The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 125

104. What Was Gained in the Demon Nest

One month later.

The fields were thick with the tension of war.

“The Pohnine River was calmer than expected, making it easy to cross. It seems the rumors of the Water King’s death are true.”

“It was merely good timing.”

After crossing the massive river that bisected the continent, Prince Ruon began setting up a base at the end of the main road.

Two fortresses were visible in front of them.

One was Rod Tower, a border defense fortress of the Istan Kingdom, and the other was Turtle Castle of the Tvanel Kingdom.

The shapes of Rod Tower, built like a long tower, and Turtle Castle, resembling a round dome, matched their names well.

“That’s the place. Once we pass through there, the road to the south is directly connected, right?”

Prince Ruon spoke with a slightly annoyed voice, bothered by the persistent, unpleasant humidity even after crossing the river.

“Yes, that is correct.”

Ajif nodded.

“It’s fascinating to see the Twin Armor, which I’ve only heard about, with my own eyes. Is that what has allowed the Istria Three Kingdoms to survive against our empire until now?”

The history of the two fortresses is unique.

Located so close to each other that they could be seen with the naked eye, these fortresses were once the most dangerous battle zones during wars. Conversely, since forming an alliance, they have become the most formidable defensive structures in the Three Kingdoms, or rather, on the continent.

“Marze, the Shield of Istan, is still guarding it.”

“Hmph… That old monster is still alive? He has a long lifespan. Shouldn’t he be treated as a relic by now?”

Prince Ruon clicked his tongue. Seeing this,

“Aven of Tvanel is not to be underestimated either.”

“That’s right.”

Even small countries have their renowned generals. Marze and Aven were knights recognized even by the Empire.

Marze, befitting the name Shield of Istan, was a knight who swept through the battlefield with overwhelming force, wielding an enormous tower shield. Aven was the opposite.

Aven the Defender. Although his individual abilities might have been inferior to Marze, he was a strategist skilled in siege and defense.

Without them, the Three Kingdoms might have been destroyed long ago by the Empire or the Duchy.

“Now that those two have joined forces, it’s become even more troublesome.”

Rod Tower and Turtle Castle were completely different fortresses in terms of height and size.

Initially, they were built to exploit each other’s weaknesses, but now they complement each other’s shortcomings.

Moreover, the skills of the two old generals guarding this place were already recognized on the continent, truly making the Twin Armor a fortress that was difficult to conquer.

“Still, it’s fortunate that the stubborn old man allowed the gates to be opened. Frankly, I was puzzled when we headed towards the Twin Armor.”

Ajif said with a wry smile.

“He is someone who would defy the king’s orders if it went against his beliefs.”

“True.”

Prince Ruon nodded at his words.

Knowing Marze’s reputation well, they were worried about whether they could easily pass through the Three Kingdoms, even though they had sent official documents.

However, they felt relieved after seeing the guide who came to meet them before crossing the Pohnine.

“I thought that old man Marze, let alone Aven, would stubbornly refuse to open the gates.”

Prince Ruon chuckled, looking at Dushala.

“Isn’t that right?”

“Yes. I think so too.”

Dushala said to him nonchalantly.

“…What?”

Doubtful of his ears, Ruon asked her again, and Dushala still said calmly.

“In my opinion, that old man Marze doesn’t seem likely to let Your Highness pass through to the south easily.”

She smiled faintly.

That’s why she lured them here.

* * *

“Hoo, hoo…”

Breathing grew heavy with each rise and fall of their chests. Although they showed clear signs of exhaustion, their eyes were still sharp, and their steps were firm.

“This is crazy…”

“How many days has it been?”

“I don’t think even a war would involve such a forced march…”

In fact, the Panpinel knights following behind them looked more weary.

“…”

Some soldiers glanced at the knights at their words. But soon, they turned their heads as if they were not interested.

Seeing this, Grace twitched his cheeks slightly, as if his pride was hurt, and said to the knights.

“Everyone, be quiet. They are walking without riding horses. What are you going to do if you complain?”

“So, sorry…”

The knights closed their mouths at his words, but frankly, Grace himself was just as surprised.

‘It took only two weeks to clear the third demon nest. Moreover, even after marching for three days without rest, the speed didn’t slow down.’

Grace let out a low sigh, thinking that Khalil wasn’t the only monster.

“You’ve worked hard so far. Treat the injured, and we will rest here for two days.”

The knights finally breathed a sigh of relief when they arrived at the base they had set up in front of the first demon nest.

“Two days later? Is that okay? The knights are very tired…”

Grace spoke to Khalil.

However, Khalil nonchalantly took off his clothes, which were stiff with dried blood, and said.

“After resting for two days out of the scheduled month, there will be less than a week left. Considering the time it takes to reach the final destination, Twin Armor, we cannot delay any longer. Are you struggling?”

“Ah, no.”

Grace answered hastily.

After seeing Khalil in the Gray Orc village, Grace felt something indescribable whenever he dealt with Khalil.

Just once, when he threw the Gray Orc chieftain’s head at him and spoke informally, it was an extremely rude act, but strangely, Grace felt goosebumps whenever he recalled that moment.

‘I’m crazy…’

He acted politely, but occasionally said that he would casually point his sword at them, and sometimes acted as if he didn’t care about rank.

However, apart from these excuses and explanations, his overwhelming power was enough to fascinate Grace.

‘I haven’t seen the end of that man.’

His swordsmanship, which killed the Gray Orcs with a single strike, had a composure that he lacked.

Having curiosity about someone who would become an enemy in front of him, with the kingdom’s survival at stake, was something a knight should not do, but Grace found it difficult to hide his feelings.

“…”

And he wasn’t the only one who felt that way.

‘Was the outside of the palace walls always a place to experience such carnage…? I didn’t know the world so well.’

Viola let out a low sigh and looked at Khalil’s back in the lead. She no longer denied the respect she had initially felt for Khalil.

The soldiers followed his orders without hesitation, and Khalil fought at the forefront without entrusting the battle only to them.

On the other hand, what could she do? At best, she could only blame her incompetent father and resent the nobles who did not help him.

‘I thought it was an absurd statement, but compared to that man, I am nothing.’

Her mouth felt bitter.

“Tuh-!!”

She spat out saliva full of salty sweat, just like Khalil had done in the demon nest.

Then, she wiped her lips with the back of her hand and raised her head. This was her first time doing something like this.

The knights couldn’t help but be surprised at the sight. It was an unimaginable act for a princess who had to maintain her dignity.

“Wo… Your Highness?”

Even Grace, who had been serving her, was surprised because he had never seen her like that before.

However, Khalil only glanced at her for a moment and then turned his head as if nothing had happened.

Step- Step- Step-

She put strength into her steps and approached Khalil.

“The journey ahead will be arduous. Your Highness, I will prepare water for you to wash now. Or you can return to the palace since you have returned to the Manyu Forest.”

“I am not going back.”

The answer was firm.

However, Khalil nodded as if he had expected her answer.

“Then I will prepare water for you to wash right away.”

“No.”

“…?”

“Washing doesn’t matter. Instead, can you have a cup of tea with me now?”

With a sweat-soaked appearance.

She spoke with a disheveled face, devoid of any dignity as a princess.

But Khalil could tell that her eyes were different from when she first came to him.

“You look much better than before.”

Thud.

At that moment, when everyone was embarrassed.

Khalil lightly took her dirty hand, raised the back of her hand, and bowed to her for the first time.

“Of course.”

* * *

They scattered ashes around the camp to repel insects, but there was nothing they could do about the gnats that flew in, smelling the blood and sweat of the two.

If they used magic, they could solve it, but the two didn’t care about such trivial things and just stared at each other.

Trickle…

“Please understand that there are no decent tea sets inside the camp.”

Khalil said, putting water boiled in a canteen into a bowl and dropping a few tea leaves.

“I cannot understand.”

“What are you talking about?”

Viola said without looking at the teacup he offered. But she hesitated to answer.

“Your Highness, do you remember? We passed through five villages on the way back here after subjugating the three demon nests.”

Then Khalil spoke first.

“Of course. You changed the route even though there was no need to visit those places. Even though you knew your soldiers were struggling.”

“The harvest is in full swing. Isn’t it?”

“…”

“Stop if you’re going to talk about the debt caused by the attribute stones. That’s not what I want to ask.”

She said with a stiff face.

“I feel the same way. As I said before, the debt that the kingdom owes me is not a big problem. I’m just asking for your impressions of seeing them.”

Viola bit her lip slightly.

“That’s what I can’t understand. Yes, I’ll admit it. With your abilities, you can take over the Three Kingdoms at any time if you want to.”

Khalil listened to her and brought the teacup to his mouth.

“We are allies, but none of us will help if one of us is in danger.”

“That’s right.”

He smiled lightly at Viola’s words.

It was an agreement made as a strategy to survive between the Empire and the Duchy.

Of course, it must have been a pledge at first.

But as time passed, rust began to form on the pledge that had hardened.

On the surface, they were still under the name of the Istria Three Kingdoms, but in reality, the Three Kingdoms were no different from rival countries that were constantly eyeing each other.

“But they are weaklings who don’t even have the courage to start a war. In case the Empire or the Duchy takes advantage of the gap and invades.”

“That’s also true. But that fear is also the driving force that has sustained the Istria Three Kingdoms until now.”

“Now, can you tell me honestly? Why are you showing me these things? And making me think? You told me you would strike the Three Kingdoms, but in reality…”

Viola stopped speaking.

At first, she participated in the subjugation to be wary of him. But as time went on, she had questions.

Like…

‘It seems like it’s to teach me.’

She didn’t want to admit it, but she couldn’t bring herself to say that the month she spent with Khalil was a much better opportunity to learn about her kingdom than the years she had lived in the palace.

Because that would mean admitting the incompetence of the kingdom herself.

Even if that were the case, there was something that the royal family should not give up.

Pride.

Khalil looked at Viola.

“The sight of soldiers fighting, the sound of weapons clashing, the screams of the injured, and the scenery of the villagers harvesting behind them. It was a short but great opportunity to see many things. That’s because Your Highness came to me.”

“…”

“No one else from the other kingdoms has come to me until now.”

Viola was ashamed at his words. All she had done was look at them with her eyes.

She couldn’t do anything.

But Khalil spoke in a warm voice, as if he knew her feelings.

“There’s no need to be ashamed. Everyone starts that way. But those who don’t even have the courage to come don’t even deserve the opportunity to know.”

“…Can I become like you?”

It was funny. She was asking this question to someone who would become her enemy.

But Khalil among the soldiers shone brighter than anyone in the palace.

She lowered her head to hide her burning face, as if she was ashamed even after saying it herself.

“Are you asking me for the answer? You should know. I’m not a very kind person.”

Khalil said in a low voice.

“Your Highness must find the way. However, I think I can give you the opportunity. And if you show me the results, I will really visit the Fenria Kingdom last.”

“Hmph…”

Viola let out a low sigh at his joking words.

Swish-

Khalil pulled back the tent flap.

He pointed to Rod Tower, which soared into the sky in the border area far away.

“By now, Prince Ruon’s 70,000 troops will have gathered at Twin Armor.”

“…What?!”

Viola, who had not heard the news because she was with him, was surprised at Khalil’s words.

“Could it be… Has the Empire invaded?”

“No. They just came to resolve the issue with the south. However, they will demand that the gates be opened and the road to the south be opened.”

“Ah…”

Viola breathed a sigh of relief, but soon spoke in a louder voice than before.

“But that place is…”

“Yes. Lord Marze and Lord Aven are guarding it.”

“They will never open the gates.”

“That’s right.”

She felt a chill run down her spine without realizing it. What kind of person is the First Prince of the Empire?

“A war… might break out.”

Everyone knew well about Ruon’s personality.

Of course, she had no way of knowing that all of this was a game set up by Khalil.

“As you know, Twin Armor is a special place where two kingdoms are defending together. Therefore, unlike other border areas, there are many people living there.”

She nodded at Khalil’s words. Most border areas have small and large villages, but Twin Armor is different.

Because it is a place where the people of two countries live together, there were more than a thousand people living outside the fortress.

“Your Highness, in a situation where you are facing a strong enemy, what would you choose between the safety of the kingdom and the abandoned people?”

“That’s…”

Viola couldn’t answer easily.

“I understand. It’s not easy.”

Khalil said in a low voice, looking at her.

“But the fact that Your Highness came to me without even washing is exactly what has grown.”

“Does it… smell a lot?”

Viola looked at Khalil, blushed, and hurriedly touched her collar. He chuckled at her appearance.

“Your Highness, I can now be sure. Your Highness will be the best witness to the incident I will cause in a few days.”

“Witness?”

His eyes sparkled.

“Maybe…”

His voice echoed in the tent.