“I will not fight with Your Highness.”

With those words, Count Leon approached the fallen Karon, intending to finish his task. Though Ferdin was still standing, he wouldn’t be able to lay a finger on the Count anyway.

‘I just need to eliminate Karon Liserth.’

Count Leon raised his sword with this thought in mind.

* * *

Ferdin struggled to understand what the Princess had told him. Even while fighting Count Leon, he kept trying to decipher her words. The answer must lie in what she said.

The Princess had seen the future and ultimately found a path where no one would die—a future she tried to reveal even at the cost of her own life. Yet Ferdin couldn’t interpret her prophecy even as all his knight candidates fell one by one.

There was only one thing he could do: grit his teeth and endure with everything he had. He needed to buy time alone until Erin arrived.

‘I’m no match for him.’

This was a fact he knew well. Though he had reached the level of a high-ranking knight, he was not a Sword Master.

But when Count Leon swung his sword toward Karon, Ferdin felt time slow down. Simultaneously, he saw a vision of a woman wielding a sword—dozens, hundreds of times. 

Even with her hands splitting open, bleeding, and exhausted, she never stopped. The woman burst into tears while swinging her sword, overcome by some profound sorrow.

Though he had never seen this woman before, watching her filled his heart with an inexplicable pain. Ferdin raised his sword, entranced. In that moment, he felt he could mimic the woman’s sword technique.

His sword flowed like water, piercing Count Leon’s hand.

“Argh!”

Count Leon’s face contorted with rage.

‘How on earth?’

He couldn’t read Ferdin’s movement. The Count couldn’t comprehend how Ferdin Lexia had managed to attack him. Fury rose to the top of his head.

Originally, Count Leon had no intention of fighting Ferdin. Though he knew the Emperor wanted the prince dead, he hesitated to harm the Second Prince without expl*cit orders, as it could damage his reputation.

But when Ferdin attacked him, his mind changed. He was certain the Emperor wouldn’t care—would even be pleased—if the Second Prince got injured during the process of eradicating black magic.

Then, Ferdin calmly addressed Count Leon.

“If you want to kill my knights, you’ll have to kill me first.”

After checking the condition of his hand, Count Leon spoke to Ferdin with a voice full of rage.

“I won’t kill you, but I’ll certainly cripple you.”

* * *

“Lady Erin, this way.”

The moment they entered the western forest, Erin began to sense the location of the knights. Ferdin and his knight candidates would be there too.

She quickened her pace, feeling an ominous premonition. ‘I hope everyone is safe.’ Her face darkened as the worst-case scenario played out in her mind.

What if, when she arrived at that place… everyone was already dead? She couldn’t imagine what kind of being she would become. Would she be able to maintain her sanity as a human?

Ever since meeting Ditrion at the training ground, she had felt anger rising deep in her throat. They finally reached a clearing in the middle of the forest.

Derek, who was beside Erin, screamed out, “Ferdin!”

Karon lay collapsed on the ground. Amon had suffered a severe, fatal wound to his abdomen. Hellix also appeared to be unconscious, though his life didn’t seem to be in immediate danger.

Erin’s eyes turned toward Count Leon. His sword was pointed at Ferdin, who stood covered in blood, holding his sword to protect his knights.

“Erin Liserth?”

She could feel Count Leon looking at her.

Erin didn’t rush. “Put that sword away before I kill you.”

“What?”

Count Leon was dumbfounded. Today had been the day he’d received the most insults since becoming a Sword Master. Amon’s words had been ridiculous enough, but Erin seemed to have completely abandoned all courtesy.

“This is absurd. Have you all collectively lost your minds?”

As he spoke, Ferdin’s head slowly turned. Erin could tell he had endured to his limit.

Derek immediately rushed to Ferdin and supported him, hurriedly laying him on the ground. Ferdin’s breathing was rough.

“Amon is injured…”

Derek fell into panic. His hands trembled as he embraced Ferdin.

“D*mn it, Ferdin. You’re hurt too. I should… ah, really, I…”

At Ferdin’s gesture, Derek nodded and moved toward Amon.

Lying down, Ferdin turned his head to the side. Through his blurring vision, he saw Erin.

“Erin…”

He lost consciousness before finishing his words.

Count Leon left them alone. His attention was already focused on Erin, who approached Ferdin step by step.

Slowly bending down, she placed her ear against Ferdin’s chest. She could feel his heart beating steadily.

It’s okay. He’s alive. He didn’t die. Everything will be all right.

Erin continuously repeated these words in her mind. Otherwise, she couldn’t contain the rising k*lling intent threatening to overwhelm her. She truly felt she might become a monster.

Watching her, Count Leon shook his head. She was just a student who had recently entered the advanced class at the academy—barely more than a novice from his perspective. Still, he was curious to see her skills, given her reputation for talent.

He never imagined she would speak so disrespectfully to him. The spoiled villainess raised in Marquis Liserth’s embrace certainly had poor manners. He clicked his tongue softly.

“Has being chosen by the sword made you so arrogant? I’ve heard Marquis Liserth failed in raising his children—now I see why such rumors exist.”

“…”

“I’ve always disliked House Liserth. I knew that you people, who rely solely on talent, would eventually meet such an end.”

“…”

“Insolent child, there are things in this world that talent alone cannot accomplish.”

At his words, Erin, who had been listening to Ferdin’s heartbeat, raised her head.

“You know that too.”

Count Leon tilted his head in confusion at her response.

“Those who use black magic, as you call it, never reach the level of Sword Master.”

“That’s right. Becoming a Sword Master is a realm of enlightenment. Those who dare use shortcuts can never reach it!”

Count Leon raised his sword as he spoke. Subtle mana gathered around his blade—the aura, symbol of a Sword Master.

The knights of the Second Order watching them had admiration in their eyes at the sight of that brilliant light. Count Leon smiled with satisfaction.

‘Yes. That’s the normal reaction.’

He thought this while looking at Erin, but her eyes watching his sword remained expressionless. The Count frowned, displeased with her lack of reaction.

“Well, without discerning eyes, you might not appreciate the greatness of an aura.”

Erin, who had been quietly observing him, finally spoke.

“Did you continue training after becoming a Sword Master?”

“…?”

Count Leon was puzzled by her question. He hadn’t practiced swordsmanship since becoming a Sword Master, believing there was nowhere higher to climb.

In the Empire, the only person stronger than him was perhaps Duke Asili. There was no higher level to reach, no one left to surpass.

Duke Asili was an anomaly from the start. Count Leon believed that avoiding such monsters was the wisest course of action.

He didn’t bother answering Erin’s question, considering it worthless and unnecessary.

“Such insolence…”

Count Leon began to speak but quickly fell silent. He opened his eyes wide in disbelief, then gaped stupidly.

Erin was standing up, sword in hand. The Count’s gaze shifted to the sword she held.

And he wasn’t the only one—everyone present was staring at her sword.

Mana had gathered around Erin’s blade. The energy traveled up her arm and enveloped her entire body.

Count Leon spoke in a dumbfounded voice.

“A Sword… Sword Master?”

But how could this be possible?

He looked at Erin’s face—so young, barely an adult. The mana rising around her face, proving her status as a Sword Master, created a profound sense of dissonance.