Chapter 4
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Royal Possession (4)
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Staring at my body in the mirror—a transformation so stark after just two days that anyone could see it—I mulled things over.
"My body feels like it'll keep getting better with exercise alone... but yeah, I need to build up my martial strength."
The perk's description stated that it allowed me to accept any kind of talent or power.
So, wouldn't that mean I could develop swordsmanship talent, something I'd never had before?
Recalling 'my' past, even as a prince, I'd received swordsmanship instruction...
"Even I have to admit it was pathetic."
I'd swing the sword, sure, but without any sense of how it should feel—just flailing it around at best.
Flailing like that could still cut a person, of course.
"But there were just too many siblings around me who were on a completely different level."
Even the Fourth Princess, with her exceptional talent for magic.
My own sister, Michel Eldiad, handled a sword better than I did.
"But things are different now, right?"
If my thinking was correct, it was almost too exciting to contemplate.
If I could accept all talents and wield various martial arts and magic... I could recreate the builds I'd used in the game with this body.
"For stability, a vampire build. But if I'm aiming for one-shot kills, an evasion base with charge attack buff build isn't bad either."
Feeling the immense potential in my transformed body made the mere act of planning enjoyable.
I might not perfect the builds I wanted, but as long as I outlined the process midway, I could avoid any twisted logic.
The reason for 9th Prince Aren Eldiad's transformation wasn't explicitly stated.
But reading the descriptions of items scattered across fields or gear from defeating bosses allowed for some educated guesses.
The boss from the mid-to-late game of Savior of World.
The Mad Witch was the most likely culprit.
"So, at minimum, I need to build enough strength to take down mid-to-late bosses to stay safe."
There were bigger-scale bosses out there, sure, but first I had to survive to think about the rest.
With that in mind, I decided to start with the most basic swordsmanship training.
Someone who followed me unconditionally and could teach me was right there nearby.
Gillek Rapile.
Captain of my direct subordinates, the Black Eagle Knight Order.
A monster in the early-to-mid game that subtly challenged players with its secret technique, Eagle Pursuit.
"The secret technique I got from beating him was super useful for taking down early monsters."
It was viable even in the late game—some player even uploaded a video clearing the final boss using only Eagle Pursuit.
"If I tell Gillek I want to get stronger, he'll happily teach me."
He'd been shocked by my body's change but also thrilled.
So I asked him right away, but...
"Please understand!!!"
I never expected him to bow his head and refuse.
No, why?
"Gillek?"
"Your Highness's sudden emergence of remarkable talent fills even this Gillek with joy! However! However, Your Highness! I beg you! Do not head there on a rash judgment!"
There? What the hell was he talking about?
I hadn't said anything about going anywhere.
I turned to Ridel beside me and asked.
"Ridel, what's going on with Gillek?"
"He's trying to stop you from making a reckless challenge, Aren. Please show him your magnanimity and understand his heart."
"Huh?"
No, what was Ridel saying?
"Uh... Gillek? Let's stand up first and talk. I don't really get what you're worried about."
"Your Highness! As a prince, it may be natural to set your sights on the throne! But! That path holds threats far too great for Your Highness! Please! Please reconsider!!!"
What?
"The throne? What are you talking about! Why would I go after the throne?!"
"Pardon?"
Ridel beside me looked stunned too.
"I-Is that truly so?"
Gillek, who'd been bowing, lifted his face and asked me directly.
"Of course! What would I even do with the throne right now?!"
I was busy just trying to stay alive as it was.
With my modern memories, I knew better anyway.
Emperor? Sure, it'd come with immense power.
But all that paperwork and stress? Why would I want that?
Far better to live comfortably away from the capital like now.
"Th-Then why does Your Highness wish to learn swordsmanship?"
"Because I figure I could actually get good at it now?"
"Is that truly all?"
"Gillek, think about it. My body changed like this in just two days! Isn't it natural for a guy to want to test what else he can do?"
"...You truly have no interest in the throne?"
"Challenge the throne now and squeeze in among my brothers, sisters, and younger siblings who are already glaring daggers and fighting over succession? Don't say scary shit like that."
Digging through 'my' memories, the imperial siblings weren't outright vicious toward each other.
But how to put it.
They helped each other when they could, but when unavoidable situations arose, they didn't hesitate to point swords at one another.
Others might think, Are they insane? But that's how they'd been raised from childhood.
"I think living peacefully like this is the best."
And to protect that peace, I had no choice but to grow strong.
Seizing the throne wouldn't let me beat the evil gods anyway.
What I needed wasn't power or authority, but overwhelming martial might.
Hearing Aren’s words, Gillek felt relieved.
The lord he knew.
Aren Eldiad had never lied about anything major.
So that’s what it was. My hasty judgment.
It was similar to his own state back when he first acquired his secret technique.
A desire to test the limits of his new power.
In that case, I need only fulfill my lord’s wishes. If his thoughts on the throne change later, I can offer counsel again.
Sorting his thoughts, Gillek rose and thumped his chest with his fist.
Thud!
"Your Highness! Entrust it to this Gillek! From now on, I shall impart all of my swordsmanship to you!"
"Thanks, Gillek."
Sword training for Aren began immediately.
"Then, Your Highness, please grip this training sword and swing it. I’ll correct your form."
"Got it."
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Watching Aren swing, Gillek nodded.
His Highness’s usual swordsmanship.
Sloppy swings with excessive, wasted force.
A form needing corrections everywhere.
Exactly like when he’d occasionally swing a training sword for a mood change.
Even with his sudden change in body, His Highness is still His Highness.
"You may stop, Your Highness. I saw well."
"Yeah? How was it?"
"You’re at a stage with much room for growth! Let’s start with form correction! Now, place your arms here! Too much tension in the shoulders. And the legs..."
Gillek corrected Aren’s posture step by step.
"Now, swing again!"
"Hmm, Gillek. Could you demonstrate once? I think I can do it better by watching and imitating."
"Understood!"
Answering energetically, Gillek picked up a training sword and stood before Aren.
"Watch closely! Hah!"
Whoosh!
Gillek demonstrated a clean swing, honed daily without fail before and after becoming an imperial knight.
"Do you see, Your Highness?"
"Yeah. Thanks, Gillek."
Thanking Gillek, Aren swung again from the corrected posture.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Watching Aren swing once more, Gillek thought.
Your Highness. This Gillek will follow until you’re satisfied.
Even calling it a late-blooming imperial talent from his body’s change, it was hard to believe it extended to martial aptitude.
But if his developed body helped him find his center...
A few months of proper training, and his skills would far surpass before, Gillek figured.
That’s what he thought.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
"Hm?"
Another sight that made Gillek doubt his eyes was unfolding.
With each swing, Aren’s form improved steadily.
The first was just corrected posture, still clumsy.
The second felt straight.
The third shed unnecessary force.
And by the tenth...
Whoosh!
Perfectly distributing his body’s power—a flawless knight’s swing without excess.
"Y-Your Highness?"
"Yeah? Oh, was something off?"
Gillek shook his head at Aren’s innocent question.
"N-No. You’re doing splendidly."
"Really? Phew, good thing. I kept picturing your swings and adjusting on my own. Looks like it worked."
He watched my swings and corrected himself that quickly?
Superficial mimicry was possible with good eyes.
But recalling and adjusting minute force distribution on his own?
That wasn’t something fixable after a few swings.
Yet the one who’d done it stood right before Gillek.
"Yes. It’s astonishingly good. How exactly..."
"Huh? It just worked when I did it?"
At Aren’s words, Gillek’s mind reeled.
Is this the imperial talent blooming late in Aren...