REAPER SCANS
Regressing as the Reincarnated Bastard of the Sword Clan
[Translator – Mr.Ghost]
[Proofreader – Harley]
Chapter 75 - Lone Plum Blossom (5)
Theo couldn’t help but swallow nervously.
‘The Demon Dragon’s sword…’
Theo’s ultimate goal was his father’s, Kyle’s, swordsmanship. However, the one who steeled his resolve for the sword was none other than Julius.
It was by chasing after Julius’s sword that Theo managed to formulate the «Dragon’s Claw».
Now, the Demon Dragon Julius was offering his teachings. He tried to suppress his excitement the best he could…
Ba-thump, ba-thump!
But his heart wouldn’t listen.
That was how much Theo had been anticipating this moment.
“Fuu…” Theo took a deep breath to calm himself down.
He then shared what he felt whenever he pictured Julius’s sword.
“I believe the Demon Dragon’s sword is ‘violence’.”
“Oho?” Julius exclaimed, surprised by the answer. “Why do you think that?”
“Because that is the essence of the ‘Demonics’.”
It was a curt reply.
Silence lulled momentarily.
Finally, Julius smirked. “Heh…! I see why Lady Plum Blossom is willing to go so far for you. Your discernment is uncanny.”
Suddenly, the world around Theo and Julius changed.
Fwooosh!
Julius performed his signature technique, creating an isolation zone. Theo stood atop a world where everything had been destroyed and reduced to cinders.
At first glance, it appeared similar to the world of the Black Dragon, which reeked of death…
‘No, it’s different.’
It did not appear that way to Theo. The very essence was different.
The world demonstrated that the Black Dragon still followed the laws of nature.
But not here.
Demonic.
It was a world where everything had been ruined. It was a world that shouldn’t exist.
“You’re right. The essence of ‘Demonics’ is violence, destruction, annihilation, apocalypse… It is a darkness that drowns men in fear,” Julius said, appearing out of nowhere.
He had a sword in his hand.
Shwip, whoosh—
He swiftly cut across the air with his sword.
The pathway of his sword was dead simple.
“What was Lady Plum Blossom’s swordsmanship like?”
“It was flashy and beautiful.”
“Indeed. Lady Plum Blossom’s swordsmanship contains the essence of ‘Life’, a seed sprouting and growing into a beautiful flower that represents life itself. It’s gentle and swift. That is why her sword movements are primarily arcs and circles,” Julius explained.
His sword started moving faster and faster.
“However, my swordsmanship is the opposite. It is composed entirely of linear thrusts and slashes. There is no way to go around, nor is there any way of dodging or deflecting. When you clash, you either break or get broken.”
Within the accelerating sword movements, there was a hefty energy behind it.
Theo’s skin started prickling.
“My swordsmanship seeks stronger, overwhelming power. It releases everything at once. There is no backing down.”
Theo was then reminded of the White-Armored Dragon Cavalry’s chant.
Never Yield. Never Retreat.
That very same teaching was an essential part of Julius’s swordsmanship.
“This is the Demon Dragon’s sword.”
Slash! Slash! Slice!
A light consumed Julius’s sword before beams of light sprayed out. It looked as if light had been spliced into dozens of fragments through a spectrometer.
Flash! Flash!
Rumble— Crash—
Every time the light flashed, the earth-shaking sound of thunder boomed, followed by an unbelievable destruction.
Plains became deep canyons. Hills became empty craters.
An apocalyptic disaster ravaged the earth.
Julius was emitting a terrifying killing intent with a dragon veiled in darkness circling around him.
“......!” Theo took a step back in shock.
The kind Julius he was familiar with was nowhere to be seen. There was only a ghastly incarnation of violence and destruction.
Rumble rumble…!
The jet-black killing intent radiating from the Demon Dragon started covering the crimson sky. Theo worried that he might suffocate at this rate…
Fwoo!
But a portion of the remaining Demon Shadow Toxin in his body jolted, and his head suddenly felt clearer. With it, a new scene opened up in his eyes.
‘Isn’t that…?’
Theo could start following a little Julius’s sword movements, and this seemed oddly familiar. Though the speed and destructive force were on another scale, it was the shared technique of the White-Armored Dragon Cavalry.
“The «Blade Barrage»…!” Theo muttered to himself.
Overhearing Theo’s exclamation, the Demon Dragon’s rampage came to a pause.
Fshhhh…
A cloud of dust swept over Theo.
Julius chuckled while sheathing his sword, “Just as you saw the essence of the Demonics, it seems you saw this as well. I call it the «Murderous Demon Dragon Art».”
“It wasn’t the «Blade Barrage»?”
“It was.”
Theo was confused by Julius’s answer. However, it didn’t take long for him to realize what Julius meant.
“I see. The «Blade Barrage» is the basics of the «Murderous Demon Dragon Art».”
Julius shook his head, “No, it’s the other way around. The «Murderous Demon Dragon Art» is the basics of the «Blade Barrage».”
“......!”
Finding Theo’s reaction cute, Julius let out a small laugh. “This is what the «Murderous Demon Dragon Art» looks like without magic power.”
Fwip fwip—
Julius quickly swung his sword around once again. His sword movements were nothing but linear thrusts and slashes. It looked no different from an ordinary, basic swordsmanship.
“The «Murderous Demon Dragon Art» is an empty shell. Depending on what you put inside it, it changes form. The White-Armored Dragon Cavalry have made it into the «Blade Barrage» by putting their swordsmanship within it.”
“......” Theo gulped.
Julius explained it nonchalantly, as if it were nothing, but that was not the case.
‘He casually shared the ultimate technique he crafted with the whole unit?’
This was something that was unimaginable within most martial clans.
“I bet you’re shocked that I freely shared my swordsmanship.”
“Yes… It’s unprecedented…”
“Just because it’s unprecedented doesn’t mean that it can’t be done,” Julius spoke while smiling even more mischievously. “However, I’m not the only one. This is the norm within all of the White-Armored Dragon Cavalry.”
“......!”
“Unless it’s a secret that must be kept only to your clan or school, no dragoon hesitates to share their ultimate techniques or epiphanies. Everyone eagerly shares what roadblocks they are facing to discuss a solution together. And when one gets inspired by an unexpected stimulus, they’ll also share that as well as a new possible answer.”
“......”
“Ultimate techniques shouldn’t be kept entirely a secret. One must share them, analyze and discuss them, find problems, and seek methods to improve them. Within that process, you bond with each other.”
“Oh…!”
“The «Murderous Demon Dragon Art» is an ultimate technique devised for that very purpose. Each dragoon infuses within it their own knowledge. By everyone sharing their learnings, the «Murderous Demon Dragon Art» continuously progresses further and the «Blade Barrage» becomes stronger. This is the secret to how the White-Armored Dragon Cavalry stays invincible.”
Theo felt like he had been hit in the head with a blunt object.
Openly sharing one’s ultimate technique… It completely defied all norms. Ultimate techniques were a swordsman's life and blood. It was something that wasn’t easily shared even between parent and child.
‘They must be able to bond closer because they share their lives with each other.’’
It was as if the entire White-Armored Dragon Cavalry were both Julius’s disciples and children.
Theo let out a baffled laugh. “…Are you not worried about betrayal?”
“Why? Do you think that if our techniques leak, they’ll find a way to neutralize us?”
“I think that is entirely within the realm of possibilities.”
“So far there has not been a traitor… but so what if we are betrayed? By then, the «Murderous Demon Dragon Art» and «Blade Barrage» will have already advanced. And if they do find a weakness, I welcome it. We can use it to advance even further,” Julius smiled playfully. “It’s like how finding a secret, prized recipe doesn’t immediately make someone a world-class chef.”
He was confident that he wouldn’t lose even if all his secrets were exposed.
This pride. It seemed that no matter how good of a man Julius was, he was still at his core a swordsman of Ragnar.
“But that’s why I rejected Lady Plum Blossom’s offer.”
An offer from Lady Plum Blossom? Theo was confused.
“Lady Plum Blossomed made an offer, requesting that she and I take you on as a joint disciple.”
“......!”
Theo would have simultaneously received Julius and Lady Plum Blossom’s tutelage.
“I didn’t see a reason to agree. By joining my unit, you’ve already become my family and disciple. If anything, it would only muddy up the order of the cavalry. However, I did tell her that she is still free to take you on as a disciple on her own.”
“Then is the reason I was given the Lone Plum Blossom…”
“I heard she already presented you with the «Full Bloom of the Plum Blossoms». I simply mixed in what I already intended to teach you on your path to the «24 Plum Blossom Sword». The combination of our wisdom has deepened the teachings. You’re one lucky kid.”
Ba-thump, ba-thump, ba-thump…!
Theo’s heart raced.
Though Julius was saying he didn’t agree to it, the Lone Plum Blossom was a sign that he and Lady Plum Blossom would share Theo as a joint disciple.
Julius then fixed his sword grip.
“Starting today, for one hour a day, I will teach you the «Murderous Demon Dragon Art». But be cautious. Learning the essence of the ‘Demonics’ is a turbulent path.”
Theo nodded his head with gravitas as he drew his Drake Blade.
This was another fateful encounter. Theo wanted to obtain Julius’s swordsmanship at all costs.
“‘Demonics’ is a ferocious thing. It sometimes even consumes its own master,” Julius explained.
Fwoooo…!
A jet-black aura radiated from Julius.
Ba-thump, ba-thump, ba-thump!
Theo, activating his magic power resonance, gripped his sword tightly.
It appeared that receiving Julius’s teachings would be no walk in the park.
* * *
Reaper Scans
[Translator – Mr.Ghost]
[Proofreader – Harley]
Join our discord for updates on releases! https://dsc.gg/reapercomics
* * *
An hour later.
Theo walked out of Julius’s office looking as if he’d been drained of all life.
“Are you okay?” Evelyn asked.
Theo shook his head in response, “I feel like I’m about to die…”
“The commander’s teaching style can be quite harsh. You should be careful since he enjoys being sadistic.”
Theo recalled that Julius seemed happier when Theo was having a tough time. Since this was only the first lesson, he anticipated that things would only get tougher.
However, Theo couldn’t help but smile.
‘I still managed to learn all the basics of the «Murderous Demon Dragon Art». Also, I’m starting to get a feel for what I couldn’t understand at first.’
Even though he was exhausted, he was elated. At the same time, what Julius said to him during the lesson continued to ring in his mind.
“What’s your reason for doing this, sir?”
“My reason you ask…? I’m not sure. I haven’t put much thought into it. I’m simply copying what I learned from the clan head.”
That was the answer Julius gave when Theo asked why he started sharing his ultimate technique.
‘I didn’t expect him to mention Father.’
“Everything that is mine comes from the clan head. I’m simply returning things to where they belong,” Julius had further explained, his voice firm with absolute faith and loyalty to Kyle.
‘I’m envious,’ thought Theo.
He wondered if he’d ever find someone like Julius on his journey to the throne. Would he be able to earn the same level of trust and loyalty?
‘I’ll have to work even harder so that I can meet many people like him.’
Fortunately, it seemed that he had already found someone. He already had a ‘first sword’ similar to Julius right beside him.
“Anyway, Theo. We’ve locked up all the captives in the underground jail without interrogating them like you asked. But is it okay for us to only keep them imprisoned?” Evelyn changed the subject.
She was referring to the CIB agents we captured at Fort Blanqui.
Currently, the White-Armored Dragon Cavalry had yet to uncover who they were. The identities of agents like Sidra had been thoroughly concealed, so the only way to learn who they were was to interrogate them.
However, Theo firmly protested that plan.
“Please just continue to keep an eye on them. You’ll see a very interesting situation unfold soon enough.”
“I knew it. You know who the culprit is, don’t you?”
Theo answered not with words but with a silent smile.
Evelyn let out a sigh, rubbing her temples. “I can never tell what’s going on in that head of yours… We’ll continue to guard them like you asked. However, I can’t keep this up indefinitely. The others won’t understand.”
“No need to worry. They won’t be able to resist taking the bait. At best, it’ll only take four days.”
Theo’s eyes went tranquil. ‘The Sky Dragon won’t stand idly by while his weakness is exposed.’
He knew that Ed would try and clean this mess up somehow, but that was when the real game between Ed and Theo would start.
‘Before the political fight starts, I’ll have to fully recruit Lady Plum Blossom as an ally.’
Julius had told him, “Once my sword lesson ends, immediately go to Plum Blossom Palace. Lady Plum Blossom is probably desperately waiting for you.”
Theo still couldn’t forget about the «Celestial Flower Rain» that she had shown him.
As he was about to depart for the Plum Blossom Palace…
Ding!
Various messages suddenly filled his vision.
[Tutorial Quest #18 has not been completed. Please complete it as soon as possible.
If the quest goes uncompleted, it will be counted as a failure, and the penalty will be applied.
Penalty: ■■]
[Player's authority has increased. Re-displaying information.]
[Penalty: Death]
“......!”
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