My Lord Who Is Being Prudent! [EN]: Chapter 165

§ 165. Clash (1)

In the shaking vision.

-They threaten our lord and Ruben. Eliminate them all!

“Everyone, prepare for battle!”

At Kendrick and Lucas’s shouts, Ruben’s knights and soldiers drew their swords.

The White Wolf Knights, including Aaron, gripped their swords tightly.

The situation was unexpected.

That Death Knight with unbelievable power.

The Wraith of Thought, comparable to him.

And Ruben’s knights and soldiers.

This could hardly be considered the power of a mere territory.

Especially not a remote territory like this.

But that was all.

The knights, including Aaron, were the renowned White Wolf Knights.

The premier knight order of the Empire, with entry qualifications reaching Sword Expert [a high rank in swordsmanship].

“They are traitors who have defied the Lord and turned their backs on the family! Show no mercy!”

The pouring mana [magical energy] approaches before their eyes.

The flashing blue light fills Aaron’s vision.

“Fix bayonets!”

Yes, you are my opponent.

Aaron gritted his teeth and raised his sword.

Clashing momentum and mana.

Different forces collide.

Kwaaaang!

With the collision of power and power, fragments of force scattered in all directions.

The entire forest trembled, and there was an illusion that the space was shaking.

And Aaron knew it instantly.

He couldn’t handle it…

“Cough…!”

Red blood spurted from Aaron’s mouth.

Even with a single clash, the difference in level was felt directly.

Aaron moved his body quickly.

At the same time, he quickly changed his mind.

This Death Knight is an existence that cannot be dealt with easily.

It’s unbelievable, but it’s an overwhelming force comparable to Durak.

He didn’t know where such an existence came from.

But there was only one thing to do.

On the other hand, there was the White Wolf Knights, including Aaron.

In addition to the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Knight Orders, there was even a Knight Order attached for Cyan’s surveillance.

There were as many as four Knight Orders in this place.

A force that could devastate most earldoms.

So, he just needed to buy time.

If he could tie down the Death Knight, the rest would be taken care of by the White Wolf Knights.

Aaron, a mid-level Master [a high-ranking swordsman].

He wouldn’t be able to defeat the Death Knight, but he could buy some time.

Aaron gripped his sword.

However, he soon had to change his mind again.

Flash!

Dark blue light flickered before Aaron’s eyes.

At the same time, a huge sword covered his vision.

Kwaang!

He hurriedly raised his sword to block, and a heavy impact was felt at his fingertips.

Aaron threw himself back and swung his sword.

But there was no sense of contact.

Saaaaak!

Dark darkness emanated around Kendrick.

Death Knight.

The Black Lion Knights who drove the demons into a corner a thousand years ago.

There are no demons where the Black Lion Knights have reached.

The knight order in mythology that wrote that legendary story.

Kendrick was the leader of such Black Lion Knights, and the name given to him was Demon Slayer.

Sharp sword strikes pour in. Cutting and stabbing.

Those simple and easy strikes pour in one after another.

Kwakwang! Kwakwakwang!

“Keuheok!”

Aaron vomited blood.

His insides seemed to be a mess, and he couldn’t come to his senses from the terrible pain.

He had clearly blocked the pouring strikes, but he couldn’t tell if he had blocked them or been hit with the sword.

Aaron looked ahead with trembling eyes.

This… he couldn’t handle this.

Buying time itself… was arrogance.

Aaron couldn’t deny the thought that came to his mind.

The best sword on the continent, Durak Elandur.

This Death Knight…

Kwaaaang!

He was a skilled person who could easily compete with Durak.

“How dare you!”

“You bastards!”

The White Wolf Knights’ anger erupted from all directions.

And the cause of that anger was none other than resistance.

The struggle of an existence they thought was a bug.

Ruben’s knights and soldiers who were not being swept away.

No, could that be called a struggle?

Ruben’s knights and soldiers were fighting equally against the White Wolf Knights.

Originally, they shouldn’t have been able to put up proper resistance.

But they were resisting.

Beyond resistance, they were confronting.

Is this… is this even possible?

Aaron couldn’t believe the sight.

It was none other than the White Wolf Knights.

The strongest force consisting of at least Expert level [another high rank in swordsmanship].

The premier knight order of the Empire, and perhaps the premier knight order of the continent.

But they weren’t being pushed back.

Not being pushed back…?

No, that wasn’t the level to discuss.

Kiyaaaaaaaaak!!!

Ghoulish screams erupted from all directions.

“Keuheok…!”

“Keuhahak…!”

The White Wolf Knights screamed and fell.

They were being pushed back…

The White Wolf Knights, who could be called the strongest on the continent…

“Keuheok!”

“Keuhak!”

They were being pushed back without being able to resist Ruben’s forces.

“T, this is…!”

Saaaaak!

In an instant, pitch-black darkness soared from under Aaron’s feet.

From within the soaring darkness, the screams of the dead were heard.

Aaron is in this situation…

“Keuhahak…!”

He couldn’t believe it.

#

At the point when Ruben’s knights and the White Wolf Knights were clashing.

Cyan and Kai were facing each other with their swords crossed.

Kagagak!

A dull metallic sound arose from the touching swords.

The collision of power and power.

Chilling fragments of force scattered in all directions.

“······!”

The eyebrows of Kai, who was watching, twitched.

The emotion shown in that appearance was surprise.

And a hint of embarrassment.

It seemed that he couldn’t understand the situation where Cyan had blocked his sword.

Soon, Kai’s momentum exploded.

A tremendous weight of pressure covered the sword.

Kakakak! The sound of swords and metal clashing constantly erupted.

‘Keuek…!’

Cyan stepped back a few steps due to that terrible force.

This was the first time he had directly crossed swords with Kai, including the past.

All he had done was to see Kai’s level out of the corner of his eye when he was in the family.

But now.

Even with just one clash, Cyan could bitterly realize Kai’s level.

And he could clearly see how much of a gap there was between them.

A realm he couldn’t reach yet.

Even though he had repeatedly achieved tremendous growth through numerous training and P2W [pay-to-win, a gaming term], he couldn’t reach Kai’s level.

But.

‘I can see it.’

He could see that realm.

He couldn’t see it before, but he could see it now.

Of course, he can’t reach that level.

It’s still far away.

But the gap is now visible.

He had followed enough to be visible.

Kwaddeuk!

Cyan put strength in his legs and gritted his teeth.

He swallowed the blood that rose to his throat and put strength in the hand holding the sword.

Jjeoeong!

With a heavy sound, Cyan’s body was pushed back greatly.

His body, caught in the force, staggered and shook.

He barely managed to regain his balance by applying force.

A bitter taste of blood was felt between his clenched teeth.

On the other hand, Kai didn’t take any damage at all.

He was just standing silently in the place where he had clashed just now.

He had hoped that he would stagger a little, but.

Kai was just standing still in that spot like a statue.

Cyan glanced at Kai and turned his gaze slightly.

Chaeng! Chaechaeng!

Fierce battles were continuing around him.

Ruben’s forces and the White Wolf Knights.

As expected, Ruben’s forces were overwhelming the White Wolf Knights.

First of all, he couldn’t do anything about Kendrick.

Aaron was stepping up to stop him, but it was only a matter of time.

So, were the White Wolf Knights overwhelming Ruben’s forces?

That wasn’t the case either.

Of course, Ruben’s knights and soldiers had not yet reached that level.

Each soldier had almost reached the knight level, but they were not at the level of the White Wolf Knights.

The White Wolf Knights were a knight order made up entirely of Experts.

The strongest knight order called the premier knight order of the Empire.

It was virtually impossible to push such a knight order.

Nevertheless, the reason why they were able to push the White Wolf Knights was simple.

Equipment upgrades due to Cyan’s continued P2W [pay-to-win, a gaming term].

And tremendous growth due to the training ground’s buff.

In addition, magical support from the Dark Elves pouring down from the ramparts.

Above all, Leia’s existence.

Leia was pouring out thoughts in all directions, putting pressure on the White Wolf Knights.

The White Wolf Knights were just being helpless against Leia’s power.

All of that combined, the White Wolf Knights were being helplessly pushed back.

At this rate, it was only a matter of time before the White Wolf Knights, including Aaron, were suppressed.

Was that why?

The Royal Knights were not taking any special action.

It seemed that Ruben’s forces were overwhelming the White Wolf Knights.

There was no reason to mediate a winning fight.

Conrad didn’t know that, so he wasn’t taking any special action.

So, Conrad and Elena were just watching the situation from a distance.

Cyan turned his gaze back to Kai.

Around him, the sounds of fierce battles were still heard.

Kai didn’t say anything.

Now or then, Cyan couldn’t figure out what Kai was thinking.

Meeting gazes.

And a fleeting moment.

Papak!

The distance between Cyan and Kai was instantly narrowed as if space had folded.

The moment Kai’s figure disappeared, Cyan’s sword was already thrust forward.

Kwakwang!

The air tore and created a terrible sound.

Cyan and Kai’s swords met again.

“You weren’t trusting the Crown Prince.”

Kai’s voice flowed in as if squeezing through the gap.

There was a different light in Kai’s eyes looking at Cyan.

“Were you hiding your strength?”

Kai opened his mouth again.

And Cyan couldn’t give a proper answer.

Kang! Kakang!

Kakakang!

A series of swirling swords.

Cyan couldn’t come to his senses in the feast of overwhelming sword strikes.

‘Is this the realm of Intermediate?’

He knew for sure because he had sparred with Kendrick.

This couldn’t be called the realm of Intermediate Master [a rank in swordsmanship].

Of course, it was lacking compared to Kendrick’s level.

But this was not a realm or power that could be discussed at the Intermediate level.

A level slightly above Advanced.

But how long has it been since he set foot in Intermediate?

He was truly the star of the Empire, a genius who could surpass Durak.

“In some ways, you are better than me.”

Stop talking nonsense.

Perhaps because of that, Cyan unknowingly spat out swear words at Kai’s continued words.

Kang! Kakang!

Of course, he couldn’t say anything because of the relentlessly swirling sword strikes.

But he repeated swear words hundreds of times in his mind.

From Kai’s mouth, not anyone else.

To Cyan, not anyone else.

Was that something to say?

That was just ignorance-based deception.

Or maybe ridicule.

Kwaang!

Either way, it was all nonsense.

Kwaddeuk!

Cyan squeezed the sword he was holding tightly and pushed it out.

Even so, it didn’t push easily.

A terrible force was added, pressing Cyan down with the sword.

It was no joke, if it wasn’t for the SSS-grade sword [a very high quality sword], it would have been destroyed long ago.

Kwakwakwakwang!

The forest of darkness shook entirely.

His vision shook and he lost sight of Kai’s figure for a moment.

The rushing sword scattered and disappeared. The swirling sword strikes were not visible.

Where is he?

Cyan hurriedly looked for Kai’s figure.

But he couldn’t see him.

But he could clearly feel Kai’s momentum.

Cyan closed his eyes quietly.

He shouldn’t rely on his vision.

He shouldn’t rely only on his senses.

Expanded sense beyond the senses.

It allowed Cyan to feel what he couldn’t see.

Cyan’s body turned into darkness and scattered.

The name given to it because it doesn’t even leave a shadow, Demon Soul Shadowless Step.

Sswaeeak!

Kai’s sword, which flew aiming for Cyan’s neck, cut through the air.

Kai’s eyes widened. But he doesn’t panic.

Kai twisted the trajectory of the sword cutting through the air.

Cyan, who appeared not far away, seemed momentarily flustered by Kai’s sword flying towards his side.

He can’t avoid this.

If so.

Saaaaaaa!

A terrible mana [magical energy] was condensed throughout Cyan’s body.

Pitch-black aura blooming around him.

And the following, a single strike.

Demon Soul Asura Sword.

Form 1.

Asura Heavenly Kill.

.

.

.

Kwajajak!

The scenery in front of Cyan splits diagonally.

Like the traces of a huge beast scratching, a huge scar was engraved against the background of the forest.

And in that background.

Jureureuk, Kai’s body was pushed back greatly, leaving a long mark.

“······!!!”

Kai’s eyes widened.

Kai’s face, which had not shown any emotion, was filled with clear shock.

#

“What is this…?”

Elena unknowingly blurted out these words.

She couldn’t believe it at all.

To be honest, Elena was planning to step in from the beginning.

Kai and the White Wolf Knights.

The moment they were setting up camp in front of Ruben.

And the moment Cyan and Kai were facing each other.

Elena was going to be the first to step in and stop the fight.

Because the result was obvious.

No matter how much Cyan was no longer a thug.

Even though Ruben’s appearance was like an impregnable fortress.

Kai and the White Wolf Knights.

In front of these two, Cyan was still a thug, and Ruben was a territory no different from mere ruins.

That’s why Elena was about to step in right away.

But Conrad stopped Elena.

‘Brother…?’

Elena couldn’t understand Conrad.

The fame of the White Wolf Knights was known to everyone in the Empire.

Moreover, Kai Elandur was facing Cyan.

It was even painful to talk about Kai, who was called the star of the Empire.

That’s why she had to stop him right away.

‘Let’s watch a little longer.’

But Conrad only said this.

Elena couldn’t understand Conrad.

And now.

“What is this…?”

Elena couldn’t understand the current situation.

A fierce battle with blood splattering.

Cyan was not being pushed back at all against Kai.

And Ruben’s forces were also not being pushed back by the White Wolf Knights.

No, even the White Wolf Knights were being pushed back.

Even overwhelmingly.

Elena was speechless.

“I, it can’t be…”

She could only repeat these words.

Elena didn’t know much about swords or knights.

She had briefly held a sword as part of self-defense and mental training.

But it was only part of self-defense and mental training.

She didn’t train the sword any further than that.

That’s not what was required of a princess.

Nevertheless, Elena could tell.

That Cyan was ‘confronting’ Kai,

That itself was something that didn’t make sense.

Not only that, but even the White Wolf Knights were being pushed back by Ruben’s forces.

Is this… is this really possible?

The White Wolf Knights were the premier knight order of the Empire, famous for their name.

The strongest knight order that could not guarantee victory even if they fought against the Royal Knights right now.

“······ Sir Yale. Sir Philip.”

Elena unknowingly called out their names.

But for some reason, no answer was heard.

She looked at that place.

In that place, Yale and Philip were blankly looking ahead.

Their faces were filled with shock and astonishment.

Somehow, they didn’t seem to hear Elena’s voice.

“Sir Yale? Sir Philip?”

“······ Ah, yes. Did you call us?”

“I’m sorry.”

Only after asking twice did they answer with a slight surprise.

Elena didn’t blame them for that.

She fully understood their feelings.

“It may be a rude question, but…”

Elena could only ask them.

“If it was the Royal Knights… what would have happened?”

And.

“······”

“······”

Yale and Philip couldn’t bring themselves to say anything.

They didn’t have confidence.

They didn’t have the confidence to win after seeing Ruben’s current forces.

They wanted to deny it, but it was true.

Yale and Philip, who had reached the level of Intermediate Master [a rank in swordsmanship].

They also had pride as Royal Knights who protected the imperial family.

They acknowledged the White Wolf Knights.

They also had the idea that they were rivals with them.

But they never thought that they were behind the White Wolf Knights.

Rather, they only thought that they were ahead.

But… Ruben was not.

Ruben’s knights and soldiers were not.

They cannot win with their current forces.

Especially the Death Knight and the Wraith of Thought over there.

No matter how much they thought about it, Yale and Philip didn’t have the confidence to beat those two.

That’s why they might know if they brought all the knight orders of the Royal Knights.

But with the current forces, they will definitely lose.

This was an undeniable fact.

It was an objective reality seen through the eyes of a Master [a rank in swordsmanship].

That’s why Yale and Philip couldn’t say anything.

How could they say in front of Elena that they were going to lose!

Elena was a member of the imperial family that they had to protect.

They couldn’t show weakness in front of the princess.

That was something that their pride as Royal Knights would never allow.

So, should they make up a story that didn’t exist?

That was something that their conscience as a Master [a rank in swordsmanship] would not allow.

That’s why Yale and Philip kept their mouths shut.

Ignoring the crime of disrespecting the princess’s question.

“······”

“······”

They were just looking at each other, postponing the answer.

#

Kai’s widened eyes showed no signs of calming down.

Rather, his pupils were shaking, further intensifying the surprise and shock.

Parreureu, Kai’s hand holding the sword trembled slightly.

Kai slightly lowered his gaze and clenched and unfolded his hand several times.

But was it because his senses were lost due to the shock just now?

His hand didn’t move as he wanted.

It was truly an absurd situation.

But Kai knew that it was fortunate that it ended at this level.

Kai looked back on the situation just now.

But…

He couldn’t remember.

To be exact, he couldn’t understand.

In his memory, Cyan’s strike was just a simple cut.

From left to right. A slightly diagonal upward strike.

Because it was a hasty pull from a collapsed posture, the posture was also terrible.

But he couldn’t remember.

He couldn’t understand.

The principle hidden within a simple cut.

A more fundamental martial art.

The difference in level between Kai and Cyan was vast.

In the first place, it was meaningless to discuss the difference in level.

He could say this for sure because he had crossed swords directly.

But he couldn’t remember.

He couldn’t understand.

Kai couldn’t understand the strike that Cyan had performed at all.

Kai looked at Cyan with trembling eyes.