Chapter 51

The Fourth Young Master's reception room.

Three men were gathered around a circular table with Killian.

Zodiac Stern, the second son of the Stern Family and Emma Eurasia's guardian knight.

Miller, a former mercenary who had risen to the position of guest sword instructor for the Blue Knight Order.

Philip, a 6-star knight who had spent more than a decade in the Red Knight Order.

Having arrived at slightly different times, they each waited for Killian to speak.

Click.

It was when the Chamberlain, Haman, placed the tea he had personally brewed in front of the four men.

“You sit as well.”

Killian spoke as if he had been waiting.

“Yes, Young Master.”

Contrary to the question that bloomed on his face, Haman obediently sat next to Philip.

Killian, holding his teacup, made eye contact with each of them one by one.

“The reason I created this meeting is to give you all an opportunity.”

“Pardon?”

Philip asked with a puzzled expression.

The expressions of the others were no different.

Killian, who had put down the teacup after taking a sip, continued.

“I intend to recruit you into the Annihilation Squad.”

His tone was plain, as if delivering a light evening greeting.

But that single statement shook the composure of the three knights, who had been calm just moments before.

The Annihilation Squad was composed of only a select few chosen from among the family's finest knights.

It might have been understandable for Philip, who was recognized for his skills even within the Red Knight Order, but for Zodiac and Miller, it was a bewildering offer.

Among those present, the first to speak was Haman.

“M-me as well?”

“Yes. You are included too.”

Killian replied quietly while savoring the tea's aroma.

Just smelling the fragrance seemed to bring a surge of vitality.

After a brief silence, Philip spoke.

“……Appointments to the Annihilation Squad can only be made by the Head, the Commander of the Knights, and the Annihilation Squad Commander. Were you delegated full authority by Sir Bastian?”

“That is not the case.”

Killian replied in a slightly heavier tone.

A look of bewilderment crossed Philip's face.

For someone who had not been delegated authority by the Annihilation Squad Commander to discuss appointments was a clear overstepping of authority.

‘Not even the Vice-commander, Sir Serena… Perhaps the Young Master is trying to create a faction within the Annihilation Squad.’

Recalling their previous conversation, Philip's complexion darkened.

However, Killian's next words made him realize his thoughts were completely mistaken.

“Sir Bastian met his end while on a mission. I have succeeded him.”

While their mouths remained shut, the eyes of the three knights wavered slightly.

Haman also stood with his mouth agape at the unexpected remark.

“I have received separate permission from my superiors, the Matriarchs and Sir Escardo, but your thoughts are the most important.”

Killian indicated that he had no intention of forcing them.

The Annihilation Squad was a unit composed of the Eurasia Family's absolute elite.

Naturally, it was tasked with more dangerous missions than other knight orders.

Joining it was the greatest honor for one who walked the path of the sword, but it also meant giving up the honor one could accumulate in the light.

‘Growth in the shadows, or honor in the light.’

As Killian had noted, it was not a difficult choice for those gathered here.

“It is an honor to be with you, Young Master.”

“My skills are lacking, but I will strive to meet your expectations, Young Master.”

Zodiac and Miller accepted the offer, bowing their heads respectfully.

“It is an honor to have you both with me.”

Killian looked at Philip, who was still deep in thought.

“What about you?”

“…….”

Philip stared at Killian with somber eyes.

“Sir Killian, may I ask one thing before I answer?”

“Of course.”

“Why me, of all people?”

There were several other 6-star knights in the Red Knight Order besides Philip, and among them were some who were better at handling mana or the sword.

Killian couldn't have been unaware of that fact.

“Is it because I have a prior acquaintance with you, Young Master?”

At the valid question, Zodiac and Miller also showed a belated sense of curiosity.

“The Annihilation Squad is the family's secret sword. However, its current numbers are insufficient to form a formation.”

Killian began to explain the missions the Annihilation Squad had undertaken.

At the mention of hunting Superhumans, the four men's faces stiffened.

“An individual's martial strength of a 5-star is sufficient to join the Annihilation Squad. What's important is whether one has enough skill to form a mana-based formation.”

“A mana-based formation… are you referring to Carpe?”

At Philip's question, Killian shook his head.

“It's not an ordinary Carpe.”

For multiple knights who were not Superhumans to use Carpe Illusion, they needed to spend a significant amount of time honing their mana control.

Knight orders of that scale did not conduct such training in the first place.

A single person's mistake could risk everyone falling into a reflux.

Killian scanned the three knights.

“Sir Zodiac, you are instinctively mimicking Carpe Illusion.”

“I… am?”

“You projected an image into the Carpe you used before.”

Projecting the caster's imagery into Carpe to present a new world.

It could be called the foundational stage for using Carpe Illusion.

“Since you can project an image on your own, it's only a matter of time before you can form a formation in sync with the Annihilation Squad.”

Zodiac nodded as if he understood the explanation.

Killian's gaze then turned to Miller.

“You have a talent for handling mana.”

“I-is that so?”

Miller reacted awkwardly to the sudden compliment.

“You mastered 5-star without any particular master. If you receive my teachings, you will be able to expand and solidify your Mana Heart even further.”

“Tactician… no, it is an honor to serve you as Commander.”

Miller, who usually held a favorable view of Killian, showed his respects politely.

“And Sir Philip.”

“…….”

“You joined the Red Knight Order and received formal training.”

“That is correct.”

“Your understanding of mana and swordsmanship was as good as proven when you achieved 6-star. However, there is one more special reason I am offering you a place in the Annihilation Squad.”

At Killian's words, Philip tilted his head.

“Haven't you been with the Red Knight Order for a long time, earning the respect of many knights?”

Philip of the Red Knight Order.

He himself said he was nothing more than an ordinary knight, but he was a man who had reached his current position strictly on his own skill.

He could be called a symbolic figure for the knights who dedicated themselves to the family.

“Eurasia will soon become a kingdom.”

At the word 'kingdom', the four men flinched.

Killian continued, unconcerned.

“In step with that, the scale of the Annihilation Squad must also grow. To do that, things need to change from how they are now.”

Besides the members who moved in the shadows, a knight was needed to publicly symbolize the Annihilation Squad.

An Annihilation Squad that operated in the light.

It was possible for Philip, who had dedicated himself to the family and built his honor as a knight.

Only then did Philip nod his head.

“I suppose I must call you Commander now, not Young Master.”

Satisfied with the answer, Killian nodded.

He soon radiated blue mana from his body.

The space was instantly dominated, and the levels of the three knights were grasped.

‘Sir Philip’s mana is red, so it should be possible with a little coordination… Sir Zodiac and Sir Miller just need to improve their skills a bit more.’

There were two months left until the start of the mission.

Since they were all talented individuals, with his teachings added, they would surely be able to manifest Carpe Illusion within that time.

Just then, Haman quietly raised his hand.

“Young Master, but why me….”

Unlike the other three who were knights, Haman was merely an Apothecary who had manifested a 1-star Mana Heart.

It was true that he was somewhat lacking to bear the name of the Annihilation Squad.

“I am hiring you as an Apothecary.”

“Pardon?”

Not just Haman who asked again, but the three knights also tilted their heads in confusion.

They too couldn't understand why the Chamberlain Haman was being hired as an Apothecary.

“I heard from the Head Apothecary. She said that although your knowledge of medicinal preparations is still lacking, considering your skill in handling mana, you surpass the level of a junior apothecary, did she not?”

“Sh-she did say that, but.”

A talent for compounding medicinal preparations, tireless stamina, and a sense for handling a Mana Heart.

Haman, who possessed all three advantages, was showing growth beyond expectations under the Head Apothecary.

“The Head Apothecary will teach you the formulations. I plan to bring in additional servants, so for the time being, focus on the work of the Annihilation Squad and the Apothecary.”

“Y-yes, I understand……!!”

He, who had failed the family's knight exam and was looked down upon as a Chamberlain, was now an Apothecary belonging to the Annihilation Squad?

Haman tried to calm his pounding heart and answered with a trembling voice.

“Then, I will show you the basic formation you must master as members of the Annihilation Squad. Everyone, use Carpe.”

At their new commander's order, the three knights released their mana without question.

Philip's mana was red, while Zodiac's and Miller's were gray.

The mana released by the three knights to create Carpe was drawn into Killian's mana.

And then.

Fwoosh.

The scenery of the reception room changed rapidly.

The simple wooden training swords decorating the walls, the reception chairs, and the table were all gone.

The place where they stood was a desolate, empty field.

“No way…….”

“Th-this is…….”

“What in the world is…….”

“Gasp…….”

Except for Philip, it was a situation they had never experienced before.

Killian looked at the four men shrouded in his mana and spoke.

“This is a technique called Carpe Illusion. I used it by mixing my mana with yours.”

Snap.

Killian snapped his fingers.

Sssss.

Sssssssss.

A dozen swords rose from the desolate field.

Wooden training swords and steel swords, short swords and long swords.

In addition to those, Killian's already broken Cheonghwageom, the Annihilation Squad's Aether, and Demian's Pisaro were also manifested.

Killian grasped the Cheonghwageom from among the many swords.

Fwoosh.

Flames flowing along the sword enveloped his body.

The three knights stared blankly at the sight.

Killian's Cheonghwageom was already broken and lost, so this must surely be an illusion, but…….

It was hot.

The sensation was as vivid as if it were real, and sweat began to trickle down their foreheads.

“This should be enough.”

Thud.

Killian plunged the sword into the ground.

Sssssssss.

As the Blue Flame scattered, the Carpe was released, and they returned to the original reception room.

At some point, Killian was holding a teacup instead of the Cheonghwageom.

The new members of the Annihilation Squad, who were sweating, trembled at the incredible experience.

“There are less than two months until the next mission. We will begin training tomorrow, so come out early and greet the other members.”

“I understand.”

“I will obey the Commander's command.”

“It is an honor.”

The three knights, after offering a sword salute, left the reception room with flushed faces.

“Uhm… Young Master.”

Haman, who had been sitting blankly, spoke quietly.

“What is it?”

“I'm only just past the level of a junior apothecary… Even if the Head Apothecary teaches me the formulations, will the effects of the recovery potions be up to the Annihilation Squad's standards?”

“With a high probability….”

“……?”

“They will likely fall short of what those members are used to drinking.”

“Pardon…? Then…….”

“Right. If you fail to satisfy them even after obtaining the Head Apothecary's formulations, you will not only be disgracing me but also the Head Apothecary.”

“……!!”

Haman's mouth fell open in shock.

‘How naive.’

Contrary to his words, he had already received confirmation from Loen.

She was simply not stepping forward because openly supporting the Annihilation Squad could be seen as intervening in the competition for the Head's position.

She had said that Haman's skills would be more than enough for him to fulfill his role.

“The weight on your shoulders must be heavy.”

Haman, unaware of the truth, was still at a loss for words.

Averting his gaze, Killian looked at his Aether hanging on the wall.

‘Haman will also serve as a link connecting the Annihilation Squad and the Head Apothecary. With this, all the puzzle pieces for the hunt are gathered.’

All that remained was how to temper the swords that had come into his hands.

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