Chapter 55
Chapter 55
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: A Father's Gifts and a Lesson
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Hiiro answered.
“I have business in [The Swamp]. I need a decent guide and a mage, but it seems they’re hard to come by with my connections and funds.”
“I will speak to [Heros] myself about a guide. As for a mage, would a Director-level one suffice?”
“That is more than enough.”
A Director-level mage was just a step below the Master rank.
A high-ranking mage who could, with a few conditions met, establish a magic tower in a city.
Hiring a mage of that caliber wasn’t a matter that could be solved with money alone, yet the Iron-Blooded Duke spoke of it as if it were nothing.
“Anything else you wish for?”
“No, sir.”
The Iron-Blooded Duke nodded, then turned his gaze to Nero.
“Nero.”
“Yes.”
“I heard you completed a B-rank mission from [Heros] on your own. The agency’s evaluation was reportedly very high.”
“That is correct.”
“Is there something you desire?”
“…”
Nero hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“Lately, I feel I’ve hit a wall and am struggling to advance my skills. If you have the time, could you spare a moment for me?”
The Iron-Blooded Duke nodded at this as well.
“I will make time for you soon.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Separately, I heard you have recently been learning ancient elven swordsmanship.”
“That is correct.”
“Ancient sword arts typically consume a great deal of mana. While your mana capacity is superior to your peers, it is likely not abundant. I will give you an elixir soon, so be sure to take it.”
“Thank you.”
A satisfied smile spread across Nero’s stoic face.
Then, the Iron-Blooded Duke’s gaze fell on me.
Though the exchanges were brief, the rewards the Iron-Blooded Duke offered were by no means small.
How many families in the empire could so casually bestow rewards of this level?
“Ruan.”
“Yes.”
“I was told you created a martial art that rivals the family’s secret sword arts.”
We had this conversation once before.
In the forbidden grounds of the Bednicker estate, after I defeated Hariba.
Why bring it up again now?
I felt Hiiro’s and Nero’s eyes on me as I replied.
“I have never learned the family’s secret sword arts, so I cannot make a comparison.”
“Are you saying what you created could be superior?”
“…”
I had intentionally phrased it ambiguously, but he caught my meaning.
I didn’t offer a reply.
Fortunately, the Iron-Blooded Duke didn’t press further and changed the subject.
“In the mountains, you repelled an assassin from Hardenhaihar and subjugated a Jewel Beast. At the main estate, you personally dealt with the rats that had infiltrated. Afterward, you shook off the Council of Elders’ scrutiny and proved yourself, and in the duel, you achieved a resounding victory against Hector.”
“Yes.”
“Excellent.”
At the Duke’s praise, both Hiiro’s and Nero’s gazes turned to me.
I didn’t know the full story, but I could guess the reason.
It was obvious the Iron-Blooded Duke was a man stingy with praise.
‘He’s being a bit vague about what happened at the main estate.’
It wasn’t strange.
It seemed that even Hiiro and Nero, who were present here, were unaware of Ludwig’s infiltration.
“Is there something you desire?”
“Uh…”
I hadn’t expected the opportunity to come so soon.
I answered immediately.
“I wish to have access to the family’s underground library.”
“The underground library?”
“Yes.”
“…”
The Iron-Blooded Duke paused for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly, a rare sight.
‘What’s this?’
Compared to what the other two asked for, my request didn’t seem like a big deal. Why this reaction? It’s making me nervous.
“No.”
“…”
“That is not enough.”
“…Not enough, you say?”
“The other matters aside, capturing a pawn of Hardenhaihar is a great contribution. Simply granting you access to the underground library would not balance the scales.”
So that’s what he meant.
“Is there anything else you desire?”
“Hmm…”
What do I need right now?
I thought for a moment.
The family’s secret martial arts?
I already have my hands full mastering the White Sun Eclipse and the Galaxy Sword. And it’s my belief that it’s better to have too little than too much.
I wasn’t exactly struggling to advance my skills, so there was no need to ask for guidance like Nero.
That left only one conclusion.
“An elixir would be nice for me as well.”
“An elixir?”
“Yes. Preferably one with extreme yang energy.”
“Hmm…”
The Iron-Blooded Duke’s brow furrowed again before he spoke.
“There should be a Spirit Jade in the family’s repository. I will give it to you. Take it.”
What’s a Spirit Jade?
I didn’t know, but coming from the Iron-Blooded Duke, it was bound to be far superior to any ordinary elixir.
I nodded readily.
“Yes.”
“Take this as well.”
It was a ring.
A plain silver ring with no patterns or gems.
“What is this?”
“A magical artifact. Infuse it with mana, and you can come to this place anytime.”
“Ah.”
“It’s single-use, so use it at an appropriate moment.”
So this place really was a pocket dimension.
“Finally, regarding your visit to the underground library, be wary of the librarian.”
“The librarian?”
“Yes.”
Who could this librarian be that someone of the Iron-Blooded Duke’s stature would personally warn me about them?
I wanted to ask for details, but the Iron-Blooded Duke suddenly rose from his seat, and I missed my chance.
“Today has been a gratifying day after a long time. To encourage your growth, I too shall show you something.”
At his words, Hiiro’s and Nero’s expressions changed.
They looked like children just before receiving a present.
‘What is he going to show us?’
My question was answered in the next moment.
*Shing—.*
Having risen from his seat, the Iron-Blooded Duke drew his sword.
He was going to demonstrate his swordsmanship.
Now I understood the excitement of the other two.
This was, in effect, a declaration that the Iron-Blooded Duke would personally impart his teachings.
An opportunity that any child of the Iron-Blooded Duke, no, any warrior in the empire would covet.
I, too, felt a sense of anticipation.
Swordsmanship wasn't my main focus, but this was a demonstration by the Iron-Blooded Duke himself.
Perhaps I could gain some insight just by watching.
The moment the sword-wielding Duke walked past us.
*Rumble….*
The ground suddenly swelled up, writhing like misshapen clay.
Before long, the clay took the form of monsters.
Just as I was thinking about the strange things that kept appearing, the Duke, who had been walking calmly, swung his sword.
*Squelch!*
The five monsters in the front row were instantly reduced to puddles of blood.
It wasn’t a single swing.
In a fraction of a second, the Iron-Blooded Duke’s sword had slashed each monster’s body at least five times.
The strangest thing was that all those slashes were not a combo, but individual attacks.
Indeed, the gashes left on the monsters’ bodies looked less like the work of one person and more like five swordsmen had simultaneously swung their blades to butcher them.
The Iron-Blooded Duke was usually a calm and composed man, but his fighting style was like that of a beast.
He didn’t pant or roar, but he paid no mind to being splattered with his opponent’s blood.
This was an indicator of the Iron-Blooded Duke’s mindset in battle.
A man who wouldn’t hesitate to be smeared with flesh and blood for the sake of efficiency.
A man who would lie in wait under a pile of corpses for three days and nights just to kill his target.
“…”
After a flurry of swordplay, the Iron-Blooded Duke turned to us, not even bothering to wipe away the blood dripping from his blade.
“Did you watch carefully?”
As if on cue, we all nodded without a word.
“What did you think?”
Hiiro was the first to speak in response to the Duke’s question.
“…It was a fierce and relentless sword style. Above all, it seemed to have no set form; it was the most unrestrained swordsmanship I have ever seen. I believe it would be more effective in a many-against-one situation rather than one-on-one.”
The Iron-Blooded Duke nodded, and this time, Nero offered his thoughts.
“It didn’t seem to be a sword art created with duels in mind. The assault didn’t end even after inflicting wounds that would certainly be fatal to an ordinary person. Perhaps you created it with the undead, or demons, in mind.”
The Iron-Blooded Duke nodded once more and looked at me.
It seemed I was expected to share my thoughts as well, so I said something simple.
“I agree with my brother and sister’s opinions.”
“Is that all?”
“Yes.”
In truth, there was one more thing I could have said, but for some reason, it felt better to keep my mouth shut.
I didn’t want to stir up unnecessary trouble.
My response caused Hiiro, Nero, and even the Iron-Blooded Duke to frown, but he didn’t press me further.
Hiiro asked.
“Father, are you perhaps planning to pass down the sword art you just demonstrated to us?”
“That is correct.”
“To think you would pass down a sword art of your own creation…”
I could hear the excitement in Hiiro’s voice. Though he didn’t show it, Nero seemed to feel the same.
However, the words “pass down” left me with a feeling of indigestion.
“Why that expression?”
The Iron-Blooded Duke was looking at me.
I forced a neutral expression and answered.
“Family Head.”
“Speak.”
“I have no need for this sword art.”
“Why is that?”
“There are two reasons. First, swordsmanship is not my primary skill.”
“I am well aware that you practice unarmed combat. I heard it from Keian, and you used your fists when you defeated Hector.”
The Iron-Blooded Duke spoke at uncharacteristic length before asking again.
“What is the other reason?”
I recalled the martial art the Iron-Blooded Duke had just demonstrated and said.
“I am still in the process of developing. As you heard from Keian, the martial art I am creating is also still incomplete.”
“I know that as well.”
“Then you must understand.”
I nodded and continued.
“Learning multiple incomplete martial arts is beyond my current capabilities.”
“…”
A smile formed on the Iron-Blooded Duke’s lips.