Sword Devouring Swordmaster-Chapter 70 : Chapter 70

Chapter 70 – War Duel (5)
“Circumstances may have changed, but what we must do remains the same.”
At the start of the 「War Duel」, the fighters who had been assigned to the Great Land faction gathered together.
“It’s unpleasant, standing on the side of those who once trampled our lands. But the 「Arena」 promised that the victors would receive one of the Dragon Relics. Even if we can no longer reclaim the honor of our fallen nations, we should at least seize whatever faded glory remains.”
Most of those present were fighters from the eastern continent — men and women from Han and other countries crushed beneath the Great Land’s conquest. They detested this situation, but they weren’t the type to simply whine. They had purpose.
“When this War Duel ends, the relics of the East will be put up for auction. And the cruel truth is that we, the exiles of fallen nations, don’t have the wealth to buy them back. The rich from the West and Center — the collectors who stack mountains of gold — will take everything. We won’t even get to bid. Not a Dragon Relic, not even a decent sword.”
None of the eastern fighters could argue. Though some of them had managed to scrape together lives abroad, even the most successful among them were paupers compared to the nobles and merchants of the western powers. All they had were their swords.
Some were only now beginning to rebuild, clawing their way up from ruin. And rebuilding a life after losing one’s homeland… that was never easy. Never.
“Still, we all know this much: the Great Land’s Conquest Army is the most brutal and powerful army on the continent. If they’ve been faithfully recreated here, then defeat should be impossible. They might not even need us…”
“……”
“But even so, we must prove our worth. To bring light to our forgotten homelands, to reclaim even the smallest shred of glory, we must fight — no matter the shame.”
No matter the shame, fight with everything you have.
That sentence struck through every heart.
Rumor had it that the coming auction would even include the Red Bank of the Black Isles and the collectors of the Machine Empire — those who would buy anything rare, no matter the cost. Competing with them was impossible. How could wanderers challenge the masters of gold?
So if they wanted even one Dragon Relic to remain in eastern hands, there was only one option.
They had to win.
They could not afford to lose.
“Though there’s one thing I still don’t understand.”
A fighter who had been listening to their resolute speeches finally voiced his question.
“What exactly are these Dragon Relics that you people are so obsessed with? Do they hold legendary power, like the treasures of the Dwarves’ Golden Vault? Or are they magical artifacts, crafted by witches to bend the laws of nature?”
Not everyone here was from the East.
Some ordinary fighters, ignorant of eastern history, had also chosen the Han faction — so their confusion was natural.
“The Dragon Relics possess no legendary power. In fact, they’re duller than the cheap iron swords made by young Dwarves.”
One of the eastern fighters answered.
“But to the people of the East, they’re more precious than any blade.”
“Why? Historical value? Are they royal heirlooms or something?”
“No.”
The fighter paused, thinking how to explain. To them, the significance of the Dragon Relics was so deeply ingrained that putting it into words felt strange — like explaining why one breathes.
After some thought, he spoke.
“Do you know why the small nation of Han managed to hold out so long against the Great Land?”
“Because of strong walls?”
“No. Against that monstrous army, walls meant nothing. Han survived as long as it did because of its ruler — the King.”
He continued, his expression firm.
“And in the East, there is an ancient legend.”
He spoke slowly, solemnly.
“The one who bears the Dragon Relic… shall summon the true King.”
***
The general brought forth seven Dragon Relics: a sword, shield, helmet, armor, bow, spear, and ring.
Each glimmered with hues of red and gold — magnificent to the eye, but on closer inspection…
‘They look more like ornaments than weapons.’
Take the so-called Dragon Sword, for instance. Its blade was blunt, more ceremonial than functional. The others were no better — decorative objects suited for display, not battle.
When I stared at them, unimpressed, the general spoke up.
“Do not look at them, young man. These are treasures of the royal family, passed down through the generations — relics containing the spirit of our ancestors.”
“Spirit or not, I doubt they could even scratch armor.”
“Watch your tongue!”
“……”
I recalled that Seol Yoon had once been promised the Dragon Sword as payment for interfering in my Promotion Match. That meant these relics were low-grade even by Arena standards — rewards for mid-tier fights. The Arena’s greedy officials knew the value of every artifact they handled; if these were truly priceless, they’d never treat them this way.
‘So they’re just props — trinkets for show.’
They’d probably planned to give these relics a “story” through this War Duel, then auction them off at inflated prices. If they’d been genuine treasures, they wouldn’t risk them here.
As I looked around, one fighter must’ve noticed my doubt.
“The Dragon Relics are ancient weapons from eastern legend. There are dozens of stories about them, but the core is the same — whoever possesses them shall summon the true King.”
“……”
“But scholars say it’s nothing but folklore. Dwarven appraisers declared the blades dull and worthless, and even the Machine Empire’s specialists confirmed there’s no trace of magic or enchantment. So, yes— they’re antiques. Nothing more.”
Antiques.
Yes, that was exactly what they looked like.
While I mulled it over, Maia suddenly shouted—
“The ring! I’ll take the ring!”
“Wait— you can’t just—”
“I like the ring! I’m still a woman, after all! But Sword Demon Liam! If you want it, I’ll let you have it! Do you want it?”
“No, thank you…”
I shook my head as Maia’s booming voice filled the air. She slipped on the ring and beamed happily. No mana, no aura — nothing changed.
It was official: these “relics” really were just old trinkets.
Not that I cared.
“Then I’ll make my choice.”
Because in the Arena, rules could be rewritten.
I remembered clearly what the host had said earlier:
“The defenders’ side will also receive a special advantage!”
That “advantage,” granted for balance—
“The one who wields the Dragon Sword may, up to three times before the battle ends, summon the Guardian Dragon that once protected the fallen peninsula. Each summon lasts one minute!”
The strongest species among all seven races.
Beings who grew infinitely with time.
Lords of the endless skies.
Dragons.
“I’ll take the Dragon Sword.”
Because no man alive could resist that. As I accepted the shining blade, a small thought flickered in my head—‘…I shouldn’t eat this, right?’
Just for a second. Really, just a second.
***
The choosing was over quickly. No one wanted the others anyway; only the Dragon Sword held any appeal. Soon, it was time to return to battle. I sheathed the dull-looking sword and heard Liam’s voice at last.
「So this is how far the times have fallen. You can all stare at a blade and see nothing at all.」
“…What do you mean?”
「Tell me, my young descendant— even your doubtful eyes see that sword as an old relic, don’t they?」
My master, who’d been silent all this time, finally spoke.
“And what exactly is inside it?”
「Hah… you’re still just a mortal. Your path is long, child.」
“……?”
「You haven’t even noticed what that blade holds within.」
The drums of war thundered again. The earth trembled as the enemy cavalry charged— fiercer and faster than before. Yet Liam’s calm voice continued.
「Within that blade dwells a flame.」
“……”
「A lonely flame that once burned to light the path for others, to declare that someday, light would come again— even when surrounded by darkness.」
A flame.
The word stirred something in my chest.
「The world has grown blind. People now seek swords that can cleave mountains or summon miracles— but the true worth of a blade lies elsewhere. You, who have consumed so many blades, should know this by now.」
“……”
「A sword carries a soul. And its worth is decided by that soul.」
The enemy was closing in fast. Their momentum was terrifying— enough to crush us if we gave an inch. If they reached the walls, it was over.
We needed to break their charge— now.
「When you truly understand that, a new path will open.」
“……”
「Remember this, young descendant. To spread your wings, you must learn to hear a sword’s voice without consuming it. That is the first step.」
His words were still beyond me. And perhaps that’s why another, far simpler thought crept into my head.
‘…I really shouldn’t eat it, right?’
Because the easy path was right there. But whenever I’d chosen the easy way before, life had found a way to twist it into hell. It always did. So, as usual, I’d take the hard, miserable route.
“I’ll try it your way, Master.”
「Good. As always— charge forward blindly and stubbornly, as befits a mediocre fool.」
“No. Not this time.”
I drew the dull Dragon Sword.
「…What do you mean by that?」
“This time, I’ll take the easy way — just once. I’ve got three chances, after all.”
A blazing warmth surged through my palm. And then— a voice rang in my head.
Is it time, then?
I knew whose voice it was the moment I gripped the sword. Once I answered, the Arena’s “benefit” would activate. Before me, the enemy legions charged in full force.
Three chances. And now was definitely one of them.
“Come forth.”
The heat exploded, roaring like wildfire. Then, with a thunderous KWA-RUNG! a bolt of lightning struck from a clear sky. In an instant, dozens of cavalrymen were reduced to ash.
Smoke rose from their blackened corpses.
“……”
Silence fell over the battlefield. Both sides froze, staring upward.
The sky— was opening.
“Wh—what…”
And from that rift in the heavens, a colossal shape emerged. Its shadow alone darkened the earth. Eyes like gemstones flared as sunlight glinted off its scales.
No explanation was needed. Everyone knew.
“R–retreat.”
Of course. Every child on the continent had heard tales of them— the subject of countless myths and stories, the divine beasts of creation itself.
“Retreat! Scatter! RUN!”
The strongest of all seven races.
The rulers of the sky who nested atop the Sky Mountains.
The proud, arrogant beings who looked down upon all creation.
“RUN!”
A Dragon.
The Guardian Dragon of the fallen peninsula descended from the heavens— to obliterate every insignificant creature crawling below.
As its massive wings stretched across the sky, I couldn’t help but smile in satisfaction.
“I’ll understand the sword’s soul and hear its voice later. Just give me a moment.”
I grinned. Broadly.
「……」
“Just once, Master. Let me take the easy way.”
Really. Just this once.