Chapter 40

### The Sound of the Chisel

Clank, clank, clank, clank.

That day, the emblem master continued to engrave tattoos silently.

In the silent world, the time spent facing the tattoos—though he had grumbled about being bored, it was the supreme time for the emblem master. His hand, which was carving the tattoo, stopped.

“...Huh?”

The emblem master looked puzzled.

He heard a commotion. The sound of something fighting something.

A lizardman burst into the hut and started speaking rapidly.

"The enemy has come! The village is being attacked!"

The emblem master understood the lizardman's words.

"Hmm."

The emblem master grasped the entire situation.

(I see. They want my head.)

Given that a complete victory was impossible, they must at least want the head of the enemy commander. He could almost feel the enemy commander's desperate prayers.

(But if they're praying for such a miracle, they have no chance of winning.)

The emblem master chuckled inwardly.

"Run. They're surprisingly strong. It's dangerous here."

But the emblem master, placing his finger on his chin, murmured.

"That's one way... but what should I do?"

A smile appeared on the emblem master's lips.

◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇

"Your only goal is the emblem master's head! Don't waver!"

Allenjia and his troops attacked the lizardman village with a fierce momentum. The lizardmen, who had noticed their movements, tried to block their advance.

"Don't get in the way!"

With a shout, Allenjia's sword cleaved a lizardman in two. Judging by the amount of tattoos, it was likely a strong individual, but it was no match for Allenjia.

The reason Allenjia himself led the front lines was not only to boost the morale of the elite soldiers but also because he was the strongest among them.

Allenjia's sword skills were top-notch in the kingdom. Even high-ranking knights found it difficult to defeat him.

"Wow! As expected, Lord Allenjia! Lizards are no match for you!"

Seeing Allenjia's heroic figure, the morale of the elite soldiers soared. The elite soldiers, riding the momentum, continued to defeat the strong lizardmen one after another. Allenjia shouted.

"Hurry, hurry, hurry! Secure the emblem master quickly so he doesn't escape!"

That was his only concern. The lizardman village was vast. If the commotion was noticed and the emblem master escaped, it would all be for nothing.

At that moment,

"Who's going to run?"

A voice said.

A voice different from any of the elite soldiers.

When Allenjia turned around, he saw a man with dark skin standing there, accompanied by several lizardmen. He wore loose clothing and a turban on his head. His face and arms were adorned with peculiar tattoos.

There was no need to ask who he was.

"Emblem master!"

Allenjia shouted.

(So, I'm in luck!)

He felt like laughing. Not only did the emblem master not run, but he even appeared and called out!

His arrogance would lead to his regret in the afterlife!

Allenjia pointed his sword at the emblem master and shouted.

"My name is Allenjia Luminous! I am the commander of this attack force! Emblem master, your life ends here! I will behead you with this sword granted by the king!"

The emblem master whistled.

"Wow! You! I came to see the fool who drew the short straw to lead the front lines after a major defeat! I didn't expect to see you in person!"

The emblem master laughed and continued.

"Are you prepared for a desperate last stand? Are you seeking a place to die? What are you dreaming of with such a reckless plan!?"

The emblem master's taunts.

But Allenjia's heart did not waver.

Because they were not hitting any sore spots.

Allenjia knew.

His future held only victory.

He did not care about the misplaced ridicule. After all, it was just an ordinary person judging Allenjia by ordinary standards.

Allenjia replied calmly.

"Sorry, but I have no intention of a last stand. I didn't plan a hopeless operation. I will take your head and return in triumph. That is a decided future."

"Interesting."

Saying that, the emblem master smoothly drew a curved sword—a scimitar—from his waist.

"Since the supreme commander has come in person, I will show you respect. How about we settle this one-on-one?"

"---!?"

Even Allenjia was taken aback. He did not expect such a proposal. For Allenjia, who needed to defeat the