The Terminally Ill Young Master is the Mad Dog of the Underworld-Chapter 338

[Translator - Pot ]

[Proofreader - Kawaii ]

Chapter 338: Contempt and Jealousy

“We set sail.”

The next day, under the early morning sun, we boarded several swift ships and began our voyage toward Flanders.

There was no grand departure ceremony.

On the contrary, this was proceeding as a tight and covert military operation.

“In the first place, isn’t the very idea of throwing flowers on a path to kill or be killed a crazy thing to do?”

Ghir’s cynicism pointed out a very valid fact.

“Still, dividing our forces among several ships like this is quite a wise choice.”

Just as Siena said, we were sailing with only a few dozen people per swift ship, maintaining distance between each vessel.

This was not land, but the sea—a vast, open ocean. If a ship were to be sunk by a sudden ambush or a sea monster leaping from beneath the waves, we were at risk of being wiped out.

“Even if one ship is taken down, if the others are intact, it’s much easier to respond and conduct a rescue.”

Ulbhild said.

‘There is also a calculation in not designating a flagship and having it follow from the rear.’

If it was impossible to ambush or trap the leader, even a surprise attack would not be able to deal us a significant blow.

‘In any case, we are the ones invading the enemy's home base.’

We had to proceed with extreme caution in all matters.

“Still, for this much military power to be gathered at once, it’s truly unprecedented.”

Siena was right.

We had placed one 8th-tier or higher warrior on each ship.

In other words, a total of six ships were cutting through the waves, carrying myself, my father, Geninghen, Leszek, Verdzig, and Casimir.

“Five 8th-tiers and one 9th-tier. The only powers in the entire continent with this much strength are us and the Black Society.”

Above all, the mere existence of two transcendents, myself and the Dark King, in these two factions meant that there was no one on the continent who could dare to oppose us.

This was no exaggeration or empty boast.

After actually reaching the 9th-tier, I had immediately realized just how vast the gap was between me and other martial artists.

‘In the end, the winner of this fight becomes the hegemon of the continent.’

Whether they wanted to or not.

‘This is problematic. I have no interest in the path of the tyrant.’

In any case, it wasn’t something to think about right now. I cleared my mind and looked out at the increasingly rough sea.

“Choosing a route that isn’t used as a shipping lane was also a good strategy.”

Jeffrey made a surprisingly knowledgeable comment, so I retorted.

“What’s gotten into you? You’re actually saying something right for a change.”

“Despite appearances, I’m the most successful among my peers,” Jeffrey chuckled.

“I just have a knack for picking the right side. Won’t I be the future Duke of Grunewald’s closest aide?”

Of course, that was still a long way off. He was still at an age where he had to learn diligently under my father’s vassals before they retired.

‘Knut must become King of the Mountain People, Ghir must lead the Svaltalfar, and Zamuel has to manage the underworld.’

Considering that, with the exception of Rudgarda, most of them were my allies, but it was difficult to call them my vassals.

“By the way, Allen, what did the imperial envoy tell you?”

Ulbhild asked.

“I heard the history of the Empire, and the unrecorded stories of Exilos’s deeds.”

“I will tell you about them later.”

This was not the time for old stories.

We were in a situation where we had burned our bridges and were fighting with a cliff at our backs.

“I heard Brother Karl and Somerset remained in the duchy.”

Ulbhild said.

“If something happens to us, he is the only one who can take charge of the clan’s affairs.”

“I think so, too.”

If Verdzig and I were to die, Karl was indeed the only one next in line with the qualities to become the clan head.

Even if his martial talent wasn’t as outstanding as ours, he was a warrior and a nobleman who knew honor.

“But it’s a meaningless discussion. If we are defeated, everyone will become the Dark King’s slaves anyway.”

Ulbhild was right.

That was why I had no intention of dying at the Dark King’s hands. If I died, everything would collapse.

‘Be prepared for death, but resolve never to die.’

To be honest, preparing for death wasn't that difficult for me.

Ever since I began to live by the sword, I had always lived close to death.

That was why the resolution to not die, no matter what, was the more difficult one for me.

“I’m worried about the vanguard.”

The Elder of Strategy, Lorentius, was leading the vanguard, and the Intelligence Director Venion, along with the Special Operations Division Grand Commander, the Knighthood Grand Commander, and the Grand Commander of the Royal Guard, were all participating.

‘They, too, have prepared for death.’

If the Dark King were to appear there, none of them would be able to stand against him.

‘The Dark King I know is a bastard who’s too comfortable on his throne to move so rashly, but—’

If he had lost his mind over the Dragon Heart, it was a different story.

‘If that happens, I’ll fly over there at once.’

There was nothing to worry about. I now had the power to fly to the other side of the continent in an instant.

“Young Lord.”

As I was lost in thought, staring at the sea, Siena made a request.

“May I ask you for a sparring match?”

“Ah, of course.”

After settling things with me, Siena had been focusing on her revenge against Amilcar.

“……I will absolutely have my revenge on that man.”

Vengeance for the elder, Heinz Valkenhain, was an important matter for me as well.

The reason, of course, was—

‘He is the sworn enemy of my wife’s great-grand-uncle.’

* * *

“The Grunewald whelps are crossing the sea?”

The Dark King couldn't help but let out a dry laugh.

“They must have truly lost their minds. To dare to march against me.”

“It may be a calculation to set the battlefield here and minimize the damage to their own lands.”

Gulbark said.

“A meaningless, petty trick. As if I don’t intend to annihilate all of Grunewald anyway when I defeat them.”

The Dark King looked at Ivan.

“Can Allenvert truly defeat me? Do they really believe in that possibility?”

Ivan bowed his head respectfully and reported.

“In this subordinate’s eyes, the boy seemed to be on a level similar to Georg. Even if he was hiding his strength, I suspect he would be, at most, similar in skill to Leszek.”

“That alone is a talent the world has never seen. The word ‘unprecedented’ was made for such times.”

The Dark King nodded.

“But it is absolutely impossible to reach the 9th-tier just by being taught divine arts and supreme martial techniques.”

The Dark King himself knew that better than anyone.

The only possibility was—

‘If the brat consumed the Dragon Heart.’

But that was impossible.

To control that potent poison.

“My Lord, it seems they believe you have not yet reached the 9th-tier.”

Gulbark offered his own reasoning.

“If so, perhaps they calculate that they can somehow devise a plan to win… wouldn’t that be it?”

“How absurdly reckless.”

“When one’s options are limited, it is human nature to want to believe that the next-best choice is the best one.”

Their conclusion was rational.

Far more rational than worrying that Allenvert had crossed the 9th-tier wall in a mere two months.

“Amilcar.”

“Yes.”

“Go and greet them.”

“I accept your command.”

* * *

Amilcar, Knighthood Grand Commander of the Flanders Kingdom.

His was a martial renown that had once shone most brightly on this entire island.

But now, he was branded with the disgrace of being a lackey of the Black Society, a slave of the Dark King, and a traitor to his liege.

‘This was the path I chose, so I have no one to blame.’

If anyone else had been in his position, could they have made a different choice?

‘A knight is a being who changes contractors for a better price of loyalty.’

That was Amilcar’s interpretation of a knight’s essence.

Therefore, he had made a rational choice.

As a result, had he not reached the state that all martial artists desire?

‘……I was not wrong.’

If everything was going to be ruled by the Dark King anyway.

Then the best choice was to accept his rule early and earn merit.

‘Isn't that right, old man? You didn’t have to lose the martial arts you polished your entire life, the treasure your clan protected, at my hands.’

He thought of Heinz Valkenhain.

‘What did you gain from that? In the end, the Ebony Oath was taken, and you lost your own life.’

Every time he thought of Heinz Valkenhain, the wound he had received from him throbbed.

“Stupid fool. Idiot old man.”

Even as he spat out such curses, why did he not feel the superiority of a victor?

……It was because a corner of his heart felt that the old man’s end had been truly knightly and heroic.

That was why, even though he had obtained greater strength, even though he had the power to mock that death, he felt this sense of humiliation.

‘Why won't you submit?’

Therefore, his anger was directed not at his own pathetic self, but at ‘them,’ who made him feel ashamed.

‘Grunewald, and Valkenhain. You bastards will also, in the end, kneel before him and beg for your lives.’

A pentagram glowed ominously within Amilcar’s pupils.

‘At that time, I will gladly raise the executioner's sword and cut throats.’

……The name of that emotion was jealousy.

A base jealousy, wanting to drag them down to his own hideous and cowardly position as a slave.

“Sir! The enemy ships are in sight!”

Tearing through the sky, flying above the clouds, Amilcar’s aerial cavalry finally spotted the enemy vessels.

“Sir, that appears to be the vanguard led by Lorentius Grunewald.”

His adjutant, flying beside him, reported.

“Allenvert and Georg are not there.”

“They must be around here somewhere. How absurd.”

Grunewald was clearly taking an uncharted sea route.

But from this high in the sky, they would eventually find them, no matter where that route was.

“Should we attack them?”

“There is no need.”

Amilcar shook his head.

His orders were to check the enemy and to confirm Allenvert’s skill.

“Let us just give those fools a light greeting.”

Amilcar tore the scroll he had received from Ragerian.

Contained in the scroll was an attack order for the massive sea monsters lurking in the ocean depths.

Kieeeeeeeeh!

Soon, with a roar that began from the bottom of the sea, massive sea monsters, large enough to swallow a ship or two in one bite, revealed themselves.

“Wh-What is that!”

“Enemy attack!”

“Magic corps, and all swordsmen 6th-tier and above, to the front!”

Watching the chaos erupt in an instant, Amilcar gave his command.

“We will fly right past them.”

The difference in speed between a wyvern and a sailing ship was, naturally, so vast it was embarrassing to even compare.

“Our target is Allenvert.”

His gaze turned toward the endlessly stretching horizon.

‘Where are you, Allenvert?’

He needed a target on whom to pour out this contempt and jealousy.

[Translator - Pot ]

[Proofreader - Kawaii ]