Chapter 40
Chapter 40
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Forest of the Yenu River
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Milord Count, Sir Kalrop has arrived.”
“Send him in.”
Yarve Count paused what he was doing and turned toward the door.
A moment later, a man in a black robe and hood entered the study.
It was Kalrop, the mercenary mage he had hired along with Yakim.
Yarve Count asked with a stern expression.
“Why hasn’t anyone reported anything? They’re not still drowning their victory celebrations in booze, are they?”
“Please don’t be startled by what I have to say.”
“What is it?”
Yarve furrowed his brow.
Kalrop removed his robe and met his gaze.
“They were completely wiped out.”
“……!”
Yarve’s eyes widened in shock.
“The Rose Knight Order, and even the Red Warrior Corps—they all fell to them.”
“How… how could that….”
“The Julius Count Family was hiding their strength.”
“Was there a Sword Master among them?”
Yarve grimaced and shouted.
“There was someone on that level.”
“Don’t tell me Skevin awakened as a Sword Master? In that short time?”
“Arthur Julius.”
“Arthur Julius….”
“He’s the youngest son of Malcolm Count, the one they called Grada’s Prodigal. He killed Yakim and held off the Rose Knight Order and the Red Warrior Corps.”
“What did you say!”
Yarve’s eyes shook violently.
“And the Phoenix Knight Order’s forces were nothing like our intelligence suggested. A third of their troops are Sword Experts.”
“That’s impossible! I confirmed it myself!”
“You were deceived by them.”
“How dare you!”
Yarve flew into a rage, sweeping the books off his desk.
Crash!
“I’ll never forgive them! What are they doing now?”
“There’s no sign of any unusual activity so far.”
“With that level of power, they’ll surely come for revenge, won’t they?”
Yarve seemed lost in thought for a moment before speaking in a low voice.
“I need to take a little trip.”
At that, a man in black attire with a hood emerged from one corner of the study.
It was Jackal, Yarve’s bodyguard knight.
He approached Yarve and knelt on one knee.
“Give me your orders.”
“Go to Hajan and tell him I need beasts. Money’s no object—have him gather as many as possible and bring them personally.”
“Yes.”
Jackal slipped out of the study without a sound as soon as he replied.
Kalrop watched him go with a meaningful smile.
“I didn’t know you kept an assassin at your side, Milord Count.”
“He’s my bodyguard knight.”
“I’m aware that keeping an assassin close violates imperial law.”
“How dare you lecture me on imperial law in my presence? Didn’t you come to me because you needed money?”
“I’ve overstepped.”
Kalrop bowed his head slightly.
Yarve disliked every word and gesture, but a 5th Class mage was valuable.
There were only five 6th Class mages in the entire empire, so he had to tolerate it despite his foul mood—though his pride wouldn’t let it slide entirely.
“You’re too stiff. If you need money, bow a little lower next time.”
“I’ll do so from now on. For the right price, there’s nothing I won’t do.”
Kalrop bowed deeply, but sarcasm laced his tone.
“Hmm….”
Yarve glared at him coldly before shaking his head.
“If anything like this happens again, you’ll get nothing—not a single coin.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Report immediately if you spot any unusual movements from them.”
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
Kalrop left the study.
Yarve stared at the door he’d exited through, his face twisted in anger.
“This is why you shouldn’t work with nobodies without pedigree. Arthur Julius, though….”
If Yakim, a Sword Master, had fallen to him, Hajan’s forces alone wouldn’t cut it.
He needed a Sword Master.
Yakim had been the only one among the mercenaries, so he’d have to ask someone for help.
“Who should I approach…?”
Yarve walked to the window, gazing at the sky as he pondered.
A few seconds later, the perfect candidate came to mind.
Count Damor of Vulcan Territory, who had recently sought an alliance, would surely step up for him.
Vulcan Territory produced steel goods that accounted for 70% of the empire’s total distribution.
Naturally, steel products were their primary source of revenue.
But their iron deposits were nearly depleted, forcing them to import from other territories.
Meanwhile, Nibon Territory had high-grade iron ore deposits sitting unused, as steel wasn’t a major industry there.
Count Damor knew this and wanted to strike a deal.
Yarve had planned to make the trade happen anyway, but with the Julius Count Family mess, he could attach conditions.
Like borrowing Kapo, the captain of the Steel Knight Order, for a while.
Of course, without revealing the opponent was the Julius Count Family.
Kapo was a Sword Master like Yakim, but on a different level.
He had reached Sword Master rank a decade ago and was now nearing mid-level mastery.
He should be more than enough to deal with the Julius whelps.
Yarve sat back in his chair with a sly grin.
“What should I write to Count Damor to make him come running?”
***
“Preparations?”
“We’ve selected thirty men according to your criteria.”
Arthur nodded at Skevin’s report and asked.
“From now on, I’ll handle things. You stay at the castle and maintain combat readiness with the knights.”
“Are you sure I don’t need to come along?”
“Still worried about me?”
Skevin dropped his gaze involuntarily under Arthur’s stare.
The territorial battle had proven Arthur was stronger than him.
He had taken down Sword Master Yakim and even an ogre single-handedly.
Skevin, several levels below, now needed protection rather than providing it.
“…Understood.”
“Make sure the sentries don’t slack off. If word has reached Yarve Count, he won’t stay quiet.”
“You don’t need to worry about this place.”
“Good.”
Arthur grinned and patted Skevin’s shoulder.
They left the room and headed to where Skevin had gathered the knights.
Entering the training grounds, they saw the group assembled.
Dark spotted Arthur and Skevin and spoke up.
“You’re here.”
The others, who had been talking among themselves, snapped to attention.
Arthur stood before them and scanned the group.
Most of the people he’d had in mind were selected, which satisfied him.
“How’s everyone’s condition?”
Dark replied on behalf of the group.
“We rested well yesterday, so we’re much better.”
“That’s a relief. Skevin should have briefed you. We’re sweeping the western mountains to ensure no monsters ever come down to the territory again.”
“How long do you expect it to take?”
“A week.”
“……!”
Dark’s eyes flickered.
Scour the entire western mountains in a week to root out monsters?
Just hearing the plan made it sound grueling.
They’d probably have to forgo proper sleep and meals.
The others seemed to share the sentiment, their faces darkening.
Arthur smiled faintly at their reactions and glanced at their waists.
Their weapons were all damaged or broken.
They’d be helpless against even an ogre.
He planned to replace them with arms from his subspace before departure.
“Prepare for deployment and regroup here.”
“Yes, sir!”
They responded sharply and dispersed.
Arthur gazed at the pitch-black sky, lost in thought for a moment.
After returning from the cave yesterday, he’d gone straight to Aild and handed over the elixir.
Millerph, who drank it, recovered miraculously.
He’d be back to normal by tomorrow, a testament to the elixir’s potency.
With Millerph at Skevin’s side, Arthur would feel more at ease, even if the search dragged on.
Thinking of Skevin and Millerph bolstered his confidence.
If these two could grow even stronger, it would be perfect.
‘There must be something useful if I look.’
Before stepping away, Arthur told Skevin.
“I need to head somewhere. Wait for me.”
***
“Y-Young Master….”
Skevin gaped in awe.
Arthur, reappearing on the training grounds ready for departure, inspired reverence.
A helmet shaped like a dragon’s roaring maw, paired with golden armor.
His presence lit up the surroundings like a beacon of hope in the darkness.
Standing right before him exuded overwhelming pressure that crushed the body.
“Here, take this.”
“……?”
Skevin looked at Arthur.
A sword suddenly appeared in his hand.
“How did you…?”
Bewilderment lasted only a moment.
A brilliant glow captivated him.
The blade shimmered with extraordinary light.
The hilt and guard were carved into a dragon’s visage.
‘A sword carved with a dragon’s face…!’
A sword flashed in his mind.
Before the Demon King appeared, when humans and dragons coexisted.
There was a swordsman called the Dragon Slayer.
He’d seen an illustration of that swordsman’s blade in a book, and it looked nearly identical.
“It’s better than the one you have now.”
“Where did you get it?”
“Don’t ask—just take it.”
Skevin accepted the sword reverently with both hands as Arthur offered it.
The moment he gripped the hilt.
A deep blue aura rose from his hand unbidden, racing along the blade to the tip.
The blade glowed deep blue, instantly enveloped in aura.
“W-What’s this?”
Skevin jolted in surprise.
The suddenness made him think he’d dropped it, but the sword clung to his hand like a vice.
Its color shifted to match his aura exactly.
It felt as if the sword was becoming one with his aura.
“E-Excalibur…!”
Skevin’s eyes bulged, his words stumbling.
This was the phenomenon when Excalibur accepted a new master.
He’d thought it merely similar, but it was the real Excalibur.
“To think Excalibur has chosen me….”
Forged from dragon bone, its durability was unmatched, and it could cut anything.
The Sword King had selected him.
His chest swelled beyond bursting—his heart might explode.
Arthur smiled satisfiedly at Skevin’s reaction.
He then checked his subspace armory.
“This’ll go to Mullan. And this to Latel….”
He pulled them out one by one and planted them in the ground.
Skevin, entranced by Excalibur, stared wide-eyed as weapons poured from Arthur’s hand.
“Y-Young Master….”