Chapter 13

The Swordsmanship Genius Possessed by a God — Chapter 13

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After dropping Meiran off in the city, the carriage hurried toward the dungeon.

The dungeon was located on a cliff far from the Villerman territory. The mountainside, where few people ventured, was difficult to climb on horseback.

“I believe this is as far as I can take you.”

“Thank you for your hard work. Oh, and I enjoyed the meal. As expected, coachmen really do know all the best places to eat.”

“Oh, not at all. I'm the one who owes you a debt of gratitude I could never repay in my lifetime.”

“If fate allows, we'll meet again. Have a safe journey back.”

Allen exchanged farewells with the coachman. After watching him turn the reins and drive away, Allen slowly began climbing the mountain.

Finding the dungeon's location wasn't particularly difficult.

The traces left by monsters that had emerged from the dungeon pointed toward its location.

More importantly.

“...have to go...”

“...the number of people...”

As he drew closer, he began hearing voices.

‘There are people here?’

Had the territory sent out a suppression force?

But there didn't seem to be enough people for that. There were only a few voices, and he could sense very few presences.

When he approached, he found only three people standing before the cliff where the dungeon entrance was located.

“Isn't it too reckless for just the three of us to attempt to clear it?”

“What does the number of people matter? I'm here.”

“It would be nice if we could recruit more party members, but it isn't easy. Mercenaries and adventurers alike are full of cowards.”

From what he overheard, they seemed to be adventurers who had gathered to conquer the dungeon.

Allen knew how things would turn out for these adventurers. He didn't know who would live or die, but one thing was certain: none of them would uncover the dungeon's secret.

After all, that secret wouldn't be revealed until three years from now.

After considering it for a moment, Allen stepped forward.

As he approached without concealing his presence, the three adventurers soon noticed him.

“Someone's coming.”

“Is he alone?”

The three adventurers regarded Allen with curiosity and suspicion.

They did need another party member, but it also seemed strange that Allen had approached the dungeon alone.

Allen approached first and greeted them with a smile.

“Nice to meet you. Have you all gathered here because of this dungeon?”

The one who stepped forward in response was a large man who stood at least a head taller than Allen.

“That's right. But let me tell you in advance, we have the first right to attempt this dungeon. Do you have any companions?”

“Unfortunately, I'm alone.”

“Alone?”

The man looked at Allen suspiciously.

You came to this dungeon alone? Who do you think you are?

His gaze traveled up and down Allen's body. The impression he got from that youthful face was that Allen would be easy to deal with.

“Do you know how to use that sword?”

“I'm not wearing it just for show.”

The man considered Allen's answer before turning his head. He asked the other members of his group,

“What should we do?”

It was a respectful question.

He had left the decision about Allen to someone else.

Allen followed the man's gaze. Of the other two people, the one he was consulting was a narrow-eyed man.

He was tall and carried a sword almost as long as he was.

He was clearly the one who held authority in this party.

When the narrow-eyed man nodded, the large man blocking Allen's path spoke.

“If you want to enter the dungeon, join our party. Of course, if we discover any treasure inside, we'll divide it according to each person's contribution.”

“Sounds good.”

Allen answered without hesitation, as that had been his intention from the moment he stepped forward.

Of course, that didn't mean he intended to share every treasure in the dungeon with them. Allen absolutely needed the Flower of Stars hidden inside.

“Let's introduce ourselves. I'm Baudon.”

“I'm Yusia.”

“Mikel Garzia.”

The narrow-eyed man who introduced himself last had a family name.

That meant he wasn't an ordinary adventurer.

Just then, the large man who had introduced himself as Baudon added some information about Mikel.

“Lord Mikel is a swordsman from Vishken, no less.”

“...?”

From Vishken?

Allen looked at Mikel with a puzzled expression. The man still stood with his arms crossed, wearing an arrogant expression.

His face was full of confidence and pride.

Allen began to understand why these people were attempting to clear the dungeon with only three members.

‘They're relying on that guy.’

Such was the power of the Vishken name. They probably believed that a swordsman from such a prestigious family would have no trouble with a dungeon in a remote backwater like this.

‘The other two seem reasonably skilled as well.’

Yusia was a young woman who appeared to be around Allen's age. Instead of a sword, she carried a staff, and he could sense a faint, well-controlled energy from her.

Two swordsmen and one mage.

Although their numbers were small, it was a fairly well-balanced party.

After the three introduced themselves, Allen gave his own name.

“I'm Allen. I look forward to working with you.”

Allen greeted them with a friendly expression. At the same time, he looked toward Mikel, the supposed swordsman from Vishken.

As it happened, Mikel was already looking at Allen, and their eyes met.

After holding his gaze for a while, Mikel turned his head. His attention returned to the dungeon.

Watching him, Allen smiled meaningfully.

‘A swordsman from Vishken, huh...’

Well, was he really?

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The four newly formed party members immediately entered the dungeon.

It was Yusia's magic that illuminated the interior of the cave.

Light, a basic First-Circle spell.

An orb about the size of a fist appeared and illuminated the darkness of the cave.

Baudon and Mikel took the lead.

Baudon, who was particularly large, held an enormous shield in one hand and served as the party's vanguard.

Yusia, the mage, and Allen remained at the rear. Acting as though he were the party leader, Baudon instructed Allen to guard the rear.

As they slowly followed Baudon and Mikel, Allen asked,

“How did the three of you meet?”

It was Yusia who answered his question.

“I was hired by these two. They said they needed a mage who could provide light if they wanted to clear the dungeon.”

“What about those two?”

“They knew each other before I met them. From what I heard, Mr. Baudon was so impressed by Lord Mikel's abilities that he decided to join the expedition.”

At Yusia's words, Baudon, who was walking ahead, snorted.

“It's only natural for a swordsman to admire another swordsman who's stronger than himself. Isn't that right?”

“Haven't I told you to stop flattering me unnecessarily?”

“Haha, there's no need to be so modest. Not just anyone can become a swordsman of Vishken.”

From the looks of it, Baudon followed Mikel because of the Vishken name. Mikel also seemed to secretly enjoy Baudon's praise.

“Hey, kid. Your name was Allen, right?”

On the other hand, Baudon subtly looked down on Allen.

Because Allen was young and had joined the party last, he seemed like an easy target by comparison.

“Remember this. Your job is to protect the mage. Got it? If you start acting recklessly and the mage gets hurt, forget about your share of the treasure. I'll...”

“Enough. Don't cause trouble for no reason.”

“Yes, sir!”

Baudon immediately shut his mouth at Mikel's words. At this point, he was practically a subordinate rather than a fellow party member.

It was then that Mikel showed an interest in Allen for the first time and asked,

“So, young man. Where did you learn swordsmanship?”

“At home.”

“At home? Was your father a swordsman too?”

“Yes.”

“He must have been an excellent man, then, to teach his son the sword from such a young age.”

Mikel seemed completely unaware that the father in question was Axion Vishken.

Recalling Mikel's claim to be a swordsman from Vishken, Allen asked,

“When did you leave Vishken?”

For a brief moment, Mikel hesitated before answering.

“About two years ago.”

“That wasn't very long ago. Which unit did you belong to? The Silver Dragon Division? The Flying Sword Division?”

Mikel's gaze turned cold at Allen's question.

“Why do you ask?”

“You said you were from Vishken, so I was curious. After all, how many swordsmen are there who don't admire the swordsmen of Vishken?”

“You're curious about pointless things. I belonged to the Blazing Sword Division. Satisfied?”

“Ah, the Blazing Sword Division. I've heard a great deal about its reputation.”

“Refrain from asking unnecessary questions. It's impolite to pry into the past of someone you've only just met.”

Mikel reacted sensitively to Allen's words. As though he had found an excuse, Baudon glared at Allen and growled.

His gaze was fierce enough to suggest he might kill someone at any moment.

“You'd better watch yourself.”

After glaring and growling at Allen for some time, Baudon abruptly turned his head away.

Perhaps concerned by their reactions, Yusia tried to reassure Allen.

“Please don't take it personally. I think they're both just on edge because we've entered the dungeon.”

“It's fine. I'm not particularly bothered.”

Shing.

At that moment, Mikel drew his sword and stopped walking. He stared into the darkness beyond the reach of the magical light.

Immediately afterward, a pair of crimson eyes appeared ahead.

Grrrrrr.

Grrrr, woof, woof woof!

Wolf-like monsters emerged into the illuminated area.

Dorvi.

They were wolf-type monsters that traveled in packs of at least five.

Although they weren't particularly large, they were low-ranking monsters with considerable strength and swift movements.

Mikel shouted.

“Eight Dorvi! Incoming!”

Grrwoof!

The pack of Dorvi charged. Baudon braced his shield firmly and drew his sword.

“Come on, you sons of bitches!”

Bang!

Baudon struck a Dorvi with his shield. He was the type who relied on his size in combat.

While Baudon held off the Dorvi from the front, Mikel leaped toward the cave ceiling.

Despite the seemingly effortless jump, he soared well above Baudon's height.

Allen watched the two fight for a moment while protecting Yusia at the rear.

‘That big guy focuses more on defense than offense, and as for Mikel...’

Whoosh!

Mikel's longsword flashed. The body of a Dorvi, cleanly severed in two, fell to the ground.

The way he wielded that long sword without hesitation, then altered its trajectory toward his next target, demonstrated considerable skill.

‘His abilities are genuine.’

Allen could understand why Baudon followed Mikel around so devotedly.

He was certainly several times stronger than Baudon.

He swung that long sword as though it were a feather, yet the Dorvi were cut apart with single strokes. Although his movements appeared light, the power contained in his sword was considerable.

However, one thing seemed strange.

‘That's not a sword style I've ever seen in Vishken.’

Allen recalled the various swordsmanship styles of Vishken.

For one thing, longswords like that were rarely used in Vishken. There were a few who used them, but they were an extremely small minority.

‘The closest would probably be the Lesser Fang Sword of the White Tiger Division. But this style is far too open for that.’

Allen recalled Mikel's earlier answer.

“You're curious about pointless things. I belonged to the Blazing Sword Division. Satisfied?”

As far as Allen knew, the Blazing Sword Division had no swordsmanship resembling that. Its techniques mainly belonged to the category of powerful swordsmanship that unleashed explosive force.

If Mikel had claimed to belong to the White Tiger Division, Allen might have entertained the possibility. But this swordsmanship was far too different from that of the Blazing Sword Division.

The conclusion was simple.

‘He's a fake.’

An adventurer who was exploiting the Vishken name.

It wasn't a type of person one encountered very often.

If it became known that someone had impersonated a swordsman of Vishken, no matter how skilled they were, death would be their only fate once they were caught.

And no matter how Allen looked at him, Mikel didn't seem foolish enough to be unaware of that.

‘What is he trying to gain that's worth risking his life by impersonating someone from Vishken?’

Mikel, who had already cut down the entire pack of Dorvi, turned his head.

When his eyes met Allen's, there was a peculiar displeasure in his expression.