The Last Legendary Weapons Master: Rise of the strongest player-Chapter 29: The Old Way

Kevin rose from his seat, voice deepening.

"Sir Asterion Heart, would you kindly cease insulting this chamber and take your designated seat?"

He pointed toward the seat at the apex of the pyramid .. the one reserved for the strongest.

Asterion waved him off.

"I’ve no intention of climbing up there. The view suits me better down here."

Kevin pressed a hand to his face, struggling to contain his expression.

Despite Asterion’s shameless conduct, there was nothing Kevin could do but request—never command.

That was what it meant to be the strongest.

To do as you pleased, regardless of anyone’s disapproval.

Asterion swept his gaze across the hall before stepping between Moon and Ethan, his smile deepening.

"So? What did I miss?"

He directed the question at Kevin.

"Tell me everything. This sounds... interesting."

His arrival changed everything.

Ethan sensed this might be his only chance to save himself—and he instinctively tried to align himself with Asterion.

But the old man raised his palm immediately, halting him.

"Easy, boy. Choose your words carefully. Something as trivial as trying to win me to your side won’t earn you anything."

He smiled at Ethan.

Ethan nodded stiffly.

’This old man... he saw through my intention at a glance...’

He reminded himself not to underestimate the man before him.

No matter how foolish or harmless he acted, it did not change the truth—

He was not merely the strongest among the Hearts.

He was the strongest in the entire kingdom.

At Asterion’s request, Kevin reluctantly summarized the situation.

He feared the old man’s whims—but had no choice.

It took only minutes before Asterion understood everything.

Nodding with that same confident smile, he adjusted his worn hat.

"I see. I understand the general picture."

"Asterion, I ask that you do nothing irresponsible—this matter is not trivial."

"I know, I know..."

Asterion waved him off, clearly uninterested in Kevin’s warnings.

Instead, he turned toward Ethan.

"Before we finalize your fate, I’d like a word with young Ethan Heart."

With swift steps, he moved beside Ethan and casually draped his right arm over his shoulders.

His face drew close .. close enough that Ethan could smell the fine liquor on his breath.

Asterion stared at him for several silent seconds, as though trying to see straight through him.

Moon made a move to intervene—but stopped.

Asterion was serious this time.

So serious that an invisible pressure pushed even her back.

The silence stretched.

Ethan’s tension rose.

And Finally, Asterion spoke.

"Tell me, Ethan... do you wish to continue as a hunter? To walk the path of the Eternal Night for the rest of your life?"

Ethan, expecting something far more complicated, was momentarily surprised by the simplicity of the question.

Still, he answered without hesitation—aware that a single word could change everything.

"Yes, sir. I believe I belong to the hunting grounds... not within the safety of city walls."

He spoke, locking eyes with Asterion, and continued ..

"I was already branded by the curse... and since that moment, I’ve felt that this body is destined to walk the Eternal Night for the rest of its life."

"I lost my life once, sir. I lost it in the Land of the Curse... and I regained it on that very same soil. I may have lost my memories, but I still know how to deal with monsters and creatures of darkness. I believe it is my fate to fight there—among the hunters."

"If I lose the title of Hunter, then it is no different from death to me. My body may continue breathing, but my spirit would rot—imprisoned behind Ashvarn’s walls."

At this, Asterion narrowed his eyes.

"Are you saying you are prepared to end your life if you are no longer a hunter?"

The question stunned everyone—especially Ethan’s squad.

His answer deepened their shock.

He nodded without hesitation.

"Yes, sir."

Silence swallowed the hall the instant the words left his lips.

Asterion slowly withdrew his arm from around Ethan’s shoulders and stepped back, the same unreadable smile resting upon his face.

"I see, Ethan... You are prepared to die."

The old man extended his hand ..

A sword materialized from nothingness before him.

It was an ordinary blade, medium in length, single-edged and keen.

He caught it easily .. then tossed it at Ethan’s feet.

"Go on, then. The elders have stripped you of your Hunter title. You said you are ready to end your life? Show me."

His tone was grave .. stripped of its usual mischief.

His words struck terror into Ethan’s squad and startled even the elders.

Moon and the others attempted to move—

But a monstrous pressure crashed down upon them, pinning their bodies in place.

Even the elders were not exempt.

This was the power of the man said to be the only one whose strength approached that of the ancient heroes.

"Let everyone watch .. quietly and obediently. I will not forgive anyone who interferes."

Asterion gestured toward the sword lying on the floor.

"Pick it up. End your life."

He raised his hand once more .. another sword forming within his grasp.

"If you hesitate... or refuse... know that I will be the one to end it for you."

Despite the smile, the killing intent he released was suffocating.

Ethan felt as though he stood before the Reaper himself.

It was a presence that made even the Ember Hunter seem like a trivial beast.

Yet despite the pressure ..

Despite the horrified faces of his companions, drenched in despair—

Ethan smiled.

He smiled at the Uncrowned Emperor.

Slowly, he bent down and picked up the sword with his mechanical arm.

Asterion’s eyes sharpened, observing every minute detail.

But Ethan ignored him completely.

His focus was solely on the blade.

’I know what you’re thinking, Uncrowned Emperor.’

’You want to see my true metal.’

’Unless I truly attempt to kill myself, you won’t acknowledge a single word I said...’

His smile widened .. bordering on madness.

And in that moment, buried memories surfaced within him.

’Do you think I lack the courage to kill myself?’

’How many times... do you think I’ve lost hope in life?’

How many times had that young man tied a noose..

Determined to end everything after all he had endured?

What Asterion did not know ..

Was that the youth standing before him had already tried to take his own life.

More than once.

’I used to wake up every day wondering what the point of living was... what reason I had to endure one more sunrise. Do you think I would hesitate now?’

He laughed softly.

Then raised the sword and placed it against his throat.

"You know nothing about me, Uncrowned Emperor. And you do not know how far I am willing to go... to reach what I seek."

Before the horrified eyes of all present ..

Ethan drove the blade into his neck without hesitation.

Even Asterion was caught off guard.

He had not expected the young man before him to be insane enough to truly follow through.

Moon and the others shut their eyes, unwilling to witness the spray of blood they were certain would follow.

But it never came.

The hall remained unstained.

Ethan blinked in confusion.

The sword had passed clean through his neck ..

Emerging from the other side without resistance.

A phantom blade.

Asterion withdrew his pressure, dispelling the second sword as laughter erupted from him.

"You truly did not hesitate! I have not seen something like this in a long time!"

He laughed heartily before taking the sword from Ethan’s grasp.

"I’ll be taking this back. I have no desire for you to steal it with your blessing."

Then he turned toward the elders.

"I have made my decision regarding Ethan Heart. And I will not accept objections from any of you."

Kevin’s face darkened at once.

Asterion ignored him entirely.

"We shall settle this the old way."

Ethan frowned slightly.

"The old way?"

Asterion answered calmly.

"Maria’s Reckoning."

The words sent ripples through the chamber.

Everyone understood at once ..

Except Ethan.

Fortunately, Asterion elaborated.

"Maria’s Reckoning is the traditional method by which we Hearts resolve disputes. A duel, held before many witnesses. The victor claims what he seeks."

He turned toward Kevin.

"You said you’ve already prepared a replacement, didn’t you? Then let the hunter you’ve chosen face Ethan Heart in Maria’s Reckoning. The winner secures the position in the Third Squad."

"And to make it fair—"

Asterion’s smile returned.

"They will be granted one month to prepare. The agreed interval before the Third Squad’s next hunting expedition."

One month.

In one month, Ethan would face a decisive duel ..

Against someone who had at least reached the Advanced Rank.

No one understood Asterion’s true motive.

Was it whimsy?

Had he seen something within Ethan?

Or was it merely bias toward his granddaughter?

No one knew.

But because of him—

Ethan had been given a chance.

A chance to remain a hunter.