Chapter 221 (1/2)

Chapter 221 – All-out War (5)

The empire’s Seven Swords were the only sword masters who would emerge at this stage.

The swords which represented the empire, Andras’ Seven Swords… Hyde and Lloyd had died, so two seats were empty. However, considering the size of the empire, they could easily fill those seats. Additionally, there were five sword masters remaining, so it wouldn’t be difficult for them to infiltrate the troops.

Theodore was taut with tension as he thought about it. ‘Let’s say the person is one of the empire’s Seven Swords. Then… which one is he?’

It might seem like a trivial question, but it was the most serious problem. According to magicians, the Seven Swords possessed a power equivalent to their number. The 7th Sword Lloyd and the 6th Sword Hyde were considered the weakest among them if there were no errors in the order.

Theodore decided to start a process of elimination.

‘It isn’t the 4th place.’

Pan Helliones was so impressive that Theodore couldn’t forget it. However, even compared to Pan Helliones, the 1st and 2nd Swords were much greater. In that case, this sword master could be everyone except for number 4, 6, and 7.

Theodore recalled Veronica’s words about them, –Ah, Kid. It doesn’t matter if it is No. 1 or No.2. The two of them might be the strongest in Andras, but they shouldn’t affect you.

Theodore had questioned her, ‘Why?’

–Both of them don’t move outside Belfort, the capital of Andras. Even in the last war, they never crossed the borders unless the emperor ordered them.

‘If it happened in the past, they could act now…’

–No way. Well, if it does happen, you will be in big trouble. You won’t be able to survive an encounter with them.

Veronica’s advice was ruthless and decisive.

‘It was cold, but she makes a lot of sense.’

He would definitely die against an opponent who was on her or Blundell’s level. Theodore had only just awakened his Sorcery, so he wasn’t on a level to face them. They were monsters when it came to fighting. As such, the peak swordsmen of Andras were too powerful for the present Theodore to face.

Then this meant the only ones remaining were No. 3 and No. 5.

Either way, Theodore’s artificially raised senses could catch even a grain of dust. He would attack if the sword master took one step further. A strong power rattled around the body of the determined Theodore.

As his string of tension was pulled tightly, the unidentified sword master made an unexpected action.

‘Huh?’

The sword master placed his hands at the swords hanging from his waist.

Ching!

Then he didn’t hesitate to release the swords. The two swords fell to the ground, producing a heavy metal sound. His intent was unknown, but he had disarmed himself.

Even if he was a sword master, picking up dropped swords involved unnecessary movements. A magician with exceptional mobility like Theodore would be able to attack the sword master a few times before the swords would be picked up.

Theodore’s expression became one of dumbfoundedness. ‘Is this a trick?’

His opponent’s strange actions didn’t end here. The knight in black armor raised a hand to the faceguard wrapped around his face. Theodore didn’t feel any hostility, so he watched while maintaining a certain distance.

Snap.

Finally, the faceguard was peeled away.

“Ah!” Theodore let out a cry of amazement when he saw the face of the sword master. The sword master had a patchy beard but his face was familiar.

“Randolph?”

“It has been a while, Young Master.” Randolph shrugged with a familiar smile. “There are many things I want to share, but I can’t afford to. Still, there is some time to explain. How about it?”

“…Please be as detailed as possible.” Theodore didn’t doubt Randolph and lessened his magic power. His extremely sensitive senses were telling him that Randolph was innocent. They had traveled together for a long time, so he could tell when Randolph was lying.

“Okay, where should I start…?” Randolph sat down at a nearby tree and frowned while picking up his words. Then he sighed and started talking, “I will start from when I separated from you in the wilderness.”

Shortly after separating from Theodore in the Sipoto wilderness, Randolph had crossed Andras’ border. The level of the empire’s guards wasn’t low, but mere soldiers couldn’t detect a sword master’s stealth.

As such, he had successfully passed into Andras and arrived at the capital, Belfort, where he had encountered an obstacle—the empire’s 4th Sword, Pan Helliones.

“I was supposed to secretly sneak my sister out… but he is extremely sensitive. As his disciple, she was always near him, and it seemed impossible to bring her out without a fight.”

Randolph had been forced to choose. Should he cause friction and try to pull his sister out, or wait for a chance to appear in the long-term? He had secretly hidden on the roof of the knights’ area and found a reason to make his decision.

“I saw the empire’s 2nd Sword, Zest Speitem.” Randolph’s voice trembled involuntarily. He had only seen Zest from a distance. However, before Randolph had even been able to blink, Zest’s sword had already arrived at his throat.

If Rebecca hadn’t been there to prove his identity, Randolph would’ve died right there. There was a huge difference between their skills. They were in a metropolitan area, but he would’ve died no matter what he did.

“So, I decided to wait. I became Andras’ knight and waited for an opportunity to escape with Rebecca. That was the only option I could make in that situation.”

“…You have gone through a lot of trouble.”

“Well, I didn’t know that chance would come so soon!”

Hearing the depressed voice suddenly become cheerful, Theodore was confused. “Huh? Opportunity?”

“I met Young Master again! I wanted to, but I really didn’t know we could meet,” Randolph said. Then before Theodore could reply, Randolph continued speaking, “Listen to me, I’m not the only one sent here from Andras. I am accompanied by Pan Helliones, who is trying to test my loyalty, and Rebecca is accompanying him.”

“Are you serious? Is it because she is his disciple?”

“I guess so. I can’t do this alone. But the story is different if both of us work together.”

The command from the Andras Empire was simple: intervene in the Soldun civil war to prevent Meltor from taking advantage, and don’t allow them to take any further action. Randolph’s persistently passive attitude was also due to this order.

However, what if there was a variable which could force Pan Helliones to move? A crusader and Randolph should be sufficient, but what if the situation turned disadvantageous?

‘Pan will have to get off that heavy butt of his.’

The emperor’s orders were the highest priority, so Pan Helliones would place intervening in Soldun’s civil war above watching Rebecca. Meanwhile, Randolph could use that chance to free his sister from the empire.

Theodore looked at the premise of the operation and nodded. “It is possible. Do you have any means of communication?”

“No, that…”

“Take it.” Theodore threw over to Randolph an earring which was attached with communication magic. “You can just hold it in your palm without wearing it.”

“Oh, is that so? I will use it well.”

“Let’s talk longer next time.”