SWNOVELXO Chapter 579
Chapter 579: Is This Possible? (2)
Gillian approached Kaor, who was recklessly causing trouble without consideration.
“What are you doing? I won’t allow individual actions. Hurry up and tidy this up and move on.”
“Don’t interfere, old man. I’m going to cross the wall now.”
“That’s impossible with that mindset.”
A transcendent being must establish their own world. But Kaor always acted on his whims and had no real conviction.
With such a mindset, it’s hard to have faith in oneself.
“After the war, meditate and calm your mind. That would be more helpful.”
Kaor had gotten stronger, but it was mostly thanks to Ghislaine’s forced training. It was because Ghislaine had dragged him along, despite not being able to do much.
So, for now, he could not surpass the wall. He needed to refine himself and calm his mind a bit more.
However, Kaor growled at Gillian’s words.
“Don’t look down on me. You and the butler eventually became transcendent beings, didn’t you? Why can’t I? I will definitely become a transcendent being this time.”
Gillian frowned and raised his hand, ready to forcibly stop Kaor.
What kind of nonsense was this at such an important time?
But unexpectedly, someone spoke in favor of Kaor.
“Let him try this much, if he insists. We can give him that chance, can’t we?”
“Princess.”
The person standing by Kaor was none other than Elena. The anxious and trembling Elena was now gone.
Instead, she stood firm, covered in the blood of her enemies.
Elena spoke calmly.
“Kaor has been with us for a long time and has accomplished much. If we don’t believe in him, who will?”
At her words, Gillian felt a bit embarrassed.
He had always dismissed Kaor as a troublemaker, but no matter what, Kaor was one of the greatest contributors to the territory.
He avoided rough work, but in the end, he still did it forcefully.
As someone wanted to fight, there was no reason not to grant that request.
‘I underestimated the princess.’
He had seen her as just young and inexperienced, but that was not the case. Like her father and brother, she was born with excellent qualities of a ruler.
Gillian slightly bowed his head to Elena.
“I understand. I will follow the princess’s wishes.”
With Elena’s and Gillian’s permission, others could only lick their lips, unable to object any further.
Elena, standing firmly, furtively glanced around and then quickly stepped back. To anyone watching, it looked like she was embarrassed to leave.
But she stealthily moved towards a gathering of some knights.
Then, she spoke in a small voice.
“Is it done? The duel is set. Who are you betting on?”
“Ah, as expected of the princess. I will bet on the priest.”
“I’ll bet on the priest too.”
“Even if he’s a half-transcendent, it’s still tough for Commander Kaor to win.”
The knights were making bets. Elena had helped Kaor to participate in the betting.
You could say like brother, like sister. Her dream of becoming a graceful noblewoman was slowly drifting away, but Elena didn’t realize it.
Anyway, most of the knights bet on the priest. After a moment’s hesitation, Elena made up her mind.
“I’m betting on Kaor.”
“Huh? Really? No take-backs.”
“I’m actually pretty good in situations like this. I even made a bet when my brother fought Cain and guessed correctly. Right, Skoban?”
Scratching his head, Skoban replied.
“Uh, yeah, that did happen.”
At that time, Elena had already witnessed Ghislaine’s skills, allowing her to win the bet, but she still believed in Kaor’s potential.
Skoban and Ricardo also placed a small bet on Kaor by following Elena’s lead.
Arel was unable to stop the princess from participating in the betting and could only fidget nervously at the side.
The atmosphere around them began to heat up. With things like this, everyone was in the mood to enjoy an entertaining spectacle.
Piote stood around Kaor, while Gillian and Belinda were also ready to jump in at any moment.
He might be a foolish guy, but they couldn’t just let him die.
With Elena on his side, Kaor, now in high spirits, spoke to the priest.
“Alright, there’s no interference. Now, let’s settle this between us.”
“You dare…?”
The priest gritted his teeth in humiliation. How much did he think he was underestimated to suddenly propose a one-on-one duel?
But he couldn’t refuse. All his allies had been wiped out, and the enemy surrounded them completely.
If he fought them all, he would die. The only way out was to win the duel.
“Are you really going to let me go if I win?”
“Ah, yeah. Did you think I was lying? Hehe.”
Kaor threw off his helmet and even tossed aside his armor.
He intended to fight relying solely on his own strength without the help of armor.
Seeing this, the priest built up energy.
Gooo…
Black energy surged. He was tired, but the priest was still a transcendent being.
He spoke with a glint of murder in his eyes.
“You will regret this.”
Boom!
The priest’s hand suddenly approached and attacked Kaor. Kaor barely blocked it but found himself pushed back continuously.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
“Ugh!”
Kaor gritted his teeth. In a one-on-one fight, he clearly felt the power difference. For every successful block, he inevitably took a hit once.
Thanks to his hard combat practice, he avoided critical injuries.
The spectators sighed and clicked their tongues.
“Just as expected.”
“A transcendent is a transcendent.”
“How long can he hold out?”
Though annoying, Kaor was still one of them. It was hard to feel at ease watching him get pushed back continuously.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Kaor bit down and swung his sword. His rough attacks sometimes gave the priest a chill.
But that was far from a real threat. To the priest, Kaor was just a weak, exhausted beast.
No, he was no longer even that. He was merely a foul-tempered puppy.
The priest was tired too, but still overwhelmingly stronger than Kaor.
Bang!
“Grrr…”
Kaor was hit in the stomach and toppled backward.
The priest purposely held back his strength. He was worried that if he killed him carelessly, others might break their promise and kill him.
“The match is over. Stop wasting your energy. As promised, I will leave.”
“W-wait… It’s not over yet.”
Kaor bit down and stood up.
With everyone watching, being hit like this was too embarrassing and infuriating. Why couldn’t he be like Gillian?
Unable to stand it any longer, Piote stepped in and spread his divine power around.
Zing!
Kaor’s wounds began to heal slightly, and the priest’s energy started to be suppressed.
The priest frowned and said,
“Isn’t breaking a promise? Why do you want a one-on-one duel knowing you’ll end up ganging up on me?”
Kaor grimaced at his sneering tone and shouted,
“Don’t! Don’t interrupt! This is my fight!”
“…Hmph.”
Piote, flustered, withdrew his divine power. With that kind of shouting, he couldn’t intervene.
Still, during that brief moment, Kaor had recovered some stamina and pushed his sword forward.
“Let’s do this again. It’s not over yet.”
The priest’s eyes narrowed. To him, it wasn’t determination.
It was completely arrogant for a non-transcendent to challenge a transcendent. He was boasting about crossing the wall, but it was merely a pointless stubbornness.
The priest slowly opened his mouth.
“I was in charge of training priests before I became a judge.”
“And so?”
“I’ve seen many like you. Those with goals too high for their capabilities. They eventually fell into inferiority and made reckless choices.”
“W-what are you blabbering about? I have no inferiority whatsoever!”
“Back off now. At your current state, you cannot win against me. Your current level is quite outstanding for your age. Be thankful for that.”
The priest genuinely advised Kaor. Although he was an enemy, if Kaor retreated adequately, he could safely escape.
But if Kaor were the kind of person to heed such advice, he wouldn’t be called a fool.
“Shut up! I will definitely catch you.”
Kaor charged at the priest again.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The two fighters grew more exhausted as they battled. And this was more detrimental for Kaor.
Trying to keep up with the strength and speed of a transcendent, he inevitably pushed himself.
Spurt!
“Ugh!”
Kaor spat out blood and collapsed.
Spurt! Spurt! Spurt!
Exhausted, every time Kaor tried to charge, he was hit and fell again. By now, he was covered in blood, yet he stubbornly rose to his feet.
“Wow… You really are stubborn.”
The priest grimaced. He too had taken too many wounds and was struggling. His opponent should surrender already, but he showed no signs of doing so.
Even if he tried to knock Kaor unconscious, he was too drained to do so easily.
“Gaaaaah….”
Kaor staggered forward, spitting blood as he approached the priest. The priest squeezed out his remaining strength and threw a punch.
Spurt!
Boom!
Kaor, spewing blood, fell like a puppet with cut strings.
“Gah…”
Seeing Kaor squirming on the ground, the priest said:
“As promised, I will now take my leave.”
Belinda crossed her arms and gnawed at her lips. It was clear she was contemplating whether to kill him or not.
Gillian’s expression was also grim. The opponent was a transcendent being. If he lived, he could join another force and become a powerful weapon against them.
Some looked at Kaor with pity; others stared at him as if they expected this outcome.
“Gah…”
Receiving all those gazes, Kaor stood up again. He staggered but tried to maintain his stance.
He was angry. So angry and embarrassed.
“Why can’t I become a transcendent being…?”
Was this really his limit?
Kaor looked around with his swollen face.
Belinda, Gillian, Piote, the nose-picking Alfoy, the yawning Claude…
Many people were there. Did they really think he was just a pathetic fool greedily wanting something beyond his reach?
He had reached a high level, so there was only a wall separating him from transcendency. Was it really such a big greed to want to cross it?
‘The world…’
He didn’t understand. What exactly was that world?
Why couldn’t he create his own world?
‘Old man…’
Gillian had a strong loyalty to protect Ghislaine.
‘Butler…’
Belinda shook off the anxiety that had tied her down. Trusting Ghislaine allowed her to finally set her heavy heart down.
‘Vanessa…’
The mage was an entity searching for truth. Using her exceptional intellect, Vanessa was beginning to unveil the world’s truths one by one.
‘One-armed…’
Tenant threw aside his arrogance and was filled with a desire for atonement for his sins.
Everyone was so different. Thus, comparing himself to them wouldn’t help him understand how to become transcendent, nor could he seek assistance.
However, there was one difference between them and Kaor. It suddenly dawned on him.
“I don’t have that…”
The world of a transcendent being starts by solidifying what kind of life one wants to lead.
Without that foundation or harboring any doubts about one’s life, he could never create his own world.
He had neither goals, beliefs, burdens, nor anything that required atonement. He had not realized any essential truths of the world.
He just wanted to have fun every day and occasionally fight to enjoy himself.
He was trying to become transcendent while lacking a true life direction.
“Am I wrong?”
Kaor lowered his head and murmured.
Was he truly mistaken?
Should he, like others, set a purpose, establish beliefs, and live so fiercely?
“What on earth for… Shouldn’t it be enough to just live from day to day?”
Kaor’s eyes welled up with tears.
With the level he had achieved, why was he still treated like a foolish troublemaker in the territory? He couldn’t stand his inferiority any longer.
In truth, Kaor had tried earnestly and strived. He worried that others would mock him if they knew, so he secretly trained hard when no one was watching.
Yet he still couldn’t surpass the wall.
“Was I just… a pathetic guy?”
Indeed, Kaor was aware. He understood that his current level wasn’t solely due to his talent and effort.
Ghislaine had supported him wholeheartedly, even going so far as to risk her life to force him to exceed his limits.
But no one could create a world for him.
“This is… my limit.”
As he felt hopeless and lowered his head, a trickle of blood flowed from Kaor’s lips.
During these tough times, Kaor often remembered his long-gone grandmother.
“Grandma… what should I do? Am I really just an idiot?”
But amidst it all, he recalled the delicious omelet his grandmother used to make.
“Oh, that was so tasty. I want to eat it again.”
In that moment, Kaor felt a pang of self-loathing. Even in such a serious situation, he was thinking about food and fun.
He wished he could turn back to his childhood, to those days living with his grandmother who only gave him unconditional love.
During that time, it was okay to live without thoughts. There was no need for purpose or beliefs. He was busy having fun and just being happy.
His grandmother always told Kaor:
—You don’t have to be a great person.
—It’s okay if you’re not good at studying or working.
—As long as you’re not in pain and are happy every day, that’s enough.
“Grandma…”
Yes, wasn’t Grandma right?
Isn’t it enough to be a little inadequate but still happy?
That’s not wrong; it’s just different.
When he reached that thought, something inside Kaor welled up. So he shouted loudly.
“Damn it! Does life have to have some grand purpose! Can’t I just live happily today!”
“Is it so wrong to just be happy today! Why does everyone think so much!”
“Let tomorrow’s worries belong to tomorrow’s me! And let the worries for the day after tomorrow belong to the me of that day!”
At Kaor’s outcry, people gaped in shock. Only Alfoy nodded in agreement.
Kaor’s outburst filled with frustration continued.
“Why must you have goals or beliefs to become transcendent! It could just happen!”
“Is realization such a big deal! If I’m happy today, that’s my realization!”
“To be honest, no one wants to work all the time! Our territory is exhausting!”
This time, most nodded in agreement. Especially Claude and Alfoy were vigorously supportive.
“Damn it, do we really have to achieve something! How many people can really do that! Everyone is just trying to live day by day! We’re living to enjoy ourselves!”
Everyone listened to Kaor’s words in disbelief. Even the priest paused in his attack.
Exhausted from shouting, Kaor murmured for the last time.
“Damn it, it’s okay to mess up and make mistakes while living… It’s okay to want to play. What, damn it, everyone’s so cool and perfect… Lucky them. Damn… go eat shit. Damn…”
Belinda and Gillian had long since become transcendent beings. Even Vanessa and Tenant, who joined later, became transcendent.
Knights like Lucas and Gordon were hot on his heels.
Arel, Ghislaine’s disciple, was growing at a terrifying pace. Rumors circulated that he would surely become a transcendent being in just a few years.
So Kaor became increasingly anxious, and feelings of inferiority piled up.
But after voicing everything he wanted right in front of everyone, he felt light as a feather.
In the end, it was just that he wanted to have fun without worries every day.
While everyone stood there with dumbfounded expressions, the priest let out a shout.
“You pathetic fool! I can’t just sit here and listen!”
“……”
“You can’t live like that!”
“……”
“If you live that way, you’re just a beast! People must follow the will of the gods, whip themselves, and strive always…”
The priest was quite old and an extremely fervent religious person. Plus, he was in charge of educating the Salvation Society.
All these factors combined made him tell even enemies what to do.
Kaor, who was listening, straightened up and raised his sword.
“Enough. Why are there so many old men around me?”
He spoke as if he had no clue about any issues. He had no desire to understand.
Because Kaor had decided to stop worrying any longer. The more he thought, the more his head hurt.
“Well, if I can’t become transcendent, then so be it.”
It seemed better to just kill the priest and enjoy some food and drink to clear his mind.
Kaor had often felt uneasy.
Was it okay to live this way?
That unease had bred a sense of inferiority that constantly consumed him.
But now he could be sure.
That was just something different, not wrong.
There are many kinds of lives; how you live doesn’t matter as long as you don’t harm others.
“It doesn’t matter if I become transcendent! As long as I’m happy today, that’s enough!”
Kaor gripped his sword tightly and stepped forward. He was ready to burn all his remaining strength.
And what if he died?
If he died while enjoying the fight, then that was fine too.
He was certain.
This wasn’t such a bad life.
In that moment.
Fwooosh!
A clear blue light burst brightly from Kaor’s sword.