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[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Starfall ]
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Chapter 15: A Fleeting Revelation (3)
“M-My god…”
“What the hell was that…?”
The mercenaries stood with their mouths agape, staring at the female swordsman.
What had just happened?
Even though they had seen it unfold before their very eyes, they couldn’t grasp it.
Dozens of Scavenger Wolves—gone in a single slash.
The vicious pack of wolves that had come charging lost their footing all at once and collapsed like dominos.
The blood that oozed from their limp corpses soaked the cracked wilderness into a muddy mess.
“……”
It had been, without exaggeration, a titanic strike.
Overwhelmed by the sheer display of force, the mercenaries could only stand frozen in disbelief.
Sshk—!
And the one responsible?
She calmly flicked the blood from her blade like nothing had happened and walked back toward the wagon.
The man who seemed to be accompanying her greeted her return with an expressionless face.
Faced with their nonchalant demeanor, the mercenaries could only blink blankly again.
‘I… I must be dreaming…’
The bald-headed caravan master was no less shaken than the others.
‘What in the world… did I just witness?’
He had already known the mysterious man was no ordinary figure.
He’d seen him with his own eyes—cutting down the “Human Butcher of the Underground Arena” in a single blow.
But never had he imagined the young woman who trailed behind him would be just as terrifying.
‘And that aura… I’m sure of it. That was a teal aura.’
The strange energy that had radiated from Adelia still lingered vividly in the caravan master's mind.
Teal aura.
A power said to be granted only to a select few among the Holy Houses—those born into divinely chosen lineages.
“……”
The existence of the Holy Houses wasn’t widely known.
Even the rumors that did spread were dismissed as wild conspiracy theories.
But the caravan master knew the truth.
He had been a merchant long enough—decades, perhaps—to have heard more than a few whispers.
Whispers that revealed a truth far more real than anyone dared believe:
A secret society cloaked in mystery.
A ruling elite pulling the strings from the shadows.
A hidden power that manipulated every current within the Holy City of Middle-Temple.
The epithets that followed the Holy Houses were all ruthless. Ominous. Overwhelming.
‘And judging by what little is known about them…’
Glance—
The caravan master stole a look at Adelia.
Overwhelming martial prowess.
A mysterious aura that glows teal.
Yes.
These were all hallmarks—undeniable signs—of someone belonging to a Holy House.
‘There’s no doubt about it. That woman… she’s connected to the Holy Houses.’
Gulp—
He swallowed hard.
A cold bead of sweat traced down his spine.
‘But then…’
He shifted his gaze to the man sitting quietly across from him.
‘Why is someone likely from the Holy Houses being so deferential to him?’
What was that man’s identity… really?
From the start, he’d seemed extraordinary.
But suddenly, he felt like someone far greater than he had dared assume.
“……”
Well, even if he didn’t understand everything, one thing had become clear:
“Here’s your upfront payment—500,000 shillings. I’ll give you another 500,000 once we arrive safely.”
That was the fee the caravan had promised in exchange for escort and protection.
One hundred thousand shillings.
At the time, it had seemed like a generous offer.
But now…
‘Even ten times that amount—no, a hundred times—wouldn’t have been enough.’
To someone like him, that offer must’ve seemed utterly laughable.
* * *
‘They’re all still in shock.’
Even though the danger had long passed, the merchants remained dazed.
And honestly, who could blame them?
Encountering someone of Level 77 was a once-in-a-lifetime experience— at least outside of an underground coliseum or some exceptional circumstance.
Wuuuuung— Wuuung—!
Just then, the surroundings began to glow as a transparent veil shimmered back into place above them.
The Silk Road’s unstable barrier had resumed normal function.
I glanced toward the caravan master and called out, “What are you waiting for? Shouldn’t we be moving?”
“Ah…!”
Startled, he scrambled to disembark and began organizing the group for departure.
I remained seated in the wagon, quietly observing.
‘No major losses… that’s a relief.’
Thanks to Adelia’s efforts, there had been no fatalities.
Only a few injuries—fractures, scrapes, that sort of thing.
In a world where death was part of everyday life, this was practically a miracle.
“Um…”
Murmur, murmur—
Some time passed. Amid the bustle of preparing to depart, the caravan master, now back in the wagon, cautiously spoke.
“I deeply apologize. I didn’t recognize who I was dealing with.”
…Huh.
Polite speech all of a sudden?
Then again, the way he kept glancing sideways at Adelia made things pretty clear.
There was an unmistakable hint of wariness in his eyes.
“……”
This wasn’t just about her swordsmanship.
If that were the case, he would’ve acted like this from the very beginning—when he first saw me.
Which meant…
‘He must’ve figured out Adelia’s background.’
It wasn’t strange.
This man was a seasoned veteran who had traveled the Silk Road over a hundred times.
And for a merchant, information was everything.
Rumors stacked atop other rumors—eventually, it was only natural to deduce the existence of the Holy Houses.
And with that, to learn their most well-known traits.
Like the use of teal aura.
Or the kind of strength that defied logic.
‘It’s no harm if her identity’s been exposed. If anything, it makes things easier.’
After all, I’d already planned to make good use of Adelia’s status.
Some of the more perceptive people in the world were already aware of the Holy Houses.
And they feared them—feared the unpredictable power they possessed.
‘Those who know of the Holy Houses tremble at the name alone.’
A secret order that manipulated the world behind the curtain.
Their true nature was obscure, but their influence was immense.
And because no one knew the details, that fear only grew deeper.
Fear born from ignorance—now that was the most potent fear of all.
Yes.
That was the true power of the Holy Houses.
‘Even if Adelia herself despises her bloodline and left them behind…’
I let out a faint laugh to myself.
‘Well—does it matter?’
If something could be used, I’d use it. No matter what.
I had said it before: I wouldn’t hesitate to use any means necessary.
“Um…”
Just as I was lost in thought, the caravan master hesitantly asked a question, “If you don’t mind me asking… may I inquire as to the relationship between you two…?”
I turned and looked him in the eye.
His gaze was filled with a blend of fear and curiosity.
The intent behind his question was obvious.
He had some idea of who Adelia might be—But me? He couldn’t figure me out at all.
No need to overthink it.
I responded plainly and honestly.
“She’s a trainee learning the sword under me.”
“……!”
A short, clear answer.
But it was more than enough.
The caravan master’s eyes went wide.
Shock and awe flickered across his face.
“A… trainee? Then… you, sir, must be…”
I kept a blank expression and said nothing.
In situations like this, silence was often the most powerful answer.
“M-My apologies.”
“……”
“I… I truly believe our caravan’s safety is guaranteed with just the two of you present. Thank you so much.”
Just as expected, the caravan master bowed his head and stepped back on his own.
It had only been a short conversation, but his entire attitude toward us had changed.
Now, his eyes brimmed with awe—and fear.
‘Good. With that much wariness, he’s not likely to go blabbing about us anywhere.’
He seemed thoroughly intimidated. Which meant we could probably enjoy the rest of the journey in peace.
Not long after, the wagon resumed its movement.
Outside the window, the barren expanse of the untamed frontier swept past.
“Sir Gaon.”
Adelia spoke softly from beside me.
“When you called me a ‘trainee’... does that mean I still don’t qualify as your disciple?”
For some reason, her voice held a hint of disappointment.
‘Oh, Adelia…’
Why are you upset about something so trivial?
I sighed inwardly and began gently reassuring her.
“Trainee, disciple—those are just labels. What truly matters is your willingness to accept my teachings.”
“...!”
Adelia’s face brightened at my words.
After a brief moment of hesitation, she spoke again.
“Th-Then, Sir Gaon… if you have any feedback about the battle just now, I’d be honored if you’d share it…”
Ah.
The time for nonsense had come again.
I was hoping to gloss over this, but no such luck.
As I scrambled for something to say, I eventually just spoke whatever came to mind.
“It was impressive… but there’s still much room for improvement.”
“If I may ask—what needs improvement?”
Her eyes grew serious.
She was looking at me with such anticipation, desperate for constructive criticism.
But the truth was… her swordplay had seemed flawless to me.
Still, I couldn’t just say that outright.
After a brief pause, I replied, “They say seeing is worth a hundred explanations.”
“...?”
“When the time comes, I’ll show you my own sword. Learn from that—and identify your flaws through it.”
“Ah…”
Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and she nodded firmly.
“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”
Despite her radiant smile, my own expression remained cold and still.
“……”
Skk—
Without a word, I turned to gaze out of the wagon.
In the distance, I spotted the heap of dead Scavenger Wolves.
Normally, only mature adults would go out hunting.
But at the edge of my sight—
There were elderly wolves, even newborn pups… all tangled together in death.
* * *
“So the young master noticed it too.”
About an hour had passed.
As the wagon rolled onward, the caravan master suddenly struck up conversation.
“I saw you closely observing the Scavenger Wolf corpses earlier.”
“……”
“Scavenger Wolves usually protect their young and their elderly when they travel. But this time…”
“...All of them were mixed together without order.”
“Yes.”
He nodded grimly.
“I’ve traveled this route over a hundred times, but I’ve never seen anything like that. The unstable barrier is worrying—but the wolves’ behavior… feels far more ominous.”
“……”
“Because behavior like that…”
The caravan master hesitated briefly, then finally continued:
“...is something only creatures in absolute terror exhibit. It didn’t look like they were out to hunt prey—it looked like they were fleeing from something. Something they were desperate to escape.”
I said nothing.
But that silence itself was an answer.
—-“They say seeing is worth a hundred explanations. When the time comes, I’ll show you my sword. Learn from that—and identify your flaws.”
I had promised Adelia that I’d show her my sword when the time came.
But that “time” would never be a peaceful one.
There was only one kind of situation where I would draw my blade—
When death loomed close and survival hung by a thread.
〔MP: 1 / 1〕
I blankly stared at my MP window.
Part of me wished I would never need to use [Soul of the Swordmaster].
Not just on this journey to the Free City of Veritas—
If possible, not ever again for the rest of my life.
But this was Lost Elder—a world steeped in endless hardship and trial.
No one understood better than I did just how fleeting and fragile that wish really was.
RUMMBLEEEE—!
The ground shook violently. The wagon jolted, swaying hard.
Eyes wide, the caravan master clung to the handles for balance.
“W-What in the world…?!”
He frantically looked outside—
And from afar, a massive dust cloud began to rise.
Then, behind it…
A sight beyond belief.
“...Ah.”
A Monster Wave.
Dozens—no, maybe hundreds—of monsters surged forward like a tidal wave.
Beasts that should’ve been mortal enemies were charging together in one massive, chaotic swarm.
Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud—!
Even with the barrier still active, they were stampeding straight toward us without hesitation.
And for some reason, though they weren’t supposed to have emotions, their eyes brimmed with sheer terror and despair.
‘So it really is unfolding this way…’
All the doubts I had were now gone.
This wasn’t just coincidence. It was confirmation.
The moment that thought crystallized, I gave a command, “Get ready, Adelia.”
Snapped out of her brief shock, Adelia gave a nod.
Both hands tightened around the hilt of her sword.
“Understood. If the barrier weakens again, I’ll deal with the monsters—”
“No.”
I cut her off.
“Our enemy isn’t that rabble.”
“...?”
“It’s the one responsible for driving them into this state.”
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[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Starfall ]
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