Academy’s Genius Swordmaster

[Translator – Peptobismol]

Chapter 224: Confession, Memorial, Return

The black-clad man left behind silence and questions as he departed the Aurora Skar. Those who had belatedly found their voices were gossiping about him.

“Waaah What was that?”

“He’s a strange one. He was so powerful, why didn’t he do anything back then?”

“Exploding someone’s head while they’re still alive…”

The screams of the distraught woman and the goatee man still echoed in the air, their eyes wide open in shock. Their horrifying sight made people reluctant to touch the bodies, even amidst the stench of blood. Only after Ronan and his party recovered the body did the full-scale cleanup begin

“Alright. We’re throwing at three. One, two… three!”

“Ha!”

At Dydican’s count, all three of them released their grip simultaneously. A sack tied with chains was thrown into the night sea.

Splash! The sack, causing a small whirlpool, disappeared from sight within seconds. Adeshan asked with a worried tone.

“It won’t resurface, right?”

“No need to worry about that. I’ve put plenty of magic-distorting ore in it.”

Dydican reassured. They had decided to dispose of the bodies of the two thugs in the night sea.

The black-clad man was the one who killed them, but Drahavier was a man who would not have cared much about who killed his subordinates. Regardless of how well they handled the bodies and explained the situation, everyone would share the blame. It was better to feign ignorance. Dydican spoke up.

“Thank you for your hard work. You didn’t have to help, but I’m really grateful.”

“…”

Ronan didn’t reply. His mind was still consumed with thoughts of the black-clad man. Despite his strength, his identity remained elusive.

‘What’s that guy really up to?’

Judging by his actions, he seemed highly likely to be a dragon. But Ronan couldn’t understand why he was the only one who sensed his strong presence during their first encounter.

In fact, Adeshan and Dydican still thought he belonged to the human race. Since he didn’t sense any shimmering mana, he ruled out the possibility of the black-clad man being from Nebula Clazier. Dydican asked again after waiting for a while.

“Ronan?”

“…Yeah. You did well too.”

Turning back to Dydican belatedly, Ronan nodded. It seemed like a problem worth thinking about a little more. The fact about how Ronan had piqued his interest was unsettling.

“Um… Drahavier.”

Dydican stared out at the night sea with a troubled expression. Despite making the best choice for now, he seemed fearful of Drahavier’s retaliation. Ronan tapped him on the back and said.

“Relax. I’ll talk to Lady Navardose about it.”

“…Do you have some connection with the Mother of Fire?”

“That’s a secret.”

Instead of giving a definite answer, Ronan chuckled. If it didn’t work out, he could either plead with the Emperor or use the authority of the Dawn. Since it was a criminal anyway, it didn’t matter.

Time on the sea passed quickly. The intense aurora was gradually subsiding. The central hall, where they had gathered, had been neatly cleaned up.

Katan had summoned them around dawn. The bustling scene of the forge hadn’t changed since they first met her.

“The Green Fangs came and caused a disturbance. Did something happen?”

“…It must have been quite loud?”

“I can’t hear anything when I’m focused. I’ll have to take a look. Anyway, all the swords are ready.”

Her concentration was astonishing. Katan handed Ronan the Lamancha she had finished polishing. Ronan took the hilt of the sword. Swoosh! With a smooth sound, the graceful blade was revealed.

“…There doesn’t seem to be a dramatic change.”

Ronan, examining the sword closely, opened his mouth. Although the color of the aurora was visible along the thin blade, it was faint, to the point where it could be dismissed as a mood. Katan clicked her tongue, wagging her index finger.

“Tsk tsk, it’ll be different in a real fight. You lack faith.”

“I hope so.”

“When you use it you’ll be so surprised that you’ll think, is this really my weapon? Here, take yours too, pretty lady”

“Ah, thank you.”

Adesan accepted the whip and crossbow. Just like with Lamancha, there were no significant changes apparent at first glance. Katann, who had been browsing around, then offered her a bundle of arrows.

“Here, take this too.”

“What’s this for…?”

“I made it as I pleased. I like pretty girls, you know. Since there aren’t many, it’s best to use them in the right place at the right time.”

Katan explained that they were specially made crossbow bolts for Adeshan, just like Lamancha. The surface of the arrowhead, imbued with the aurora, shimmered with a subtle light. Taking the crossbow bolts, Adeshan bowed her head.

“Thank you. I’ll use it carefully.”

“Why are you so polite? If your boyfriend bothers you, tell me. I’ll scold him for you.”

“…Yes.”

Hesitating, Adeshan nodded her head. Ronan failed to grasp the positive implication in her response. Leaving a message that she would send the rest of the equipment as soon as they were completed, Katan bid them farewell.

“Well then, farewell, heroes. Come again if you happen to be in the north.”

“I am indebted to you.”

Ronan and Adeshan returned to the runway. During their passage, everyone they met expressed their gratitude.

Most of them offered gifts, causing their already bulging backpacks to become even larger. Dydican, who guided them to the runway, extended his hand for a handshake.

“There were various things, but it was enjoyable. It always seems lively when I’m with you.”

“Yeah, make some cool inventions until next time.”

“Haha, I’m actually working on something already. Take care of my sister-in-law too.”

“S-Sister-in-law? What…!”

Adeshan’s face lit up suddenly. Dydican hurriedly retreated to the forge, using the excuse of having a mountain of work to do.

“He’s gone.”

“…Yeah.”

The runway Dydican left behind fell silent. Only the fluffy griffin and the sound of waves crashing remained, guarding the place.

Ronan and Adeshan leaned against the griffin side by side, looking up at the sky. No one rushed them to leave. The gradually brightening sky was embroidered with lingering starlight.

‘Ah.’

Adeshan realized belatedly that Dydican’s early departure was to give them some time alone. She, who had been fidgeting for no reason, spoke first.

“Thank you for earlier… for blocking the candlestick.”

“It was something I had to do. Can’t let your pretty face get hurt, you know.”

“Oh, uh… haha.”

Blushing at the compliment, Adeshan scratched her cheek. She didn’t think she’d ever get used to hearing such words. Silence fell back into the space where a short conversation had taken place.

Hmm, would it be appropriate to say it right now? Ronan who had been considering talking about the relationship between the two.

“Ronan.”

“Yes?”

“I like you. A lot.”

Ronan’s eyes widened. It seemed like he wasn’t the only one who had been waiting for the right timing. When he turned his head, he noticed Adeshan looking directly at him.

“I do too.”

Ronan replied. At the same time, he grabbed Adeshan’s face with both hands and kissed her. The sensation of their lips touching wasn’t unpleasant. Before long, they parted.

“I like you a lot too.”

“Tell me one more time.”

“I said I like you.”

In the narrowed field of vision, they only saw each other’s faces. It was a moment of closeness between the two. Suddenly, a girl’s voice resonated in their minds.

[Hmm… to see something like this as soon as I wake up. It’s touching.]

“Eeek!”

“What the hell, what was that?”

Their field of vision widened again. The two of them, who had hastily turned their faces away, looked around nervously as if they were criminals. The runway was empty. Ronan frowned as he felt the familiar sensation of unease in the voice he had just heard.

“…Lynn?”

He remembered. It was definitely the voice of the Holy Sword Lynn. It was the first time he had heard it since returning from Parzan.

“You’re awake?!”

-Pyuk.

But there was no response. The griffin, which had been standing still, shook its head. Its expression suggested that it had seen enough and was now urging them to leave.

‘Damn it, what just happened.’

He couldn’t understand. Adeshan, who didn’t know about Lynn, looked at Ronan with a confused expression.

An awkward silence fell between them. Ronan, scratching the back of his head, spoke up.

“Should we go for now?”

“Y-Yeah.”

Although it was regrettable, once the mood was broken, there was nothing they could do. As soon as the two people got on board, the griffin took off and turned south. In the brightening world, the Aurora Skar, which was gradually shrinking, finally disappeared from view, becoming a small, white dot.

****

[Translator – Peptobismol]

“Instructor, we’re here.”

“Hmm. You arrived sooner than expected.”

The wooden door opened. Navirose, who spotted the two of them, set down her cup. She was sitting by the inn’s fireplace, warming herself and drinking warm mead.

“The weather was nice, so it didn’t take long. We left the griffin outside. Ugh, I’m hungry.”

“Mister, give us some water and two bowls of reindeer stew.”

Adeshan ordered water and food. They had arrived just before daybreak. The griffin, which had rested on the Aurora Skar, had flown without stopping until it reached its destination.

“Huh?”

Ronan, who approached Navirose, raised an eyebrow. A fluffy Arctic fox was sitting across from her. It hadn’t been visible when they entered the inn due to the angle. Both of their eyes widened.

“Professor Sekreet?”

“Thanks for your hard work, you guys.”

It was their first reunion since parting ways in Rundalian. He climbed up onto the table, held Ronan’s hand and shook it. Ronan asked.

“When did you arrive?”

“This morning. You guys did something really unbelievable.”

He spoke with a voice that seemed almost on the verge of tears. Originally sarcastic, he seemed genuinely moved.

“The curse of the Tukan Plateau has almost disappeared. It may take some time to dispel the accumulated hatred, but laughter is gradually returning.”

Sekreet informed Ronan about what had happened in his absence. Although it was a short time, there had been many changes.

The curse of Barka had disappeared, and the conflicts between the beastfolks in various places had also diminished. The concept of peace, long forgotten, was reemerging.

Marya’s Caravel had turned towards the Empire last night. Zaifa was focusing all his efforts on repairing the mess his brother had made.

“Barka must have been operating in secret for a very long time. But thanks to Zaifa’s influence, public opinion is quickly turning around.”

“That’s fortunate. And what about Jaeger?”

“He had his funeral three days ago. It was the first time I’ve seen so many beastfolks gather since the Night of the Fangs.”

Jaeger’s funeral was held on a grand scale. Zaifa didn’t bother to reveal that he was Barka’s figurehead. It was a reward for the courage he had shown at the end of his life.

The New Beastmen Alliance did not immediately disband. Temporarily taking the helm, Zaifa was having them work on restoring the mess in the North.

Ultimately, Zaifa’s goal was to turn them into a force to oppose Nebula Clazier.

Navirose, who had emptied her glass in one go, spoke up.

“I hope you’re not having any foolish thoughts. At that time, I’ll really have no choice but to kill him.”

“It’ll probably be fine.”

Ronan spoke confidently. He remembered Zaifa’s grateful voice. Returning after finishing his work, Zaifa would be a reliable ally more than anyone else. Sekreet said.

“I plan to stay a little longer in the North. There might still be curses that haven’t been lifted. But I’ll be back in the fall.”

“Fall? Oh right. It’s supposed to be summer now.”

Having been in the North for over a month, they had lost their sense of the seasons. The four of them, engaged in various conversations, rose from their seats. It was time to return to the Empire. Suddenly, Adeshan tapped Navirose’s shoulder.

“Um, Instructor, could I and Ronan go somewhere for a bit?”

“Sure, as long as you make it back in time for the carriage.”

“Thank you.”

Adeshan smiled. Ronan tilted his head at her sudden action.

“Where are we going?”

“I want to show you something. It’ll only take a moment.”

“Huh.”

She grabbed Ronan’s hand and led him out of the inn. Sekreet, watching their backs, smiled satisfactorily.

“Haha, youth. Even with such an arduous schedule.”

“The tougher the environment, the more the love blooms. Professor, you probably don’t know how long I’ve been waiting to see that.”

Navirose chuckled. Just by observing the current between them, one could tell the progress of their relationship. Now that their heights were similar, she liked them even more.

Ronan and Adeshan, leaving the inn, slowly made their way northward in the city. The blue sky was beautiful, as expected of a city serving as a fortress. Adeshan, who stopped by the roadside, picked a few wildflowers that had bloomed next to the mailbox.

“Why the flowers?”

“They all liked it. They said they liked the resilience of the flowers that bloom anywhere… Here, you take a few too.”

“Hmm?”

Ronan, who suddenly received the flowers, raised an eyebrow. As they continued walking, they stopped at the top of a hill.

It was quite high, so they could see the entire view of Barsha and the unexplored land beyond the city walls at a glance. Memorial stones for the fallen stood tall there. Adeshan, looking at the memorial stones, spoke.

“Mom. I’m here. Have you been well?”

“This…”

The rock rising towards the sky was a pale gray, like her pupils. The vast surface was densely covered with the names of soldiers who had fallen in the Night of the Fangs.

“You have to see it from far away. Mom and my brothers are all on the top row.”

Adeshan pointed to the area near the top of the memorial stone. Ronan pursed his lips. He couldn’t think of anything appropriate to say.

“Don’t take it so seriously. We just came to say hello.”

“…I’ll try.”

“It’s a bit embarrassing for me too, since it’s my first time, uh, dating… My mom and brothers told me to bring my lover to them if I ever got one…”

Adeshan bowed her head deeply. Her ears, sticking out from her hair, were as red as heated iron. Ronan mumbled slowly.

“That’s good. It’s my first time too.”

“R-Really?”

“Yeah. Embarrassingly.”

“Lies. You’re just saying that to reassure me.”

“I wish it were a lie… Okay, got it. Don’t make that face. Anyway, what matters is that it’s our first time.”

Ronan reassured her, who was staring at him with an axe-like gaze. It seemed like he needed to be careful with his words in front of her in the future. They placed the wildflowers they had picked in front of the memorial stones.

“They won’t fly away if we just stay here, right?”

“It’s okay. They won’t grow if they don’t stay.”

“Yeah, you’re right.”

Ronan nodded. That was true. They held hands and stood in front of the memorial stones for a long time.

They boarded the carriage around noon. As time passed and the latitude decreased, the earth regained its seasons, and people’s clothes gradually became lighter. The three of them arrived at the Philleon Academy two days before the end of summer vacation.

“It’s been a while.”

Ronan took a deep breath. The faint smell of grass permeated the air. The melody of cicadas echoed throughout the greenery of the academy, which was still lush with foliage.

[TL/N: this chapter was too sweet… not that you single people can relate :3]

[Translator – Peptobismol]

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