Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Fraud
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It seems that when people are too dumbfounded, their reactions aren't as intense as you'd expect.
Seeing how Gideon's ever-present poker face didn't even twitch, it must be true.
“...”
No, is he really just dumbfounded?
Say something, at least.
“...”
But the silence dragged on.
He kept staring at me with an emotionless gaze, then eventually swiped his fingers through the empty air.
In the air where there was nothing.
“...?”
What are you doing?
I just stood there, not understanding what he was up to.
“You want to teach me the sword.”
After a long silence, those words dropped bluntly.
“On Master's orders.”
“Yes.”
“...”
Gideon fell silent again.
As if appraising something, he narrowed his eyes slightly and kept staring at me.
“...You don't seem to have the capability.”
After another long silence, those words slipped out.
No, of course that's the common-sense reaction—
“You're already dead.”
With that, Gideon snapped his fingers.
And at that exact moment.
-!
The space right in front of me was 'sliced'.
As if someone had planted a slash there in advance, in the empty space.
‘...Formless Sword?’
A skill that allows slashes without a sword in hand. It means one's insight has reached a natural state where they can cut foes with their body alone.
It's not at the level of the first Tristan Grand Duke, who could cleave space itself, but it's still an insane skill that pierces almost all armor when used with a sword. Records say it even tore through dragon scales.
‘...This guy's a monster, huh?’
No, isn't this one of the top-tier knight skills?
It really hits home that the title of empire's strongest knight wasn't won in some card game.
Considering the current Sword Saint's whereabouts are unknown, he's practically the only one in the empire who can use this technique. That's his level.
And right now, I'm trying to con a guy like that.
“To teach me, you need to surpass me. But you didn't even react.”
Gideon continued expressionlessly.
“If you're going to make an absurd proposal, why not keep it within reasonable bounds.”
“I didn't need to react to an incomplete technique.”
But.
‘...Got him.’
I smirked inwardly.
If I'd shown some half-assed strength, it would've exposed all my cards.
But since I showed no reaction at all, there's room to slip in.
“What?”
“If it were complete, the 'motion' itself would be omitted. Isn't that right?”
“...”
Normally, no one should even know that.
It's a technique that even the current head of the swordsmanship house Tristan Ducal House can barely imitate. No one would know its perfected form.
‘...Except me.’
Yeah, for real.
Even if it was just a character's move in the game, I know this technique's goal, completion, and applications perfectly.
Pretending to know is easy.
“...”
In fact, Gideon's eyes widened slightly at my words.
He'd buy it.
He knows better than anyone that it's incomplete.
“...”
“...”
Silence stretched on.
Gideon glared at me with a slightly furrowed brow.
‘...’
But it's different from before.
I can clearly feel I've seized the initiative. I can just wait comfortably now.
Gideon's mind is probably racing with calculations right now.
Who the hell is this guy?
He saw through my strongest technique from a seated position.
So, his next response would be...
“...Your silver tongue is impressive.”
Backing off first to probe the opponent more.
Good.
The hardest hurdle is cleared.
Worst case, he'd mock me and slit my throat without a word, but that's not happening.
The points I scored in the previous spar must be paying off big time.
Now, one more thing.
“Try adding more spin.”
“What?”
“It's because the line isn't perfectly drawn when the image forms. Add more spin at that moment.”
Honestly, I have no idea what I'm saying.
But this is what he himself will 'write down directly' in the future.
‘Gideon's Diary.’
An item Elnor obtains after Gideon's death during the story—it's filled with every step he took in training his swordsmanship.
Elnor grows rapidly based on it. Her later combat prowess, where she slaughters dozens of regular knights single-handedly, is largely thanks to this man.
And I remember every detail of that precious diary.
I chuckle inwardly.
‘...Master, my ass.’
In short, I'm just.
Handing him the realm he'll pioneer in the future, as-is.
Packaging it as 'teaching' him.
“...”
Gideon, face twisted after hearing my words, fell silent for a moment before closing his eyes.
And this time.
A slash formed in the space above without any motion at all.
“...”
Gideon's eyes went wide upon confirming it.
“...What.”
A slightly trembling voice came from Gideon, and at the same time, several windows popped up before my eyes.
[ Skill: Fatal Charm activates! ]
[ The villain is awestruck by your profound achievement! ]
[ Reward added to Gift tab! ]
[ The number of villains feeling emotions toward you beyond 'liking' has exceeded a threshold! ]
[ Gift enhancement conditions met! ]
[ ‘Gift #1: Fateful Attraction’ is enhanced! ]
...It can even enhance?
I blinked wordlessly at the messages when another voice came from ahead.
“You.”
The expression on Gideon's face wasn't the icy one from before.
“...What are you?”
Beneath it was unmistakable 'tension'.
The empire's strongest knight had acknowledged me as a 'formidable opponent'.
‘...Not even close.’
No joke, you could kill me with a flick of a finger.
But getting him to acknowledge me like that is success enough.
“Didn't I say?”
So now, I respond leisurely.
“I was asked to. To teach you.”
“...”
I kept talking to the silent Gideon.
“I heard you have a goal you want to achieve.”
I chose my words carefully.
“You want to surpass someone.”
This time, there was a reaction.
His brow twitched—he's surprised to some degree.
Probably no one besides the Sword Saint himself knows he revealed this.
“...”
But the one he wants to surpass is a monster on par with natural phenomena—that's the problem.
That's why Gideon yearns for the first Tristan Grand Duke's realm.
The madness passed down in the Tristan Ducal House is all cursed fruit from that guy. He wants to sever it.
Finally, after a long silence, Gideon spoke.
“...Even Master couldn't do it.”
A smile formed inwardly at those words.
“Are you confident you can?”
The empire's strongest knight.
Was yielding to receive 'instruction' from me.
So, I should answer sincerely.
“It's possible.”
Gideon's expression turned serious.
Yeah, it is. Considering how far Elnor enhances, I can grow this guy similarly.
And with that, he'll definitely succeed.
Sever the house's curse.
‘And if I enhance this side...’
It'll drastically lower Elnor's corruption risk.
Reviving the Gray Devil hinges almost entirely on this man's survival.
“But.”
Still, ending it there feels off.
Gideon's face went blank at my addition.
“I haven't agreed to do it yet?”
“...”
I flashed a bright smile at Gideon's dumbfounded expression.
“...What do you...?”
Even as his disbelieving voice trailed off, I kept smiling.
“Honestly, teaching something like this for free? Nah.”
“...”
“Let's negotiate first. Yeah?”
Mister.
I'll do it.
But I never said it'd be free.
Cough up the reward.
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I beamed down at the single parchment in my hand.
After I demanded this, Gideon's reaction—that it was too burdensome—was sunk with one line: 'So, no sword lessons?' Couldn't help but laugh.
[ Immunity Writ ]
[ Item: Special ]
[ A document delegating the Tristan Ducal House's immunity privilege once. ]
Immunity privilege means, in short, you'll never face legal judgment no matter what mess you make.
Even for a grand duke-level figure, possessing this is scandalous—it's extralegal authority.
But this ties into why Gideon is assigned as a 'villain'.
‘Empire's Executioner.’
The Tristan Ducal House's hidden side is handling the imperial family's dirty work.
They seem all-powerful, but the leash is held by the imperial family.
“...”
Thinking of certain trash in the palace connected to that made me sigh involuntarily.
I'd rather not get tangled with them.
Anyway, snagging even one use of this is a huge win.
‘...Midterms soon, right?’
Scanning the timeline in my head, that's when that event hits.
Where Saintess Lucien and the boy king get involved, kicking off Chapter 2 proper.
It's when one of the major villains, the 'Pontifex', appears.
And there, I'll.
Cause a massive incident.
It's the only way to screw over the boy king and Pontifex alike.
“...”
Yeah.
Normally suicidal, but now the aftermath's covered by the Tristan Duke who gave me this. That's enough.
‘Oh, one more thing.’
Come to think of it, I got something else too.
Gift #1- Fateful Attraction
[ Acquire various rewards as affinity with evil-aligned figures increases. ]
□ First Enhancement
[ Acquire various rewards as evil-aligned figures acknowledge you more. ]
▼ Related Figures
Hasmed of the Present Moon
Riverback Galdea
Gideon Gailsterd la Tristan
[ Collectible rewards available! ]
‘Acknowledgment?’
The meaning's a bit vague, but I get the gist.
Probably means more rewards the more they fear, respect, revere, or treat me specially.
Wonder what the collectible reward is.
[ Acquire ‘Skill: Enlightenment’! ]
[Skill Info]
[ Skill: Enlightenment ] [ Grade: E ]
[ Awakening an evil-aligned figure's ability adds it to your skills. Added abilities can be used temporarily as-is. ]
“...”
I stopped in my tracks upon reading the description.
‘...Isn't this insane?’
Grow someone else and gain their ability identically?
It has the temporary limit, but I just formed a priest-disciple bond with the empire's strongest knight.
Timing couldn't be more perfect.
“...”
And additionally.
It's a power that wings what I'm about to do next.
I head straight to the student council room.
Looking for Elnor, of course.
We have one thing to do together.
‘The ability to grow her right now...’
After swordsmanship, next is divinity.
Waking the amulet's lingering spirit isn't far off, and divinity plays a big role in the incident I'll cause during midterms.
One easy way to boost it? I'm about to use it.
“I'm looking for Professor Griber Lanfelt. Is he in?”
“Yeah. That bas—er, the professor's on suspension, so he's probably holed up in the divinity faculty dorms. Should be there anytime you go.”
“I see. Thanks.”
Overhearing a staff member en route, I couldn't help but grin.
Professor Griber Lanfelt—that guy.
The Riverback Marquis faction priest who refused to cast blessings on purpose at the freshman welcome beast incident to screw Elnor.
I still remember him posturing for politics while people were dying. Without me, Eliya and Elnor would've killed him there.
His suspension's obvious. With Riverback Marquis exposed as a devil worshiper, all affiliates are getting punished. His rep's in the gutter academy-wide.
“...”
A chuckle escapes.
In short.
No one will care much if something happens to him now.
‘Not for nothing I spared him last time.’
Now's the time to milk him fully.
A bit viciously.
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