Creeeeeak.

Peter woke up to the sound of the door opening and grabbed the sword he’d hidden under the pillow.

‘So you guys are here, huh?’

It made him want to bitterly laugh, but he’d already prepared for such a situation.

He pushed away Flora who’d been sleeping in his arms, covered her with a blanket and got out of bed.

Watching the sorcerous techniques slowly emerging from the darkness that covered the room as if assimilated in it, Peter nodded.

‘About twelve.’

The number was just too large to believe that they’d come to hunt just him.

The killer ran out of the villa as if he’d some kind of a prior agreement with the visitors.

He went to find a quiet place in the mountains.

Ironically, it was the same place where he’d fought with Callius a few days ago.

It used to be a barren piece of land filled with weeds, but now flowers were blooming here.

Peter looked at the scene in wonder and murmured.

“Flowers have bloomed… There was nothing here last time, but now it’s full of beautiful flowers. Was it the blood of my colleagues that made these flowers bloom?”

Whatever the reason –

“They managed to leave something of them behind.”

“What nonsense are you babbling about? Stop it and give me your head now, Peter.”

“If the assassination fails, the killer has to die. Why are you still clinging on to life like a rat?”

“Are you going to fight us to the end?”

Peter laughed bitterly at the killers’ words.

“I’m thinking of trying for my swan song.”

“Don’t bother. You can’t fight us all alone.”

“Even if I can’t kill you all, can’t I take a few people down to hell together with me?”

“Haah… Listen, Peter. Either way, we’re going to kill everyone around you, it’s not just about your daughter. The order is to kill everyone around Callius. It was my own consideration to quietly bring you here.”

“What do you mean?”

“Quietly give me your head. I’ll spare your daughter for the sake of our old friendship.”

“Although who knows where she’ll end up being sold, hehe.”

Somebody from the audience interjected with a mean laugh.

Although it was a blatant provocation, Peter couldn’t control the power that was surging up from his palms.

“You fuckers!!”

The moment he wanted to leap forward –

Puff!!

“Ugh!!”

“What!”

“Who are you?!”

The killers began looking around in haste.

Peter also sensed the gaze and turned his head. Then an eerie feeling crossed his spine.

Suddenly, darkness spread all over the place.

‘Since when did it get so dark?’

When he looked at the sky, it was completely covered in darkness.

There was no moonlight to see by.

A true, stygian blackness enveloped them all.

Only the sound of footsteps and bewildered voices could be heard.

Slash!

“Kahk!”

“Who are you? Who dares attack us!!”

“Peter! So you dug a trap for us!!”

“…”

Frustratingly, even Peter himself didn’t understand the situation.

But soon, hearing a voice, a spark of hope kindled inside his heart like fire.

“My subordinate asked me.”

A man slowly stepped out of the darkness.

He walked incredibly leisurely, as if strolling in his own back garden.

“If he’d asked me to kill you, I wouldn’t have accepted it.”

The killers’ eyes opened as wide as they could go.

A face that those who wielded their swords in the dark couldn’t not know.

“But he was asking me to protect you. That’s the perfect job for me.”

With that, Genos’ form disappeared.

“Kaha…!”

A killer’s life was extinguished in an instant.

Bizarrely, no sound other than the victim’s screams came.

Fear engulfed the hearts of the hardened killers.

“It’s, it’s Genos!!”

“Damn it! Cat Walk Genos!”

“Run away, damn it!!”

Swish.

Genos, who had permeated into the darkness, made no sound.

Yet screams filled with pain could be heard from every direction, until moonlight once again filled the scene.

Genos was the only one standing in the flower field.

“See? You lived.”

Peter looked at the blood-stained petals and laughed.

The next day.

I’d stayed the night at the county.

My subordinates had been worried that the host and his group might suddenly change their attitudes and try to surround and kill me, but I’d dismissed their concerns.

It was unlikely.

Even if they wanted to do that, there was at least one man I could believe in.

“The Golden Lion is a knight with a strong sense of victory and a unique sense of justice.”

There was no way he’d allow something like that to happen without interfering.

In addition, I’d left behind a few other arrangements. But anyway, nothing would happen, because the Golden Lion was present.

Although he carried the same last name of Ruydren, he was completely different from Lutheon.

That’s why Lutheon didn’t like being compared to his older brother.

Was that why he turned traitor in the end?

To be honest, even I didn’t know the exact reason. There were several possible routes for his apostasy, so I didn’t know the exact one.

Knock, knock.

“Come in.”

“Captain, the Golden Lion wants to talk to you.”

“Then let’s go.”

This was the reason why I took such a risk and came to stay in the enemy camp in the first place.

He was also someone I wanted to meet and talk to, at least once.

Somebody like him, who was infinitely close to becoming a Master, might be able to give me a hint to tear down the wall blocking my way.

“Oh, Count Jervain. Did you arrive?”

“Yes, Sir Golden Lion. But what…”

“That name, Golden Lion, is somewhat of a burden for me. Please call me Ruen.”

“… Commander Rouen. What are you doing here?”

“I was fighting.”

“That much is self-evident.”

With the Golden Lion Knights in tow, Ruen had personally come to the place where the sixth squad was stationed. He seemed to have the same thoughts as me.

“Bruns.”

“Yes, Boss!”

“Explain. Simply.”

“The Golden Lion Knights, they suddenly started making a fuss.”

“What about?”

“They were wondering if everybody from the North is so weak…”

“Nobody in the squad is from the North though?”

“Yeah. It’s ridiculous, they must be intentionally trying to make trouble.”

It was such a blatant way to start a quarrel that one couldn’t even make up an excuse. The Golden Lion scratched his head as if he was embarassed.

“These kids aren’t good at talking. They just wanted to start a fight, so they made up a nonsensical reason.”

“A few are already down, I see.”

I could see quite a few people who’d already fallen down after a few blows.

Of course, those who fell were all from the sixth squad.

“Haha, but isn’t this a good opportunity?”

“That’s true. If something is to be done, it should be done properly.”

The Golden Lion Knights were one of the strongest knight regiments in Carpe, amongst the top five.

Experiencing the power of such knights with your body, what was this if not an opportunity?

The two groups were still fighting each other with their swords raised.

At a glance, the difference in level was quite stark.

There were some who endured a little, but most of them couldn’t withstand even a dozen blows and quickly fell out.

And the ones that oh so disgracefully rolled on the ground were all from the sixth squad, without exception.

“…”

I hadn’t even expected much.

The sixth squad was on the weaker side among the inquisitorial squads in the first place.

Unlike the knights who wandered the battlefield, their job was usually to root out and interrogate traitors and heretics.

“Did you train them?”

“Only those who wanted it.”

“I see. I heard that it’s only been a few months since you took office… but you’re already showing results.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Of course, not everybody was shaming themselves.

The lieutenant was doing a good enough job, and the guys who’d worked hard under me had held on longer.

“Bruns, what’s that one’s name?”

“That’s Joseph.”

Diego and Joseph.

And only a few more were still continuing their fights.

The rest rolled on the ground with the demeanour of a loser. Still, most of them looked like they’d gained some understanding from observing the power of the Golden Lion Knights.

Still, the difference in skill between the two sides was obvious at a glance.

“Commander.”

“Tell me.”

“Why did you let them pick a fight?”

“Isn’t it a good experience? Because I don’t think there’s anything that helps people improve their skills as much as fighting and sparring.”

“That’s right. But I don’t think that’s the only reason.”

The skill difference was clear.

It was described as sparring, but it was close to bullying.

Considering the nature of the Golden Lion, the action didn’t make sense on the face of it.

Perhaps there was another reason.

“Actually, there was something I wanted to ask you separately, Count.”

Yeah, it must’ve been so he could make an approach while avoiding the eyes of the nobles.

“Is it about Lutheon?”

“… Yes.”

I’d expected that.

I would’ve done the same in his place.

“Looks like rumours have already spread.”

“He’s the shame of Ruydren.”

Ruen’s face changed slightly, as if he was very angry on the inside. A man who’d abandoned his parents, his brother, and his country.

Lutheon, an apostate who’d betrayed even his God.

How difficult must it be to be the older brother of such a traitor?

“I heard that you met him face to face. My apologies, but I have to ask.”

“You deserve to hear it.”

What’d happened to me in the North.

I told him that Lueheon had helped the orcs, and that he was in league with Ramatu of Krasion.

That he fell into the abyss along with me, quarrelled, and the subsequent events with the troll.

And even the fact that I’d left him there.

“You didn’t deal with him in the end?”

“I didn’t defeat the troll with my own strength. I am a knight, not a killer.”

“It’s surprising that trolls still exist in the world, but your chivalry is also impressive enough, Count.”

“…”

I didn’t say anything.

I didn’t have to talk about the troll, but I did.

Ruen was a man who deserved to hear the details of the story. He wasn’t the type to gossip, either.

“Thank you.”

“What do you mean?”

“I wanted to put an end to Lutheon’s life with my own hands. I don’t know if that’s possible, but he’s probably still alive.”

“He isn’t going to die in that pit, no. I think he should be alive. By now, he must’ve arrived in the empire and nurtured his strength further.”

Ruen closed his eyes and nodded his head.

“Do you know why he turned away from God?”

“… I didn’t think you’d ask me that. I thought you yourself might know. I heard that you two had been close, but I guess that wasn’t true.”

“I’m not interested in men.”

“Haha…”

As if lost in thought, the two of us looked at the subordinates who were fighting.

Soon cheers erupted, and Joseph triumphed and raised his sword high.

And the lieutenant lost.

‘Useless bastard.’

I slapped the ground hard as I was angry.

Then they all started looking at me.

As soon as the match was over, they naturally looked at Ruen and me, and their gaze seemed to complain why we weren’t competing.

“Will you agree to a spar?”

“Let’s. I’m sure I’ll learn a few things.”

The lieutenant tried to pass me his steel sword, but I didn’t take it because I thought it’d be cheating.

“Why not just take it?”

“Joseph, give that to me.”

“Yes.”

“Crazy. Really.”

I passed Diego who had a shit-eating grin, and faced Ruen.

“Commander Ruen. Tell me something. Why exactly are you here? I thought the Golden Lion Knights were defending the Southern Front?”

“As I said, I was originally stationed on the Southern Front, but a man who caught my interest appeared, so I temporarily handed over my responsibility and came north to chase after him. Then I fell in love with this county for a while.”

Caught his interest?

“The Southern Front seems to be quite idle.”

“I had to come anyway, since Her Majesty had called. This was just on the way.”

“Right.”

“It must not be an ordinary person who can evade the pursuit of the Golden Lion Knights. Maybe it’s a spy from the empire?”

Clang–! A sharp sound rang from my iron sword as it collided with Ruen’s sword.

As if we were trying to match each other, we didn’t use aura, and competed with pure physique.

“Yeah, he was pretty mysterious, and he was very talented.”

Whiiiish, claaaang!

We slowly increased our speed little by little, and began exerting more force on our swords.

At first, our swords clashed so slowly that they were plainly visible, but now they clashed so fast that the audience could only see the sparks rising violently.

Still, we calmly continued to ask each other questions.

“If it’s Golden Lion Ruen saying it, it can’t be empty talk.”

“We couldn’t have a proper fight, but the way he parried my sword effortlessly was as graceful as a jaguar. I had some doubts, so I started chasing.”

I moved my sword back, feinted as if I was cutting upwards, then flicked my blade low.

But, as if he’d already seen through me, Ruen counterattacked and forced my sword upward.

And immediately struck like a viper biting.

Even though it was clearly a single attack, it looked like three swords were striking at once.

With exactly identical force.

I had to put my all into blocking.

My fingers gripping the hilt tight, I tried to let the attacks pass over me.

But I couldn’t parry it completely.

That was how strong the sword was.

Suddenly we weren’t talking out loud anymore.

Instead, we were speaking with our swords.

As if this was enough, Ruen’s sword suddenly began to shine.

As his sword energy began to rise and solidify, I responded in the same vein.

Sword energy that looked like a lion’s mane.

It wrapped around his body, showing why the nickname, ‘Golden Lion’, matched him perfectly.

Ruydren’s Golden Lion.

“If you ever meet him, you’ll know. He was a man with an extraordinary spirit like a ravenous beast, so with your skills, Count, you’ll feel it immediately.”

If his skill level was beyond the Golden Lion, he was indeed no ordinary person.

I also raised my sword.

At first glance, my sword energy looked messy in comparison.

It was the swordsmanship of the Silver Flower Wave Sword, like a densely packed group of scales and petals.

“Where do you think he was from?”

“Well, he didn’t carry a sword, nor a spear.”

“What about his clothing?”

“He was wearing rags. No, it must’ve started as something more formal, but it was all rags by the time we met.”

“I see.”

There was one person that came to mind, but now wasn’t the time to think about that.

All I could see in front of me was a battle with the Golden Lion that was serenely unfolding.

Claaaang–!!

As soon as our swords clashed in earnest, a booming roar resounded.

The waves from the aftershock spread and rustled the onlookers’ hair.

My sword style was of the quick sword.

However, the Golden Lion’s sword was the heavy sword.

It wasn’t fast, but that single attack was heavy and forcefully pierced through a clear gap.

Claang–!

The Ruydren family’s swordsmanship, and the technique with which he emanated his power like a lion’s mane, caught my attention.

For a moment, I forgot about the members of the sixth squad who were watching.

I forgot the imperial spies.

One by one, I erased everything and forgot everything.

Only the sword that I gripped in my hand, as it collided with Ruen’s sword which was growling like a lion, remained in my consciousness.

The more I struck at the sword, the more I could feel his experience, his habits, and his strength.

We’d both started the duel holding our swords one-handed, but as soon as we’d finished probing each other, we’d immediately switched to using both hands.

Claaang–!!

“…”

Whiiiiish, thud.

The broken iron sword whirled through the sky and stuck the floor of the arena.

The sword that had broken was mine.

On the other hand, the Golden Lion’s sword was intact.

“Tch.”

I looked at the broken blade and threw it away.

“Commander Ruen. See you next time.”

“Yes, see you again. Count.”

As soon as Callius and the sixth squad left –

The Golden Lion Knights approached their captain.

“Just like you said, it was a great spectacle. Was that Stella’s swordsmanship?”

“Yeah. Silver Flower Wave Sword. He’s practiced her swordsmanship.”

“But I don’t think he’s achieved much. Captain, you won…”

At the words of his subordinate, the commander silently raised his iron sword. And –

“Look.”

The Golden Lion’s lips curved up at the corners as he looked at his sword.

As soon as he touched it with a finger, the iron blade quickly snapped and cracked.

“A spar’s just a spar, after all.”

Editor’s Notes:

None for this chapter.