Chapter 260

Chapter 260 – Tired of Chess

The overwhelming bloodlust in the air made Zaifo gasp for breath.

“Heh, haha…”

A dry chuckle slipped past his teeth. In a predicament like this, an ironic laugh was the only response he could muster.

“I estimated that we’d cross paths with the third or fourth blade at worst. We truly blundered into a massive mess,” Koksun lamented, drawing an affirmative nod from Zaifo.

“No kidding. This oppressive aura reminds me of that wretched old fool, One Sword Hamelan.”

“It doesn’t completely match the caliber of One Sword, but it’s highly troublesome regardless.”

Because the Tower Lord could withstand the constraints of Earth’s Binding, it was evident he had achieved the stage of Transcendence. In a flash, any trace of relaxed composure drained from their countenances.

“How should we proceed?”

Zaifo shrugged in response to Koksun’s query.

“What else? We negotiate. Tell us, Tower Lord, what are your terms? Are you demanding safe passage for the youth taking cover behind you?”

“Must I repeat myself?”

“Haha, certainly not. However, if we permit their departure, do you intend to remain submissively restrained by Earth’s Binding?”

At that moment, Exstr rushed ahead frantically.

“Tower Lord! Do not do this. We would rather perish in battle. If we pool our might, surely we can…!”

“Nonsense.”

The Tower Lord’s freezing tone instantly silenced Exstr. The captain recoiled under the piercing pressure, giving Koksun an opening to interject.

“Heh, pay attention to your leader. Perish in battle? Do you honestly believe your group can contribute anything? Your weapons and armor are already battered. Do you truly think you can endure even a couple of spells from veterans like us?”

“Quiet…!”

“Come now, Captain. Drop the pride. He is offering a chance for your survival, so accept it. Let us avoid making this unnecessarily complicated. It will be a grueling ordeal for us old men… but as for your squad? You will all be annihilated.”

“Stop talking rubbish. Lortel’s knights…”

“Ah, what a stubborn fool. I am washing my hands of this affair. Zaifo, you handle the negotiations with the Tower Lord.”

Aggrated by Exstr’s obstinacy, Koksun threw his hands up and retreated a few paces, signaling his withdrawal from the conversation.

Zaifo then focused his gaze on the Tower Lord, raising the issue.

“That is where we stand. What is your choice? If he persists in this attitude, our hands are tied as well.”

The Tower Lord offered no reply. Instead, he rose to his feet and walked over to Exstr.

“Tower Lord, our determination remains unshaken. It is far better to fall with dignity right here than to grovel for survival like weaklings…”

Exstr proclaimed with absolute resolve. In response, the Tower Lord deployed a privacy spell to block out sound.

“To hell with this garbage.”

“…?”

Exstr blinked in bewilderment at the sudden profanity. Suddenly, the Tower Lord’s frantic whisper penetrated his ears.

“Captain, are you utterly brainless? Do you believe I am throwing my life away just to protect you? Do I look insane to you?”

“Then…”

The Tower Lord exhaled a heavy breath.

“Pay attention. There is a strategy.”

“…A strategy?”

“Did you assume I was acting without forethought? Just pay attention.”

Though Exstr regarded him with skepticism, the Tower Lord pulled him closer and murmured directly into his ear. When the explanation concluded, Exstr looked at him anxiously.

“Are you certain that will function properly?”

Annoyed by the hesitation, the Tower Lord countered sharply, “Would you prefer we all get slaughtered here? Do you think those two are our only adversaries? If hostilities commence, do you honestly think Decullan will abstain from deploying forces? Is this not the sole path to collective survival?”

“But one detail…”

“What about it? Out with it. Do you possess a superior alternative?”

“No.”

The Tower Lord’s blueprint was straightforward.

• Keep this communication device. It connects straight to the Three Swords. Once you have gained sufficient distance, initiate contact.

In short, summon reinforcements.

A few uncertainties remained, causing the discussion to lengthen, but that was the core of it. Naturally, not every misgiving was resolved.

“Are you positive the Three Swords are waiting on standby?”

“Good grief, yes, I am absolutely sure.”

“Even if that is true, can you endure until they arrive? I was under the impression that Earth’s Binding is lethal to magic users.”

“Did you not witness my status moments ago? An hour poses no threat, and I can manage even beyond that. Do you think I intend to stay trapped indefinitely? Once your group is entirely safe, I will turn the tables.”

“…Are you serious?”

“Completely serious. Besides, you recognize that this path holds the greatest likelihood of success.”

“That may be so, but…”

Exstr continued to hesitate. Seeing this, the Tower Lord shifted his gaze toward Britra.

“Leader of the mercenaries, what is your assessment? Do you see an alternative?”

“…The proposal put forth by the Tower Lord appears to be our sole option. Attempting a combined assault would merely lead to our collective demise.”

“There you have it. That is his perspective.”

Left with no other viable path, Exstr relented.

“Very well… we will proceed with your idea.”

There was simply no other choice. Right then, the sound-blocking barrier fractured into pieces.

Crackle…!

“Has your private conference concluded? We will lose our patience if this drags on further.”

“We are finished. Additionally, could you slightly pull back the search parties under Decullan?”

“Impossible. What if Lortel infiltrates while our scouts are away? Instead, I shall command them to clear a path for your exit.”

“Immediately?”

“…Yes, this instant.”

Zaifo immediately produced his communication artifact to instruct the Decullan mages scouring the vicinity.

“Is it arranged?”

“This is genuine, correct?”

“Haha, you must grant us some trust on this matter. Besides, you provided a device to the Captain as well… he will notify us if any trickery occurs.”

“True enough.”

“An escalation would only inconvenience both parties. Why would I jeopardize this?”

“Very well, I shall take your word for it.”

Consequently, a temporary truce was established.

“…Tower Lord. We shall depart.”

“Indeed, travel safely. Do not squander the survival I have secured for you.”

“…”

Exstr lowered his head silently, while the mercenary leader Britra offered a respectful nod.

“Our gratitude.”

“Save it. Simply ensure you remember my instructions.”

“…Understood.”

With those final words, the fifty-three remaining survivors evacuated the cavern that had served as their sanctuary for nearly a week.

Once the area cleared out.

“Heh, shall we take a seat now?”

“Yes, let us.”

The Tower Lord reclined within the area affected by Earth’s Binding. Koksun, who had been observing the interactions silently, queried at that moment.

“What is your hidden agenda? That stubborn man wouldn’t have retreated so easily without a compelling reason.”

“Are you truly inquisitive?”

“Naturally. Your response determines whether our situation becomes exhausting for the both of us.”

As he finished speaking, Zaifo subtly raised his communication orb, implicitly threatening to signal the trackers at a moment’s notice. The Tower Lord merely smirked at the display.

“You old men frighten far too easily.”

“Then perhaps you can put our fearful minds at ease?”

“Hmph, what reassurance? By the time the reinforcements from Torres garrison arrive, the matter will already be concluded.”

“Haha, one can never be certain. Perhaps members of the Ten Swords are lying in wait.”

“You understand better than anyone else that such is not the case.”

After all, why approach unaccompanied if other members of the Ten Swords were close by?

And…

“What if they are?”

“What could I possibly do? I would contact them immediately…”

Operating under the assumption that he held all the cards, Zaifo smiled broadly as he spoke.

“Go right ahead.”

Zaifo’s words died in his throat at the freezing tone of the Tower Lord’s voice. The knightly order had functioned as a perfect restraint keeping the Tower Lord trapped under Earth’s Binding. But the moment that restraint departed…

Zaifo gave a nervous chuckle at the realization.

“It seems this old man’s jest went a bit too far.”

“Let us avoid making this tedious for one another. Agreed?”

With that statement, the Tower Lord rested his elbow on the side support and signaled with his fingers.

“Waiting around is tedious. How about a match of chess?”

Zaifo was utterly stunned.

“You are completely out of your mind.”

The figure before him was no longer anchored to sanity.

Immediately after exiting the cavern, Captain Exstr guided his warriors along the mountain trails without pausing to catch his breath.

True to Zaifo’s word, the searchers under Decullan left them entirely unmolested.

After running for a considerable duration.

“…”

Exstr monitored their surroundings before reaching toward the communication device hidden in his garments. Or rather, he attempted to do so.

If not for the sudden strike that caught him directly at the base of his skull.

“…Ugh!”

Exstr collapsed instantly from the unexpected betrayal.

“…Captain!”

“Sir Britra, what is the meaning of this?!”

The warriors were frozen in shock by the mercenary leader’s abrupt action. Ignoring their protests, Britra searched Exstr’s clothes and retrieved the communication orb.

Soon, a voice resonated from the device.

[Mercenary Captain?]

“Yes, Tower Lord.”

[Excellent work. Continue your withdrawal.]

Hearing that composed tone, Britra’s eyes shifted slightly.

“Thank y—”

[That is enough. Sever the connection. Contact me only if an emergency arises.]

The device went dark.

Britra stared at the extinguished artifact before shifting his gaze to the assembled knights. They were milling about in utter bewilderment, unable to comprehend the events, but Britra offered no explanations. He simply hoisted the unconscious Captain Exstr onto his shoulder.

Then, he reviewed his thoughts.

‘Alright…’

The directive delivered via the Tower Lord’s transmission consisted of two tasks.

First: Should Exstr attempt to utilize the communication device, render him unconscious and take over the transmission instead.

Second: Persuasion.

• The remaining knights possess equal stubbornness; they will refuse to move. You must convince them using logic, practical Captain.

Yet, finding the right words was a challenge. Britra possessed no silver tongue.

Ultimately, he relied on his most practiced approach.

“Regrettably, knights, I am taking custody of your captain’s life.”

Having delivered the ultimatum, Britra dashed away. The mercenaries hesitated briefly, glancing back at the knights, before following his lead one by one.

And.

“…Let us go.”

Shortly after, the knights joined the retreat as well, one by one.

…They had all recognized the transparent deception. Even if they refused to follow, Britra harbored no genuine intent to harm the Captain.

However.

The knights were left with no alternative but to advance. Returning under these circumstances would only render them a liability to the Tower Lord. There would be no honorable demise, only a meaningless death that dragged their protector down with them.

Thus, the combined force of mercenaries and knights traversed the rugged peaks of Torres.

…And once they had completely cleared the boundaries of Decullan’s search operations.

“Surely this duration has been sufficient for sitting?”

Zaifo looked at the Tower Lord with twitching eyes. It defied all logic.

“How… are you able to withstand Earth’s Binding for such an extended period?”

“Withstand it? Not at all. Observe this.”

Magical sparks crackled within his palm. The Tower Lord manipulated the energy, a grin spreading across his face.

“It has diminished compared to before, has it not?”

“…”

Zaifo found himself speechless. It was incomprehensible, even as an eyewitness. The man had been trapped for hours, yet he wielded his magical energy with absolute ease.

There was no time left for wonder, however. He no longer possessed any mechanism to restrain the Tower Lord.

“I have grown weary of chess, so let us pivot to a different game.”

The Tower Lord had maintained control over the situation from the very beginning.