Chapter 50

Mainz Kimbel, an Imperial Knight.

According to Escardo's words, he was a knight who had reached the 7th star.

To face a Sword Master of that level, a number of 6-star knights or mages who knew how to form a Carpe Illusion, or a Superhuman of an equivalent level, were needed.

The numerous families located on the frontier.

‘Among them, excluding the family heads, only a very few possess a Superhuman.’

Killian thought of the Superhumans of Cornelia, who were settled on the western frontier.

Hel Cornelia, Celot Cornelia, Kiel Cornelia.

‘Among these, if it's to the extent of facing a Superhuman of the Empire…’

“I heard Lord Celot will be moving himself.”

Demian answered, as if he had read his thoughts.

“A rather big shot is making a move. It seems the situation in Cornelia is more serious than I thought.”

Celot Cornelia. A mage who had risen to the 7th star and the commander of the Five-Colored Magic Order, which could be called the core strength of Cornelia.

He was also the younger brother of the current head, Hel Cornelia, and was known to be serving as the Acting Head as well.

‘Did the movements of the spies who had infiltrated the frontier become revealed through the engagement with the Annihilation Squad?’

Perhaps Cornelia had also been waiting for an opportunity.

“There is more than one Superhuman of the Empire who has flowed into the frontier. The main hunt will be carried out by the Cornelia side.”

In short, it was a request to block the escape route, as they would not be causing any more damage to Eurasia.

“And the Superhuman assigned to us is Mainz Kimbel. Are you thinking that the fellow has more hidden forces?”

Killian threw a bait.

He himself had only learned about Voltz Kimbel after becoming the leader of the Annihilation Squad.

If Demian knew about him, it meant that he possessed an independent information network beyond expectations.

“Even for a Superhuman, he hasn't been traced in the frontier for years. It would be impossible without a collaborating force.”

Demian answered, not avoiding Killian's gaze.

“The White Knight Order has already decided to help Cornelia, but I want to add your strength as well, just in case… that's how it sounds to me.”

“I will not deny it.”

The opponent was a 7-star knight of the Empire, which was called the hegemon of the continent. No matter what plan was made, there was a high possibility of casualties.

Killian's publicly known level was that of a 6-star master, so his joining alone would greatly increase the strength of the White Knight Order.

Demian's gaze turned to Killian, who had an unreadable expression.

‘The Head must have been certain that Killian would become the leader of the Annihilation Squad.’

A smile appeared on his lips as he recalled the test in Eterno Hall.

Killian was also fitting new puzzle pieces together in his head.

‘Certainly, it's a perfect mission for the Annihilation Squad to get back in sync.’

Mainz Kimbel was the one who had murdered the previous leader of the Annihilation Squad. There was no better bait to steady the unsettled hearts of the Annihilation Squad.

It was a mission he would have had to participate in one way or another, even without Demian's proposal.

“Understood. The Annihilation Squad and I will join you.”

“That's reassuring. I thought you wouldn't refuse.”

Demian showed a satisfied reaction to the result that was beyond his expectations, with not only Killian but also the Annihilation Squad moving.

Killian was just as satisfied.

‘The current Annihilation Squad is not functioning properly. I'll have to use Demian for a while.’

The young masters were building their own information networks for the competition for the headship.

Julian had the powerful information gathering ability of the Sepia Merchant Guild, Paian had the help of the allied martial families, and Demian was known to have built an information network through a place that had a relationship with the Meyer family.

‘The Meyer family.’

Killian looked at the smiling Demian.

‘I am curious.’

How the Meyer family was able to gather information that was not inferior to that of Basquia and Sepia.

To what extent the family, which had been granted the title of count by the Empire, was influencing the frontier.

“It seems this conversation will get long.”

“I agree.”

Killian called a servant of the Blue Knight Order and had new tea prepared.

It was three more hours before the two left the reception room.

***

Clang!

A metallic sound rang out.

Following that, Yulian rolled on the floor and let out a groan.

“Keuk…!!”

The blood flowing from his torn palm spread a metallic scent.

‘This is absurd… is this really 5-star level Mana?’

He looked around.

Aaron, Galahad, Portlan. His comrades who had charged in with him were all rolling on the floor and groaning.

It was because the formation they had attempted a moment ago had been broken and they had been struck by the sword.

The previous reflux phenomenon had been perfectly treated with the Head Apothecary's special recovery potion.

And the real training began.

The five members of the Annihilation Squad were not carrying out any missions and were repeating extreme spars.

Yulian got up, his body aching.

The blue Mana that filled the training ground.

The Mana Killian used was at the level of a 5-star master, to match the average of the Annihilation Squad, but it took less than 5 minutes for five members of the Annihilation Squad to charge at such a person and for four of them to be knocked out.

This was because there was a considerable difference in level, not only in the precision of Mana, but also in the training of swordsmanship.

‘Even if they somehow managed to awaken their Mana Heart… how can he wield such a level of swordsmanship.’

The sword was honest.

Even a genius could not master it without investing time and effort.

But their new captain wielded a strange swordsmanship as if it were nothing.

To be precise, he knew the swordsmanship of all the members of the Annihilation Squad and was using a sword that perfectly countered it.

‘It's not the Head or Lord Escardo… is it possible to reach such a level at just over twenty?’

While Yulian was thinking that, swords and swords were clashing.

The only one holding her ground against the captain was Serena.

Clang. Claaang.

At a glance, it seemed they were on equal footing, but the sword wielded by one of the few 6-star knights in the family was being parried by a hair's breadth.

Clang!!

Serena stepped back at the sword swung widely by Killian.

Her back touched the wall as she evaded the ensuing series of strikes.

“……!!”

Serena hastily ducked and rolled on the floor.

It was a humiliating posture for a knight, but in a spar that was like a real battle, it was a practical judgment.

Kakagak.

As the Aether scraped against the wall, fragments scattered throughout the training ground.

Killian stopped chasing and lowered his sword.

“Serena, you seem to be holding back.”

She quietly caught her breath and watched Killian.

A fighting spirit was in her green eyes.

“It seems my full strength was not enough for the captain.”

Killian shook his head.

“You can't call it your full strength just by imbuing it with Mana. Do it properly.”

“……”

Serena raised her sword again.

Woong. Woong. Woooong.

The Aether trembled as if it were howling. By strengthening the Mana enveloping the sword, the cutting power and speed were further enhanced.

But that was not the picture Killian wanted.

‘Do I need to provoke her a little more?’

Killian caught his breath and took a step forward.

In response, Serena took a step back.

“Mainz Kimbel.”

“……”

The faces of the five members of the Annihilation Squad, including Serena, hardened at the sudden name.

“In two months, the Annihilation Squad will hunt the fellow along with the White Knight Order. It can be said to be a joint mission that moves in step with the Superhuman hunt of Cornelia.”

Right after he said that.

Saaaah.

An amount of Mana that seemed to be twice as much as before undulated on Serena's sword.

A fighting spirit that she could not control leaked out.

“Is that… really true?”

Her questioning voice was trembling.

It was because she had recalled the humiliating battle with the Superhuman who had killed her father and comrades and forced her to flee.

“Yes. But I cannot move with fellows whose blades have become so dull.”

The current Annihilation Squad was a half-assed one that could not even use a proper Carpe Illusion.

The squad members gritted their teeth and lowered their heads at the cynical criticism.

“It would be better for me to participate alone. Wouldn't it, Sere…”

Clang!!!

Serena's Aether clashed with Killian's.

Kagagak. Kagagagagak.

A sword trying to cut and a sword trying to block.

The two Aethers stubbornly stuck together.

As if not tolerating any further remarks, a fighting spirit was imbued in every single movement of swinging and cutting.

“This is not enough.”

Killian raised the Mana enveloping his sword to the level of a 6-star and pushed Serena back.

“They say you cut down a Superhuman and retrieved the sword of the leader of the Annihilation Squad, but was that also a coincidence?”

“……!!”

Fwoosh.

The green Mana formed a Carpe and closed the distance.

Clang!

The sharpness and skill of the sword she wielded became even sharper. She was trying to push herself to the brink of her limits even without a Carpe.

How many sword exchanges had taken place like that?

Just once.

Eurasia Style, Green Thorn.

The moment a fighting spirit and a killing intent were imbued at the same time.

Kwaaaaaa.

Serena's Aether poured out a huge amount of Mana.

------!!!

A clear sound that was hard to believe had come from the clash of blades rang out.

Saaaaaaaah.

Belatedly, a wave of Mana scattered around them.

“……”

A look of bewilderment appeared on the face of Serena, the one who had swung the sword.

The members of the Annihilation Squad who had been watching while rolling on the floor were also surprised.

“Not bad.”

Killian said, looking at the Aether in his hand.

The hand holding the sword was trembling.

It was the rebound from not being able to completely block the fighting spirit imbued in Serena's sword.

“I've been wondering since before. How you were able to block a 7-star knight with the level of a 6-star beginner.”

A 7-star Arch Mage and a Sword Master were beings who could hunt 7-star monsters.

Serena had not only survived against such fellows, but had even succeeded in eliminating one of them.

It was a result that was too absurd to be dismissed as a coincidence.

So he had been considering other possibilities, and the sword now confirmed it.

“Serena Constantine, you can imbue your sword with ‘aura’.”

“What…”

Serena had a complicated expression at the sudden words.

‘It's understandable.’

Aura, which could only be used at the 7th star.

Originally, it would have been nearly impossible for Serena, who was a 6-star, to imitate it.

It was a situation that even Killian had only seen a few times in his long life.

‘She experienced a mental breakdown due to the death of the previous leader of the Annihilation Squad while performing the role of the center of the Carpe Illusion.

Various other factors were mixed in, temporarily becoming an awakening agent that allowed her to break through the wall.’

Whatever the reason, a knight who could imbue their sword with aura was rare.

“But it's incomplete.”

If he could grow her well, he would be able to quickly raise the strength of the Annihilation Squad.

“Two months until the start of the mission. Until then, try to make me drop my sword at least once. If you fail, the Annihilation Squad will remain in the family.”

Groans flowed from here and there, starting with Yulian.

The Annihilation Squad, with its reduced numbers, could not use a complete Carpe Illusion like before.

To use a perfect formation with a small number of people, it was necessary to raise individual levels.

“Don't look so down. I plan to recruit new members for the Annihilation Squad.”

“But even if we recruit new members suddenly, it will be difficult to get in sync to form a formation.”

“That's right. It's a technique that took us two years to get in sync.”

Aaron and Portlan said with stern faces.

Carpe Illusion was a technique that could be used after training talented knights with a knack for Mana for many years.

Among the knights of the family, the only one in the Red Knight Order, which had the highest level, who could get in sync right away would be the vice-commander, Fred Perry.

“Don't worry. I've got my eye on some skilled fellows.”

Killian showed his characteristic harmless smile to his knights.

He was definitely smiling, but it was eerie.

“……”

“……”

“……”

“……”

“……”

The Annihilation Squad fell silent at the chilling sensation that ran down their spines.

Grin.

The corners of Killian's mouth curled up.

“Just trust me and follow me.”

Following the Blue Knight Order and the chamberlain Haman.

It was the moment a living hell opened up for the secret swords of the family.

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