Chapter 132

I opened my eyes and turned my body backward at the same moment I sensed the presence of a ghastly scream.

“Kraaaaaah-!!!”

A dark figure, letting out a monstrous roar that evoked the image of a beast or a demon wearing a human mask, was darting towards us like lightning.

It was fast. But…

“…an ambush?”

The leisurely way my brother muttered “ambush” made his swing of the sword seem sluggish.

Swoosh-!!

The swift path of the sword tore through the shadows at a speed incomparable to when my sword had mixed with his.

His movements were so quick that they rivaled the swiftness of the sword wielded by Duke Carthas, leaving only the result and omitting the process.

Judging from the torn appearance, the entity, indistinguishable whether it was a shadow or a person, seemed doomed to die without even a scream.

“Aaah-!!”

However, despite the lack of a visible mouth, the shadow let out a scream before crashing to the ground, indicating that the entity did not perish.

The shadow, which should have been split into two pieces and scattered messily on the ground, had somehow coalesced back into one.

“Eeaaah-!!”

Though it clearly felt the pain of being cut by the sword, the shadow, whose mouth wasn’t visible, let out a familiar scream in a rather accustomed voice.

…How could it not die if I couldn’t even dodge it?

Though I was surprised by its tenacious vitality, there was no reason to spare the shadow that snuck up from behind and tried to ambush us.

“St… Stop!”

“Would you save someone who ambushed us from behind?!”

Ignoring the elder on the mountain’s desperate attempt to save the shadow, I thrust my sword directly toward the spot where the shadow lay.

Though it appeared as an irregularly shaped mass of shadow,

Swoosh-!!

The instant it was pierced by the sword, it became clear that this was a life made of flesh and blood.

“Guroorup…!!”

A sound like biting foam filled my ears.

It was curious why this amorphous shadow would scream and groan, even without showing a mouth.

“Eeeeh…!!”

The elder on the mountain, ignoring my words, vented his anger toward me by shouting.

Living by the rule that emotions shouldn’t show in one’s expression or actions, the role I held was completely at odds with an assassin’s typical behavior.

“…”

“…”

“…”

It was truly amusing how noticeable my presence was among several gathered eyes.

One had to experience it firsthand to understand how much of a commotion the crazy old man caused in Blood Haven, trying to make me his successor.

Even praying to God that I wouldn’t run into this rat-faced old man before closing my eyes at night showed just how much I didn’t want to see him.

It was regrettable that my prayers were answered only when I was forcibly dragged back to the Failord Count Family by Dominus.

But it was truly enjoyable to hear the crazy old man suppress his boiling emotions with a sigh upon seeing me again.

Feeling the joy was too good to just hear it, I subtly turned my head to observe the state of the thing.

Prominent veins on the forehead, eyes bloodshot as if ready to shed bloody tears.

Just as I was about to reflect on how this villainous face could become so ridiculous,

A strange sensation caught my attention at the tip of my hand, which I hadn’t used to observe the shadow.

It was like putting my arm into a hole and feeling something entangled inside?

Not a pleasant feeling, to say the least.

“Tsk!”

While keeping my head still and clicking my tongue, I hurried to retract my sword from behind.

“Damn! It hurts!”

After being stabbed, the shadow finally let out a proper human voice in the form of a coarse curse.

It was a very familiar voice. One identical to the few opponents I had faced directly with swords over the past months.

“What? Was it that mad Khalid?”

So I called out his name dryly. By adding the word “mad” before his name, I revealed my unfavorable feelings toward him.

Who would be happy hearing they’re called mad?

Even if everyone agreed he was mad.

“Kruh…!”

When someone hears themselves called mad, they usually frown.

With a large scar on his face, and a weathered appearance that made it impossible to guess his age.

Khalid’s appearance remained unchanged, but…

“…I’m not a mad person…”

As his unchanging appearance crumbled each time he spoke, his features constantly distorted.

“…”

My older brother frowned as if he had seen something unpleasant.

Duke Carthas sighed heavily, but…

“The sight of someone living with such a face is truly pitiful.”

The Weaponless’s sharp comment suggested that Khalid was no longer considered human.

That was all there was to it.

If it were someone with appropriate acquaintance, such a miserable transformation would evoke some sympathy, but in my case, seeing him only brought a sense of disgust.

Thinking back, our enmity began from the first time I saw him.

He was the reason Aruslin got injured.

Since fate brought us together again, I decided to settle this debt right here.

As I prepared for a confrontation with the enraged creature before me,

“Y-you!… Krrrup!… Even if you’re just a pile of flesh, how many times have you pierced my body with holes?!”

Khalid, speaking with disordered features, poured out raw fury, but…

“…Stop.”

Khalid’s chaotic actions halted abruptly as the elder’s calm voice echoed, like a clock stopping.

“…Come back.”

At the elder’s command, Khalid returned, his distorted features once more hidden in the shadows.

The grotesque scene, so horrific it could only be described as bizarre, finally came to an end.

Well, though it ended, this wasn’t a theater stage where one leaves after a standing ovation.

“…Even a crushed face looks better.”

Despite the Weaponless’s calm voice spouting heavy insults, the coldness didn’t leave the elder’s face.

“Successor, besides you, I’ll kill anyone else who witnessed this today.”

The main character, who played out the tragic scene, declared menacingly, excluding me, the proclaimed successor.

No matter how old or worn out he might be, the assassin league’s leader still exuded authority and fear.

Yet, there was one unfortunate fact.

“…”

We had a slayer, more valuable than any leader of the assassin league, right here.

“Huuu…”

As soon as the elder’s fierce declaration fell, I heard a calm breathing sound beside me.

Even in a chaotic place, the breathing technique of the Sword Mansion, which effortlessly gathers mana from nature, was performed.

This was the moment when the true essence of the Sword Mansion’s breathing technique, which I could never match, was displayed.

Compared to the breathing sounds I often heard from Aruslin during practice duels, this depth was truly remarkable.

“Father-in-law…”

“Yes.”

Even before my breath was fully complete, Duke Carthas spoke softly, and I responded instinctively.

“It seems we won’t be able to reach Dominus’s place without getting rid of this rat-like creature.”

“I agree.”

“Leave it to me.”

In this natural conversation, Duke Carthas suddenly declared that he would face the elder himself.

“Let’s go. To where Dominus is. Stop the madness and save your daughter…Aruslin.”

Even though he was clearly a superior figure, Duke Carthas spoke in a gentle tone, yet his order was firm.

From now on, I would be the only one fighting in this space,

And the others were ordered to stay out and proceed silently.

Although I wasn’t entirely comfortable with abandoning Duke Carthas to face Dominus alone,

“Master, we must listen to what he says and move forward.”

Weaponless, who had only mocked until now, spoke to me in a strong tone.

“We don’t have much time. It’s sad that I can’t help, but for now, we should follow what Duke Carthas says.”

Seeing my brother nodding in agreement,

“…I’ll finish quickly and come back.”

I subtly informed Duke Carthas that I would go ahead first.

“Huh, who speaks first? I’ll finish here and go over.”

Duke Carthas smiled lightly and gestured for me to go.

Tap-tap-tap-!!

I started my journey again by rushing forward, bypassing the point where my brother had blocked me.

“Even if I recognize you as my successor, do you think you can leave your post without my permission?!”

The elder on the mountain roared, but

“Where?”

Duke Carthas’s authoritative shout sliced through the air, dispelling the shadows that obscured my vision.

“As expected, the master of the Sword Mansion.”

“He must be one of the strongest humans. I want to fight him in his current form.”

Duke Carthas’s sword skills, though varied in intensity, received admiring glances from my brother and Weaponless, who followed behind.

“Three of you try to leave without my permission…!!!”

The elder, who had tried to restrain his rage, finally let it out, aiming harm at my brother and Weaponless,

“Hey, mouse. Stop playing with kids and find a worthy opponent. Oh, by your standards, I might be younger than you.”

Duke Carthas’s elegant voice spat out curses as his sword sliced through the air, thwarting their attempts.

Reflecting on it, Aruslin, though hardened on the battlefield, didn’t hesitate to use harsh words to crush her opponent’s spirit. Could this be inherited from her father?

Rage and mockery, the sound of tension and hostility,

Though no sound of tearing space could be heard, the palpable hostility filled the air.

Though unseen, the outcome of the battle behind me felt tangible.