I rubbed at my gritty eyes as I followed the Black Prince.

Not just my eyes—my whole body felt stiff, like a sword in desperate need of oiling.

But what could I do?

Work had to be done.

As we walked, I let my hand close again around Vlad’s hilt.

“…”

Silent.

It had flared the first time I touched it, then gone quiet as a mouse.

I’d remembered how it had sliced iron like paper in Ophosis’s tomb, so I’d fed it a few drops of blood now and then out of curiosity. It drank greedily, and while it sharpened to a terrifying edge, no other powers appeared.

I had expected something more dramatic—ice pillars like the Frost Knight conjured, or some magical spectacle. But no. This sword was… boring.

I stroked the grip, feeling its uncanny fit in my hand, then released it.

I wasn’t about to take back my word.

Like I’d said before, every swordsman covets a good blade. But this one? Too good.

Just a taste of blood and it could shear through steel with no aura channeled at all. A monster of a sword, converting blood itself into aura.

So that was what Ophosis had meant—that even an ordinary man, wielding it, could fight an aura-user as an equal.

But what happens if I kept it?

I’d come to rely on it. Grow lazy. My own path toward strength—my great journey—blocked by the wall of this blade.

And magic? Summoning ice like the Frost Knight? I wasn’t tempted. I am a swordsman, not a magician.

Martial arts sometimes look like sorcery, true… but martial arts are the exception. Martial arts are art.

I cast aside any lingering attachment to Vlad and trailed after the Black Prince.

The glares of the Black Knights burning into my back didn’t bother me.

I asked the Prince’s shoulders, “So who’s going to wield the demon blade?”

He glanced back and answered plainly,

“Sir Wolfgang.”

“…Sir Wolfgang?”

The name sounded familiar.

The Prince explained, “He’s a strong knight. His fiery nature is both strength and flaw, but he’s a righteous man.”

“So, a hot-blooded knight.”

“Exactly.”

We stepped out of the annex.

“Sir Wolfgang. You there?”

“Yes, my lord. You called?”

The answer came before the Prince even finished. A burly bear of a man with blazing eyes strode over.

I knew that face.

I widened my eyes.

“Ah, Sir Bol-cok-cok. It’s you.”

“…It’s Wolfgang.”

“Right, Wolfgang.”

“….”

The moment he saw his lord’s face, Wolfgang froze in shock.

“M-my lord, your face—”

The Prince waved him off.

“It’s nothing. Ignore it.”

But the loyal brute’s eyes burned with fury—aimed at me.

“What’re you looking at? He hit me too, you know.”

“You mad bastard…!”

I smirked.

“What’s the fuss? Men grow by trading blows. The Black Prince isn’t some child. You’re his knight, not his nursemaid.”

Wolfgang trembled with rage, his voice tight.

“You could be executed on the spot. Do you understand that?”

“Understand? All I know is how to beat up guys like you.”

“You—!”

He couldn’t hold back. His fist came flying.

Fiery, indeed. To strike me in front of his lord, defying his order not to.

I watched the heavy blow arc toward me, then calmly opened my arms.

Given his size, this was the most efficient way.

I caught his iron forearm, pivoted with the momentum, and hurled him to the ground.

No aura needed.

Thud!

He hit the dirt with a grunt, face flushing as he scrambled up.

“You’re dead.”

“Oh, good.”

The Black Prince finally snapped.

“Sir Wolfgang!”

The knight flinched, turning to him.

“Did I not tell you to stand down?”

“…Forgive me.”

He bowed, swallowing his rage.

The Prince studied him coldly, then turned to a Stavanger knight nearby.

“Is there a secluded clearing?”

“Yes, my lord. I’ll guide you.”

Without another word, the Prince followed him.

Wolfgang remained bowed, trembling with anger.

I wanted to needle him more, but any more and he really might explode. Best to behave. I knew when to stop.

[ Impressive restraint. ]

“Think nothing of it.”

Wolfgang joined the other knights trailing behind. My neck prickled with the heat of their glares, but I ignored it.

So maybe I’d earned their hatred. Was it for striking the Prince? Or Wolfgang?

Didn’t matter.

I hummed a tune, following cheerfully after the Prince.

Soon we reached the forest glade I’d once used for secret training.

“This place is hidden. No one comes here easily—we searched long to find it,” explained our guide.

He looked at me strangely.

I coughed and looked away.

The Black Prince surveyed the clearing and nodded.

“Perfect.”

He ordered the knights to form a perimeter. Most were his, but a few Stavanger men were there too.

I turned to the young knight who’d guided us.

“Hey.”

“Yes, sir?”

“Where are our fearless trio of knights?”

“You mean those who accompanied you? Sir Curtis went to confer with the Count and Commander. Sir Walpole is likely fast asleep by now. Sir Schneider has gone home with his wife.”

“I see.”

I clicked my tongue.

So I was the only one not resting.

All the more reason to finish quickly, then wash and sleep.

“Sir Wolfgang.”

“Yes!”

He stepped forward at the Prince’s call.

The Prince looked at me.

“Obey the Devil’s instructions.”

“…Yes.”

I traded a glance with the Prince, then strode into the clearing.

Gesturing like calling a dog, I beckoned.

“Wolfgang. Over here.”

“….”

Face twisted, he reluctantly followed.

I stood at the center, glancing around.

Knights ringed the glade like a living wall.

Precautions.

Satisfied, I drew the blade.

Shing—

The sword slid free, smooth and gleaming.

That sound never failed to stir my heart.

The scarlet blade gleamed beneath the blazing afternoon sun.

“Ooooh…!”

“That’s the Ninth Sword…!”

“The Demon Blade, Vlad!”

Gasps of awe spread among the knights watching from afar.

Even Wolfgang, for an instant, looked bewitched, unable to tear his eyes away from the crimson steel.

Feeling oddly pleased, I twirled Vlad in a careless sword-dance, then drove it point-first into the ground.

Taking two steps back, I said,

“Sir Wolfgang. You’re the one chosen to wield Vlad.”

“…Yes.”

“Draw it. If you lose control, I’ll step in.”

“What do you mean by step in?”

I yawned, as if it were nothing.

“I’ll kill you. Draw with the resolve that you might die by my hand.”

Wolfgang glanced between me and the sword buried in the dirt, then asked, “Devil.”

“What, mutt?”

“They say you endured the demon blade’s trial.”

“More or less.”

“Anything I should know?”

“Well…”

I scratched my head. Honestly, there wasn’t much to say.

It had flared once, and that was it.

On the way back, I’d discussed it with the Heavenly Demon. Nothing special—just a red brute barging into my inner world, whom he promptly slapped down. After that, silence.

Our conclusion? Vlad was a lot more bark than bite.

Still, I should give a warning.

“It was nothing to me, but who knows with you. Don’t let yourself be swallowed. A swordsman beaten by a sword? That’s disgraceful.”

Wolfgang grinned.

“That’s the best thing I’ve heard from your foul mouth.”

“I am a master of words.”

“Spare me.”

He strode toward Vlad.

“If even you endured, how could I not?”

Without hesitation, he seized the hilt.

And then—

Kiiiiiiiiing!

The blade roared.

“…What the—?”

The blade ran wild. There was no other way to describe it.

Like a demon’s eye snapping open, Vlad flared scarlet. The earth shook as though in an earthquake.

Rumble!

Birds burst from the trees in terror, while the knights ringed around staggered.

“Ghkkk!”

Wolfgang’s face twisted as he gripped the hilt—and drew.

Clutching the cursed blade, trembling, he suddenly thrust it toward the sky.

“Graaaah!”

A crimson vortex erupted from the tip, soaring upward.

It pierced the clear heavens and vomited forth roiling black clouds.

From those clouds crackled blood-red lightning, thunder booming across the sky.

CRASH! BOOM!

“What the hell…?”

The darkness spread wide across the heavens. Wolfgang’s eyes were glowing red as he snarled at me.

“Grrrgh!”

It was no longer human speech.

A beast wearing Wolfgang’s skin swung the blade at me.

I barely drew in time to block.

CLANG!

Sparks exploded. My hands went numb.

I was flung back, rolled twice, and scrambled up.

“What monstrous strength…!”

“Raaagh!”

No time to admire.

He came charging again, fury steaming from him.

Meeting that raw power head-on would only break me.

Already, a single clash had cracked my sword.

So I slipped aside, deflected, let his blade slide past instead of meeting it.

He swung like a beast, mind gone, hacking wildly.

After several exchanges, a few knights finally rushed forward.

“We’ll aid you!”

“Stay back!”

I barked.

“But—!”

“Shut up and hold the line! Black Prince!”

The Prince shouted instantly, “Do not approach! This was foreseen! Maintain the perimeter! Whatever happens, Wolfgang must not escape!”

“Yes, my lord!”

They held position.

Meanwhile, I fenced with the beast Wolfgang, weighing options.

“Graaaah!”

CLASH!

“Urgh!”

Somehow his power and speed had multiplied severalfold.

He was no man now, but a monster with a sword.

Every strike pushed me closer to breaking.

The only grace was that his fury targeted me alone.

‘…What now? Do I really kill him?’

Then the Black Prince roared,

“Devil! Kill him! Wolfgang agreed beforehand!”

“What?”

“We have his signed consent—if the sword consumed him, he was to be slain. He made that choice!”

His voice cracked.

“Kill Wolfgang, Devil!”

But… why did it sound like a plea, like grief?

I kicked Wolfgang back and met the Prince’s eyes.

“…Shit.”

How could I cut him down, with those eyes begging me to?

Instead, I wrapped myself in the swift winds of Floating Step, and lunged.

My fingers stabbed with internal force toward Wolfgang’s shoulder.

But—

BAM!

“Ghhk!”

I was flung high, crashing down in a roll.

My sword shattered. My left arm hung useless.

Just from a graze.

“Unbelievable.”

My meridians were twisted, my strike useless.

Above, the black clouds spread wider.

“Graaaaah!”

Wolfgang howled at the sky and slammed Vlad into the ground.

For a heartbeat, his human face returned.

He stammered, trembling,

“P-please… kill me…”

But it flickered out in an instant. His eyes glowed crimson, his mouth split wide, and a monstrous laugh spilled forth.

“Kihahahaha!”

The earth bled where the blade pierced it. Blood welled up, soaking the sword.

Wolfgang drew it out, dripping gore, and raised it high.

CRASH!

Red lightning clung to Vlad.

ZZZRAK!

The blood boiled, hissing with menace.

I couldn’t help but laugh.

“What a mess.”

I raised my half-broken sword.

…Kill him?

But I’ve always been contrary. If asked to kill, I don’t feel like it.

I hadn’t wanted help. But—

“Master.”

[ What is it? ]

The Heavenly Demon’s voice came, laced with curiosity.

“That beast. Tell me how to bring him down.”

He chuckled.

[ Now this… should be fun. ]

(End of Chapter)

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.