Emotionless Swordsmanship Genius

Chapter 56: The Mysterious Assailants (2)

Early morning.

On a hill overlooking the grand duke’s estate, a procession was waiting for the signal to depart.

It was the Blue Raven Clan, all disguised as imperial soldiers and merchants. With more than ten transport carriages, it was clear they had gathered a significant number of people.

At the front, three figures sat on horseback, gazing down at the grand duke’s estate.

One was the blue-haired leader, alongside the massive Big Stone, and a man with a large scar-covered face and a greatsword slung over his back. This man, named Rockhill, was the captain of the assault squad.

“Leader, do we really have to wait in hiding like this? Those troublesome guys are a pain. Why not just wipe them out now?” Rockhill asked.

“If it were unavoidable, we would. But there’s no need to incur losses right now, is there, Rockhill? Are you that eager for battle just because it’s been quiet lately?” The leader smiled lightly at Rockhill’s complaint. His expression seemed friendly, but his icy blue eyes were cold and calculating.

“No, that’s not it…” Rockhill, feeling a bit intimidated, averted his gaze.

Clip-clop!

At that moment, the sound of urgent hooves drew everyone’s attention toward the forest below.

A small figure emerged from the woods, one of their members who had been monitoring the grand duke’s estate. He was small in stature, suited for his role.

“The Coldwind Knights have just left for the imperial palace. As you expected, there was no sign of the grand duke,” the scout reported.

“We move out,” the blue-haired leader ordered without hesitation, urging his horse forward.

“Yes, sir!”

“Everyone, move out!”

Big Stone followed closely behind, and Rockhill signaled the rest of the group to start moving as well.

* * *

To the north of the imperial capital of Pontania, there was a wide, straight road lined with beautiful flowers and well-maintained trees. The road was impeccably cared for, without a single weed in sight, as it led directly to the grand duke’s estate.

Despite the picturesque scenery, the road leading to the estate was heavily guarded. Multiple checkpoints had to be passed, and the imperial soldiers stationed nearby were numerous.

In case of an enemy attack, smoke signals or bells could summon the imperial forces in an instant.

From a distance, the guards at the checkpoints could easily spot anyone approaching.

The older chief of the first checkpoint was calmly enjoying a cup of fragrant tea inside the guard post, meticulously reviewing the day’s scheduled visitors.

“The Coldwind Knights headed to the imperial palace at dawn?”

“Yes, it seems to be an imperial decree.”

“What about the grand duke?”

“He’s staying at the estate with some visiting doctors.”

“Hmm…”

The checkpoint chief stroked his prickly beard thoughtfully. Just yesterday, some imperial army units stationed near the grand duke’s estate had been sent elsewhere. Now, with the Coldwind Knights gone too, he couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

“Is something wrong, sir?”

“No, it’s nothing. By the way, is it delivery day already?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Time flies so quickly. Yesterday…”

Just then, a guard entered with a bored expression.

“Sir, the delivery carriages are here.”

“What? Already?”

Though it was routine for the guards, the checkpoint chief felt something was off. The delivery had arrived earlier than usual.

Quickly strapping his sword to his waist, he stepped outside. In the distance, a line of carriages was approaching.

“Hmm…”

The goods being transported looked the same as usual, but the people moving them gave off an inexplicable sense of unease.

‘Something feels different today.’

As the carriages drew closer, his gut feeling turned into certainty.

There were many unfamiliar faces, and a faint murderous aura emanated from them.

‘Damn it! I realized too late.’

The chief quietly muttered to his men, who had been chatting idly while waiting for the carriages.

“Everyone, to your positions.”

The guards, puzzled by the sudden command, looked at the chief with confused expressions. However, they quickly nodded and began moving to their designated spots.

Some of the guards climbed up to the watchtower and signal stations, but just as they reached their posts, two arrows streaked through the air like lightning, piercing their heads.

The guards immediately turned to where the arrows had come from and spotted a woman on top of one of the carriages, drawing another arrow. Despite the considerable distance, she had hit her targets with deadly precision.

“Take them down!”

At the same time, the Blue Ravens, disguised as merchants and imperial soldiers, charged at the checkpoint.

“Squad 1, hold them off! Squad 2, quickly alert the…”

Slice!

Before the checkpoint chief could finish his shout, one of the Blue Raven members, a masked man with a lithe build, swiftly approached and slashed his throat.

“Sharp old man, figured it out just in time,” the masked attacker mocked before dashing toward the other guards.

With their leader dead, the remaining guards were quickly overwhelmed or killed. One guard tried to flee on horseback to raise the alarm, but an arrow found its mark between his shoulder blades.

The Blue Ravens, each highly skilled, made short work of the guards, leaving no survivors.

Having swiftly taken control of the checkpoint, they left a few of their members behind to hold it. Then, after adjusting their disguises and carriages, they set off toward the second checkpoint.

* * *

Flash!

Susanna, who had been sleeping soundly, slowly opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling. The triangular mark on her forehead was faintly glowing.

She rose from bed, looking around uneasily. There was a tightening pressure from all sides.

This wasn’t the first time she’d felt this presence.

It was the same oppressive force she had sensed before disaster struck the Chakran tribe.

Suddenly, her eyes widened in alarm.

“Mother… Father!”

Sensing danger instinctively, Susanna jumped out of bed and hurriedly put on her robe. She threw open the door and rushed outside.

“Miss!”

Two maids, on their way to attend to her, called out.

“Where’s my mother?”

“She’s in the garden right now.”

“Miss!”
Before Susanna could even finish listening, she started running toward the garden. The maids quickly chased after her.

‘This is definitely targeting us!’

Susanna instinctively knew something was wrong.

The ominous presence, though still distant, was slowly closing in around them.

“Mother!”

“Susanna! What on earth brings you here so early in the morning?”

Her mother, the grand duchess, was startled as Susanna ran toward her, hastily dressed and visibly anxious. She pulled her into a comforting embrace.

But Susanna, with an urgent look, gently pushed her mother away.

“Something… something is coming.”

“What do you mean? Something is coming?”

“An enormous… terrifying energy is approaching. I feel like something terrible is about to happen. Mother, you have to trust me.”

Seeing the seriousness on Susanna’s face and the tension in her expression, the grand duchess hugged her daughter tightly once more before speaking in a reassuring tone.

“Alright, I believe you. You’re my daughter, of course, I trust you. Now calm down.”

“Where is Father?”

“He’s in the annex, in a meeting. Some officials from the imperial palace came to visit him.”

It was highly unusual for anyone to visit this early in the morning.

Realizing this, Susanna instinctively knew that her father could be in danger.

“I have to go see him.”

“Alright, let’s go together.”

“Just in case, please send a message to Father’s knights as well.”

“I will.”

The grand duchess immediately ordered one of the maids to summon the Coldwind Knights.

Though they wouldn’t easily move without Decius’ command, the grand duchess held enough authority to call for them.

However, the maid, clearly flustered, stammered.

“Th-the knights… left for the imperial palace early this morning.”

“What? Why so suddenly?”

“The emperor ordered them to replace their armor in recognition of their past service…”

Before the maid could finish, the grand duchess quickly made her way toward the annex, her own sense of unease growing.

But with so many buildings between them and the annex, it took quite some time to arrive.

Once there, they saw several imperial soldiers stationed around the annex, a sight that was unusual.

It seemed they were here to guard the officials, but their numbers felt excessive.

“Open the door. It’s urgent.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

The soldiers guarding the entrance hurriedly opened the door, allowing the grand duchess, Susanna, and the maids to enter.

After walking down the long hallway, they reached the most elaborate conference room in the annex.

The guards at the door stepped aside, revealing the inside.

On one side sat Decius, his gray hair neatly combed back.

Across from him were the conservative council member Montecorato and several of his followers.

Seeing the grand duchess and Susanna enter, the conversation halted, and everyone stood to greet them respectfully.

Councilor Montecorato struggled to lift his large frame, bowing his head in respect.

Once greetings were exchanged, Decius, unable to hide his confusion, asked, “What brings the grand duchess and our daughter here at this hour?”

“My lord, you need to stop everything and leave this place immediately.”

“What are you talking about, dear?”

“Father… please.”

At that moment, Susanna gently tugged at Decius’ sleeve, her voice a quiet murmur. Her hands trembled noticeably as they clutched his clothes, and her face had turned pale, her lips blue.

Although no immediate threat could be felt, Susanna’s body was instinctively reacting to something.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Decius didn’t press further. Instead, he respectfully addressed the councilors.

“My apologies, but I must continue the meeting at the imperial palace. It seems there is a situation developing. Please rise. My steward will escort you out.”

Without waiting for a response, Decius gently guided the grand duchess and Susanna toward the exit.

“What’s going on? I don’t know what’s happening, but we’ll accompany you,” Councilor Montecorato said, a concerned expression crossing his face as he approached Decius and his family.

‘Perfect! So she was here all along!’ Montecorato cheered internally.

The very Chakran girl that the Blue Ravens were looking for had walked right into his grasp.

By sticking close to them, the Blue Ravens would find them without any effort.

This was the perfect opportunity to take care of both Decius and the girl at once.

Hidden in his robes was a small pendant with a red gem, given to him by the leader of the Blue Ravens.

He quietly reached into his robe and gripped the pendant tightly.

* * *

At the same time.

Karon’s group, having entered the capital, immediately split into two.

Shong and Flora headed east, where the Chakran tribe members were supposedly being held, while Karon and Hinshan made their way north, toward the grand duke’s estate.

Boom!

As they galloped north, Karon faintly heard the sound of an explosion in the distance.

Hinshan, hearing it as well, exchanged a grave look with Karon.

“Hyah!”

They both spurred their horses on even faster.

After some time, they arrived at the first checkpoint leading to the grand duke’s estate.

Several soldiers were standing guard, thoroughly blocking the way.

As they approached, one of the soldiers raised his hand, stopping them.

“Sorry, but by order of Grand Duke Decius, no one is allowed to approach. Please turn back.”

“I am Hinshan Altord, a member of Prince merka’ personal guard. Move aside at once!”

Hinshan pulled out a gold insignia from within his robes. Time was of the essence, and he couldn’t afford to argue.

But the soldier’s reaction was strange.

“It doesn’t matter. No one is allowed to pass until the grand duke says otherwise.”

“What? Are you insane? Do you not realize what you’re doing is treason…?”

“Hinshan.”

Just as Hinshan was about to raise his voice, Karon called his name.

As Hinshan turned his head, he saw Karon’s black sword cutting through the air, creating dark red ripples. In an instant, it sliced through the soldiers, splitting their bodies in half.

“Urgh!”

Caught off guard, the soldiers didn’t even have time to react before they were killed, unable to send a signal to the next checkpoint.

Karon had launched a preemptive strike to prevent them from raising the alarm.

“W-what? Karon?”

Hinshan’s eyes widened in shock.

He was about to ask why Karon had killed the guards when Karon calmly pointed toward the guard post.

“Check inside.”

Hinshan dismounted and entered the post.

Inside, he found the bodies of the real guards, all stripped of their clothes.

Karon had already noticed the scent of blood from the checkpoint, as well as the irregular breathing and tense muscles of the fake guards.

What confirmed his suspicions was that one of the fake guards was someone he had seen before during his encounters with the Blue Ravens.

Hinshan returned to Karon, stunned.

Without waiting for him to speak, Karon said, “Go back to the imperial palace and inform the royal guard immediately. From here, I’ll go alone.”

“But that’s too dangerous!”

“Going in blind with both of us is even more dangerous. I’ll buy us time; you bring reinforcements. I’m used to fighting alone.”

Karon’s words made sense, and they were practical. Hinshan had no choice but to agree.

“Understood. I’ll be back as quickly as I can, Karon.”

Hinshan gave a sharp nod before jumping onto his horse and galloping back the way they had come, knowing it was the best course of action.

Karon watched him go for a moment before turning and spurring his horse toward the grand duke’s estate.

The enormous presence he felt looming ahead…

It wasn’t unfamiliar.

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