Chapter 24 : Fifth Inevitable (1)

An alleyway with no sign of life.

Trash is strewn about, and a musty odor fills the air.

It’s strange to find such an unpleasant place within the city of Tristan, but for that very reason, it’s often chosen as a meeting place for special individuals.

The two figures in robes, cloaked from head to toe, had come here for just that reason.

In truth, they don’t always meet in such locations.

In fact, private meetings are safer indoors than out.

However, due to a designated area investigation departing soon from the main gate, they had no choice but to meet outside.

“Lys, don’t forget. Today, we’re only observing. Don’t jump in recklessly…”

“I know.”

The woman, caught off guard by the man’s deep voice, responded curtly.

As always, her response was brief and informal, no different than usual.

The robed man gritted his teeth in response.

“Don’t you ever consider dropping the informal tone? We’ve had countless issues almost go south because of it.”

“Hah. Don’t get it twisted. I’m only here because I’m getting paid, not because I’m your subordinate or some spy.”

“…”

At her blunt words, Lys cut him off again, and he fell silent.

In truth, she wasn’t wrong.

With her unique fate as a <Shape-shifter> and her high-tier branching abilities, she wasn’t the type of hero that could be easily handled.

If it weren’t for the massive funds binding them in a contract, she’d likely have left without a backward glance.

But he couldn’t let this go easily.

They’d encountered too many problems because of her upright attitude and informality.

“Once this mission is over, you’re planning to join the academy as a cadet, aren’t you? You don’t plan on using informal language with the instructors, do you?”

“As long as I’m only attending the classes, it should be fine.”

“Still, if you happen to meet with the instructors one-on-one…”

“I’ll handle that myself.”

“…”

The man sighed shallowly at Lys’s firm stance.

There was no point in a lengthy debate with her; nothing would change.

Just as she said, they were connected purely through a monetary contract.

However, as he recalled the substantial information they had obtained so far thanks to her, he collected his thoughts and began explaining today’s task.

“As I mentioned, today’s mission isn’t particularly difficult. You’re not joining as a regular member, just entering as part of the Tower’s cooperative personnel. There shouldn’t be a need to use your skills. Just report exactly what you observe and hear during the investigation.”

“Got it.”

“Oh, and if Duke Crowflin mentions anything about His Highness the Second Prince, be sure to pass it on. He’s still maintaining a neutral stance, but if his mind has changed, it could be a crucial clue.”

He revealed the true core reason behind today’s mission.

Lys nodded slowly in response.

A royal decree to investigate a designated area.

The special operation Lys was about to participate in.

Due to the Royal Knights’ strict security, disguise and infiltration were challenging, but joining as a collaborative investigator gave sufficient access.

A ‘designated area investigation’ is an inquiry conducted by royal decree.

That doesn’t mean His Majesty Lucius Kleppe personally orders and leads each investigation; it’s just one of many approvals that pass through the royal agenda several times a day.

Since it’s royal-sponsored, it’s often handled by internal agencies, but for severe and high-risk incidents like this one, the Royal Knights are dispatched beyond the investigation unit.

In other words, the danger level of the red thicket I had once hunted in was deemed significantly high.

But a question arose here.

“It’s a location so close to the capital—why has the risk only now been recognized?”

“That’s the crux of the matter. You’ve grasped the essence well.”

Duke Crowflin nodded, acknowledging my question.

“As you know, monster dens usually form where spatial rifts occur. On rare occasions, though, these rifts are concealed by unique magical phenomena.”

“This incident falls into that category, doesn’t it?”

“Indeed. And the rift level, according to academic assessments, is at its highest. At the very least, high-grade monsters or even beasts could emerge.”

This was the reason the Kleppe Royal Knights had been mobilized for this investigation.

And since every knight of the order bore the fate of a <Swordsman> hero, heroes from various fields joined as support personnel.

This was why <Mage> heroes from the Tower and <Priest> heroes were present as well.

“Father, Instructor Edgar is well aware of that already.”

Aquina, who had been listening, interrupted, looking displeased.

Duke Crowflin burst into hearty laughter.

“Still upset?”

“You were planning to bring my junior along without even consulting me.”

“Haha. Is he your junior already? Sir Edgar is a precious talent of the kingdom and the noble second son of House Mulick .”

“He’s an instructor now. Titles don’t matter when it comes to professions.”

Aquina defined her relationship with me in a crisp tone.

Despite being the eldest daughter of a duke, her belief in meritocracy and skill-based heroism, central tenets of the current Kleppe Kingdom, was evident in her dismissal of social status.

Faced with her firm stance, Duke Crowflin cleared his throat.

“Ahem. Even so, it wasn’t against the regulations.”

“Regulations advise that new instructors with less than three months of experience limit external activities. As his senior, I could have rejected it.”

“Ah, Aquina, that hurts. After all I’ve taught you…”

“No, I grew up at the academy and during the Great War on my own.”

“…Not much, I see. Haha, as expected of my daughter. Remarkable.”

In an instant, Aquina hit him with a “what have you ever done for me,” and Duke Crowflin immediately agreed.

A fierce argument for a father-daughter exchange.

This clearly wasn’t their first disagreement.

“Let’s keep quiet.”

Not wanting to get caught up in their quarrel, I silently joined the group.

About two hours passed that way.

“We’ve reached the rift point!”

Several knights at the front shouted loudly.

The rift point located within the Red Thicket Zone.

A place filled with a chilling atmosphere and swirling dark energy.

Its appearance clearly marked it as a ‘monster den.’

“Indeed, it looks thick.”

Even I, not particularly attuned to sensing magic, could feel the dense malevolent energy radiating from this rift.

It was a wise choice for the Kingdom’s investigation team to defer this inspection to the Kleppe Knights.

“We’re moving in!”

At the center of the rift, several senior knights raised their shields and attempted to enter.

True to the Kleppe Knights’ extensive experience with such investigations, their division of roles was meticulous.

Heroes equipped with defensive gear led the charge, with the main group and support personnel following behind.

When my turn came, I too stepped slowly into the rift.

‘Ah, so this is what it feels like.’

I realized it as soon as I entered.

The true meaning of stepping into a rift point called a ‘monster den.’

The scenery appeared identical to the terrain right before we’d entered, yet the space itself felt like a completely different place.

It was as though this space was twisted and hidden.

And then—

The Kingdom’s investigation team’s fears became reality.

Keeeee!!

Grrr-ooo!!

A piercing screech echoed across the thicket, nearly tearing through my ears.

A creature with black skin that blazed with flames.

It took the shape of a hound, but the aura it exuded was far beyond that of any mere beast.

Monsters that seemed to be of high rank surrounded us on all sides.

This aura was far more intense than that of the Kelleil I had encountered before.

“Haha! Starting off with a Hellhound, huh? Thrilling!” Duke Crowflin laughed as he began issuing commands.

He showed no signs of panic, even though a high-ranking monster had emerged sooner than expected.

“All Tower support personnel, prepare water-attribute magic in the center! Pour it on as you please!”

At his command, everyone moved in perfect unison.

The heroes of the Kleppe Royal Knights, in particular, moved with exceptional speed.

Knights unable to contend with high-ranking monsters immediately took up defensive positions with their shields, while senior knights unsheathed their swords, preparing to advance.

They executed Duke Crowflin’s orders in almost three seconds.

It was evident that they had trained tirelessly in this protocol.

“Senior, I’m moving in as well.”

I started to move with my sword, recalling Aquina’s earlier words and reporting in advance.

Aquina watched me, her gaze calm.

I briefly wondered what I’d do if she tried to dissuade me, but thankfully, she only smiled and nodded.

“Don’t let the knights leave you behind.”

Aquina Crowflin.

More than just an academy instructor, she was a hero of the Great War who never backed down from a fight.

“We have a reputation to uphold, don’t we?”

With a smile, I drew my sword.

It wasn’t the gladius I had used a few times since my return.

This sword boasted a blue hilt and a razor-sharp blade.

It was Gallid, the treasured sword given to me by Kaela’s father, Lithbel.

‘It feels smooth.’

The initial sensation of holding the sword was smooth.

I’d wielded countless famous swords in battle, but rarely one that felt this smooth.

They said it was a treasured sword of the maritime kingdom of Venher; the energy it radiated was oddly refreshing.

‘Let’s do this.’

Though I had swung it a few times since it was gifted to me, this was my first time using it in battle.

With my heart beating a bit faster, I prepared to move forward.

The <Edge of Magic> flowed naturally from my hand into the sword.

And then.

Paat-

Shiiing!!

“…Huh?”

A soft light emanated from the treasured sword Gallid, and intense magic surged forth.

Momentarily, I froze, caught off guard by this unfamiliar sight, which wasn’t what I had intended.

Then.

The ‘Compass of Fate’ began to stir for the first time in a long while.

“Your profound understanding of the sword resonates with the legendary sword, awakening a new power.”

“A looming shadow of destiny approaches!”

“You are a hero bearing the fated skill <Resonant Swordplay>. This destiny belongs to the fifth branch of the <Swordsman> fate: <Sword’s Interpreter>.”

“<Resonant Swordplay> allows you to draw out the true power within the sword, employing a unique sword technique. The nature of this power varies with the type of sword, and it triggers randomly.”

“You can temporarily wield the serendipitous skill <Tidal Wave of the Blade> contained within the ancient maritime kingdom’s treasured sword, Gallid.”

It was the first ‘destiny’ to emerge since I had returned.

And—

The destiny assigned to the <Sword’s Interpreter>, an area previously shrouded in mystery.

The destiny of the fifth branch had finally revealed itself.