The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 340

221. Empty-Handed

“Stop the commotion.”

A low voice echoed from behind the three men.

Strangely, his voice reverberated throughout the shattered Sun Hall as if it were an opera house.

Clang―!!!

The red-haired man twisted his flamberge [a wavy-bladed sword], deflecting it upwards, causing Caryl to step back and create distance.

“…….”

Caryl raised his head.

[Focus your mind and protect yourself with magic. While the power of words isn’t exactly mental magic… the moment your concentration wavers, you can be swayed by his voice.]

Caryl nodded at Aln’s words.

His ability, unknown in his previous life.

For some reason, Olivon’s voice, which he had once trusted so implicitly, now sounded incredibly suspicious.

“To not only invade the Imperial Capital single-handedly but also defeat two Knights Commander and threaten the life of an Imperial Duke… Your martial prowess is truly astonishing. You certainly deserve to have surpassed your father and become the strongest on the continent.”

Buzz― Buzz―

Everyone acknowledged that Kwell McGovern was the strongest swordsman on the continent. So, when the Emperor named Caryl as the number one swordsman, people couldn’t help but be taken aback.

“As expected…….”

“Wasn’t he said to be the son of Marquis Kwell?”

“I knew it. He’s already turned his sword against his own father before the Emperor.”

The knights, seeing Caryl before them, couldn’t deny his skill.

But perhaps it was their pride as Imperials.

They acknowledged his skill but couldn’t accept him, their enemy, in their hearts, their words trailing off.

“Marquis?”

However, Caryl scoffed at Kwell’s rank, which had risen by one step.

“The McGovern family has become a Marquisate… Why? Is there something shady you’re trying to cover up?”

“Of course. You know better than anyone about what happened in Heim. Duke Kwell and his knights protected my life, after all. Isn’t that right? Emperor Slayer.”

Twitch―

Caryl’s cheek twitched at Olivon’s words.

“What?”

“That, that man…! Is he the one who killed the former Emperor?!”

“I knew it…….”

“Not only did he betray his family, but now he’s trying to attack the country that took him in!”

It was absurd.

The moment his voice, imbued with the power of words, echoed, people’s anger began to flare up as if infected by a contagious disease.

[To use what happened back then like this… That guy is no ordinary person.]

Aln glared at Olivon with burning eyes and spoke to the silent Caryl.

[If they found out you were an alien, it would be complete chaos.]

“I don’t care. About that kind of thing.”

At Caryl’s reply, Aln chuckled and tapped his shoulder.

[I know you’re frustrated, but this is it. I don’t like running away, especially when we have a goal right in front of us… But you know it too. The ones blocking us now are Dragons.]

“…….”

[The war has only just begun. I’ve said it before. For humans, dragon slaying is a challenge. You have to catch not just one, but four of those seemingly reckless challenges. Be careful.]

Aln continued to speak in his mind, unheard by others.

[You can see that golden hair twitching his lips, even though he’s standing still. We need to get out of here before the Dragon’s barrier is set up. Gold Dragons are the most skilled in magic among all Dragons. It’s on a different level than a simple lair seal.]

Aln looked at him with a slightly nervous expression.

[To have all the Dragons in front of us as enemies… This is a first, even for me during the Magic Era.]

“Are you scared?”

[No. It’s the opposite.]

Caryl raised the corner of his lips at his words.

“As expected. Aln, there’s no one as crazy as you. But that’s why you can do something like this with me.”

Unlike the wary Aln, Caryl approached the three even closer.

“Don’t worry. They can’t use magic anyway.”

[Hmm?]

“Besides, they can’t even Polymorph [change shape]. Not like Neil Blanc. They’ll be my shield.”

He pointed to the knights and soldiers who had been surrounding him just moments ago.

“Dragons? So what?”

Caryl scoffed.

“I came here knowing the identity of that guy pretending to be human. Don’t think you’re a threat to me now.”

“How insolent…….”

Python gripped his sword again at his words, trying to step forward.

“Calm down.”

But it was the middle-aged man with golden hair who stopped him.

Enuma Elish.

Known as a direct descendant of the Golden Dragon, Tosca, he was the Dragon who had lived the longest after Nar Di Maugh.

“Look at the ring on that man’s hand.”

At his words, the other two also focused on Caryl’s hand.

“It’s a ring with Gnome craftsmanship magic on it. And it’s the work of a master craftsman. The magic power condensed inside is something even we would have difficulty breaking at once.”

Four Canines.

A masterpiece by Calypsos, obtained from the Tatur auction house.

The ring, with a small red gem embedded in it, was redder than crimson, almost blood-red.

Gnome Craftsmanship Magic was difficult for even high-level mages to detect. He recognized it at once, even though it looked like ordinary jewelry.

“A secret weapon of sorts… You certainly live up to your title of Old Dragon. You recognized it right away.”

Caryl raised his finger.

His ring, a treasure that could draw out the user’s magic power to create a shield, had already grown for years, absorbing his magic power like a Dragon.

In fact, Caryl himself found it difficult to imagine the power of the shield that Four Canines would create.

“But you guys know it too. Even without this, it’s impossible to inflict damage on me with ordinary magic. You’d need to use at least 7th circle magic.”

Whoooong―

As Caryl drew up his magic power, a milky-white, round barrier formed around him.

“Why don’t you try using the magic that only Dragons, who have transcended the human realm, can use?”

The barrier, which was initially one layer, began to overlap into two, three, four layers… continuously.

“But I wonder if the people behind me can survive after being hit by that magic.”

The faces of the three hardened at his words.

Fortunately, they could gauge the magic power contained within Four Canines, but they didn’t seem to know that the number of uses was limited.

If they had really decided to use their power to kill Caryl, it might have been dangerous for him.

But he deliberately created a shield with his magic power along with the ring, further confusing them.

“To use even the enemy as a tool. He’s certainly no ordinary man.”

Was it because his threat worked?

He felt the magic power concentrated around Enuma Elish fading.

At the sight, the woman with green hair tied back, standing next to him, raised the corner of her lips and smiled faintly.

“But do you think that we Dragons would worry about the lives of humans, as you say?”

Tingle―

He felt his hair stand on end at the magic power permeating her voice.

“Huk…….”

“Kuek?!”

Among the surrounding soldiers, some lost strength in their legs and collapsed at that one word.

“Then. Otherwise, that red-haired man would have already released his Polymorph and spewed flames. The very fact that he’s still in human form means that.”

At Caryl’s words, she shrugged.

Then, turning around, she spoke to the other two.

“To think that the day would come when Dragons would listen to the words of just one human… How intriguing.”

She had seen Caryl’s martial prowess, but perhaps from the Dragon’s perspective, it was still at a manageable level.

She seemed strangely relaxed.

But those who knew who the only Dragon with a green hue among the existing Dragons was would know that poison was seeping into that kindness.

Green Dragon Cruah.

A Dragon who carries poison and acidity within her body, she is the only being who can turn an area into ruins without magic if she so chooses.

“As you say, we are Dragons.”

Enuma Elish, who had been standing in the middle of the three, stepped forward and said.

“We have been living peaceful lives, adhering to the principle of not interfering in human affairs. We only stopped by the Empire out of necessity. But we never expected something like this to happen.”

He pointed at Caryl with his hand.

“I have one question.”

“…….”

“Depending on your answer, it may become a reason why we have no choice but to interfere in human affairs.”

Caryl scoffed at Enuma.

“It looks like you’re eager to get involved. To come up with excuses to justify your actions. Don’t you think you’re too cunning for a Dragon?”

“Dragon’s Heart.”

But Enuma spoke in a sharp voice, despite Caryl’s provocation.

“Where did you get it?”

“……!!!”

Everyone was shocked by his question.

“Yo… Dragon’s Heart?!”

“I heard he had a contract with the Spirit King… Does that mean he has Dragon Magic Power?”

“Mo, Monster…….”

“I knew it…… That’s the only way to explain his incomprehensible power.”

The murmurs surrounding Caryl gradually grew louder, and he felt the hostility towards him increasing.

“That is not something allowed for humans. If you use that power to disrupt the balance of this world, we, who must protect the power of the Dragon, will have a duty to stop you.”

[That sly old fox. To bring up that story in this place on purpose. To create a valid excuse for them to participate in the war.]

Aln looked at Enuma Elish and spoke in a low voice.

“Why is that your power?”

But Caryl scoffed at his words.

“Lyseria died to Kaie Aesir. It is natural for the victor of a battle to determine the fate of the loser. Isn’t this war the same? That guy you’re protecting and me. The one who wins decides the other’s life.”

Caryl pointed to Olivon, who was standing behind him.

“Lyseria’s heart belongs to Kaie Aesir, not you. I found the heart he hid, and you just couldn’t find it. Nothing more, nothing less.”

The three looked at them with slightly hardened faces.

“Covet it. That is the message Kaie Aesir left behind with the Dragon’s Heart.”

“……Human desire.”

“Useless…… Not knowing that that covetousness is the path to destruction.”

The Dragons clicked their tongues and said.

“No. Because we are human, we can also have desires. The desire to live. The desire to fight. Have you ever had a pure will? You wouldn’t. Don’t pretend to be noble and high-minded. The life of an obedient dog would suit you better.”

Caryl swallowed the last words.

‘If you knew that, you wouldn’t have tucked your tails and hid in your previous life.’

“What……!!”

“How dare a human!!”

“…….”

The three Dragons expressed their anger at Caryl’s words.

“If you want to participate in the war, then do it. I’ll fight you as you wish. You’re just looking for an excuse to join hands with Olivon and fight me anyway.”

“How dare you say such a thing.”

“I’ll see if you can maintain that attitude until the end.”

[Caryl. Don’t provoke them any further. It’s dangerous to face them all.]

Aln warned once again.

[He’s right. The Spirit Power and Divine Power are not fully established yet, so now is the time to retreat.]

[We should be satisfied with just confirming the Empire’s power.]

[There’s no guarantee that they will abide by the rules of the human world forever. If things go wrong, they could wipe out this entire area.]

The Spirit Kings also spoke cautiously, feeling the pressure emanating from the three Dragons.

“I know.”

Caryl slowly turned around.

“It’s a shame, but this is it. The final shield I have to overcome to bring my sword to your neck is quite thick, Olivon. But when we meet on the battlefield, I won’t back down so easily.”

Thud― Thud― Thud―

Among the Dragons and tens of thousands of soldiers, no one stopped Caryl as he turned away.

Rather, the soldiers parted as if opening a path each time he took a step.

Thuk―

It was then.

Caryl’s gaze fell on one person who had collapsed on the floor.

“But you see.”

Wasn’t the expression ‘faster than light’ exactly what was unfolding before his eyes right now?

“……!!”

Even the Dragons, as if they hadn’t expected it, simply twitched their shoulders lightly at Caryl’s single strike.

Swoosh―!!

Blood spurted out.