Nyra observed the course of the battle with intense focus. Her gaze never left the trajectories of the swords moving through the air. She gained new understanding as she watched how the woman controlled the ice swords with such high precision and delicate command.
Her admiration for Elisvaria was filled with a strong sense of confidence.
Every time an ice sword moved, whether to attack or defend, flashes of comprehension surfaced in her mind. It was as if something was telling her that she only needed to do it like that. That the path she had been searching for all this time was actually right in front of her.
The tension pressing against her chest had been there for a while.
Not because of fear.
But because of a swordsman's instinct when new insight begins to form within the mind. The sensation made her body want to move immediately, to try, to prove the understanding she had just gained.
Nyra drew a slow breath, trying to calm the turbulence inside herself.
Lady Duke understands the obstacle I've been facing lately. That's why she asked me to watch her battle directly.
I've reached certain conclusions from the earlier clash between the ice swords and the aura swords.
My main problem is that the energy flow in my aura sword has always been unstable. Inefficient. Too wasteful.
Before this, I never realized it. I assumed the cause was simply that my realm was still too low. I was too fixated on increasing raw power, to the point that I considered energy control within the aura blade unimportant.
That way of thinking was wrong.
Now I'm starting to understand.
But understanding alone is not enough.
I still need her guidance.
Just like someone who knows all the ingredients and spices needed for cooking, without guidance from an expert it would take a very long time to perfect the dish.
Nyra then glanced backward.
Dozens of meters away, Sasuke stood motionless without moving. His figure looked relaxed, as if the battle ahead was not something that required concern.
Even though she had been briefly amazed by that man's fireball magic earlier, her irritation had not decreased at all.
Annoying...
Doesn't he have any intention of helping Lady Duke at all?
Isn't he basically accepting payment without doing anything?
Forget it. The more I think about it, the more irritated I become.
Nyra's gaze sharpened again toward the front. Her full focus returned to the battle in the air between Elisvaria and the white haired middle aged man.
Every sword collision that occurred became valuable learning for her.
She did not want to miss a single movement.
The same feeling was shared by the knights behind Nyra. The trajectory of every ice blade and aura sword clashing against each other gave them new insight. A new understanding of how sword techniques should flow naturally, precisely, and efficiently without wasting energy.
Although that enlightenment did not immediately increase their power realm, the combat quality of the knights who gained that understanding clearly improved compared to before.
Their energy control became more stable.
Their body movements felt lighter.
The coordination between aura and muscles became more aligned.
Small changes, but extremely meaningful for an Aura practitioner.
****
Troublesome.
The white haired middle aged man's mood churned. Various possibilities collided within his mind.
Although he had high confidence in his own sword technique, the Blizzard Storm Sword Technique displayed by the woman before him was a manifestation of speed, accuracy, and efficiency in every change of attack trajectory.
The speed of her slashes was already extremely high.
But what was more dangerous was the sudden acceleration when direction changes occurred mid trajectory.
That was not something easy to accomplish.
The man thought for a moment.
How strong are this woman's muscles and joints, exactly?
Controlling a sword style like that should place tremendous strain on the arms.
Aura could indeed strengthen cells and muscle tissue, but there were still clear limits. If used excessively, the body would experience overload.
Even Aura Grandmasters were not exempt.
Excessive reinforcement of body cells using aura could cause side effects such as temporary paralysis, muscle rigidity, or loss of movement coordination for several seconds.
Side effects like that were terrifying in a life and death battle.
He then looked toward Elisvaria's arm.
It appeared normal.
There were no signs of excessive tension.
No muscle tremors.
Sword capability that surpassed the limits of human muscles and joints.
He quickly dismissed the thought. This was not the time to analyze too deeply.
The rest was no longer important.
The man had already decided to give everything in this battle. At first, he accepted the mission because the completion reward was equal to a nation's annual budget.
But now his interest had begun to shift.
He drew a slow breath.
This will be my last mission.
On the other side, Elisvaria tightened her grip on the hilt of her sword. She studied the middle aged man more carefully. Suddenly, her memory surfaced with something she had seen several years ago.
A wanted poster.
The White Devil Butcher.
An assassin and mercenary who became infamous after slaughtering an entire noble family in a neighboring country. The news had once shaken the aristocratic territories and made the nobles of the Empire uneasy, worried that a similar incident might happen to them one day.
Elisvaria spoke.
"You are the White Devil Butcher?"
The middle aged man looked surprised.
"I'm surprised Duke Velmora recognizes this old man."
"Your title was quite famous in the Empire a few years ago."
"Ah. I see."
Elisvaria went straight to the core of the question that had been bothering her for the past few days.
"The assassination order against me. Did it come from the same organization?"
"Apologies, Duke. This old man cannot give you the answer you want."
"What about your life as compensation?"
The man chuckled softly.
Even though he was not certain he could defeat this woman, being underestimated directly still hurt his pride as a swordsman.
The strength he possessed now was not the result of anyone's charity.
Everything had been obtained through adaptation and growth in real battles.
His tone turned cold.
"You underestimate me, Duke."
"Think of it that way if you wish. But I am serious."
Elisvaria paused briefly.
The aura around her expanded, pressing into the surrounding space until the air within her range felt heavy.
"Killing you is not difficult."
"Hhhhhh! Do not underestimate this old man. Do you know how many necks were severed by my blade after they spoke those same words?"
"…!"
"Quite a lot. Even I can no longer remember the number."
"Does that matter? This is my final offer. In exchange for the information you provide, your life will be guaranteed."
The man's brows furrowed.
The aura pressure earlier had felt real.
He realized one thing.
This woman was truly serious.
"Hah… so the rumors about the ruler of the north being arrogant are true."
"I do not care about any rumors about me. Your choice?"
The man refused without hesitation. His gaze was firm, showing no intention of retreating.
"Betrayal is not this old man's talent. So Duke, let us fight with honor without underestimating each other. This old man apologizes for accepting a mission to kill you, but throughout my life that has been my purpose. It is not a choice I could avoid."
Hearing that answer, Elisvaria fell silent for a moment.
There was no response.
No change in expression.
A brief stillness formed between them in the cold air.
The man then drew a long breath. His grip on his sword tightened further. His gaze shifted downward, looking at the dozens of men lying miserably across the snow.
Some were still moving.
Some groaned softly.
But all of them were still alive.
His eyes then moved to the steel sword in his own hand.
I'm tired.
The thought appeared without restraint.
Maybe it's time.
Living this long without you feels empty. I filled that emptiness for decades with anger and revenge.
Killing.
And continuing to kill.
Until I almost forgot who I really was.
I almost forgot my original purpose.
Mireth.
I hated myself for my weakness back then. My helplessness in protecting you and our child nearly drove me insane.
How am I supposed to face you later?
"My husband.
I love you.
Whatever you do, I cherish you.
Protect our daughter.
Remember.
Do not follow me too quickly."
Those words from you kept me alive for years.
Until I finally lost our daughter too.
The promise I gave you… I could not keep it.
I'm sorry.
All the gold I earned in this life actually means nothing. But I'm grateful that at least it could help others, just like your wish to protect and care for children without parents.
But the emptiness inside me is still there.
Growing tighter over time.
Without your presence.
Without our daughter.
There is nothing left for me in this world.
I'm sorry.
Mirella… father misses you.
Father prays every day that you are still alive somewhere unknown.
The thoughts were cut off.
"Very well. I respect your choice. As you wish, I will not hold back."
The woman's voice in front of him sounded clearly.
He lifted his gaze again, looking straight at Elisvaria.
"I have one request. Perhaps it is excessive, but I will pay an appropriate price."
"What is it?"
"My three subordinates. Can you let them live, like the others?"
The man pointed toward the dozens of people below.
Some bodies were still moving weakly on the snow.
Some tried to rise but failed.
Some simply lay there enduring the pain.
Elisvaria did not answer immediately.
She would certainly not accept someone's request without knowing the true content and the offered compensation. Especially when the person negotiating with her was an enemy who had come to kill her.
Her gaze remained calm.
"The price for your request?"
"Take this!"
The middle aged man threw a small box toward Elisvaria.
The box spun in the air before stopping right in front of her, suspended by delicate aura control. Elisvaria caught it without touching directly, then opened it.
Inside was a golden key and an old parchment bearing an official seal.
A property ownership certificate.
Her eyes moved quickly across the top of the document.
Kingdom of Nordveil.
A neutral nation bordering directly with the Valdoria Empire.
That territory was famous as a place where various hidden interests met without interference from any state.
The man's voice sounded again.
"What you seek is in that house."
Elisvaria lifted her gaze slightly.
"Hmm. Earlier you said you would not betray your organization."
The white haired man let out a long breath. His face showed exhaustion, but his eyes remained steady.
"That is different, Duke. I obtained that information before accepting this mission. And I am not betraying them. I have not said anything about the organization."
The explanation was logical.
There were no forced gaps.
Elisvaria gave a short nod. Cold air flowed from her palm, freezing the box within a transparent layer of ice before making it float high above her head, safe from any interference.
"Very well. I accept your offer."
"You trust it that easily?"
He chuckled softly. Her gaze locked onto the man before her.
"I have a talent for judging whether someone is lying to me."
"Remarkable talent."
The man did not continue the conversation. Instead, aura began flowing toward his throat. Subtle energy vibrations spread outward in waves that ordinary people could not hear.
A telepathic message.
(You three, leave now. Do not look back. Live freely.)
The three individuals immediately froze in shock. Their bodies stiffened.
One responded quickly.
(Leader? What do you mean?)
(I do not have time to explain. Leave before I change my mind. Do you remember the place we visited two months ago? I left something there for you.)
Emotional tremors began to appear in the next response.
(But leader… what about you?)
The tone clearly carried refusal.
The middle aged man increased the pressure of his aura.
(Why are you so worried about me? Did you not hear? Go!!!)
(…!)
The three fell silent for a moment.
But the man was not finished. He emphasized one more thing, deeper and firmer.
(If you respect me, leave quickly. Do not look back. As I said, live the way you want. Chase what you desire most. Stay safe.)
There was a pause.
Then a reply came with emotion that was difficult to hide.
(Alright… leader. Thank you. I will repay all the kindness you have given us.)
(Just pray for me. Go!)
(Understood!)
The three did not hesitate anymore.
Their bodies moved away from the battlefield as fast as possible.
No one looked back.
No one stopped.
The decision felt like a final farewell.
In the air, Elisvaria watched everything without interfering.
Her gaze remained calm.
And it was difficult to read what she was truly thinking.