------------------
[Translator - Pot ]
[Proofreader - Kawaii ]
------------------
Chapter 212: Soldier Ant
I tore Huten's clothes roughly and used them as a wrap for his head. This was to hand him over to Ghir and Drak as promised.
"Death is such a hollow thing, Huten."
Even if I hadn't killed him myself, he would have died eventually from the aftereffects of his rampage. Just like the other executives of the Bisakino Brotherhood that he had made his soldiers.
"Are you so afraid of the Dark King? Is his taboo so harsh?"
Enough to easily abandon even his own life.
"You're like ants. Throwing yourselves away for the colony, for the grand and authoritative ant you call the Dark King."
I quietly looked down at the soldier ant's head.
"No matter how deep and profound your demonic arts are, it doesn't matter."
I will ultimately decipher and steal it.
'Even if it's Ivan's martial arts.'
Of course, I've barely crossed swords with Ivan properly.
'He must have been wary of my ability to copy and steal others' martial arts.'
Though it would be only half-complete without the cultivation method, just being able to understand and implement those sword techniques would clearly have been a significant threat.
'Most of all.'
Through the insights gained from this battle and after absorbing Huten's black mana, I had reached the extreme latter part of the 5th tier.
"Well, well."
Is it like copying a spirit medicine? To devour the enemy's power while fighting them, this is like.
'A bedbug or mosquito, I suppose.'
Is that comparison too cheap?
But what does it matter. In terms of growing stronger by making enemies my nourishment, I'm no different from a beast living in the wild.
'If I could add another spirit medicine to this, along with the Ink Soul Sacred Shadow Technique for advancement...'
Breaking through the barrier of the 6th tier wouldn't be such a distant prospect.
'It would be good to break through the barrier before the confrontation with Valkenhain.'
I wonder. Would Siena Valkenhain, the 6th Seat of Ete Nistyrnur, actually be stronger than Huten?
'At this rate, I don't think so.'
But who knows. She might have also achieved a breakthrough in anticipation of our duel.
'The enemy grows stronger too.'
However, no one will be able to grow as quickly as I do. Huten, who died by my hand, is proof of that.
'If I had faced him with just Grunewald's basic martial arts, it would have been a much tougher fight.'
This victory was only possible because Karzan's martial arts and experience were added to the mix.
'If Huten was this strong, how powerful must Ivan be now?'
When Huten heard Ivan's name, he was startled as if confronted with a being from the heavens.
'Well, he was a man stronger than me in his previous life.'
How much stronger has he become now, after 17 years?
'Perhaps he could even match my father, Georg Grunewald.'
With talent, environment, will, practical experience, he truly had everything, and now he's been given 17 years on top of that.
...But I too have received enough special benefits to more than make up for my long absence.
I carefully examined Voyager of the Night's blade before sheathing it quietly.
"Good, the blade isn't damaged."
Considering that the hardness of my sword energy was inferior to Huten's, this had to be attributed purely to the difference in weapons.
"Baldun, that man really is an extraordinary craftsman."
Compared to the days when I fought with trash blades for most of my life, this was truly a dramatic change.
[Young master.]
Just then, Skella's red bat flew nearby.
[Impressive, you've managed to defeat Huten on your own.]
"I was lucky."
I spoke with feigned modesty.
[Making the most of luck is also a skill.]
"Is that so?"
I looked at the blood-red bat and replied.
"Anyway, I'm indebted to you twice now."
The first debt, of course, was receiving guidance on the stealth technique. Thanks to that, I was able to catch Huten off guard.
[Don't mention it.]
"...But is it okay for you to keep talking to me?"
[Is there a problem?]
"Well, not really."
I recalled Verdzig's unsettling obsession with her.
'I hope he's not going to get jealous because she's talking to another man.'
Though I could understand that sentiment. Skella had an uncommonly beautiful face.
'Though not as beautiful as mine, of course.'
Besides, Verdzig was a fundamentally twisted person, so he undoubtedly couldn't express his affection in any other way.
"Anyway, I'm planning to go handle the aftermath now."
The bat then replied.
[I'll report today's events properly.]
"Good."
I headed toward the base where Nagan and Venion would be waiting.
'Come to think of it, I wonder if things went well with Ghir?'
Surely that guy hasn't gotten himself in trouble, has he?
'Earlier he seemed to be enjoying himself while holding back a bit.'
* * *
As Karzan thought, once Ghir revealed his true power, he overwhelmed Rugen.
"Baldy, how does it feel to experience the difference in our levels?"
Ghir asked with a cackle.
"I told you it's not baldy, it's shaved head, you bastard."
When Rugen spat blood, two broken molars came out with it.
"Poor thing. You won't be able to eat tough meat anymore?"
But Rugen's appearance was too miserable to worry about a few broken teeth, as he was already bleeding here and there with bruises forming.
"Damn it, this is absurd. I never imagined you'd be this strong."
Rugen, facing death, sighed.
'Huten, that damn bastard, he set me up.'
Perhaps Huten had known somehow. The fact that the madman before him had crossed the barrier of the 6th tier quite some time ago.
'That's why he threw me at him while he went to deal with Karzan and Nagan himself.'
But who would have thought he'd play such mind games even here? What a vicious man.
"Hehe."
He couldn't help but laugh. How could this man, barely in his mid-twenties, be so powerful?
His swift sword couldn't overcome Ghir's beast-like reflexes, and even his advantage in mana quantity, built up over a long time, was negated by the destructive power coming from that superior physical body.
'Moreover...'
Even Rugen's demonic arts were blocked by the martial arts of Svaltalfar that Ghir was using at full strength.
'In the end...'
The fact that the outcome was determined not by the difference in martial arts, but by the difference in innate talent, was truly bitter for Rugen.
"Well, thanks to you, I've got a good look at your demonic arts."
Ghir twirled his bloodied dagger in his hand, performing a trick.
"It's quite complex, but not without countermeasures."
"Haha, are you saying you were stalling to extract information?"
"That's right. Somehow, I felt we wouldn't be meeting just this once."
Ghir raised the corner of his mouth.
"Damn it."
Rugen felt terrible humiliation and anger as he realized he had been played in the palm of his enemy.
However.
"Foolish one, don't think you've understood all our power with just this much."
"Is that all for your last words? That even if you die, another will appear?"
Ghir shook his head.
"This is less entertaining than I expected."
Ghir grabbed Rugen's hair. But Rugen, having lost too much blood and exhausted, didn't even have the strength left to raise his hand in resistance.
"Farewell. I'll be waiting for the next soldier ant to appear."
WHACK!
Ghir's hammer-like fist ended Rugen's life. Rugen's trembling arms went limp.
"Brother, are you satisfied?"
Drak, who had single-handedly slaughtered the black-clothed men, asked as he wiped the blood from his dagger with a cloth.
"Yes, I feel refreshed thanks to you. I can restrain myself for a while now."
Ghir's face, having released his bloodlust, looked quite composed. The madness that had even frightened Karzan was nowhere to be seen, and the cool demeanor of an assassin was evident.
"Madness is such a troublesome disease."
Ghir sighed.
"It can't be helped."
"You have it tough, Drak."
"Not really? It's kind of fun watching someone change so drastically."
Ghir smiled at his brother's carefree response, comparing it to watching a drunk who had lost consciousness.
"By the way, we didn't do much this time."
"Well, you and I are just outsiders who came from outside Grunewald's underworld, right?"
Drak shrugged.
"It's their business to handle."
He suddenly looked up at the open ceiling.
"..."
A masked warrior was looking down at them.
"So? Seems like you're done watching, but are you going to keep staring?"
The killing intent permeating the calm question was a clear warning.
"..."
Rudgarda withdrew without a reply and thought to herself.
'So Svaltalfar has been raising monsters.'
Two of them, at that.
'It's not just the older brother I need to be wary of.'
* * *
"Karzan, no, young master."
Rudgarda approached me as I was returning to the Bisakino Brotherhood's headquarters.
"Sixth Commander."
"Impressive. Truly a remarkable duel."
"Were you watching the whole time?"
"Of course."
Rudgarda nodded.
"By the way, both Ghir and Drak were hiding their true strength. There was no need for me to intervene."
"Is that so? The brothers were hiding their power."
I wasn't that surprised, as I had anticipated it.
"Was Rugen strong?"
"He was."
"Stronger than Huten?"
"Probably not."
Good. That makes me feel a bit better about myself.
"By the way, that technique, it was called Moon Dance, wasn't it?"
"That's right."
"The rumor that even Harold couldn't counter it wasn't false after all."
Rudgarda looked at me with a strange gaze and said.
"...Indeed, you are a man worthy of entrusting my destiny to."
"What?"
"You succeed even in seemingly impossible tasks. With you by my side, I'm certain that avenging my father by killing him is not impossible."
"This praise is a bit too much, it's embarrassing."
I scratched my cheek awkwardly. Rudgarda smiled lightly, as if finding my reaction amusing.
"The situation with Zizek has also been resolved. I plan to return with Turnak."
"I owe you a great debt this time."
I said, taking Rudgarda's hand.
"I will definitely repay this debt."
"Ahem, it's nothing worth mentioning."
Rudgarda cleared her throat with a slightly embarrassed face, but didn't let go of my hand.
"Then, young master. I'll see you at the castle."
"Yes. I'll return after cleaning up the situation a bit more."
I watched Rudgarda's retreating figure for a moment before turning away.
* * *
"Lord Geninghen, Lord Leszek."
Dietrich of Grunewald's Royal Guards.
He was watching the bodies of the black-clothed men melt away like spring snow when he turned his head.
"So these fellows were just bait, as expected."
"Yes, they consumed an expensive poison that even dissolves their bodies when they die, quite thoroughly."
Geninghen snorted.
Even for a great mage like him, it wasn't easy to break such a vicious poison. It was like the same principle that even the kingdom's best doctor would find it difficult to save a patient who had deliberately ingested poison.
"Geninghen, how many decades has it been since these guys last stirred up trouble?"
To Leszek's question, Geninghen replied.
"About 20 years. No, was it 25? Persistent bastards."
Geninghen clicked his tongue.
"The Dark King, that bastard really doesn't tire, does he?"
"I agree."
That person, who was already known as the true power behind the Flandern Kingdom 25 years ago, had now become an even stronger and more secretive existence.
"But he's been quiet for a while since the last succession battle."
"Having failed once, he must be sharpening his knife for revenge."
"Yes."
The battle that had continued for generations was still not over.
"Anyway, those guys definitely have business with Grunewald's secret vault."
Leszek continued Geninghen's words in a sing-song voice.
"And we have no intention of handing it over."
What the two elders were protecting wasn't actually Grunewald itself. Their true duty was to protect 'something' hidden in the secret vault.
"Even trying to play tricks through Somerset, this must have been their ultimate goal."
A gleam appeared in the eccentric archmage's eyes.
"But they can't do anything to us with just this level of force."
"Then was their purpose to gauge the strength of us guardians?"
"That's right."
Geninghen nodded.
"More precisely, they wanted to accurately measure the power of 'this generation of Grunewald.' Whether we've grown stronger compared to the past, or have become senile."
"...And to check the capabilities of the current Clan head and his retainers."
Leszek closed his eyes and folded his arms.
"Grunewald's strength is much stronger than it was back then."
"The problem is that the Dark King, who has completely taken control of Flandern, has also become much stronger than before."
Their battle was not yet over.
And.
How the existence of a man who lived as the Dark King's blade and was reborn as Grunewald's favorite would change the future of both sides remained to be seen.
------------------
[Translator - Pot ]
[Proofreader - Kawaii ]
------------------
