Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows

Clang.

He tossed away the hilt and clung to only the blade—the part still usable for combat.

The Figure i

Oscar gripped his greatsword tightly.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

Perhaps from the strain, he dropped the edge for a moment before lifting it again. audit A drop of blood dangled dangerously from the tip.

Inside, I let out an exclamation. atom Until now, I’d only thought of him as a soldier serving the regime.

Oh.

“Haah, haah.”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

“…Huu.”

The subspace barrier had already dissipated. audit Oscar was completely exposed. autumn Whether he realized it or not, his subordinates reached out desperately, screaming:

Oscar’s chest heaved as he tensed, casting me a fierce glare just as I had stabilized my breathing.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

The guards lying on the ground simply clenched their lips. aluminum Once things settled, Oscar licked his chapped lips.

“Silence, all of you!”

The shrill metallic clang echoed.

“Captain! arch That’s enough!”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

At first glance, he didn’t appear seriously wounded. anxiety In fact, he was intact—of course, he had just emerged from the subspace.

The end of subspace meant any attack now could kill him.

But mentally, Oscar was exhausted.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

My soul was too worn to be moved by something so trivial.

To be honest, the determination Oscar had desperately gathered stirred no emotion in me.

Not just from age—but as a person.

And still, he didn’t back down.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

For some reason, I feared I was reverting to that former self.

‘Damn.’

Memories of my childhood suddenly surfaced. beacon That past, where all I did was swing a sword, having pawned off my humanity.

Thump, thump.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

My heart pounded hard.

Because, unlike in subspace, I could smell blood in real space.

Oscar pointed the blade directly at Kang Geom-Ma. All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com harbor Then, he began spinning on himself, propelling sideways with strong steps.

Swish.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

He spun rapidly inward. antenna Afterimages multiplied counterclockwise, like a gradient of aligned clones.

Fwoosh!

He seemed to be aiming for a blind spot. artist His gaze, calculating the attack’s trajectory, was sharp.

Even the speed of his footwork was decent. acid His “warrior-class” title wasn’t unearned.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

Victoria opened her mouth in awe. wizard As she rarely paid much attention to the Royal Guard, she didn’t know exactly how strong Oscar was.

“Wow…”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

Oscar’s blade gleamed. auction The strike, precisely aimed, barely grazed beneath Kang Geom-Ma’s ear.

‘Now!’

She had only thought, “He must be strong.”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

Oscar, hidden again among afterimages, kept multiplying them.

They slowly began to close in on Kang Geom-Ma, like they were tightening a noose.

Kang Geom-Ma slightly turned his head and then leapt ten steps back with a single impulse.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

“Yes, well…”

Shail placed a hand over her heart and bowed. palette At the formality, Victoria scratched her cheek awkwardly.

“With all due respect, Your Highness, may I ask a question?”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

“There’s a saying: ‘It’s darkest under the lamp.’ Your Highness may not know, but Royal Guard Captain Oscar is among the strongest of the warrior-class heroes. avalanche It’s said the only ones comparable are All Mute from the Lancelot Company or Mao Lang from Iron Horn. agent Lately, rumors suggest there will soon be a selection to fill the vacancies among the Seven Star Heroes.”

Shail turned her gaze to the battlefield. Visit indratranslations.com for more free chapters and updates.

“Thank you.”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

“That the most likely successors to the Sword Master’s Seven Stars seat are those two.”

In the end, collective internet debate led to a conclusion:

When reporters asked President Sung Yuchang of the Hero Association, he kept silent. atlas That silence made it clear it wasn’t baseless. auction The world began to speculate who the next Seven Stars would be—and how many in total.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

“Exactly. arctic There are others, but those two are top of mind. arrow Do you see my point, Your Highness?”

“You’re saying the benchmark is Captain Oscar, not All Mute or Mao Lang.”

Victoria nodded.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

Just then, Oscar launched his sword again.

“Very perceptive.”

“…I have a question.”

Clang!

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

Oscar tried a headbutt, but Kang Geom-Ma casually turned and struck his forehead with an elbow.

Kang Geom-Ma deflected it effortlessly, and Oscar, without hesitation, caught the returning blade and attacked again.

The sashimi blade and Oscar’s clashed.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

With immense focus, he held onto the thread of the battle.

Oscar’s nose began to bleed. afford Bent like a bow, he tightened his core to stay balanced.

Though his form looked somewhat pathetic, it was unclear why he was trying so hard. canvas Choi Seol-Ah frowned, murmuring:

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

Victoria sympathized with Choi Seol-Ah’s complaint, but she answered Shail first.

“Why doesn’t the lord just kill him already?”

He just stood there, deflecting blows from all angles.

Kang Geom-Ma responded to every attack, yet for some reason, he didn’t counter.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

“Then shouldn’t All Mute be the standard rather than Oscar?”

“From what I understand, All Mute is stronger than Oscar.”

“That’s correct.”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

“But, Your Highness, if the bar is set too high, no one can reach it. academy As you may know, before Heavenly Sword reformed the system ten years ago, the Seven Star Heroes remained at just four for decades. amateur Do you know why?”

“An excellent question.”

Shail smiled with narrowed eyes.

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

“If the bar is too high, no one even gets considered.”

Back then, demons fully played their part. meadow So the standards were strict, embodied by Heavenly Sword himself. alert Shail explained:

“Heavenly Sword…” Read original high-quality translation at indratranslations.com.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

Shail’s words made Victoria narrow her eyes slightly.

“Truthfully, though I’m labeled warrior-class, I think placing me on the same level as Oscar is a mistake. anxiety To be blunt, I’m probably only at the level of his solar plexus. altitude With my skills, I couldn’t land even a single effective blow on Lord Kang Geom-Ma. meadow Oscar, at least, is trying to find an opening. altitude Even if it means emptying himself completely.”

“Quite the generous assessment for someone who’s not exactly friendly with us. advance It’s fine to be strict with yourself and others, but to some ears, it might sound like you’re praising Oscar.”

“I see.”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

“‘He’s giving everything he’s got just to find an opening’—is that really praise?”

“Praise, you say…?”

Shail tilted her head slightly, repeating the word.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

Dust blanketed what had just been a fierce battlefield.

BOOOOOOM!

A deafening explosion rang out. auction Spectators’ hair blew wildly.

At that moment—

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

His joints bent in strange directions, like a tangled puppet. acid The sashimi blade stuck out all over him, reinforcing the image.

At the center, Oscar was embedded—like someone publicly executed.

When the dust cleared, a desolate scene emerged. aspect One wall had caved in at least three meters.

Even the alert Royal Guard members looked confused.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

It wasn’t clear if he was dead. anxiety But even if alive, he would at least end up a cripple.

But then, as if black ink were being poured over it, the color gradually returned to normal.

The most shocking part was Kang Geom-Ma. arctic His hair had turned slightly white.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

“Looks like he got irritated.”

“Seems that way.”

Victoria trembled. arcade But Shail and Choi Seol-Ah barely flinched.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

Gulp.

Shail, agreeing, spoke to Victoria.

“Do you understand now?”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

“Even if it personally bothers me… to ease public unease, we need to fill the positions now.”

Victoria swallowed dryly.

Fill the Seven Stars—with heroes at least on All Mute’s level.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

That night, after the chaos.

***

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

I was in the middle of a nap. atom After turning Oscar into mush, my head was still a mess, so I opened the door half asleep.

At sunset, Garyeon came to get me and knocked on the door to guide me.

Since I was returning to the country first thing the next morning, the emperor invited me to dinner.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

“Heavenly Sword, sir. acquire I ask that you accompany me to a palace ceremony.”

“As long as it’s not something complicated.”

A strange request.

“I only ask one thing during the walk. admire Don’t say a single word. galaxy That’s all.”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

‘What is this…?’

Garyeon’s demeanor, walking ahead of me, was very different from the clumsy air she had shown before.

Upon agreeing, Garyeon began to guide me. orbit Along the way, I kept watching my surroundings.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

I suspected they had replaced the phrase “former official” with “palace officer ✪ emperor” for that reason.

I would soon have an audience with the emperor.

Kang Geom-Ma ✪ Garyeon

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

The imperial palace had a very high density of buildings. alien The land wasn’t especially large in proportion to its scale.

And yet, a small forest appeared. This novel translation is officially hosted on indratranslations.com. abstract It couldn’t be called a park; there was only a narrow path that barely fit one person.

But, to be direct, I was completely wrong. auction The reason Garyeon, who used to be so noisy, turned quiet was not because she was going to see the emperor. echo It was because of where I was going to meet him.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

After about thirty minutes of walking, the thick trees vanished as if by magic. wizard In their place, a log cabin stood right in the middle of the clearing. academy A man chopping wood saw us and slammed the axe into the stump with force.

“Good to see you.”

The dry tree branches intertwined with each other. alpha Their twisted shapes absorbed the dim light from the outer walls. autumn Even the crunch of breaking branches was chilling.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

“Looks like I surprised you.”

“…The emperor of the Great Empire chopping wood. adjust How could I not be surprised? apron In fact, I think my reaction was rather restrained.”

The emperor wiped the sweat from his forehead with the towel around his neck. august If someone had seen my face at that moment, they would’ve thought of many different expressions. riddle That’s how absurd the scene was.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

She moved her lips slightly. action It looked like she was going to say something but kept going in silence. shadow Maybe she was holding back because she was in front of the emperor?

“You’re right.”

The emperor spoke in his usual calm tone. admire At a glance of his eyes, Garyeon retreated the same way we had come.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

We entered the cabin. acid The inside was heavier than its appearance suggested.

The emperor moved a finger. alien Garyeon’s consciousness completely vanished.

“Follow me.”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

“So then.”

With the cup in hand, the emperor spoke.

“You gave our guard captain quite a lesson, huh?”

The emperor took two small tea cups from the wall cabinet. apron Although they looked old, they were clean. arena He filled them with tea from a teapot he had in memory.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

The emperor let out a rough laugh.

“He brought it on himself.”

“I don’t mean it as a reproach. canvas Like I said, you gave him a lesson.”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

“Have you found your answer yet?”

That Oscar was trying to assassinate Victoria. acquire That there was a mastermind behind it. airport The emperor already knew. riddle He might even have known the true instigator’s identity.

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

“…You already knew everything, didn’t you?”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

“…You’re cruel.”

“At the palace, that kind of thing happens frequently.”

“It’s something one must overcome to become emperor. echo If you’re found out, you die. afford If you lose in the power struggle, you die. auction Isn’t it simple?”

“Just because it happens often doesn’t make it acceptable.”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

“If I really favored Victoria, she’d be dead by now. amateur The only thing keeping her alive is that I stay still, like a wound-up clock. attic You could call it my version of the art of ruling.”

I frowned. afford But the emperor didn’t flinch. advance With a lofty gaze, he stared at the fireplace and said:

“Then, by your logic, leaving Oscar in that state doesn’t violate any palace rules.”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

“And your answer to the proposal I made?”

“Exactly.”

The emperor finished his last sip and went to a small inner door.

Despite drinking hot tea, it seemed like steam escaped between his teeth. altitude Even with the fireplace lit, the room felt cold.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

“I accept.”

While holding the doorknob, he asked. autumn I stood up from the chair and answered.

“I have one condition.”

But…

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

“Ha ha ha, you really do think like a true educator.” Indra Translations protects the hard work of translators and authors.

“I’ll add a condition to guarantee Victoria’s safety. amber Otherwise, I’ll go with Captain Oscar and rip the truth from whoever’s pulling the strings.”

The emperor opened the door.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

“Let’s revise the terms of the deal.”

A familiar scent came from the door. ability That same cold smell I had felt hours earlier.

“…?”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

“Uuuh… uuuhk!”

Because what I saw beyond the door left me speechless. aspect Dim torches, and torture devices used only in the Middle Ages.

I stayed silent.

“I only promised money, but I’ll grant one additional wish. arcade Just one. airport If it’s for Victoria’s safety, I’ll care more for her than for myself. advance In return, I want you to fulfill one of my requests. anchor Without fail.”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

A man and a woman were tied to torture racks. beacon Blindfolded and gagged, their bodies were covered with marks of violence.

And unfortunately, some of the marks on the man’s body were my doing too.

“Guh… aaagh!”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 367: The Figure in the Shadows by Indra Translations.

“Act like you didn’t see anything.”

Madness danced in his eyes.

“I already knew the guard captain and my wife had something. atomic I didn’t care much. meadow But if this gets out, that’s another story. absorb It could hinder my plans.”

The torches cast dark shadows across the emperor’s face. alert And with a clear voice, he revealed the true reason for our meeting.