The 9th Class Swordmaster: Blade of Truth-Chapter 354: The Battle of Fonein (2)

“Expand the map further!”

Dushala’s voice echoed in the room as the sorcerers strained to pour more mana into the map. The magical projection of Tatur and the surrounding region now expanded to show the vast plains stretching up to the Fonein River, where the imperial army was approaching.

Small markers appeared as the map widened, representing enemy movements.

“What’s the enemy’s position?”

“According to the scouts, the imperial army has split into three divisions. The vanguard consists of 100,000 troops, the main force in the center is 350,000 strong, and the rear support division, which carries the supplies, numbers 50,000.”

“And where is the vanguard now?”

"They’ve made it to the upper reaches of the Fonein River. While it’s still far from Tatur, the current there is weaker, making it easy to cross using rafts.”

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“But moving 100,000 soldiers will take time. The leading force consists of sorcerers, and it seems they plan to use their magic to split the earth and create a bridge.”

“Out of 100,000, putting the sorcerers at the center is one hell of a bold strategy.”

Dushala smiled bitterly at her subordinates’ reports. Given that sorcerers were vulnerable in close combat, they were normally stationed at the rear, protected by strong escorts. But the empire’s decision to place them at the vanguard for a swift river crossing made one thing clear—they had absolute confidence in their protection.

“It’s been confirmed that the Blue Knights are part of the vanguard.”

“What? Are you saying the commander of the imperial army is with the vanguard and not the main force?"

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Having the greatest swordsman on the continent as their escort... No wonder they’re so confident. Damn it... Right now, we have no way to stop the vanguard.” Dushala bit her lip in frustration.

“You can’t take those claims at face value. Kuwell MacGovern may have once been the strongest, but he’s long past his prime. Now, he’s just another Sword Master.”

At that moment, the door to the war room swung open, and a knight entered. Clad in plate armor, he walked with confident strides, his presence heavy.

“Ganeth Avelant, leader of the Wyvern Squadron,” he introduced himself. “The fleet couldn’t join due to the battle at the strait, so I brought the troops that could move swiftly.”

Dushala greeted him warmly, relief evident in her voice. “You’ve done well. With you here, we can breathe a little easier. We didn’t have anyone in Tatur who could stand against Kuwell MacGovern, but now that you’re here, our morale will rise.”

The fact that even Dushala, once part of the Eastern Land’s Burning Darkness, was visibly intimidated by this man spoke volumes about him. If anything, he felt even sharper than before, more dangerous.

Ganeth Avelant had gone to Dustin Philip, the Spear King, to help Serica Lauren hone her spear techniques, and it was clear he had also gained some new insights from that experience.

The long-bladed halberd made from Ultimatum, which used to hang on his back like a scythe, was nowhere to be seen. Instead, a newly crafted halberd made from compressed pure Clear Distilled Water glinted in its place.

“Although the Iron Fleet is unavailable, the Silverwing Fleet, along with the Mist Fleet and the Icehorn Fleet, is pushing back the imperial forces at the strait. The rest of the principality’s army should be able to support us soon.”

“Even hearing that is enough to lift our spirits,” Dushala replied.

Ganeth shook his head slightly at her words.

“The Spear King won’t be coming. He’s passed the Black Slash Seven Forms to Serica and decided not to involve himself in the continent’s strifes any further.”

“I see.” Dushala couldn’t hide her disappointment.

While Ganeth himself was formidable, the enemy they were up against was overwhelmingly powerful.

“I will lead the Wyvern Squadron to stop the vanguard. If we allow them to cross the upper reaches of Fonein, it will be difficult to prevent the main army from invading. If the empire positions forces on both sides of the river, we’ll lose the natural advantage of the Fonein’s strong current.”

Dushala nodded at his reasoning.

“The enemy has 100,000 soldiers. Even the Wyvern Squadron’s strength won’t be enough to repel them alone.”

“Do not worry. Our forces have already gathered at Fonein to intercept the enemy.”

“...What?” Dushala looked at him with a puzzled expression.

***

“Hold the line! We must defend the upper reaches of the Fonein River at all costs! Shieldbearers, form the first line! Magic battalions, prepare to fire!”

At the lieutenant’s command, the soldiers quickly tightened their formation. Their precise movements were a testament to their extensive battle experience.

“Grrrrr...!!”

Despite the incoming arrows and spells, the Water King and the Sea King stood like immense walls, blocking the imperial army’s advance.

Crunch—!!!

The Water King’s jaws tore through soldiers’ limbs, and those caught in the Sea King’s tentacles had their spines snapped in half.

“Aaaargh!”

“Uuurgh...!!”

As the soldiers’ screams filled the air, Kuwell’s face hardened.

“I can’t believe both the Water King and the Sea King are here...” Kuwell shook his head. “The Sea King is supposed to hate freshwater, so the fact that it came all the way here likely means the naval front has taken a turn for the worse.”

Kuwell’s sons, including Tiren, nodded with grim expressions.

“We don’t have much time. If we lose at sea, the principality’s main forces, which were held back until now, will cross the continent and reinforce the Free Army. That’s why the empire’s elite Blue Knights were sent with the vanguard.”

“Exactly. Although this is a major battle, we lack the resources to fight in a drawn-out, formal engagement,” Kuwell remarked.

“Even with dragons in play, it’s astonishing how fast things are moving...” Elliot, the third brother, muttered in disbelief.

“We have to acknowledge just how powerful the Free Army has become. It’s not just Karyl’s individual strength—the empire has practically found itself surrounded on all sides now. Even if we discount the western strait, the south, north, and east are all hemmed in.”

“Tch... That filthy immigrant scum,” Elliot spat.

“Watch your mouth.”

“Why bother at this point? Even if he managed to conceal the blood running through his veins back in the Sun Hall, it’s clear as day now. He’s the undisputed king of the immigrant tribes. That’s why he’s nothing more than an enemy that must be eliminated,” Elliot declared boldly.

Unlike Martte, Tiren, and Randol, who were caught up in various incidents with Karyl throughout the continent, Elliot had no real connection with him after they had parted ways. There wasn’t the slightest trace of a brotherly bond between them.

Although, it wasn’t like the other brothers had formed any real brotherhood with Karyl either. If anything, Martte’s expression hadn’t darkened in response to Elliot’s words because of some sibling loyalty, but rather because of the unresolved truth behind it all.

“I’ll go myself.”

No one objected to Kuwell’s decision. Among the empire’s forces, he was the only one capable of facing both the Water King and the Sea King at the same time.

“Pull the troops back. I’ll cut down those monsters myself and lift our men’s spirits.”

“Yes, sir.”

Bwooooooom—!!!

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!!

Ba-dum! Boom!!

The sound of blaring trumpets and thunderous war drums echoed across the Fonein.

“Grrrrrrr...”

“Krrrrrr...”

The Water King and the Sea King, hiding in the river and remaining on high alert, started growling, as if unnerved by Kuwell’s sharp and overwhelming presence.

“It’s Sir Kuwell!!”

“The greatest swordsman! The greatest swordsman on the continent is here...!!”

“Yeaaaaaaahhh...!!”

Just his appearance alone was enough to boost the soldiers' morale. An uncanny energy surrounded him. It felt like mana beyond what any human should possess.

Shiiiing...!

Kuwell slowly drew his beloved sword, Yulstern, from its scabbard.

***

“Am I late...?” Ganeth’s voice was low, filled with regret. He was perched on his wyvern, looking down at the Fonein River, the waters of which had turned crimson.

Waaahhhh...!!

Huraaay...!!

The triumphant shouts of the imperials reached across the river, giving Ganeth a clear idea of how the battle had unfolded.

“But thanks to them, we’ve managed to stall the enemy. If anyone deserves credit in this war, it’s those two...”

As if paying his respects, Ganeth tightened his grip on his halberd, acknowledging the deaths of the Water King and the Sea King.

“Now, it’s my turn to carry the banner. But I won’t let them cross the river so easily.”

Pulling on the reins, he spurred his wyvern forward, soaring across the sky.

Woosh...! BOOOM...!!!

The imperial soldiers building a channel across the river were blown away. Flames consumed them, transforming the once-calm waters into a blazing deathtrap.

“What... What’s happening?!”

“We’re under attack!”

“It’s the Wyvern Squadron!”

Moments ago, the imperial troops had been in high spirits at having slain the Water King and the Sea King. Now, they stood frozen in terror, staring at the sky as the Wyvern Squadron launched its assault.

“Magic battalion! Deploy protective barriers! The wyverns’ flames have a limited range! Shieldbearers, maintain formation!”

But before the soldiers could act, a massive halberd cleaved through the air.

Voosh—!!

The lieutenant shouting orders was instantly cut in half. Then, with a gruesome splash, he exploded into pieces.

“Kuwell MacGovern.”

Ganeth Avelant’s arrival sent a wave of apprehension through the imperial ranks.

“Just as I expected, you’ve made quite a spectacle of things. But what’s so impressive about taking down mere beasts?” Ganeth taunted, gesturing toward the massive spears planted along the riverbank, on which the severed heads of the Water King and the Sea King were cruelly displayed.

“Taming beasts, now wyverns... Karyl’s power truly attracts all sorts,” Kuwell muttered in a low voice, casting a glance at the wyverns circling overhead.

Despite having fought and killed two formidable monsters, Kuwell bore not even a scratch.

He’s become much stronger than before. Ganeth tensed up, realizing how powerful Kuwell had become. I don’t know how long I can hold him off...

The sacrifices of the Water King and the Sea King weighed heavily on him.

It seems I’ll also need to put my life on the line.

“Am I included in all those sorts you’re talking about?” Ganeth asked.

Kuwell made no response.

“...So the prestige of one of the Five Sword Masters means nothing to you? Of course, to the man considered the true master of the sword, what could possibly matter anymore?”

“If you’re my enemy, draw your sword,” Kuwell said at last.

“Ah, I see. You’re not even the strongest anymore, so you have to pull stunts like this to remind people of your name. After all, you’re just a washed-up loser who lost his title to his own son.”

“Enough!” A fierce aura exploded from Kuwell.

He’s coming.

Ganeth instinctively swung his halberd with all his might, but Kuwell was faster. His sword, Yulstern, was already out of its sheath.

MacGovern Family Sword Technique: First Style – Heatbreaker Blade.

“...!!!”

In that instant, Ganeth knew the fight would be decided in a single strike. Kuwell’s sword was already at his neck, moving faster than he could react.

Who would’ve thought he’d become this strong...

Despite having become a Sword Master through years of grueling training, the gap between them was still too vast. In this moment, Ganeth became painfully aware of that.

So I’m less than a beast...

As Kuwell’s blade neared his throat, Ganeth managed a bitter smile.

BOOOOM—!!!

Suddenly, a sharp blade tore through the air, cutting between the two warriors. The force of the blow was so intense that both Kuwell and Ganeth had to parry the attack, stepping back to avoid being struck.

“Huff... huff...”

Ganeth instinctively ran his hand to his neck, and it came away slick with blood. A shiver coursed through him—if the blow had been just a little deeper, his head would be resting on the ground beside the Water King and the Sea King.

“Lower your hand, Ganeth. You almost gave the command for the wyverns to attack in your final moments. How typical of you.”

As the dust settled from the impact, a sharp roar pierced the sky above.

“Is that a dragon?!”

The imperial soldiers, believing it to be their reinforcements, erupted into cheers.

“It’s the dragon!”

“Our dragon has arrived!”

But while the ordinary soldiers rejoiced, those in command knew better. They had already received the report of the Red Dragon’s defeat at the Marquisate of Vestal. Their faces reflected their growing unease as they looked ahead.

“There’s no way...”

Among them, Tiren swallowed hard, recognizing the familiar voice with a deep sense of foreboding.

“I’m glad I rushed here. Despite bringing such a large army, you still haven’t managed to cross the Fonein or even reach Tatur. Is it because the imperial army is weak... or because my forces are simply superior?”

As the dust cleared and the figure came into view, the MacGoverns’ expressions all hardened at once.

“Perhaps it’s both.”

Karyl’s calm voice resonated as he gazed at the severed heads of the Water King and the Sea King, still impaled on the massive spears by the riverbank.

Step, step, step...

He approached the towering spears and, with a single motion, yanked them out of the ground.

“Ganeth, clean up those heads. After the war, we’ll erect statues here in their honor. They held back 100,000 men on their own, far more effective than someone who was almost cut down in one strike.”

“I’ll see to it,” Ganeth replied with a bitter smile, bowing his head.

Tiren, watching Karyl stand alone before an army of 500,000, muttered in disbelief, “Has he really come here by himself to stop us?”

“One is more than enough. Even in my absence, you failed to cross the river. And now that I’m here, you already know how this battle will turn. You, like Prince Luon before you, will never set foot beyond the Fonein River.”

“How dare you! You filthy immigrant!” a knight shouted, enraged by Karyl’s words.

Voosh! Thwack!

In an instant, the spear previously used to display the heads of the two monsters flew through the air, hitting the soldier who had just shouted. His head exploded like a watermelon, blood and brains splattering everywhere.

“Say that again,” Karyl sneered.

The spear didn’t stop. It continued its deadly trajectory, smashing into the barracks in the distance, tearing down walls as soldiers screamed in terror.

“Aaah!”

“Uugh!”

The soldiers nearby, covered in the fallen knight’s blood, recoiled in horror.

“You lot are no match for me,” Karyl said coldly, his voice carrying over the battlefield. “Bring the Platinum Dragon.”

The tens of thousands of troops seem to shrink at his demand, fear seizing their hearts.

“I’ll rip him apart right in front of your eyes.”