The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 296

199. Istria Three Kingdoms (3)

The might of the Wyvern Corps and Golem Corps was truly overwhelming.

Particularly astonishing was the device attached to the legs of the Wyverns, which allowed them to transport the Golems.

Although powerful, the Golems, unable to fly and exceedingly heavy, were difficult to deploy in the right places, hindering their mobility.

‘The Golem’s armor seems to have been lightened… Moreover, that connecting component didn’t exist in my past life.’

Kail thought, gazing at the Wyverns circling overhead.

With the Wyverns transporting the Golems, not only were the limitations of mobility resolved, but their power also increased more than twofold.

Furthermore, the Wyverns possessed considerable inherent strength, but upon closer inspection, they were equipped with unfamiliar armaments.

[Krrr…]

[Kaak…! Kaak!!]

The Wyverns had unknown devices attached to their bodies, and the bits in their mouths were different from those previously used.

‘Is this a collaboration with the Gnome Kingdom?’

Most of the Wyverns had been consumed by the war between the Empire and the Duchy. After the Duchy disappeared, its territory was used as a war zone against the Corruption, halting the development of magical engineering.

However, in this life, the Duchy could significantly improve its armaments thanks to the technologically advanced Gnome Kingdom.

Moreover, by moving the Golem production site to the Frost Highlands, where the Rothschild family resided, they not only received help from the Gnomes but also incorporated the Rothschilds’ technology, creating Golems far superior to those of the previous life.

Yet, all of this was merely a process.

The unfinished masterpiece of the Magic Era, Ascalon.

Kail realized that the completion of this Golem was gradually coming into sight.

‘While developing the activation stone, which can be called the heart, I need to create Ascalon’s framework… I should find a merchant and send them to Wingel Hart soon.’

He imagined Wingel’s delighted expression upon receiving Ascalon’s blueprints.

As a magical engineer, there could be no more perfect environment. The help from the Gnomes and the Rothschild family was invaluable, but above all, it was possible because Wingel Hart, the best magical engineer alive, was present.

Kail felt he had made the right decision to come to the Three Kingdoms.

‘The merchant for Ascalon’s blueprints is here. Originally, I was going to get it from Viola… Well, this is more certain and better.’

He was tempted to storm in and cleanly take over the Istan Kingdom immediately, but Kail did not start the battle, as if waiting for someone.

“It seems like they should be here soon…”

Although there was only one person, the enemy forces hiding in the kingdom did not dare to sortie.

This was because a Drake was in the sky, and ten Golems stood proudly behind Kail.

Despite being in the middle of the battlefield, Kail leaned back on the kneeling knights as if they were a bed.

“My Lord!!”

At that moment, a familiar voice was heard. When Kail turned his head, he saw a group rushing in from the horizon, kicking up dust.

The one leading the charge was a figure with a distinct build, even from afar. It was Tatur’s Free Army, stationed at the front of the alliance.

Kail waved Ice Claw at Beykan, as if pleased.

Then, he struck down with all his might.

Crack—!!

Beykan, who was on horseback, hurriedly raised his axe to block, but the immense force sent the giant crashing to the ground.

“Ha, haha…”

Beykan blocked with all his might, feeling that Kail’s sword would split his neck in two if he relaxed even slightly.

The veins on his thick, log-like arms bulged.

“Blocking? If you deserve to be hit, you should be hit.”

The soldiers of the Free Army, who arrived late, were shocked by the sight.

They knew Beykan’s skills well from their previous conquests of the monster dens in the south. On the other hand, after the fight against Ruon in Twin Armor, Kail mostly handled matters there instead of depleting the Free Army’s forces.

As a result, the Free Army had not seen him fight for a long time.

The overwhelming power he had shown in Twin Armor was still etched in their minds, but it was a long time ago. In their hearts, Beykan was undoubtedly the best warrior, and some even thought that Beykan’s skills were on par with Kail.

However, the moment they saw him groveling on the ground from a single blow, all their previous assumptions vanished from the Free Army’s minds.

“I never expected to hear excuses from the warrior of the Great Plains, but can I hear the reason for this delay?”

“That is…”

Beykan opened his mouth, expressing embarrassment rather than joy at reuniting with his lord after a long time.

“There was an unexpected obstruction…”

“Obstruction?”

Kugugugugu….

It was then.

A black shadow loomed over the heads of the two men.

“……”

Shriek…! Shriek…!!

Thud—

A strange sound was heard, and a thick, viscous substance fell on Kail’s head.

“M, My Lord!!”

Beykan was startled by the sight, but the sticky liquid did not touch Kail.

The mucus, flowing over the protective magic that had been cast over his head, reached the ground and sizzled…! It bubbled and burned away with a hiss.

Shriek…! Shriek…!!

Kail slowly raised his head.

* * *

“……”

Aidan Hamill stared blankly at the broken Juke Di Hold key lying on the floor.

“What did you just say? I must have misheard you, right?”

“You heard correctly.”

Juke said quietly to Aidan, who had been struggling for days to break down the door at the top of the Tower of Poison.

“Say it again.”

“Don’t make me do something pointless.”

“…Simon Coden isn’t in the Eastern Kingdom right now?”

“Now you’re just throwing around the master’s name carelessly.”

“Just answer the question.”

“That’s right.”

He said with a tearful face.

“Hey, can’t we fix this? Now wasn’t the time to be breaking down doors!!”

Juke looked at him in disbelief at Aidan’s sudden change of attitude.

“You were saying all sorts of great things about proving yourself, and now you’re saying you don’t have the confidence to break down the door?”

Kwaaaang——!!

At that moment,

Aidan frowned and slammed his fist 신경질적으로 [neurotically] into the tightly locked door.

Creak….

The end of the firmly locked door trembled, and a small crack appeared. Juke Di Hold stared at the sight, looking at him with trembling eyes.

“……”

“It’s not that I don’t have confidence; it’s that there’s no need, so I’m saying it. My lord has ordered me to do something. If I can’t do that, proving myself will become meaningless… Juke, let’s go quickly.”

“Wh, what is…”

“He went to the continent, right? Proving myself and all that… Now, I just have to pray that he’s safe. If he happens to meet the master…”

Aidan grabbed her arm and said.

“He might die before he even obtains the 초후술 [Chohusu, a legendary technique or item].”

* * *

“Who is this? I didn’t expect to meet you in a place like this… So you were the card the Three Kingdoms were relying on.”

Kail said, looking at the monster that had just dropped nasty saliva on his head.

Its size, which seemed to be twice that of an ordinary Basilisk, was like a Sand Serpent with legs.

However, his eyes were fixed on a man sitting on top of the giant Basilisk.

Aidan’s worries had become a reality.

“Simon Coden.”

Kail called his name with pleasure.

Shriek…! Shriek…!!

The Basilisk made a strange sound and slowly lowered its head. Then, the man who had come down to Kail’s eye level said as if greeting him.

“I heard from our envoy who went to Azor earlier.”

“Oh, really? Did they say thank you for sending them back with their heads attached? I showed them special generosity.”

The man, wearing a white robe unsuitable for the battlefield and sitting on a cushion on top of the Basilisk’s head, fanned his face with a fan as if he disliked the sunlight.

“I’ll have to say something to Aidan. The fact that you’re here means he either couldn’t stop you or was dragging his feet and couldn’t meet you.”

Kail removed the sword from Beykan and said.

“Actually, I was hoping he would bring your head back when he returned.”

“Your jokes are too much. He’s just a 암연 [amyeon, a type of hidden or secret] assassin. How could such a person…”

“Yeah. You’re just an island lord.”

“……”

Simon Coden frowned slightly.

“The fact that you’re here means you’ve sided with the Empire, right? Well, you were that kind of guy.”

“War is ultimately about winning or losing. It’s only natural to look at the landscape of the continent.”

“That’s right. Wars happen anytime in the world. If there are those who lead armies for the sake of righteousness, there are those who go to war seeking fame and profit. You must be the latter.”

“Keu keu, are you trying to say that heroes fight for righteousness? The kind of land Tatur is can be heard not only on the continent but even on small islands across the sea.”

Simon Coden crossed his arms on top of the Basilisk’s head and stuck out his tongue.

“No.”

Kail said, looking at him.

“The Emperor of the Empire fights draped in righteousness, and you’re clinging to him for money. I don’t belong to either side.”

“…Then what about you? Are you saying you have no intention of becoming a hero? But why are you building a kingdom and expanding your power?”

“Me?”

Kail smirked.

“What is a hero? Is saving the continent a hero? Is achieving a great cause a hero? Or is protecting the people a hero?”

“Isn’t it said that killing ten is just a murderer, but killing a thousand is a hero? The path of a hero is ultimately made on a path of blood.”

At that moment,

Kwaak——!!

Kail stepped on the Basilisk’s head and jumped up, grabbing Simon Coden by the collar.

“……!!!”

“Don’t try to test me. Are you still weighing which side, the Empire or me, has more advantages? If you’ve bet, then push forward. Evaluation is only for posterity. Just cut down anyone who gets in the way.”

Squeak—

Simon Coden glared at Kail.

“…Barbarians, savages, and even slaves and rogues who abandoned their countries and ran away. A kingdom that stinks of rot where those without nobility are mixed together!!!”

At his words, Kail smirked.

“Even rolling in a pile of shit is better than the afterlife. Worry about your own neck. You bet on the wrong thing.”

Kail said.

“I’ve never said what kind of person I am. Evaluation is only for posterity. But isn’t it funny? People call me a hero.”

“Hmph, not a monster?”

At his words, Simon Coden retorted with a sneer.

Chang……! Chang……!!

Kagagang……!

At that moment, hundreds, thousands of sharp hidden weapons poured down on Kail like a shower.

“Monster? Who cares. Whether I’m a hero or a monster, there’s only one thing to tell you. Whether your death is recorded in history books as being beheaded by a hero or torn apart by a monster, the only choice is death.”

“Really……? It won’t be easy.”

Kail pushed Simon Coden away and deflected the flying needles with his sword.

“……!!!”

“N, No way.”

“He blocked all of that?”

“Just what……”

The 암연 [amyeon] assassins muttered in trembling voices.

“You must have been in a hurry. For those who have value in the darkness to be walking around openly in a place where the sun is shining.”

Kail said nonchalantly, dusting off his collar as if shaking off dust.

“……”

Kail approached Simon Coden’s face and said in a low voice.

“Taking your life?”