Chapter 136
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 136
Chapter Title: Lion King Leonhardt
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Alensia repeatedly ignited and extinguished her mana, checking her body's condition.
It wasn't fully recovered yet—she couldn't maintain it for long, and the pain flared up each time she reignited her mana after letting it fade—but Alensia was overjoyed anyway.
"This recovery speed...! It's incredible. Ian, is it because the skill level rose, just like you said?"
"Uh... probably."
Alensia seemed convinced that this superhuman recovery rate was possible because my [Heavenly Touch] had leveled up.
Well, that was likely part of the reason, but...
'No, I think it's because of this.'
[Lust Absorption lv. 5] effect: Semen properties have changed, partially reflecting the properties of [Poison Resistance].
The message that had popped up last night when I activated [Lust Absorption] on Alensia came to mind. It meant my semen now partially carried the effects of my [Poison Resistance] skill. And Alensia's mana circuit damage was a symptom caused by poison.
'Does [Poison Resistance] also heal poison-induced aftereffects to some extent?'
Or maybe it was because the semen I'd loaded into the dildo carried [Regeneration] effects. Either way, Alensia's faster recovery was a positive thing...
'Wait. Does that mean I won't have to give her massages anymore?'
...Not that I could just celebrate; another thought crept in, but it was so trashy I shoved it aside for now.
Soon, Alensia finished checking her body. Any awkwardness from moments ago was gone as she approached me to express her gratitude.
"Thank you, Ian. I thought treatment would take ages... At this rate, it might take just two months—maybe even less—to fully recover."
"Ah, so it's not completely healed yet?"
"It's still far from my peak. But it's definitely better than before. Look."
Alensia ignited her mana like she was showing off. It was nowhere near the overwhelming aura she'd displayed before... but sure enough, a faint mana glow enveloped her body.
"A few more like last night, and it'll be good!"
"......"
She probably meant massages, but it sounded like something else, so I averted my gaze.
For some reason, Alensia seemed to realize her slip right after saying it.
Morning training was canceled. Alensia wasn't in any shape to oversee it while testing her suddenly improved condition. She said she'd head to the temple first for a thorough check.
I'd wanted to test out my Swordsmanship at level 6... but whatever. She hadn't noticed what happened last night, so I'd take that as a win.
Instead, something else came up.
"About swordsmanship training, Ian. Any interest in stopping by the Swordsmanship Guild?"
"The Swordsmanship Guild?"
Since morning training was canceled and I was feeling disappointed, Alensia made another suggestion before heading to the temple.
"I don't know the details, but... my master reached out. He asked me to check if you could come by the guild."
"Me?"
What did Cain want with me? Was he going to tell me to stop treating Alensia again? I'd thought I'd made myself clear last time.
Still, recalling how much he'd cared for Alensia despite only meeting him once, it didn't seem like a bad summons. Without dragging my feet, I left the mansion and headed straight for the Swordsmanship Guild.
'Went to the Rogue Guild just yesterday, and now the Swordsmanship Guild...'
Walking the familiar guild street after visiting the Rogue Guild yesterday, the grand Swordsmanship Guild building came into view in the distance.
The emblem of crossed dual swords that symbolized the guild, people coming and going with swords at their waists, a door smashed like it'd been hit by a bomb, and guild members scattered like corpses everywhere...
".....Huh?"
What was I looking at right now? The majestic, solemn entrance I'd seen before was obliterated, and Swordsmanship Guild members lay sprawled in front of the door and inside, their bodies twisted in unnatural angles.
"What? Did they get attacked or something?"
As I wondered if I'd come on the wrong day, a booming voice echoed from inside the guild.
"Kaaain! I'm here again today! Is your disciple around?!"
"...I've told you a dozen times, he's not my disciple. And I passed on the message, but whether he comes or not is up to him."
Not far from the guild entrance, a massive beastkin was facing off against a black-haired man.
The man, covered in ferocious muscles that looked ready to burst and a pure white mane, chatted amiably with the Sword Saint Cain while knocking out guild members who lunged at him.
"Hahaha! You all have impressive skills!"
"Gahk!"
"You crazy old bastard..!"
"......."
What the hell was this? The Sword Saint wasn't intervening while his guild members got pummeled, and some lunatic beastkin was flattening elite-looking guild members with his bare fists. He wasn't even dodging the flying swords—just tanking them with his body. A body that didn't even radiate mana!
"...He's here."
"What?! Where?!"
"!!!"
I'd been backing away cautiously while watching, but Cain—without even looking my way—raised his sword and pointed its tip toward the guild entrance.
...Wait, looking closer, it wasn't the entrance. It was pointing right at me...
"It's you!"
"Eek!"
Before I could even process the situation, the white beastkin strode toward me like a raging bull.
Shit, what was this? Was he gonna flatten me too...?
"Nice to meet you."
".....?"
But contrary to my fears, the beastkin approached, grinned, and offered a handshake. Stunned, I clasped his hand anyway.
"I'm Leonhardt."
"Ah, hello? Mr. Leonhardt....... Leonhardt?"
...What? The name rang a bell.
A lion beastkin with a white mane. Storming into the Swordsmanship Guild and casually knocking out members. God-tier hand-to-hand skills and skin impervious to mana-infused swords...
And the casual way he addressed the Sword Saint...
"....No way. The Lion King Leonhardt?"
"That's right!"
".........."
I glanced back and forth between the Lion King and the scattered guild members, silently asking if this was for real.
One of the guild members who'd been slashing at Leonhardt's back during all this met my eyes, turned around with a defeated expression, and nodded.
"This guy's insane."
"Haha! No need to be that thrilled to see me!"
The Lion King Leonhardt.
Master of the Martial Arts Guild, twin pillar alongside the Swordsmanship Guild, and one of the six seats on the Labyrinth Guild's executive committee.
He was famous for his exceptional hand-to-hand prowess, but even more so for possessing the "strongest body." Rumor had it he had all resistance skills at master level.
"Nice to meet you! Looks like my disciple's been in your debt, huh? I figured you'd come find me after the tournament, but you never showed... so I came to the Swordsmanship Guild."
The Lion King himself was greeting me heartily right in front of me. His voice brimmed with goodwill, for some reason.
"...Is this about my disciple?"
"Huh? Yeah, that's part of it. I watched the tournament. You beat the crap out of my disciple."
"........"
I'd definitely been wearing a mask back then—how did he recognize me...? Nah, forget it. As an executive committee member, he probably had ways to tell.
"Hmm..... But..."
"??"
As Leonhardt chatted with me, he scanned me up and down, then scowled and yelled at the Sword Saint.
"What the hell! You said he wasn't your disciple!"
"He's not."
"The hell he isn't! This guy's at 'level 6'! Unless you taught him, there's no way he'd grow this fast in that short time..."
'What?'
Level 6? Did he mean [Swordsmanship]? Judging by how he was grilling the Sword Saint, he'd somehow appraised my skill...
'Something like Vivian's [Magic Eye]?'
"....Level 6?"
"Yeah! My senses don't lie! This guy's [Swordsmanship] is level 6!"
For some reason, Cain stared at me with an inscrutable expression after hearing Leonhardt, then spoke up.
"Draw your sword."
"Uh... give me a sec."
I didn't know what was going on, but Cain looked deadly serious, so I cautiously pulled a spare sword from my inventory.
"Swing it."
"........"
What was this all about...? Still, with two committee bigshots watching, refusing felt wrong. Swallowing my grumbling, I swung the sword as Cain instructed.
-Shkak!
'Whoa...'
It was my first time swinging a sword since [Swordsmanship] leveled up, and even I was impressed. The blade cut through the air in a far more beautiful, concise arc than before. Even without mana, it radiated a menacing aura.
'This could probably slice through salamander scales.'
I wondered if adding mana would let it cleave those tough salamander scales, but Cain let out a low hum as he watched.
"....It's true."
"You're that shocked...? So he really isn't your disciple?"
For some reason, the two of them started whispering after seeing my swordplay. Once I finished the demonstration and stowed the sword back in my inventory, Cain approached slowly.
"Did Sia teach you?"
".....Uh, yeah."
More like, I boned your daughter and got it as a reward... Yeah, that'd get my head chopped off on the spot.
"...Impressive."
Oh. Praise from the Sword Saint... Last time I trained with him, he'd called it half-baked or whatever... Wait, was that an insult or just facts?
"Thinking of joining the Swordsmanship Guild?"
"...Huh? I turned that down last time..."
"This is separate from Sia's matter. I'm offering you personally. Join the Swordsmanship Guild. We'll make your talent bloom."
"Talent?"
"Last time I saw you, I didn't think you had this much... but the proof's right here. Can't deny it."
Last time I'd visited the Swordsmanship Guild over Alensia's treatment, Cain had offered to take me as a disciple if I quit treating her.
I'd refused, so he'd kicked me out, saying I wasn't disciple material. And now this?
"..Uh, I..."
"Hold it!"
As I started to respond to Cain's offer, the Lion King—who'd been listening blankly—jumped in between us frantically.
"Swords don't suit you! Fists do—no, your body does!"
"????"
What? What was this guy on about all of a sudden...?
"Yeah! He said you're not his disciple, right? Then become mine! I'll turn you into the ultimate martial artist!"
"????"