Chapter 434
Episode 125: The Assailants, The Brothers (2)
The Tona brothers were fishing on a small uninhabited island just off the coast of Tikan.
Their weapons were hidden in a small boat, and with straw hats disguising them, they looked every bit like carefree idlers.
“When will we ever get to see the youngest brother?”
Just as Heitona spoke, a fish bit the bait.
Plop, plop.
The bobber wobbled, and Deitona yanked the fishing rod sharply.
The graceful arc the fishing line traced through the air should have signaled a big catch, but in his hand was a pitifully small minnow.
Watching the flapping fish, the Tona brothers both licked their lips in disappointment.
“It seems like for guys like us, meeting the youngest brother is out of the question now. He’s become too big a deal.”
Carefully, they removed the hook and released the minnow back into the sea.
Of course, that tiny fish could never be considered a master of this vast ocean.
Among whales, sharks, and all manner of predators, it was just a small, insignificant creature—struggling to survive, let alone rule the sea.
For some reason, the brothers saw a reflection of themselves in the minnow’s wriggling back as it swam away.
Lately, the two felt a deeper sense of crisis than before.
They were treated like air—or worse—by their elder brothers, and neither Siron nor Rosa had ever shown them even a shred of hope.
At least the youngest brother still showed some interest in them, and they wanted to get closer.
More than trying to use his power to secure a place in the family or to survive, as Emma the nanny had suggested, they simply wanted to talk.
It was an unconscious desire to receive encouragement and comfort from someone they admired.
But the Tona brothers didn’t understand what that feeling was. No one had ever told them that sometimes, when people are tired and struggling, they naturally feel that way.
They had grown up in Runkandel.
“That’s true. The youngest brother isn’t someone you can just meet without a special reason. But honestly, even if we did meet, it’d be a problem. If he asked why we came and we said, ‘Just thought of you,’ he’d probably think we’re pathetic.”
“That’s the truth, though.”
“Ugh, if only we hadn’t been so reckless and foolish when we were kids, maybe the youngest brother would think a little better of us.”
“We were fearless back then, both of us.”
Their gaze drifted beyond the fishing rods to the blue sea, where the shining free city of Tikan rose like a towering spire.
That island, standing tall like a tower, was the brilliant stronghold the youngest brother had built.
Sometimes they wondered if it would be more meaningful to belong to that island rather than Runkandel. After all, it seemed unlikely they could ever earn much value in the Garden of Swords.
“…Let’s head back. Even if we meet the youngest brother like this, all we’ll do is disappoint him. To say we just came to see him when he’s so busy—what were we thinking?”
“Yeah. Let’s go catch those die-hard Zipple fanatics or inspect the management zones or something.”
Sigh…
Just as the brothers were packing up their fishing rods, letting out heavy sighs, it happened.
“Wha—!”
“Damn it!”
The Tona brothers jumped to their feet, pointing angrily at a small vessel.
Unlike the other fishing boats busy in the waters near Tikan, this one had a different purpose.
Instead of fishermen, it carried twenty warriors.
The boat was very close to Tikan, and the warriors drew their swords, unleashing sword energy toward the free city without a moment’s hesitation.
Shhhk! Kwang! Krzzt…!
The magically reinforced outer walls were suddenly sliced and shattered like tofu under the relentless sword strikes.
“What the hell are those guys!?”
They couldn’t immediately identify their affiliation.
But the moment the attack began, the brothers were certain: these were elite assassins, a deadly squad of killers.
At least 7th rank, possibly up to 9th—or even higher.
Where on earth did they come from? Mercenaries? There aren’t many mercenary groups bold enough to pull this off. Zipple? Or the Imperial Court?
Whoever sent them, could they win if they fought?
No. They couldn’t win. And strictly speaking, there was no reason to fight. Getting involved could only lead to disaster. Besides, the youngest brother had other allies in Tikan.
A flood of thoughts crashed through the brothers’ minds.
The rational choice was to stay put or retreat, but at the same time, the Tona brothers shouted:
“Let’s go!”
To come just to see the youngest brother meant they were willing to fight for him—no matter the cost.
They didn’t even consider that this might be a chance to ‘look good’ in his eyes. All they felt was the urgent need to stop the attackers as quickly as possible.
They whipped up a sword wind to propel their small boat, and since the distance was short, they soon reached Tikan’s outer wall.
They had already concluded they couldn’t win, but as the battle drew near, a smile crept onto the brothers’ faces.
The world hadn’t dubbed them the “Hell’s Prodigy Brothers” for nothing.
“Heh, hey! Stop, you vermin! Heh, no—just die!”
Deitona’s eyes gleamed fiercely as he shouted, swinging his greatsword toward the assassins trying to enter Tikan.
Whoosh—! Slash!
The sword energy from his blade cut through the air with weighty force. At the same time, Heitona unleashed his chain sword.
Though both brothers were currently at 7th rank, the sword energy, amplified by Runkandel’s unique brute strength, was on par with that of much higher-ranked warriors.
Five of the assassins blocked the sword energy, while the other fifteen had already entered Tikan and begun fighting their comrades inside.
“Die!”
Deitona and Heitona unleashed sword energy again.
Under the onslaught, four of the five assassins hesitated briefly. Holding off such sword energy on a rocking ship required incredible skill.
But those four didn’t have to fend off the brothers’ attacks themselves.
One of them, the leader among the five remaining outside the island, blocked every strike perfectly.
Perhaps to conceal their affiliation, all the assassins wielded ordinary longswords.
“This wasn’t in the story,” the leader said.
“What do we do now?”
The leader and his men showed nothing but indifference toward the boldly appearing Tona brothers, as if minnows like them were no threat.
As if deciding whether to spare or kill them was their prerogative.
That drove the Tona brothers mad.
“What do we do? You mean you just discussed what to do with us just now?”
“Ha! Facing two Runkandel riders… you’re either very confident or crazy. And this place you attacked is the stronghold of the 12th Riders.”
Deitona unleashed sword energy again, but the leader easily dispersed it.
“Deitona Runkandel and Heitona Runkandel. I’ve heard you’re dumb, but I didn’t expect this level.”
The leader shook his head.
“What?”
“Didn’t get a feel for the first strike? No matter what, you can’t beat me.”
The brothers couldn’t deny his words.
“Ah, a feel. Got it. But why?”
“You don’t seem to value your lives. Even if you die attacking me here, do you think the 12th Riders will care?”
“Ha ha, so you’re offering mercy and telling us to back off quietly?”
“That’s right.”
“Too bad. Someone recently reminded me that fighting stronger opponents is a necessary virtue in Runkandel. So no, we won’t back down.”
The brothers leapt simultaneously, shattering the small boat beneath them.
They landed on the ship with the assassins, their eyes glowing red with murderous intent.
“If you insist on throwing away your chance to live, I won’t stop you.”
“It’s been a long time since we fought opponents who aren’t intimidated by the name Runkandel.”
“Come on in! Heh! No, I’m going in!”
As Heitona and Deitona charged, the leader swung his sword once, pushing them back.
“I’ll stay outside alone. I’ll finish this quickly and join you. You two, get inside and link up with your comrades.”
The assassins scattered.
The brothers didn’t try to stop those entering Tikan. Or rather, they couldn’t.
They knew that with just the leader left on the ship, there was no hope.
Just standing there, his presence is overwhelming… He must be someone hired by the 2nd Riders or the Elders’ Council. But where did he come from?
There must be at least a few more like him inside Tikan. If even one comes out, Deitona and I have to take him down, but judging by his martial prowess, that seems impossible…
The brothers’ hope was simple.
Hold out.
Surely the youngest brother has been informed of the attack on Tikan. We just have to hold on until then. Once reinforcements come through the transit gate, it’ll be over soon.
Of course, the youngest brother’s allies inside Tikan might defeat the assassins and come to their aid.
But that chance was slim.
The number of leader-class assassins heading inside was overwhelming, and more could infiltrate through other routes.
The clash of swords between the Tona brothers and the leader rang out like thunder.
With every blow he took, the Tona brothers gritted their teeth, while the captain remained calm, almost as if he were playing with a toy.
“They’re probably counting on reinforcements from the 12th squad or some other faction,” the captain said, casually pointing up at the sky amid the ongoing clash. An unusually thick layer of clouds had gathered overhead.
“You do know the transit gates can’t be used during heavy rain or snow, right?”
Before he could finish, thunder rumbled and thick raindrops began to pour down.
“How… could it be? Did you really control the weather?” Heitona ground his teeth as he asked, and the captain just shrugged.
“Let’s just say it was a matter of observation, prediction, and experience. This will last at least two days. After that time… you and Tikan won’t exist in this world anymore…”
Amid the howling wind and rain, and the captain’s words meant to crush the Tona brothers’ hope, a sudden cry pierced through the storm.
It was the call of a rare beast—the snow toad Mot.