Regressing as the Reincarnated Bastard of the Sword Clan

Chapter 119

Chapter 119: Mysteries of Dragon Slaying (4)

Kriemhild’s new memory fragment resurfaced.

Fwooosh!

Haa... haa...!

Kriemhild was panting heavily.

Beneath the sword embedded in the ground lay the Evil Dragon, its head pierced through, body limp.

With the last of its strength, it rolled its eyes upward, taking in the image of the dragon slayer who had ended its life.

– To think that the sword piercing my skull was actually forged from my own rib. Haha. And the one who defeated me is the very friend to whom I entrusted my heart.

The Evil Dragon laughed.

In truth, Kriemhild had been its only friend over thousands of years.

The only one who had approached and opened their heart to it, cursed and withering from shame and disgrace.

A friend who transcended species.

– Do not weep, my friend. Though it is sad that we must part this way, I am grateful beyond measure to entrust my final rest to you. Truly, I must be blessed.

– Levi...

– Yet, parting this way does leave me with a single regret. Could you grant me one last favor?

– ...Yes.

– The twin swords I gave you... Pass them down separately. When a worthy successor appears, place both in their hands.

Kriemhild understood why the Evil Dragon left that final request.

– Is this because of that ‘curse of shame’ or whatever it is?

– The curse of shame will return someday, and it will seek to cover this world in its shadow. This shadow is the remnant of a forgotten, ancient land.

– ...

– That’s why you must find it. To stop that shadow from returning, without fail.

– ...I understand. I’ll make sure no one else suffers our misfortune again.

– Thank you. I was truly fortunate to have you as a friend.

Leaving those words behind, the Evil Dragon sank slowly with the collapsing ground into the depths of the sea.

The Dragon Slayer Sword – later to be known as Balmung, the cursed blade – sank into the ocean with it.

Kriemhild quietly watched the scene.

Countless memories flashed through her mind.

A friend they met as companions, who, unable to overcome the curse, eventually became an Evil Dragon.

And because of her closeness with that friend, she developed an immunity to the curse, eventually becoming a Hero against her will.

After a long, bitter battle, she had finally driven her sword into her friend’s neck, ending their struggle.

– ...

After a long time, Kriemhild finally placed the other twin sword from her waist into the ground and slowly rose to her feet.

Then, she turned her gaze toward Theo.

– This mystery was a measure I created to fulfill the final wish of my old friend, Levi. I never imagined that it would end up in the hands of a northern clan said to be blessed by dragons.

She looked Theo up and down as she continued.

– On top of that, they used my remains to achieve your resurrection? A dragon’s partner with immunity and characteristics of dragon-slaying! What greater invincibility could exist? It’s absurd!

Her words carried a hint of admiration, indicating her surprise at Theo’s mastery of the mystery.

Theo respectfully bowed.

– Allow me to introduce myself formally. I am Theo Ragnar.

– Kriemhild. Originally, I was a nameless slave, without even a family name. This name was only given to me after I became a .

A faint smirk appeared at the corners of Kriemhild’s mouth, then her eyes darkened deeply.

The gentle gaze of the young girl from the initial memory was gone, leaving only the seasoned, battle-hardened stare of a veteran warrior.

– The fact that this mystery has awakened must mean that Levi has also awakened from his long slumber, correct?

– Yes, that’s right. In this era, he is called the ‘Sea King.’

– King of the sea... It’s a name he would be quite pleased with. Very well. We won’t have time for a long conversation, so let’s keep it brief. Draw your sword.

A chance to receive instruction from Kriemhild.

Theo slowly raised Drake’s blade.

The greatsword had suffered significant wear from ongoing battles with the Dragon Fang soldiers.

– Due to the actions of the Deluded God, this world has far too many who have ended up in the same—or similar—states as Levi.

Theo now understood that Deluded God was a title referring to the .

– And the traces left behind by such Guardians are commonly called ‘mysteries’ by ordinary humans. They are remnants, or measures, of an ancient land nearly forgotten by all.

– ......!

‘So these mysteries were mechanisms to oppose the Nameless Sovereign?’

Was it not just the relic of the Ancient Dragon?

Theo felt his heart pounding with the revelation of this hidden truth about the world.

Thump!

– And to unlock these mysteries, Levi left the ‘keys’... two twin swords he personally crafted from his own ribs: Balmung and Hrathi.

Theo clenched his fist.

An entirely unexpected path lay right before him.

– From now on, I will teach you how to wield one of them, Balmung. I call it this...

Theo focused all his attention on each of Kriemhild’s movements.

“Nibelung.”

Kriemhild raised her sword.

“In ancient language, it means ‘destruction.’”

Kriemhild’s instruction began.

* * *

“What is that noise?”

Umberto lowered his glasses while reading, frowning.

“Gray...! And now you too, after Slow!”

Antonio clenched his teeth as he saw the bodies of the Gang Brothers scattered around the statue.

In the end, the worst-case scenario he’d hoped to avoid had come to pass.

“Theo! Theo!”

“Theo! Where are you? Answer if you’re here!”

Meanwhile, Selperd and Arin searched desperately for Theo, but they couldn’t find a single trace of him.

Their vision was greatly hindered by the swirling gusts, bright flashes, and clouds of dust.

“We’re almost out of time.”

Then, at Ray’s remark, the expressions of the two hardened.

In fact, the only reason they could search like this was due to Ray’s frost aura.

Just as they were about to ask him how much longer he could hold it—

“There’s someone there.”

Suddenly, Selperd sensed something and turned his head in the opposite direction.

Arin and Ray’s gazes followed.

Beyond the flames mingling with bright light, dozens of sinister, gleaming eyes appeared.

Every single one radiated a deadly aura.

-Subdue all survivors near the Colossus and bring them in! If the bodies are in bad shape, just take the heads if they’re recognizable!

-At once!

-At once!

‘The guards? But the killing intent is too strong for that... as if they’re from Troyban!’

Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!

While Selperd was lost in thought, the owners of those gleaming eyes leapt over the flames, landing near the four of them.

“Arin! Snow Frost Sword!”

As Arin and Ray deflected the attackers’ strikes, Selperd lunged towards Antonio.

Clang-clang-clang!

Shaaang—

Barely managing to save Antonio, Selperd steadied himself, pointing his sword forward.

“So, you’re the mysterious people Antonio brought along with Black Skull, huh? Impressive, blocking my sword like that. I’m curious now. You seem a bit familiar.”

The opponent adjusted his sword with a smirk.

“Well, I don’t recall making friends with shady types like you.”

Selperd scoffed, pressing his sword to Antonio’s neck.

“Don’t come any closer. Move even an inch further, and this young master’s neck will hit the floor.”

Selperd felt Antonio flinch at the cold touch of the blade, but he paid no mind.

The enemy observed the scene and chuckled.

“So, you’re Spinola’s third son. Upper management did say they’d prefer to bring him in, if possible.”

The smirk spread across the attacker’s face.

“Well, if he dies in the middle of this hostage situation, so be it. That actually makes things easier for us, ties up loose ends.”

The enemy approached Selperd as if daring him to go through with it.

“Mmmph! Mmmph!”

Antonio struggled, pleading for his life.

‘These people... they aren’t from the Shipping Alliance. A third party...!’

In that instant, Selperd thought he understood who they were.

A comment Theo had made in passing suddenly came to mind.

Troyban.

“You’ve got a sharp tongue. But I’m sure you’ll talk freely enough after a little interrogation.”

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

Within moments, Selperd and the enemy exchanged dozens of rapid strikes.

This brief encounter confirmed Selperd’s suspicions.

Ed’s distinguishing traits and swordsmanship had been disclosed to every Ragnar swordsman, and his opponent’s style mirrored these details exactly.

‘So Troyban’s influence over the Floating Archipelago is deeper than I’d thought? If that’s the case, headquarters must be informed.’

The problem was that more enemies were continuously arriving.

If he’d managed to secure Theo’s whereabouts, he might’ve tried to escape. But now, that wasn’t an option.

Tactically, retreat wasn’t viable.

If Theo were captured, the other side would realize that Ragnar was reaching into this region.

“You look deep in thought. There’s really no need for that.”

The enemy let out a cold smile and unleashed a thunderous roar toward the sky.

「The Ghost Slayer Squad will deploy the Ghost Sword Formation and capture them all!」

Swish-swish-swish—

The Ghost Slayer Squad began moving in perfect synchronization, forming a battle line.

Troyban was renowned for its elusive tactics and intricate sword formations.

It was said that once trapped within one of their sword formations, there was no escape.

At this rate, things were truly dangerous.

‘Damn it!’

Just as Selperd was about to shout something—

Creak, creak, creak!

The Kriemhild Colossus, which had been swaying as if on the verge of collapse, began to move with a strange, ominous sound.

Its massive head, which had been looking downward, slowly turned to the side,

Flash!

The eyes, now locked directly onto the Ghost Slayer Squad, shone with an intense, menacing light.