Hard Carried by My Sword-Chapter 88

The Giant King, unlike the rest of the Titans whose true nature was mostly hidden, was a well-known legend. Since the days of Holy King Rodrick, his strength and renown had echoed across the continent.

Even after he had secluded himself deep within the mountains, rumors continued to circulate. Some said he split the clouds with a single punch. Some even said he toppled cliffs with a single kick.

Those were things even a Swordmaster couldn’t do with their full strength—but when it came to the Giant King, some couldn’t help but believe that somehow, it was true. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire, as the saying goes.

It was a confirmed fact that the empire had retreated in defeat after invading with three hundred thousand troops, and that a battered dragon had fled from the Titan Mountains. No one knew the details, but it was clear that the Giant King was an existence that transcended common sense.

“This way,” Balkan, the village chieftain, said to Leon.

Leon followed hastily behind, but unfortunately, Karen couldn’t come with him. The Giant King had summoned only him.

Quickening his steps to keep up with Balkan’s large strides, Leon looked around at the increasingly unfamiliar surroundings. This was a part of the village he hadn’t entered during his stay.

El-Cid spoke as if it were obvious.

—It’s probably the path that leads closer to the dimensional fissures.

The dimensional fissure was the sole reason the Titans remained in the mountains, and the source of the mission the Goddess had given them. They had been exterminating monsters pouring out from another world for centuries. The scale of that achievement was beyond reckoning.

No one but the Titans could’ve held out there, huh? Leon asked inwardly.

He voiced his admiration, and El-Cid agreed without much comment.

—Pretty much.

Even surviving alone in the inner reaches of the Titan Mountains was difficult for other races. Let alone fighting nonstop for centuries? It was impossible for those with weak bodies and minds.

—Even the ogres who never awakened intelligence are tough as hell—imagine what it’s like when they’re trained and driven by duty. They won’t stop until the day they die.

It had been the same when they fought the drake. When it pinned him with a claw, a normal being would’ve been crushed like a tomato, but not Urga. He had withstood the blow, caught his breath, and stood to fight again. Their fundamental durability as living beings was on another level.

That’s probably why the Goddess appointed them as the guardians of this mountain range, right?

—Yeah, but all she did was appoint them. Then she dumped all the actual work on me...

H-ha-ha...

Maybe because he’d already ranted about it yesterday, El-Cid stopped at just grumbling and sighing this time. Leon couldn’t think of anything to say in comfort, so he just chuckled awkwardly.

“From here on, we’re entering a restricted area—no one steps in or out without Titan permission,” Balkan alerted.

“A forbidden zone...”

“Well, there’s no treasure or anything to steal. Any intruder would just die.”

It was a grim statement, but not wrong. Monsters spilling from the dimensional fissure were at least B-rank, and on average, exceeded A-rank.

Even S-rank monsters that became part of history for decades after appearing were common there—it was a true hellscape. Anyone who wandered in without knowing would be torn to pieces by the creatures.

“And aside from me, the other chief warriors all stay around that area. One of us takes on the role of village chieftain to manage things here, but we rotate every three years.”

“How many chief warriors are there?” Leon asked.

“Five. Four stay in that area at any given time.”

Leon shivered at that revelation.

Five warriors who are probably at the Master level or stronger... Even if the Giant King doesn’t act himself, this place is a fortress.

It was no wonder the Clyde Empire had backed off. Their military might was enough to send three hundred thousand troops multiple times, but they had acknowledged that it would be futile.

And then, Leon and Balkan looked ahead at the same moment.

“Hmm, someone’s coming,” Balkan muttered.

The approaching presence wasn’t trying to hide. The pressure pressing against the ground alone confirmed their strength. It wasn’t so much about showing off power but felt more like leftover energy from a recent battle.

“Hm?”

“Oh?”

They met on a narrow path. The others were Titans too—not just one, but six in total.

And the one in front had a presence that matched Balkan’s, clearly one of the five chief warriors.

That Titan called out, “Balkan! What are you doing all the way out here? Aren’t you supposed to be lounging around the village?”

He laughed as he teased Balkan, while Balkan snapped back, “Lounging? Are you going to be the village chieftain in my place then?”

“Hell no! Why would I do such a boring job? You’ve got two years left—go take a nap, or something.”

“Ugh, Sarunga... Just wait until it’s your turn.”

“My turn’s not for another eight years. Hahaha!”

Unable to win the verbal sparring, Balkan backed off with a growl while Sarunga roared with laughter.

The massive ball of metal strapped to his back clanked in rhythm with his steps. It was a weapon similar to a human’s flail, just many times bigger and heavier.

Wait... he’s bleeding...!

Leon’s eyes widened as he noticed. Sarunga’s presence had been so overwhelming that he’d almost missed it. The bloodstains on his upper body were mostly from monsters, but there was a gaping wound on his side, and a stab under his ribs still bleeding.

The others were also battered and bruised with small and large wounds.

And yet, the two chief warriors chatted like it was nothing.

“Heading to see the King? He’s probably at the waterfall right now,” Sarunga said as he pointed in a direction, and Balkan nodded and resumed walking.

Leon followed, offering a slight bow to the other Titans.

“Hm, that human...?” Sarunga muttered as he watched Leon’s back thoughtfully, then turned and walked toward his rest area.

What came next was no longer his concern.

As they walked in silence, Leon finally asked, “That wound looked pretty serious. Aren’t you worried?”

Just because they were Titans didn’t mean they couldn’t be wounded or killed. They simply didn’t fear it.

Deep within the mountain range and near the dimensional fissures, monsters strong enough to threaten even them roamed freely. Still, Balkan gave a broad grin and reassured him.

“Don’t worry. Around here, that kind of injury’s considered minor. A bit of ointment and a nap, and they’ll be back on their feet fighting tomorrow.”

“But his side was pierced, and he broke a few ribs...?”

“Wouldn’t it be weirder to call it a serious injury just because his liver burst and his lung got a little shredded?”

“...”

Leon fell silent, at a loss for words. The gap between humans and Titans was even greater than he’d imagined.

Fortunately, before he had to say anything else, their destination came into view, along with a fork in the path.

Balkan pointed to each road in turn and explained.

“Down that ravine is where the dimensional fissure opens. That’s where we Titans carry out our duty. It opens wide maybe twice a year, but the rest of the time it’s not much.”

“Oh, then those warriors earlier...” 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

“None of them is too impressive.”

Balkan casually dismissed Sarunga and spun his finger.

“And if you go this way, you’ll reach the waterfall. The water’s rich with mana—good for recovery if you drink it, and perfect for washing off the toxins from monsters.”

They took the path leading toward the waterfall. That would be where the Giant King awaited.

Just thinking that made Leon feel dizzy from the pressure, but he quickly steeled himself and gripped the hilt at his waist. Maybe it was just in his head, but it helped calm him.

When they walked a few more steps, a majestic waterfall greeted them. The sound of the water crashing on top of water was almost deafening.

Looking up, its top disappeared into the clouds. Looking down, the misty spray rolled like clouds descending to the ground.

It was like a scene from the heavens.

“Ah.”

Then, a single giant emerged, parting the waterfall like a landslide. He was huge. At least five meters tall—taller even than Balkan, who already stood a head above the average Titan.

His massive body was packed with muscles as solid as boulders, radiating a pressure that made it hard to breathe. He had long hair that was unusual for a Titan, and as if that weren’t unique enough, it flowed vivid red like a flame.

The Giant King stepped slowly out from behind the falls as his hair rippled even without wind. Leon swallowed hard without realizing it.

No way...!

The moment he saw the Giant King, he was stunned not because of his size or because of his presence, but because there was no sense of disconnect. He was so striking yet blended seamlessly with the water and wind.

The powerful inevitably exert a kind of gravity. Whether they intend to or not, their strength influences the world around them. This giant, however... it was enough to draw out a genuine interest from El-Cid.

—Oho... He’s reached naturality. The greater one’s innate strength, the harder it is to shed the excess... But I see the last three centuries weren’t wasted.

That’s naturality? That?

—Yes. It’s not what idiots back at the Academy think it is, huh?

In common martial arts lore, when one reaches a certain level, they say they transcend normal stances and reach “naturality.” El-Cid, however, dismissed that interpretation outright.

—Naturality is the state where even unconscious actions are perfectly aligned with principle—standing, walking, breathing. A countless number of actions happening at once without clashing or wasting a single motion. That’s the real state of naturality.

It was absurd. And yet, Leon was overwhelmed precisely because he understood it.

Martial arts were the sum of efficient movements. Stronger, faster, able to feel many or outrun swift enemies. They relied on understanding the human body, refining how it’s used.

Even a master couldn’t make every step or breath perfect. Only movements trained into the body over countless repetitions reached that domain.

But if El-Cid’s right, then the Giant King has already...

Transcended even the realm of Master and entered into an uncharted peak. Rodrick, the godlike man born as a human, was the only man who had ever crossed that boundary. The Giant King might even be standing at the same height.

“Are you the guest who came seeking me?” asked that very being.

Leon flinched again. The voice came from ten meters away. In the realm of masters, that was practically within arm’s reach. He must have approached while Leon was distracted by his conversation with El-Cid.

Now that he was up close, Leon could clearly see the mark across the giant’s chest—a scar slashing in an X across his torso. Familiar, and yet eerily distant—a chilling blade mark adorned the Giant King’s body.

Wait... why did I just assume it was a sword wound?

He wasn’t sure, but the moment he saw it, Leon was convinced it had been made by a sword.

Putting that thought aside, Leon answered, “Yes, I’ve come seeking you.”

This was the reason he had crossed borders and come into the depths of the mountain range known as the realm of demons. The First Titan, and the one who had acknowledged Holy King Rodrick and fought against the Demon Lord’s army alongside him.

Facing the Giant King, the Hero declared his right.

“I am Leon, Hero of this age. I’ve come to claim the legacy left to you by the previous Hero, Rodrick.”

“Hmm.”

For the first time, the Giant King’s clear eyes settled on him.