The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 16

15. No Need to Hesitate

‘Ardin must have planned an escape route.’

If things continued this way, his own troops were at risk of suffering significant losses.

Although he was a spy for the Duchy, he was merely a newly recruited knight of the McGovern family.

In such a situation, troop losses would affect his own position within the Valsar family.

He still needed to gain trust.

‘Therefore, Ardin’s plan can’t end here.’

He would never run away alone.

A way to harm the McGovern family and secure justification.

Cahill’s eyes gleamed.

The first [harming the McGovern family] was significant, but it would ultimately end within the family. Not enough to be known in the Imperial City.

However, the second [securing justification] was different.

‘To have my name reach the Emperor’s ears.’

No more.

He was no longer the 12-year-old who could do nothing.

‘Move.’

Cahill watched Ardin.

“Hyaaaaaa—!!”

It was then.

He threw his spear at the Goblin Chief with all his might and simultaneously drew the two spears he had been carrying on his back.

As he concentrated his mana, sharp electric shocks flashed at the spearheads, scattering in all directions.

“Everyone, get out of the way!!”

Startled by the burst of electricity, the soldiers hurriedly split to both sides, creating a path.

Tadatadadak……!!

Ardin, having dismounted, began to run along the opened path.

Kwaaaang-!!

The Goblin Chief raised his battle ax and deflected the spear flying towards him.

The impact seemed to stagger him, accompanied by a loud noise.

Spot-!!!

Exploiting the opening, Ardin leaped up, stomping on the ground with all his might.

The spear shafts twisted like snakes, rushing to strike the goblin’s sides.

Instantly, the spear blades pierced through the four goblins blocking Ardin’s path.

Pazzzzzzuk—!!

Zhuaaaak—!!

The corpses of the goblins, their lives extinguished amidst the foul smell of burning flesh, convulsed on the ground like fish.

“Injured, fall back!! Shieldbearers, forward!!”

In the chaotic battle, Ardin’s command was clear.

He fought harder than anyone else and killed the most goblins.

One might think it natural in a life-or-death battle, but Cahill’s gaze towards him was different.

‘It feels like a performance.’

The lightning-flashing spear blade was more likely to draw attention with its flamboyance than its power.

“Die!!”

Ardin’s spear was launched towards the Goblin Chief.

The distance closed in an instant, and the two clashed.

Chaang-! Chang! Chang!!

A dazzling display of swordsmanship unfolded, and as Ardin pressured the Goblin Chief, the creature staggered backward.

No one dared to intervene, watching the spear blades rushing in so fast it was blinding.

Kaang!!

As Ardin put strength into the hand holding the spear, the shaft bent greatly in an arch, lifting the Goblin Chief’s battle ax.

The stance crumbled.

The goblin’s nape was completely exposed.

Zhuaaak—!!

Cutting through the air, he thrust the spear towards the Goblin Chief’s neck.

[Chwirireuk……! Chwireuk!!] (Goblin growling sound)

But at that moment.

His attack narrowly missed, the spear blade grazing the Goblin Chief’s neck and piercing his shoulder instead.

[Keureuk……!] (Goblin groan of pain)

The creature staggered, making a sound of pain.

“Kuaaaa!!!”

Ardin once again raised the spear in his other hand.

Kwaaaang—!!!

Just before the spear blade reached the Goblin Chief’s neck, the spear that had been lodged in his shoulder shook, creating an opening.

Not missing the chance, the creature twisted its body to evade Ardin’s attack.

“Damn it!!”

The spear was deeply embedded in the ground.

It was then.

Cahill’s eyes sharpened.

Just before the strike that seemed to have been delivered with all his might.

‘It grazed.’

Ardin released the strength in the spear embedded in the shoulder.

It was perfectly intentional.

No one would have noticed.

‘Except for me.’

[Chwireuk……!! Chwireuk……!!] (Goblin growling sound)

The Goblin Chief, wounded in the shoulder, made a strange noise, and the attacking goblins all began to flee.

Ardin didn’t miss it and shouted.

“All troops, chase the fleeing goblins!!! Never let them live!!”

Waaaaaaa—!!

Waaa–!!

As if waiting for his cry, the soldiers began to run after the goblins.

At that moment.

He felt it instinctively.

‘This was it.’

The justification for leaving the front lines.

‘The attack won’t end here.’

The presence of the Goblin Chief meant that at least 2,000 more goblins still existed.

Cahill’s gaze turned towards the opposite side of the forest.

‘The most likely place for an ambush is probably over there. The opposite side from where the Goblin Chief fled.’

Surely.

Once Ardin’s troops were gone, they would appear as if they had been waiting.

That was the real story.

‘There will be a signal.’

Hiiiiiiing—!!!

Cahill pulled the horse’s reins with all his might.

‘Before that.’

He had to move.

Tiren shouted as he watched the scene.

“Cahill! Hold your position!! There’s no need to chase the monsters, even at the cost of our troops. Leave the remaining ones to Sir Ardin.”

“It’s the opposite.”

“……What?”

“The one I’m chasing is that guy.”

At that moment.

The corners of Cahill’s lips slightly curved upwards.

Of course, he would chase after Ardin.

Naturally, he had no intention of letting the Goblin Chief go either.

‘There was no need to hesitate.’

Neither the first choice nor the second.

He could do both.

“Hyah!! Hyah–!!”

Running through the canyon, Ardin glanced back.

‘This should be enough.’

He shouted towards the soldiers who were diligently chasing after him.

“From now on, I will chase the Goblin Chief. You guys split up and deal with the remaining stragglers.”

“Alone? Are you sure you’ll be alright?”

The adjutant asked in response to his words.

“Don’t you trust me?”

“N-No, I’m sorry!! That’s not what I meant…….”

Ardin chuckled at the adjutant’s flustered reply and said.

“The rest would only be cumbersome. You know what the presence of the Goblin Chief means, right? There must be a shaman somewhere who hasn’t appeared yet. We need to deal with those guys.”

At Ardin’s words, the adjutant’s face stiffened.

“Divide the troops into two and search the area up to where we came from. Understood?”

“Yes!!”

The adjutant shouted in an elevated voice, seemingly impressed once again by his bravery.

Ardin lightly raised the corners of his lips at the sight.

“Hyah—!!”

He spurred the horse even harder.

* * *

“Hiiiiiiing……!!”

The running horse hurriedly stopped, raising its front legs.

[Chwireuk…… Chwireuk…….] (Goblin growling sound)

Before Ardin, the wounded Goblin Chief looked at him, breathing heavily.

Along with the rustling of the bushes, dozens of goblins appeared behind the chief.

Among them, two goblins stood out, appearing at the forefront with staves and hunched postures.

“Have you come?”

A human voice was heard from within the group.

“The McGovern family’s youngsters fight quite well. So, I had a hard time acting. So, would you please take care of that snarling fellow looking at me?”

“Haha…….”

The man, with his face wrapped in bandages and covered in a robe, laughed in a sinister voice.

It was a sound like scraping metal.

He casually patted the Goblin Chief’s head as if handling a pet.

[Chwireuk…… Chwireuk…….] (Goblin growling sound)

What was going on?

The leader who commanded thousands of goblins smiled gleefully as soon as his touch reached him.

His bizarre face and drooling appearance made him look somewhat abnormal.

“They are still on the forest path.”

Ardin said, looking at the scene with a disgruntled expression.

The man with his face covered in bandages grinned just like the Goblin Chief and replied.

“I will prepare.”

It was then.

“Was this the meeting place?”

“……!!!”

Ardin hurriedly turned his head, aiming his spear at the voice coming from behind.

But soon, his pupils widened as he watched the person who appeared from inside the forest.

“……You.”

“You’ve gone through unnecessary trouble. The root [leader of Wooden Cloud organization] is also a problem. You should have at least notified me of the proper details.”

Despite his vigilance, Cahill brushed off the leaves on his clothes as if nothing was wrong and muttered in a low voice.

“Wooden Cloud [secret organization of the Lurein Duchy].”

“……!!”

Ardin was surprised once again at those words.

“What? You. Are you a comrade?”

But still not letting his guard down, Ardin spoke to Cahill.

‘I haven’t heard anything about that…….’

As if reading his thoughts.

Cahill said to Ardin.

“There’s no need to make that expression. I haven’t received a report either, so I came to confirm what’s going on. It was quite troublesome, getting out of there. Otherwise, there would have been no reason for me to follow you.”

“…….”

“You can’t believe me, but I have things to do in the McGovern family, Ardin Chandler.”

At that moment.

His gaze, full of vigilance, seemed to soften slightly.

‘He knows my name exactly. Is he really a member of the Cloud?’

Wooden Cloud.

The secret organization of the Lurein Duchy.

It was composed of the root [leader of Wooden Cloud organization], the lowest level that controlled the organization, the stem [middle management of Wooden Cloud organization] that delivered orders to each member, and the branches [field operative of Wooden Cloud organization] that carried out those orders.

They didn’t know each other’s existence and only received orders by exchanging special notes.

‘Come to think of it… There are more than one or two strange things. From the fact that someone who was adopted into the Count’s family is wearing a mask while covering his face, to that atmosphere that is not like a child…….’

Ardin had seen Cahill’s battle in the previous attack.

The calmness of a veteran.

That was something that could never be obtained without training.

“I heard there was a sorcerer who could control goblins, but it’s amazing to see it in person. To control the chief, no less. The root [leader of Wooden Cloud organization] must have spent quite a bit of money.”

“…….”

“Somewhere, there must be shamans too. An ambush?”

Like Ardin, the goblin sorcerer seemed somewhat nervous at Cahill’s sharp gaze.

“I asked too many questions. It’s the rule that Clouds must keep secrets from each other. Please understand. It’s a special situation now.”

Cahill shrugged his shoulders and said nonchalantly.

“I also have my mission. Well, branches [field operative of Wooden Cloud organization] like us only have to do as we’re told. Anyway, the stem [middle management of Wooden Cloud organization] will send the report to the root [leader of Wooden Cloud organization]. Right?”

‘It’s true…….’

Ardin thought as he looked at Cahill.

He mentioned not only the name of the Cloud, the secret organization of the Duchy, but also the root [leader of Wooden Cloud organization], which could not be known unless one was a member.

‘Really. It’s all because you told me.’

“What’s the plan?”

At his probing question, Ardin tilted his head and pointed at the goblin sorcerer.

“Goblins are ambushed on the opposite side.”

At his words, the sorcerer took out a small flute-like object from his chest.

“It’s a special sound with a different wavelength that only monsters can hear. As soon as I blow it, the goblins will attack the McGovern family’s soldiers.”

“Really? So, the signal was sent by the sorcerer. I thought there was someone else. Haa, this is really fortunate.”

“……What’s so fortunate about that?”

“I don’t have to do troublesome things twice.”

Seogeok-

It was then.

Without changing his expression, Cahill casually drew his sword.

“……!!”

No one could react.

Cheolpudeok-

The sorcerer’s arms, which had been holding the small flute until just now, fell to the ground and rolled.

Blood spurted from the severed wrists, soaking the ground.

“Euh…… Euh…… Euaaaaak!!!!”

As if unable to believe what he was seeing, the sorcerer belatedly looked at his severed arms and screamed.

He began to tremble and crawl on the ground, seemingly losing his mind from the pain.

“W-What are you doing!!”

“I bought time.”

Despite Ardin’s shout, Cahill looked at him and the goblin sorcerer as if nothing was wrong.

[Chwireuk…… Chwireureuk……!!] (Goblin growling sound)

The Goblin Chief growled at him, raising his battle ax as if on guard.

Cahill scanned them with a calm voice and said.

“Shall we take care of them one by one now?”

* * *

“Y-You… crazy bastard!!!”

Ardin stood in front of the sorcerer, aiming his spear at Cahill.

“Where did you come from?”

“…….”

Despite his shout, Cahill slowly drew his sword.

‘A perfect opponent.’

Thanks to Mart, he had been able to practice fighting enemies using mana blades within the mansion, but he had to hide the fact that he had obtained mana, so he had not been able to properly unleash his aura blade.

Besides, his swordsmanship was already perfect, but he had to refine his 12-year-old body to match it.

An opponent who could fully unleash mana.

Cahill raised the corners of his lips as if satisfied.