The Swordmaster Who Returned After 1,000 Years

[Translator - Kiteretsu]

[Proofreader - Kyros]

Chapter 109

"I'm truly surprised, Lord Kaylen. To think that your face resembles that of Emperor Ernstine."

"I didn't know either until the Saintess mentioned it."

Kaylen and Princess Violet sat across from each other in a small meeting room within the fortress.

As Jane, who had accompanied Princess Violet, placed teacups before them, she stole glances at Kaylen.

‘So this is what the Emperor looked like…’

In the heroic tales of Ernstine, there were countless stories of women falling for the Emperor at first sight, some even willing to become his concubines. Jane had always scoffed at those passages.

‘How could every beauty in the stories fall for him? That doesn’t even make sense.’

But now, looking at Kaylen’s face, she realized that perhaps those tales weren’t so far-fetched after all.

Emperor Ernstine didn’t just possess a transcendent appearance—he was the ruler who had unified the continent, the hero who had vanquished the Demon King, and a Grand Sword Master.

With such excellence in every regard, it was only natural that people coveted him.

‘Even the Saintess herself lost her composure over it…’

"Jane?"

"Ah… Yes?"@@novelbin@@

"Stop staring at Lord Kaylen’s face. You’re making me embarrassed."

"Ahhh! I—I’m so sorry!"

Her face flushing bright red, the maid quickly bowed several times before scurrying out of the room.

Seeing this, Violet let out a small chuckle and took a sip of her tea.

"My attendant was rather impolite."

"It’s fine. I’m starting to get used to it."

"You adapt quickly, Lord Kaylen. Hehe… Well, it’s only natural. Ever since you displayed the talent of a 6th Circle mage, you've always been someone who draws attention."

Sip.

After taking a sip of tea, Violet got to the main topic.

"Do you remember what I told you last time about the 5th Circle?"

"Yes, I remember."

— If Lord Kaylen helps me, reaching the 5th Circle is more than possible.

— You just need to train in magic alongside me. But you’ll have to assist me with some experiments as well.

— It’s simple. If the experiment fails, Lord Kaylen will just gain some experience, but… I will freeze over even more drastically.

Before, when she played a key military role for the First Prince’s faction, the risks involved prevented her from attempting such experiments.

However, now that the First Prince had vanished after becoming Black Skull, the Princess was willing to take the risk.

‘What kind of experiment is this exactly?’

Kaylen, who was already capable of using 5th Circle magic, couldn’t help but be intrigued by her proposal.

"You expressed your willingness to participate before. Is that still the case?"

"Yes. If it means reaching the 5th Circle, I’m willing to try any experiment."

"Good. You’re really certain?"

"Yes. I can do it right now if needed."

"Alright then. Let’s begin today. But first, don’t move."

Clink.

Setting down her teacup, Violet rose from her seat and reached out toward Kaylen.

Her right hand gently touched the right side of his face.

"Glacia. Form Banyan (Half-Mask)."

Srrrr…

A mask, similar to Violet’s, began forming over the right side of Kaylen’s face.

If Violet’s mask covered her left side—

Kaylen’s covered his right.

"This is…"

"Lord Kaylen, I apologize for covering your handsome face. But for now, this is how it must be. Ice Mirror."

Violet smiled softly and showed him the Ice Mirror.

Kaylen’s right face was completely covered by a mask identical to Violet’s Glacia.

The only difference was that it lacked the five mana stones embedded in Glacia.

Aside from that, it was an exact replica—an ice mask.

Tap. Tap.

Kaylen tapped the mask on his face with his fingers.

‘It’s solid.’

He tried opening and closing his mouth.

The mask, which was completely frozen, mimicked his movements perfectly.

"Hehe. Is it uncomfortable?"

"It’s fine. It moves as if it’s part of my body."

Kaylen began analyzing the mana of the mask.

He could sense only water mana within it.

‘Glacia had an angel sealed within it. It must have contained both light and water mana.’

But the mask covering the right side of his face had no trace of light mana at all.

"What does this mask have to do with reaching the 5th Circle?"

"I’ll explain."

Princess Violet gazed at Kaylen’s mask with satisfaction and began her explanation.

"Both of us are in the 4th Circle, but in truth, no one ever reaches a perfect 4th Circle."

"What do you mean by that?"

"It simply means that while the 5th Circle has not yet fully formed, all 4th Circle mages are, in reality, already pioneering their way into the 5th Circle. Think of it this way… If I were a 4.2 or 4.3 Master of the 4th Circle, then you would be something like a 4.4 or 4.5 Master."

The 5th Circle.

In this era, where mana had drastically dwindled, only those at the level of a Tower Master could hope to reach such a realm.

But that didn’t mean that 4th Circle mages and masters were untalented or lacked ability.

It was simply that they lacked the mana within their Mana Hearts to forge the 5th ring.

All 4th Circle mages were striving to form that crucial 5th ring.

If quantified, as Violet described, there were varying degrees—ranging from 4.1, 4.2, all the way to 4.5 and beyond.

"But regardless of how low our individual numbers may be… if we share Glacia and use magic together, we can successfully complete the 5th Circle magic."

She had devised a method that was only possible through Glacia, an S-rank mana suit.

If 4th Circle mages banded together and shared Glacia to cast magic, they could challenge the 5th Circle.

"By doing so, the speed at which the 5th Circle forms will significantly increase."

"Hmm, I understand. But even if we attempt 5th Circle magic a few times, I doubt it would lead to any drastic improvements."

"You’re right. That may be the case. But it will still be much faster than attempting it alone. There’s a world of difference between experiencing 5th Circle magic firsthand and never being able to use it at all."

"…So the reason this experiment poses a risk to you, Princess Violet, is because of this mask, isn’t it?"

"Hehe. Lord Kaylen, you needn’t worry. This is just me investing a little more of my time to reach the 5th Circle."

Violet smiled brightly as she spoke.

As if maintaining two masks was nothing at all.

But as Kaylen touched the mask covering his right face, he could tell—this was no ordinary feat.

‘There’s an immense amount of water mana stored within this mask. Just forming something like this must already be taking a heavy toll on Princess Violet.’

And then…

Tap. Tap.

Kaylen knocked on the mask on his right side, analyzing the mana.

‘It’s purely composed of water mana.’

Kaylen possessed knowledge about Glacia.

During the Superior Mage Selection Tournament, he had fought against the angel sealed within Glacia.

‘Glacia holds two types of mana—light and water.’

Because of the sealed angel, Glacia contained light mana interwoven with water mana.

However, the mask that had now formed on Kaylen’s face had no trace of light mana.

He could only sense water mana.

"Princess Violet."

"Yes?"

Swish.

This time, Kaylen approached Violet.

His large hand gently cupped the left side of her face.

Thump.

Violet’s heartbeat quickened.

‘W-Why is he doing this all of a sudden…?’

Even though one side of his face was covered by a mask,

the resemblance to Ernstine did nothing to diminish Kaylen’s striking features.

‘T-This kind of overwhelmingly beautiful face… It’s not even my type…’

Men should look more rugged.

And yet, as Kaylen leaned in closer, her heart pounded helplessly.

‘Why… Why is he looking at me like that…?’

Of course, his appearance played a role, but more than that—

Kaylen’s serious expression, his eyes filled with concern for her, struck Violet deeply.

She had thought there was no one left who would worry about her.

So why was Kaylen, someone who was practically a stranger, looking at her this way?

And why did that gaze make her heart race so much?

"Princess Violet. Are you truly alright with this?"

"W-What do you mean?"

"The mana in the mask… Doesn’t it feel strange?"

Perhaps it was because of this unfamiliar fluttering in her chest,

but Violet couldn’t give a composed answer to his question.

"I-It’s not strange."

"…Haa."

Kaylen sighed as he looked at Violet, her cheeks now slightly flushed.

She wasn’t ready yet.

‘If she doesn’t notice it herself, I’ll have to make her realize.’

Kaylen withdrew his hand from Violet’s mask.

The warmth of his touch disappeared, replaced once more by the icy chill encasing the left side of her face.

For a moment, Violet frowned.

‘Yes… This is how it’s supposed to be.’

Warmth was not a feeling permitted to the master of Glacia, Violet.

That’s what she told herself, as she let out a faint, frozen smile.

"Lord Kaylen. So what will you do now?"

"…Of course. I will use 5th Circle magic."

"You’ve made the right decision."

Violet’s smile deepened as she spoke.

"Then, please conduct the magic experiment with me."

Suppressing her emotions even further, she gave Kaylen a cold, composed smile.

Saintess Theresia was in a foul mood.

"Who is that woman?"

"Ah… The Princess of Bormian Kingdom. Princess Violet, the master of Glacia."

"I see. Princess Violet… But why is she with Ernstine—no, Lord Kaylen?"

"T-That, I do not know."

"Hahaha. And that mask… Why are they wearing them on opposite sides? Why? It looks terrible. It’s covering half of our dear Lord Kaylen’s face."

Theresia’s voice was curt and sharp.

Yet even as she spoke, she couldn’t understand her own feelings.

Kaylen.

Compared to the great Ernstine, he was nothing more than a man who happened to resemble him.

‘Yes, that’s all he is. Just a lookalike.’

He was not a Grand Sword Master like Ernstine.

He was not the emperor who had first unified the continent.

He had never shed tears for the people of the Averia Continent.

And he had never lost an arm to save Theresia.

‘Yes. Compared to Lord Ernstine, that man is nothing…’

He was a mere shadow of a hero—resembling Ernstine in appearance alone.

And yet—

Theresia couldn’t suppress her irritation.

Seeing that princess chatting so easily with Kaylen—

It was unbearable.

"Holy Knight Ress."

"Yes, Saintess!"

"So, is that all you have for me? You don’t know anything?"

"I-I’ll begin an investigation immediately!"

"Today. I expect a report before the day is over."

[Translator - Kiteretsu]

[Proofreader - Kyros]