novelraw Chapter 27
Chapter 27
“What was that?”
“What was that sound?”
The men who came out of the barracks turned their heads toward where the loud noise had come from.
They saw birds fluttering and flying away from the forest.
Unnoticed because of the sound, one man's head had already been smashed like a watermelon.
“Aaargh!”
“What the hell!”
The men screamed, startled out of their wits.
Just then, Yakim and Berlo also rushed outside and quickly scanned the area.
As soon as he spoke, the head of the man next to him exploded.
Splat!
“Gasp!”
Bang-!
Simultaneously with the gunshot that was heard with a delay, Yakim's head turned toward the source of the loud noise.
Berlo also looked at the forest and shouted.
“It's the enemy!”
Berlo’s eyes widened.
“How dare they!”
Yakim drew his sword and sprinted toward the forest like an arrow.
***
“Hmph.”
Arthur quickly loaded a bead into the CheyTac.
Then, he aimed the barrel at Yakim.
Killing him was the only way to reduce casualties on their side.
‘I must.’
Arthur targeted Yakim through the scope.
He waited for the distance between them to close to increase his accuracy.
150 meters, 100, 70…
And when it closed to 50 meters!
‘Now!’
He pulled the trigger.
“……!”
As soon as Yakim felt a chilling sensation, he drew up his mana.
Then, an object flying at incredible speed came into his view.
“Such petty tricks!”
He swung his sword, wreathed in a deep blue aura, with lightning speed.
Clang!
He deflected the bullet straight down.
Bang-!
With the delayed echo of the gunshot, Arthur, who was watching the scene, widened his eyes.
“Damn it!”
He quickly left the spot, reloading the CheyTac as he went.
Then he dove for a place where he could take cover.
A short while later.
Yakim appeared where Arthur had been hiding, pushing through the undergrowth.
“You rat-like bastard!”
He swung his sword down at the rock.
Craaack!
The rock shattered into pieces.
Confirming the man was gone, he swung his sword in all directions.
Aura blades flew out, cutting down all the surrounding trees.
Crash! Craaack!
‘What the!?’
Hiding behind cover, Arthur heard the explosions and looked back at where he had been.
The area was completely devastated, and the large rock had been obliterated.
He had heard Sword Masters were strong, but he had never imagined they possessed this level of power.
It was as if the area had been bombarded by a mortar.
‘Damn it!’
Arthur quickly aimed his rifle forward.
After a moment.
A human figure became faintly visible through the thick dust.
‘It's him!’
Arthur tensed up.
If this attack also failed, it was highly likely he would be in danger.
Even if he couldn't kill him, he had to inflict some damage.
‘Just a little closer.’
Arthur poured all his concentration into the scope.
Sensing the killing intent, Yakim smirked.
“Hiding there, are you?”
He swung his sword lightly.
Swish!
The trees and rocks blocking his path like obstacles were completely swept away.
“Hmph.”
Just as he gave a sly smile!
“……!”
Yakim instinctively swung his sword at the thing flying toward him like a bolt of lightning.
Clang!
He deflected it again.
Bang-!
Along with the delayed report of the gun, Yakim felt another chilling sensation.
“In succession?”
Yakim’s eyes flashed.
Just as he thought it was too late to block it with his sword and that he should dive to the side.
Thwack!
“Argh!”
Yakim slammed his sword into the ground and collapsed.
His left ear was torn off, and blood streamed down.
Seeing Yakim was damaged, Arthur drew his Kukri and charged like an arrow.
‘Only one chance!’
He drew up his mana.
A tremendous power surged from his body.
“Die!”
He swung the Kukri at Yakim's head with all his might.
“You dare!”
Fwoosh!
A ferocious pressure exploded out from Yakim.
‘Th-this is!’
For a moment, Arthur was crushed by the pressure, flinching as his body stiffened.
At that moment, Yakim lunged at Arthur.
Arthur's surprise attack was faster than expected, making it awkward to swing his sword, so Yakim opted for his fists instead.
Thud!
The two fell to the ground, tangled up, and exchanged blows.
Thwack! Thwack!
“This son of a bitch! You dare wound me?”
Getting on top of Arthur's stomach, Yakim rained down punches mercilessly.
Thud-thud-thud-thud!
“Ugh!”
Arthur was blocking the attacks, guarding his face with both arms, but the tremendous force sent shockwaves to his very bones.
At this rate, it felt like both his arms would be completely shattered.
“Die!”
Yakim slammed his fist down.
“……!”
In that instant, Arthur's eyes flashed as he dodged the attack, whipping his head to the side like lightning.
Then he quickly grabbed and pulled Yakim's left ear.
“Aaaaaargh!”
Yakim let out a scream.
The pressure bearing down on him from above felt weaker.
Arthur didn't miss the opening, shoved him aside, and quickly picked up his Kukri.
But Yakim also moved like lightning, throwing an elbow strike.
Arthur had also activated his Sixth sense and mana.
He moved just as quickly, dodging the attack and throwing a kick.
Thwack!
Yakim blocked with his arm while simultaneously throwing a punch.
Arthur also swung his Kukri toward the incoming fist.
“Damn it!”
As Yakim quickly withdrew his attack, Arthur rammed him with his shoulder.
Thump!
Yakim was thrown backward.
“Captain!”
“Where are you?”
“Over there!”
The man's subordinates came running from ahead, their eyes glaring.
Arthur looked around, searching for his CheyTac.
It was next to the fallen Yakim.
“Damn it!”
Just as Arthur rushed to grab the CheyTac, Yakim sprang up like a coil and charged.
“Where do you think you're going!”
Yakim threw a punch.
Arthur blocked the attack with the CheyTac and kicked him in the chest.
Then he ran away with all his might.
“Brother!”
As Berlo hurriedly approached Yakim, Yakim shouted.
“Get him!”
Berlo looked at the fleeing Arthur and shouted to his men.
“Pursue him, and one of you report back to the main camp!”
As soon as he finished speaking, his men chased after Arthur like arrows.
Berlo watched them for a moment before shifting his gaze to Yakim.
His left ear was half torn off, and half of his face was covered in blood.
To inflict such a wound on a Sword Master, the opponent must be…
Berlo asked with a serious expression, “Are you alright?”
Smash!
Yakim shattered a rock on the ground with his fist, radiating killing intent.
“That rat bastard…”
Fury blazed in his eyes.
“B-Brother…”
Berlo’s face hardened.
It was the first time he had seen him this angry.
Once, one of his subordinates got drunk, got into a fight with a group of bandits, and had his arm cut off.
Upon seeing that, Yakim had annihilated the entire group of bandits.
But now, it wasn't a subordinate, but his own ear that had been cut off.
What would happen now…
Yakim stood up and said, “Prepare to march.”
“B-Brother… but that's with the Rose Knights and…!”
Berlo met Yakim's gaze and couldn't finish his sentence.
Eyes filled with killing intent!
The moment he disobeyed, his own head would surely be cut off.
To survive, he had to obey without a word.
“I'll prepare immediately!”
Berlo ran toward the main camp.
Yakim glared in the direction Arthur had fled with an expression like a Yaksha.
Then he put his fingers in his mouth and whistled sharply.
Tweeeeeeet-!
An ear-splittingly loud sound echoed through the forest.
It was a signal for his men to withdraw.
“I'll kill him with my own hands.”
Just as Yakim turned to return to the main camp.
Bang-!
That loud noise was heard again.
One of his subordinates must have been taken down by the man.
At the same time, his left ear throbbed with pain, and it felt like his head was about to explode.
Yakim's killing intent grew even denser.
“I'll turn this place into a sea of blood.”
***
“Vice-commander!”
Just as Berlo returned to the barracks.
One of his subordinates ran up to him.
“The prisoners have escaped!”
“What?”
Berlo's face contorted.
He finally understood their plan.
They had intended to rescue the prisoners after drawing attention elsewhere.
But there were guards around the barracks, so it was impossible for them not to have noticed the intruders.
Even if they were ambushed, they should have been discovered by someone else.
But the fact that there wasn't even an emergency signal meant…
Berlo frowned and asked, “How many were there?”
“Uh, that is… there were two of them. A pursuit team is currently chasing them.”
“How…”
Berlo stood there blankly, as if in shock.
Even though they were just guards, they were at least at the level of high-grade Sword Actors.
For them to have been killed without making a sound, the intruders must be Sword Experts specialized in assassination.
On top of that, there was someone skilled enough to face Yakim, a Sword Master.
“Hmm…”
The true strength of the veiled Phoenix Knights was beginning to be revealed.
‘Did I underestimate them too much?’
Just as Berlo's gaze deepened, Bagran and Hans of the Rose Knights approached with hardened faces.
“What's going on?”
Berlo looked at Bagran and answered, “The enemy infiltrated and took the prisoners.”
“What?”
Bagran wore an expression of disbelief.
Hans shook his head as if they were pathetic and said, “What were you lot doing? Don't tell me you were drinking in broad daylight?”
“What did you say?”
As Berlo's gaze turned murderous, Hans scowled.
“A mere mercenary dares to stand up to me?”
“What did you just say?”
As Berlo's presence grew fiercer, Bagran said coldly, “Lower your eyes.”
“And if I don't?”
Berlo growled, glaring fiercely.
Just as the knights behind Bagran placed their hands on their sword hilts.
“Should I kill them all?”
“……!”
Berlo quickly turned around.
Yakim was approaching, still covered in blood, relentlessly emitting killing intent.
Bagran and Hans's eyes widened at the sight of Yakim.
“H-how…?”
Yakim stood before the two and asked murderously, “Is there something on my face?”
“N-no, that's not it…”
Bagran's mind suddenly became complicated.
He had heard from Berlo that men from the House of Count Julius had infiltrated.
‘If that's the case, he was injured fighting them. But was there someone in the Phoenix Knights capable of fighting a Sword Master?’
If there was, it would only be Skevin…
‘Could it be? He…’
Bagran wanted to ask who had done it, but there was no need to provoke him and cause trouble.
His curiosity would be satisfied in time. For now, he decided to check the situation first.
“Are the enemies all dead?”
“I lost them.”
“……!”
Bagran's eyes went wide.
“I'm heading to the Grada territory right now to wipe them out. So you guys do whatever you want.”
Just as Yakim was about to turn away, Bagran said, “This is a territorial war. You should know it's not something you can decide on your own.”
“As you can see, this isn't the time to be concerned with such things.”
Yakim's killing intent grew even denser, and his breathing could be heard growing rough.
He looked like he was about to go berserk at any moment.
Bagran sensed that he couldn't be stopped.
“Do as you please. But I wonder if Count Yarve will forgive you.”
“……?”
“If we attack the House of Count Julius today, we'll be disobeying the Emperor's command. What will that do to Count Yarve's position? And think carefully about who he will hold responsible.”
Yakim stared intently at Bagran.
Count Yarve was a man who never made a losing deal.
If he were to be reprimanded by the Emperor, there was a high chance he would use it as a pretext to nullify his contract with Yakim.
Thinking about what that bastard did to him made him feel like he was going crazy, but he couldn't throw everything away.
He was in a situation where he had to endure his surging anger, no matter what.
He walked toward the barracks and said firmly, “We march as soon as the sun rises tomorrow.”
***
At that time.
Dark and Perry were running down the mountain path, supporting Porshe and Ramni.
After dealing with the guards and entering the barracks, they saw no one else, only Porshe and Ramni.
Both had one ear cut off and were unconscious.
They had carried them on their backs and fled.
Soon, the enemy's pursuit team was on their tail.
Even though Dark and Perry were each carrying a person on their back, the enemy couldn't easily catch up.
It was the result of their daily mountain runs.
However, as time passed, their stamina ran out, and they were caught and surrounded by the enemy.
“These guys are incredible.”
“Yeah, I've never seen guys run this fast on a mountain path while carrying someone.”
“Time to die.”
The men rushed at Dark and Perry, swinging their swords.
“Says who!”
Dark dodged their attacks and quickly hid behind a tree.
But Perry was caught by the enemy.
“Damn it!”
One of the men put a sword to Perry's neck and said, “If you don't come out by the count of three, this one dies.”
The man gave a sly smile and began to count.
“One, two…”
“Run!”
Just as Perry squeezed his eyes shut and shouted.
Bang-!
“This sound!”
Perry's eyes flew open.
The head of the man who had been pointing a sword at him was now shattered.
In the distance, he saw Arthur running toward them like an arrow.
His heart pounded as if it would burst, and he unconsciously shouted loudly.
“Captain!”
Arthur loaded a bead into the CheyTac and aimed the barrel at another man.
“Get lost.”