Episode 85

The coordinated attack of the Shadows was astonishingly sharp.

Their movements, which seemed to initiate an attack only to immediately shift into afterimages, were chillingly precise.

― Swiish!-

Even when you thought one was charging in, another attack would suddenly fly in from behind.

And the moment you sensed that attack, another would strike from an unexpected angle.

‘As expected, they’re the elite from the main family.’

Individually, of course, they were no match for a superhuman Swordmaster.

However, their true terror lay in their fearsome teamwork, unleashing relentless barrages on a single target, and in the characteristic audacity unique to the assassin corps.

If they could kill their enemy and preserve secrecy, they would even use their own lives as tools.

That was the tradition and strength that the Shadows had built up over the years.

They moved like machines.

Like perfectly tuned gears in a mechanism, the Shadows each fulfilled their precise role within their designated ranges.

However, the problem was… their opponent was Mikhail.

― KWAAANG!-

The chillingly sharp onslaught of the Shadows never landed a single blow on Mikhail.

During the exchange, however, one of the Shadows moved his hand a little differently.

‘So, they’ve figured it out.’

Knowing Mikhail’s abilities, Erich could predict the Shadows’ reactions.

― Swiiiish!-

They spread their attacks wider and came at him with a delay between moves.

― KWAANG!-

Another sonic boom echoed, and Erich observed what progress they’d made.

They were now approaching Mikhail even closer than before.

Mikhail’s invisible attacks, at first glance, seemed invincible… but fundamentally, they only worked within his perceptual range.

Conversely, if they could mislead his line of sight and disrupt his awareness, then approach from a blind spot, his attacks wouldn’t trigger.

‘Not that Mikhail would fail to notice that, though,’ Erich thought.

Mikhail still hadn’t drawn his hand from his black cloak. He just stood there, surveying the Shadows—with a look that was almost amused.

“Quite the capable lot. Heh heh.”

By Mikhail’s standards, that was the highest praise. Not many had received such an assessment, even among the Watch.

Upon hearing his words, the Shadow group fell silent, watching him carefully. It seemed they had come to a decision.

― Swish.

A Shadow who acted as their ‘mouth’ drew out two swords. He then darted straight into the ongoing melee, where the other Shadows attacked Mikhail like automatons.

― PAAANG!-

Successive sonic booms rang out, and the Shadows were blown back. But at that very moment, Erich narrowed his eyes.

‘He’s gone?’

It was no mere figure of speech. The dual-blade Shadow had certainly charged with the others, but at some point he vanished from view.

Mikhail’s eyes darted rapidly, tracking the approach of the closing Shadows.

― PAANG!-

Yet again, a sonic boom thundered. Suddenly, the dual-blade Shadow materialized behind Mikhail, swinging at him.

― Swiiiish!-

But just as the blades were about to strike Mikhail’s nape, he ducked down—without even turning to look.

His eyes glowed with a navy blue radiance.

At that moment, Erich was certain he saw it. Mikhail was unleashing the powers of his eyes.

‘… Domain!’

Faint, yet unmistakable, countless slashes surrounded Mikhail.

― Pakakakakakang!-

Explosions erupted in all directions. Immediately after, every Shadow around Mikhail was sent flying.

The shockwave fluttered Erich’s black cloak, though he stood far away.

“Guh!”

“Kuhek.”

The Shadows slammed into the terrain, groaning as they crashed.

With a smirk, Mikhail spoke.

“Almost had a blade to my throat just now. You said you wouldn’t kill me—did you change your mind? Tsk tsk.”

“…”

The Shadow mouth rose to his feet without a word, blood dribbling from his lips, yet to be swallowed.

After a brief moment’s thought, ‘the mouth’ responded.

“You created that opening on purpose, didn’t you?”

“Did you learn a good lesson? By the way, all the ones from the South are to my liking. Why don’t you lot join the Watch?”

“…”

The mouth bit his lip. Mikhail still hadn’t drawn his sword.

According to what Mikhail had said before the regression, this was his prime.

‘Hmm, even if it was my future self, I can’t be sure I’d win if I fought against Mikhail as he is now.’

The only silver lining was that Mikhail had no intention of killing them. Otherwise, he would have drawn his sword already.

Erich slowly started walking toward them.

‘Right now, I can still stop this.’

Erich could easily guess why they were stubbornly continuing the hopeless fight.

He’d cut down so many so-called strongest warriors of the Empire that the Shadows must have assumed Mikhail’s level was simply the average among the Watch.

It was a fair assumption, given that while Mikhail’s fearsome reputation was well known, very few had actually witnessed him go all out.

If all you had to go on was that he was the strongest of the Watch, such a misunderstanding was understandable.

But now, they would have realized. Mikhail was leagues above those chaff. Now was the moment for Erich to intervene.

“All right, sir Mikhail, and you as well. Both sides—let’s put away our swords.”

“Tsk tsk, just as things were getting interesting…”

Mikhail wore a faint smile, while the Shadows hesitated.

“For you, the problem is having your identities revealed. Sir Mikhail, you have no real intent to harm them, do you? There’s no reason for us to even fight in the first place.”

“What do you mean?”

“You said this was a matter beyond the heir’s control, but you’re wrong. I can issue you orders. Who needs to know, and who does not, the grand duke will decide. I’ll send a message and get his direct permission. Until then, sheathe your swords. As you’ve probably realized by now, you can’t silence Sir Mikhail with just your group.”

The Shadows were no fools. After that clash, they would know that Mikhail was utterly beyond what they had expected.

“You lot have less grit than I thought. Tsk tsk.”

Even at Mikhail’s taunting, the Shadows only hung their heads. Then, the ‘mouth’ spoke.

“Understood. But while we wait, can you guarantee that this man won’t reveal our identities?”

These bastards, still not thinking straight. Erich sighed inwardly and spoke.

“Sir Mikhail, the young ones may seem disrespectful, but it’s just youthful impatience. Besides, didn’t you come all this way to discuss Ungrim? We’ll need these people’s help to deal with that issue.”

“Hmph, what do they have to do with that problem?”

“They’ll play a crucial role in the coming confrontation with Ungrim. Sometimes, one night visitor is worth a hundred knights.”

Mikhail slowly scanned the Shadows with narrowed eyes, as if saying, “What could you possibly accomplish with these people?”

But while he was stubborn, he wasn’t a fool who insisted on pointless things.

“Fine. Since they’re here for you, handle it as you see fit. But what if the grand duke doesn’t grant permission?”

“He will. I’ll see to that.”

He said this, but there was no need for special effort. The grand duke was known for his grasp of practical affairs.

Mikhail’s fame already spread across the Empire.

‘No way would he choose disadvantage over gain.’

The main family’s Shadows—such elite forces wouldn’t be wasted like this.

Besides, what would be gained?

Killing a mere Watchman, not even an enemy? There’s no way he’d agree to such a senseless exchange.

Anyway…

“Shadows. If you understand, fall back for now.”

“… Understood.”

The Shadows withdrew quickly, their movements as mesmerizing as when they had appeared.

“The more I see, the more curious I get. Who teaches such tricks, I wonder.”

“To Sir Mikhail, it’s all just tricks anyway.”

“Enough chitchat. August told me to see you.”

“Yes, I meant to seek you out as well. There are some things to discuss.”

Mikhail took a seat on a nearby stump.

“Speak. You said you’d bring down Ungrim? What’s your great plan?”

“First, after reorganizing our unit, we’ll head north.”

“North?”

“Yes. There, we’ll meet a barbarian—one who is friendly to me and already understands the threat of the dead.”

“… Are you really saying this right now?”

Mikhail’s expression turned cold for a moment. But Erich expected this response.

To Mikhail, barbarians were nothing but enemies to be slain, not negotiated with.

“I know well what you think of the barbarians. However… the emergence of the Mountain King is the unification of the barbarians. In other words, if we have barbarians on our side, the chance of a Mountain King appearing drops.”

“Hm.”

Yet Erich’s reasoning was sound.

The appearance of a Mountain King was an event—one where all the barbarian tribes crowned a single king and launched an assault against the Great Wall.

And Mikhail was, above all, a rational man.

“At this point, I’m becoming curious.”

“About what, sir?”

“You obviously know something. Something I never told anyone. And you’re cleverly using it. Am I right?”

“It’s only speculation, that’s all.”

― Bzzz.

A navy brilliance began to leak from Mikhail’s eyes.

“I don’t particularly dislike you, but no one who kept secrets from me had a happy ending.”

“… My apologies.”

Erich knew for certain that Mikhail would not harm him. Yet he still felt a powerful sense of intimidation from the old man.

‘A merciless old man…’

Mikhail rose slowly to his feet.

“For now, let’s plan to depart north tomorrow. Oh, and another thing.”

He turned to look at Erich.

“I’ll teach you so you can be at least half as good as me, so be prepared.”

Erich smiled faintly. It was as good as a harsh warning, but for some reason, it reminded him of the past.

Who else had ever had the chance to learn swordsmanship again from an old teacher?

How would his present self accept the lesson he hadn’t understood back then?

A surge of emotion welled up within him. Watching Mikhail walk away, Erich fell into thought.

This time, he vowed, he would prevent with his own hands the already-decided death of his mentor.

————-= Clacky’s Corner ————-=

I am liking the story more and more…

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