KB1 - Chapter XIV: The Sound of Knife and Sword (Part 2)

Chapter XIV: The Sound of Knife and Sword (Part 2) – Book 1: Heir of the Kingdom.


Thales never saw Yara’s blade having such an overwhelming wrath.

He vaguely felt that at this moment, there was a suffocating pressure in the two wolfleg knives.

Gathering the strength in his entire body, Rolf held up the two sleeve swords in front on his chest and quickly retreated!

The female bartender rushed toward him more and more viciously, and in a flash, her two knives thunderously slashed out!

Both silhouettes simultaneously moved in the same tune like they were in a ballroom dance, but it was far from being elegant or civilized. One could only see that Rolf’s sleeve swords turned into mirage and intercept the knives on Yara’s hands in an instant.

"Clinked clanked!"

The striking sound was endless.

For innumerable times, the sleeve swords blocked the knives that cut toward Rolf.

For innumerable times, the two knives also knocked away the sleeve swords that tried to stab Yara!

Both of them were in their peaked movements, rapidly flashing through the signboards and front doors on the street. Yet both sides seemed to have the same tranquility while facing each other, concentrating on breaking the other's moves.

Watching all that, Thales didn't dare to blink and even forgot to breathe.

But the offensive and defensive tendencies were extremely obvious: Yara's knives intended to attack the opponent's vital points, Rolf's two sleeve swords only tried to stop the opponent's assault.

One attacking, one guarding, yet it was the competition of speed and dexterity.

But after the sound of another metal's collision, the wolfleg knife on Yara's left hand - under its owner’s decisive determination to advance - suddenly burst into a chain of thunders that seemed to cause a ripple in the air, then bounced Rolf’s sword out of its position!

Yara’s unexpected trump card made Rolf awestricken.

One wrong move, leading to another wrong move.

With his failed interception, Rolf had no time to recover the bounced sword and exposed his vital chest and abdomen to Yara’s left knife!

"Tore!"

This was the sound of the wolfleg knife cutting through clothes and chest.

At the moment when his life endangered, Rolf didn’t hesitate and utilize his abilities to its full capacity.

"The Ghost of Wind" wasn’t just a name for show. He pouted, the tattoos on his face gave a slight white light, and then a violent whirlwind was created in the gap between the two, ripping apart Yara and himself in different directions!

Rolf stepped on the air below, gently borrowed the wind and leaped up, leaving only a few traces of blood behind.

The female bartender however was forced to stop, retracting her arms and adjusting her body to adapt to the sudden gust of wind. The thunderous momentum of her two knives was also cut off.

In the distance, Thales didn’t feel the whirlwind directly, but his judgment was still clear: two people were affected by the wind at the same time, Rolf flew back, while Yara’s offensive was stopped.

The wind didn’t stop but continued to increase. Rolf's body emerged like a kite, floating in the middle of the air by ‘stepping’ on the wind, while the light coming from the scar on his face shined brighter and brighter.

The bartender had no choice but bending down her knees to withstand the growing winds and take the opportunity to regain her physical strength.

Rolf didn't dare to continue to play around vulgarly, the pain on his chest made him frightened: this little girl in front of him, she is probably no less difficult to deal with than any member of the Brotherhood’s Thirteen Great Generals.

Thinking of the momentum of the two knives, the Ghost of Wind determined that he must not give her another chance to strike with her knives so she could turn the table.

Fortunately, the energy consumption for her offensive momentum wasn’t small.

The Ghosts of Wind’s expression turn cold, his hands flipped over and the two sleeve swords were placed on the side of his body.

The wind rose.

Under the cover of the wind, Rolf demonstrated his ghostly silhouette again.

In the blink of an eye, he appeared on top of Yara’s head!

Biting her teeth, Yara held up the knives to defend.

"Clank!"

However, Rolf retreated right after one strike. His silhouette disappeared like a wind flying away. He didn’t give Yara any chance to counter or to form an offensive wave of attacks.

"Clink!"

Rolf's sleeve sword reappeared, this time it was on Yara’s lower left, with the same one hit then flew back!

"As long as I interrupted your sudden, violent, and continuous offensive, House Surrey’s centuries-old assassination blade style could no longer be effective.”

Rolf’s voice came again from within the wind.

Yara struggled to resist the other side's guerrilla tactic, and from time to time, the violent wind caused her to spend a lot of energy and concentration on keeping her body’s movements, while also predicting the direction of Rolf's next attack.

Watching the fight, Thales was getting more nervous - what to do now?

Rolf's gentle voice rang again in the air surrounding them.

"However, just tell me why house Surrey is lurking within the Brotherhood. Maybe we can sit down and have a nice talk?"

Yara expression turned solemn, and in spite of everything at this moment, she closed her eyes.

It seemed that a decision had been made.

Only to see her held her two knives in reserve and slammed their blades into the brick under her feet.

Rolf's sleeve swords reappeared, again on top of her head!

But this time, Yara turned around, and the two knives that were inserted on the ground fiercely followed her arms and made a sharp turn!

"Boom!"

In a thunderous sound, the dirt and rock on the ground was dug up by Yara and flew up a few meters high!

The flying dirt and rock blocked off Rolf's vision.

While the light of Yara’s blades flashed within them!

Rolf scream furiously as his silhouette retreated again. As the tattoo on his face got even brighter, the wind in the air suddenly accelerated and swirled with a terrifying power, blowing apart the pieces of dirt and rock!

In the gust of wind, the dirt and rock burst violently in all directions!

At this time, with half of his head poked out from his hiding place and being enthralled by the fight, Thales suddenly heard an indistinguishable hoarse voice right next to his ear:

“Keep your head down."

There wasn’t even time for him to be surprised, Thales instinctively bowed his head.

"Rumble!"

Coming from the center of the battle, the bursting dirt and rock instantaneously swept over Thales’ head!

A few pieces of dirt and rock hit the side door of the shop behind Thales, the wooden panel of the door was struck with a sunken hole!

Thales looked at the door panel behind him, patting his chest in cold sweat, if he had just not bowed his head -

But when he hasn't reacted, and a slender yet valiant figure already appeared in his hiding place.

"You must go now, quickly."

Thales was a bit dumbfounded.

The Yara in front of his eyes was definitely not "alright" in any sense. At that moment, the original valiant female bartender looked tired and exhausted, her breaths got heavier, and her left arm was actually shaking slightly.

"He found my weakness. If I couldn't create an unceasing offensive, I can't beat him."

The bartender put her arm on Thales’ shoulder, revealing an ugly smile.

"If this continues, you will be discovered sooner or later. I will lead him away, then you will go alone!"

"Go down the lane at the left side of this street, cover your breath with the black cloth, immediately turn around and change your direction when you encounter any sound."

"The Brotherhood has not advanced too deeply. As long as you cross the center of Red Lane Street, there will be fewer and fewer people."

"Little imp, even if you are alone, you have to survive!"

Thales shockingly looked at the female bartender who suddenly bid farewell.

Until her figure leaped forward and faced the hurricane outside on the center of the street.

He unconsciously reached out, only to grab the mirage of her back.

Yara.

As the transmigrator was listening to the sound of fighting in the distance, the scenery of that night appeared again before his vision, the dog meat in the kitchen of the Sunset bar.

"Eat slowly please! Little imp, remember that this piece of dog meat is also my war spoil!"

"What’s wrong with being a bartender! I am Yara - a well-trained professional bartender!"

"I can't give you this dog leg! Your teeth can't bite it!"

Farewell.

Sister Yara.

Farewell.

YS.

Thales turned around and walked into the depths of Red Lane Street.

I must live - I still owe Yara a life debt.

The fighting sound behind him was getting farther and farther.

——————————————————

A chaotic battlefield.

Cohen was kneeling with his sword thrust into the ground and holding onto the wall by his left hand, coughing fierily.

The City Watch officer’s chest was bleeding.

His left rib was pierced, his lungs were damaged, and the wound almost spread to his heart.

Moreover, the enemy’s violent Termination force was still lingering in his wounds.

Even the Termination force which was Cohen's pride - "the Glory of Stars", cannot withstand it.

And his enemy - Cohen raised his head and looked at the swordsman in red and black clothing whose expression didn’t change one bit.

The left shoulder of the red black swordsman was pierced by the tip of Cohen’s sword and bleeding. There were also cuts on the left side of his chin and neck.

But it was far better than Cohen's situation.

At the moment when both swords were about to pierce each owners, the two men presented two completely different combat practices.

Cohen triggered a portion of ‘the Glory of Stars’, compress it into a "star shield" to protect his heart and deflect the sword that was heading toward his vital spot, then tried to thrust his sword forward with all the strength in his hand.

On the contrary, the red and black swordsman, regardless of the edge of the silver white blade was getting closer and closer to his throat, urged his sword even more calmly and more frantically through the opponent’s chest ribs.

Right after, using the instant when Cohen's sword trembled, he lowered his head to avoid getting his throat pieced and only left a few cuts on his chin and neck, then even let Cohen pierced his shoulder to send the sword in his hand deeper into the other’s flesh.

Now, it was clearly who’s the superior.

"You are a good swordsman." The red and black swordsman suddenly opened his mouth.

"Facing such a sword, many people would avoid its edge then find the chance to strike back."

"Yet you insisted on stabbing me till the end."

"As for the act of compressing a shield, it must be what the army taught you?"

Cohen coughed up a little blood, he laughed and said: "A veteran told me that on the battlefield, you must keep a life-saving trick for yourself - so you can live longer than the enemy and get hurt less than the enemy."

The red and black swordsman was silent for a while, then he also chuckled: "Then he must have never been in a Suicidal squad."

Cohen gasps then frowned: "In the Western Battlefield, the Suicidal Squad that charged toward the Savage Bones and the Orcs – you have been in it?"

The swordsman nodded:

"Three times."

"Which Corps?"

"Skull Corps, the 17th Suicidal Squad."

"Falkenhausen's Suicidal squad, three times? It seems that you offended some big shot."

"What about you, City Watch officer?"

"Raven Corps, the Second Assault Squad."

"’The Raven of Thunder'? The second Assault Squad? Tsk, no wonder why this Karajan name sounds so familiar, it seems that I got myself a nobleman here."

Cohen spit out a little blood and smiled bitterly:

"Actually, I always want to ask, is the Chaka brandy before the charge any good? My father hasn’t let me try it."

"Difficult to drink. That damn quartermaster, he wanted to deduct even alcohols for the dead."

"Really?"

"Yes."

The conversation between the two suddenly ended.

The red and black swordsman withdrew his fierce madness, while Cohen also withdrew the helplessness expression and gasping.

"Gaston Remer, member of the Skull Corps and the 17th Suicidal Squad, a sword and shield solider," he said. "This is my name. I am honored to fight you, Mr. City Watch officer."

"Cohen Karajan, member of the Raven Corps and the second Assault Squad, a field captain," the City Watch officer smirked. "I am honored to fight, eh, Mr… Thug… Gangster?"

Both of them looked at each other seriously and solemnly.

On the Cohen’s sword, ‘the Glory of Stars’ was flickering.

On the right arm of the red and black swordsman Gaston, the violent power surged while his blood vessels protruded.

The final strike to decide life and death - this is the moment belongs to the Termination swordsmen.

Glorious, sacred, never to be violated.

But the next moment, both of their expression changed abruptly!

Suddenly there was a scream of hurricane from the area next to them.

A slender and valiant figure, holding two knives, fell from the air on the street!

This distance should be enough.

The bartender gasped and looked at the two people, one kneeling, one standing.

Until she saw Cohen's clothes.

I hope that little imp can - hey? The Kingdom’s City Watch officer?

This is the war between two gangs, why there is a scoundrel here?

Cohen and Gaston also looked at her with astonishments.

Another gangster? Cohen thought, I hope she is not from Blood Bottle.

This woman, it seems that I have not heard of her from Master, Gaston thought to himself silently, is she the chess piece that came into the game from outside?

"You can't run! My little bartender."

With the screams of wind, along with a soft voice, Rolf appeared in the corner of the street. He also saw the two swordsmen.

"Gaston? You should be guarding our Master," Rolf frowned. "Why are you here, with a - scoundrel?"

Very good - Cohen thought, then turned to the female bartender, since this woman was the opponent of his own enemy, she shouldn’t be another Blood Bottle member.

"Concentrate on cleaning up your rat." The red and black swordsman Gaston said coldly, seemingly not wanting to talk much with Rolf, "And let I me do my job."

Gaston finished his speech and fiercely raised his sword against Cohen.

Cohen also slowly stood up, clenched his teeth, and guarded his chest with the silver sword.

Rolf pouted, the wind on his side continued to swell vibrantly.

Yara took a deep breath and kneeled down on one knee to adjust her angle.

All four understood the situation on the battlefield.

Two from the Blood Bottle, one from the Brotherhood, one scoundrel - oh, one City Watch officer.

After a blink of an eye, the four people moved!

Gaston's long sword flashed with a red light, ruthlessly chasing after Cohen’s heart!

Cohen's face turned pale, facing Gaston, his sword drew out a standard defensive ring!

Rolf's figure disappeared again, but there was the sound of wind rushing toward Yara!

Yara’s figure leaped up fiercely, her two knives slid open the air in the forward direction, but unexpectedly, she charged toward –

Cohen!

——————————————————

Thales gently and cautiously covered his face with the black cloth to hide his breath and ran away while bypassing two teams of thugs who were fighting to death.

In that crowd, a figure nearly two meters tall was very outstanding. Wherever his iron fists were, he red headscarf people of Blood Bottle went flying.

Probably a skilled fighter of the Brotherhood, don’t know if he’s from the 13 Great Generals or the Six Great Leaders.

Anyway, he can't be one of the three Legendary Assassins.

Thales just sneaked around.

This wasn’t his battle.

He wanted to escape.

For himself, for Yara.

And for the children of the sixth house.

Thales turned to a street, but then met another air barrier.

He didn’t know at the time that this was the renowned "air wall" among the rank of masters.

Having a bad mood, he smashed the barrier for a few time.

Damn that magus.

I have to make a detour again.

Hope that I won’t meet anyone.

Thinking of people, Thales couldn't help but think of the voice that just reminded him to "Keep your head down."

He thought it was Yara, after all, the later immediately appeared in front of him.

But then he realized that the voice could not be Yara.

It was an indistinguishable hoarse voice.

Just now, not only myself, Yara and Rolf.

That is the fourth person.

Thales’s scalp was tingling as he suddenly understood it, if the voice that just reminded him to bow was the presented fourth person.

So why didn’t Yara and Rolf discover anything?

It’s clear that Yara was the first to appear in front of Thales after the burst of the dirt and rock.

There is no doubt, Thales concluded, that his strength is more terrifying than Yara and Rolf.

However, since he isn’t hostile to me, why didn’t he help?

"Ouch!" Thales hit another invisible barrier.

He patted his head in annoyance.

These kind of devilish toys are showing up more and more like some rick folks tossing money!

Thales turned to a different direction and ran fast forward.

"Bang!"

It was actually another barrier!

This time, Thales couldn't stop his feet. He fell onto the ground and his left forehead slammed at the corner of the house next to him.

Rubbing his broken skull and raising his bleeding head, Thales looked ahead.

Something is not right.

This was a crossroad, although it was dark, but according to his memory, it was probably already close to the center of Red Lane Street.

Even the killing sounds were getting farther away.

Heading to the other three directions, Thales moved gently and reached out his hands.

Then, he touched two barriers in two directions not far away.

Thales' heart was shocked.

This truly had the thrills and self-suggestion of a horror film.

The transmigrator was silent for a while, then turned to the only direction without a barrier.

He quietly reached out, and sure enough, this time, he managed to walk for more than a dozen meters without any hindrance.

Yet Thales’ heart was getting more and more heavy.

I can’t believe it, I already travelled this far.

Alas.

Destiny, fate, you are really as deep as the blue sea.

He suddenly dropped the right hand on his forehead and let his blood dripped onto the ground.

The transmigrator decisively and resolutely walked a dozen steps on the empty street until he was near a house.

In the middle of the house, there was a huge two-panel wooden door.

Thales looked up saw a big signboard above the door. The illiterate transmigrator could only barely recognize a word, he knew it because he had been begging at the Black Gold Casino before.

That word was:

Chess.

Thales turned his head and looked at the other three directions, remembering the pain on his bleeding forehead.

Is there no other way to go?

"What an immodest invitation letter." Thales muttered.

But he still sighed and stopped hesitating. He pushed the half-covered door and walked into this gambling house in the center of the Red Lane Street.

The interior was dark with only a little light in the distance, looking like an old-fashioned candle.

This really shaped the atmosphere.

"Welcome to my amusement park, my little friend."

When walking pass each of the chess tables (and bumping into a lot of them), there was a pleasant and relaxing voice in Thales’ ears.

"Echidna Stern, at your service, or as my colleagues used to call me: the Magus of air."

After a long time.

Using the strength of a man who had lived two lives, Thales did his best to calm down the panic in his heart.

In the darkness in front of his eyes, the place where the only candlelight flicked slightly was the entrance to the cellar of the chess room.

Taking a deep breath, Thales walked down to the cellar, then stabilized his respiration and pressed the heart that was beating maniacally.

In front of him was a handsome man with dark-brown long hair, sitting at a long table and nodding to him with a smile.

"As for the issue of invitation letter, I will pay attention to it next time."

——————————————————

The Sunset Temple, inner altar.

The gray-haired middle-aged nobleman can't hide his excitement at this moment. In front of his eyes, the lamp on the altar that bears the future of the kingdom, its flame was getting bigger and bigger, as its color was getting redder.

He lifted the lamp and strode out of the temple’s altar.

The elder priestess behind him was shocked and reached out to stop him, but she immediately thought of something and her hands abruptly stop in midair.

The priestess sighed, she looked at the further and further away nobleman’s figure then sat down slowly.

After a long while, the elder priestess summoned the assistant Nina, who was still half-sleep.

"You go prepare for a bit, from tomorrow, open the inner altar."

End of chapter XIV – Next chapter: Echidna Stern