Chapter 57

Chapter 57

“A Swordmaster from the Duchy is going to join us?”

Piotr could hardly believe it.

“Does this surprise you?”

“To be honest… yes, it does. May I ask why?”

Piotr quickly hid his surprise and asked cautiously.

‘Oh, what do we have here?’

Blaho’s gaze narrowed at Piotr’s reaction.

He had merely regarded him as a promising youth with a significant amount of training and experience for his age, but this was unexpected.

‘Quite composed. He seems far more thoughtful than his years suggest.’

Seeing such potential in him was the reason Blaho had chosen to answer this young man now.

“As I said, the first option was never on the table. Even if you, Lord Piotr, displayed the heroic spirit of a heaven-sent hero like His Grace, Duke Jang Si-on, as a knight of the Ducal family, I could never walk the path of rebellion.”

‘Yeah, that was never going to happen…’

Piotr listened carefully without revealing his thoughts, convinced that even someone like Blaho would swear loyalty if he met Si-on in person.

“And as Lord Salen mentioned, my original intention was to choose the third option. There’s a saying that doing nothing keeps you in the middle, and the military’s principle is to remain neutral at all times.

If only the first and third choices were available, I’d have chosen the latter without hesitation. But then there was this odd option to quit.”

Blaho shrugged his shoulders as he continued.

“At first, I thought it was a joke. I even considered thrashing Salen when I saw him. But after listening to you, Lord Piotr, I realized this letter was meant to steer me towards the second option from the start.”

“Is that so?”

Although he didn’t fully understand, Piotr nodded in agreement.

“Time has passed, but Salen is still Salen. That devious Lord Salen clearly tested me with that letter. If he had revealed the entire contents to you and guided you to push for the second option, what do you think would have happened?”

“Uh… I’m not sure.”

“I would’ve thrashed him and locked him up.”

Swordmaster Jordan Blaho likes to beat people up.

Noted…

Piotr nodded earnestly, thinking that if Blaho had chosen to join him, it was something he needed to remember if he wanted to live peacefully.

“Indeed, I would have done the same.”

“Thanks for understanding. Anyway, I believe that’s why Lord Salen didn’t disclose everything to you—he wanted me to remain objective, so I could make a choice objectively.”

Though it didn’t entirely make sense, Blaho’s words were strangely persuasive, and Piotr nodded like an automaton.

“In the end, I had no choice but to consider the second option. But quitting out of nowhere wasn’t a sensible decision. However, since it was Salen who presented this option, there’s undoubtedly another arrangement hidden within it, which you, Lord Piotr, have revealed.”

“A new world…”

“Yes, precisely. I don’t know about others, but that intrigues me greatly. Since last year, I’ve had this strange feeling.

It’s like something else brushed past my body—a sensation that could be called a new world or a new stage. What’s astounding is how Lord Salen knew about this, even though I’ve never told anyone. It’s peculiar.”

At that moment, Piotr felt certain.

When he first heard Si-on talk about it, he was unsure, but now, what Blaho was mentioning was almost certainly related to ‘Levels.’

Both he and Stelman had seen their ‘Levels.’

What about Swordmaster Blaho?

He might not have seen it yet, but he could probably feel it.

A sense that he was standing on the threshold of advancing to a new stage.

‘So, even a Swordmaster can feel something like this before seeing their Level. I felt something shatter within me when I first saw my Level, too.’

“But quitting my post just to pursue personal ambition would be absurd. So, I circled back to the first and third options. Remaining still may seem prudent, but it also felt like a foolish move, which left me with the first.”

“I see.”

“It’s a bit sly, but in the end, they shared with me something I thought only I knew. Despite seeming naive and awkward, Si-on’s bloodline was introduced to me by Lady Salen, the first Duchess.

Moreover, if Lord Yonas, that severe old-timer, vouched for him, then there’s nothing more to say.”

Blaho, who had been smiling subtly, suddenly hardened his expression. His gaze, fierce but controlled, locked onto Piotr.

“So, while I may leave the Black Eagle Regiment, I will still remain as Si-on’s sword, standing with you, the heir of Si-on’s bloodline.”

* * *

Blaho’s actions were as swift as his decision.

He summoned the vice-captains and issued his final orders as the commander of the Black Eagle Regiment.

“From this moment, for the next ten days, all troops are to cease operations and remain in their encampments. Recall all forces currently engaged in external activities.”

“What?”

“Didn’t you hear me? Do I need to repeat myself?”

“No, sir!”

They were truly elite.

The knights who had unconsciously questioned the absurd order quickly recovered their discipline and obeyed.

Immediately, messengers were dispatched to summon the troops operating outside, and within less than two hours, all personnel returned to the barracks.

In the meantime, Blaho continued to give instructions to the vice-captains.

“Reject orders from any individual who tries to command you.”

“Suppress anyone who comes aggressively or acts hostile toward the Regiment.”

“If it happens inside the camp, lethal force is permitted.”

“After ten days, or sooner if a command bearing the Ducal family’s seal arrives, follow it accordingly.”

“Even if I return, do not obey me without a formal command.”

Each order was beyond the realm of common sense, and the vice-captains were understandably shaken.

However, they did not recklessly interrupt and attentively listened to their commander, trusting that he would provide an answer to the “Why? How come?”

“As you’re not fools, you’re all aware that the Twin-headed Eagle Castle—the Ducal family—hasn’t been normal for quite some time. Still, you’ve remained in place, unswervingly, and for that, I am grateful.”

The heartfelt confession of the iron-blooded Swordmaster stirred the hearts of the vice-captains.

“As the Duchy’s army, we must not act rashly. That remains unchanged. Therefore, you and the Regiment soldiers must continue to guard this place, the barracks.”

“Commander…”

“But I am a knight of the Ducal family before being a member of the Black Eagle Regiment. I came to this land alongside the great Founding Patriarch, Duke Jang Si-on, and swore to forever protect the emblem of the Twin-headed Eagle by his side.

Thus, I will lower the banner of the Black Eagle and leave to defend the banner of the Twin-headed Eagle.”

“……”

Ordinarily, they would have responded passionately.

But the vice-captains could not behave emotionally toward the Swordmaster, who had silently stood by and done his best for the Regiment over the years.

His words were rooted in logic.

And that logic was none other than ‘chivalry.’

“Ten days. Within ten days, you and the Black Eagles will break out of your nest once more. I swear on my honor.”

Blaho, who had spoken in a firm tone throughout, looked around at the vice-captains and assumed a rigid stance.

He then saluted them with the utmost respect.

“Glory to the Black Eagles.”

“Eternal to the Twin-headed Eagles!”

The vice-captains returned the salute and shouted in unison.

* * *

As the sun painted the western horizon with a red glow, Piotr, Stelman, and Sirvan departed the camp with the Swordmaster.

Wearing light armor—only a chainmail over a linen tunic—Blaho rode with his equipment and belongings loaded onto another horse.

Blaho turned to Piotr when he saw the Janstrick mercenaries and dwarves waiting outside.

“Is this all of them?”

“Yes, sir. Including Brother Yonas, the others are with Lord Salen in the Forest Without Echoes.”

“The Forest Without Echoes? What are they doing there?”

Piotr, who had remained tight-lipped as per Si-on’s instructions not to reveal any details until Blaho made his decision, finally answered with some relief.

“Well, it all started from August Estate…”

Piotr explained everything from the beginning in August Estate up until their most recent stop at Cheolsan.

As Blaho listened, his expression shifted repeatedly.

When he heard why Si-on had divided the forces and sent them to the Forest Without Echoes, his expression finally showed complete understanding.

“Hmm. It’s certainly a strategically sound decision. The elves from our Duchy, particularly the northern ranger elves, are unquestionably skilled. But is Lord Salen really that formidable?”

Blaho’s eyes, as he asked his last question, were fixed not on Piotr but on Stelman.

He knew that among those present, Stelman was, without a doubt, the strongest.

“If we fought one-on-one, it would take about five exchanges. No, if I didn’t hold back, I could end it in one exchange. Of course, with me winning.”

“…!”

Blaho’s face showed a rare expression of shock.

“Is that true? Someone of your caliber would be highly coveted by any estate, and you’d lose in just one exchange?”

“I take pride in my abilities as a swordsman, even though I’m a mercenary. But in front of Lord Salen, that pride means nothing.”

“Ha! Incredible. Truly remarkable.”

It was a sincere reaction, but Stelman could sense it.

Just as he had harbored competitive spirit and ambition when facing Blaho, the Swordmaster now held similar feelings towards the monstrous master he had yet to meet.

‘He’s going to get his ass kicked…’

Stelman simply smiled bitterly, anticipating an entertaining spectacle.

“By the way.”

Blaho turned his gaze back to Piotr.

“What would you have done if I had decided to stay with the Black Eagle Regiment? Ah, mind if I speak informally?”

“No, it’s fine. If Master Blaho had decided to stay…”

“…?”

After hesitating briefly, Piotr replied as if he had no choice.

“Lord Salen said it would still have worked out somehow. To be exact… he said it wouldn’t affect the bigger picture.”

“What!?”

When Blaho raised an eyebrow, Piotr instinctively shrank back.

He knew he would have been just as offended and infuriated if he’d heard something like that himself.

“Haha… Hahahahaha!”

But when Blaho burst into loud laughter, everyone turned to him in surprise.

After a brief bout of laughter, Blaho’s eyes sparkled fiercely, and he smirked.

“That Lord Salen is quite the character. I can’t wait to meet him.”

Everyone gulped nervously as Blaho cracked his knuckles on the reins.

It wasn’t out of fear of Blaho’s aura.

‘He’s going to get his ass kicked…’

‘Swordmaster? He doesn’t stand a chance against him…’

‘Watching a Swordmaster get thrashed? This I’ve got to see.’

They were eagerly anticipating the gruesome yet thrilling scene that was sure to unfold soon.

* * *

‘My ears are itching. Maybe it’s because I haven’t washed in two days?’

Si-on scratched his ear with his pinky and then pulled on the reins.

Blackie, who had been walking at a leisurely pace, stopped immediately.

Snort! Snort!

The horse snorted loudly, clearly displeased at not having had a chance to run properly since they left the forest.

“Just hang on a little longer, you brat. You’ll get to run soon.”

After calming his steed, Si-on called out to Yonas.

“If I recall, there’s a village nearby. Was it Princeton? Anyway, let’s stay there for the night and head out early at dawn.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I’ll lead the way. I built that village myself a long time ago, so I still remember it.”

“As you wish, Grandfather.”

Led by Si-on, the group of people and horses, mixed with captives, hurried along.

About twenty minutes later, they could see the faint lights of a village.

Everyone’s faces brightened at the thought of finally resting in a proper place after leaving the forest.

However, as they drew closer to the village entrance, their expressions stiffened.

“…What is this?”

Si-on looked at the village with eyes colder than ice.