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“Quickly, reform your ranks! We don’t know when the enemy might change their route towards here!”

Viscount Rodri continuously urged his knights.

Only the minimum number of archers had been left here.

Most of the forces were concentrated at the right exit.

In other words, they were focused on where the lord was.

‘In the worst-case scenario, we’ll have to fight the enemy with just these troops!’

As Viscount Rodri steeled his resolve internally,

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

“Hurry! Move quickly!”

A group came running towards them soon.

“Phew.”

Viscount Rodri sighed in relief at the sight.

The hundred knights who had stayed until the end of the battle.

It was none other than them.

“……Huh?”

However, even Viscount Rodri couldn’t help but look puzzled.

No matter how he looked, one important person was missing.

“Everyone, to your designated positions!”

“Yes, sir!”

Viscount Rodri quickly approached them as they took their positions.

“Why are you the only ones here? What about that child?”

“Well……”

Baron Tucker, who stepped forward as the representative, bit his lip.

“……He stayed behind alone.”

“What!? A-Alone? In that inferno?”

Viscount Rodri asked in shock.

“He told us to go ahead……”

“Tucker! Are you out of your mind!?”

Grab!

Viscount Rodri, forgetting the current situation, grabbed Baron Tucker by the collar.

“What do you mean you left that child behind? How could you!”

“W-We had no choice!”

“What?”

“The command was to never question his orders, no matter the situation. The honored guest’s words are the lord’s instructions. That was the count’s strict command, wasn’t it?”

“……!”

That was true.

Although their past sins had been disregarded, defiance was not permitted.

This was a battlefield.

A moment’s hesitation could mean the difference between life and death.

“Still, what could he do alone……”

Viscount Rodri murmured in a defeated tone.

Baron Tucker, watching him for a moment, spoke up.

“Viscount. No, brother.”

“Huh?”

“It’s not the right time for this, but…… anyone would think your lost child had returned.”

“……!”

Viscount Rodri flinched and turned to look at Baron Tucker.

“Honestly, to just call him a child…… hasn’t he already proven his abilities many times over?”

“Do you think I’m saying this because I lack faith?”

“Of course, I understand your concern, brother. Ah, could you let go of me first?”

“……Ah.”

Finally coming to his senses, Viscount Rodri slowly loosened his grip.

“There’s nothing more fickle than human feelings. Just a few days ago, he was someone we were eager to kill……”

“There’s a reason they say your thoughts change just after a trip to the lavatory. Moreover, that child has given us a favor greater than saving our lives. I can’t stand to see anything bad happen to him now.”

They weren’t just empty words.

If it weren’t for the count’s strict orders, he would have jumped into that inferno right away.

No, even if it meant disobeying those orders, he was determined to save him first.

“Right now…… yes, I feel like I could do anything for that child.”

These were Viscount Rodri’s genuine feelings.

“Ancelot……”

He looked at the raging flames with a worried expression.

“Perhaps you’ve grown attached because you don’t have children of your own. Why not adopt him officially as your son?”

“That would be more of a loss for him than for me.”

“Excuse me?”

“Haven’t you already seen it? The vice-captain of the White Lion Brigade lost a hand without even being able to swing his sword properly. Even the captain had his manifestation shattered. All that was against a child of that age.”

Having experienced it firsthand, he was sure.

It wasn’t just an imitation of manifestation.

“What on earth is that child’s identity?”

“I am very curious as well. But……”

For a moment, Viscount Rodri’s eyes shone.

“……Everyone has things they wish to keep secret. Since he wants to conceal his identity, it’s only polite to respect that.”

“But you were trying to investigate him secretly only the other day.”

“Silence.”

“Haha. You really have already taken him in as a foster son in your heart.”

Baron Tucker smiled faintly.

The trust that surfaced on his face had also grown stronger.

“Yes, I won’t be curious anymore, either. Because I trust him.”

“Good thinking.”

“But keeping it a secret won’t be easy.”

Viscount Rodri nodded.

This was something he acknowledged as well.

“Troubled times create heroes, and a hero’s journey makes the people cheer.”

If he survived.

If he managed to win this battle.

‘Rumors will spread whether we like it or not.’

In this country.

No, across the entire continent, the name “Ancelot” will be clearly imprinted.

A genius, perhaps never to appear again, will have emerged.

“Stay on your guard!”

Viscount Rodri, shaking off his thoughts, steeled himself.

“Prepare yourselves, we might have to jump into that inferno at any moment!”

“Yes, sir!”

***

There was only one reason I remained alone on the battlefield.

‘To maximize the enemy’s casualties.’

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

From the start, I hadn’t expected to annihilate them all.

However, even if I couldn’t completely wipe them out, I had to ensure I took down their leader.

That would be the true meaning of gaining the upper hand.

“……Focus on clearing a path from now on.”

“Yes, sir!”

A faint smile appeared on my lips.

As expected, they were quite well-trained.

The ones who had been glaring at me with murderous intent immediately started their tasks at the captain’s command.

“That’s how a man should be.”

“You arrogant brat. You’re just a reckless child.”

“There’s a fine line between recklessness and courageous.”

“Your arrogance will shorten your life.”

Hummm!

Soon, a resonance incomparable to before echoed.

Immediately, a strange light flickered in my eyes.

“Have you been hiding your true strength?”

“As you said, it’s common practice in this world to hide 30% of your true power.”

Then, Tripier’s mouth twisted into a grin.

“You thought that was my full strength, but I adhered to that principle.”

Shhh……

Perhaps he thought further conversation was unnecessary?

Once again, a thick mist descended on all sides.

Sizzle!

However, the mist turned into steam as soon as it appeared.

The flames imbued with oil still lingered everywhere.

“What will you do? This battlefield seems to be the worst possible for you in terms of affinity.”

Whoooosh!

The opponent didn’t fall for my taunt.

He just focused on his mana.

Hummm! Whoooosh!

“……!”

At some point, the hazy mist gathered into one place.

It enveloped the entire blade of his sword.

“I recently had an epiphany.”

“……”

“The mist is like an illusion. Since in the end, it is my sword that cuts down the enemy.”

Like a phantom.

In the hazy mist, his sword split into multiple blades.

From two to five.

From five to seven.

From seven to ten.

“……Wait.”

The moment I noticed that peculiar movement, I could no longer remain calm.

“Be careful. This is the first time I’m using this in actual combat.”

Even though his sword was completely enveloped in the mist,

Even though the white-robed swordsmanship was clouding my vision,

That movement was vividly etched in my mind more clearly than anything else.

The sword energy rippled through the mist.

Sometimes gently.

Sometimes violently.

And then, when those undulating movements finally reached their climax,

Whoosh!

Without hesitation, I thrust my sword into the invisible mist.

Clang!

The flow was instantly severed.

“What!?”

The shock immediately pierced my eardrums.

“H-How……?”

“Could it be that you’re an agent of the Empire too?”

“……!”

Tripier flinched noticeably.

With that reaction, I was sure.

“……Yeah. Just supporting a civil war wouldn’t be enough of a reward.”

That’s the nature of humans.

They are tempted more by the carrot dangled right in front of them than by uncertain rewards in the distant future.

A fierce growl escaped through my gritted teeth.

“If it’s the so-called ‘Imperial Swordsmanship’ known as the best on the continent, even the knights of an average kingdom would be trembling in fear. Isn’t that right?”

“……What on earth are you talking about?”

“I should be asking you. How do you know the techniques of the Swordsman of Waves?”

Step. Fwoosh!

With a step fueled by anger, the flames scattered in fear.

“Who did you get it from?”

Compared to the original, it was crude.

Much of its essence was missing.

If it had been Urha’s ‘Coastal Wave’ in his prime, it wouldn’t just have been undulating; it would have caused a tidal wave.

Just the phantom wave of his aura would have extinguished the surrounding flames.

“Enough of your nonsense!”

Crash! Crash! Crash!

The murderous intent constricting my whole body intensified several times over.

A twisted smile formed on my lips.

“So, you don’t plan on answering. Why, is it surprising that I recognize that swordsmanship?”

The hardened look on his face was answer enough.

“How long do you plan to be so arrogant!?”

Swoosh!

He charged at me without hesitation.

His intent to kill me and silence me was palpable.

Splash!

About five meters ahead.

His sword energy surged and rippled toward me.

‘As I thought, it’s pathetically crude.’

I dodged all his attacks with minimal movement.

Compared to Urha in his prime, the range, power, and movement were all trash.

Even comparing the two felt like an insult to Urha.

“Raaah!”

Suddenly, he was two meters away, which was well within striking distance.

As the enemy, shouting his battle cry, aimed to split my head in one decisive strike,

Swish!

I moved my shoulder lightly.

Slash!

At the same time, a surreal sound of flesh being torn quietly echoed around us.

Thud.

A beat later, the hand holding the sword fell to the ground.

“Do you think I’m an idiot? To be defeated by swordsmanship I know, and one that’s missing its essence?”

The swordsmanship was all too familiar to me.

Its original master was Urha, known as the Swordsman of the Waves.

And he was one of my five closest subordinates.