Chapter 536: The Wrath of a Grandmaster

The destruction of the Iron Fang Mercenary Company had sent shockwaves throughout the surrounding districts.

For nearly twenty years, Gideon Marholt had commanded one of the distract’s most influential mercenary organizations.

Yet in the span of several days, his company’s financial support had disappeared, its contracts had been terminated, and its reputation had been reduced to ruins.

Not a single army had been mobilized against it.

Not a single fortress had been besieged.

Sage had accomplished everything through commercial influence, carefully coordinated arrangements, and the evidence gathered by the Guild’s intelligence network.

And now, with Iron Fang completely dismantled, the attention of the Royal Capital had shifted toward the Black Banner Mercenary Company.

Unlike Gideon Marholt, Roderick Halbrecht had not lost control of his organization.

Black Banner remained operational, although several important clients had abandoned it and its finances were steadily deteriorating. More importantly, Roderick still commanded a considerable number of experienced Warriors who remained personally loyal to him.

As a 5-Star Master Knight, he possessed enough individual strength to intimidate ordinary merchants and smaller mercenary organizations.

But Roderick understood what was happening.

Sage had destroyed Iron Fang without drawing a sword, and unless something changed, Black Banner could eventually suffer the same fate.

Roderick had no intention of waiting for that to happen.

That morning, he assembled forty of his most loyal mercenaries inside Black Banner’s headquarters.

His lieutenant, Ulric Dane, watched with growing unease as the commander fastened his armor and secured his longsword.

"Commander, marching against the Guild will only worsen our situation," Ulric warned, stepping closer. "The authorities are already investigating the caravan attack. If we threaten the Guildmaster openly, they’ll have every reason to arrest us."

Roderick tightened the strap beneath his breastplate. "Let them try. I’m finished watching Alistair hide behind merchants and officials while everything I’ve built falls apart."

---

The procession attracted attention almost immediately.

Forty armed mercenaries marching through the Royal Capital were difficult to overlook, particularly when their commander wore the black armor associated with one of the city’s most notorious mercenary companies.

Shopkeepers hurried to close their establishments while pedestrians moved away from the approaching Warriors.

By the time Black Banner reached the western merchant district, several city guards had gathered ahead of them.

Their captain stepped forward, raising one hand.

"Commander Halbrecht, your men are disturbing the peace," the guard captain declared firmly. "Disperse immediately. If you have grievances against the Adventurer Guild, present them through the proper authorities."

Roderick regarded him with open contempt. "Move aside. My business is with Sage Alistair."

The guard captain remained standing. "You cannot march armed men through the Capital and threaten its residents."

Roderick’s expression darkened.

Mana began gathering around his body.

Several guards instinctively tightened their grips upon their weapons.

A 5-Star Master Knight was not someone ordinary soldiers could easily restrain.

Before the confrontation escalated, however, a familiar voice interrupted.

"Halbrecht, I suggest you listen to the captain."

---

Leon Drakar stood near the entrance of a nearby street, accompanied by two Knights of the Ardent Sun Knight Order.

He had been returning from an appointment when the disturbance caught his attention.

Unlike Roderick’s heavily armed followers, Leon appeared remarkably relaxed. His armor bore the insignia of the Ardent Sun, and a longsword hung at his waist.

Nevertheless, the moment the surrounding guards recognized him, their expressions changed.

Roderick turned toward the newcomer.

"Leon Drakar," he muttered, narrowing his eyes. "This has nothing to do with your Knight Order."

Leon approached at an unhurried pace. "You’ve brought forty armed mercenaries into a crowded district and threatened to confront the Guildmaster. Unfortunately, that makes it everyone’s concern."

Roderick sneered. "Are you here as captain of the Ardent Sun, or as Alistair’s obedient Adventurer?"

Leon’s smile faded slightly.

"I’m here because you’re threatening innocent people," he answered. "Order your men to withdraw, surrender your weapons, and accompany the guards. There’s still time to settle this without bloodshed."

Roderick placed his hand upon his sword.

"Then you’ll have to make me."

---

Leon sighed.

He had encountered plenty of stubborn Warriors throughout his career, but there was a particular kind of foolishness that emerged when powerful men began confusing their pride with their actual capabilities.

Roderick was unquestionably strong.

A 5-Star Master Knight possessed formidable physical abilities, considerable Mana, and martial techniques capable of overwhelming most ordinary Knights.

Against another Master Knight, he would have been a dangerous opponent.

Unfortunately for him, Leon Drakar was not another Master Knight.

He was a 6-Star Grandmaster Knight.

And the difference between those two realms was considerable.

Leon glanced toward the guards before addressing them. "Captain, evacuate the surrounding streets. Have your men prevent the mercenaries from interfering, but avoid unnecessary bloodshed."

The guard captain nodded immediately. "Understood, Captain Drakar."

Leon then turned toward his accompanying Knights. "Assist the guards. Nobody approaches unless I give the order."

Both Knights acknowledged the instruction.

Roderick watched the arrangements with increasing irritation.

"You speak as though you’ve already won," he growled.

Leon rested his hand upon his sword.

"I was hoping you wouldn’t force me to demonstrate why."

Roderick drew his longsword. Crimson Mana erupted around the blade as he charged forward, his armored boots cracking the pavement beneath him.

The speed of his attack drew startled cries from the retreating civilians.

His sword descended toward Leon’s shoulder with enough force to split an armored Warrior in two.

Leon drew his weapon. A sharp metallic impact echoed through the street.

Roderick’s sword stopped.

Leon had intercepted the attack with one hand.

The mercenary commander’s expression changed immediately.

He pushed harder, channeling more Mana into his weapon, but Leon’s blade remained perfectly steady.

"Your technique is powerful," Leon observed, studying his opponent. "Unfortunately, you’re wasting too much strength on the opening strike."

He twisted his wrist.

Roderick’s sword was forced aside, and Leon stepped forward, striking the mercenary commander across the chest with his free hand.

The impact sent Roderick flying backward.

He crashed through an abandoned market stall, scattering shattered timber across the pavement.

For several moments, the surrounding guards stared in disbelief.

Roderick rose from the wreckage, his expression twisted with humiliation.

Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

He had expected Leon to be stronger.

He had not expected the difference to be so overwhelming.

With an enraged roar, Roderick gathered his Mana and launched another attack.

His longsword flashed through a succession of powerful strikes, each accompanied by crimson light.

Leon advanced directly into the assault.

His movements were remarkably economical.

He deflected one strike, stepped beyond another, and redirected a third with a slight adjustment of his blade.

Roderick’s attacks struck empty air or collided harmlessly with Leon’s weapon.

Then Leon counterattacked.

His sword flashed toward Roderick’s shoulder.

The mercenary commander barely managed to raise his blade in defense.

The collision shattered the guard of his weapon and drove him backward several paces.

Before Roderick could recover, Leon struck again.

A precise slash tore through the fastening of his left shoulder guard, sending the armor plate clattering onto the pavement.

Roderick staggered.

For the first time, genuine fear appeared in his eyes.

---

The battle had already attracted the attention of the Adventurer Guild.

Sage Alistair arrived with Cassian Rook and several security personnel just as Roderick attempted another desperate offensive.

From the edge of the evacuated street, Sage watched Leon evade a powerful downward strike before delivering a sharp kick to his opponent’s abdomen.

Roderick was hurled backward into the stone wall of an empty warehouse.

Cracks spread across the masonry.

Cassian examined the damage before turning toward Sage. "Guildmaster, Captain Drakar has the situation under control. I’ve instructed our personnel to remain behind the city guards."

Sage nodded, his attention fixed upon the combatants.

He had known Leon was a Grandmaster Knight long before the captain became the Guild’s first Platinum Adventurer.

Nevertheless, witnessing the difference between Leon and a Master Knight was something else entirely.

Roderick was fighting desperately.

Leon appeared to be controlling every exchange.

---

Inside the damaged warehouse, Roderick struggled to his feet.

His breastplate had cracked, and pain spread through his ribs whenever he breathed.

He glared toward Leon, who stood several paces away.

"Do you think this makes you better than me?" Roderick demanded, gripping his damaged sword.

Leon regarded him calmly. "As a swordsman? Yes. As a man? Your decision to attack innocent people has already answered that question."

Roderick’s face contorted with rage.

He gathered every remaining reserve of Mana into his weapon.

Crimson light spread across the blade, illuminating the broken walls.

Leon recognized the technique immediately.

Roderick intended to release a devastating attack regardless of the damage it might cause to the surrounding district.

The Grandmaster’s expression hardened.

"Enough."

Golden Mana surged around Leon’s sword.

Until now, he had relied primarily upon his physical strength, refined swordsmanship, and superior control.

This time, he released the power befitting his rank.

The air trembled beneath the pressure.

Roderick froze momentarily as the overwhelming presence of a Grandmaster Knight filled the warehouse.

Then Leon moved.

---

Roderick barely saw the first strike.

A golden flash crossed the distance between them, followed by a tremendous impact that shattered his sword near the guard.

The broken blade spun through the air.

Before Roderick could react, Leon’s second strike tore through his breastplate.

Metal fragments scattered across the floor.

The mercenary commander stumbled backward, blood spreading across his chest.

Leon stepped forward and struck him with the pommel of his sword.

A sickening crack echoed through the warehouse as Roderick’s jaw fractured.

The mercenary commander collapsed against a broken pillar, struggling to remain conscious.

Leon approached slowly.

"Yield," he commanded, keeping his sword ready. "Your men are surrounded, and this fight is finished."

Roderick spat blood onto the floor.

For several moments, he appeared incapable of answering.

Then his right hand moved toward a dagger concealed beneath his damaged armor.

Leon noticed immediately.

---

Roderick lunged.

The dagger flashed toward Leon’s throat, accompanied by the last desperate surge of his Mana.

Leon stepped aside.

His sword moved once.

The blade pierced Roderick’s chest, passing through the ruined armor and striking his heart.

The mercenary commander’s body stiffened.

His dagger slipped from his fingers.

For a moment, he stared at Leon with an expression of disbelief.

Then his legs gave way.

Leon withdrew his sword, allowing Roderick to collapse onto the broken stone floor.

The commander of the Black Banner Mercenary Company was dead.

Leon remained standing for several moments, watching his fallen opponent.

He had offered Roderick several opportunities to surrender.

The man had rejected every one.

There was nothing more to be done.

---

When Leon emerged from the warehouse, the surrounding guards immediately straightened.

The remaining Black Banner mercenaries had already surrendered their weapons after witnessing their commander’s defeat.

Ulric Dane stood among them, his expression pale.

He had known Leon was powerful.

But watching a 5-Star Master Knight utterly overwhelmed had destroyed whatever confidence remained among Roderick’s followers.

Sage approached as Leon wiped his blade clean.

"Captain Drakar," Sage greeted him, glancing toward the damaged warehouse. "I see you’ve resolved the situation."

Leon sighed. "Unfortunately, Halbrecht refused every opportunity to surrender. I would have preferred avoiding his death."

Sage examined the ruined building before returning his attention to the Grandmaster. "At least the civilians were evacuated. The authorities can investigate the confrontation, and the Guild will cooperate fully."

Leon nodded. "Of course, Guildmaster."

---

By evening, news of Roderick Halbrecht’s death had spread throughout the Royal Capital.

Witnesses described how the commander of Black Banner had challenged Leon Drakar, only to discover the terrifying difference between a Master Knight and a Grandmaster Knight.

The battle had damaged a warehouse, destroyed several market stalls, and left portions of the street in ruins.

Yet the confrontation had ended without the prolonged devastation that two evenly matched Grandmasters might have caused.

For many citizens, the incident changed their perception of Leon.

They had grown accustomed to seeing him visiting the Adventurer Guild, accepting missions, exchanging jokes with Sage, and competing endlessly with Lucan over Adventurer accomplishments.

Some had nearly forgotten what his position truly represented.

Leon Drakar was not merely the Guild’s first Platinum Adventurer.

He was the captain of the Ardent Sun Knight Order, one of the ten strongest Knight Orders in the entire Kingdom.

A 6-Star Grandmaster Knight whose martial ability had been forged through years of battle.

And today, the Royal Capital had been reminded that the friendly captain who regularly walked through the Guild’s doors was also one of the most dangerous Warriors in the Kingdom.