Childhood Friend of the Zenith – 449



449

”'< Chapter 450 > This is not it. (2)

The Murim Alliance possesses the Thunder Blade.

In the altered atmosphere of the conversation I had to think deeply.

‘Why does the Murim Alliance have the Thunder Blade?’

Originally the Thunder Blade should have been in the possession of the Demon Sword Master at this time her beloved weapon.

A treasured item that when infused with the essence of thunder exhibits even greater effects.

At times it could easily double the combat power of the Demon Sword Master.

‘Are you saying she doesn’t have it right now?’

No to be precise it seems she had it but the Murim Alliance took it away.

‘What happened…?’

This was something that at least didn’t exist in my memory.

In my previous life the Demon Sword Master had possessed the Thunder Blade until the moment she died.

After that the person who owned the Thunder Blade which had left the Demon Sword Master’s hands was none other than me.

It was an item she had carried around as a memento after her death.

Since meeting the Demon Sword Master I had never once seen her without the Thunder Blade.

‘Why is it like this now…?’

My eyes rolled quickly.

No matter how I looked at it something was off.

From the situation it seemed that the Thunder Blade had been taken some time ago.

Since entering this illusion I had never seen the Demon Sword Master carrying the Thunder Blade.

I hadn’t heard any stories about it either so it must mean it happened much earlier…

‘What is this?’

This seemed to be something that hadn’t occurred in the previous life I knew.

If that’s the case…?

‘It means this world is different from the one I knew….’

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I had thought this world was an illusion created based on my memories.

If events were unfolding that were completely different from my memories.

‘What on earth is this place?’

I immediately corrected my thoughts.

‘Something is different.’

The world I thought was sent by the Tang Je Mun for a test seemed to have something else going on contrary to my expectations.

‘No.’

Could it even be the world sent by Tang Je Mun?

I had to question that too.

‘If it’s not an illusion or a test… then what else is left?’

I couldn’t grasp that yet.

But I understood that I needed to raise the tension I was already holding.

I had to remind myself that this was a place different from what I expected.

My brow furrowed involuntarily.

Even if I thought of it as just an illusion it felt like I was entangled in something deeper and more irritating.

‘Anyway nothing normal comes from getting involved with these humans.’

Whenever I got entangled with the heroes of the past it always ended up like this.

Time would stop and space itself would shift.

‘…Huh.’

I tried to cool my head while deliberately excluding the intensifying emotions.

I had to keep my wits about me especially at times like this.

I must not forget my purpose.

I had to return to my original world safely.

That was all I thought about.

“…You’re going to return the Thunder Blade.”

The Mage repeated the words he heard.

“Anyone would think you’re saying it was originally yours.”

“That’s not incorrect.”

At the words of the Sword Master the Heavenly Lord stepped forward.

“The Thunder Blade originally belonged to the Namgung Clan. It has merely returned to where it should be.”

“Are you trying to play word games with me you fool?”

The Mage smirked.

If it was originally from the Namgung Clan then it wouldn’t be a problem for the Demon Sword Master to possess it.

Hearing that the Heavenly Lord looked at the Demon Sword Master with his faded blue eyes.

“The child has long since abandoned the name of Namgung. Can this statement truly be considered incorrect?”

“…”

The Demon Sword Master merely glared at the Heavenly Lord with sharp eyes without giving any particular response.

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“If that child has abandoned Namgung then the last remaining Namgung in this land is herself. The Thunder Blade has merely returned to where it belongs.”

“Yet you still wish to trade it… is that what you’re saying?”

“Indeed.”

At the Mage’s response he glanced behind him.

The area was filled with white-clad martial artists each of whom had reached a considerable level.

In terms of numbers it was a situation filled with the strength of the Alliance.

The number of demonic practitioners was not small either and they could easily wage war if they chose to.

However.

‘Victory is impossible.’

This was an objective assessment.

Victory in the current battle would be impossible.

Unless it was just the Heavenly Lord but with the Sword Master in perfect condition it would be futile to engage in combat.

Even knowing that the reason for coming to confront them was.

Perhaps it was because that damned bastard had the Sword Master but also to maintain the position of the demonic practitioners against the orthodox sects.

The orthodox sects had a large number of members and retreating because defeat was certain would only undermine the position of the Heavenly Demon within our Cult.

Since they lived for the position of the Cult Leader more than their own lives that couldn’t happen.

I knew that too which is why I was stepping forward like this.

I thought I understood the flow of the conversation but to me there was a significant contradiction here.

The contradiction was.

“Sword Master.”

“Yes.”

“It seems you’re greatly mistaken.”

At the Mage’s words the Sword Master’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

“Why do you think our Cult would trade with you lowly beings just for the Thunder Blade?”

Clang.

The agitation of the demonic practitioners intensified.

That was the contradiction I had in mind.

I would acknowledge that the Thunder Blade was a very important item to the Demon Sword Master but overall it wasn’t necessarily crucial to the entire Demonic Cult.

Even if the Demon Sword Master was an important asset would they trade with the orthodox sects for that?

There wasn’t enough justification for that.

If anything it would only provoke anger.

“It seems you still look down on us.”

“…Mage.”

As the Mage gradually raised the flames and demonic qi the expression of the Sword Master also began to distort.

Seeing that the Mage smiled.

“Given the effort you’ve made to crawl this far let me ask. What do you plan to do if you refuse the trade?”

“…”

At the Mage’s words the Sword Master bit her lip.

If she didn’t accept the trade involving the Thunder Blade.

How would the Alliance respond?

I could vaguely sense the answer by looking at her expression.

No it was more strange not to know.

Ignoring the warning of the Heavenly Demon and gathering such strength right in front of Sichuan with the Heavenly Lord one of the three deities and the Sword Master the hope of the Alliance appearing together?

‘This means…’

It was a sign that they were prepared to wage an all-out war if necessary.

Even a fool would understand that.

Moreover to put it another way.

“I’ll ask something else Sword Master.”

“…Yes.”

“Is this a trade or is it a threat?”

If she didn’t comply it meant they would fight so it was ultimately no different from a threat.

“…”

The Sword Master who would know that also couldn’t provide any answer.

I caught a glimpse of shallow shame on her face while on the contrary a deep sense of disgust appeared on the Mage’s face.

“No matter how grandly you wrap it up and try to turn it around in the end you are no different from us. Do you truly still not understand this?”

The words spoken flatly carried a heavy impact.

The martial artists of the Alliance began to react violently to the Mage’s words.

“You filthy traitor dares…!”

“What do the fallen demons say to gain power!”

It was a sight I hadn’t seen in a long time.

Seeing that rather than annoyance a sense of nostalgia emerged.

While outwardly pursuing peace the orthodox sects were rotting from the roots inside.

As the war broke out these secrets began to be revealed one by one. There was also the incident where many disillusioned individuals defected to the Demonic Cult.

Is the orthodox sect truly clean?

By now everyone in the Central Plains knows that it is not.

They merely predicted that once the Heavenly Demon swept through the Central Plains everything would burn away.

For now I just hoped that the Murim Alliance would win the war.

From my position their reactions were merely amusing.

Though they had crumbled due to the war they were barely holding on because of it.

What made them think they were so superior?

No matter how I looked at it I couldn’t understand.

It wasn’t something I as a demonic practitioner should say.

As the momentum of the martial artists began to grow rougher.

Kugooouung-!

A tremendous pressure emanated from the Heavenly Lord’s body spreading around.

Just feeling it made the hair on my body stand on end.

“Shut-!”

At the Heavenly Lord’s voice the noisy martial artists of the Alliance all fell silent at once.

Clang.

Confirming that a sound came from the side of the Demon Sword Master.

In the time I hadn’t seen the Demon Sword Master had drawn her sword. If it had gotten any louder she might have unleashed a sword flux.

Perhaps the Heavenly Lord had sensed that which is why he forced them to silence.

The Mage seemingly unconcerned about the situation continued his speech.

“Though you bark loudly you do not deny it. It means you know.”

“…”

“Did you say the value of the orthodox sects lies in righteousness and cooperation?”

The Mage stepped closer to the Sword Master.

The martial artists flinched and tried to protect the Sword Master but she raised her hand to stop them.

“Do you think there’s still something like that left there?”

The Sword Master’s golden eyes met the Mage’s purple ones.

“…It may not be there. But.”

As if refusing to back down the Sword Master also took a step closer to the Mage.

“If it’s not there I will create it.”

“…”

“I have taken up the sword for that purpose.”

It was a resolute tone.

Seeing that I felt a bitter sensation rising within me.

‘Don’t lie.’

It was obvious she would want to run away at any moment.

To say she took up the sword for that? That was also a lie.

She probably never wanted to wield a sword in the first place.

How could she say such a thing?

Seeing the expressions of those behind her who were moved by the unyielding Sword Master I wanted to tear their faces apart.

“…You’re still foolish.”

“Perhaps so.”

“So in the end you wish to obtain what you desire even by force. Is that what you’re saying?”

“…”

The Sword Master did not deny it.

It meant the Mage was right.

‘What on earth does she want?’

Given her personality the probability that she would participate in such matters was low.

Why had she gotten involved in something so nonsensical?

I was also curious about the intentions of the Murim Alliance that sent her here and what they hoped to gain by doing so.

“I don’t understand. What do you want so badly that you would cause such a ruckus?”

As the distance closed in.

The Mage asked her.

At that gaze the Sword Master slightly turned her head away.

‘Huh?’

She looked at me.

…What? Why is she suddenly looking at me?

“I’m looking for someone.”

“Someone?”

“Yes….”

That statement meant there was someone the Murim Alliance needed to obtain even if it meant breaking the warning and waging war. Surprisingly it referred to a single person.

I wondered what that could mean.

Suddenly the Sword Master raised her hand and pointed her finger at me.

“Huh?”

I quickly glanced around wondering if someone was there.

But no matter how I looked it seemed she was pointing at me.

Only after confirming that did a chill run down my spine.

‘Oh… Could it be.’

As I widened my eyes and looked back at the Sword Master.

“That person. I want that person.”

“…!”

She said that while looking at me.

At that shocking statement I was about to express my surprise when—

Kugugugugu-!

“Ugh!”

I had to dodge as I was startled by the overwhelming energy that surged from the side.

It was the most intense and powerful killing intent I had felt since coming here.

Kugung-!

As if responding to the energy dark clouds suddenly began to form in the clear sky.

From those dark clouds I could feel the fierce essence of thunder coiling.

Soon not only the demonic practitioners but also the martial artists of the Murim Alliance began to panic and change their stances.

“You.”

The one radiating that absurd energy spoke towards the Sword Master.

The culprit was none other than the Demon Sword Master.

Her white hair fluttered in the essence of thunder gradually rising into the air.

The sword she had drawn was enveloped in a profound realization.

It was a sight befitting her other title.

The Thunder Queen.

She looked ready to charge at any moment and spoke to the Sword Master.

“Do you want to die?”

Her usual clumsy and quiet tone was nowhere to be found; her pronunciation was surprisingly clear.”’