Chapter 2

After completing the coming-of-age ceremony, I was granted the "Swordmaster" skill.

I wasn't disappointed that I didn't become a Sword Saint—there was no particular disappointment.

That's because my father, it seemed, was once a "Swordmaster" and through rigorous training, he awakened to become a Sword Saint.

So, I thought, if I work hard, I can become a Sword Saint someday.

My father died when I was still very young, so I have almost no memories of him.

But there is one thing I remember clearly.

——Or perhaps, because I have repeated and ruminated on this memory so much, it might not be entirely true.

In any case, it was the exchange we had on the day my father set out on his journey.

"I'm worried about leaving you and your mother behind while you're still so young... but, Father, I want to show you and the people of this country the blue sky."

As he stroked my head, my father said this and set off.

I am a generation that doesn't know the blue sky.

Since I was born, the sky has been covered by the black clouds created by the Demon King.

Only shade-loving plants can grow, and food and supplies are always in short supply.

As a poor country, we maintain our existence with the support of neighboring countries, where the influence of the black clouds is less, and we stand at the forefront of humanity's struggle against the Demon King's army.

Naturally, the people are suffering from poverty, and those who leave the country are endless. This is the country where I was born.

To break this situation, my father, who had awakened as a Sword Saint, set out on his journey.

Two years later, the news of his death arrived along with the sword he left behind.

The person who delivered the news was someone who had the "Swordmaster" skill and was in the same party as my father, having trained together.

This person told me about my father's last moments.

My father fought the Demon King near a village.

It was an even match... at least until halfway through.

To prevent the villagers from being caught in the battle, my father lured the Demon King into a one-on-one fight while the other party members guided the villagers to safety.

Just as the evacuation was about to be completed, the Demon King cast a powerful spell not at my father but at the village.

To save the villagers and the other party members, my father took the spell upon himself.

He shouted, "Don't come! Finish what you have to do!" to the party members who tried to come to his aid.

When they returned after completing the evacuation, the Demon King was gone, and only my father's body and his beloved sword remained.

"I should have been the one to fight the Demon King and take that spell! I let the hope of this country... no, of humanity, die! I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..."

As he spoke through tears, my mother shook her head and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Don't say such things. I am proud of my husband's actions, and I have no intention of blaming you."

Then, she turned to me and said,

"Understand, Elyus. Although your father was defeated by the Demon King, he was a great man. You should follow in his footsteps, train with the sword, and become a man who can protect others."

"Yes!"

I nodded, and my mother, smiling, stroked my head and nodded in satisfaction.

That night, unable to sleep, I got out of bed to use the bathroom.

I then saw my mother, who was alone, holding the sword my father left behind, crying quietly.

Even as a child, I could sense that my mother was being strong for the man who delivered the sword and for me.

Watching her, I made a vow.

—I would inherit my father's unfulfilled wish, kill the Demon King, and bring back the blue sky to this country.

I pleaded with the man who delivered the sword to become my teacher and teach me, and I subjected myself to rigorous training.

My teacher said, "Your talent surpasses your father's."

According to my teacher, they were childhood friends, and my father often beat him up.

"He would often say, 'I've already taken care of it,' and easily dodge my techniques. He was a cheeky guy, despite being younger."

My teacher spoke of his memories of my father, sometimes with joy and sometimes with sadness.

When I was thirteen, my teacher said,

"I have nothing more to teach you. From now on, you must think and train on your own. I have some unfinished business to take care of."

He then set out on his journey.

A year later, we learned that my teacher had also died in battle against the Demon King's army.

Hearing the news, my childhood vow became even stronger.

Of course.

The Demon King had already killed two of my fathers.

On the night I was granted the same "Swordmaster" skill as my father.

Was it a dream, or was it reality?

In any case, I found myself in a strange, open space, even though it should have been pitch black.

In a world of endless black, there was another man with me.

He wore a black silk hat and a black tailcoat.

He had a clown-like aura.

Despite his smile, he seemed serious.

This man approached me with a familiar and friendly demeanor.

"Hello, Elyus."

"…Why do you know my name?"

"I know a lot about you. You can call me… let's say, Crow."

After introducing himself, Crow adjusted his hat and continued.

"You wish for the Demon King's death… right?"

"Everyone in this country does."

"Yes, that's true. But… I have a proposal. That's why I brought you here."

As I listened to the man's words, I tried to observe my surroundings to understand the situation.

Was this some kind of skill that created a space?

If so, it was a skill I had never heard of, unknown to me.

The situation and the man were suspicious, but for some reason, I didn't doubt it and listened sincerely.

"You have a 'power' that is dormant. I can awaken it and guide you to the result of the Demon King's death."

"A dormant power?"

"Yes. A wonderful power that can lead to the Demon King's death much faster than becoming a Sword Saint."

If it's true, I want it.

I naturally thought so.

"If such a thing really exists, I want it."

"Sure, but this is a deal. In return, you must offer me 'something'—"

Crack.

In the middle of his speech, something broke between us, and a crack appeared in the black space.

A white line appeared vertically in the space, and a finger pushed it open.

From the elongated diamond-shaped crack, white light leaked out.

A man in a white silk hat and a white tailcoat emerged, contrasting with the man in black.

The moment he appeared, he shouted,

"Don't listen to him, Elyus!"

Surprised, I looked back and forth between the two men, and the man in white continued, slightly anxious.

"I can't interfere much here. The longer I stay, the more my power diminishes, so I'll be brief—don't listen to that man's words!"

What do you mean?

I asked the man in white.

"He's lying… right?"

In response to my question, the man in white shook his head.

"No. Unfortunately, everything he says is true. In this place… no one can lie at all."

No one can lie?

But I shouldn't listen?

I was confused.

As I was puzzled, the man in white continued.

"So, there's no lie in his words. He is only allowed to speak the truth right now. But even so—he is trying to deceive you!"

With that, the man in white was sucked back into the diamond-shaped crack and disappeared.

The white entrance closed as if it had never been there.

The man in black, who had been watching our exchange with a smile, spoke to me again.

"What a nuisance… but I expected it."

He shrugged and continued.

"So, what will you do? About that man—"

"Before that."

I had something to confirm.

Interrupting the man in black, I was about to say that I am a woman.

A clear lie.

But the words that came out of my mouth were different.

"I am a man."

I covered my mouth with my hand, surprised by the unintended words.

Seeing my reaction,

"I know, you know?"

Crow chuckled.

This revealed that I couldn't lie.

So, I had one more thing to confirm.

Confused, I removed my hand and continued.

"Are you trying to deceive me?"

It was a question I had to think hard to ask.

If everything the man in white said was true, Crow's answer was predetermined.

If he was trying to deceive me and couldn't lie, his answer could only be "Yes."

To my question, the man in black said, "Hmm," thought for a moment, and then replied,

"From his perspective… yes. But from my perspective, I'm not trying to deceive you. I won't deny that there's a benefit for me. But ultimately, the choice to accept or reject the deal is yours. If you refuse, it's unfortunate, but I'll accept it."

His words, still with a smile, made me realize that trying to outmaneuver him was futile.

He could choose not to answer inconvenient questions directly.

But… on the other hand, the fact that he couldn't lie gave his words some credibility.

If he could lie, there would be no need to choose his words so carefully.

"I'm not trying to deceive you."

That would be enough.

In reality, unlike me, he might be able to lie, and if I thought otherwise, it could be his trap.

But even as I was drawn into this mysterious situation, I raised my guard.

Noticing my caution, Crow shrugged and said,

"In fact, we don't have much time, so I'll move on. First, the man in white and I… we both have a role for you, from our respective perspectives."

"A role?"

I answered, aware that I was ignoring the warning to "not listen."

But if it could lead to the Demon King's defeat, I wanted any information I could get.

"Yes. The man in white wants you to defeat the Demon King. I want you to awaken to a new skill and aim for the Demon King's death."

"…Isn't that the same thing?"

"From your perspective, it might seem that way. But the paths to the result are different. The man in white… let's call him White. If you follow White's method, it will take ten years to defeat the Demon King. If you follow my method, it will take five years."

Five years and ten years.

Regardless of the truth… the difference is significant.

"If you follow White's method, this country will collapse. After defeating the Demon King, the exhausted country will be carved up by neighboring countries and cease to exist. You'll have brought back the blue sky, but… that's it. If you follow my method, you can avoid that."

"If I accept your proposal, the country's collapse can be avoided?"

"That's right. In other words, you can save many lives that would otherwise be lost to the Demon King."

The number of lives that can be saved… comparing that alone, there's no reason not to accept his proposal.

But.

"Why do you know such things?"

"We don't know everything, but if the results align with our predictions, the fate will follow. Unexpected results can happen, like if you refuse here."

In other words, he expects me to accept the deal.

Or rather, he's confident he can make me accept it.

So far, everything he says sounds good.

That's why it's suspicious.

But.

The difference between five and ten years in the damage to this country is likely true.

I don't know why this man knows such things.

But given that he can't lie, if he's not delusional, it must be true.

Frankly, lives are being lost every moment due to the Demon King's army and the black clouds.

Comparing five years ago to now, it's a clear fact.

Every day, many lives are lost.

From starvation, from battle, the reasons are endless.

But because he can't lie, the words of the man in white,

"He is trying to deceive you."

still stick in my mind.

The man in white believes this man is trying to deceive me, and this man doesn't completely deny it.

Is there a way to ask a more pointed question?

As I was thinking…

"I'm sorry. I would answer more questions, but we really don't have time. It's up to you."

And the lack of time is likely true.

Evidence of this is that the black space is starting to fade from the edges, though it remains black.

"Also,"

"What?"

"Actually, this deal… can be broken at any time."

"That's… quite convenient, isn't it?"

"Isn't it? If you give up on the Demon King's death… this deal will be null and void. You can start over, a fresh start. So you can relax. The choice is always yours… from my perspective, it's disappointing, but that's the way it is."

"What do you mean by 'start over'?"

"Even though I'm saying we don't have time… it means exactly that. According to my prediction, the deal will be made, but ultimately, you will give up on the Demon King's death and choose to start over."

"…What?"

Feeling that my vow was being taken lightly, I glared at Crow.

He shrugged it off and, still smiling, apologized.

"Sorry, sorry. But in this place, no one can lie. Of course, I hope you will see it through. –It's time to make your decision."

The inability to lie likely applies only to spoken words.

Crow's expression showed no malice or regret, even as he apologized.

But looking around, it seemed there was little time left to think.

I didn't understand what "start over" meant, but…

Fine.

Even if this man is a demon or anything else.

I will take my father's place, follow in my teacher's footsteps, and show the people of this country the blue sky.

As soon as possible.

And the lives that would be lost in five years.

I will bear them, I will do it.

I made up my mind.

"…Fine. But what is the price of the deal?"

For the first time, I could see a change in Crow's smile.

Simply put, he looked pleased.

"Thank you, Elyus. The price of the deal is—"

The deal was made.

I obtained "Guidance."