Chapter 18
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: The First Gateway
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Ian Pador flashed that hypocritical smile of his.
“Boldness suits you well.”
“Of course.”
“Then good luck.”
Disgusting bastard.
Pretending to care about me right up to the end.
How could I not have seen through that smile, hiding his sinister intentions?
Looking back now, my first life was utterly ravaged by him.
I followed the man who ruined our family and killed my brothers and father, grinning like an idiot.
What a fool...
Reflecting on it, the family's downfall might have hurt less than Ian Pador's betrayal.
He was like a father to me.
Unlike my gruff father, who only cared about swordsmanship, he was always by my side.
The first time I picked up a sword.
- You've got the makings of a knight, Deyan!
You were the one who celebrated most, even before Father or my brothers.
- Can you see it now, Deyan?
You were the one who gave me a piggyback ride to watch the clowns who visited the territory.
- It'll be alright...
When I first collapsed and lay in bed, you were the one who grieved the most.
How could you do that...?
Back then, when I barely escaped thanks to my brother's sacrifice.
After years of wandering, when I finally came to my senses, the family had become known as traitors, and I was a ghost haunting that cursed house.
It was so unjust.
Who... who could have done such a thing?
Not content with toppling the family, Ian Pador smeared filth on our name.
And he himself... became a knight who thwarted the rebellion and fought for justice, founding a new house.
A house for his own ambitions, not the Pador family...
I had to know.
I went to Ian Pador and asked why he destroyed the family.
Why with your own hands...?
Tell me the truth. Say it was unavoidable.
But he just stayed silent.
Was I not even worth responding to?
How amusing must it have been to see the fool whose life he ruined still clinging to him, unable to move on?
After all, I was the toy breaking exactly as he designed.
Seeing his face again brought back all that old resentment.
I thought time had dulled it.
Somehow, killing intent surged unbidden. I barely suppressed it, over and over. How long had I awaited this day?
The day I'd make him suffer eternally in poison with my own hands.
Of course, I can't let even this momentary agitation ruin everything...
Ian Pador,
I'll twist all your schemes.
And then... with these hands, I'll make you writhe in agony even in death.
In the past, I must have looked like a tail-wagging dog to you. But not anymore.
Now, a viper like you—no, worse than you—hides its fangs.
Until that smug face twists in horror... I have to play the dull-witted nephew as he expects.
“Looks like everyone's ready.”
Ian finished shaking hands with Andrew, the last in line, and turned around.
“If you want to forfeit even now, that's fine.”
Everyone swallowed hard at Ian's gentle urging.
“This is advice from a senior who's walked this path before. Opportunities come anytime, so don't hesitate to back out now.”
Looking for a trustworthy voice?
Learn from Ian over there.
That sly fox looks nothing if not kind and exemplary on the surface.
How many years has that viper inside lived?
No, he must be some kind of serpent spirit to pull that off.
He was my revenge target, but I had to admit his eloquence.
Ian clasped his hands together. His eyes slowly scanned the participants.
He deliberately paused long enough to give them time to reconsider.
But who would quit after coming this far?
Ian nodded faintly, satisfied that none of the kids budged an inch.
“We have an exceptional crop of talents this year. Then, Captain Janitz, please explain the gateways.”
Janitz stepped forward and pointed to the valley behind the platform.
“Do you all know why Trial Valley is so famous? If you do, raise your hand.”
Several hands shot up.
“Because it brings glory!”
“Because you can get the Trial's Gift that boosts mana!”
“Because it's a prestigious event where you can become a knight without the Knight Temple exam?”
“You can become a Pador knight, right?”
Currying favor with Janitz?
They're trying awfully hard.
All sorts of reasons poured out, and Janitz smiled as if listening intently.
“Correct. And more distantly, it's where our founder, Schnell Pador, slew the monster sleeping in the valley and obtained the Trial's Gift.”
I've heard that story so many times since childhood it stuck like a scab, but it seemed to excite the kids—their heads leaned forward in unison.
It was worth hearing...
It was the tale of Schnell, founder of the Pador family.
To the crowd, his story was like myth.
He was called a hero in life and remains one of the top five great knights in history.
Janitz raised his index finger toward the sky.
“Today, Trial Valley is imbued with the great knight Schnell's spirit. The reason is simple. The current Pador territory is prosperous land, but long ago, no one could live here. Even after our founder subjugated the monster, the problem persisted. Everyone was ready to abandon it. But our founder said never to give up.
So he founded the family here and spent his life purifying the land. The result... is the land you see today. It took tremendous courage. Thus! Trial Valley embodies our founder's belief: never give up. It's a meaningful place.”
Exactly.
As Janitz said, Trial Valley represented Schnell's spirit—the Pador creed.
Never give up. Have courage. Then the way will open.
That was Schnell Pador's will, and Trial Valley proved it.
That's why... the Padors see every task through to the end, honoring their founder's will.
In that sense, it aligns with the Tang family.
The land where the Sichuan Tang Clan was founded naturally reeked of poison.
Unlike the Pador founder, who came from outside to subdue monsters, the Tang ancestors were natives.
And they didn't give up either.
But they didn't purify the poison.
They turned it into their weapon and advanced.
Sichuan Tang Clan and Pador family.
Starting from similar places... yet reaching utterly different conclusions. Fascinating.
His brief reminiscence ended, and Janitz's voice rang out again.
“Trial Valley exists to honor that spirit. And now... it's your turn to revive that noble spirit right here.”
Pador knights.
Just standing in the valley that birthed legendary knights had the participants buzzing with excitement.
I get it. Trial Valley proves you're special, different from the rest.
Especially since the winner gets all sorts of privileges.
The best? Knight qualification.
No need for the Knight Temple exam... everyone wants in.
Human nature everywhere.
Who'd pass up a shot at fame from childhood?
Trial Valley is perfect for that.
Winners always become the youngest knights, stirring up the era.
Everyone wants to be the protagonist.
Of course... this time, it'll be tragic protagonists.
Before that tragedy unfolds, only excited participants filled the scene now.
Janitz looked at the fired-up crowd and said,
“Trial Valley is a sacred trial replacing the knight exam. I trust none will defile its spirit with arrogance or hubris.”
When mentioning Pador, Janitz spoke each word sternly.
His gaze lingered on Inschtain, who'd been cocky until then.
The kid... he's scared.
I saw him drop his eyes after meeting Janitz's glare, despite acting nonchalant.
After warning Inschtain, Janitz held up three fingers.
“Trial Valley has three gateways. The first to reach and pass the final one receives the Trial's Gift.”
At "Trial's Gift," greed flashed in eyes everywhere.
Look at these brats' eyes rolling.
One whiff of spirit pills, and they all light up. No surprise—who wouldn't chase elixirs?
To martial artists, spirit pills are the ultimate gift.
Truth be told, Trial Valley's fame came not just from Schnell's myth... but this.
Did heaven itself move by Schnell's will?
Oddly, spirit pills formed in the purified valley. A true blessing.
And that fueled Pador's growth to this day.
Janitz skirted it, but the point was clear.
- We ate those pills and built the family.
Who wouldn't drool over the fruit that prospered Pador?
Sure, personality and swordsmanship helped too, but no one denies those early fruits' role.
“Then, let Trial Valley begin. If you want to quit, ring that bell. Gray bells will be at each gateway—choose freely.”
A gray bell in the corner.
Ha... seeing it stirred old memories. I was one who rang it loud back then.
For now, no one eyed it or even approached.
Wonder if they'll stay that way once gateways start?
Can't wait to see their shocked faces.
Unimaginable trials await.
Once Janitz finished, he and the Pador knights climbed the watchtower in unison.
Participants watched puzzled, then murmured.
“Is it starting?”
“What's going on...?”
“This is gonna be good!”
Ian Pador announced the start with a solemn voice.
“Remember. Courage alone is the key forward.”
That's the signal.
Soon, participants will drown in despair.
Kuuuung...!
A massive roar echoed.
As baffled participants looked around, Ralph shouted, spotting something.
“W-what is that?!”
Up the dry valley slope.
A colossal sluice gate, like an ice wall, opened, unleashing the pent-up water in a rush.
Thudududuk...!
Torrents surged to swallow everything.
Participants doubted it'd reach them, but it barreled straight on.
Then they remembered.
This was the valley's heart.
Safety only atop the knights' watchtower.
No escape.
Unlike the panicking kids, Janitz calmly explained.
“Our founder Schnell pressed through the flooding valley. Face the oncoming water just like him. That's the first gateway.”
The first gateway: Mother Nature's greeting.
Facing the disaster, the kids bowed their heads.
I know that feeling.
They're realizing it.
Trial Valley winners.
How they gained fame and proved strength across the continent.
Surviving trials even knights struggle with—that's power.
And they'll learn another lesson.
That they're not special protagonists, just extras.
That's why Trial Valley is sometimes called...
Valley of Enlightenment.
The first place to teach you're ordinary.
As nature closed in, participants finally grasped reality and despaired.
“We're not Schnell...”
“T-this is insane.”
No exceptions. Even sleepy-eyed Andrew's eyes widened.
“We have to pass this?”
See? I told you it'd shock you.
The dragon-roaring flood makes quite the spectacle. Spectacular.