Millie, the girl who bore witness to our battle for the title of a Sword Saint was now talking to the executives in the Holdanis Association of Swordsmanship, or HAS for short. It was a part of the military, with not only the best swordsmen of Holdanis working for it, but many top dogs like generals of the region. Even Lucidel is affiliated with them, as it is the most prestigious association in the entire region, and the best one in terms of swordsmanship in the entirety of Eviansis.
Usui had to give up his title of Sword Saint to me, crowning me with a world record incomparable to the past one that Yue Zue holds.
The entire process took a few days, as I didn't have any past records. My legitimacy for the title had to be checked by an innumerable number of people, going through so many checks and validations that I almost gave up on the idea altogether.
After a few days, I was called to the association to finally stamp my papers and officially make me a Sword Saint. Yue Zue was there, along with Usui. I wanted to see Guille, but was disappointed to see only these two, along with another Sword Saint which I've never met. In the presence of two current Sword Saints and one past one, I felt important. I laughed at the idea, as I didn't care even the slightest about things like that while Amon fumed because he couldn't get a cool title like that.
"As I've said, I only need this to access the information on the Dreamer through the red-eyes," I defend myself.
"Oh you!!" he shakes his head in frustration, "One day I'll become an archdemon like my grandpa!" he points his index finger at me.
"Aren't there only three archdemons alive, including your grandpa?" I ask, remembering his stories.
There is a peculiar hierarchy in Hell, with layers that reach the top, where archdemons are nestled. The first layer is regular demons, which are mostly non-enlightened, demon dukes which are all higher beings, Demon Lords that are a title deserving of capital letters in the title. Most Demon Lords have their own stigmata, and above them are Circle Lords, Demon Lords that lead the circles of Hell, each one of them having one of the 9.
Above the Circle Lords are archdemons, beings that are beyond only ruling a single higher dimension, entities that transcend our every comprehension of power.
Azazel—Amon's grandpa—is the strongest archdemon, a being that stands over a number of demons which surpasses that of worldly beings in Eviansis. Screw Eviansis, Hell has more demons than there are beings in the entire Overworld.
For Amon to claim that he'll become an archdemon one day is like me claiming to become stronger than all of the Hands, a seemingly impossible task.
Still, he haughtily asserts his claim.
"And I'll be the fourth. No measly Sword Saint could ever hope to stand above my knees, the ones of a future archdemon!"
The main association building we were in was the closest building to the royal palace, in the main city of Holdanis. From the top floor, you could see the arena where the tournament was held, and in the distance, my old school. The mansion where Rache and I had lived was out of view, but was also a part of this city.
The whole center of Holdanis was around me, and now I could clearly see the heavily guarded royal palace.
"So this is where King Grey lived, and where his right hand—Anul—now resides," I say while pressing my right hand on the acrylic window of the association.
"Kind of ironic how his right hand doesn't use a sword," Amon notes, joining me by also staring through the window.
Anul allegedly didn't use a sword when he fought, which is weird. Why didn't Grey choose a swordsman to be his right hand?
"Adam!" a voice calls out for me.
It was my guide through the association, a well dressed woman in a black suit. She had a small, elegantly printed sword on the front upper left portion of her suit.
"You will receive a pendant that every Sword Saint has, one that previously belonged to Usui," she notes, getting me ready for the ceremony.
"All of this for that anticlimactic battle," Amon scoffs, insulting the Sword Saints for being so weak.
The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.
"They are not weak. These are the best swordsmen in the entire kingdom. Besides, not all of them are that weak," I say while entering the giant room where a magnitude of people sat in their chairs, expecting my arrival.
I was used to giant crowds since my mother held many speeches in Eclipsia. There would be thousands of people surrounding her, while she projected her voice magically.
Yue Zue, Usui and another Sword Saint were on the stage, welcoming me. Amon had to wait in the first row, crossing his arms in indignation.
"Welcome to the highest title," Yue Zue offers his hand and introduces himself.
I already knew him from my past life where he fought Helios, and knew his fighting style.
Of course, I revealed none of it, simply accepting the handshake from all three of them.
"Honestly, I'm happy to give my title to a prodigy like yourself," Usui admits.
He was a polite and good guy, although with a slightly prideful attitude that all Sword Saints carry. Still, he possessed humility and could get over his defeat, even if it was by a 12 year old.
The doors to the auditorium burst open, as everyone inside turned their head towards the loud intruder.
"Ah! Sorry I'm late!" the guy yells out, running quickly towards the stage.
The guards begin to step in front of him to stop the man, but quickly retreat once they realize who he is.
A man with straight white hair and loose robes almost trips while running up the stage. The other Sword Saint which stood next to me walks out, bowing before the man.
"Master!" he says.
This was another Sword Saint, named Cidion. He was extremely tall, at least 192 cm and carried a sword beneath his robes that I got a look at when he extended his hand.
"Belin, not in front of all these people. For Heaven's sake, you're also a Sword Saint!"
He extends his hand, introducing himself to me. Cidion was different, as I could guess he was at least in the top 3 Sword Saints. A suppressed aura that was at least as strong as Lucidel's, and no openings in his evidently clumsy stance.
"Adam, nice to meet you."
"What a strong aura!" his icy blue eyes flash as I feel a gaze on my hidden aura.
I quickly retract my hand, taking a step back.
"Oh, I'm sorry, didn't mean to alarm you. I had to see the new 12 year old Sword Saint and his power for myself," he huffs from running here, stretching his back.
I look to my right, at Amon. I smile, because Cidion took any stereotypes that Amon had about Sword Saints down, with an aura stronger than him.
"Ooh, is that strong demon your friend?" Cidion asks while glaring at Amon.
How can he see him from all the lights? The obvious answer would be by sensing his aura, but Amon could hide it better than anyone. Even I would have trouble discerning his aura when he hides it. Cidion can just take a glance and uncover him, probably owing to his icy eyes. It must be a spell that allows him to unveil any stealth.
As I returned with the same courtesy, I could see that Cidion has a manapool bigger than a barrel and a half, deeper than my own. His hidden aura was insane, so I was cautious.
-
I had to give a small speech, which I've written and rehearsed beforehand. In the speech, I told only pure lies, fabricating my origins and story, lying about my goals and ideals. There wasn't even a tinge of truth hidden within, so I easily gave the speech without feeling exposed.
The audience cheered and took many pictures, since this was something unseen for more than the last thousand years. Never in the history of Eviansis, and even before I was born, during the era of the 7 great kingdoms.
Cidion leaned in, putting a hand between his mouth and the audience.
"Sounds a bit made up. Not to worry, since they will bite your story like the idiots they are," he nods at the audience.
"Is there something you want?" I ask him.
"Not a thing!" he flails his hands defensively, "I just want to see the new generation, that's all. If Stella was here, she would be elated to find out a new prodigy has risen."
Stella, the left hand of Grey, and the strongest Sword Saint in existence.
"Are you friends with the Hand?" I ask.
"Oh god, no! I could never call her a friend. She is so strong and so obedient to those Rulers that she can be called an acquaintance at best. Still, I know her enough to say that she would be interested in your story."
If Cidion says that she's strong, I can only imagine Stella's true might. The left Hand of Grey and the strongest Sword Saint, it's a shame I don't get to meet her now.
The reason she didn't come here is because she was one of the Hands that left with the Rulers, somewhere outside of the Overworld.
After the ceremony, Amon joined Cidion and me in the back. Yue Zue, Belin and Usui tended to their own business after talking to me for a bit and wishing the best of luck.
"Fight me!" Amon orders at Cidion.
"What a feisty young man. I can do that for you, but not here. We can duke it out in the arena closeby tomorrow," Cidion accepts.
"You have no chance against him," I chortle, "But I did promise to get you stronger, and this is the best experience you'll get."
"I'll also beat you tomorrow, so don't get on your high horse," he crosses his arms.
"Greed is a deadly sin, although I suppose you would know him personally," I laugh.
"Greed is a weak Demon Lord!" Amon scoffs.
"What a lively duo," Cidion comments.
I turn back to our conversation, asking Cidion how he knows Stella.
"I fought against her a few times, and was her follower. She is the best swordsman you can possibly imagine."
"You fought against a Hand!?" I shout.
"I can imagine one better, King Grey!" Amon cuts in.
"I fought him too, but only once. He can't be considered a swordsman though, as no one's ever seen his sword move, or his hand during battle. His sword technique is something so disgusting that I never want to witness it again. He far surpasses the concept of swordsmanship," Cidion sighs.
"You fought King Grey!?" I yell even louder.