The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 453

271. Stepping Forward (1)

“Massive monster appearance in the Fiasta area!!! They are pouring out from the port, about 5km away!!”

Whiririk—!!!

Anthem Howard flipped through the maps as quickly as turning pages in a book upon hearing the reports from the scouts. The map was densely filled with numerous spears indicating areas tainted by the Magical Outbreak.

“Beykan, lead the Free Army immediately to defend Fiasta. Also, have the Azure Knights stationed in the north join the defense.”

At his words, the soldiers in the situation room all looked up with tense expressions.

[Understood. We will join immediately.]

A low, deep voice replied.

“Sir Kwell….”

“Finally….”

Despite it being just a single word, the soldiers began to murmur, deeply moved.

Kwell, once known as the greatest Sword Master of the continent, was no longer the strongest, but the sense of security that he and his Azure Knights provided was still significant.

Especially considering that most of the soldiers in the situation room were former Imperial soldiers, the deployment of the Azure Knights, who had staunchly defended the northern border, was akin to guaranteeing victory.

‘Please, be victorious. Securing the vanguard role is crucial to shifting the momentum in our favor,’ Anthem thought as he watched the Azure Knights advance.

“That’s fortunate,” Tiren said, looking at him.

“Pardon?”

“The Magical Outbreak appeared where Anthem-nim desired. It’s the location with the highest probability of success among the deployed forces, isn’t it?”

Anthem gave a wry smile at his words, which seemed to read his mind.

“What I truly desire is for disasters not to occur at all… But if they must come, I only wish for them to strike where the damage will be minimal.”

“Judging by the evacuation of Fiasta’s citizens, it seems you anticipated it to some extent.”

Anthem nodded.

“Since the beginning of the disasters, I’ve formulated several hypotheses about those creatures. It was difficult to draw conclusions from the first two instances, but after the third disaster and dissecting two of the Corrupted, I found that some of those hypotheses could be valid.”

“What are they?”

“Firstly, disasters have attributes. Blood possessed toxicity, but the ignition point for unleashing that power was explosion, or rather, flames. And Hekht, as you can see, has the attribute of water.”

“Hmm.”

Chwarrreuk-

Anthem waved his hand, and a small magic mirror appeared, showing two corpses sealed side by side.

“Rice began in the strait where the Silver Wing Fleet was stationed. Initially, I thought they might also have the water attribute, making my hypothesis incorrect, but that wasn’t the case.”

“An unseen level of speed. The third disaster represents wind.”

Tiren and Anthem turned their heads at the voice they heard.

Deryl Harian greeted them with a faint smile and a light bow.

“You assisted in investigating the two Corrupted. Deryl-nim also provided advice regarding the first hypothesis.”

“It’s nothing. The Golden Cross Society always has those who explore new things.”

“I heard that the research on the Divine Beast is also progressing.”

“Yes. It’s still in the early stages… but I will accelerate it further. I believe I can show you good results soon.”

Deryl nodded at Anthem’s words.

“It’s fascinating. Restoring an extinct Divine Beast means recreating it, but even alchemy that deals with metals isn’t easy, yet you’re restoring life… Frankly, isn’t that a forbidden area?”

However, unlike Anthem, Tiren sharply criticized Deryl’s research.

“I think there’s a misunderstanding. The restoration we speak of doesn’t mean the creation of life.”

“Then?”

“It’s literally restoration. Returning something that existed.”

Deryl Harian said in a low voice.

“Tiren-nim said that the Divine Beast is extinct… But who defined the definition of extinction? Please don’t make the mistake of assuming they’ve disappeared just because they’re invisible to human eyes.”

He wore a peculiar smile.

“They have always existed. Just like how Karil-nim revived the spirits in the fading Spirit Realm.”

Tiren didn’t say anything more. Anthem could only give a wry smile as he looked at him.

‘He’s still wary of those from other countries. Well, that’s probably the same for the other soldiers here. That’s why Sir Kwell was the first to be dispatched….’

The hearts of the people are the heart of heaven, a crucial foundation, but on the other hand, he felt that capturing those hearts was never an easy task.

“But why did you expect them to come towards the port just because they were wind-attribute monsters?” Deryl asked Anthem, ignoring Tiren’s gaze.

“I didn’t specifically pinpoint Fiasta. Initially, when I heard that they were wind-attribute magic and not greatly restricted by terrain, the locations where they could appear were extensive.”

“You found a distinguishing feature.”

“Yes, they chose the battlefield. Regardless of their own restrictions, they chose a place where the opponent would be restricted.”

“Hmm….”

He was speechless.

“Are you saying the monsters devised a tactic?”

“It’s too weak to call it a tactic, but at least it’s definitely different from what we’ve seen so far.”

Tiren and Deryl each said a word.

“If that’s the case, then there’s only one conclusion we can draw from that hypothesis. From Blood to Hekht, and now this disaster, Rice, they are not the simple monsters we think they are. Their intelligence is evolving more and more with each stage.”

“Does that mean that if the Corrupted continue to appear, we won’t just be facing monsters with strong powers in the future?”

Anthem nodded.

“A battle of wits,” Deryl said quietly.

“It will become increasingly difficult. To prevent that from happening, we must strike at their weaknesses.”

Anthem turned his head.

“Tiren-nim, I am not great enough to understand the Lord’s grand intentions. But it doesn’t matter whether you are an Imperial or a Free Nation citizen. If you have the strength to whine like a child, you should use it to fight.”

Tiren’s face slightly hardened at his words.

“Sharp swords are already prepared. All we have to do is become shields to block the enemy’s waves so that the sword blades can reach them.”

Anthem looked at the points on the map that were gradually turning red.

The reappearance of the Corrupted.

Starting with Fiasta, the Rice were appearing at an unstoppable rate.

“Everyone is already risking their lives to become shields on the battlefield, whether they are Imperials or Free Nation citizens….”

Fiasta Port.

Kwell McGovern gazed at the distant sea.

Maron Canyon.

Ganes Averant stared at the swarm of insects pouring through the canyon from atop a Wyvern’s head.

Northern Summit.

The foreign tribes led by Hwarin and Liliana covered their faces to withstand the biting cold.

Kiwell Coast.

Kal Mac pulled the magic sailboat with all his might. Kinu Mukari’s archery unit and Thompson’s magic corps aboard the sailboat began to chant spells.

Southern Desert.

The clan’s forces led by Digon’s three sisters ran, stirring up dust storms.

Anthem lightly tapped his forehead and said to Tiren.

“We will have to fight with knowledge.”

* * *

“The disaster has begun.”

Karil slowly opened his closed eyes.

In his hand was an old book. It was so old that he couldn’t tell what was written on the cover, likely several hundred years old.

“What about Suan and Aidan?”

“There’s no news from either of them. The mercenary corps’ airship is still parked in the forest behind the capital.”

He slowly nodded at the answer from the voice in the darkness.

“Is the preparation for the Moonlit Night complete?”

“It’s ready at any time.”

The blade flashed.

A well-honed aura like a sword emanated from Zigra, who was wearing a mask.

“From now on, you will be in charge of protecting Anchar. Keep in mind that you must never let her get hurt until Aidan reaches her.”

“Do you really think Aidan can accept the power of the Thunder Lord? Using magic with different attributes is frankly no different from suicide.” Zigra asked.

However, as a foreigner without magic, he had to be cautious in his questioning.

“If we were to find a possibility, it would be that he is from the Eastern Country [likely referring to a region inspired by East Asia]. That island across the sea is a forbidden zone, close to the Promised Land, the Dragon’s Sanctuary. The Eastern Country has long studied the colorless attribute of Dragon Magic, which has led to the birth of secret arts such as magic transformation and physical transformation.”

“Hmm….”

“Well, the result will depend on his abilities. What’s important is that Anchar’s power is needed to stop the third disaster. No matter how much he can borrow Kunchen’s power, it won’t be easy to catch the main body of Rice if Anchar can’t control the insects.”

“Protecting the barbarian. I understand. I will follow your orders.”

Zigra bowed to Karil and disappeared into the darkness.

“Then what should we do? I have a feeling you’ll tell us to move with this big guy.”

As if waiting for him to disappear, a voice was heard. It was Yurin Hyugard.

The protagonist of the bulk he was poking with his elbow was none other than the giant Hawat.

“…….”

Hawat had a large shield on his back.

“It’s complete.”

Karil looked at the shield shining in the darkness.

The Aegis of Meteorite Iron.

The shield of God bestowed upon the first apostle who founded the Order [likely referring to a religious order]. It was the Order’s sacred object that Yurin Hyugard had coveted before.

“I was wondering who would use this, but now I know.”

Yurin Hyugard chuckled.

When he first brought the Aegis from the Order, he had guessed that it belonged to Hawat, the giant.

However, judging from the fact that the shield was sealed once more in a large box, he was not the owner of the Aegis either.

Moreover, there were many differences between the appearance of the shield when it was first brought from the Order and now.

Calipson had newly modified the Aegis with the bones of Tosca brought from the Order, placing the shield at the center, adding Blue Phosphorus on top, and finally melting Tosca’s bones and applying them on top.

The shield, which was already enormous, had grown even larger, to the point where even Hawat, a giant, could barely lift it.

“You two will now go to the front line where Wingel Hart is. Give him that shield.”

“Wingel Hart….”

Yurin found the answer and laughed in disbelief.

“Ascalon.”

Karil said, looking at him.

Only then did Yurin, as if his curiosity had been resolved, look at the Aegis on Hawat’s back and quietly say.

“Well, it’s definitely not something a human can use anymore, but I never dreamed you’d give it to a golem. But didn’t you say that this disaster is caused by insects so small they can’t be seen? No matter how great the golem’s abilities are, I wonder if it will be effective….”

“Don’t worry. Ascalon isn’t using the shield as a shield against Rice. He’s going somewhere else.”

“Pardon?”

The Aegis, called the shield of absolute rejection, looked like the most suitable thing for defense to anyone.

But Yurin tilted his head, seemingly unable to understand Karil’s words that he wouldn’t use the shield for defense.

“Small fries don’t suit a giant. Naturally, we must give him an opponent worthy of him.”

Karil said quietly.

“Pharel.”