Chapter 16. Lead the Way
The Kalstein Sword Sect boasts the most significant influence in this area, led by the Black Circle.
Under the pinnacle of the 7 Circles, the mage-swordsmen of Kalstein can all be considered disciples of Kalstein.
Kalstein was renowned for his swordsmanship from a young age, traveling through various regions and accumulating many martial tales before settling in this area ten years ago.
Originally, magic swords were considered lower-tier magic compared to conventional attack spells.
This was due to the simplicity of magical incantations and their limited use only in close combat.
However, Kalstein was a mage-swordsman of the 7 Circles, excelling greatly in swordsmanship as well.
Finding anyone in this area who could rival Kalstein was a difficult task.
By taking in wanderers as disciples, Kalstein established his power, gradually expanding his influence by subjugating other Black Circles.
Thus, the Kalstein Sword Sect became a force to be reckoned with, even causing the Yuterus family to be wary.
Anyone meeting a member of the Kalstein Sword Sect in this area would feel fear.
Especially the direct disciples who received teachings from Kalstein couldn’t be easily confronted, even by skilled mages.
This was because they could demonstrate exceptional combat prowess using the magic swords they learned from Kalstein.
Though there were magic swordsmen in the Yuterus family, they couldn’t match Kalstein’s direct disciples.
Therefore… Alerion, the 6th seat disciple of the Kalstein Sword Sect, hadn’t expected Sirius to appear like this.
Just as Nael Yuterus had done, he had thought at least some courtesy would be shown.
No matter if Alerion was the 6th seat.
“Sirius, are you… underestimating the Kalstein Sword Sect?”
Alerion asked with a voice mixed with anger.
But Sirius just chuckled lightly.
“Answer the question, 6th seat.”
“Why… aren’t you answering what business you have here?”
After saying that, Sirius smirked.
“Obviously, it must be something trivial.”
Sirius retorted in a cold voice.
“Did you kill Nael Yuterus? Have you harmed the Yuterus family? In place of them, the Kalstein Sword Sect will punish you. If you value your life, surrender voluntarily… It’s probably something along those lines.”
“…!”
“Hey, 6th seat.”
Staring coldly at Alerion, Sirius spoke.
“Would someone who’s intimidated by such threats barge into the Yuterus family estate to kill Naiel Yuterus?”
“What…?”
“Naiel was a skilled 7th Circle mage. His brother, Alsted, was a 6th Circle mage. Yet, without a care, I stormed into the heart of the Yuterus family.”
“….”
“Would a fearless person like that flinch at the sight of the Kalstein Sword Sect’s 6th Seat coming to threaten them?”
Alleon fell silent.
“6th Seat, answer me.”
“….”
“How do you think I would react to such a threat?”
Sirius slowly rose from his seat.
The sight made Alleon take a step back.
“You, you…!”
“6th Seat, I have no intention of negotiating with the Kalstein Sword Sect.”
Watching the hesitant Alleon, Sirius spoke in a cold voice.
“My current goal is to stabilize the Rigel family’s surroundings. Therefore, the Kalstein Sword Sect must be destroyed, of course.”
“Are you, are you out of your mind? Do you think that’s possible?”
“Why do you think it’s impossible?”
“M-Master is a 7th Circle mage!”
Alleon raised his voice.
“Even if you managed to surprise attack Naiel, it’s certain that it won’t be easy against Master Kalstein!”
“I indeed do not know to what extent a 7th Circle mage’s abilities reach. I haven’t experienced it yet.”
Sirius answered honestly.
A mage would have honed physical abilities as well, so it wouldn’t be as easy as with Naiel.
“But you, in front of me right now, are not a 7th Circle mage.”
“….!?”
At that moment, Sirius moved.
Alleon hurriedly tried to draw his sword, but it was too late.
“Gah…!”
Sirius’ left hand had grabbed Alleon’s wrist.
Though Alleon was already holding the hilt, Sirius’ grip prevented him from pulling out the sword.
In a swift motion using magic, Sirius plunged forward, catching Alleon completely off guard.
And…
“Argh…!”
Smack!
Sirius’ right hand struck Alleon’s cheek.
Though no technique was applied, blood still splattered from the torn skin.
“Hey, 6th Seat.”
“Ugh…!”
Smack!
This time, it was the other cheek.
Alleon couldn’t even hold his body properly and rolled on the ground.
Despite his lean build, Alleon’s physique was honed through rigorous swordsmanship training.
Yet, he still fell with just two slaps.
“Who sent you here?”
“W-what…?”
“Someone gave you orders. Did that person not anticipate this situation?”
“…!”
“Sirius Canisroot is a lunatic who killed Nael Yuterus without hesitation. Naturally, someone like you would just be killed off.”
With blood trickling from his mouth, Alleon widened his eyes.
“The one who sent you just wanted to make you and me fight.”
“W-why would they do that…?”
“So they could better assess my capabilities.”
Sirius had defeated Nael Yuterus.
But that alone couldn’t fully gauge Sirius’s abilities.
Nael was an old wizard specializing in long-range attacks, easily killed by a surprise stab.
On the other hand, the officers of the Kalstein Sword Dance were close combat magic swordsmen.
Comparing themselves to him, they decided to send Alleon to assess.
“By killing someone ranked 6th, we can roughly estimate the level of skill needed.”
“…!”
“If he dies too easily, we need to be more cautious. If he struggles for a while, we don’t need to be afraid… That’s how we judge.”
In the end, Kalstein Sword Dance saw Alleon as a sacrificial lamb.
To determine how much power to put into the upcoming fight with Sirius.
“T-this is absurd. Treating me, the 6th seat of the Kalstein Sword Dance, like this…”
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“I told you. It’s an ambiguous rank.”
Sirius coldly retorted.
“You may have some skill, but you’re only worth using as a sacrificial pawn for the organization’s future… That’s your value.”
“Ugh…!”
Alleon widened his eyes and tried to draw his sword again.
“What do you think you know…!”
Yelling, Alleon swung his sword.
But, the sword didn’t reach Sirius.
It was because Sirius had grabbed the sword barehanded.
“…!?”
Alleon’s eyes widened.
In Sirius’s hand… a translucent white aura was swirling.
And…
“Gasp…!”
Crack!
Alleon’s sword froze.
Afraid it might freeze his hand, Alleon hastily let go of the hilt.
“You have quick judgment. That part is worth evaluating.”
“W-What in the world is this…?”
What Sirius employed was the power of the second stage of the Heavenly Wolf Divine Art, Baekrang (白狼).
Baekrang involved emitting the energy of extreme cold as pure frost, similar to what is commonly known as Ice Arts (氷功).
If the first stage, Bukmyeong, specialized in absorbing the opponent’s energy, Baekrang excelled in freezing everything about the opponent.
“I-Is this ice magic? But how could it be this fast… Ugh!”
Crack!
Another slap landed.
Alleyon, who fell to the ground once again, trembled.
“Alleyon.”
“…!?”
As Sirius called his name for the first time, Alleyon swallowed hard.
“Will you continue to fight?”
“T-That’s…”
The opponent was unmatched.
Sirius hadn’t even drawn his sword.
Feeling the immense difference, Alleyon bit his lip.
Watching him, Sirius slowly spoke.
“Alleyon, I heard that you were mainly tasked with eliminating traitors at the Kalstein Sword Sect.”
“H-How did you…?”
As Alleyon raised his head, Palteon nearby, who had been watching with keen interest, flinched.
Although Sirius acted as if he hadn’t heard anything, he had actually obtained Alleyon’s information from Palteon.
“Eliminating traitors is truly a tough task. Above all, it’s not very rewarding.”
“…”
“Sometimes, one must kill a comrade not yet betrayed because they might betray in the future. It’s a really distasteful matter.”
Sirius continued speaking.
“And when a sacrificial lamb is needed, they are usually the first chosen.”
“Ugh…”
“Since he was only good at punishing allies, sacrificing someone who contributed to defeating enemies is much better.”
Sirius’s voice carried a bitter emotion.
Having witnessed many such cases in the martial world.
“There’s only one way to escape such a worthless life.”
“…?”
Alleyon was taken aback, raising his head.
As Alleyon gazed at Sirius, waiting for an answer… Sirius slapped Alleyon once again.
“Ugh…!”
Palteon, who was watching from the side, looked bewildered.
“Sirius, why did you hit him again? There didn’t seem to be a reason to hit him this time.”
“I did it to get him to pull himself together.”
“I see?”
Sirius looked down at Alarion, who was collapsed on the ground and groaning.
“Alarion.”
“Ugh….”
“I will tell you how to escape from this miserable life, so pull yourself together and listen carefully.”
With an icy gaze directed at Alarion, who even had tears in his eyes, Sirius coldly spoke.
“I’m going to strike back hard at those who used you as a pawn.”
“….!”
Alarion’s eyes widened.
Watching him, Sirius calmly said.
“Get up, Alarion.”
Sirius reached out his hand to Alarion.
Grabbing Alarion’s limp hand, he lifted him up.
The preparations were already complete.
He had taken Bai Binghua to enhance his internal strength and had even reached the level of Bai Rang.
He had a hearty breakfast.
Now, all he needed was someone to guide him.
“We are heading to the Kalstein Valley. You will lead the way.”
Facing the breathless Alarion, Sirius spoke in a composed voice.
“Prove that you are not just a sacrificial 6th rank, Alarion.”