Academy's Genius Swordmaster

Chapter 243

[Translator – Peptobismol]

Chapter 243: Alivrihe (4)

【It hasn’t been that long, kid.】

Orsay growled, his menacing aura still as sharp as a well-honed blade. Ronan kept his gaze fixed on him and asked Alivrihe.

“...Why is this bastard here?”

“I found him collapsed in a corner and brought him here for treatment. We know each other.”

“Know each other?”

Ronan’s eyebrows twitched. Now that he thought about it, Alivrihe had disappeared after the commotion, likely to find Orsay.

Memories of conversations heard within the Savior’s memory began to slowly surface. Alivrihe had once told the Savior about Orsay before the Savior set out to meet Navardose.

Surely, he warned that humans would try to settle in that land, so they should scatter the lair elsewhere. The expression Alivrihe used seemed to refer to that time. Orsay spoke.

【Stop pretending. How long are you going to bring up things that happened before the Empire was founded?】

“Too much hostility between black kin. Don’t you know how to say thank you?”

【Hah, kin. Maybe I’ll consider it if you stop pretending to be an old man.】

Ronan glanced at Alivrihe. So this guy was deliberately presenting himself as an old man. Alivrihe, noticing Ronan’s look, cleared his throat.

“Ahem, don’t misunderstand. There’s no deep reason. Pretending to be a dying old man means the cult gives me fewer tasks.”

“I haven’t said anything.”

Ronan shook his head. Orsay, watching the two, spoke up.

【So what’s your game, bringing this brat to me? Are you offering him to me as a snack?】

“I thought you two might have aligned interests. I’ll leave you two to talk.”

“Aligned interests? Wait, where are you going?”

Ronan asked, but Alivrihe didn’t answer. He turned and left the room without another word. The two men, now alone, scowled at each other.

【I have nothing to say to you. Give me the location of that damned sword and Navardose and get lost.】

“Why don’t you kiss my ass?”

【There’s a limit to insolence. Do you think I can’t dispose of a single brat like you just because I’m injured?】

Suddenly, dark energy began to emanate from Orsay’s shoulders. The lantern beside him flickered dangerously. He slowly stood up, growling.

【Last chance. Tell me where Navardose is.】

“Ha... fuck.”

Ronan sighed. It wasn’t fear, but frustration. Talking to Orsay was like talking to a rock.

He couldn’t understand Alivrihe’s intention. Mentioning aligned interests meant the old man knew Orsay’s goals.

The situation was making him increasingly anxious. Only two days remained until the ritual’s completion, and Shullifen’s fate was unknown. Amidst his frustration, a thought struck him like a gust of wind.

‘Wait, could it be?’

Ronan thought he understood Alivrihe’s words. After a moment of contemplation, he sighed deliberately.

“Fine, if you really want to know. That woman is in a place called Drimore.”

【If you don’t want to talk, then you’ll die here... What?】

Orsay’s eyes widened, clearly not expecting such a straightforward answer. The deadly aura he exuded momentarily subsided.

【...Drimore? Where is that?】

“It’s a fortress floating high in the sky. There...”

Ronan briefly explained Drimore, emphasizing its mystical location, the surrounding scenery, and the fact that Navardose was there.

Orsay stared intently at Ronan, as if ready to rip his head off at any sign of a lie. But Ronan didn’t lie; he just withheld certain information. Orsay’s face gradually showed anticipation. After listening, he spoke.

【...It doesn’t seem like a lie. So how do I get there?】

“Araaghh! Spare me!”

Desperate screams began to echo. That madman! Cursing under his breath, Ronan hurriedly ran towards the commotion. It didn’t take long to reach the scene. He stopped and let out a bitter laugh.

“...Hah.”

The situation was already over. The water’s surface was stained red. The scent of blood and the stench of the sewer mingled heavily in the air. Shredded bodies were floating down the sewer.

【You... bastard...】

A man, who seemed to be a dragon, was dying, slumped against the wall with Orsay’s black spear impaled in his chest. Orsay, covered in blood, stood in the midst of the carnage.

【Say it again. Overestimating myself? Do you still think I need your help after seeing this?】

He turned to Ronan, speaking with arrogance, cruelty, and power that befitted a dragon.

His bandages had come undone, revealing his abdomen, which had healed, leaving only scars. Just then, the dying man raised his hand towards Orsay.

【...Die.】

【Hmm?】

Orsay’s eyes widened. He quickly turned, but the man’s hand had already formed a magic circle.

As an unknown spell was about to manifest, Ronan reflexively drew his sword. Paah! A flash of sunset-colored light flickered, and the dying man’s body was pulled right in front of Ronan.

【What... Guh!】

The man’s eyes widened. Swoosh! Ronan thrust his sword through his heart. The man let out a final death rattle before his body slumped into the sewer.

Splash. The body sank into the water and didn’t surface again. An awkward silence settled. Ronan glanced at Orsay and chuckled.

“Seems like you were wrong.”

【You...!】

Orsay’s eyes trembled. His face, though covered in blood, was likely flushed with anger. Of course, it was a situation he should feel embarrassed about. Just then, Aselle, who was slung over Ronan’s shoulder, screamed.

“Hyaaah! We’re going to be eaten!”

“Damn it!”

Ronan cursed. He almost screamed in response. As soon as he let go, Aselle fell and landed on his backside.

“Ow!”

“You scared the hell out of me.”

“Hiick... Hiieek... R-Ronan?”

Aselle finally recognized Ronan. He was terrified, but his complexion looked much better than before.

Judging by his reaction, he seemed to remember up to the point when Alivrihe swallowed them by the lake. Aselle looked around like a startled rabbit and whimpered.

“Wh-where are we? We were swallowed by a dragon... Ah! Dead bodies!”

【Quiet. What is that?】

“A friend of mine.”

Orsay frowned at Ronan’s answer. The tense atmosphere lightened considerably.

【Come to think of it, I think I saw him in the north.】

“Eek! A d-dragon?!”

Aselle jumped again upon seeing Orsay. Suddenly, footsteps were heard. The three of them turned their heads simultaneously to see Alivrihe standing there.

“What’s this commotion? I rushed back because of the noise, but it seems it’s already over.”

Alivrihe held a basket full of food. It seemed he had gone to get supplies. He sighed as he surveyed the scene.

“Can’t even rest properly. Did the conversation go well?”

“More or less.”

Ronan nodded. Aselle hurriedly hid behind him, while Orsay remained silent, likely still wrestling with his shame. Alivrihe spoke.

“Follow me. We’ll settle right under their noses.”

[Translator – Peptobismol]