The Transmigrator Doesn’t Dream of Being the Protagonist – Chapter 67

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Mod7
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“Are you coming to?”

My whole body ached, but that voice snapped my eyes open. Pain shot through me as I hurriedly tried to sit up.

I couldn’t help but wince. Finally, I realized I was lying in a bed.

“Huh… Master?”

“Yes, it’s your master. Why so surprised?”

Master sat beside me, as elegant and pristine as I remembered.

“But Master, you were…”

Her body had been cold as ice. Naturally, I’d thought she was dead.

“Ah yes, I nearly died. But what about you? I heard your limbs were broken.”

I tried moving my arms and legs. A sharp pain drew out a groan. The bones seemed to have knit together, though they hadn’t fully healed yet.

“You seem fine. Tougher than you look.”

“……”

“By the way, why were you calling for your master and crying so loudly? Did you think I had died?”

I remembered holding Master and crying. I could feel my face burning up to my ears.

Hadn’t Master lost consciousness?

Countless questions swirled through my mind, unresolved.

It was also surprising to see no trace of sadness in Master’s expression.

As expected, Master was mature and in control of her emotions.

“You were crying so pathetically too. And you call yourself a man.”

“That’s because…! You were poisoned…”

“Yes, and I nearly died before waking up.”

From what I heard, the guard patrol had rescued Master and me. They’d been immediately deployed when they saw the ground shaking and mana erupting from the demon territory.

Had my mana really burst through the primeval forest like that?

“Still, I understand how much my disciple cares for me.”

Master placed her hand firmly on my head.

“Rest. I’ll handle everything regarding Aen.”

Master handed me a bowl of medicine that had been sitting on the table. I accepted it while watching her expression carefully.

“What are you doing? Do you not want to drink medicine your master personally brewed?”

“That’s not it.”

“Then drink up.”

“Thank you, Master.”

I drained the medicine as soon as I finished speaking. The brown liquid left an intense bitter taste on my tongue. Soon fatigue began washing over me again.

“Get some sleep, Ethan. Your body should be fine by tomorrow.”

Master’s voice seemed to come from far away. Drowsiness hit me like I’d been given a sleeping pill. Was there a sleep aid in the medicine…?

“You need to meet the Family Head tomorrow, so rest well.”

The last I saw of Master, she wore a gentle smile.

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Midnight.

Sylvia gazed out the window of her room.

The castle was utterly silent, all the servants presumably asleep. She’d said everything she needed to say to Ethan.

Though the poison hadn’t fully left her system, she could move without much difficulty.

She had always been blessed with excellent stamina and recovery.

Moonlight cut across the room through a break in the clouds.

She roughly tied back her long silver hair. With a calm, cold resolve, she gripped her claymore.

‘Ethan… you foolish disciple. What were you…’

Sylvia recalled what she had seen. In her hazy consciousness, she had witnessed Ethan summoning the black knight.

‘Why do you command demon magic…?’

Her teeth ground together.

She could have cut him down right there without asking questions. But she wanted to be certain.

The cold handle steadied her mind.

Since childhood, holding a sword had always brought her peace. Sylvia turned and headed for the castle’s training grounds.

In the Linchester Castle training grounds,
A knight in black armor stood waiting.

Shhhing―

The silver blade of the claymore emerged from its sheath.

By Linchester Territory law, any undead discovered within its borders were to be executed on sight.

“After I cut off your limbs, I’ll ask about your relationship with my disciple.”

A pleased smile touched Sylvia’s lips. She always felt joy before battle.

“I am Lien Estar. Once a knight who protected the empire.”

“…Lien Estar? If you’re Lien, weren’t you a knight who protected the empire? Why does such a spirit hide in Ethan’s shadow?”

What has my disciple been doing?

Swallowing those words, Sylvia glared at her opponent with azure eyes.

“I have sworn loyalty to my lord Ethan.”

“Sworn loyalty to Lord Ethan? How amusing. What meaning could a dead man’s oath hold?”

Return the dead to where they belong.

With that conviction, Sylvia gripped her sword. Though her body wasn’t fully recovered, wielding a sword was no difficult task.

Sylvia and Lien faced each other.

The claymore pointed at Lien. She had no intention of avoiding this battle.

Lien’s red eyes met Sylvia’s. Two unwavering gazes exchanged strikes.

“Knight of Linchester, stand down. I do not engage in battle without my lord’s command.”

“Even in death, a warrior proves their worth through combat. Take up your weapon.”

She had no desire to continue the dialogue. Who knew what sweet words he might whisper to confuse her.

‘Further dialogue will only breed confusion.’

Sylvia’s heart pounded as her breathing quickened.

However it happened, Lien was a being revived by Gamigin’s Ruby. Faint demonic energy permeated his form.

‘Exterminate demons.’

The instinct sleeping in her bloodline awakened in response to the demonic energy. Blue mana surged behind Sylvia like a living organism.

Sylvia kicked off the ground. The distance closed in an instant.

The halberd clashed with the claymore.

A sharp metallic ring was accompanied by a tingling sensation in her wrist.

Red mana and blue mana took form, as if trying to devour each other.

Crash!

Sylvia had cast silence magic upon entering to minimize all traces.

Even at full force, the chance of anyone in the castle hearing was low.

Clang!

Lien swung his halberd wide, pushing back her sword. Sylvia retreated one step.

She closed the distance again, gripping her sword with both hands.

Linchester Swordsmanship Fourth Form: Sword Dance.

Blue mana erupted, enveloping the claymore. Sylvia’s movements were light, as if dancing.

Hard to believe she had been poisoned earlier that day.

A brief exchange of attacks followed. Her opponent responded calmly, as if knowing what techniques she would use.

Sparks flew from the clashing metal.

Tap―

Sylvia lightly stepped on the ground and spun her body. Her rotating blade drew consecutive semicircles, pressuring her opponent.

“Wield your weapon properly, spirit!”

The claymore grazed Lien’s armor.

The blade’s touch split the armor with a crack.

The blade cut through the air again, creating a silver arc of light.

Sylvia tracked behind Lien and spun. Her sword thrust upward.

The blade met the halberd’s shaft as they exchanged blows. Neither gave ground in terms of pure strength.

“Without my lord’s command, I will only protect myself.”

Sylvia ground her teeth.

This made her look like the villain.

Winning against an opponent like this wouldn’t feel like victory.

Crack―

Sylvia’s kick drove Lien back.

She kicked off the ground, pursuing her retreating opponent. Her sword flashed.

The distance was perfect.

Strike before he can recover his stance. She aimed for Lien’s left arm. The blue-tinged blade carved through his armor.

Slash―Thud.

The left arm fell limply to the floor.

Yet the knight stood without showing any pain or disturbance.

Sylvia slowly turned to face Lien.

Her opponent was clearly strong. But he wasn’t showing his true ability. She lowered her silver sword.

“Fight, spirit. I said wield your weapon properly.”

“…This is your victory.”

“Victory? You dare say victory? Are you mocking me!”

Those words reignited her fighting spirit. Unspoken words lingered on her lips.

Her opponent remained silent.

Even if she took his head, he would say nothing more.

Realizing this, Sylvia sheathed her sword.

“Very well, knight… I shall question your lord about these sins.”

Sylvia turned sharply and walked out. Her disciple had always been mysterious. What was he doing, going so far as to resurrect the dead?

Outside, Sylvia moved to return her claymore to its sheath.

She paused.

Only then did she notice the hairline cracks eating into the blade. Though minute, who knows what might have happened if the battle had continued.

If the blade had broken at a crucial moment…

The mere thought made her dizzy. This wasn’t a true victory.

If her opponent had fought seriously from the start, her sword might have shattered.

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Early morning.

Ethan hurriedly opened his eyes at Sylvia’s call. She sat in the chair, her gaze fixed on him. The same place she had sat yesterday.

“…Ethan.”

Ethan didn’t know how long she had been in the room.

Instinctively, he sensed the gravity of the situation. It had been a while since he’d seen Master this angry.

“Yes! Master. What brings you—”

As soon as Ethan tried to rise, Sylvia’s kick came rushing in. A kick showing no consideration for an injured patient.

Crash!

Ethan reflexively grabbed his sword and crossed his arms to block the kick. Still, he rolled across the floor with a loud crash.

Sylvia’s foot pressed down heavily on Ethan.

It was hard to breathe. The silver blade seemed to have been waiting for this moment as it pierced the floor past his neck. A chill ran down his spine.

This was certainly harsh treatment for an injured disciple.

“Tell me the truth, Ethan. What have you been doing?”

Sylvia’s silver hair brushed Ethan’s cheek as she leaned down. Close enough to feel her breath.

“What is this black knight?”

“…Master.”

“Speak. I am very angry right now. Have you made a pact with demons? I’m asking if your master’s disciple has been practicing dark arts.”

Ethan looked up into trembling blue eyes. Faint sadness swirled in them. It seemed tears might roll down her cheeks at any moment.

“No, I haven’t.”

“Then what is it? Did you make a deal with demons to save me? Even if you saved me, consorting with demons remains unforgivable. Do you truly wish to die by my hand?”

Crack! Sylvia grabbed Ethan’s neck and threw him against the wall. Ethan twisted in mid-air, using the wall to right himself.

From that position, he could have kicked off the wall and drawn his sword. Impressive. But Sylvia hid her surprise.

“Your… what is this growth?”

Sylvia spat the words as if chewing them. Intense mana rose behind her.

‘Clumsy lies won’t work.’

Ethan knew this from experience. Sylvia was uncannily quick to read others’ emotions.

Sylvia gripped her sword as if ready to strike at any moment.

If he weren’t her disciple, she would have already cut off a limb and begun the interrogation.

“I’ll tell you everything. Please calm down first.”

“Throw me the sword you’re holding. Right now I want nothing more than to kill you.”

Indeed, Sylvia felt her blood boiling with betrayal.

The sword in Ethan’s grip trembled slightly. The blade was still sheathed.

“I can’t do that.”

“You can’t? You dare defy your master’s order?”

“It’s not defiance. It’s because you taught me never to let go of my sword, no matter the situation.”

Sylvia’s fine brows drew together. But an amused curve touched her lips.

Keep your sword close even while sleeping. That had been Sylvia’s instruction.

“You betray your master yet make such clever excuses.”

“Master…”

“Your rate of growth is inexplicable without demon involvement.”

Ethan slowly knelt where he stood.

“If I speak falsely, let Master strike me down herself. But first, please hear what I have to say.”

Those black eyes held unwavering conviction. Meeting them, the killing intent surrounding Sylvia gradually softened.

“Speak from there. Tell me everything. What you’ve been doing all this time. Leave nothing out.”

Ethan revealed what had happened on Arvis Island.

How he got separated by the demon’s tricks and confronted the black knight, how after two battles he revived the black knight with the jewel.

Why they had no choice but to revive Lien. However, Ethan couldn’t reveal the final secret about himself and Arthur.

“…So that’s why you learned necromancy?”

“Yes.”

“……”

A heavy silence fell. Sylvia’s longsword returned to its sheath.

“I’ll reserve judgment on your crime of using demon arts.”

“…Thank you for forgiving me.”

“This isn’t forgiveness, you fool. I will cut you down the moment you turn to evil.”

Ethan couldn’t properly raise his head. After all, deceiving his master had been his sin.

Before being Ethan’s master, Sylvia was a member of the Linchester family.

“If I turn to evil, please do exactly that.”

“Not considering how it would pain me to cut you down. You never fail to talk back, do you?”

Sylvia bent down and placed her hand on her disciple’s head. A gesture showing her anger had subsided somewhat.

“Ethan, summon that black knight. I need to verify your words.”

At those words, Ethan stood and reached into the air.

His master watched with cold eyes. Ready to cut him down at the slightest suspicious move.

“Answer my call.”

At that command, Lien emerged from Ethan’s shadow. Lien dropped to one knee.

“My lord! All of this is my fault and failure.”

The left arm that had been cut off yesterday was perfectly reattached. As if it had never been severed.

“Lien, was it? Report to your lord what happened yesterday.”

Sylvia’s blue eyes glared at them both. Ethan heard from Lien about the previous night’s events.

While Ethan slept, the two had fought. Though Lien’s arm was cut off, it had healed.

Ethan listened silently as Lien explained everything.

“It’s all my fault, my lord. Please give me punishment.”

After long hesitation, Ethan spoke. He extracted a promise from Lien never to act alone again.

Finally, Ethan could ask what he was really curious about.

“But is your arm really okay?”

“It’s fine.”

A Chaos Knight’s regenerative abilities far surpassed a Death Knight’s. Reattaching limbs wasn’t particularly difficult. Watching them, Sylvia scratched the back of her head.

Somehow she felt like she’d gained another foolish disciple.

“Go wash up and prepare for breakfast, you hopeless disciple.”

At those words, Ethan shakily got to his feet. Sylvia glanced around before asking quietly.

“…Did it hurt much?”

“I’m fine. I’m just sorry to have worried you.”

“…My heart was torn at the thought of having to cut you down.”

There was nothing he could say to that. Ethan kept his head bowed low as he followed Sylvia’s steps.

“Ethan, come. The Family Head is asking for you.”

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