Sword Master of a Fa Chapter 20 : Monster Invasion (2)

Chapter 20: Monster Invasion (2)

Seros, who had arrived at Chaplin Castle together with Kyle, spotted Aron approaching at a brisk pace and raised his hand.

However, despite Seros’s greeting, Aron’s expression remained stiff.

“Commander…….”

Looking at Seros, Aron addressed him as commander.

Normally, he would have called him vice-commander, but after Kyle beca the Grand General, it had naturally changed.

“What is it? Every ti you make that expression, it makes

uneasy.”

“It seems that reconnaissance inside the mountain range will be necessary.”

At Aron’s words, Seros crossed his arms.

“So you’re saying I should go and reconnoiter the interior of the mountain range? What’s the reason?”

“The atmosphere among the monsters is not normal. For monsters that act on instinct to be frightened ans…….”

“It ans there’s a monster powerful enough to drive ten thousand monsters out into the open while roaming the inside of the mountain range.”

“You anticipated it?”

“To so extent. Hearing your explanation made

certain.”

It wasn’t that common for large-scale monster uprisings to occur so suddenly.

The number of the Orc Legion that had invaded the Ragnar Lord’s Castle had been around a thousand.

Yet the ergence of a monster legion numbering ten thousand ant that sothing was going wrong inside the mountain range.

That was precisely why Aron had co to find Seros among the mbers of the Special Operations Unit.

“I judge it to be a mission too dangerous to entrust to others.”

“Right. Since we don’t know what dangers might be lurking, it would be best for

to go, even if it’s troubleso. I’ll decide after first reporting this to my lord.”

For now, Seros could not move without Kyle’s permission.

At his words, Aron nodded.

“We must defend with as little damage as possible. You’ve already devised a strategy, haven’t you?”

“I’m still considering it. Whether to conduct a siege battle, or to defend using the terrain.”

“I know it’s difficult to get a sense of things since you’re unfamiliar with the geography here. But Aron, you are our military strategist. You must carefully decide which is the right course.”

“I will keep that in mind, Commander.”

As Aron bowed his head and stepped back, Seros turned his gaze.

Just then, seeing Kyle finishing his conversation with the Castellan of Saie, Seros approached him.

“My lord, I have sothing to report.”

“Speak.”

“It seems that I should reconnoiter the inside of the mountain range and return.”

“Was that a request from Aron?”

“Yes, that’s correct. And I also agree with Aron’s words, which is why I bring this up.”

At Seros’s words, Kyle nodded.

Kyle himself also wanted to check what was happening inside the mountain range.

However, he had been troubled, as sending those lacking the skill would only increase the damage.

“Go. It’s unlikely, but if you judge it to be too much to handle, return imdiately.”

There should be nothing that Seros, who had reached the realm of Master, could not handle.

Still, on the off chance that sothing utterly unreasonable occurred—

In that case, Kyle would have to step in.

‘In any case, if it’s Seros, nothing will happen.’

After all, once this monster uprising was suppressed, they planned to enter the mountain range without fail.

Thus, it was all the more reason to grasp the situation inside the mountain range in advance.

“Move imdiately. Stopping the monster invasion is sothing I and the others can handle sufficiently.”

“Then I’ll be off.”

Seros briefly looked toward the inner wall, then leapt high into the air.

Reaching the top of the wall in a single bound, Seros unhesitatingly threw himself down beyond it.

Watching this, the Castellan of Saie turned his steps and approached Kyle again.

“Where is that man heading?”

“He will reconnoiter the inside of the mountain range.”

“How can he possibly enter the mountain range in this state? That is no different from suicide.”

“Do not worry. He is not soone who would fall so easily.”

For a Grand General sending his subordinate into mortal danger, Kyle’s gaze was calm.

Unable to understand such behavior, the Castellan of Saie’s expression gradually twisted.

“When the Young Master was young, he was soone who cherished those around him. Why have you changed like this? Reconnaissance may be important, but it is a matter that requires risking one’s life!”

As the Castellan of Saie criticized Kyle’s actions, Zero, who had been watching, turned pale and stepped forward.

“Father, please calm down…….”

“Is this a ti to calm down?!”

The Castellan of Saie could not suppress his agitation even at Zero’s attempt to dissuade him.

Then Kyle, who had been watching calmly, drew the red sword at his waist.

Shrring—

“Grand General!”

“Vice-Commander, step back for a mont.”

“But…….”

“Is this disobedience to orders?”

At those words, Zero could no longer stop Kyle.

Kyle passed by Zero and walked toward the Castellan of Saie.

Disappointnt and reproach toward himself for acting differently than before—

He could understand all of it.

The Castellan of Saie simply did not know Seros’s martial prowess.

Rather, Kyle felt glad.

It felt fortunate that there was not only Pan, but others with upright character within the Ragnar Family.

Yet, unaware of Kyle’s inner thoughts, the Castellan of Saie frowned deeply.

“Are you planning to cut

down?”

“The Castellan is not only a vassal of the Ragnar Family, but also a ritorious retainer. How could I cut you down?”

“Then why have you drawn your sword?”

“I tried to conceal it as much as possible, but I do not wish to deceive even the Castellan.”

A realm he had not shown even to the Rapid rchant Guild.

Except for the first battle in the Ragnar Territory, Kyle had avoided using Blade.

More precisely, he had not even had the opportunity to use Blade.

The assassins’ attacks were at a level he could handle without revealing Blade.

But a monster uprising was different.

That was why he had to show his true strength to the Castellan of Saie.

“This is the price of the hardships I endured after leaving the family for fifteen years. Watch closely.”

Whoooosh—

White flas flared up around the red sword.

As Blade, the exclusive domain of a Master, settled upon the red sword, the Castellan of Saie’s eyes widened.

The greatest prodigy of the Ragnar Family.

He had forgotten that monstrous talent that had broken through the Exford Level at the age of thirteen.

“……Young Master.”

“Castellan, if you cannot trust , then trust the power dwelling in this sword.”

“…….”

“For reference, the one who just left is also a Master.”

Kyle instantly sensed that what dwelled on his sword was Blade, yet the Castellan of Saie could not easily believe his words.

Master was a realm only a select few could attain, and he had seen two such people in one place…….

‘But I have to believe.’

He knew Kyle was not soone who would ever lie.

Above all, having been shown Blade itself, even if he could not believe it, he had no choice but to believe.

“……I lost my composure. I apologize, Young Master.”

“I understand. And not ‘Young Master’—my current rank is Grand General, Castellan of Saie.”

Kyle sheathed Blade and slid the sword back into its scabbard, a faint smile appearing on his face.

Then he turned his gaze and began issuing orders to the Special Operations Unit mbers.

“Acacia, prepare the Ragnar Knight Order for live combat training. And Aron!”

At Kyle’s call, Aron rushed over and bowed his head.

“You’ve grasped the terrain here to so extent, haven’t you?”

“I have been reviewing the maps.”

“As far as I rember, there is only one route by which the mountain range entrance can advance toward Chaplin Castle. Is that correct?”

The terrain might have changed over the past fifteen years, so they could not rely solely on old mories.

Perhaps thinking the sa, Aron replied,

“I was already checking the differences between the map from fifteen years ago and the current one. Aside from the width of the chokepoint being sowhat expanded, it’s the sa.”

“No new routes have appeared?”

“There are narrow side paths, but there’s nowhere monsters could move through in large numbers other than the route you ntioned, my lord. Otherwise, they would have to cross the mountains themselves.”

Small monsters tended to prefer moving through mountainous terrain.

On the other hand, large monsters had the habit of simply following existing roads.

Since monsters that normally could not mix were moving together as one, where they would co from was already decided.

“The number that will co over the mountains won’t be that many. In the end, the small monsters will move along the route the large monsters take.”

At Kyle’s opinion, Aron nodded as if in agreent.

Kyle then shifted his gaze away from Aron and spoke to the Castellan of Saie.

“Castellan, focus solely on defense. The Head of the Family will either move the rear fortress troops or be devising another form of support.”

“Understood, Grand General.”

“Keep in mind that if we just hold out until then, this will be a battle we win without question.”

---

Having received Aron’s request, Seros was moving alone toward the Monster Mountain Range when he slowed his pace.

Soon climbing up into the trees, he looked down at the monster legion and shook his head.

‘They’re swarming thick as pitch.’

It was a scale even Seros had never seen before.

Of course, he had stood at the forefront of wars where even greater numbers clashed—but the difference was that this ti, the opponents were monsters, not humans.

“Looks like this life won’t be a peaceful one after all.”

Contrary to his words, a deep smile filled with excitent ford at the corner of Seros’s mouth.

He moved lightly from tree to tree as he advanced.

Before long, he reached the entrance of the Monster Mountain Range, but upon witnessing a strange sight, he frowned.

“Don’t leave even a single one behind—drive them all out!”

“Understood, Kazar!”

Not only the red-skinned ones, but even the green-skinned Orcs were using the continental language.

There were no records anywhere stating that Orcs could use the continental language.

When Seros arrived at the entrance leading into the mountain range, a red-skinned Orc turned its gaze.

“……Lord, why have you co all the way out here?”

The Orc called Lord.

It was about twice the size of a normal Orc and carried a massive Greatsword on its back.

That Orc fixed its gaze on the place where Seros was hiding and watching.

‘……My position was discovered? Does that even make sense?’

As Seros was taken aback by the Orc’s gaze, his concealnt suddenly unraveled.

It happened the mont the Orc called Lord casually swung its arm.

Seros no longer hid his body and slowly approached the Orc horde.

“How are you able to use the continental language?”

At Seros’s question, the Orcs did not answer, nor did they even stir.

Only the Orc called Lord moved, reaching for the Greatsword on its back.

“……So my question isn’t even worth answering.”

“A warrior proves himself through strength, human.”

At the Orc’s words, Seros hesitated for a brief mont, torn between escaping or fighting.

‘Reporting is important, but I need to gather as much information on the enemy as possible.’

In the end, Seros chose not to flee and instead drew his sword.

Yet the Orc did not feel like soone beneath him at all.

Even if there were occasional mutants that used Aura or mana, this was the first ti he had seen a monster with an Aura amount equal to his own, having reached the realm of Master.

“So just as my lord said, the Northern Monsters really are different.”

He had thought reclaiming the Iron Mine would be easy, but that expectation was dashed spectacularly before it even began.

Seros shook his head, stopping his thoughts, and dashed forward.

Then he leapt high into the air and brought his sword down.

Just before the black-hued Blade reached the Orc’s head, Seros clearly saw it.

The red Blade dwelling upon the Orc’s Greatsword.

Kwaaang!

A thunderous roar erupted as their Blades collided.

Quickly retreating backward, Seros drew his sword back and grinned.

“We’ll et again soon.”

Seros imdiately turned his body and sprinted away at full speed.

The red-skinned Orc called Kazar watched Seros rapidly depart and opened his mouth.

“Lord, I will pursue imdiately.”

“No need. We will et again anyway.”

The Orc called Lord looked not toward where Seros had disappeared, but in the direction of Chaplin Castle.

‘Such a powerful presence that my entire body trembles.’

Unknowingly, the Orc tightly clenched the hilt of his Greatsword.