Sword Master With One Strike Kill - Chapter 60

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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 60

Episode 60. Secret Contact (1)

* * *

The next morning.

As soon as the sun rose, I went to visit the Goldhart Household manor.

Arwen, who had been waiting for me at the main gate, welcomed me with his usual leisurely smile.

“Ah, you’ve arrived. I’ll escort you this way.”

We immediately headed to the reception room.

After locking the door, Arwen pulled something out from his coat.

It was a leather pouch that fit perfectly in one hand.

“This is the item you requested. I couldn’t bring both of them… but one should be sufficient.”

“You’ve done well.”

“Not at all. It wasn’t particularly difficult.”

Arwen shrugged as if it was nothing.

But I knew well. The fact that smuggling this item out while avoiding others’ eyes was no easy task.

And for good reason, since this was one of the sacred relics managed under Middle Temple’s strict security.

‘Smuggling out a sacred relic without proper procedures is an enormous crime.’

Arwen had broken Middle Temple’s iron rules for my sake.

If this fact were to become known to the outside world, even House of Goldhart would surely be unable to avoid political downfall.

Yet the reason Arwen handed me the sacred relic while taking on such tremendous risk was just one thing.

“Please make good use of it.”

“….”

“I sincerely hope The Protagonist’s plan succeeds.”

…It was because that sacred relic was the core of the plan I had devised.

‘Originally, all gambling tables require big risks for big returns.’

To eliminate the colossal figures of the Middle Temple Traditionalists and Jaak von Heibrunn, at least this much stake was necessary.

“Then I’ll continue to rely on you going forward.”

Bow-.

Arwen bowed deeply in greeting.

It was a gamble that not only had the family’s future at stake, but might even determine the fate of this world.

But Arwen’s eyes looking at me held conviction.

Like someone who believed I would succeed at whatever crazy thing I attempted.

“….”

Honestly speaking, I couldn’t understand it.

When exactly had he seen me to show such blind trust?

‘Anyway.’

A laugh escaped me without realizing it.

Because Arwen’s figure overlapped with someone else’s.

‘As expected of someone’s older brother, he acts exactly like his younger sister.’

It was a thought I’d had whenever I saw Arwen.

* * *

“Phew….”

Arwen let out a sigh.

A relieved smile hung on his lips.

After finishing the brief meeting with The Protagonist, he was continuing his reading in his bedroom for the first time in a while.

Knock knock-.

Had about three or four hours passed? Someone knocked on the door.

“Brother, it’s me.”

It was Adelia’s voice. Hearing this, Arwen temporarily closed the book he was reading and opened the door.

“Good morning.”

“Yes. Did you sleep comfortably too, brother?”

After a brief greeting, Adelia immediately brought up her business.

“It’s nothing major… but I heard that The Protagonist stopped by here this morning.”

Adelia asked with a slightly worried expression.

“Did something happen by any chance?”

After pondering for a moment, Arwen shrugged and avoided answering.

“Well.”

“…Pardon?”

“I think it would be better to ask The Protagonist directly about that.”

Perhaps because it was such a sensitive matter, he was cautious about speaking of it.

If Adelia needed to know, wouldn’t The Protagonist tell her himself?

Arwen decided to deflect and leave the judgment to The Protagonist.

“Speaking of which, you’re departing tomorrow, right?”

“….”

Hearing Arwen’s sly voice, Adelia pouted her lips. She noticed that he was deliberately changing the subject.

Nevertheless, Adelia didn’t express any particular complaint. There must be a reason why her brother was acting this way.

“Yes. I thought about resting a few more days, but my recovery was faster than expected. I plan to leave tomorrow.”

“I see.”

Arwen smiled.

“Take care of yourself going forward, and learn swordsmanship diligently by The Protagonist’s side.”

“I understand.”

“Oh, and… I heard the Shadow Sect’s movements have been unusual lately.”

Arwen made a quite serious expression and shook his head while sighing.

“Now that the Ruin Guild has quieted down, why is that side causing trouble again… Anyway, try not to get involved with those heretics if possible. You understand, right?”

“Don’t worry.”

Adelia nodded.

“That will absolutely never happen.”

Even if she got caught up in dangerous situations, it would be fine since The Protagonist was there.

* * *

“The Protagonist, it’s Adelia.”

Knock knock-.

The next day, Adelia came to Middle Temple’s Guest Hall with a face full of anticipation.

Since all business in the Holy City was finished, it was time to travel around the entire Continent with her again.

Fortunately, Adelia’s physical condition was optimal. Thanks to Almond’s diligent treatment, she was in a state with no aftereffects whatsoever.

“It’s fortunate your recovery was quick.”

“I think so too. It’s all thanks to Almond.”

Adelia made an embarrassed expression and laughed sheepishly.

Well, my condition was also at its peak. I couldn’t remember the last time my body felt this energetic.

Was it thanks to taking proper rest for the first time since obtaining the dragon body?

I could clearly feel how much my physical condition had improved.

Previously, I would feel dizzy and lightheaded just from standing still, but now I didn’t feel such discomfort at all.

“But… what’s that backpack?”

Adelia was carrying a large backpack I’d never seen before. It was packed so full it looked like it might burst.

“Oh, this?”

Adelia answered with a proud expression.

“I don’t know how long our journey will be, so I brought essential items.”

“…Essential items?”

“Yes.”

What kind of essential items did you pack so much of?

I went behind Adelia and slightly opened the zipper.

And the items inside were…

“They’re all food.”

“Yes.”

Adelia nodded confidently.

“Last time we left empty-handed and suffered because we couldn’t eat properly.”

“…I see.”

I frowned slightly.

“Even so, carrying several months’ worth of food in a backpack seems too inefficient.”

“What?”

“We’ll reach another satellite city in a week anyway, so how about replenishing our food supplies then?”

“…”

After hearing my words, Adelia fell silent for a moment, then tilted her head.

“This is a week’s worth of food though.”

“…?”

Huh?

This is?

Suddenly what kind of nonsense…

‘…Ah.’

Right at that moment, a scene flashed through my mind.

─Come on! Eat this too!

─…Weren’t you done cooking?

─Oh, why are you like that? There’s still plenty more food left.

─…

When we stayed at Durdamel’s Inn, why did his wife bring out so much food?

It was simple.

She kept cooking because there was someone who devoured food as soon as it came out.

For reference, I usually surrendered at the third dish.

Even then, the person who continued eating persistently was…

“…”

…Adelia, you must have suffered quite a bit from hunger all this time, huh?

‘Adelia was a big eater.’

This was a characteristic of hers I had never noticed before.

Even while eating meals until now, I was constantly making and revising plans, so I didn’t have the capacity to pay attention to other things.

‘When playing the game, there was no way to know this kind of thing…’

The only physiological activities NPCs or users did were at most going to bed for saving.

Since Roel was an RPG, it didn’t have things like ‘satiety levels’ like other survival games. This meant there was no particular need to eat food except for potions.

I felt that this place was truly a real world. Perhaps there were other character traits that weren’t visible when playing the game?

There must be ways to utilize this.

‘Anyway.’

I organized my stray thoughts and explained the next plan to Adelia.

“Now we’re going to head to the Shadow Sect’s stronghold.”

“Yes…?”

Gasp-!

Adelia was startled by my words and opened her eyes wide.

What.

Why is she so shocked?

“Th, th, the Shadow Sect…?”

“That’s right.”

“You’re saying we’re going to the den of those damn heretical cultists?”

I just nodded silently. Then Adelia’s expression became even more bewildered.

“What reason could there possibly be to go to that filthy place… no, wait.”

Adelia’s eyes narrowed.

“Saying we’re heading to their stronghold means you’ve already located them?”

“That’s right.”

“H, how? It’s a place the Investigation Team couldn’t find despite tracking them for decades…”

“There are ways. Besides, I’ve already finished talking with the Crimson Empress.”

“Cr, Crimson Empress…!”

Adelia was shocked.

A surprised expression and an incredulous expression. Besides these, all kinds of emotions crossed her face one after another.

Amazing. She really uses that pretty face in various ways, doesn’t she? If I did that, I would definitely get facial muscle cramps.

“The Crimson Empress is the leader of the Shadow Sect, right? But you made contact? How did you do it?”

“There are ways.”

I repeated the same answer like a parrot again this time.

I was too lazy to explain the situation in detail. There was no need to make her understand either.

Adelia opened and closed her mouth several times as if she couldn’t believe this situation.

After pondering for a long time, she finally asked one question.

“Lord Gaon.”

“Speak.”

“Setting everything else aside… is it okay to let them know in advance that we’re going to attack their stronghold?”

“…?”

What does that mean?

We need to let them know we’re coming so the Shadow Sect can prepare too.

If we visit a secret organization’s stronghold without saying anything, wouldn’t that just mean we want to fight?

“Well…”

Perhaps noticing the bewildered look on my face, Adelia began to trail off.

“Weren’t we going to… ex, exterminate them?”

“…”

No.

I was planning to go propose an alliance.

‘…Let’s just not say anything.’

Come to think of it, Adelia was also a Middle Temple person to the bone.

I had forgotten for a moment. The fact that this girl was also a lunatic who thought all heretics should be burned at the stake.

Well, fortunately I had a very good cheat key for dealing with Middle Temple fanatic friends.

“Does it bother you?”

“Yes… since you’re saying we’re going to find those cultists…”

I nodded and spoke in a deliberately reverent voice.

“It’s normal to have such thoughts. It’s natural that mere mortals like us cannot understand the will of the Great Ones.”

“Yes…?”

Adelia tilted her head slightly. She looked like she didn’t fully understand my words yet.

“But don’t doubt it. The Great Ones wouldn’t have given us this revelation without any plan.”

“Ah.”

The next moment, I could see the doubt that had formed on Adelia’s expression slowly disappearing.

“So… you’re saying all of this is the Elder’s will?”

“That’s right.”

“…!”

Soon Adelia’s eyes widened. Her face lit up brightly like someone who had gained enlightenment.

“I’m sorry. I was looking at the situation with too narrow a perspective.”

Phew.

Problem solved.

“Then let’s depart right away.”

“Yes.”

We immediately set off toward our next destination.

Before heading to the Stronghold of the Shadow Sect, there was a place we needed to stop by briefly.

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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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