Father's Recognition
Ludenberg Lavante kicked off the ground and charged at Duke Leonard Lavante. Ignoring the stinging pressure prickling his skin, he unleashed the sword strikes honed through endless trials and hardships upon his father.
Duke Leonard's eyes gleamed as Ludenberg's waves of attacks crashed down. The strikes were fiercer than before—not just in momentum, but in the fundamentals of swordsmanship, which had advanced even further. He swung his blade to parry his son's assault. A heavy impact reverberated through him.
He's grown so much.
Duke Leonard couldn't help but think it. His son had improved beyond measure compared to the fortnight of guidance after the Solemnute raid a few months prior. No matter how exceptional the talent, the duke was beginning to lose track of his son's limits. What had he been like at that age? Of course, he'd demonstrated the skill to fell a high-grade erosion beast, but that had been possible only thanks to Terra's divine power. Even so, it wouldn't measure up to Ludenberg's now.
Duke Leonard drew upon his divine power.
To properly guide him now, I'll have to get serious.
He flicked his son's blade aside in an instant.
Kclang!
A harsh clang echoed as Ludenberg's form was pushed back. Then, Terra's divine power swirled around Duke Leonard's sword, gradually enveloping it in fragments of the earth itself. To truly gauge his son's achievements, this much was necessary. He swung.
Unlike the measured parries of moments ago, meant only to assess, this was a ruthless strike aimed at Ludenberg.
Insane...
Ludenberg felt his body shrink under the oncoming pressure of the blade. He'd received his father's instruction countless times, but this strike was unlike anything he'd ever faced. The overwhelming presence surpassed even what he'd felt from the Devourer in the trial world. Yet knowing this was his father's test, he shook off the ferocious intimidation and swung his sword.
Kclang!
The blades clashed with a thunderous roar. The training ground floor shattered violently, shockwaves sweeping the area. Ludenberg's knees nearly buckled, but he endured.
Duke Leonard watched, eyes wide with surprise.
"Urgh..."
A stifled groan escaped, but enduring it at all was remarkable. This was far more intense than their previous sessions—a strike reserved for highest-grade erosion beasts. Yet Ludenberg withstood even that.
"...You've grown tremendously."
"I had to."
"Indeed. No need to see more. This confirms your progress."
"Yes, Father."
"At your age, you've already surpassed my own realm. Impressive."
Duke Leonard showered his son with praise without reserve, knowing better than anyone the ordeals that had led here.
Ludenberg was pleased by the acknowledgment but showed no outward joy. He knew the road ahead was long. With a resolute expression, he looked up at his father.
"Starting tomorrow, I plan to begin serious training."
"Good."
"Will you help?"
"Of course."
"...Thank you."
"Let's head in. Time for a meal."
"Yes, Father."
As Ludenberg had anticipated, dinner was an ordeal of relentless questions from his mother, Asha Lavante. Each one teasing and mischievous, he barely distinguished whether food was going in his mouth or nose. More exhausting than proving himself to his father, he retreated to his room and collapsed onto the bed with a sigh.
"Hoo."
He called out.
"Raha."
"You called?"
"Can we start the third trial right away?"
"Yeah. Technically, we should start from the epilogue of the second trial..."
"That epilogue is about the two of the Six Heroes who haven't appeared yet, right?"
"Right. Parrel Mer and Adalin Cielm. You'll meet their childhood selves."
"Got it."
"Oh. Before that... there's someone I want to introduce you to."
"Someone to introduce?"
"Yeah. How about getting some sleep first?"
"...I'll try."
Ludenberg opened his eyes to Raha's jade throne. The body once bound by seven chains now had only six. The one on her left hand was already loosening—meaning the second trial was nearly over. It would likely snap during the epilogue.
"Hello."
Raha raised her right hand in greeting. Ludenberg merely nodded.
"Who did you want to introduce?"
"Leven. You can come out now."
At her words, a man with black hair and the same mask as Raha emerged from behind the throne.
"...Leven?"
"Let me introduce him. This is Leven, my knight."
Leven nodded at the succinct explanation, as if there was nothing more to add.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Leven. I'll assist in your training from here on."
"Assist my training?"
"Yes. Before finishing the trial worlds, you'll have sessions with me. You still need more tempering, and the path ahead is long."
"No need to doubt Leven's skill. He can't use his full power yet, but he's strong enough."
"I don't doubt it. Not after what I've been through. If you call him strong, he's probably leagues beyond me—like crushing a bug."
Ludenberg spoke flatly. He already knew Raha was a divine being, so her knight's strength was a given.
"Haha. Surprisingly perceptive."
Leven chuckled amusedly.
"So, Leven... you'll train me after each trial world?"
"Yes. When you gain insights from the trials, I'll help you embody them directly. Of course..."
Leven continued with a smile.
"It might be a bit rough."
"Method doesn't matter. As long as I grow stronger."
"That's all I need to hear. See you before the trial ends."
Leven nodded approvingly at Ludenberg's resolve and vanished.
"Sparring with Leven will be intensely painful," Raha said. "But your real body will grow faster when you return."
"I can handle that."
"Good. Then, let's begin the epilogue of the second trial."
"Understood."
Ludenberg opened his eyes to a barren landscape like a desert.
"Ah, Liberatus. You're awake?"
"...Kyle?"
"Yes."
As he took in Kyle Solenute's form, Liberatus Ahad's memories flooded Ludenberg's mind. They were sparse: after slaying the Devourer, he'd been reinstated as Imperial Knight Commander and was now en route to inspect Tachgalde fortress. He led the knights, of course, with his disciples—Hidea Rune, Kyle, Orpina Testia, and Istradim Seta—in tow.
Liberatus, having dozed briefly, swiftly resumed command of the procession.
"Master. How much farther to Tachgalde?"
Istradim, her mysterious pink hair framing curious eyes, asked Liberatus—or rather, Ludenberg. As in the first trial, his mouth moved of its own accord, ignoring his will.
"Not far. We'll see it soon. Speaking of, Kyle, Orpina."
"Yes, Liberatus?"
"Your original goal was Tachgalde, right?"
"Yes. But not anymore."
"Because of me?"
"Exactly. We were heading there for safety... but thanks to you, Liberatus, no need now. By the way, didn't you say Tachgalde was your hometown?"
"Yes. It is. I planned to defend it from erosion beasts, but as Knight Commander again, it'll just be a brief visit."
"Still, returning home must feel special."
"It is. A fine place."
Liberatus smiled softly, ruffling Kyle's hair. Nearby, someone watched Kyle with faint envy—Ridenah Dwin, who had temporarily held the commander post before his return.
"Commander."
"Hm? What is it, Ridenah?"
"If nothing pressing in Tachgalde... might I request guidance for the knights?"
She asked cautiously.
"That was the plan. I'll teach the new disciples too. You're no exception—you're my first."
"...Yes."
Her face bloomed like a flower. She smiled shyly up at him.
The knights pressed north, crossing dead earth toward land dotted with vegetation. Beyond lay a massive fortress.
"That place..."
"Yes. The impregnable fortress, Tachgalde."
The closer they drew, the more colossal it seemed. Ludenberg—and his new disciples—gaped in awe.
"...It's enormous."
Endless walls flanked the fortress. Inside, like Hidea's domain Garundel, were numerous shelters, likely to protect citizens from invading erosion beasts.
As Liberatus and the knights arrived, gate guards hailed them.
"Halt. Where from?"
Liberatus produced his insignia.
"Imperial Knight Commander Liberatus Ahad. Here by His Majesty's order to inspect Tachgalde."
"Heavens. Lord Liberatus. It's been ages."
"You know me?"
"Who in Tachgalde doesn't? Reinstated as commander?"
"Yes. Now that identity's confirmed, mind opening the gate? The knights are weary from the road."
"Ah, forgive the discourtesy. One moment."
Soon, the gates swung wide.
"Thanks."
"An honor to meet you!"
Liberatus waved and entered the fortress.