Chapter 409: Why Hairan (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 409: Why Hairan (3)
Invisible currents of sword energy prowled the air around Ron and Verakt, letting out eerie, whistling shrieks as they rent the atmosphere.
Verakt let out a smirk.
"How arrogant."
The bleeding from his thigh quickly stanched. It wasn't that the wound was healing, but rather a result of Verakt’s unique method of physical self-control.
Jin felt a strange sense of unease at Verakt’s smile.
No, to be precise, it wasn't just unease; it was a premonition of disaster.
Even with Lord Ron by my side, I feel this ominous sense of crisis.
This was the strongest warrior of the White Wolf Tribe, a man whom Murakan had claimed even Luna might not be able to guarantee a victory against in their first encounter.
Verakt didn't seem the least bit surprised, even after having his thigh sliced by Ron’s invisible sword. Instead, his eyes held a peculiar pride—the look of someone who had faced far stronger opponents and crushed them all.
And the full power of the flagship Gruneil hasn't even been revealed yet.
So far, all it had shown was its transparent shield and the thunderclouds, but that surely wasn't everything.
Hairan was in crisis.
This was the conclusion reached not only by Jin but by most of those present. Even Ron, who still appeared composed, seemed to share the sentiment.
Verakt adjusted his stance and began to walk.
"Many will die, caught in the crossfire of our struggle. And they will all meet their end because of you, Ron Hairan."
Thump, thump, crrrrk—!
Verakt’s footsteps grew rapidly heavier.
Though he was merely ‘walking,’ the ground split apart, and a heavy resonance vibrated from deep within the earth. It sounded as if the very land was screaming under the weight of his tread.
Within seconds, each stride was triggering an earthquake.
"You should have listened when I offered to withdraw peacefully."
Ron’s invisible sword energies converged on Verakt, but they failed to reach him.
The aura radiating from Verakt was distorting the surrounding space. Small, fist-sized vortices rippled through the warped air; piles of stone lifted by his energy were sucked into these whirlpools and ground into fine powder.
Even the invisible sword energy seemed affected by the gravitational pull of those vortices.
While the energy wasn't literally disintegrated like the rocks, it couldn't maintain its intended trajectory, warping like paper shriveling in a fire. The sword energies that lost their path flickered into view, manifesting as faint, hazy streaks of light.
The earthquake triggered by Verakt’s steps grew more violent with every passing second.
When the distance between them closed to ten paces, Verakt slammed his greatsword into the ground.
An absurdly massive wave of sword energy tore through the earth and sky, surging toward Ron. It was even larger than the strike Ron had fired at the Gruneil.
Ron did not dodge. Instead, he stepped forward and swung Rashid. The moment the pure white blade made contact, the impossible happened.
Verakt’s sword energy simply vanished.
It was a clash between beings who stood at the pinnacle of strength. Every time the two swung their blades, the landscape of the battlefield was reshaped.
Finally, the two closed the distance, and their swords collided.
As the greatsword and longsword met, the ground beneath them collapsed. A powerful shockwave tore through the surroundings, forcing even Jin to retreat.
The problem was that this single collision was only the beginning.
Kaaaaaa—!
Verakt let out a monstrous roar as his blade clashed incessantly with Ron’s. With every impact, the shockwaves ground away at the outer walls of the Sword Emperor Castle.
At this rate, the castle itself would crumble.
"Murakan!"
Ominous energy was gathering at the flagship Gruneil.
It was the main cannons. Much like the Kozec, golden mana flooded the exposed barrels. Once the bombardment began, the Sword Emperor Castle would not be able to withstand it.
They won't fire the cannons immediately. Not until Vishkel’s group is secured.
The knights of Hairan were searching for Vishkel, but the chaotic state of the battlefield made it difficult.
"You find Vishkel, too!"
[Understood.]
Amidst the dizzying battlefield, Jin’s mind raced.
Rescuing Vishkel’s group is their stated goal, but they definitely have another plan…!
If he were in their shoes…
If he were the Kinzelo leader attacking the Sword Emperor Castle, what choice would he make? What would be the most effective way to pressure Hairan?
It didn't take long for Jin to find the answer.
Kinzelo deliberately mentioned Vishkel’s group the moment they appeared, acting as if they’d leave as soon as they found them.
In other words, they ensured everyone in the Sword Emperor Castle was focused on finding Vishkel’s people.
But what if, in the meantime, Dante Hairan fell into Kinzelo’s hands?
The moment Dante is captured, this fight is over. Hairan will lose everything.
Dante Hairan.
If Jin were part of Kinzelo, he would have kidnapped Dante in this situation. There was no easier way to win this battle.
He had to find Dante.
"Shuri!"
[Mya!]
Jin leaped back onto Shuri and scanned the area. Shuri still had Veradin tied to her back.
"To the inner castle! We have to find Dante!"
[Mya-mya!]
Shuri leaped forward, sprinting toward the heart of the battlefield. Even while fighting Ron, Verakt did not miss this movement.
The 12th Flagbearer of Runcandel… Is that brat going to find Dante Hairan? Joe, that fool, should be keeping him in check.
However, Joe wasn't even tracking Jin’s movements.
"Kehehehe!"
Joe was simply laughing like a madman, raining down lightning from the ship wherever Vishkel wasn't. He seemed completely intoxicated by the overwhelming power of the Gruneil.
I was a fool to expect anything from that bastard.
But Verakt couldn't give Joe orders.
If he raised his voice to give a command, the Sword Emperor Castle might realize his true intent and move in earnest to protect Dante. Furthermore, the moment he mentioned Dante, he would lose all plausible deniability once the situation concluded.
"Lady Quicantel!"
Before fully entering the inner castle, Jin stopped by to see his companions.
[Jin.]
"We have to find Dante. Please take care of Veradin."
Jin handed Veradin over to his comrades. As it happened, everyone else had their hands full, so Enya ended up carrying Veradin on her back.
"Oh, he’s lighter than I thought… No, that’s not it! Young Master, where are you going!?"
"Into the castle. I have to find Dante Hairan. Kinzelo is likely targeting him."
"Not Sir Vishkel, but Sir Dante?"
"The same goes for Vishkel. I think they’ve already slipped away somewhere safe, but I’m not sure. If you see them, secure them."
His companions couldn't move with Jin. The defensive line they were holding was too significant; the moment they left, they wouldn't be able to prevent massive casualties.
As he entered the inner castle, the scene was even more disastrous.
Parts of the interior had already collapsed, unable to withstand the shockwaves from Ron and Verakt’s duel.
Fortunately, the knights inside had secured an escape route leading to the back gate, but civilians trapped under crumbling walls and ceilings were letting out dying groans.
"Where is Dante Hairan!"
"He was rescuing people near the Great Hall just a moment ago!"
At the soldier’s reply, Jin immediately headed for the Great Hall. It was one of the locations on the map the servants had drawn for him earlier.
The moment he stepped into the Great Hall, Jin realized his intuition had been correct.
"Dante!"
He saw Dante, surrounded by masked assailants in dark robes.
Dante’s breathing was ragged, as if he had been through a grueling fight. His clothes were soaked with blood from wounds all over his body.
"Jin…!"
Near Dante, dozens of corpses were piled up. They were the retainers of Hairan whom Dante had been trying to rescue.
He even saw the body of a high-ranking Hairan knight—one who had likely been fighting alongside Dante against the assailants until just moments ago.
These aren't small fry.
There were only three assailants.
This meant that just three people had perfectly overwhelmed Dante and the high-ranking knights of Hairan.
They were clearly Kinzelo’s people, but no names came to mind. Most of the experts Jin had encountered within Kinzelo were either mages or beastmen.
These assailants, however, were warriors.
He could tell instinctively. Unlike the ‘Gray Robes’ he had fought before, these were pure human warriors.
"I heard Kinzelo was suffering from a severe labor shortage, but I guess you're finally starting to look the part."
"Jin, they are no ordinary foes."
"I know. Are you okay?"
Dante responded with a bitter smile instead of words. As Jin approached, two of the three masked men blocked his path.
Screee…
Bradamante slid from its sheath.
"I don't know what you lunatics think you're doing, crashing someone else's party."
The masked men were the first to strike.
Two of them thrust their swords at Jin simultaneously. Their movements were fierce.
At least 8-star. Still, these two aren't the problem.
The one who concerned him was the one still pressuring Dante. A dangerous aura, far different from the other two, radiated intensely from him.
Jin felt that even if he and Dante fought together, they might have to pull out their Decisive Techniques and Magic Sword Secret Techniques just to stand a chance.
Among known warriors, there weren't many who possessed such transcendent martial prowess. It was a level reserved for those in the late 9-star or 10-star realm.
However, it was unlikely that such a famous warrior would suddenly join Kinzelo. If the fight in the Great Hall dragged on, other ‘swords’ of Hairan would arrive. Even a 10-star warrior couldn't stay hidden behind a mask forever.
Once their identity was revealed, becoming an enemy of Hairan would be unavoidable.
He had to finish these two quickly and help Dante.
The swords of the two masked men cut through the air.
In the next instant, Jin took one of their heads in a single strike. It was because the assailants had habitually fought as if they were facing a ‘normal knight.’
Clang, slash—!
The decapitated man had certainly parried Bradamante, but it was a black blade that had claimed his life.
Spirit Sword 2nd Technique: Scissors.
The remaining man flinched and widened the distance, clearly not expecting one of his comrades to die in the first exchange against the 12th Flagbearer.
He hadn't even perceived what had cut his companion’s throat. He only realized that something pitch-black had passed by like a trick of the light.
"Since you dared to attack Hairan, I assume you were prepared for death. There's no need for regrets."
Once more, the black blade of Scissors surged toward the assailant.
If he could have seen it one more time, the man might have been able to block Scissors for a few exchanges.
He only now realized that a blade was forming behind his back. Death seemed inevitable.
But the man who had been facing Dante threw himself forward to block the black blade. The impact pushed Jin back, and he took a moment to steady his breathing.
The way the man had parried Scissors felt strangely familiar. Because of that, a certain group instantly flashed through Jin’s mind.
…A Black Knight!?
Jin readjusted his grip on his sword and locked eyes with the man behind the mask.