Chapter 15. Enlightenment in a Split Second (3)
“…M-My god.”
“What in the world…”
The mercenaries stared at the female swordsman with their mouths agape.
What had just happened?
Even after witnessing it with their own eyes, they couldn’t comprehend what they had seen.
Dozens of Scavenger Wolves were swept away in a single slash.
The pack of wolves that had been charging ferociously collapsed in a heap, and the blood pouring from their limp corpses soaked the dry wasteland.
“……”
A truly overwhelming blow.
The mercenaries were left in utter shock at the sheer force they had just witnessed.
Shik—!
Yet the one who had done it all nonchalantly flicked the blood off her sword and calmly returned to the carriage. The man accompanying her received her with a stern, emotionless expression.
The two of them looked so composed that the mercenaries could only stand there, stunned.
‘W-What the hell…’
Of course, the bald merchant leader was no less confused.
‘…What did I just witness?’
He had already known that the mysterious man was a powerful figure.
After all, he had seen him with his own eyes effortlessly kill the human butcher of the underground arena with a single strike.
But he had never imagined that even the follower trailing behind him would be so overwhelmingly powerful.
‘And that woman… she definitely used a teal-colored aura.’
The mysterious energy Adelia had unleashed remained vivid in the merchant’s mind.
Teal aura.
It was a power granted only to a select few within the Holy Bloodline.
“……”
The existence of the Holy Bloodline was not widely known.
Any rumors that did exist were dismissed as wild conspiracies.
‘But…’
The merchant knew the truth.
He knew that the Holy Bloodline wasn’t just a myth—it was real.
Having spent many years in the merchant world, he had picked up scattered information about them.
“……”
A secretive faction shrouded in mystery.
An elite force hidden within the highest tiers of power.
A shadowy organization that manipulated all the political tides of the sanctuary city, Middle Temple.
Everything about them was dangerous and oppressive.
‘If I recall the key traits associated with them…’
Glance—
The merchant sneaked another look at Adelia.
Overwhelming combat strength. A mysterious teal aura.
Yes.
These were signature hallmarks of the Holy Bloodline.
‘…Without a doubt. That woman is connected to them.’
Gulp—
He swallowed dryly, a cold sweat running down his spine.
‘But then…’
He looked silently at the man seated across from him.
‘…Why is someone suspected to be from the Holy Bloodline showing such deference to that man?’
Just who was he?
He’d known from the start that the man was extraordinary…
But now, the merchant was beginning to realize he was far more terrifying than he’d originally thought.
“……”
Whatever the case, one thing had become very clear.
— Now then, 500,000 shillings up front. Once we reach our destination safely, another 500,000 will be paid.
A million shillings.
That was the fee the merchant had offered for escorting his caravan.
‘I thought it was more than enough back then…’
The merchant’s face turned pale.
‘…Ten times, no—a hundred times more wouldn’t have been enough.’
To that man, I must’ve looked like a complete fool.
‘Everyone’s completely spaced out.’
Even though the situation had long been resolved, the mercenaries still wore blank expressions.
Well, it wasn’t surprising.
How often does one get to meet a level 77 powerhouse?
Unless you deliberately sought out underground arenas, you’d probably never see one in your lifetime.
Vrrrmmmm…
Just then, the surroundings brightened, and a transparent veil shimmered across the sky.
The Silk Road’s unstable barrier was beginning to function properly again.
Confirming that, I glanced toward the merchant and spoke up.
“What are you waiting for? Let’s move.”
“…Ah.”
Startled—
Snapping back to reality, the merchant climbed down from the carriage and began organizing the caravan.
I remained seated, surveying the scene quietly.
‘At least there weren’t any major losses.’
Thanks to Adelia’s efforts?
There were some injured, but not a single death.
Even then, it was just broken bones or minor cuts.
In a world where death was part of daily life, this was nothing.
“…Um.”
Murmur murmur—
After a while, once the caravan resumed preparation and the area grew lively again…
The merchant climbed back into the carriage and cautiously opened his mouth.
“…I sincerely apologize. I failed to recognize your eminence.”
Huh.
What’s with the sudden formal speech?
…That thought only lingered briefly. I soon noticed the way the merchant kept stealing glances at Adelia.
For some reason, his gaze was laced with caution.
“……”
It wasn’t just her combat skills that had brought about this sudden respect.
If it was, he would’ve shown that attitude to me from the beginning.
Which meant…
‘…He must have figured out Adelia’s origin.’
Not surprising.
This was a man who had traversed the Silk Road over a hundred times.
For a merchant, information is everything.
Over time, even half-truths and rumors start to reveal the truth.
Like how members of the Holy Bloodline use teal aura—or wield unimaginable strength.
‘It’s no loss that her identity got exposed. If anything, it’ll make things smoother.’
I already planned to use Adelia however I could.
And this situation was the perfect opportunity.
Those with some knowledge know of the Holy Bloodline.
And of the power they wield.
‘To know of them is to fear them—even the name alone inspires dread.’
A secret order pulling the strings of the world.
Their true nature was obscure, but their influence was immense.
And because nothing was known of them, the fear only grew greater.
Fear born from ignorance was the most terrifying kind.
Yes.
That was the true power of the Holy Bloodline.
‘Though Adelia herself feels disillusioned with her family and fled…’
I couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly.
‘…Well, who cares.’
I’ll use everything I can while I can.
As I’ve said before—I won’t hesitate to use any means necessary.
“…Um.”
While I was lost in thought, the merchant cautiously spoke again.
“If it’s not too forward… may I ask about your relationship with the lady?”
I stared at him silently. His eyes were filled with both fear and curiosity.
The question was obvious.
He had a rough idea who Adelia was… but couldn’t place me at all.
There was no need to ponder my answer. I replied plainly, truthfully.
“She’s my apprentice. Learning the sword under me.”
“…!”
A short and clear answer. But it was more than enough.
The merchant’s eyes widened, his face flashing with astonishment and fear.
“A-Apprentice, you say? Then, Young Master, you must be…”
I remained silent. In a moment like this, silence was the most powerful answer.
“M-My apologies…”
“……”
“J-Just having you two here guarantees our safety. Thank you, truly.”
As expected, the merchant backed off after bowing deeply.
Our brief conversation had completely changed his attitude toward us.
Now, his eyes were filled with reverence and fear.
‘Good. He’s scared enough not to go spreading this around.’
With that, I figured the rest of the journey would be much more peaceful.
Not long after, the carriage began moving again.
Outside the window, the dark and untamed lands flew past.
“Sir Gaon.”
Just then, Adelia softly called out beside me.
“…When you said I’m your apprentice, did you mean I’m not yet worthy of being called your disciple?”
There was a hint of disappointment in her voice.
‘Oh, Adelia…’
Why do you take something so trivial to heart?
Sighing internally, I gently reassured her.
“Apprentice or disciple, those are just titles. What matters is your resolve to accept my teachings.”
“…!”
Adelia’s expression lit up at my words.
After hesitating briefly, she spoke again.
“Th-Then, Sir Gaon. If you have any feedback about my performance in that battle, I would be honored to hear it…”
Ah.
Time to make something up again. I was hoping to get through this without it.
Thinking quickly, I just went with the first thing that came to mind.
“It was excellent, but still lacking in some areas.”
“…Lacking in what way?”
Her gaze grew earnest.
She was genuinely eager for criticism.
But the truth was—her swordplay looked flawless to me.
Still, I couldn’t exactly say that. So after a moment’s pause, I replied:
“They say seeing is believing.”
“…?”
“When the time comes, I’ll show you my sword. Then, you’ll be able to identify your flaws.”
“Ah…”
Adelia’s eyes sparkled, and she nodded energetically.
“Yes, I’ll remember that!”
In contrast, my face remained cold and solemn.
“……”
Swish—
I turned to look out the window of the carriage.
Far off, I could see the pile of dead Scavenger Wolves.
They were clearly adult hunters.
But at the edge of my vision…
I spotted the corpses of old wolves, newborn pups—every kind of individual, all jumbled together.
“You noticed something strange as well, didn’t you?”
About an hour later, as the carriage rolled on, the merchant spoke again.
“I saw you inspecting the Scavenger Wolf corpses.”
“……”
“Normally, they travel while protecting their young and elderly. But this time…”
“They were all mixed together without order.”
“…Yes.”
The merchant nodded.
“I’ve passed this route over a hundred times, but this is a first. The unstable barrier is one thing… but the wolves’ behavior seems far more ominous.”
“……”
“Because such behavior…”
He paused, then continued.
“…is typical of creatures gripped by extreme fear. As if they were running for their lives from something, not hunting prey.”
I didn’t reply.
But my silence was confirmation enough.
—They say seeing is believing. When the time comes, I’ll show you my sword. Then, you’ll identify your flaws.
I had promised Adelia she would one day see my sword.
But that moment would not be peaceful.
I only drew my sword for one reason.
When death itself loomed close—at the brink of life and death.
[MP: 1/1]
I stared blankly at my MP window.
I silently wished I’d never have to use Soul of the Swordmaster.
Not on this journey to the Free City of Vertas… not for the rest of my life, if possible.
But Lost Elder was a world of endless trials and tribulations.
And I knew better than anyone how fleeting such a wish truly was.
RUMMMMMMBLE—!
The ground trembled violently. The carriage rocked back and forth.
The merchant grabbed onto the handle desperately to stay upright.
“W-What the…?!”
He looked outside—
A cloud of dust rose in the distance.
And beyond it… an unbelievable sight appeared.
“…Ah.”
A Monster Wave.
Dozens—no, maybe hundreds—of monsters surged like a massive tidal wave.
Even mortal enemies among them were running side by side.
Dududududu—!
Despite the barrier being active, the monsters charged toward us in a frenzy.
And strangely enough, though monsters shouldn’t express emotions…
Their eyes were filled with terror and despair.
‘So it’s really come to this.’
That uncertain suspicion turned into conviction.
With that thought, I opened my mouth.
“Prepare yourself, Adelia.”
Snapped out of her daze, she nodded, her hands gripping her sword tightly.
“Understood. If the barrier destabilizes, I’ll—”
“No.”
I cut her off.
“Our enemies aren’t those weaklings.”
“…?”
“It’s the thing that drove them all to such madness.”
