Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Declaration of War (1)
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After the war with the Levarb House ended.
Federback headed straight for the training cave as soon as he returned to Meursault Castle.
He instructed the following maids as follows.
"I'll be devoting myself solely to training for a while. Just leave meals and water at the entrance."
He needed to regain his pre-regression realm as quickly as possible, even if just one sliver of that past power.
'If I'd reclaimed even a fraction of the strength I once had, I could've massacred those enemies without using the ancient centipede's poison. At my current level, the limits are all too clear.'
Federback's current realm was at the peak of 2nd Circle, just shy of entering 3rd Circle.
That alone was an achievement unmatched by his peers, but Federback wasn't satisfied with mere adequacy.
The Demon King.
Just recalling the mythic, epic-grade dark magic spewing from its hands made his blood boil.
'I need to reach a complete 3rd Circle realm, where I can gaseousize mana. Only then can I unleash mana slashes and sever the lives of massive magical beasts.'
Federback threw himself into training immediately.
Forgetting sleep and food, enduring the cold, pushing his body to its limits.
He drew up mana and spread it through every vein in his body.
As he swung his sword, his blood and flesh heated up.
He cooled the heated blood and flesh by rubbing it in the snow.
Like heating iron in a furnace and quenching it in cold water, he tempered himself infinitely.
Repeating this process countless times, mana began to cling to the sword's tip before he knew it.
This was a result impossible with half-hearted, lukewarm training.
Kiiiiing...
Pure white mana poured from his mana core, enveloping the blade.
Sssshhhaak— Crack!
Federback swung his sword, cleaving the rock before him in two.
The rock split perfectly in half.
It looked as if lightning had struck straight down.
At that moment.
"...Open the gates!"
"Right now..."
"...they demand!"
Suddenly, the cave entrance grew noisy.
Federback sheathed his sword.
It felt like he'd only just begun training, but icicles had already grown long over the cave.
'Time has passed this quickly already.'
There was one event he'd been anticipating even before entering the training cave.
Time to pause his training.
The area before the castle gates was chaotic with dozens of carriages.
Every ornate carriage bore the Levarb House crest.
But the people atop each carriage were eyeing one another warily.
"......"
Federback glanced at the carriages before heading straight to the conference room.
Passing countless stairs and corridors, he entered the conference room, and all eyes turned to him.
Those gazes held goodwill, respect, trust, and expectation—emotions utterly changed from before the orc subjugation.
Soleil, seated at the head, smiled at Federback.
"You're here. It's quite noisy outside, isn't it?"
"The Levarb dogs have come swarming."
Stray mutts reeking of their stench.
They all wore fawning smiles, so it didn't seem malicious, but they were still revolting to behold.
Soleil nodded.
"They smelled the bait and came running. Just as you planned."
Bait.
The Meursault House had sent word to the Levarb House.
'Only those who remember the pact with Camus Meursault are true Levarb blood.'
In other words, if they wanted to be heirs, they should grovel like the dogs they were.
Soleil looked out the window and said,
"Second son, third, fourth, fifth, sixth... even Viscount Bargo's brothers. They've all come."
"Excluding the eldest who's away on business, it's essentially the entire family."
"Exactly."
Soleil nodded and continued.
"They're desperate to be recognized as heirs. They came loaded with bribes in their carriages—enough to buy a small fortress outright."
"The Levarbs must be quite wealthy."
"They've turned to merchanting, after all."
"But they lack the insight to read the situation."
"True enough. As you said, everything the Levarbs have will become the Meursaults'."
"Who will you choose as the Levarb House's master?"
"I'll discuss that with your sister. And take your opinion into account."
"I don't care who it is. Just pick a dog that knows its master."
"Naturally. We can't waste the accomplishments you've achieved, can we? I'll fit them with a sturdy collar too."
The Levarb wealth would now serve as nutrients for the Meursault revival.
That would be the traitorous Levarb House's sole atonement for betraying the Meursaults over the years.
Federback asked,
"What are your plans for Viscount Bargo?"
"He..."
Just as Soleil opened his mouth to reply.
"He's confined in the northern spire."
Cardina appeared from the door opposite the conference room.
She looked at Federback and continued.
"Naked in a space not even a square pace wide. Meals once a day—a cup of water and a lump of black bread."
"He's probably holding out hope watching those carriages below."
"Foolish hope. Not one of those who came asked after Viscount Bargo's well-being or whereabouts. What a dog of a family."
Then, Cardina turned to Soleil.
"Father. May I speak with my brother alone for a moment?"
"Of course."
Soleil nodded readily.
Cardina nodded toward Federback and exited the conference room.
Cardina walked through the garden amid bare, skeletal trees.
Step— Step— Step— Thud!
With the frozen fountain at her back, she turned to Federback.
"I heard you performed tremendous feats on this journey."
"Thanks to the sleeping bag you gave me, Sister. Good sleep cleared my mind and gave me energy."
At Federback's modest words, Cardina's eyebrow twitched.
"Ahem. What kind of help was that... Anyway, you did splendidly. Father's face has brightened considerably. The castle's finances are now abundant. With increased defense budgets, the territory's safety is assured too."
"I'm glad."
"Oh, and..."
Cardina strode toward Federback.
She, a head taller, leaned close to his ear and whispered softly.
"That unidentified book you unearthed upon your return."
Her expression was profoundly complex as she mentioned the Meursault secret swordsmanship manual.
"Father mentioned in passing that it contains the family's long-lost ultimate techniques."
"Really?"
"Yes. Written entirely in ancient deep-layer concepts, so decoding will take time. But with it, we can restore all the family's lost sword arts. Father will break through the 5th Circle wall too."
"Congratulations. You'll receive the ultimate techniques as well, Sister."
"No. You'll be the only one to inherit them."
"?"
Federback tilted his head.
Cardina sighed and bowed her head.
"Meursault swordsmanship can only be learned by those with Meursault blood. The early parts maybe not, but definitely the latter half."
"Then what's the problem?"
"No Meursault blood flows in me."
"...!"
Cardina smiled bitterly.
"You've probably noticed by now... Our blood isn't connected. I'm Father's adopted daughter."
No, he hadn't noticed at all.
This was a fact even Federback hadn't known.
Before regression, Cardina had died young to a demon ambush before the ultimate techniques were discovered.
Cardina continued.
"Father despaired over having no children with my late mother. After much deliberation, he adopted me—his third cousin once removed, an orphan."
"......"
"Nine degrees removed is practically unrelated. Proof: I inherited nothing but the Meursault traits of white hair and red eyes."
He truly hadn't known.
The Cardina in Federback's memory was always aloof, a diligently striving genius.
But she had these circumstances and worries.
"Soon after my adoption, you were born."
"......"
"Even so, Father and Mother treated me the same. No, they cherished me more. They said I brought double the joy."
"......"
"I'll love them forever. And you, whom they love..."
Cardina placed a hand on Federback's shoulder.
"I'm glad you've finally come to your senses. And the family swordsmanship has returned—another great fortune."
"......"
"Focus solely on the sword without worry. Fulfilling Father's lifelong wish. I'll handle all the trivial affairs inside and out."
"......"
Having spoken, Cardina gazed steadily into Federback's eyes.
Finally, Federback replied.
"I understand your words well, Sister."
"I'm glad we communicate quickly."
Cardina's expression returned to its usual cool impassivity.
As she turned to leave.
"Still, I hope you learn the swordsmanship."
"...?"
Cardina turned back.
Federback continued.
"Blood inheritance is required for Meursault swordsmanship, but that's only for the ultimate techniques at the very end. Everything up to just before can be learned regardless of bloodline."
"...How do you know that?"
"I overheard the adults, including Father, researching it."
"Eavesdropping on Father's work is impolite."
"Anyway."
Federback pressed on despite Cardina's question.
"Mastering the six forms excluding the Rite's ultimate technique would let you slay even high demons with ease."
"......"
"Plus, a trace of Meursault blood must flow in you. Awaken it to its limit, and acquiring the ultimate technique isn't impossible. Though it'd take far more effort than for pure-blood kin."
Federback's words were all true.
The only lie was overhearing Soleil.
"......"
Cardina pondered Federback's words.
Federback waited patiently for her to sort her thoughts.
Finally.
"...If what you say is true."
Cardina looked at Federback.
"Can I learn the Meursault swordsmanship?"
A hesitant tone uncharacteristic of her.
Federback nodded.
"No need to ask permission. You're still my sister."
"...I see."
Cardina's voice trembled slightly.
Her face remained impassive, but her eyes reddened faintly.
"I thought... you'd distance yourself from me once you knew I was adopted."
"?"
"Because at some point, you changed from calling me 'sister' to 'Sister'..."
"!"
This was unexpected too.
Federback recalled his first post-regression talk with Cardina.
'Sister.'
'...? Sister? Not sis?'
'Yes, Sister. I have one request.'
'Uh... sure. What?'
Cardina had been bothered by the honorific ever since.
After a brief silence, Federback spoke.
"If 'Sister' feels distant... shall I call you 'sis' again?"
"That would... be nice."
"Got it, sis."
"And speak casually like before..."
"Sure thing, sis."
Federback let out a small sigh.
Only then did Cardina's expression brighten.
A smile softening her impassive face.
Even the battle-hardened Federback was a bit surprised.
Finally, Federback brought up what he wanted to say.
"By the way, sis. What about that request?"
"Oh, right. The thing you asked for last time? It's ready. Ready, but... what do you need it for?"
Cardina asked somewhat suspiciously.
For good reason—Federback had requested Administrator Yuda's corpse.
Cardina continued worriedly.
"Little brother, it's best to let go of grudges against the dead. No matter how hated the traitor, a severed head pays his debt..."
"Not planning to whip the corpse. I'm not that angry."
"...Then why?"
To Cardina's question, Federback answered readily.
"I'm going to give him a funeral. A very elaborate one."
Administrator Yuda still had one more use.