Heavenly Inquisition Sword

Episode 1152. Immortal Shield Shastra Hednar

Count Steven Aethos looked at Viscount Elio Lagoa suspiciously.

When you carefully open it, you can feel the aura that is said to be inferior to mana.

‘Is this the sword master’s joke?’

But that thought didn’t last long.

It’s not even a joke, because Count Larva Omar’s attitude is so polite.

Besides, his spirit was extraordinary even at a glance.

Of course, that didn’t mean that the Sword Master’s words were believed.

“I don’t know why, but since His Excellency said so, I believe it.”

As a result, I said I would believe it, but what I said at the beginning was sincere.

Elio pretended not to hear, and Count Larva Omar laughed it off.

The atmosphere of Count Aethos, who was in despair, began to revive little by little.

It was only natural that the sword master participated in the county’s territory war.

After the death of Viscount Fides Martello, the road to the outside world was also opened, and the county of Aetos regained its former vitality.

Count Aetos’ army set up a temporary guard post on the road leading to Count Escudo’s family and monitored the movements of Count Escudo’s family.

Meanwhile, the county of Escudo lifted the blockade on the county of Aetos and withdrew its troops.

It was because it was judged that the blockade operation was impossible as long as the sword master in the north joined the army of Count Aethos.

Sporadic attacks against the army of Count Aethos also ceased.

Thanks to this, the border between the two territories regained the peace it had before the territorial war broke out, but everyone knew that it was the calm before the storm.

***

After 6 days.

Florence, Countess of Escudo.

Count Escudo.

around noon.

Nine horses stopped at the front gate of Count Escudo.

Eventually, the knight in the lead looked down at the guards with a dismayed face and said.

“Open the door! Your Excellency, Marquis of Shastra Hednar.”

Surprised, the guards did not dare to ask back and hurriedly opened the gate.

The nine knights entered the county without getting off their horses.

Baron Silas Runo, the butler of Count Escudo, spotted a group of knights crossing the yard and ran out in a huff.

Unless you are a high-ranking noble, you cannot enter the mansion by horse or carriage.

Originally, the guards give information about the guests to the mansion, but there are times when impatient VIPs like now come to the front of the mansion first.

In that case, the butler must figure out the identity of the guests and respond appropriately.

Naturally, Baron Silas Runo was memorizing the patterns of the neighboring duchy.

The heater shield elaborately drawn on the flag with a flag bearer is the pattern of the Marquis of Hednar.

It was the sword master Marquis Shastra Hednar and his knights.

“welcome. I am the butler, Baron Silas Luno. I will take you inside.”

The Marquis of Shastra Hednar and the Count of Ventura Arius dismounted, handed over the reins to someone close to them, and followed the butler.

Behind the two, seven knights followed like shadows.

Silas Runo led the Marquis of Shastra Hednar to the central hall of the inner sanctuary.

Introspective central hall.

Count Escudo, who was quickly out in the central hall, grumbled inwardly as the Marquis of Shastra Hednar and his party rushed in.

‘Damn it. What am I going to do if I bring all the escort knights to the central hall?’

There are one or two escort knights who can accompany you to the central hall of the castle.

However, the Marquis brought in all eight knights.

It was against the customs of a great nobleman, but Count Escudo did not show it.

After all, the Marquis is the Sword Master.

This is because it is not a task for him to destroy an entire county by himself if he wants to.

‘Who is the Marquis?’

Since the Imperial War 50 years ago, there has been little communication between the principalities, so they only know each other’s names and do not know their faces.

Count Escudo, who was hesitant, bowed his head to the two knights in the lead.

“welcome. I am Count Romual Escudo.”

Then Count Ventura Arius, the Marquis’ staff, smiled and said.

“Nice to meet you. The person next to me is the Marquis of Shastra Hednar, the ‘immortal shield that protects Hednar’. And I am Count Arius of Ventura, the Marquis’s advisor.”

Count Escudo bowed his head once more to Marquis Shastra Hednar.

“It is an honor to meet you, Marquis. Thank you very much for accepting the invitation. During the Battle of Yeongji, something embarrassing happened… I risked my rudeness and asked for help.”

Marquis Shastra Hednar opened his mouth with a nonchalant face.

“I understand. Count Aethos brought dogs from the north before the territory?”

When the Marquis referred to the northern nobles as ‘dogs of the north’, Count Escudo exclaimed inwardly.

“That’s right. The count is guessing that the sword master viscount is a magic swordsman.”

“Certainly, that would be difficult for the Count to deal with. Let’s move early tomorrow morning.”

“yes.”

Marquis of Shastra Hednar wanted to finish the fight quickly and go back the next day.

Count Escudo, who was burdened with hosting a sword master from another country, did not object.

That night.

A banquet was held for Marquis Shastra Hednar and his knights at the house of Count Escudo.

The war was scheduled to start tomorrow, but the atmosphere was no different from any other banquet.

Count Escudo, who was chatting with Marquis Hednar and his party in the center of the banquet hall, asked sneakily.

“By the way, do you know a sword master named Count Omar of Larva? I also know Sword Master to some extent… but it’s the first time I’ve heard of it.”

Then Count Ventura Arius, the Marquis’ staff, smiled and said.

“From what I’ve heard from those familiar with northern affairs, Count Larva Omar is a sword expert Harder called the ‘Tiger of Baylem’. It must not have been long since you reached the level of a sword master.”

“ah!”

Count Escudo’s expression brightened.

If so, it’s even more secure.

Even among sword masters, there is superiority and inferiority. Marquis Hednar became a sword master ten years ago, so he should be stronger than Count Omar of Larva.

The grand banquet ended as Marquis Hednar and his party returned to their lodgings.

***

Next day.

Count Escudo’s army marched into the county of Aetos early in the morning.

Hundreds of knights and 2,000 soldiers filled the road.

Around noon, Count Escudo’s army arrived at the county of Aetos.

However, the soldiers of Aethos, who spotted Count Escudo in the distance, ran away without looking back.

Count Escudo laughed at the soldiers of Aetos who ran away without firing an arrow.

Suddenly, Marquis Shastra Hednar glanced back at Count Escudo.

“Are there any suitable areas in Aethos for an all-out war?”

“doesn’t exist. It doesn’t seem like a head-to-head confrontation, so I feel like I’m stuck in the castle.”

“Right.”

Marquis Shastra Hednar shook his head.

Certainly, it was better to fight inside the castle when the troops were outnumbered by the opponent.

Count Ventura Arius said a word.

“It seems that the news of the Marquis’ participation in the war reached Aethos as well.”

“Maybe.”

The flag of the Marquis of Hednar was not concealed throughout the move, and last night, a banquet was held at the count’s house, so it was well known.

Marquis Hednar lightly touched the belly of the white horse with his foot.

As if waiting, the white horse slowly entered the county of Aethos.

***

Around 3pm.

Edmund, County of Aethos.

Countess.

One of the guards watching the road from the castle tower shouted nervously.

“I see enemies!”

At his cry, Count Aethos and Elio’s party went up the tower.

On the road connected to the castle, Count Escudo’s knights and soldiers were rushing in and out.

Viscount Zech Purcell, the commander of the Black Eagle Knights, spoke in a dejected voice.

“It is indeed the flag of the Marquis of Hednar. The Marquis of Shastra Hednar must have come.”

In an instant, the faces of Count Aethos and his staff hardened.

The sword master from the north is helping Aethos, so it seems the enemy has attracted the sword master from Hednar.

As the distance drew closer, a sigh escaped from Viscount Zech Purcell’s mouth.

“ha! These are Marquis of Shastra Hednar and Count Arius of Ventura.”

“…”

A heavy silence fell over the castle tower.

Count Aethos looked at Count Larva Omar with a confused expression.

I did it in case, but it’s still the same.

If the Marquis was to participate in the count’s territory battle, it could not be called a territory war.

Now, it has become a situation where you can’t guarantee not only the territory but also your life.

After a while, Count Escudo’s army arrived in front of the castle gate.

Soon after, Viscount Earl Gray, commander of the Knights of the Golden Shield, looked up at the castle tower and shouted.

“Listen to Count Aethos and his knights! You embarrassingly involved the nobles of the north in a war against the Counts of Escudo! I don’t know if it’s a mercenary! The act of attracting northern nobles to the territory war is like treason! Come out, confess your sins, and ask for forgiveness!”

The Count of Aethos, who was in the castle, was agitated.

I was fighting to protect the territory, but I was surprised to suddenly rebel.

Viscount Earl Gray continued.

“Listen up, soldiers of Aethos! His Excellency Shastra Hednar personally participated in the battle to avenge the treason of your lord, Count Aethos! If you are not willing to join the rebellion, lay down your weapons and come out! I will not ask the soldiers who surrendered for their crimes!”

At the mention of Marquis Shastra Hednar’s name, the turmoil in the castle grew even greater.

However, the commotion subsided little by little, as if Count Aethos had not lost his humanity.

Viscount Earl Gray returned to Count Escudo when he did not receive much income even after recommending surrender.

‘Damn it. Are you going to try to the end?’

Count Escudo glanced at Marquis Hednar.

When a siege takes place, the attacking side also suffers great damage.

In the best case, the marquis would defeat the sword master in the north in a one-on-one confrontation.

If that happened, even Count Aethos would not be able to hold out and open the castle gates.

But what if the Marquis goes out on its own? I couldn’t ask for the Daejeonsa first.

Marquis Hednar said that his wish had been conveyed.

“Ventura.”

“yes.”

“Tell the northern dog. If you do not respond to the duel, I will annihilate the count family.”

“yes.”

Count Ventura Arius rode slowly towards the gates.

“This is a message from His Excellency, Marquis of Shastra Hednar! Count Larva Omar, accept the duel with the Marquis! If you refuse, I will annihilate the Countess! I’ll give you 10 minutes to prepare!”

After speaking, he returned to the side of Marquis Shastra Hednar.

The gazes of the nobles on the top of the castle tower all turned to Count Larva Omar.

Count Aethos cautiously opened his mouth.

“Marquis Hednar made a name for himself as a sword master ten years ago. You don’t have to force yourself into a duel. If His Excellency leaves through the back gate… I will surrender to Marquis Hednar.”

It would be better to surrender to the Marquis Hednar than to leave your fate in the hands of the lascivious and ruthless Count Escudo.

Prior to answering, Count Larva Omar turned his gaze to Viscount Elio Lagoa.

Elio asked in a calm tone.

“why? Do you want to see a fight?”

“yes. I wonder how strong the other sword masters are.”

There is nothing better than a sword master against a sword master’s sparring.

However, a duel between sword masters was only possible in wartime, so Count Larva Omar did not want to miss this opportunity.

“Then do it. Don’t worry about the future.”

“Yes, thank you.”

With Viscount Elio Lagoa’s permission, Count Larva Omar jumped down the wall.

Count Aethos glanced at Viscount Elio Lagoa with bewildered eyes.

The sword master, Count Larva Omar, moved with his permission?

‘Are you saying the story of last night wasn’t a joke?’