Chapter 85
Chapter 85
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: Black Storm (1)
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“First match participants, please prepare for your bout!”
A tournament official bellowed in a booming voice.
In response, the Holy See's top Holy Knight rose to his feet.
“Somehow, this match feels like it won't be an easy one.”
Several knights paid their respects to him as he brushed off any modesty.
Well, when it came to pure skill, he was certainly worthy of that admiration.
In his past life, he had been quite the unusual figure.
Holy See knights were typically either fanatically devout due to brainwashing...
...or mostly corrupt, indulging in decadent lives.
But Steelman didn't fit either category.
How to put it? He had a very worldly vibe.
He'd become a Holy See knight not out of faith, but to gain fame and climb higher.
Sure enough, back when I raided the Holy See as the Dark Lord, he didn't bother fighting me.
The moment the Pope was assassinated, he surrendered immediately and smoothly joined the Imperial Knights Order.
Of course, that didn't mean his skills were lacking.
He hadn't fought me because he'd instantly gauged my power.
That spoke to his sharp insight and caution as a knight.
The good news was he hadn't fully awakened as a mature Swordmaster yet.
His realm was one step below mine, but with his seasoned experience and superior gear, it was worth a shot.
The wildcard would be his 'partner,' though.
“So, you're my partner, I take it.”
As the favored winner's partner was mentioned, all eyes turned our way.
A man in black martial robes rose quietly from the corner seat.
His wide-brimmed bamboo hat cast an eerie shadow over his face.
“That's me. I've studied the imperial tongue, so speak freely.”
Judging by his voice, he seemed to be in his mid-to-late twenties.
But I couldn't let his youth lull me into complacency.
For a young man to represent the League...
...it meant he was one of their top-tier experts.
“The rule changes delayed our greetings. I'm Steelman, your partner.”
“As long as we play our roles right, there won't be any issues.”
Dang Sopae rested a hand on his hat brim.
His red eyes flicked toward me from the shadows.
Sure enough, his goal was to get me away from Myoran's side.
Eliminate me, install Tutton Grand Duke's puppet as Warden.
Then surround Berryhill Prison with all the martial experts who've come to this western region.
No matter how capable Myoran was, a bound woman couldn't fend them all off alone.
So I'll crush their ringleader here myself.
I met his gaze steadily, my black uniform crisp.
He must have sensed my prowess with hidden weapons right away, as a faint smile tugged at his lips.
Experts always recognized each other.
Not a scrap of skin showing.
His whole body, even his hands, were gloved in black.
Yet that sinister aura seeped out relentlessly.
Proof of some horrific weapon hidden to unnerve foes.
“You're Derek Minster, the one I just locked eyes with.”
“That's right.”
The hat-wearing man approached me.
He lifted the brim slightly, revealing a face scarred all over.
“Impressive gear. You're well-prepared.”
“Yours looks no slouch either. What's the weapon that demands not even an inch of skin exposed?”
I asked leisurely, and Dang Sopae chuckled, skipping the answer.
Instead, he narrowed his snakelike eyes and fired back sharply.
“You'll find out soon enough. For now, worry about your partner more than me.”
“My partner? You seem to know who it is already.”
He pointed toward the corridor leading to the arena.
As if my ally was waiting there.
“Yes. Dang Mujin, one of our League's warriors.”
“From the League? That's strong enough—why would I need to babysit?”
The League martial artist patted my shoulder lightly.
True to his status as one of the Eastern Continent's top ten experts, his words cut sharp.
“I didn't even know our Tang clan had a warrior like that.”
Right. Steelman got a powerhouse like himself.
While I, the target, got some no-name grunt.
“Dang Sopae, time to head out.”
“See you in the arena, Lord Derek.”
Our opponents strode ahead.
All I could do was watch their backs coldly.
They've prepared quite the variety to take me down.
First, I needed to meet that grunt.
Even if weak, a formal League knight should know basic tactics.
People are led well or poorly, regardless of strength.
Following the officials' shouts, I left the waiting room.
Then, in the dark, tunnel-like corridor...
...someone leaned against the wall, waiting for me.
My 'petite' partner for the day.
We're screwed.
Like hat-wearing Dang Sopae, she hid her face too.
But no intense aura radiated from her, no matter how I looked.
She felt like an ordinary city girl—no mana, no inner energy at all.
Did they send a maid or lady's attendant instead of a warrior?
I approached calmly, keeping a straight face.
Up close, her tiny stature and stunning figure stood out more.
Wrapped only in martial robes.
“Um... you're Dang Mujin?”
The cat-masked girl looked straight up at me.
She stood arms crossed, back to the wall.
“Nice to meet you. I'm Derek Minster, your match partner.”
I offered my hand.
But Dang Mujin just stared at it blankly before turning her head away.
No way—is she prickly too?!
A partner as tsundere as her black cat mask.
My mind went blank for a second.
“If you're uncomfortable, we'll skip the greeting. How about we plan strategy with the time left?”
“...”
The cat girl nodded silently.
“Sword at your waist—you're a swordswoman style. They're knight-assassin duo, so I'll take Dang Sopae. Sound good?”
“...Got it.”
Her voice felt oddly familiar yet unheard before.
“If they throw sorcery or hidden weapons, I'll block them all. You just endure Steelman's attacks as best you can.”
“...Not bad.”
Fortunately, aside from refusing the handshake, we agreed perfectly.
I observed her closely, relieved inside.
Come to think of it, there's a wound on her leg.
“Mind if I take a look?”
The black-haired masked woman tilted her head slightly.
No answer, so I knelt before her.
“Match is right around the corner—how'd you get hurt here?”
I naturally grabbed one leg, and she flinched like I'd groped her.
I blinked in confusion.
“Misunderstanding—I'm just checking the wound.”
“...My wound?”
Only then did her stiff hair relax.
“Yeah. No clue what happened, but luckily the poison didn't sink in.”
I pulled a vial from my inner pocket.
Dipped my finger in the antidote I'd whipped up from Dark Lord memories.
Then...
She seems young still, so dilute it. Too strong could hurt.
I added some spit to thin the black liquid.
And gently applied it to her bare thigh.
She won't think I'm a pervert, will she...?
With a female teammate, misunderstandings could happen.
But surprisingly, she didn't react much.
Even with an older man's saliva-mixed salve on her leg, she stayed composed.
Can't see her face under the mask.
“Hey.”
“Yeah?”
Her initiating pleased me, so I looked up.
That instant...
“This side's hurt too.”
“Where?”
The cat-masked woman gently lifted her long hair.
Pointing to her pale, smooth neck.
“...?”
There was a small cut, sure.
But nothing needing salve.
“Uh, sure... I'll apply some.”
I reached for another ointment in my bag.
Then her hand grabbed my arm firmly.
“Same antidote.”
“Poison there too? I don't sense any.”
“Can't be too sure. I want every variable eliminated.”
“My spit'll touch your neck—okay with that?”
She turned her head away, voice indifferent.
Her other hand clenched into a fist.
“...Doesn't matter. Match first.”
Professional spirit, huh.
I diluted more antidote with spit.
And applied it slowly to her neck, careful not to upset a young girl.
“...”
Good, no sign of disgust.
But behind the mask, she must be annoyed...
Wait—did her lip twitch up just now?
Embarrassed? I stood quickly.
And headed toward the tunnel's end.
“Alright, let's go. Everyone's waiting.”
“Yeah.”
She followed slowly.
I matched her pace, walking side by side.
“If you get hurt fighting, fall back. I'll hold while you recover.”
“...”
Dang Mujin nodded quietly.
Sigh, how'd I end up babysitting a kid like this?
I just hoped she'd hold out as long as possible against Dang Sopae.
With that thought, we entered the arena together.
Into a crowd of thousands of citizens and empire-ruling powers.
“Waaaaah―――!!”
The crowd's roar hit our ears.
All for the mere four who entered the vast arena.
The White Horse Captain, emceeing, boomed with amplified voice magic.
The solemn tone hushed the spectators.
The prince and princess in the VIP seats rose together.
Rivals for the throne, they stood at the railing, looking down at me.
“We shall keep that in mind.”
I bowed first in respect.
But distant spectators jeered relentlessly.
“The noble title-buyer knows manners too!!”
“You're not even a warm-up for Sir Steelman, Minster!”
When Steelman stepped forward, though, admiration poured endlessly.
Dang Sopae got cheers too, baring his scarred face after doffing his hat.
But...
Dang Mujin bowed to no one.
Didn't even remove her mask.
“What's with her? How dare a green kid commit such rudeness before His Highness—tch.”
“Bear with it, Sophia. She looks barely twenty. She might not know.”
The archbishop pointed indignantly, but Prince Ivan chided gently.
He was thrilled the Warden's partner was some etiquette-blind kid.
“Camillia, you'll signal the start yourself?”
“What's that about? You always jump at it first.”
The white-uniformed princess shot back coldly.
Silver-haired Prince Ivan grinned brightly.
“You were looking forward to today's match.”
Camillia furrowed her brow at his loaded words.
They reeked of dirty schemes.
But she wasn't one to just take it.
She seized the chance he'd offered, boldly.
With the princess's amplified words, the Northern Supreme Sword Selection Tournament began.
Rumble――――――.
Giant drummers pounded.
Horns blared majestically.
The White Horse Captain left the stage for the judges' seats.
Soon...
Only Dang Mujin and I remained in the vast arena.
Facing the Holy See's finest knight and a top-ten martial expert.
“Just hold out, Dang Mujin. I'll deal with Steelman somehow and back you up.”
“...”
I whispered seriously to her.
Then, as I drew my twin daggers to face the Holy Knight...
Huh?
The girl beside me vanished in a flash.
What? Where'd she go...?
I whipped back to the front.
That instant...
Boom―――――!!
The cat-masked woman drew and swung her waist sword in one motion.
Like iaijutsu.
Rumble...
Sword aura, fit for a Swordmaster, grazed Dang Sopae.
The sheer pressure shredded his prized hat to ribbons.
“Wha...?”
The already ugly top-ten expert, now with a fresh sword slash on his cheek.
Blood streaming, he turned around.
One arena wall cracked fully, debris pouring.
The sight broadcast to the jeering crowd.
They gulped, silenced like honey-mouthed fools.
Prince Ivan too.
He'd assumed the Warden's partner was some frail weakling.
Lips agape at her drawing a sword unleashing massive sword aura.
“Prime Minister Einz. What in the world...?”
“...Uh...”
The old schemer, survivor of political intrigue, was speechless.
“...”
Her sleek black hair fluttered beautifully.
The masked swordswoman turned to me slowly.
“Ow.”
She showed her index finger, lightly nicked from the draw.
Parted her peach-smooth lips timidly.
“Think there's still poison in me—went off while using my trump card and got hurt.”
Ignoring stares at her prowess.
She approached only me...
“Might need more antidote.”
Thrusting her finger to my lips.
With an odd wobble that belied her voluptuous thighs.
"Especially the neck wound—feels like it's flaring up again too."
What the hell is with this girl?