Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Chasing the Sword
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“Did you come to?”
Her vision was blurry. Inebil slowly sat up. She rubbed her neck with her hand, then checked her torso and limbs. There were no injuries.
“Why am I still alive?”
She muttered in her foggy mind. A soldier who had been waiting beside her explained what had happened after she passed out.
“They’re all alive?”
“Yes. A few who took heavy hits might need a few days’ rest, but the rest are fine.”
She looked at the soldiers gathered in front of the tent. They all seemed exhausted, standing by with their heads bowed.
“How long was I out?”
“Not long.”
“They left on horseback?”
“Yes.”
She stood up. Her vision spun for a moment, but she quickly regained her balance. Inebil recalled the final moment when she had clashed with the man.
She hadn’t been able to lift a finger. His sword had moved faster than her thought to block it. There were no excuses. It was an overwhelming defeat.
She gripped the halberd lying beside her. Then she walked over to her beloved horse, Ran.
“Captain, where are you going?”
Inebil paused and looked at the soldier who had followed her. He was one of the three who had stayed until the very end without fleeing.
“What’s your name?”
“Hudaam, ma’am.”
“From now on, I’m handing command over to you. The lord granted me this authority, so there are no legal issues. Don’t worry.”
“Pardon? What do you mean?”
“Clean up here and return to the territory. Tell the lord I had some business and had to leave for a bit.”
She unfastened the sword sheath at her waist and handed it to the soldier. It was the sword she had borrowed, and it also symbolized the lord’s authority.
“Lady Dianne will return soon, so keep it safe until then. No, give it to the lord.”
“How could I possibly...”
“Don’t lose it. The lord would be pretty disappointed if you did.”
The suffocating sensation, as if she were underwater, was slowly returning to normal. She cracked her stiff neck side to side, then mounted Ran. As the soldier had said, two horses were missing.
“Ran. We have to chase those people. You can do it, right?”
Ran snorted as if it were the easiest thing in the world. With this reliable friend’s legs, they could catch up to the two who had left by tonight.
“Captain! Where exactly are you headed?”
The soldier who had hurried after her called out. He was clutching the entrusted sword with both hands.
“I’m following those two to Connero.”
“Pardon?”
She tapped Ran’s neck. Ran happily surged forward. From behind, she heard him calling “Captain!”
What would Shilder say when he heard this? He’d probably groan and sigh as if he’d expected it. Her master would nag her for not being able to stay put and running off.
But she couldn’t just meekly return to the territory. She had to chase that man. The man who existed beyond common sense, who was on par with—or even surpassed—her master.
“Ran. Can you go a bit faster?”
She asked while gripping the reins. Ran picked up speed.
As they galloped, she kept thinking.
Was this the right decision?
Reason screamed at her to rein in and turn back. Stop here, return to the territory, clean up the mess, and report to the lord.
But what if she let that man go like this? What if she never saw him again?
She had lived pursuing strength. Becoming stronger was the reason for her life.
The man who hadn’t lost his composure even with dozens of soldiers before him. The man who moved like a ghost in the darkness. The man who showed mercy even in an extremely unfavorable situation.
No, it hadn’t been unfavorable for him.
That man had never been at a disadvantage to begin with.
Responding to the gate check, following them obediently to the camp, trying to resolve it with words until the end—it had all been the virtues of a true warrior.
Her face burned. If not for the night breeze, it would have felt like it was scorching.
Between the trees flashing by on either side, she recalled the moment she had faced off against him.
Her blood boiling, halberd in hand, she had charged at the man. For a split second, she thought she had a chance. Maybe the essence of all her cultivated power would shine in that moment and defeat him.
How ridiculous it must have been.
It was utterly impossible. The man was untouchable.
‘Posture.’ A concept she had never heard of. The man operated outside the world of martial arts she knew.
She hadn’t even been able to catch his final strike with her eyes. By the time she realized “Eh,” it was already in front of her, and that was the end.
In her mercenary days, she had fought countless battles, but she had never given that much distance before.
The distance vanished in an instant.
There was no other way to describe it. Before she could even assume a counter stance, his attack was already in its finishing phase.
Inebil gently closed her eyes. There was only a slight ache on her cheek; everywhere else was fine.
It was restrained power.
He had used just enough force to neutralize her. What kind of training allowed for that?
It hadn’t been a fight between warriors.
It had been a warrior against a child. And the child had put up a pretty good fight.
A battle unlike any she had experienced.
A man comparable to her master. No, perhaps even a level above.
She wanted to learn. She wanted his teachings, no matter what.
The excitement wouldn’t fade, just like when she first met her master. If she let him go now, she would regret it for life.
She didn’t want that.
The lord and her master might scold her for letting emotions override reason again, but what could she do?
That was who Inebil was.
Ran exhaled roughly. Sensing its master’s urgency, it was moving faster than usual.
“Ran. Just a little more effort. I have to meet that man. I need to apologize for my foolish actions. And... I want to see that sword once more.”
Ran was a horse worthy of being called a spirit beast. Strong, fast, and clever.
It had been extraordinary even as a foal, and it stood out even more as it grew. A horse that wouldn’t tire even after three straight days of galloping.
Even such a Ran was pushing its limits.
She would definitely catch them.
How much time passed like that?
She spotted the rear of a horse.
Thank goodness, I didn’t lose them. Inebil snapped the reins. Whispering to Ran to push just a bit more.
A faint voice drifted back.
What the hell.
Probably Guchi.
He must be shocked. The woman who had arrested and interrogated them was chasing them on horseback.
“Wait! Hold on a second!”
Inebil shouted. Guchi glanced at Lander, then turned his head back.
“Why are you following us!”
“I want to talk!”
“You’re chasing us awfully aggressively for someone who just wants to talk!”
“Chasing with a sweet smile would be even weirder!”
She yelled at the top of her lungs. In the meantime, Ran overtook the two horses ahead.
“I’m sorry! I chased you to relay a message first!”
Her words must have reached them. Inebil gently patted Ran’s neck. Ran began to slow down.
The distance gradually opened up.
Inebil watched the two receding figures with her lips pressed tight.
She wanted to keep following.
But she couldn’t.
Reason had reared its head at the last moment. If the reckless mercenary Inebil had dragged her this far, then the Inebil who had become Shilder’s shield was now exercising self-control.
She couldn’t keep staining the faces of her respected master and the lord she admired.
If they didn’t even want to talk... she had to back off here.
It was a shame, heartbreakingly so, but she had to.
That was when it happened.
The gap was closing again.
The two ahead were slowing down.
Inebil stared blankly for a moment, then let out a joyful breath and snapped the reins.
Their faces grew clearer.
She pulled Ran’s reins about three meters ahead and dismounted.
Guchi reacted first.
“You sure know how to apologize boldly.”
“My urgency made my voice come out first. I’m truly sorry for not observing proper etiquette.”
“It’s not a situation for formalities anyway. More importantly, why did you really follow us? That’s why we stopped for a moment.”
Inebil looked at Guchi, then shifted her gaze to Lander.
“I checked on the soldiers’ conditions.”
“Were there any injured?”
“No. Not a single one was hurt. I don’t know about the deserters who abandoned their wounded comrades and fled the camp on their own... but they’re the type to look after themselves, so they’re probably fine.”
She met Lander’s eyes directly, then clasped her hands behind her back. It was the imperial military salute she had learned, however clumsily.
“First, let me apologize. A mishap occurred due to my poor judgment as commander. Dragging outsiders into a territorial dispute was wrong from the start. And trying to search personal belongings without permission...”
“I understand that. Given the circumstances, I was suspicious. I’d have wanted to check personal items too. But securing hostages without warning wasn’t the right approach.”
“I know. It was a bad call. I took the easiest path because I thought I had to protect them.”
“As I thought from our first encounter, you’re incredibly honest. I didn’t expect you to chase us down like this to express your intentions.”
“My master said the same. That my impulsiveness and honesty are both strengths and weaknesses.”
Inebil smiled faintly, then remembered this wasn’t the time and composed herself.
“Thanks to your mercy, Lander, the precious soldiers of Shilder Territory were spared. As their commander, I thank you once more.”
“There was no reason for them to die. I don’t like holding soldiers accountable beyond their duties.”
His tone carried the air of a superior.
The dignity of someone from on high.
But when she had checked his proof medallion, Lander was just a free citizen. A retired soldier at that.
The thought struck her as odd for a moment, but she pushed it aside.
“And Guchi.”
“You have words for me too?”
“I’m sorry. I apologize for any harm caused by my actions. If you want compensation, I’ll provide it within my means. If you don’t want material recompense, then with the sword you carry...”
“No need. I don’t like seeing human blood. Hunting prey is one thing. Well, just coming here and saying this has eased things somewhat. In a world full of shameless nobles and knights, you’re at least better. Not that I’m praising you.”
“I’m grateful for those words alone.”
Inebil saluted and bowed her head to the two.
“Now that you’re done, be on your way. We have our own road to travel.”
“Not yet. There’s more I need to say.”
Inebil unclasped her hands behind her back as she spoke.
“You might think it’s ridiculous. Call me a crazy woman if you want. But if I give up here, I’ll regret it until I die.”
“What do you mean?”
Lander said. Inebil opened her mouth wide-eyed.
“Lander. I’ve never seen such physical techniques in my life. Even renowned mercenaries, famous gladiators, or knights in the region couldn’t move like that.”
“You never know. There are all sorts of eccentrics out there.”
“From my experience, the odds are very low. The only one comparable to you is my master.”
Inebil spoke with earnestness.
“I want to learn. Your physical techniques.”
“You...”
“Inebile. I wore armor and played knight, but I’ve never thought of myself as one of those haughty types. I’m not officially knighted. Just call me Inebil.”
“Very well. But is there a reason you must learn from me specifically?”
“Yes.”
“What is it?”
“You seem stronger than my master.”
“Simple.”
“That’s the most important reason for me.”
Lander fell silent. Guchi spoke instead.
“You thinking of taking her on?”
“Comings and goings are free, like you traveling with me.”
Lander replied.
“True, but it’s a bit tricky.”
Lander turned back to Inebil.
“Why do you want to grow stronger?”
“It’s the reason for my life. It’s how I’ve lived and the way I gained my freedom.”
“I see. But you can’t learn what I’ve mastered, Inebil.”
“You’re certain.”
“It’s the truth.”
“...Will you give me a chance to change that mind? I beg you.”
“Will and feasibility are separate issues. I understand your will, but learning from me is impossible.”
Lander turned his horse’s head. The horse began to move slowly. Was this the end?
“May I at least test that possibility?”
“You’ll gain nothing.”
“That’s fine. So let me have the chance to learn by your side.”
She bowed her head, then raised it.
She saw Lander nod briefly. She looked at Guchi. He wore a sullen expression, then grinned and shrugged.
“Thank you!”
Inebil mounted Ran and followed the two.