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Chiiik.
The sound of Hedo striking a match echoed.
The once tumultuous battlefield, where swords and magic clashed violently, instantly fell into silence.
Just like it had to be since this big, muscular man appeared.
Overwhelming pressure.
There was no clearer and simpler way to express the presence of a man named Hedo.
Just by standing there blocking the entrance, the entire hall felt like a room with no exit, and the atmosphere became as heavy as mud, making it difficult to breathe.
What the hell is that monster...? Whose head is that?
The Runcandels exchanged glances without saying a word.
Even though the members of the Spectre Corps knew exactly who he was, they too exchanged glances.
However, unlike the Runcandels, the glances of the Spectre Corps carried emotions.
Confusion, sorrow, shock.
And fear.
The source of these emotions was none other than the severed head that Hedo casually dropped, belonging to a member of the Spectre Corps, just like them.
'Hedo killed Rube!'
'Damn it, I came back to the Magic Tower because I was afraid something like this might happen...!'
Of course, the emotions of the Spectre Corps were not conveyed to the Runcandels who had just fought them fiercely.
Not only did their hoods cover their faces, but the Spectre corps were not a loose group that would show their emotions to the enemy, no matter how scary the situation was. Because they are the elite of the elite.
However, those who had been selected from the moment of birth and donned the gray robes of Spectre corps through dreadful efforts and training knew better than anyone else that there are sometimes untouchable monsters in the world, and on top of a mountain, there is another mountain and the sky.
Just like some of the superhumans they have encountered while living as spectres, and this man in front of them!
Sizzle!
The long cigar burned quickly like a fuse. The thickened ashes didn't flutter but fell in clumps. With just one puff of smoke, the entire cigar turned into ashes.
Huuuu!
Hedo then exhaled the smoke accumulated in his lungs, and the acrid smoke, which should rather be called poisonous smoke, covered his bulky upper body.
"Huh?"
It was Murakan who broke the silence.
He continued talking with an expression that seemed as tough and unyielding as possible, but did not seem like he had lost his composure and was impatient.
"What's with you, punk? You came without knocking. And now showing off your well-built body? Did you come from a physique competition? If you don't want to get beaten to a pulp, pretend you didn't see anything and go on your way."
While saying this, he subtly poked Jin's side and whispered:
'Kid, you better scram.'
Jin also felt it instinctively.
The four members of the Spectre Corps were formidable opponents, but with Runcandel's current strength, they could easily handle them.
However, that unidentified man was beyond their capabilities.
Even with Jin, Diphus, Joshua, Black Knight and Murakan, who regained half of his strength, it wasn't something they could handle.
He was definitely not a Genesis knight. Runcandels and Murakan, who had experienced the majesty of the Genesis Knight up close more than anyone else, were certain.
Even if he is not a Genesis knight, he is definitely somewhere near that level…..
A giant standing tall in such a lofty domain of martial artists.
'I've never heard of such an incredible being existing in Zipfel. Could it be Kinzelo?'
Not only Jin but also Joshua, Diphus, and the Black Knight were unaware of Hedo's true identity. There was no description of Hedo even in the confidential document on Zipfel's secret forces that could be accessed by the Black Knight and the top flagbearers.
Squelch!
Hedo crushed the head of the dead Spectre with his foot, bursting it open, and spoke. The Spectres did not even dare to open their mouths at the sight.
"No knocking, huh? I haven't thought about that problem after becoming the second-class butler of the Zipfel clan, Black Dragon. This is not Runcandel's territory, isn't it?"
So, he was the Black Dragon Murakan?
The moment Hedo said that, the members of the Spectre Corps realized that they were mistaken.
It wasn't that they didn't consider it at all, but they thought it was more likely that Murakan was the Black Knight since he was wearing a mask.
"Huh? The mask wasn't torn, right? How did you recognize me?"
"Everyone in the world knows that the Black Dragon prefers a somewhat vulgar tone. The person holding the greatsword is the 4th flagbearer, the person holding the black sword Kainer, painted to look like an ordinary piece of iron, is the 2nd flagbearer, and that person is Black Knight Jane. And the last one is the 12th flagbearer, Jin Runcandel."
It was only a matter of time before their identity was revealed, even if they had only battled the Spectres anyway, so it wasn't that surprising. The infiltration suit was also worn to minimize unnecessary exposure from the beginning.
However, all of the Runcandels could not help but be taken aback by the introduction of the second-class butler.
An individual of that caliber being merely the second-class butler is something that goes far beyond common sense.
Moreover, Zipfel's 'List of butlers' had already been made available to the public for a long time, without the need to view Runcandel's confidential intelligence documents.
Not only Zipfel but also Runcandel, the imperial family, and other prominent clans and factions did not usually keep the information about their butlers confidential.
Butlers handled not only the internal affairs of the clan but also various external duties like negotiations, welcoming guests, banquets, various events, and more.
The media tends to report such incidents, and the names of the butlers who handled the related work are often described.
'The publicly known second-class butler is Melvin Grauchy. Known as the best brain. But that monster is the second master?'
If Hedo's words were not false, he held that position for some reason, 'because he wanted to.' Everyone in the group thought so.
"Second-class butler? Hey, Mr. Physical beauty. Are you saying you're just a second-class butler?"
"Well... I'm also performing a few other duties. Among them, I have the role of the Keeper of this Tower."
"Keeper of the Tower?"
"Yes. It would be better to formally reintroduce myself. I am Hedo, the Keeper of the White Night Tower."
Hedo bowed by drawing his right arm to his abdominal, greeting them.
The Keeper of the White Night Tower.
By revealing another position, Hedo was subtly examining Jin.
'Jin Runcandel...'
Runcandel's 12th flagbearer, whom his young lady, Sandra Zipfel, had 'decided to love.'
He was generally indifferent to external affairs, but since before Sandra started making a fuss about love and marriage, he had occasionally shown a tiny bit of curiosity.
Who on earth is this person that so often causes such an uproar in the world? It was the first time a flagbearer of Runcandel had garnered such attention since Luna.
However, if it weren't for Sandra, Hedo wouldn't have had much interest in Jin at this moment.
"Could you take off the mask for a moment?"
"No."
"Although we belong to opposing clans, I have shown courtesy by revealing who I am. It doesn't seem like a difficult request to unveil your true identity."
"I am grateful that you revealed your alias and position. But it is impossible for a flagbearer of the Sword Clan to grant a request from Butler of Zipfel. Please reveal your true name and position. In that case, I will remove the mask."
"Too much boldness is sometimes called foolishness, 12th flagbearer. Have it your way."
Swoosh.
Hedo slowly drew the longsword tied to his waist as he spoke. It was twice the length and thickness of an ordinary longsword, but it wasn't as robust as a greatsword. Instead, it had a sleek and agile shape.
For a moment, Murakan showed a hesitant expression as he looked at the sword.
"However, you should understand that my mercy decreases in proportion to that."
Swish!
A sharp tearing sound, as if a needle were piercing the eardrum, covered the entire hall. Hedo took a step forward and swung the longsword. The group couldn't believe how a body as massive as his could move so quickly.
Moreover, the sword energy didn't travel in just one direction.
Though it swung from the center, the sword energy formed a giant fan shape that covered everything in front of Hedo.
A single strike, but hundreds of sword energies.
It was a state of 'Sword Wave' that was passed down like a legend by word of mouth among martial artists. The sword energy spread like waves, engulfing everything in its path—air, objects, and people.
The Runcandels raised their energy, erected shields, and used their best sword moves to withstand Hedo's onslaught.
Terrifying. Everyone who faced the sword felt the same way. Amidst the shock, the Runcandels couldn't help but have one question.
'If he attacks like this, won't the Spectre corps also be affected?'
Hedo's sword energy threatened not only the Runcandels but also seemed to pour more towards the Spectre corps. Although Jin and the others couldn't deduce the reason yet, one thing was certain.
Within Zipfel, Hedo had the power to trample even the Spectre corps at will.
'Is this Hedo have the authority surpassing even Octavia Zipfel? No, thinking that way might be a bit strange…'
For now, Jin sensed something odd about the Spectre corps's attitude.
'If this situation is Hedo reprimanding the Spectre corps as a superior for some reason, the Spectre corps should have at least sought forgiveness. But these guys seem to accept Hedo's attacks as if it's inevitable… Ugh!'
Crack!
Before he knew it, Hedo's longsword approached Jin and fell on Jin's forehead.
The sensation of just blocking the sword felt like his wrist was about to break.
Before Hedo could retrieve his sword, Murakan and Diphus attacked him with sword and fist, while Joshua and Jane attempted to flank him.
And at the moment when the attacks of the Runcandels were about to land.
Hedo's muscles expanded, and in the next moment, the group had to perceive their swords and fists piercing and striking not into human flesh, but into something indescribably solid, akin to a hard mineral.
The swords and fist were bounced off.
Although they attacked in haste, it was the two top flagbearers, the Black Knight's sword, and the fist of Murakan, who had regained his 50% strength.
Everyone was shocked, especially Murakan, whose eyes were wide open.
The other Runcandels couldn't divert their gaze from his shocking physique, Murakan was studying his unusually long sword as if something had struck him.
"Hey... that sword. Where did you get it?"
Murakan spoke in a low voice, looking puzzled.
Hedo chuckled, tilting his head once.
"What a peculiar question, Black Dragon. And by the way, I heard about your battle prowess from those who went to the Gaifa Archipelago, but it wasn't up to this level."
Inside the mask, Murakan's eyes, fixed on Hedo's long sword, were trembling.
"Oh, perhaps. If you're worried about revealing your true strength due to concerns about support from the main house, don't fret. You don't have to worry about the clan's reinforcements coming here."