Sword Master With One Strike Kill - Chapter 46

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

One-Strike Kill Swordmaster Episode 46

Episode 46. Unexpected Visit (2)

Ruin Merchant Guild.

There’s a reason they’ve grown into an organization that dominates an entire major city.

Their information network spreads like a spider web across every corner of the continent.

Isaac Beriloff, who stands before me now, was also in charge of one axis of this tightly woven information network.

‘I knew they would eventually make contact like this.’

No.

To be precise, it would be more accurate to say I ‘guided’ them to do so.

From the beginning, throwing the dragon’s head into the middle of a guild bustling with adventurers was meant to draw their attention.

Starting with the adventurers, I created wild rumors, ensuring those stories would eventually reach Karayan’s ears.

‘Naturally, Karayan had no choice but to take this bait.’

After all, how many blue-haired swordsmen skilled enough to defeat an earth dragon could there be?

‘Upon hearing the rumors, Karayan would have thought of me first.’

She was someone whose eyes would light up at anything related to her benefactor.

She probably also had an informant planted in the Magic Academy that commissioned the dragon subjugation. Karayan would seize this opportunity to make contact with me.

Yes.

That was exactly the extent of my speculation, and everything fell into place perfectly.

“What’s your business.”

Thanks to that, I could remain calm even at Isaac Beriloff’s shocking identity reveal.

Perhaps not expecting such a composed reaction, he tilted his head with a slightly flustered expression.

“Hmm? You’re not surprised at all. I was expecting a slightly more dramatic reaction…”

Haha.

Try playing Roel about 200 times, Isaac.

You’ll become detached from all worldly affairs.

Damn. Why are there so many backstabbers?

While I was having such idle thoughts, Isaac Beriloff shrugged and continued speaking.

“There’s no particular special purpose. The Guild Master simply asked me to inquire about Benefactor’s well-being while I was going to pay the remaining fee for the dragon subjugation.”

“…”

“Ah, and we’ve also confirmed that ‘Seorineul’ was a prototype. She said she owes Benefactor a great debt and asked me to tell you she’ll definitely repay this favor later.”

Oh.

So she finally realized Seorineul wasn’t genuine.

Actually, this would have been discovered eventually even without me…

Still, I’ve created a debt with the Ruin Guild, so it was profitable either way.

“Please accept this first. It’s the remaining payment.”

Clink-.

Isaac Beriloff took out a heavy money pouch and placed it on the table.

It was the dragon subjugation commission fee he was giving as an assistant at Wintershield Magic Academy, before being an informant for the Ruin Guild.

Isaac Beriloff, who had been quietly watching me receive the pouch, asked a question.

“By the way, the name ‘Gaon’ you used this time is also an alias, right? It’s not anything else, but our Guild Master is really curious about Benefactor’s name.”

I pondered for a moment before answering.

“I’ll be using that name for the time being.”

Rather than stubbornly hiding my identity, it seemed better to maintain a connection with Karayan in this way.

Especially now that my identity had been somewhat revealed.

I had been cautious about getting too deeply involved with the Ruin Guild from the start, fearing it might complicate my overall plan, but the situation was different now.

With Adelia leading the way, I had already established some connection with Middle Temple. There was no longer any reason to completely block Karayan’s approach.

Hearing my answer, Isaac Beriloff nodded briefly.

“Yes. Then I’ll relay that to the Guild Master as well.”

With those words, Isaac Beriloff began wearing his affable smile again.

He had completely transformed his persona from a Ruin Guild informant back to a Wintershield assistant.

“Oh right, and the Magic Academy would also like to invite Mr. Gaon. We’re conducting research on cultivating Labyrinth Village’s specialty products without the earth dragon, and we need help with the final stage.”

Wintershield Magic Academy conducted quite a lot of practical research.

Things like crop cultivation methods to solve food shortages in major cities, or methods to reclaim the wasteland.

They didn’t just pursue high-level magical research, but also tried to solve problems directly related to ordinary people’s lives.

Of course, most of these practical research projects were started with funding in mind, but regardless of those ulterior motives, they were producing quite decent results.

“If you don’t have any urgent matters, could you accompany me right now?”

“I have something to resolve first.”

I shook my head at Isaac Beriloff’s suggestion.

“So I’ll visit Wintershield once my business is finished.”

I would have to visit Wintershield Magic Academy eventually, but right now, handling Middle Temple’s affairs took priority.

I needed to get the council’s approval first before I could smoothly proceed with my next plan.

Hearing my answer, Isaac Beriloff nodded and stepped back cleanly.

“Understood. Then I’ll be waiting at Wintershield Magic Academy…”

“Isaac Beriloff.”

Pause-.

At that moment, I called his name in a cold voice.

Isaac, who had been about to get up, stopped abruptly and stared at me intently. As if asking whether I had other business.

After pausing for a moment, I continued speaking.

“When I go to Wintershield, will you personally come out to greet me?”

“Ah, yes, of course. I’ll likely be in charge of this matter…”

“Good.”

I nodded and continued.

“I want to have a conversation with the ‘Crimson Empress.'”

“…!”

“Arrange a meeting before I arrive at Wintershield University.”

Flinch-.

Instantly, Isaac Beriloff’s complexion darkened dramatically.

It was such a flustered expression that it was hard to believe this was the same person who had been nothing but sly since our first meeting.

“How do you know that…”

Wariness began to creep into Isaac Beriloff’s voice.

His expression suggested this wasn’t part of his calculations.

‘But, Isaac.’

I snorted inwardly.

‘There’s nothing I don’t know.’

Isaac Beriloff.

As I mentioned earlier, he appears as an assistant at Wintershield Magic Academy.

I only learned that he was also working as an informant for the Ruin Guild after my 20th playthrough.

‘But…’

…This also changed after I passed the mid-level playthroughs.

That’s right.

Isaac Beriloff was a member of a heretical cult who ‘pretended’ to be an assistant at Wintershield Magic Academy while ‘pretending’ to work as an informant for the Ruin Guild.

Just hearing the explanation makes you dizzy, right?

It’s okay.

I felt the same way at first.

When I discovered this new power structure after surpassing my 100th playthrough, my head went blank as if I’d been hit in the back of the head.

Just when I was proud of becoming a veteran gamer, the thrill of realizing there were still mountains of things I didn’t know hidden away remains vivid even now.

‘Anyway, what a truly fucked up game.’

Having finished that thought, I looked at Isaac Beriloff and urged him for an answer.

“You must already know well that I killed the Celestial Dragon.”

“….”

“Arrange a meeting with the Empress. I’ll help your organization achieve what it truly desires.”

To smoothly continue my plan, I needed to establish good relations with them as well.

Of course, I was also thinking of extracting a hefty price under the guise of helping.

“What do you mean….”

Isaac’s lips trembled as he wore an expression of shock.

“I don’t want to engage in any more pointless arguments. The very fact that I know the Empress is proof that I can be of help to you.”

“…I will arrange a meeting with the Empress as soon as possible.”

Nod-.

Isaac reluctantly nodded his head.

Having heard his confirmation, I maintained a deliberately expressionless face to project authority.

It was a success.

The complex triple plan I had designed had fallen into place without a single error.

The plan to succeed in the Tolong subjugation Quest to spread rumors, then move Karayan’s informant who had infiltrated the magic academy to make contact with the secret organization.

With this, I had met all the ‘major forces’ in the early stages.

‘To think I’d be visiting the Shadow Conclave at such an early point.’

This was an unprecedented achievement that had never been accomplished even once through hundreds of playthroughs.

* * *

“Lord Gaon.”

A few days later, Sikan Bauer came to visit my inn room.

“The Middle Temple investigation team has arrived.”

I looked out the inn window. Five or six figures wearing gray robes were pacing around the front yard.

【Lv. 78】

Their average level was in the late seventies.

They were skilled individuals who would be recognized anywhere on the continent.

However, their true nature was revealed when several of them worked together.

Middle Temple investigation team members boasted perfect coordination through rigorous training. Moving as one body, they displayed power greater than the sum of their individual levels.

The purpose of these investigation team members coming all the way to Bertas was singular.

Namely, to escort me to Middletemple, the Holy City.

“A holy trial will be held at Middle Temple.”

On the way down to the first floor of the inn, Sikan Bauer began to carefully explain what would happen to me.

“The first matter concerns the Celestial Dragon. The council will thoroughly investigate the reasons and circumstances behind killing the divine beast.”

“And then?”

“There will be verification of whether you’re truly a Sword Master. I’m sorry, but I don’t know much about this part, so it’s difficult for me to give you details.”

Sikan Bauer was an individual dispatched to investigate the Celestial Dragon incident.

The mission Middle Temple assigned to him was solely to understand the inside story related to the divine beast’s death.

It was natural that he wouldn’t know the details of the ‘verification’ process.

After all, Sikan Bauer was nothing more than a sword that moved according to the Noble House’s commands.

‘…By the way, the atmosphere is quite murderous.’

As I went down to the front yard, a heavy silence flowed.

The investigation team members wearing gray robes stared at me without lowering their guard. The aura they emanated seemed to make even the air heavier.

Sikan Bauer stepped forward first to ease the atmosphere.

“There’s no need to worry. They’re all my direct subordinates, so I’ll escort you comfortably to Middle Temple.”

Hearing those words, I let out a slight laugh.

“Do I look worried to you?”

“No, that’s not it, but….”

Sikan Bauer trailed off and glanced at my expression before carefully adding:

“…Even if the investigation team members aren’t much, the Middle Temple Council is by no means an easy opponent. Especially in situations like now when a holy trial is being held.”

I silently listened to his words. I was well aware that the council was no easy opponent.

“They will prepare all sorts of trials and hardships to test you. Since it’s a place to determine Sword Master qualifications, the difficulty will be beyond imagination.”

This was also a fact I knew well. To be granted Sword Master qualifications, one had to go through harsh processes.

“So.”

But I wasn’t shaken in the slightest.

“Do you think I won’t be able to overcome them?”

Hesitate-.

Sikan Bauer hesitated for a moment.

He was probably recalling things that seemed nearly impossible until just a few days ago.

All those moments of entering Merilrose’s Dungeon that had been neglected for years, killing Camillo von Taribas, and cutting down the life of the newly born immortal.

Before long, Sikan Bauer, who had briefly reminisced about the past, let out a small laugh.

“…I’m sorry. I asked an unnecessary question.”

Right.

There was nothing to worry about.

I knew everything the Middle Temple Council might prepare to test me.

The trials they had prepared would rather become a stepping stone for a new leap forward.

“Let’s move.”

“Yes.”

I walked toward the gray-robed investigation team members.

* * *

“Ahhh, so boring….”

A black-robed figure wearing a skull helmet let out a sigh.

The Death Knight who had stopped playing violin gazed endlessly out the window.

His fingertips were unconsciously fidgeting with a Zweihänder.

The black bone scabbard and the blood-red blade hidden within constantly let out loud cries. It was a sword that was both bizarre and artistic, resembling its master’s nature.

“…When exactly is that fellow going to arrive?”

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