Chapter 336
A view of a range of mountains never seen in his previous existence suddenly appeared in front of him.
The surrounding landscape looked as if it was deeply ingrained in his mind, as if witnessed from above.
Particularly striking was the formation resembling a crown made by five towering peaks, with the tallest peak in the middle.
The high mountains, undulating hills, the meandering river flowing from a distance, and...
In the heart of the mountain range, beneath the tallest peak, knights and soldiers engraved with the symbol of the Golden Dragon were industriously working alongside workers.
‘The Empire?’
The moment he identified this sight, it felt like his soul was being pulled into the scenery, becoming a part of it.
Heading towards the mountain where the Empire's people were building something.
Initially possessing an immense power that no one could overcome, it was slowly losing its strength due to over a thousand years passing, beyond the barrier.
‘A weakening barrier? How do I know this?’
Just as that idea flashed through his mind, his soul came to a halt in front of a massive stone chamber.
It was a space adorned with murals depicting various monsters and non-human creatures from ancient times.
‘...Where am I?’
Before he could grasp his confusion, the space began to shift once more.
Like walking along a lengthy path, the space twisted and turned until finally, a large square materialized in front of him.
In the center of the square were ancient treasures piled high, and at the far end on a grand altar, a great sword was plunged blade-first.
The revealed hilt of the sword emitted a brilliant light, illuminating the dim space.
The elegantly curved guard and handle, despite their slim appearance, seemed sturdy enough to withstand any impact on the sword.
And most notably, a small gem embedded in the pommel appeared to radiate a divine energy, showcasing the sword's power.
This energy captivated Logan's gaze.
It felt as though the sword was calling out to him, shouting, “Come to me!”
‘Could it be...?’
As Logan examined the sword more closely, he realized it felt familiar.
‘A Sacred Sword.’
He had believed he had given it that name...
But now, he discovered he was mistaken.
– Sacred Sword, Vanitas.
Yes.
The sword emanating holy power was originally known as a Sacred Sword.
Despite its fearsome reputation, the sword's power was undoubtedly real.
– Surrender the Sacred Sword!
– Seize it!
– We must retrieve the Sacred Sword at all costs.
Even someone of his previous status, a mere knight, had managed to evade the Empire's pursuers for over a month.
‘Yes. That was it.’
The enemies chasing him were after not just the Sword Vision, but the Sacred Sword itself.
And above all,
– The Sacred Sword is uniquely responding to you.
– This must be destiny. I entrust it to you.
– It must never, never fall into Emperor Barros's hands.
Only then did he recall that his selection for the Sword Vision was not solely because of his expertise in Ancient.
Along with that final thought.
– The sword...?
The pile of corpses towering, with the magic circle underneath.
As he stepped in, he could even sense the sword's resonating presence.
– You have come to me willingly. Hand over the sword!
– After thousands of years, Zibrik Cassel's will finally unfolds on this land! Hahaha!
Barros the Emperor's maniacal laughter reverberated in his ears.
And there he stood within that magic circle, wielding that sword...
– No!
The startled expression of Barros, who glared at him fiercely.
A blinding white flash enveloped his vision.
Flash!
“Gah!?”
In that moment, Logan snapped back to reality, finding himself still standing in the center of the training hall.
“What...?”
What was happening?
A bewildered chuckle escaped him.
‘To think I dreamed during the daytime...’
The situation hardly warranted such an imaginative scenario, and most of all, the memory felt too vivid.
Furthermore, he suddenly recalled the final moments of his previous life, which had only lingered hazily before.
The foggy parts of his mind, which he had subconsciously avoided, now felt crystal clear, almost refreshing.
‘I didn't escape with something tucked in my arms, but the sword I held was the relic itself.’
Why had these memories surfaced only now?
As he pondered this, his thoughts naturally turned back to the barriers within the ruins.
It felt as though someone was whispering from within him, ‘Now you can shatter this.’
And if he were to venture back in and reclaim the Sacred Sword, he had an unwavering belief that he would find answers to the myriad questions swirling in his mind.
That feeling was immensely...
Unsettling.
“Ha...”
If reincarnation was linked to that sword, why hadn't he remembered from the start?
“Did I need to prove myself first? How absurd...”
It seemed as though an unseen force was toying with him.
Yet the image etched in his mind felt too real to dismiss outright.
Especially with the memory of the 'Imperial Army' lingering in his heart.
‘No. According to my past life, it would take years before the Empire unearthed the ruins.’
Logan thought along those lines, attempting to shake off the unease, but it proved difficult.
“Curse it!”
That Sacred Sword.
An artifact he suspected played a pivotal role in his rebirth.
But now, considering it might have even tampered with his memories cast a disconcerting shadow over it, rather than feeling like an invaluable treasure.
Part of him was also curious as to why he found himself here now.
‘Will I uncover the reason once I regain the sword?’
It was a baseless thought, yet it somehow felt plausible.
His memories of wielding the Sacred Sword in his previous life were vivid in his mind.
Setting aside curiosity and expectations.
‘With that sword...’
His combat prowess would significantly rise.
Having already surpassed the top tier of aura users and just a step away from the highest level,
he was far beyond requiring artifacts to enhance his strength.
But that sword would alter the game completely.
‘I might be able to boost my power even further now.’
Yet the notion felt like a temptation planted in his mind by the sword itself.
“Curse it.”
Logan anxiously held his head.
His spirit, clearer than ever after mastering Sky Piercing Slash, seemed to assert that nothing troubled him anymore, yet his mood remained somber.
Indeed, even if it wasn't the Sacred Sword, there was another compelling reason to seek out that ruin.
It wasn't solely the obsession stemming from wanting to prevent the relic he had defended in his past life from falling into the Empire's hands.
The crux of his current power also stemmed from that ruin.
‘Sword Vision.’
Although believed to be flawless, if someone like the Imperial Tris Hornsby got close, he could likely uncover its vulnerabilities.
Already, history had been entirely altered. What assurance was there that those relics wouldn't be discovered sooner?
‘It must never land in the Empire's hands.’
Logan's expression hardened as he pressed his lips together.
* * *
“...I feel the need to take a short break.”
Aileen's eyes widened at his sudden announcement.
“What's going on?”
“...I have personal matters to attend to. And it must be handled discreetly.”
“...Is it related to the Empire?”
He nodded.
After briefly meeting his wife's determined gaze, Aileen embraced Logan from behind.
“Can I accompany you? Like the last time...”
Despite her kind offer, Logan shook his head.
“No. This is something I must do alone.”
Grasping his wife's warm hands wrapped around his chest, Logan reassured himself once more.
“Why not? Wouldn't my presence be beneficial?”
“That may be true, but it's also risky.”
At his words, Aileen's grip tightened.
The notion of a superhuman aura user facing peril was disconcerting.
“Then I must accompany you even more so.”
While her resolute hold conveyed her determination, Logan shook his head once more.
“...It's not a physical danger.”
“Huh?”
“I mentioned the Cassel Mage Tower to you. The issue lies here.”
Logan lightly tapped his head, revealing a fraction of his concern.
The doubts that surfaced with the recollection of memories showed no signs of fading.
“Is this linked to the sorcerers of the Snake? To them as well?”
“It's similar. So don't worry. My connection to that matter is like oil and water.”
This final statement was merely a bluff. He couldn't guarantee anything regarding the matters involving the Sacred Sword.
‘Who knows what chaos that sword could unleash, I can't bring anyone else with me.’
Before his memory fully resurfaced, the sword had simply been an object he wanted to retrieve.
But now it had become oddly troubling.
If the name "Sacred Sword" didn't correspond to a potent divine energy, it should be deemed a cursed blade instead.
A sword that interferes with one's mind belonged solely in tales of cursed blades.
‘...No.’
As these thoughts raced through his mind, a sudden realization struck him.
‘Wait, is that divine power authentic? Just recently, the incident with the former Pope...’
A belated understanding hit him like a thunderbolt.
Not to mention Vanitas, the meaning encapsulated within that name...
“Could it truly be a cursed sword...”
“Pardon?”
“Never mind. Can you comprehend?”
Sensing the nod behind him, Logan breathed a sigh of relief.
‘Going solo is indeed the correct choice.’
With his current abilities, he could likely navigate any worst-case scenario and escape unscathed.
Assuming he treated the Sacred Sword as a cursed blade, he believed he could avert such dire circumstances altogether.
If things took a turn for the worse, he could discard the sword on the spot.
In his previous life, there was no way that sword had returned; however, the sword piercing through space, Sky Piercing Slash, was not limited to merely breaking through the dungeon's barriers.
Logan's crimson eyes glinted with resolve.
* * *
“Again?!”
“Yes. I'll return within a month, or rather, a few weeks. I appreciate your assistance once more.”
“Excuse me? Am I your servant or something? Why must I continue masquerading as His Majesty!? This could backfire!”
Rick's protest held merit.
Initially, it was somewhat amusing, and the second time allowed him to enjoy an unexpected honeymoon with his wife, Layla.
Yet even that had its limits; no matter how much the King pleaded, it wouldn't fare well if he were caught assuming the role of the monarch.
Moreover, what bothered him most was the various items he had charmed from the King's father, and he had no doubt Lord Dwayne would find it amusing.
Nor did it seem probable that this indifferent master would generously compensate him, so Rick had to find a way out for himself.
“If this continues, I might get used to it! Why does a country's ruler keep disappearing?!”
“Don't worry. You're doing a splendid job.”
“I'm saying it's not okay!”
“Feeling rebellious, are we?”
“Darn it...”
Logan chuckled softly as he patted the sulking Rick on the shoulder.
“I'll reward you nicely upon my return. Just endure a bit longer.”
“For that?!”
“Artifact.”
“Assurance! Count on me!”
“Very well. Take care of yourself too.”
Logan turned away after those words.
There was no need for further coordination at the dungeon site.
‘The Crown Mountains of the Empire are renowned.’
Furthermore, during his absence, he had already briefed his wife on potential contingencies.
If anything were to occur, she would surely handle it adeptly.
However, more than anything, he needed to hurry back.
The conflict with the Empire was now imminent.
‘This could be my final journey abroad.’
Logan contemplated as he quietly slipped out of the castle under the veil of night.