Chapter 81. Night of Conspiracy (2)
"These crazy bastards...!"
Lee Jukheon cursed as he swung his sword.
The man who had attacked Seok Taejun was sharp-featured.
He was probably Somun Gwang, the S-rank Contractor known as Cheon Sangwoon's closest subordinate.
"What the hell are you thinking...?!"
"You're noisy."
Somun Gwang easily deflected Lee Jukheon's attack with nothing more than the dagger in his hand.
That alone proved just how skilled he was.
"Somun Gwang, looks like you can't finish quickly."
"My apologies. His technique is better than expected."
"It can't be helped. Whatever else he may be, he is still Kang Yujin's companion."
"I'll finish this quickly. Please wait a moment."
After answering Cheon Sangwoon, Somun Gwang increased the speed of his attacks.
He darted around in every direction, repeatedly slipping inside Lee Jukheon's guard.
Lee Jukheon had no choice but to stay on the defensive.
"Damn it...!"
Despite all this commotion, there was no sign of the nearby Contractors coming to help.
Had these people already dealt with everyone?
I need to treat Seok Taejun!
Seok Taejun had already lost a frightening amount of blood.
Lee Jukheon needed to defeat these bastards quickly and treat him.
But Somun Gwang gave him no opening.
"Ugh!"
Lee Jukheon gritted his teeth and charged.
He tried to predict Somun Gwang's movements as much as possible.
"You're faster than I expected."
Somun Gwang muttered with slight surprise.
"But not fast enough to touch me."
His lightning-fast kick struck Lee Jukheon's right hand.
Pain exploded through Lee Jukheon's arm.
His sword dropped from his hand.
Somun Gwang didn't miss the opening.
The dagger in his hand shot toward Lee Jukheon's throat.
"Stop."
A voice sounded.
Somun Gwang froze.
"Why, Cheon Sangwoon?"
The one who stopped him was none other than Cheon Sangwoon.
"I don't think we should let that man watch his companion get his throat cut."
"What if he suddenly awakens some hidden power?"
"You read too many comics."
Lee Jukheon hurriedly turned his head.
A man had come out of the warehouse and was approaching them.
Kang Yujin.
"Kang Yujin, weren't you guarding Daji?"
"Isn't it dangerous to leave her alone and come out here?"
"..."
Kang Yujin glanced at Cheon Sangwoon, who spoke in a relaxed tone.
Then he looked toward Seok Taejun lying on the ground.
"Lee Jukheon."
"Treat him."
"Ah."
"Got it!"
This was hardly the time to complain about being ordered around.
Lee Jukheon hurried to Seok Taejun.
Then he pulled out the healing medicine he had bought from an Apostle.
He's still breathing!
Is it because his Stamina stat is high?!
Lee Jukheon immediately began treatment...
Praying he wasn't too late.
I'm counting on you, Kang Yujin...!
It was frustrating.
But there was no helping it.
For now...
He had no choice but to leave everything to Kang Yujin.
Kang Yujin glared at Cheon Sangwoon...
Who stood there holding the Chimera in his arms.
Just like the last time they met...
Cheon Sangwoon looked back at him with a gentle smile on his handsome face.
"Cheon Sangwoon."
"I've already heard everything."
"Hmm?"
"What could you mean?"
"You were the one who released Daji from her seal."
"And you ordered her to kill Ha Mina and take her place."
"Oh?"
Cheon Sangwoon smiled.
"You believe the words of a villain like her?"
"Hard to believe."
Kang Yujin turned his head.
He looked at the collapsed Seok Taejun...
And Lee Jukheon desperately treating him.
"If I hadn't seen this."
"My, my."
Cheon Sangwoon smiled again.
"You attacked my companions."
"Can I take that to mean you don't plan to hide the truth anymore?"
"I never really lied."
"Really?"
"I simply didn't tell you."
"Either way..."
"Your conspiracy has been exposed to the entire world now."
Kang Yujin stared at Cheon Sangwoon's shameless face.
"Even if you kill all of us here and erase the evidence..."
"Countless Constellations must be watching this place right now."
"Everyone will learn what you're really like."
"..."
"You're no longer the noble knight loved by the people."
Honestly...
Kang Yujin felt disappointed.
Until now...
He had thought highly of Cheon Sangwoon.
"Your contracted Constellation will probably be disappointed too when he sees this."
"My contracted Constellation?"
"Yes."
Cheon Sangwoon was contracted with the S-rank Constellation "Shining Guardian."
"Hahaha."
Cheon Sangwoon laughed.
"What's funny?"
"Kang Yujin."
His voice sounded almost like he was correcting a child.
"I'm deeply favored by my Constellation."
"My Bond Rank is A."
"No matter how secretly I work..."
"Do you think it's possible for me to hide everything from my Constellation?"
"What...?"
"Yes."
Cheon Sangwoon nodded.
"Of course my Constellation is part of this too."
"...!"
"Now that I've started moving..."
Cheon Sangwoon looked up at the night sky and smiled.
"My Constellation should have started moving too."
"Don't move, Nameless Constellation."
"..."
I had been sitting in my chair, looking into the observation device...
When I suddenly felt something cold against my neck.
A knight had appeared without making a sound...
And placed her sword against my throat.
"How did you find this place?"
"Only a handful of people know the coordinates of my throne."
"That includes both Constellations and Apostles."
"There are ways."
She was tall...
With golden hair.
"My apologies for introducing myself so late."
"I am the A-rank Constellation 'White-Feathered Knight.'"
"My True Name is Bradamante."
"I was one of Charlemagne's Twelve Paladins..."
"And I am a descendant of Lord Hector, the 'Shining Guardian.'"
"In the Capital Region..."
"I am contracted with the Contractor Somun Gwang."
Bradamante.
A major character in the epic Orlando Furioso, which featured Charlemagne's Twelve Paladins.
She was also the only female knight among the Twelve Paladins.
She was known as an extremely brave knight.
After falling in love with a Saracen knight...
She overcame countless obstacles and eventually won her love.
She was also said to be a descendant of Hector, the hero of Troy.
"Originally..."
"I intended to contact you in a more peaceful manner."
"But given the urgency of the situation, I had no choice."
"I hope you understand."
"So what are you planning to do?"
"I would like you to order Kang Yujin to surrender."
"You want me to directly order a Contractor who's currently on the battlefield?"
"Isn't that rather inappropriate?"
"It doesn't matter."
"Oh."
"And please order your Apostle to stop the broadcast as well."
"..."
"This is a threat, Nameless Constellation."
Bradamante's voice was serious.
