WeTried Translations

Translator: Hydrogen B

Editor: Hydrogen B

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Sword Master of the Fallen Kingdom

Chapter 41

──────

Shadow of a Tainted Past (3)

Gerard stared at Kyle with wide eyes.

His words and demeanor were the complete opposite of the calm, gentle person Kyle had seen until now. Anyone could tell how deeply shocked he was.

"Three years... no, I think it's been three and a half."

"What do you mean...?"

"I'm talking about the time since I was cursed. I almost died at first, but it's much better now. At least moving my body isn't a problem."

As he spoke, Kyle peeled the thorns from his right hand one by one.

A stabbing pain spread from his forearm through his entire body, but he did not even blink.

"This is my main point. Because of this, I can't use mana on my own at all. I can only borrow the power of Magic Tools or Magicite to use refined mana from outside."

Kyle poured the remaining Baekilcho potion, the one he had bought during the ruins expedition with Lena, over the wound.

The stinging lasted only a moment. The wound closed and vanished without a trace. He lifted the blood on the floor and the spilled potion into the air, then evaporated it all.

"...Is this a curse you got during the Northern War?"

The mana control had looked completely natural. Gerard's brows twitched as he asked. Kyle answered with a silent nod. Gerard let out a low groan and rubbed his chin with a grave expression.

"Izra's Thorn... you may already know this, but it is a truly horrific holy spell that gathers hundreds of vengeful souls and destroys not only the body, but the soul itself. To make just one, you need hundreds of living human sacrifices. Skilled mages or priests, no less."

"So it was a curse from the Crescent Theocracy."

"You knew?"

Kyle nodded again. Even after learning what his curse was, he looked barely surprised.

"I had a rough guess. Some of the Theocracy's cardinals are pro-Empire... and in the Empire, the Papal Court's influence is relatively weaker than in other parts of the continent."

The Papal Court could not directly control every diocese across the continent. In particular, the Archandia Archdiocese and its Patriarch within the Empire were under the Papal Court on paper, but in reality they were subordinate to the Imperial family.

Which meant it would not be strange at all if they were pulling their own strings.

"That makes it even harder to believe."

Gerard wet his dry lips.

"This... is a spell that was banned hundreds of years ago, and the method of making it was lost. They call it a holy spell, but in truth it's closer to a curse that erases both body and soul. The Theocracy is supposed to be neutral in the first place. How could this even happen?"

"All kinds of unethical things run wild on battlefields. It wouldn't be strange if Archandia's Patriarch joined hands with the Emperor. So... is there really no way?"

Kyle asked calmly. Gerard's eyes trembled.

"I'm sorry... but not with the knowledge I have. I truly am sorry."

He lowered his head, looking ashamed.

Kyle had expected this, so he showed little emotion.

"It's fine. I couldn't break it with any method until now anyway. Just learning the curse's name is enough. I think I'll have to go to the library myself."

Kyle slowly drank the last of his tea. The cup clinked once, then he stood up.

"Are you leaving?"

Just as Kyle grabbed the doorknob, Gerard's heavy voice came from behind him.

It was a question that could be taken many ways. When Kyle did not answer right away, Gerard added quietly.

"What is it that you truly want?"

After a short pause, Kyle spoke.

"I don't know."

"Do you want revenge?"

"I still haven't decided."

"Then do you dream of reviving fallen Hailen?"

Revenge against the Empire that had taken everything precious from him.

The revival of Hailen, which had already fallen.

"A life's goal doesn't have to be limited to something extreme and grand."

Kyle only turned his head.

Gerard was there as always, watching him with steady eyes.

"You're still young. You have more days ahead than behind."

"..."

"Revenge... looks sweet at first, but it always ends the same way. Ruin. Whether it's you, or the target of your revenge. Success or failure, the ending doesn't change. You may get a moment of exhilaration, but..."

"What are you trying to tell me?"

"How about living a normal life, even now?"

Gerard asked in a worried voice.

Holding the doorknob, Kyle gave a small smile.

"A normal life... that wouldn't be bad."

For a brief moment, he imagined a life where he had let everything go.

A life unbound by the past, living ordinarily like everyone else.

He still could not use mana because of the curse, but now that he had obtained the ring, it would not be a major issue. With his skill, any house would welcome him. Even Duke Valerian had said he would grant Kyle a title and land if Kyle wanted. He had even tested the waters by suggesting marriage to his daughter if needed.

"But that life is not mine."

Kyle could not do it.

He was not qualified.

The weight of those left behind on his shoulders was too heavy. He had committed far too many sins to seek happiness for himself.

"Even if I turn away from the world and live normally... I'll carry guilt for the rest of my life. I'll regret it until the moment I close my eyes."

So he would rather be like a moth diving into fire.

Even if this body burned away completely, he wanted a meaningful death.

He wanted to face those who had died before him without shame.

Even if revenge against the Empire, and Hailen's revival, were impossible dreams.

He was not afraid of death.

What terrified him was disappearing without achieving anything.

This life was no longer his alone.

"Thank you for today."

"You..."

"I'll return the pass soon. It won't take more than a few days."

"Then I'll be going."

After his final farewell, Kyle left the room.

Gerard watched his retreating back with sorrow in his eyes. The old man's wrinkled hand, half raised, stopped in the air. Slowly lowering it, Gerard turned and stared out the research room window in silence for a long time.

***

Kyle stepped out and carefully closed the research room door.

He stood still for a moment, organizing his thoughts, then started walking again.

"Ah, Kyle-ssi."

That was when he heard a familiar voice.

He stopped before taking even a few steps.

When he looked ahead, Lena was standing there awkwardly, not far from Gerard's room.

Had she been waiting all this time?

"Lena."

Kyle called her name.

After hesitating, she walked over slowly.

"Yes."

"So you're heading back to your room, right?"

"The sun's setting soon, so yes."

"Would you like to have dinner with me?"

Wearing a clean robe, Lena looked up at him as she spoke.

During this week at Gerard's tower, Kyle had spent most of his time reading books or talking with Lena. They had often shared meals too.

Kyle had never once gone to the shared dining hall. Usually, the tower mages or Lena brought him food. The other mages treated him like an honored guest and watched themselves around him, but Lena was different. She had a gift for talking nonstop. She also told him how things were outside, so their conversations were not bad for him either.

"Um, I brought a book you might enjoy, Kyle-ssi. Here..."

"Sorry. I think I need to eat separately tonight."

Today was different.

Lena had been smiling brightly while proudly holding out the book from her arms. Her expression fell in an instant.

"Ah... are you busy?"

"I'm not busy. Just... tired."

"I see..."

Kyle shook his head.

She lowered hers, unable to hide her disappointment.

"Then let's eat tomorrow morning instead. That should be fine."

"Really?"

"Yes. And I heard you're transferring half your relics to me..."

"Right. In exchange for this pendant..."

Lena looked down at the pendant around her neck. It was supposed to have been given to Kyle long ago as payment for his escort commission.

Kyle did not care much about that.

"Keep it. Half the relics you transferred are worth more to me."

"Th-thank you!"

"It's nothing. Just selling those relics alone goes well over ten thousand Gold, and your grandfather paid me more than enough extra."

That was true.

Quick disposal of relics, unlimited access to the tower library, and even the identity of his previously unknown curse.

He had gained more than he wanted at the start. For Kyle, it was more than satisfying.

"See you tomorrow."

"Yes. Sorry for stopping you. I'll see you tomorrow morning."

Lena bowed politely.

After parting with her, Kyle went straight back to his room.

Made for honored guests, the room was still large and luxurious enough to rival a high-end inn in any major city. A dinner tray had been left in front of the door.

Kyle casually set the tray on a table in the corner. Out of habit, he took off his cloak and leather armor. He tossed the sword at his waist onto the bed.

I'm tired.

Not physically. Mentally.

With narrowed eyes, Kyle scanned the room, then headed to the window. From this upper-floor room, he could see the Magic Tower's interior at a glance.

When he opened the window, cool wind blew in and the view spread before him.

The sun was sinking, dyeing the city red. Robed figures who looked like mages moved outside, each busy, or laughing as they walked.

Kyle watched them with a lonely gaze.

What he could never have.

What he once had, but failed to protect.

A life so trivial, yet the most precious thing of all.

"...How about living a normal life, even now?"

Gerard's words from earlier rang in his head again.

Kyle closed his eyes in the wind.

Black hair brushed against his face. He clearly felt strands touch his forehead. He deliberately pushed the old man's echoing voice to a corner of his mind.

Then he thought:

It was about time to leave.

He had gained everything he could from this tower. He had rested enough too. The only thing left was to check the library. That would not take long either. Even if they were forbidden books, there were only two things he needed to find.

Leaning against the window, Kyle opened his eyes and looked down at his right hand.

The forearm where he had forcibly raised mana earlier was still throbbing.

Even though the wound was healed, phantom pain remained. Was it because he had spoken with Gerard today about the past he had hidden from everyone for three years? Or was it just an illusion caused by the fear in his subconscious that he could go no further?

After staring outside for a while, Kyle stepped away from the window.

If he kept thinking, it felt like he would lose himself.

He closed the window and drew the curtains, then washed up in the bathroom in the corner of the room. He had planned to go to the library right away, but he thought he should change that plan.

If I sleep deeply and wake up, this tangled head should clear up too.

After coming out, he dried his hair with magic and changed into thin, comfortable clothes.

Kyle glanced at the dinner on the table, picked up a small cloth nearby, and covered the tray with it.

He stood there for a moment, then walked slowly to the bed.

He placed the sword he had thrown earlier beside the pillow.

Pulling the blanket to his shoulders, he closed his eyes and slowly focused on his breathing. Random thoughts gradually drifted away. His now-quiet consciousness slowly sank beneath sleep.

And then.

A soft breeze blew.

At that familiar touch of wind, Kyle slowly opened his eyes.

A scene he longed for spread before him.

Warm sunlight. Cool wind. A tree on top of a hill and its shadow beneath. When he turned his head, he saw distant mountains capped with eternal snow. Below them lay Baldheim, the capital of Hailen, his second hometown.

Another dream?

Kyle realized it at once.

It was the same scenery.

Exactly the same as the dream he had after leaving Dornel, right after Count Metis's commission and the day before he met Lena.

That meant...

"You can't lose focus."

A familiar voice pierced his ear.

Kyle turned his gaze forward and saw a wooden sword coming straight at him.

The next moment, his body moved against his will.

But it twisted strangely.

Thwack!

A dull impact rang out.

Kyle collapsed to the ground in an ugly heap. His chest, struck by the wooden sword, throbbed hard.

Even so, he looked up with trembling eyes, as if none of that mattered.

"Are you okay, Kyle?"

There stood a young man, rushing toward him with a startled face.

White hair fluttered in the wind, bright as light.

Blue eyes like sapphire looked straight at Kyle.

The exact same face from his memory.

Not as the last crown prince of Hailen, but as Kyle's first friend in this world.

Kyle felt his mouth open on its own, against his will.

"Yurian...."

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