Experimental Log of the Crazy Lich - Sword Saint

After a roar, I unsheathe both of my swords. Facing the wave of attacking Undead, I charge at the very forefront of the group without any hesitation.     

“So fast.”     

Killing is an art form and art form requires the devotion of one’s mind and body, perhaps even one’s soul.     

There’s no need to think excessively on the battlefield. Just let go of everything and allow your body to dictate everything.     

The gasp of surprises from behind me no longer mattered as I dedicate my entire body and mind to swinging my sword.     

Swordsmanship is always the foundation of everything for a close-combat fighter and indubitably, I am a Master Swordsman.     

On the Eich Continent where cold weapons reign supreme, swordsmanship is a skill an art of death. Through thousands of years of inheritance and development, each country and region have a sword style that belongs to them. A pure Warrior might not have the magnificent Holy Light of a Holy Knight or the profound magic spells of a Magic Knight, but they still continue to stand at the pinnacle of close-combat jobs. The only thing that they rely on is the 3 feet long sword in their hands and their physical body that is forged thoroughly through countless training and relentless hardships.     

The sword is the king of all weapons and Warriors who walk in the path of the sword is always in the majority. Even though everyone can train in the way of the sword, those who manage to reach high altitudes are few. If one surpasses the limits of mortals in the art of sword, they would earn the title of a Sword Saint. This has nothing to do with the identity of the person, his job or even his power rank. The only thing that factors in here is his skills with the sword in his hand.     

Sword Saint, the Saint of Swords, is a sword-bearer who has exceeded human standards.     

I am a Sword Saint. What’s more, I am one without any inheritances. I am a wild Sword Saint who grew through battles.     

Self-taught, my swordsmanship isn’t as mystical and diverse as the mainstream swordsmanship in this world. It doesn’t have the ten thousand years of noble heritage of Karolan’s Soaring Eagle Sword and I am unable to use the Soaring Strike. It isn’t as unpredictable as Solo’s Illusory Dragon Sword and I am unable to create 9 clones with a swing of mine.     

Auland’s Collapsing Dragon Sword is violent and grand, that continuous wave of sword qi makes me envious. As a Holy Knight who grew up in the Holy Church, I didn’t learn even learn slightest bit of the elegant and beauty Mist Swordsmanship of my homeland. Compared to the thousand years of heritage of different countries that created profound swordsmanship which could recreate the effects of magic, my sword comprises the simplest art of killing. It is the crystallization of my experience in battle, simple, inelegant and ugly.     

Even more so, despite being a wild Swordsman as well, even before he received the Inheritance of the Phoenix, Adam’s swordsmanship had a fleeting and grand feeling to it, reminiscent to that of a Master Swordsman. After his inheritance, as his powers soared, his sword became even more elegant. The faint image of a Phoenix would appear and the call of a Phoenix would sound whenever he swings his sword, making it look extremely magnificent and striking. When he fights with his full might, the battlefield could be seen even a few kilometers away. In fact, that’s how the praise ‘A sword from the red lotus fills the sky with the afterglow of the Phoenix’ came about.     

As half of a swordsmanship mentor to him, my swordsmanship still remains at the lowest level and consists only of basic sword skills. The only thing incredible about it is that it is just that bit faster, that bit more accurate and that bit deadlier.     

The first thing I learnt was basic swordsmanship. After so many years, after learning countless famous sword arts and dozens of profound philosophies, the one that I was the most adept at and used the most frequently is still the simplest and most practical basic swordsmanship.     

Basic swordsmanship, just like how it sounds, is the basic fighting sword skills that every Swordsman, Holy Knight and Dark Knight will learn. Stab, hack, flick and raise, these are the basics. Fast, accurate and deadly, these are the main focus. Strength, reaction and agility, these are the foundations. Everyone knows them but if someone were to say that they could become a Sword Saint with just these, the listener would probably laugh his teeth off.     

The Red Lotus Sword Saint is a well-known Great Sword Saint recognized by the entire world. In fact, his swordsmanship is even treated as the pinnacle of humans. However, whenever that lad Adam pits his swordsmanship against mine, he has never gotten the better of me.     

The reason? Truthfully, I don’t even know myself. Perhaps it is due to the fact that I am extremely fond of playing with swords. Just by using swordsmanship that everyone is able to learn, I still became the most famous Sword Saint of that era.     

The sacred sword in my left-hand turns into a radiant light whereas the magic ice sword in my right turns into an elegant aurora. The beautiful flashes of sword remind one of the wings of a butterfly as the colorful wings spread open into a three-meter wide luster. Bringing it down violently, the entire ground trembles while I myself have already turned into a hurricane that brings about destruction.     

The two swords with differing attributes in my hands and Holy Light added a bit of color to my standard swordsmanship.     

The giant blade in my left hand that was intentionally forged thicker is blunt, but the heavy body of the sword itself makes it convenient for me to execute different kinds of swordplay.     

The zombies have overwhelming strength, their skin is thick and they don’t fear pain? Decapitate it with a strong slash first. Then, by pulling the sword through at a slanted angle, its pivot bones would be broken, reducing the indefatigable Zombie into a heap of flesh.     

The Skeleton General’s skeleton rack is as tough as metal and they aren’t afraid of stabs and sharp weapons? By twisting the blade of the weapon, the giant sword turns into a giant club. With a smack, its bones would be rattled and might even fall apart to the ground.     

Death Knights? I have heard that you’re good at martial arts and that you can use Dark Magic and Necromancy? Hey, what do you mean by falling in a single blow? Why are you weak? Even little Lionheart was thousand times stronger than you when he just resurrected.     

Banshee, it is said that you are immune to physical damage, that you are adept at all kind of Weakness Spells and Curses and that you are the nemesis of melee combatants? Un, Curses are indeed troublesome. Face my Secret Sword: Seven Bitter Sword… Hey hey hey, why are you escaping? Can you have some pride as a High-tier Undead. You really threw the face of Banshees. Look, even the Queen of Banshees on my shoulders can’t stand watching you any further.     

Knock, flick, smash, chop! Heavy hammer, rapier, cudgel, katana! Despite it being a bulky giant sword that is difficult to use, many different fighting styles are executed through it. The swordsmanship fundamentals that I have accumulated allows me to turn the giant sword into a sure-kill attack catered directly to the weakness of my opponents. From the start of the battle, an enemy would fall from every single sword of mine and my armor has yet to suffer a single attack.     

That is only considering the Ice Sword in my right hand. It is even simpler for the sacred sword in my left. After I infuse sufficient Holy Light into that sacred sword, ‘The Judgement of Justice’ starts to declare the doomsday for the Undead.     

[The Judgement of Justice: Activate the Soul Gemstone’s judgement ability. When this sacred sword strikes on a Chaos being, the target will be forced to undergo Judgement. If the target fails to pass the Judgement, the target will be directly destroyed thoroughly. Duration: 10 minutes. This ability can be used 3 times daily.]     

As long as the sword strikes them, even if it is just a slight scrape, the fragile Undead would be reduced to a pile of ashes. After realizing that this ability is extremely powerful against Undead and finding the Undead’s ability to retaliate pathetic, the sword on my left hand which was used primarily for defense starts to be utilized for offense as well. Immediately, my killing efficiency increases multiple folds.     

The Ice Heavy Armor only has the weight of slightly bulkier chainmail. My ordinary-looking physical body possesses overwhelming brute strength. Despite being dressed in thick armor, I am still able to execute the footwork of a swordsman.     

However, there is actually no need for me to. Not to mention getting injured, to this point, I haven’t even been struck once yet.     

I finally realize that I have made an error. Using those fellows in Sulfur Mountain City to gauge the strength of these newborn Undead, that is just like how even though a little child in kindergarten and a powerful war veteran are both humans, there is an overwhelming difference between the two. If we were to use the might of the special forces to deal with little children, they would be able to wipe out an army of them easily.     

Just as I was getting high from killing, the sight in front of me turns completely empty. There aren’t any more enemies in my surroundings.     

Thus, making use of this opportunity, I flip the sword in my left hand around and grips it in reverse. Then, I start to gather strength.     

“Slow, blunt and foolish. Yet, you all still wish to pit your skills against mine? Dream on!”     

After a furious roar, I hold up both of my swords as the bright light flows through them. My whole body starts to turn, turning into a hurricane of death.     

Following the whirl of both swords, the sword qi-filled tornado starts to overflow. The excessive and rampaging sword qi starts to expand while the rapidly rotating blades brought the sword qi into rotation as well. In the end, I turned into a formless but deadly storm of sword qi.     

[Ding, congratulations for comprehending the general Legend-rank Secret Sword: Blade Storm. Using this skill, you will turn into a fast rotating storm of blades. The rotating swords and sword qi will severely damage all enemy land troops in the surroundings. Under the effect of Blade Storm, you will not feel remorse, regret or fear. Other than death, nothing can stop you. Prerequisites: 20 Strength, 10 Dexterity, 15 Stamina — For those who get carsick, seasick or have low Dexterity, please use with caution. There is no way I will tell you that the invincible Sword Saint Hodore got dizzy from spinning too much and vomited. A group of Kobolds took advantage of that moment of weakness to kill him.]     

Rather than comprehend, it is actually more like recalling memories. Basically, sword skills can be executed once the basic stats fulfills the prerequisites. I already can’t remember the number of sword skills that I have ‘comprehended’ along the way.     

There is a reason why Blade Storm is the favorite general Secret Sword used by Sword Saints. It has a wide AOE, allowing swordsman to get rid a large bunch of enemy at one go. Even more so, it is an effective means of dealing with a situation when one is surrounded. Of course, its weakness is that one would be unable to stop once they start using the skill. Not to mention, their path of movement would become very clear. If one were to meet with a strong enemy, then that turning top would become an easy target.     

At this moment, the Undead who are struck by the hurricane of sword qi found themselves put in a situation as though they were attacked by two swords simultaneously. Those who were able to survive past two seconds could already be considered strong. Along my trail, there is not a single Undead who is spared from it. The Blade Storm consumes everything in its range.     

When I finally stop, the battlefield around me has been cleared. Only the corpses of hundreds Undead remain on the floor.     

“Hahaha, I am already invincible… What the heck, where did this come from?” Looking at my newly arrived opponents, I, who was just carried away awhile back, immediately turn around to flee.     

The reason? The newly arrived Undead army has pulled out high-tier siege cannons. In the distance, the airships which are slowly activating starts to turn their magic siege cannons towards us. With just a single hit, I would definitely be reduced to ashes and I can prepare to reincarnate once again.     

“The rewards are not bad.”     

In a short moment, these experience gift packs allow me to level up again. Also, the System Notice about me receiving some spoils of war seemed to have popped up awhile back but it isn’t the time to be organizing my gains now.     

When I return back to my teammates, I found them all looking at me as though I was a monster.     

After all, I only said that I would be charging in for ten seconds to draw the enemy’s firepower. However, not mentioning how I only went in for a couple of seconds, I singlehandedly cleared the Undead by the pier.     

“I’m sorry, they were simply too weak. It is just so convenient for me to cut them up, so I didn’t leave anything for you all… Why are you all looking at me like that? Oh, I never told you that I am a Sword Saint?”     

Alright, they shake their head harmoniously. Only Kelly who knew in advance nods her head slightly with a smile. On the other hand, Reyne looks as though she is witnessing the vicissitude of life. It seems to contain a slight trace of surprise, regret, and excitement.     

“As expected, his usual slovenly and unreliable look isn’t his true self. The true Holy Knight Roland is still extremely fearsome. I am still far away from his standards.”     

Initially, she was still delighted over becoming an Aurora Knight, even more so after seemingly possessing sufficient power to suppress her mentor, who is still Bronze-rank. However, from the looks of it, even if he went into decline, the legendary Holy Knight Roland is still a legend. Just by that swordsmanship of his, he is able to dominate the world.     

“Bronze-rank Holy Knight Sword Saint, incredible.”     

On the other hand, the new page Kathleen is also shocked. Initially, she was dissatisfied with the strength of her mentor. But now, it seems like not only is he qualified to teach her, he could even teach a thing or two to her father.     

After all, swordsmanship requires a massive amount of practice, fundamental strength and the accumulation of battle experience. Holy Knights focus most of their time on the Holy Light and Divine Arts. For a Sword Saint to appear among the Holy Knights who tend to be subpar in swordsmanship is already incredible. But, to actually witness a low power rank Holy Knight attaining the strength of a Sword Saint goes totally against their common sense.     

“If only your magic had half of the talent of your swordsmanship, you wouldn’t become the embarrassment of spellcasters, becoming a cannon tower.”     

As usual, the black cat on my shoulder puts me down. As usual, I ignore her words.     

However, it isn’t the time for us to be chattering idly. The Mage Towers used to defend this secret base starts to glow and on the tallest Mage Tower, a dark figure stands out. Looking at the familiar skeletal rack filled with Death Magic makes me sigh — “To think that it is another nude fanatic. Do you think you can choose not to wear clothes just because you are a Lich? How uncivilized and immoral. The name of Liches was soiled by people like you. If this was Sulfur Mountain City, you would have been bashed by the Town Security.”     

What is even more dangerous at this point is the airships, which are already floating in midair by the port, is already starting to charge the black holes of the magic cannons.     

However, I am not in the least affected by such a sight.     

“Pah!”     

After a snap of the fingers, two cannons open fire at once but…     

“Boom!” “Boom!”     

The target of the Air Fleet isn’t us but the two Mage Towers in the secret base. A hole opens up in one of them and starts to collapse.     

“I never met such a lousy cannoneer. That short fellow over there, raise the altitude by 10 degrees and move 30 degrees to the left.”     

The voice of the Ace Hunter Lowens echoes from midair. From his gleeful commands, it seems that the blast which destroyed the tower came from him.     

“Idiot, we were aiming at the Lich.”     

“Then, you were even more off. You all hit the wrong tower. Raise the altitude by 40 degrees and move 30 degrees to the left.”     

At this moment, Diana and Krose appear on 2 different airships. See, the ‘we attracted the attention of the other party to allow the two of our top fighting power to bring the Goblins and Dwarves who are skilled at using cannons to sneak on the two ships by the port and take them’ plan is successful.     

“Hah, I have already said that I am invincible… Keng, looks like this word really can’t be said.”     

A few warehouses in the secret base opens and in an instant, four identical airships start to float upwards. Looks like our plan isn’t flawless. After all, the airships aren’t real ships. Since they are able to fly, they are completely able to hide in the base.     

“Those on top, focus on dealing with the airships. Leave the Lich to us!”     

Leaving the spellcasters to do as they please is almost like courting death. Looking at the Lich who is chanting under the protection of a group of Death Knights, the Snowman Knight below, who serves as a tank, charges at the forefront. Since the Knights have begun to charge fearlessly, how can I lag behind?     

“Stab, hack, flick and raise, these are the basics.”     

TL: Flick, think of a motion which the hand doesn’t move, just the wrist. Raise, something like a sky uppercut but with sword (according to videos)     

TL: Sword Qi -> Sword Beam/ Aura, imagine Getsuga Tensho of Bleach, where ‘sword energy’ leaves the tip of the sword. I will leave it in Chinese as so far still can’t really find a word for it. Italics are used for hanyupinyin translated words and sounds (although I keep forgetting to italics sound)     

Ding, congratulations for comprehending the general Legend-rank Secret Sword: Blade Storm.     

TL: General as in it is a skill that all Sword Saints would be able to use.     

Snowman Knight     

TL: The Snowman in this case is probably just like the Snow Woman, a human-form spirit (rather than a bulk of ice) Snowman Knight refers to the Aurora Knight contracted with the Snowman.