Chapter: 317
The sky-slicing technique I wield is a downgraded version of Kagan’s original. Even that much, I hadn’t dared to attempt since getting slapped by Kagan’s blade, but thanks to the potion from Marcilio, I could manage to replicate it at a level that was, sort of, acceptable. However, seeing as it only concerned appearing perfect in slicing the sky, in terms of power, it still fell short.
But what can I do? If I unleash the power from the war, I risk not just my arm but my whole body blowing up. Amplifying the mana within my body is the first step to slicing the sky, but the moment I touch that mana, my injuries react fiercely too. Even with Marcilio’s potion, it merely suppressed the injuries; it didn’t make them disappear.
So, I focused on directing the mana around the injured body instead of my torso. Despite that, it was unfortunate that my arm got busted.
‘Not bad, though?’
Well, since my arm overstrained itself, an intuitive result would be that the arm would break. But if I could just strengthen the arm, wouldn’t I be able to endure it? If the arm held up, wouldn’t it be fine to use it as needed?
‘No way.’
This simplistic line of thought led me here. While it didn’t snap, it exploded from the inside.
“Ah, I’d prefer if it had just snapped.”
Tannian, who approached me with a curious look, confirmed the state of my arm and sighed.
“If your arm had exploded externally, the power would have dispersed. But since the explosion happened internally, the force just intensified.”
His blunt diagnosis left a bitter taste in my mouth. I wasn’t even keen to find out the process my arm went through to become a works of art.
“…Can it be fixed?”
“Yes, fortunately, there shouldn’t be any problems with healing.”
As if to support that assertion, the moment Tannian recited a prayer, sensation returned to my right arm.
A definite cure versus lackluster enhancement. I could voice suspicions that maybe Tannian had intentionally weakened the enhancement, but I couldn’t bring myself to say it.
“Brother, it’s a bit embarrassing to say, but there’s no precedent for slicing heaven, so I can’t assure you my enhancement will be effective. Since the situation is beyond common sense, predictions are just impossible.”
In truth, Tannian had warned me beforehand. He would provide the enhancement, but he couldn’t guarantee its effectiveness. It was a perfectly valid warning, but I went ahead anyway, making it my own fault to blame Tannian now.
Moreover, it was imperative to note that this time, the sky slice could really be executed without any injuries at all.
‘I must be insane.’
Tannian’s enhancement technique. In other words, it was the blessing of the next saint, who is widely loved by Enen.
Once that blessing enveloped me, I felt the eternal azure energy left in the scars from Kagan’s wounds being suppressed. Even I, not being a priest, instinctively sensed it, going, “Ah, it’s being repressed.” That clear distinction instigated a reckless ambition to think, ‘Isn’t it fine to operate a bit more powerfully?’
And so I did. The result is this mess. Given how much more power I pulled than before, did I really think my arm could hold up?
‘Although I got stronger…’
Still, it was undoubtedly stronger than the sky slice I performed a few days ago.
First off, it was larger than the last time, and rather than the scar diminishing over time, it seemed to greedily consume more of the sky. Of course, it did grow to a certain point before shrinking, but the last scar didn’t grow at all. It was clear enough that the power had increased significantly.
“…Dude? Seems like it got stronger than before.”
“Of course, I received an enhancement technique. It probably has something to do with it.”
Thanks to that, I received a suspicious glare from Marcilio. If at that moment, my arm having exploded internally came to light, would we not have seen Marcilio collapsing into a puddle of tears? Later on, Marcilio would unleash hellfire upon the Armein students, blaming them for everything. A horrifying thought indeed.
“Even with the enhancement technique, if you’re at this level… you might want to refrain from using it in the future.”
In the midst of it all, I found it hard to readily respond to Tannian’s serious suggestion.
The truth is, I can’t promise I won’t use it. Given it’s been officially announced in the royal court, and there exists a precedent in front of foreign nations, slicing the sky is not just my own issue—it’s linked to imperial authority and prestige. Even if I’m too lazy, if the royal family pushes, there’s no way I can just sit back.
“It’s fine. Doing it a couple more times, I’ve got the hang of it. If I adjust the output, it should end without any issues.”
So, I gave a safe yet vague response. Yeah, as long as I don’t get greedy and adjust the power, I can cap it at the enhancement technique level.
‘Damn.’
Upon reflection, it frustrates me. If I hadn’t had the injuries, I could have freely used the enhancement technique without concern for my limbs exploding. Sure, it’s impossible to match the original in sheer power, but I could definitely wield the sky slice more strongly than the one I performed today.
I really need to amp up my prayers to the eternal azure sky to five times a day.
Let’s be real, even the higher-ups seemed moved by the achievement reached while my arm was bursting.
– You’ve really done well, Acting Executive Manager.
“It’s too much flattery. How could I neglect guests who have shown respect to the empire?”
Not long after receiving treatment from Tannian, I got a message from the Crown Prince. Considering the speed of reports, it was almost instantaneous.
– Haha, true. How could the empire neglect those who submit? Your words are indeed correct.
Seeing him burst into laughter over polite formality, he seemed in exceptionally high spirits.
‘Well, he has good reason to be.’
I can totally understand. The fact that Ernesto Academy visited the empire to declare submission is indeed a cause to celebrate, although once Marcilio is involved in the empire, it’s an unavoidable outcome. Even the United Kingdom of Yuben isn’t a significant threat with its unusual alliance structure and great distance from the empire.
In contrast, Armein Kingdom is a different story. While the empire intends to press Armein down whenever possible, Armein waits for its chance to undermine the empire. Unlike the magical world, which is under overwhelming dominance due to Marcilio, the swordsmanship world has no intention of surrendering to the empire. Furthermore, Armein shares a border with the empire. Before Kagan showed up, disturbances in the North would’ve signified tension with Armein.
Yet, here we have Armein recognizing the empire’s superiority. For the Crown Prince, it must be a delight to see rival nations already laid down flat before even ascending the throne.
– However, the ability to host guests satisfactorily is the Acting Executive Manager’s skill. The royal family will always remember your unwavering dedication and loyalty.
“I’m honored.”
A typical diplomatic nicety, but for some reason, it left me feeling uneasy. If my dedication and loyalty are deemed exceptional, it sounds a lot like, “We’ll keep you around forever.”
If that’s the case, I’d much prefer they just forget about me. Just rolling around at a high position where the royal family knows my face and remembers my name… Clearly, I’m not suited for the position of Acting Executive Manager.
– Now, the job of entertaining the guests falls to the principal. The Acting Executive Manager is to rest easy.
“Yes, Your Highness. Thank you for your consideration.”
With that, the contact ended.
That’s strange. It felt like it was supposed to be a call for pleasantries, yet here I am fretful about lifelong employment.
What a real jerk he is.
*
After arriving at the accommodations prepared by the Imperial Academy, students either headed to their rooms or the training hall.
As I walked to my assigned room, I looked around at the students’ faces, which seemed to split into two distinct types: those who were left speechless, grappling with disbelief at the sight of the sky being torn, and those ignited with competitive spirit at the incredible feat of humanity. Hopefully, those in the first group can channel their doubts into fervor instead.
As the Vice Principal, I wanted to help them through that transition right away, but unfortunately, I had no time for that.
– So it was true.
“Yes. I can no longer deny it.”
Arriving in my room, I contacted the principal who remained at the academy, delivering a report that left a bitter taste: it was indeed true that the martial artist of the empire had cleaved the sky.
– You mentioned that the Acting Executive Manager received a spell of enhancement before slicing the sky. Is it perhaps the enhancement technique?
There was a brief pause from the principal as he posed a valid question. I too thought the enhancement technique was what the Acting Executive Manager received.
“Principal, do you think anyone who has received the enhancement technique can slice the sky?”
But what does it matter if it was the enhancement technique? Just receiving it doesn’t mean everyone can cleave the sky, and of course it would be normal for war-faring martial artists to have received it beforehand.
– I just asked to confirm. Bureaucrats need to know every little detail to be satisfied.
Perhaps the principal shared the same thoughts, as he cracked a wry smile at my response. Bureaucrats are excessively meticulous, yet they seem clueless about real-world situations.
– How do the students feel?
“Some are sitting defeated against the walls, but there are more who are determined to overcome.”
– Well, that’s a relief.
The principal, compiling reports for the administration, smiled slightly at that. Even though the principal’s position at Robens Academy was a ceremonial role due to political norms, he is, fundamentally, an educator. If it’s the future leaders opting for hard work over despair, he’d undoubtedly be pleased.
Anyway, after continuing the questioning for a while, the principal let out a sigh, suggesting he’d completed the report.
– Thank you for your hard work in coming such a long distance. I believe the administration will be satisfied with this; take a decent rest before returning.
“Yes, I will.”
After the contact ended, I gazed at the dim communication crystal, leaning back against the chair.
I’m feeling conflicted. As a swordsman, I’m thrilled to witness the pinnacle which a person holding a sword can achieve, yet as an Armein person, I tremble at the emergence of a martial artist capable of slicing the sky in the empire. The empire is still recovering from the wounds inflicted by the nomads’ war, isn’t it? The appearance of a symbol of power within such an empire poses a considerable concern for Armein, given our border closeness.
At least it’s fortunate that the Acting Executive Manager belongs to the administration, not the military. However, that affiliation could change in an instant.
‘When a dog doesn’t bark, it’s not because there’s nothing going on.’
Yet there’s hope. If the empire genuinely desired to engage in war with Armein, they would’ve attacked sneakily instead. That’s simply more effective.
A public declaration like this, along with providing permission for Robens Academy’s visit, suggests the empire might be satisfied with diplomatic concessions from Armein instead of aiming for a rank-reordering through war.
…It has to be that way. If the empire genuinely opts for war and the Acting Executive Manager leads the charge, it would be a horrific replay of the bloody era of the Iron Blood Duke.
*
Turns out, it isn’t just the mages that are insane; swordsman well and truly have gone mad too.
“Brother, you didn’t get hurt this time, right?”
“Yeah.”
“So that means the Advisor can show us that move again sometime, right?”
“I don’t know.”
My vague answer visibly disappointed Erich and Rutis, but honestly, it’s for your benefit.
There are no eternal lies in this world. If I consider my entangled fate, I can assure myself.
‘If we get found out, we all go down.’
If, hypothetically speaking, word got out that my arm burst from the inside, or if I got injured executing a sky slice when someone asked me to, I can picture four faces totally losing it. Where would their rage be directed?
People are already looking unfavorably at the two guys who keep clinging to me, night and day. Even if I’m currently safe, maintaining that safety is tenuous. What if it collapses? Then we’d all be toast. Maybe even the Crown Prince would be in the same boat.
“If you do it too often, people start to get bored, you know.”
“What does that even mean?”
Don’t try to contemplate that. Just accept it in your heart.
Honestly, I’ve already shown it enough times.
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