Chapter 104 : Chapter 104

Chapter 104

Hwaak.

Crimson Wolf, having crossed through the warp stone, looked around.

Managing the medium-sized warp stones, which were inferior to those of the temple, were the mages of Brussels whom Eurasia had absorbed.

This was the capital, Brussels.

In the distance, the royal capital, now belonging to Eurasia, was visible.

“Orchid… so you were here after all.”

He muttered softly, wearing a leather mask instead of his distinctive one.

He had visited Absinthe to expand the information network to the west, and the talks had been quite positive.

But then, suddenly.

“Hmm~ I’ll decide after I meet him myself.”

With her characteristic sneer, she had activated a barrier.

It wasn't a barrier intended to cause harm, but the problem was its intention.

She had shown a deep interest in Killian Eurasia, who had become his master.

The level he had reached at an early age, the blue mana he maintained even after becoming a superhuman.

‘I have to warn him.’

That her attitude had strangely changed since visiting Cornelia, and that she was trying to get something from Killian Eurasia.

He moved towards the royal capital.

With mysterious movements through the alleys, the distance to the royal capital quickly narrowed.

‘She’s always been half-mad, but… this was an incomprehensible move.’

The guards, recognizing Crimson, opened the gate for him.

The head of Hennessy had become an official member of Eurasia.

Judging by the guards’ reactions, there had been no noticeable entries so far.

It was clear that Orchid hadn't used the official route.

Passing the guards who were saluting with their swords, he quickly headed to where the Annihilation Squad was staying.

Sreuk.

Red mana shimmered in his two eyes.

He could see the numerous footsteps and traces of mana of those who had passed through here today.

“……”

Among them, he saw mana that he presumed to be Orchid’s.

A trace so faint that it would be undetectable to anyone but a Night Walker, left deliberately as if to tell him to follow.

A Walker from another country has not only trespassed but is also heading towards the Annihilation Squad Leader’s office.

‘She’s really gone and done it.’

Crimson Wolf clicked his tongue and quickened his pace.

The interior of Eurasia’s new royal castle was guarded in shifts by knights from the five knight orders: Red, White, Black, Blue, and Yellow.

High-ranking knights were stationed in more important places, but low-ranking knights were assigned to the Annihilation Squad.

This was a testament to the pride that the Annihilation Squad was an elite force that did not need the protection of knights.

‘Normally, that would be the case, but…’

The one who had infiltrated here today was a Night Walker.

Even the Annihilation Squad would have no choice but to allow the intruder in.

“If he’s got the guts to barge into the Annihilation Squad, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to see what he’s made of.”

He recalled what Killian Eurasia had once said.

‘I should also keep in mind that the building might get destroyed.’

If Killian Eurasia was the youngest Sword Master in the history of the continent, then Orchid Owl was a Night Walker who had hunted a Sword Master.

Above all, she had a special ability, and her ability to decipher Shik was on par with his own.

If both sides used Carpe Illusion and Memento, it wouldn't end with just a few rooms getting blown away.

And so, he arrived at the entrance of the Annihilation Squad, which was guarded by two 2-star knights.

“Sir Crimson.”

The knight who recognized him saluted with his sword.

The light armor, engraved with the two dragons symbolizing Eurasia, was painted blue.

“Has anyone visited the Annihilation Squad in the past few hours?”

“No, there hasn’t.”

“Why do you ask……”

“Never mind, open it.”

“Ah, understood.”

The knight, meeting his cold gaze, hastily opened the door.

Traces of Orchid Owl remained in various places along the short corridor.

He raised his senses to be able to react at any moment and walked towards the Annihilation Squad Leader’s office.

“It’s quiet.”

Although there weren't many people staying there, three members of the Annihilation Squad were always stationed there.

And in the training ground connected to the Annihilation Squad Leader’s office, a single knight would have a training session under the guise of guarding.

Sometimes, when he had time, the Annihilation Squad Leader himself would come out and watch the training.

But today, it was beyond quiet; even the sound of breathing was jarring.

Just as he had expected.

“……”

A knight was lying collapsed on the way to the Annihilation Squad Leader’s office.

Yulian, the second sword of the Annihilation Squad.

A skilled warrior who could easily handle two ordinary 6-star knights by himself.

He approached and checked his condition.

“He was completely overpowered.”

His life wasn't in danger.

He had simply been beaten one-sidedly, with his vital points avoided.

‘If she had been serious, she could have taken his life in a single blow.’

In other words, it was clear that she did not intend to be hostile towards Killian Eurasia.

Just then.

Kugugung.

Beyond the training ground, from the direction of the Annihilation Squad Leader’s office, a massive collision of mana was detected.

“Umm……”

He let out a groan.

Considering Killian Eurasia’s character, it was highly likely that he would have his subordinate take on the first duel.

He was an outstanding knight as an individual, but he also possessed the qualities of an excellent teacher.

‘Am I too late… I intended to arrive before my master had to step in himself.’

Kkiiik.

As Crimson, cloaked in mana, opened the door, a massive wave of mana poured out.

In that moment, his eyes met with Serena, who was drenched in sweat.

Her hand was on the hilt of her sword, ready to draw at any moment.

And behind her.

“Crimson, you’re late.”

There was Killian Eurasia, also sweating.

He looked refreshed, as if he had just finished a training session.

“……”

His gaze found Orchid Owl, kneeling.

The mask that symbolized her was half-broken, and her exposed face was pale.

Her body, breathing with difficulty, was trembling slightly, and the blood that had flowed from her mouth was staining the floor.

Gulp.

He swallowed dryly without realizing it.

Ssssss.

Serena approached and bound Orchid Owl with green mana.

“You seem to have rushed here.”

Killian continued as he sheathed his Aether.

“So, was Orchid Owl’s visit your mistake after all?”

Crimson Wolf stepped forward and knelt on one knee.

“It was all planned.”

“Really, the bluff of you Walkers is something else.”

Killian chuckled and shook his head.

Although there were small wounds visible on his body, he was in a state of stability that was hard to believe for someone who had faced a Night Walker.

‘He’s gotten even stronger while fighting the war.’

How was he supposed to understand this absurd growth rate?

‘In any case, with this, it’s possible to make Orchid’s intrusion public and force a treaty on Absinthe.’

“Crimson~ you came sooner than I thought? Tell her to untie this~”

“Shut it, Orchid……”

He sighed as he looked at her, struggling while bound.

“Come on, between us~?”

She sure talks a lot for someone with a pale face.

“If you keep this up, I’ll take what you have……”

Kwajik.

Crimson Wolf moved quickly and struck the nape of Orchid’s neck.

Thud.

Her head hit the floor, and she fainted.

“Why? I was just getting curious about what she was going to say.”

“What’s the point of listening to an intruder?”

“The improvisation of Walkers.”

“Your Highness is also mischievous.”

“I’ve always been like that.”

Killian and Crimson Wolf bantered, their eyes meeting.

“An intruder was allowed into Eurasia’s main castle.”

Serena, who had been watching, stared at Crimson Wolf with a cold gaze.

“It’s highly likely that he’s involved as well.”

“Serena, Serena.”

“……”

Killian clicked his tongue at her insensitivity and continued.

“You have to save Crimson’s face too.”

“Immediate rewards and punishments are the virtues of a superior.”

“By that logic, our first and second swords, who failed to stop the intruder, are in the same boat, aren’t they?”

“If you mete out a punishment, I will accept it gladly.”

“Hmm.”

Killian stroked his chin.

Judging by Serena’s reaction, it seemed she would impose a punishment on herself even if he didn’t.

“The crime of failing to stop the intruder will be dealt with later. For now, heal Orchid Owl.”

“The intruder, you mean……?”

“She gave a lesson to my subordinate, didn't she?”

“But that’s……”

“I simply gave a lesson to the head of Absinthe as well.”

“……”

“Bring her to me as soon as her body has recovered.”

“……”

“……”

He was treating the defeat of Yulian and Serena as a spar.

‘He truly is a man of great character.’

Crimson Wolf’s lips twitched at the heartwarming gesture.

“Understood.”

Serena’s voice was cold, but.

She was feeling the same emotion as Crimson Wolf.

***

After two days of recovery, Orchid Owl visited the Annihilation Squad with Crimson Wolf.

Her broken mask was replaced with a leather one, and her hands were bound.

As the two entered the training ground, Yulian, who had recovered and was training with his sword alone, snorted.

“Draw your sword.”

“I don’t draw my sword against a man I’ve defeated once~”

Orchid’s gaze shifted to Yulian’s lower half.

“Huhu. It’s more suited to a twig than a sword.”

“You wretched thing… I am Yulian, the second sword of the Annihilation Squad…”

“Second sword, twentieth sword~”

Orchid Owl’s eyes curved like crescent moons.

“Our little twig needs more training.”

“You crazy thing!!”

It was the moment red mana shimmered from Yulian’s body.

“Orchid, that’s enough joking around. Sir, lower your blade.”

“Sir Crimson… I am Yulian.”

“I know your name is Yulian, and that you are the second sword of the Annihilation Squad. But remember that Orchid Owl is here as a guest of the Annihilation Squad Leader.”

“This……”

“See you later, twig.”

“I’m not a twig.”

Crimson Wolf left the training ground with the smiling Orchid Owl.

They waited in the reception room for a short while.

Killian appeared, accompanied by Serena.

Killian gave a slight nod as he looked at the restraints on Orchid’s hands, and Serena came forward and unlocked the cuffs.

“Our young Annihilation Squad Leader is so kind.”

“If you know that, I’d appreciate it if you’d live up to my expectations.”

As Killian sat down, Serena placed a few documents in front of her.

It was a report detailing the Empire’s knight and mage orders gathering in the Romero Kingdom, and the forces of the Second Prince.

“Hmm~ so you’re using my life as a substitute for the contract conditions?”

“The life of a Night Walker. I think it’s worth that much.”

“Well, alright~ Eurasia is in an alliance with Cornelia, after all.”

With a few words, an alliance between Eurasia and Absinthe was formed.

After filling out some simple paperwork, Killian asked.

“There must be a reason why you went through the trouble of targeting me?”

He had planned to form an alliance with Absinthe through Crimson Wolf anyway.

If she had wanted a spar, she could have officially visited and requested one.

There was no need to go to such lengths to stir up trouble.

“A woman like you wouldn’t have moved without a thought. What do you want?”

“The pendant.”

“……?”

“The one around your neck.”

“……”

Killian grasped the pendant around his neck.

A medium that allowed synchronization with the Violet Magic Tower, permitted only to the direct line of Cornelia.

“I heard Hegel Cornelia stood by and let you take the pendant. Could the rumors about you and Sharle Cornelia be true?”

Cornelia and Absinthe.

Sharle and the pendant.

Killian instantly understood how the events were unfolding.

‘That’s just like her.’

A wry laugh escaped him as he thought of the schemes she must be hiding behind her gentle smile.

“So, do you think you can take the pendant from me?”

“No. It seems it’ll be difficult?”

Unlike her words, greed lingered in Orchid Owl’s eyes as she looked at the pendant.

‘So that’s it.’

The sense of déjà vu he felt while facing Orchid Owl.

It was connected to what he had felt when he faced Hegel and Celot before.

The clumsy magic she used.

The color of her mana, which would be closer to violet the closer it got to its source.

The information guild established in the Romero Kingdom, adjacent to the western frontier.

After recalling a few clues, he understood why she had joined hands with Cornelia, and why she had approached him through an unofficial route rather than an official one.

“You’re from a collateral branch, aren’t you?”

And one that had inherited the blood of Cornelia no less than the direct bloodline.

“Ahahaha.”

Orchid Owl laughed cheerfully.

“……”

“……”

The faces of Crimson Wolf and Serena, who were beside them, hardened.

The emotion contained within her laughter was comparable to killing intent.

Ahahahahaha.

It was a long time before her laughter, which filled the reception room, stopped.

“You found out?”

Her gaze towards Killian had suddenly turned cold.

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