Chapter 116: The Knights Who Returned from Hell

Raion’s sword was also wrapped in a blue aura.

In response, Jade unfolded the Raizen-Style Swordsmanship to its fullest, striking from both sides.

Cha-cha-chang! Cha-chang!

“Is that the extent of your aura?”

“Of course not!”

Jade unleashed an aura even more intense than before.

The faint blue hue of his aura deepened until it felt like blue flames were rising.

“Intermediate level?”

“I thought I’d die trying to reach this stage!”

The realm of a Sword Master demanded extreme training from the very beginning.

Naturally, the level of training required to advance from beginner to intermediate was no small matter.

To surpass that threshold, Jade had devoted himself to training day after day even while aboard the ship.

“Then try blocking my sword this time!”

“Come at me!”

“Shall I?”

The aura gathered on Raion’s sword was also blue, like Jade’s.

But then, its color gradually turned white, and the blade lengthened to nearly twice its size.

“Th–That’s…!”

“If you clash with this the wrong way, never mind your sword—you’ll lose your head.”

“Damn it—!”

Jade knew well that the white aura signified a high-grade Sword Master.

That was why he drew out every bit of aura he could into his sword.

Kaaang—! Chwaaaaaa!

As the blades collided fiercely, Jade was pushed back hard.

It was incredible strength, one hard to believe came from Raion’s relatively lean frame.

“Khugh….”

“You didn’t even think of dodging and chose to block it head-on. Impressive.”

“That’s only because Master controlled his strength.”

“Let’s stop here.”

“Thank you. Haa…!”

Thud.

Jade staggered to his knees and collapsed to the ground.

Startled, Lord Shtefan hurried toward him.

“Sir Jade! Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. I just overdid it a bit after a long while.”

“But that was truly magnificent. I never imagined I’d live to see a duel between Sword Masters of intermediate and higher ranks….”

“Master is the impressive one. I thought I’d finally caught up, only to find out he’s already reached the high-grade level….”

In Jade’s mind, the vivid image of the blazing aura on Raion’s sword lingered.

Before they’d left for trade by sea, their skills had seemed nearly equal—but now, the gap had widened greatly.

“You’ll reach it soon too. But you’ll need to sustain that aura you showed earlier for at least half a day.”

“Half a day… Understood. I’ll make it happen.”

He didn’t protest.

Raion had never once been wrong about such things.

The days passed at a terrifying pace.

Yet, not everyone could feel that speed.

“Haa… haa….”

“The Clamen Mountains didn’t gain their infamous name for nothing.”

“You’re right. How can monsters keep coming without rest?”

These were the words of Alkas Derion, commander of the entire knight order of the Kanas Territory, and his knights.

At first, they’d been told to form groups of five, but now every knight was gathered around Alkas.

“Are the wounded taken care of?”

“No serious injuries. But to think it’s already been thirty days….”

“I’m as surprised as you are. Still, it’s a relief.”

There hadn’t been a single casualty among the knights.

For that alone, Alkas was deeply grateful.

“The campsite’s cleared. Shall we depart immediately?”

“Don’t let your guard down until the very end. And make sure all the spoils from the hunt are packed properly!”

“We’ve been thorough about that!”

Over the thirty days they’d spent in the Clamen Mountains, they’d hunted all sorts of monsters.

Naturally, the byproducts they’d obtained stirred excitement among the knights.

Just selling them at the Guild after leaving the mountains would bring in a significant sum.

But there was also a matter that worried some of them.

“The Lord won’t have an issue with us keeping what we collected, will he?”

Cayman seemed troubled by that thought.

Alkas answered with a firm expression.

“I’ll speak to ensure it doesn’t become a problem.”

“I just hope you won’t get reprimanded, Commander….”

Ordinarily, anything obtained through a knight’s hunt belonged to the territory.

They weren’t adventurers or mercenaries, but retainers serving under their lord.

However, during this training expedition, the knights had endured extraordinary hardship.

They had all risked their lives to fight, so Alkas couldn’t dismiss their efforts lightly.

“Don’t doubt me—and don’t worry. Our Lord is a man who truly cares for his people.”

“M–My apologies, Commander. I’ll trust your judgment.”

While Cayman was being scolded, the other knights finished their preparations to leave.

Once everything was ready, their expressions brightened a little.

“Let’s move out.”

“Yes, sir!”

Their steady yet heartfelt response echoed quietly through the forest.

The knights marched onward.

They were now retracing their path out of the mountains after reaching its depths.

Of course, Alkas had already calculated the route and distance in advance.

Thanks to that, the entrance to the mountains wasn’t far off.

Even as they passed winding hills and thick forests, monsters appeared.

Grrrrr! Chwaaak!

The trained knights dispatched every Grey Wolf and Goblin they encountered before orders were even given.

Soon, the fortress wall encircling the mountain range came into view.

“We’re almost there!”

“Just a little further!”

Many of the knights shouted.

Their hearts swelled with joy at finally escaping the mountain range that had been like hell itself.

Their walking pace quickened all at once.

The guards standing atop the fortress wall noticed them and called out loudly.

“Commander Alkas and the knights have returned!”

“Open the gates!”

Kugung……!

The thick fortress gates split open to both sides.

Only after reaching the entrance did Alkas and the knights finally let out a sigh of relief.

Step. Step.

As they began to enter, their eyes widened in surprise.

A crowd of people was gathered inside the fortress walls.

“Welcome back!”

“Thank you for your hard work!”

“Quick, tend to the wounded!”

They were people from the Theron production district and nearby villages.

They welcomed the knights and helped the injured.

As Alkas stood watching the scene quietly, he spotted Raion and Lord Shtefan standing at the center.

“Sir Alkas! We have completed our training in the Clamen Mountains and returned safely!”

He knelt and gave his report immediately.

At that sight, Raion smiled in satisfaction.

[Target Information]

Name: Alkas Derion

Age: 39

Occupation: Commander of the Kanas Territory Knights

Life: 620 / 690

Stamina: 520 / 1,360

Mana: 320 / 430

Abilities:

Swordsmanship Level 9

Horsemanship Level 7

His swordsmanship, once at Level 8, had risen by one level.

Even the aura radiating from his entire body was clearly different from before—proof that he had achieved tangible results from training in the Clamen Mountains.

“You’ve done well.”

“I only did what must be done.”

Standing beside them, Shtefan Palvin looked at him with pride.

“Nonsense. You’ve endured much hardship for thirty days. To commend that effort, Master personally gathered everyone and prepared this occasion.”

“I’m truly grateful, Master!”

“And the spoils obtained from hunting shall be converted into gold and shared equally among all knights who trained together!”

“……Thank you! I shall devote my loyalty to the Kanas Territory, to Master, and to Lord Shtefan!”

Among the monsters they had hunted during training, some had been of high rank.

The materials collected from them were estimated to be worth over 10,000 gold coins.

Each knight would receive several hundred gold coins—several dozen times their regular pay—so it was cause for celebration.

“Rewarding hard work is only right. I will also grant a separate commendation to the knights.”

“The men will be overjoyed!”

Through this hellish training, Raion had seen remarkable growth among his knights.

With such generous rewards on top of that, their morale could only soar higher.

Of course, every part of it was a carefully planned calculation.

“Now, rest.”

“Thank you, sir. I’ll take my leave.”

As Alkas departed, the ceremony for the knights continued.

The Adventurer’s Guild had come directly to the fortress to appraise the spoils the knights had brought.

It was all to ensure that the knights felt properly recognized and appreciated.

While watching the scene, Shtefan Palvin asked a question beside him.

“The time you mentioned has come. Shall we send the report to the royal capital as scheduled?”

“Do so. It’s about time we start moving.”

“I find it puzzling. If we send a report proclaiming the territory’s prosperity, won’t that solidify Master’s standing as a successor to the throne?”

Shtefan referred to the report to be sent to the royal capital about the territory’s income and taxes.

Raion had instructed him to submit the report truthfully, reflecting the recent economic rise he had postponed until now.

If the prosperity of the territory reached the royal capital, as Shtefan said, Raion’s position as a candidate for succession could indeed be strengthened.

But Raion had previously expressed no interest in claiming the throne.

His planned actions and their outcomes appeared contradictory.

“There are those who won’t sit idly by while my influence grows.”

“Who do you mean? Ah……”

At Raion’s words, Shtefan immediately recalled a certain person.

He could only nod in understanding.

The day for the regular territorial report arrived.

Duke Alito Kright, Chancellor of the Kingdom of Canel, reviewed the reports submitted from each territory.

The first were, of course, those from his grandsons—the royal princes Ashuran and Valet.

“They’re both showing steady progress. However, judging by the results, Valet’s territory seems to be advancing too far ahead. I’ll have to tell him to hold back a little.”

For the sake of public image and the people’s support, it was preferable that Ashuran, whose disposition resembled that of the current king, King Laskan Canel, succeeded the throne.

Of course, Valet Canel was not lacking in ability.

He was quick-witted and shrewd in devising strategies—traits he inherited not from the king, but from his maternal grandfather, Duke Alito.

Still, for the sake of the crown’s popularity and the appearance of strength, it was sometimes necessary to take a step back.

“The surrounding territories are suffering more each day, but once the succession is settled, things will stabilize.”

To Duke Alito, the territorial damages were merely temporary outcomes of his political maneuvers.

Naturally, the harm done to the citizens in the process was of little concern to him.

Then, a report from the Kanas Territory found its way into his hands.

The last time, the king had gathered his ministers and nobles to announce the territory’s promising development with great enthusiasm.

Of course, Duke Alito had dismissed it as a mere ploy back then—and still did now.

But when he unfolded the parchment report, that thought crumbled away.

“How could this be…!”

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