Chapter 67. Reappearance (4)
Sword Saint.
A word familiar to Enoch himself. But simultaneously, it was an endlessly awkward word to hear from others.
Still standing on the high platform in the basement, Tantalus, who had been observing Enoch, laughed dryly.
“Surprisingly, you have quite an impassive expression?”
Enoch replied briefly.
“Your confidant, Persona, was it.”
When I faced Persona last time, there was an instance where I guided her into the Inner World where the Sword Saint resided. And I still clearly remembered her reaction when she faced the Empire's Last Sword Saint.
[Of the past… But, why in this Inner World…?]
Enoch said calmly.
“Persona, whom I met before, seemed to know about the Sword Saint, so there’s no way you wouldn’t know.”
Naturally, the Annihilation Officer, who corresponds to her direct superior. It would be stranger if Tantalus didn't know about it.
“You grasp things quite quickly. That’s right.”
As expected, Tantalus readily replied.
“In the 「Book of Gnosis」 that Persona acquired, records about the Sword Saint remained on some of its pages.”
Hearing that, Enoch’s eyes narrowed slightly.
「Book of Gnosis」
A forbidden book left behind by a black magician belonging to the old generation Underworld.
Previously, it was also an item directly mentioned by ‘Omen’, the head of the Underworld in the northeastern city of the Elsyde territory.
‘Records of the Sword Saint remained there?’
It was a strange matter.
Even searching through the Empire's history until now, there were absolutely no records of the Empire's Last Sword Saint, let alone any Sword Saints who might have existed in the past.
But records about the Empire's Last Sword Saint remained in the artifact of a black magician, which the Empire strictly forbade?
Tantalus continued speaking as if finding it amusing.
“Even for such a remarkable Book of Gnosis, what I viewed were merely a few pages of a copy. Even those didn’t contain much information about the Sword Saint.”
He spoke with a slightly exaggerated laugh.
“However, among those, regarding the ‘Sword Saint related to the Beast-kin in the past’… I couldn’t help but remember, even if I didn’t want to.”
I could tell at once.
What Tantalus was talking about was the Empire's Last Sword Saint. It was the story about him, who was active in the distant past.
“You couldn’t help but remember?”
“Yes. I wonder where I should start, but you’ll probably understand if I tell you this first.”
Tantalus's green eyes twitched once.
“Enoch, did you know? In the past, during the era when magicians had not appeared, ‘Sword Saints’ were said to reign as the strongest, beings who transcended humans.”
Tantalus flicked the ash from his cigar once and said.
“However, Sword Saint is a state reached only by a very select few. It’s a transcendental state that most people cannot reach even if they dedicate their entire lives.”
The cigar ash fell to the floor, making a small sound.
“On the other hand, ‘Magic’, which appeared in the world at some point, was very easy to manifest, an extremely useful discipline that could be integrated and developed in other fields as well.”
He glanced at Enoch’s sword and said.
“Therefore, as magic developed through generations, those who would deliberately walk the path of the Sword Saint through arduous effort gradually disappeared.”
“Those walking the path of the Sword Saint disappeared?”
“From here on is my inference, but there are two reasons.”
Tantalus held up two fingers.
“First, ironically, a person becomes unable to use magic from the moment they manifest ‘Unique Mana’ that reflects their inherent self. In other words, it’s impossible for the talents of a Sword Saint and a Magician to coexist in one person. It means one must choose one of the two paths.”
He folded his second finger and said.
“Furthermore, the decisive blow was the fact that magic is a discipline that the majority of people can manifest more easily and quickly, and it also has broad versatility. Pushed aside by such an easy path, the way of the ‘Sword Saint’ faded.”
Tantalus added with a low laugh.
“Simply put, the cost-effectiveness is poor.”
He thrust his hand into the pocket of his white gown.
“Because investing in learning powerful ‘Magic’, which anyone can easily master, is a far more common-sense and rational choice than repeating uncertain efforts throughout one's life to become a Sword Saint, a state only a very few can reach.”
“The point.”
Enoch cut him off calmly. Tantalus, however, chuckled as if he rather liked that attitude.
“Alright. I’ll get to the point.”
He held the cigar upright and said.
“But at this point, aren't you curious? Then, in the Empire where magic developed according to the flow of time, what about the last person who reached the state of a Sword Saint?”
Tantalus spoke as if posing an interesting question.
“Are those who reached the state of Sword Saint after such arduous efforts merely obsolete products of the old generation, eliminated by magicians who developed over generations?”
“Perhaps.”
Enoch replied indifferently.
Tantalus grinned and answered.
“I found the answer in the ‘Book of Gnosis’. Enoch. According to the records, the Empire's Last Sword Saint was practically a mythical monster.”
“A mythical monster?”
“Yes. Naturally.”
Tantalus let out a hearty laugh and said.
“His feats were incredible. Sweeping away hordes of Magical Beasts from the vanguard with just a single sword, single-handedly suppressing dozens of Rank 5 or higher magicians who invaded his territory. Even against the then ‘Rank 1 Magician’….”
He stopped there and shrugged his shoulders.
“…Well. With such unbelievable records remaining in the forbidden book, how could I not remember?”
Ah, indeed.
Enoch silently acknowledged.
I roughly knew his feats, having seen them with my own eyes.
There really wasn't a munchkin as absurdly overpowered as him.
But apart from that fact, there were other points in his remarks that truly warranted attention from my side.
‘Even though I still don’t know what the 「Book of Gnosis」 is, it seems to contain quite detailed information about the Sword Saint.’
Enoch inwardly smacked his lips slightly.
Since it was related to the Sword Saint, I needed to investigate further.
But unfortunately, time was gradually passing.
Even at this moment, mana was flowing into Tantalus's large-scale magic circle, completing its activation preparations.
I couldn't delay any longer here.
“However, I don’t understand.”
Enoch said, slowly gripping his sword.
The deep blue light projected onto the sword's blade reflected on his body.
“For someone who has been rambling on about the dangers of a Sword Saint, you don’t seem particularly wary of me.”
“Of course not.”
Tantalus retorted with an obvious sneer.
“Objectively speaking, perhaps the Sword Saints of the past, maybe. But you pose no threat to me. Enoch Elsyde.”
The man looked down at me from the platform and said.
“According to the records left by Gnosis, the state of a Sword Saint is manifesting Unique Mana that embodies the will that has defined one's life. Therefore, the Unique Mana naturally takes shape as a phenomenon resembling the master’s will.”
Enoch paused for a moment.
It certainly wasn't wrong.
The Empire's Last Sword Saint's mana was like that.
The Unique Mana he showed was in the form of flames.
Then, presumably, the mana of other Sword Saints would also take their own forms.
Tantalus continued.
“However, the Unique Mana you project onto your sword hasn’t yet assumed its inherent form, has it?”
He pointed to the mana imbued in Enoch’s sword.
Enoch’s Unique Mana, a cold, deep blue light, quietly pushing back the darkness of the basement.
“Still don’t get it, Enoch?”
Tantalus said, his eyes shining coldly.
“The fact that the mana projected onto your sword hasn't properly taken such a form is the most definite proof that you are merely an incomplete Sword Saint.”
Tantalus's words echoed loudly.
But Enoch merely smiled faintly.
“It seems you’re the one who hasn’t understood the meaning.”
“What do you mean?”
Enoch said, glancing over the magic circle filling the air.
“To construct and activate such a large-scale magic circle alone, you must have consumed a significant amount of mana.”
Tantalus’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Enoch added, hitting the mark.
“Enough to drain the mana of even a Rank 10.”
Even powerful Rank 10 Magicians are not exempt from the risk of mana depletion. Tantalus right now, having constructed the large-scale magic circle, shouldn't be in peak condition.
This fact was also the decisive reason why I initially judged that I could target him alone.
“Certainly, I’m not in a condition for a brawl.”
He seemed to readily admit it as well.
“However, if you really thought I would proceed with the experiment without any preparation, I’d be quite disappointed."
Instantly, Tantalus extended one arm and deployed mana.
A green magic circle was constructed, wrapping around the cylindrical surface of one of the test tubes inside like a glowing ring.
“I’ll show you something good.”
No sooner had his words ended.
Inside the test tube where the green magic circle unfolded, something large that had been trapped motionlessly stirred.
Clang!
The next moment, the test tube in the basement shattered into pieces, and from it, a huge, glistening black fist broke through the glass.
Just the fist alone was as large as my upper body.
The low roar of a beast vibrated inside the test tube, shaking the air within the basement's darkness.
-*Grrrrrr*…….
Tantalus smiled, looking at it.
“The exiled Beast-kin are useful in many ways.”
The owner of the giant fist finally completely smashed the test tube it had been trapped in with a loud noise.
Above the floor, splattered as the green liquid that filled the test tube burst out in all directions.
With a thump , a booming sound, a heavy footstep that resonated throughout the entire basement took a step forward.
“Perhaps because they are Beast-kin, their bodies hold up quite well even when undergoing the latest modifications for the experimental subjects.”
Tantalus introduced it in a slightly excited voice.
“It’s an Elite-type Experimental Subject. Quite a decent toy, isn’t it.”
A giant experimental subject Magical Beast, likely to be at least 6 meters tall.
Huge muscles and beastly horns protruding from its head.
Judging by those features, it seems, just as he said, the experimental subject was created using exiled Beast-kin as materials.
‘That appearance.’
A slight sense of déjà vu brushed past Enoch at that sight.
The special-grade Magical Beast seen at the Nemesis Knight Order entrance examination venue.
‘Definitely, it’s similar.’
The special-grade Magical Beast from the first examination venue.
An appearance resembling ‘Baphomet’.
However, its size was about twice as large.
The sense of pressure felt from it was also much stronger.
“Since the materials are what they are, its specs in close combat are comparable to a magician who has reached the threshold of Rank 10.”
Tantalus took the cigar from his mouth and said.
“Of course, something at the level of these children’s toys is still far too insufficient for my ‘plan’….”
He aimed the cigar at Enoch.
“At least for you, it’s quite an undeserved plaything.”
-*Kiiiiirik!*
The experimental subject Magical Beast let out a roar that shook the basement, then immediately rushed forward and threw its giant fist.
A dull sound of tearing air split the eardrums.
Fwoong!
Enoch responded by spinning his sword grip once and leaping.
The deep blue mana projected onto the sword left a dazzling trajectory, as a circular sword strike fiercely unfolded.
Form 2, Fire Wheel.
Swish!
The sword edge sliced through the creature’s arm and neck entirely.
The distinct sensation of cutting through bone and flesh was felt through the sword’s hilt to Enoch’s fingertips.
I cut its neck, a common weak point for living beings.
It should have been damage enough to certainly end its life.
“……?”
But even before landing after cutting the creature’s neck.
Enoch's eyes widened, having noticed something.
Gurgle-
The creature's arm and head, severed by the sword, were regenerating almost simultaneously with being cut off, wriggling.
Unbelievable.
‘The arm, maybe. But even the severed neck regenerates?’
Enoch watched the creature's head regenerate with a squelching sound, and readjusted his grip on the sword.
There was a similar opponent not long ago.
The Tentacle Man, who was Persona's subordinate.
But this time, it was a creature with regenerative power on a completely different level, incomparable to that.
‘To the extent that it recovers even after its head is cut off?’
As long as that regenerative ability exists, it’s no different from saying there's no specific weakness that can kill it.
Literally semi-immortal (不死).
“Please, play until you’re bored. Until I finish this experiment.”
He said leisurely, looking down at me.
Enoch readjusted his grip on the sword.
No matter how much I cut it, it doesn’t die and recovers.
To win against such an absurd creature…
-*Kiiiiiririk!*
Just then.
The experimental subject, which had roared loudly, charged again.
The creature approached with explosive speed and threw a punch.
Enoch immediately spun his body once to evade.
Simultaneously, he swung his sword upwards, cutting off the creature's left arm.
The experimental subject, which had been rushing fiercely while throwing its fist, let out a painful cry and passed Enoch by a few more steps.
The experimental subject's left arm, severed by the sword, fell to the basement floor with a squelching sound.
However, Tantalus, who glanced at it, said mockingly.
“It’s useless. Direct descendant.”
Tantalus, watching Enoch's meaningless struggle, blew out cigar smoke and smiled.
“You saw it regenerate even when its neck was cut, didn’t you? Severing limbs will regenerate quickly anyway.”
Tantalus turned his back, holding his cigar as he prepared to complete the large-scale magic circle again, and said.
“Well, unless it's a monster on the level of the Empire's Last Sword Saint recorded in the Book of Gnosis. What could someone like you, merely an incomplete Sword Saint, possibly do…”
And it was then that he noticed the anomaly.
-*Kiiiiiririk!*
The scream, still soaked in the Magical Beast's pain, continued unabated, resonating tumultuously throughout the entire basement.
Only then did Tantalus realize something was strange.
‘…What is it?’
The Magical Beast, still wailing pitifully in a terrible voice due to the pain of having its arm cut off by the sword.
‘According to its specs, the regeneration should have already finished by now?’
It was definitely strange.
The experimental subject's arm, severed by Enoch's sword, for some reason, had not regenerated at all yet.
‘What on earth?’
Noticing something amiss somewhere, just as Tantalus hurriedly turned his head towards Enoch.
Fwoosh!
Upon Tantalus’s pupils.
The dance of red flames was reflected.
Seeing it, his pupils dilated greatly.
Tantalus realized that, without knowing it himself, a hollow mutter escaped his lips.
“Flames……?”
In the darkness, vivid red flames flickered.
Intense flames were rising from Enoch's sword.
The flames wrapped around the one-handed sword burned fiercely, as if to drive out all the darkness of the basement.
Seeing that, Tantalus frowned.
‘He was definitely only wielding deep blue mana at first. But suddenly, a sword wrapped in fire?’
Simultaneously upon seeing the sword's flames, he realized the reason why his experimental subject hadn't regenerated.
‘The area cut by the sword is being cauterized (燒灼) by the flames!’
The severed area cut by the flame-wreathed sword.
The wound on that severed surface had been seared by the intense flames, causing the experimental subject's regenerative power to be lost.
“Impossible. The improved Magical Beast should have sufficient resistance even to Rank 10 or higher flame-type magic…”
At that moment, as if realizing something.
Tantalus’s eyes widened greatly.
“Could it be.”
He slowly muttered in astonishment.
“Those flames, they aren’t mere fire…!”
Into the ears of Tantalus, who was muttering blankly like that, Enoch’s cold voice suddenly rang.
“Did you say an incomplete Sword Saint?”
Tantalus, who suddenly looked that way, his eyes widened.
Beyond the flickering flames. Enoch's deep blue shining eyes were looking at him coldly.
“Perhaps, that might be the case.”
Certainly, Enoch himself might still be incomplete as a Sword Saint.
However, the mana currently projected onto the sword was not his Unique Mana.
Mana flickering in the shape of flames.
Enoch quietly raised the flame-wreathed sword.
It wasn’t familiar. But I definitely felt it.
The mana that the Empire's Last Sword Saint once projected onto his sword.
It was the will of him who lived a life endlessly resembling fire.
Enoch smiled slightly.
Because I had inherited memories in the World of Impermanence until now.
Because I had experienced the mana imbued with the past Sword Saint's life.
I could understand his sword, even if just a little.
“…Could it be.”
Meanwhile, Tantalus clenched his teeth and bit down on his cigar.
“Those flames, from the Book of Prophecy……!”
Before he could even finish the words he uttered, he quickly bit the cigar and exhaled.
Tsssss.
Thick, grey-green cigar smoke filled the surroundings.
The smoke swirled low, spreading in all directions.
Reacting to the mana imbued in the cigar smoke, all the test tubes throughout the basement began to vibrate greatly.
Clang, Clang!
Instantly, countless experimental subjects throughout the basement began to stir, breaking the glass of their test tubes.
Armies of Magical Beastification Experimental Subjects.
Low, metallic cries that seemed to tear the eardrums.
Hideously twisted life forms, as if fallen into deep despair.
In the darkness, their grotesque eyes emitted a green glow, staring fixedly at Enoch all at once.
Facing the horde of experimental subjects filling the basement darkness and Tantalus head-on, alone.
Enoch merely smiled faintly and gripped his sword.
The sword's flames, once wielded by the Empire's Last Sword Saint, blazed fiercely once more, driving back the darkness.
“Judging roughly by your reaction.”
He raised the sword he had held loosely downwards to his side.
“It seems you know more about that ‘prophecy’.”
In the darkness.
With the long flame sword held loosely in one hand.
Enoch slowly took a step forward and said.
“……Isn’t that right?”