I Regressed to My Ruined Family – 97

 #I returned, and my family was ruined (98)

“This is one of the secret training grounds owned by our Black Society.”

The place Decal led them to was indeed a secret training ground. Inside, several senior members were continuing their training.

The masked men’s eyes turned toward the two who had entered. Decal looked at Ethan and said,

“They are the core power of our Black Society. Would it be okay if you observe their demonstration together?”

That was precisely why he had led the duke to the secret training ground.

If he was going to persuade him, he needed to convince not only the duke but also the senior members at once to avoid any backlash.

Besides, with many eyes watching, they could confirm whether the duke’s technique was truly useful. Ethan, who understood Decal’s intention at once, nodded.

“It doesn’t matter. This is perfect.”

“May I ask what the duke will demonstrate?”

“It’s simple. Just the sword techniques of an assassin and their subtleties.”

“…Did the duke’s family have such sword techniques?”

“No. I created them myself.”

Viscount Bloten.

In the past, when he handed over documents containing information about the dragon clan.

The documents he handed over at that time did not only contain traditional techniques.

“Shadow worshippers.”

One of the six dragon clans, they were literally dragons who could hide in shadows. They were one of the dragon clans optimized for guarding important dragons and assassinating enemies.

Surprisingly, the information the marquis had given me also included information on the sword techniques used by the Shadow Worshippers.

“It wasn’t very detailed, but it was enough to get a basic idea.”

It was enough to establish a basic framework.

Just a few months ago, he had created the Dragon Slayer Sword after observing the sword techniques used by several branch families.

For Ethan, utilizing the techniques provided by the marquis was not difficult.

Ethan looked around and then at Decal.

“Black Society Leader.”

“Yes.”

“Swordplay or footwork. Which would you like to see first?”

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“…If I have to choose one, I’ll go with footwork.”

“Then attack me.”

“…What? You could be fatally wounded. You know something about our assassins’ methods, don’t you?”

The Black Society leader waved his hand dismissively.

As the leader of an organization, he had mastered the secret techniques passed down through generations of the Black Society.

Even though he was an assassin,

he was capable of holding his own in a full-scale battle.

He could take down an 8-star knight as an assassin.

And in a full-scale battle, he had the skills to even trouble a 7-star knight.

“Even though the duke is said to be very talented…”

Decal thought it was a dangerous proposal. In his opinion, the duke’s mana did not seem to exceed 7 stars.

Moreover, the techniques he had learned were all sword techniques that targeted the enemy’s vital points.

If he wasn’t careful, the duke could be fatally wounded.

The other officers around him had similar reactions. No matter how talented the duke was, they didn’t know what would happen if he faced the Black Society’s attack head-on.

That was when

Ethan replied with a slight smile.

“You’re quite cowardly for the leader of assassins.”

“…This is not cowardice, but common sense. Besides, how could I hurt my benefactor?”

“Hm. The leader of the Black Society seems to have a very high opinion of himself.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Do you think you can touch a single hair on my head with those skills?”

And that was in a full-scale battle, not a surprise attack.

Ethan’s words made Decal look confused for a moment, but he soon shook his head and said,

“Your words are a little… harsh.”

“What can I do when it’s so obvious?”

Black Society leader Decal.

He still didn’t know that there was a sky above him.

Well, he knew, but

‘He doesn’t really understand.’

The world is vast, and there are many true masters who cannot be judged by their mana alone.

Ethan understood.

Carmen.

He had lived in a place that could be called a metropolis for decades, never bowing his head to anyone.

In such cases, the solution was simple.

He had to make him realize with his whole body that the ground he was standing on was not actually above ground, but below it.

“If you don’t want to regret it, swing your sword with all your heart. Then let’s begin.”

The moment he finished speaking,

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Ethan’s new form instantly appeared in front of him. The Black Society leader was shocked by his natural yet stealthy footwork.

“What!”

It felt as if a shadow had approached without a sound.

He shook his eyes for a moment.

The Black Society leader quickly drew the sword from his waist and swung it.

It was not an attack aimed at his vital points.

It was simply a single swing to fend off the approaching assassin.

However.

Contrary to his expectations, the assassin did not retreat even an inch.

Instead, with a single step, he dodged the sword and was now pointing his broadsword at Decal’s neck.

“What the…?”

Decal widened his eyes.

The broadsword was not called a broadsword for no reason.

It was called a broadsword because it was much larger and heavier than an ordinary sword.

Not only did he approach so stealthily that even he didn’t notice, but he also took control of his neck in an instant?

It was an unbelievable result.

A murmur rose from the crowd.

Decal wasn’t the only one who couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

The other executives were also watching the scene unfold in real time.

“What… what is this?”

“The Black Society leader was defeated so easily?”

The Black Society leader!

Who was he?

Except for a handful of transcendent beings and superhumans in the west,

He was known to be so skilled that no one could ever feel safe from his assassination attempts.

And yet, he was subdued so easily, like a child?

Even the executives couldn’t help but be shaken by the shocking result.

Decal and the other Black Society executives were speechless.

“He’s already dead.”

“…

Guh!

Decal clenched his teeth.

For an assassin, having one’s vital point struck was as shameful as a knight showing his back.

It was a profession where one had to live one’s entire life doing the opposite in order to live a long life.

His anger was short-lived.

Decal’s head slowly cooled down.

“…He’s incredibly skilled.”

He was an exceptional master whose skill could not be gauged by his mana alone.

Having seen his technique just now, Dekal had no choice but to acknowledge it.

“…Yes. I’m dead.”

However.

The reason his neck was so easily exposed was because he had let his guard down.

“Please… Give me one more chance. I won’t let my guard down this time.”

“All right.”

Ethan took a few steps back and looked at Decal.

“Are you ready?”

“…Yes!”

“Begin.”

Once again, the duke’s sword slid smoothly. Seeing this, Decal’s eyes lit up and he swung his sword.

His sword was aimed right at the duke’s neck.

Now that he knew that his opponent was a better swordsman than himself, he had no reason to hesitate.

Like a snake writhing in the darkness, Decal’s sword created multiple sword shadows.

Shah!

With a sharp piercing sound, his sword grazed the duke’s neck.

However, there was no feeling of cutting flesh.

“…What?”

Even though he didn’t stab him directly, he clearly saw the sword graze his neck.

He saw it clearly.

That was the moment he thought that.

The duke’s body in front of him melted away like wax and slid to the floor.

“You died twice.”

“…!”

Decal’s entire body shivered at the familiar voice coming from behind him.

The moment he turned his head to the side,

he saw a huge sword aimed at his neck.

“How did he get here so fast?”

Dekal wasn’t letting his guard down like he had a moment ago. That was why he used the vision sword technique he learned in the Black Society.

But what was this result?

He couldn’t possibly follow that footwork with his own eyes.

Even Dekal, the most skilled fighter, had never seen such a technique before. The secret training ground was already filled with confusion and turmoil. “What the hell is that technique?”

“Shadow Technique.”

Shadow Technique.

It was a simple name, but it seemed to fit perfectly.

“Want to try again?”

“That technique… can you not only dodge, but also avoid attacks head-on?”

“Yes, I can.”

“Ha… Could you show me once? I will use the best sword technique I learned in the Black Society. If you can dodge that perfectly, I will acknowledge you.”

“Sure.”

Ethan nodded readily.

It was a somewhat disrespectful thing to say in front of the duke, to say that he would stab him with his sword.

“Good.”

Ethan had been hoping for this from the start. Only if he gave it his all and still couldn’t defeat him would he truly accept his words.

Decal looked at Ethan standing still and swallowed hard before saying,

“Can we begin?”

“Go ahead.”

“I’m really going!”

Decal shouted warningly and spun the mana spreading throughout his body.

Shura Sword.

It was a sword technique filled with killing intent, used only in the final moments of a battle when facing an opponent head-on.

His sword began to pierce dozens of vital points.

The sword strikes multiplied.

With each successive Shura Sword strike, Decal was horrified.

The neck, shoulders, spine, and solar plexus.

Even though he was swinging his sword at only the most vital points,

The duke dodged all of his attacks, leaving only a faint trace of his presence, like a candle about to be extinguished.

Even though he squeezed out every last bit of mana, the result remained the same.

“…Ugh! Ugh!”

“Is it over?”

“…

Decal stared blankly at the duke.

“Do you think you can even touch a single hair on my body with that skill?”

When he first heard it, it sounded incredibly arrogant.

But now.

He understood why the duke had said that.

“Ha ha ha…”

He already knew.

The unbridgeable gap between them.

“……”

Unlike Dekal, who smiled in disappointment, the officers remained silent.

“…He dodged all the Sura swords?”

What was even more surprising was that the duke did not move a single step even under the fierce attack of the Black Society.

The executives, who realized this fact belatedly, let out silent cries of horror.

“…Oh my God!”

“…He’s a monster.”

A real monster that they couldn’t defeat even if they gathered hundreds of them.

The rumors that had shaken the western region were nothing compared to his true abilities.

Everyone present realized this clearly.

“…You said we were like frogs in a well.”

“That’s right.”

“We understand what you meant perfectly. If… we were to enter your service… would we be able to escape from that well?”

“I will help you do so.”

It was a calm answer, but that made it even more trustworthy.

Ethan looked around at the people around him and said,

“Even if you come under me, the basic principles will remain the same. You will gather information and sometimes be ordered to carry out assassinations. There is one thing I can promise you…”

Ethan looked around at the people in the secret training ground and said,

“That I will kill those who deserve to die.”

“What is the standard for someone who deserves to die?”

“I’m talking about trash. You’ve seen plenty of them, haven’t you?”

“Huh… Those are excellent conditions for an assassin.”

Not only would he gain better skills, but he would also have the opportunity to experience a wider world.

And all they have to do in return is kill those who deserve to die.

For assassins, it was an offer that couldn’t be better.

Decal looked around at the executives and nodded. If such an offer had come from anywhere else, no matter how excellent the skills offered, he would not have accepted it so easily.

However, the person standing before him was none other than the head of the Ardan family, who had shown him kindness in the past.

There was no more hesitation.

Dekal looked at the executives gathered in the secret training ground and said,

“From this moment on, I will serve under the duke. What will you do?”

They already knew the conditions the duke had offered. When he had gathered the senior officers here, Decal had already told them about the conditions.

“It would be difficult for you to leave us behind. We have already said that we will follow the leader’s decision.”

All the senior officers nodded in agreement. Seeing this, Decal knelt down.

“Will you accept our Black Society?”

Ethan nodded.

“From now on, we will serve the duke as our lord!”

“We will serve you as our lord!”

Even dozens of officers knelt down together.

Bringing in the Black Society.

The matter had been successfully concluded.