kscans

1

Bard was lost in thought about Stavros while being rocked on the back of the large white horse, Yueitan. When Stavros died, Bard was simply sad. There was a sense of loneliness from being left behind and a feeling of solitude from losing Stavros in the end. However, with time, his wounds healed and he was able to think differently.

“That horse was something else. When I was young, he carried my large body and worked tirelessly. He was also smart. My subordinates with sharp tongues would gossip that my strategies were Stavros’ ideas. When he was young, he was mischievous, but as he got older and stopped going to the battlefield, he became a well-behaved horse. And he finally had his moment. He accompanied me on my journey to death and carried my luggage without complaint. When we were attacked by Jyotish Payne and Ven Uril, he kicked a rock to help me. When I fainted from inhaling the Devil’s Fruit powder, he pulled me out of the river. And then, after the conspiracy of the Gwendell family was over, he died without hesitation, watching me leave on my journey. He walked energetically until noon that day, then his condition worsened in the evening, and he died quietly at night. He didn’t suffer for long. What a magnificent way to die. What a magnificent way to live. There is no better way to die than that.”

Bard thought to himself that he would like to die like Stavros if he could. Maura, the demi-human who was riding in front of him, occasionally looked back at Bard lost in thought. The spirit, Sui, floated around Bard.

“Oh, horse. Horse,” Maura said.

Was Yueitan happy to be ridden? Or was Maura reading Bard’s thoughts?

2

When Bard tried to prepare for camping by the river, there was already someone there fishing. He was about fourteen or fifteen years old. Surprisingly, the boy seemed to be able to see Sui, who was floating next to Maura, and he looked straight at Sui and asked, “Is that a spirit?”

Bard was impressed by the boy’s calm attitude. He also liked that he called it a spirit instead of a demon. Bard showed Maura’s face and explained that this child was Lujura-Tiant and that Sui was his friend.

“I’ve never seen a spirit before. It’s surprising that they really exist. Sui, huh? Nice to meet you. This is my first time meeting Lujura-Tiant too. I’m Ousa Condorua,” the boy said.

It was surprising that he could take such an attitude towards a spirit he had just met. It was surprising enough that he could see it in the first place.

According to Maura, if you get along with Sui, you can see its form, and if you get even closer, you can hear its voice. But Bard and Jurchaga could only vaguely see Sui’s form, and Godon still couldn’t see it at all. Yet this boy seemed to be able to see Sui from the beginning.

The boy, Ousa Condorua, was the eldest son of the lord of Shesa. Bard was surprised when he heard the boy’s age. He was only twelve years old. Yet he had a good build for his age, and his mind and intelligence were quite mature. Above all, he spoke very clearly, and Bard liked that about him. So he readily accepted the boy’s request to stay at the castle and hear about their journey.

3

There was indeed a territory there. It was more of a village than a town, and more of a mansion than a castle, but it was well-built for such a remote location. The soldiers seemed to be farmers also, and the farmer who greeted them was also a soldier. When they entered the mansion, the boy introduced his mother to Bard and the others. His father, the lord, was bedridden, so his mother was in charge. She was surprised at first, but when she learned that they were guests invited by her son, she prepared a room and meals for them. At the boy’s suggestion, they made sure that Sui did not appear. The mother was surprised when she saw Maura, so it was probably a normal reaction. If she saw Sui, it would have caused a commotion.

While chatting with Ousa in the guest room, his younger brother came to visit. His name was Filica, and he was ten years old, unlike his wild older brother, he was a cute and quiet boy. The next morning, Ousa brought an unexpected request to Bard and the others.

“Maura-sama, I would like to ask Sui-sama to create an illusion for me. An illusion that I have died.”

The shocked group listened as the young Ousa explained his request. The young boy, Ousa, and Filica were actual siblings, both born to their mother. However, their mother favored Filica, the younger brother, and secretly wished for him to become the next lord. Filica was intelligent and had a charm that attracted people, making him suitable to become the lord. However, their father, who was on his deathbed, believed that the eldest son should inherit the family’s legacy. Their mother also believed that it was the right path, so she did not openly suggest Filica as the successor. However, her thoughts continued to grow stronger every day. There was already a conflict among the retainers, and if it continued, there would be a grudge even if Ousa became the lord. Ousa was troubled every day while fishing in the valley, wondering what to do, when Bard and his group arrived. He thought that it was a sign from heaven.

Maura asked Bard to decide what to do. Bard asked Ousa if he was planning to leave alone and where he was going.

“I’ll go alone. I haven’t decided where to go yet. I’ll search for my own life while adventuring,” replied Ousa.

This was not a typical request, and it was not a good idea to deceive family and loved ones. Besides, faking one’s death was a bad idea. His father, mother, brother, retainers, and even the people would be sad. It would be reasonable to suggest that Ousa become the lord and rule with his brother. It would have been okay to say that he would support his brother’s rule by giving up the lordship.

However, Bard thought that he could accept this young man’s request. He didn’t know why, but he felt that it was the right thing to do. Even before the young man asked him, Bard had sensed the conflict among the retainers and the uneasy atmosphere in the mansion. If this stagnant atmosphere became even more polluted, something terrible would happen. Just because the brothers got along didn’t mean that the conflict that had arisen once would disappear. They couldn’t turn this peaceful village into Lord Enzaia’s territory. People couldn’t see ten years into the future, but sometimes there were people with excellent vision who could see ten years ahead. Elzera Tercia was one of them. Maybe this young man was also one of them.

They decided to grant Ousa’s wish. Everyone nodded in agreement with Bard’s decision.

4

The next day, Bard’s group left the Shesa territory and headed to the northern pass. The retainers who had gone to pick nuts with Ousa a while ago should have seen Ousa slip and fall into the western valley. They were probably searching for his body by now.

That was an illusion. The real Ousa was with Bard.

“Hmm? A horse is coming. It looks like it’s heading this way, and it’s moving pretty fast,” said Jurchaga.

Soon, Bard could hear the sound of hooves, and he could see a figure beyond the trees.

“It’s Garkus Ragoras,” said Ousa.

Soon, the young knight Garkus Ragoras caught up with them and dismounted from his horse.

“I knew you were on this side. I’m glad I didn’t have to go too far,” he said.

“Did you see me die?” Ousa asked.

“I did. But I didn’t believe it. You’re faster than a monkey, so it’s impossible for you to slip and fall like that.”

“I see. So why are you preparing to travel?”

“To follow you.”

“I can’t support you.”

“I’m not asking you to support me. I’ll support you instead.”

“I see. Are you going to switch roles with me?”

“No. It’s not just the lord’s duty to take care of his retainers.”

“What should I do then?”

“Train to become a knight. Protect the people’s lives as a knight.”

“Where are the people? I just left my territory.”

“They’ll gather soon. You gave up your territory to your younger brother because of the succession problem among the retainers, so the people wouldn’t suffer. It’s like dedicating your territory to the god of peace, Iaho. Those who offer more will receive more.”

“I have no intention of owning a territory.”

“Even if you don’t intend to, those who bear the mark of a knight will protect the people and be loved by them. Otherwise, I was wrong about you.”

“I don’t have the mark of a knight.”

“You can’t see it yourself. But you have the mark of a knight here,” Garkus Ragoras said, pointing to Ousa’s forehead. He then unsheathed his sword and knelt down, offering it to Ousa.

“Please take the oath of the sword.”

Bard and Godon also dismounted from their horses. It was not appropriate to look down on someone from horseback.

“Why do I have to do this now?”

“If you take the Sword Oath, no matter who you are, you won’t be able to leave me behind.”

“What a shabby sword.”

“Please leave it alone. It’s not a gift, it’s my own sword that my father gave me.”

Muttering to himself, the young boy, Ousa, performed the Sword Oath as expected and handed the sword over to Garkus. Once the ceremony was over, Garkus put Ousa on a horse. It was best to move as quickly as possible to a place where no one could recognize Ousa’s face.

“Lord Bard. Let’s meet again!”

With those parting words, the young lord and his only retainer left. Bard also raised his hand and replied, “Let’s meet again.” They would never meet again, but it was a farewell filled with hope.

It was a pleasant relationship between master and servant. The young lord would grow up and someday give the best sword to his vassal knight. Ousa must have sworn to his own god to do so. Bard remembered a certain scene while considering the dignity of the young boy who was now a king.

5

“Bard, when will you make the Sword Oath to me?”

Idora asked. He had already offered the sword, but he had never performed the oath ceremony. Bard removed his sword from its scabbard and knelt before Idora, offering the sword and bowing his head. Idora took the sword.

Even though it was the same Sword Oath, the etiquette and meaning were different between a lord and a lady. When a lady was offered a sword by a knight, she would kiss the scarf or other item she was wearing and tie it to the sword. If she tied it to the handle, it meant acceptance, and if she tied it to the tip, it meant rejection. It was customary to convey acceptance or rejection subtly by tying it in a delicate position. However, the lady would never lift the sword itself.

But Idora took the sword, drew it from its scabbard, and tapped Bard’s right shoulder three times and his left shoulder five times with the flat of the blade.

“Lord Bard Rowen, I am always watching over you so that the knight’s emblem on your forehead never fades. Protect and love the people. Someday, I will surely give you a true treasure sword that is worthy of you.”

Yes, that’s right. Idora had definitely said that. She would give him a true treasure sword someday.

Bard drew the ancient sword. Even though he hadn’t called its name yet, the ancient sword emitted a soft blue-green phosphorescence. The warmth overflowing from the blade gently enveloped Bard’s entire body.

“Is this it? Is this the sword that the princess promised me? Did she send this sword to me?”

Bard raised the ancient sword high to the upper right. He made a powerful sound as he stomped on the ground and swung the sword down with all his might. Then, he lowered his waist and stepped forward with his opposite foot, swinging the sword from left to right in a horizontal line.

His right shoulder and elbow didn’t hurt. Until recently, he couldn’t even lift them straight up. But now, he could swing them down and extend his elbow without feeling any pain. Although his aged body hadn’t rejuvenated, and his weakened waist hadn’t regained its strength, the fact that the pain that hindered his movements had disappeared made him feel as free as a bird with wings.

Stavros must have entered his body and healed him. He could believe it without any doubt. Yes, Stavros didn’t leave Bard behind. He was with him now.

Everyone was watching Bard swing his sword powerfully. It was said to ward off evil. Whether it was a person or a thing, if it stayed in one place for too long, stagnation would accumulate. Therefore, when embarking on a journey or starting something new, a warrior would swing his sword to dispel stagnation. Everyone thought that Bard was purifying evil to celebrate the departure of the young lord and his retainer.

No, not everyone. Maura, who was whispered something by the spirit Sui, opened his compound eyes wide and muttered, “Shantra Megielion”. Much later, Bard remembered that Maura had muttered “the sword of the divine dragon, Shantra Megielion” at that time. But at that time, he only heard “Sword (Shanto)” and “King (Elion)”. He felt like he heard broken words, so he didn’t dwell on it.

Bard raised the ancient sword again. With one hand, he raised it high, high above his head.

He had thought of the scabbard made of Stavros’ skin as a memento. But now he realize that Stavros is dwelling in this sword. In this sword that the princess gave him. That’s why this sword only responds to him.

He thought the princess and Stavros were waiting for him in the Garden of the Gods. But that wasn’t the case. They are trying to help him like this. The journey to find a place to die is over. Even if he die tomorrow, he is alive today. From today on, he will travel to live.

He took a deep breath and opened his eyes wide, putting all his spirit into his step, causing the earth to shake.

“Stavros, come with me!”

While shouting in his heart, he struck the ancient sword straight down. The ancient magic sword emitted an invisible light that cut through the forest, the mountains, and the distant sky. Beyond the point where heaven and earth were divided into two, the old knight saw the path he was to take.

(Chapter 1 “Ancient Sword” complete)