Chapter 95

Chapter 95

Chapter 95

The Death Knight, known as the “Black Sword” of Sachsen and wielder of the “Peacemaker” belonging to the legendary paladin, charged with determination. Two opposing philosophies converged on a single blade, aiming to reach the pinnacle of the Seven Swords that dominated the continent.

Master Baro was certainly not using the entirety of his power against Dale, undoubtedly to evaluate the boy’s skills and future. The absence of his “Avatar” on the battlefield served as irrefutable confirmation.

However, that did not mean that Dale could relax his defensive stance.

The killing sword.

Living up to its reputation and evidenced by the crimson glow emanating from its metal, it was a weapon conceived strictly for the mortal gash, devoid of military honors and of implacable effectiveness.

Clang!

The steel wrapped in the crimson glow collided loudly against Sachsen’s dark blade.

Zas!

Just before the frontal impact, a flurry of throwing daggers darted swiftly from his hand.

Each projectile carried meticulous and fatal energy. Reacting immediately, Dale deployed his “Shadow Cloak” to structure a defensive barrier. His purpose was not to repel the impacts, but to assimilate them completely.

“What a collector’s item you possess, heir to a golden cradle.”

The undead warrior, wielding the paladin’s steel, charged head-on against Master Baro.

“Controlling the actions of a Death Knight with such precision?”

Master Baro experienced genuine bewilderment while holding back the undead’s onslaughts. That “Substitute Hero” stood his ground against one of the continent’s prestigious Seven Swords, displaying a combat choreography of outstanding level.

“It is evident that this boy is far from an ordinary novice.”

“……”

Even though his manners recalled those of a small-time crook, the mastery he exhibited with the steel inhabited another category. Dale opted for silence, waving his dark mantle while protecting the Death Knight’s rear.

After the violent swaying of the dark mantle, bursts of shadow projectiles were launched.

The dark impacts scattered across the terrain and Master Baro’s silhouette vanished from sight once again.

“…!”

Was it superhuman celerity? No, the explanation did not lie in simple speed unattainable to the eyes.

A cold premonition ran through Dale’s body.

Instantly, the “shadow stalkers” that inhabited the interior of his protective mantle extended their thorny appendages, seeking to intercept the executor who intended to strike him in the back.

Slash!

The mutated limbs of the “Shadow Stalker” appeared considerably more dangerous than in the past. The filaments launched the attack and Dale rotated his body immediately.

Master Baro remained static in that position.

Without showing the slightest disturbance at the web of thorns emerging at his feet, he remained impassive. The appendages that tried to reach him ended up crushed and disintegrated instantly, as if they had entered a crushing mechanism.

“Destroying the Shadow Stalker’s filaments like that…”

For a warrior of Master Baro’s caliber, tearing through darkness did not represent an unattainable feat. However, the resource used did not derive from pure swordsmanship. The immediate space seemed to contract, suggesting that an unknown mystical influence had shredded the dark appendages.

The wielder of the Killing Sword, Master Baro, had never crossed his steel with Dale in the previous timeline.

After all, those who challenged the paladin’s blade and managed to survive did not remain alive to recount the experience.

Despite this, Dale possessed notions about his identity and the scope of his techniques.

A warrior who has reached the pinnacle on the path of steel is capable of projecting a doctrine with effects as tangible as those of sorcery itself.

And that exceeded the limits of the avatars.

“Coordinate distortion…”

In the confines of this reality, there are no translation disciplines that facilitate immediate movement across huge distances.

However, by momentarily altering the spatial position of the environment, it is feasible to suppress the paths or use said alteration to disrupt the rival’s physical structure.

The faculty of spatial deformation.

That constituted the mystery that allowed him to ascend from the Seven Swords of the continent to consolidate himself as the most lethal executor in the world. Still, that represented only a fraction of the Killing Sword’s resources.

“Wow.”

Master Baro tilted his face, denoting intrigue.

“Did you have knowledge of my particularities?”

“I figured it out by observing your movement,” Dale replied.

“You turn out to be a quite disconcerting young man.”

“I will accept the comment as a compliment.”

“If we continue this confrontation using our full potential, this place will be reduced to rubble.”

Master Baro pointed out.

“To tell you the truth, the omens you mention do not concern me.”

“……”

“However, I am aware that the stories regarding the firstborn of Sachsen do not lack foundation.”

Upon uttering those words, the crimson energy that enveloped Master Baro’s blade dissipated completely.

If the hostility had escalated to a critical point, Dale would have considered resorting to the “power of the Peacemaker,” but, fortunately, the most dangerous outcome was avoided.

“If the reputation of the duchy of Saxony and the title of ‘Black Prince’ possess real value…”

Master Baro put away his weapon and turned his gaze toward the executors hidden behind avian masks who escorted him.

“Displaying such mastery at such a young age, your true potential has barely begun to manifest.”

He spoke in the direction of the minions of the Court of Shadows.

“Therefore, there is no reason to postpone this.”

He coldly measured Dale’s capabilities and continued with his statement.

“What are you waiting for to show submission before your legitimate ruler?”

“…!”

Before Master Baro’s command, the masked executors held their breath simultaneously.

“The one who will extinguish the last luminous vestige of this plane to establish the dominion of darkness.”

The sacred figure imbued in shadows intervened in the dialogue.

“The Black Apostle and sovereign of the shadows.”

Facing Dale’s silhouette, the entirety of the Court of Shadows knelt in unison.

“Grant us the fall of the dominion of fire and radiance, and guide us to your own kingdom.”

Dale nodded solemnly in the direction of the group.

“Your devotion will be rewarded.”

Just as they manifested, overthrowing the dominion of fire and radiance. Using the available resources, nothing more than that.

Far from acting as a puppet under the divine yoke, but rather through Dale’s own determination.

Whether Dale harbored devotion or disdain for the divine entities lacked relevance. He was resolved to embody his deity if the situation warranted it, even if it was a figure void of true divinity.

In order to satisfy his longings and ensure his absolute subordination as retribution.

The Court of Shadows.

The group that inherited the “Church of Shadows,” which for long periods remained hidden in anonymity to avoid persecution by the White Tower. Since they operated under Dale’s guidelines, the path to follow was unique.

“Shortly the Black Market will be inaugurated and the suffrage will begin to designate the next regent of the city.”

The executioners of the Guild City and the most significant assassin faction in the region.

“I require the absolute backing of the Court of Shadows to determine under my own criteria the identity of the future Master of the City.”

The Black Apostle and sovereign of the shadows issued the directive to his brand-new followers.

On the grounds of the Calimala Guild city, in the vicinity of the Guild Master’s compound.

At the moment “Dale of Sachsen” appeared on the site, anticipating the general response did not require much effort.

The individual considered the main suspect behind the attack against the organization’s leader.

“Prostrate yourselves at once!”

The city sentries raised their pikes in the direction of Dale, who refuted calmly.

“Do you assume that a handful of pikes will suffice to contain my advance?”

“…!”

Faced with such a sharp warning, the sentries’ resolution visibly wavered.

Dale’s words held total veracity. Guarding him was the Death Knight wielding Sachsen’s dark steel. The “Shadow Cloak” swayed in an environment devoid of air currents. The actions that the local sentries could take against such a display of force were practically nil.

“However, there is no cause for alarm.”

Dale added, seeking to appease the spirits.

“Fortunately, the ‘Shadow Tribunal’ has ratified my acquittal and…”

He extracted a document from the depths of his attire.

“Here you have the documentary support.”

The document displayed the official resolution and the signature of the “Shadow Tribunal,” a badge fully validated by the residents of Guild City.

“Innocent.”

The seal dismissed any suspicion. At least within the limits of Guild City, no one would commit the imprudence of forging the credentials of the “Court of Shadows.”

“I need to transmit data of utmost relevance to the regent of the Calimala guild concerning the current landscape.”

Dale continued.

“Clear the access, please.”

A brief lapse of bewilderment and hesitation occurred among the city sentries, although the indecision dissipated quickly.

When the leader of the Calimala guild received notification that the “Black Prince” was waiting for a meeting, he experienced a feeling of absolute collapse.

Despite everything, he held the position of leader in one of the Seven Great Merchant Alliances. In that demarcation devoid of legislation where monetary assets determined reason, he had become accustomed to his own existence hanging by a thread.

Additionally, the “Court of Shadows” ratified his lack of guilt. Consequently, guarded by a small group of highly loyal escorts, the leader of the Calimala Guild agreed to parley with Dale.

“The scenario is taking an extremely dangerous turn.”

Dale began the conversation.

“The envoys of the Empire and the forces of the Red Tower have already executed their moves.”

“The hosts of the Empire and the Red Tower…!”

The instant those names were brought up, the leader of the Calimala Guild held his breath. Was it feasible that the forces of the Empire and the Red Tower were taking part in this altercation? That altered the proportions of the matter drastically.

“Everything points to them having already established communication with one of the Seven Great Merchant Alliances.”

“… I never considered that events would escalate to such a magnitude.”

The leader of the organization pressed his lips, remaining silent. Despite the atmosphere of hostility, his intellect evaluated the benefits and disadvantages at high speed. The status of regent of the city was undeniably covetable. Men’s ambitions have no limits, and not even the regent of one of the Seven Great Alliances escaped that rule.

However, the direct intervention of the forces of the Empire and the Red Tower modified the landscape…

“It is to be lamented…”

The leader of the organization added.

“It is probable that we must rethink the terms of our coalition.”

No sum of capital possesses greater value than remaining in the world of the living.

And with the envoys of the Empire and the Red Tower executing frontal maneuvers… for the leader of one of the Seven Great Merchant Alliances, seeking greater benefits was equivalent to seeking his own death out of mere ambition.

From that perspective, Ray Uris’s previous intimidation had had a notable effect. He understood perfectly the impact of panic, perhaps to a greater extent than the act of taking an existence itself.

“Does fear invade you?”

Dale asked, motivated by the other’s attitude.

“The fear of facing an organization leader who has the backing of the Empire’s envoys and the forces of the Red Tower.”

“What other alternative is presented to us?”

It was unfeasible to act simply under the rules imposed by Ray Uris.

“The leader of the Calimala Guild will assume the position of future Master of the City.”

Dale maintained firmly.

“And this does not constitute a proposal or a formal request.”

Emulating the conduct that Ray Uris had adopted in the past.

“It constitutes a decision made.”

An unbreakable will.

As long as the Red Tower used the “fear” linked to the Black Tower as a coercion resource, Dale found no grounds to dismiss the Red Tower’s tactics.

A direct confrontation between the factions of crimson and darkness.

Given the imminence of this conflict of colossal proportions, the evaluations and benefit calculations of the leader of the Calimala guild lacked any relevance whatsoever.