Illusion Sword Master

＜ Heading to the Southern Front (3) [Revised] ﹥

I expected them not to welcome me in the south.

They might pick a fight or interfere with my work as an Inspector.

So far, so good.

I didn’t come here thinking I’d achieve something by suffering and taking risks.

Why would I come here if I thought it’d be easy? I was sent here by the higher-ups, so I might as well make the best of it.

At least it’s better than being treated like a dog by the western front, fighting against the ogres.

I’m a unwanted guest sent from the central government. The south wouldn’t let me do as I please.

I wouldn’t be asking for cooperation or taking on a heavy responsibility.

“You might as well try to roll around in a barren land or get kicked out immediately.”

Rather than getting deeply entangled in a dangerous situation, it would be better to quietly retreat without any gains, wouldn’t it?

“If it were at a moderate level, I would’ve adjusted my pace and quietly retreated, but…”

I tolerated Barmus’s provocations because I didn’t want to create unnecessary conflicts and thought it would be better to retreat safely.

“This is unacceptable.”

The current situation has exceeded the limits I can tolerate.

Giant spider-like creatures, a cat-like beast with torn lips and tentacles, a massive scorpion with a steel tail… These terrifying monsters from the southern border’s vast forest surrounded me.

I had tried to avoid this situation, but it had finally caught up with me.

As I walked among the monsters, I glanced back, and Barmus was standing at a distance, laughing mockingly.

The Second Prince’s power surpasses that of the Third Prince, and he detests the First Prince, who is his rival. Therefore, even if I were under their protection, my authority wouldn’t be recognized by the Second Prince’s knights.

“Damn it. Why can’t they just keep things moderate and not make life difficult for people?”

But it wouldn’t be like Barmus to trap an officially dispatched imperial inspector in a ridiculous situation.

The Second Prince or his powerful subordinates must have given the order to toy with me.

“I have no choice but to change my strategy.”

The southern region’s hostility towards me was beyond expectations, and even if I bowed my head, I wouldn’t be able to avoid their wrath. Instead, they would try to torment me mercilessly.

If a reasonable response didn’t work, I had no choice but to take a strong stance.

I would make them remember that I’m a crazy guy who shouldn’t be trifled with.

“I’m a crazy guy, an incredible, awe-inspiring crazy guy.”

I psyched myself up and raised my Black Thunder.

My agile and strengthened sword, which I wielded with one hand, unleashed sufficient destructive power.

─ Boom!

The giant spider’s body exploded.

─ Wham!

A massive scorpion swung its tail from the side, and the steel stinger at the end charged towards me.

I quickly stretched out my other hand using the Force and grabbed the scorpion’s tail. At the same time, I grasped it tightly with my hand, infusing it with the Force.

Crunch.

My hand pierced the scorpion’s shell, which was like armor, and crushed its tail.

The next beast that charged at me was struck down by my great sword. The tentacles that burst out from its torn body wrapped around my arm, but…

─ Whoosh!

I enchanted my arm with fire magic, and the dark, charred tentacles lost their strength. This was possible because I was accustomed to circulating mana throughout my body using the Force technique.

After that, I continued to charge at the monsters like a wolf among sheep, drenching myself in their blood and bodily fluids, wielding my great sword, tearing their limbs apart, and crushing their heads.

I employed a rough, unrefined combat style, excluding elegant swordsmanship, to instill fear in Barmus.

So that he wouldn’t dare to have such foolish thoughts again.

After slaughtering dozens of monsters, the floor was littered with their broken bodies.

I gazed at Barmus with a pale, blood-stained face, my eyes wide open, and a smirk on my lips, using every facial muscle to its maximum extent.

An Edan-like smile.

With an expression designed to effectively intimidate the rookies, there was no better way to instill fear.

“……”

His face was filled with horror.

Thud. Thud.

I approached him.

The key here was to take slow, deliberate steps to let the other person’s imagination run wild with anxiety.

As I drew closer, I raised my Black Thunder high.

“What, what are you doing, Inspector!”

He drew his sword, his movements swift as he unsheathed it. The fake injury he had been hiding until now was revealed.

“Ah, it’s Inspector Vermouth.”

“What?”

I suddenly sheathed my sword, and he showed a hint of surprise.

“I have a bad habit of losing my sense of reason when I see blood, so I apologize.”

I smiled awkwardly, just like Vermouth had done before, and continued to speak.

“It’s true that the demonic beasts of the south are the most terrifying, but the thrill of crushing them is exhilarating. It might even surpass the feeling of crushing an orc’s skull.”

As I spoke, I approached him, and he took a step back.

“Inspector Vermouth, wasn’t this just an ‘accident’?”

“Yes, that’s right. Demonic beast attacks are a common occurrence in the south.”

Vermouth stuttered, and his previous condescending attitude and ease were nowhere to be found.

“If even a guide couldn’t avoid a demonic beast attack, it’s not unusual to find a knight’s corpse with a wounded arm.”

“That… That’s… Are you trying to threaten the southern knights?”

He flared up in anger.

“Not at all. I wouldn’t dare harm a precious guide. I’m just saying that I hope this kind of ‘accident’ doesn’t happen again.”

I maintained my Ethan Smile and added,

“As I said, I have a bad habit of losing my sense of reason when I see blood, so I apologize.”

“……”

“Answer me.”

“Ah, I understand……”

Vermouth’s face, which had reflexively responded, was filled with shame.

Was it because of his pride as a knight?

Even in the midst of fear, his animosity towards me didn’t disappear.

‘It’s better this way.’

It was easier to deal with someone who openly disliked me than those who always flattered and trusted me.

After all, it’s easier to torment and kill others than to save and help them.

I turned around.

“Get up, Olec. We can’t camp here.”

“Yes! Inspector! I’ll prepare immediately!”

Olec, who had been buried under the pile of corpses, suddenly got up.

“What the…!”

Vermouth was shocked, having thought that my attendant had been killed.

“Hahaha. My assistant is very physically fit. If it weren’t for that, I wouldn’t be able to last a day. Rather, let’s get on the carriage quickly. We have a long way to go.”

I urged Bermus, who couldn’t keep up with my words.

I looked forward to the days I would spend with him until we arrived at the Southern Front Command.

“I won’t kill you.”

Unlike the Western Front, where they would praise me as a genius for my clever tactics, I knew that if I made a mistake here, they would catch onto it and try to harm me.

There was no need to pretend to be friends with the Imperial Prince’s faction.

So, “I won’t kill you.”

In this world, there was no such thing as a guardian angel, a mental compass, or a national defense hotline.

That fact had tormented me until now, but from now on, I would torment this guy.

As I saw the wicked thoughts rising one by one, I felt like I was back on the battlefield.

War was a place that devoured human dignity and drove people mad.

“I won’t forgive anyone who disturbs my peace.”

I had majored in chaos during my rookie days.

I’ll drain your tears and snot, you punk.

#

After a brief commotion, the carriage continued to head towards the Southern Front Command.

“Hmm, it’s quiet now.”

Thanks to Bermus being aware that he had mistakenly provoked me, he didn’t dare to speak carelessly and instead observed my every move with a cautious expression, like a thorn in my side.

He had lost the arrogant attitude he had shown before and now looked like a newly enlisted private.

“Bermus.”

“···!”

He was startled just by me calling his name.

“Hahaha. Why are you so surprised? Did you have some bad thoughts?”

“No, not at all.”

Bermus hastily apologized.

“We’ll set up camp here for the night and leave again at dawn.”

While Ollec set up the bedding and cooked food, preparing for the night’s camp, I surveyed the surrounding area from a distance, looking for a flat and dry spot.

“Hmm, this is good enough.”

I drew a large circle on the ground, repeatedly whipping my Black Thunder.

─ Peng! Peng! Peng!

A hole large enough for one person to enter was dug.

Bermus, who didn’t understand my intentions, stared at me in horror, as if I were a madman. I smiled brightly at him.

“Ah, I always dig a grave or two. Just in case someone dies, you know. I don’t like carrying corpses on the carriage.”

If I’m lucky, this might become your grave.

“Don’t worry, though. What’s the worst that could happen here? With Bermus guiding us, what could go wrong?”

So, just relax.

“There’s a saying on the Western Front: ‘If you make a mistake, you’re a dog.’ Is there a similar saying on the Southern Front?”

“Hahaha… Ah, yes.”

Bermus laughed awkwardly, his face pale as if his soul had been sucked out.

“Inspector-nim, please have a meal.”

Olek, who had finished preparing the meal, called me over.

The stew on the stove was boiling, emitting a savory aroma that tickled my nose.

“As expected, it’s excellent. Your cooking skills have improved even more.”

“Actually, I’ve been studying the inspector’s taste. I’m relieved that it suits your taste.”

Olek’s cooking skills were, as always, exceptional. With just a few preserved ingredients and some seasonings, he managed to create a flavor and aroma similar to those found in any high-end restaurant in the capital.

“Will Vermouth not join us?”

He was sitting far away, chewing on a tough piece of dried meat, holding a separate meal box.

“…It’s fine.”

One of the rumors about me was the “Inspector’s Teatime.” It was said that the tea I served to those with malicious intentions contained a potent poison that would torment them for days.

Vermouth seemed to have heard this rumor, and was cautious about eating the food I offered.

Or perhaps he still had a shred of pride left.

“What’s the difference, anyway.”

I unsheathed my sword. The blade slipped out of its scabbard and flew towards Vermouth.

“What are you doing!”

Vermouth also quickly stood up and drew his sword. His reaction was somewhat awkward, but as a knight, he was quick to respond.

In his haste, the meal box he was holding fell to the ground, spilling its contents.

─ Thud!

The long sword flew past Vermouth and stuck into the tree behind him.

“Ah, I apologize. I was trying to swat a mosquito, but I startled you, Vermouth.”

I recalled my sword with a flick of my wrist.

I discreetly swept the floor, scattering Vermouth’s food on the ground.

“Ugh…”

Vermouth sat back down, his face red with anger.

Then, he gazed at the dried meat scattered on the ground, his expression lingering with regret.

After a moment of contemplation, Vermouth looked away, seemingly determined not to eat the food that had been tainted by dirt, no matter how hungry he was.

“Mm, Olek. This is really delicious.”

I took a bite, savoring the flavor, and taunted him.

“Tch, childish…”

Vermouth muttered, his voice barely audible.

“On the battlefield, the most childish thing can be the most terrifying.”

For a knight who had always received sufficient nutrition, hunger was an unfamiliar pain.

Swallowing his pride and asking for food was also a great humiliation for a knight.

The Edan-style Reverse Interrogation had just begun.

The next day…

“By the way, didn’t Vermouth suffer an injury to his arm? Olek, prepare a splint for him. And wrap it with plenty of bandages.”

“Wasn’t Vermouth’s arm fine?”

“Ah, Olek. It’s unlikely that the honorable knight Vermouth from the south would feign illness, isn’t it?”

Olek carried out my order with a puzzled expression.

“Ugh……”

Beramus’s expression was filled with shame as he wrapped his bandage again.

“Beramus, in the West, we leave a message wishing for our comrades’ speedy recovery.”

I took out a pen and scribbled some words on his bandage.

「Get well soon ^^」

“Olek, you too, write a message.”

“What? Do I have to say something?”

“Yes. Beramus is one of our party members, isn’t he? Don’t think too much about it. Just write whatever you want to say.”

Olek hesitated for a moment before writing:

「May you become a true knight with dignity.」

Beramus’s face, which had been trampled on by Olek’s pride, twisted in anger.

The next day…

Beramus left the campsite. He seemed to be hunting nearby beasts or gathering fruits.

─ Shuuuuu!

Several swords flew freely, piercing everything edible.

The startled beasts fled in terror.

The next day…

I pretended to be asleep, leaving Beramus on guard duty, but he couldn’t resist anymore and reached for our food.

“You haven’t caught anything yet.”

I glared at him, determined.

Days passed like this.

Olek and I were enjoying a sumptuous meal, when a gaunt Beramus suddenly shouted.

“Just kill me!”

He had been starving for a week, and his reason was finally consumed by hunger.

“I didn’t think he’d last this long.”

I sneered.

“What are you talking about? Why would I kill Beramus? It’s not like he’s a useless guide who can just die. ‘Dying’ is…”

If I had wanted to kill him, I would have done it long ago.

“Why would I do that for anyone?”

The reason I didn’t was simply because it would be too much trouble to deal with the aftermath.

The South was a private territory, untouched by the central government.

Even if Beramus was a despicable person, there was no one to take my side if I killed him.

The knights of the South and the inspector from the central government would only make things worse for me.

“You’re humiliating me with food! What do you know about a knight’s honor? I’ll wash away this shame with death! Come at me!”

“Ha ha. Beramus, if you’re hungry, just say so. I’m not some beggar who would beg for food from others.”

I handed him a full bowl of stew.

Beramus’s bloodshot eyes trembled strongly.

“Just eat. It’s still hot.”

With my other hand, I lightly grasped Black Thunder.

Surrender and eat?

Are you going to starve to death?

Bemus’s choice, which had been wavering between a studio and a large sword, was the former.

“Hahaha. Take your time, there’s a lot.”

The guy forgot his dignity as a knight and stuffed his face with food, his eyes red from crying. It seemed like he had been through a lot of complicated emotions.

“Hey, are you okay? Olek, look at Bemus, he’s crying. It’s the first time I’ve seen a knight cry. When was the last time you cried?”

“I don’t know. I think it was when I was born. Can’t a guy cry if he wants to?”

Bemus’s expression turned colorful.

The journey was peaceful from then on.

Bemus didn’t say a word.

It seemed like the shock of having his pride as a knight crushed by a single bowl of stew was huge, and he stared blankly into space like a puppy that had been neutered the day before.

When it was time to eat, he quietly sat down next to me and received his food.

Finally, when we arrived at the Southern Army Headquarters, Bemus jumped out of the carriage like he was escaping.

“I’ll go report to His Highness and come back, please wait for a moment.”

And then he ran off quickly.

It felt good to be free from my grasp.

‘Bemus, from now on, don’t be reckless and live a good life.’

It felt like releasing a wild animal back into nature.

＜ Southern Frontline (3) [Revision] ﹥ End