Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: War Clouds (3)
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A few days prior, Cardina had been deeply shaken after reading the original Meursault Sword Manual that Federback had handed her.
To think such swordsmanship exists in this world. Everything I've learned up until now was only half-complete—no, even less than that!
This was a stroke of fortune beyond any she could have imagined.
Cardina immersed herself deeply in the manual, devouring its contents, but she couldn't progress beyond a certain level.
Still, she was greatly satisfied with her current achievements.
I need to pass this knowledge on to Federback as well.
Her heart raced at the thought of sharing her insights with her little brother.
...
And then the sparring match unfolded.
Cardina unleashed the orthodox, foundational swordsmanship she had learned from the manual.
Her fierce gaze, shining through strands of her flowing silver hair, was sharper than ever today.
But.
Sssshing—
Federback's sword was not meant to receive instruction from her.
Rather, it was she who needed to learn from him.
This can't be!
She couldn't believe it, even seeing it with her own eyes.
The brother she was facing after so long had already become a fully mature swordsman.
Without realizing it, Cardina poured her full sincerity into the fight.
Up, down, left, right.
Her blade moved in regular, repeating patterns.
It scattered trails of white light, demonstrating the orthodox forms of the Meursault Sword Manual.
Federback's response was pure feral instinct.
Like a beast from the snowy mountains baring its fangs in retaliation.
Cardina unwittingly fell back.
And even as she retreated, she didn't understand why she was being pushed.
My mana proficiency and swordsmanship completion are clearly superior. So why...?
Federback's sword twisted and bent in trajectories she had never seen before.
It was clearly honed through countless real battles, but Cardina had no idea where he could have gained such experience.
At this rate, forget teaching him the manual's insights...!
She would be lucky not to suffer humiliation.
To protect her pride as the elder sister, Cardina regripped her sword hilt.
And just as she was about to launch a major counterattack.
...Thud!
Something hot touched her back.
Oh no!
Turning her head, she saw the torch stand.
The flames lit for the training ground blocked her rear path.
Sparks clung to her clothes, embers obscuring her vision.
The moment Cardina tried to brush them away.
Bam—!
Federback charged forward with his shield leading.
Cardina was sent tumbling across the ground by his body slam.
By the time she lifted her head.
"...It's over."
Federback's sword tip was already at her chin.
Was I too harsh?
Federback looked down at Cardina.
He had thought the experience of losing to an inferior opponent would be a good stimulus, but now it felt like rather radical instruction.
Meanwhile, Cardina stared blankly, blinking for a while.
"...".
The silence lasted until a cold wind blew in, extinguishing the fallen torch.
Finally.
"Hah—"
Cardina exhaled the breath she had been holding and let out a hollow laugh.
"I came to share the insights I gained from the sword manual you gave me... but instead, I ended up receiving instruction."
"You're too kind."
"Too kind? I really thought I was done for back there."
Cardina stood and brushed the charred bits from her clothes.
Then she stepped right up to Federback.
"Where did you learn that move from earlier? It was like a wild beast rampaging..."
"I picked it up hunting orcs in the snowy mountains."
Federback gave a suitable excuse.
Cardina nodded.
"I see. Large monsters rely on body charges. I never imagined you'd use that against me, given how much shorter you are."
Cardina stroked Federback's head as she spoke.
"You've grown so much, I hardly recognize you."
"Kids grow fast, you know."
"...".
A faint smile crossed Cardina's face at his words.
"Shall we take a walk?"
She placed a hand on Federback's shoulder and headed down the dim gravel path.
Federback followed behind her.
Crunch—crunch—crunch—crunch—
The sound of gravel underfoot echoed in the dark path.
Federback and Cardina decided to circle the promenade around the tall tower.
Soon, Cardina spoke up.
"Federback. You are this house's second heir. Your growth will be a great boon to the family..."
"I have something to say about that."
Federback cut her off.
He quickly added.
"I want you to inherit the house later on, Sister."
"...!?"
Cardina stopped in her tracks, mouth agape in shock.
She even stammered.
"W-What are you saying? Do you even realize what that means...?"
"I've thought about it for a long time. Managing the house suits you better."
"You are the second heir. I'm just an adopted..."
"Once family, that doesn't matter. Besides, in a northern sword house, there are no men or women—just warriors."
"...".
Cardina gazed at Federback as if she couldn't comprehend.
He continued his explanation.
"I'll be leaving the house soon. For a very long time."
"...".
"And that will happen more and more often."
Cardina shook her head, unable to agree.
"That doesn't mean you have to give up the patriarch position. Just entrust it to reliable vassals."
"The patriarch can't wander outside. Controlling the vassal houses alone keeps you busy enough. And..."
Federback continued in a firm tone.
"I plan to pioneer Meurso Mountain."
"!"
Cardina's eyes changed once more.
Meurso Mountain.
The Meursault House held deep love and hatred for that mountain.
It was the ancestral grave where their forebears were buried, yet also a den teeming with monsters.
"Subjugating and conquering it will take time."
Federback replied, gazing at the shadow of the snowy mountain in the distance.
Before his regression, it had been a key stronghold for the demons.
During the Great War with the demon realm, high-ranking demons and demon dragons occupying the northern snowy mountains had nearly annihilated humanity.
In this life, Federback had no intention of handing that stronghold to the Demon King.
I need to conquer it early and plant our flag.
Of course, he was steadily preparing for it.
Talents like Rorschach were forming merchant guilds, procuring manpower and supplies across the north.
At that moment, Cardina asked.
"Are you aiming to reclaim the abandoned mines in Meurso Mountain?"
"Yeah. How did you know?"
"I heard from Rorschach. You're even bringing in mages."
In the past, Meurso Mountain had produced high-quality iron in abundance.
Had monsters not overrun it, the Meursaults could have maintained their 'Iron Blood' moniker through self-sufficient weapon production.
Cardina nodded.
"Federback."
"Yeah, Sister."
"I've always dreamed of it too. The day we can use Meurso Mountain's rich underground resources again."
"...?"
Why was she beating around the bush like this?
This wasn't Cardina's style.
Federback asked directly.
"You don't like me going to Meurso Mountain?"
"...That's right."
"Why?"
"Why?"
Cardina furrowed her brow.
"That place has become a mountain of death due to the monsters. I can't send my little brother there."
"Then?"
"I'll go."
"...!"
Federback's eyes widened at her words.
Cardina continued in a somewhat dejected tone.
"...That was what I planned to say. After beating you decisively."
Her ear tips were slightly red.
Cardina looked down and sighed.
"You're still too weak to subjugate Meurso Mountain. At least become strong enough to beat this sister first—that's what I was going to say."
"...".
"But I lost so pathetically."
"...".
"You won't listen even if I tell you not to go... right?"
Cardina glanced at Federback slyly.
He nodded as if it were obvious.
"Don't worry. I'll exterminate every last monster on Meurso Mountain."
"...In the old days, I'd have called a doctor to check your mental state."
Cardina chuckled wryly and continued.
"But now, it doesn't sound like empty bravado. I have this baseless belief that you can pull it off."
With that, she held something out to Federback.
It was the pure white sword she had used in the spar.
"This is my most cherished blade, 'White Phosphorus.' Take it when you climb Meurso Mountain."
"You're giving it to me?"
"No. I'm lending it. Return it when you come back from Meurso Mountain."
Federback nodded and took White Phosphorus.
At that moment.
Squeeze...
Cardina gripped the scabbard tightly.
The two exchanged glances in the air, hands on the same sword.
Cardina asked.
"You'll bring it back, right?"
"...".
Federback gave a dry smile.
"How about trusting your little brother a bit?"
Cardina smiled in return.
...Click!
The famed sword White Phosphorus passed into Federback's hand.
High atop the tower, eyes had watched Federback and Cardina's spar from a window.
Soleil, the patriarch of the Meursault House, had observed his son and daughter's bout from start to finish.
Cardina, who achieved remarkable progress from reading the original sword manual.
And Federback, who overwhelmed even her.
Seeing his children improve daily, not just individually but in their bond, filled Soleil with contentment.
...Moreover, Federback, that boy. When did he become so reliable?
Soleil watched Federback's receding figure vanish into the darkness, thinking of his late wife.
His wife, who had worried for years after marriage with no children.
To ease her burden, Soleil had pretended to give up on having kids.
Then they adopted Cardina.
He poured all the love he could give into that child.
Was it a blessing?
After Cardina arrived, his wife gave birth to Federback.
Until she passed from illness, she loved her adopted daughter and biological son equally.
...Those two children have grown into such proud adults, dear.
Soleil quietly wiped a tear.
Then his gaze sharpened.
And I need to be the pillar supporting these two proud children.
Soleil resolved himself.
...His spirited daughter, just about to take flight toward her dreams.
...And his genius son, already witnessing landscapes even his dreams couldn't paint.
As patriarch and father, he vowed to burn body and soul to help them achieve everything he envisioned.