Caro wasn’t the only bard in the world. She should’ve realized sooner—no bard would pass up a spectacle like this. Besides, she suspected the Adventurers’ Guild had always known bards could counter “Thoughts.” That’s why they’d deliberately sent a group here.

After all, Delmar City was a tourist hotspot. Other adventurers might shrug, but bards? Naturally drawn. Finding some already here was perfectly normal.

“Damn it,” Caro muttered. So much for weaving this into a legendary tale—she’d even hoped spreading it might unlock the power to summon the Ancient Spirit Tree or the Demonhunt Squad. Now? Forget it. By tomorrow, countless versions would flood the streets. With her current obscurity, her story stood zero chance.

Damn it.

She suddenly realized: as a minor bard, building fame meant avoiding big cities like Delmar. She should’ve started in villages and small towns to hone her skills first. Total miscalculation.

Wait—hadn’t Arnold joked about bringing her to a big city to “meet girls”? Delmar… Nah. He probably knew half the women here. Couldn’t tarnish her brother’s rep.

“Whoa! What’s that move Arnold’s using? Phantom Sword Dance?” The name flashed from a game in her past life. Arnold’s massive greatsword flowed like weightless gauze. Only lingering trails of light revealed his strikes—then coalesced and surged forward.

Karin blinked, then patiently explained to her teacher: “Phantom Sword Dance is *my* skill. Arnold’s using pure swordsmanship—no skill involved. Call it Swordsmanship Lv. 10 if you must. It’s just evolved technique. His understanding now rivals Ronatia’s. A few years ago, his skill hadn’t even hit Lv. 10.”

“So… he qualifies as a Sword Saint now?”

Karin nodded. “Any swordsman reaching Swordsmanship Lv. 10 earns the title. Specialties vary—history has ‘White Sword Saint,’ and Ronatia herself is the Guardian Sword Saint.”

“Core skill?” Caro frowned. New term.

Karin pondered. “Internal profession title. For bards, core skill is Performance. Hit Lv. 10? Titles like ‘Voice of Freedom’ or ‘Voice of Valor.’ Other jobs have their own.”

Huh. So her Performance was only Lv. 1—practically useless. Caro refocused on the battlefield.

Truth was, she saw little. Arnold’s greatsword *should’ve* been clumsy, yet she felt she lacked the “viewing rights.” Honestly, the Ancient Spirit Tree’s movements were clearer—and Guardian Sword Saint Ronatia seemed to be waiting for an opening…

…

“Cassipero! What’s wrong?! At this level, you’ll die!” Arnold swung relentlessly. Power boiled. Techniques flew like they cost nothing. He moved like an untiring machine, stopping only when utterly spent.

Cassipero stayed silent, nocking arrow after arrow, widening the distance. Getting cornered by Arnold would be disastrous.

Arnold’s excitement was palpable. Confusion and rage sharpened every strike. Had those blows hit the ground, the city would’ve shattered.

The Ancient Spirit Tree spawned treants, raised colossal branches and dense leaves to shield the streets. Meanwhile, bards’ songs rose—leaves drifted from citizens’ shoulders.

A golden humanoid figure coalesced. “Truly the Guild Master’s handiwork. Intervene… or not?” It faced Ronatia, posing the question.

The silver-haired Sword Saint regarded the leaf-formed entity calmly. “Her strength lies in having each focus on their duty while solving what none could alone. That is why all trust her.”

“So… she truly ordered the Demonhunt Squad to turn on each other?”

“I do not know. Not my concern.” Ronatia’s hand rested on her longsword, gaze drifting toward Arnold.

The Ancient Spirit Tree split what might’ve been a mouth—a leafy approximation of a smile. “His swordsmanship reached Lv. 10 too. He *is* a Sword Saint. Fighting him is folly. Cassipero and Helen won’t last. With you? Maybe a stalemate.”

“The kingdom rescinded his warrant. I will not strike him.”

“And watch the city burn? Are you not the Guardian Sword Saint?”

“I follow only the kingdom’s command. If they decree pursuit, I act.”

“My wisdom says rigid souls like yours regret their stance someday.”

“We’ll see on that day.”

Frustration simmered in the tree. It longed to move—but Ronatia’s stance was clear: *My orders are to watch you.* One wrong twitch, and her sword would draw. Not that the tree feared her… but the Demonhunt Squad lingered nearby.

“I only wish to become human.” It laid bare its heart. “No harm to humanity. I could even aid you—a Heroic Rank ally. Isn’t that good?”

“Human lives are brief. But those seeking demonic longevity? I will purge them.” Ronatia’s verdict was absolute.

*So… becoming human is forbidden.*

What a rigid Sword Saint. More stubborn than this millennia-old tree. How did she survive court politics? Shouldn’t nobles have silenced her ages ago?

To Delmar’s citizens, the clash between False Hero Arnold and Demon Hunter Cassipero was one-sided—and reality confirmed it. Even with buffs from Demon Purifier Helen, Cassipero’s retreat was plain. Details blurred, but the truth stung: the Demon Hunter was losing.

Fear spread. Arnold’s infamy was known now. Stripped of past glory, his raw power terrified everyone.

“Sword Saint Ronatia! Why won’t you act!”

“Lady Ronatia! Defeat the False Hero! Save our city!”

Adventurers shouted. Citizens pleaded. Ronatia’s brow tightened. She couldn’t ignore them.

She’d once told Hua Fanlin: *Sacrificing one to save a city is worthwhile. That one should feel honored.*

Same logic applied to her. If Arnold won… what then? She wasn’t his match. Cassipero was faltering.

Where were Harmony Weaver Melissa and Blade Dancer Karin? Had the other two Demonhunt Squad elites not arrived?

Her fingers gripped the hilt—then released. She stood down.

Then—the Golden Lily Knights arrived. Not to fight, but to evacuate civilians. House Valentin’s guards joined them, guiding crowds to safety.

Hua Fanlin and Aude Valentin approached Ronatia together.

“Sword Saint! Please stop this battle!” Hua Fanlin implored. “The city will fall!”

Aude Valentin bowed slightly. “We stand ready to fight at your side.”

*Stopping the battle* meant aiding Cassipero against Arnold—even he’d likely retreat before this coalition.

Ronatia glanced at the two young nobles. Her hand finally closed around her sword. “The kingdom’s decree states: in emergencies, local nobles’ orders prevail if the realm’s safety isn’t compromised. Is this your joint command—as Delmar City’s ruling houses?”

They exchanged a cautious glance and nodded.

Ronatia turned to the tree. “I maintain my stance. Know your position.”

Leafy arms waved—a silent “farewell.” It didn’t fear her strength… but provoking a fight served no purpose.

Hua Fanlin and Aude Valentin kept watch. The tree simply observed the distant clash.

…

“The big players are moving! Even the Sword Saint’s stepping in!” Caro’s heart hammered. Could Arnold handle one vs. three? All such delicate beauties…

“Teacher… aren’t you worried about Arnold?” Karin sounded genuinely puzzled.

Caro blinked, then smirked. “Worried? About *Arnold*? Seriously, Karin—you think he’d *die* here?”

“Well…”

“Only Cassipero might go for the kill. And even then, the Sword Saint and Demon Purifier might save him. Or… if Arnold *were* in real danger, would *you* just stand by?” Caro’s teasing grin widened.

A faint blush dusted Karin’s cheeks. “That is…”

“What is it?”

“…” Karin suddenly pulled Caro into a tight hug, burying the bard’s face against her chest to silence her.