Why is the Messiah Empire called an ’Empire’? There are many reasons, but the answer is simple.
Its territory is the largest, it has the most money, and its military power is overwhelmingly mighty.
Among these, military power is inevitably heavily influenced by individual martial prowess, and the Empire boasts none other than a Sword Master.
Who is a Sword Master? A monster at the pinnacle of the sword, treated as a strategic weapon rather than just a tactical one.
A Sword Master is famous for splitting the earth with one slash and parting mountains with another.
The reason other countries cannot dare mess with the Empire is precisely because of the existence of the Sword Master.
Are Sword Masters originally this rare?
I heard they were a dime a dozen in the old days.
└ Yeah, they were back then.
└ Why is it like this now?
└ Ash is blocking them all. She told them not to slap on the Sword Master label if they’re weaker than her lol
└ Fuck, is she the ceiling? lol
└ Lmao
└ Sword Saint of the old days = current Sword Master
└ Are there no Sword Masters in other races besides humans?
└ There are, yeah. They just all got wrecked by Ash.
└ Is she even human? haha
Indeed. In fact, the realm of Sword Master is not exclusive to the Empire.
It’s just that the Empire’s Sword Master is the strongest. And overwhelmingly so.
Ash Menethil, who is renowned as the Empire’s Sword Master and the strongest swordsman of the current era.
Not only was she strong, but she was also famous as a beauty with snow-white hair and blue eyes.
Her beauty had bloomed radiantly since childhood, stealing the hearts of countless men.
Therefore, it was only natural that numerous marriage proposals came and went even at a young age.
"I will marry a man stronger than me!"
Unable to watch any longer, the fifteen-year-old Ash declared. Everyone was convinced by those words.
Those who want that beauty and that strength, defeat Ash. But only after she becomes an adult.
Three years passed. She became an adult, raising expectations, but no man appeared to defeat Ash.
Five years passed. She was gradually reaching the peak of marriageable age, causing anxiety, but she waited with patience.
Ten years passed. Her family threw a fit, begging her to please get married. From this point on, she felt something had gone wrong.
??: I will marry a man stronger than me
Fifteen years passed since then. No man appeared to defeat her.
└ She’s totally an ahjumma now lol wait someone is knocking on my door
└ A comment left in chilling silence.
└ What happens if you call Ash an ahjumma to her face?
└ I don’t know for sure, but some kid teased her by calling her ahjumma after hearing her age lol
└ Can’t an Elf or someone from the Demon Race take her?
└ There’s no one who is definitively stronger than Ash lol
└ And humans are surprisingly strong, yeah. The floor is fucking low, but the ceiling is fucking high.
└ Insane, how strong is she?
Fifteen years passed. Her skills continued to rise, but no man appeared to defeat her.
She had even undergone Body Metamorphosis and maintained the beauty of her twenties, but her actual age was in her thirties.
Because she had long passed the prime age for marriage, there were few men who dared to approach her easily.
Of course, there were men who proposed, captivated by her beauty. The problem was that they were all weaker than Ash.
She didn’t want to bend her final pride and conviction. So she held out, and held out again.
Men also found a woman stronger than themselves burdensome, so they understood her position.
"This won’t do."
She couldn’t just wait anxiously like this forever. Ash personally trained disciples.
Let’s personally raise those who show promise. Surely at least one will succeed.
Not a single one did. They were all defeated by Ash and married other women.
Since everyone usually married early, they all ran away before they could even rise to her level.
"I will pass down all my know-how to the Gallery."
Feeling a sense of crisis, she diligently posted her swordsmanship know-how on the Gallery. She expected a virtuous cycle.
Indeed, as the virtuous cycle took place, the overall skills of the continent’s people leveled up.
If things continued like this, a man stronger than Ash would surely appear in some kingdom.
Would international relations be a problem? Her path to marriage was completely blocked right now, so tell them to eat shit.
But even so, no man appeared to defeat Ash. Instead, only mass-produced Sword Masters kept cropping up endlessly.
To make matters worse, even though she was just quietly breathing, Ash’s strength gradually increased.
"Why? Why is there no one? Why on earth!"
Ash could not understand. Why was there such a lack of talent?
Despite all her desperate struggles, no man appeared to defeat her.
When she looked into what on earth the problem was, there was one thing she realized too late.
"I get stronger just by breathing? Are you kidding me?!"
Indeed. She, who was praised as a genius, was actually a natural disaster in a different sense.
A genius who accumulated mana in her body just by breathing and could naturally infuse it into her sword.
If she hadn’t been so obsessed with marriage and had trained consistently, she would have reached Grand Sword Master at an early age.
But Ash was already someone who was never left out when discussing the strongest on the continent. She didn’t need any more strength.
"Fuck my life."
Everything became futile. A massive reality check hit her.
In the end, Ash threw away all her positions and went into seclusion.
The Emperor of the Empire begged her to please stay, but she rejected it all.
Although she said they could use her name anytime, there was still the matter of being a figurehead.
The fact that the Empire could be shaken by Ash’s mere existence showed her majesty once again.
Thus, a total of twenty years passed, and Ash, who had gone into seclusion...
"Hehehehe."
She was lying on her bed, eating a banana. She giggled like an idiot.
Her snow-white hair was tied up in a messy bun, and her clothes were the simple attire of a slacker.
Since she was even wearing round glasses, she was the perfect picture of a slacker.
Currently, she was spending her joyful (?) days diligently lurking on the Gallery.
Jjaak!!
"Ack!"
"You lazy wench, seriously!! Didn’t I tell you to go outside?!"
A powerful spike landed on her back as she was endlessly scrolling through the Gallery.
Although Ash’s body was as hard as cast iron, strangely, it stung.
"Look at your younger sister! She’s thirty and pregnant again, so now she has five, five! Why is a girl who was even the Commander of the Royal Guard not getting married?!"
"Ah. Mom..."
And for good reason, as it was a beating filled with love. Ash rubbed her stinging back and looked at her mother.
Though she had many wrinkles, she had facial features similar to Ash. A beauty who looked like she would have turned heads in her prime.
Although Ash was already in her thirties, her mother had given birth to her when she was nineteen. Given the times, this was normal.
"What can I do if there’s no man I like..."
"Then just lower your standards! Where on earth is there a man stronger than you?!"
"..."
Ash was left speechless by her mother’s point. It was actually half true.
Ash was exceptionally strong across all races. She was even stronger than the Elves and the Demon Race.
Of course, there must be a man stronger than her somewhere in the world. It was just that she hadn’t found him.
"Aigoo. I’m dying of frustration, dying of frustration. What’s the point of becoming a Sword Master or whatever? You’re thirty-five and still not married! Your mother is in her mid-fifties, so please listen to me!"
"But... instead, my sister married well, didn’t she? Mom, we are nobles, nobles."
Originally, Ash’s family were commoners. They achieved an elevation in status as Ash became the continent’s greatest swordsman.
That title was none other than Count! Considering that a Marquis was a Margrave, the Emperor had bestowed the highest possible title.
Moreover, because her younger sister was also beautiful, she had married well too.
Especially hearing that she had five children, one could tell their marital harmony was excellent.
Unlike her older sister, the younger sister had met her soulmate. How envious.
"What’s the point of that! When my eldest daughter is in this state! At least go outside and get some exercise!"
"But I get stronger just by breathing..."
"Do you expect me to believe that nonsense?! Get out, now!"
"Yeees!!"
Even when children grow up, they are still kids in their parents’ eyes. At her mother’s loud voice, Ash scrambled out of bed.
She then grabbed a practice sword and headed outside the mansion. Pretending to go outside, she turned right back around.
Training was a hassle. Since she had a constitution that grew stronger just by breathing, she felt no need to do it.
’I should just post something.’
Returning to her bed, she accessed the Gallery. What she did on the Gallery was simple.
Title) You Can Do It Too! Advanced Swordsmanship Lecture Part 15
Sword Matstar
Today’s advanced topic is parrying. What parrying is...
Registering swordsmanship know-how on the Gallery. It could be called her daily routine.
Originally, it was know-how she posted to level up the continent. Now, it felt like a job.
Originally, she wasn’t deeply immersed in the Gallery. Occasionally lurking was the extent of it.
But realizing her constitution too late, she fell deep into a sense of frustration—or rather, a pseudo-frustration that the world had deceived her.
└ What do you think of quick-draw techniques?
└ Sword Matstar) Instead of practicing that kind of stuff, master the basics first.
└ But it’s cool though
└ Sword Matstar) Do it after you become a Sword Master.
└ No, if you’re a Sword Master, anything you do is strong lol
There were occasionally dumbasses, but Ash spoke politely.
You ask why she was being so polite on a Gallery that openly revealed its desires?
’This is the only way to avoid suspicion.’
It was because of Ash’s usual personality. Her personality was somewhat feisty.
Thanks to that, she was able to get along well with the nobles despite her commoner origins, but it was all meaningless.
Furthermore, she had been on the Gallery for too long. Although it was nothing compared to the hardcore users, her period of activity was long.
A person who consistently used the Gallery for a long time. Moreover, when she posted swordsmanship know-how, she was even suspected.
’I’d rather kill myself than die of embarrassment.’
Since there was a chance she might get caught, she deliberately adopted a polite tone.
Therefore, she never uploaded photos or videos when registering her swordsmanship know-how.
As a genius among geniuses, perhaps because she had a considerable talent for writing, her writing style was excellent, so there were no problems.
"Ah. I want to get married."
Ash muttered, scratching her firm abs. Even though she had long passed marriageable age, she did not give up.
If there was a challenger, she was willing to accept him. It was just that the Empire blocked them because she was in seclusion.
Because the Gallery was her window to information, it was a fact she was completely unaware of.
’Is this guy strong?’
When rummaging through the Gallery, there were bound to be those who showed promise or discussed strength.
She wanted to meet a few of them in person, but before long, their shallow depth would be completely exposed.
└ Fuck, how do you dodge that? Are you kidding?
└ Sword Matstar) Why can’t you dodge it? Flexibility is essential, and to think you didn’t know that. You were just a bug who’s all mouth.
└ Absolute savage lol
Roughly like that. In most cases, even their theories were garbage. Or at least lacking.
But not everyone was an idiot. There was indeed a prominent user who caught Ash’s eye.
’How strong is this Heavenly Demon person?’
Heavenly Demon, who always shitposted. Users treated Heavenly Demon as just an ordinary gallery user who could be found anywhere.
Ash was like that at first too. However, occasionally, among the writings Heavenly Demon posted, there were some deeply related to martial arts.
Others snorted, but not Ash. Rather, she disliked Heavenly Demon several times more than others did.
’I got stronger because of this bastard...’
As genius recognizes genius, Heavenly Demon’s writings had a significant impact on Ash.
It was like a forced injection of enlightenment. Every time she read Heavenly Demon’s writings, the mana in her body noticeably increased.
It wasn’t just once or twice. At first, she brushed it off, thinking it was a fluke, but after experiencing it several times, she realized.
This bastard Heavenly Demon was mindlessly scattering her enlightenment. The funny thing was that the majority of users didn’t know its true value.
’Judging by the way she talks, she’s definitely a woman...’
If she were a man, Ash would have personally sought him out no matter what it took.
Because if he had attained this level of enlightenment, his martial power must have been strong.
However, referring to herself as ’this lady’ and judging by the way she spoke, she was a woman.
And quite an aged one at that. What was certain was that she was older than herself.
’...Not that I’m one to talk.’
Ash also generously scattered her swordsmanship know-how on the Gallery. Originally, swordsmanship had a strong tendency to be secretive.
However, because she scattered swordsmanship that anyone could easily learn, everyone’s skills rose without exception.
In particular, the nation that benefited the most was the Empire’s eternal rival, the Iris Kingdom.
Originally, the Iris Kingdom was a country where mages were stronger than knights, but due to Ash’s trolling, they caught up to the average.
-Bring this person named Sword Matstar to me immediately!!
-Your Majesty. It is impossible to verify the personal identity of a Gallery user.
-Th... Thi...! Argh...! Urgh!
-Y-Your Majesty!
Naturally, the Emperor of the Empire burst with rage, but there was no way to catch the user.
This was one of the reasons Ash quit being the Commander of the Royal Guard. How could she stay when she felt so self-conscious?
If a problem arose in the Empire, the Emperor would have to personally visit her, so Ash could enjoy a comfortable life.
Title) Heavenly Demon is a god and
Wild Grylls
(Photo of dead dogs on the ground and a hand tightly gripping a sword)
This sword is invincible.
"Hmm?"
It was when she was diligently exploring the Gallery, avoiding her mother’s gaze. A fixed handle that caught Ash’s interest appeared.
A person who claimed to have opened his eyes in a forest out of nowhere. She thought it was just the usual shitpost.
But as he obtained a medicinal herb called Crescent Moon Spirit Herb or something, the Gallery was thrown into an uproar.
From then on, she took a slight interest, wondering what on earth this human was doing.
’Is the Crescent Moon Spirit Herb that good?’
For reference, Ash did not know of the Crescent Moon Spirit Herb. She was someone who had no need for things like Spiritual Medicine.
After that, she wondered what would happen when he encountered an ox-sized Mad Dog, but he had defeated two of them.
’The cut surface is... extremely clean?’
Ash wore a surprised expression. Interest filled her blue eyes behind her round glasses.
Even looking at the photo, the cut surface was very clean.
No matter how good the sword is, most people cut even tofu in a crooked way.
There was no shaking. He said he was just an ordinary person, but that was why she was even more drawn to him.
Above all...
└ Sword Matstar) If you have nothing to do, would you like to learn swordsmanship? You seem to have talent.
└ Heavenly Demon) Silence! This lady will personally pass down her secret manual to this man! How dare you!
Heavenly Demon was showing interest. That Heavenly Demon, who was usually busy only shitposting!
She was busy shielding him, as if telling others not to touch him because she had already staked her claim.
Without realizing that doing so actually drew more attention.
’Well, look at her.’
Ash showed a toothy grin. This made her want to tease her even more.
Heavenly Demon, famous for doing things her own way, reacting like this? She wanted to tease her even more.
At the same time, it would be good to know more about Wild Grylls. Ash waited for a post to be uploaded.
Title) Found a cave, should I enter?
Wild Grylls
(Photo showing the dark cave entrance)
It’s getting dark and I need a place to rest, should I go in? What if there’s a bear?
└ You’d better pray a bear comes out instead. It might be a dungeon lol
└ Wild Grylls) What comes out of a dungeon?
└ No idea lol
└ Wild Grylls) You son of a bitch
└ Real-life random box lmfao
She thought it was just a concept at first, but it seemed he was really a human living in the wild.
There were many cases where adventurers wandering the world posted. But they weren’t bare-handed like Wild Grylls.
└ Don’t Abandon the Hero) Seeing as there are no torches, it’s not a dungeon! Still, just in case, throw a rock!
└ Wild Grylls) What if a monster pops out because of that?
└ Don’t Abandon the Hero) You have to fight!
└ Wild Grylls) The Orange Badge is just spouting whatever because she’s strong herself;; I’ll try it for now
Five minutes passed since then.
Title) This cave is mine now
Wild Grylls
(Photo of a surprisingly cozy cave interior and a thumbs-up)
I can do whatever I want with it.
└ No one’s there?
└ Wild Grylls) Yeah, but it’s a bit musty.
└ Don’t Abandon the Hero) Be careful! The owner might come back later!
└ Wild Grylls) I’m tired for now, so I’m gonna sleep.
Somehow, it seemed he had secured a cave to stay in for a day. Ash chuckled.
It was strangely entertaining. After seeing bastards who only posted nonsense day in and day out, this was a different kind of fun.
But if he died, it would all be meaningless. She should tell him to read her posts later.
’What would be needed for survival?’
She didn’t really know. If Wild Grylls needed something, she would give it to him then.
Whether he had really fallen asleep after that, there were no more posts from Wild Grylls. Ash continuously explored the Gallery.
Even if it was night in Wild Grylls’s time zone, it was day in the Empire. Meaning it was still an active time.
Then, just as the sun was setting and evening had arrived.
Someone please help. Urgent.
"Huh?"
A post by Wild Grylls was uploaded. Even from the title, it was unusual.
Ash checked the post registered at the very top. What on earth was the problem?
"Heek?"
And she couldn’t help but be greatly shocked.
Someone please help. Urgent.
(Photo of a right arm riddled with holes and bleeding)
(Photo of the decapitated corpse of the Mad Dog leader seen earlier)
Fuck, this was this bastard’s cave. I’m bleeding too much, is there anyone who can help?
Wild Grylls’s right arm was ruined. And to a serious degree.
Beyond simply having holes poked through, even the bone was exposed. It was a situation where one had to worry about excessive bleeding rather than infection.
└ Ah, fuck, put a gore warning.
└ Wild Grylls) Fuck, I’m about to die right now, and you’re saying that shit?
└ Do I care? lol
└ But isn’t this really dangerous?
An emergency had occurred.