by the great Founding Emperor, Leafanta Aegim, stands before you!”

Sarbast Aegim trembled uncontrollably.

That trembling spread to the knights bearing the imperial crest and then to the soldiers. Until the entire imperial army was shaking, I stared them down like an eagle.

“Sarbast Aegim!”

“Yes, yes······”

“I am aware of the imperial turmoil, and the misdeeds of the reckless crown prince! That you sided with the third prince out of sheer loyalty to the imperial lineage, I know! My earlier rebuke was just to test your integrity! Are you upset about that!”

Sarbast Aegim's eyes now welled with emotion.

“U-upset? How could I be! You understand... my loyalty... Yet this fool failed to master his temper. How can I atone for that sin? Ah, Emissary of the Founding Emperor...”

“There’s nothing to be upset about! And if you have no qualms in calling me so! Why are you still on your horse looking down upon me!”

“I have been terribly presumptuous...!!”

Sarbast Aegim hurriedly dismounted his horse. He stumbled. Scrambling to his feet, he knelt without even brushing off the petals and mud on his armor.

“Guardian of the rising sun! Protector of all that dwells between the sea and land! The Aegim Empire shall shine eternally!”

The empire's general cried out with emotion.

“This lowly descendant pays his respects to the Emissary of the Founding Emperor...!!”

The effect spread rapidly.

“We pay our respects!” The knights bearing the Aegim Empire’s seal dismounted. “We pay our respects!” The soldiers knelt in unison. “We pay our respects!” Some threw themselves flat and bowed.

“We pay our respects to the Emissary of the Founding Emperor!!”

The world alliance gathered to vanquish the witch.

The mightiest of the eight forces had knelt before me.

-Wow.

The Sword Emperor marveled sincerely.

-Kim Zombie... I thought you were only good at throwing fits and talking bullshit, but it turns out you have a real gift for lying too.

‘Just realizing that now?’

Like when I faced the six pillars of the tower.

No matter how mighty the opponent, no matter how many I face, my course of action is always one of two.

Fight them or persuade them.

And just as there are various ways to fight---

‘There’s more than one way to persuade.’