My Lord Who Is Being Prudent! [EN]: Chapter 280

The space rippling around Durak shattered completely.

The fragments of the shattered space became countless sword strikes, lashing out in all directions.

This was different from simply creating sword strikes by swinging a sword.

A bizarre phenomenon where the space itself transformed into a slash, attacking everything.

A formless energy with no substance could be felt.

-Sian!!

-My Lord!!

Leah and Kendrick shouted in surprise.

Leah unleashed a dense wave of psychic energy and charged forward.

Kendrick countered the onrushing slash of darkness.

“Don’t come!”

However, Sian unleashed his aura, stopping them from approaching.

KWA-BOOM!

The magic power contained within his aura exploded, halting Leah and Kendrick’s movements.

Only for a moment did they panic.

KWAKWAKWAKWAKWA—!!

The spatial slashes lashed out at the space where Leah and Kendrick had been.

Sian stood in front, deflecting all the incoming slashes.

-······!

-······!

Leah and Kendrick’s eyes widened.

The power of the slashes tearing apart space.

This… even Leah and Kendrick would have had difficulty handling it.

Yet, Sian was deflecting all of those slashes.

The power of the slashes, and Sian’s ability to withstand them, both were nothing short of ‘astonishing.’

The surface of the ravaged earth scattered in all directions.

The debris scattered on the ground shattered into pieces.

“I’ll handle Durak, so don’t worry about me!”

Sian’s rough shout echoed once more.

Even at that moment, Sian did not stop wielding the Sword of Annihilation.

He had to face Durak alone.

It wasn’t some foolish notion like, ‘I have to deal with Durak with my own hands.’

He wasn’t entertaining such reckless thoughts at all.

The reason Sian stopped Leah and Kendrick was simple.

“You two go and help the soldiers and knights!”

The course of this war depended on Leah and Kendrick.

There was no need to look far. The difference in military strength was a staggering 100 to 1.

It was an overwhelming war where everyone predicted Ruben’s defeat.

The fact that this war was even happening was a miracle.

If they hadn’t been armed with dragon equipment.

If Sian hadn’t spent 1.5 billion in cash beforehand.

A miracle that could never have happened.

That miracle was ultimately overwhelming Elan Dur.

However, Elan Dur’s forces were far too numerous.

Ruben’s soldiers also had their limits.

With the unavailable due to the Mobile Lord’s maintenance.

The soldiers desperately needed Leah and Kendrick’s help.

Above all, the aura emanating from Durak felt ominous.

The terrifying power felt with each slash.

‘Leah and Kendrick can’t handle it.’

This was a power they couldn’t withstand.

Originally, Leah and Kendrick were comparable to Durak.

Even if they faced Durak in a one-on-one fight, Leah and Kendrick wouldn’t be easily defeated.

But that wasn’t the case now.

Durak wasn’t the Durak he used to be.

The power of a Demon Lord glimpsed within Durak.

Durak was now using the power of a Demon Lord.

And it could have been a delusion.

A feeling and thought that even Sian doubted.

‘It’s not one.’

Not one demon.

The Demon Lords residing within Durak were two in number.

Furthermore, the sword that Durak wielded was also unusual.

Elan Dur’s secret technique and hidden truth.

The sword of Arnaise Charlotte, the Zodiac Sword.

Currently, Durak was using the power of a Demon Lord and an Exceed knight [a knight who has surpassed their limits].

“Leave this to me and help the soldiers!”

Leah and Kendrick couldn’t handle that power.

The only one who could stand against that overwhelming power was one person.

-But…!

“Listen to me!”

Sian shouted, rebuking Leah’s hesitation.

Even so, Leah seemed quite hesitant.

However, faced with the unavoidable reality, Leah gritted her teeth.

-Don’t lose! Don’t die, and don’t get hurt! Got it, Sian!

Soon, Leah flew with Kendrick to the heart of the battlefield.

Only then could Sian fully concentrate on Durak.

KWAKWAKWAKWAKWA—!!

The spatial slashes continued to pour in relentlessly.

Durak still didn’t swing his sword. Even without swinging, countless slashes continued to emanate from around Durak.

It was as if Durak himself had become a sword.

The sword of Arnaise Charlotte, the Zodiac Sword.

It was showing the power of Exceed without reservation.

But was it not yet complete?

Or was he unable to control the power?

He didn’t know which, but Durak was wavering.

Durak was unable to fully unleash the Zodiac Sword.

‘I can’t let it be fully activated here.’

This place wasn’t far from Ruben’s defenses.

Although there was some distance, it was meaningless before the Zodiac Sword.

If that power were fully unleashed, the impact would directly hit Ruben’s defenses.

Then the people inside Ruben’s defenses would be in danger.

The dark elf mages.

The dwarves operating the siege weapons.

And the countless people of Ruben diligently carrying war supplies.

If the barrier falls, they will all be in danger.

Moreover, the course of this war will also change significantly.

KWAHHHHHHHHH—!!

Durak’s momentum grew fiercer.

Cyan changed the direction of the Annihilation Sword he was wielding.

Doo-geun! The Dragon Heart pulsed intensely, and the magic of Transcendence [a state of being beyond the range of normal perception] exploded throughout Cyan’s body.

The unleashed magic of Transcendence instantly seized the space ahead.

The magic of Transcendence, having seized the space, crushed the sweeping strikes.

Durak trembled greatly at the immense power.

That ominous feeling he had felt when he crossed swords with Cyan earlier.

That ominous feeling was stimulating Durak’s senses.

Numerous thoughts swirled through Durak’s mind.

Should he resist that power? Should he stop here?

Could he suppress that absurd magic?

And all those thoughts were based on uncertainty.

The uncertainty that Durak might not be able to defeat Cyan.

He couldn’t accept this.

What was the source of Durak’s power right now?

What sword was Durak wielding right now?

Considering those two things, it didn’t make sense.

The thought that he couldn’t gain an advantage even now was utterly unacceptable.

Durak finally leaped into the swirling magic of Transcendence.

The space distorted and crumpled. But what Durak felt within it was vastness.

Endless vastness, and a sense of dominion.

If Durak’s power tore the space apart,

Cyan’s power was seizing and dominating the space.

Then there was no choice but to tear that space apart as well.

Formless strikes poured out from Durak’s entire body.

KWAH-KWANG!!

Explosions mixed together. Distorted within was Durak’s face.

The formless strikes that had poured out in all directions lost their power and disappeared.

The power of the strikes held no meaning whatsoever.

But he couldn’t retrieve the power.

Because all the surrounding space was under Cyan’s dominion.

It was even affecting the space where Durak existed.

If he were to retrieve this power, his entire body would be crushed by the dominated space.

He shouldn’t have jumped into this torrent of Transcendence in the first place.

But the moment he jumped in, an inescapable snare had been set.

KWAKWAKWAKWA—!!!

Mixed magic and power explode. Durak swung the sword he had stopped.

Formless strikes were still raging from Durak’s entire body.

Formless and tangible strikes.

It created a massive sword strike centered on Durak.

And KWARURURUNG!

It disappears with the explosion of thunder.

The magic of Transcendence, dominating the space, did not allow any of Durak’s actions.

The magic of Transcendence that transcends everything.

Durak’s body, having lost its strength, staggered.

Showing a great opening, Durak hurriedly swung his sword.

But Cyan wasn’t moving.

The question of why… arose for a moment.

PWUH-UH-UHNG—! With a deafening roar, Durak’s body flew into the air.

#

KANG! KAKANG—!

A chaotic feast of entangled sword strikes.

And PWUHWAH! Blood spurts out.

Thud.

Aaron, the commander of the White Wolf Knights, finally knelt.

But he had to get up right now.

He had to raise his sword and block the incoming strike.

Aaron knew that fact better than anyone else.

But Aaron couldn’t bring himself to do it.

His hand trembled, shaking.

His body no longer listened to him.

No matter how much he commanded, his body wouldn’t budge.

His entire body was covered in wounds and bloodstains.

Now even his senses were fading, and he couldn’t feel anything.

Only then could Aaron realize that the end was approaching.

Hollow laughter escaped Aaron’s lips.

As death approached, hollow laughter continued to escape.

The commander of the Empire’s First Knights, the White Wolf Knights.

One of the most skilled individuals on the continent, reaching the mid-Master level [a ranking system for skilled warriors].

Aaron had not considered defeat.

How much could he minimize the damage?

How quickly could he end this war?

Aaron’s thoughts flowed only in the direction of victory.

That’s why the current situation… was unbelievable.

But the reality before his eyes could not be denied.

Aaron slowly raised his gaze.

A vision stained with blood. A man approached Aaron.

The knight of Ruben who had brought him defeat.

The captain of Ruben’s guard, Lucas.

Clearly a knight one level below him.

Aaron had finally been defeated by Lucas.

Of course, it was only Aaron’s defeat.

A defeat that was just one of many battles.

Battles and wars are different.

Even though Aaron had been defeated, Elan Dure could still win.

He may have lost the battle, but he could win the war.

But even that wasn’t the case.

“Commander Aaron!”

“How dare these things… Keoheok!”

The battle of the White Wolf Knights had also been lost.

The Empire’s First Knights had finally yielded their place to the Ruben Knights.

“They’re just a few thousand soldiers! There’s a 100-fold difference in strength! But why can’t we break through— Keoheok!”

“Lord Baron!!”

The soldiers’ battle had also been lost.

Elan Dure’s forces, numbering nearly 270,000, still couldn’t overcome Ruben.

Defeat in numerous battles.

It was as good as defeat in the war.

Therefore, they had to retreat right now.

Centuries of stronghold. The two pillars supporting the empire.

They had to cast aside such pride and preserve even the remaining forces.

They had to plan for the future somehow.

But they couldn’t.

Aaron was kneeling here now.

Thud!

The commander-in-chief of Elan Dure was not in a position to give orders right now.

A truly complete defeat.

Aaron chuckled again.

Lucas was already standing in front of Aaron.

Aaron slowly opened his mouth.

“Does our ill-fated relationship… end here?”

“······”

Lucas didn’t say anything.

The two men who had crossed swords every time Ruben and Elan Dure faced each other.

Could such a bad relationship be called a bond?

“Surrender. Stop the war now and surrender to Ruben.”

Lucas showed Aaron a shred of mercy.

Aaron looked at Lucas and said.

“Are you telling me… Keoheok! To crawl under Ruben? Furthermore, for Elan Dure to become a vassal state of Ruben?”

“The victory or defeat has already been decided. Any further fighting is meaningless.”

Lucas looked into Aaron’s eyes and continued.

“Shouldn’t you save your life?”

Lucas spat out the words as if swallowing them.

At Lucas’s words, Aaron gave a distorted smile.

“That’s a truly dangerous mercy. What’s the reason?”

“There’s no particular reason. If I had to give a reason… let’s just say it’s a whim.”

“Is a bad relationship also a bond?”

Aaron chuckled.

Then, Keoheok! He coughed up a mouthful of blood.

“I am the commander of the White Wolf Knights.”

And Aaron continued.

“How can a wolf live among a pride of lions?”

Aaron said to Lucas with bloodshot eyes.

“Kill me.”

And then he didn’t open his mouth anymore.

Lucas stared at Aaron silently.

However, at Aaron’s firm will, Lucas finally raised his sword.

Two men in similar positions in different camps.

Lucas slowly opened his mouth.

“I’m saying this now… as a knight, you were my goal and idol.”

“That’s quite an honor. For a wolf to be the idol of a lion cub.”

A smile formed.

Slash!

That was Aaron’s last moment.

#

Durak’s thoughts don’t connect into one.

Fragmented, his thoughts are cut off and the flow doesn’t continue.

He only felt the sensation of floating in the air.

And when he suddenly came to his senses.

Thump!

Durak’s body crashed roughly to the ground and bounced up.

Only then could Durak come to his senses from the pain that battered his whole body.

He hurriedly regained his balance and corrected his vision.

And what he saw was a forest landscape.

The dark forest filled with mana.

The sounds of war could be heard faintly in the distance.

It seemed that he was near the dark forest, quite far from Ruben.

Soon, Cyan appeared in Durak’s sight, walking slowly.

Only then could Durak be sure of his thoughts.

“Did you create distance?”

Worried that the people of Ruben would be harmed by Durak’s attack.

He was afraid and worried, so he created this distance.

It meant that Durak’s power and realm were threatening enough.

It was proof that even Cyan had a hard time dealing with the power.

Therefore, he wanted to sacrifice himself.

To be exact, he created this distance to sacrifice only himself.

However, sacrifices are inevitable in war.

Territorial people are just tools to be used in war.

It could be said that he has a truly weak mental state.

“With such a mindset—”

“No.”

Cyan interrupted Durak and opened his mouth.

“It’s because of me.”

Not because of you.

Cyan’s last words were heard quietly.

Before he could even think, What does that mean…?

Whooooooosh!

Black darkness rose from Cyan’s entire body.

Hideous, terrible, evil…

It was as if all the concepts of misfortune in this world were lumped together and boiling over.

A power that far exceeds the realm of perception, transcendence [a state of existence beyond the material plane].

That’s the only way to explain it.

A strange light flashed in Durak’s eyes for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure.

Then, Durak also unleashed his power.

The power of inherent evil (惡) [a concept of innate wickedness or corruption].

The sword of Exceed.

Cyan’s power is certainly transcendent.

However, the power that Durak possesses is also comparable.

No, a power that surpasses him—.

He flinched.

For a moment… Durak’s body trembled without him realizing it.

And he couldn’t figure out why.

Some instinctive warning?

A fatal threat?

It was unknown. But Durak was feeling a primal fear.

He slowly raised his gaze.

There, Cyan’s sword was already swinging.

Beeee….

A strike so swift it was almost silent.

Followed by a single, decisive slash.

It cleaved through the very fabric of the world around them.

The Demon Soul Asura Sword.

Form 1.

Extremity – Asura Heavenly Slaughter.
.
.
.
Suddenly.

Durak’s severed consciousness returned… Severed consciousness?

Durak slowly turned his head to look behind him.

What he saw was the entire world slashed diagonally.

It wasn’t just the concept of being slashed; it was more accurately described as being torn asunder.

Durak’s figure within that scenery was also slashed and torn.

“…!”

Shock instantly flooded Durak’s face.

The madness and malice emanating from Durak rose up in resistance, a desperate attempt to defend itself.

But this too was cut and torn, disappearing into the void.

Durak hurriedly raised his sword.

Gritting his teeth, he unleashed all the power he possessed.

If he relaxed even for a moment, if he stopped drawing upon his power even slightly, Durak’s body would be torn apart, swept away by the fragmented reality.

At the same time as that thought, flash—!

A streak of dark light brushed past Durak’s body.

The Demon Soul Asura Sword.

Form 2.

Transcendent – Annihilating Heavenly Asura.
.
.
.
“Keuheok…!”

Bright red blood gushed from Durak’s mouth.

His eyes widened, his thoughts fractured and disconnected.

Unbelievable…

Durak’s power was absolute, or so he believed.

The inherent power of evil had once made the entire continent tremble in fear.

The power of the sword he wielded was the power of a knight that existed only in myths.

But this power of Cyan’s now… this realm he had attained…

He couldn’t comprehend it at all.

A higher realm. Far beyond anything he had imagined.

It couldn’t… be.

That meant it was a power that surpassed the evil of a thousand years ago.

It meant Exceed, a realm beyond even that ancient darkness.

Therefore, he couldn’t… accept it.

His bloodshot eyes burned with rage.

Durak’s aura intensified, becoming razor sharp.

But.

Kwarururung!!

Thunder roared, and the world twisted into impossible shapes.

Unexplainable, unrecognizable things burst forth and repeated, defying all logic and reason.

This couldn’t be explained by any concept in this world.

Phenomena that defied understanding even as he witnessed them with his own eyes unfolded before him.

In Durak’s chaotic consciousness.

Sometime, that sometime…

‘How many people have received the title of the greatest swordsman on the continent until now?’

Rachel’s words flashed through his mind.

‘There have been as many as the history of the continent. And the history of the continent is very long.’

But only one person.

Past and present.

Throughout all time, past and present, there is only one being who can truly be called the greatest.

He had always dismissed it as nonsense.

‘The true greatest swordsman of the continent was only one person.’

He had thought it was absurd.

But why now?

‘The man named Cyan is walking the path that that being walked.’

The thought was persistent, refusing to be dislodged from his mind.

Even when he tried to shake it off, it clung to him like viscous mucus.

A being that even the demons who made the world tremble in fear a thousand years ago couldn’t dare to touch.

The demon of demons, a nightmare incarnate.

Exceed, an absolute being who reached the realm beyond mortal comprehension.

That true greatest swordsman of the continent.

“…!”

Was manifesting before Durak’s very eyes.

The Demon Soul Asura Sword.

Form 1.

True – Asura.
.
.
.
The world of nothingness swallowed him whole.

Clang.

Durak’s sword fell to the ground, the sound echoing in the distorted silence.

Durak’s gaze slowly turned downwards.

Cyan’s sword was piercing through Durak’s abdomen.

And he didn’t recognize it. He couldn’t even react to the fatal blow.

Cyan’s sword was embedded deep within him.

Durak’s eyes trembled incessantly as he looked at the impaling blade.

Durak’s trembling eyes turned forward, locking onto Cyan’s.

“You are…”.

Durak staggered and collapsed to his knees, defeated.