The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 88

74. The Beginning of War

“It seems the Imperials have retreated.”

Kinu Mukari, who was tending to the wounded at the secret location Kayla Chang had mentioned, reported to Khalil.

“Is that so.”

He was curious about the pillar of light that had flashed above the cliff, but as soon as he saw Khalil, he realized there was no need to ask.

‘He must have achieved something there.’

When he first met Khalil, he was strong but occasionally exuded rawness. Now, he was like a finely honed, sharp sword.

“…….”

And as if to prove his change, Hashir’s expression revealed everything without a word.

“What are you planning to do now?”

“That’s something I should ask that man.”

Khalil pushed through the crowd and approached Tulu Chang, the head of the Chang family, who was collapsed on the ground.

He quickly rose to his feet.

“Take it easy. Even with potions, wounds from mana blades don’t heal easily. That’s what makes the Imperials so fearsome.”

“Thank you again… You not only saved us but also protected the Narak Rock. I don’t know what to say.”

Tulu Chang bowed his head.

The number of surviving tribe members was barely a dozen.

It seemed like a hopeless situation, but Khalil spoke surprisingly calmly.

“It’s not really like that. It was just luck. The Tomb of the Spirit King on the Narak Rock you mentioned is actually a Fountain of Arcana [a source of magical energy] created during the Magic Era.”

“…….”

“I gained power there and was fortunate enough to save you.”

“Who exactly are you……?”

“The one who will unite the South and help you advance to the Central.”

He spoke so naturally that Tulu Chang wondered if he had misheard.

“As you can see, the Empire has signaled the beginning of war. Like the North, the South has become their target.”

Khalil looked at Tulu Chang.

“They crossed the South when they attacked you. Did the Digon tribe collude with the Empire?”

He couldn’t say anything.

“We need to understand the situation accurately to respond.”

Perhaps it was a reality he knew but wanted to ignore, but Khalil asked again.

He needed to confirm.

It wasn’t just about the Digon tribe joining hands with the Empire, but also about how much the Chang family would reveal to him.

“We don’t know either. The opposite border of the Great Plains is definitely Digon territory. We didn’t even receive reports that the Southern border had fallen, but suddenly they appeared…….”

“So, it’s highly likely.”

“Yes.”

Tulu Chang nodded.

‘This is definitely strange. I know Digon’s Miliana better than anyone. She’s famous for hating the Empire, and she was full of hostility until the oracle was given…….’

What on earth happened to cause this result?

Khalil searched his memories from his past life, but he couldn’t grasp it at all.

In the first place, the fact that Olivon attempted to conquer the South after ascending to the throne meant that the relationship between the barbarians and the Empire was not good.

“Was there anything significant before that?”

“Well… there wasn’t anything particularly noticeable…….”

“However?”

Tulu Chang tilted his head slightly.

“I don’t know if it’s related to this incident, but about a year ago, Imperials came to the South a few times.”

He looked at his tribe members as if seeking confirmation. Then, one of the injured raised his hand and said.

“That’s right. The Imperials were so focused on the North that it was unusual for them to come to the South, so I remember it.”

The tribe member glanced at Hashir and said.

“A year ago? What happened then?”

“The ones who came to Digon were the knights who attacked us.”

At that moment,

Khalil felt like he had been hit in the head with a hammer.

“……What?”

‘Could it be……? Olivon was preparing for talks with the South from then?’

Khalil let out a low exclamation without realizing it.

It wasn’t just Tatur. The alliance with Digon and the purge of the Five Great Families….

What a strategy that looked several moves ahead.

‘Amazing… Olivon.’

Before being his friend, he was now someone who would become an enemy. Nevertheless, Khalil acknowledged him.

‘I can’t do it alone.’

In this war where kingdoms and kingdoms, armies and armies would fight, Khalil could keenly feel what he lacked.

It was a strategist.

‘The soldiers of the South and North have excellent combat power, but they lack strategists. The upcoming battles will not be simple battles of manpower but battles of wits.’

Khalil thought of someone he had been considering for a long time.

Anthem Howard, the Royal Talent who formed the twin pillars of the Empire with Tyren McGovern, who was called an unparalleled genius.

‘He could have survived if he hadn’t sided with the First Prince. Perhaps he was a truly unfortunate man… but he is also the only one in the Empire who can lend me his strength.’

Anthem Howard was a man of great talent, but he never shone because of his status as a nobleman from a foreign country.

He was noticed by Bryn Inite, the prime minister of the First Prince faction, who had an excellent eye for talent, and was able to dramatically enter politics, but he did not gain much influence.

‘Is it time to go find him……?’

Why was such a person called a Royal Talent?

In fact, that evaluation was after his death.

It was just a name given by historians.

While recording the Empire’s wars, they found interesting results that were not noticeable because they were not numerous.

Anthem Howard’s battles against Olivon always resulted in victory.

The only strategist with a perfect record in both sides of the power struggle.

However, despite winning the battles, he eventually disappeared on the battlefield because Luon failed to utilize him properly.

‘A man who surpassed even Bran Gaumont, who was considered the Empire’s most outstanding strategist in terms of combat sense.’

It was faster than he thought, but Khalil felt that he had to go to the Central sooner.

“Tulu Chang.”

Khalil called the head of the family in a low voice.

“Although there is no concrete evidence, if what you say is true, we should assume that the alliance between the Empire and Digon is a fact. The four major tribes of the Great Plains have decided to join forces. Furthermore, the northern barbarians have also decided to join them.”

Khalil pointed to Hashir and said.

‘Seriously… they’ve already made us their subordinates. How can he say that so casually? He didn’t even give me a proper explanation.’

It was absurd, but Hashir didn’t dislike the audacity.

Besides, when he recalled that figure at Narak Rock, Hashir shuddered without realizing it.

His sword sound was still vivid in his ears.

Confirming that he was silent, Khalil spoke again.

“You’ve experienced it firsthand, so you know. At this rate, the South might be defeated by the Empire’s power in an instant.”

Buzzing-

The survivors of the Chang family spoke with trembling voices at Khalil’s words.

After waiting for their anxiety to rise for a while, Khalil slowly opened his mouth.

“There is a way.”

Then he said to Tulu Chang.

“Just like them, will you lend me your strength? Gather the rest of the Four Great Families. I have something to say to you from now on.”

“We’ve already sent messages. We don’t know about your existence, but everyone will gather within half a day to discuss countermeasures for this attack.”

It was then.

At Kayla Chang’s words, Khalil couldn’t help but raise the corners of his mouth.

He had seen it before, but her eye for detail was quite excellent.

Her ability to see the situation, unlike a barbarian, was to Khalil’s liking.

“Good work.”

Khalil said, looking at her.

“Half a day…….”

Then, nodding, he said to Tulu Chang.

“The Lyeo Knights are impressive, but I don’t think the Chang family would have been annihilated by a single attack. Right?”

At his words, Tulu Chang nodded.

“Gather as many of those who can move as possible. Hashir, you and them release the wolf foxes to find survivors.”

“……Understood.”

[Heh heh, he’s become quite obedient. It must be because he was surprised to see this body. I wonder if this guy pissed his pants.]

Perhaps,

Alun Zavius would have said that.

Khalil smiled bitterly, feeling like he had heard his voice.

“The decision will be made after all four families have gathered. Tonight.”

Khalil couldn’t deny that it was too fast of a development, even for himself.

Originally, he was planning to build trust with the Chang family and slowly reorganize the South.

However, the sudden attack by the Empire.

‘Looking at the situation in the North and South, Tatur can’t be considered safe either… It’s unsettling, but I have no choice but to move a little faster.’

The trigger has already been pulled.

Khalil realized that there was no time to hesitate.

* * *

“Everyone, pick up the pace!! We’re leaving the forest before nightfall!!”

“Yes……!!”

As dusk began to fall, Naril hid his exhaustion and encouraged his knights.

They had come through the southern desert without proper rest for a surprise attack, so their fatigue was indescribable.

However, knowing that this was enemy territory, they spurred their horses.

Kwaaaang—!!!

It was then.

“Aaaagh!!”

The screams of the scout who had been leading the way were heard along with a loud noise.

“What’s going on?”

“I’ll check it out.”

The young knight, who was serving as the adjutant, drew his long sword and struck the horse’s flank hard.

“Heeheeing……!!”

The moment the horse’s hooves went up towards the sky.

Swish-

Surprisingly, the knight’s horse did not run but simply stopped, bewildered, looking at its owner who had suddenly fallen to the ground.

“……!!!”

The blood gushing from the severed neck that had fallen to the ground splattered on Naril’s face.

“W, what is this……?!”

Just a few seconds ago, the person who had been alive next to him had become a cold corpse.

Even in the middle of being surrounded by dozens of knights.

“Gasp!!”

At that moment,

Randel, who was behind Naril, let out a short breath and unleashed the released flames with all his might.

Naril felt a burning heat as the blade narrowly grazed his cheek.

Kwaaaang!!!

It was an act that deserved punishment for threatening a superior, but Naril grabbed his axe without even wiping the cold sweat running down his cheek.

“You……!!!”

Because Randel’s released flames had blocked the sword that would have cut off his neck by a hair’s breadth.

There was no need to ask what his identity was.

There was only one person with a sword that exuded a cold chill.

However,

What was bothering him was that the energy that had been great when they met at the top of the rock a little while ago now felt like it would cut him just by looking at it.

‘He’s like a different person.’

Naril sensed that the enemy in front of him was unusual.

Even he, who became a madman in battle, was overwhelmed by fear rather than madness, and his mind was becoming clearer.

Stomp- Stomp- Stomp-

No one dared to point a sword at Khalil, who was walking casually among dozens of knights.

Fear.

The knights of the Empire were unable to overcome the aura emitted by a single person and froze.

Swoosh-

A sharp sound of cutting through the air was heard.

Khalil, with his eyes shining in the darkness like a blade touching Naril’s chin, said coldly.

Kill the emotions, forget the past.

Only towards the current enemy in front of you.