Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: A Request and an Invitation
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“I apologize. I am afraid I cannot tell you that.”
To think he’d refuse me so openly.
At this rate, even someone as thick-skinned as me would find it hard to press further.
I clicked my tongue and muttered.
“That’s too difficult a mission.”
“Victory is not the goal. I simply ask that you face the boy one day. It will be in the form of a spar, so there will be no risk to your life.”
“Hmm…”
So the fight itself is the objective. What on earth is Keian’s intention?
I couldn’t guess, but I didn’t think Keian had any ill intentions.
It was too inefficient and bizarre to be a trap.
“Alright.”
I nodded.
I ran through the calculations in my head, but my reason for accepting was simple.
My fighting spirit.
An opportunity to fight a powerhouse who would one day be called the strongest in the Empire? That was something I’d be willing to ask for myself.
“So, when do I have to fight him?”
“I would appreciate it if the match could happen before he turns twenty.”
That gives me a five-year window, no… this year is almost over, so that means four years left?
I was about to get lost in thought when I remembered Keian was standing in front of me and stopped.
“Oh, and I’ve been making good use of the Shadow Steps you taught me. Though I’ve modified it a bit to suit my style.”
“That is intriguing.”
“I’ll show you later, so give me your honest critique. Separately, there’s something I want to ask you…”
“Please speak, Master.”
“…”
Not Young Master, but Master.
It wasn’t just a change in title.
Keian bowed respectfully, showing me proper courtesy.
For some reason, just by accepting his request, I felt a conviction that Keian would never betray me.
It was a strange feeling.
There probably wasn't a single person in the Bednicker family who hadn't tried to make Keian their direct subordinate.
Although Keian downplayed his own worth, loyally serving one family for decades and perfectly carrying out one’s duties was a truly remarkable feat.
And when that duty was being a Collector—the most difficult job in the Bednicker family—it went without saying.
That was why I could state my purpose without hesitation.
“I need information on the Calamity God.”
“You mean the Demon King?”
“Yes.”
Keian, looking slightly surprised, paused in thought for a moment before speaking.
“First, there is the option of using the main family’s library.”
“You mean the one on the first floor of the main building?”
“Yes.”
“The only information I can get from a place like that is common knowledge. I’m talking about something more in-depth. The Calamity God’s exact appearance, its strength, its characteristics, the actual damage it inflicted on the Empire, its movements to date, and if possible… its current whereabouts.”
“…”
Only then did Keian’s expression change.
“…What you have mentioned is top-secret information. An ordinary person could spend a lifetime trying to find out, yet fail to uncover even a single clue.”
I know.
That’s why I’m asking.
“The Young Master will surely have his talents recognized one day and be granted access to the family’s underground library, but…”
The Bednicker’s underground library was filled with priceless books and martial arts manuals, of which only a few copies existed in the entire Empire.
Of course, access was strictly restricted, so at this point, not even one of the Iron-Blooded Duke’s children would have been granted permission.
Keian seemed to know this as well, as he shook his head.
“That is too far in the future. If I am correct, you wish to obtain this information as soon as possible.”
“You’re right.”
“In my opinion, the fastest way would be to first acquire the status of a hero. Not just a hero in name, but one officially affiliated with [Heros].”
“Hmm.”
A very by-the-book answer.
[Heros] was the Empire’s largest hero organization.
A place anyone could enter, provided they passed a rigorous test.
Its members were diverse, including those from the Great Families, royalty, nobility, commoners, and even slaves and other races.
It was truly the largest organization in the Empire.
The influence wielded by Heros was immense.
So much so that not even the Imperial Family, let alone the four great religions of the Empire, could openly oppose its will.
“Becoming an official hero requires an exam and a probationary period. That’s at least a year combined.”
Even if I’m young again, I don’t want to waste time.
Investing a year just to become a hero was something I was reluctant to do.
“That is generally the case. However, for you, Young Master, there is a way to significantly shorten that period.”
“What is it?”
“By participating in the training retreat.”
“The training retreat?”
An unexpected phrase popped up.
“You mean the six-week Bednicker training course?”
“Yes. The Bednicker family is a certified hero training institution. This means we can arbitrarily grant the title of hero after a separate examination.”
“Is that possible?”
“Because we are the Bednickers.”
Annoying, but true.
One of the two families that protected the Empire.
“So I just have to complete it?”
“I have heard that the qualification is only given to the top three in academic performance.”
“I see. I understand.”
Six weeks wasn’t that long.
Besides, I knew the training retreat was held at the Bednicker main estate. Staying in this land, so full of natural energy, wouldn’t be bad for me either.
After all, this place was a rare, ideal training ground.
“There is also the option of asking the Family Head directly.”
“The Family Head?”
“Yes.”
Keian continued.
“If the Family Head were to teach you himself, or grant you access to the underground library, who in the Bednicker family could possibly object?”
Come to think of it, he had a point.
“However, the Family Head did not even show himself at the recent Blessing Ceremony. It is unknown when he will return, so for now, you could either get permission from a majority of the Grand Master Teachers or directly from Sir Asad—”
Just then, the door burst open, and the Iron-Blooded Duke appeared.
“You’re awake, Ruan.”
“Ah, yes.”
“You haven’t forgotten our meal, have you?”
“No, I haven’t.”
“Good. It’s a bit late for lunch, but are you available now? I have matters to attend to this evening.”
“That’s fine.”
“Dress comfortably and come to the fifth floor by three. I will be waiting.”
“Yes.”
The Iron-Blooded Duke then glanced at Keian and spoke.
“Keian, you look better since you’ve retired. It’s a shame I couldn’t invite you to this meal. We’ll arrange something separately next time.”
“Y-Yes?”
“My apologies for the interruption.”
And with that, the Iron-Blooded Duke closed the door and left.
I was taken aback, but beside me, Keian, who seemed a hundred times more stunned than I was, suddenly slapped his own cheek.
“What are you doing?”
“…It’s not a dream?”
“…”
***
Leaving Keian behind, I left the room.
‘Maybe I should take this, just in case.’
I also grabbed the Seven Sins Sword from under my bed. If I saw the Iron-Blooded Duke up close, the Martial God’s consciousness might awaken again.
Plus, if I got the chance to ask about the forgotten era, I might get some advice.
Fortunately, the Seven Sins Sword currently looked like nothing more than a toy sword, so it was unlikely to arouse suspicion.
People might look at me like I was crazy, but I was used to such stares, so it was fine.
With my preparations complete, I headed to the fifth floor with the resolve of a knight marching into battle.
That’s right.
The fifth floor of the Bednicker main building.
The third floor, where outsiders were strictly forbidden.
The fourth floor, accessible only to an even more select few from among that restricted group.
And then, the fifth floor.
There were no rumors about the fifth floor.
Because it was a place so secret that not even rumors circulated.
The fifth floor of the main building was entirely the Iron-Blooded Duke’s domain, and no one, not even an elder from the council, could enter without permission.
As far as I knew, the only person besides the Family Head who could freely come and go from the fifth floor was Asad, the family’s guardian for generations.
That’s why I was even more curious than when I had headed to the fourth floor—the Hall of Judgment.
In any case, as I was about to go from the third to the fourth floor, I ran into a face that was now quite familiar.
“You…!”
Hector’s eyes widened as he pointed a finger at me.
Being pointed at first thing in the morning was unpleasant, but I decided to be magnanimous and let it slide.
“Hello, Brother. Are you recovering well?”
“…Are you really the one asking me that?”
“Why? Can’t I ask how you are after I’m the one who beat you up?”
In any case, I held no major grudge against Hector.
He had struck Arjan and spouted irritating nonsense, but beating him half to death had resolved all my feelings on the matter.
Of course, if he started spewing more nonsense now, those resolved feelings might start piling up again, but for the moment, it was fine.
“You look well. Those injuries didn’t seem like they’d heal in a day.”
“…A high-ranking priest was called.”
“Ah. A waste of money.”
Now that I thought about it, this guy’s maternal family was quite well-off.
Financially speaking, that is.
“I’ll be staying at the main house for a while, so let’s say hello from time to time. Let’s not get too close, just moderately.”
This was actually something I wanted to say to all my siblings.
There was no need to fight to the death, nor did I want to build some cloying, brotherly bond.
A relationship where we maintained a reasonable distance and just exchanged greetings when we passed by.
I didn’t have anything more to say to this guy, so I tried to walk past him, but Hector suddenly asked.
“Where are you going?”
“The fifth floor.”
“What? Why there…?”
“To have a meal with the Family Head.”
At that, Hector’s face became utterly comical.
He looked as if he were staring straight at a meteor falling from the sky.
Hector stammered.
“Why are you having a meal with Father…?”
“Because he invited me?”
“When on earth…?”
“I don’t know. Now, could you move?”
To explain that, I’d have to talk about encountering the Iron-Blooded Duke in the family’s forbidden area.
Obviously, there was no reason to tell this guy any of that. I tried to pass the gloomily muttering Hector, but the madman grabbed my shoulder.
“Wait!”
“…”
“N-No. Just wait a moment.”
He quickly let go after seeing my expression.
It seemed getting beaten up a few times had installed the concept of etiquette in his brain.
It made me wonder if, for people like me and him, a fist wasn't a necessary part of a Bednicker's moral education.
“What is it?”
“I… I will go with you.”
“Do as you please. But why are you telling me?”
“That is…”
Hector’s face hardened, and then he shook his head.
“…You’re right. I—I must go to the fifth floor as well.”
“Alright.”
With an unexpected companion, I climbed the stairs.