The Next Day...

Morning.

Immediately the next day, me and Alis were at our usual meeting point and I had begun her training. She was currently practicing sword posture — well, correct sword posture that I somehow already knew. This was the first thing I had noticed that Merlin did not teach Alis, the posture. She was a mess — her shoulders were too stiff, her knees way too low, her way of holding the sword was incorrect — honestly I could go on and on about the incorrect nature of her knowledge about posture that she I assume gained from Merlin.

This is why you don't entrust a fucking sorcerer with teaching anything about swordsmanship... Now, of course, there was the possibility that she was being taught a specific swordsmanship style, however I didn't know what that style could possibly be, since she was terrible at holding the sword and could barely swing it - shocker. An 8 year old can barely swing a sword?

Who would have thought.

Well — anyways, the Swordsmanship style I decided to teach her to use was a unique style which had been created by the Devil Knight Dvirt. He called the style 'Unidark Style' as far as I remembered. It was a style of Swordsmanship which didn't require any magic at all and could be used with basically any sword. It was one which perfectly struck the balance between being really, really strong and fantastic at giving agility and movement, which is something not many swordsmanship styles can achieve.

How did I know how to pull it off myself? Simple.

When Dvirt had created his swordsmanship style, he had requested that the Demon King of Sins has a mock battle with him to show it off.

That fight was obviously won by the Avis Virtiosa, who was using one of his 2 own swordsmanship styles called 'Devilon Style' to overpower Dvirt, however Dvirts swordsmanship managed to put up a fight against Avis Virtiosas swordsmanship, which earned Dvirt the Demon King of Sins recognition.

But that all is unimportant right now, what is important is that Avis Virtiosa had memorized the whole swordsmanship style that Dvirt was using from that mock battle and was perfectly able to replicate it. Which... Now that I think about it, makes Avis Virtiosa a menace beyond belief when wielding a sword. He has 3 styles he is a master at using, 2 of which are completely his unique ones and another which is strong enough to put up a fight against his unique ones.

...Man, I guess I got quite lucky as far as powers go.

Alis was still practicing to hold on the correct posture, with me walking around her while holding a stick, lightly hitting or tapping any part which was incorrect in her posture. I said I would teach her, I never said I would go easy on her. Sure she's an 8 year old, but she looked insanely determined to.... I assume make me proud or something, but I actually couldn't tell via her expression alone this time around.

"Your shoulders are way too stiff still, you need to relax your muscles as much as possible - otherwise you could end up getting some real bad muscle cramps, which - speaking from having seen it before - are not fun to deal with."

Alis: "O-Okay!.. I'm trying.."

She replied, before relaxing a bit more. Dvirts style relied on the user not tensing up their body practically at all, as it was a style meant for agility and power, not standing in one place showdowns.

Alis continued to stand still, correcting her mistakes one by one, while also slowly loosening up her muscles, so they weren't as tensed up anymore. However, there was still one glaring mistake or weakness which shined through her current posture — The way she held the sword. I assume that Merlin had been teaching her a style which relied on both hands holding the sword, however in this style I was teaching her, the sword was only being held by one hand — usually the right one.

This was because this style was also perfect for dual wielding swords, which played a part in the whole agility and high power philosophy. In fact, Dvirt would usually use one sword, but when he saw that he wouldn't win with just one, he would split his sword into two before using the same style, just dual wielding weapons now.

And let me tell you — Dual Wielding made this style so much deadlier, despite not much else changing.

Anyways.... Back to how Alis was doing so far in terms of managing to keep the correct posture for this swordsmanship style — she was managing to correct all her other mistakes only leaving the way she was holding her sword as the only mistake she had left to correct.

I walked up to her, before lightly taking a hold of her arms and pulling on off of the swords hilt, with her almost dropping the sword as soon as letting go with one arm, however managed to keep a hold of it, as I lowered her other arm to her side, before lowering her arm with the sword, down lower infront of her.

"This style relies on you using the sword with one hand only, to increase your ability to move during a fight. So, I suggest you keep your blade low and don't raise it too high, to ensure that your movement and momentum is preserved whenever you are in a fight."

I stated, before letting go off her arms and backing up a bit. Alis looked at me and nodded with a smile. Then I exhaled.

"Alright, now stand still and then re-enter the posture all by yourself with no mistakes."

I stated, with Alis shedding a sweat before looking at me with slight nervousness in her eyes. The girl gulped, before breaking her posture and standing still, with her arms to her sides. I watched as she stood perfect still, hesitating to move even a muscle while sweating.

I had actually wondered whether or not I had accidentally scared or stressed her out by saying to take the posture again with no mistakes this time... However my worries were put aside, as Alis took in a deep breath and exhaled, before slowly beginning to enter the posture — placing her left foot slightly behind her right, while loosing up her muscles and shoulders, placing her left arm behind her slightly and finally, placing her right arm, which was gripping the sword, infront of herself and keeping it low to her waist. Finally, she slightly lowered her head, before opening her eyes and looking at me.

....Impressive — despite all the trouble to get to this point and her clearly nervous nature spilling out like a shooken fizzy drink, she managed to take the posture completely without a single mistake in sight. Not bad for an 8 year old.

I applauded her, before walking up to her and lightly patting her head.

"Good job Alis. We can take a break now."

I stated, with Alis almost immediately brightening up with a wide smile across her face, brimming like a bright sunshine. She then quickly sheathed the sword I had given her for training back into the sheathe which was on the ground, before running after me as I sat down onto the boulder.

She ran up to the boulder a moment or two after I had sat down, placing the sheathed sword against the boulder before climbing onto it and sitting down next to me. As soon as she sat down, I looked behind us, before picking up and bringing forward a basket full of fruit and cookies that Alis had brought with her from home. It had apples and pears, which were combined with small pile of cookies that she had apparently baked herself with the help of her mother.

Gotta say, the cookies looked really good for being made by an 8 year old. Now of course, it was pretty much impossible to know how much she actually did of the baking and how much her mother did, but if it was mainly her doing it....

Not bad for an 8 year old. She's a fast learner.

We began to slowly munch on the cookies with Alis also taking indulgence in the two apples in the basket, as I had stated that I wouldn't want my apple that she had brought. The sun eventually hit the sky directly above us, signifying the middle of the day. Me and Alis were watching the sky together, simply naming what clouds looked like up in the blue sky.

I could see that Alis was having a lot of fun while doing this, but I also couldn't help but ask myself - was she still even hanging out with her friends that she had? Maybe I should ask her...

But before I could ask anything, Alis reached out to me before lightly tugging on my left sleeve, catching my attention.

"Hm? What is it Alis?"

Alis: "Well, I just wanted to know... How do you know to use a sword Mis... Master Valor?"

....I know I said I would be her 'Master' in the ways of a sword, but being called that is making me feel like I will get fucking arrested and thrown into jail. Her calling me that without context will definitely give many, many individuals the wrong idea.

Anyways — ignoring the possibility of me being put in jail because an 8 year old called me her Master, I was a bit taken back by her question. I already knew that she was a curious individual, both from hanging out with her like this and from what I had learned about her from the games main story while playing as the protagonist. However, I was a bit lost on how I would explain how I had learned to use a sword. I do remember there being some lore about how Avis Virtiosa had learned his way with the blade, but I do not remember what it was...

Even if I technically had the memories of all events that had transpired with Avis like I was there to witness them, most of the really old ones were a bit fuzzy and only randomly would be 're unlocked' or something similar.

"To be honest with you, the Swordsmanship style I am teaching you isn't mine. It was created by someone I know, who showed it off to me a long time ago."

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

I started, looking off to the forest infront of us, while Alis listened on carefully.

"He had shown it off to me during a mock battle between us both, which is when I memorised the style for later use. As to knowing how to use a sword myself with a style of my own..."

I looked at Alis, before exhaling and smiling lightly.

"I suppose I learnt it over time — from hard and long training. Which is why you should also make sure you don't laze around and learn it as much as possible and practice as much as possible. You won't learn anything if you are lazy about it."

I stated, adding in an additional comment at the end which caused Alis to laugh a bit nervously, before standing up on the boulder we were sitting on, before looking at me and with a big, wide smile plastered over her face.

Alis: "I promise to give it my best Mis... Master Valor!"

She stated, correcting herself once again at the 'Mister' part when refering to me. I exhaled, before chuckling lightly. Her determination to not give up easily and courage to keep doing something was admirable. It once again reminded me of how my little sister used to act.

I then sighed, before getting up from the boulder and looking at Alis.

"Come up, pick up your blade. Let's continue training before the sun sets."

I stated, before turning away and walking back out into the field. Alis quickly hopped off the boulder, before grabbing the sheathed sword and running after me, catching up before we reached far enough in the open field to continue her training for today.

...Strange isn't it? I am practically training my own death over here.... Well, if she ever does get a hold of the Sacred Blade and stands against me...

I hope she atleast gives me a satisfying death.

Even if my death would result in a global catastrophe.

• • • • • •

- - - -

Summoned to Another World, but as the Final Boss

- - - -

• • • • • •

2 Years later...

The Dark Lands territory...

I was getting ready inside the castle, putting on the coat and outfit that I would usually wear whenever I went to meet Alis. It had been 2 years since I decided to start teaching her the way with a sword with a swordsmanship style called 'Unidark Style'. Over these 2 years that I've trained her in this style, I also learned that Merlin stepped down from training her and entrusted Gilgamesh to continue training her in the Swordsmanship style which was taught to all the kingdoms knights.

It was an inferior style to the 'Unidark Style' as it relied heavily on you basically charging in like a kamikaze idiot who had no regard for your own safety and only cared about killing the enemy.

Anyways... Today was a more... Unique day, to say the least. Me and Alis weren't meeting up in our usual place and instead were meeting up inside the kingdom itself, as we were going to go and do some shopping and what not in the kingdoms center. The shopping wasn't for a new outfit or weapon as you'd expect — those two I will have Ghurt prepare for her. Now, it will be one hell of a task to convince him to actually make the weapon and outfit without him getting suspicious, however I think I will be able to pull it off.

....I hope, at least.

Now I can already hear you all asking — but wait, wasn't I able to enter the kingdom even with a disguise spell active because of that barrier and all those sorcerers around?

How in the world would I get around that?

Well, this is an issue I had already been trying to tackle ever since my encounter with Merlin that one time near the kingdom. Yes, for the last 2 years, I had been trying to find a way to bypass all of this. And I had successfully done it — after extensive research in magic and with the help of Ghurt and another one of my subordinates named 'Alava' who was an expert in magic, having the title 'Devils Summoner'. With their help, I had developed this.

I picked up a small bracelet which made from gold as its frame, while there was black crystal quartz being used for its inner material of the band, with a small dark purple gem in the middle. This, was what I like to call 'The Bracelet of Misguidance'. With it, I can easily... Well, not disguise myself, that I will have to do with the disguise spell.

But, it allows me to completely block my aura, making it impossible for anyone to actually pick up on my presence or my aura.

This would also eliminate the danger of tha barrier, as it would also remove any leakage from the disguise spell as soon as I activate it.

I put on the bracelet onto my right arm, before looking at it with slight admiration. Not only was it really useful and functional, but it also just looked really nice. If this didn't need to be a bracelet with functions, it could easily act as jewellery that I'd probably wear just for the hell of it.

As I was basically done getting ready, Emily suddenly walked into the room, bringing in some clean sheets for my bed.

"Good morning Emily. Is everything alright so far in the castle?"

Emily walked up to my bed, before placing the clean sheets onto a chair near it. Then, she turned to face me afterwards with a smile across her face.

Emily: "Good morning Your Excellence, I am happy to report that everything in the castle is peaceful and that the Dark Lands territory has not been touched by any neighbouring kingdoms and nations."

Well, those are some good news to start the day off on. I quickly fixed my coat and then turned to face Emily.

"That's good to hear."

Emily: "If you don't mind me asking your Excellence, are you going somewhere today?"

I nodded in response, quickly adjusting my coats left sleeve a bit.

"Indeed I am - and I will be gone pretty much the whole day, so I want you to keep an eye on the castle in my presence."

I stated, before walking over to the rooms door, with Emily bowing before me lightly. However, as soon as I placed my right hand onto the door handle, Emily suddenly spoke again.

Emily: "May I inquire on where you're going your Excellence?"

....This question was expected.

I slightly turned to look at Emily, before turning to face her fully.

"I am off to meet up with the Golden Dragon Saint. She has requested an audience with me again, only this time in the Dragon Kingdom. So I decided to head over there today all alone to speak with her."

I replied. Emily didn't say anything in return after this, only giving me a look of approval, before bowing before again.

Emily: "Then I wish you a good day your Excellence."

I nodded in response, opening the door before leaving it and closing it afterwards. Thank god Emily bought my lie — it would have been a problem had she kept pushing.

Well, anyway, time to move out.

I used the 'Ring of Teleportation' again, teleporting instantly out of the castle, before appearing just on the outskirts of the Kingdom of Evelia. I was going to enter the kingdom under the name of 'Valor' - a swordsmanship prodigy. The second part was something I thought of a week ago, in order to explain why I was teaching Alis the way of the sword.

Because, let's be real — a random ass dude who is very experienced in the ways of a sword teaching a child, was quite a... Well, suspicious thing. If I had no explanation for how I am so skilled with a blade, then they may assume that I was some nefarious criminal or something.

Anyways, I looked at the Kingdom in the distance, before exhaling and activating the disguise spell, my body sort of blurring out and fuzzing, while my skeletal appearence was slowly masked by light, human skin, with a couple of marks which resembled scars — just to add some dramatic effect. My face was the biggest change however, as with my disguise spell, I managed to completely transform it, from a skeletal appearence, to a somewhat young looking man, with a few scars across his face, blue eyes and light grey hair, which was relatively short.

This would be my appearance as Valor the Swordsman while inside the Kingdom of Evelia. And who knows, maybe it could come in handy if I ever decide to sign up for the Adventurer Guild to gain more information or something.

Now that my disguise was up and my aura from myself and the disguise spell was completely eliminated, I was ready to head into the Evelia with no trouble at all. Or at least....

I hope so anyway.

I began to march on towards the Kingdom, leaving the outskirts and entering the Evelia Kingdom capitals territory. Let's see if I can pull off the non suspicious human act.

When I reached the main gates of the capital, I had to show the guards there a fake identification I had forged just the night before. In that identification, I had created all the necessary information that was needed to pass the security check at the capitals gates, while also having my profession as 'Mercenary' as that was something you didn't need to sign up to anywhere in order to have as a profession. All you needed was valid proof of you being recognised as one by a kingdoms guards.

Luckily for me, I did actually meet up with the Golden Dragon Saint around a month or so ago, and in that meet up I had requested that the Dragon Kingdoms guards recognise an individual by the name of 'Valor' as a mercenary. I had told her that Valor was an acquaintance of mine who had approached me recently, asking for help, so I couldn't turn him down. Luckily, Litoya didn't ask many questions and had completed my request, so I could write down myself as a Mercenary recognised by the Dragon Kingdoms guards.

With all this, the guards infront of the Evelia gates didn't really question me that much and simply checked my documents, before letting me pass through into the kingdoms capital itself. And the moment I made it inside, I was met with a view like I had never seen before.

The streets were crowded with a lot of people, all going on about their days, moving to where they had to. It was such a lively atmosphere.

All sorts of different workers were walking about, doing their things, market stalls were busy selling their goods to others — it was a sight you would never find in the Dark Lands or the Demon Castle, as my castle and territory mainly focused on sharpening my army and patrolling the territory to ensure that no other nations or kingdoms were pulling any kind of stunt.

I moved through the kingdoms street, keeping my left hand onto the hilt of a sheathed sword I had on my waist, just to not make it suspicious that I am an apparent swordsman prodigy, but I don't carry a sword. The sword itself was one I had grabbed from Ghurts workshop — it was just a basic one that my army would usually use.

Ghurt did make a ruckus about it and said that I shouldn't use a sword made for pawns and that he would make me a blade worthy of me, however I declined my offer.

I need a blade to show off, not to use exactly.

And besides, even if this sword was one that small fry soldiers would use in my army, it was still very, very durable and strong, as it was forged with Blackstone, a mineral only found in the Dark Lands.

And yes, I had thought of a way to explain how I have a sword forged with a mineral that's found in the territory of the Demon King of Sins - I am not that stupid.

As I moved through the streets, it wasn't long before I reached the agreed upon meeting spot, where me and Alis had to meet up at before heading out.

And by the looks of it, I was here first, so I was going to have to wait for Alis to show up... Like usually.

Honestly, that girl was everything but time efficient. She was always either a bit late or just straight up too soon. I have no clue how someone has such little sense of time. However, with all I just said, Alis didn't take ages to show up this time and instead came running towards me a little bit later, panting lightly.

She was wearing a completely new training outfit, which was given to her by Gilgamesh on her birthday. Speaking of which, I had also gifted her something for her birthday this year, being a small dove clip which I could spot she was wearing in her hair. When I asked her what she told her parents about it, she responded that she had simply stated that a 'Friend' had given it to her.

Smart from a 10 year old.

Alis: "So sorry! I got caught up with Mister Gilgamesh..."

"Ah, it is fine."

I replied, looking down at her with a smile. Something else the disguise spell had changed is my voice. It went from a rather deep, somewhat gurgling and distorted one to a normal male human voice which simply sounded a bit... Rough. But it wasn't that deep or gurgling anymore.

"Shall we get going now?"

I asked, looking at Alis. The girl looked up at me with a wide smile, before nodding.

Alis: "Yes!"

She responded with a big, bright smile. I smiled back lightly, before turning around and beginning to head off to the center of the capital, with Alis staying by my left side, keeping up with me as we both walked. The day of shopping, can begin.

• Next Time •

[ (11.) Demon King in a Human Market. ]