Chapter 98

Chapter 97: "True Swordsman" (Please Subscribe! Please Vote!)

"Clang!"

This was the sound made by the tips of the feet of the assailants as they landed, one after another, descending from the sky.

They leaped down from the rooftops and, upon landing, immediately dashed towards the direction where Rige was.

Magic power rippled slightly on their bodies, and they drew their sharp swords, all of which were pointed at Rige.

Rige, held in Ian's arms, looked up and saw faces wearing half-masks.

The assassins were cloaked, with iron masks covering their faces, leaving only their noses and mouths exposed. Their eyes, filled with murderous intent, stared straight at Rige.

In such a situation, Ian would not allow them to get any closer.

"Haah!"

Ian set Rige down, and in a flash, she appeared in front of the enemies, letting out a fierce cry.

Her long sword was swung, creating a wave of magical energy that cut through the assassin who was leading the charge.

"Clang!"

The assassin hastily raised his sword to block, but he was sent flying along with his weapon, producing a loud metallic clanging sound.

"Clang!" "Clang!" "Clang!"

Ian moved with incredible speed, slashing and repelling the assassins one by one, displaying overwhelming strength.

On the other side, Aine swung her greatsword, creating a whistling wind that swept away all the incoming arrows. She then stomped the ground, shattering the floor, and leaped onto the rooftop of a building, disappearing from sight.

"Thud!" "Thud!" "Thud!"

In the next second, blood splattered from the surrounding buildings, and the light of the greatsword flashed wildly, causing the rain of arrows to cease.

"Bang!"

Seeing this, Ian kicked a charging assassin away, her sword transforming into a continuous stream of light, clashing with the assassins.

The assassins were highly skilled, and in Rige's previous world, they would have been considered superhuman. However, against the two beautiful female swordswomen, they were powerless, and their formation was quickly broken.

"Hmph!"

This situation soon drew a cold snort.

A figure leaped from the rooftop of a building, and just before landing, kicked the wall, causing it to crack, and shot towards Ian like a bullet.

"—!?"

Ian's expression changed, and she swiftly turned, slashing at the figure in mid-air without hesitation.

"Clang—!"

The two swords collided in mid-air, producing intense sparks and a loud clanging sound.

Ian tried the same move again, raising her foot to kick, but the attacker's reaction was faster. In mid-air, he twisted his waist and spun like a top, flying backward.

"Who are you?"

Ian held her rapier horizontally, one hand on the hilt and the other on the scabbard, her voice cold.

The attacker only glared at Ian, then suddenly dodged to the right, avoiding a heavy strike from behind.

"Boom!"

The blood-stained greatsword struck the ground with great force, shattering the floor and raising a cloud of dust.

Aine had appeared behind the attacker, and though her attack failed, she showed no sign of frustration. She coldly watched the attacker, her eyes sharp and fierce.

"Tch."

The attacker looked at Aine, then at Ian, and finally clicked his tongue.

"The target is guarded by two True Swordsmen, no wonder you didn't bring anyone else."

Unlike mages, whose levels can be easily identified, a swordsman's level and strength cannot be determined by appearance.

A mage's level is straightforward: those who can use strategic-level magic are strategic-level mages, those who can use tactical-level magic are tactical-level mages, and those who can't use either are combat-level mages. This is simple and clear, with no unnecessary complexity.

While a higher level doesn't necessarily mean greater strength in a one-on-one battle, the level is still a clear indicator.

In contrast, a swordsman's level and strength cannot be easily determined. Even a swordsman who has mastered a top-tier sword technique might lose to a veteran swordsman who has practiced lower-tier techniques for decades if their skills are not refined.

Therefore, unlike mages, a swordsman's level and strength cannot be easily identified without a confrontation. No one knows how strong a swordsman is until they fight.

To address this, the various countries of the Akashya continent have established systems to measure a swordsman's strength and level.

The title "True Swordsman" was born from this need.

When a swordsman possesses strength far exceeding that of an average swordsman, they are awarded the True Swordsman medal by the royal family or local nobility, symbolizing their honor and capability.

An average swordsman, at the national level, is merely a soldier, a junior swordsman in training.

A True Swordsman, however, is different.

Any swordsman who receives the True Swordsman medal and the title "True Swordsman" is a formidable warrior capable of taking on a thousand enemies.

Such a level of swordsman is considered a powerful force, a key combatant needed by the royal family and major nobles.

In the Ginass Kingdom, anyone who receives the True Swordsman medal can join the kingdom's knight order as a court knight, commanding an army, if they wish.

Major nobles also welcome True Swordsmen with open arms. The treatment of a True Swordsman can sometimes be comparable to that of a veteran mage.

For a mage to have a True Swordsman as a retainer is a significant matter, a symbol of status. However, most mages do not have the standing to have a True Swordsman as a retainer, and even tactical-level mages rarely have such retainers.

However, two such swordsmen are present here: Aine and Ian.

Both Aine and Ian are True Swordsmen, having received the True Swordsman medal.

Both have the strength to take on a thousand enemies, and their power is such that Yulie can confidently entrust Rige's safety to them.

Among Yulie's many retainers, these two are the strongest, aside from Marilyn.

Faced with these two powerful True Swordsmen, the attacker's exposed lower face seemed to twist.

Aine and Ian finally got a clear look at the attacker.

He was a muscular man, wielding a broadsword, without a cloak but wearing a mask that covered the upper half of his face, obscuring his features.

"Who are you?"

Aine asked the question in a pressing manner.

The man did not answer, but instead glanced at Rige, who was standing nearby, and then at the cloaked assassins, speaking in a deep voice.

"Kill the target."

With that, the man charged at Aine.

Surprisingly, despite his massive build, he moved with incredible speed, like a charging war chariot, creating a whistling wind that made Aine's eyes narrow.

"Ian, protect Mr. Rige."

Leaving this command, Aine charged at the enemy without hesitation.

"Clang—!"

The sound of intense metal clashing echoed.

Immediately, countless sword lights erupted, colliding with each other, producing sparks and clanging sounds, filling a corner of the dark alley.

Aine and the man engaged in a fierce battle, which quickly became intense.

Aine swung her greatsword with ease, creating sword lights that produced sonic booms as she aimed to split the man in two.

The man, however, spun his broadsword like a windmill, using the heavy blade to deflect the powerful strikes, causing Aine's sword lights to dissipate around him.

The two moved and crossed paths, their battle causing the walls and floor to be scratched and shattered, creating a significant commotion.

"Is the leader of the enemy also a True Swordsman?"

Ian's expression was serious, but she did not stand idly by. Following Aine's instructions, she moved to protect Rige.

The assassins, seeing this, did not retreat but instead advanced, surrounding Ian.

Ian tightened her grip on her rapier, waiting calmly for the assassins to approach. When they did, she suddenly attacked, raising her hand and slashing out countless cold lights, aiming at the assassins.

The assassins, fearless in the face of death, either raised their swords to block, being forced back by the sharp clashing sounds, or were too slow to react, getting their shoulders, sides, thighs, and even jaws slashed, spraying blood.

Despite their injuries, they continued to charge at Ian, relentlessly attacking her, temporarily tying her down.

This display left Ian somewhat impressed.

"Whoosh!"

At that moment, an arrow shot through the air, aiming directly at Rige, who was standing behind.

"Oh no!"

Hearing the sound, Ian's expression changed, and without hesitation, she dashed towards Rige.

"!?"

Aine, who was battling the man, tried to come to his aid but was forced back by a series of three heavy strikes from the broadsword, producing a series of "Clang" sounds.

The assassins also charged at Ian, tying her down again, hindering her movement.

Thus, the arrow shot towards Rige, its sharp tip aimed at his head.

Until it was intercepted by a bright silver short sword.

"Clang!"

A flash of silver, and the arrow was deflected with a sharp sound.

Rige stood still, holding the bright silver short sword, his body maintaining the posture of a swing to the side.

His expression remained calm, his eyes as still as a well.

Everyone was taken aback.

(End of Chapter)