The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 413

253. Blood (3)

“Is that… the first Corruption?”

Those who had broken through the Corruption looked at the monster in front of the cave with troubled expressions.

Caryl glanced back at them.

Aiden and Su-an, along with Miliana, Gordon, Kwell, and Altemann, stood there, having pushed through the Corruption.

“Ahem.”

Kwell McGovern cleared his throat softly as he looked at Malek’s shattered corpse at Caryl’s feet.

“He’s definitely one of the Ten Greats of the continent. Quite a feat to have broken through this far.”

Miliana looked at Gordon and Kwell. Aside from herself, none of Caryl’s people had broken through to the front lines on their own.

“It’s been a while since the Ten Greats of the continent fell. Miliana, my subordinates, including you, have also risen to the ranks of Sword Masters.”

“That’s true, but…”

Miliana looked at the other two with a dubious expression.

“Don’t worry. Those around me are not weak. I’m saying that again, including you.”

At his words, she blushed slightly.

“You speak as if I’m one of your subordinates. I was strong before you were even born, you know?”

Clang—

Miliana clashed her twin swords together, creating a sharp ringing sound.

“And Digon is even stronger.”

Kwaaaang—!!

It was then.

From the left side of the Corruption’s forces, a loud explosion rang out, and soldiers rushed in.

Miliana smiled contentedly and pointed at them.

“The Lanion Alliance has arrived.”

At that moment, Viola and Grace, who were leading the troops on horseback, spoke to Caryl. Miliana, as if not expecting it, quickly turned her head and frowned slightly.

“Why are you coming from there?”

“Why? Are we not allowed to come?”

“It’s not that, but…”

Caryl slightly raised the corner of his lips at her reaction.

“What about the other troops?”

“Digon, who was breaking through the center, is currently facing a newly created Malek, and the Immortal Order and the Free Army on the right are concentrating the attention of the Corruption being created, acting as bait to prevent them from coming this way.”

“Nine Darhoon is doing hard work, uncharacteristically.”

“Instead, he asked to borrow Mihail and Serica Lauren. Kinu Mukari and Beykan went to Digon’s side.”

“What about the left? Don’t tell me you broke through all of it.”

Miliana spoke as if she couldn’t believe that her Digon troops were tied up in the center and Viola’s troops had arrived first.

[Keke… Digon’s queen is still as proud as she was when we first met.]

“That’s why she’s strong.”

Alrn looked at Miliana and spoke as if to relieve the tension of the battlefield for a moment, and Caryl answered as if it were natural.

[Blood doesn’t lie, I guess.]

Raminu looked at her and muttered ambiguous words. But his words were drowned out by Miliana’s voice.

“Hwarin’s northern forces are in charge of the left? What, I thought your alliance was supposed to attack the left. You easily broke through the path while others were struggling to block it. I knew it.”

Miliana spoke as if her pride was slightly hurt that her tribe hadn’t arrived first.

“It’s not an easy victory, but we are the most needed force here.”

“You? What can you do?”

Thud…!!!

It was then.

The knights heavily placed the massive shields they were carrying on their backs onto the ground.

“Tactics.”

At her words, Miliana burst out laughing. Then, she looked at Grace, who was standing next to Viola, and said.

“Hey, Penria’s rookie. You remember, right? Who greeted you when you came to attack the Isthan Kingdom. Did I use tactics back then?”

Grace smiled bitterly at her words.

The meeting with Miliana was an unforgettable memory. Although the Isthan Kingdom was a small kingdom that didn’t have a Sword Master, it was conquered by a single person.

“Don’t be a hindrance. Only a monster can fight a monster. Flower petals should quietly wait for the victory news in the greenhouse.”

“Are you admitting you’re a monster?”

Viola frowned at her words.

“Of course.”

“Digon doesn’t even have half human blood in her body.”

Crack…! Snap!!

She nonchalantly accepted Viola’s nagging, as if mocking her.

“Everyone, don’t step forward. Since Digon was robbed of the first move, the Queen of Dagon will tear the enemy’s throat instead.”

At the same time, red scales sprouted all over Miliana’s body, and she walked forward majestically.

“…Is it okay?”

Aiden spoke with a slightly uneasy expression at her appearance.

The Malek they had just faced was weaker than the Blood in front of them. But in terms of speed, it was a monster that surpassed his own.

“Well, it’s worth watching at least once.”

But for some reason, Caryl had a slightly relaxed expression.

‘Even in my past life, she liked to fight alone when fighting Corruption. Miliana, who has achieved Dragon Transformation, will definitely fight much better than in her past life. However…’

He shifted his gaze to Viola, who was next to Miliana.

‘If it’s Blood, it’s different.’

Before hunting the first Corruption, which had caused tremendous sacrifices in his past life, Caryl’s decision to send Miliana out alone without stepping forward himself was by no means a sign of 余裕 [leeway/composure].

‘The embers of Corruption that will spread in the future are uncontrollably fast and vast. In order to fight them properly, experience is ultimately important.’

In that sense, Miliana’s battle would be a good example for the strong people here.

‘The problem is those guys. Perhaps they will be a good opportunity to show the future aspects of the battle.’

Apart from Miliana, Caryl still couldn’t take his eyes off the soldiers of the Lanion Alliance that Viola had brought.

“Ensem’s view of the war situation has expanded more than before.”

“Yes?”

Caryl immediately understood why Viola’s Lanion Alliance troops, and not others, had arrived at this place, and Ensem Howard’s intentions.

But Aiden didn’t know what it meant and just asked back.

“Retreat.”

As he raised his hand and lightly expressed his intention, Miliana walked towards Blood as if she had been waiting for it.

“Viola. I won’t stop you, so move according to Ensem’s plan.”

“Did you know?”

“It’s annoying that you didn’t give me a heads-up in advance, but it’s not bad.”

At his words, she let out a low sigh as if she couldn’t win.

“But don’t disappoint me. You still have homework to do.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Viola slowly nodded her head.

Kwaaaaaaaang—!!!

A sharp explosion erupted.

Click-

At that moment, Caryl slightly pulled down the Forseti’s sword he was holding, preparing to draw it at any time.

Aiden, who had a good eye, smiled at the sight, thinking that it was as expected.

Caryl’s last resort in case of emergency was, of course, Caryl himself.

“Haaaah—!!!”

Miliana, who rushed in with the speed of a raging wave, thrust her sword towards Blood.

Digon Twin Swordsmanship 2nd Form – Moonlight Jade.

As the twin swords drew a curve above her head like a crescent moon, aiming for Blood’s neck, her legs rushed towards the monster’s side.

Crack-!

As her kick hit, Blood’s side twisted, and the sound of bones breaking could be heard.

But despite Miliana’s attack, the monster didn’t change its expression at all, and instead aimed for her blind spot and waved its arm.

The sharp thorns sprouting from its fingers lengthened, covering Miliana like claws.

“Hmph…!”

At the attack coming towards her, she scoffed and covered her face with the dragon scales that had sprouted, and instead dug deeper inside.

Spinning…!!

Miliana, who had blocked Blood’s attack, pushed her sword backward from inside Blood’s chest, stabbing the sword into it.

[Keureuk!]

At the monster’s dying scream, she didn’t miss the opportunity and pushed even harder.

Squeak…!

A sharp sound that cut through the air erupted, and Blood’s flesh was cut off by the sword. Despite its tattered body, it still punched Miliana to attack her.

Clang!! Clang clang clang!!!

Every time it hit her dragon-transformed scales, it sounded like metal hitting, as if hitting a hard shield.

“Heuhahahahaha!!!”

Miliana hugged Blood’s waist tightly and gave strength with all her might.

[Keureuk…!! Keureureuk!!]

As Blood, who was struggling to escape from her embrace, staggered, the people watching couldn’t help but admire the sight.

“I was worried for nothing. I forgot for a moment that the Digon Empress is someone I can’t fathom.”

Aiden shook his head as he watched her mercilessly drive Blood away. But Caryl still didn’t say anything.

Thud-!!

As Miliana thrust her fist into Blood’s chest with a dull sound, the monster stumbled backward.

“They put a grand modifier on it, calling it the first Corruption, but it’s nothing special.”

Brushing back her face covered in red scales, she walked towards Blood with a relaxed expression.

“Die.”

With those short words, she tried to pull out her sword stuck in the back of the staggering monster.

It was then.

Krrrrrrrr…!! Crack!!

The monster’s body instantly began to swell.

“Get out of the way!!”

At Caryl’s shout, she tried to avoid it, but Blood’s body exploded even faster.

Blood.

Like its name, the moment its body exploded, the blood pouring out in all directions covered Miliana.

“Keuek?!”

The monster’s blood was faster than the speed at which she avoided the attack. Unable to avoid it, Miliana hurriedly covered her face.

At that moment, just as the red, slimy blood was about to cover Miliana, knights who had sprung out from somewhere grabbed the shields they were carrying on their backs and created a wall, blocking the monster’s attack.

Sizzle…!! Sizzle…!!!

The moment the blood touched, a pungent smell rose with white steam, as if iron was melting.

Tactic – Iron Wall.

Fwaaaaaa—!!

Viola’s voice could be heard from behind the wall of solid shields.

“These are anti-Corruption shields personally forged by Sir Calypson. Not only are they inlaid with magic, but Nine Darhoon of the Immortal Order has also placed protection magic on them. At least they can block the monster’s attack a few times.”

Miliana looked at Viola’s back.

“I told you not to interfere? You guys can’t handle it.”

“I know. But they are all Sword Expert level. They can’t unleash monster-like attacks like the Empress, but if they pour out all their magic power, they can at least keep up with the speed.”

Grace, who was standing next to Viola, carefully answered in her place. Viola looked at Miliana through the layers of massive shields.

“I heard that Corruption will spread uncontrollably in the future.”

“……”

“No matter how outstanding the Empress is, she can’t handle all those places alone. In the end, we will have to fight too.”

The blood of Blood that pierced through the shield wall touched Viola’s shoulder, leaving a clear wound on her white skin along with black smoke.

But she didn’t care and held up her rapier.

“We can’t interfere in the monster’s fight… but we will fight in a human way.”

The Silver Wrath, the heirloom of the Penria family, held in her hand, gleamed with cold frost.

“Like the Empress said, we won’t be able to catch it. So please be our sword. Instead, we will be your shield and block you with the determination to die so that you can fight to your heart’s content.”

“……Hmph.”

Miliana bit her lip slightly, about to say something but stopping.

“The greenhouse flower now finally has the unyielding will of a field weed.”

Dusyalla looked at Viola reflected in the magic mirror and smiled faintly.

“You have to roll around in the gutter to have the will to live. Is our eye level now high enough to have a conversation?”

When they first met, she was just a young princess who was worried about whether she could even stand on the battlefield.

She didn’t have outstanding swordsmanship skills like a Sword Master, nor did she have powerful magic power like the mages who had reached the realm of Archmage.

Aiden Hamill was able to become stronger because of the inferiority he felt when looking at his colleagues, but that was only possible because he had talent. But even so, Viola’s battle had something that made the knights burn.

The reason was ironically because she was weak.

In Caryl’s Free State, which can be said to be a collection of many strong people, she was not someone with any particular outstanding ability.

In the midst of strong people who could easily become burdens to be protected, she had been struggling to prove her existence.

And that appearance rather made the knights burn with fighting spirit and allowed her to become an existence that shines as a queen.

Ironically, the knights were also weak compared to the great existence called Sword Master. But at least their beliefs were no less than the strong, so Viola’s struggle was enough to draw their sympathy.

“I told you. Don’t interfere and be a hindrance.”

But Miliana still said it spitefully.

“Of course. From the beginning, I had no desire to interfere in the monster’s fight. Instead, we will be the foundation for the Empress to fight.”

Viola replied in a calm voice.

The moment he heard her answer, one corner of Caryl’s mouth slowly went up.