kscans

t/n: Nata is wide blade, Ken is sword, so technically, it’s a sword with wide blade. just read the manga to see the drawing. ch14 iinm.

1

Bard found himself in a village he had never heard of before. It was quite a large village, and thankfully there was a general store, so he decided to go in.

In any case, he needed a weapon. It didn’t have to be a sword, just something that could be used as a weapon. In the frontier, even in a large city, it was rare to find a store that sold swords. Even if they had bronze swords, it would be considered rare.

Knights used swords made of steel. Steel was expensive and rare. They were almost always custom-made. Otherwise, they would be passed down from their lord or mentor.

There was no way the village general store would have metal weapons. Even if they did, they would only have knives. They would probably be the kind that would bend or break if they came into contact with a wild animal. It didn’t have to be a blade. A club would do, as long as it could be used as a temporary weapon.

There was a sword hanging on the wall.

No, it was questionable whether it could even be called a sword. The handle was very well made. It was terribly old, but it could be believed to be a historic item.

But when it came to the blade…

It was presumptuous to call it a blade. The tip of the sword wasn’t even sharp. Not only was it not sharp, but the tip was cut straight across. In short, it was a rectangular, flat piece of metal. The width gradually increased towards the tip from the handle. The action of thrusting was denied from the beginning.

It was a single-edged sword. A knight’s sword was usually double-edged, or a two-edged sword. Both the back and the belly of the blade were edges. And without exception, the tip was sharpened.

It was not a complaint that it was a single-edged sword, but was this even a blade to begin with? Even if you pressed your finger against it, there was no feeling that it could cut. The whole thing was murky gray, and it didn’t feel like a weapon at all.

First of all, what was this blade made of? There were large, wavy patterns on both sides of the blade. There was no way to tell how they got there. But it was probably made of iron.

Bard was staring at the fake sword when the shopkeeper spoke up.

“Oh, samurai-sama. That’s quite a remarkable item.”

A remarkable item? It was questionable whether this was even a sword. Was it a cleaver?

Bard asked.

“Oh, really? It’s called a cleaver sword. Well, it’s like a sword that’s like a cleaver, or a cleaver that’s like a sword.”

Even as a cleaver, it would be difficult to use with such a swollen lump attached to it. Why not just shave it off? First of all, if it was for sale, why not sharpen the blade?

Bard said.”Huh, really?
I did intend to train, but I couldn’t.”

Bard made an excuse that wasn’t really an excuse. He lifted his sword and felt its weight. It wasn’t made of steel, but it was made of a sturdy material. It was about the same length as his previous sword, which was suitable for self-defense but a bit small for actual combat.

He swung it and felt a solid impact despite its length. Swords were made of metal, so they were naturally heavy. Without weight, they wouldn’t have any power. However, there was no need to make the tip heavy to swing it freely. It was best to make the handle heavy and the tip light. Normal swords were thinner towards the tip, which made them less likely to break.

However, this sword was heavier towards the tip. It was short, but it could still be swung. After swinging it a few times, Bard found that it was quite comfortable to use. He had thought that a stick would suffice, but a metal lump was even better. The grip was also well-made.

He tapped the blade with his fist, and it didn’t seem like it would break easily. However, if he actually tried to cut an animal with it, it might break in one blow.

When he asked about the price, it was cheaper than he expected. Perhaps the shopkeeper was having trouble selling it. Bard had some of the gold he received from Count Linz, so he didn’t need to haggle and bought it outright.

He put the sword in a leather sheath made from the skin of a Stavros. It fit well, although the tip was a bit long. He felt the weight when he hung it from his waist.

“Yes, a swordless waist is a lonely waist. Even a poorly made cleaver is better than nothing.”

Bard was in a good mood. The violence that a lump of metal possessed gave him a sense of security. When he asked if there was a place to stay in the village, the village chief said that he would arrange it if he stayed at his house. When he asked if there were any horses for sale, the answer was that there were none in the village.

Although he had reduced his luggage considerably, it was still impossible to travel long distances on foot. He needed to buy a horse somewhere. He bought some salt and left the general store after asking for the village chief’s house.

When he arrived at the village chief’s house and said that he was looking for a place to stay tonight, he was invited to stay there. He went to the well and washed off the dirt from his body. The meal was a simple vegetable stew, but it was seasoned well and tasted good. The wine produced in this village was very easy to drink, and he had several glasses. The bed was made of wood and covered with straw and patched cloth, but it felt luxurious because it had been a long time since he had slept in a bed. He fell asleep without dreaming.

2

“Oh, samurai!
Oh, samurai!
I’m sorry to disturb you while you’re resting.
Please wake up.
Oh, samurai!
Oh, samurai!”

The village chief knocked urgently on the door, and Bard told him to come in.

“Oh, I forgot. What’s wrong?”
“Well, a wild beast has entered the village. The men are doing their best to drive it away, but it’s very strong, and many villagers have been seriously injured. I know it’s not appropriate to ask, but please, please help us.”

The old man was desperate to cling to him. Bard had been hearing the commotion getting louder and had already prepared himself. However, he didn’t trust his weapon. He asked the village chief if there was a sword or spear or any other weapon available, but there was only a stick.

In addition to the sword he had just bought, he only had a short bow. A short bow was used to shoot birds and was not suitable for fighting large animals. The merchant and his guards had gone to the next town, and there was probably no one else who could fight. He had to do what he could with this fake sword.

When he arrived, three young river bears were rampaging. They were still small and young. Their height was slightly lower than an adult’s waist when they moved on all fours. They probably couldn’t reach an adult’s height even if they stood up.

These animals weren’t supposed to be very aggressive, but they were currently very agitated. Many villagers were holding sticks and farming tools, trying to restrain them. Some were holding torches to light up the area. Some were trying to hold the bears down with carts. However, the river bears were very strong. One cart was immediately destroyed by a single blow from a bear. Bard drew his sword and stood in front of one of the bears.

“Oh, oh, it’s the samurai!”

“Did the knight come to help us?”

“Thank goodness.””Sir Knight!
Please help us!
Sir Knight!”

Tonight, the moon of my sister, Sura, seems to be hiding beyond the mountains, while my sister, Sarie, is illuminating the village alone. The thin clouds cover the sky, and the moonlight is weak, making it difficult to see people clearly. Even the old knight who doesn’t have a decent weapon looks like a reliable warrior.

Douava jumped at Bard’s killing intent. Bard dodged Douava’s attack while carefully observing his movements, and struck him with a fake sword on his neck from above. However, he reduced the power enough. If he had hit him with full force, the fake sword would have broken. After all, Douava’s skin is extremely hard. If it had broken, there would have been no turning back.

The villagers cheered.

The fake sword seemed to withstand this level of impact and did not break for the time being. However, the damage inflicted on Douava was not significant. Douava roared in anger.

The villagers screamed.

Douava ran towards Bard and bit him. Bard dodged it and struck him with the fake sword on his neck again, a little stronger than before. However, Douava showed no signs of flinching.

Bard thought it was strange. Douava is a surprisingly timid beast. If he gets injured, he runs away immediately. Moreover, it is strange to rampage in a place where so many people are present.

Douava ran towards him again, this time attacking with his right front leg. Although his movement speed is slow, his arm swing speed is fast. Moreover, it is difficult to see in the poorly lit night. If it hits, it has the power to incapacitate with one blow. Bard dodged it and struck him this time at the base of his right front leg.

The villagers cheered. Douava roared in anger, and the villagers became quiet. Douava seemed to be irritated, and so did Bard.

Why do I have to worry about my weapon and fight? Damn it! I don’t care if it breaks. Next time, I’ll cut him down with all my might!

When Douava approached Bard, he stood up on two legs and swung both front legs with a terrifying expression. Before those two front legs could be swung down, Bard’s weapon jumped into his bosom and struck Douava’s throat.

The fake sword did not break. It did more than that. It deeply pierced Douava’s throat and cut off the middle of his neck. Bard quickly pulled out the fake sword and moved away from Douava.

Douava didn’t move with both hands raised. He slowly leaned forward. He fell with a thud.

For a moment, the villagers were silent. Then they cheered loudly.

3

I saw the fake sword.
It’s okay.
It didn’t break.

Bard was surprised.
When he swung it without hesitation, the feeling was very good.
Due to the forward center of gravity, the striking force was greater than expected from the length of the sword.
However, it was too easy to defeat a tough river bear (Dowarva) with a single blow.

There was no time to think about it.
There were still two wild animals left.
He hurried to the second one.

The second one had an arrow stuck in its left eye.
Perhaps there was a hunter or someone who knew how to use a bow.
Since there was no one attacking with a bow now, maybe that person was injured and retreating.

Bard took an aggressive approach this time.
He jumped in front of the river bear, dodged its swinging front legs, and circled around to the blind side, hitting the middle of its back with the fake sword.
He quickly retreated, ready for a counterattack.

However, as the river bear tried to turn around, it twisted and fell.
Unbelievably, the blow to its back seemed to have caused serious damage to its spine.
For a moment, Bard thought about leaving it and moving on, but an injured animal was dangerous.
It was better to take it down.

Approaching the river bear, which was still thrashing around upside down, carefully, he sliced its belly in the middle with the fake sword.
Surprisingly, the fake sword was very easy to handle.
Even though he was on a roll, it didn’t waver and hit the intended spot.
Bard was starting to like the fake sword.

However, the river bear still didn’t stop moving.
Not only did it not stop, but it twisted and stood up, trying to bite Bard.
Without thinking, Bard hit the space between the river bear’s eyes, in other words, its skull, with the fake sword.

“Oops!”

He thought.
The forehead, which was also the thickest and hardest bone, protected the face.
If he hit the river bear’s head head-on, a bronze sword would break.
Even a steel sword could break depending on the strength.

However, what Bard felt the next moment was not the feeling of the fake sword breaking, but the feeling of it easily cutting through the skull and penetrating the brain.
When he pulled out the fake sword, the river bear collapsed on the spot.
His right shoulder hurt with a snap.
Cheers erupted.”Knight-sama!
Behind you!”

Amidst the cheers, a voice urging caution could be heard. Of course, Bard had already noticed. The third river bear was attacking from behind.

As he turned around, he struck the right foreleg of the river bear that was attacking. He had long forgotten about the worry of his makeshift sword breaking. The bear’s arm was sliced off. The bear, undeterred by its injury, turned around and attacked again. Bard dodged and struck the back of its neck. The bear turned around again, its neck bending at an impossible angle. Blood spurted from the wound and the bear fell dead.

The cheers were the loudest they had been so far and they continued for a long time. Some people ran towards Bard, but he stared intently towards the forest with a stern expression.

4

He walked towards the forest. The fence had been broken. The beasts must have come in from here.

“They’re still here. Something’s here.”

Bard stared intently at the forest. The villagers noticed Bard’s expression and stopped making noise, watching him.

Something came out of the forest. Slowly but surely. It was a river bear. Much larger than the previous three.

The villagers didn’t seem too afraid. They probably thought they were safe with Bard around. However, Bard’s face was pale.

“It’s a magical beast!”

Why is it here? Magical beasts live beyond the Great Barrier. This village is far from the Great Barrier and close to the Ova River. However, there are reports of magical beasts appearing on the west side of the Ova River. Moreover, this is a border area. There is a reason why the river bears were unusually aggressive. It was because of the influence of this magical beast. Bard knew this, but there was nothing he could do.

If it was a river bear magical beast, even a steel sword could only leave a scratch. Even with a magic sword, it would still be difficult to defeat it. Among all the magical beasts, the river bear magical beast had particularly tough skin. Even the blade of a magic sword could not easily penetrate it. In addition, it was resilient. Several knights with shields, some archers with poison arrows, and several metal spears would be needed. If there was enough space, they could fight using the speed of their horses.

It was coming. The river bear magical beast was approaching. Bard shouted to the villagers without taking his eyes off the beast.

“This is a magical beast! While I’m distracting it, everyone run!”

However, the villagers didn’t try to run. If they lived in a border area, they shouldn’t be unfamiliar with magical beasts. However, this area had never been attacked by magical beasts. They didn’t know how terrifying it could be. Bard’s victory over the three river bears had become a disadvantage. The villagers were drunk with victory and were watching Bard’s fight against the river bear magical beast as if they were watching a battle in an arena.

Bard had no intention of fighting such a monster head-on. Even if he wanted to fight, he couldn’t buy even a little time without his metal armor. However, the villagers behind him weren’t moving.

It was coming. The river bear magical beast was almost there. Then, the beast stopped in its tracks. It was looking at Bard with its bright red eyes.

It’s going to charge! If he dodged, the villagers behind him would be killed. Bard decided that he would die here. If he were to die fighting, he would want it to be like this. In exchange, he would strike the magical beast with one blow.

His right shoulder hurt and his waist screamed in pain. He couldn’t swing his sword many times. He could only swing it once with all his might.

He aimed for the stomach. The stomach was incredibly tough, but it was softer than the back. If he was lucky enough to inflict a wound that reached the organs, it would eventually rot and weaken the magical beast. If he had to exchange his life for it, he might be able to inflict that kind of wound. The rest depended on whether his makeshift sword could withstand that one blow. Bard touched the sword sheath hanging from his waist with his left hand. He heard the sound of horse hooves.

“Stavros. Is it time now? Are you here to take me?”

The magical beast stood up. Bard gripped his makeshift sword tightly and prayed in his heart.

“Then, Stavros. One blow is enough. Lend me your strength!”

He jumped forward, holding the sword above his shoulder like a burden. This was the stance that gave him the most striking power, as his right shoulder was not in good condition. The magical beast raised both arms. Its eyes emitted a strange light. Bard swung his sword down with all the strength he could muster.

At that moment.

The strange sword that the general store owner called a cleaver sword emitted a blue-green phosphorescence. The phosphorescence enveloped the entire blade and shone in the darkness of the night. Bard’s blow, as if he was trying to drive it in, cut the magical beast from its throat to near its hip in a straight line.

The magical beast, with its arms raised, stopped moving and took a step forward, writhing. Then, its entrails spilled out with great force.As the demonic beast writhed in agony, blood and entrails spilled out. The frenzied light in its eyes faded, and its massive body collapsed forward, spraying blood everywhere. The ground was quickly soaked in crimson. Bard’s boots and clothes were also covered in blood.

5

The villagers cheered wildly, as there were no fatalities, only injuries. Bard breathed a sigh of relief. He asked the villagers if they had seen the blue-green phosphorescence, but they all answered that they hadn’t. It was impossible not to see it, as it had shone so clearly in the darkness. What could it mean?

Bard didn’t have time to ponder it, as exhaustion overtook him. He finally made it to his bed and collapsed, losing consciousness without even dreaming. He slept like a log.

The next morning, he woke up to the sun rising and found himself changed into freshly laundered clothes. His boots and clothes had been washed as well. Beside his bed was a wooden box containing a scabbard and a sword-like object. The villagers had washed, dried, and wiped the blood off of them.

“This is the Elguodra, a magic sword,” Bard thought to himself. “But it’s not an ordinary one.”

Bard had used the magic sword of the Telsia family many times before. He had also seen the magic swords of other lords twice. He thought they were amazing weapons, the best in the human world.

But the sword-like object in front of him was different. The power it had shown last night was beyond incredible. And above all, there was that phosphorescence. That was it.

The ancient heroes fought against giants and demons. In the midst of those battles, they created various weapons and techniques. One of them was the magic sword. The heroes rode on the backs of flying dragons (Yent Nada), communicated with them, and received the blessings of the divine dragon (Megierion) as they wielded their magic swords to defeat the monsters. Of course, that was just a myth, not a historical fact.

Modern magic swords were named after legends, but they were not the product of mysterious powers. They were created through diligent research. Even if there were magic swords in ancient times, they were said to have been surpassed by modern ones.

What about this sword-like object in front of him? Could this be the ancient magic sword? Could it be the weapon of the ancient heroes who were said to have even slain giants and demons? That was the only thing Bard could think of.

Bard laughed. He couldn’t help but laugh.

He had once wanted a magic sword more than anything. With a magic sword, he could have saved so many lives. When he heard that a merchant from the capital had brought a magic sword to Linz, he had tried to obtain it at all costs, even if it meant giving up all his possessions. But it turned out to be a fake.

Now, in his old age, he had lost his strength and fighting ability. He had retired and was wandering on a journey of death, away from the Great Barrier. And yet, he had obtained a real magic sword that no one else knew about.

What could this old man do now? He could only laugh at the irony of fate.