Illusion Sword Master

＜ The Inspector Is Watching (7) ﹥

I was barely maintaining my posture in mid-air using magic, but my body had already reached its limits.

Although I could use my body as a medium for magic to exert some strength, considering the side effects, it was an unreliable plan.

If Maktober launched an attack, I wouldn’t be able to withstand it for long, and my entire body would crumble and die.

“From now on, I’ll take you on with my real skills.”

However, the words I carelessly spat out to bluff had an unexpected effect.

“Heh heh. So you’ve been hiding your strength all along. You’ve been playing dumb, but your arrogance is getting out of hand. You’ve missed your only chance.”

It seemed Maktober thought I had a hidden trick up my sleeve, as he retracted the hand grasping Olek’s body and took a defensive stance.

Although he was consumed by madness due to his immense magical power, he still maintained a semblance of reason, befitting a strategist.

“What can you do before the sacred artifact imbued with great power?”

Contrary to his words, he was wary of my next move, gripping his staff tightly.

The ash-colored gemstone began to glow red, and the magic pouring out formed a crimson whirlpool.

“Yeah, what can I do?”

That damn staff was the problem.

If I had my trusty sword, Black Thunder, I might have a chance, but I didn’t even have a single decent sword left.

In the end, I had to rely on my body.

I closed my eyes and imagined a future where I emerged victorious.

With my body as my weapon, I envisioned striking Maktober with a crimson energy that transcended the limits of my magic.

“Can I do it?”

I thought of a few optimistic scenarios, but they were nothing more than mere hopes.

“I have to try, though.”

Whether I succeeded or failed, I had no choice but to use my body, my only weapon.

My most familiar techniques were Yum-Dong and Brain Shock.

If I enchanted my body with the magic of the Zefer family and unleashed it like lightning, what would happen?

“Is this a crazy idea?”

It was a crazy idea.

My physical body, comprised of flesh and bone, couldn’t withstand magic. The outcome would be decided in an instant.

Moreover, the stakes were my life.

“I believed in you, Inspector! I didn’t know your intentions, but this must be the ‘Awakening Operation’!”

“Oh, come on. You’re really scared, aren’t you? You tried to untangle your twisted fate, but it looks like you’re going to die without being able to move.”

Not just mine, but the lives of those two idiots who firmly believed I could do something were also at stake.

“I don’t know. Screw this.”

The situation has been grasped.

With a single blow, I managed to snatch the staff and rip off his arm.

My vision clears, and the ringing in my ears subsides.

“■■■! ■■■■!”

Maktobre, still with some strength left, tries to release his magic again.

He raises his body with a burst of energy.

Blood gushes out from all over his body.

It’s to the point where I think, “Is this really okay?”

Whatever.

His skin is torn apart, and his bones are exposed, but the arm that was torn off is still attached to my body.

It’s not black, but a long, straight rod that’s perfect for wielding.

─ Puff!

Maktobre’s proud staff pierces the original owner’s chest.

For some reason, the gemstone embedded in the staff starts to suck out his life force. His once robust body begins to wither away.

He tries to resist, grabbing the staff and releasing his magic.

─ Crash!

The staff develops a crack and shatters into pieces.

Maktobre is already deflated like a punctured balloon.

The bright red light in Maktobre’s eyes, which had been blazing with intensity, begins to fade. The signs of death are clear.

Good. I’ve done well.

Take a break. I’ll take a break too.

I wanted to turn my attention away from him and sit down, but Maktobre, who was struggling to breathe, opens his mouth with great difficulty.

“Kkk… Don’t be happy. Even if I die, the Great Teacher will be by the King’s side.”

“…The Great Teacher?”

I asked briefly, worried that if I said one more word, I’d vomit blood again.

“Hahaha… You’ll find out soon. The one who has been spreading the wisdom of the great ancient gods and establishing the King is… going to become an unbreakable nightmare for you…”

He finishes speaking and takes his last breath.

I ponder over the curse he left behind.

The King and the Black Mage who appeared to the Orcs. The massive change that has been threatening the Empire. The Great Teacher is the one who intentionally brought it about.

“What the hell does this guy want, anyway? Does he want the Empire to go to hell?”

I don’t know what kind of intention is behind this, but I can sense a considerable amount of malice.

Even though I’ve achieved a miraculous victory, I have to feel uneasy.

“Is the Empire really okay like this?”

#

The 6th Corps Commander, Krenek, is rushing with only a few knights, his horse’s hooves ablaze.

He’s abandoned his armor to gain speed, wearing only his undergarments.

There’s a reason why the Corps Commander and his knights are searching for something in the mountains at midnight.

[Maktobre, the Sorcerer, has been confirmed to be hiding with a small group of elites. Inspector Edan is on his way to stop him. The knights’ support is needed!]

An urgent communication from the 8th Battalion suddenly arrives, making a loud noise like thunder on a clear day.

“Ugh…”

Someone’s stifled groan made Kreunik glance at his own side.

Wasn’t his name Belmont? The 8th Division Commander, who had been brought in like a guide, was stuck to Kreunik’s side, covering his mouth.

There was no need to consider slowing down for that guy. Kreunik instead accelerated, asking,

“Did Ethan take only two subordinates who weren’t knights or mages?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“What did you do?!”

“I called the Division Commander, uhh…”.

In fact, it was a wise judgment.

Still, it was unavoidable that Kreunik’s anger flared up.

“Ah, that brat still has a lot of work to do.”

Even if all the others died, that young inspector had to survive. The Empire, especially the Western Front, needed him.

If you sent him to guard the unit, he’d even bring back the Orc tribe leader’s head.

In the troublesome Penalty Unit, where discipline was lax, he made them into elite loyal soldiers.

When told to manage the commanders, he even uncovered the Orc strategist’s plan and went to take his head?

Wasn’t he like a legendary magic lamp that could accomplish ten impossible tasks with just one order?

He was better than all the incompetent subordinates combined.

If he weren’t an inspector, Kreunik would have taken him directly under his wing and nurtured him, and if he didn’t already have a deep relationship with the daughter of the Duke of Zephir, he would have made him his son-in-law.

“How long has it been since you prayed at the temple?”

“Uh, it’s been over ten years, I think.”

“I’ve been doing it for thirty years. So, you pray to the goddess for Ethan’s safe return.”

“I was already doing that, even without your orders.”

“Good job. If that friend dies, you’ll have to take off your uniform.”

Fortunately, Belmont didn’t get dishonorably discharged due to the Division Commander’s wrath.

“Ethan! You’re alive!”

Ethan was being supported by his aide, struggling to come down the mountain.

Judging by his wounds, it seemed he had fought an intense battle, but he was alive.

Kreunik pushed Belmont aside and rushed to Ethan.

“What about the mage Maktobre?”

“…”

Ethan gestured to the half-elf boy, Bellam, standing beside him.

It was a great disrespect to the Division Commander, but Kreunik didn’t care.

“The inspector got hurt like this because of me.”

Bellam showed a severed head. Although it was a bit crushed, it was undoubtedly Maktobre’s.

Kreunik spread his arms wide and approached Ethan.

“Ah, this lovely friend!”

“The inspector is severely injured. Physical contact is difficult. Please maintain a safe distance.”

The inspector’s aide reached out to stop Kreunik. This, too, was a great disrespect to the Division Commander, but Kreunik didn’t care.

In fact, even if Ethan slapped him, he could just laugh it off.

After all, hadn’t he taken down the Orc strategist who had been tormenting the 6th Division?

His sole goal in life, obtaining Umbra, was now within reach.

“Edan! Don’t you want anything? Even if you ask me to hand over my inheritance, I’ll listen!”

Crenic, a few steps away, spoke in a gentle tone.

“…Nothing is necessary.”

Edan, who had been silent until now, finally opened his mouth with difficulty.

“Just leave me alone… Ugh.”

Edan spat out blood, which stained Crenic’s face. Yet, Crenic wore a calm smile.

‘He’s sacrificing his body to fulfill his duty without any desire.’

Who would have thought the empire was in danger?

With a young hero like this, the empire’s future looked bright indeed.

#

After defeating Maktobre, the dark wizard and strategist of the Ockers, the inspection work proceeded smoothly.

Thanks to my rapid achievements, which were exaggerated and spread quickly.

[The inspector showcased a stunning combination of Edan Turn (Marseille Turn) and Edan Shot (Bali Shot) in the dazzling Edan Turn, striking the traitor who had betrayed us and used dark magic with a precise shot!]

[This was an unparalleled, miraculous football tactic that no one could dare to confront, implying that no one could escape the inspector’s gaze!]

[Not only that! With just two subordinates, the inspector headed towards the enemy’s stronghold, using his divine swordsmanship to behead the enemy’s strategist, Maktobre, and declaring our victory!]

Anyway, that’s roughly how it went.

I didn’t have time to do anything anyway, as I had received thick internal documents from Belmont, which I just had to glance through.

“Glory to the empire! You’ve worked hard, Inspector.”

After completing the remaining inspection work and safely returning to the 6th Army’s headquarters, Inspector Yelina greeted me.

“Yes, Yelina. It’s good to see you again.”

“I’ll report on the unit’s operation during your absence, Inspector!”

“Just tell me on the way.”

I, exhausted, responded to Yelina’s chatter with appropriate phrases like “Good job,” “That’s right,” and “Excellent,” while walking.

It was probably fine.

As I headed towards my quarters, where a soft bed awaited, a strange sight stopped me in my tracks.

Members of the Inspector’s Special Forces, dressed in black uniforms, were walking around holding papers with someone’s face drawn on them.

“Is that me?”

I stopped one of them and took a closer look. Although the drawing didn’t quite capture my handsome features, it was unmistakably me.

“The Inspector is watching you.”

Under my serious, straightforward gaze, these words were written.

What? Why was my face plastered on propaganda materials everywhere?

“Yelina, what’s going on here?”

I tried to maintain my composure and asked.

“It’s the Inspector!”

“I know it looks like me. I mean, why did they draw my portrait dozens of times?”

“It’s to be posted in key facilities of each unit. If they know the Inspector is watching, they’ll be more cautious in their actions, won’t they?”

“…I see. Who came up with this ‘brilliant’ idea?”

Since the person in charge was unclear, I replaced ‘trashy’ with ‘brilliant’ and asked.

“Well, it’s actually…”

Yelina smiled bashfully and continued speaking.

“I suggested it. As the commander of the Inspection Special Forces, I thought we needed to do something more besides training the soldiers.”

He tried to hide his pride, but his smile seemed to suggest that he expected a reaction other than praise from me.

“Stop this crazy thing right now! Do you think you can make someone a self-aware, attention-seeking idol?”

He couldn’t help but laugh at his own face. I turned around and asked him casually.

“Did you get the commander’s permission?”

The commander wouldn’t have allowed such a ridiculous idolization project in the empire, where the imperial authority is strict.

“Yes. I only suggested applying it within the Special Forces, but the commander himself expanded the scope to the entire army and supported it.”

Unbelievable.

As a result, my portrait was placed in every office of the 6th Army’s officers.

Surprisingly, it had an effect, they say.

＜ Inspecting Officer Watches (7) ﹥ End