Sword Saint Adel's Second Chance: Volume 1

1. Auflage 2024
ISBN: 978-1-7183-8178-0
Verlag: J-Novel Club
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch, Band 1, 250 Seiten

Reihe: Sword Saint Adel's Second Chance

Blind swordmaster Adel personally put an end to the Great War engulfing the continent in chaos. Though he uses it for good, his strength comes from his horrific past-the gruesome experiments performed on him and the countless battles to the death to prove his worth. It was the gentle compassion of Princess Euphinia that saved him, and Adel meant it fiercely when he swore to be by her side forever. So now, even with the war won, he bitterly rues his failure to protect her when it mattered most.

Adel would give anything for a second chance to make things right, and he's in luck. A mysterious being is about to offer him one wish, and he knows exactly what to ask for. He instantly finds himself transported to the past...as a beautiful woman! Prepared to make use of both his old abilities as a swordmaster and his newfound power as a Saint, Adel now leaps into action to change the course of history and save his beloved Princess Euphinia!

Autoren/Hrsg.

Hayaken

Weitere Mitwirkende

Unapoppo

Taishi

Leseproben

Chapter 1: The Rebirth of Swordmaster Adel

“All credit for our victory in this historic war goes to you, Swordmaster Adel! You have done admirably. Your reputation is well-earned.”

The knight kneeling before his king gave a noncommittal grunt. “Your praise honors me, Your Majesty,” he replied flatly.

Though Adel would be attending a celebratory feast right afterward, he was wearing a suit of black armor that hid even his face. The armor projected an intimidating aura at odds with the jubilant atmosphere in the room, but Adel considered this preferable to the alternative. He had lost both eyes, and thought it likely anyone who saw his disfigured face would be frightened. Additionally, purple crystals enchanted with the Night Vision spell were embedded in the helmet’s eye slits, enabling him to vaguely make out people’s figures. All things considered, staying masked seemed to be the more appropriate choice in this situation.

Just like the king, the ministers and government heavyweights in attendance also directed gazes of admiration toward Adel and heaped praises on him.

“Not only did you defeat the evil Saint Elciel, mortal enemy of our previous king, it was at your hands that Mad Emperor Tristan and the reprehensible generals of the Northern Federation met their demise. You truly are the Peerless Hero!”

“Sir Adel’s achievements and renown will go down in history, not just within our country, but throughout the world! You are the Dark Knight blessed by the heavens who ended the Great War and ushered in a new age of peace!”

Thunderous applause reverberated through the hall, stopping only when the young king spoke again, his eyes shining with expectation and zeal.

“Their words ring true. And now, as our country Wendill lies battered and scarred by war, a new fight begins for us: the fight to restore and to rebuild. The nature of this fight may be different from the one we just ended, but I implore you to continue lending us your aid. Adel, we are counting on you!”

“As you command. I...will do my utmost.”

Adel had no interest at all in helping out with “restoring and rebuilding.” Not because he had something else he wanted to do, but because there was nothing left that he cared about. However, he had the discernment to not say this out loud and ruin the atmosphere. As such, he went with a generic and harmless answer.

The king declared, “This feast pales in comparison to the glory of Adel’s feats, but nevertheless, let us celebrate the start of our country’s new fight! Everyone, eat and make merry tonight!”

The feast then began in earnest. Sure enough, it was far from lavish, as the palace was still devastated by the Great War. Despite this, the faces of everyone present were bright. Adel couldn’t see them, but that was the mood he sensed in the venue. The war that had split the world into two was finally over, and people could once again put their hope in the future.

However, Adel himself struggled to share this sentiment. He didn’t stay long before announcing that he needed fresh air and stepping out onto the half-destroyed balcony. Regret still beat hot in his heart, making him feel out of place among the revelers.

Unbidden, the name of his late liege came to his lips. “Princess Euphinia...”

When he had been a gladiator slave who lived every day in darkness, Euphinia, the princess of Wendill and a rare user of the holy summoning arts—for which she was known as a Saint—had saved him and allowed him to stay by her side as her knight escort. She was the only person he had ever sworn his absolute and undying fealty to.

Adel was known by many names: Swordmaster, Dark Knight, Peerless Hero. But none of these titles mattered to him. His identity as Princess Euphinia’s knight escort was the only thing he took pride in. And yet, he would never be known by that position again.

Even now, he vividly recalled the princess’s warmth. There was no way he could forget, nor did he have any intention of doing so.

Five years ago, Adel had been a gladiator slave, imprisoned in a place where he was experimented on and forced to participate in fights meant to demonstrate their results. This was where he had lost both eyes and suffered all the wounds that now scarred his body. He spent his days desperately attacking the opponents set before him, clinging to life despite having been condemned to a world of darkness. Even he did not know why he wanted to live so badly. Perhaps it was pure animal instinct. Whatever it was, he gave himself to it fully.

One day, Princess Euphinia showed up out of the blue, walking up to Adel’s cell after he had finished his fights for the day. She carried with her a soft, flowery fragrance that couldn’t have been more out of place in the putrid jail that stank of blood, sweat, and excrement. In fact, her scent was so pure and fresh that it made Adel uncomfortable.

The melodious, bell-like voice of a young girl, seemingly fourteen or fifteen, exclaimed, “Are you okay?!”

“What?” Adel stirred, sensing the source of discomfort approaching.

“Oh no, how awful! But don’t worry, everything’s okay now. Everything’s okay.”

Adel felt something warm and smooth brush against his cheek. It seemed to be someone’s finger. He had never felt such gentle human contact since losing his eyes. In fact, he realized he had never been treated with such kindness at all. It simply wasn’t a part of the life he had lived.

Without hesitation, the source of discomfort enveloped Adel. It took him a while to realize he was being hugged. This was a brand new experience. He also felt drops falling on his head, though he only realized now that they had been Euphinia’s tears. Even though she and he had been complete strangers at the time, she had still felt his pain as her own and was moved to action.

“Come with me. I’ll bring you out of this place!”

“Don’t bother. There’s no telling what they’ll do to you if you try. In fact, I can’t believe you managed to come all the way in here in one piece.”

“Trust me! If I can get in here, don’t you think I can get back out?”

“Uh... How you manage to get here in the first place?”

“Well, it’s a bit of a long—”

“Sum it up in one word. I want to rest up before my next fight.”

“One word? Then... ‘authority’ would be most appropriate, I think?”

“Au...thority?”

While Adel tried to wrap his head around the answer, additional footsteps and voices rushed into the jail.

“Princess Euphinia, please don’t do this!”

“The princess of Wendill should not be entering a place like this!”

“Being in such a foul place will sully your holy self! We implore you to return with haste!”

Euphinia replied in a clear and noble voice, “I see nothing in this place that sullies me. Rather, my heart would be stained if I were to turn a blind eye to what I see and leave without doing anything.”

The others fell silent, allowing her to continue. “This man is now in my care. If anyone makes even the slightest attempt to deny me this, I, Saint Euphinia, will never work with the Holy Tower Church again. I will also reconsider Wendill’s relationship with the Church.”

In sharp contrast to her previously gentle manner, Euphinia now radiated the aura of someone accustomed to wielding authority. Despite her youth, she carried herself with such majesty that those she faced found themselves unable to voice further objections.

“Now, let’s go,” she said to Adel. “From now on, I will protect you. You no longer have to worry about anything.”

The princess gripped Adel’s hand. Her own hand was warm and soft, but it was trembling. Though she carried herself with dignity, she was likely scared inside. After all, these people had reduced Adel to his current state and clearly thought nothing of it. Her voice sounded calm, but she was dead set on facing down the surrounding adults and bending them to her will.

Adel sensed this and respected her for it. “I can’t stand merely being kept like a pet. Use me. My eyes may not see, but my sword hand is sure.”

“Thank you very much! I guess we’ll be helping each other out, then!” The shaking in Euphinia’s hand seemed to subside a little.

After that day, Adel’s life had become filled with light and meaning. He learned the joy of having a master he could fully believe in and serve wholeheartedly. He was still blind and scarred all over, but he did not mind. In fact, he even felt grateful for his days as a slave for granting him the strength to protect his princess.

Even now, Adel could vividly recall his first encounter with Princess Euphinia. But those memories were all he had left.

“I had no choice. Please forgive me,” he murmured toward the stars he could not see.

During the Great War between the Northern Federation and the League of Southern Nations that split the world in half, Euphinia had been killed by forces sent by the North. For this reason, Adel had sided with the South and spearheaded their efforts to annihilate the North.

Euphinia herself had loved peace and dedicated her life to bringing both sides to a truce. Adel knew that if she could see how the war had ended from her place in the heavens, she’d be looking...