episode_0070

Immediately, Rachel felt a surge of magic flowing along with the signal flare as it was launched from the carriage, wondering if there was a means to send out a distress signal as I had mentioned.

‘With this, even the Duke of Astrea should be aware of the situation and come running.’

The question now was whether we could hold out until then.

Not only were danger signals flashing fiercely enough to sting her mind, just thinking about the current situation was truly perilous.

Even though we were supposedly cut off from the outside world by functions embedded in the carriage, there were formidable foes lurking, skilled mages and Victor, ready to strike at us the moment I let my guard down.

I couldn’t help but wonder if Cynelia’s Black Moon was behind this, but considering our agreement, at the very least, Victor shouldn’t have been touched.

And at a distance, the Fourth Division still kept a watchful eye on me, but I hadn’t missed a single one of their movements from the beginning until now.

While Laika may be stronger than me, I doubted they could take both of us without me noticing.

Considering that two members of the support team were quickly moving away from the other side, it seemed unlikely that they were calling for reinforcements or at least relaying any news. It appeared to be a false alarm.

They seemed quite unsettled, preparing for a fight if necessary.

If even they were on high alert, it was indeed an emergency situation.

‘Maybe no one will make it out of here alive.’

Although the fact that Rachel went missing or was attacked when she went to her family’s estate made the current situation bewildering, there was no denying the reality of what had already unfolded.

Could it be noble families related to the harassment Claire faced before?

I had anticipated that even if Iris exerted pressure, they would demand a disciplinary committee or try to move the case to the Imperial Court, but they hadn’t done so.

They might have seen cutting off the future generations of the Astrea Duchy as beneficial to them.

Perhaps they harbored resentment towards Helena, who had discarded them like pawns.

Claire, being a commoner, probably didn’t perceive much danger.

It was doubtful whether they had the power to recruit such formidable individuals.

As my thoughts were interrupted, a powerful aura shot towards the carriage as if waiting for me to appear.

‘The attackers consist of at least one inspector overwhelmingly stronger than me.’

Relying solely on the protective functions within the carriage and Helena’s barrier seemed futile against such overwhelming force.

Unable to pinpoint the enemy’s location accurately, rushing towards them blindly was impossible.

-Clang!

Activating body reinforcement, I barely managed to block with my sword, but the situation worsened.

‘The blade was damaged from just one attack.’

The opponent had struck lightly for reconnaissance, and I had only blocked with my sword to avoid revealing my full strength, but it was surprising that the dwarf-crafted sword could be damaged so easily.

After successfully blocking another shot from the aura, it seemed they had assessed me to some extent, revealing themselves first from the other side.

Fully armored from head to toe without any distinctive markings or symbols, making it impossible to identify the opponent.

Encountering such an enemy was a first for me, leaving me clueless about their identity.

‘Yet I haven’t shown that I can handle the aura properly, so I’ll have to gamble on that.’

Since the opponent had concluded my abilities were at this level, turning the tables seemed to be the only way forward.

Seemingly not wanting to give us ample time, they initiated the attack first.

‘Fast!’

Thinking I could evade, they moved much quicker than expected, grazing my chest with a shallow cut.

To allow myself to step back comfortably, I had to increase my speed as if to indicate that I wouldn’t let the relentless attacks inflict fatal wounds on me, barely managing to fend off the sword.

Responding solely with physical enhancement feels overwhelming.

Even with my stats and heightened senses, it’s difficult to keep up.

Reacting late to the ongoing assaults, my left eye was slashed above, bleeding profusely.

“Now even one side of my vision is obscured.”

In front of a formidable opponent like this, it wouldn’t be surprising if I lost my life while attempting to wipe away the blood.

As the flowing blood eventually completely covered one eye, obstructing my vision.

With one side of my sight obscured, it’s already challenging to gauge the distance accurately.

If the opponent attacks from the left, creating a blind spot, it will be difficult to counter.

Struggling to compensate for the loss of vision with heightened senses, injuries accumulated faster than before.

“Fortunately, I haven’t lost my life yet or suffered fatal wounds on my limbs.”

However, the issue lies in the fact that the opponent has been attacking lightly, almost as if probing, which is problematic.

Considering the arrows shot by the enemy, despite being able to use the Arrow Blade, I didn’t apply any arrows to the sword.

Yet, when our swords clash, it’s mine that continues to deteriorate.

Having blocked strong attacks earlier, the center of the sword is already significantly damaged.

Still, I could endure to seize the only opportunity.

Even if I were to die… by stalling as much as possible, I could buy time for reinforcements to arrive from the Astrea Duchy to protect the three.

“Please continue to underestimate me. While my swordsmanship and physical abilities are not bad, they are ultimately only at a first-year level.”

After exchanging blows several times, it seemed like the opponent grew disinterested in facing me further and decided to end it, launching a larger attack.

“Now!”

Seizing the sole opportunity, I overlapped my body’s mana with the Arrow and physical enhancement, circulating them together.

In a life-threatening situation, an overwhelmingly brilliant Arrow Blade, never sincerely displayed at the Academy, unfolded.

“As long as I cling to life, I’ll endure any injury.”

I abandoned the idea of deploying Arrow Armor prepared for injuries.

The enemy in front of me cannot afford such leisure.

Rushing into the enemy’s embrace with maximum output solely for attack purposes, I swiftly leaped for a single strike.

“Oh? If I could have used such an interesting move earlier, it would have been better.”

“Don’t get caught up in useless thoughts. You can reach it.”

The opponent’s sword is still at a distance from reaching me.

At the moment I thought the sword had touched the enemy’s neck, the opponent swinging the sword in front of me veered out of my heightened senses, showing a blurry movement.

-Clang!

The Arrow Blade and the sword shattered, forcing my body to retreat forcibly.

“Cough!”

It didn’t take long to understand what had just happened.

I immediately grasped how my unique ability had backfired.

Risking my life with a full-powered attack, I shattered the Arrow Blade with movements beyond heightened senses, kicking me away.

“You crazy monster.”

Even my best efforts were merely child’s play to the opponent.

Although even the last resort failed, I struggled to pick up the broken sword in half to save at least the people inside the carriage.

“I will die here.”

I had already given up on surviving.

However, it must be my final role to somehow buy time for the arrival of Countess Astraea’s escort troops.

Claire’s face, grasping my hand anxiously from the carriage, comes to mind. Why is that?

Will Rachel and Helena survive as well?

“I have one last question. If I fall, do you intend to attack the people inside the carriage?”

“And if I do?”

Despite the aftermath of the recent skirmish leaving me trembling and bloodied all over, I steadied myself, unfolding my blade with unwavering determination.

“I cannot defeat you. I will die here.”

The enemy seemed to acknowledge my words, silently standing as if listening.

“Nevertheless, until the very end, I will not give up and will cling to your ankles. Even if I am injured, even until your sword ends my life. Come!”

“A good resolve. I admire it.”

Just as I focused all my attention on the impending attack from my opponent, the carriage door swung open, and Rachel rushed out.

“I told you to get in right now, Rachel!! I strictly warned you not to come out! It’s dangerous!”

Despite my desperate plea, Rachel stood her ground, blocking my path as if to protect me.

Having witnessed my fight inside the carriage, what folly was she committing before such a formidable foe?

This would only provide an opportunity for the enemy to effortlessly sweep us aside in an instant.

She hadn’t even drawn her sword.

I no longer wanted to witness Rachel’s death.

As I struggled to shield her with my heavy body, Rachel’s bombshell statement halted me in my tracks.

“Father, please stop. What kind of disgrace is this in front of guests visiting Countess Astraea!”

With those words, I could finally discern who the formidable adversary I had been facing all along was.

Rachel’s father, mentioned but never seen in Sungyong-a, and the foremost swordsman of the current Armenian Empire.

“And the current Swordmaster of Armenia.”

All the reasons why I had abandoned all plans I had set for the break and opted for Countess Astraea’s visit were standing right in front of me.