Chapter 71 : Chapter 71

Chapter 071: Encirclement (3)

The night hadn’t even fully passed.

The scouting unit arrived in Easton.

It was a small elite force composed of Archduke Callence’s closest confidants, the so-called Four Wings, along with a dozen swift-footed soldiers.

“This is our chance to take control of Zephyros. Won’t our lord be pleased?”

As soon as they arrived, they swiftly deployed soldiers to two key gates to block Bihen’s escape route.

Yeats’ lips curled lightly under his sharp nose.

He exuded confidence, as if the strategy was already complete.

“If that were possible, we’d have done it long ago, you idiot.”

Kana scanned the plaza area carelessly.

She’d heard there was a commotion here during the day, but for all that, the surroundings were surprisingly tidy.

She figured it was one of two things: either Bihen Benkou’s skills were exceptionally precise, or the incident was overblown.

As a fellow swordsman, she couldn’t help but be intrigued, and her words came out curtly.

“I know what you mean, Lady Kana. But look at this. Who would’ve thought the Zephyros rats would move so quickly the moment our lord declared his will? They’ve been acting high and mighty until now, but with things like this, they’re bound to…”

Yeats stuck out his tongue slightly.

“…behave themselves. Who knows? Maybe their shadowy leader is already on his knees, waiting for us.”

“You’re always so vulgar, aren’t you?”

“Yeats is vulgar! A pervert!”

“…Well, if both of you remember me for something, that’s not so bad.”

Some soldiers were sent to the Zephyros hideout.

They planned to summon Ness Servai’s proxy and question Bihen Benkou’s whereabouts.

A report from a spy planted earlier confirmed that Bihen hadn’t left Easton yet.

If the proxy cooperated, the matter would be resolved quickly.

If they played dumb, it would give them an excuse to pressure Zephyros.

Yeats stretched his arms toward the sky, as if yawning.

Dark clouds swallowed the moon, leaving the sky pitch black.

“Man… the heavens are on my side. Everything’s going smoothly.”

“Yeats. This is the first time the four of us are fighting together against a single enemy.”

Draven spoke slowly.

“That’s how serious this is. Our lord entrusted you with command. If you understood even a fraction of that responsibility, you wouldn’t be spouting nonsense right now.”

It was heavy advice.

Draven said no more, as if he had no ulterior motives.

Draven, Kana, and Iroen, who had been walking side by side, suddenly stopped in unison.

Behind them, Yeats lowered his head, chuckling.

His shoulders shook with laughter.

“Heh heh heh. Oh, damn… really. Pfft.”

He let out a deep sigh toward the sky, then gritted his teeth and growled at the three staring at him in disbelief.

“Do it in moderation, alright? Moderation.”

“What? Has he lost his mind…?”

“No need to play nice, got it? Look, you don’t know when to stop. Why do you keep trying to teach me? Don’t delude yourselves into thinking you three are above me. It’s disgusting.”

Kana snorted indifferently.

Yet her hand slowly moved toward the sword at her waist.

“That’s why lowborn scum are hopeless. There’s a reason we distinguish bloodlines.”

“How nice for you, born with such grand lineage. But what’s this? You and I hold the same rank right now.”

“Our lord let you breathe some high air, and now your head’s full of hot air. Time to remind you of your place.”

“Fine, let’s do it. Let’s settle the hierarchy once and for all.”

Yeats and Kana gripped their sword hilts simultaneously.

Draven stepped between them.

He slammed the base of his massive shield into the ground.

“What is this nonsense! Both of you, stop it!”

“…”

“Our lord emphasized this! This is a critical moment for Conwell’s future! Are you going to ruin it over petty emotions?”

Draven glared at them both.

His tawny eyes flickered with suppressed anger.

“I’ll report this to our lord. If you botch this mission, you won’t escape severe punishment. Everyone, take note. Set aside personal feelings and work together.”

Only then did Yeats and Kana loosen their grips on their swords.

It was sound advice, and neither argued back.

“General—!”

A soldier rushed over urgently from the distance.

It was one of those sent to the Zephyros hideout.

The four’s expressions shifted in different ways upon hearing the report.

Yeats muttered.

“The acting commander disarmed the unit and vanished?”

“Yes! A questioned Zephyros member said they saw Bihen Benkou heading toward the city. After that, they don’t know his whereabouts…”

Kwarrroooar—!

Thunder roared just then.

Yeats’ face, biting his lip, gleamed momentarily in the lightning’s flash.

“Tell everyone, except those at the gates, to scour the city thoroughly. Find him by any means necessary. If anyone interferes, show no mercy.”

Draven whipped his head around.

“Are you trying to stir up public outrage? How will you handle the aftermath…?”

“Sir Draven. Didn’t you say earlier? I’m the one in command right now.”

The corner of Yeats’ mouth twitched upward.

He recalled the incident in Ludglen.

The way Bihen had struggled to protect the slash-and-burn farmers was still vivid.

“I know Bihen Benkou well. He’s the type who’d fret over killing even a louse on my clothes. Stir things up, and he’ll crawl out on his own.”

Draven was speechless.

He was the one who acknowledged Yeats’ command and urged focus on the mission.

Kana, who had been listening silently, spoke up.

“Fine. This is better. Forget working together. Let’s split up and search. Whoever catches him gets the credit. How’s that?”

“Sounds good, Lady Kana. We finally agree on something.”

Draven furrowed his brow.

He now understood why their lord rarely gathered the four of them together.

“Yahoo! Mole-hunting game begins!”

Iroen jumped excitedly.

Just then, a long broom appeared, lifting her into the air.

Watching Iroen soar through the dark sky, Yeats muttered to himself.

‘Always acting senile. Disgusting old hag.’

* * *

“I found him! Iroen found him!”

Kwarrroooar—!

The sky seemed to split with a deafening roar.

A blinding white flash flooded my vision.

I was just stepping onto the windowsill.

“Yaaah!”

An alien light mixed into the flash.

I caught a glimpse of it.

The kid was up to something.

‘Ordinary kids don’t ride brooms in the dead of night.’

I leaped and swung my sword.

Slash!

The sensation of cutting was clear.

It hit magic.

“Wha— huh? How did you, it’s real!?”

I closed in on her shocked face.

Her youthful features, maybe ten years old, seemed to hide a sinister edge.

Like a stench seeping through covered filth.

Whoosh.

I swung again, but realized mid-motion.

In midair, dark night, heavy rain, an unfamiliar weapon, and the kid’s suspicious vibe… the conditions were stacked against me.

Crack!

The slightly off-target blade severed the broom’s head.

“Kyaaa—!”

I stepped on the screaming kid’s head as she fell, using it to leap again.

It shouldn’t be, and it probably wasn’t, but… if she’s just an innocent kid, I’d feel bad.

“Over there—!”

“East gate direction! Block the escape!”

Chaos erupted below.

The night’s silence, drowned by rain, shattered instantly.

As my body, propelled by stepping on the kid, began to descend, I planted both feet on a nearby building’s wall.

Chiiiiik!

I slid down the wall, slowing my fall with the friction of my soles—a technique called Wall Tiger Art in the Empire.

‘Archduke Callence. He’s stuck his neck out himself.’

The ground rushed closer.

The gusting wind sharpened my senses to a razor’s edge.

‘I’ll make it clear who’s walked into the tiger’s den.’

A rainy night in a vast, complex maze of alleys.

Even against many, I had a good chance.

No, I might even have the advantage.

I’d chosen to be the bait to help Jayden’s group escape, but in truth, conditions like these favored me for picking them off one by one.

‘I’ll slay the Archduke here.’

Just before landing, a sudden killing intent surged.

‘…!’

I kicked off, launching forward.

Too late for a proper landing. I rolled across the ground and stood.

Before I could catch my breath—

Kwagagagagang!

The building I’d slid down split in two and collapsed.

The severed upper half crashed onto nearby structures, triggering a chain of destruction.

Dust spread like wildfire, and I couldn’t help but sigh.

“You dodged that? Bihen Benkou.”

A brazen voice grated my ears.

A woman stood, twirling two short curved blades in each hand.

A transparent glow at the blades’ tips flickered like dying embers.

“You just… used Aura?”

“Yeah. So?”

“So…?”

“Why the dumb look? Did you wet yourself? If you’re scared already, you’re in trouble. This is just the start. You won’t die cleanly.”

They say a peak-level Sword Aura can cleave mountains, and a blade wielded by one who’s surpassed that realm can cut through space and time.

Aura is a transcendent force, not for humans but for challenging nature itself.

It’s not something to be used recklessly.

To civilians, it’s a calamity akin to a natural disaster.

To trample innocent people’s homes and treat it like a casual game…

“You crazy bitch.”

Clang—!

Our blades clashed above her head.

A mocking voice came from below the crossed swords.

“Acting tough. Well, Yeats was right for once.”

Kwarrang!

Lightning struck fiercely, echoing the clash of blades.

In that instant, her figure vanished, merging with the white flash scattering into the dark void.

A heavy pressure gripped my sword hand, and my body lurched.

‘Gold-Catching Hand…!?’

Thud!

The pain in my back faded quickly.

The rain-soaked mud cushioned the impact.

Amid the pouring rain, a sharp glint flashed.

I jerked my head aside.

Crack!

I rolled in the direction I’d turned, regaining balance and checking my throbbing wrist.

Thankfully, I hadn’t lost my sword.

“Not bad moves, huh?”

The pink-haired woman smirked, brushing dirt off her blade’s tip.

That’s my line.

“Petty tricks.”

“Tricks? Calling yourself a Sword Fiend with that eye? Laughable. Rats always have big mouths.”

Eugene had said it.

A few high-level fighters pledged loyalty to the Archduke.

Together, even he’d struggle against them.

‘Not an opponent to underestimate.’

I exhaled shortly into the rain.

As I adjusted my grip on the hilt—

“P-please… save me…!”

A faint voice pierced through the noise, unnaturally clear.

My head snapped toward it.

The street had turned into a warzone from the collapse.

Amid the panicked crowd in the debris, a child stifled sobs, a gleaming blade pressed against their neck.

“I told you we’d meet again, Bihen Benkou.”

The voice was as clear as if spoken in my face.

I could even see the twisted smirk.

I’d forgotten for a moment.

In a focused state, my eyes and ears far surpassed normal limits.

As one’s realm rises, the senses sharpen too.

A small plea that doesn’t reach the heavens, every trivial insult—perhaps the heavens meant for me to engrave them all.

Swish—!

I left the pink-haired woman behind and charged at Yeats.

Switching places with a purple afterimage, I crossed the rain.

In a blink, I was within his range.

A swing here would connect.

Clang—!

The tremor in my grip was intense.

A massive shield had blocked me.

Its height, taller than me, cast a dark shadow.

“This is the end of your recklessness.”

A heavy voice came from behind the shield, now a wall.

Something grazed my neck as it flew past.

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