“M-my God.”
“What was that......?”
The mercenaries stared at the female swordswoman with their mouths agape.
What in the world had just happened? Even after witnessing the situation with their own eyes, they could not understand it.
Dozens of Scavenger Wolves had been swept away by a single slash.
The wolf pack that had charged so fiercely lost its balance and came tumbling down. Blood flowing from the limp corpses soaked the parched wasteland until it became muddy.
“......”
It had been a truly tremendous strike.
Having witnessed such overwhelming martial power, the mercenaries could not hide their astonishment.
SWISH—!
The person who had displayed such prowess simply flicked the blood from her sword and returned to the carriage as if nothing had happened. The man who appeared to be her companion greeted her with an impassive expression.
Seeing the two of them remain so utterly calm, the mercenaries could only stare blankly once again.
‘Th-this is insane......’
Of course, the bald merchant company master was just as confused.
‘......What in the world did I just see?’
He had known from early on that the mysterious man was an extraordinary expert.
After all, he had clearly witnessed the man kill Human Butcher Barba in the Underworld Arena with a single stroke.
But he had never imagined that even the attendant who had been following at his heels would be so strong.
‘And that woman definitely used turquoise Aura.’
The mysterious energy Adelia had emitted was still vivid in the merchant company master’s mind.
Turquoise Aura.
It was undeniably a power permitted only to the chosen few among the members of Sacred Families.
“......”
The existence of Sacred Families was not widely known to people.
Even the rumors that occasionally spread were dismissed as absurd falsehoods.
‘But......’
The merchant company master knew well.
That the Sacred Families, treated as nothing more than a conspiracy theory, truly existed.
Having spent many long years as a merchant, he had overheard at least some information about the Sacred Families.
“......”
A secret society hidden behind a veil.
The vested interests who worked in secret at the very top of the power structure.
A shadowy force that held every political current in the Holy City of Middle Temple. in its grip, and so on.
Every description attached to the Sacred Families was equally grim and imposing.
‘If I consider the main traits that are at least known about them......’
Glance—.
The merchant company master stole a sidelong look at Adelia.
Overwhelming martial power. And the mysterious Aura that shone turquoise.
That was right.
These were all defining characteristics of the Sacred Families.
‘......There’s no doubt. That woman is connected to the Sacred Families.’
Gulp—.
The merchant company master swallowed dryly.
A cold bead of sweat ran down his back.
‘But......’
Without saying a word, the merchant company master looked at the man seated opposite him.
‘......Someone believed to be a member of the Sacred Families is showing that man an endlessly humble attitude?’
Just who was that man?
He had known from their first meeting that the man was not ordinary.
But suddenly, the man seemed far more extraordinary than he had first thought.
“......”
Well, whatever else, one fact was certain.
─Here, this is an advance payment of five hundred thousand Shillings. If we arrive safely at our destination, I will pay you another five hundred thousand.
One million Shillings.
It was the amount he had offered in exchange for escorting the merchant company.
‘At the time, I thought it was enough......’
The merchant company master’s complexion turned pale.
‘......Ten times, no. Even a hundred times that amount would not have been enough.’
How laughable must he have seemed from that man’s perspective?
***
‘Everyone is completely out of it.’
Even though the situation had ended some time ago, every mercenary still wore a blank expression.
Well, it was understandable.
Encountering someone at level 77 was something that might happen only once in a lifetime.
Unless one deliberately sought out a special place like the Underworld Arena, that was.
Hummm, hummm—.
At that moment, the surroundings brightened and a transparent curtain spread across the sky.
The temporarily unstable barrier of the Silk-road had begun operating again.
After confirming it, I glanced at the merchant company master and opened my mouth.
“Why are you not leaving already?”
“......Ah.”
Jolt—.
Only then did the merchant company master regain his senses and climb down from the carriage to organize the situation.
I remained seated in the carriage and slowly surveyed the scene.
‘At least it is fortunate that there were no major losses.’
Was it thanks to Adelia’s efforts?
There were injured people, but not a single person had died.
Even those injuries were all minor, such as fractures or abrasions.
In a world where death permeated daily life, this was trivial.
“Um......”
Murmur, murmur—.
How much time had passed?
The area was bustling with preparations to depart.
Then it happened.
The merchant company master, who had already climbed back into the carriage, cautiously opened his mouth.
“......I sincerely apologize. I failed to recognize such honored individuals.”
Huh.
Why had he suddenly begun speaking formally?
......That thought lasted only a moment before I noticed the merchant company master glancing at Adelia.
For some reason, his gaze was full of caution.
“......”
He was not showing such a polite attitude simply because he had seen Adelia’s martial power.
If that were the case, he would have acted this way from the moment he first saw me.
Which meant......
‘......It seems he has noticed Adelia’s background.’
There was nothing strange about that.
The man before us was a veteran who had traveled the Silk-road more than a hundred times.
Information was the most important thing to a merchant.
As the rumors that flowed in accumulated, he would naturally have become aware of the Sacred Families’ existence.
In that process, he must also have learned several of their major traits.
For example, that they used turquoise Aura. Or that they possessed martial power beyond imagination.
‘It’s not bad that our identities have been exposed. If anything, the situation will become more convenient.’
Had I not said from the beginning that I could use Adelia to good effect in many ways?
This was precisely one of those situations.
Some more worldly people knew of the Sacred Families’ existence.
And of the unfathomable power they possessed.
‘Those who know of the Sacred Families tremble at the name alone.’
A secret organization that shaped the world at will.
A family whose true nature was vague, but whose influence was immense.
Because they knew nothing about them, people could feel an even greater fear.
Fear born of ignorance was the most terrifying of all.
That was right.
That was the Sacred Families’ true strength.
‘Though Adelia herself had become disillusioned with her family and left as though fleeing......’
I chuckled to myself.
‘......Well, what does it matter?’
I had to make use of everything I could use right now.
As I had said before, I had no intention of being particular about means or methods.
“Um......”
I was immersed in one thought after another when the merchant company master asked another question.
“If it is not too much of an imposition...... What is the relationship between the two of you......?”
I looked at the merchant company master without a word. Fear and curiosity coexisted in his eyes.
The intent behind his question was obvious.
He had roughly guessed Adelia’s identity, but could not possibly gauge who I was.
There was no need to deliberate over my answer. I calmly stated the truth just as it was.
“She is an apprentice learning the sword under me.”
“......!”
It was a simple, clear answer. But that single sentence was enough.
The merchant company master’s eyes widened. Surprise and fear crossed his face.
“An-apprentice? Then you, young master, are......”
I kept my face expressionless and held back my words. In a situation like this, silence was the strongest answer.
“F-forgive me.”
“......”
“I-I believe the safety of our merchant company is assured by the very presence of the two of you. Thank you very much.”
Just as expected, the merchant company master bowed his head and withdrew of his own accord.
It had been a short conversation, but his attitude toward us had completely changed.
Now his eyes were filled with reverence and fear.
‘Seeing how wary he is, he won’t go around telling everyone.’
He seemed sufficiently frightened, so I thought the rest of the journey would be comfortable.
Before long, the carriages began moving again.
The dark scenery of the Uncharted Lands slipped past outside the window.
“Sir Gaon.”
At that moment, Adelia at my side called to me carefully.
“......Does being an apprentice mean I still lack the qualifications to be called your ‘disciple’?”
For some reason, Adelia’s voice carried a hint of disappointment.
‘No, Adelia......’
Why were you feeling hurt over such a small thing again?
Sighing inwardly, I began to gently soothe her.
“Whether apprentice or disciple, it is only an outward form. What matters is the mindset with which you accept my teachings.”
“......!”
Adelia’s expression brightened at my words.
After hesitating for a moment, she opened her mouth once more.
“Th-then, Sir Gaon. If you have any advice regarding that battle just now, please......”
Ah.
It was time to spout more nonsense. I had been planning to gloss over it somehow.
After thinking as hard as I could, I simply said whatever came to mind.
“It was excellent, but you still have many shortcomings.”
“......If you mean shortcomings?”
Adelia’s eyes became serious.
She looked as though she desperately hoped I would point out her flaws.
But you know, Adelia? Your swordsmanship looked perfect to me.
However, I couldn’t tell her that outright, so after dragging out the pause, I gave her an answer.
“They say seeing once is worth hearing a hundred times.”
“......?”
“When the time comes, I will show you my sword myself. Through it, you will find your own shortcomings.”
“Ah......”
Adelia’s eyes began to shine. Soon, she nodded energetically.
“Yes. I will remember that.”
However, contrary to Adelia’s bright expression, my face fell cold.
“......”
Rustle—.
I looked out of the carriage without saying anything.
In the distance, I could see the heap of Scavenger Wolf corpses.
Scavenger Wolves were creatures whose adults went out hunting.
But at the edge of my vision.
I could see every individual tangled together in death, from old wolves to pups that seemed newly born......
***
“You noticed that something was wrong as well, young master.”
About an hour after that.
While the carriage was traveling, the merchant company master spoke to me.
“Earlier, I saw you examining the Scavenger Wolf corpses closely.”
“......”
“Normally, Scavenger Wolves travel while protecting their young and weak. But earlier......”
“Every individual was mixed together without order.”
“......Yes.”
The merchant company master nodded.
“I have traveled this road more than a hundred times, but this is the first time I have seen anything like it. The unstable barrier is a problem, but the Scavenger Wolves’ abnormal behavior feels more ominous.”
“......”
“Because that sight......”
After hesitating for a moment, the merchant company master spoke.
“......It closely resembles the behavior of creatures gripped by extreme terror. Rather than trying to hunt prey, it was as though they had been desperately fleeing from something.”
I did not give any answer.
It was a silent affirmation as well.
─They say seeing once is worth hearing a hundred times. When the time comes, I will show you my sword myself. Through it, you will find your own shortcomings.
I had promised Adelia that I would show her my sword when the time came.
But that ‘time’ would never be a peaceful moment.
There was only one time when I drew my sword.
It was when the shadow of death fell, at the absolute brink of death.
〔MP: 1/1〕
I stared blankly at the MP window.
I vaguely hoped that the time to use 【Soul of the Swordmaster】 wouldn’t come.
During this journey to Free City Vertas...... No, if possible, not even during the rest of my life.
But Lost Elder was a world where endless hardship and Trials lay in wait.
In such circumstances, I knew better than anyone how fleeting that wish was.
***RRRUMBLE—!***
The ground shook. The carriage lurched from the sudden tremor. The merchant company master’s eyes widened as he desperately gripped the handle so as not to lose his balance.
“Wh-what......!”
The merchant company master hurriedly turned his gaze outside the carriage.
Dust began to rise from far away.
And behind it...... an utterly unbelievable sight unfolded.
“......Ah.”
Monster Wave.
Dozens—no, perhaps hundreds—of monsters were surging toward us like a massive wave.
Even monsters that were natural enemies were mixed together.
THUD THUD THUD THUD—!
Though the barrier was active, the beasts were charging blindly toward us.
For some reason, their eyes, which should not have been capable of showing emotion, seemed filled with nothing but fear and despair.
‘Just as I expected, things are unfolding this way.’
The moment my uncertain suspicion finally became certainty.
After thinking that far, I immediately opened my mouth.
“Get ready, Adelia.”
Adelia, who had been dazed for a moment by the shocking situation, nodded.
Her hands began to grip the sword’s hilt tightly.
“Understood. If the barrier should become unstable, then those monsters......”
“No.”
I cut off her words.
“Those small fry are not what we must face.”
“......?”
“What we must face is the being that drove them into this state.”