<Episode 1297> 1297. The Plum Blossom Swordsman Reincarnated Into the Count’s Family
I stepped outside and immediately activated my Heavenly Eye.
I detected streams of pitch-black energy seeping out from all around the barracks. It wasn’t mana—it was different. Those energies were rising into the sky, converging toward one spot.
“Kukuku…”
There, a three-foot-tall demon clutched its belly as it laughed maniacally. A pair of crimson horns sprouted from its forehead, a long arrow-shaped black tail swayed behind it, and its skin was coal-black—definitely giving off that “demon” vibe. Its overall appearance resembled a goblin.
‘No way they’d be this blatant about causing chaos…’
The nature of the dark energy being absorbed by the demon suddenly clicked in my mind. It was foul mana. Though it was weaker in concentration compared to the foul mana I knew, there was no doubt about what it was.
‘And judging by how others haven’t noticed him at all… he must have some kind of stealth ability.’
I pondered deeply.
The demon was completely relaxed, unaware that his presence had been discovered. How could I launch a perfect ambush on this demon?
‘If everyone’s busy while only I prepare for battle, he’ll catch on right away…’
After much deliberation, there was only one solution: dropping lightning on him.
I focused my spirit. My mana responded, ascending into the heavens. Fortunately, the demon didn’t seem to notice anything unusual.
Just before the lightning struck, the demon, who had been snickering at the soldiers below, tilted his head upward, sensing something amiss. Thankfully, since it wasn’t magic, he didn’t realize the attack coming.
‘Taste some thunder, will ya!’
From the pitch-black night sky, a bolt of blinding lightning shot down directly onto the demon.
As the demon struck by the thunder plummeted to the ground, the sound of thunder finally echoed through the air with a delayed boom.
‘Guess I’ll finish him off now.’
Gripping my Crimson Lotus Blade, I started walking over but paused abruptly when the demon, who had fallen to the ground, leapt back into the air. His red eyes locked onto me with precision—he had sensed my hostility and realized I was the culprit.
‘Planning to run?’
Judging by appearances alone, the demon looked weak. However, contrary to my expectations, the demon didn’t flee. Instead, he bared his sharp fangs and assumed a fighting stance.
I charged at the demon, gripping my Crimson Lotus Blade wrapped in an aura blade. The demon extended both hands toward me, and from them erupted a stream of black smoke.
‘Acceleration, Flash.’
[Using Acceleration. Duration: 10 minutes. Remaining stacks: 6]
[Using Flash (刹那). Remaining stacks: 5]
Using skills, I dodged the black smoke. Several nearby soldiers were hit by it and collapsed like marionettes with their strings cut, falling asleep instantly.
“Aaaaagh!”
They writhed and screamed in agony. I had no idea what kind of mechanism powered this attack.
‘Guess it doesn’t matter as long as I don’t get hit.’
I jumped into the air, swinging my sword at the floating demon. The demon moved upward…
As I ascended, I dodged their attack.
Crackle.
Heavenly Thunder Style, Void Path.
Using thunder energy, I created a stepping platform in the neutral space. Stepping on it, I jumped. The monster’s face twisted in shock.
My blade reached the monster. Though aiming for its torso, all it managed was to sever its shoulder.
An Aura Blade can slice through steel like tofu, but the demon’s skin was tougher than steel.
‘No big deal. I can just attack again.’
Crackle.
Stepping on the thunder-made platform, I charged at the monster again.
“Kiiiieee!”
The monster screamed. Its high-frequency voice made me wince involuntarily. I couldn’t tell if it was a scream or a sound wave attack – judging by its pained expression, probably closer to a scream.
“Noisy! Die quietly! This is the price for interrupting my fun!”
Just as I swung my sword, the monster’s body swelled and exploded. Black smoke clung to my body.
‘…Crap.’
It wasn’t carelessness. I simply got caught off guard by the monster’s self-destruction.
Wrapped in black smoke, I fell to the ground. Except for limited visibility due to the smoke, I felt fine – no pain, full mobility.
Bang!
I hit the ground. The impact spread through my back, but thanks to some basic falling technique, the damage was minimal.
‘What is this? The black smoke won’t dissipate.’
The black smoke… fundamentally different from corrupt mana, it wriggled like a living thing. It seemed confused, reacting like a living creature when it realized I was unaffected.
Focusing my spirit on the Heavenly Eye, I stared intently at the black smoke. I saw… no, felt the presence of the monster.
‘So this black smoke is its true essence.’
Monsters are demons related to dreams. Thus, this black smoke must also be dream-related.
‘Thunder.’
I generated thunder. Bright blue lightning shot out from my body, spreading in all directions and electrifying the black smoke. The smoke surged violently, then gathered into one spot, forming the monster’s shape. The one-armed monster staggered and fell to the ground.
Looking at the fallen monster, I briefly considered my options.
Should I kill it here? Or keep it alive to extract information?
‘Demons are stubborn bastards. Even under torture, it’d take days to make them talk. Judging by its appearance, this weakling probably doesn’t know much anyway.’
I don’t need trivial information. Even without such details, I can still crush our enemies.
Raising my Scarlet Lotus Sword, I decapitated the monster. A jet of black blood spurted out as its head hit the ground.
“Waaaaaah!”
The surrounding soldiers erupted in cheers.
Caught off guard by the unexpected applause, I looked around. Soldiers had gathered unnoticed while I was focused on the monster.
“The commander cut off the demon’s head!!”
“The commander has slain the demon and restored justice!!”
“Yurin Fruckas!! Yurin Fruckas!!!”
The soldiers’ cheers sounded pretty good.
Smirking, I grabbed the demon’s head and held it high. The cheers grew louder. Feeling pleased hearing my name spreading far and wide.
“Hey, soldier.”
“Yes, Commander!”
“Hang the demon’s head on a pole for everyone to see! Even these damn demons can’t stop us! We’re the army of the Goddess Serion who will save the continent from demons!”
“The Commander speaks the truth! We are the army of the Goddess Serion!”
Giving the soldier a light pat on the shoulder with satisfaction, I headed toward the carriage. Now I have another heroic tale to tell Yuria.
Daybreak came.
Around noon, I returned to Yuria’s arms…
I awoke from within. When I tried to get up in the morning… for some strange reason, I didn’t want to wake up. But I was a human who did whatever I wanted.
I stepped out of the carriage.
A strange tension hung in the air. The army had already completed their Battle Preparation.
Floyd and Scarlett approached me.
As I gazed at Scarlett, I asked:
“How many soldiers were taken by the nightmares last night?”
“322 have met Death, and 15 remain in a coma. The wizards say they should awaken by evening at the latest.”
“No major losses, then.”
The forces I brought exceed 120,000. Even with the slave-soldiers we captured as prisoners, the loss of 300 is negligible.
“Are all the siege preparations complete?”
“Yes, my lord. We await your command.”
“And Sharneil and the wizards?”
“They’ve been stationed at the rear. The Flurn Knights are guarding them.”
The Flurn Knights belong to the house of Count Frucus. Naturally, when I became Count Frucus, they became mine as well.
I summoned Stormbreaker and donned my armor. Floyd brought the horse, and Scarlett draped a red cloak over my shoulders.
“Floyd. It’s obviously a mare, right?”
“Of course, my lord.”
Only after checking the horse’s… *ahem*, equipment, did I mount it. I do not ride stallions.
I pointed my sword at the enemy City Wall and shouted:
“Charge!!!”
“UWAAAAAAAAAAH!”
Sword- and shield-bearing slave soldiers rushed toward the wall. The archers atop the wall unleashed a barrage of arrows. The azure Heaven turned pitch black from the sheer number of arrows.
Our wizards conjured wind magic. The countless arrows descending in arcs collided with the powerful gusts and shattered mid-air, raining harmlessly onto the ground.
The slave soldiers began climbing the walls, using ladders. Of course, things didn’t go smoothly. The enemies poured boiling water and fired arrows, fiercely resisting. Then, at some point, the wizards on the wall started casting spells at the climbers.
The earth trembled, and pillars of fire surged skyward.
“So, the wizards have joined the fray. Our turn now.”
I said. Beside me, Scarlett relayed orders to our wizards via her magical artifact.
Moments later, hundreds of Sharneil’s Hellfires and Fireballs soared over our heads, bombarding the walls. The enemy wizards scrambled to counter with walls of water or defensive spells. Had they been prepared from the start, it might have been different—but weakened from dealing with the climbers, they couldn’t withstand the bombardment.
KABOOM!!!
With a tremendous explosion, the main gate and parts of the wall crumbled. Though not all sections fell, the battle was already decided.
“Floyd! Let’s go!”
“Yes, my lord! Everyone, follow the lord!!”
Gripping the reins, I charged forward. Behind me followed the Golden Rose Knights, and behind them, the elite troops.
“Cassiod! Your head is mine!”
Spurring my horse, I crossed the collapsed gate. Inside, the battle raged—flames erupted everywhere, and screams filled the air.
I galloped toward the city center. Lords were usually found there—in the largest building. If not, they’d be hiding at the back.
“Count Frucus!!”
“You cannot pass!!”
Two knights blocked my path.
Floyd didn’t even need to intervene. With my sword wreathed in Aura Blade, I cleaved through both knights, armor and all, and pressed onward.
At the inner fortress gates, Cassiod and dozens of his knights came into view.
“Cassiod! I’ve arrived!!”
