Sword Master of a Fa Chapter 110 : The Fall of the Shartega Family (2)

Chapter 110: The Fall of the Shartega Family (2)

The war began between the 20,000 Northern Army led by Kyle and the western lords who had sided with the Shartega Family.

The Shartega Family publicly declared that they would follow only the Daon Royal Family, and proclaid war against the Ragnar Kingdom, stating that they would not recognize it.

The nobles who had decided to follow the Ragnar Kingdom clicked their tongues at the sight of Marquis Shartega making the announcent as if he had been waiting for the very mont the Northern Army stepped into the western territories.

“Your Highness, Duke Ragnar has sent word that he has occupied five castles located in the west. He asks that nobles be selected and dispatched to govern the occupied castles.”

Viscount Rak, who had delivered the letter personally written by Kyle to Pramo, returned to his seat and clasped his hands together.

“Viscount Rak.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“I will promote you to the rank of Marquis and grant you the authority to govern the western territories. Marquis Shan.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“I heard that quite a few nobles without territories are by your side. Is that correct?”

“That is correct.”

“Among them, select nobles capable of governing the west. Since we have decided to dispatch them in order to stabilize the castles occupied by Duke Ragnar, choose them carefully.”

Before Kyle departed for the campaign, it had already been agreed that Viscount Rak would be put forward as the great lord of the west.

He had also been told that only sending nobles loyal to Viscount Rak to the west would not be acceptable.

Pramo also agreed with Kyle’s opinion, and thus decided to select nobles under Marquis Shan to govern the western territories.

“Understood.”

At Pramo’s intention to send nobles under Marquis Shan to the west, Viscount Rak slowly closed his eyes.

‘So he intends to put

forward as the great lord, but not entrust the entire west to .’

Politics had always been like that.

Even those who stood on the king’s side could not be granted all authority for the sake of the future.

Allowing power to concentrate ant essentially turning a blind eye to the growth of a faction.

‘In this country, there is only one person who can expand his power without having to mind anyone’s gaze—Duke Ragnar.’

Pramo, who had been watching the contemplative Viscount Rak, issued a command in a solemn voice.

“The docunt confirming Viscount Rak’s promotion will be delivered after you go west and settle the territories. Viscount Rak, prepare to move to the west imdiately.”

“I will obey Your Highness’s command.”

“Family Head, five castles have already fallen.”

“…It has only been a week.”

Only a week had passed since the Northern Army entered the west.

He had thought they would last at least a month, but that had been Marquis Shartega’s arrogance.

“The lords are being assassinated without even knowing why. The other lords are trembling in fear right now.”

“Kyle Ragnar… is he saying he will crush

regardless of the ans or thods?”

Marquis Shartega let out a dry laugh.

Despite possessing such overwhelming military power, Kyle was using the petty thod of assassination from the shadows…

The assassination plan that Shartega himself had originally intended to use had been preempted by Kyle, which made the situation even more absurd to him.

anwhile, the knight standing beside him added another piece of news, like pouring oil onto a burning house.

“Because of Kyle Ragnar’s martial power, the castle gates are opening before they can even prepare to defend the castles. Moreover, the young knights by his side cannot be stopped either.”

“Tsk tsk, how incompetent must they be to fail to overwhelm rely four knights.”

Kyle had brought only four important knights with him.

With even Akun, the Commander of the Ragnar Knight Order, remaining in the Royal Capital, it was pathetic that they were struggling against four knights.

But those who had faced the four all repeated the sa words.

— Their abilities already surpassed the Exford Interdiate Level. Even veteran knights cannot face them one-on-one.

Among them, the knight called Taro stood out in particular.

An Exford Upper Level knight proudly belonging to the Shartega Family stepped forward to face him, but ultimately lost and was defeated.

This was not a matter of incompetence; the opponent’s skill was simply exceptional.

“……”

“Family Head, I believe I should step forward.”

“Even if the entire Lightning Knight Order charges in, the mont Kyle Ragnar steps forward, they will not escape annihilation.”

“But if we continue hiding in fear like this, morale will hit rock bottom. I will stop the Northern Army even if it costs

my life.”

The Lightning Knight Order was the Shartega Family’s finest knight order.

Only the most skilled knights had been selected, and since the lowest among them was Exford Beginner Level, they were all individuals with remarkable talent.

But as long as a Master stood firmly on the battlefield, their greatest force needed to be preserved.

“No.”

“My lord, but…”

“If Kyle Ragnar cos to this Shartega Lord’s Castle, I will permit your deploynt then. Do not worry. I will not fall.”

The mont the trap capable of capturing Kyle was completed, victory in this war would be guaranteed.

At that thought, Marquis Shartega smiled coldly.

All those Kyle had fought so far were nothing but rabble.

Fools who did not even understand the basics of tactics.

But he was different.

‘I will take Kyle Ragnar’s head and show it to the Ragnar Kingdom. I will show them how terrifying the Shartega Family truly is!’

Lightly stepping on the uneven stones of the castle wall, Kyle soared upward and twisted his body.

Clang!

With a single strike of his Blade, he deflected the arrow flying straight toward him and landed lightly atop the castle wall.

“Nothing special.”

Whoooo—

A strong wind blew through.

Soon winter would bring a chilling cold even to the interior lands.

A season when more people would die from the cold than from the war itself.

That was also the reason Kyle was hastening the conquest of the west.

Papapat—!

Kyle brought his sword down from above, and his Blade smashed one side of the castle wall into rubble.

“You can say that because you’re Duke Kyle.”

Deni, who had climbed up the wall first as if scaling it, shouted to Kyle.

Right behind him, Zero climbed up closely and said firmly to Deni.

“Stop talking nonsense and open the gate.”

“Senior, there’s no need for

to step in.”

“Your head’s gotten big, so now you’re rebelling.”

“Then you should just beco stronger than .”

As Deni said, Taro was already in the process of securing the gate.

Watching him rcilessly cut down the knights guarding the gate and advance forward, Deni could not help but admire him inwardly.

‘The mountain I have to surpass is that big…’

He had known Taro was strong, but he had never imagined he would be at that level.

Taro was moving like a ghost right now, to the point that Deni even began to reasonably suspect that perhaps he had intentionally lost when he fought Akun.

“Hup!”

Taking a deep breath, Taro moved his sword smoothly and shot his Aura toward the gate.

The black-colored Aura took shape like ice as it flew toward the castle gate, and the knights hurriedly shouted.

“Stop it! The gate must never be destroyed!”

All the castles the Northern Army had captured within a week had fallen in the exact sa way.

Kyle stood at the front blocking arrows while the knights seized control of the gate.

Then, once the gate opened or was destroyed, the Northern Army surged inside like a wave.

Realizing this, a knight ordered the soldiers to attack Taro, but before they could, Deni and Zero dropped down from the wall and cut them down.

As a result, Taro’s Aura shattered the gate, and the Northern Army waiting nearby began to move.

Harte, who had taken responsibility for the overall command of the Northern Army, raised his sword high.

“There is not much left now! Everyone, advance!”

Once the gate was destroyed, there was no hope left for those defending it.

The Northern Army showed no hesitation and entered through the gate faster than expected.

“Those who surrender will be spared! Drop your weapons and lie down!”

The number of castles captured by the Northern Army had now increased to six.

Like falling dominoes, the western territories were slowly reaching a point where they had to agonize over their choices.

Would they sacrifice themselves for the Shartega Family until the end?

Or surrender to the Northern Army and preserve their lives?

They had to choose.

Not long after capturing the castle, Kyle imdiately prepared to begin a forced march.

Only four castles remained before reaching the Shartega Territory.

Moreover, most of the lords along Kyle’s route had already been assassinated and were dead.

“Sir Harte, we move imdiately to the next castle.”

“Yes, Your Grace!”

“We must reach the front of the Shartega Territory within three days at the latest. Viscount Rak will take care of organizing the captured castles.”

With those words, the Northern Army reford its ranks and prepared to move forward.

Despite the relentless forced march, the Northern Army showed little sign of fatigue.

Rather, they quickened their pace according to Kyle’s command.

With endurance as solid as steel, they had gained unbelievable stamina from endlessly fighting monsters.

Any other army would have collapsed long ago, but the Northern Army advanced even faster instead of growing tired.

In the midst of it, Kyle turned his gaze to Taro.

“Taro.”

“Yes, you called for ?”

“You control the energy of Black Ice well, but it is still lacking.”

“If you tell

how to operate it more stably, I will do my best.”

“You need naturalness.”

“Naturalness…”

“Control is important, but more important is understanding the energy of Black Ice and accepting it naturally through your movents. Realize how to use the sword more fluidly.”

Each ti a castle was captured, Kyle gave guidance to the knights.

After Taro stepped back, Deni looked at Kyle with sparkling eyes.

“I told you to compete.”

“…My apologies.”

“Deni, the mont you beco overconfident in your own martial power, your growth stops.”

“I will rember that.”

“Then I look forward to your performance at the next castle.”

Next, Kyle turned his gaze to Zero and shook his head.

“If you are weaker than Deni, who is younger than you, you should work harder and find a way forward. If he rebels, crush him with force.”

“I apologize for showing an unsightly side.”

“You are the heir of the Saie Family. If you do not wish to disgrace the honor built by Junior Baron Saie, swing your sword instead of sulking.”

Zero burned with determination at Kyle’s words.

anwhile, the Northern Army was gradually approaching the Shartega Territory.

Among the western lords, there was one lord who specialized in siege warfare.

His na was Veil, and his rank was Viscount.

He was known as one of the nobles who followed Marquis Shartega, but the truth was different.

He was the only one who had once raised a banner of rebellion against Marquis Shartega.

“My lord, the Northern Army has arrived right in front of us.”

Viscount Veil pondered whether he should fight or surrender.

Marquis Shartega demanded that he fight to the end, but he had no intention of doing so.

“Open the gate.”

“…My lord.”

“From the beginning, they are not an opponent we can face head-on. Even if I have knowledge of defensive warfare, that only works when the enemy’s strength is similar to ours.”

In the end, Viscount Veil made his decision.

There was no one who would recognize aningless sacrifices.

Marquis Shartega had always been that kind of man.

He only wished for his own territory to grow stronger and wanted everyone to bow their heads before him.

He had ability, but his pride was overwhelming.

He had lived believing himself to be the best and constantly demanded sacrifices from others.

“Even if we give our lives for Marquis Shartega, it will only lead to aningless sacrifices. In that case, surrendering is the better option.”