The 9th Class Swordmaster: Blade of Truth-Chapter 433: Night of the Red Moon

“Everyone, finish up your training! No one is to step outside after the moon rises!”

“Understood!”

“Yes, sir!”

The forces of the capital were moving swiftly. At a glance, the various units seemed to act freely, but anyone familiar with strategy could see that they moved in perfect coordination within a larger framework.

True to the name of the Free Army, soldiers from the north and south alike—and even former imperial forces—had gathered here, forming a command structure unlike anything they were used to.

To unify them, Anthem had adapted his unique Formless Formation into a new strategy.

“What do you think?” Anthem asked Dushala, who was shouting orders to the soldiers.

“I don’t know much about this kind of strategy, but I’m impressed. It might look like everyone is moving freely in dozens of different directions, like water flowing through pebbles, but they’re all rotating around a single point. And if they disperse, new focal points form within each group, creating small whirlpools, so to speak.”

She pointed to an empty spot.

“That position would probably be reserved for our lord, but he’s arranged it so the troops can operate independently if he’s not present.”

The strength of the Formless Formation lay in its lack of a rigid structure. While it maintained a powerful central focal point, the surrounding forces could adapt and shift fluidly. However, this also meant that the formation couldn’t reach its full potential without Karyl, the focal point.

After returning to the capital, Anthem Howard had worked tirelessly to refine the Formless Formation. Over time, he had developed a new tactical system in which each unit served as an independent focal point, capable of operating autonomously and able to unleash a stronger force when combined.

He named this new strategy the Decaying Formless Formation.

“You say you’re not good with strategy, and yet you’ve managed to grasp the essence of the formation with just a glance.”

Anthem was properly impressed by Dushala’s keen insight. Indeed, as a native of the Eastern Land and a member of the Burning Darkness, she had a remarkable eye for formations.

“Lord Karyl warned that the Night of the Red Moon marks the emergence of the Second Calamity, and the third one will emerge on the Night of the Blood Moon.”

“Will there actually be a red moon?”

“Ha, wouldn’t it be nice to at least have that bit of romanticism? Lord Karyl said the world would be covered in blood on the first day, and on the second, it would be littered with bloodless corpses. Thousands would die, just in two different ways.”

At that, Anthem swallowed dry and brushed his hand across his neck.

“...Either way, it’s going to be a night painted with tears of blood.”

“And it’s only one day away...”

“How does Lord Karyl know about this?”

Dushala merely shrugged. “He seems to know all sorts of things that we wouldn’t even conceive.”

She recalled her first encounter with Karyl, when he casually showed her the Mana Ship hidden in the secret cove of Tatur. She didn’t even question it.

“In any case, what matters is that Lord Karyl is building a better future for all of us. He’s always fighting alone, striving to achieve that goal. We ourselves should try our best not to hold him back.”

“Indeed.”

Anthem hadn’t forgotten how Karyl had saved him when the principality was on the brink of collapse.

“He will prevail this time as well.”

“Nine more to go, huh...” Anthem sighed wearily, wondering if humanity could resist all the calamities still to come.”

“I’d rather not do this nine more times, you know?”

“...?!”

“Ah...!”

Both Anthem and Dushala turned, startled by the voice behind them.

“Lord Karyl”

“You’re here!”

They promptly bowed in greeting to Karyl.

“Uh, who...?”

Hawat, who was standing behind Karyl, scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, unsure of how to introduce himself.

“Toska.”

But Karyl merely tapped the head of the massive Bone Dragon he was riding.

“You all know him, right? Toska, the Golden Dragon, also known as the progenitor of all dragons.”

“...What?!”

“Golden Dragon...?”

The two stared at Karyl, mouths agape, while Hawat cleared his throat awkwardly.

Clang...! Thud!

Without further explanation, Karyl tossed a large bag at their feet. The contents spilled out—sacred relics radiating a pure white light.

“These are holy artifacts from the Church. Summon Calypson immediately and have him melt these down to create what I’ve instructed. The details are written here.”

Karyl pulled a small parchment from his robe and handed it to Dushala.

“The Church, you say...?” Anthem murmured.

“Of course. I reckon the Church ought to step up and help when the world is on the brink of ruin. The combat priests will join us shortly. We need their power to stop the Second Calamity.”

“But...”

Dushala and Anthem were about to question Karyl, but paused, exchanging glances. Naturally, they were skeptical as to how useful the power of priests could be to someone who defied the very god they served.

“Divine Power is effective against Tarak. Those creatures are not the gods’ creation. The gods merely scattered it across the continent.”

“That’s true... Yula commanded us to purify the Tarak.”

“The problem is that they don’t care what happens to humans. They only care about the eradication of the Tarak.”

“You can’t view gods through a human lens. They exist on an entirely different plane, one far beyond our comprehension.”

“I can.”

Everyone turned toward the direction of the voice, only to see Hawat frantically waving his hands, signaling it wasn’t him.

“Good to see you again. We’ve met before, right? I’m Yurin Huygar.”

The priest popped his head out from behind the giant. Although his greeting was rather warm, it only managed to draw a scowl from Dushala.

“A god’s perspective? Whatever grand intentions they might have, it sounds like they're sitting on their asses telling us to die for it.”

“Imagine an ant simply living in its home, only for humans to suddenly start a war above it. Crushed underfoot, the insignificant insect dies, and humans don’t give it a second’s thought. The difference is in perspective,” Yurin explained, tapping his finger on the Infernal Hammer strapped to his back.

“We’ll hunt the Tarak with Divine Power,” he went on. “After all, that’s what Yula wants."

“So, we’re supposed to quietly follow her commands and die? You really are a priest, seeing humans as mere ants to your god.”

“Not at all.”

Yurin gave a faint smirk.

“You think ants want to be crushed to death? I don’t want to die either, which is why I’m here to fight.”

“And if Yula commands you to die? What then? Would you obey your god?”

“No. I’d kill her,” he said flatly, shrugging. “I told you, I don’t want to die. Killing the one trying to take my life, even if that someone is a god... I think Yula would understand and forgive that. Don’t you?”

“That’s insane, but I like it.”

Dushala nodded slightly, unexpectedly satisfied with Yurin’s brazen response.

“Can’t argue with that.”

“Huh, I bet this guy became a priest just so he could fight. You can count on him to go berserk and wreak havoc on the battlefield.”

“And this is Hawat,” Karyl introduced. “Anthem, he’ll be joining the battlefield starting with this Calamity. Find him some suitable armor, will you? The weapon Calypson is making will also be his, but it’s going to take some time, so prepare a temporary one for him as well.”

“Armor that would suit him... I’m not sure if we have any, but I’ll see what I can find.”

“Don’t bother with the storage.”

“Huh?”

“Tell Wingel Hart to modify the armor used by the small golems so it fits Hawat.”

“Understood,” Anthem responded with a slightly sheepish expression, realizing his oversight.

“Is he one of the Ten?” he asked. “I thought you intended to bring in one more person?”

“The last member is still recovering but will join us soon. No need to worry.”

“Yes, sir.”

“With everyone gathered, I won’t just sit back and take it. Simply withstanding the Calamities won’t solve anything.”

“Exactly. Even with an impenetrable shield, you can’t defeat the enemy without striking back.”

“We’ll launch an assault on Pharel as soon as we deal with the Third Tarak. I assume you know what that means?”

Anthem and Dushala nodded firmly.

“It means we have to stop the next Calamites at all costs.”

“With minimal casualties.”

“Good.”

The two turned their tense gazes toward the tower looming ominously in the distance.

“Gather everyone. We’ll proceed to devise the strategy to stop the Second Tarak.”

***

“You’re here.”

“A strategy meeting the day before the Calamity strikes... Don’t you think you’re cutting it really close, given that humanity’s fate is at stake?”

“Huh, and here I thought you were eager to see me,” Karyl quipped, flashing Aidan a smirk. “I’ve already instructed Anthem on the essential preparations. Now, I need to see if you carried out my orders properly.”

“Of course. The Snakel and the Burning Darkness are already in position. I’m the only one left in the capital to fight alongside you.”

Karyl nodded and swept his gaze across the room. Those assembled under his command were visibly tense.

“The rest of the key knights have been deployed with their forces to critical positions. Only the ones you specifically mentioned remain here in the capital,” Aidan continued.

Among them were Aidan himself, Suan Hazer, Israphil, Serica Lauren, Kay Rothschild, and Hawat.

“As you all know, each of you is one of the Ten I’ve chosen to fight against Yula. The others who are training in the Thousand-Year Ice Cave are meant to hold the line during our assault on Pharel. I kept you guys here because I thought you were strong enough for this moment.”

Hawat swallowed nervously at Karyl’s words.

“I reckon some of you are apprehensive, scared even. That’s okay. This may be your first battlefield, or perhaps you’re unfamiliar with combat. But I have no doubt that each of you is capable of stopping the Second Calamity alongside me.”

Swish...!

With that, Karyl unfurled a map and pointed to the waterway running through the center of the capital. His finger traced its path southward to its terminus at the Fonein River.

“Everyone here should be well aware of the Fonein River that runs across the continent. This Calamity will begin there. The creatures will emerge from the river and spread across the land. Their numbers will reach into the thousands, if not tens of thousands. And because they’re filled with poison, any land they die on will be left contaminated.”

“Tens of thousands...” Israphel murmured in astonishment. “Can we really stop such a massive force? No, sorry... I mean, how do we stop them?”

Israphil quickly covered his mouth, embarrassed by his own question. Even the slightest hint of doubt before a battle could have profound repercussions. However, none of the others in the room seemed unsettled by his momentary lapse.

“Give us the strategy.”

“Although we’re few in numbers, we must defend the entire continent. Our priority is to sever Hekqet’s central forces around the Fonein River. Each of you will take command of the forces at specific locations I’ll outline. Although you’ll be fighting independently, coordinate your movements based on Israphil’s communications.”

“So this was the reason for practicing the Decaying Formless Formation,” someone noted.

“Exactly. But it’s a shame Miliana and Serga are not here. Has there been no word from them?”

Anthem nodded at Karyl’s question. “No response yet, but they’ll come.”

Just then, a voice interrupted, “Who said I’d be late? I hope you’re not discussing battle plans without Digon.”

“...Miliana?”

As the hall doors opened, Karyl stifled a laugh at the sight of Miliana. She was in rough shape, with reddish scales encircling her wrists and ankles like bands.

“It’s always something new with you. You’re becoming less human each time I see you,” he observed.

“Well, with my draconic mana and elven blood, I reckon I’ll age better than you. Don’t worry. In a few years, I’ll probably be your match. And these scales? I’m showing them off. They’re proof of my strength, after all.”

Dushala frowned slightly at her words, while Aidan gave a sly grin.

“So about Serga...”

“Everyone knows dragons stand at the peak of magic,” Miliana replied with a smirk. “And who stands above the dragons now?”

Proudly lifting her chin, she declared, “Me.”

Karyl chuckled, amused by her boldness.

“Knowing you’d need him, I sent the dragons to fetch Serga the moment I finished training with them. They’ll drag him here by force if they have to.”

While Karyl simply nodded, the others were visibly taken aback. They almost couldn’t believe she had completed her training with the dragons in such a short amount of time.”

“How fitting for the Dragon Empress,” Karyl remarked, gazing out the window with satisfaction.

“Dawn is almost upon us, Darryl Harian,” he went on.

“Yes,” came the reply.

“Make sure to write about what happens tonight. Future generations will remember this as the Night of the Red Moon, when the entire world was stained in blood.”

Srrng—

He drew his sword.

“Stained in their blood, not ours.”