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EPISODE 215 – ELF SWORD (1)
Jude and Cordelia arrived at Black Town, which was the Black Horn Guild’s residential area situated in the underground of Mount Damos, and they began to search each building starting from those at the far left.
“Oh… Cordelia, look at this pot. The grip on the handle is really good and the size is just right. Wow, this frying pan is awesome too.”
There were several household items left in a room that looked like a kitchen, and each item was a masterpiece.
What was more surprising was that all of the items were in good enough condition that you could use it right away after wiping it a bit.
“Oh… These are so amazing. These items have been left here for more than 500 years, but they’re still in good condition. What are these made of? Don’t you think our pancakes will become more delicious if we make it here?”
Jude chattered in his excitement and turned his head at some point.
And he saw Cordelia staring at him with cold eyes.
“Why? What is it?”
“Don’t worry, if you’re happy, that’s fine. I’ll just watch you with warm eyes.”
Cordelia then closed her eyes and opened them again as she began to look at Jude with a really warm expression.
“Hey.”
“Yes.”
“Would you rather curse me than look like that?”
“Can I really do that?”
“N-no. Please continue to look at me warmly.”
Jude cleared his throat and only took the pot and frying pan he was holding before he began looking elsewhere.
“By the way, Cordelia.”
“Yes, Jude.”
“How is Ultimate Five? Isn’t it heavy?”
“Well, it’s much lighter than I thought.”
Cordelia swung her right arm that had Ultimate Five – Grand Order on it, and asked Jude as if she had just remembered.
“The location of the other Ultimate series are still somewhat unknown, right?”
“Yes, but we have the Key Sword, so we’ll be able to find the others somehow. Well…since it’s here now, shall we give it a try?”
After pulling out the Key Sword from his waist, Jude infused it with mana to release the seal, and then brought the Key Sword to the nearest Ultimate series, which was his own body.
“Oh, there’s a reaction.”
When the gem on the handle of the Key Sword glowed, Cordelia quickly narrowed her distance from Jude.
“Each light color in the gem represent an Ultimate series, right?”
“Yes, it uses the colors of the rainbow, but the colors do not mean much since it’s just for identification.”
Jude held the Key Sword horizontally, and seven colors emitted light.
“These ones are Ultimate One and Ultimate Five, right?”
“Yes, red and blue.”
Ultimate One – Sword Origin, and Ultimate Five – The Sword Shield, Grand Order.
Cordelia observed the different colors as she touched the gem with her fingers, and she said after looking at the different lights.
“If it’s yellow and green… does it mean that Ultimate Three and Ultimate Four are in the south?”
Ultimate Three – Dragon Sword Ascalon, and Ultimate Four – The Explosive Blade, Magic Blaster.
Unlike the two colors that glowed rather clearly, the rest of the colors that symbolized Ultimate Two, Ultimate Six, and Ultimate Seven, glowed very faintly and weakly.
“I know the three are somewhere in the north but… does this glow mean that it’s too far away to know the exact location?”
“Yes, because in the game, they’re usually found in the empire. Didn’t the Sword God use Ultimate Six?”
“That’s right, because it’s a family heirloom.”
The empire’s best swordsman.
The continent’s strongest swordsman who was called the Sword God.
‘Between Kamael and him, it’s unknown on who is stronger.’
If the Sword God was the strongest in the day, Kamael was the strongest in the dark.
“I think Kamael is the stronger one.”
Cordelia spoke, having read Jude’s thoughts from his eyes, and he glanced at her with eyes full of excitement.
Because the opinion of Cordelia who had animal-like instincts was worth listening to.
“Why do you think so?”
“Because Kamael is on our side.”
Because Landius was Jude’s master and Kamael was Landius’ best friend.
Moreover, Cordelia herself was from the Sälen Kingdom, while the Sword God was from the empire.
At the reason that was very much like Cordelia, Jude nodded quite awkwardly.
“O-okay.”
That’s just so like you, I guess.
“Oh, there’s another reason, right?”
“What reason?”
“Because Kamael will eventually become one of the Four Great Swordsmen, right?”
“Well, that’s because the Sword God died while trying to stop one of the 7 major calamities.”
“But the only one who survived in the end is Kamael, right? It’s not ‘the strong are the ones who survive,’ but rather, those who survive are the strong ones.”
When Cordelia crossed her arms and snorted like an idiot, Jude said as his eyes narrowed.
“Hey, Lady Cordelia. Aren’t you just rambling nonsense?”
Cordelia immediately blushed at Jude’s point.
Unlike Jude who was the incarnation of shamelessness, she was a woman who still possessed some shame.
‘But that’s why she’s nice.’
After smiling a bit, Jude changed the topic for Cordelia who was really embarrassed.
“Anyway, let’s focus on getting Ascalon and Magic Blaster.”
“Yes, fighting against Malekith is our first priority.”
In fact, they had no reason to collect the entire Ultimate series except for Dragon Sword Ascalon, but for Jude and Cordelia whose gamer brains were already in full blast, the term ‘collect them all’ was pretty much a given.
‘If it exists, then we should collect it.’
What more reasons do we need?
“Both of them are in the south, right?”
“Yes, the Dragon Sword is quite easy to find because it’s kept at a certain location.”
Jude recalled the high elves living in the Forest of Eternity before he glanced at the green color in the gem that symbolized the Magic Blaster and touched his chin.
“Considering the distance between the colors… it seems like Magic Blaster is in the territory of the 7 southern families.”
“Two birds with one stone.”
They could get both the Dragon Sword and the Explosive Blade in their time on the south.
“Hmm… In the meantime, shall we talk about our future schedule?”
“Eh? Weren’t we going to meet the alliance candidates one by one?”
“I had thought of that, but the plan changed.”
Having said that, Jude glanced at Gamorr Khan’s golden necklace hanging from Cordelia’s waist.
“Because we have evidence.”
“Huh? Uh… ah! That’s right.”
Cordelia clapped her hands and widely smiled as she shook her fists.
Evidence.
In the battle on the royal capital, Jude and Cordelia were unable to ask for Landius’ help.
Because Landius had urgent business in the south, and that there was no way to persuade Landius.
‘Because we didn’t have any evidence.’
The Lord Protector is trying to massacre the royal family.
Even a passing dog in the Sälen Kingdom would not believe that.
Therefore, Jude and Cordelia could not seek for outside help until something really happened, even when they were put into a tight spot against the enemy called the Lord Protector.
‘That would have been the case for Malekith too.’
Black Dragon Malekith who had been sealed long ago in the southern seas will once again awaken and try to destroy the southern region.
It was an unbelievable story.
This alone could not stop Landius who wandered around the world in search of Archbishop Manuela who had destroyed the Paragon Kingdom.
But they had evidence now.
Gamorr Khan’s testimony would prove the existence and conspiracy of Malekith.
“So let’s meet up with my master right away. I’m sure that Kamael and Lena will also be with Master.”
“Wow, Lena! So we’re going to fight together with the main characters of the first episode?”
“Maybe?”
If he had to be honest, the idea of fighting together was impossible before because their difference in power was too wide, but it was possible for the two to fight together with them now.
“Wow. Isn’t this completely like the Avengers?”
Cordelia lightly touched her chest that was pounding as she repeatedly stomped her feet.
She seemed to be very excited.
“Because Malekith is that kind of enemy. Anyway, it’s the reason why we’re going to the headquarters of the Guardians of the Holy Cross.”
“To call Kamael?”
“Yes, as I said earlier, it’s highly likely that Kamael will be with Master.”
Landius didn’t specifically tell Jude what they were doing in the south, but if Kamael and Lena were with him too, Jude could only think that they were chasing after Archbishop Manuela.
“Yes, that’s good. We’ll stop by the Guardians of the Holy Cross to find out where Kamael is and have Lena and Landius join us afterwards. Yes, that’s good. I like it.”
“Of course, that alone is not enough, so when we arrive in the south, we’ll also need to get the 7 southern families’ help.”
The fight against Malekith was different from the usual raid bosses.
An army was absolutely necessary to confront Malekith.
“What should we do?”
“I have an idea.”
He had called Scarlet to the south because he had thought about that idea before.
“So, what’s your idea?”
“Well, it’s a good one. Come here for a second.”
“You’re whispering again?”
Cordelia grumbled as if she didn’t like it, but she silently approached Jude and pricked up her ears.
“So…”
Jude whispered quietly to Cordelia, and she snickered like she always did.
“Hehehe, I like it.”
We can get close to Kajsa with that too.
Jude was happy that Cordelia was delighted, and lightly gestured as he continued speaking.
“Then Countess, shall we continue our exploration?”
“Yes, Count.”
Cordelia beautifully answered and took the lead as they resumed their exploration.
***
It was deep at night.
Jude and Cordelia searched the Black Horn Guild’s residential area until late at night, and they were able to pack a number of fairly usable items, one of which was Cordelia’s favorite – a long-range wireless transceiver.
“It’s like a smartphone.”
The palm-sized device had a large screen and several buttons, and it was a collaboration between the high elves who survived the collapse of Endymion, and the ancient dwarves who left Sword Seeker.
“Jude, Jude. Hurry up and send me a message.”
As Cordelia sat down by the bonfire and urged him, Jude stared at the transceiver and was troubled.
It was possible to input text messages by touch as if it was really a smartphone, and aside from ancient dwarf and high elf language letters, it was also possible to input human language letters perhaps because there were already several human countries during the time the Black Horn Guild was destroyed.
“Hurry up.”
Cordelia prodded him again, but Jude furrowed his brows as he remained troubled.
KakaoTalk to a woman?
He had naturally used KakaoTalk several times for work or chatting with his colleagues, but when he thought that he was sending a message to Cordelia, he was really troubled.
‘I mean, we’re facing each other right now.’
But what text should I send?
In the end, what Jude sent was a very simple sentence after much thought.
Jude: [Hi?]
Why do I feel the ground shaking?
Jude raised his head and looked at Cordelia who oohed and quickly replied.
Cordelia: [Yes, hello LOL]
Unlike the real KakaoTalk screen, thick white letters were displayed on the black screen like those used by the military, but her use of ‘LOL’ alone made it feel cute.
In fact, he had seen Cordelia stomping her feet on the ground in her excitement when he looked up.
‘What should I reply?’
When I said hi, she replied hello.
Then what in the world should we talk about now?
Jude was somehow flustered as he had to lead the conversation, and he sent a short sentence again in the end.
Jude: [Are you sleeping?]
Cordelia: [No, I’m not sleeping LOL]
Cordelia: [What nonsense are you talking about rabbit emoticon]
(T/N: This is what the emoticon looks like in KakaoTalk.)
“Huh?”
Rabbit emoticon?
There were no emoticons here.
Rather, what Cordelia wrote was the sentence ‘ What nonsense are you talking about rabbit emoticon’ and not a real emoticon.
“Cordelia?”
Jude asked as he blinked his eyes, and Cordelia replied with her eyes.
‘Just imagine! Imagine it!’
“Okay.”
If Cordelia wants it, then I have no choice but to match her.
Jude: [Lion saluting emoticon]
Cordelia: [LOL You’re getting better, Jude.]
Cordelia touched the screen again to send text messages, but more than half of her conversation was filled with ‘haha’ and ‘LOL’ words.
Cordelia: [It’s been a while since I’ve been on KakaoTalk. Do you remember the chatroom?]
Jude: [Of course.]
Cordelia: [Do you think everyone’s doing well?]
Jude: [They’ll be fine.]
Cordelia: [You’re right, LOL]
Cordelia: [Widely smiling rabbit emoticon]
That was it.
Cordelia lied down next to the bonfire and glanced at Jude before she pressed the screen again to send a message.
Cordelia: [Good night, Jude.]
Jude: [Good night too.]
Cordelia: [Rabbit kissing the cheek emoticon]
“Can’t you just do it for me?”
“Eh, no way.”
After saying that it was impossible, Cordelia giggled and turned her back, but because of the bonfire, Jude could see that her exposed ears were very red.
“Good night.”
“Good night.”
Jude lied down and closed his eyes, falling into a deep sleep.
***
Jude raised his head.
He opened his eyes and found himself in a familiar yet unfamiliar space.
What he saw was a forest.
Large and straight trees stood on the left and right, and in front of him was the fresh green grass that grew up in the sunlight that peeked from the tree leaves.
His unfamiliar feeling was natural.
This was the first time in his life that he had seen this place.
But he was familiar with it because he had already experienced being in a similar space several times.
‘Ninth Heaven’s Nine Doors.’
A completely black and white space where he could meet the female sage.
So, is this place the same as that one?
Jude took a step forward.
He was barefoot and only wearing a white tunic.
The texture of the grass touching his bare skin was very soft.
And Jude was able to see.
A woman stood in the middle of the grass area as she basked in the sunlight.
She had long and light golden hair that reached the hips, and very long pointed ears.
A pair of mysterious-looking green eyes in her white face.
For Jude, she was second to Cordelia in terms of beauty.
She had an atmosphere similar to a fairy, but she felt much more like a human being.
The woman looked at Jude.
She seemed to be in her mid to late twenties.
Dressed in a green combat uniform that elven swordsmen liked to wear, she revealed her white smile instead of introducing herself when Jude stood before her.
Jude called her name that naturally came to his mind.
“Valencia.”
The Elf Sword.
The strongest swordsman of that time whom the Black Horn Guild Master, Eitri, visited to ask about the ultimate sword.
And Jude learned one more thing.
She was the first owner of Ultimate One – Sword Origin.
“Nice to meet you, my successor.”
She widely smiled and stretched out her hand to Jude.