A heaven-born prodigy.

That was another name for the girl, Seolyun.

["This girl is special."]

That other name allowed Seolyun's black hair and black eyes to become something special rather than a flaw on this unfamiliar continent. She had known from the very first moment she took up a sword. As long as she held this blade, she could be special.

["What good fortune. To find such a sparkling uncut gem in the gutter."]

It was not arrogance.

["Come with us, Seolyun. With your talent, you can live a new life. Those born with talent are always treated well in the Iron Kingdom."]

["..."]

["Whether it is one of the three great academies or a knightly order in the blade city, you will be able to enter wherever you wish. People who have heard of your talent are coming here. They are all renowned swordsmen of the Iron Kingdom. They wish to take you as their pupil."]

Seolyun's talent changed her life.

["Here in the Iron Kingdom, everyone is equal before strength. That is the kind of place this is."]

["..."]

["It does not matter that you were of the lowest class on a peninsula that has now fallen, or that you are a captive the soldiers of the Great Land put up for sale in a slave market. This is the Iron Kingdom."]

And yet.

["So stop concerning yourself with that gutter and come with us."]

["..."]

["They cannot come with you. We need a wolf. Not sheep."]

If she had no talent.

If Seolyun had no sword.

What would have become of this little girl?

["Don't worry about us. Go on."]

There was no need to think hard about it.

["Go. Don't look back."]

["It's all right."]

In those final moments, as they were sold to strangers in a strange land, Seolyun saw with her own eyes the future that would have awaited her without her talent.

["..."]

The children, only a year or two apart from Seolyun in age, were locked behind rusty bars. Collared and caged, they were displayed like livestock. Each child, their faces shadowed, had a price tag around their neck. Seolyun could not read the writing of this strange land. But she understood the numbers. The value placed on children with limitless potential was far too low.

["We're really all right."]

Lower than the price of a bundle of wheat bread she had seen on the way here. Lower than the price of an old cow.

["You know that story you told us on the way here? We all believe it."]

That day, Seolyun alone was granted a different fate. For some reason, she could not take her eyes off the children.

["We'll go to paradise first and wait for you."]

["..."]

["So you have to come see us someday. Become an immortal and come find us in paradise. You can do it. Yes, you can..."]

At the very last, the children smiled brightly.

That was how Seolyun parted from them, their faces full of happiness.

And some time later, Seolyun saw those black-haired, black-eyed children again in a back alley of the steel city.

They lay dead, as though sleeping soundly.

Every last one of them.

* * *

After the details of the War Duels were announced, countless fighters showed an avid interest. No one questioned why a war on the eastern continent had been chosen as the theme. In the Arena's reasoning, entertainment always came first. To the spectators, the theme of these War Duels was entertaining enough, and so any minor controversies were soon buried.

Besides, the Iron Kingdom had also participated in the War of Conquest. That was only natural. There were very few large-scale wars on the continent in which the Iron Kingdom had not taken part. The people of old had even left behind this saying:

Where there is war, there is always steel.

True to that saying, the Iron Kingdom had managed to join the war on the eastern continent as well. It was the kingdom's Ironblood Legion that finished off the peninsula after the legions of the Great Land swept through it. Trampling the ravaged land, the Iron Kingdom's soldiers captured prisoners as though enjoying a hunt and freely plundered the treasures of the burning royal palace. Among those treasures was a dragon artifact.

It was of little value compared with the other spoils taken by joining the War of Conquest, but the Arena gave it a narrative to raise its worth. Breathing a story into something—that was the Arena planners' greatest specialty.

Throughout the steel city, people talked about the coming War Duels. Some looked forward to them, some were concerned, and some thought little of them. But there were others whose faces looked particularly grim.

"It is not the fallen peninsula. It is Han. Call it by its proper name, you big-nosed western-continent bastards."

"..."

"Call it the Han Peninsula. Unless you want to die by the swords of defeated soldiers who have lost their country."

People with black hair and black eyes.

Swordsmen from the eastern continent radiated a terrifying menace. They actually killed several drunks who, in their drunkenness, had spat out insulting remarks. With headless bodies lying in the middle of the city, Perma's city guard had to keep busy.

And.

"... I'll return the day before the War Duels begin."

Seolyun was one of those who were furious.

"..."

After hearing the details of the War Duels and declaring that she would win, Seolyun immediately disappeared. She went somewhere with nothing but a single sword. The last time I saw her, her face was like ice. Cold as though steeped in bitter winter, and seemingly ready to shatter at a touch.

But I could not stop her.

「Your expression was worse than hers, young descendant.」

Because I understood her feelings better than anyone.

I knew all too well what it was like to swing a sword in anger while trapped by the past. So I let Seolyun go. Watching her retreating back, Liam spoke.

「Leave the girl be and look after yourself.」

"Will she be all right if we just leave her alone?"

「Of course she will. Have you forgotten how I judged that girl?」

Liam looked at me, his eyebrows twitching.

「That girl is a heaven-born prodigy, young descendant.」

"..."

「As you know, I do not lie about the sword. Which means the talent I discerned in that girl is unquestionably the talent of a prodigy.」

Liam's voice grew distinct.

「You have no idea how terrifying and violent a heaven-born prodigy's talent can be. That is why you spout such utterly unamusing nonsense about whether she will be all right alone.」

Liam turned his eyes toward me.

「I guarantee it, young descendant. Before this duel begins, that girl will surpass your level. You will learn painfully just how unfair the talents heaven grants to those called prodigies truly are. Very painfully.」

"... Surely you don't mean..."

「Yes.」

Liam nodded.

「That girl will soon spread her wings. Meaning she will become a sword runner.」

In my experience, Liam was never wrong about things like this.

And so the eve that had descended upon the steel city wore on.

* * *

The atmosphere in Perma, the steel city, was feverish.

Neither the indiscriminate murders committed by wandering swordsmen from the eastern continent nor the brawls between drunken men grabbing one another by the collar could dampen its fervor.

Amid that fervor, which did not cool even at night, a visitor came to my lodgings.

"You recovered completely in no time, descendant of steel. The legends were right after all. They say a heart of steel quickly hardens again, no matter how much you hammer it. Like a blade that cools and hardens in an instant even after being thrust into a blazing fire."

THUD

A beer mug was set down on the table.

Beyond the beer mug sat a group of dwarves with magnificent beards. And at their center was Dwight. Yes, this terrifying dwarf was my visitor.

"What brings you all the way here?"

"Well. Perhaps to finish the duel we left unfinished?"

"Then I suppose I'll have to die. Would you give me time to leave my last words?"

"Pffahaha, I can't even make a joke. How do you joke like that without changing your expression? I'm beginning to suspect the skin of your face is made of steel, too."

Ah.

Had I acquired a face of steel like Master's now, too?

Dwight's joking words drew an involuntary lament from me.

"Enough joking. Let me explain why I've come all this way."

"What is it?"

"All the dwarves who came to the steel city as fighters, myself included, will be leaving now. Only the young dwarves who came to sell our goods and the dwarven craftsmen will remain."

Dwight took a hearty draught of beer and let out a resounding sigh of satisfaction.

"Descendant of steel, I will not return to this steel city. I am a general duty-bound to protect the Dwarf Kingdom. If I am absent too long, the harshness of the Sky Mountains will bring our walls down in no time."

"..."

"Besides, if I stay here long, I am certain to attract that monster's attention."

"By monster, you mean..."

"The Iron Prince's executioner."

Swordmaster Carlos.

Dwight had mentioned him.

"That monster is a madman who might use my meeting with you as a pretext to crawl into our Dwarf Kingdom and slaughter every dwarf over eighteen. Our walls, our weapons, even the tactics we have developed throughout our long history are useless against him. That is what a swordmaster is."

"... I suppose so. Only a swordmaster can kill a swordmaster."

"So, disgracefully enough, I am running away. Because I am afraid."

Dwight looked at me with bitterness in his eyes.

"But however much I fear him, I cannot simply leave like this. Now that I have confirmed a descendant of steel is alive and well, I have decided to offer you what little help I can."

"What little help?"

At my question, Dwight gave the shoulder of the dwarf beside him a light tap.

"If I could, I would give you every weapon in the Golden Vault. Swords used by legendary figures would make the power of a descendant of steel grow explosively."

"..."

"There are weapons your ancestors used in there, too. We keep the weapons of the Caravans who lived in that age of glory."

"...!"

"But the Golden Vault is far too distant. Besides, circumstances prevent us from opening it now. A greedy master of the skies is watching us dwarves."

"A master of the skies?"

"Dragons."

Dragons.

Dwight's voice trembled as he spoke that word.

"If we open the Golden Vault before those creatures, who covet every precious thing in the world, their breath will burn us dwarves alive. Then they will plunder all our wealth and pile it in their nests. So not yet."

"..."

"That is why, as I said, I can offer only a little help."

As he spoke, the dwarf hurriedly moving beside him brought out an enormous bundle.

THUD

The heavy bundle struck the floor. I looked at it, then at Dwight, my eyes asking what it was.

The answer soon came.

"I noticed while we were fighting. The weapons you use, descendant of steel, are far too primitive."

"..."

"Even these are poor compared with our true works, but they are still far better than what you use now. So take your pick."

Inside the bundle was an incredible number of weapons.

And not only weapons.

Armor, boots, gauntlets...

There was every kind of equipment.

And even at a glance, it was all of the finest quality.

"You're giving me these precious things for free?"

It was an incredible windfall.

The weapon Daisy had given me was good, but it could not compare with these. As my eyes sparkled, Dwight nodded and said,

"Things like these? I can give you as many as you want."

The dwarf was insanely generous.

Even I, with no expertise in arms and armor, could tell. These were no ordinary weapons. The armor shining blue with its mithril coating, the longsword with its chillingly keen edge—they were all remarkable masterpieces. While I marveled at each piece of equipment, Dwight spoke.

"In addition, I will send word to my dwarven craftsmen. Go to any smithy, give them Dwight's name, and say, 'I've come to collect the debt of steel.' They will do any work you ask without charging you."

This was extraordinary help.

With the money I had now, I could scarcely afford even the steel ingots dwarves threw away, let alone a dwarf-made sword. But Dwight continued, his eyes saying that this truly was nothing.

"Descendant of steel."

"Yes."

"The power you possess is greater than you imagine. Someday, even weapons made by dwarven craftsmen will no longer be able to withstand your strength. A time will come when a single swing instantly ruins the edge, a single step crushes your boots, and a single burst of running tears your armor apart."

"..."

"When that time comes, visit the Sky Mountains. I will be waiting in the Dwarf Kingdom."

Dwight spoke with a resolute expression.

"Then I will personally unlock the Golden Vault for you."

* * *

After making that promise for the distant future, Dwight and the other dwarves left. I returned to the inn to carefully select what I needed from the equipment they had left behind. Before leaving, Dwight gave me some useful information.

"It seems many of the powerful fighters from the other races are leaving along with us. The next duel probably won't be as terrifying as the Racial Duels. Though you certainly made your presence felt even there, descendant of steel. Most of the fighters in the War Duels will be greedy sorts."

"..."

"But do not let down your guard. Those blinded by greed can sometimes be more frightening than Demonkin who come at night, and more tenacious than Beastfolk encountered in the mountains. Steel yourself."

I took Dwight's last advice to heart.

I had no intention of letting down my guard.

Even with the monstrously powerful fighters gone, I was still just an unremarkable fighter in the Endless Duel. The steel city chanted my name because its people valued the courage with which I had fought without retreating, not because they were captivated by my skill or might.

So what I had to do was the same as always.

Keep my guard up.

Question everything with Suspicion, walk the best path, and win.

No matter who my opponent was.

As I steadied my resolve once more, the eve was drawing to an end. The start of the War Duels was approaching.

It was then.

「Young descendant.」

Liam murmured as he watched the sun rise at dawn.

「You had best be especially careful this time.」

His tone was quite significant.

「Swords are coming. Ten swords.」

* * *

With the Endless Duel underway, the number of people flocking to Perma, the steel city, had surged. The Racial Duels in particular had proved so interesting that more and more people wanted to watch the second event, the War Duels, in person. As people gathered, merchants also came to sell them goods. Where people gather, money gathers. Following that absolute logic, many things gathered in the steel city.

And.

"Oho, what confident gentlemen."

At a time like this, bandits naturally gathered as well. The bandits infesting the Iron Kingdom had an uncanny knack for hearing rumors, and so enormous numbers of thugs formed gangs around the steel city and along the roads leading to it.

"Do we really have to rob those two, boss?"

"Why?"

"They don't have any baggage, and they aren't riding in a carriage. They're obviously broke. Let's let them pass and go after the next ones. They say there are plenty of merchant caravans."

Among those who had formed gangs were some notorious criminals.

"You idiot. Can't you see they're highborn? Do you know how much we could make by capturing someone like that and demanding ransom? Robbing merchant wagons is dangerous. Who knows what mercenaries those rich bastards hired? I hear some lunatics even hired a witch from the Heavenly Empire for this trading trip."

"Eek, a witch?"

"Yes. So just listen to me. Have you ever seen me, Penn the Butcher, fail?"

"Hahaha, that's right. We're counting on you, boss!"

Penn the Butcher.

A notorious criminal who had used his cunning mind to destroy not only civilians but even a knightly order. At this moment, Penn was brimming with confidence.

In his mind, he was already making a tidy fortune. Other bandits, who did nothing but rob small merchant caravans, would shout Penn's name, and his infamy would spread even more fiercely throughout the Iron Kingdom. Such happy imaginings...

"Stop right there, you fearless fools!"

Lost in those happy imaginings, Penn blocked the two men's path with his beloved enormous double-headed axe. Two men without a carriage or any notable baggage. Moreover, Penn, who could sense Mana, detected no danger whatsoever from either man. They looked like complete civilians.

Just like damned arrogant nobles.

How dare they take a long forest road without a single knight to escort them?

"On your knees! Flat on the ground! You've been targeted by Penn the Butcher. Do nothing stupid and I'll spare your lives, hehehe! So long as you pay enough ransom!"

Penn laughed, spittle flying.

But even with Penn blocking the road, the two men did not move. They simply stood there, staring blankly. Penn thought they had frozen in terror.

Yes.

"Just how many times has this happened now?"

At least, that was what he thought until the man on the right removed the thick hood covering his head and face.

"There are so many vermin gnawing away at the Iron Kingdom's dignity. I have seen the blood of your kind until I was sick of it, yet so many of you remain."

As the man's hood came off, his hidden hair was revealed. The cool moonlight lent it color. Ash-gray hair fluttered beneath the pitch-black night sky.

"It is because you did not take a carriage. You did not even ride a horse, because you wanted to savor the atmosphere of the night. If two men walk along a mountain road like this, a bandit attack is only natural."

"I see. But what does it matter? The air is fine, so even that dark fellow makes a magnificent sight. This is an amusing situation I cannot ordinarily enjoy. Is this not another kind of journey, another kind of diversion?"

Ash gray.

Seeing the color of that hair, Penn froze like ice. It was only natural.

To Penn's eyes, that color did not look ash gray. It did not look gray, either.

"Ah, we must have missed the first event already. But what does it matter? A dance more beautiful than that is about to unfold before my eyes."

Because in the Iron Kingdom of Chervil, that hair was known only as the color of iron.

The symbol of iron blood, signifying the rulers of this Iron Kingdom.

"U-uh. Uh. Ah."

At that moment, Penn's thoughts seized up.

His mind halted, Penn unconsciously looked beside the man who had revealed his face, at the man wrapped in rags. Only then could Penn see his strength. A power he had not sensed in the slightest from far away. Yet now that he was close, its presence felt clearer than anything else in the world.

The moment he recognized that presence, the man no longer looked like a man to Penn.

"You."

There was a sword.

"You're over eighteen. Unfortunately for you."

Ten swords.