I Became a Swordsmanship Instructor in a Romance Novel

“Just when are those bastards coming, Hela…?”

It had already been a week since they had been waiting in the Lios Mountains.

There was still no sign of the ones they were supposed to meet.

Duke Eustia spoke in a voice suppressed with barely contained impatience.

A chilling air pressed down heavily on Hela.

“Your Grace, they… they will be here soon…”

Hela trailed off, her voice lacking conviction.

She hadn’t estimated an exact time, so it couldn’t be helped.

“How many times do you think I’ve heard those words…? If those bastards don’t show up in the end, you will pay the price. My time is valuable, Hela.”

“……Yes, Your Grace.”

Just then,

“Your Excellency.”

One of the scouts approached.

His face was etched with tension as he began his report.

“……They’ve arrived.”

“……Finally. They’re here.”

“Yes. A suspicious-looking group cloaked in black robes. Their numbers are… estimated to be five thousand. They are currently approaching from 10 kilometers away.”

Duke Eustia’s eyes widened.

The force he currently commanded was ten thousand strong.

He had thought it was excessive, as it was only a matter of dealing with a single group.

But five thousand?

That was almost half his force.

Of course, about four thousand of them were sacrifices, but Duke Eustia had no way of knowing that.

“Five thousand…?”

“Yes, I couldn’t get an accurate count to avoid being spotted, but it seemed to be about that many.”

Duke Eustia swallowed nervously.

Their numbers were greater than expected.

Almost half the size of the force he had brought.

Moreover, he had heard that their skills were superior to the Assassination Squad Leader, which deepened his concerns.

“……Your Grace, even though their numbers are greater than anticipated, we have made ample preparations.”

Hela offered advice from beside him.

“Hmm, that’s true…”

Minimum losses for their side, maximum damage to the enemy.

Duke Eustia had devised a strategy to overwhelmingly annihilate the enemy.

In addition, Hela’s meticulous and thorough nature had shone through.

If the traps they had already set were triggered properly, half of the five thousand would meet their demise right then and there.

“And we also have them with us, don’t we?”

“……They are a hidden card to be used in the grand scheme of overthrowing the Empire. Their identity must not be revealed yet.”

“But Your Grace, if no one witnesses them, their identity won’t be revealed, will it?”

“Hmm. Let’s put that on hold for now. We’ll inflict maximum damage with the traps and then proceed with negotiations, using threats if necessary. And if the negotiations fail, we’ll exterminate them immediately.”

Duke Eustia rolled the ring on his finger.

“Yes, we cannot retreat here just because the enemy’s numbers are greater than expected. It seems they are already targeting us.”

“Indeed. They may be strong, but they are still human. They cannot possibly survive a natural disaster.”

Duke Eustia, his resolve solidified, gave orders to the scout.

“Scout, inform the ambush party to prepare to strike them soon.”

“Yes, sir!”

Duke Eustia tightened the sword at his waist.

“I’ll personally see the faces of the bastards who dare to target Eustia.”

* * *

Duke Yohaiden shuffled along, his face hidden under his robe.

The conversation he had with Zeke before their departure surfaced in his mind.

Zeke had sought out Duke Yohaiden and said,

“Your Grace, we will now infiltrate disguised as Lost Hope sacrifices.”

“Yes, I’m aware.”

“Please be extra careful not to let your sword be exposed. It’s imbued with a magic stone. If it reflects sunlight, the chances of being discovered are high. Also, make sure your hands are tied just loosely enough to…”

“Zeke Clayman.”

The Duke interrupted Zeke and called his name.

“Yes.”

Duke Yohaiden stared at him intently before opening his tightly closed lips.

“……Do you truly believe we can win?”

He was deeply ashamed of voicing such weakness before Zeke, but it couldn’t be helped.

Yohaiden had already tasted a crushing defeat before they even set out.

The memory of being humiliated by a mere five individuals remained a deep trauma.

As the leader of the White Tiger Knights, Duke Yohaiden felt the pressure even more acutely.

Of course, he was currently regarded as a hero among the knights, along with Zeke, but

Yohaiden knew better than anyone that the reason they had all made it this far without any deserters was solely because of this man.

“I understand your concerns, but it will be alright.”

Zeke nodded calmly.

“Your Grace, as I mentioned, excluding the Bishop and the Shadows, the other devotees possess superhuman strength. However, their movements are no different from ordinary people. If we use swords coated with magic stones, we can definitely fight them.”

“Phew─. Indeed, the burden of responsibility for the lives of others is heavy.”

“That’s the driving force that makes Your Grace a hero.”

Zeke made a joke to ease the Duke’s tension.

“Are you joking right now…? Don’t say that with such a straight face. It sounds serious.”

However, the Duke responded with a tired expression.

“But this is much better. Wasn’t that quite witty?”

However, Zeke’s words did succeed in alleviating some of the Duke’s heavy heart.

Back to the present.

Duke Yohaiden’s eyes gleamed beneath his hooded robe.

In the distance, he could see Julie surrounded by Lost Hope members, engaged in conversation.

Everyone was cloaked in jet-black robes, making it impossible to distinguish who was who.

And the current position of Eustia’s knights was at the very rear.

It was a position from which they could launch a surprise attack while Eustia and the Lost Hope members were fighting each other.

***

“Why are you so late? If you’re late for the appointed time, it won’t end with a mere reprimand.”

“Something came up. The Guild Master was gathering slaves and preparing to flee the Empire. I guess he was planning to go to another country and sell them.”

“Hmm. I see. That’s why the letters he sent were strange. So, what about him?”

“What do you mean ‘what about him’? I just killed him. Why? Are you curious about how I killed him?”

Julie’s emerald eyes gleamed brightly.

The man receiving her report let out a slight gasp of admiration.

“Oh. Julie. Your gaze has become quite sharp. You’ve become like the Battle Bishop of Lost Hope. Did you have some kind of epiphany this time?”

Then, other nearby members also gathered around Julie.

An epiphany was directly linked to strength for the Lost Hope, so it naturally drew attention.

Julie’s eyes glazed over, as if she were imagining a loaf of bread.

“Yes… The absolute being who descended upon this world… I realized anew that someone like me is truly nothing… For his sake, I can endure any humiliation…”

Julie shared her enlightenment in a singsong voice.

“Unapproachable… Soft and warm… That sweetness… Haaaa─. Truly… Amazing.

*Sniff*.

*Gulp*.”

Deep joy washed over her face.

The Lost Hope executives before her all looked like loaves of bread.

A black-robed figure with an old woman’s voice spoke.

“Oh, I can see your reverence for Him has deepened, Julie… And that gaze that sees everything as nothing… Oh my, you’ve truly achieved a profound understanding! Excellent! Excellent!”

Julie’s intoxicated state was actually being praised by the Lost Hope.

“Oh, yes, Master. But I consumed the Shadows in exchange for my enlightenment.”

She replied with a faint smile.

“……The Shadows, you say?”

A voice that sounded like scraping metal questioned Julie’s words with suspicion.

Even if she had gained enlightenment, consuming the Shadows was a significant loss for a homunculus mage.

But Julie spoke with an even more brazen face.

“Yeeeessss… The Shadows are now insignificant compared to my enlightenment… So, so… weak they were. I used them as a test for my newfound power, you see? The Shadows have gone to be with Him, so wouldn’t they be happy?”

There wasn’t a hint of falsehood in Julie’s crazed eyes.

“Hehehe! Hehehek!”

The old woman, who had been staring intently at Julie, burst into a fit of laughter that sounded like a cough.

“Ha! Good! Good! Good! Julie! You’ve already… come to see the Shadows as insignificant! Haha! Yes, yes! They are insignificant as you think!!!”

“So, Masteeeer~ I need another homunculus now. Someone a little sexier. Can you give me one as a gift to celebrate my enlightenment? Hmm… For example, the Reflection hiding under you right now.”

Julie spoke in a coquettish voice.

However, a gruff voice interrupted, as if unable to accept it.

“You crazy bitch! That’s a power a mere new Bishop can’t even dream of! How dare you cross the line just because you’ve gained a little power!”

“……Hmph? I’m talking to Master right now, so can you buzz off?”

The old woman mediated their quarrel.

“Stop it. Julie… Give you the Reflection. You understand what that means, don’t you?”

“Yessss… Of course. It means my life is no longer my own, right?”

“……If you understand that much, then I understand. Hmm… Then it’s better to give it before He descends.”

“As expected! Master is so cool~!”

The old woman threw off her robe.

Underneath, her naked body was revealed, resembling a withered tree branch, completely unclothed.

Her entire body was covered in burn scars.

A few strands of white hair sprouted sparsely from her head,

and her face was as repulsive as melted butter, disfigured and nauseating.

“The transfer of the Reflection is a delicate process, so everyone, please protect us for a moment.”

At her words, the Lost Hope members surrounded Julie and the old woman.

The man who had been berating Julie also couldn’t disobey the words of the old woman, one of the highest-ranking Bishops, and formed a protective barrier.

Julie saw the old woman’s pathetic back before her.

The burn scars were deep, and old wounds were festering.

Traces of self-flagellation and years of harsh training for the sake of Lost Hope.

‘Master…’

She placed her hands on her master’s back, her eyes glistening with moisture.

A sinister grin spread across her face.

‘I’m sorry. I’ll take your power.’

*Puk*—

“Kuhuk! Ju… Julie?”

With a sharp, fleshy sound, the old woman turned around in disbelief, her eyes wide.

“Show those bastards who dared to touch Eustia what you’re made of!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Flaming arrows rained down from the sky like a torrential downpour.