Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Sword Master Rankings
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"There's a ranking?"
Arthur asked with an intrigued expression.
"Then where does Yakim rank?"
"He was the 15th Sword Master."
"15th? There are that many Sword Masters? Isn't it a realm only those chosen by the gods can reach?"
"You're right. But not all Sword Masters are recognized as such."
"What do you mean by that?"
Arthur tilted his head.
Skevin nodded as if he understood the reaction.
"You have to enter the mid-tier to be truly acknowledged as a Sword Master. Think of it as starting from rank 10."
"So Capo is at least mid-tier among Sword Masters."
Arthur's face hardened.
Yakim had been a Sword Master, but arrogance left him full of openings, and he couldn't fully unleash his abilities.
That's how Arthur had managed to take him down.
According to Skevin, Capo wouldn't have such flaws.
But Arthur was awakened now, unlike when he'd faced Yakim.
On top of that, he had Teheran's helmet and pistol.
He didn't know exactly how far he'd advanced, but he wouldn't go down easily.
"What are my chances of beating Capo?"
"Hmm..."
Skevin pondered carefully.
Millerph examined the circle forming in Arthur's danjeon, checking his awakening stage.
Four stars!
It was Sword Master level.
But he didn't sense the intense aura unique to Sword Masters.
'Not yet? Well, just a few months ago...!'
Suddenly, Millerph's eyes flashed.
He felt an alien yet immense power from Arthur.
It was calm like a gentle river now, but it could erupt into a raging tsunami at any moment, swallowing everything.
Something came to mind.
Teheran's arrangement!
He wondered what that 'absolute power' promised at four stars was.
"My lord."
"Yeah."
"Can you tell me what Teheran's arrangement was?"
"You look awfully curious."
"Yes."
Millerph was honest about his feelings.
Skevin's face was full of curiosity too.
Without hesitation, Arthur summoned the 'Sig Sauer.'
Millerph and Skevin watched as golden liquid flowed from Arthur's right hand, transforming into an unidentified object.
"What is this?"
"A power I received from him."
Arthur gave a meaningful smile and aimed out the window.
Skevin realized it was similar to the weapon Ban had made.
"This one's impressive too, huh."
"It'll be a big help to me."
Unlike Arthur's confident expression, Millerph spoke with a dark look.
"I'd say your odds of beating Capo are about 30 percent."
"Only that much?"
"You reached four stars and have that special weapon, which gets you that far. Without them, you couldn't even block one of his strikes."
"One strike..."
Arthur gave a bitter smile.
He'd thought he'd gained great power, but there were too many stronger foes ahead.
But he'd overlooked something.
Through this incident, he'd risen to 15th in the Oscar Empire's rankings.
He'd leaped straight into the ranks of the strong.
Skevin, lost in thought, nodded in agreement with Millerph.
"Even if you enter the Sword Master ranks, young master, facing him would be tough."
"Why?"
"It's the difference in battle experience."
"Mid-tier Sword Master means a seasoned veteran."
Arthur smiled meaningfully.
Skevin didn't know.
Arthur had roamed hellish battlefields for over a decade.
No one could match his war experience.
For now, the only way was to grow stronger.
He had to become a Sword Master before the next territory war.
Time was short, but with his opportunities and their help...
'I can do it.'
Arthur resolved himself and revealed his final plan.
"We need to bolster our forces. I'll raise a Knight Order and hire mercenaries."
"I'm for building a Knight Order, but hiring mercenaries needs careful thought."
Skevin recounted unseemly incidents from other territories that hired mercenaries.
They toyed with the locals or clashed endlessly with the knights.
Controlling armed groups with words was practically impossible.
One lord had even been imprisoned by the mercenaries he hired.
A double-edged sword.
When Skevin finished, Arthur tilted his head.
"What's that got to do with us? Afraid the territory will be overrun by mercenaries?"
"Absolutely not."
"Then?"
"Every mercenary group has its own structure. We need to check if it meshes with ours before hiring."
"I see."
It was similar everywhere.
Before leading Tier 1 into operations, he'd assess allied units' traits.
Maximizing their strengths raised success rates and minimized friendly losses.
"Find out which mercenary groups could work with us."
"You're really going to hire them?"
Skevin's face hardened.
"The war with Yarve Count is just a stepping stone. Our real enemy is in the western mountains. And there's Teheran's dying words."
"......!"
Millerph's eyes widened.
Arthur nodded quietly at his reaction, and Millerph's gaze shook violently.
"The Demon King..."
"It's the Julius Count Family's destiny."
"Destiny?"
Skevin looked bewildered.
With monsters already a worry, the Demon King came up suddenly.
Millerph's reaction suggested he knew something.
It felt like they were hiding something from him.
"Tell me too. I was once called the Julius Count Family's guardian deity. It'd be odd if I didn't know family matters..."
Skevin looked hurt.
"We weren't hiding it; just no time to tell. Don't misunderstand. The Julius Count Family's guardian deity is still Skevin Maximus—you."
"Y-Young master..."
"So don't waver."
"......!"
Skevin's chest swelled with emotion.
Arthur might be stronger than him now, but the unwavering trust was deeply grateful.
"Our enemy isn't Yarve Count or the monsters."
"Then..."
Arthur stated firmly.
"It's the Demon King."
***
"How the hell did they get here?"
"They're so docile, like lambs. It's unreal."
"Well, they are monsters."
"But that one over there—doesn't it look mystical every time?"
The knights' eyes turned to Khan.
The Britannica Arthur rode exuded intense nobility unlike the others.
Unlike the clustered Britannicas, it occupied half the training ground alone.
It had the air of an 'absolute being.'
Anyway, the uninvited guests kept the Knight Order on edge.
The Devil Squad members watched from afar, deep in thought.
Mullin broke the silence.
"What do you think the captain's planning?"
"He brought them here to tame and ride them, probably."
Perry's words drew a headshake from Latel.
"I've never heard of anyone taming a monster."
"Then what about the captain?"
Dark nodded toward Khan, drawing all eyes.
They couldn't forget Arthur entering the castle astride Khan, majestic.
Like a legend's hero.
His overwhelming presence, combined with Khan's massive aura, felt like a mountain.
If an enemy, just seeing him would break their will.
The impression was that strong.
As they stared silently at Khan, Arthur appeared with Skevin.
Everyone snapped to attention.
Arthur nodded once and headed to Khan.
Silent as a mouse, Khan neighed loudly at Arthur's approach.
Hiiiing-!
Then, unbelievably,
Thud-!
The Britannicas slammed their front hooves and bowed to Arthur.
"What?"
"Why are they doing that?"
"Bowing to the young master, right?"
Amid the bewildered voices, Arthur remained calm.
Eyeing Khan, it knelt gracefully, lowering its head.
Unmistakably greeting Arthur.
"Wow~."
"Totally a divine beast."
"How'd he meet one like that?"
Envy filled their faces as they watched Arthur.
He smiled faintly and stroked Khan's head.
"What's this all of a sudden?"
Ihiiing~.
Khan let out a soft, affectionate snort.
"You wanted to show your family they're safe? That's why you followed me?"
Khan nodded repeatedly.
"This guy."
Arthur smiled, glancing at the Britannicas.
They still bowed.
"That's enough."
At his word, Khan neighed softly.
Only then did the Britannicas lift their heads and look at Arthur.
Skevin and everyone watching gaped.
"I-Impossible..."
"What happened to the young master?"
"What now?"
Curiosity filled their faces, but one thought emerged.
'No way?'
'If that's the case...'
'Is it possible?'
Expectation lit their faces.
Skevin grew serious.
"I'm not sure they'll obey well."
"I'll have Khan tell them, but winning their hearts is up to each person's skill."
"When do we start?"
His enthusiasm suggested he'd eyed one already.
Arthur followed Skevin's gaze to a standout: tan skin, golden mane, rippling with energy.
But its eyes were coldly aloof, not easily won.
"Confident?"
"I'll seize the chance."
"Good point. I'll tell Khan—start now."
"Understood."
Skevin grinned and informed the knights.
Woooaaah!
Cheers erupted.
They buzzed excitedly.
The Devil Squad eyed the Britannicas, picking matches.
The once-quiet training ground heated with anticipation.
As the mood peaked,
Arthur told Khan.
"We're picking partners now. Tell them to choose who they like. No attacking, but some threat's okay."
Khan bowed as if understanding, then neighed loudly at the Britannicas.
Hiiiing-!
The lamb-like Britannicas exuded menace, slamming hooves.
Boom-!
Arthur grinned and shouted to Skevin.
"Begin!"