“Would it have been better to do the opposite…?”
I mutter to myself as I run, embodying the Sword Saint.
A voice in my head whispers that I should just teleport right away, but if I did that, it would reveal that the Sword Saint can teleport too.
Teleportation is the privilege of the Great Sage. The Sword Saint is limited to moving at high speed.
I cannot break this premise.
Thus, I regret thinking that it would have been better to switch roles.
If I had faced the 400,000 soldiers as the Sword Saint, I could have rushed to the academy as the Great Sage.
It’s pointless to say this now, though.
I run with a clear mind.
It has taken a fair amount of time since intercepting the 400,000 soldiers.
It’s natural that the Sword Saint hasn’t arrived yet.
However, the movement of the 400,000 imperial soldiers implies that the infiltration unit is also in action.
My greatest concern is that the infiltration unit might learn that the 400,000 imperial soldiers have been intercepted.
Since I launched a complete surprise attack on the majority of the army, even if there was a means of communication with the infiltration unit, it should have been destroyed.
However, there might have been a survivor who retained such means.
Nevertheless, I didn’t have the time to meticulously mop up the remaining enemies.
Normally, communication means are near the commander.
I want to believe there’s no problem, but if by any chance the communication means are still active, the infiltration unit will receive the report of the diversion’s failure.
Well, the question is how many could calmly report to the infiltration unit after that disaster.
First, they would need to assess the situation, reorganize the army, and retreat to avoid pursuit.
Then comes the report. There will inevitably be a time lag.
I want to believe everything will be fine, but if the infiltration unit receives the report, they will go all out to take down the academy.
They must capture the capital no matter what.
I whisper a silent prayer that things haven’t reached that point as I keep running.
■■■
“I see it!!”
The academy is still standing.
The defensive magic is still active, and magic is being cast outward.
However, something seems off.
They’re not fighting the imperial army, but a large number of monsters.
Moreover, the imperial soldiers are moving away from the academy, riding on large monsters.
“What’s going on…?”
Muttering to myself, I draw the swords at my hips.
I leap as high as I can, aiming for the academy from the sky.
From outside, I can see hordes of monsters. Some have even breached the academy’s interior.
What catches my eye most is Yukina fighting a werewolf.
She’s engaged in a precarious battle, but somehow manages to defeat the werewolf and stand up.
Feeling a sense of relief, I target the two werewolves approaching the now-standing Yukina.
I descend swiftly, beheading them as I pass.
But these aren’t the only monsters that have infiltrated.
I sheathe my right-hand sword and pull Yukina behind me.
“Hold on tight.”
I carry Yukina with one arm and move to eliminate the monsters inside the academy.
Moving at high speed, I swiftly cut down the monsters I saw from the sky.
Then, I stop at the main gate’s wall.
Gently setting down the surprised Yukina, I turn my gaze to a figure in a black robe, likely controlling the monsters.
The robed figure stares at me for a moment before speaking.
“…Your name?”
“The First Sword of the Seven celestial swordsmen of the Kingdom of Albios—Sword Saint Cloud. I have come as per the truce of the three nations.”
“So it wasn’t a false report that the Great Sage intercepted the 400,000 imperial soldiers…”
My presence here means the imperial army’s diversion failed.
Laughing lightly at this realization, the robed figure removes his hood.
Blonde hair, pointed ears, pale skin.
Shining golden eyes and distinctive facial markings.
A man with features matching those of the demon race mentioned only in ancient texts stood there.
“Humans are useless no matter how many gather.”
“From your tone, I take it you’re a demon?”
“Indeed. I am Clarvain of the demon race. I have my reasons for cooperating with the empire.”
“I’m curious about why a legendary being would aid the empire, but…”
As I speak, I unsheath my sword again.
Even while talking, black wolf monsters continue to approach the academy.
Interrogation can wait until these are dealt with.
“I’m not here to converse with ancient relics.”
“An insignificant human… don’t get cocky.”
At Clarvain’s gesture, the black wolves charge all at once.
In response, I swiftly kill the wolves at the main gate and begin running around the academy.
Swinging both swords, I cut down the black wolves one by one.
Though numerous, their individual strength isn’t significant.
However, since they threaten the academy, I can’t leave a single one alive.
After defeating all the black wolves, I return to the main gate.
And then—
“Now… I’ve got a bit of time. Before I kill you, can I ask how you’ve survived for thousands of years?”
“Indeed, time is a fearsome thing… it erases the fear we instilled in humans.”
With these words, Clarvain gestures.
His shadow grows larger and larger.
From it emerges a red dragon.
However, unlike typical dragons, it stands on two legs and is about three meters tall.
It looks like an armored dragon.
It wields a sword in its hand.
“My specialty is creating monsters. My masterpiece, the dragon warrior Fafnir, is more than a match for humans…”
Clarvain speaks proudly.
But I have already moved behind him and thrust my sword into his abdomen.
If his specialty is creating monsters, he must be a researcher.
I figured his combat ability would be limited, and I was right.
A valuable demon. I’d like to interrogate him, but dealing with multiple monsters is a hassle. It’s best to eliminate such threats swiftly.
“Kah…”
“I told you, I’m not here to chat.”
Pulling out my sword, I turn to face the dragon warrior.
