This was the plan that Eurius had devised.
“First, we need to get the emperor on our side, and then we have to deal with the people of the Dark Sect.”
He decided that it would be faster to defeat them one by one, rather than facing both the Dark Sect and the Empress at the same time.
‘The biggest variable is that Number 2…’
None of the other experts could match him at this point, no matter how hard they tried.
Number 2 was a secret weapon sent by the Dark Sect, who used the power of a divine artifact!
As someone who was collecting the Four Divine Artifacts, Eurius had to subdue him first.
“Did you say Number 2? Anyway, you came with him, so you must know what kind of being he is, right?”
“I’m sorry. But I don’t know who Number 2 is either.”
“You don’t know?”
Eurius tilted his head at Gung Jeok-yeong’s answer.
How did he bring him here if he didn’t know?
“It’s a secret… I heard that he was among the experts I brought with me. He said he couldn’t reveal his identity to me either.”
The Dark Sect had sent twenty elite experts to the imperial palace, besides Gung Jeok-yeong.
One of them was Number 2.
“Number 2 is a problem, but those twenty are not easy either.”
[White Sword Demon Association]
It was the highest military organization of the Dark Sect, composed of a hundred swordsmen. Each of them was an expert close to becoming a superhuman, so they didn’t have much activity. The fact that they had sent twenty of them separately showed how important it was for the Dark Sect to take over the imperial palace.
“Even if you are my lord, facing both them and Number 2…”
“It’s simple.”
“What?”
Eurius cut off her words and ordered.
“Since you are in charge of them, you must know their secret, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then send them to my place.”
“…!?”
***
Swoosh!
Eurius’s sword swung in a semicircle, leaving a blue trail in the air.
The trail swept across the front.
“…”
The response of the Dark Sect’s experts was quick.
They grouped together in threes and fives, crossing their swords to form a defensive posture.
Clang!
“Ugh!”
“Kuk!”
It was a dull sound like cutting iron, and they were pushed back several steps. But they didn’t suffer any serious injuries.
‘Look at that?’
Eurius looked at them with a somewhat admiring expression.
It was commendable that they had blocked his sword strike without any major wounds, even though they were twenty in number.
‘But their defense is good, what about their offense?’
They hadn’t revealed their divine artifacts yet.
According to Gung Jeok-yeong’s words, there was no doubt that one of them was Number 2.
“…”
“…!?”
But they were just holding their swords and pressuring Eurius, without showing any signs of launching a big attack.
“Weren’t you here to kill me? Why are you tucking your tails in?”
“…”
Eurius bit his tongue at their calm appearance.
‘They don’t even fall for provocation. What’s going on?’
Anyway, he couldn’t lower his sword just because they were still.
Shriek!
Dozens of sword shadows appeared in the air.
They flew out at a terrifying speed in all directions.
Bang!
“Cough!”
“Gah!”
This time it was a serious blow, and it had an effect.
Those who surrounded him spat out blood and retreated a few steps. But even as they bled from their mouths, they calmly raised their swords again.
“…”
“Huh…”
Eurius couldn’t help but wonder at their strange behavior.
Why were they just thickly surrounding him and not attacking him?
‘Well, if they had attacked me, it would have been over by now…’
The reason they had lasted so long was because they had built a solid defense in the form of a sword array.
Eurius was confident that he could break them in one go if they switched to offense.
‘But there’s no point in staying like this. It’s nothing more than tying me up.’
Pfft!
‘Wait?’
Something came to Eurius’s mind.
They didn’t have the power to deal with him, but they had been holding him for several minutes already.
What if that was their goal?
“Ah!”
His gaze turned to the palace.If his guess was right, he had no time to waste.
Eurius quickly turned his head and looked at the ones surrounding him.
“These guys?”
Clang!
“Ugh!”
“…!?”
For the first time, confusion flashed in the eyes of the experts of the Dark Sect.
They didn’t even see Eurius make a move, but suddenly three of the frontliners were torn apart like rags and flew away.
‘How did he do that without swinging his sword?’
Chuk!
Eurius extended his sword forward as if to answer their question and coldly spat out.
“Then I have no time, so get out of my way!”
***
“Then I’ll try to contact the crown prince of the Western Continent by tomorrow.”
“I appreciate it. I’m glad there are still loyal subjects like you.”
“I’m sorry.”
Meanwhile, Gung Jeok-yeong left the emperor’s chamber and brushed her chest.
‘Phew! I was worried that His Majesty would be angry at the idea of bringing in foreign forces, but fortunately there was no such thing.’
Then she tilted her head.
‘But what kind of magic did my lord use to make His Majesty agree to the alliance so easily?’
She had no idea, but the reason was Eurius’s visit last night. The skill ‘Emperor’s Dignity’ increased his charm and made the other party more favorable.
Ju Yu-gyeom didn’t see Eurius as someone who would harm him. If he really had such an intention, he would have lost his life last night.
‘Anyway, I’m glad. With this, we can drive out that traitor Yeosang!’
As she thought that, she sensed a familiar presence.
“Huh?”
Thud thud.
A figure emitting a faint magic aura was walking from the other side of the corridor.
“Isn’t that Gold Master?”
She fixed her eyes on the approaching man with a puzzled expression.
“I greet the Vice Sect Leader.”
The name of that man was Geum Jong-o.
He was the master of Baekgeom Dark Sect, the strongest martial group in the Dark Sect.
He came along to assist her, who was the vice sect leader.
But she had given him a different order tonight.
“Why are you here? Didn’t I order you to capture the crown prince of the Western Continent?”
Squeak.
He bowed his head politely, but soon he was smiling.
“There is something more important than that.”
“What?”
She noticed something was wrong with his attitude.
He still smiled wickedly and reached for his sword.
“It’s finding out who the traitor is!”
“…!?”
Crash!
Boom!
A loud explosion erupted and Gung Jeok-yeong flew out.
She used the momentum of clashing swords with Geum Jong-o to get out.
‘I’ve been exposed. But since when?’
“The Sect Leader knew from the start that you had a different heart! That’s why he sent me.”
“Kuh…”
She groaned as she drew her sword.
It was suspicious that he didn’t blame her for failing the mission this time, but it was clear that the sect leader knew her identity from the beginning.
He used her for a long time and now he wanted to send her to the palace to clean up.
The Dark Sect was not a merciful group after all.
Shoo!
Swoosh!
Dozens of experts appeared behind Geum Jong-o, who was confronting her.
They were the real elites of Baekgeom Dark Sect.
The ones they sent to Eurius were just bait they prepared separately.
“Hmph!”
But Gung Jeok-yeong sneered.
“Do you think you can beat me with Baekgeom Dark Sect behind you?”
Geum Jong-o’s rank was 5th among the masters of Baekgeom Dark Sect! But she was the vice sect leader, ranked 2nd in the Dark Sect. The gap between them was obvious.
“Hehe… You would think so.”
But Geum Jong-o laughed even more unpleasantly.
‘What is he relying on?’
A trace of doubt crossed Gung Jeok-yeong’s mind, but she had no time to ponder.
‘I have to join my lord and tell him about this!’
Whirl!
Swoosh!
Flames erupted from her sword! Cold air rose from her hand!
Boom!
She collided the two energies to create a powerful destructive force. She intended to escape in one go after creating a big opening.
Bang!The massive energy that spewed from her sword shot towards Jin Jong-oh.
‘He’ll surely dodge it, right?’
He had that much ability. She planned to quickly slip away in the meantime.
“Hmph!”
But surprisingly, Jin Jong-oh stood still and raised one hand.
Thud!
“…!?”
Gung Jeok-yeong’s eyes widened.
The strike that she had unleashed with all her power was blocked by something and bounced back just before it touched Jin Jong-oh’s body.
‘He blocked my strike with just one hand?’
She finally realized the doubt that she had since the start.
“You’re the second one!”
“You just figured it out? Hahaha!”
Jin Jong-oh burst into laughter and drew his sword and charged at her.
Clang!
Clang clang clang!
They were both masters of swordsmanship! Dozens of clashes passed in an instant.
And the one who gained the upper hand in the offense and defense was…
Slash!
“Ugh!”
Gung Jeok-yeong retreated with bloodstains all over her body.
Her hand that swung the sword felt numb.
She was clearly being pushed back.
‘His skill is not much different, but his sword strikes are incredibly heavy. It’s hard to even clash swords.’
Jin Jong-oh’s sword accompanied a strong pressure every time he swung it, binding her movements.
His power also increased several times, so she had no choice but to be pushed back constantly.
‘This is bad! I have to tell my lord about this guy’s identity as soon as possible.’
“You were so confident before, but did you run out of strength already?”
Jin Jong-oh lifted his sword into the air with a sneer.
“…!?”
His sword was surrounded by a fierce wind like a whirlwind.
Crackle! Zap!
There was also lightning in the center of the whirlwind, sparking.
‘That is?’
The moment she saw it, Gung Jeok-yeong remembered the legend of the Four Divine Artifacts. Among them, there was one that was said to have such an ability!
‘The Azure Dragon’s Artifact!’
Among the Four Divine Beasts, the Azure Dragon was in charge of wind and lightning!
As the saying goes, Jin Jong-oh had unleashed a powerful wind pressure from his body earlier and repelled her attack. And he was crushing her with that pressure every time he swung his sword.
“Then die!”
Jin Jong-oh’s sword swung with a storm.
Boom boom boom boom!
The ground flipped over and split open. And there was no way Gung Jeok-yeong, his target, would be safe.
“Kuh!”
Slash!
She barely avoided being cut in half by flying her body. But as a result, her back was deeply cut and blood was pouring out.
It was a situation where it was difficult to continue the battle!
Her face turned gloomy.
‘Can I get out of here alive?’
She had already lost a lot of blood, so her vision was blurry and her body didn’t move as she wanted.
As she staggered up, she heard a mocking voice.
“Kuhuhu… It looks like this is the end for you. The leader said he would make me the vice-leader if I bring your head.”
Jin Jong-oh raised his sword again.
This time he intended to cut off her neck.
Swoosh!
“Ugh!”
The moment his sword was raised high, Gung Jeok-yeong felt a premonition of death and closed her eyes tightly.
But.
Bang!
“…!?”
“What?”
She opened her eyes quickly.
There was no pain as she expected, and only Jin Jong-oh flew back and hit the wall.
“Who are you!”
Jin Jong-oh opened his eyes wide and looked around.
He was sure he was attacked, but he didn’t feel any sign of it.
“Whoa!”
He widened his eyes at the man who suddenly appeared in front of him. He smiled and answered.
“Who do you think I am? I’m the one you’ve been looking for.”
“…!?”
“My lord!”
Gung Jeok-yeong exclaimed with joy.
It was Eurius who had entered the palace unnoticed.
There were some annoying people, but it was not a big deal for him to take care of them quickly.
“Ugh…”web
Jin Jong-oh quickly backed away and created some distance as soon as he felt Eurius’s presence.
‘He’s a master! And an unbelievable one at that!’
His own ability was not enough to pierce through the Azure Dragon Artifact (Banbakgijin), but the divine artifact he possessed warned him.