Chapter 86
Chapter 86
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: Qualification
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Cedric Crescendo was brimming with confidence.
It wasn’t unfounded bravado.
Kang Geohan recalled those javelins that had appeared out of nowhere, shredding the enemy.
Even thinking about it now sent chills down his spine.
He never could have imagined the Linekar Kingdom possessing such formidable weapons...
Countess Kali Stehold was thinking something similar.
“I was shocked too. What the hell were those? Those javelins. I thought we were haunted by ghosts.”
A confident smile spread across Cedric Crescendo’s face.
“The Black Reaper?”
“That’s its name?”
“That’s right. Brand-new model, hot off the press. Old-model SPUs can’t even detect them, so you die without knowing what hit you. They caused absolute chaos when we fought the Misos Empire up north. Haha! All thanks to His Majesty the King. Haha!”
Thanks to His Majesty the King.
Kang Geohan had thought it was just a throwaway phrase.
But it wasn’t.
“Huh? His Majesty developed that new weapon himself?”
“Exactly. With the international situation looking dicey, he fasted and secluded himself for nearly a year, pouring everything into development. You should’ve seen how happy he was when it succeeded.”
Kang Geohan’s eyes widened round.
‘His Majesty’s new invention? So the king himself developed the Black Reaper javelin?’
A king of a nation personally developing such an advanced weapon?
Kang Geohan’s startled reaction must have been obvious.
The countess patted his shoulder and said,
“Oh, you didn’t know, Kang Geohan? The Linekar royal family’s secret art is magitech engineering. The perfect pursuit for a king—protecting and benefiting humanity.”
In Laniakea, noble houses each possessed their own ‘secret arts.’
Some specialized in magic, others in swordsmanship and demonic cultivation methods, still others in metal refining, and so on.
And reigning above all Linekar nobles was the great Linekar royal family, whose secret art was magitech engineering—the creation of grunts like Gigants and all manner of conveniences.
Kang Geohan looked at Kali Stehold’s softly smiling face.
He didn’t know much else, but it was clear she held the king and royal family in high regard.
“But who’s this guy?”
Cedric Crescendo turned to Kang Geohan.
Countess Kali Stehold smacked her forehead as if she’d forgotten and spoke urgently.
“Oh, Captain. Give this kid a recovery potion.”
“A recovery potion?”
“Yes. The strongest one you’ve got. His manase and body are probably shredded right now.”
“The strongest? Hmm... I do have one, but... I was planning to give it to someone else.”
“Someone else? Who?”
“You know, that rider throwing javelins from the rear. Yeah. Where’s he at?”
“The rider throwing javelins?”
“Yeah. There was this amazing knight holding off the enemy with javelins right to the end. Took down over ten enemy grunts single-handedly, from what I saw.”
Countess Kali Stehold smiled triumphantly at his words.
“Ah, that must be him. Kang Geohan. That was you, right?”
Kang Geohan scratched his cheek.
“Yeah. If it’s the knight who threw javelins with seven grunts from the rear, that’s me. As for enemy grunts... I think around thirteen.”
Cedric Crescendo narrowed his eyes and scanned Kang Geohan up and down.
“You... How old are you?”
“I’ll be twenty soon.”
“Nineteen?”
“...Yes.”
Cedric Crescendo’s jaw dropped.
“You? That valiant, seasoned knight?”
Countess Kali Stehold cut in.
“See? Told you it was him. Captain, hand over that recovery potion quick.”
“Him...? How?”
“Oh, come on, just give it already.”
Cedric Crescendo pulled a yellow potion from his pouch with a dazed look.
Countess Kali Stehold snatched it and held it out to Kang Geohan.
She patted his shoulder gently, like an older sister fussing over her baby brother.
“Drink up. Right now. It’s great for recovering manase and your body. It’s precious, so don’t waste a drop.”
Kang Geohan was moved. How could she be so thoughtful?
And then,
[Alfonso’s Special Recovery Potion]
Contains a massive amount of yellow mystic.
Halts ongoing damage to body and manase upon consumption, restoring collapsed balance and harmony.
An absurd effect.
‘Restores collapsed balance and harmony?’
Illness is fatal to training.
Not just because of muscle loss during recovery.
Even after healing, the body’s metabolic systems are altered, so regaining peak condition can take far longer than expected. All of it is lost progress.
But restoring balance and harmony? In other words, returning to normal condition?
For Kang Geohan, whose muscles and manase had nearly melted from overexertion, no better potion existed.
...Such meticulous care.
“Thank you, Your Excellency!”
He fought back tears and gulped it down.
“There you go.”
The countess watched warmly.
Cedric Crescendo stared at the scene with a bizarre expression.
“That good, huh?”
“Of course. Look at all the merits this kid racked up.”
“Yeah... Even I can tell he’s no ordinary. How at that age... Heh, go brag to His Majesty plenty. We need promising youths like you growing fast.”
At that, the countess’s eyes widened.
“Huh? But His Majesty’s in the capital, isn’t he?”
“Yep.”
“How do we brag then? I’m fighting here...”
Cedric Crescendo slowly shook his head.
“Ah, I forgot to mention. His Majesty’s summoned all of you.”
“Huh?”
“The kingdom train Mimir’s waiting a day’s ride away. Hop on and head straight to the capital.”
“But the battlefield?”
“I’m here, and that Execution Sword guy’s coming too. Don’t worry.”
“But still...”
“His Majesty has his reasons! He’s bolstering the rear, right? To fight Logot, we need the eastern frontiers secured too! You get me?”
“Ah...”
“Heh, congrats in advance, kid. Looks like your day’s come.”
Some backstory only they knew.
The countess looked stunned yet oddly pleased, her lips twitching.
Cedric Crescendo, catching the mood, slammed his pot-lid hands alternately on her back and Kang Geohan’s.
Thwack! Thwack!
“Alright! Good work! Shift change! Everyone, head home quick!”
Head home.
Even knowing full well what it meant,
Kang Geohan asked in a trembling voice.
“Is the battle... over?”
The countess grinned.
“Yeah. Our battle’s done. For now, at least.”
Just then, the dawn mist cleared as the sun rose.
* * *
Morning sunlight streamed pleasantly over the windowsill.
Kang Geohan opened his eyes lightly.
He sprang up and folded the blankets.
Threw open the windows to air out the room, then did light stretches to loosen overnight muscle knots.
‘Perfect!’
The healing potion from Cedric Crescendo was top-tier.
Though his lost 150 findem of manase and 500g of muscle wouldn’t return, his condition had. He could resume training today.
“I’ll recover in no time!”
Kang Geohan burned with resolve as he changed clothes.
The kingdom train Mimir, bound for the capital.
Fierce wind poured through the open window, and the door opened to a long corridor.
Flanking the corridor stood Calts Black and Kulran Black, waiting side by side for Kang Geohan.
“You’re awake, Master?”
Calts Black bowed politely,
“Whoa! Up already?!”
Kulran Black pointed at Calts’s greeting, raised his hand high, and approached. Calts frowned, but Kulran ignored it entirely.
A 72-year-old veteran. His nerves were thick as ropes.
“Ah, yes. Master Kulran. What brings you here so early?”
“What do you mean? Here for morning training with you! Back in the day, like everyone, I trained by upping reps, right? But after hearing you, I started progressively adding weight, and damn, it’s fun! And the changes are real!”
Kang Geohan nodded with a pleased smile.
“Of course. To build greater manase, you need to lift greater, heavier manase stones.”
“Grr... Who’d have thought I’d get hooked on new learnings this late in life... Oh, drink this. Clears the mind and boosts focus in the morning. Real good stuff.”
“Ah, thank you.”
“No thanks needed! I’m the grateful one. That last battle was brutal—body holding up? No knots?”
“Yes. Feeling great. And you, Master Kulran?”
“Me? Just ran around—no pain would be dishonest! Haw haw.”
Kulran Black stuck right by Kang Geohan’s side, even massaging his shoulders as he fussed.
“Hey! No running in the corridor! You’ll scare my friend?!”
He even snapped at someone who nearly bumped into Kang Geohan while running.
‘Hmm... something’s...’
Calts Black, watching, felt off. Kang Geohan’s retainer was him... but it felt like his spot was being taken.
‘No. I’m overthinking.’
Trying to brush it off, his eyes met Kulran Black’s.
Flick!
Kulran quickly looked away. Then fussed over Kang Geohan more, glancing back slyly at Calts.
Strange feeling.
Hard to explain, but...
It was like, ‘See? I’m closer to Kang Geohan!’ Like an elementary kid in a friend rivalry. Childish.
‘No, no way. That esteemed Master Knight wouldn’t... I’m overthinking.’
Right, impossible. Kulran Black, 72 years young with a dignified middle-aged face, every action steeped in gravitas—a respected knight.
Brushing it off again, their eyes met once more.
Smirk.
A foxy smile curled on Kulran Black’s lips.
Twitch!
A vein bulged on Calts Black’s temple.
Calts Black stepped forward, taking position on Kang Geohan’s left.
“Master. Upon arriving in the capital, you’ll have an audience with His Majesty. After morning training, I’ll teach you court etiquette.”
As Calts spoke,
“Ah, I’m the expert there. I’ve had audience with His Majesty three times. Want me to teach?”
Kulran cut in,
“...A banquet may follow the audience. I’ll also teach rider manners for banquets.”
Calts continued,
“You’ll meet nobles too, so I’ll teach noble etiquette. At seventy, a Master Knight, you’ve dealt with them plenty.”
Kulran interjected again.
Calts glared. Kulran just grinned lazily.
Thus, the trio proceeded down the corridor in fierce, underhanded loyalty rivalry, as knights, merchants, and officials—who’d survived the eastern border fortress and now journeyed to the capital—joined the group one by one.
Knights, merchants, administrators.
Survivors from the eastern border fortress, heading to the capital together. They genuinely respected Kang Geohan and followed his training methods—his devotees.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Footsteps filled the train corridor.
Before he knew it, Kang Geohan led dozens toward the gym.
A strange sense of déjà vu gripped him.
Like a dream he’d seen, or one he’d always dreamed of. His chest tickled, the breeze refreshing.
He recalled heading to the eastern border fortress, freshly titled White Knight.
A few months, yet so much had changed.
Kang Geohan turned to Calts Black.
“Sir Calts Black.”
“Yes! Master!”
Calts replied louder than usual.
“How about it? Don’t I... have at least a fingernail’s worth of qualification to join the game now?”
At those words,
Calts Black’s eyes wavered.
The game with fate as stakes.
Words from when Calts had sworn fealty to Kang Geohan.
The war engulfing the continent. Human vs. celestial competition.
A world of countless dangers and even greater opportunities.
Rise or perish—a game with destiny on the line.
Calts had said joining a pioneer unit and seizing power would qualify him.
Now, Kang Geohan left the pioneer unit for an audience with the king in the capital.
Merits earned, power gained, followers aplenty by his side.
“Game? What game?”
Ignoring oblivious Kulran Black, Calts smiled softly.
“Yes. Not seated at the table yet, but... about time to peek at the board.”
Hadn’t he at least crossed the threshold to nobility?
Calts Black and Kang Geohan met eyes and smiled.