The Swordmaster Who Returned After 1,000 Years-Chapter 234

Compared to just before, the clone's five senses were clearly dulled, and most of all, sight had completely vanished.

But Kaylen could feel a completely new kind of sensation through the body now fully turned into Sunstone.

‘It’s absorbing light mana…’

The Sunstone appeared to be a luminous substance that emitted light on its own—

But in truth, it had a strong tendency to absorb light mana.

A Sunstone that consumes 100 and emits 10.

[Let’s go.]

The Celestial Demon God's voice rang out.

Kaylen's clone floated up into the air and was transported somewhere.

Not long after—

Click. Click.

As his entire body was wrapped in something, a chill cold enough to freeze even his bones enveloped him.

The body temperature, which had risen due to becoming Sunstone, plummeted below freezing in an instant.

[I don’t ask for much.] Then—

[Just replicate what you did last time.]

The moment the Celestial Demon God gave the command—

An artificial flow of mana surged through Kaylen’s body, now turned into Sunstone.

The light mana within the Sunstone—

And another kind of mana of differing attributes being infused from the "something" surrounding it.

‘This is just like…Fire, water, earth, air, light, dark.’

The indiscriminate influx of six elemental manas resembled the time when he had formed Transcendence Realm: Starfall.

The Celestial Demon God was attempting to artificially reproduce Starfall.

Using the Sunstone–transformed Kaylen as a medium.

[Even if it resembles only ten percent, it’s fine. As long as I inject enough mana.]

Unable to recreate Starfall on his own, this was the method he chose.

Kaylen even considered detonating his clone—

‘But in this situation…

I can’t control the clone.’

Even if the connection to the moon’s clone had been reestablished through Earth’s God, he could merely sense the clone’s presence—

He couldn’t actively move it.

Especially not now, with the clone turned into Sunstone—control was utterly impossible.

And then—

Following the Celestial Demon God’s command, Kaylen’s clone tried to replicate the Starfall technique he had used when he previously clashed with the Dragon God.

Though most of the memories had faded, the massive flow of mana led the body to remember instinctively—

Attempting to cast Starfall directly through his own body.

[Five percent.]

But—

Even simply infusing mana had its limits when it came to realizing Starfall.

The Celestial Demon God, in a cold tone, evaluated the Starfall that Kaylen instinctively manifested as only five percent.

Boom. Boom.

Then something approached and collided with Kaylen’s bound body. Even though he had lost his sight, Kaylen could instantly recognize what had struck his duplicate.

‘A Sunstone.’

A mineral with the exact same properties as his own transformed body.

And from it, mana was flowing in.

The endless stream of mana pouring in far surpassed the amount Kaylen had received from the Celestial Demon God back on Earth when he was granted the mana stone.

Which made sense.

The Sunstone contained far more refined and vast mana than hundreds—no, thousands—of mana stones combined.

[At this level... perhaps seven percent.]

Though the manifestation of Starfall was still rough and crude,

With overwhelming mana support, it gradually grew to meet the minimum standard set by the Celestial Demon God.

[One week will be enough.]

Thud. Thud.

Something else was attached once more to Kaylen’s body, which had already expanded with attached Sunstones.

This time, it wasn’t a Sunstone, but a Moonstone imbued with the mana of darkness.

Along with that, various other minerals containing different types of mana continued attaching to Kaylen’s duplicate.

‘Its size just keeps growing.’

Kaylen’s duplicate, originally the size of a human—

With Sunstones and now Moonstones being attached, its scale expanded—

And soon, it surpassed the size of a massive boulder.

[Kaylen. Become a meteor that shatters stars.]

And—

Upon hearing the Celestial Demon God’s final words,

Kaylen fully grasped his intent.

Meteor Strike.

That was the countermeasure prepared by the Celestial Demon God, who had taken refuge on the moon, to destroy Earth.

♦

“The Celestial Demon God is attempting something like that?”

“Yes.”

“That’s troubling...”

The Water God, having returned from investigating the Celestial Realm, frowned upon hearing Kaylen’s explanation of the Celestial Demon God’s plan.

“If it were just a normal meteor, it would mostly burn up in the atmosphere and be filtered out. But if it’s a meteor containing the power of Starfall, that’s a different story. It’ll absorb all the frictional heat from the atmosphere and descend with even greater force. Not to mention, most meteors fall into the ocean, so they typically don’t affect the planet much…”

As she said that, the Water God glanced at Kaylen.

“But the Starfall you created is so overwhelmingly powerful... even if the meteor falls into the ocean, the impact won’t be absorbed. The planet itself could collapse. Really. You’ve made something quite extraordinary.”

“Well. If I hadn’t, things would’ve been bad on our side too.”

[Indeed. You should try to understand him. After all, you, he, and the Dragon God were all enemies once, weren’t you?]

As a voice flowed out from one of Kaylen’s six swords—the Earth Sword—Water God’s eyes turned sharp.

“Earth God. You’re inside Kaylen’s sword… what are you planning?”

[Heh. It’s fine to be wary of me. But aren’t we in the same boat right now? If that meteor falls, it’s not just you—it’ll endanger even me, sealed inside Earth. That’s why we agreed to a temporary alliance.]

“...Fine. Given the seriousness of the situation, I also agree that cooperation is necessary. But the fact that you’re inside one of the Six Swords... that’s extremely dangerous.”

The Water God, while agreeing to the cooperation, gave a direct warning in front of the Earth God.

“If he takes control of the sword, what do you intend to do? I understand Lord Kaylen is powerful, but Earth God is just as dangerous an opponent.”

[Heh. I appreciate the compliment.]

“He doesn’t necessarily have to be sealed in the sword. Couldn’t the alliance still be maintained?”

Kaylen shook his head at those words.

“No. That’s not possible. I’ve already made a promise.”

Outwardly, he used that promise as an excuse.

But in truth, there was a different reason Earth God had to be contained within the Six Sword.

‘He’s the only one capable of sensing the Moon’s dark mana.’

The Moon’s dark mana.

The same power that had to be fully understood in order to eliminate the Celestial Demon existed within Earth God as well.

There was certainly risk in sealing him within the sword—

But it was a risk worth taking.

‘Besides, from what just happened, I’ve almost figured it all out.’

During the process of his clone transforming into Sunstone on the Moon and becoming meteorite—

Kaylen recalled the moment when Moonstone merged and the Moon’s dark mana engulfed his clone’s body.

‘It’s almost complete.’

A sword that could eradicate the Moon’s dark mana.

Completion was within reach.

At a moment like this, there was no need to remove Earth God from the sword.

“But still……”

[The Water God. It’s fine to push me, but what are you planning to do?]

“Ha. Do you think I’m going to answer that question?”

[Heh. Just asking out of curiosity. A meteor capable of destroying stars is about to fall. Surely, you’re not planning to stay on Earth while only sending Kaylen to the Moon, are you?]

“Of course I’m not.”

[Good. Then how much power do you intend to send?]

“You think I’d tell you that?”

[Of course you should. Aren’t you going to the Moon through me? I need to know how wide to open the gate leading to the Moon. I have to prepare.]

The Water God glared coldly at Earth God,

then slowly opened her mouth.

“…I’ll tell you later.”

[Alright. You’d better prepare your strength sincerely. Otherwise, people might suspect you’re harboring double intentions.]

“Double intentions…?”

[Who knows? You could just send Kaylen and then shut the gate so he can’t return.]

“You… you’re insane. What kind of baseless accusation is that…!”

The Water God looked at Earth God with disbelief,

then turned her gaze to Kaylen.

“Lord Kaylen, did you accept Earth God because you agreed with that kind of thinking? I’m truly being wronged here. Shutting the gate so he can’t return… How could that even be possible?”

[If The Water God regains her full strength, it’s entirely possible.]

You really…

Whenever The Water God tried to speak, Earth God would interject from the side, and eventually she exploded in anger.

Kaylen waved his hand.

“That’s not it. I simply made a deal with him. For now, we can’t even reach the Moon without Earth God’s help.”

“……”

“For now, let’s focus on solving the immediate issue.”

“...Understood. Then I’ll go prepare for now.”

The Water God clenched her teeth and left, clearly furious from being near Earth God.

Watching her disappear into droplets of water, Earth God let out a mocking laugh.

[Heh. The Water God ran off without even answering how much power she intends to send.]

“Hoh……”

[The Water God will definitely try to be sly. She’ll send only your forces while claiming she needs to stay behind to suppress me on this planet. If you fall for that story, you’ll be the only one taking the loss.]

Earth God continued fueling Kaylen’s suspicion.

The Water God would certainly hold back her power. If only you go, it’s your loss.

Drag as much of her power to the Moon with you, no matter what……

“You realize that same logic applies to you too, right?”

[Of course. I’ll show my utmost sincerity as well. After all, I need to take control of the Moon. Heh heh……]

With that reply, Earth God kept trying to drive a wedge between them.

His words were so sly that if one listened too long, they could be swayed without even realizing it.

But even Kaylen seemed to be gradually going along with it……

“Earth God is thoroughly trying to sow discord.”

“Indeed.”

On the other side, he was already in contact with The Water God.

More precisely, with Violet, who was briefly possessed by The Water God.

“I couldn’t speak earlier because Earth God was present……”

And now, completely different from how furious she had been moments ago,

The Water God spoke calmly through Violet’s body.

“While exploring the Heavenly Realm abandoned by the Celestial Demon, I found something interesting.”

“Something interesting……?”

“This.”

What The Water God took out—

Was an ivory-colored, crescent moon-shaped gem.

“What is this……?”

“Inside this,”

The Water God said with a steady expression, “are traces of a connection between Earth God and the Celestial Demon.”

[Translator - Kiteretsu]

[Proofreader - Kyros]

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