The Demon Lord of the Swordsmanship Family Chapter 82
William’s Spirit units swiftly moved through the air.
Wherever a Fire Spirit passed, flames would linger; wherever a Water Spirit passed, droplets remained.
An Earth Spirit would leave behind dust, and a Wind Spirit would summon gusts of wind.
Hydro-Earth-Aero-Pyro.
The four great elemental Spirits expanded their reach as they flexed their dominance.
Approximately dozens of Spirits—enough to be called an army—moved in perfect synchronization, attacking and pressuring the enemy.
By increasing the number of low-tier Spirits, placing mid-tier Spirits to manage the lower ones, and then adding high-tier Spirits to control the mid-tier ones, they formed what was known as a pyramid command structure.
This was the hallmark of the “Palace’s” unique Spirit Mastery.
Contrary to the European ‘Magic Tower,’ which emphasizes a bond with Spirits, the American ‘Palace’ prioritizes combat effectiveness.
To illustrate, while the European Magic Tower treats Spirits like “pets,” the Palace views them strictly as “weapons.”
This harsh approach has earned the Palace criticism from many Spirit Masters in Europe, yet its effectiveness is undeniable.
Otherwise, how could the Palace and the Tower have jointly divided the Spirit domain?
And central to the Palace’s Spirit Mastery was the concept of “Artificial Spirits.”
Currently, the Spirit beside William epitomized this.
“Chris, push harder.”
– Kyaak! Shhhiiik~ Shhhiiik~
It had the head of a snake, wings, and arms and legs sprouting from its body.
It resembled a Western ‘Dragon,’ but it lacked the majesty of one. Standing about two feet tall, its wings flapped weakly, and it almost appeared cute.
This dragon-like Spirit was named Chris—Christopher William’s Artificial Spirit.
“Drive them toward the forest.”
– Kiiyaahaaaak-!!
As Chris cried out, William’s Spirit army intensified their attacks even further.
This was the function of an Artificial Spirit: to serve as a control tower, managing and commanding all other Spirits on behalf of their master.
As previously mentioned, the higher a Spirit’s rank, the more distinct its sense of self becomes. By the time a Spirit reaches the higher ranks, it no longer accepts commands. One must make requests instead.
Even then, the Spirit may decline, depending on its temperament and character. There are also instances where their interpretation of the request strays far from the original intent.
Typically, such idiosyncrasies might be laughed off. However, on a battlefield where every second could mean life or d*ath, this is a fatal flaw.
This is why many Spirit Masters from the European Magic Tower prioritize “bonding.” Through long-term cultivation of mutual understanding, Masters can more effectively give instructions to their Spirits. It’s akin to a long-time friend who cannot refuse your request.
It is, in a way, a compromise.
On the other hand, America did not compromise. They took the issue seriously and decided a fundamental change was needed.
Thus, Artificial Spirits were created—Spirits made directly by their Masters.
These Artificial Spirits never disobey their commands.
Why? Because the Master is their mother, father, creator.
Whereas ordinary Spirits dissolve into nature when recalled, Artificial Spirits retreat into the Master’s internal Mana Core.
This Artificial Spirit, created solely for the Master, sits atop the hierarchy, governing all the Spirits below it.
That is the core principle behind Made-in-America “Spirit Armies.”
And yet…
Isn’t this mechanism oddly familiar?
Isn’t it reminiscent of something?
That’s right.
This resembles Park Ki-hyuk’s External Mana Core—”Body,” with remarkable similarity.
“Humans seem to evolve in similar directions when you look at things like this.”
Of course, this only pertains to the mechanism.
On the opposite side stood the notorious Great Demons—far beyond the realm of the soft and fluffy Spirits.
Did this offend the two-foot-tall Chimera floating nearby? It began to bawl and wail.
– My pride is wounded! My pride is wounded!
“You can’t even handle Skeletons well.”
– I can do it! I can do it!
Closer to Beasts than Demons, these Chimeras lack a high intellect but excel in physical abilities.
In other words, they’re brutish. And yet, they were trying to take command?
Park Ki-hyuk smirked.
“Well, it might be interesting. Give it a try.”
– Thank you! Thank you!
As Park Ki-hyuk handed over control, the Chimera took command.
At that moment, the dim red lights in the nearby Skeletons’ eyes shifted to a fierce crimson.
Kiiiiiiiaaaaaaa-!!
They roared. They charged forward.
The Skeletons, who had been restrained by chains in the shadows, now surged forward, flailing their chains wildly.
The Spirits, startled by the Skeletons’ unexpected aggression, retreated, unsure of how to respond.
The battle formation crumbled.
Emboldened by this turn of events, the Chimera urged the Skeletons on with even more fervor.
– Smash! Smash!
Massive bundles of chains coalesced, falling with cataclysmic force.
Kwaaaaaaang-!!
Kwaaang! Kwaaang-!!
The ground trembled, crying out for salvation as the chain-clusters repeatedly smashed down.
However, amidst this relentless assault, William remained calm and composed.
“Chris.”
– Shhhiiiiik~
William quickly dispersed the Spirit army and used elemental magic to buy some time. Simultaneously, he repositioned his Spirits to form a containment perimeter, gradually pressuring the Skeleton army.
The tide of the battle was shifting. As time went on, the advantage clearly favored William’s Spirit army.
– That can’t be! That can’t be!
The Chimera sputtered, unable to accept the reality, while Park Ki-hyuk watched indifferently.
Of course, it was no surprise. On one side, you have Beasts with no strategy aside from brute force; on the other, humans trained in systematic and large-scale tactics.
The superiority was painfully obvious. The results speak for themselves.
Park Ki-hyuk’s interest, however, lay elsewhere.
“That orb is acting as a Mana Core?”
A floating orb beside William.
A bizarre red sphere with a purplish mouth was sucking in Mana as it chewed and filtered it, refining it before feeding it to William. This device solved the longstanding problem of Mana deficiency for Spirit Masters.
Indeed, during their last encounter, William could barely fight for an hour. Yet, in this battle, he had maintained full power for nearly two hours.
“Pushing the Mana Drain system to its limits, huh. Rather than spreading it thin, it’s better to focus on one thing. Well done.”
Clearly, this world excelled in crafting tools and artifacts more so than even the Empire.
“By the way…”
Park Ki-hyuk’s gaze shifted back to the battle. His focus landed not on the enemy but on their sides, specifically on the battered Skeleton army under relentless bombardment by the Spirits.
The Skeleton army, dispersing black chains to defend themselves, was struggling. The Spirits, forming precise angles, relentlessly bombarded them. The attack resembled a bombardment more than anything else.
Moreover, the bombardment wasn’t of a single element but a mix of the four great elements: Water, Earth, Wind, Fire. Such unpredictable attacks were bound to breach even the sturdiest defenses.
The chains shattered. The Skeletons were gradually being overwhelmed, driven to the fringes where they were receiving a brutal pounding.
In a last-ditch effort, they transformed into shadows and attempted to flee into the sky. But the sky belonged to the Spirits. It was futile.
They were in danger.
The Spirits’ advance had now reached Park Ki-hyuk.
Yet, amidst this crisis, Park Ki-hyuk had an epiphany.
“Ah!”
The Skeletons he had been commanding were feeling… sad. Distressed.
Was it because of the pain? No, it didn’t seem to be that.
Rather…
“They’re frustrated.”
They were frustrated because they could fight better, move better, yet were being beaten down. Their frustration and anger stemmed from the injustice of their situation.
Simultaneously, they were pleading with Park Ki-hyuk.
To lead them.
If he were to lead them, they were willing to burn everything they had to take down the enemy before them.
“Incredible…”
Could Skeletons truly harbor emotions? It was an entirely unfamiliar sensation.
Could something like this even be possible?
Park Ki-hyuk questioned himself, but no answer came. How could he provide one when he had never experienced it?
He focused even harder.
A Skeleton whose arm melted under the fire of Spirit flames filled with murderous intent, striking down with the chain on its left arm.
Another Skeleton, whose legs were frozen by ice, thrashed about, expressing its desire to continue fighting.
And the one crushed by a mound of dirt left behind a trace of regret before disintegrating.
Through these sensations of emotion, Park Ki-hyuk perceived their will.
And then…
“Ah…”
He understood.
This was what Jin Do-ha had spoken of—”the will of Mana.”
This was also what his mentor had referred to as “the words of Mana.”
In that instant, Park Ki-hyuk’s eyes opened slightly. It was as if something that had been clinging to him had been peeled away, bringing clarity.
“…Chimera, stand down.”
Reluctantly, the Chimera retreated, handing back control of the Skeleton army to Park Ki-hyuk. But the world he saw now was different.
How had he treated them before? Calling them the Demon Lord’s forces, did he truly see them as allies? Or as expendable units ready to break anytime?
He called out.
“Skeletons.”
Not as expendable units.
He called them as allies.
“Rise.”
The darkness that had enveloped their bodies fluttered like a curtain and dissipated, revealing a well-ordered army of Skeletons, their eye lights blazing.
Their emotions became clear.
– Give orders.
To this, Park Ki-hyuk responded sincerely.
“Destroy.”
The neatly aligned Skeletons dissolved into darkness momentarily before enveloping the sky. The broken sky cracked open as rivers of chain rain poured down, drowning the Spirits in chaos.
“I begin to understand now.”
The meaning of loving Mana…
Watching the shattered sky, Park Ki-hyuk smiled.
*
Park Su-hyeok was on the move.
“Cannibalistic angels? What do you mean, son? Explain it to me in simpler terms.”
Feeling the fine sand beneath his feet, he strolled casually on the white beach.
“Who else knows about this? Ki-hyuk and Yoori… Look, we shouldn’t mention it just yet. You know how much trouble it’d cause if word got out about them wandering outside. Right? But there’s no proof! No proof.”
The salty sea breeze tossed his hair.
“Mom investigated it. On the surface, it’s clean. Nothing seems out of the ordinary.”
Adjusting his belt that held the sword sheath, he quickened his pace.
“But I found a lead in an unexpected place.”
As Park Ki-hyuk sped up, a white feather glimmered in his pocket.
“This… feather. It was sent by your dad a few days ago.”
He hesitated for a moment.
“Dad was investigating something… Celu…”
“Celutis.”
Suddenly, faint footsteps approached from all sides, slowly encircling Park Su-hyeok.
Despite the encroaching danger, his gaze remained fixed on the sky.
The bright sunlight warmed the area.
A shadow, colossal in size, hovered in front of the sun.
An Angel.
No, a monster pretending to be an angel.
“I’ve found you.”
Park Su-hyeok gripped his sword.
For a brief moment, his hair shimmered in a golden hue.
Golden energy then surged forth, enveloping the world.
