Chapter 39
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: The Ford Family Invitation
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Christopher and his son, along with Merina, came out to see us off as we headed back to the family estate.
"Why not stay a little longer, Deyan?"
Merina murmured with a wistful expression.
I wanted to rest here a bit longer too, but I'd already been away from the family too long.
The viper was still lingering there, after all.
Could I leave the house empty for so long?
"I'll visit again soon, Your Highness."
I gave her a polite bow, then immediately sent a transmission that contrasted sharply with my outward demeanor.
-When we meet again, I'll check how much swordsmanship you've learned. If it's not satisfactory... well, you can imagine what comes next.
Merina's lips twitched.
"Haha, Deyan, you don't have to push yourself so hard."
She forced a smile in response.
Come on, how could I not?
Busy or not, some things have to get done.
"No, I will definitely come back to see you."
"R-Really, Deyan."
Merina hurriedly wrapped up our conversation, then bid farewell to the other three as well.
"Marian, Marian's cooking was truly superb. The palace chefs should learn from you!"
"You're too kind, Your Highness...!"
"Jayvolg, your unwavering daily training inspired me. It was impressive."
"Hahaha! No, Your Highness!"
After praising Marian and Jayvolg in turn, Merina grabbed Nellin's hand last...
"Uh... um, Nellin."
Her tongue seemed to tie itself in knots, stammering repeatedly. After pondering for a long moment, Merina flashed a bright smile.
"Keep shining just like you always do!"
Did Nellin grasp what Merina truly meant?
She just responded energetically.
"Yes!!"
Her brightness really is a delight.
With that, Merina finished her goodbyes, and the retainers of the Christopher Ducal House bowed to us as well.
Were they so cheerful because the princess and I were on friendly terms?
They all sent us off with bright faces.
If I'd revealed the full story of this incident, we might have received an even grander send-off.
But I'd asked the ducal house to keep it all under wraps.
The Evil Society must never learn that I was the one who killed Nemeth.
"Safe travels!"
Merina waved vigorously.
Now, Merina would grow up just fine without me worrying.
She had the duke as her staunch supporter, plus the two martial arts I'd given her.
The journey back to the family estate was so quiet it bordered on boring—nothing like the trip to the ducal territory.
There was that one time we had to tie up Jayvolg because he was making a racket about training in the middle of it, but otherwise...
We made it back home without much incident.
The family members who came out to greet our return gaped in astonishment.
"Wh-What's all this, Young Master?"
Bator stared blankly at the statues larger than a grown man being unloaded from the carriage.
"Y-Young Master?"
Even the guard captain in charge of Pador Family security couldn't tear his eyes away from the dozens of precious swords.
I told them who the generous giver of these treasures was.
"Ah, the duke has a big heart like that."
Bator let out a hollow laugh as the treasures streamed past without end.
"Th-This is too much, even for him..."
"It's the duke we're talking about. We can't think on our level."
The guard captain, who had somewhat regained his composure, ordered the other servants.
"Take all this to the family treasury...!"
The treasury?
What, planning to swipe it away?
"Guard Captain."
"Yes, Young Master."
"These are personal gifts from the duke and the princess. I insisted on turning them over to the family... but they specifically told me to keep them. They even said they'd hold the Pador Family responsible otherwise."
At the mention of the princess and the duke, the guard captain snapped to attention with a salute.
"U-Understood!!"
That's more like it.
To me, not the family. Me.
I could feel the piercing gazes from the three who'd traveled with me to the ducal territory.
But it wasn't wrong, was it?
You have to look out for your own stuff.
Who expects handouts forever?
The family would get plenty of other things anyway.
"Ahem."
Don't stare like that, guys.
In Ian's study.
Janitz and Fernando were there.
They were deep in thought over a single invitation.
The reason for such deliberation was simple.
A single invitation sent to the Pador Family.
[To celebrate the birthday of Ford Family's second son, Ran Ford, we invite the outstanding heirs of the Pador Family.]
On the surface, the invitation seemed innocuous.
But the sender was another knightly noble house on par with the Padors.
One of the Four Great Noble Houses: the Ford Family. That was the issue.
Events from houses like these were never just about celebration.
Does anyone really think this is merely for the kids to build friendships?
If so, they should forfeit their noble status.
No, they shouldn't even have it.
This was a stage representing the family.
These children were the future of their houses.
It was anything but casual. The Fords wanted this to meet the heirs of other houses, so they'd issued the invitation.
Fernando stared at the invitation before speaking to Ian's back.
"Surely the other Four Great Houses will send someone too?"
Ian replied.
"Of course. That's exactly what this invitation is for."
Janitz nodded.
"We need to send children worthy of the occasion."
How they presented themselves at this event would determine the family's honor and future standing.
Hence, utmost caution was required.
Other houses, especially the Four Great Houses.
The other three knightly houses alongside the Padors would send their very best.
We couldn't afford to lag behind.
But... who to send?
That was key. The problem was that among the Pador children, none stood out overwhelmingly compared to those from other houses.
Fernando said regretfully.
"Tch, it would've been great if Captain Ras or Mihail could go. Ages don't match, though... We need at least two. Who?"
How nice that would be.
Pador Family's youngest knight captain, Ras, and the genius unbound by convention, Mihail, couldn't participate.
Ras was on a mission, and Mihail's wanderlust was too severe to summon him back.
Of all the bad timing.
If those two went, the other houses would acknowledge Pador's prestige. They'd been prodigies since childhood.
But excluding them, no one in the family could outshine the competition.
Who to send?
Who...
After much deliberation, Janitz mentioned one name.
"How about sending Ralph first?"
Ian's eyebrow twitched.
"Ralph? Wouldn't that fall short? He didn't even pass Trial Valley."
"Lord Ian, you're being too harsh on Ralph. Trial Valley was more accident than failure, and among kids his age, he's more than qualified."
Fernando agreed with Janitz.
"I concur. In our current situation, sending Ralph is a solid choice."
Two pillars of the Pador Family, no less than Ian, approved.
Ian wasn't thrilled but couldn't disregard them, so he reluctantly accepted.
"Fine, we'll go with that. For the second child, what about Cross?"
"Cross?"
"Was there a child by that name in the family?"
To their questions, Ian merely smiled.
Creeeak.
The door opened instead.
A boy entered quietly.
He had light green hair and sleepy-looking eyes.
Ian confidently introduced the child to them.
"My new disciple. Found him while patrolling a village by chance."
"Lord Ian took a disciple...?"
As far as they knew, Ian had never taken one. This was major news in the Pador Family.
How exceptional must his talent be for Ian, who'd never mentored before, to take him on?
They were already curious about the boy's potential.
Janitz's eyes gleamed as he spoke to Ian.
"Ho, intriguing."
"See for yourself."
Ian patted Cross's shoulder.
"Cross, show them what you've learned. Mana optional."
"Yes."
Cross answered in a flat tone.
A sword was suddenly in the boy's hand.
His sword form unfolded.
So clean, so textbook perfect.
Their eyes sharpened at the sight.
"Where did you find this child..."
"Heavens, a blessing on the Pador Family! This boy rivals Lord Mihail—no, perhaps even..."
Fernando's eyes sparkled like he'd found a gem.
"He could stand toe-to-toe with Ed, the continent's top genius!"
A talent that sent chills down the spine.
Is this what encountering a true genius feels like?
Precision like a ruler's measure.
No excess—a form straight out of the manual.
How did such a child suddenly appear?
One thing was certain: compared to other houses' heirs, this boy wouldn't fall short!
Not Pador blood was a slight drawback, but as Ian's disciple, he qualified.
"This child will do splendidly!"
"Impressive."
The two sat back down after their animated reactions.
"With those two settled, we're good."
"Rest assured."
But unlike them, Ian raised a finger.
"One spot left, isn't there?"
"Who do you mean?"
"Deyan. There's Deyan."
"But Deyan..."
"Still..."
They trailed off, but Ian could guess the rest.
Deyan Pador.
The family's sore spot, its very shame.
He'd recently befriended the duke and princess, astonishing everyone.
But he hadn't proven his own excellence.
The Padors were a martial house.
In the end, only martial prowess earned respect.
Sending that Deyan to Ran Ford's birthday in the Ford Family?
Far too risky.
Yet Ian wore an enigmatic smile.
"Deyan's Pador blood too. He passed Trial Valley, and dismissing it as luck... means that blood still flows in him. Even if not, why not let him go for the experience?"
With Ian pressing like that, the others couldn't object.
With the Sword Saint absent, Ian held real decision-making power in the Pador Family.
They were just worried.
The family could protect him here, but outside, other houses wouldn't spare Deyan.
Insults and scorn were guaranteed.
To knightly houses, strength mattered most.
To them, Pador's invalid was prime prey.
"Don't worry. He'll manage. Off you go."
Ian reassured them.
"Understood."
"If it's Lord Ian's decision, we'll trust it."
After they left,
Ian remained alone, drumming his fingers on the desk.
"Nemeth got taken out..."
News he'd just received via messenger.
The death of poison master Nemeth.
Unforeseen by the Evil Society.
Nemeth was hard to track among executives and tricky with poisons.
For such a man to die overnight?
Someone knew his identity and was thwarting Evil Society plans.
They were in uproar investigating.
Their findings: unidentified sword marks.
Traces from nowhere. Masters of concealment who slew silently.
The group from the last meeting?
If them, it fit. Enemies of the Evil Society.
Lately, they sabotaged every move, so the Society watched closely.
If they'd caught on, aiding the princess made sense.
'No, something's off... something.'
An ominous feeling.
Maybe not them.
This unease—what was it?
'This incident might reveal it.'
To that end, he'd chosen a child he normally wouldn't.
"We'll see."
Soon... suspicion to certainty, or mere conjecture.
Back at the mansion, I retreated to my room alone for the first time in ages and meditated.
"Hoo..."
Following the princess to the ducal territory was the right call.
I caught Evil Society exec Nemeth, surpassing Ten Thousand Poisons Heavenly King Divine Art's limits through him.
Plus Ian's letter.
Incredible gains.
But facing Nemeth taught me something.
What if I'd met another Evil Society exec here?
A shadowy figure flickered before me.
First, Nemeth.
Replaying our fight, redeploying moves. Result?
I could never lose to poison master Nemeth.
Hundred battles, hundred victories.
Total win.
And the opposite?
Now, Ian Pador.
He opposes me.
The moment we clash...
Slash!
Throat severed. Ten Fingers Poison Needle.
Best case, ten seconds ends it.
Fine, poison him first...?
Slash!
Loss again.
Full prep, favorable terrain?
Slash!
Defeat.
Ian's shadow faded.
Unknown foes beyond Ian.
Their shadows wavered.
Evil Society sealing all paths.
If one hid in the ducal territory?
Hundred battles, hundred losses.
No variables save me.
Luck this time...
If another exec, I'd have called ducal aid instead of forcing it.
But casualties?
Unimaginable.
Nemeth showed: Evil Society is strong.
Even Ian's no pushover.
Unknown numbers, reach.
I must grow faster.
Stand tall enough to handle them alone.
"Time to consume."
In hand: Trial's Gift and princess's fruit.
So-called Crimson Seed, a spirit medicine.
Perfectly paired yin and yang essences.
Gulp!
Two spirit medicines fused in my dantian.
Yin-yang attracting, clashing, merging into inner power.
Less than my original reserves.
Ten Thousand Poisons Heavenly King Divine Art spat out non-poisons.
Not meaningless. Inferior to innate essence, but these yielded decent inner power.
"Hoo..."
Poison essence from ducal territory, now inner power from two medicines.
Substantial amount.
Enough—inner power no longer lacks.
No peer my age has more.
Moreover, a fun recent discovery.
Even I hadn't expected it.
Because of that?
I don't even know how strong I've become.
Need a suitable opponent...
Creeeak.
Door opens—perfect one awaits.
"Hup...!"
Jayvolg, sword devotee.
Knight training under moonlight.
First clash: I used Seven Pursuits Golden Command; he was careless with wooden sword, so I won.
Not a clean victory.
Ideal test subject to compare then and now.