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Even among the direct descendants, her talent for swordsmanship was exceptional, and she put in the effort to match it.

She had excellent skills, capable of performing the first half of the Ardehain Lotus Sword Style almost perfectly.

However, the high-ranking swordsmen of the clan who taught Celestine swordsmanship valued her mental strength even more.

Innate composure.

Swordsmanship can be taught, but temperament cannot.

Her calm disposition was the strongest foundation for her to wield flexible swordsmanship even in critical situations.

Therefore, Celestine’s recent emotional changes were hard to believe.

“…!”

It wasn’t an exaggeration.

If the clan’s swordsmen saw Celestine now, they would all be astonished.

Celestine’s pupils were constantly shaking as she watched the duel between the Crazy Mage and Elder Parin.

It was the first time Celestine had witnessed a duel between mages, but even in her eyes, Elder Parin’s skill was extraordinary.

Especially the magic that Elder Parin displayed at the end was threatening even to Celestine.

And the Crazy Mage…

‘It’s not just the pressure.’

The skill the Crazy Mage showed during their duel was only a fraction of his true ability.

The way he broke through Parin’s magic.

It felt like watching an extremely destructive sword style, crouching and then exploding, completely breaking through the opponent’s sword path.

It far surpassed her expectations of the Crazy Mage.

“Are you feeling competitive, Celine?”

Celestine was once again shocked.

Why?

She had never been intimidated by any of the other talented individuals from the vassal families.

Not even when she dueled with the heir of the Hyak clan, known as the pillar of the Six Noble Clans, nor when she faced the gloomy third son of the Velusia clan’s onslaught.

But for some reason, she didn’t feel any competitive spirit towards the Crazy Mage.

“It seems it’s not time yet. What did you feel, Celine?”

“…As expected, the world is vast, Mother. I was a frog in a well.”

“Hoho.”

Loren looked at her with warm eyes.

“You’re half right and half wrong.”

“Wrong, Mother?”

“The world is vast, but men like him are extremely rare.”

“Huh?”

“It’s the first time I’ve seen it too.”

At some point, the Crazy Mage was protesting in front of the high-ranking seats.

He was an unpredictable man in many ways.

Loren turned her gaze to the high-ranking seats, and Celestine looked at Loren’s face.

It was an expression she had never seen before.

What was that pleased expression?

“…He was confident from the beginning.”

Loren muttered something cryptic.

“Amazing. It’s a shame it’s magic, but it’s also refreshing.”

Loren looked at the Crazy Mage.

“Your suggestion was right, Ruin.”

Celestine’s gaze followed Loren’s.

The audience seats had become a chaotic scene.

The moment Celestine frowned upon seeing a man taking a hostage in a vulgar manner, Loren waved her hand.

Fwoom—

The barrier surrounding Celestine and Loren dissipated, and a deafening noise from the audience poured in.

Loren’s sword energy, like a ray of light, pierced through the shoulder of the man holding the hostage.

Crack—

Then, Lord Balkan’s low voice was heard.

“…The Death Sword Guild has no place to interfere here.”

“The Death Sword Guild?”

Celestine straightened her posture instantly.

It was because she saw Loren’s expression.

A cynical smile.

It was a clear smile of contempt.

And Celestine knew the meaning of that smile.

“From now on, Ardehain will control this place.”

* * *

Not many understood the sudden declaration.

The strongest reaction came from Urgon.

The subordinates who were about to avenge the Special Task Force Commander were the first to notice something was amiss.

“…Lord?”

Balkan remained silent.

He simply stared at the woman from the Death Sword Guild without giving any attack orders or even the slightest reaction.

Only then did the subordinates ponder the meaning of the declaration.

A moment later, exclamations erupted simultaneously.

“…That Ardehain of the noble clans?”

[TL/N: I misunderstood the significance of the clan n thought of them as a divine clan but as I got more context it seemed they aren’t supposed to be a divine clan but a noble clan ]

“N-no way?”

“The Death Sword Guild… is Ardehain?”

A chilling air spread like an ebb tide, enveloping the audience.

Cognitive dissonance.

A natural reaction when faced with something unimaginable.

A suppressed voice escaped Balkan’s lips.

“This is Urgon’s affair. Urgon will handle it.”

Groans arose from the Urgon faction simultaneously.

Balkan’s reaction confirmed that the woman’s words were true.

“This happened in Urgon. We will take responsibility and…”

“Amazing, Lord Balkan. Are you saying you will interfere with Ardehain’s business?”

“No.”

Balkan’s expression hardened noticeably.

“…I understand.”

“Gather all Urgon executives at the main building. The magic unit will stand by at the main building. Of course, you, Lord Balkan, are no exception. From this moment on, any unauthorized action by any member of Urgon will be considered defiance.”

Suddenly, Balkan’s expression changed drastically, and he shouted,

“What do you mean, Lord Loren!”

“Do you have anything more to say?”

“Are you suspecting Urgon? A gathering? Defiance? Do you believe the nonsense that brat is spouting?”

“You talk too much.”

“Why do you believe that child?”

“Your tongue is too long, Balkan.”

“…”

A brief silence fell.

It was after making eye contact with Elder Parin that Balkan’s eyes changed, as if he had made up his mind.

“Lord Loren, I apologize, but I cannot comply.”

Balkan said bluntly, gritting his teeth.

“…Let’s do this by the book. The honor of our entire clan is at stake. Even if you are affiliated with Ardehain, you cannot exercise such authority as a mere Commander.”

Elder Parin intervened appropriately.

“I also think this is excessive. The more important the matter, the more we must follow procedures. Doesn’t the noble clan have rules?”

“You two share the same sentiment.”

Balkan raised his hand. At that, the Urgon mages gathered around Loren.

“I want you to know that we don’t want to make an enemy of Ardehain. We simply want to protect our rights. Lord Loren.”

The Urgon mages collectively exerted their power.

It was confidence stemming from their overwhelming numerical superiority.

Arrogant confidence.

The intense pressure from the prestigious name of a noble clan was, at least to those gathered here, a tale from another world they had never experienced.

“Indeed, you don’t know.”

That’s why they didn’t know.

Even Balkan didn’t fully grasp the extent of it.

“Ardehain sets the rules.”

Everyone stopped in their tracks at the naturally emanating pressure.

Fwoom— Then, at the materialized mana fluctuation that followed, the Special Task Force at the forefront collapsed and knelt.

“Don’t think, don’t ask. If I decide, you follow.”

Another powerful mana fluctuation caused several people to groan and collapse.

Parin, his face stiffening, said,

“…Lord Loren, why are you doing this?”

Loren looked at Parin.

“This time, I’ve changed my mind.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means I’ll listen to you. According to the rules.”

Loren clapped her hands, and the space behind her rippled.

As the wind blew, a female swordsman dressed in black lined up behind Loren.

Seeing the lotus flower drawn on her robe, Parin’s face hardened, and he unconsciously muttered,

“No way… a Lotus Swordsman? A Lotus Swordsman has been dispatched?”

The symbol of Ardehain, the Lotus Swordsman.

Things were different with them involved.

Each and every one of them held authority incomparable to a mere Commander.

“Why? Why is a Lotus Swordsman here…?”

But what was even more surprising happened next.

The Lotus Swordsman, taking a step towards Loren, took out a small flag from her bosom and handed it to Loren.

Then, she showed the utmost respect.

“Like a noble lotus.”

Elder Parin’s eyes shook incessantly as he looked at Loren.

The black lotus fluttered towards the sky.

Simultaneously, an oppressive weight pressed down on everyone, as if the space itself was being crushed.

Finally, the woman holding the flag declared,

“In the name of Loren Ardehain, Agent of the Black Lotus, I command thee kneel…”

Loren slowly approached Balkan.

“All members of Urgon will kneel and show respect.”

With a thud, Balkan’s knees buckled, and his forehead slammed against the ground.

* * *

Somehow, I was led to the top floor of the annex, a special room that had been empty.

It happened because people insisted that I should use it.

“Haha, well then.”

I pretended to be persuaded and looked around the room.

It was several times larger than the room I had been using. It was an entire suite prepared for VIP guests.

This is why people need recognition.

When you are recognized, you feel good, and when you feel good, your shoulders rise, and then your personality becomes arrogant, and you change, and you become self-centered…

But I won’t change.

As soon as I sat down at the entrance to the room, I began to meditate. I am a man who meditates anytime, anywhere.

I meditated last night in the midst of the storm, and I meditate now that the storm has passed.

I am a man who is the same from beginning to end.

Shwaaaa—

The sound of rain could be heard from the open window.

As the magic barrier was lifted, the rain began to pour again.

The sound of raindrops hitting the ground mingled with the scent of grass.

I could faintly hear the chatter of the monkeys, gathered in threes and fives, gossiping about today’s battle as if it were a side dish.

Even if distracting thoughts came to mind now, I intended to let them pass.

Suddenly, Loren’s actions came to mind.

I had expected Loren to step forward when she realized that Balkan and Parin were accomplices, but I didn’t expect her to reveal her identity while utilizing a Lotus Swordsman.

It was clearly an impromptu action.

I laughed, remembering my old comrades who used to act on a whim.

There were many crazy people in the expedition.

“This will end in a boring way.”

Now that Loren has revealed her true colors, they won’t be able to resist.

Balkan won’t last long.

After Balkan, it’s Parin’s turn.

Then, I’ll find out the long-awaited reason.

I still didn’t know why they targeted Samael.

“Are you there?”

Knock knock—

At that moment, I heard a knock on the door.

Without much thought, I was about to open it when I suddenly realized that no one would be looking for me at this hour.

It wasn’t the voices of the Three Musketeers.

“Are you there?”

It was quite late.

Everyone seemed to be asleep, as the chattering of the monkeys was no longer heard.

Only the sound of raindrops and insects could be heard.

“…It’s urgent. Young Master Ruin, are you in there?”

The whispering voice outside the door sounded somewhat familiar.

I took out my Red Dagger and hid it behind my back. I was going to throw the dagger if anything happened as I turned the doorknob.

But what I expected didn’t happen.

“What are you doing here?”

It was a familiar face.

Alvin, his face pale, whispered with a mixture of anxiety and unease,

“Young Master, please save me.”

“I gave you the antidote. You should be getting some sleep.”

Alvin looked around and then abruptly entered the room, taking a deep breath. Now that I looked, he was drenched from the rain.

“It’s a disaster.”

“If you’re trying to be a spy again, stop it. You could really die this time.”

Alvin shook his head urgently.

“The External Affairs Manager already suspected that I had betrayed him. You’re the only one I can tell.”

I looked at Alvin’s dripping clothes and said,

“You look terrible.”

“I apologize for the intrusion.”

“Tell me.”

“Huh?”

“Don’t beat around the bush.”

Alvin gulped and said,

“The Lord is dead.”

[TL/N: Twist after Twist!! Fucking Hell]

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