Chapter 83

The barracks attached to the royal castle.

Outside, the sound of intense sword clashes echoed.

A tall man, his black coat flapping, kicked off the ground and leaped forward.

Riding on that speed, he swung his sword, but the woman in the white military uniform deflected the blow with her broadsword, which had a blade length of about seventy centimeters.

"Show no mercy, Gadio!"

"Neither will I hold back, Anriette!"

The black greatsword was swept aside.

Anriette quickly leaped back and readied her sword.

"Hmm, then I'll use it first!"

Focusing her mind, she felt her heart beat intensely.

The large amount of blood being pumped out.

When the blood, carrying the highest heat, reached her right hand, a sudden tear appeared in her palm.

The fluid seeping from the wound soaked into the hilt and then drew a red line on the broad blade.

"Blood Snake Bite!"

As she swung her sword, the trajectory of the blade was stained with blood.

The blood released turned into a blade and flew toward Gadio.

"Haah!"

Gadio, retreating to gain distance, swept his greatsword.

The sword technique he unleashed was a Ki Sword Slash, where the blade of Prana collided with the Blood Snake Bite.

However, Anriette's technique, like a venomous snake, slipped past his single strike.

"Chh!"

Gadio, clenching his teeth, cut off the approaching blood blade with a compact swing of his greatsword.

A single, swift and precise strike that finally caught Anriette's attack.

The Blood Snake Bite, losing its power, dissipated into a red mist.

Meanwhile, she deflected the Ki Sword Slash with her blood-filled broadsword, blocking it head-on.

"Knight Swordsmanship—It's been a while since I've faced it, but it's still heavy."

"Your Massacre Rules are as hard to grasp as ever."

The general and the legendary adventurer.

Ordinarily, they would never cross paths, but in fact, they had met several times on monster extermination missions.

These missions were commissioned by the kingdom, meaning Gadio was hired as a mercenary.

Of course, they cooperated to fight the monsters at the time, but seeing each other's swordsmanship, they both thought:

They wanted to test their skills against each other someday—

And finally, that day had come.

"I don't have your build, so I'll have to win with my trickery."

The Massacre Rules were originally a technique born in the empire, a nation that was once an enemy of the kingdom.

Blood is the source of power for humans.

Whether it's physical strength or magical power, without it, a person cannot survive.

Thus, the power in the blood should surpass Prana or magic—this is how the sword technique was born.

By channeling one's will into the blood dripping from the blade and releasing it to take a life.

In other words, a technique for killing, hence the name Massacre Rules.

"You talk big for someone with a body suited for wielding a sword."

However, the activation of this technique required blood.

Generally, a "blood magazine," a capsule filled with blood, had to be set in the hilt to use it.

It was possible to use it by wetting the blade with blood, but it would be impractical to offer blood every time the technique was used.

However, Anriette's sword had no blood magazine.

This was because—she could control the flow of blood within her body at will.

Like Gadio enhancing his physical abilities with Prana, she could temporarily accelerate blood circulation to boost her physical capabilities.

This was her "constitution."

And one of the reasons she had risen to the rank of general, despite being a woman.

"Alright, here comes the next one, Gadio!"

Anriette thrust her sword into the ground.

"Subterranean Snake Bite!"

Then, the blood released from the tip of her sword approached Gadio underground.

But it was invisible to the naked eye.

He raised his greatsword high and slammed it into the ground with all his might.

Gooaa!

The ground was gouged, and the Subterranean Snake Bite was also eliminated.

Furthermore, a storm of sand and gravel attacked Anriette.

"Truly impressive, hero!"

Anriette said with evident enjoyment as she leaped back to avoid it.

Gadio was not displeased.

Given the situation, he couldn't fully immerse himself, but a battle with a strong opponent always made his heart race.

Especially when it wasn't a matter of life and death.

"I'm not even using my full strength yet."

"Haha, that's great to hear!"

Anriette maintained a certain distance from Gadio while moving.

On the other hand, he concentrated Prana in his legs, flew like an arrow, and closed in on Anriette.

Seeing this, she swung her sword so fast it was invisible and launched countless Blood Snake Bites.

Gadio, instead of a line, created a shield by pouring Prana into the center of a quick cross swing with his greatsword.

Anriette's Massacre Rules were negated.

Then, he slashed at her legs with a horizontal strike.

She jumped and avoided it with a somersault.

Upon landing, she accelerated her blood flow, enhanced her leg strength, and leaped into Gadio's guard.

"I seem to be faster!"

Despite being weaker in strength, Anriette was more agile than Gadio.

He defended with his greatsword, but she launched a barrage of attacks.

In addition, he sensed something approaching from underground.

He quickly retreated.

Immediately, blood needles shot out from the ground.

"Preconception, Gadio!"

"Only one, right?"

The needles, like living creatures, pursued Gadio's legs.

"Haahaaaaaaa!"

Goo!

With a powerful roar, Gadio released Prana.

A strong wind blew around him, and the approaching Subterranean Snake Bites were swept away.

"Haha, to blow them away with just your aura!"

This was an emergency measure.

The consumption of Prana was significant, and it couldn't be used repeatedly.

But it was necessary to avoid a single strike from the Massacre Rules.

Because—

"But I'll say it again."

"What?"

"This is also a preconception."

Anriette, with a smug smile.

Then, the ground behind Gadio stirred, and thin blood needles shot out from underground.

They struck his left calf,

"...What, a third one!?"

A sharp pain ran through him.

Gadio's face contorted in frustration.

Now—his left leg was useless.

Indeed, the Massacre Rules might be less powerful than Knight Swordsmanship.

As a technique for killing, it might have less lethal power than law enforcement.

But if it could wound an opponent even once, it could seal the function of that part of the body with the blood that had infiltrated it.

This was its greatest strength, something no other technique had.

"Then, let me attack seriously now."

This time, Anriette approached.

First, a thrust.

Gadio guarded with the flat of his blade, but it was difficult to parry the sharp thrusts that followed.

Despite his accurate defense, he was gradually being pushed back—then the blade of the blood-filled broadsword grazed his shoulder.

Gadio's left arm suddenly lost its strength.

"I got you!"

Anriette thrust her sword at his remaining right arm.

But there was a hint of overconfidence in her movement, which was slightly more exaggerated than before.

It was easy to see through.

Gadio dodged the blade, let go of his greatsword, and grabbed Anriette's arm.

He pulled her forcefully, and as her stance wavered, he delivered a knee strike to her abdomen as they passed each other.

"Ugh!?"

"You were too quick to celebrate."

If this were a real battle, Anriette wouldn't have shown such an opening.

"It's fun, so I can't help it...!"

She got on all fours, sweat on her forehead, and took a deep breath.

It seemed to be a rather harsh blow.

But her expression was a smile.

Anriette immediately stood up, gripped her sword, and faced Gadio.

He, dragging his left side, picked up his greatsword from the ground and similarly readied himself, meeting her gaze.

Just as the battle was about to resume—Anriette's eyes caught the figure of a girl standing behind Gadio, and the tall man beside her.

"...Herman, I told you not to bring her outside."

"What's wrong, Anriette, aren't you coming?"

"I can't continue any further, it would be a violation of the rules."

"Rules...?"

With a puzzled look, Gadio turned around.

"Why is Flamm here?"

"You can ask one of my subordinates. In any case, this will have to be postponed."

Gadio and Flamm were forbidden from contact.

Watching the battle might not be considered contact, but given the recent scandal, Anriette wanted to avoid any possibility.

Anriette released the blood power remaining in Gadio's body.

"There's nothing I can do about it."

Sheathing her sword in the scabbard on her back, Gadio passed by Flamm and returned to the barracks.

Their eyes met for a moment, but no words were exchanged.

However, Flamm seemed to sense something and followed his back with her eyes until he was out of sight.

"Herman, I told you not to bring her outside?"

Turning back to the voice, Anriette was already in front of her, looking displeased.

"...She seemed bored."

"Is that a reason to bring her out!?"

Anriette's voice rose, and Flamm's body stiffened.

The memory of being licked by blood resurfaced.

While not as traumatic as Otilie, Anriette was still a significant source of trauma for Flamm.

"Ah... Flamm Apricot."

"What is it?"

She was aware of the impact she had on Flamm.

Anriette, looking awkward, addressed the trembling Flamm.

"Why are you here? Did Herman bring you?"

"I was asked if I was interested in swords, and when I said 'yes,' I was brought here..."

She was initially taken to Herman's room, but after realizing it was a different sword, he led her here.

For a while, the two of them watched Anriette and Gadio's battle.

"Um, what was that thing that flew with blood?"

"Now isn't the time to explain—"

"...Massacre Rules."

"Je...no...?"

Anriette, holding her head, let Herman answer instead.

Since there was no choice, she decided to quickly explain.

"It's a sword technique that uses one's own blood. By channeling one's will into the blood and expelling it, you can energize and control the dying blood outside the body."

"Control... blood?"

"It's a matter of perception, but it requires a very strong will. After that, you just need to give the command, 'Attack the enemy'—"

That's how the Massacre Rules are formed.

Of course, it's easy to say, but it takes about a year just to master the basics.

"Alright, you've heard the explanation, that's enough, right? Herman, take her back to her room. And don't bring her out again."

"…Understood."

Herman looked dejected.

"By the way, why can't I leave my room?"

She knew it was futile to ask, but this time she couldn't help but ask.

Watching Anriette's battle, Flamm had realized a possibility.

Her Massacre Rules seemed to have the power to seal the functions of a human body.

Perhaps, it could also seal Flamm's memories.

The obvious act of house arrest.

The murky eyes of the officers.

While Anriette didn't look particularly dirty—still, she couldn't be trusted.

To Flamm's question, Anriette, after a troubled expression, answered.

"It's dangerous."

"What is?"

"The capital has been hit by an unprecedented disaster and is currently in the midst of reconstruction. Naturally, the security has deteriorated. We don't know what kind of criminals are lurking around, so it's problematic if you wander around on your own."

"You all are more dangerous..."

She criticized Anriette bluntly.

"I sincerely apologize for what happened yesterday."

Anriette could only bow her head and apologize sincerely.

"I'm fine as long as I don't see blood. I've already told Otilie to reflect on her actions and promised that it won't happen again."

"What about the commander of the knights?"

"I'm sorry, but I can't restrict Hugh's actions. However, I've made it clear that he won't enter your room as long as you're here."

Her response was sincere.

Indeed, when she first tasted blood, Anriette had a deeply apologetic expression when she regained her senses.

If she didn't see Flamm's blood, she was probably a normal person.

"Still, if that's not enough, I'll accept any conditions you have. So, will you return to your room for today?"

Flamm didn't intend to stay.

In her current state of memory loss, being thrown into the devastated capital would be problematic, and she had no other choice but to stay here.

However, if they were willing to accept conditions—

"Then, can I ask for one thing?"

Understanding that it was a bit unreasonable, Flamm still pressed her request on Anriette.

◇◇◇

Scraping sounds came from the back of the room.

However, the only visible figure was Ink, her ear pressed tightly to the entrance, listening for approaching soldiers.

Meanwhile, Milkit, who was sharing the room, was—

"Huff, huff..."

Breathing heavily, she was scraping the wall with a spoon.

Her hands were red, and the handle she gripped was bent, but she continued to work tirelessly.

Scrape, scrape, scrape—she was making a hole in the closet wall to reach the unoccupied room beyond.

It had been a week since she received the first letter from Neigus.

Apparently, it was difficult to get help from her for escaping this building.

This meant that the two of them had to rescue Kerena and escape on their own.

They had daily discussions and planned their escape.

First, there was no lock on the door of the room where Milkit and Ink were staying.

It could only be opened from the outside, which led to the lax security of not even placing a guard in front of the room.

Indeed, they had no way to bypass that lock.

That's when Milkit came up with the idea of making a hole to the adjacent room.

Ink opposed, calling it reckless, but Milkit insisted it was possible.

It wasn't just about being overly eager.

She had noticed a thin part of the wall.

This was the spot where she was currently trying to make a hole—in the dusty closet.

The dust indicated that no one had entered the room for