Chapter 189
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 189
Chapter Title: Defying the Agreement
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"You should be preparing to withdraw as promised by now."
I'm here representing the Bata royal family.
Since I pushed aside all those prominent nobles to take charge here, it'd be best for Melissa if I held back from any rash moves.
In response to my question, the two men cleared their throats uncomfortably, their displeasure evident.
"Ahem. We cannot accept that matter."
"Now you're going back on your word?"
"No, from the start, Gordon Rosbell was merely a low-level agent dispatched by the military. It has nothing to do with Koral's intentions."
"Same goes for us. How could we possibly entrust our clan's affairs to a mere child like Cheonryeong?"
These guys are just cutting off the tail, claiming it was the sole decision of a lowly underling.
Admittedly, it was a pretext they could exploit if they played it right.
From their position—not the state's—they could simply deny it and hold out.
"If you're dissatisfied... feel free to leave."
Their attitude was as if to say, it's your loss, so handle it yourselves.
At that strongman-bullying-the-weak demeanor, I smiled faintly.
"So, if we proceed with the exploration, Gordon Rosbell and Karim Selburn will be excluded?"
"That's for our homeland to decide."
They're just going to do whatever they please? Unsealing that boy called Ma-cheon must have been for this very purpose.
I pondered. Why had Bata's princess granted me full authority?
If it were simply about experience or political savvy, Melissa or other experts would outshine me.
Yet she entrusted it to me specifically.
Ah. She knew. That no matter what happened, it would likely boil down to a contest of strength.
Before that, I tossed out a probing question.
"So what do you expect us to do? Use the spies as spies, and now pretend they never existed? Did you really think I'd just let that slide?"
"You insolent pup. No matter how great your power, it's still just that level. How can you be so ignorant of the heavens' limits?"
Is shamelessness without a flicker of expression a prerequisite for them?
"Oh, really? In that case, let's do this. From now on, I'll transfer all authority representing the Bata royal family to my younger sister, Melissa."
"What?"
"Then I'll just be a nobody—no title, no rank, a true low-level grunt."
I grinned then.
"Even if I personally decide to kill everyone here on my own whim, it won't involve Bata at all, right?"
"You... you mad bastard!!"
Reacting to the killing intent emanating from me, the two drew their weapons reflexively.
"Do you think you'll get out of this unscathed? You think we'll stand by and watch?"
"Wasn't it your side being stubborn, not Koral's?"
"You arrogant fool!!"
Like a flash of light, the Sacheon elder drew and swung his sword.
The blade, whipped out in an instant, targeted my throat precisely—but I simply raised my hand slowly and gripped the empty air.
Claaaang!!!!
The elder's sword halted in midair, just shy of my neck.
As if blocked by an invisible wall.
"What..."
For a moment, he was stunned by my grasp on empty space.
Then, in my right hand—gripped in reverse—a crimson sword began to spark faintly, gradually materializing.
Ghost Sword Electra.
The blade, drawn from sub-space, belatedly revealed its form.
"So, I'll take that as your decision..."
Ka-gak. Claaang!!!
In a flash, his sword rebounded, and the elder recoiled with a startled face.
To be precise, it was a reflexive survival instinct.
Shlick!!
In that brief opening, my sword strike landed, carving a deep gash across the elder's cheek.
"Guh?!"
In the exchange that unfolded in an instant, aura erupted explosively from his entire body.
"How dare you..."
Furious at the wound on his own body, the elder moved—and this time, Koral's Sword Master joined him.
But just as they were two, I wasn't alone.
Thud!
"Mmph?!"
Koral's Sword Master, lunging straight at me, flinched as a slender white arm suddenly intervened, slithering like a snake to block his attack.
Craaaash!!!!
And the cost of that lapse was paid in an instant.
He was blasted out of the tent in a blink.
"Guh?!"
Though only a single blow grazed him, its power exceeded expectations—blood drained from his face.
"W-What the hell is that girl..."
Only then did he fully take in Luna, who had attacked him.
She appeared fragile and harmless at first glance, with her serene expression—but her martial prowess was undoubtedly exceptional.
"Leon, this could turn into a full war."
"I know."
Let's see what decision they make.
"Will you continue?"
Gazes converged from all directions. Most were non-combatants, so few rushed over armed.
The sudden commotion naturally drew attention.
"Do you think you can leave here alive?"
"You should be asking yourself that—in reverse."
At my words, the two Sword Masters exchanged glances.
That single clash had already given them a measure of my strength.
"El... Elder, what in the world..."
As the East Continent contingent showed bewilderment, Koral's Sword Master spoke calmly.
"Elder, there's no need to fight here."
"...I won't forget this humiliation today."
Watching them turn away, I tossed Electra into the air.
It dissolved smoothly, as if swallowed by sub-space, reverting to its ghost form.
No point slaughtering those who'd backed down—it would only escalate things unnecessarily.
"Leon."
"Yeah?"
"Head back first. Got a quick stop to make."
"Hm? Alright."
After Leon left, the Sacheon elder stared down at his trembling hand.
It had been a single clash. Not even a proper collision, no injury sustained—yet his hand shook.
The recoil from exposure to extreme-density aura.
Such a reaction only occurred against foes demanding he stake his life.
If he hadn't trusted his instincts and retreated then—what would have become of him?
He was a survivor of long years.
And the East Continent was a land where the law of the jungle reigned supreme.
Surviving there so long owed much to his personal might and clan power—but his crisis-sensing instincts played no small part.
"It's beyond absurd... speechless."
The elder glanced at the man silently standing to the side.
He seemed to share the same sentiments.
Leon Cascadia.
Whispers of his prowess abounded, but could a human even be judged that way?
Humans possessed many talents, but this bordered on something perverse to call mere talent.
And what shocked them more than the rumored Leon Cascadia was not him alone.
That girl too...
The girl accompanying Leon, stunningly beautiful, possessed martial skill far beyond normal bounds.
No need to clash head-on against those inexplicable monster-like foes.
Bata's hardline stance was unexpected, but it didn't matter.
Neither Sacheon Clan nor Koral intended to relinquish the rift.
They'd retreat this time, but if they clashed with Leon again, his head would roll by his own sword.
"Lord Bachen!"
Soon, Gordon Rosbell and Karim Selburn came running toward them.
"What happened?"
"Useless fools. This retreat is because you lost the duel!"
Gordon bowed his head deeply at Bachen's irritated shout.
"I have no excuses..."
"Enough. We're retreating farther than planned, but the process remains unchanged."
"We're withdrawing now."
"What?!"
"Of course, we'll only pretend to withdraw. Once we pull back, they'll move to explore the rift. With you two excluded, Leon Cascadia and their main forces will all enter."
"Then..."
"The moment they do, slaughter everyone outside, seal the rift, and activate the penalty."
A relic rift with penalty active becomes a dungeon even Sword Masters can't handle. No matter how skilled Leon Cascadia, he'd suffer losses.
"Even if any survive, no issue. We'll enter afterward and finish them off."
Once massacred, they could claim exploration failure and sweep in to clear it themselves.
The Sacheon elder snapped curtly.
"Don't forget. Once we help you obtain the dragon's essence to control the Dragon Child Troops, you'll assist in searching for the hidden reward our Sacheon Clan seeks."
Koral, craving mighty forces, sought the means to command the powerful Dragon Child Troops.
Sacheon Clan of the East Continent pursued something for their ongoing project.
"Naturally."
Bachen and the elder aligned their views.
But they didn't know.
A lone crow perched haughtily atop a nearby tent had heard every word.
-Caw-hah-hah-hah!
With a eerie cackle, the crow flapped its wings once.
Then it scattered like black mist, melting into the shadows.
Leon's undead.
Right after parting from Leon, Luna headed not toward Bata but into the forest.
There sat Cheonryeong, sweating coldly as he circulated his aura, and behind him, Hwaryeong deploying a mystical formation.
"Who are you?!"
Cheonryeong, eyes closed in focus, barely reacted, but Hwaryeong was on full alert.
"No intent to harm. Poisoned?"
"..."
Cheonryeong didn't answer.
Hwaryeong did instead.
"A deadly toxin courses through Cheon-i's body."
"Quite the nasty poison."
Luna approached calmly and squatted before Cheonryeong.
Her eyes flashed briefly, unnoticed by Hwaryeong.
"Came to ask one thing."
"Excuse me, my brother can't speak right now..."
"It's fine, Hwaryeong."
Then Cheonryeong, eyes still shut, drew a deep breath and faced Luna with his pallid face.
"The little servant by Young Master Leon's side."
"Big brother... how can you speak...?"
"Your power? Remarkable... So, what do you wish to ask?"
"Just two questions. Why did you save Melissa back then?"
At her query, Cheonryeong closed his eyes quietly.
"Reason for asking?"
"Just curious. We're enemies, yet you saved her knowing it'd cost your arm."
"Nothing special. Someone was in front of me, so I saved them. And..."
"And?"
"I couldn't let Cheon-i commit murder."
Luna nodded at his answer.