Academy’s Genius Swordmaster

[Translator – Peptobismol]

Chapter 243: Alivrihe (4)

【It hasn’t been that long, kid.】

Orsay growled, his menacing aura still as sharp as a well-honed blade. Ronan kept his gaze fixed on him and asked Alivrihe.

“…Why is this bastard here?”

“I found him collapsed in a corner and brought him here for treatment. We know each other.”

“Know each other?”

Ronan’s eyebrows twitched. Now that he thought about it, Alivrihe had disappeared after the commotion, likely to find Orsay.

Memories of conversations heard within the Savior’s memory began to slowly surface. Alivrihe had once told the Savior about Orsay before the Savior set out to meet Navardose.

Surely, he warned that humans would try to settle in that land, so they should scatter the lair elsewhere. The expression Alivrihe used seemed to refer to that time. Orsay spoke.

【Stop pretending. How long are you going to bring up things that happened before the Empire was founded?】

“Too much hostility between black kin. Don’t you know how to say thank you?”

【Hah, kin. Maybe I’ll consider it if you stop pretending to be an old man.】

Ronan glanced at Alivrihe. So this guy was deliberately presenting himself as an old man. Alivrihe, noticing Ronan’s look, cleared his throat.

“Ahem, don’t misunderstand. There’s no deep reason. Pretending to be a dying old man means the cult gives me fewer tasks.”

“I haven’t said anything.”

Ronan shook his head. Orsay, watching the two, spoke up.

【So what’s your game, bringing this brat to me? Are you offering him to me as a snack?】

“I thought you two might have aligned interests. I’ll leave you two to talk.”

“Aligned interests? Wait, where are you going?”

Ronan asked, but Alivrihe didn’t answer. He turned and left the room without another word. The two men, now alone, scowled at each other.

【I have nothing to say to you. Give me the location of that damned sword and Navardose and get lost.】

“Why don’t you kiss my ass?”

【There’s a limit to insolence. Do you think I can’t dispose of a single brat like you just because I’m injured?】

Suddenly, dark energy began to emanate from Orsay’s shoulders. The lantern beside him flickered dangerously. He slowly stood up, growling.

【Last chance. Tell me where Navardose is.】

“Ha… fuck.”

Ronan sighed. It wasn’t fear, but frustration. Talking to Orsay was like talking to a rock.

He couldn’t understand Alivrihe’s intention. Mentioning aligned interests meant the old man knew Orsay’s goals.

The situation was making him increasingly anxious. Only two days remained until the ritual’s completion, and Shullifen’s fate was unknown. Amidst his frustration, a thought struck him like a gust of wind.

‘Wait, could it be?’

Ronan thought he understood Alivrihe’s words. After a moment of contemplation, he sighed deliberately.

“Fine, if you really want to know. That woman is in a place called Drimore.”

【If you don’t want to talk, then you’ll die here… What?】

Orsay’s eyes widened, clearly not expecting such a straightforward answer. The deadly aura he exuded momentarily subsided.

【…Drimore? Where is that?】

“It’s a fortress floating high in the sky. There…”

Ronan briefly explained Drimore, emphasizing its mystical location, the surrounding scenery, and the fact that Navardose was there.

Orsay stared intently at Ronan, as if ready to rip his head off at any sign of a lie. But Ronan didn’t lie; he just withheld certain information. Orsay’s face gradually showed anticipation. After listening, he spoke.

【…It doesn’t seem like a lie. So how do I get there?】

“I don’t know.”

【What?】

Orsay’s expression darkened. This was the crucial part. Ronan gathered his thoughts and shook his head.

“I’ve only been there once, so I really don’t know. I got there by repeatedly using spatial magic. But there’s one person here in Adren who knows.”

【Who is it?】

“The Dragon King, Azidahaka. That bastard has the guts to ignore Navardose’s letter.”

Ronan continued nonchalantly. He summarized the ritual taking place at the top of the Sky Tower and its purpose, mentioning the third head and the impending war.

Orsay clenched his teeth upon hearing this.

【That bastard plans to strike Navardose before me? Ridiculous…!】

“You lost to that ridiculous bastard, didn’t you?”

【If you want to die, keep running your mouth. I only lost because I was caught off guard last time. In a fair fight, I would never lose.】

The sound of teeth grinding was audible. Ronan felt relieved seeing Orsay’s reaction.

‘Thank goodness. A dragon is still a dragon.’

It seemed Orsay was almost convinced. His obsession with Navardose wasn’t just strategic. It also stemmed from a desire to personally defeat the strongest dragon in history.

“What will you do now?”

【I’m going to the Sky Tower immediately. You gave me information, so I’ll spare your life. Now hand over that cursed sword and get lost.】

“You’re impatient. I have a better idea. Want to hear it?”

【A better idea?】

Orsay’s eyebrow twitched. It was time for the decisive blow. Ronan spoke with confidence.

“Yeah. You should come up the tower with us. I have business there too.”

【That’s ridiculous. Why would I, a dragon, do such a thing with a human?】

“You bastard. I knew you’d react like this. Just stop being stubborn…”

Orsay scoffed. Ronan had expected this reaction, so it didn’t really bother him. Just as he was about to continue speaking, a voice came from nearby.

【We can’t rule out the possibility that they’ve hidden in the sewer. Search thoroughly.】

“Yes, Sir Pantheon.”

Both their faces stiffened simultaneously. It was unmistakably human voices. The distance was roughly 70 meters, and judging by the footsteps, there were about ten people.

“Damn it, they’ve already gotten this far.”

Ronan clicked his tongue. He had anticipated this, but he didn’t expect them to start searching the sewer so quickly. Alivrihe was still nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, Orsay started moving towards the entrance.

[Translator – Peptobismol]

【Insects have swarmed. I’ll get rid of them.】

“There’s also a dragon among them. Aren’t you overestimating yourself, considering your injuries?”

【Ha, overestimating?】

Orsay laughed derisively. Instead of answering, he thrust his hand into his chest. Not into a pocket or anything like that, but literally into his own flesh.

“What…!”

Ronan frowned at the bizarre sight. However, there was no blood or tearing of flesh. Orsay’s skin seemed to accept his arm as if it were water.

Shhh! Soon, Orsay’s arm emerged, holding the same black spear Ronan had seen at the Aurora Skar.

“You…”

【Watch your mouth.】

The spearhead was still twisted into a vicious spiral. Suddenly, Orsay launched himself forward with a powerful leap. His movements were so fast that his form blurred, and it all happened in the blink of an eye.

“Wait… that guy!”

【Orsay, so you were here!】

“Araaghh! Spare me!”

Desperate screams began to echo. That madman! Cursing under his breath, Ronan hurriedly ran towards the commotion. It didn’t take long to reach the scene. He stopped and let out a bitter laugh.

“…Hah.”

The situation was already over. The water’s surface was stained red. The scent of blood and the stench of the sewer mingled heavily in the air. Shredded bodies were floating down the sewer.

【You… bastard…】

A man, who seemed to be a dragon, was dying, slumped against the wall with Orsay’s black spear impaled in his chest. Orsay, covered in blood, stood in the midst of the carnage.

【Say it again. Overestimating myself? Do you still think I need your help after seeing this?】

He turned to Ronan, speaking with arrogance, cruelty, and power that befitted a dragon.

His bandages had come undone, revealing his abdomen, which had healed, leaving only scars. Just then, the dying man raised his hand towards Orsay.

【…Die.】

【Hmm?】

Orsay’s eyes widened. He quickly turned, but the man’s hand had already formed a magic circle.

As an unknown spell was about to manifest, Ronan reflexively drew his sword. Paah! A flash of sunset-colored light flickered, and the dying man’s body was pulled right in front of Ronan.

【What… Guh!】

The man’s eyes widened. Swoosh! Ronan thrust his sword through his heart. The man let out a final death rattle before his body slumped into the sewer.

Splash. The body sank into the water and didn’t surface again. An awkward silence settled. Ronan glanced at Orsay and chuckled.

“Seems like you were wrong.”

【You…!】

Orsay’s eyes trembled. His face, though covered in blood, was likely flushed with anger. Of course, it was a situation he should feel embarrassed about. Just then, Aselle, who was slung over Ronan’s shoulder, screamed.

“Hyaaah! We’re going to be eaten!”

“Damn it!”

Ronan cursed. He almost screamed in response. As soon as he let go, Aselle fell and landed on his backside.

“Ow!”

“You scared the hell out of me.”

“Hiick… Hiieek… R-Ronan?”

Aselle finally recognized Ronan. He was terrified, but his complexion looked much better than before.

Judging by his reaction, he seemed to remember up to the point when Alivrihe swallowed them by the lake. Aselle looked around like a startled rabbit and whimpered.

“Wh-where are we? We were swallowed by a dragon… Ah! Dead bodies!”

【Quiet. What is that?】

“A friend of mine.”

Orsay frowned at Ronan’s answer. The tense atmosphere lightened considerably.

【Come to think of it, I think I saw him in the north.】

“Eek! A d-dragon?!”

Aselle jumped again upon seeing Orsay. Suddenly, footsteps were heard. The three of them turned their heads simultaneously to see Alivrihe standing there.

“What’s this commotion? I rushed back because of the noise, but it seems it’s already over.”

Alivrihe held a basket full of food. It seemed he had gone to get supplies. He sighed as he surveyed the scene.

“Can’t even rest properly. Did the conversation go well?”

“More or less.”

Ronan nodded. Aselle hurriedly hid behind him, while Orsay remained silent, likely still wrestling with his shame. Alivrihe spoke.

“Follow me. We’ll settle right under their noses.”

[Translator – Peptobismol]