12. The Old Man and The Sword ‘Helix’
Starting November 2023, The Korea Daily is excited to publish the fantasy novel series “Sword of Malta – Lightning in 72 Years” on our website. This new captivating series follows a trio of young adventurers on their quest to uncover the mysteries of ancient civilizations, including the Maya and Inca. In an exciting development, Netflix is currently adapting the novel’s storyline into a film.
The ‘Sword of Malta – Lightning in 72 Years’ is the latest novel authored by Jeeyoon Ha, who created the “Pangaea series.” Ha’s debut novel, “The Pangaea: Finding Xibalba,” was selected by the Korea Creative Content Agency in 2022 as part of their initiative to support the global export of fantasy literature.
Readers can eagerly anticipate the online publication of two installments each month, with new chapters appearing bi-weekly, offering a regular escape into this magical realm. *Mark Oh translated the Korean novel into English.
Maru stuck out his tongue.
“St. John’s Cathedral… The Co-Cathedral of St. John is a splendid Baroque-style church built by the Knights in the 16th century, and it’s a really important place in Malta. Inside the church, there are exhibits of the history of the Knights of Malta and their artworks. But….”
Sabi put on her glasses and started an endless lecture.
“Begone, demon of education and enlightenment…”
Suri and Maru were muttering as if they were casting a spell, covering their ears.
The three children turned right at St. John’s Co-Cathedral and entered a small alley. A sign saying “Tripoli” was erected. Tripoli was narrow and twisted, and it was easy to get lost. After following the alley for a while, there was a small square on the left. It was St. George’s Square. The most beautiful square in Malta, with a fountain that sprayed water like light and a solemn church, and there were colorful cafes and shops around.
“It’s so cool. It feels so romantic, like we should eat ice cream at an open-air cafe?”
“…Ice cream can’t relieve my absolute poverty.”
While Sabi was making a fuss as if she had met her first love looking at the street, Maru grumbled.
The three children entered the alley on the right of the square. Another small alleyway appeared as if they were in a maze. The sign read “Fairy’s Path”. The alleyway was dark yet decorated with vibrant lights, and magic-related shops were abundant. At the end of the alleyway, the Fairy’s Chimney appeared. Upon seeing the sign that read [Fairy Chimne], the letters inside the sign were repeatedly dispersing and gathering.
Suri entered that store. It seemed narrow at a glance but it was a special space that appeared wide, filled with ancient artifacts. An old man who seemed to be the shop owner greeted Suri warmly.
“Welcome. I’ve been waiting for a long time.”
The old man resembled Malta, the cat they met at the Dragon Library.
“You’ve been waiting for me?”
Suri felt as if he were dreaming.
“Yes… I recognized you from the moment you entered. And…”
The old man looked behind him. There, the dwarf Barrel who gave Suri the newspaper was sitting and gulping down beer.
“So, you must know what I’m looking for?”
Suri’s heart was pounding with the increasingly exciting adventure.
“Yes, indeed. I’m so moved that I’m on the verge of tears.”
As soon as the old man finished his words, he drew out and held up a sword.
Suri looked at the sword Helix, which he had seen in the newspaper ad, with eyes full of admiration. It was clear that the content of the newspaper was not a scam, and it was clear that the old man was not a scammer either.
“This sword has been shrouded in a long secret, so even I don’t know much about its ins and outs. However… oh…”
The old man suddenly stopped speaking and gasped.
The torch-shaped hilt of the sword Helix was slowly rotating.
“You must take this sword.”
The old man handed over the sword, gripping Suri’s hand firmly. His hand was hard like a tree trunk, but warm.
“It’s much cooler than what I saw in the newspaper… But… it’s free, right?”
Suri had a hopeful look in his eyes.
“…You must go now. It’s time for this city to disappear.”
The old man had a regretful expression.
“The city is disappearing?”
Suri was startled.
“This city only exists for one day. And it will appear again next year.”
The old man spoke with a tone full of regret.
“Wasn’t this Malta?”
Saliva splattered from Maru’s mouth.
“…What kind of metaphor is this?”
Sabi acted like an overly theoretical professor.
“It is Malta, and it is a metaphor. Because it’s another Valletta within the Valletta of Malta island.”
The old man smiled kindly.
“Then, please tell me the name of this city.”
Suri’s adrenaline was exploding with surging curiosity.
“Alatus Viator….”
The old man gathered his hands as if in prayer and spoke devoutly.
“Alatus Viator…?”
Suri repeated the words clearly.
“Now, I will show you the way out of the city. Follow me.”
The old man gave a secret wink to Barrel, who was sitting behind him. Barrel stood up from his seat, approached the fireplace, and shot lightning into the burning fire. The fire changed from yellow, to red, to blue, and then went out. Then, a magical curtain that had not been visible before was lifted, revealing a hatch on the floor. In the center of the hatch was a round hole with the torch sword pattern.
“Only you can open the hatch.”
The old man stepped back behind Suri.
“Me…?”
Suri was dumbfounded.
Then, something crossed Suri’s mind. It was the dead disk. Suri took out the dead disk and approached the hatch. The dead disk seemed to fit perfectly into the hole of the hatch. As he put the dead disk into the hole, the torch sword patterns on the hatch and the disk began to glow at the same time.
“Counterclockwise. You must never turn it clockwise.”
As Suri grabbed the handle of the hatch, a clicking sound was heard. When he turned the handle counterclockwise, the hatch opened with a dull sound. When the hatch opened, a long iron ladder leading to the basement appeared.
“I didn’t know fairies lived underground.”
Sabi joked with a surprised expression and a nonchalant voice.
“Then… shall we embark?”
The old man waved his hand to say goodbye to the three children.
[To be continued…]
