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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Cyno
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My companions and I headed for the desert city of Kara. Though it was a long journey—crossing the Ipogeum Mountains at the eastern edge of the Proxia continent and part of the Great Desert—using the teleportation portals provided by the Magi Tower made it quick.
Upon arriving at the top of the portal tower in the heart of Kara Castle, I immediately descended to the observation deck to take in the view. The city was vast and bustling, home to 130,000 residents within the castle walls and another 110,000 farmers living around the oasis outside. The cityscape was lined with ornate Mosp-style buildings, and several large temples stood out among them.
I was stunned by the sight of the sprawling farmland and forests beyond the city walls. Unlike what one would expect from a city in the middle of a wasteland desert, nature thrived here. The massive oasis to the north and well-maintained irrigation systems likely made it possible.
Shura, equally amazed, stared wide-eyed at the city below.
“This is incredible. How can a city like this exist in the middle of a desert?”
I replied, “Perfect location and abundant resources.”
Kara sat adjacent to the infamous Devil’s Trade Route, the most treacherous path through the Great Desert. The month-long journey had no water or safe passage, with constant attacks from monsters and the Sika tribe bandits, making merchants reluctant to traverse it. As a result, Kara profited immensely by acting as a middleman, purchasing luxury goods and spices from these caravans and reselling them across Proxia.
Moreover, Mount Basra at Kara’s northern edge was entirely made of marble, while the Utsu River mines to the south produced the highest-quality iron ore in the world. Combined with its surprisingly abundant water sources, Kara was truly a paradise in the desert.
Armida chimed in.
“And it’s the best tourist destination in the world. An old friend of mine visited once.”
Legend had it that Kara’s great oasis was blessed by one of the Seven Great Saints, the Saint of Water, turning it into a holy site for her followers. Pilgrims flocked here year-round.
Additionally, Kara housed the third-largest Temple of Depravity in the world, along with massive gambling facilities. Naturally, tourism thrived.
This was precisely why I chose Kara as my final destination.
Money flowed easily here, and entertainment was plentiful. Just beyond the city lay the endless wasteland desert, teeming with monsters—perfect for real combat training. And most importantly, no one here knew me.
The only problem was that come winter, the Kingdom of Roblos, located in the southeast of Proxia, would launch a full-scale invasion. But compared to other places, it was manageable. The Proxia continent would soon be embroiled in endless wars due to the power imbalance caused by the frequent emergence of the Seven Sacred Relics. Kara, however, would be occupied on the first day of the siege and then left untouched—until the Age of Ruin eight years later.
My plan was simple: evacuate to another desert city by early winter and return in spring.
Armida glanced at me skeptically.
“I’m not sure if we should be here, though.”
“Sister, what’s the problem now?”
“Three of the Seven Sacred Relics have appeared on the side of the Light Faction.”
“Yeah.”
“The Dark Faction is at a severe disadvantage.”
Armida looked troubled. Valkyries were forbidden from interfering in human affairs, but as the Valkyrie of Darkness, she couldn’t stand by while her faction was overpowered.
But her worries were unfounded. Next year, two more relics would emerge—one claimed by the Dark Faction, while the other’s owner would mysteriously vanish. With Armida and Shura in the mix, the scales would balance. A 3.1-to-3 ratio wasn’t bad.
“But the Dark Faction already has two, doesn’t it? You and Shura.”
“I can’t interfere, and you know that.”
“Well, isn’t there a Valkyrie on their side? That Dung Beetle? The one who recently made a name for herself?”
Armida burst out laughing.
“True, she’s reckless. Who in their right mind would cause such a mess at a time like this? Heh.”
“Either way, don’t worry. The Sacred Relic bearers won’t cause major chaos. Sure, wars will break out between nations, but that’s how kids grow—no need for us to intervene.”
The emergence of the relics had already stirred the winds of war. Fanatics were emboldened, and religious leaders were scrambling to expand their influence. Blood would be spilled—history repeating itself.
In my past life, I suffered through it all.
During the Great Orc Invasion, I nearly died fighting Grolmog, the Orc Warlord, beside Count Meyer. When the Dark Faction launched their full offensive, I was sent to the eastern front as a general—only to be torn apart.
But these hardships made the Proxia army stronger. Experience bred skill, and the soldiers became elite. This would prove vital in surviving the Age of Ruin.
“I suppose you’re right.”
“Exactly. One idiot causes trouble, and suddenly everyone’s rushing in. They’ve got better things to do than meddle in worldly affairs—that’d be dereliction of duty.”
Armida had mentioned that Katrianne and this year’s relic bearers were all chasing Sabondia. Naturally, they wouldn’t have time for politics.
“Fair point.”
“So stop worrying and relax. We’ve got our own work to do.”
“Fine.”
I hurried down the portal tower. Finally, we had arrived in Kara, the city of dreams and revelry. Tonight, I had no interest in worldly troubles—I was too busy enjoying life.
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### Business Beginnings
To set up shop, I leased a three-story building with a spacious plot from the local government. It had once been a continental swordsmanship dojo, costing a hefty 45 Leaf per year. The price was steep, but the outdoor training grounds made it worth it.
And Kara was a land of opportunity. With skill, money could be made—and I had both. Rent would be covered in no time.
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### Soul’s Revelation
The interior renovations took nearly three days. During that time, my companions and I prepared for business.
I placed Yozo on a rock in the garden of the outdoor training grounds, deep in thought. I was trying to recreate the magic I had accidentally unleashed during my battle with Katrianne. But it wasn’t easy. No matter what I tried, the sword remained unresponsive—as if the incident had been an illusion.
‘No, it was definitely magic…’
One thing was certain: it wasn’t activated through physical motion or mana infusion. That left only the mental realm—a domain accessible only to sage-level mages or Mind Masters. As a Master Swordsman, I shouldn’t have been capable of it.
Yet I had used magic.
Which meant, however briefly, I had touched the Mind Master realm.
I scratched my head in frustration. Reaching such a level wasn’t a casual stroll in the park—especially for someone who had only become a Master a year ago.
But given the circumstances, it made sense. There had to be something unique about me—something beyond just being reborn.
‘What sets me apart from other Master Swordsmen? The only thing is… my reincarnation. Wait—could that be it?’
A realization struck me.
I had experienced something no one else had—the realm of the soul. Even Old Man Cloud, the greatest swordsman in history, had yearned to glimpse it.
That was it.
I had brushed against the soul’s workings—if only for an instant—during my death and rebirth. My subconscious might have guided me into the mental realm, a mere stepping stone to the soul’s domain.
The problem? I had no memory of it. The moment had been too fleeting. But one thing was clear: in the face of the soul’s power, time itself was meaningless.
‘By returning to the past, I am simultaneously living the past, present, and future.’
The coming Age of Despair was an event I had already experienced. And that past despair was also my future. The present was no different—this very moment was both the future of my past and the past of my future.
The only difference was where I stood. In my past life, I had been in Karl’s territory, training as his successor. Now, I was in Kara. My soul’s intervention and choices had altered time itself.
The only issue? I still didn’t fully understand it.
But this was a monumental discovery. No one else knew of this phenomenon, and I had just obtained the first key to unlocking the soul’s domain.
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