Chapter 170: The Backstab of the Backstab of the Backstab (6)

Bzzzzzt! Crackle—!

Preemptive Suppression.

The white lightning that burst from Raion’s shoulder through the tip of his sword made it possible.

It felt as though the very air around him was being split apart.

Amidst the sharp tension in the air, Raion walked toward Charoen with steady steps.

“What did you just say? Say it again.”

“……”

He had anticipated it—

but only through body and information.

He had never actually seen the true realm of a Master Emperor.

Now it was unfolding before his eyes.

The Black Crescent Moon couldn’t even move easily from their spot.

Meanwhile, the gazes of the four men who had been growling like beasts turned toward Raion.

Perhaps they were drawn by his overwhelming aura.

Pak—!

Eight thickened legs suddenly spread out, closing the distance.

“How dare you attack our master!”

“Where do you think—!”

It was Patrick and Turklan.

The two of them swung their swords in overlapping lines, driving the enemies into a corner.

Kwaaang! Kwang!

A thunderous crash echoed as the enemies slammed into the gorge wall.

‘Will they be okay…?’

The four men were weaker than those they’d faced at Fargodas.

Even so, Raion couldn’t help but feel slightly concerned.

Meanwhile, Charoen’s nape tingled, even though he hadn’t been struck.

“To think they’d try to use us like this…”

In truth, even the Lightning Lance that had rained down earlier from atop the gorge hadn’t been part of any agreement.

Originally, reinforcements were supposed to be hidden within the gorge.

But things had not gone according to plan.

Charoen, having imagined the worst-case scenario, now found himself facing precisely that outcome.

“You’re not really in a position to say that.”

“Weren’t we supposed to be working together? You even accepted the sword, and now this is how you act?!”

“The sword? You’re the ones who handed that over on your own. And I never once said I’d join hands with you.”

Even being invited to the palace and receiving the sword—

all of it had been done on the Black Crescent Moon’s and Mineta Royal Capital’s own accord.

“What nonsense are you spouting…”

“From the start, isn’t it nonsense to think you could buy someone of my level with a few swords?”

“……”

Kwaaang! Kwang!

As the two spoke, a massive figure swept rapidly through the area.

It was Turklan, who was fighting the “Traitor of Chaos.”

He was slammed into the wall by the impact.

“You alright? Want me to help?”

“No, sir! I’m fine!”

Turklan got back up without even glancing at the rubble crushing his body and charged again at the traitor.

Papak—!

Just as he closed in, another traitor burst out from the side and threw a huge punch into Turklan’s face.

Thud! Shwaaak— Kwang!

“It does seem like aura works better on them than the one I fought before… but still tough to handle.”

Raion turned to check on Patrick as well.

Chwaak! Chwaaak!

Unlike the reckless Turklan, Patrick fought calmly.

He had drawn not a dagger, but a longsword.

It was forged from 50% mithril sourced from the Dekelan Raberi region, blended with iron, Stilla Wood, and traces of Adamantium.

It was one of the swords Charoen had once gifted Raion.

The silver-white blade imbued with blue aura gleamed as it slashed through the traitor’s vital spots.

Chwaaak! Chwaak!

Between the swift slashes, daggers flew toward the traitor’s eyes and neck.

Gak! Kakang—!

It rang like steel colliding against an iron wall.

‘So their toughness isn’t ordinary.’

Patrick’s aura level was between beginner and intermediate Sword Master.

He compensated for his lack of power with technique and experience.

While such thoughts flickered through his mind, a chilling voice called out from a short distance away.

“Raion Dragonia, was it…? If Charoen doesn’t please you, how about joining hands with me instead? I’ll give you whatever you want. How about the title of Duke of the Mineta Kingdom? Whatever you do from that seat, I’ll never interfere!”

Even at a glance, it was obvious the alliance had fractured.

It was Harlan Mineta, who had been facing off against the Black Crescent Moon, throwing out the proposal to Raion.

Raion smirked faintly.

“…Anything?”

“That’s right! Whatever it is, I’ll never interfere! So, what do you say?”

Perhaps, to him, it looked like the bait was trembling enticingly on the hook.

Harlan Mineta kept his tension high as he waited for Raion’s response.

Meanwhile, Charoen’s face twisted as though he’d swallowed something foul.

A being of Master Emperor rank—

Even now, white lightning worthy of that title burst from Raion’s sword, devouring the air around him.

Charoen swallowed hard.

If such a being sided with Harlan Mineta in this situation…

The entire board could flip in an instant.

‘I don’t even have anything left to offer…’

Up on the gorge was Prince Rasfer.

He had been the one Charoen planned with—but everything had gone completely awry.

Now, that very man was even after his life.

What proposal could he possibly make now?

Frustration pressed down on him like a noose tightening around his neck.

Then, amidst the surrounding chaos, Raion spoke up.

“What about being the ruler instead of the second?”

“…What?”

“Your hearing going bad now that the situation’s turning sour? I said ruler—the first seat.”

The implication that he wanted the king’s throne left Harlan Mineta speechless.

But even then, he wasn’t ready to give up easily.

“With the number of ambushers of near-magic level we have, you won’t escape here without my help, will you?”

It was clear that their numbers were not small.

And among them, Harlan Mineta himself was a warrior who had reached the level of Grand Master.

If he were to join hands with a Master Emperor, his chances of survival would undoubtedly rise.

“I don’t think that’ll be necessary.”

“…What did you say?”

Raion’s gaze lingered in the air.

A screen—one that no one but him could see.

Through the map projected by his Perception, he was grasping the situation above the gorge more clearly than anyone else.

‘So, Prince Rasfer of Moratz, Knight Commander Spessen, and even the Lords of Huffo and Conforta from the Mineta Kingdom have joined in, huh?’

He could tell, one by one, by checking the information.

On the map, the red dots marking the enemies filled the area around the gorge.

At the very least, there were about 1,500 of them.

It looked like they had brought the full forces of two territories.

‘They’ve really gone all in. And to think they even used the Black Crescent Moon in the process.’

Charoen was not the kind of man to be easily fooled.

He always kept his composure and devised meticulous plans.

That was how he had helped Harlan Mineta ascend to the throne and reaped immense profits ever since.

But this time, because of how desperate the situation was, mistakes had slipped through the cracks.

‘At least the most dangerous ones seem to have come down below.’

The silence dragged on, making both Harlan Mineta and Charoen increasingly uneasy.

Then, Harlan Mineta shouted toward Raion.

“What are you thinking about so much! What will you do?! Will you die here like this?!”

There could be more ambushers lurking nearby.

Even a Grand Master—or a Master Emperor—couldn’t be certain how many enemies they could take on at once.

Everything had its limits.

Lacking confidence himself, Harlan Mineta desperately hoped Raion would side with him.

“Instead of spouting nonsense, you’d better watch your back.”

“…What the—!”

Thud! Shwaaaak! Bang!

A Traitor struck by Turklan’s greatsword went flying and crashed into Harlan Mineta.

Before he could even finish speaking, Harlan was sent tumbling along with the Traitor, crushed beneath a pile of shattered rocks.

“See? Should’ve listened properly.”

“Graaagh!”

The enraged Traitor stood up, veins bulging red across its body.

There were no visible wounds. It snorted like a beast, scenting the air, and then its gaze shifted toward Raion.

Was it sensing his aura?

Just as the creature’s legs pushed off the ground—

Thup—!

A thick hand burst out from the rubble and grabbed the Traitor by the nape.

“How dare you… turn me into this and then try to run away?!”

From Harlan Mineta’s entire body, white aura surged from his left hand—

the one clutching the Traitor’s neck—

spreading like a blazing flame.

“Graaaagh! Gyaaahhh!”

The creature screamed in agony from the forcibly injected aura.

“To think I trusted vermin like this… Charoen’s betrayal, this entire mess—it’s all falling apart.”

His eyes shifted toward the silent Charoen.

Both sides had been betrayed by supposed allies.

Perhaps, from the start, there had never been true allies.

In the end, the one who stood last was the true victor.

Blaming betrayal or deceit along the way was merely admitting one’s own weakness.

“Graaaagh! Gagh!”

Thud—!

The Traitor flailed and struck Harlan Mineta’s face with its arm.

But Harlan didn’t even flinch.

Instead, the air grew heavier.

With a grim expression, he hurled the massive Traitor into the air and swung the sword in his right hand.

Swaaaak! Chaaak!

A white arc of aura traced through the air, slicing the Traitor clean in half.

The bisected corpse hit the ground with a dull thud.

At the same time, Rashid and the Black Crescent Moon members froze mid-motion.

Harlan Mineta was far stronger than they had expected.

“Are you not going to attack me?”

Instead, Harlan Mineta provoked them. Charoen, Rashid, and the Black Crescent Moon members hesitated, sizing him up.

For now, the only opponent Harlan Mineta truly needed to watch out for was Raion Dragonia.

Then Charoen’s gaze met Rashid’s. A silent understanding passed between them.

At the same time, both figures stepped back.

“Running away, are you?”

“Let’s call it a retreat—for the next time.”

Saying that, Charoen shot a glare at Raion.

‘We’ll see about that…!’

He couldn’t bring himself to voice it aloud.

The Black Crescent Moon retreated swiftly toward the opposite end of the gorge from where they had entered.

Patrick and Turklan were still locked in combat with the Traitors and couldn’t stop them.

Harlan Mineta exhaled, visibly relieved.

In contrast, Raion’s expression carried a curious meaning.

‘So, they’re not planning to chase us?’

They weren’t enemies bound by hatred; there was no reason to stubbornly pursue.

Having decided to leave things for another time, Charoen tried to run faster for safety.

Beside him, Rashid showed no sign of regret either.

“At this rate, the Mineta Kingdom will inevitably fall into the hands of the Moratz Kingdom. It could’ve been quite the opportunity, too.”

“Are you mocking me?”

Charoen was just as frustrated.

But hearing it said aloud only made his irritation worse.

Still, that frustration was short-lived.

Chwaaaak!

The retreating Black Crescent Moon abruptly stopped in their tracks.

Across the gorge, the soldiers of Huffo Territory stood waiting—filling the path ahead.

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