Sword Master With One Strike Kill - Chapter 209

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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One-Strike Kill Swordmaster Episode 209

Episode 209. Growing Misunderstandings (3)

* * *

Most major NPCs carry the possibility of betrayal. Even Sword Masters were no exception.

‘As the end draws near, the temptations of the Evil Gods become ever more cunning.’

Family, lovers, beliefs, pride, and so on. Whatever it might be, they would inevitably find a weakness.

I had to eliminate those seeds in advance. Before the triggers activated, and before the conditions for corruption were met.

‘Just like how I preemptively eliminated Jark von Haibrunn.’

That was why I needed to carefully control information.

In a situation where anyone could turn into an enemy at any time, nothing was more dangerous than plans leaking out.

Ah, of course…

“Frankly, I find this somewhat unpleasant, Gaon.”

…Jeungmu showed his displeasure after hearing my words.

Not just Jeungmu, but even the other Sword Masters who supported me couldn’t hide their slight discomfort.

After all, my statement was essentially defining Sword Masters as potential traitors.

“We heretics have an absolute premise called the ‘Sacred Covenant.'”

Hiss—!

Jeungmu released steam.

Adjusting his monocle slightly, he looked directly at me.

“Even if, by the slightest chance, truly by the slightest chance… one of the Sword Masters were to defect to become a worshipper of Evil Gods, that traitor would immediately be hunted down by the other heretics.”

Duels between Sword Masters don’t easily reach a conclusion.

But what if multiple people knew the constraints of the Sacred Covenant and persistently exploited them?

The result was obvious.

The traitor would inevitably be executed. Without exception.

“In the first place, Sword Masters are beings directly chosen by the Great Ones. They are those who have passed the trials and verification of the Elders and received personal recognition of their qualifications.”

“…”

“Don’t you think that discussing the possibility of our betrayal itself could be considered blasphemy that doubts the judgment of the Elders?”

Jeungmu continued his words methodically.

“Even so, I cannot understand why you say information must be restricted.”

“…”

“The councilors aside, wouldn’t it be proper to convey all details to us Sword Masters?”

And then.

The moment a question that struck at the core finally came.

“In that sense, let me ask just one thing.”

“…”

“This decision to restrict and individually convey information—is it the will of the Elders? Or is it your unilateral judgment, Gaon?”

Thud—.

The air in the meeting room instantly froze.

All eyes focused on me.

Bloodlust’s red eyes flashed sharply, and Tyrant Dragon gazed at me with a suspicious expression.

‘…Perfect reasoning.’

Indeed, nothing Jeungmu said was wrong.

From practical safeguards to fundamental trust. It was a chain of logic difficult to refute.

However.

The problem was that when the end truly approached, even the Sacred Covenant would become meaningless.

The power of the Evil Gods would grow strong enough to neutralize even that.

‘But…’

Laying out such a desperate reality right now would only backfire.

So I had to persuade them in a different way.

“An interesting question.”

Having made that judgment, I answered in a calm voice.

“Then let me ask just one thing as well, Jeungmu.”

Swoosh—.

I leaned forward and looked directly at Jeungmu.

“Just now, didn’t you say the ‘Sacred Covenant’ was a perfect device that constrains and controls Sword Masters?”

“…That’s correct.”

Nod—.

Jeungmu carefully nodded his head.

With an expression as if pondering whether there might be a trap hidden in my question.

Regardless, I continued speaking with an expressionless face.

“The covenant I made with the Great Ones.”

“…?”

“It is that all my actions must follow the premise of saving the world from its end.”

Startle—.

Upon hearing those words, Jeungmu and Bloodlust showed surprised reactions.

As if they had never imagined such a covenant could exist.

“Even if restricting information is not a direct order from the Elders but my independent judgment, the purpose remains unchanged. Everything is an act for the salvation of the world.”

Jeungmu’s body gradually stiffened. His bewilderment was evident.

He realized he was being gradually caught in the logic from the moment I mentioned the Sacred Covenant.

“However.”

I put weight into each and every word.

Just as.

Jeungmu had done to me moments before.

“Does rebelling against my judgment and forcing information sharing mean I should consider that you too are encouraging the world’s end?”

“What kind of…!”

Hissss—!

Violent steam erupted as Jeungmu shot up from his seat.

He was flustered by the unexpected development of logic.

“That’s absurd sophistry! To say that opposing your opinion means wanting the end of everything is preposterous…”

“Sophistry.”

I cut off Jeungmu’s words and calmly asked back.

“Until just moments ago, it wasn’t me but you who emphasized the absoluteness of the ‘Sacred Covenant.’ You clearly asserted that constraint was the perfect safeguard.”

“That’s…”

Hesitate—.

Jeungmu was left speechless.

His own logic had come back to bind his feet.

“The Sacred Covenant is an absolute contract made with the Great Ones as witnesses.”

“…”

“Don’t you think that dismissing an argument based on such constraints as sophistry could itself be blasphemy? This too is an act that denies the Great Ones and the entire order of Middle Temple.”

Yes.

This was one of the reasons I had made that absurd covenant about saving the world during the Sacred Inquisition.

A strategic move to never lose in arguments.

With the premise that all actions were for salvation, no one could present a more noble cause than mine.

“…I understand your intentions well.”

Eventually, Jeungmu, having lost the war of words, took a step back. Then he began to address the moral aspect.

“But acting this way itself is losing trust in each other. No matter how much you worry about Sword Masters’ betrayal, if you treat colleagues as potential traitors from the start…”

“You’ve got it completely wrong.”

“…?”

Pause-.

I firmly cut off his words.

Hearing this, Jeungmu froze once again. His expression seemed to say ‘what are you talking about?’

“If you think I’m taking these measures because I’m afraid of Sword Masters betraying us, you’re gravely mistaken.”

I declared while slowly looking around the meeting room.

“I’m sure I told you yesterday as well.”

It had been just a few hours ago. The answer I had given to her when she was growling at me right before the duel with Bloodlust.

“Even if everyone here attacked me all at once, they couldn’t even graze a single hair on my head.”

“….”

“….”

Hissss-.

The air in the meeting room froze.

Tyrant Dragon and Heukgol clenched their fists tightly, and Bloodlust’s red eyes flashed dangerously.

Even Pean showed subtle tension.

‘This should be enough to establish discipline.’

Now it was time to shift the atmosphere. Pushing too hard would only increase their resistance.

“But that kind of approach is not what I want.”

I lowered my voice calmly.

The Sword Masters looked at me with surprise. They seemed flustered by the sudden reversal in atmosphere.

“Think about it. What would happen if I revealed all the information here?”

I said while slowly looking around the meeting room.

“The truth about what’s to come. The depth of despair we must face. There are few who could maintain their composure to the end after accepting all those truths.”

“….”

“Yes. Even if they are Sword Masters.”

Jeungmu’s brow furrowed slightly.

He seemed to be trying to understand the true meaning of my words.

‘Of course, the real reason is different.’

By controlling information, I can minimize variables.

I can completely block unexpected independent judgments or emotional actions.

Most importantly, I can move the Sword Masters like perfect chess pieces at the necessary moment.

But there was no need to reveal such inner thoughts.

It was an opportunity to secure control while also appealing to their sense of sacrifice.

“Preventing confusion and despair from unnecessary information in advance, while allowing everyone to focus entirely on their respective roles.”

“….”

“That is my role. It’s also why The Great Ones chose me as their representative.”

I drove the final nail home.

“I will bear that responsibility alone.”

“….”

“….”

However.

The benefits I gain are far greater than the discomfort of bearing that responsibility.

‘Well….’

…Come to think of it, it’s not really a lie, is it?

“Jeungmu.”

At that moment, Pean interjected. With a quite serious expression.

“Please don’t doubt Gaon any further.”

“….”

Pshhhh-.

Jeungmu, who had been staring at me with a complex expression for a while, let out steam with a small sigh.

I could feel the tension gradually leaving his body language.

“…I was hasty.”

An unexpected apology flowed out.

“I ended up acting emotionally. I was simply hurt in my pride at the thought that you suspected us.”

“….”

“But if I had known from the beginning that your intention was to shoulder all the burden alone, I would have gladly agreed.”

The Sword Master of Jeungmu.

A gentleman swordsman who performs sword dances in smoke.

Not only is his body covered in steel, but he possesses an iron will that won’t succumb to any temptation or despair.

He is someone who values chivalry and nobility. His pride in his own values is also considerable.

That’s why he never fell to corruption even once during the 199 cycles I’ve been through.

‘Well, it’s fine for Jeungmu to react like that.’

Right at that moment.

Suddenly, one question crossed my mind.

‘But….’

I guarantee it was one of the world’s three great mysteries.

‘…What exactly did that bastard from the primordial beginning do to corrupt all Twelve Sword Masters including Jeungmu?’

I don’t think I could do it even if I tried on purpose.

* * *

After the meeting ended.

I moved to a private room and began individual interviews as promised.

The first in order was Mangnyeom.

“Sit down.”

Mangnyeom looked around blankly and then plopped down in the chair.

As always, she stared into space with unfocused eyes.

There wasn’t particularly much to say. She couldn’t remember things properly due to the constraints of the sacred oath anyway.

Whatever I told her, she’d forget quickly, and conversely, there was almost no information I could extract from her.

In a way, she was the most simple and one-dimensional character I could utilize. I just needed to coax her appropriately when I needed force.

‘Anyway.’

Still, it wasn’t like I had absolutely nothing to say. Especially since she was the person most deeply connected to the Sisterhood of the Forsaken.

Tick, tick-.

About 10 more minutes passed like that?

Having obtained incomplete and fragmentary information through the brief interview with her, I called for the next interviewee.

“Then call Arwen.”

“…Who?”

“Arwen von Goldhart. A young man with blonde hair and blue eyes.”

“Ah.”

Mangnyeom nodded as if she finally understood and took out her notebook.

She diligently wrote things down so she wouldn’t forget.

Scratch scratch-.

Soon Mangnyeom got up from her seat and was about to leave the room.

Right at that moment.

Pause-.

She suddenly stopped in front of the door and asked me a question.

“Gaon, who did you say to call?”

“…You just wrote it in your notebook.”

“Yeah. But I forgot where I wrote it.”

“….”

Right….

Let’s just go together….

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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