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Finally, people began to move around the Great Church. Their enthusiasm was incredibly high.

They must have known. It’s not every day that people with the same sense of purpose gather in one place, and just when someone is willing to organize and support them. Such an opportunity is rare.

“If we miss this moment now, everything will surely become a thing of the past.”

“Restoring this city to its original state, or perhaps rescuing any survivors who might still be out there. We’ll have no choice but to sit back and watch until everything is over.”

In this unspoken agreement and cooperation, the organization for the restoration of Aarhus was steadily taking shape. And now, with the recent proclamation, supplies were secured, so all that remained was to strive towards the initial goal.

Among those who had started to move in earnest, the busiest days were undoubtedly those of Brantley and Karl.

To explore and restore the city, many things were needed. First, those with martial power had to hunt down and exterminate various monsters scattered throughout the city. In the process, they also had to purify the many areas of the city that had been corrupted by demonic artifacts and restore them to their original state.

It was highly inefficient to let a disorganized crowd roam around in droves for such tasks. Conversely, letting uncontrolled individuals scatter and wander aimlessly was equally inefficient and ineffective.

Moreover, you can’t just move people around without supplies. Beyond the basic problems of feeding and clothing them, if the necessary items for various situations—such as when monsters are encountered, when injuries occur, or when purifying the city—are not supplied in time, it would undoubtedly slow down the group’s movements.

Just as a warrior with a sword becomes prey if their movements are sluggish, a group that moves sluggishly cannot achieve its goals. Therefore, the Aarhus Remnant Group—commonly known as the Aarhus Restoration Group—that had newly nested in Aarhus Cathedral needed someone who could oversee and command all these situations, manage a proper signaling system, and handle supplies and administration.

While detailed paperwork could be left to the experts, you can’t just entrust the task of overseeing and setting policies to anyone.

In that sense, Karl, who had previously gained experience as a guest knight in the empire, and Brantley, a high-level spellcaster with a deep understanding of formations, were rare talents. Moreover, since they were comrades of Sophia, the actual leader of the group, they were truly irreplaceable resources.

“Sorry, but there’s no one else but you two.”

“Ugh, fine. Just this once.”

“Sigh, I guess I have no choice. I’ll do it.”

Though reluctant, the two eventually took on the roles and, with Sophia’s help, were performing like lions.

While Karl was in charge of organizing and training the personnel responsible for exploring each sector of the city, Brantley devised appropriate formations to ensure that those organized could utilize the formations’ subtleties at any time. He also gathered spellcasters to lead the spell support needed for the exploration.

Thanks to the efforts of the two, the Aarhus Restoration Group quickly took shape and began to move actively. Exploration teams, ranging from two or three people to five or six, soon began scouting and exterminating monsters in their assigned sectors.

The supply of necessary materials also proceeded smoothly. From basic weapons and clothing to food and drink, as well as simple and inexpensive spell tools and medicines for emergencies, were supplied exactly where needed. It was a scene rarely seen even in battlefields managed by supply experts.

Conra couldn’t stay idle either. Born between a Grand Druid and a Maestro Alchemist, he was a golden spoon in the world of spells and couldn’t possibly stay out of the spell material production. Thus, as a Druid, Alchemist, and Runesmith, he tried to participate in this work… but was soon caught by his master.

“Where do you think you’re going? Didn’t I tell you to focus on your training and not get distracted?”

“But, Master, I’m a spellcaster too…”

“That talk can wait until you’ve properly mastered your current stage.”

“Ah, but…”

In a situation where everyone was desperately trying to help, the boy’s attempt to lend a hand was crushed by the iron fist of the Nun Knight.

But Sophia had her own reasons.

The level of the Heart-Generating Qi Method that Conra had reached was indeed unprecedented in this world, except for Sophia. The idea of controlling Qi through martial intent and regulating the body through Qi coordination was essentially about placing every aspect of one’s body under the control of intent.

In other words, when it came to martial techniques performed with one’s own body, one could break through any condition or situation and exhibit near-omnipotent capabilities. In the history of Earth, where Sophia had once lived, it wasn’t uncommon for martial artists who first reached this level to become arrogant without realizing it.

“But intent is not just that.”

The so-called Heart-Generating Qi Method might sound impressive, but it was ultimately just about perfecting the control of martial techniques. It was the most basic and fundamental aspect of wielding the Heart Sword, akin to just stepping into the journey of mastering it.

If one became complacent with this first achievement and slackened their training, further accomplishments would be unattainable.

“Moreover, even if you’ve awakened the sensation of feeling and controlling intent, can you say you’ve fully mastered it? Aren’t you still struggling to walk on water using only intent without the Body-Tempering Technique?”

“If you put it that way, I have no rebuttal, Master…”

“Of course you don’t. It’s because your perception of intent is still unclear.”

Intent was fundamentally vague and difficult to perceive. Even if one could sense it and learn to control it, without constant training to make it familiar, one could lose the sensation and forget the knack at any moment.

The reason Conra quickly exhausted his mental strength and collapsed when trying to walk on water using only intent was precisely because his sensation of controlling intent was still vague.

“But this is an area that can be improved through diligent practice and training. So let’s head to the sea right now. Maria, you come too.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Sigh, alright, Master.”

With a sighing Conra and Maria, who had recently been particularly diligent in her training, Sophia left the city and headed to the middle of the sea.

Sophia was so committed to training the two day and night, without letting them do anything else, that it was clear she was putting great effort into their development. Both Conra, who had taken the first step in intent, and Maria, who had inherited the Will of the Wisp from Conra’s parents, couldn’t afford to waste this period if they wanted to grow further.

‘Especially Maria, I have to put even more effort into her.’

When Sophia had heard about Maria’s performance in Strabenher, even she couldn’t help but be surprised. Maria’s skills were in a realm Sophia hadn’t expected at all. Later, when Sophia personally examined her second disciple, she quickly realized the reason and was left speechless in disbelief.

‘The Realm of No-Self… Who would have thought a novice who hadn’t even entered the realm of intent could skip stages and enter it?’

When martial artists train, they eventually develop their own sense of values. This is a kind of subjective standard for the elements that make up martial arts, their own firm formula for victory, and the very desire for martial arts rooted in their lives.

Once one enters the realm of controlling intent, a martial artist can break free from the framework of internal energy and techniques to create their own martial path. However, this also means they can become trapped by their own intent, their own concept of martial arts.

And the stage beyond that is the so-called Realm of No-Self. By making one’s subjectivity extremely faint, it makes the martial artist’s sphere of influence transparent, allowing for the ultimate integration of offense and defense.

Just as a spellcaster controls spell waves with their main strength to create spell phenomena, a martial artist in the realm of intent controls Qi with their intent to unleash various Heart Sword techniques. These Heart Sword techniques are incredibly diverse. Just as each martial artist’s formula for victory is different, it’s only natural.

However, these diverse Heart Sword techniques become ineffective against someone who has reached the Realm of No-Self. The sphere of influence of someone who has removed all subjectivity and reached ultimate objectivity inherently nullifies all kinds of mysterious phenomena and miraculous powers, including the Heart Sword.

{I’ve heard of one legendary spellcaster from the Silver Age who could do something like this, but I never thought it would apply to swordsmen too.}

{Hmph, you spellcasters always boast that only the mysteries of spells illuminate the truth of the world, so it’s only natural.}

{I don’t get it. This knowledge didn’t even come from you, so why are you showing off…}

Spirit Drayg-Haegis’s admiration was met with Spirit Lucas-Kukunis’s boastful reaction.

Ignoring the disdainful look from the Holy Spirit Gabrielle, Sophia continued to focus on observing her two disciples.

In any case, it seemed to Sophia that Maria had experienced the Realm of No-Self once before. Whether it was due to talent or the special circumstances at the time, for some reason, even if it was a crude experience, Maria’s martial arts had shown remarkable growth since that day.

‘Well, it’s only natural. Even if she doesn’t remember, it’s like she’s already glimpsed the right and wrong answers in martial arts.’

Unlike ordinary martial artists who imbue each movement with intent and purpose, the offense and defense in the Realm of No-Self have no intent or purpose. What exists there is merely the world of pure, objective probability. It branches out countless possibilities with higher chances of leading to victory, and in the end, it separates the undeniable superiority, even if by a hair’s breadth.

Even if it was a crude experience and not a proper one, the influence of having experienced such a world couldn’t possibly leave no trace. However, Sophia couldn’t view this entirely positively.

{Proper martial arts must be developed step by step to avoid collapse. In our era, such things were rare.}

As Spirit Lucas-Kukunis said, it might not matter much for simple fighting techniques. If it’s just about using something effectively and surviving, that might be enough.

But from the perspective of orthodox martial arts, that’s not acceptable. Martial arts formed through history and tradition don’t stop at merely subduing enemies. They aim to preserve the practitioner’s body and mind, and further, to serve as a foundation for reaching higher realms of martial arts.

From this viewpoint, orthodox martial arts couldn’t possibly welcome changes that might cause collapse at any moment due to unforeseen side effects.

‘I’ll just have to guide her carefully. Tsk, having disciples with too much talent is something to think about.’

Fortunately, Sophia knew exactly how to handle such situations.

‘In the end, the problem is having suddenly experienced a glimpse of a high realm, so if we solidify the foundation to the point where it’s no longer a problem, that’s all that’s needed.’

The terrifyingly harsh training regimen was precisely the solution Sophia had found.

Since Conra also needed to internalize his realization of intent not just in his mind but in his body, Sophia decided to put both Conra and Maria through rigorous training. Like pickling vegetables in vinegar and salt, she believed that thoroughly pickling their minds and bodies with foundational training would render any problem moot.

Naturally, Conra and Maria, thoroughly pickled in this manner, were always completely exhausted by the end of their training. While they always walked to the sea on their own, they were always carried back like sacks, never once returning on their own feet.

Sophia, carrying the two slumped figures on her shoulders, was a common sight at the Aarhus docks.

Still, the days of rigorous training weren’t without meaning, as Conra and Maria’s martial arts continued to refine day by day.

The three stood facing each other on the undulating waves. As Conra and Maria’s eyes showed tension, Sophia, calmly standing with her hands behind her back, took a step forward, her nun’s habit fluttering.

Though not the Heart Sword’s spatial movement technique, a heavy pressure that could calm the surrounding waves rose with that single step.

If caught off guard, one would be pressed down into the sea by the weight. Conra and Maria, who had been on edge and timing their movements, immediately began to run.

“……!”

Dodging the pressure, Conra suddenly felt a chilling premonition from his upper dantian and swiftly adjusted his posture. Before his eyes appeared an illusion of countless sword intents, branching infinitely to fill the sky.

“Ugh…!”

‘This much… I can handle!’

While sword aura refers to the aura imbued in a sword, sword intent refers to the materialization of the sword’s intent, communicated directly to the mind.

Even those who can calmly release sword aura through a clear mind would find it difficult to maintain their spirit when exposed to highly condensed sword intent.

Yet, Conra’s eyes showed no trace of wavering. After all…

‘Judging by the sword patterns, it’s the third pattern.’

They had experienced this level of technique more than once since starting this training format.

As Conra calmly read the sword patterns piercing through the storm of sword intents, a strange heat haze began to rise from his body. Refracting light and confusing the senses, this phenomenon would astonish anyone knowledgeable about martial arts.

Because its essence was the same as the sword intent pouring down on Conra at that moment.

The condition Sophia had set for Conra and Maria before starting the training was this:

Conra was to use only intent, and Maria was to use only the rhythm of her breath to respond to the Will of the Wisp, walking on the waves while maintaining a balance of offense and defense with Sophia, who would release techniques appropriate to their level.

In other words, the miraculous skill Sophia was displaying at that moment was something Conra himself could perform if he stabilized his realm.

The converging aura soon dispersed, leaving only the pure heart and intent condensed within, exuding their presence. To the right stood a spear, and to the left hung a sword, sharp as a razor.

Facing the countless sword intents unraveling from Sophia like threads, Conra’s left sword and right spear began to unleash countless techniques.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

The clash of intangible intents created a deafening noise that swept through the surroundings. Yet, no one questioned it, for the noise at that moment wasn’t the kind transmitted through air vibrations.

The collision of sword intents. Amidst the fierce clash, a single sword aura slipped in like a gust of wind. As long as it could cut, it didn’t matter if it was a sword intent attacking the soul or a sword aura slicing through energy. It was a clever move born from such a thought.

“Ho, not bad!”

Sophia, impressed by her disciple’s clever move, let out an exclamation and subtly raised the corner of her mouth.

‘I never taught him this, where did he come up with such a clever trick?’

Hiding a sword aura within the clash of sword intents to use as a concealed blade. While it sounds simple, the hurdles to actually execute it were not insignificant.

As mentioned earlier, sword intent is a more refined and profound realm of swordsmanship than sword aura. As the saying goes, “Intent follows Qi,” in the world of advanced swordsmanship, intent takes precedence over aura, and when sword intent and sword aura clash, the aura dissipates like bubbles.

In such a situation, hiding a sword aura amidst the collision of countless sword intents, which could easily dissipate upon contact, was an action that required not only a highly stable and precise control of intent and aura but also extreme concentration.

‘And he pulled it off?’

No wonder she, as a master, couldn’t help but feel satisfied.

Though Sophia smiled with satisfaction, she couldn’t slacken her teaching even for a moment. Still smiling, Sophia’s hand gently caressed the air.

While the idea of hiding a sword aura in the gaps of sword intents to deliver it right to the opponent’s face was ingenious, and the talent and effort to realize such an almost impossible idea were commendable.

To be honest, this move was still a failure.

After all, hiding a sword aura within sword intents meant concealing a slightly less threatening (but still threatening) attack within a more threatening one. However, as Sophia’s earlier monologue revealed, Conra’s move had already been seen through by her.

A hidden blade only has meaning when it remains hidden. Once exposed, it loses its significance. Sophia decided to show her disciple this fact with a small act of kindness.

With a gentle motion, Sophia’s hand gesture created a subtle ripple. This ripple-like motion soon expanded radially, spreading its influence outward. The subtle ripple quietly intensified as it spread, and by the time it appeared before Conra’s eyes amidst the clash of sword intents, it had become something dizzyingly undulating.

“!?”

“This is how you use sword aura, my disciple.”

Conra, startled by the suddenly appearing, dangerously undulating ripple of sword aura, immediately changed his footwork to dodge. Even if sword aura or sword intent doesn’t cut physical entities, getting hit by something like that would surely leave one’s soul in tatters.

With a thud, the sword aura ripple cut through the spatial energy and passed by, leaving Conra with a cold sweat on the back of his head.

“Wait, wasn’t this supposed to be just training!?”

“Training is like real combat, and real combat is like training. Isn’t that a maxim every martial artist should engrave in their heart?”

“Well, that’s true but…!”

Conra, about to protest, clenched his mouth shut and soon began to shoot out sword intents again with gleaming eyes.

Meanwhile, Maria was fighting a different battle. Unlike Conra, who was engaged in a firefight (if you can call it that) with sword intents, Maria was struggling to carve out her own space of survival against the nature trying to swallow her.

While Sophia divided her attention to deal with Conra, she projected her will onto the natural environment surrounding Maria.

The waves undulating beneath her feet, the wind brushing past her ears, even the splashing spray—all moved differently than usual, responding to Sophia’s will and baring their teeth at Maria standing above them. Even the splashing spray carried enough force to bruise a person.

Maria had to face all this with only the enhancement effects of the Will of the Wisp responding to her breath and her own body techniques to maintain her space.

Yet, even in such a situation, Maria maintained her space without faltering.

When they first started training, she had been helplessly tossed about by the natural forces undermining her footing. The martial training Maria had accumulated so far offered no resistance to the ever-changing natural attacks.

In the midst of this, the occasional spontaneous martial techniques that emerged without her control only made things harder for Maria.

While these spontaneous techniques were undoubtedly invaluable for breaking through the natural forces tormenting her, they were

 

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