Chapter 271
Chapter 271
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 271
Chapter Title: Iyer's Hidden Transcendent Powerhouse Reveals Himself!
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A transcendent powerhouse hidden in Iyer had revealed himself!
If that was true, they needed to pull back their forces right now.
No twenty thousand soldiers could stand against a monster who had reached the Transcendent Realm.
But it was just one scout's report.
They needed more accurate confirmation.
So Brobison sent out a portion of his knight order first.
To gauge how credible the scout's report was.
But what they discovered was...
"The former Holy Knight Commander?"
He was a monster they thought had retired and died over ten years ago.
"You're alive?"
The Free Knight's face twisted.
He never imagined that monster was still alive.
If he'd known that beforehand, Brobison might have made a more cautious decision.
Only someone who had reached the Transcendent Realm could face another who had.
He might not have started the war at all.
'No, that's not right?'
Iyer had clearly crossed the line.
For the sake of world peace, he would have mobilized forces even knowing Freya was still around.
Though he wouldn't have crossed the border as easily as this.
"This old man's lifespan is longer than expected."
Freya chuckled as she answered the knight's question.
"Sir Dwayne... passed away five years ago."
Freya's expression darkened slightly at the Free Knight's words.
"Is that so? Well, it was about time for him anyway."
Dwayne had been one of Brobison's proudest figures, a rival to Freya.
Though he never reached the Transcendent Realm, his swordsmanship was so exceptional that even Freya admired it.
His character and personality were equally outstanding, earning him admiration not just in Brobison but across other nations.
To think such a man had passed—Freya felt anew how cruel time could be.
But this wasn't the time to indulge in sentiment.
He had to bury the memories and resolve the conflict between the two nations now.
"So, what will you do? If you plan to charge, I'll meet you with everything I've got. That would be the proper courtesy to Brobison's knights."
Freya's presence grew chillingly cold.
The atmosphere shifted entirely from moments before.
The overwhelming pressure of a knight whose name once shook the continent bore down on the Free Knight's shoulders.
'No chance of victory.'
Just three hundred knights.
They couldn't even block a single strike from her.
Even if she was far more frail than before, nothing changed.
After agonizing over it, the Free Knight let out a sigh.
"We acknowledge that we cannot defeat you."
Freya nodded as he admitted it so readily.
"But please understand our position—we cannot simply withdraw like this."
This war wasn't a mere invasion.
It was to stop Iyer's madness and bring peace to the continent—an absolutely just cause.
They couldn't tuck tail and retreat just because the situation was unfavorable.
"I understand."
She knew well what the Free Knight must be feeling.
"That's why I intend to receive your sword myself."
"Oh?"
Curiosity flickered across Freya's face.
"Though I haven't reached the Transcendent Realm, I take pride in the sweat I've shed over the years."
The Free Knight slowly dismounted and pointed his sword forward.
Mana flowed out, forming a faint aura of light.
"Will you grant me the honor of crossing swords with you?"
It was a proposal implying that if he lost, he would withdraw his forces.
"Very well."
Freya smiled.
Brobison's knights were the same as always.
They valued honor, were free-spirited, and never backed down easily.
Freya thought the title of "Land of Knights" suited Brobison far better than Leninstang.
"Give me my sword."
When Freya extended her hand, Ian, who had been listening nearby, drew the sword.
Shiiiing—
With a clear metallic ring, the blade emerged.
Freya's sword, drawn from its sheath after nearly ten years, remained as sharp and beautiful as ever, despite no maintenance.
"Step back a bit."
Ian nodded and retreated as Freya spoke after taking the sword.
With his skill, getting caught in their fight would only end badly for him.
"It's been a while."
Freya gazed at her sword with eyes full of complex emotions.
"I thought I'd never hold you again..."
Letting out a sigh that mixed regret and joy, she lowered the blade.
"Come."
She yielded the first move.
The Free Knight took it as a matter of course and kicked off the ground.
"Be careful!"
His blazing aura sword cleaved through the air toward her.
Fwooooosh—!
"Impressive. You have reason for that pride."
It was far beyond advanced level—fully matured at the pinnacle.
Given the right opportunity, he could break through to her realm at any time.
Admiring his sword, Freya slowly raised hers.
Unlike the Free Knight's wind-like strike, her movement was agonizingly slow.
It almost looked like she couldn't handle the sword's weight.
"Lady Freya!"
Ian cried out in shock.
At this rate, the Free Knight's sword would pierce her throat before she could even defend.
But only Ian thought that.
The Free Knight thrusting his sword and the other knights watching from behind.
They all knew.
Though it appeared the Free Knight's sword was much faster, it would never reach Freya's neck.
Craaaaaang—!
A deafening roar exploded.
"Urk, grr!"
The Free Knight's sword flew from his hand into the air.
When, how had she moved?
In that split second, Freya's sword had moved at a speed Ian couldn't even perceive.
Clack—
Her sword rested against the Free Knight's throat.
At the chilling touch, he shuddered.
"I win."
Freya stated it as if it were obvious.
Seeing her like that, the Free Knight closed his eyes.
"Kill me."
He seemed prepared for death from the start.
But Freya had no intention of killing the Free Knight.
"Why would I kill you? I don't have that hobby."
She didn't kill needlessly.
Even in war, the gap in skill was too vast.
Victory was clear without killing—there was no reason to.
That was the true way of one who served the Lord God.
The Free Knight opened his eyes at Freya's words.
"Why...?"
Weren't they enemies?
Reducing their numbers now would benefit the future.
Though he'd promised to retreat, few would blindly trust an enemy's word.
But as if to prove her promise, Freya sheathed her sword.
"Keep your promise. Though with Brobison, I doubt you'd stab us in the back anyway."
She honored her enemy.
At Freya's consideration, the Free Knight stepped back and bowed his head.
"My thanks for your mercy."
"No need for thanks."
Freya waved her hand dismissively and called Ian over to hand him the sword.
Watching quietly, the Free Knight turned.
"Returning to base."
No one disobeyed the order.
Not out of fear of Freya's power.
Because they'd clearly heard their leader's promise.
With bitter expressions, they sheathed their drawn swords and turned their horses.
"We'll keep our promise."
"I trust you."
Just one duel.
Not even a full clash—one between merely two knights.
Even with the promise, there was no way twenty thousand troops would withdraw over that.
But Freya trusted the Free Knight and Brobison.
Thud thud thud thud thud—
The three hundred Free Knights galloped back the way they came.
"Hoo—"
Freya sighed after watching them for a long time.
"...Are you alright?"
Ian asked, supporting her arm.
"Just a bit tired."
It was merely one swing, but her aged body found even that burdensome.
"At this rate, I'm worried if I can stop that madman."
"The madman?"
"The mage from Leninstang."
"Ah..."
Ian knew full well that mage had joined this war.
And that Iyer's main forces were all gathered to block the Leninstang army because of him.
"Did you come out to face him?"
"Yes. There's no one in Iyer with the skill to stop him right now."
Ian felt ashamed for a moment.
That a war unnecessary had broken out, forcing Freya—who should be resting in the Lord's embrace—to take up the sword again.
"Don't make that face."
Freya gave a wry smile and stopped him.
"It was something I wanted too."
One last time.
Burning her remaining strength and returning to the Lord's embrace wasn't so bad.
"By the way..."
Freya patted Ian's head as he fought back tears, then turned toward one side.
"If you've finished watching, why not show yourself?"
Ian jumped in surprise at the sudden words and looked where she gazed.
But there was nothing.
Just a wide open plain with nowhere for anyone to hide.
Ian worried if Freya's mind had grown clouded.
"Lady Freya, there's no one the—"
As he cautiously opened his mouth.
"Didn't expect you'd spot me."
Swoosh—
Someone appeared.
In the space that had clearly been empty moments ago, a man emerged with an unmistakably troubled tone.
"Who are you!"
Ian shouted in alarm upon seeing him.
He blocked Freya's front to protect her even amid the shock.
But she wasn't someone who needed his protection.
"Out of the way, boy. You're in the manner."
Freya reached out and shoved Ian aside.
"Wha—huh?"
As the emaciated woman pushed him away, the man's voice came again.
"I hadn't heard of someone like you in Iyer. Who are you?"
"And who are you? I haven't heard of the likes of you either."
She answered his question with another.
"I asked first..."
The man grumbled softly, then sighed and replied.
"I'm Seo Woo-jin."
"...Seo Woo-jin?"
Freya and Ian tilted their heads at the unfamiliar name format.
But only briefly.
They recalled those who used such names.
"A hero?"
"That's right."
Seo Woo-jin nodded with a smile.