I Pulled Out the Excalibur

Chapter 82 – Sword Master, Yuel Razian (2)

The Dark Mage of the Seventh Circle, Kefalon.

Around 60 years ago, he was a traitor who plotted to overthrow the state using Regenoff City as his base. Although his plan failed, the incident nearly shook the millennium-long history of the empire, so the empire shuddered at anything related to Kefalon.

The ‘Transcendence Ritual’ attempted in Regenoff City was crucial, but even before that, Kefalon was like a pest to the empire, wreaking havoc through countless massacres.

Therefore.

The empire and the Starblood Sect had no choice but to be alarmed by the blatant discovery of Kefalon’s workshop in the underground of Regenoff City.

『What do you mean it was responsibly burned down?』
『It’s not written here. ‘The erasure of records and traces, under the command of the Red Tower Master Adriun.’ It seems my memory isn’t mistaken…』
『What are you doing?』
『Why haven’t you brought the person in charge?』

The young emperor personally summoned the Red Tower Master.
The former Tower Master, who had retired about 13 years ago to enjoy a leisurely retirement life farming in his territory, was dragged to the imperial court and had his shins kicked. He also had to undergo ideological verification.

As the emperor personally reprimanded the former Tower Master, the Starblood Sect dispatched the Inquisitor General of the Starblood Sect directly to Regenoff City to conclude the case.

…And so, the situation has come to this point.

***

The witness and the first discoverer of a series of events.

Since Najin was deeply involved in this incident, the Inquisitor General of the Starblood Sect had requested an interview with him upon visiting Regenoff City. Of course, there was no obligation for Najin to accept the interview.

After all, he was merely a reference.

However, it wasn’t something he could simply refuse. The Inquisitor General of the Starblood Sect, a Sword Master, had specifically requested an interview, and refusing could bring unpredictable repercussions.

‘If he were royal or from a ducal family, maybe…’

At least, it wasn’t an interview that a mere adventurer could refuse. Therefore, Najin remained in Regenoff City, waiting for the Inquisitor General of the Starblood Sect.

Upon meeting the Inquisitor General of the Starblood Sect.

Her first impression was chilling.
With her skin paler than white and her white hair, she seemed in her early to mid-twenties at a glance, but Najin mulled over the fact that she had lived for at least 150 years.

‘It’s hard to judge her age just by her appearance.’

-That’s right. Even Sword Seekers maintain their youthful appearance, and Masters become free from the constraints of lifespan.

Merlin answered nonchalantly.

-150 years old is just in her prime.

150 years old is in her prime? Najin decided to ignore the words of a mage who had lived for over a thousand years. Their sense of time seemed to be quite different.

Tap, tap.

Yuel Razian moved from a distance.
Her walk didn’t carry the formality typical of those in high positions. Instead, it was a bit relaxed and light.

‘Ah, this…’

Noticing that Yuel Razian’s red eyes were fixed on him, Najin groaned as he realized he was exactly where her gaze was directed.

‘It seems I’ve been marked.’
-It does seem so.

Ignoring the city lord and the inquisitor, as well as Hite, who was in charge of the recent Fauve suppression operation, Yuel walked straight towards Najin.

Then, thud.

She stopped right in front of him. Still expressionless and emotionless, Yuel seemed like a well-crafted doll, even the slight movement of her lips earlier seemed like an illusion now.

Swoosh.

She tilted her head. Following the tilt, her white hair flowed down. Through the cascading white locks, Yuel looked at Najin.

“What’s your name?”

The question was thrown abruptly.
Najin momentarily couldn’t grasp that the voice belonged to the person in front of him. So alien was Yuel’s voice.

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Thinner and more soprano than he imagined.

Not quite fitting for a killer who had slaughtered tens to hundreds of thousands. Catching his breath, Najin responded.

“Ivan.”
“Ah, you are the reference person for the case. I’ve heard about you. Nice to meet you.”

Yuel still used formal speech.
However, those around didn’t seem to take special notice of this fact, and Najin belatedly remembered something about Yuel Razian.

Yuel Razian uses formal speech with everyone.
Because everything is the same to her.

Even to the emperor, the sun of the empire, and to a beggar rolling in the streets, she uses formal speech. A few had pointed this out, but…

‘No one who pointed it out kept their head attached.’

So, it wasn’t uncomfortable. Quickly accepting Yuel’s formal speech, Najin graciously accepted it.

“There’s no need to waste time.”

Yuel spoke indifferently.
Her voice, close to a soprano, aside, there was no inflection in it. With that alien voice, Yuel said,

“Lead the way.”

She pointed at Najin.
Originally, she had requested an interview with Najin, and there was a designated guide, but… as if it were none of her concern, Yuel pointed at Najin and continued.

“I will receive guidance from this person. Everyone, proceed with your duties. It shouldn’t take long.”

The inquisitors, as if accustomed, bowed their heads and dispersed. Only the lord and Hite remained, staring blankly at Yuel.

“Do you have something to say?”
“That, well…”

The lord hesitated, and Hite spoke.

“Do you not need any companions or knights to accompany you…”

At that question, Yuel tilted her head.
The expressionless face tilted, and she opened her mouth.

“Pardon?”

A voice full of questions.
Confused by why such a question was asked, Hite realized his mistake too late. Bowing his head, Hite made way, admitting his slip of the tongue.

From the start, Yuel Razian needed no companions.
There was no need for knights or similar personnel.

Just as those who reached the transcendent realm are, Yuel Razian is a mighty being beyond human limits. It’s futile to measure and judge her by common sense.

All the forces stationed in this city… that is, all the knights and all the mages, as well as the mercenaries and soldiers still present, could all rush at her, yet not a single drop of blood would be shed from her.

For that’s what a Sword Master is.

Yuel, tilting her head, then moved towards the underground waterway, leading Najin.

***

“This is the place.”

Guiding Yuel, Najin slightly adjusted his impression of her. If the impression of Yuel he had from Merlin’s stories was of an unpredictable, blood-thirsty madwoman…

Tap, tap.

The impression of Yuel following him now was of an emotionless doll. The intense murderous intent he felt when she alighted from the carriage was now nowhere to be felt, as if his experience then was a mere illusion.

After some time.

They reached a deep part of the underground waterway, where Najin had pursued Fauve and arrived. Turning his head, he saw a passage leading to Kefalon’s workshop. The inquisitors had unlocked the passage.

“That’s the place.”

Yuel, making a tapping sound, moved forward.
She now stood ahead of Najin, changing their positions. As they descended into the workshop along the passage, Yuel said,

“Your name is Ivan, right?”
“Yes.”
“Your age?”
“Twenty-eight.”
“I don’t like lies.”

Her voice, still devoid of any inflection, made it hard to grasp the emotions and intentions in her words.

“Legally, I’m twenty-eight.”
“So, it’s a disguised identity. Imperial law doesn’t take identity disguise lightly, but that’s a matter for the imperial officials, not my jurisdiction. I’m not interested.”

Yuel stopped walking and turned to look at Najin. Even in the darkness, her red eyes glowed.

“I’m asking for your age. It’s a personal curiosity, and I have no intention of harming you.”

Najin sensed it was a warning. Lying again might have unpredictable consequences. Yet, Najin took a step forward.

“If you swear or make a vow not to disclose it, I will reveal my age.”
“Do you realize I have the authority and power to make you disclose your identity? I have many ways to make you speak.”
“I’m aware.”
“And still, you want a vow from me?”
“Yes.”

Yuel looked at Najin.
Her glowing red eyes stared into his unwavering amber eyes for a few seconds.

Heh.

Yuel’s lips twitched slightly.

“Very well. I’ll swear. I swear in the name of the thorny martyr, the patron saint of the Starblood Sect, that this conversation will not leak.”

Is that satisfactory?
Asking this, Najin nodded to Yuel.

“Your age?”
“Eighteen.”
“You’re young.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, more young than mature. Considering your realm, it’s remarkably young. Astonishing.”

Yuel clapped her hands with a stoic expression.

Clap, clap, clap.

The dry sound of applause echoed. As Najin looked at her with a bitter gaze, Yuel stopped clapping and tilted her head.

“Don’t you like being applauded?”
“I’m confused. I don’t know what you mean or your intent.”
“Clapping is my way of expressing astonishment. There’s no other meaning, so smile.”

Yuel raised her lips with both hands.

“The applause of a Sword Master is precious. My astonishment is even more so. So, rejoice.”

Najin forced a smile.
Only then, seeming satisfied, Yuel turned and moved forward. She seemed a bit odd.

-A murderer who’s killed hundreds of thousands wouldn’t be sane, would they?

That’s true. Ignoring Merlin’s words, Najin followed Yuel. Even as they descended into the workshop, Yuel kept talking to him.

“If this were known to the empire, it would be in uproar. Sword Saint Karan might come to meet you immediately. Surely, he would.”

There was a hint of inflection in Yuel’s usually flat voice. Najin noticed her voice tinged with excitement.

“But you met me first, and I discovered you. Remember this. Yuel Razian was the first Sword Master you faced.”
“A honor indeed.”
“Indeed, a great honor.”

Yuel stopped.
They were deep inside Kefalon’s workshop. In front of the horrifying sight, Yuel didn’t blink. There was no sign of disturbance.

“It’s also regrettable.”

Yuel sighed.
The sigh was filled with warmth. As if unable to bear it, she reached into her uniform and pulled out a water bottle.

As if dying of thirst, she uncorked the bottle and downed it. Najin frowned. The strong aroma of potent liquor wafted over. It wasn’t water but alcohol. After emptying the bottle, Yuel exhaled deeply.

“It’s truly regrettable that I have no justification to draw my sword against you.”
“Excuse me?”

An out-of-context statement.
As Najin was puzzled, Yuel continued.

“Under imperial law, identity disguise is a grave crime. However, since you are under the patronage of the Cambria Foundation, an exception applies, and I cannot punish you.”

It was a soliloquy.

“I have the power to make immediate judgments under imperial law, but I cannot wield it against you. The power I hold as the Inquisitor General of the Starblood Sect is the same. I can interrogate you, but it must be through dialogue, not force. You have not committed a crime yet.”

It was also a question she posed to herself, seeking a reason to draw her sword.

“During our descent here, I observed the energy within you. Unusual achievements for your young age. I suspected a pact with a demon. If I detected even a hint of demonic energy, as the Inquisitor General of the Starblood Sect, I could draw my sword against you, but there was none. You’re clean.”

Haaaaaah.

“It would be blatantly illegal and against doctrine for me to draw my sword against you. That’s regrettable. I thought it was a good opportunity…”

Sighing, Yuel reached into the air.
Then, snap, the scenery twisted as she grasped the air, forming a shape in her hand.

Yuel grasped the air, but in her hand now was a great sword.

At the sight of the great sword, Najin instinctively backed away. A murderous intent far surpassing what she had shown when alighting from the carriage filled the space, pressing down on it as if it had mass. Najin’s eyes reddened. His senses were on edge, and before he knew it, he had drawn his sword.

“Your mental strength to withstand the murderous intent, the intuition to create distance, the reflex to draw your sword as a swordsman. Impressive. It’s really a pity.”

Holding her drawn sword, Yuel only turned her head to look at Najin. She was smiling. Her blood-red eyes glowed with excitement and regret.

“Under imperial law, death in a duel agreed upon by both parties is legal. If I challenge you to a duel, would you accept?”

A duel with a Sword Master.
If Sword Saint Karan had challenged him, Najin would have gladly accepted. Naturally, the Sword Saint would hold back, seeking to gauge and teach Najin through the duel.

But the person before him was different.

Her only goal was one. A duel where blood is shed, aiming for each other’s lives, not stopping until life or death is decided. Accepting meant losing his head.

‘What if I draw Excalibur?’

No, he would still lose.
The realms are different. The experience is different. The dimensions are different. Even summoning Excalibur wouldn’t bridge the gap, Najin knew.

“I refuse.”
“A duel with a Sword Master is a valuable experience.”
“It’s only meaningful if I survive.”
“You’re not wrong.”

Yuel nodded.

“Then, let’s postpone the duel.”

Regretfully sighing, she turned to look ahead. Kefalon’s workshop lay before them. As the Inquisitor General of the Starblood Sect, Yuel had the authority to clean up this workshop.

“I suppose I’ll have to cut this down instead.”

She swung the great sword she held in one hand.

And Najin saw.

As if cutting out a newspaper with scissors, everything in front of them was excised from the world. The phenomenon occurred first, followed by the sound.

Screeeeeeeeech!

A sword cry, resembling a human scream, echoed through the air.