The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 369

235. One Day War

Kwang—!!!

“How could the Digon Clan already be here? And even the Immortality Society… What on earth are the Dawn Society and Lord Jarvant doing!”

Tiren couldn’t hide his anger at the sudden appearance of the Tatur support troops.

“Hold your tongue. Something unexpected might have happened. Even so, it’s not even 100,000 troops. It won’t make a big difference to the overall situation.”

Kwell was indeed demoralized by Miliana’s appearance. He regretted not pressing the attack at that moment.

“It’s unavoidable. The Digon themselves aren’t a difficult opponent, but the Imperial Army currently doesn’t have a magic corps capable of withstanding the Immortality Society’s magic,” Elan replied with a bitter expression.

“What about Faiman?”

“Fortunately, he survived, but it seems difficult for him to rejoin the battle.”

“Tell him to focus on healing.”

“Understood.”

The three men Kwell brought directly from the Mansion of Swords were also among those who had reached the rank of Sword Master.

But the fact that one of them was defeated so quickly was shocking even to Kwell.

“Don’t worry. The speed of the foreigners is fast, but we are just as fast.”

Just then,

The door of the tent opened, and a man entered.

“Serga……!!”

“The rear support unit has just arrived. They brought supplies, so don’t worry now,” Serga announced.

Tiren greeted him with a happy face.

“How were you able to increase the speed beyond the plan when you had supplies?”

“We cast lightweight magic on the supply carts. We didn’t want to do it because the amount of supplies was large, and the consumption of magic power was high, but the duration wasn’t long. However, the situation seemed urgent, so we forced it. However, the wizards’ magic power is exhausted, so support tonight seems impossible… But since supplies have been replenished, you should be able to fully concentrate on the battle.”

Serga spoke as if it were nothing, but the fact that he cast magic on the food for more than 500,000 troops showed how great the skills of the Academy’s wizards were.

“Was there any news from the Dawn Society?”

“After hearing that the Immortality Society attacked the Ivory Tower, Lord Cardin went to investigate the situation himself… But it is still unconfirmed. Frankly, it was really unexpected that the Immortality Society would appear here.”

“Not only them, but also the magic corps of the Ulkas Guild are with the Tatur. Lord Serga, can we entrust them all to you?”

“Don’t worry,” Serga answered confidently to Nine Darhon.

“However, one thing that bothers me is that Carryl McGovern is not here right now. He went around the rear and attacked us.”

“Were there any casualties?”

“A few wizards died, but only a few. He fought the Platinum Dragon.”

“…Alone?”

“Yes.”

Tiren trembled slightly at those words. He felt that Carryl’s power was beyond their control, just like when he invaded the Imperial Palace.

“But he was eventually defeated by the Platinum Dragon and ran away. It’s difficult for us, but God has fairly given us the protection of the dragon, so we can handle it enough.”

“I don’t know what he’s up to, but occupying Tatur before he does anything is the surest way to end this war.”

The door of the tent opened again, and everyone bowed their heads at the appearance of a man.

“Have you come, Lord Neil Blanc? How is the Platinum Dragon’s condition? I’ve been waiting for you to come. You are the only subordinate who can communicate with the guardian.”

Tiren looked at Neil Blanc with expectant eyes. When Olivin first introduced him to the nobles, he explained why Neil, one of the four dukes, had been veiled and his identity unknown until now.

“For generations, the Blanc family had been the chosen family to assist the Platinum Dragon, and as a result, they had not appeared until now and only stayed in the Land of Promise [a forbidden area where the Platinum Dragon resides], the dragon’s territory.”

“A forbidden area where human footsteps were not allowed.”

“The fact that people lived there was something that no one in the Empire knew, so they could understand.”

Was it proof of this?

As Olivin said, the Platinum Dragon that appeared in the Empire existed only in the form of a dragon, and unlike other dragons who directly expressed their will, they only communicated with them through Neil Blanc.

“He ordered us to rescue Crua.”

“Lord Neil Blanc. Excuse me, but is it impossible to see Lord Nard Di Maugh [the Platinum Dragon] in person?”

“As you know, he is the Empire’s guardian dragon, but he is reluctant to talk to humans.”

“But I think you spoke directly at that time.”

“What time are you talking about?”

Neil Blanc asked Serga as if he didn’t know anything. At that moment, he felt a chill in his eyes as if he were not human.

And Serga realized that he felt the same way when he touched Neil Blanc’s body to save him at the moment when Nard Di Maugh and Carryl were fighting.

“I’m sorry.”

Serga nodded at Neil Blanc’s answer, but he couldn’t hide his slightly suspicious expression.

“We will form a strike force to rescue Crua. When Serga’s specialty, fog magic, covers the entire Tatur, my father will lead the troops and advance. It’s to draw the enemy’s attention.”

“Understood.”

“I will.”

“When the fog clears, Lord Elan and Lord Magto should split off from the advancing troops and carry out the rescue plan. Just release the restraints that bind the dragon. After that, join the main force and wipe out the enemy.”

It was a simple but sure plan.

“Now that the supplies have arrived, the shackles of one day will no longer be placed on us. Instead, we must concentrate more on the battle and achieve a definite victory.”

Kwell nodded in acknowledgment.

“Prepare for departure.”

* * *

“What about the plan concerning the White Gold Dragon?”

“I’ll handle that. While Crua is being held hostage, we don’t truly know his worth. Eliminating him might be the best course.”

Miliana gently tapped Aydan’s back, who stood behind her, and urged him forward.

Dusalla looked at them both, surprised. She naturally assumed Miliana, currently their most formidable warrior, would confront the White Gold Dragon.

“You can trust him,” Miliana assured. “He and the assassins from Dark Shadow are now more adept at hunting monsters than the hunters of the South.”

Aydan offered a wry smile at her words.

“I’ll take on Kwell,” he stated. “I’m the only one capable of subduing him without resorting to lethal force.”

Understanding dawned on Dusalla. Subduing an opponent, she knew, was often more challenging than killing them.

“You sound confident in your ability to subdue Kwell, once hailed as the continent’s greatest swordsman, without killing him.”

“When was that?” Aydan scoffed. “The notion of the Five Sword Masters is long gone. Besides, Kwell has also ascended to the rank of Sword Master.”

Miliana gestured towards Aydan. “He’s one of them now.”

As she pointed out, not only herself and Aydan, but also Grace Panpinel from the former three kingdoms of Istria, Aydan Hamill, and the three from the Sword Manor, as well as Randol, had shown a remarkably rapid rise in swordsmanship, ending decades of stagnation.

“It’s truly an era of swords.”

“Well, not entirely.”

It was then that Nain Darhoon, seemingly displeased, spoke with his arms crossed.

“The youngsters behind me are comparable to 7th class mages. Mikhail still has a way to go, but his offensive skills are potent enough to pierce a dragon’s scales. He can use magic superposition like Kaie Essir [a technique of layering multiple spells for increased power].”

“……!!!”

“……!!!”

Everyone turned to Mikhail in astonishment.

“Not only that, but Serga from the Empire has also risen to the rank of Archmage. The path of magic is advancing just as much as the path of the sword.”

Nain Darhoon raised his palm, and a small black sphere materialized. The sphere spun, gradually shrinking until it was no larger than a fingernail.

“Magic compression…….”

Mikhail muttered in surprise, while Serica Loren’s lips twitched as if she had just been presented with another insurmountable challenge.

“And I, too, have benefited from him,” Nain Darhoon said in a low voice, scattering the magic sphere.

“If we connect the dots, it might be speculation… but the rapid development of swordsmanship and magic, which had been stagnant until now, began with Carryl’s emergence.”

“Yes. Before we are those who serve him, we must repay the help we received from him. That is to return Tatur to him completely.”

Miliana nodded.

“Anthem Howard.”

“Yes.”

“I heard Carryl disappeared after attacking the rear of the Imperial Army, correct?”

“That’s right.”

“While heading to Tatur, I saw the Gyodo Mercenary Corps’ airship [Gyodo is likely a proper noun referring to the mercenary group] crossing the strait and heading north. The airship’s speed was faster than ever before.”

“You mean Gordon Fabian met Calipso.”

“Probably. The fact that Gordon received the starting stone made by that old man suggests contact with the Gnome Kingdom.”

“That’s right.”

Anthem confirmed.

“Why is the airship heading north instead of here, the center of the war? And why hasn’t Carryl appeared when Tatur is threatened?”

Miliana’s eyes gleamed with intensity.

“That’s why I said earlier that our mission is to protect Tatur completely and return it to him.”

“Could it be…….”

He looked at Miliana, his eyes wide with apprehension.

“Carryl won’t come here.”

A commotion rippled through the hall. Despite the arrival of reinforcements from Digon and the Immortal Society [likely a powerful organization or guild], the White Gold Dragon and the Imperial Army still held considerable power, leaving the situation precarious.

“He’s truly contemplating ending this continental war, which no kingdom has managed to conclude for centuries, all by himself. Compared to that, isn’t our contribution rather insignificant?”

But everyone couldn’t help but chuckle at her following words.

“Our task is simply to protect and fight. It’s straightforward. But he’s writing a new chapter in history.”

She surveyed the room.

“The claim that he will end the war alone is not an exaggeration. We simply need to believe and fight. It’s not us on this battlefield who will bring this war to an end.”

The encroaching darkness deepened.

“Carryl.”

Miliana called his name, though he wasn’t present, her voice filled with a joyful and excited tone she hadn’t realized she possessed.

쾅―!! [Sound effect, like a bang]

He raised his sword and slammed it into the palace depicted on the map, shouting.

“He will take the Emperor’s head, seize control of the Empire, and return to us.”