Solo Swordmaster

Episode #190. Who are you?

thief and victim.

Originally, the two men who could never get along with each other were calmly talking face-to-face.

“Come on, don’t get too excited. You know that stealing is a misdemeanor anyway, so you can get parole if you work hard for a few months.”

“You say it’s not your business too easily?”

“What is difficult? Even dogs in London know that being a servant to a countess is a honey job.”

“Work is easy, but if you do a little wrong, discipline, edification, and nagging are just…”

“Anyway, stay calm for the time being. When you come out, I’ll give you a half.”

“Damn it, no matter how much I think about it, half is too few.”

“Look at me. I was on the verge of bankruptcy. You have to have half of it to pay off your debt to the Magus Guild.”

“This damn guy is your friend.”

“Don’t be too sad. Because the Count paid so well for that junk, even half of it would be enough for the hardship.”

“Ha, that’s long live the count.”

“Yes, it is all thanks to the benevolent Countess Rose.”

It took a while to praise the thick money bag and benevolence of the Countess Sea Serpent.

Max and the street vendor argued over how to share the compensation money after the sentence was over, and eventually parted ways with a good laugh.

“…”

But they didn’t know.

That a blue-haired woman was overhearing their conversation in the distance, out of sight of the two of them.

And likewise, the young man who heard all the stories with superhuman hearing next to Rose.

Limon calmly opened his mouth.

“What are you going to do, Countess Rose? If you want to catch them and come back, I can wait for you.”

“Are you saying to catch them and punish them?”

“Wouldn’t that be? They are the ones who dare to cheat against the Count.”

A short conversation was enough to understand the situation.

That the theft was self-made. It is also said that the purpose of Max and the street vendor was the compensation money from the Countess Sea Serpent.

And now that she knew the truth, Rose had the right to punish them.

But Rose shook her head.

“…No, it’s fine.”

“Are you just going to watch it?”

“We will give appropriate punishment for fraud. But I have no intention of inflicting personal retribution.”

Was the answer quite unexpected?

Limon narrowed his eyes and looked at Rose.

“I know that your clan values honor quite a bit, but you’re just going to forgive this insult?”

“Of course honor is important.”

The Blue Dragon Clan is just and merciful, but they will never tolerate the three issues.

One of them is an insult to honor.

What if the other members of the Blue Dragon clan find out that there are people who cheated on Rose, who was not just a knight of the clan, and ate money and ridiculed her?

They will go mad and punish those two to protect the honor of their beloved princess.

However, Rose, the person in charge, spoke with a bitter expression instead of anger.

“However, that honor can only be enjoyed after fulfilling one’s duties. So I have no right to blame them.”

“You don’t deserve it? why?”

“Because it is our clan that gave them the reason why they were cornered enough to do this.”

“What nonsense is that?”

“Look at this city.”

Rose slowly turned her head.

And from magic lanterns to passers-by dragging a flying carpet monster for a walk.

Looking back at the streets filled with magic skills and items, he continued quietly.

“Thanks to our agreement with the Magus Guild, London has become more prosperous, but instead, there have been many side effects.”

A lot of magical players.

Magic items overflowing the city.

Even the citizens who are accustomed to the sight.

From the outside, London looks like a fantasy city where everyone can benefit from magic skills.

But just as magic always comes at a price, every change has side effects, and London was no different.

The same is true of the many unemployed people who have been created due to the immediate disappearance of cars.

As a remedy, the Magus Guild gave them the right to sell magic items instead.

However, for mass-produced items, there was too much supply compared to demand, and as a result, many of those who did dealerships ended up sitting in a pile of debt.

That wasn’t all.

As the influence of magical players expands, discrimination in identity is created.

A deformed structure in which most of the citizens had no choice but to depend economically and technically on the Magus Guild.

In recent decades, London has undergone more changes than any other city, and those who have not been able to adapt to it have fallen into the poor.

A dual city with thick ruins buried beneath the splendid scenery.

That was London’s hidden reality.

“…In short, the Countess of Sea Serpent couldn’t stop London from becoming like this, and they committed crimes after they became poor, so the original sin is on you?”

“That’s how it is.”

“You are London’s Chief of Police, but not the Chief of Salvation, are you?”

“It is a matter of morality, not responsibility.”

As a knight or noble, it is a natural duty to protect and take care of the weak.

Watching Rose speak with a sincere face, Limon slightly twisted his lips.

As if I heard a joke.

Or something seems off.

He looked at her with a cynicism that bordered on ridicule, and suddenly opened his mouth.

“Hey Count. Aren’t you tired of living like that?”

“I just do my job.”

Rose bluntly says that there is no reason to be exhausted just by doing one’s duty.

But instead of agreeing to that, Limon gave a colder smile.

“Well, for that matter, your complexion looks a bit difficult…. Some black company employee I know well wasn’t as good as you, right?”

“It’s just because I haven’t slept for days.”

“Are you having trouble sleeping? why?”

“…”

“What is that resentful gaze?”

“it’s nothing.”

Somehow, for a moment, I was puzzled by Rose’s gaze, as if she were looking at an unscrupulous person who brazenly flirted with all the culprits.

Limon smiled and said.

“It’s okay if you’re not tired. If you’re tired, I thought I’d give you some encouragement.”

“What if you say encouragement?”

“well. The Count isn’t lacking materially, so… Like stroking his hair?”

“Thank you for your heart…”

“Ah, yes. If you’ve been having a hard time falling asleep lately, I can play a lullaby-like performance to help you fall asleep.”

“….”

“Well, you don’t need it. is not it?”

Since he said he would receive only his heart without getting tired, he would only give encouragement with his heart.

I didn’t see Limon, who was jokingly muttering and moving his steps.

Rose, who had heard his words, reached out her hand toward him, pursed her lips, and ended up with her shoulders drooping.

That was the moment when Limon and Rose resumed their patrol activities disguised as tourists.

Dang-

“Hmm… Has the time already been like this?”

When Limon nodded at the sound of a bell that every Londoner could not help but know, like a thousand cannons crashing against a castle wall.

Rose said calmly.

“If you want to go sightseeing again in the evening, I will guide you.”

“why?”

“If I am dissatisfied, I will attach another article as a guide.”

“No, that’s not what I meant. Why do I say as if I’m going to finish my daytime tour and go back?”

“Well, in the afternoon you will be practicing the violin with Miss Julia…?”

Rose, who had been answering casually, hesitated.

Limon tilted his head perversely.

It was because a thought came to my mind when I saw the wicked smile on his lips and the meaningful eyes.

Dang–

“You mean you’re going to roam around London in the twilight hour?”

“It’s been a long time since I came to Mado, but it’s a pity that I didn’t experience London’s best specialties.”

“that…!”

Rose was stunned.

To tour London in the twilight hours.

It was a story that any citizen of London… or anyone who has ever been to London would say was crazy.

“If you don’t like anything, the Count tells you to go back. I will look around by myself.”

But Limon was unconcerned.

It was as if he was saying with his whole body that he would continue touring whether she followed him or not.

Rose, who looked at him with complicated eyes, finally opened her mouth with a sigh.

“…Please don’t fall next to me, just in case. You never know what will happen in London at the twilight hour.”

“I’ll try my best.”

Dang—

a few moments later, when Limon smiled mischievously with an insincere reply.

With the sound of the thirteenth bell, a dense fog deeper than the sea swallowed Limon and Rose and all of London.

* * *

With every breath, moist moisture permeates your body, and with every step you take, a thick mist ripples.

Even though it is so dark that you can barely see an inch in front of you because of the thick fog, only the outline of the surroundings is strangely clear.

This place is definitely on the ground.

The feeling of walking even in the deep sea.

The gap was so deep and grotesque that even an ordinary person would be terrified by that alone.

The gloomy hour was regarded as an object of fear in London, and that reluctance had a great influence.

But at this very moment.

Limon was walking through the fog so calmly.

As if it were a real tour, the friendly guide even guided me through London’s historic specialties.

“It’s a fact that many people misunderstand, but in fact, this London battle system was not created during the Demon God War.”

“okay?”

“yes. According to records, it was originally created by the three great witches called the Lady of the Lake during the Silver Age to confront the demon king.”

thought Rose.

It’s ironic.

Not too long ago, I was running all over the place working on rescue and security activities, so I couldn’t even give directions properly.

He was acting as a perfect guide now without any problems.

Well, in a way, it was natural.

Whether it be policing or rescue, people are needed, but there was no way there would be a lunatic wandering around in London in the twilight hours.

…Except for himself and this young man.

“As the years passed and all the ladies of the lake died or disappeared, this confrontation also disappeared and the fog in London dissipated.”

“Until the Witch of the 27 Lines of Magic resurrects the London battle world, right?”

“That’s right. And as much as it originates from the London showdown world, everything happens in the fog that spreads in the hour of twilight.”

Despite feeling strange at the fact that she suddenly became a madman, Rose dutifully continued guiding them.

Then, looking at the shadow slowly approaching from beyond the thick fog, he continued talking quietly.

“Like something like that.”

Squeak.

At first glance, it was just an ordinary portrait without any features, the kind that everyone has.

However, Limon recognized the singularity at once.

Even in this hazy haze, it was not only because the shadow was especially clear.

The most important thing in that shadow. In other words, it is because there was no substance that created the shadows.

“…the ghost of London.”

“Yes, people do call it that.”

Clearly, it is empty space with nothing but fog.

As if there was someone invisible, only the human-shaped shadow was clear, and the scene was terrifying.

Even the sight of the shadow moving along the road like a real person made me feel visceral horror.

“It may look a bit unsettling, but don’t be intimidated as it won’t harm you directly.”

“I know.”

Limon nodded.

And as if it was important, he muttered it over and over again.

“You know very well.”

“…?”

Rose put on a puzzled expression.

It wasn’t just because of Limon’s unmoving appearance even when he saw the ghosts of London, which usually frightened him.

Is it bitter?

I wonder if I miss you

Is it a pity?

Limon’s expression, which seemed to mix all of it, but felt something different from any emotion, caught her attention.

But Rose soon had no choice but to look away from Limon’s face.

It was because another shadow slowly emerged from behind the figure that was approaching them.

‘Are there two ghosts in London?’

Rose was a little surprised.

Even in the darkest of times, London’s ghosts are not so easy to see.

It was even more so to see two or more ghosts together.

So it was.

That’s why she couldn’t help but open her eyes wide when she saw the third shadow rise after the two.

But that was just the beginning.

Ssssss.

“…!”

From three to ten to a hundred to hundreds.

Like coming out of the floor, breaking through walls, coming out of alleys, etc.

Rose, surrounded by numerous shadows protruding from all over the place, was surrounded and besieged before she knew it, and could not help but be stunned.

‘What is this…?’

Having lived her entire life in London, of course, she knew almost nothing about London, as befits a blue dragon princess.

But even for such a Rose, it was a necrosis she had never heard of before in her life that so many shadows appeared in the hour of twilight.

How embarrassed was it?

Rose unconsciously grabbed the sword.

However, Limon, whom she was trying to protect, continued to walk without hesitation.

Into the midst of the waves of shadow overflowing, as if the countless ghosts of London were invisible.

“for a moment…!”

Rose panicked at Limon’s unexpected behavior and hurriedly reached out to catch him.

But she stopped in the middle. No, she had no choice but to stop.

because I saw

The moment Limon took a step.

The countless shadows that filled the street all at once took three steps to the left and right, opening the way for him to pass.

Like Moses who borrowed the power of the fairy queen in the distant past to open the way to the sea.

Rose couldn’t help but stare at Limon, who calmly entered the path that the shadows had moved out of the way.

“What are you doing?”

Limon calmly looks back at Rose as if nothing had happened and urges her to follow her.

But she didn’t move.

I just asked softly as I added strength to the hand holding the sword.

“…who are you?”

Rose looked straight at Limon with blue eyes sunken like a lake.

And the shadows that split left and right of Limon, exactly the attitude they took towards Limon, asked them repeatedly.

“What on earth are the ghosts of London paying homage to you for?”