Chapter 201
Chapter 201
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 201
Chapter Title: Marquis Valtre's Fury
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***
"Beat them senseless so they can't even think straight."
The Dark Squad members bowed their heads deeply and scattered in all directions.
Ghost concentrated his senses to the utmost, scanning his surroundings.
From the intel they'd gathered so far, Marquis Valtre was at the mid-level Sword Master stage, while Natarsian had reached the pinnacle.
Natarsian's Kingdom Knight Order had sortied just moments ago, so their captain, Demian, had likely gone with them.
The powerhouses left in the castle were Valtre, Natarsian, and Chief Mage Hoan.
The problem was that the Paterium's effects were fading fast.
He had maybe ten minutes left.
Could he handle them?
If he didn't take them on, the Dark Squad would become their targets—it was obvious.
He had no choice but to face at least one of them himself.
"No other way around it."
Ghost gave a wry smile.
That's when he sensed someone approaching at tremendous speed.
'Already here.'
Ghost unleashed his presence and slipped into the castle.
Natarsian and Valtre spotted Ghost entering through a window.
'No way I'm letting him escape.'
Valtre channeled his mana, and his form shot forward like an arrow.
'Might as well see what he's got.'
Natarsian curled the corner of his mouth slightly and followed.
Ghost sprinted down the corridor, killing anyone who crossed his path.
All the while, he searched for a spot advantageous for fighting them.
Emerging from the corridor, a vast hall appeared.
Massive pillars stood here and there, and multiple windows lined both sides—perfect for escaping if things went south.
'First, let's see who it is.'
Ghost spun around swiftly and hurled a small dagger-like knife.
Whoosh—.
It flew at ferocious speed.
"Pathetic worm."
Valtre drew his sword from its sheath in a flash.
Boom!
He parried the attack.
"……!"
It was so fast, Ghost couldn't even tell when he'd swung.
Ghost's face twisted upon realizing his pursuers were Marquis Valtre and Grand Duke Natarsian.
'Damn it!'
He'd figured one of them might follow, but not both.
No helping it now—he had to tie them down as long as possible to give his squad room to operate.
Ghost wore a relaxed expression, belying the grim resolve in his mind.
"Long time no see."
"I was wondering what mad bastard this was."
Valtre glared with chilling eyes and continued.
"You're not alone, so your minions must be scurrying about."
"While you're talking, people are dying. You should know that."
"You'll pay the price."
Valtre radiated murderous intent as he addressed Natarsian, who had followed.
"I'll handle this one. Take care of the others."
"Hm."
Natarsian hated missing the spectacle, but with Peridri retainers present, he had no choice.
"Very well."
Natarsian's form vanished like the wind.
Valtre approached Ghost slowly, gradually releasing his suppressed mana.
His sword became enveloped in deep crimson aura.
"Shouldn't a dog like you be sticking by Artisan's side?"
"Find out for yourself."
Ghost sneered, reversing his grip on his sword and glaring at Valtre.
He planned to counter the moment the bastard attacked.
"Arrogant fool."
Valtre swung his sword.
The deep crimson aura erupted with savage momentum, streaking toward him like lightning.
'One chance!'
Ghost knew this would be his last attack powered by Paterium.
He charged straight at the incoming aura.
Just as he was about to collide, his form vanished.
"Cheap tricks!"
Valtre slashed in an X from low to high.
The deep crimson aura filled the space from floor to ceiling and surged forth.
Boom!
It cleaved everything in its path.
But contrary to expectations, the intruder was nowhere to be seen.
If he'd taken the hit, the stealthy bastard should've dropped out of hiding somewhere.
'What the—?'
As Valtre inwardly panicked.
"Disappointing."
A cold voice and killing intent came from behind.
Too late to dodge.
"Damn it!"
Valtre unleashed all his restrained mana.
A tremendous pressure exploded outward.
Just before Ghost's sword reached his back!
An aura barrier unfurled, repelling the blade the instant it touched.
'What!'
Ghost's eyes widened as he thrust again.
Boom!
It repelled his sword with a thunderous roar.
This time, the shock traveled from his wrist to his shoulder.
He leaped back swiftly, his expression grave.
Normally, a failed strike like this wouldn't faze him.
But this attack was amplified by Paterium's power.
It rivaled a Grand Sword Master's strike, yet it was blocked.
Then he spotted the aura wall surrounding Valtre's body and gasped in horror.
It wasn't mere aura armor.
"Defense Armor……."
The knights' ultimate defense technique.
One of the Grand Sword Master's signature skills.
"Y-You… how……."
Stunned, Ghost stammered as he backed away.
Valtre was wrapped in deep crimson aura blazing like flames.
"You've forced my hand."
Valtre's face twisted in anger.
Natarsian must have sensed his outburst and realized he was a Grand Sword Master.
He'd planned to hide his power, gauge Natarsian's reaction, and probe his thoughts.
But this bastard ruined it.
Rage boiled over.
"You dared interfere with me!"
Valtre's eyes flashed red.
In an instant, he appeared right in front of Ghost—like teleporting—and seized his throat.
"Gahk!"
He hoisted him up and glared as if to devour him alive.
He gripped as if to snap his neck and demanded.
"Where's Artisan?"
"Guh… kkh… gahk."
Ghost's face turned blue as he thrashed to break free.
But it only intensified the pain and fueled Valtre's fury.
"Oh? Ignoring me?"
Swish—.
Thud.
One of Ghost's arms hit the floor.
"Eup!"
Ghost's eyes bulged.
A scream tried to escape, but Valtre's chokehold silenced it.
Tears streamed from reddened eyes.
"Forget dying easy."
Valtre pressed his blade to the stump and cauterized it with aura heat.
"Grgh… graaah……."
Ghost strained against the agony with all his might.
Valtre pressed harder, savoring it with a sinister smile.
"Who do you think you are, invading here?"
Valtre slammed Ghost mercilessly to the ground.
Boom—.
The impact embedded Ghost's head deep into the marble floor.
He collapsed limply to the side.
"Wake up."
Valtre grabbed Ghost's ankle and hurled him with full force.
Ghost flew helplessly, crashing into the wall before crumpling forward.
"Ugh… urgh……."
A groan escaped as if he were on the brink of death.
Valtre leaped forward and stomped Ghost's midsection.
Crack—.
"Urk—!"
Ghost's bloodshot eyes bulged before he went limp.
Valtre squatted and yanked his head back by the hair.
"You'd prefer a quick death, huh?"
"……Heh heh heh."
Ghost let out a quiet, mad chuckle.
'What?'
Valtre's face hardened.
'Lost his mind from the pain?'
He'd gotten carried away and forgotten to hold back.
With nothing gained, he couldn't just kill him yet.
As he pondered, Ghost spoke.
"You lot are all dead anyway."
"Artisan? Listen up—that punk's no match for me."
"Heh heh heh. Quite the delusion. Listen well, since you're a Grand Sword Master now, you think you're hot shit?"
"……!"
Valtre's eyes flashed.
Ghost sneered and continued.
"Yeah, the great Emperor Artisan Sharmen of the Namshar Empire is a Grand Master too. You're not even worth comparing."
"Hmm……."
"Death's shadow looms over you too—so embrace it."
Ghost sneered, then twisted his head with all his remaining strength.
Crack—.
He'd snapped his own neck.
As Valtre stared blankly, Natarsian appeared.
"Looks like this one's done too."
Covered in blood, he regretted missing a chance to gauge Valtre's prowess.
He glanced at Ghost, then back to Valtre.
The overwhelming presence Valtre had exuded moments ago was gone.
Even with Natarsian there, he stood dazed like a lost soul—something was off.
"What's wrong? Are you hurt……?"
Valtre turned, meeting Natarsian's eyes with a grave expression.
"That bastard…… he's a Grand Master."
"……!"
Natarsian's mind sharpened instantly.
Twenty years ago, to eliminate Artisan, several imperial knights had swarmed him.
Himself, Emperor Ruan, Marquis Tano, Jangjarban.
Oscar Empire's strongest knights had struck together, yet failed.
Then the Namshar Empire's Spirit Legion appeared, forcing them to abandon the hunt.
Artisan's words from then echoed clearly.
-Next time, I won't retreat like this. Look forward to it.
Grand Master or Grand Sword Master—both realms only the divine could attain.
Even Grand Sword Master demanded physical prowess, combat sense, and iron will.
But Grand Master was innate, impossible through effort alone.
Hence the saying among knights:
Only those who enter the divine realm become Grand Sword Masters; even gods know nothing of Grand Masters.
Such an exalted stage.
And Artisan had reached it.
"I want to meet him right now."
Natarsian's face filled with anticipation as he continued.
"I'll handle him. Your Majesty, just watch."
'What confidence is this? The leisure of one who's faced him?'
Or perhaps hidden power beyond expectations.
That could explain the composure.
As Valtre's gaze deepened, Natarsian closely examined the sword that had caught his eye earlier.
"……!"
His eyes widened.
"Why is the Explosive Sword……?"
Now Valtre's eyes rounded.
"How did you know?"
Natarsian drew his sword from its black sheath, revealing the blade.
It bore the exact same flame pattern engraved on the Explosive Sword.
"Was it forged by the same smith?"
Natarsian nodded silently and channeled mana into his blade.
As his sword blazed with deep crimson flames, suddenly the Explosive Sword ignited in kind.
"Why the sudden……?"
Valtre looked baffled.
"Do you know why your sword reacted? Because these two blades were originally one."
"One? What do you……."
Natarsian glared sharply and pressed on.
"You owe us an explanation—for why Your Majesty possesses a Peridri family heirloom."