Chapter 17: Unsheathing a Powerful Magic Sword
Sirius decided to set off with only Alarion.
Palteon offered to send more people out of concern, but Sirius declined.
“What if something happens to you, Sir Sirius?”
“Then you just have to submit to the Kalstein Valley. Is there any other way?”
“Well, that’s true, but…”
Palteon was quick to understand situations.
The moment Naiel died, he immediately bowed his head to Sirius and submitted.
But if Sirius were to die fighting the Kalstein Valley, things would get complicated.
While submitting to Sirius, Palteon had seized power within the Yuterus family, but in doing so, he had offended the relatives who had been loyal to Naiel.
They had turned to the Kalstein Valley for revenge, so if they were to return and take control of the Yuterus family again, Palteon’s life would be in danger.
“Don’t worry. That won’t happen.”
“….”
Palteon’s expression was dark.
Seeing this, Sirius thought it was inevitable.
They still lacked certainty.
Because Sirius hadn’t shown them much yet.
So he would have to continue to show them.
Who Sirius Canisroot really was.
“Let’s go, Alarion.”
Leaving Palthéon behind, Sirius left the Yuterus estate with Alayon.
“Alayon, did you come here alone?”
“Yes, but…”
Alayon replied respectfully to Sirius.
Until a moment ago, he had been speaking informally, but with his face bruised all over, the respectful tone came out naturally.
“You’re not alone.”
“What?”
Using levitation, Sirius flew his body.
And he dropped the man who had been hiding on the tree.
“Thud!”
“…!”
Alayon swallowed hard as he looked at the man whose neck was broken from the fall.
“Do you know this face?”
“Yes, he was in charge of gathering information. How did this guy…?”
“After learning from a mole within the Yuterus family about how you died and were tasked with passing that information to the Calstein Guild, right?”
“…!”
“It seems he was startled by seeing us coming out together. He leaned out, trying to catch a glimpse of us.”
Sirius walked away, leaving the body behind, and Alayon hurriedly followed.
“If someone hasn’t already leaked the news, we might be able to strike at the heart of the Calstein Guild.”
“But, um…”
Alayon cautiously spoke up.
“Sirius, do you… believe you can bring down the Calstein Guild?”
“Is it that hard to imagine?”
“But, I hesitate to say this now… the Calstein Guild is formidable.”
“….”
“They have many members and strong officers.”
“You were ranked 6th. Are there five people stronger than you?”
“Oh, being ranked 6th means among the disciples, I’m ranked 6th… including the master, there are six of us.”
“I see.”
As Sirius nodded, Alayon continued.
“The master is 7th Circle, and the chief executioner, Palis Sahaeng, is 6th Circle.”
“Below them?”
“From Associate to 5th Circle… that’s 5th Circle.”
“What Circle were you in?”
“I was in the 4th Circle, but…”
“Indeed, being 6th is a step down.”
“….”
Alayon looked displeased, but when Sirius gave him a sharp look, he immediately averted his gaze.
“By the way, Alayon.”
“Yes?”
“Is the circle important?”
“What do you mean?”
“At the age of 7 circles, Niel had his throat cut by my sword and died.”
“…..”
As they walked along the forest path, Sirius spoke.
“Whether it’s 8 circles or 9 circles, if my sword reaches your throat, you die.”
“Isn’t that an obvious thing?”
“Aleion, this applies to you as well.”
“What?”
“You may only be at 4 circles, but once your blade reaches, you can kill your master or even the head. It’s not about the circle being important.”
Aleion stared at Sirius with a look of disbelief.
But Sirius did not offer any further explanation.
“…..”
Honestly, Aleion was feeling skeptical about Sirius.
He always had some plausible stories to tell, but it was hard to believe them outright.
Though he was currently following Sirius for guidance, it was only because he had been overpowered by Sirius.
He wasn’t really following Sirius, and in his heart, he wanted to run away at that moment.
But he feared that if he did so, Sirius would truly take his life, so he obediently continued to guide the way.
What would happen when they arrived at the headquarters of the Kalstein Sword Sect?
Filled with anxiety, Aleion walked through the forest with Sirius.
***
The headquarters of the Kalstein Sword Sect is deep in the mountains.
At the deepest point is the residence of the leader, Kalstein, and his senior disciple, Palace, also stays there.
However, one cannot go directly there.
There are several outposts where subordinates stay along the way to the residence.
Especially at the entrance to the mountain, they have built impressive facilities resembling a fortress.
“Yurka, a 5th seat, is in charge over there.”
“What are those carriages bringing from that direction?”
“It’s probably goods collected as tribute from nearby villages.”
In a distracted voice, Aleion answered Sirius’s question.
“Tribute? Not looted goods?”
“No, that’s not the case. A few months ago, the 4th seat, Valgat, along with his subordinates, raided in and now demands regular tribute… Ugh!”
Sirius struck the back of Aleion’s head.
Though he held back his strength, Aleion grimaced, clutching his head and groaning.
“Aleion, let’s go.”
“H-how are you planning to do it?”
“It’s a terrain where sneaking in is difficult. We have to go in head-on.”
“What?”
“You lead the way. And…”
Sirius whispered to the bewildered Aleion.
“Is it okay?”
“Do as you’re told.”
“….”
In the end, Alairon took the lead.
As they walked towards the gate, men with swords at their waists looked on with surprise.
“Alairon? You went to the Yuterus family….”
“I’m here to meet Yurka for Sirius’s execution. Step aside.”
“Ah, understood.”
Although he was only a 6th seat, he was a high-ranking officer to the subordinates.
They immediately made way, allowing them to pass through the gate without any resistance.
“Hmm? Isn’t that Alairon?”
“For Sirius’s execution….”
Entering a secluded wooden house, they found a sharp-looking man alone, sharpening his sword.
He was Yurka, a 5th seat of the Kalstein sword faction.
“How did you end up here….”
“….”
Yurka was bewildered.
Alairon, who was sent to assess Sirius’s abilities, had returned unharmed, leaving Yurka understandably flustered.
Watching his reaction, Alairon bit his lip slightly.
However, he concealed his emotions and acted as Sirius had instructed beforehand.
“I’ve brought Sirius.”
“What did you say?”
As Sirius stepped forward, nodding slightly.
“I’m Sirius Canisroot. Nice to meet you.”
“….!”
Yurka’s eyes widened in surprise.
“How did you….”
“Why are you so shocked? You sent someone over first from your side.”
Sirius glanced at Alairon briefly.
“I want to speak with Kalstein directly. Lead the way.”
“….”
Yurka’s expression twisted slightly.
“So, are you suggesting that you kneel before us?”
“Not at all.”
“What?”
“Why should I kneel before you?”
“….”
Yurka’s gaze turned hostile.
“Alairon, what’s going on here?”
“Well….”
“Why did you bring this guy here in the first place?”
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“……”
Yurka’s eyes widened as he looked at the silent Alreion.
“Alreion, answer me!”
“Execution.”
Alreion spoke in a firm voice.
“Did you send me to Sirius expecting me to die?”
“W-what are you talking about!”
Yurka stammered.
His attitude was the answer itself.
Alreion tightly shut his eyes.
Sirius had spoken the truth.
“Alreion, you wouldn’t…”
“Yurka.”
Sirius spoke again.
“You told me to guide him to Kalstein, how long do I have to wait?”
“What in the world are you thinking!”
“I’m thinking exactly that.”
Yurka glared with fierce eyes, but Sirius remained unfazed.
“I’m going to return what you proposed to me.”
“What did you say?”
“If you value your life, surrender voluntarily.”
After saying so, Sirius chuckled.
“Of course, that doesn’t mean I’ll spare you.”
“You…!”
Yurka raised the sword he was cleaning and stood up.
“You must be out of your mind wanting to die!”
The magical sword was already deployed on the blade.
The enchanted sword aimed at Sirius.
“……!”
Beside the breath-holding Alreion, Sirius unfolded his magic.
Dodging the attacking blade by a hair’s breadth, Sirius carefully observed Yurka’s swordsmanship.
Yurka’s demeanor was rough, but his swordsmanship was surprisingly intricate.
It was evident that this Kalstein had taught him proper swordsmanship.
With five disciples of this caliber, Kalstein himself must be a formidable swordsman.
“You…!”
However, Yurka’s blade never touched Sirius.
Despite the narrow space, Sirius skillfully evaded all of Yurka’s attacks using his intricate magic.
Regardless of his current skill level, the senses and experience of the White Demon, Bai Murang, were inherited by Sirius.
Hence, he effortlessly evaded such attacks.
“Trying to run away…!”
Sirius focused on evasion rather than counterattacking because he wanted to observe Yurka’s swordsmanship more closely.
From that observation, he had to anticipate Kalstein’s swordsmanship.
However, as Sirius kept evading, Yurka began to feel frustration.
“This guy…!”
Yurka’s gaze started to show wariness.
As anger and excitement subsided, reason began to return.
The man in front of him may appear fragile, but he was the one who had taken down skilled members of the Uterus family, including Naiel.
Realizing that rushing in recklessly was not wise, Yurka considered seeking help from outside.
“Look here! Over here….”
However, Yurka’s voice couldn’t continue.
Suddenly, Sirius’s longsword, like a snake, thrust into Yurka’s side.
“Ugh!”
Blood spurted from his side.
Yurka hastily stepped back, but Sirius’s follow-up attack came swiftly.
It was a rapid series of strikes that left no room to even scream.
“….!?”
In a panic, Yurka kept stepping back.
But soon, he hit the wall.
Earlier, Sirius had considered the indoor space and unfolded his tactics, but Yurka couldn’t do the same.
With nowhere else to run, as Yurka opened his mouth to request help,
“Clang!”
Sirius’s sword pierced Yurka’s throat.
Before Yurka could even scream properly, he collapsed.
“It’s over.”
“S-Sirius, sir…”
Alleon, who had witnessed everything, spoke in disbelief.
“How did he defeat Yurka without using magic…?”
Just now, Sirius had defeated Yurka without unleashing his sword aura, without even using his inner power.
He had subdued Yurka purely with his martial skills.
“I did mention. It’s not about the quantity of circles but the quality.”
“….!”
“Using a magic sword can enhance the power of a sword. The more circles, the stronger it gets. But no matter how powerful a magic sword is, if it doesn’t reach the opponent’s body, it’s useless.”
Alleon looked at Sirius with awe.
Yurka, a 5th seat of the Kalstein Sword Division, couldn’t even touch the hem of Sirius’s clothes… His swordsmanship truly surpassed imagination.
“Keep leading the way, Alleon.”
To Alleon, Sirius spoke with a composed voice.
“We’ll continue until we reach where Kalstein is, up in the mountains deep in the forest.”
Sirius would climb up there without hesitation.