“Ru, k…”
A yearning sigh escaped her lips.
Hot breath as scorching as Del dispersed into the air.
It was the kind of scene that made one’s blood boil just by looking.
Rudine tilted her face upwards.
The disheveled silver hair, the lush eyelashes fluttering, and the strained voice were all incredibly provocative.
I stood still, gazing at Rudine who looked half-unconscious.
‘…This is bad.’
The pronounced bosom, the slender waist, the glossy smooth white skin – any ordinary man would lose his mind and reason to desire upon seeing a woman of the Thousand Kill Ki seducing him like this.
Truthfully, even my head spun for a moment.
After all, Thousand Kill Ki intent on seducing with the purpose of killing wasn’t something any man could easily withstand.
But I had to endure.
Her lust was inherently tied to bloodlust, and a moment of carelessness could lead to one’s head being separated from their body.
“Rudine.”
“…”
“Tch, can’t you even hear me?”
With a coy smile, Rudine began approaching me.
When she reached close, Rudine pressed herself against me.
Her face came so near that our noses were almost touching, creating a hazy atmosphere.
Though my body felt detached and I couldn’t physically sense her soft aroma or touch, my face flushed unnecessarily.
I glanced around nervously.
Not sensing any presence nearby, I still checked again just to be sure.
Confirming that only Rudine and I were here…
“Huff.”
Letting out a short sigh,
I muttered a spell incantation.
“Reverse.”
Kiiing—!
Golden mist swirled around Rudine who was panting heavily, immediately slowing everything to a state practically frozen in time.
An awkward silence descended momentarily.
I stared at the suspended Rudine in mid air before stroking my chin, deep in thought.
With the Iphrashian Ring gone, I needed to find a new way to control the Thousand Kill Ki.
This was far from the original story’s flow.
Losing the ring due to the Outer Gods was unimaginable from the start.
Though holy power might have worked, seeking help from Elfried was impossible as well.
This unplanned crisis brought a strange feeling. Then suddenly an idea struck me.
‘…There might be a way.’
Purifying chaos into imagery was the unique characteristic of the Iphrashian Ring, a truth set in stone as per the source lore.
However, if limited to merely sealing chaos, another option existed.
“Yosoum (Demon Sword), Aksokkeum (Cacophonic Sword).”
Yosoum Aksokkeum, also known as the Chaos-Consuming Blade.
One of the three Demon Swords crafted by Rentiya Bellator, the divine artisan and master craftsman.
While it lacked the ability to purify chaos like the Iphrashian Ring, this unique blade absorbed the user’s chaos into the sword for containment and release.
Infamous for corrupting the wielder’s mind, made from Gyecheol (Demon Iron), such drawbacks were meaningless for Rudine already consumed by chaos.
Conversely, this Chaos-Consuming quality made it a perfect weapon tailored for Rudine, useless to other swordsmen.
Sealing and releasing the uncontrollable power of Thousand Kill Ki could enhance Rudine’s combat ability while managing her current rampant state – a two-for-one benefit.
It was an essential item to secure under the current circumstances.
‘The place should be…’
The continent is divided into East and West, with the empire’s domain in the center resembling outstretched wings.
Among these, the Principality resides in the Eastern Continent, where the resting place of Aksokkeum also lies.
Judging the distance, it’s not exceedingly far.
However, one problem existed.
‘The Marstica Ruins should be located within the Second Lord’s Domain…’
The Second Lord Sword Hand Mingjak’s territory was positioned in the far east of the Eastern Continent, where the Marstica Ruins resided.
The reason I hesitated to enter the Second Lord’s territory was due to that notorious individual’s despicable and malevolent personality.
‘I should avoid direct contact as much as possible.’
Though I wouldn’t lose were we to clash, given his relentless nature akin to Star Sect, avoiding unnecessary friction was the wisest choice.
Infiltrating quietly while concealed and completing my task swiftly was the optimal plan.
After concluding my thoughts and lifting my head, Rudine’s gaze met mine while she remained suspended in the air.
Her ruby eyes scanned my body up and down with a disquieting stare.
Similar to a starved predator eyeing its prey.
Meeting her gaze squarely, I sighed.
“…We should hurry.”
‘…What to do with this one though.’
*
As planned, I left immediately after sunrise, informing the steward beforehand.
The traveling party was small—just me, Rudine, Adina and steward Siron doubling as our driver and guide.
Arkan left word to meet us in the Principality due to an urgent matter, and Elfried stayed behind to continue her missionary work in Shylock.
The carriage prepared by Siron was plain.
Using the Lord Council’s carriage would’ve drawn too much attention, so we opted for a low-profile, inconspicuous vehicle.
I wore a dark robe instead of my official attire, pulling my hood low to conceal my face while boarding.
“Is this… uncomfortable?”
Adina fidgeted uncomfortably with the robe hem, clearly bothered covering her beastman traits—tail and ears.
“Endure it. It’d be problematic if your identity was revealed.”
“But still…”
I turned to Rudine.
She immediately looked startled upon meeting my gaze, blushing and lowering her head.
Perhaps due to last night’s incident, she had persistently avoided my eyes.
While I didn’t particularly care, Adina who had observed our interaction asked curiously,
“Did something happen?”
“Nothing.”
“Really?”
“Yep.”
I wrapped up the conversation curtly and boarded the carriage.
Outside, the Sixth Lord Domain’s personnel were lined up neatly.
Each held a sharp gaze focused forward, saluting the carriage respectfully.
The carriage jolted as it began moving.
The scenery outside flickered by.
Initially the endlessly dark branches characteristic of Blackmore’s eerie forest, then the desolate plains ended and the entrance to Shylock’s domain appeared.
The city that had been rather neglected until recently showed signs of revitalization with royal support.
New buildings dotted the landscape, and the number of people moving about the streets had significantly increased compared to before.
Adventurer types were also frequently spotted.
Further down the road, nearing the Eastern Continent border, lush greenery filled our vision and silhouettes of distant spires came into sight.
Lazern.
The gateway city of the Eastern Continent came into view.
However, the path we were taking wasn’t the main road.
‘Taking the normal route would make evading the Second Lord’s surveillance difficult.’
On the city’s western outskirts, there was a secretive route known among merchants as the “Shadow Path.”
It was mainly used by trade caravans dealing in illegal goods to enter the Second Lord’s Domain.
A detour skirting around the Second Lord’s territory’s edge, slower but safer.
“Over there.”
The steward Siron pointed out a narrow trail.
There, another caravan was packing up.
Our carriage turned onto the narrow trail.
Leaving the normal road, this route felt completely enveloped by the forest.
Thick trees densely surrounded the carriage, and only faint wheel tracks remained on the ground—perfect for concealing smugglers.
Indeed, spots for hiding were conveniently placed throughout the path, and alternate routes for emergencies were also present.
I slowly turned my gaze sideways.
Rudine sat with her head lowered, her face flushed as if remembering last night’s events.
A subtle tension filled the carriage.
Worried she might undergo another rampage as before, I cautiously inquired after observing her.
“Rudine.”
“?..”
“Any chance again?”
“…What?”
“Uh… does your body feel hot or anything unusual, like yesterday?”
At the mention of last night, Rudine’s face turned even redder as she quickly turned her head away.
“Are you alright?”
“…Yeah.”
“If your body feels uncomfortable anytime, just tell—”
At that moment,
Kiik!
The carriage came to a sudden halt with the horses’ neighing.
– Stop! If you don’t want a miserable end, all of you get out of the carriage!
Multiple male voices came from outside the window.
All rough tones and booming voices, marking them clearly as bandits.
The Shadow Path had long been secretly used by caravans.
But such hidden routes inevitably attract unwanted guests.
Seeing the bandits who had blocked our path, I lightly clicked my tongue.
– Hah hah! Arrogantly using this path without any escort? Don’t you care about your lives?
Such painfully familiar lines.
I thought to leave handling them to Siron appropriately, but Rudine, her face flushed red, rushed out in hurried steps.
– Hmm? What are you?
Curious, I slightly opened the window to peek out.
Swish—
With just one swing.
The instant the enemy’s eyes gleamed, the leader standing at the forefront’s body was sliced like paper.
He was cleanly dismembered without a chance to scream.
The remaining bandits froze in sudden confusion.
Meanwhile, Rudine’s face was still flushed red.
Then shortly after, noticing my gaze through the window—
“!!!”
She turned her head away embarrassed again,
Swish, swish, swish.
And proceeded to methodically slice through the rest one by one.
Watching her, Adina snorted.
“Hmph, what a mess.”
It seemed there would be no need for Siron to intervene.
