Chapter 411: Why Hairan? (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 411: Why Hairan? (5)
The masked man remained silent. It was impossible to guess the expression hidden behind his veil.
“…I thought you were finally making a sensible decision by attacking Dante Hairan. You’re making things complicated, Jin Runcandel.”
The assailant called it a “sensible decision” for one simple reason: it benefited Runcandel.
As the premier martial clan second only to Runcandel, Hairan was the core power of the Viment Empire, one of the world's four great powers. The fall of Hairan would be a devastating blow to Viment itself. Among the four powers, Runcandel and Zipple were in clear opposition, while the allegiances of Viment and Kinzelo remained fluid. However, Viment had maintained extensive ties with Zipple since ancient times. If forced to choose, they were far more likely to side with Zipple than Runcandel.
“You’re the one making things complicated. I’m in the middle of making Hairan my ally, and you decide to throw a wrench in the works now?”
Swish!
A black blade lashed out toward the assailant’s face. The man raised his sword to block but immediately disengaged, avoiding a direct contest of strength. He was clearly wary of the Authority of Pressure.
Judging by the way he talks, I'm certain, Jin thought. He’s a Black Knight.
Whether the man was a Black Knight or some other warrior didn't particularly matter. He was acting to secure a result that benefited Runcandel, and he undoubtedly possessed the skills of one.
“If you understand, then get lost, Joshua’s lapdog.”
Every time Jin thrust Bradamante, Spirit Energy and Azure Fire intertwined, leaving sharp, luminous trails in the air.
After that first brief block, the assailant avoided all direct contact, dodging Jin’s blade with practiced ease. There were few warriors in the world who could so cleanly evade an attack Jin delivered with full intent. But the number who could continue to do so “leisurely” was even smaller.
At a glance, the assailant seemed composed, but he was being pushed back. As Jin’s assault continued, the man’s evasion radius steadily shrank.
I see.
Jin smiled inwardly as he observed the assailant’s sword.
A common steel sword. That was why the man was avoiding his blade. It wasn’t that he was so superior he could dodge Jin’s attacks indefinitely while waiting for the perfect moment to strike; he was being forced to.
If he’d brought his personal sword or a famous named blade, it would have been undeniable proof of his identity.
Of course, while it was “common” by Jin’s standards, any ordinary blacksmith would have praised it as an excellent weapon. But that common steel sword was facing Bradamante—one of the greatest masterpieces ever forged by the legendary blacksmith Picon Minche after he ascended to godhood.
People often believed that for warriors who had reached enlightenment, the quality of their weapon no longer mattered. That was a fantasy held by those who had never properly gripped a sword.
If two warriors of equal strength fought, the one with the better weapon would win. That was why Cyron wielded the peerless Barisada, Ron used Rashid, and Talaris carried Ten Thousand Ice. The same was true for every master.
Furthermore, no matter how well-forged, a common steel sword could not withstand the transcendental power of a master-class user indefinitely. It would eventually snap.
The durability of that sword is already at its limit, Jin realized. It took a blow from me, parried Dante’s secret technique, and clashed with the Hairan knights.
If the weapon shattered, even a Black Knight couldn't face Jin barehanded. And in a tragic stroke of luck for Jin, Dante’s Imperial Sword secret technique, Sun, had already destroyed every other sword on the corpses strewn across the floor. If the assailant's blade broke, he had no way to get another.
Jin grinned. “You shouldn't worry about your weapon so openly, Black Knight.”
He increased his speed, unfurling the Veil of Spirit Energy once more. He wove through the mist, unleashing a relentless barrage of sword energy. Each strike, imbued with the Authority of Pressure, bore down heavily on the assailant.
The man could no longer afford to simply dodge and began parrying the attacks. He was clearly struggling, unable to exert his full strength just to block. Jin, on the other hand, poured out his attacks with ease.
The only other weapon here is Dante’s. Jin kept himself positioned between the attacker and his fallen friend. If the Black Knight got his hands on Dante’s sword, the tide of battle would turn.
“You should have brought a spare.”
Clang—!
A deafening roar erupted as the assailant parried a sudden strike from Jin, who had closed the distance in an instant. Amidst the sound, Jin felt the distinct vibration of cracking metal—a flaw that couldn't be hidden, even when shrouded in aura.
“Ah,” Jin taunted, “were you planning to use the other knights' swords in an emergency?”
The blade of Spirit Sword: Scissors extended toward the assailant’s back. He ducked, avoiding it by a hair’s breadth, but he couldn’t perfectly evade the vertical slash that followed.
A spray of blood arced through the air.
The tip of Bradamante had grazed his shoulder. The wound wasn’t deep, but landing the first effective blow was significant.
“Withdraw. Your mission has failed.”
“I just don't understand,” the assailant said with a shrug. “Do you really think Hairan will side with Runcandel just because of your friendship with Dante Hairan?”
“Is there any reason they wouldn't?”
“I didn't realize you were so naive.”
“That naivety will unite Runcandel and Hairan. It’s a value your master and the current, rotten Runcandel will never understand.”
“We aren't speaking the same language.”
“That's fine. We don't need to see eye-to-eye.”
Boom! Crash!
The noise didn't come from their exchange, but from outside. The battle between Ron and Verakt was growing even more intense. Despite the distance, the powerful energy they radiated could be felt vividly, making the entire castle tremble.
“Let’s finish this.”
Spirit Sword 1st Form: Soul Slash.
A long streak of sword energy surged forward silently, like a shadow, aimed at the assailant’s front. It was the Spirit Sword technique Jin was most confident in—a pure expression of his will to cut through anything.
Under the force of the strike, the assailant’s sword finally snapped in two.
Clink!
The pieces fell to the floor.
The assailant, however, didn't seem flustered, as if he had expected this. Something sharp slid out from his sleeves.
Claws?!
It was an uncommon weapon, and more importantly, the signature weapon of the McLoran family—Gilly’s home.
Is he a Black Knight from the McLoran line?
The moment the question surfaced, the assailant lunged like an arrow, his claws slashing for Jin’s eyes.
The claws were his real weapon…!
Jin had thought himself lucky that the man was using a mediocre sword. But these claws were his true armament. Forged from what looked like ancient Ten-Thousand-Year Steel, they meant Jin no longer held the advantage in weaponry.
“You have a talent for surprises,” Jin grunted.
Screech!
An unpleasant metallic shriek echoed as the claws and blade locked together. With his true weapons drawn, the assailant’s movements were entirely different.
No wonder, Jin thought. I felt a dangerous instinct from him the moment we met, but his performance felt lackluster. I assumed it was just his weapon, but I was wrong.
Each swing of the claws unleashed three streaks of energy. Moving dozens of times per second, they created a blinding torrent of attacks. If Jin hadn't already activated his Spirit Energy Armor, his entire body would have been covered in lacerations.
“Weren't you trying to hide your identity? A weapon that specific makes you easy to identify.”
“It doesn't matter if I don't leave any witnesses.”
“I'm the only witness here.”
“Exactly. Which means I intend to eliminate you.”
“I don't care for your grim jokes. Killing me now would be a massive loss for Runcandel.”
The assailant didn't answer, only thrusting his claws forward again.
Jin had very little experience fighting a claw user. His only practice had been a few spars with Gilly after he became a Flagbearer and her seal was released. He recalled a conversation they’d had.
I’m clearly much stronger than Gilly, yet this feels incredibly tricky.
'Claws are entirely different from swords, Young Master,' she had told him. 'There’s no reason to fear them from an unskilled user, but if you meet a true master… your sword will rarely move the way you want it to.'
Just as she had warned, it was difficult to wield his sword as he wished. The blade kept getting caught between the prongs of the claws, restricting his movements. The man used his left hand to pin Jin’s sword while unleashing a barrage of attacks at point-blank range with his right. Even with the Rune of Mul-ta active, Jin felt a chill down his spine every time the claws grazed his face.
This is no joke.
He attempted several counterattacks while being pushed back, but none were enough to break the man’s momentum.
Dante is too close. I can't risk using Karma Fire or Pluto’s Sovereign Sword.
He needed to create distance. His Spirit Energy Armor was holding, but if this close-quarters struggle dragged on, he would eventually suffer a fatal wound. Yet the assailant clung to him tenaciously, matching his footwork as he tried to retreat.
Jin unleashed a succession of Soul Slashes. The claws didn't break like the steel sword, but the attack wasn't without effect; the relentless onslaught momentarily subsided.
Seizing the opening, Jin created ten paces of distance. He had to maintain that gap. Unless his swordsmanship was far superior, there was little he could do in a clinch.
Whish!
Suddenly, the assailant spun around and changed targets.
Dante!
He had been the target from the very beginning. The man had deliberately lured Jin into creating distance, all so he could secure his original objective and escape.
Jin and the assailant lunged toward Dante at the same time.
With a ten-pace head start, the assailant reached him first.
His gleaming claws aimed for the throat of the unconscious Dante; he clearly didn't care if he kidnapped him or simply killed him.
Just as the claws were about to pierce Dante’s neck, Jin threw Bradamante. The sword flew through the air, intercepting their path as Jin simultaneously drew Sigmund.
But throwing his sword so forcefully had left him off-balance. The assailant instantly redirected the claws meant for Dante and lunged at Jin.
Crunch!
The claws tore through his Spirit Energy Armor.
Jin coughed up a mouthful of blood.