Sword Master Who Leapt Through Time - Chapter 26



Only Krnovel

#26 Ashley

“The first three days. While everyone was just watching, Ashley made a bold move. She recruited the Yeongji Army, formed an alliance with similar bad families, and brought in neutral forces.”

Listening to what Sea said,

Ashley was a schemer beyond imagination.

I had the impression that he was quite intelligent before, but I didn’t expect it to be this bad…

It was to the point where I wondered if he had been hiding his true colors on purpose because he was afraid of Ksias.

He used sweet talk to arouse the warriors’ anxiety and anticipation.

Now Lansen will try to rule Kushan City.

We need to gather our forces together so that even Lansen won’t be able to swing his sword around carelessly.

This is how I stimulated anxiety,

He put forward all the entertainment businesses and money he had.

He promised to provide you with a more luxurious life and pleasure than you have now.

It worked well for the warriors of the Territory Army and the neutral forces who had no talent other than fighting.

The effect was even more powerful as she was called ‘Ashley of the Harem’.

“In that way… … the Red Warriors also fell?”

“Yeah. Because of that, the situation completely tilted in their favor.”

The Red Warriors were the most elite of the Territorial forces under Xiaas.

A total of 40 people. A notorious warrior unit composed only of intermediate and advanced experts, directly under the command of the great warrior Uksala, a mature, top-tier expert.

He was so good at passing tactics that he openly boasted that he could kill even a Sword Master if he was a member of the Red Warriors and the Great Warriors of Uksala.

‘… … That’s not wrong, either.’

In fact, the reason I couldn’t stand up to Count Ksias even when I was a Sword Master was because of the Red Warriors.

Even Count Ksias was stronger than a normal sword master, and with the Red Warriors on top of that, the pressure was immense.

“So, on the fourth day… … the guy who had been increasing his power under the surface started to show off his full force. He must have gotten greedy because he hadn’t seen his brother for four days.”

“You probably thought I was dead or injured.”

“That’s right. From then on, he just kept going. Subduing other forces with force, instilling fear in the citizens, giving carrots if they did what he said, and bloody purges if they didn’t.”

“Divide and rule… … .”

“Yeah. There’s a split even within the vigilante group. The number of scum who want to follow him is increasing.”

“That’s amazing.”

“It’s more than that. He took control of half of the armed forces in Kushan City in just seven days.”

“her.”

As Sea said, it was truly an incredible feat.

Because of the nature of Roverland as an area where demons run rampant, most of the population was concentrated in the city.

Thanks to this, each city was so large that it could be called a small country.

The population of Kushan City here is about 750,000.

Considering that the population of Bandar, the capital of the Banroa Kingdom before its destruction, was 1.5 million, it was an enormous size for a single city.

As such, there were countless armed groups within this city.

From the vigilante groups organized by citizens to protect their own security and safety, to mercenary groups and expeditionary groups that flock to hunt demons, to families organized by thugs and fugitives from all over, to the Territory Army, the direct unit of the city’s ruler, Ksias, and various warrior groups.

If we just count the number of people who live off of only eating rice cakes, excluding the idiots, it easily exceeds 10,000.

But we took over half of it in just 7 days… … .

“He’s also very greedy. He really wants to eat up this city. He even hired the Kalseric Brotherhood to keep the Red Warriors in check. And… … there’s a rumor that Ashley herself has risen to the top level of Expert.”

The Brotherhood of Calceric.

It was one of the most famous mercenary groups in Robertland.

Captain Calceric is a man of outstanding talent who is evaluated as a top-tier expert with the potential to become a Sword Master within 10 years.

‘I heard that they are a group of mercenaries that know quite a bit of romance… … .’

They were also one of the few mercenary groups with integrity in this lawless continent rife with fraud and backstabbing.

Hearing the story up to this point, I also felt a chill down my spine.

“… … If I had been just a little bit later, I would have been in real trouble.”

How many top-tier experts are there in this one city right now? That’s almost the power of a small kingdom, right?

“Yeah. Even without that, the pressure is starting to get more blatant. Right now, our power is half of Ashley’s.”

“What are you pressuring me with?”

“… … .”

Sea, who had been speaking expressionlessly and calmly, hesitated for the first time.

Why are you doing that?

The one who answered was Daisy, who had been quietly listening at a corner of the round table.

The guy said, placing both hands on his forehead.

“… … Marry me.”

what?

Are my ears weird?

“Actually… … It’s already been a year since that kid sent me a letter… … . This time, he proposed officially.”

A crazy guy?

It feels like sparks are flying from both my eyes.

Even in this Kushan city, the guy who is famous for the dirtiest sexual harassment… …who is he looking down on?

The number of concubines he has, along with his perverted sexual desire to strangle his partner to death…

Hurrah!

If someone were to look into my eyes right now, they would see a dark blue flame burning inside my pupils.

Because when emotions become intense, flames burn within the pupils, which is a characteristic of our Banroa royal family and noble families.

“It’s been a year? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“… … Even if I said so, there was no way. Even when Sir Ibsen became like that… … . Well.”

under…….

Yeah, that’s true. That’s true.

Because we were a neighborhood bookstore.

That’s why the kid said he wanted to become a vampire.

I hate myself for not knowing that and just scolding him.

As I became more and more excited, Sea glanced at me and quickly changed the subject.

“Anyway. The meeting tomorrow was supposed to be his coronation. But now that my brother is back, that’s out of the question. We have more power and more popularity.”

yes.

We can’t let a guy like that hold Kushan City in his hands and shake it up.

“But the problem is, I can’t kick him anymore.”

Sea’s face looked a little tired.

I thought I knew what the guy was worried about.

“Because of the Demon Slayer expedition?”

The first criterion for a city to be established in Robertland is periodic demon subjugation. For that, a certain number of warriors were absolutely necessary.

Rivera Pietro, who had been listening quietly, exploded in anger.

“Fuck… … . I really wanted to get rid of that Ashley… … .”

I quietly looked at Rivera and then asked Sea.

“Is there a lot of trash?”

“Isn’t that just a lot?”

Sea pushed a book towards me.

It was a book written as a list of murders.

I slowly turned it over.

There was a list written in blue letters at the very front, a list written in red letters in the middle, and a list written in black letters at the end.

“The blue ones are the ones who have some sense of propriety. The black ones are the ones who are beyond redemption, and the red ones are in between.”

I looked through it all.

Since I have been living in Kushan City for 14 years, I know most of these names.

‘It’s called the middle, but even the red ones are just trash.’

The guys written in red were either drug dealers or loan sharks, and they were known for imposing high taxes on their territory and treating people cruelly.

Black goes without saying. They were the ones who made a living by killing and kidnapping innocent people.

“You have to endure it. You have to accept and acknowledge the red. That’s the only way to maintain the city. But now the problem is… … . You can’t even clean up all the black. Do you see the red dot among the black? You have to accept them too. They’re part of Ashley’s forces.”

“… … .”

More than half of the black list had red dots.

I didn’t answer and just stared at the death list.

Sea continued speaking calmly, as if she had no other choice.

“Still, I’ve finished communicating with the forces listed in blue. They’re definitely on our side. In terms of strength, they account for about a quarter of the total. If we can persuade some of the reds, we can secure a ruling base.”

Seah explains the complex political situation in Kushan City.

But I didn’t listen to those words.

I just looked through the list of slaughterhouses and asked the guy.

“So. So all the kids listed here will be gathering tomorrow?”

“huh.”

“Okay, then. Leave the rest to me.”

I stood up from my seat.

“Thank you for your hard work, Sea. And Rivera. Let’s take a break for today.”

“Lord Rivera? No, really. Since you are my master, please just call me Rivera.”

“Okay, Rivera.”

Rivera smiling brightly.

But Sea seemed a little worried.

“Don’t you have to strategize about what to do tomorrow?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.”

Sea looked at me with a suspicious look, but I just raised my hand.

The one who got in between was Katrina.

“Yes! Se-ah! Don’t worry! Oppa Lansen is fine! Okay! Then let’s have a drink to celebrate the family gathering today! The kids should go to bed first!”

Katrina giggled as if nothing had happened.

Actually, he’s the type that’s careful and thoughtful when necessary… … but today, he seems to be thinking of the old days.

When I made a decision, everyone believed and followed me… … That was the golden age of our family.

When she came out like that, Sea couldn’t dig in any further.

Instead, I had something to say to Rivera.

“Rivera. I have a favor to ask you tomorrow.”

When I whispered, Rivera’s eyes lit up.

“Lord Lansen, that’s… …!”

“Please.”

“Okay. I will do that.”

As expected, people are so refreshing.

Then I should show off my cool side tomorrow too.

* * *

The council was held in the ruined castle.

Because it was the center of Kushan City and a blank space not under the control of any armed group.

Since the number of participants was limited to three, I took Katrina and Varen with me.

“Wow… … There really are a lot.”

Despite the occupancy limit, a whopping 300 people were swarming around the collapsed castle.

“It’s Lansen… …!”

“It’s really Lansen… … .”

“You’re alive… … .”

As soon as I appeared, everything became hectic.

People making way for others, people whispering.

“Oh! Lord Lansen!”

As I slowly walked towards the center, Ashley greeted me.

‘Still feeling a little lost.’

That unlucky face, with its cross-eyed, half-smiling pupils, was the same then as it is now.

“You really came. I’m glad you’re safe.”

The guy chuckled and glanced behind me, then asked in a tone full of laughter.

“But Miss Daisy didn’t come?”

… … It crosses the line from the start.

“Why Daisy?”

“I like a girl with strong self-esteem.”

“… … .”

I looked down to see how far he was crossing the line, and he kept moving his mouth.

“Have you heard the news that I proposed to you? I would appreciate it if you would look upon it kindly. If we are related by blood, it will not be a bad thing for the new count.”

He called me ‘the new count.’

It looks like he’s acknowledging my superiority.

But judging by his appearance, he seemed to have considerable confidence in the power he had secured.

“Hmm. It’s been a while. Grand Master Lancen.”

Daejeonsa-ra. It was a title I missed quite a bit.

The man who called me by my old title had a face full of knife marks.

Currently, aside from me, he is considered the strongest warrior in Kushan City, the Great Warrior Uksala.

I didn’t really say hello and just glanced at him.

Behind the great warrior Uksala was the commander of the Suzanne legion.

He is the warrior with the highest rank in the Yeongji Army and is also an Expert of the highest level.

‘Then he must be Calceric.’

Another bearded, middle-aged man next to the Suzanne Corps Commander.

Judging by the powerful auror that could not be defeated by the Great Warrior of Uxala, he must be Kalseric, the leader of the Kalseric Brotherhood.

Okay, confirmation complete.

I quickly turned my back and shouted at the leaders of the armed groups gathered there.

“I heard that some people caused trouble while I was away? They took the lives of innocent civilians and stole their property.”

A few guys flinched and murmured.

There’s nothing to see.

I took Sea’s death list out of my bosom and spat out the names of several people written in black letters.

“The Karu family. You killed an entire family and stole their property four days ago, right? Then you forcibly kidnapped the people in the neighborhood who had lost their will to resist and sold them into slavery? What did you do with the money? Buy weapons and mercenaries?”

“La, Lord Lansen, that’s… …!”

The pointed Karu tried to make an excuse, but I just opened my lips dryly.

“Katrina.”

“huh!”

Sling-

As they say, if you pretend, you pretend. Even though we hadn’t planned it out in advance, Katrina knew what to do.

Without hesitation, she drew her sword and rushed at Karu and his attendants.

“Okay, wait a minute!”

“Hey, Ashley! Ashley!”

The men ran away, desperately calling Ashley, but they could not avoid Katrina’s sword.

Katrina came back to me covered in blood in an instant.

“Expert top class… … !”

“When did you get to that level… … !”

“I told you. All of Lancen’s siblings are monsters… … .”

When everyone was amazed by Katrina’s power,

“Wow – The new Count is scary. He’s been strict with discipline from the start. Well, a Count needs this kind of dignity.”

Ashley smiled broadly and spoke to me in a friendly manner.

Even though the Karu who had just died was strictly speaking part of his forces, he had plenty of room to spare, as if he was willing to give up a few of his men.

It seemed like he was telling me to let out my anger to my heart’s content.

In the end, I guess I can come out because I’m sure that I won’t be able to touch the torso.

I ignored him and continued reading the list of dead people.

“The next Loloran family.”

“huh!”

“Yes, yes… … .”

Whenever I call her name, Katrina runs out excitedly as if she’s reminded of old times, and Varen trails off as if he’s annoyed. Still, I get my work done neatly.

“Heron Family.”

“The Dasbicker Family.”

“The Lucas Family.”

He recited the Book of Life and Death without hesitation.

After purging the five forces, the place was filled with the smell of blood and urine.

As the other leaders gathered around started to tremble and look around, Ashley stopped me with an awkwardly stiff face, unlike the first time.

“Haha- Your Majesty the New Count. If you do this much, they will understand. If you make it too scary, it could backfire, so stop here… … .”

okay.

I think the mood is starting to warm up now.

“next.”

I ignored Ashley and went back to reading the list of names.

This time, looking straight into Ashley’s eyes.

“Three bandits: Tapun, Dust, and Kukurak. Two human trafficking groups: X and Shadowwalker.”

Ashley couldn’t laugh anymore.

Because the organizations I just mentioned were either directly under Ashley or in close alliance with him.

“And Ashley, who made the citizens shed tears of blood with three drug production companies and 12 forced prostitution brothels.”

I finished speaking, looking down at the squinty-eyed guy coldly.

“capital punishment.”

The moment my sentence is pronounced,

Srrrrung-

Katrina laughed heartily and pulled out her Auror thread, ready to run straight at Ashley.

“Ah, sis. Check the size and then jump in.”

Baren stopped Katrina, hugging her from behind.

Yes. Right now, there are three top-level experts over there… No, if you include Ashley, there are four. I have to step up to the plate myself for something this big.

Thump.

I was walking forward with my hand on the hilt of my sword, when I heard a sharp snapping sound.

“What are you trying to do now…? Your Highness the New Count?”

Ashley speaks as if spitting out what she has chewed.

His eyes, which were always smiling brightly, were sharply squinted.

Between the slightly open eyes, yellow pupils shone cruelly like those of a reptile.

The moment when bright yellow eyes appear from the squinted eyes that were always covered… … .

It must have been quite a creepy moment for other people to see.

But, I chose the wrong opponent.

“What are you doing, you squinty-eyed punk? What are you going to do when you open your eyes?”

Cheekily.