The Terminally Ill Young Master is the Mad Dog of the Underworld-Chapter 342

[Translator - Pot ]

[Proofreader - Kawaii ]

Chapter 342: In Any Case, the Surprise Attack Was a Success

After sharing a brief joke, we discussed the direction for the upcoming landing operation.

“In the end, it all depends on when the Dark King decides to make his move.”

My father nodded at Verdzig’s words.

“If the Dark King doesn't step in, there is no reason for us to be pushed back.”

“That’s right.”

Of course, if we were to fight an all-out war, our small, elite force would have no chance of winning.

But when comparing only the quality and quantity of our top-tier combatants, the two sides were evenly matched.

‘If they have five 8th-tier superhumans, including Gulbark.’

On our side, we have the elders Geninghen and Leszek, as well as my father, Casimir, and Verdzig.

We were equal in number.

Furthermore, although Gulbark is strong, if Leszek steps in, it will likely be difficult for either to defeat the other.

‘And Geninghen’s power was said to be decisively superior to their necromancer.’

In addition to this, even if Amilcar returns with his severed arm perfectly reattached, he should be considered an equal match for my father.

‘In that case, Casimir can take Ivan, and Verdzig can handle the Sercadis.’

Of course, a battle isn't likely to proceed as honorably as a knights' tournament, but that was the assessment.

“The fight between the top masters is evenly matched.”

It seemed my father had reached the same conclusion.

“Besides them, if we add the Intelligence Director, the Special Operations Division Grand Commander, the Grand Commander of the Royal Guard, and the Knighthood Grand Commander, we won't be pushed back significantly in the battle of 7th-tier masters either.”

“Correct.”

I said.

“The presence of Sister Ulbhild, Zamuel, Lady Sienna, Brother Knut, Rudgarda, and Ghir is also reassuring.”

“Hearing it all laid out, this must be the greatest fighting force in Grunewald's history.”

Geninghen grinned.

“That’s right. Above all, don't you have me?”

“Oh, how great you are.”

Geninghen clicked his tongue, and Leszek said with a calm face.

“If the Dark King does not appear immediately, there is no need for Allenvert to step to the front lines either. Be careful not to expend too much energy.”

“Or, it would be fine to hide my strength appropriately and wait as a reserve, joining in at the decisive moment. It’s the perfect opportunity if we can significantly cut down the enemy’s forces.”

It is not the way of the battlefield to refrain from tearing into an enemy’s opening.

Moreover, that opening was obtained through my wholehearted acting, strategy, and tactics, so it was truly a just reward.

‘That bastard is always the type to just lurk in the back with his arms crossed.’

He would intervene when the situation seemed disadvantageous, just as he did during the attack on Grunewald.

I couldn't exactly blame him for being stupid or complacent.

On the premise that the Dark King had reached the state of a Demon God and I had not, the existence of the Dark King alone was enough to drag everyone to hell.

“But this is all an assumption that is advantageous only to us. We must, of course, consider the worst-case scenario.”

My father brought the conversation back to the center and threw out a different topic.

“Even if he doesn't believe Allen has reached the 9th-tier, he might intervene immediately upon seeing the situation unfold.”

“The Clan Head is right about that. Looking back, in the previous battle, he stepped in as soon as we weren't easily pushed back. He may be careless at first, but his assessment of the situation won't be that slow.”

Verdzig, true to his nature, added a strategist’s perspective.

“Or, he might force a war of attrition by sending in all his sea monsters, undead, and the main army of Flanders.”

“True. Gulbark is a man who knows military strategy, so there is a high possibility he will come out that way.”

But, as with all things in the world, we would only know when the situation was upon us whether the Dark King, having reached the state of a Demon God, would act insidiously as before, or step forward immediately, seeing no need for games.

“In the end, we must decide on our tactics and prepare ourselves so that we are not flustered, no matter how they respond.”

“Correct. After that, it’s a battle of strength against strength.”

My father stood up.

“But an enemy surprise attack could come at a time like this, so let's be especially careful. I will stand watch tonight. To protect the entire fleet and expand our senses, we must take the lead.”

At that, Geninghen also raised his hand.

“Then I’ll take tomorrow. The old don't sleep much anyway.”

Verdzig, reading the room, raised his hand.

“I will take the third day. We’ll arrive on the fourth day anyway, so it would be best to let Allen get a good night's sleep.”

“Let’s do that.”

“……”

I blinked.

“I feel like a bad guy who’s sleeping soundly while his elders stand watch.”

“That is the truth, without distortion.”

My father nodded.

* * *

“Hmm.”

I opened my eyes, which I had kept closed.

‘I can’t sleep.’

My eyes were bizarrely wide awake.

My eyes, adjusted to the dark, could trace every flaw and wood grain on the ceiling with just a single ray of moonlight streaming in.

‘Hmm. Might as well get some fresh air.’

I left the cabin and looked out at the deck.

The anchored ship swayed in the waves, and the furled mast stretched high like a world-tree looking down on the night's world.

With a light leap, I landed on the crow's nest at the top of the mast.

“Boss?”

“Ah, it’s you.”

Surprisingly, Zizek and Nagan were standing watch.

The need for a watch itself wasn't surprising.

Even though my father was awake, it was natural to post separate lookouts on each ship. What surprised me was...

“You've gotten quite strong. Strong enough to stand watch.”

“It’s more like, this is the least I can do.”

Zizek scratched his head.

“When the final battle begins, there will be almost nothing I can do.”

“That’s not true. You're a man who trained under me, Zamuel, and Brother Knut.”

The skill of a 5th-tier is by no means low. The man just lacked time.

“Nagan. You’ve also endured a lot. To think you’d follow us this far.”

“I received the grace of avenging my godfather, so it is only natural.”

Nagan’s reply was just what you'd expect from a former soldier.

“Well, since we’re here, shall we talk about old times?”

We squeezed into the narrow space and looked out at the night sea.

“It's quite different from the sea we saw from the port. Don't you think?”

“It is. I lived as an underworld bladesman, but I often talked with the sailors.”

Zizek replied.

“A black space with nothing but us. A narrow ship with nowhere to run. In an environment where you have to rely only on the moon and stars, I can see how they’d become sensitive and rough. Since there was nothing they could do on their own, they had no choice but to rely on superstitions.”

“True. Faith and superstition are like last-ditch efforts made by humans in the face of a power they cannot resist.”

“……Just like the Black Society bastards, ruled by that man called the Dark King?”

Zizek clicked his tongue.

“It’s amazing, to the point of being terrifying, how he can completely control even the lowest-ranking members through fear.”

“It’s something even the most elite army cannot do. That's why they are such a bizarre and strange group.”

The evil that had been passed down from Exilos, and now through the Black Society.

The Dark King was undoubtedly the culmination of all that evil.

‘Vicious, heartless, strong, and a being who simply reigns.’

Just as a human raises and rules over ants, the Dark King might think of himself as a god who rules over humans.

‘Son of a bitch.’

It was a cruel irony that the man who would bring down the hammer on that arrogance was an orphan who grew strong wandering the underworld, a reincarnator who had died at his hands and was born again.

‘Even if you are still stronger than me.’

I was confident that I would win in the end.

‘It’s been a tough, tangled fate. For you, and for me.’

I had obtained power that would be enough to call myself a god.

Even the legendary beings of myth, and the dragons said to be the lords of all creation, would have to bow their heads before me now.

‘The Dark King, who has become the strongest in all of history.’

But I, who had stolen and eaten the Dragon Heart, preventing his complete transcendence and rising to his level.

‘If the will of the world, or fate, exists.’

Is it the correct path for me to stop you, or is my defeat the set future?

‘I don't know.’

Whatever the set future may be, I will simply do what I can.

“Boss, the wind is cold. Please go inside and sleep.”

As soon as I heard those words, I felt the tension that had been stretched taut go limp.

“Hwaaaaaam.”

After a long yawn, I realized that I hadn't been able to sleep because my nerves were on edge.

“Tch.”

Smacking my lips, I instantly felt like a lazy good-for-nothing and pointed at Zizek.

“Don't fall asleep and stand your watch properly. I’m going.”

“I was standing watch just fine, why are you nagging me?”

“Shut up.”

* * *

The calm before the storm was over. At the end of our voyage, we faced a coastal fortress built at a vast harbor.

“Wow, they’ve really prepared well.”

Geninghen whistled.

Mage corps, massive sea monsters blocking the coast, and soldiers in dense formations, ready to encircle the enemy on multiple layers as they entered.

As if they knew exactly where we would arrive, everyone was fully prepared.

“Gulbark is standing over there.”

In a command post set up on a high hill overlooking the harbor and sea, the giant Gulbark stood, putting on an air of great importance.

“Does he intend to fight us here?”

“This is developing faster than expected.”

I nodded at my father’s and Verdzig’s words.

“It seems they don't want to create a troublesome situation by letting us onto their land.”

“Hmm, but it seems the Dark King won't be coming out right away.”

My father said.

“But I can feel his presence.”

True.

“Allen, step forward and say a few words.”

A single speech to signal the start of the war.

That was the privilege of the de facto leader.

“Understood.”

I pondered the coolest way to do it, then just spread my Black Wings and flew up, scattering the auras of the Eternal Ocean Chain Technique, the Silent Night Soul-Soaking Divine Art, the Ink Soul Sacred Shadow Technique, and the Limitless Heaven-Defying Art around me like paint.

Whoooooosh!

A stupid-looking but cool four-colored aura enveloped me.

“Quite the reception. For a bunch of Flanders hicks, you sure know your manners.”

The sharp, glittering blades and spears reflected the sunlight, making it quite dazzling.

“I have arrived. It is I, the future head of Grunewald, the strongest, most handsome genius swordsman in history, Lord Allenvert. You’ve gathered in droves, swarming like ants.”

At that, a massive Nepherus, perhaps hungry, opened its mouth and lunged at me.

“Fuck, you scared me.”

With a motion like swatting a fly, I swung my sword and split the Nepherus’s body vertically.

Pshwaaaaaak!

Its body, split in half, rained blood and guts as it crashed into the sea, creating a massive and bloody splash.

Swaaaaaaa.

This was a beast I had once struggled immensely to kill.

But now, even an individual three times its size, probably one of the strongest in the Nepherus race, couldn't withstand a single swing of my sword.

“Fucking clinging to me. Where was I?”

“……”

Did I look like an easy target because I was clowning around? Insolent snake bastard.

If so, you are welcome.

‘These naive fools. How dare they let their guard down in front of me.’

Using the pure black flame power from the Limitless Heaven-Defying Art, I combined it with various martial arts, mind arts, and dark mana to instantly create a giant Black Flame Dragon.

“KRRRAAAAAAAAAAAR!”

A really fucking strong black dragon roared.

“Are you here for a picnic? When the enemy general comes out alone and starts babbling, you’re supposed to shoot an arrow or something, not just stand there gawking.”

I raised my finger, pointed at the enemy camp, and commanded.

“Black Flame Dragon, burn them all.”

KWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANG!

As if the sun itself had fallen to the earth.

A great inferno swept through the enemy lines.

“Surprise attack successful.”

In any case, it was a surprise attack.

[Translator - Pot ]

[Proofreader - Kawaii ]