Chapter 118
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 118
Chapter Title: One Sudden Day (3)
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5.
Creeeak.
The house literally split in half.
It was a truly surreal scene.
The house, which had been so cozy just moments before, was now collapsing in two pieces.
As the sun began to set, the sunset-dyed sky revealed itself.
Wow.
Leo, who had already drawn Sylphid from its sheath, let out a small gasp as he stared ahead.
A man was standing there.
Platinum blonde hair bathed in the sunset glow, and a face that looked to be in its mid-to-late thirties at most.
A lean, toned physique with not an ounce of fat.
And the jet-black coat he wore was enough to intimidate anyone who saw it.
Karron.
Leo called Karrons name in a low voice.
He had realized in an instant that this man was dangerous.
Everyone, fall back.
Karron issued the order to his companions.
Hes an 8-star knight.
That man, Kerua, had reached the 8-star realm as expected.
His face hadn't changed much in fifty years.
That face was proof that Kerua's mastery was at the peak of the 8-star level.
The mana emanating from Kerua was utterly serene.
Sometimes, silence is more terrifying than noise.
This was one of those times.
Shing.
Karron quietly drew Guillotine from its sheath. He then slowly walked forward.
At that, Kerua, who had been glaring at Karron, spoke with a faint smile.
I dont recall inviting any guests to my home.
His voice was far too young for a man over eighty.
It was the same voice Karron remembered.
He was glad to see him.
He wanted to ask the man how hed been, what had happened to the others.
But another feeling slowly crept up, surpassing that sense of familiarity.
Kerua Akte,
Karron said, a slight smirk playing on his lips.
At his words, Kerua nodded leisurely.
Thats me.
Good, you found me.
Whats there to see in an old man over eighty that you'd come all this way? Ah, perhaps.
FWOOOOSH!
A crescent-shaped blade of aura shot out from Keruas sword, rushing toward Karron.
Imperial Sword Style, 6th Form: Moonlight.
Watching the sword aura fly toward him, Karron swiftly swung his own sword.
A wave flowing from the tip of his blade barely managed to swallow the attack.
Kerua grinned as he watched Karron neutralize Moonlight without much difficulty.
Did you come here because you wanted to die by my hand?
The 8-star realm.
A stage where one could even control their own aging meant he had reached a level comparable to Sabina.
As things stood now, he was an opponent Karron couldn't beat.
The aura Kerua exuded felt like arrows piercing through their entire bodies.
But Karron and his companions raised their weapons without taking a single step back.
Kerua let out an exclamation as if he found it amusing.
Three of Grand Duke Halos grandsons and one giant warrior. Not a very fitting combination but Ill give you credit for your resolve.
Their experience fighting the Fragment of Slaughter was a help.
The overwhelming presence was suffocating, but not one of them let out a groan.
Kerua seemed to quite like what he saw.
He pointed the tip of his sword at Karron and said.
You, especially. I quite like the look in your eyes. You resemble someone I used to know.
Whos better looking?
You are, of course. To be honest, that guy wasn't all that handsome.
Karron scoffed internally at the casual tone.
Hes the same.
That personality of his hadn't changed even after eighty damn years.
It made one wonder how he'd aged at all. Who would ever think that's how a man over eighty talks?
Vwoooom!
But contrary to his lighthearted tone, the mana flowing from Keruas body exerted a massive pressure.
It felt as if someone was forcefully pressing down on their shoulders.
Go and tell your grandfather that I am simply doing what I must. And that I'll contact him myself when the time is right.
Keruas voice echoed calmly.
Karron casually asked him.
Could this what you must do be protecting this hatchling?
With his free left hand, Karron gently stroked Aquas head.
At the sight, Keruas face scrunched up.
Aqua. I told you to hide if strangers showed up. Why won't you listen to your uncle?
Theyre not strangers, Uncle! Hes my dad!
The moment the word dad came out, Keruas expression faltered.
Who?
Aqua shouted as she hugged Karrons leg with both arms.
My dad!
A confident reply.
At her answer, Kerua stared at Karron with a complicated expression.
An uncomfortable standoff continued for a long while.
Neither Kerua nor Karrons party moved.
They simply stood facing each other, not even twitching.
How much time passed like that?
I dont know how you people managed to trick Aqua, but.
Kerua said in a low, heavy voice.
If you leave Aqua and go now, I won't lay a hand on you. I promise.
What had he been thinking about so deeply?
A hint of killing intent could even be felt in Keruas voice.
If you refuse this offer, I will kill you.
He meant those words.
Otherwise, the thick killing intent couldn't be explained.
For the record, I'm not lying. I'm not particularly fond of the Leston Ducal Family.
Uncle! Why are you saying that to my dad.
Just as Aqua was about to cry out in frustration again, Karron spoke to Rion behind him.
Sister, take Aqua and step back.
Rion nodded with a stiff expression.
What are you planning?
When else will I get a chance to properly cross swords with an 8-star knight?
Youll get yourself killed.
I wont.
Alright.
Rion quietly pulled Aqua into an embrace and stepped back.
Only after Aqua was at a safe distance did Karron finally let out a soft chuckle and turn back to Kerua.
She called me dad. Too bad. Looks like Aqua prefers her dad over her uncle. Well, I suppose thats only natural?
Karron grinned at Kerua.
I never thought a knight of the Evil Emperor would be doting on his niece in the Southern Great Forest. Don't worry, I'll give a full report to my grandfather. Kerua Akte is raising the hatchling of an evil dragon. Does that sound about right?
It was a blatant provocation.
But Kerua didn't fall for it. Instead, he laughed loudly and said.
I heard rumors that the Grand Dukes youngest grandson was a madman, and it seems you're the real deal. Why refuse my offer to spare you and willingly drink from a poisoned cup?
At the frank question, Karron gave a slight shrug.
Does one really need a reason to fight the strong?
Kerua smiled as if satisfied.
Ive been wanting to teach you a lesson anyway.
What?
Youre dead.
Dozens of streams of mana surged up from Keruas sword.
6.
This crazy bastard.
Countless crescent moons rained down from the sky.
The Imperial Sword Style, 6th Form: Moonlight, as cast by Kerua.
Not the Kerua-style Moonlight used by Ryuk of the Imperial Guard, but the true Moonlight used by Kerua himself.
Countless moons dazzled the eyes.
There were so many it was impossible to tell which were fake and which were real.
Vwoooooom!
The mana flowing from Karrons body barely managed to secure a space between those moons.
The situation was completely different from when he faced Ryuk four years ago.
This was Moonlight used by a knight who had reached the 8-star realm.
It was on a completely different level from the Moonlight of the Kerua he knew fifty years ago.
Pshuk!
A moon broke through his sea of mana and sliced past Karron's shoulder, and a searing pain immediately began to spread from the wound.
It's not a mix of fake and real.
All of those moons were real.
It wasn't a mix of fake moons meant to delude the senses; every single one was a real moon capable of taking a life.
Fifty years ago, Kerua would never have been able to use such a method due to his mana capacity.
But now, it made sense.
That absurd Moonlight must be based on Keruas current mana reserves.
Claaaang!
Karron parried a moon flying toward his neck, then quickly scanned for Keruas position.
But he couldn't even guess where Kerua was.
It was a situation where distinguishing between fake and real moons had become meaningless.
Tracking Kerua in the same way as before was next to impossible.
The gap between the peak of the 6-star and an 8-star knight was just that immense.
Therefore, Karron immediately switched his thinking.
Pluto.
Sssss!
The darkness flowing from his body quickly began to chase the shadows.
If he couldn't detect him with his senses, he just had to find him another way.
The sun was setting, but it hadn't disappeared completely.
Which meant
Find Keruas shadow.
that shadows still remained.
At Karrons command, Pluto moved swiftly, chasing Kerua's shadow, hidden behind the moons.
Vwoooom!
At the same time, darkness descended upon Karron's sea.
And that darkness swallowed the brightly shining moonlight without a trace.
Cough.
Karrons sea churned violently under the overwhelming mana of an 8-star knight.
The mana backflowed, making blood boil inside him, but the smile on Karron's lips only deepened.
It's been fifty years for this, too.
He was insanely happy to see that bastard's sword.
A vague hope was turning into reality before his very eyes.
Kerua, who had pestered him for sparring matches until he was sick of it.
That guy, who was particularly zealous even among the Imperial Guard, had finally become an 8-star knight and was now swinging his sword at him.
Claaaaang!
Karrons eyes sparkled as he once again deflected a moon that broke through his sea.
A sword that deludes the opponent's senses to achieve a perfect victory.
The sword that Kerua must have pursued his entire life was now unfolding in a form close to perfection.
The bastard. He's really become a monster.
A dry laugh escaped Karrons lips.
It felt like facing a wall.
A wall that seemed insurmountable for now.
But it wasn't despairing. No, to be honest, he was glad.
Those stubborn fools.
Those blockheads who had stayed behind in the Imperial Palace, vowing to be with him until the very end.
Until the moment he died, he had wished for them, at least, to survive.
He would have been grateful just to know they were alive, so how could he not be happy that one of them had become so powerful?
Although he was weaker than this bastard Kerua for now
Itll be soon.
One day, he would become stronger than him.
And he would go even further, reaching the stage he couldn't in his past life.
So for now, there was only one thing to do.
To clash swords with this guy with all his might.
That, after all, would be the highest praise he could offer his subordinate from a past life.
Found you.
Karron swung his sword without hesitation, and
CLAAAAAAAAAANG!
Guillotine and Keruas sword collided, and an immense shockwave erupted.
Well, well
Beyond their crossed swords, he could see Kerua's face.
Youve already come this far?
Keruas voice echoed in Karrons ears.
Then again. There's no way that vicious personality of yours would change just because you were reborn.
Kerua said with a bitter smile.
Isn't that right, Commander?