REAPER SCANS
The Reincarnated Martial God Brings Down the Heavens
[Translator – San]
[Proofreader – Abstract]
Chapter 177 - Rising Star Tournament (4)
It was an entirely unexpected topic of conversation.
“I honestly hated your senior.”
“...”
I remained silent, focusing on Nella’s words.
“I couldn't help it. I thought Master had suffered enough. I wished he could finally live his own life… But he only ever thought about Ancelot Heil Edenberg. He spent ten years as a slave to the Emperor, all for the sake of that dead man's child.”
Yes.
That was Raven. A fool who sacrificed his entire life for a friend.
“I honestly couldn’t understand Master’s actions.”
Of course.
Even I couldn’t understand why he would go to such lengths for someone like me.
“Think about it. No matter how close friends are, human relationships aren’t eternal. Even the closest of friends grow distant after a few years apart. It’s a fragile connection.”
“...”
“But to do all that for a friend he would never see again… Isn’t that just too much? To suffer for a lifetime and then die so meaninglessly… It’s just… wrong.”
Nella’s voice began to tremble with emotion, and she silently wept for a long time.
“Haah… I’m sorry. My emotions got the better of me.”
“It’s okay. I understand how you feel.”
Nella looked at me with bloodshot eyes.
“...Master suspected someone of being a traitor. Among those so-called friends.”
“...”
I understood Nella’s anger.
‘If this is true… It could be an important lead.’
Raven had spent ten years inside the Emperor’s inner circle. If he suspected someone, there had to be a good reason.
He never told me who it was, but if it was Nella, who was always by his side…
“…Who was it?”
I asked the question in a quiet voice.
“Before I answer, let me make this clear—this is purely my personal suspicion.”
“But just now, you said Raven suspected this person—”
“To be exact, this is my deduction based off Master’s words and actions. He never directly shared such matters with me.”
That made sense as she hadn’t even known about Raven’s relationship with Zion until I mentioned it.
‘Knowing Raven, he wouldn’t have wanted Nella, who was like a daughter, to worry.’
Just as he had done with me.
“To be honest, I wanted to hear another person’s opinion. But this isn’t the kind of thing I could discuss with just anyone.”
Our eyes met.
“So, what exactly did Raven say?”
“...One night, Master got drunk and muttered something.”
“What did he say?”
“He said, ‘Of all people, why did you betray us…?’ and sobbed for a long time.”
“…!”
That was a critical clue.
“For reference, the person both Master and I once considered the prime suspect was Trevor. In other words, the Swordsman of Illusions. After all, he lived in luxury as a noble of the Empire for ten years.”
Yes.
At first, I had thought the same.
“But with this new perspective, the person I suspect now is—”
“Wait.”
I immediately raised my hand, stopping her.
‘If I hear her theory now, I won’t be able to avoid being biased when I meet the suspect.’
Nella herself wasn’t certain, which is why she wanted my opinion, isn’t it?
“This much information is enough for now.”
“…What do you mean?”
“I’ll conduct my own investigation first. After that, I’ll listen to your theory. That way, we can compare interpretations and get a more objective and accurate conclusion.”
At last, Nella’s tense expression softened into a faint smile.
“You truly live up to the title of the Great Hero’s successor. I’m glad I told you.”
She was smart enough to understand my intent.
“I’ll trust you with this matter for the time being. But for the record, I’m impatient. I can’t wait forever.”
“You won’t have to wait long. Like you said, I’m the Great Hero’s successor.”
Finally, Nella nodded.
“And before that, there’s something more urgent to take care of, isn’t there?”
At the same time, my gaze shifted to the stone casket in the corner.
“It’s time to send him off.”
“...”
Nella bit her lip.
“I’m taking him to a mountain overlooking the Empire. That’s where I plan to send him off.”
At first, I had considered Black Swan as the burial site. However, while it was a natural fortress, it was too remote in the grand scheme of the continent.
Instead—
‘A place with a clear view of the Empire that I will one day destroy is far more fitting.’
At that moment, Nella said something unexpected.
“…Then, I’ll leave Master in your care.”
“…?”
I flinched, shaken from my thoughts.
“You’re not coming with me?”
“No.”
“But… it’s your Master’s final farewell…”
Before I could finish speaking, Nella shook her head.
“I can’t let Master go like this. So, I’ll bury him here—just for a little while.”
Then, she lightly tapped her chest.
“You told me, didn’t you? That Master secretly collaborated with the Swordsman of Mana to build a force in the shadows.”
“...”
Raven had never told Nella about that. It was a matter of security, but in the end, that secrecy had cost him his life.
He must have known things could turn out this way. But now that he was gone, I had chosen to tell her the truth.
She deserved to know.
“He did, and gave me this.”
I pulled out a silver ring from my pocket.
This was actually one of the reasons I was going back to the Empire with my own two feet.
I needed to meet Zion and see the true scale of their army with my own eyes.
“…So, Master never gave up on his revenge, right?”
A cold smile formed on Nella’s lips.
“Master would have probably tried to stop me, but I will carry on his will. When that revenge is complete—on that day, I will finally let him go.”
“...”
“So… I accept your proposal.”
Then, Nella extended her hand toward me.
“Let’s build an organization like the Poison Palace within Black Swan.”
At that, I let out a dry chuckle.
‘That wasn’t why I told her, but…’
Nella continued speaking.
“And one more thing. I don’t want to be a mere vice leader—I want to be the leader. Unless it’s Master, I won’t stand for someone less capable than me taking the position above me.”
That had been my offer in the first place. In the end, there was only one answer I could give.
“I’ll be counting on you, new palace head.”
Nella smiled and firmly shook my hand.
“Just watch. I’ll show you exactly what the greatest genius of the Imperial Palace is capable of.”
* * *
Reaper Scans
[Translator – San]
[Proofreader – Abstract]
Join our discord for updates on releases! https://dsc.gg/reapercomics
* * *
Three days later.
I carried the stone coffin alone as I ascended the mountain. Thanks to using Warp, I reached my destination faster than expected.
Whoooosh!
When I finally arrived at the peak, a refreshing breeze welcomed me.
“Ah…”
A sigh of exclamation escaped me at the breathtaking view.
Just as Milon had said, the entirety of the vast lands of the Empire was visible at a glance from here.
The endless golden plains, in particular, seemed to fill my heart with a strange sense of abundance.
“…Not a bad place to send you off.”
Clack.
At last, I opened the lid of the stone coffin.
“Raven.”
For the past three days, I had thought long and hard about my farewell words. But even if I spoke all night, it wouldn’t be enough to say everything.
So I chose the words I wanted to say the most—
The ones that mattered the most.
“Be happy in your next life. Don’t meet someone like me.”
-Bullshit. I’m going to find you in the next life and annoy you again.
“Don’t be born as a half-baked prince like me. Meet good parents, eat well, and live a comfortable life.”
-Messing with you sounds better than a good life with good parents.
“…Who did you take after to be this twisted?”
-They say birds of a feather flock together.
Before I knew it, a small chuckle escaped my lips. It was as if I could still hear his familiar voice echoing in my ears.
But now, it was truly time to let him go.
“Goodbye, my friend.”
Whoooosh!
A fierce wind happened to blow at that exact moment. I released the ashes gently into the flow of the wind.
One handful, then another.
-Live well. Just because you got married once doesn’t mean you should live alone forever.
His voice, like an illusion, lingered in my ears, as if bidding me a final farewell.
-And if Nella ever gets married… Check out her partner for me. You’re better at reading people than I ever was. If he’s a decent guy… Walk her down the aisle in my place.
Until the very last handful of ashes remained in my palm.
-I’ll be watching from the afterlife to see where that stubbornness of yours takes you.
Rumble! Crash!
With one last surge of mana, the stone coffin shattered into pieces. The last of the ashes, along with the broken fragments, scattered into the wind.
-…Even in our next lives, we’ll still be friends, Ancelot.
Goodbye, Raven.
A bittersweet smile tugged at my lips. But just as I finished my farewell—
Rustle!
“…”
A sharp hostility surrounded me from all directions. I remained still, quietly finishing my silent prayer.
I didn’t want this moment to be disturbed. Besides, I had already sensed their presence long ago.
“…If you have any humanity left, let me at least see my friend off properly.”
“…”
Did my half-threat work?
At the very least, they didn’t attack me right away. Even when I clasped my hands together for a final tribute.
“…Should I be thanking you for that?”
Swish.
At least twenty—No, probably as much as thirty black-clad figures surrounded me. Just from their attire alone, it was clear they hadn’t come in peace.
“Where are you from?”
“…”
Of course, there was no answer.
“What a shame. You seem to have some manners. I would’ve liked to exchange names before killing you.”
Step.
Then, one man, seemingly their leader, stepped forward.
“We are Arkets.”
“…!”
My eyes widened in shock.
“Wait. Did you just say Arkets…?”
But before I could process my thoughts—
“Kill him.”
Swish! Swish! Swish!
As if introductions were merely a formality before execution, blades rained down from all directions.
‘He definitely said Arkets.’
Even while dodging, my mind was in turmoil.
Arkets.
Bastion Arkets.
In other words, ‘Arkets’ was Bastion’s family name.
* * *
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