I Tamed the Black Duke as a Terminally-Ill Saint (3 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 13
Clang!
I immediately hurled the sword away.
“How rude.”
The voice rang out once more.
This time, it was whiny.
“After hundreds of years, I finally meet a master, and this is how you treat me? Honestly, humans have no idea how precious a legendary sword like me is.”
“You… you…”
I couldn’t even form coherent words.
“Yes, I am Denesor.”
The sword declared proudly.
“Consider it an honor that I spoke to you, human.”
I glared at the sword.
Of course, I’d never actually spoken directly to Denesor in the game.
By that point, Denesor had already found his host Hades and was being put to good use.
But… was he really this frivolous?
‘I expected him to be better at persuading people.’
I slowly opened my mouth.
“Why do you want something in return instead of saving Hades Crohittner?”
For a brief moment, silence fell.
“You.”
If the sword had eyes, it would be glaring at me fiercely right now.
“You already know what I am?”
“I do.”
“Who told you? Everyone who knew my true identity should have died long ago.”
Instead of answering, I picked up the sword again.
I didn’t want to carry a weapon that tried to deceive and manipulate me—but right now, I had no choice.
Without Denesor, I would literally die.
‘…I was hoping there might be some way to use him, but it seems that won’t work either.’
Maybe if Denesor had stayed quiet—but now that he was actively trying to tempt me, even wielding him felt unsettling.
“Look here, you’re hesitating? Do you really have time for that? Just glance out the window—you’ll see exactly how dire your beloved’s situation is.”
Denesor was right.
As soon as I looked out the window, I saw Hades and the knights overwhelmed.
Admittedly, Hades was fighting brilliantly despite having all his skills sealed, as befitting a Swordmaster—but the demons showed no end.
‘…The knights are the problem.’
Donovan’s knights were clearly skilled.
Under Sir William’s command at the front, they moved efficiently, cutting down demons with such precision it drew admiration.
The issue was—they were all just ordinary swordsmen, unable to use any skills.
‘If only there were even one water mage…!’
I tried to recall every character from the North, wondering if anyone had been mentioned—even in passing—as having water abilities.
Then, suddenly, a conversation flashed into my memory.
“A fortress this massive in the wastelands…? Forget everything else—but how did they manage water?”
“There’s a huge underground lake. The castle was built right above it.”
“Seriously?”
“Yep. By now, it’s probably frozen solid. With the Grand Duke rampaging like that… do you really think the lake would stay untouched?”
And indeed, when I’d gone down to the underground cavern to retrieve an item, the lake had been completely frozen white.
I swallowed hard.
Was there any way I could somehow use that water?
‘There must be waterways.’
Donovan Grand Ducal Castle had abundant water.
Turn a faucet, and water gushed out; small drinking fountains could be found everywhere.
And the gardens!
Tiny fountains dotted the grounds, and the central fountain—built to flaunt the castle’s grandeur—was enormous.
And right now, where Hades Crohittner was fighting…
‘It’s not far from the garden.’
If I could just divert the waterway—just a little, a tiny bit.
‘How?’
I dropped Denesor and buried my face in my hands.
Denesor made a sound of protest, but I paid no attention.
It was a sword trying to tempt and corrupt me.
If I could, I’d shove it right back where I’d found it.
‘But I can’t do that.’
I took a deep breath.
If I had to carry Denesor anyway… maybe using him just a little wouldn’t hurt.
“…Denesor.”
“You even know my name? You know everything.”
“Do you know anything about this castle?”
“Of course I do.”
Denesor’s voice suddenly brightened.
“What do you want to know? Tell me anything! I’ll help however I can—you’re my master, after all.”
“I want to redirect the waterway connected to the underground lake.”
Denesor’s reply came a bit slowly.
“…So you plan to wipe out the demons that way. Clever.”
“Yeah.”
I nodded.
“It seems to me that a legendary sword like you wouldn’t find opening a waterway too difficult… unless I’ve misjudged you?”
Denesor made a thoughtful sound.
“Well… I’ve never had a master ask me to do something like that before. I need a moment to think.”
I glanced out the window.
Hades was still swinging his sword without showing fatigue—but the knights were the issue.
‘…Things are going to go badly soon.’
What if the knights were all seriously injured or even killed?
That burden would fall entirely on Hades.
Sighing, I picked up Denesor again.
“Hey! Didn’t I just say I need time to think?!”
“Think while we move.”
“But I can’t think properly when you’re shaking me like this!”
Denesor whined.
“Can’t a legendary sword even handle a little shaking?”
“Well…!”
Denesor’s words abruptly cut off.
‘Oh, so you were just exaggerating.’
Just as I hurriedly started walking—
“I’m not some legendary sword…”
What?
Before I could even process it, words tumbled out of my mouth.
“You are a legendary sword! Denesor, the Holy Sword. A Demon Sword capable of corrupting humans if you so desire!”
“Corrupting? What nonsense.”
Denesor sounded utterly exasperated.
“Do you really think a human could be corrupted just by a sword? Are people really that weak in your eyes, human?”
“…”
“If someone was corrupted, it’s because they corrupted themselves and blamed it on me.”
“But earlier you said…”
“I said I’d ask for a price.”
Denesor let out a sound almost like a sigh.
“Is that the same as corruption?”
“…”
Now that I thought about it, Denesor had never once said he’d harm me directly.
Of course, he could still be deceiving me… but…
“I’m more like a parasite.”
Denesor explained quietly.
“I always need to take something from my master. There have been people who gave me everything—and died drained dry.”
I bit my lip.
Denesor’s words made sense.
But if that were true…
‘Did Hades corrupt himself, then?’
That was hard to accept.
The Hades Crohittner I’d actually seen was absolutely not the type to willingly fall into corruption—unless through some strange dark magic.
“So… your power is actually insignificant?”
I tried changing the subject.
“Who said that!”
Denesor was openly indignant.
“I simply do only as much as my master gives me!”
“What do I need to give you?”
“Power.”
Denesor replied without hesitation.
“I need power. Anything works. Mages offered me magical energy, swordsmen offered sword energy, and priests gave me holy energy…”
I tilted my head.
“But on the first day I picked you up, I could swing you fine without using any holy energy. What was that about?”
Denesor proudly emitted a white glow.
“That’s because I’m a legendary sword!”
You just contradicted yourself, you idiot…
“I can handle basic swordsmanship for you. You don’t need to learn sword techniques from that rookie earlier.”
“Still, it wouldn’t hurt to learn anyway.”
I shrugged.
“I might need to use another sword besides you.”
“Another sword—when you have me?!”
The light turned deep crimson and flickered wildly.
“Do you really think I’d just stand by?”
“…Alright, alright.”
While we talked like this, we’d somehow already arrived at the underground lake.
‘Just as I remembered.’
Except for one thing—the lake wasn’t frozen.
“Be grateful, human.”
I heard Denesor’s voice.
“Just stab me into the lakebed. Then I’ll redirect the waterway however you want.”
“…Into the lakebed?”
I couldn’t swim.
It wasn’t that I feared water.
I just had never learned how to swim before.
“Yes, the lakebed. Preferably right at the center.”
I swallowed hard.
He wanted me to go all the way to the center of that massive lake?
‘No way!’
I frantically scanned my surroundings.
Fortunately, I spotted a wooden plank.
“You… don’t tell me—you can’t swim?!”
“Shut up.”
I placed Denesor on the plank and pushed it toward the center of the lake.
‘…So cold.’
Thankfully, the lake’s edge wasn’t very deep.
At first, the water only reached my shins.
But soon it rose to my waist, then my chest, and finally up to my nose.
I still had a long way to go to reach the center.
I took a quick breath and started kicking while clinging to the plank.
Eventually, I barely reached the exact center.
I gritted my teeth.
My whole body felt like it was freezing solid, and the dark water gave no hint of how deep it truly was.
‘But… I have to do it.’
I squeezed my eyes shut and gripped Denesor tightly.
Perhaps because, despite feeling light to me, he still had his true weight—
Clutching him, I curled my body and sank quickly into the lake.
The fear of being crushed by the water lasted only a moment.
“Stab it in!”
At Denesor’s shout, I blindly drove his sharp tip into the lakebed.
Immediately, Denesor began vibrating intensely.
No—actually, the entire lake started shaking.
I held onto Denesor’s hilt and endured it.
I could clearly feel water channels forming throughout the lake through my body.
‘Holy energy! I need to channel holy energy into him.’
Denesor had clearly said he required payment.
I hurriedly poured my meager holy energy into him.
‘…It’s not enough.’
I sensed it instinctively.
Compared to this vast lake—the lifeblood of the entire castle—both Denesor’s and my own power were pitifully small.
Only then did a question finally surface in my mind—something I should’ve asked long ago.
‘If all my holy energy gets drained… what exactly gets drained?’
And I remembered Denesor’s own words:
“There have been people who gave me everything—and died drained dry.”
Could I… could I actually die?
But my fading vision was already telling me a conclusion far bleaker than my optimistic hopes.
Just before my last thread of consciousness snapped, a pointless thought crossed my mind.
‘…I hope that guy at least makes it out alive…’
Male lead is a clingy little husband
One-line summary: The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
Introduction:
One day, Lu Yuner’s soul transmigrates into a female-dominant world. She enters the Imperial Academy and takes up the position of a doctoral instructor, teaching classes and grading schoolwork.
One day, she encounters the young prince Su Qingwan secretly skipping class from the male academy.
As a result, Su Qingwan is punished.
From then on, Su Qingwan sees Lu Yuner as a “thorn in his side”.
But before long, this “thorn” becomes the person he cherishes most, and he goes to great lengths to win Lu Yuner’s affection.
Mini scene 1:
One day, the sun is high in the sky but Su Qingwan still hasn’t gotten up for class.
Servant Xiaoyuan: “Young prince, it’s time for class. You’ll be late otherwise.”
Su Qingwan says arrogantly: “I’m not going. I am the esteemed prince, my status is so noble, why should I suffer this hardship? Besides, isn’t learning all this just to please women? Hmph, they’re not worthy!”
Mini scene 2:
After Su Qingwan falls for someone, he completely changes. He no longer skips class and diligently learns how to be a good husband and father. But he discovers that Sister Yuner is always surrounded by admirers.
Drunk and overcome with jealousy one day, he clings to Lu Yuner, crying beautifully like a pear blossom in the rain.
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan likes Sister Yuner.”
Lu Yuner: “Young prince, you’re drunk.”
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan isn’t drunk. Qingwan likes Sister Yuner, likes you so much, likes you to bits…” Before he can finish, Lu Yuner’s eyes flash with emotion and she leans in closer.
[Reading Guide]
1. The female lead is gentle, gracious, humble and polite but not weak. The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
2. 1v1, a bit torturous in the beginning but definitely sweet later on.
_____
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