Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Sword Queen
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The mountain near the restaurant after leaving it.
I stand quietly at the base, waiting.
Because moments ago, the Sword Queen had told me:
"I'll handle the aftermath, so wait just a little, alright?"
The Sword Queen's aura was sharp as her sword emanated a chilling frost while she spoke.
She showed no mercy toward the boss, who trembled helplessly before her, unable to do a thing.
Instead, I was the one puzzled.
"Do you know them?"
"No?"
"Then you're handling the cleanup anyway? Not that I'm ungrateful, of course..."
"Of course I am. You're my type, after all."
"Pardon?"
I blinked in confusion, but the Sword Queen just smiled with a soft "Ufufu."
Father had once said he didn't want to introduce me to this woman called the Sword Queen.
I could kind of guess why now, and it left me feeling uneasy.
"I'm kidding. How could a warrior like me not draw her sword when young boy and girl are attacked by ruffians out of nowhere? Don't worry and wait here."
"But if I leave the scene, won't the authorities come after me later? They'll want to investigate what happened."
"Your hair color—you're an imperial citizen, right? That's even more reason to leave it to me. Getting dragged into an investigation could lead to all sorts of annoyances."
"Yes. Thank you."
She was so insistent on handling it that refusing felt awkward.
I bowed my head and led Ariel out of the shop.
Sounds of things breaking inside, screams, and the like followed.
Then a rush of bailiffs arrived, talking with those in the shop.
Finally, the Sword Queen approached us with leisurely steps.
"Sorry. Did I keep you waiting long?"
"No."
"Good. The cleanup's all sorted. I told the restaurant owner and the bailiffs not to dig too deep in my name, so you won't be pursued."
"Thank you."
"Aren't you curious? Why they did that to you. That talisman you got hit with was a type of curse that strikes at the soul. It's not something that circulates openly—doesn't that seem suspicious?"
"No, not really interested. That's not my concern. Thanking you is far more important."
I bowed my head.
Ariel glanced at me for a moment before bowing as well.
"Fufufu. Such cute kids. So, what brings you to Aonia? You don't strike me as commoners with that refined air about you."
"Ah. I was looking for you, Sword Queen."
"Oh?"
She tilted her head elegantly.
She looked like a woman in her twenties, but there was this seductive beauty in her every movement.
How old is this woman...?
"I'll scold you if you're thinking naughty thoughts?"
"Haha, as if. Anyway, this is why I came to see you, Sword Queen."
She's sharp. Better watch my thoughts.
I pulled Father's letter of introduction from my pocket.
The Sword Queen's eyes widened slightly at the sight of the Leonhart family seal.
"I'm Kline Leonhart, the eldest son of Gerard, head of the Leonhart Ducal Family. This is my younger sister, Ariel."
"Did that guy Gerard write this letter?"
"Yes. Would you like to read it? It's addressed to you, Sword Queen."
"Hand it over."
The Sword Queen took the letter from my hand.
She could have just taken the letter, but it felt like she deliberately brushed my hand.
...I haven't gotten tangled up with some weirdo, have I?
"...Hmm. Hmm hmm."
As she read the letter, the Sword Queen made an odd humming sound.
What was that? It sounded expectant, almost delighted.
*Click.*
Folding the letter, she looked at me.
Her dark eyes held goodwill.
"Well, it's not a bad proposal. Teach Gerard's son. A child walking a third path, neither knight nor mage—perfectly to your tastes. Is this true?"
"Yes. I'm aiming to become a magic swordsman. Ah, if you're not sure what that is—"
"Huh? No need. I get the gist. Casting magic with a sword, right?"
"Ah. Yes."
Why does she know this so well?
Catching my puzzled gaze, the Sword Queen chuckled and drew her sword.
*Shing.*
Her blade bore unique engravings.
Snowflakes.
The sword shimmered with floral ice patterns, marking it as an extraordinary weapon in itself.
"I, an Aonian, might not know exactly what you mean by magic swordsman. But in our terms, infusing spells into a sword is something I can do too."
"Oh."
I see.
So that's why Father introduced her to me.
She's definitely the right person for sparring. She's walking the same path as me.
"But this is tricky. I haven't confirmed if you can really be a magic swordsman yet. Can't decide right away, can I?"
"Fair point. So, how should I prove it?"
"Show me your finest magic sword technique as you envision it. I'll judge after seeing it."
I drew my sword at her words.
My sword differed from the Sword Queen's.
In this land of Aonia's katanas, my straight Western sword stood out.
But we weren't so different.
In the end, we both wielded swords to cast magic.
*Whoosh.*
Light surged along my blade.
Not aura. Mana took on properties, turning pure white.
Magic enchantment: Light.
The moment it activated perfectly, I swung, demonstrating one of my spells.
Divine Shield. A radiant barrier of protection.
The Sword Queen widened her eyes at the circular defense expanding around me.
She stared piercingly at the Divine Shield, concentrating.
Then her gaze roamed over my body.
Not like before with her tastes—it seemed she was checking something about me.
"Mm. Good."
I canceled the Divine Shield.
The Sword Queen nodded.
"Confirmed you can wield sword and magic together, as Gerard said. And there's plenty worth teaching. Mm. Not bad. Good enough to take as a disciple."
"Phew."
Relief.
I hadn't thought she'd refuse, but still, you never know.
"But... even so, taking you without compensation feels off, doesn't it? Taking a disciple is fun, but I need something in return too, right?"
"Pardon? Ah. Well, yes. Should our family promise monetary compensation?"
"Huh? No, not interested in that. Rather, I want..."
The Sword Queen's gaze grew sticky as it swept over me.
What is this.
Suddenly, chills ran down my spine.
*Step, step.*
The Sword Queen approached me.
She reached out, gripped my chin, and breathed on me.
"You."
*Flick!*
A stone flew the instant she finished speaking.
The Sword Queen jerked her head back. The stone whistled past, slamming into a tree trunk.
*Thud...*
It embedded deeply, not even falling out.
"My, my."
"..."
Ariel wore a strange expression—angry, perhaps regretful.
She must have tried not to interfere after hearing me.
But she couldn't hold back against the Sword Queen's action just now.
No, I get it, little sister.
Honestly, I was pretty stunned too.
"Fufufu. You have quite the feisty little sister. Taking her along too?"
"Yes. But no need to teach Ariel. I just brought her because leaving her alone felt bad."
"I see. Hmm. I suppose."
This time, the Sword Queen eyed Ariel up and down.
What? Is this woman into girls too? That'd be a problem.
Ariel looked displeased and slipped behind me.
The Sword Queen seemed to notice something, nodding to herself with a mutter.
Her whisper was too soft to catch.
"I see. A child of the hidden world..."
She cleared her throat and changed the subject.
"Anyway, that was a joke. I'm sure you knew that."
"..."
I don't think it's my fault that "controversial joke" crossed my mind.
"The price is simple. Kline, if you're to be my disciple, you need achievements to match. As my first-ever disciple—I've never taken one before—you deserve proper proof."
"Proof?"
"Yes. Accomplish a feat that would shock the people of Aonia. That's the condition."
"Didn't peg you for someone with ambition and a thirst for fame."
"Of course. You're Gerard's son, after all. Dyeing you in my colors and showing you off to the world—what face would that bastard make? Just imagining it is delightful. Ufufu."
Whoa.
I don't know their history, but they clearly aren't on good terms.
Why take it out on me, his son?
And "dyeing in my colors"? Watch your wording.
"Shall we go? Sun's setting. Let's head up the mountain and prepare to rest."
"Ah. Yes."
I followed the Sword Queen up the mountain.
Since arriving in Aonia.
I'd worried it might take forever to find her, but it was for naught. Meeting this easily.
...She's a bit of an eccentric, like Father said.
But her skills seem legit.
"That ice was definitely close to magic."
In Aonian terms, spells, I suppose.
The Sword Queen clearly has her own swordsmanship.
Learning it as her disciple sounds good.
**
And then.
After entering the Sword Queen's residence, unpacking, and settling in to rest.
She sat me down and said with a serious face:
"Well then, time to take off your clothes?"
"Pardon?"
"I need to check something. No sexual intentions, I promise?"
"..."
If you're gonna say that, at least wipe the drool from your mouth.