🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter : 2. This Is Not the Sword Life I Chose
The place feared by every kingdom on the continent, a realm so revered that it was called an empire.
Even that empire had a sacred domain it worshipped.
The Blessed Plains, which had never once suffered a failed harvest for hundreds of years under the blessing of the Goddess of Light.
That vast plain, with no visible end, was now stained red.
Not the beautiful golden color of a harvest season approaching—but an ominous, impure red.
The Blessed Plains were filled with countless human corpses.
Blood flowing from those bodies had turned into rivers, making it a literal hell on earth.
At the center of the plain stood the altar where prayers of gratitude to the Goddess of Light were offered, along with a stone tower engraved with the words of the goddess—both now also stained red.
Rustle.
A hand gently caressed the blood-soaked stone tower.
A man, clad in armor caked with blood and flesh, gazed at the tower with distant eyes.
“There was no other way, was there?”
He was the only living being on the plains, yet he spoke as if addressing someone.
[Of course there were other choices. However, the moment you formed a contract with me, all of them were erased. In conclusion, there was no other path.]
A voice echoed in his mind.
The man continued conversing with it as though it were familiar, yet strange.
“I am not talking about regret. Even if I went back to that moment, I would not hesitate to make a contract with you again.”
[For me as well, the time with you was a valuable experience.]
“An honor, then. To have given memories to the demonic sword Veradion.”
The man’s gaze briefly shifted to the sword at his waist.
[Among four hundred years of sword life, you, Roderick, were the most exciting contractor I ever had. Remember that until the very end.]
“Hahaha. Flattering words. I will laugh even as I die with a sword in my heart.”
Srrrng.
The man laughed loudly at the voice of the demonic sword echoing in his mind, then drew his blade.
Fzzt… crackle.
The demonic sword he drew was instantly engulfed in black aura, black flames sparking around its edge.
As the power of aura gathered into the blade, the black flames intensified, flashing like lightning around it.
“Although I failed to bring about the downfall of the empire as planned, my death today will undoubtedly weaken its national fortune.”
He pointed the sword at the stone tower.
“In the name of Roderick Perdosen, I shall strip away the goddess’s hypocrisy that hangs over this empire.”
The sword swung down.
From the demonic sword Veradion, a single bolt of lightning shot forth.
Black lightning.
A black so deep it seemed to symbolize an abyss that devoured even souls.
The lightning struck the stone tower.
KWA-KWA-KWA-KWANG!
The force within the blade did not merely destroy the tower—it reshaped the land itself.
A massive crater formed, as if a meteor had fallen.
At the same time, a blinding light erupted.
The sky at dusk turned as bright as noon before fading away again.
As if the blessing of the Goddess of Light embedded in the tower had vanished, the radiance slowly disappeared.
[Congratulations, Roderick. You have become the master of the black lightning sword.]
“I never thought I’d obtain it even at the moment of death… still, I’m glad.”
[Yes. Now bring me more souls with that power. Heh heh.]
“Of course. See those fine offerings running toward you? Your wish will be fulfilled as well.”
Beyond the massive crater, hundreds—no, thousands—of troops were approaching.
Flags bearing the insignia of the Empire and the Five Great Temples led the formation, followed by banners of noble houses.
Roderick stepped out of the crater and faced the thousands of enemies.
“Demon King Roderick Perdosen! Receive the wrath of the Supreme God!”
“Lay down that cursed demonic sword and offer your head!”
“In the name of the Supreme God, we shall punish the Demon King! This is holy war!”
Elder high priests from the Five Great Temples shouted in turn, as if trying to hide their fear.
“Listen, proud knights and soldiers of the Empire! I, Croteus Edgariel von Kranbel, will personally eliminate the shame of the Empire and the traitor of humanity, and prove once more that the Empire of Light Kranbel rules this continent!”
“Glory to His Highness the Crown Prince!”
“Hah! Hah! Hah! Hah!”
As the crown prince raised morale after the high priests, the battlefield’s energy surged.
“High priests, priests, and even the crown prince… more than expected have gathered.”
[Looks like even the elite knight orders of the noble houses have been deployed. If we take them all out, completing the contract will be easy.]
“Veradion… no, Min Woo-hyuk. Our contract is already complete. With my death, my soul belongs to you.”
[You should be precise with calculations. Your request for the empire’s downfall will definitely be fulfilled. I’ve already chosen the next contractor. Heh heh.]
“Is that so? The next contractor… you chose Croteus, the crown prince, didn’t you?”
[Correct. A mere Sword Expert-level knight is easy to manipulate. With the next emperor, the empire will collapse.]
“I commend your cruelty.”
[I’ll take that as praise.]
“I hope the countless souls from this war will also fulfill your wishes.”
[If my previous master could do it, so can I. I will definitely return.]
Roderick and the demonic sword Veradion—now called Min Woo-hyuk—ended their conversation there.
Because thousands of enemies began charging at a single man.
The air around him exploded.
A massive energy erupted from Roderick, dominating the space.
His presence expanded further and further.
His body rose from the ground, lifted into the sky.
A vast black force swallowed the surroundings.
He pointed his sword at the approaching army.
“Was it called Earth? Even if I return to your world, remember my name. Thank you… my only friend and mentor, Min Woo-hyuk.”
[You’re unnecessarily sentimental. Just aim properly.]
“Do I need to aim? They will all die anyway. Only the order will differ.”
Roderick raised his blade for the final time.
“Wrath of Perdosen! Break Heaven Thunder!”
The world turned black.
Black energy covering the sky rained down upon the army filling the plains.
Thousands of lightning strikes overturned the land, taking countless lives of imperial soldiers and priests.
A hell of screams and agony unfolded across the battlefield.
Even the prayers of priests calling upon the Supreme God could not stop the death Roderick delivered.
Thick armor and shields melted under the heat of black lightning.
When most of the enemies had been erased—
Clang.
The demonic sword Veradion fell to the ground.
The knight’s final wish for revenge against the empire ended with the last flame of his life.
His desperate will would surely bring about the empire’s decline.
The elite knights and soldiers of noble houses supporting the empire turned to ash, and the high priests of the Five Great Temples, who upheld the will of the Supreme God, melted away.
Only rebellion from kingdoms that had long lived in oppression would remain.
Thud.
Roderick’s body collapsed.
He was the head of House Perdosen, once discarded by the empire under false charges of treason, and the only Grand Swordmaster on the continent who had earned the title “Demon King” during his path of revenge.
In the battlefield that had cost him his life, movement could be seen.
Bodies shifted here and there, revealing survivors.
Those who had used the corpses of allies as shields to survive.
It was the crown prince of the empire and the high priests of the Five Great Temples.
Several knights and soldiers had also survived the deathly lightning.
Step.
A soldier closest to the demonic sword grabbed its hilt—Veradion.
ZZZT!
“Ughhh…”
Black lightning surged through the soldier’s arm gripping the hilt.
The sword tested him with its lightning attribute.
Those who failed the trial met only death.
The charred corpse of the soldier collapsed while still holding the sword.
Thud.
A knight stepped forward and pulled the sword from the dead soldier’s hand.
ZZZT.
A Sword Expert-level knight barely passed the test of the demonic sword.
[Hello. Want to make a contract with me?]
A strange voice echoed in the knight’s mind.
In that fleeting moment, the knight was consumed by the sword’s influence.
His head slowly nodded up and down.
Affirmation.
[Make a wish. Anything you want—I’ll grant it. In return, your soul belongs to me when you die.]
Another nod.
“Sword Master.”
The knight’s desire slipped out.
[Such a modest dream. Very well. Your wish is granted.]
A massive power flowed from Veradion into the knight.
The empowered knight released aura through the sword.
A yellow aura blade, surrounded by flickering lightning.
[With the power of Thunder Spirit, becoming a Sword Master is nothing.]
The surrounding allies gasped in shock.
But the knight looked at them with a sinister smile.
Then he swung his aura blade toward them.
Yellow lightning cut through the bones and flesh of the surviving comrades.
Slash. Slash. Slash.
His massacre ended only when the crown prince and high priests arrived.
Boom.
Flames roared.
Priests used divine power to raise earth walls and engulf the knight in holy fire, finally subduing him.
“This vile demonic sword is disrupting the empire’s essence.”
“In the name of the Supreme God, we shall seal Veradion forever.”
“Priest Jude! It is just a cursed sword! Do not speak its true name!”
“I misspoke. I apologize, Priest Edmun.”
While the priests of Light and Earth bickered, the knight’s body turned to ash.
Even a Sword Master could not surpass the will of the divine.
Step. Step.
A figure walked toward the sword.
“His Highness the Crown Prince!”
“It’s dangerous!”
“Protect him! Protect the Crown Prince!”
The crown prince of the empire approached Veradion.
The shocked priests screamed, and surviving royal guards rushed forward—but they could not stop him from grabbing the sword.
ZZZT.
The crown prince, a Sword Expert, passed the sword’s trial.
[Hello, Your Highness. I was worried you wouldn’t come. Come on. Want to make a contract? Heh heh.]
“I will take the Empire.”
He answered immediately.
[Your younger brother’s faction is growing strong, but with my power, you can still take the throne.]
“Good.”
[The contract is complete. The Empire is now yours. Heh heh.]
A massive surge of lightning filled the crown prince’s body.
He swung his sword at his approaching guards.
A yellow aura blade became lightning and struck down.
KWA-KWA-KWA-KWANG!
“Your Highness!”
“No!”
“What do we do now?!”
The priests panicked, unable to execute the possessed crown prince as they had with the knight.
“Bring out the sacred relics.”
“Priest Edmun… are you abandoning the crown prince?”
“Priest Jude, have you not seen it? Anyone taken by the sword is no longer human. If we delay further, we will witness the crown prince becoming a demon king.”
“I agree with Priest Edmun. Our mission is to seal the sword. It is unfortunate that the wielder is the crown prince instead of Roderick, but the sealing will be easier now.”
“Priest Jude, decide. Will you abandon the fate of the continent?”
After hesitation, Priest Jude took out a divine relic of the Earth Temple.
The other priests followed suit.
“In the name of the Supreme God, we pray for the eternal sealing of the demonic sword.”
Their prayers reached the heavens.
The ground split open, the crown prince’s body burned away, and the sword sank into the earth.
Descending into an unreachable depth, Veradion landed in a cavern, where water began to fill the space.
The demonic sword Veradion was sealed in eternal darkness.
[Dammit… my sword life is seriously cursed.]
