Academy’s Genius Swordsman

< 62. Interim evaluation (4) >

#62

Ronan seemed unwilling to back down. Adeshan looked into his eyes for a moment, then bowed his head. Her mouth fell open.

“…there was a war.”

“War?”

“yes. Strictly speaking, it’s not a war. Have you ever heard of canine night?”

Ronan nodded. I’ve heard of it a few times when I was rolled as a punitive soldier. It was an incident where the Northern Beast Alliance led a large army and invaded the Barça Frontier Baekryeong.

It was also famous for being led by Jaifa, who is now in the position of the swordsman. Ronan nodded.

“To some extent.”

“okay. The story will be fast. My hometown is the Northern Territory of Barsa. I lived there until Fang Night.”

The two walked slowly through the forest and talked. With every step he took, the fallen leaves were crumbling and crumbling.

“My father was a tailor. He followed his mother, a sergeant in the Imperial Army, and settled in the North. I had two older brothers who had a big age gap on me.”

“It seems that he also learned sewing from his father.”

“yes. My father was a great tailor. They dealt with leather as well as fabrics, so they were doing well in the northern part of the country. He made me do a lot of small tasks, so I was completely accustomed to sewing. hahaha.”

“Who was your mother?”

“Ummm… he was a very strong, pretty, nice person. Should I call him an ideal soldier? He often rode the horses, but he was tall, so it was fun to see.”

Adeshan spoke of her childhood memories in a voice full of joy. Her meticulous and friendly personality seemed to have come from her father, and her tall stature and beautiful appearance seemed to have come from her mother.

Adeshan’s consolation was two older brothers, nearly ten years apart in age. Both said that they were very interested in martial arts and took good care of her.

“I was really happy. During the day, I helped my father sew, and at night, the whole family, including my mother, ate together. My brothers always cut their share of meat into small pieces and put them on my plate. It’s time to grow up, so you have to eat a lot. I thought those days would last forever, forever…”

Adeshan drew the horse’s tail. The shadows on his face were thick.

“Until Fang Night.”

The story that made her dream of becoming a general began at last.

“I still remember. I was having dinner on the weekend when suddenly a horn sounded from the side of the wall. Mother, who was silent that day, took her sword and left the house as if she had been waiting. Kissing your family on the cheek once.”

“The family knew.”

“yes. everyone except me. Next, the brothers followed their mother and left the house. He always put his share of food on my plate. That was the last time I saw my mother and brothers.”

He said that there were signs that things were going to happen in the northern part of the beast people for a long time. It has improved a lot now, but many of the northern beasts who value wildness and tradition extremely hated being associated with other races.

However, the empire did not stop expanding north. Friendly tribes sent envoys to conciliate, while opposing forces killed or drove them out with their troops.

When even the holy land of Jube fell to the Empire, the anger of the prisoners of the opposition reached its peak. In the end, the beasts gathered under the flag of Jaipa caused a canine night.

Ronan clicked his tongue. In the past, Count Armalen, that is, Ronan, who was fighting the Werewolves in the North when he met Marya, was well aware of their dangers.

‘There are few people as annoying as the furry ones.’

Beasts were far superior to humans in basic physical abilities. Not to mention the Wear Lions and Wear Tigers, who are treated as biological weapons, even a Werewolf or a Wear Fox could deal with five or six human soldiers who could not handle mana.

The night of the fangs was an incident where 10,000 such numbers invaded the frontier Baekryeong. The walls of Barça allowed the invasion of wild beasts within three days. Adeshan said.

“My father, who was embarrassed, took me and put me on the cart. We just went to the evacuation route. An obituary came when I was just settling in a refugee camp near the island. The blood-soaked dog tags belonged to my mother and . . . my two brothers.”

read from n̲o̲b̲l̲e̲m̲t̲l̲.̲c̲o̲m̲

Most of those who died at that time were soldiers. Most of them were soldiers of the frontier Baekryeong.

They had to be walled in place of the obsolete wall. Their mission was to earn as much time as possible for the main force to arrive from the rear by devoting themselves to building a defensive line.

Unfortunately, the unit to which Adeshan’s mother and brothers belonged also played the role.

“My mother and brothers died like soldiers on a chessboard. Horses were a line of defense, they were just meat shields. Everyone says it was unavoidable, but I disagree.”

It was the remnants of the remnant who belonged to my mother’s army who delivered the obituary. The soldier, whose right arm and left leg were amputated, told the truth and devastation of the day.

“I could live. Not only my mother and my brothers, but many more soldiers didn’t have to risk their lives. The obituary contained noble sacrifices and other things, but in fact, they were all people who did not have to die.”

The losers explained that they were driven to the limbs without any measures. He said there were many strategies that were much better in the eyes of soldiers and non-commissioned officers.

However, the command did not change the order until the very end. In any case, they achieved their purpose, and after the incident was over, a medal was placed on their chest. Adeshan’s ears were still ringing with the muttering words of the renegade soldiers as they left their seats.

– Why did we have to die…?

Adeshan continued with her main voice.

“Every year, I visit the memorial in my hometown to find out the names of my mother and my brothers. The writing is small and engraved in a high place, so it is hard to see.”

“Adeshan.”

“I will become a general. There is no need for memorials on this land anymore. At least a monument covered in the names of those who should have lived…”

Eventually, a tear ran down her cheek. Ronan naturally turned his gaze as if appreciating the forest.

As always, it was a very difficult scene to see the boss crying. Adeshan, who wiped the corners of his eyes before long, smiled bashfully.

“···sorry. It wasn’t fun either.”

“It was not a pleasant story.”

“Ahahaha. Yeah, I’d rather have a reaction like that.”

Ronan sighed. She was very different from her previous life.

Who is High Warlord Adeshan? Wasn’t he a great man who thought of sacrificing cows for the sake of the generation, and transformed the Imperial Army into a corps unit for one Ronan?

‘What the hell happened?’

It was hard to believe they were the same person. At this time, Adeshan still harbored a jewel of hope and good will. In a way, it was just a talk on the table, but Ronan didn’t think it was that bad. Ronan, who was rubbing his chin, opened his mouth.

“What about your father?”

“He went back to his hometown and worked as a tailor. Where the original house was.”

“okay. Aren’t the beasts scary? Right now, there are many in Phileon alone.”

“I can’t say it’s not scary at all, but it’s okay. It’s actually the incompetent leadership that killed my mother and brother. And when I enlist, I have to interact with the prisoners.”

“It’s good because it’s positive.”

The two walked in silence for a while. Suddenly, the trees began to sparse, and a gentle but high hill appeared. Adeshan opened her arms to the wind blowing straight ahead.

“Oh, that’s cool.”

“Iknow, right.”

“Don’t you think you can see the island at a glance if you go up there?”

“Well?”

Adeshan said while pointing her index finger at the hill. Judging from the shape of it stretching upwards, it looked like the highest place on the island. Ronan, who suddenly looked at the top of the hill, frowned.

“What is that…?”

“yes? I know. What is it built on?”

It was far away, so I couldn’t see it well, but something like a structure had been erected. Ronan nodded.

“Well, you will know when you go.”

The two slowly climbed the hill. With every step I took, the sky was getting closer.

Ronan didn’t speak the whole way up the hill. In his mind, the images Adeshan had shown him and the conversation he had with her were floating around. A girl who is not discouraged by the storm of adversity. A future general who hates worthless death.

‘Hey, I don’t know.’

The long agony that had been going on since I finally went back in time came to an end. Ronan’s mouth fell open.

“Adeshan.”

“yes?”

“Seniors are not without talent in mana.”

“What do you mean all of a sudden?”

“Senior’s mana is special. I think they called it the mana of the shadows, but they said that a separate awakening was required. It is said to have the most secretive, secretive, and uncontrollable power of all mana.”

“···What?”

Adeshan stood still. Ronan, who was going ahead, stopped accordingly. A bewildered voice came out of Adeshan’s mouth.

“Who did you hear about that? Mana of the shadows…?”

“Well, I heard it from someone I know. I don’t even know what the mana of the shadows is. I remember the ability to manifest there was incredibly strong.”

I couldn’t say that I heard it from my future self. A strong wind was torturing their heads. Ronan opened her mouth as she looked at the girl in her overcoat.

“And then, I’ll help.”

“uh···?”

“Try something like this. General.”

Ronan admitted his weakness. He couldn’t tell Adeshan to go home and cut the fabric. I probably wouldn’t be able to tell you in the future. If so, it would have been the right decision to help her now achieve her dream.

“you···.”

Adeshan stood still and stared at Ronan’s face. Numerous emotions were swirling in his gray eyes. Then I heard someone’s voice from behind.

“Finally met you. Ronan.”

“Fuck.”

It was a familiar low tone. Ronan frowned. As he turned his head, a familiar tabletop appeared. Schlieffen was standing with his back against the unknown building.

“I was looking for a long time. Enough to cut down every other competitor.”

“Shu, Schlieffen…!”

Adeshan’s face turned pale. Ronan sighed, rubbing his forehead. He looked tired just looking at his face.

“You really are a crazy bastard… How many did you catch?”

“It’s 51 people. A few were not bad, but after all, you were the only one who could match.”

“Don’t move, wait there. Let us take a look at the summit.”

Ronan took the hesitant Adeshan up the hill. As Adeshan said, this was the top of the island. A narrow and dense forest, a small plain, and the deep blue sea surrounding the slopes caught my eye. Ronan said, stretching out.

“The scenery is nice. That’s right.”

“Uh, yeah… that’s good… is that… are you okay?”

But Adeshan had no time to care about the scenery. She was looking at Schlieffen as if she had encountered a wild beast.

She was surrounded by the worst opponents she could encounter on this island. Schlieffen, who had his arms crossed, glanced at Adeshan and said.

“Navirose-sama’s assistant. It’s always being taken care of.”

“Oh, yes… bye.”

“Looking at the surviving so far, it seems that he has his own skills. But the coat over your shoulders doesn’t seem to belong to you.”

“Well, that’s….”

Adeshan blushed. Schlieffen didn’t ask any further questions. Ronan, who was looking around, opened his mouth.

“But are you sure these three are the last?”

“Yes.”

“great. Senior, come and take a look at this. What the hell is this building doing?”

Ronan placed his hand on the unidentified building and called for Adeshan. It was impossible to guess the purpose of the building with a thick cylindrical shape.

“Yes? That’s it… wait a minute.”

Adeshan’s eyes lit up with interest. She left Schlieffen behind and began examining the building. In the case of the beacon, the roof was closed with a dome, and in the case of the lighthouse, the height was low. The slippery exterior wall was made of unknown metal.

“It’s amazing… Is it really a style I’ve never seen before?”

It was a moment when Adeshan forgot the existence of the two for a moment. Ronan’s whisper came from beside her.

“I’m sorry, Adeshan. Still, it’s not bad if it’s third, right?”

“to?”

spatula. Ronan swung La Mancha. Adeshan’s shape was distorted and disappeared. Schlieffen said.

“They didn’t come together.”

“Because it’s a rough place for a senior to join.”

“It is a reasonable decision.”

Shreung! Schlieffen drew his sword. Looking back, it was a different sword than before. An unusual anticipation was rising on a sword with unknown characters engraved on it.

“It’s a good knife. Did Doron make it?”

“Yes. It’s not as good as a fail load.”

“That is enough.”

They retreated ten steps apart, as when fighting in an arena. As Ronan pulled the hilt, a blade as thin as a dragonfly’s wing appeared. Ronan, who turned the La Mancha once and caught it, opened his mouth.

“Then, shall we?”

There was silence for a moment. In an instant, the figures of the two disappeared from view. Ronan and Schlieffen, rushing towards each other, collided exactly in the middle. Kaan!! A sharp metallic sound ripped through the wind.

“This time, show me all of you.”

Schlieffen said. The two swordsmen were facing each other and were sullen. Ronan didn’t answer. Schlieffen’s mouth opened again.

“I will too.”

At that moment, mana in the form of wind came up around Schliefen’s sword. Ronan, noticing the storm sword, spit out cursing. Kang!! Schlieffen, who spread the distance with a strong slash, fired a sword at Ronan.

“Crazy…!”

Ronan swung his sword diagonally. A sword split in two fell at his feet. Aww! A whirlwind of blades with a radius of 5 m rose from both sides of Ronan.