The Shadow Patriarch's Rebirth: Cast Aside as the Weakest, I Returned to Rule the World
Chapter Sixteen — The Patriarch's Sword
Location:
House Valerius — Patriarch's Hall
Time: Moments after the challenge
Scene 1: The First Strike
The hall fell silent.
Magnus Valerius lifted the Patriarch's Sword.
The blade sang.
A pressure like a mountain descended.
Elder (whisper): "That aura…"
Magnus stepped forward.
No flourish.
One strike.
The air split.
Celsius moved.
Shadow bent space.
The blade passed through an afterimage.
Gasps erupted.
Kael: "Impossible."
Scene 2: Weight of Blood
Magnus turned slowly.
Magnus: "You dodge like a veteran."
Celsius felt his bones scream.
Celsius (thought): Still too heavy…
He raised his arm.
Shadow hardened—just enough.
Steel met darkness.
The impact shattered the platform's edge.
Celsius slid back, boots scraping.
Blood dripped from his mouth.
Lyra cried out.
Lyra: "Stop!"
Scene 3: The Sword Remembers
The Patriarch's Sword vibrated.
Runes ignited.
A deep hum echoed.
Magnus froze.
Magnus: "…It's reacting."
The blade tilted—slightly—toward Celsius.
Silence fell.
Elder: "That hasn't happened since—"
Magnus tightened his grip.
Scene 4: Brothers Interfere
Kael stepped forward.
Kael: "This farce ends now."
He drew his sword.
Darius followed.
Darius: "Together."
Shadows flared violently.
Celsius: "Don't."
Too late.
Magnus roared.
Magnus: "STAND DOWN!"
A wave of pressure slammed Kael and Darius to their knees.
Scene 5: Father and Son
Magnus lowered his blade.
He looked at Celsius—not as a failure.
But as an heir.
Magnus: "Who taught you restraint?"
Celsius answered truthfully.
Celsius: "Suffering."
Magnus closed his eyes.
Magnus: "And power?"
Celsius hesitated.
Celsius: "…Shadow."
The word echoed.
Scene 6: Judgment
Magnus turned to the elders.
Magnus: "This duel ends."
Magnus: "Celsius Valerius will not be exiled."
Gasps.
Kael shouted.
Kael: "Father!"
Magnus's gaze hardened.
Magnus: "And an investigation will begin."
Kael went pale.
Darius stiffened.
Scene 7: A Private Truth
Location: Inner Chamber
Magnus faced Celsius alone.
Magnus: "You walk a path that once nearly destroyed us."
Celsius met his gaze.
Celsius: "I won't repeat it."
Magnus studied him long and hard.
Then—
Magnus: "I believe you."
Scene 8: The Sword's Choice
As Celsius turned to leave—
The Patriarch's Sword rang.
It leaned—clearly—toward him.
Magnus inhaled sharply.
Magnus (whisper): "So… it has chosen."
Celsius did not touch it.
Not yet.