197
Set ‘The Master Sword’s Sword? … You’re joking.’
Pulpouts shook his head slightly.
I was surprised and screamed at the appearance of the biggest of the big guys, the master of the sword, but I just thought it was Aaron’s ignorant joke.
“Would you like to take a look? The color is nice.”
At that moment, Aaron confidently drew his sword and held it out.
‘···Usually when you show a sword, don’t you stick out the handle?’
Pulpouts blinked for a moment as he looked at the sword aimed at him.
‘Yeah, because it’s Aaron.’
Pulpouts thought so and examined the sword. It was such a wonderful sword that he even joked that it was the sword’s owner······.
As he muttered like that, cold sweat began to flow down Fullfoot’s back.
Although he didn’t have an eye for power, he was a very useful person when it came to seeing things.
It was a skill that he acquired at a young age by spending a lot of money, as it was one of the basic qualities of a nobleman.
That expensive feeling was screaming in horror.
The royal seal that was firmly embedded in the sword shone extremely ominously. Of course, the royal knight’s sword also had the royal seal, but this felt completely different.
Even the sword of Marshal Balhar Khan did not show this kind of light. Even when still, it glowed softly, and its delicacy was clearly that of a craftsman.
It is said to be the sword of a person of higher rank than the enemy······.
‘···That’s not a joke?’
Fullfoot quickly looked at Aaron. His face was expressionless.
When I thought about it, Aaron had no reason to lie to me.
Why does Aaron have the sword’s owner?
Pulpouts didn’t think Aaron was a greedy person. If he had been greedy in the first place, he would have accepted Pulpouts’ offer a long time ago.
The gaze that looked at my sword was not that of someone blinded by wealth.
‘···Your face looks a little angry.’
The expression on his face was visible through the scars.
Fullfoot guessed what the story was.
However, there was a bigger problem than anything else.
‘It shouldn’t have been there a few days ago, but you acquired that sword in the meantime… Did the sword’s owner come to Cassidy’s area?’
I shook my head vigorously, but that was the only way. No matter how much of a sword master I was, I could not possibly hand over the sword I had received from the Emperor to someone else.
‘No, I can’t be sure of that.’
No matter how much he racked his brain, he couldn’t come up with an answer. Then Pulpouts looked at Aaron and opened his mouth.
“···Does it fit well in your hand? I heard that when inspectors hold a sword, they say it feels like it’s burning. Does it fit well in your hand?”
“Yes, it rides well.”
Judging from the simple way he answered, it seemed like he had no intention of telling the whole story.
Knock knock. Pullputs tapped the table and thought of the next question. He chiseled him down and made him as round as possible. He controlled his expression and made it light.
“The sword’s owner must be upset to have lost such a good sword.”
“The empire has a lot of money, so why don’t they buy new ones?”
It seemed that the sword’s master was not dead. It was not known why he had the sword of the sword’s master, but it seemed true that Aaron had encountered the sword’s master around Cassidyk.
Thinking of him made my heart even more anxious. The sword master held a greater weight than simply sending away an enemy.
‘···What is important is that the master of the sword has stepped down.’
Fullfoot defines Aaron as ‘the ability to survive even after meeting the master of the sword and stealing it from him.’
‘Then isn’t it the strongest in the East?’
In the first place, who is the most powerful person in the East?
In fact, Fullputs knew the level of the Eastern knights well, having even held a knight tournament.
Most of them were defeated by Adela.
Of course, that was also thanks to Aaron’s hand…
The most powerful of them all, the knight of the House of Fener, Bendo Bolt, left the castle and disappeared.
Aaron was the undisputed powerhouse of the East.
Just thinking about him made Pulpouts’ throat feel parched.
Dalgrak-.
I raised my head at the sudden noise and saw Aaron shoving his sword into its loose scabbard.
It was obvious that the scabbard was not the right size.
Judging by his eyes, it was similar in size to the sword that had been passed down through the generations. Pulpouts then stood up and took out the sword hanging behind him.
It was one of the few items that my family had passed down to me, but it was something I wasn’t going to use anyway. If it had been originally intended, it would have been given to Vivian, but…
‘I hope that kid doesn’t need it.’
Pulpouts took off the scabbard, cover, and leather strap. It was in good condition because it had been diligently maintained. Pulpouts handed it over to Aaron.
It was something he would have refused once, but Aaron quickly accepted it.
Pulpouts stared at the sword that came out of its scabbard.
It wasn’t in bad condition because I occasionally cleaned and oiled it to calm my mind.
Yes, it was a sword that had already been drawn.
Pulpouts tucked his sword into his belt. He felt the cool sharpness through his clothes, and he straightened up. It was a good effect.
“It’s a striking sword, so you’d better be careful.”
Fullfoot gave Aaron simple advice: You’ll do well, but everyone makes mistakes.
“Yes, I intend to keep it carefully until you return it.”
Aaron answered like that and the corners of his mouth twitched.
Looking closely, it was a smile.
It was a cool smile rather than a frown.
‘Even if you are the master of the sword···.’
Fullfoot offered a small condolences to the sword’s master.
In silence, I reviewed the plan again.
Fullfoot didn’t think the plan would fail.
The nobles were a people who accepted without question what their subordinates offered as if it were a given.
The problem, however, was the funds to maintain him.
‘The size of the top needs to be increased from the current level. At least half of the top of the Gyarrot needs to be maintained.’
It was a conclusion reached after calculations with Nova.
Considering all the variables, I had to eat half of the top 100 calorie intake to maintain my plan.
‘Aaron could do it easily.’
Even though Aaron went up, he actually increased the number of goods and manpower.
I heard that although they are superior in appearance, each and every one of their troops is superior to the regular army.
Pulpouts was trying to sort out what to say to Aaron. He needed more numbers at the top and he needed to push out the top of the Garrot and take over. – Just as he was about to say that.
Knock knock.
Someone knocked on the door.
Fullfoot’s forehead wrinkled at once.
These days, whenever I hear a knock on the door, my heart starts beating fast and I start to sweat.
“Come in.”
The one who came in was Nova. Nova, who had not been feeling well lately, was smiling brightly. His eyes were fixed on Aaron, not Pulpouts.
“Additional personnel have arrived from Karzan. They are volunteers to be Aaron’s subordinates, and there are over thirty of them. They also say that they found the bodies of fifty members of the Gyarot troop on their way. Half of their supplies are usable…”
Pulpouts’ eyes widened as if they were going to tear at Nova’s report that followed.
The necessary reinforcements and the handling of the upper ranks of the Gyarot were carried out at the same time. The situation was over before he could even say anything.
Once again, an incomprehensible stroke of luck has come my way.
‘No, this isn’t luck. When on earth······.’
Fullfoot hurriedly turned his gaze to Aaron.
It was impossible to see inside because of the scar.
I had been guessing that Aaron had taken care of the recent events in the Kirton Mountains.
But when did the sword, which clearly belonged to the master of the sword, and the annihilation of the upper ranks of the Gyarot occur?
No matter how much I calculated, I couldn’t come up with an answer.
‘Could this be a rebellion···?’
Aaron yawned deeply, causing Pulpouts’ eyes to flutter.
Fullfoot vowed to raise Aaron’s salary as much as possible.
***
“When did you plan something like this?”
Nova tapped my shoulder. I scratched my beard.
“I know.”
I was most curious. Why did Dante, who was stuck in Karzan, suddenly come to Cassadic?
Also, I had no idea why the upper ranks of the Garrot were annihilated and how Dante managed to get the spoils.
Even though the upper ranks of the Garot were pushed by foreign workers, it was because the foreign workers were too strong, not because they were easy.
There may have been foreign workers on Dante’s side as well, but he didn’t have the power to wipe out the fifty-strong Gyarrot merchants on the way.
“It’s lemon after all.”
Perhaps because he had heard the story about money, Nova’s face became very lively.
As I clicked my tongue and stepped out of the room, I saw some familiar faces.
The overall appearance was shabby, but it was in accordance with the average hygiene standards of the Middle Ages. There was no sign of battle anywhere.
The carriages that were visible behind them, with only the lower parts remaining, were clearly those of the upper part of the Gyarrot.
However, the cut height was constant as if it had been drawn with a ruler.
‘This is the work of the master of the sword.’
The carriage was cut to a uniform width. It was an action that the criminal could not have done. It was clearly the work of the sword master.
‘Why is the master of the sword the top of the Gyarot···?’
Did he do it for you because he felt sorry for you while running away? Or did he get into an argument on the way back?
At that moment, a skinny guy jumped out from among them. The terrified guys followed him and ran out. They were familiar faces.
“I was called and came with only the bare minimum of troops.”
Dante, who was prostrating himself before me, spoke respectfully. The other chieftains followed him and bowed their heads.
“···calling?”
I scratched my beard and asked myself, When did I ever call him?
“Yes! The oracle you gave us through flames! We received it exactly!”
I was able to understand the situation through Dante’s subsequent words.
‘···It’s Kanna’s magic.’
Kanna’s large fire magic was certainly large enough to be seen all the way to Karzan.
A huge flame that resembled me moved, and it seemed to Dante that I had called it.
‘···But what is a trust?’
I frowned at his subtle choice of words.
They were medieval guys who would trip over anything. I even heard a story that if it didn’t rain, they would burn the ugliest person in the village.
To those uncivilized people, Kanna’s great magic must have seemed like that of a god.
“That’s good. I told you that we were short on personnel at the top. Since you’re just over thirty, I think you can fill in the gaps.”
At that moment, Nova nodded while counting their numbers. Her voice was dry, like counting animals. The bastards shivered slightly at that.
“There are thirty-six in total. Feel free to use them as you wish.”
Dante nodded to Nova and reported.
“Twenty-eight should be enough. Doesn’t Karzan need some management too?”
“Thanks to Aaron’s light warriors, we have complete control. But it would be more stable if we sent eight or so.”
‘···Light warrior?’
It seemed like foreign workers had a cool nickname.
“Will there be any problems on the way to Karzan? I need to send some supplies to Karzan as well.”
“The East is quite dangerous these days, so you might encounter bandits. However, there are only about five bandits at most, so if you have eight and one berserker, you shouldn’t have any trouble.”
“What they mean by ‘light warriors’ is….”
“The top guys.”
“Oh, then I guess I can use the two figures at the top and the six.”
“I will accept it.”
Dante answered Nova politely.
It was almost like treating a boss.
“The places I have to go are… Byzant Castle, Carzan, Silvern, Billiant, and Razvanne. Is there anyone who is familiar with the geography?”
“Yes, they each have their own routes, so if you send them one by one, they’ll be able to guide you sufficiently. This guy used to sell liquor, so he’s quite familiar with the geography.”
Eventually, they started gossiping amongst themselves. Dante seemed to be completely on Nova’s side.
“You arrived safely.”
At that moment, a thick voice was heard from behind.
I turned my head and there was Choco.
Choco, who was weak to the cold because he was from the desert, had a cold and was lying down for several days. However, strangely, he was more lively than before.
“For someone that big to catch a cold… Tsk.”
Choco waved his hand lightly at my groan. His eyes were clearer than before. It seemed like he had more energy now that he had something to do.
Lately, Choco seems to be more focused on the top than the guards. I even left him in charge of it.
“Did you clean the top of the gyorot? It was the most delicious part···.”
Choco felt deeply regretful when he saw the carriage cut in half.
“Then you should have eaten in advance. If you’re late, don’t you know that other people are eating?”
“That’s right.”
Choco giggled. It was a joke he often told.
People tend to go crazy when they don’t have something to enjoy. However, there wasn’t much to enjoy in the war that was unfolding in the desert.
“Aren’t the other guys coming anymore? They say there’s a shortage of people.”
I recalled Nova’s words and asked the bastard.
“The rest seem to have gone under the command of Duke Descartes. He has been coveting our territory for some time.”
“Tsk, those stupid desert guys got screwed by the evil duke of the empire.”
The desert people were rather rough and honest, so they were easily deceived. It was probably because of them that they were deceived.
Choco looked at me intently.
“what.”
“Ahem, no.”
Choco turned his head and coughed. Brock Lesnar and the rest were moving busily behind him, moving their luggage.
They didn’t break things like before, and they were quite used to it. They were laughing while working.
I stared at them with frowning eyes.
“I have lived my whole life under the highest star, so I feel at ease when I am under the highest star.”
Choco said with a voice mixed with laughter. The eyes of the guy looking at me were clear. Like the sky I saw in the desert.
“Stupid beggar. Uncivilized.”
I answered with a thick spit.
“What can I do? I’ve lived like that my whole life.”
Choco lightly tapped my sword. It was the sword I had given him, but it was much more worn than before.
“How long have I lived?”
I laughed bitterly.
“I’m thinking of taking over the guards. As the upper ranks grow, it’s hard to run both at the same time.”
I shook my head at Choco’s words that followed.
“You don’t have to report that.”
“I have to report. Aren’t I your slave?”
I clicked my tongue at the bastard’s sly smile.
Although it was stained by time, that smile was still that of a desert bastard.
***
“Can I have this?”
Knight Adolf accepted the cloth that Delphine offered and stuffed it into the seam between his armor. The empty part became plump.
When he knocked on it, there was a thud. Adolf felt a little relieved at that.
‘I guess this will do.’
Aaron’s strength was so strong that even though he was wearing thick armor, the impact was so strong that the knights had come up with their own defense measures for him.
“Tsk… It’s because knights are afraid of pain.”
Adela spoke haughtily. Adolf turned his head away and tried hard not to notice the cloth poking out from under Adela’s armor.
The three of them have become close since the last dismemberment incident. And Adela recently stepped in and raised their wages.
I could laugh it off to this extent. And even though Adela was ticking like that, I knew that she actually cared for them.
Of course, it was an action motivated by interest or fame, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a courageous action.
“···I’m nervous because it’s been a while since I trained. And how did you know, my lord?”
Delfran said, tapping my helmet. I wondered if it was necessary to add ‘-gu’ at the end of the sentence, but I held back because Delfran seemed excited.
“The intelligence agency guys must have said that.”
Adolf answered, stretching out his body. They were the sinister ones who never left the office.
“There’s no need to be nervous. We’ve been working hard so far, so we won’t suffer like before.”
Adela pulled out her sword and placed it in front of her. I couldn’t understand why she suddenly stuck her sword into the ground.
However, Delphran’s eyes looking at him were filled with admiration.
“That’s right. We are now adept at strategic collaboration.”
Adolf said, releasing his hand. Since Aaron hadn’t been seen for a while since the last training, they gathered together and trained separately.
Now, even if the three of them engage in strategic cooperation, their hands will not be tangled and the flow will not be interrupted.
No matter how much Deokgu… no, even Aaron would not be able to get over this.
At that moment, a giant yawn came from afar. When he saw him, Adolf unconsciously adjusted his posture.
“···Everyone, attention!!”
Adela, who had hurriedly put her sword away, shouted. Delphrin and Adolf followed suit and stood at attention.
“Salute to the instructor!”
Okay! The three of them put their hands on their foreheads. It was a greeting that Aaron had personally carved for them.
At first glance, it looked similar to the prayer of a church, but the direction was strangely strange.
“You, I can see your palm.”
“···What? What!”
Delfran was startled and moved her hand. But it was in the opposite direction. As Aaron’s brow furrowed, Adela looked at Delfran and pointed her hand.
It was a truly generous and meaningful action for Aaron, who became rough as soon as he started training.
but···.
‘······You’re wrong too.’
Adolf shut his eyes tightly at the increasingly strange salute.
“Fall down.”
So before we started, I had to roll around on the floor to warm up my body. When I woke up covered in mud, the hot heat was rising.
“Go at the same time.”
Aaron drew his sword and aimed it at them. Unlike before, it was a shabby sword.
The knights quickly exchanged glances and took their positions. It was a strategic maneuver.
Adolf, who was in charge of the right side, had gleaming eyes. This time, I will definitely hit you at least once!
Adela, who was in charge of the center, stepped forward first, followed by Adolf and Delfran.
All three were filled with aura. The swords were spinning rapidly. It was a series of uninterrupted attacks.
They didn’t hesitate an inch. They already knew through training how strong Aaron was.
‘But this time it’ll be different! You have no idea what kind of training we had!’
Adolf’s sword followed like a shadow of Adela’s sword. Delphran gently took over the side, blocking any escape route.
It was a perfect net from which there was no escape. But Adolf did not let his guard down.
Aaron’s strength was that he was physically stronger than the knights who had auras, even though he had not caused them. Of course, he was also skilled in swordsmanship, but his immense strength and agility were more threatening.
In particular, the mysterious move of flowing a sword imbued with aura was difficult to counter.
The trick the knights used was to suppress that power.
If he were to shed Adela’s sword, Adolf’s sword would crush him and crush him. Even Aaron can’t shed two swords at the same time.
If you happen to dodge to the side, Delphran’s sword will be waiting for you.
It was a method devised by three smart knights who even had a training camp together. It can be destroyed-.
“It’s gotten a lot better.”
My heart sank at the humorous evaluation.
The sword in Aaron’s hand flowed smoothly. It literally flowed.
The word ‘flowing’ really didn’t suit the sword, but that was the only way to express it now.
Aaron’s sword flowed like a river.
Adela’s sword was instantly taken away. Adolf’s sword was hastily drawn towards the tip, but when he came to his senses, he was already moving after being taken away.
‘···What is this?’
Adolf stared blankly down at his empty hands. Adela and Delphine’s reactions were similar.
Of course, Aaron’s swordsmanship was already excellent. He was even able to shed aura-filled swords.
However, the difference was not so overwhelming as to be this big.
The feeling itself changed. Before, just meeting him made my body tremble with the thrill of life, but now it was just bland and dry.
Where are you aiming for···.
No, I couldn’t even see what the intention was.
“Pick it up quickly.”
Adolf hurriedly picked up his sword at Aaron’s irritated voice.
“······Ack! Ack! Ack! Ack!”
Because I knew that if I picked it up last, I’d get hit.
“again.”
Aaron spat out the words dryly and picked up his sword.
It felt like I had reached a wall that I couldn’t climb.
I wanted to put my sword to him, but-.
“evil!!”
“”evil!””
Adela grabbed his shoulder and gave him a shout. The two of them followed suit, their eyes focused on him.
Anyway, I’m pretty used to it now.
It wasn’t like I was alone either.
“Adela, you put too much strength into your legs when you swing your sword. And your wrists are bent too much. Your aura distribution is also sloppy.”
Aaron’s advice was more detailed and clear than before. It was helpful before, but it was somewhat crude and ignorant, making it difficult to understand. But now, the point was so accurate that it hit home.
As soon as I corrected my posture according to those words, I could feel that things were getting better.
Because I found it so entertaining, I couldn’t help but keep getting up.
“again.”
“”evil!””
This time, Adela could not get up, so Adolf and Delfran supported him.
***
Knock knock! Knock knock!
In the cool breeze, Baron Fener of Bolt Castle coughed repeatedly.
“···You devilish Fullfoot bastard. Go to hell. I curse you.”
Baron Fener muttered a curse that had become a habit, wiping the spittle from the corner of his mouth.
Since the last incident, Fener has been going through a very difficult time.
The guy Fullfoot said it was his dead son’s fault,
How could a man who is not even a knight kidnap a woman who is so monstrous that she could throw rocks and break the roof of a castle?
However, even though it was unfair, I had nothing to say in this defeated situation.
Fener had to pay for the war with gold and silver.
Because of that, the roof couldn’t be properly repaired. No, the castle couldn’t be repaired in the first place.
It was cold even though I was inside the castle. The cool wind that blew again brought tears to my eyes.
How can it be that I feel like I’m outside when I’m inside?
‘What the hell! Who the hell kidnapped who?!’
The image of Young-ae smiling brightly and throwing rocks to break the ceiling was still vivid in his mind. Fener would wake up with a start from a nightmare of Young-ae and that monstrous man throwing rocks at him even while sleeping.
It was so unfair and so unfair. When it rained, water leaked from the ceiling that Young-ae had drilled. Every time it rained, the unfairness grew. It was so unfair.
“Father, are you okay?”
At that moment, Fener’s proud third son, Garmion, asked in a worried voice.
Garmion returned after successfully passing the knighthood exam that everyone else had failed. It was somewhat regrettable that he had failed to become an imperial knight, but just becoming a knight was a joyous event that was worth celebrating.
However, we couldn’t hold the festival because we didn’t have money.
‘That damn full-footed bastard!!’
Fener ground his teeth. He couldn’t tell how many times a day he called out Pulpouts’ name.
‘···But that too will happen soon.’
The maximum number of knights a baron could command was four. However, since the third son of the Fener family became a knight, he could increase the number of knights in other categories.
It was a trick mainly used by noble knight families. Through this, they could regain the advantage they had lost…
‘Leaving room… you stupid fool.’
Although the gold he paid to Pulpouts was large, it was still far less than what other nobles demanded when they lost a territory war.
And if it was Fener, he would have imposed further sanctions so that the opponent could not think of anything else.
The bastard only took the gold and did nothing else. That was why Fener could think of something else.
At that moment, a vassal came running out of breath. The fat vassal’s flesh trembled.
“Outside···! Outside···!”
“What are you talking about? Can’t you speak clearly?”
The guy who usually only made annoying noises couldn’t even report properly anymore. Fener vowed to cut out that useless vassal’s tongue.
With all that fat on him, it was obvious that he had a lot of it to hide behind. He had never gotten caught before because he was so dense, but otherwise, his fatness would have been out of place.
Of course, he made excuses saying that he gained weight even if he just sat still, but that couldn’t be true.
“Baron Fullfuts …
The servant who had been speaking casually noticed Fener’s expression and hurriedly changed his words.
“···What are you sending?”
At that name, Fener jumped up. The folded flesh stretched out.
‘It’s come to this! You were planning to let me down my guard and then impose sanctions! You wicked bastard!’
It was clear that he was finally going to use the numbers. Fener, who had not slept for several days due to the strange flames that had occurred the other day, ground his teeth.
“I think it will be the same as before···.”
Fener, who had been shouting, trailed off as he recalled the strange man in his memory. His body shook as if it was shaking, and he broke out in a cold sweat.
“That’s…! Huh…. It’s not a soldier…! It’s gold and goods!”
“···goldfinch?”
The vassal kept talking slowly, trying to catch his breath, and his anger reached its peak. Fener decided to hang the bastard at the gate.
If one of them were to be hanged for embezzling everything, the public sentiment that had been so resentful would certainly be quelled.
“Baron Fullfuts, the older past, forgets the past, to continue the brilliant future as an alliance!”
···Stupid full-foot!
Fener didn’t listen to the end and just got up.
“Write it right now! I’ll personally write that it’s a very close relationship! No, write that it’s a blood relationship! So that he’ll like it! How foolish of you to believe a personal letter!”
Fener laughed out loud at the stupid number of the stupid Fullfoots.
How long has it been since we last laughed!
“그래도 갑자기 풀푸츠 남작··· 아니, 개새끼가 그런 행보를 취한 게 다소 이상합니다. 조금 생각해보시는 것이······.”
At that moment, the guy who had left started talking nonsense again.
Fener, who was in a good mood at the time, furrowed his eyebrows as he looked at his vassal who couldn’t read the mood.
“Hang that guy at the gate right now!”
Fener shouted, pointing at the vassal.
The next day the corrupt vassal was hung at the city gate.
The townspeople rejoiced at the death of the villain.
***
‘The master of the sword is defeated···.’
The crows’ master, Bakant, clicked his tongue.
All I did was attach some little crows to the guy.
The crows were placed far away just to check the location, as the guy was very sharp.
But I got an unexpected harvest.
‘No, this is not a harvest······.’
It was such a huge fish that if you touched it wrong, its stomach could burst.
The master of the sword was caught by a crow, running away in a ghastly manner with his arm torn off. The famous sword, which was said to have been carved from dragon bones and was given to him by the emperor himself, was nowhere to be seen.
It was so hideous that I couldn’t recognize it even though I clearly knew its face.
The master of the sword was defeated.
He was the master of the sword who had never been defeated even once.
The sword’s owner was a symbol of the empire’s overwhelming power.
The master of such a sword was defeated and fled.
Although they could not determine who their opponent was, this was clearly a spark that would shake the empire.
The situation has been chaotic recently. If even the rumor of the sword master’s defeat spreads at a time like this-.
‘···I don’t even know how to pay for this.’
He was the king of the crows, so thorough in counting that it was worrisome.
‘I wonder how far this spark will burn-.’
Caw- caw- caw-.
The corners of Bakant’s mouth went up at the cries of the crows.
Under Bakant’s sharp, hunched hands, the black water began to sway and draw what the crow had seen.
