The 9th Class Swordmaster: Blade of Truth-Chapter 320: The Platinum Dragons Lair (1)

“This is the place.”

After traversing the island, the group finally arrived at the entrance of the volcano without much trouble.

“For all the talk about this being a forbidden zone or a dragon’s sanctuary or whatever, it’s been pretty underwhelming,” Miliana remarked, licking her lips as if she was disappointed. She seemed as though she had already forgotten the fierce battle they had just fought.

“The monsters in the forest were probably scared off by the sight of the wyvern submitting to you. Or maybe they were intimidated by the way you crushed the Burguster,” Karyl said with a chuckle.

“Hmph. So they were nothing special after all,” Miliana replied, shrugging.

“We should be glad for that, as it made reaching this place much easier,” Aidan said, his voice heavy with fatigue after staying on high alert the entire time. The assassins from the Burning Darkness also showed signs of exhaustion.

“It’s funny how they’re the ones on edge while you and I are here in the lead,” Miliana remarked, half amused, half exasperated.

“The dragon’s sanctuary is that dangerous. The fact that they’re still holding up shows their skill. Could you make a small fire and boil some water for me?” Alteman pulled out a small vial from the many that hung inside his coat and handed it to Aidan.

“Drink this. It should help,” he went on.

“Mental strength ultimately comes from belief. If you have faith, fear fades. Had I brought my own men instead of Karyl’s Free Army, they would have been less of a hassle,” Miliana grumbled, still unimpressed.

“You’re mistaken. Miliana, you may not realize it because of your dragon mana, but the mana here is different from that on the continent,” Karyl explained, brushing his palm through the air. As he did, tiny white particles like salt clung to his hand before dissipating.

“What is this...?” Miliana asked.

“This is crystallized mana. For reasons unknown, the air here is thick with it. Beyond sheer physical strength, it would be difficult for anyone below the level of a Sword Expert to endure being here,” Karyl explained, brushing the particles off his hand.

“Hmph.”

“But that’s only the minimum requirement. The assassins of the Burning Darkness have been trained in mana resistance techniques at a young age. That’s the only reason they’re able to fight here,” Karyl continued.

“Indeed,” Alteman added. “It’s like breathing in the particles of an elemental stone that isn’t aligned with your own element. It’s far from an ideal environment.”

Hearing this, Miliana frowned slightly.

“So, they’re just a burden then? Why did we bring them along in the first place? I’m even more confused now,” she retorted, still dissatisfied.

Despite her complaints, Karyl only smiled slightly in response, saying nothing.

“Let’s take a short break.”

Crackle... Crackle...

The campfire flickered, sending ripples of heat shimmering upward. After taking Alteman’s restorative tonic, the Snakel assassins moved about more efficiently, and soon a decent meal had been prepared. It was then that everyone realized they hadn’t eaten anything since arriving on the island.

“Please, eat. Fortunately, thanks to our uneventful journey, we were able to prepare this,” said Aidan, handing a bowl to Miliana.

The clear broth gave off a rich aroma, and Miliana licked her lips, pleasantly surprised.

“Not bad for an assassin.”

“Us Burning Darkness live scattered across the continent during missions. So, despite being assassins, we also have members who handle intelligence and supplies. The Snakel unit has undergone all kinds of training, including survival skills,” Aidan explained.

“Hmm. It’s alright,” Miliana said casually as she tasted the broth, though it was evident she enjoyed it.

“I’m glad you like it.”

“But for cooking duty, a couple of people would’ve been enough,” she added, her sarcasm still in effect.

Aidan could only respond with a bitter smile.

“Karyl.”

Despite her words, Miliana had finished her bowl in no time and was halfway through her third serving when she waved Karyl over, who had just returned.

“Where did you go?” she asked.

“I was just scouting around the volcano. I found the entrance to the lair. Once we’re rested, we’ll move,” Karyl said.

“Did you find anything unusual?”

“As with any dragon’s lair, there’s a barrier. There seem to be alarm spells and trap magic too... but unfortunately, I couldn’t determine what exactly is in place. It’s beyond my current level," Karyl responded, shaking his head at Alteman’s question.

“It’s a Mixed Barrier only dragons can create. It’s called a Multi-Seal.”

With that, Allen appeared, his shadowy form taking shape.

“It was also a specialty of Pan Oman, one of the Seven Elders during the Magical Era,” Allen went on. “It’s like a puzzle with multiple elements, not something you can easily break. If you try to go in without disarming it, the Platinum Dragon will know right away.”

“So we can’t enter the lair?” Alteman asked.

“It’s not that you can’t, just that it’s extremely difficult. This one’s barrier is far more intricate and delicate than anything Pan Oman created. Plus, Karyl hasn’t reached the 7th Class yet, which makes it more challenging.” Alteman glanced at Karyl.

Although Karyl had advanced to the 6th Class, unlocking more of Allen’s repository, he had yet to master the full extent of a Great Sorcerer’s abilities.

“It’s not impossible,” Karyl said calmly. “Even if I can’t break the barrier entirely, I can identify the types of mana woven into it. Once I know the element, I can adjust my magic to match.”

“Adjust your mana?” Alteman frowned.

“Instead of breaking the barrier, he’ll alter his body to align with the barrier’s magic. It’s much easier than forcing through,” said Allen.

However, Alteman remained skeptical.

“Is that even possible?”

Humans, like elves and other races, were born with a single innate magical element, and changing that was thought to be impossible.

“If you possess the attribute of colorlessness, it is,” Karyl answered.

“Ah...” Alteman finally understood. “But only you and Miliana have colorless magic here.”

“That’s right.”

“...Then why bring the rest of us?”

Karyl smiled, knowing exactly what Alteman was getting at.

“I’ve never been here before, but I’ve heard stories,” Aidan said. “Though the island with the Platinum Dragon’s lair seems calm, every island in this chain is actually a den of monsters, all steeped in dragon mana.”

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“...?”

“Places where the air is this saturated with magic are incredibly rare. This is only the second time I’ve seen something like this,” Karyl explained, though Alteman still looked confused.

“Heh...” Allen, the one who had taught Karyl the colorless sword technique at the Gray Training Grounds, chuckled softly.

“And during that first time, I achieved a breakthrough,” Karyl continued.

“What does that have to do with anything now?” Miliana asked, clearly curious.

“This place is ideal for us to push our abilities to the next level. If we can fully tap into our potential here, our power on the continent will be doubled, no—tripled.”

Karyl glanced at Aidan and Zouk De Holde.

“I would have brought more people, but only those with a minimum level of resilience could handle this place. That’s why I chose you.”

The two flinched under Karyl’s gaze. They had already begun to feel just how vast the gap was between them and Karyl or Miliana in terms of strength.

“The assassins of the Burning Darkness are highly skilled in combat and exceptional survivors. Moreover, their resistance to magic is higher than most, giving them the best chance of survival.”

“Survival?” Aidan’s spine tingled at that word.

Karyl smiled, suggesting he had already devised some plan.

“Have you all rested enough?”

Boom―!!

At that moment, enormous monsters resembling orangutans burst through the underbrush in unison.

“Time for training,” Karyl announced calmly.

“Roaaarr...!”

“Reeeee...!!”

The monsters’ roars echoed from all around them.

“They’re easier to deal with than the Burgusters, but they’re at least three times as many, so be careful,” Karyl warned.

“Watch out!!”

Aidan and Zouk De Holde tossed their bowls aside, dodging the monsters’ sudden attacks.

“What is this...?!”

“Where did they come from all of a sudden?!”

Unfortunately, no one had the luxury to fully comprehend Karyl’s earlier explanation. In the midst of the chaos, Miliana shot him an incredulous look.

“You... Did you go scout the lair, or did you summon these monsters on purpose?”

“A bit of both,” Karyl admitted. “I figured if there were Burgusters here, there’d be other creatures too. I wanted to see how far the Platinum Dragon’s Tarak might extend. Luckily, I found some suitable ones. Also, since you wiped out a bunch earlier, they didn’t seem to see me as a threat. Once I killed a few, they rushed over in no time.”

“You’re insane,” Miliana muttered, quickly drawing her sword as the monsters attacked.

“Stop. You’re coming with me.”

“What?”

“I already told you the reason I brought them along. You’re right—we alone are enough to break through the Platinum Dragon’s lair. The others are here to use this place to elevate their skills.”

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Explosions echoed from all sides as the Snakel unit swiftly encircled the attacking monsters. Having already hunted the Burgusters, their movements were much smoother this time.

“And you heard Allen, didn’t you? Alteman, they’re your responsibility,” Karyl said, turning toward Alteman with a smile.

Alteman chuckled, shaking his head.

“You’ve really played me. So you brought me here as a support for them.”

“The odds were fifty-fifty. If you could pass the barrier at the lair, I would’ve reconsidered. But without dragon mana, it’s impossible. You can confirm it yourself if you like.”

“No need. You’re probably right. I’ll help them. Leaving them alone in a place like this would be too dangerous,” Alteman agreed with a nod.

“As the renowned mentor of the north, I’m counting on you to guide them well.”

“Hah...”

“They’ll be a key force in the war against the empire. A grand war doesn’t have to result in a massive bloodbath. I plan to use them to eliminate the enemy leadership.”

“So you brought them here to train? You’ve turned the dragon’s sacred sanctuary, the so-called forbidden zone, into a mere training ground? There’s no one like you,” Miliana sighed, half amused, half exasperated.

Karyl only responded with a faint smile.

***

“You’re truly ruthless.” Miliana shook her head, watching Karyl walk away calmly after throwing his subordinates into the middle of the monster horde. Despite her words, a smile of anticipation played on her lips.

“I’ve seen the assassins of the Burning Darkness during the war between the Three Kingdoms of Istria. They’re not bad, but it seems like they haven’t realized how much the world has changed outside the Eastern Land’s walls,” Karyl murmured.

In their past life, their abilities might have been sufficient for the continent, but now, thanks to Karyl’s influence, both Miliana’s dragon mana and the forces of the Free Army and the principality had grown in strength.

The Eastern Land, on the other hand, had remained at the same level as in the previous timeline, as proven by Simon Coden’s defeat against Aidan.

The war with the empire will start in a month or so. The best way to elevate the Burning Darkness in such a short time is through actual combat.

Karyl was satisfied—everything was unfolding exactly as he had planned.

“I’ll leave the Burning Darkness under Aidan’s command from now on. It’ll be good for them to coordinate now,” Karyl added. In his previous life, Aidan had led the empire’s intelligence organization, Astra. There was no one better suited to lead the Burning Darkness now.

“Honestly... I wonder if anyone can truly predict your plans,” Miliana mused with a smile as she looked ahead.

Wooong... Wooong...

They approached the mouth of a massive cave beneath the volcano, its entrance shimmering as though a glass barrier were in place. Miliana pressed her hands against the barrier, feeling a strange, sticky sensation, as though her hands were submerged in slime.

“The magic is strong. No one would notice this without dragon mana,” she commented, to which Karyl nodded.

Swoosh—

Finally...

As Karyl stepped through the entrance, his heart raced with excitement. He was now entering the Platinum Dragon’s lair, a place he had never reached in his past life.

“This is a maze,” Miliana remarked, taking in the sight of the lair’s interior.

“This is my first time in a dragon’s lair, but it feels oddly familiar... almost like a dungeon. I wonder if dragon lairs are just ancient dungeons?”

“Who knows? It’s unlikely, but if it were true, this would be the oldest dungeon, easily over a thousand years old.”

“A thousand-year-old dungeon... I suppose a dragon would make a fitting antagonist for this fairy tale,” Miliana remarked.

Rumble, rumble...

As they ventured deeper into the lair, the occasional tremor reverberated through the ground. Step by step, the outside sounds of battle faded away, leaving only the occasional rumbling from below. Eventually, even that disappeared, and Karyl stopped walking.

“Despite calling it a maze...”

Unlike her earlier hesitation, Miliana now moved with a peculiar confidence, her steps seemingly guided by the dragon mana within her.

The deeper they went into the cave, the more debris littered the ground, with the fine dust giving way to larger chunks

“That Platinum Dragon sure has a nasty hobby,” Miliana muttered.

As they moved further in, the chunks of debris started to resemble limbs, torsos, and other body parts. It quickly became clear that there were fragments of statues scattered on the ground.

Statue or not, the sight of severed limbs scattered around like dismembered bodies made Miliana frown. Strangely, most of the legs pointed inward, while the heads were facing the other way, as if the statues had fallen while attempting to flee.

“What is this? Broken statues left lying around like this... Is this some weird hobby, like how some nobles stuff monster corpses to use as decorations?”

Krrk—

Karyl lightly kicked a broken statue’s hand.

“No,” he said quietly.

With just a little force, the statue’s hand crumbled into dust, like a burnt bone.

“This... is a real person.”

Shatter—!!

As soon as Karyl had said that, they reached the end of the maze, where a vast chamber stretched out before them, almost resembling a cathedral.

Miliana’s eyes widened in shock at the sight.

“What... What is this?”

The walls were lined with countless coffins, making it seem as though they had stumbled upon a giant crypt.

“It means he experimented on us.”

“Experimented on what?”

“The potential of the species.”

Suddenly, fragments of the conversations from before they had left the north flashed through Karyl’s mind, coming together like pieces of a puzzle.

“At the very least, we know that he’s been planning this for a long time.”

“...”

And the evidence was right before their eyes.