Chapter 2340 - 111: Magic Sword (Part 2)

All the Knights halted.

At the moment the youth gripped the sword, a low voice seemed to echo through the Forest:

"Remember my name…"

"I am Edwin Cleworth."

"Founder of the Northern Territory, master of the Winter Country."

"…O people of the world, the silver banners pass through the long straits, Cold Ravens and Knights pause and gaze upon the Holy White city-states, yet even ancient tales must see their hour of Mo."

A chill Strength seemed to seep into the depths of his Soul; that whisper coiled about his mind, ceaselessly speaking to him, murmuring of bygone whispers. "This sword was born from blood, and shall Overlord all things… our honor and disgrace shall be as one, together we seal the Covenant…"

Xiangzi closed his hand around the pitch-black hilt; the expression on his face was so cold it was nearly blank. Inch by inch he drew the blade free; the icy Light upon the sword seemed to mirror the terror in the human heart, making each and every person hear a shuddering voice rising from the depths within—

Snow fell with a soft rustle, all sounds stilled; even the firelight dimmed. The flames in the camp seemed to bow to some invisible Strength, tilting ceaselessly toward a single direction. Terror was written plain upon the mercenaries' faces; those who walk in the Northern Lands had heard that ancient tale:

A certain long-declined lineage, and the Magic Sword passed down through their generations.

When the ravens' tongue whispers low, the Magic Sword has already been born from blood.

Xiangzi had already seen one Attribute of the Magic Sword:

Grey Stone Covenant—The Magic Sword's Attack Power grows as the Sword Bearer grows.

He continued to draw the blade upward; silver swordlight shone between his brows. The slender blade was like the thin tongue of a Demon; the black Crow Feather upon the guard had come to vivid life, and the gemstone set within gleamed with a blood-like, uncanny radiance.

The second Attribute entered his Vision:

Blood Thorn—The Magic Sword feeds on blood and is born therefrom; wounds dealt by the Magic Sword are hard to heal. When anyone wounded by the Magic Sword exists within a certain range, the Sword Bearer's Speed gains a continual increase.

An eerie silence lay over the Forest; the soft snow seemed to swallow all sound. The Knights stirred in unease and retreated, until the one who led them shouted harshly: "It's a Magic Sword, stop him!"

He pointed his blade toward the mercenaries; the mercenaries, helpless, had no choice but to advance. They had taken coin, so the work must be done. Watching the mercenaries close in, Little Kong swallowed and raised the sword; his palms were slick with sweat, and he had already foreseen his own end.

Yet before the mercenaries could come near, an invisible Strength suddenly burst out from the Magic Sword. That Strength passed over Little Kong without harming so much as a hair, and like a wall crashed against those mercenaries. Dozens of mercenaries cried out in agony all at once, flung into the air, tumbling into the snow.

In that moment Xiangzi saw the Magic Sword's third Attribute:

Soul Sacrifice—For each kill the Magic Sword makes, the Sword Bearer gains one chance to use that opponent's abilities. The Soul dwells within the Magic Sword until it fades away.

Then came the fourth Attribute:

Raven's Crucifixion—Summon Ravens to devour the enemy's flesh and blood; the Sword Bearer may briefly take on the form of a raven.

As Xiangzi lightly drew the sword tip free of the pitch-black Sword Sheath, the last line of text also entered his Vision:

"Blood flows like rivers, ravens' tongues whisper low; the Storm has arrived, the longships draw near—"

"The name of this sword is the Magic Sword 'Gwendis'."

In Ancient Tower tongue, it means "raven."

He drew the sword fully and pointed it ahead. The blade seemed to give off the illusion of being wreathed in pitch-black Sharp Blades, like countless needle points piercing into the eyes of all present. That narrow edge forced innumerable mercenaries, Bounty Hunters, and Knights alike to step back in unison.

The thin voice lingering in Xiangzi's mind suddenly rose to a shrill pitch, screaming: "…Submit to it, for the ancient and distant will shall reign over all… and we, our honor and disgrace as one…"

But Xiangzi's expression was cold as iron; one hand gripped the sword tight as he said, "You will Overlord nothing."

He drew the blade in to his chest. In that instant, the Wind in the Forest seemed to fall still; the collar of the youth's coat stilled as well. Only a pair of dark, shadowed eyes remained, fixed upon the leading Knight. Meeting the youth's gaze, the Knight Commander felt as though he had fallen into a bottomless Abyss. He had always prided himself on his steadfast will, yet now his mind quaked; without realizing it, he backed away several steps in succession.

And the next instant, Xiangzi moved.

Half his form merged into Light, half into Shadow; his entire body seemed to stand in the gap where Light and Shadow cross—Little Kong turned back, somewhat stunned—only to see a Shadow slipping away at his side.

The half of Xiangzi that was Light slowly faded; the half in Shadow became an afterimage.

"…A Shadow Realm passage—damn, he's a Magic Guided Conductor!" The Knight Commander awoke as from a dream and shouted hastily. He had never imagined his opponent would be a Magic Guided Conductor; all his attention had been fixed on the Magic Sword, and he had even forgotten to watch the other's Magic Guided Reactor.

He raised his sword to bar his front; Xiangzi's gaze upon him had always set a chill in his heart, that faint killing intent clinging to him like a Shadow. At the same time, he thrust out a hand, drawing a swift Array with decisive movements, attempting to use a Dimensional Anchor to drag that assassin out of the Shadow Realm passage.

Only his Spell's runes were not yet fully drawn when Xiangzi showed himself ahead of time—and, far beyond his expectations, did not come straight for him. With a Blink, Xiangzi appeared before the mercenaries.

The mercenaries were just scrambling up out of the snow when a Shadow was already blocking their way. Xiangzi merely lifted the sword in his hand; even had that mercenary been fully on guard, he would not have been able to stop him, let alone now. A line of blood flashed; the mercenary clutched his throat and fell at once.