Chapter 75
Chapter 75
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Beastkin
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"You are a distinguished guest of our nation. We must treat you accordingly."
The Beastkin King grinned as he tossed something my way.
I caught it on reflex.
A golden ID that gleamed brightly.
"With that, you can access most facilities in our country."
"The beastkin treating a guest properly for once...?"
Diago muttered in shock from beside me, his face blank.
Was it really okay to say that out loud?
'Isn't this the kind of thing that sparks diplomatic incidents?'
But no one around seemed to care. The Beastkin King even chuckled and said,
"You've hardly experienced other races' nations, have you? We beastkin—and not just us—only welcome guests who deserve it."
Put another way...
'It means I'm qualified to be treated as a guest here.'
-Hmph, of course! I chose you, after all!
The Holy Sword chattered noisily.
-You may not appreciate my choice, but anyone who wields a sword would be honored to be picked by me!
'Really?'
-Yes, just like how you learned sword aura from me the other day.
'You sure seemed shocked for someone who expected it.'
-Ahem, what are you talking about? I've never once thought it odd that you mix aura and sword aura at once!
It had thought it was odd.
Well, maybe it was.
Ever since acquiring the Gift Two Ma, both my mana and aura handling had changed.
A guest, huh.
From illegal alien to honored guest of another nation—it gave me a strange sense of advancement.
"You don't look all that thrilled."
"Thank you."
"No need for groveling. If you're grateful, just take that one with you."
The Beastkin King pointed at Yurang and cackled.
Was it a medieval thing? Valuing children like...
'...why does she look happy about it?'
I was a bit thrown seeing Yurang beam at her father's words.
"Since you have nowhere to stay, grab a room nearby and settle in."
"On that note, there's something this humble girl would like to discuss."
"...Yurang, what's with the speech?"
The Beastkin King looked flustered as Yurang stepped forward.
"Hee hee, are you saying I've been some wild child?"
"..."
The Beastkin King seemed at a loss for words, then turned to me with eyes half resignation, half hope.
-Take good care of my daughter...
His voice echoed in my mind like a plea.
'...No, what the hell?'
Don't dump this on me.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Allow me to guide you."
With that, Yurang led me to an inn.
Before heading there...
"Take it."
Diago tossed the Holy Sword my way.
I dodged it entirely.
"...Aren't you supposed to catch it around now?"
"It just looks really ominous."
-You bastard! How dare you call me ominous!
'It really does.'
I appreciated the Holy Sword's advice.
But I had no need to draw the Empire's attention—or its hostility.
-No helping it! If you're keeping me, I'll teach you the giantkin swordsmanship!
'Giantkin swordsmanship?'
-From a long-extinct race. Their might was the greatest among all.
'But people can't learn other races' swordsmanship, right?'
I played dumb and asked the Holy Sword.
But it scoffed.
-Ridiculous. You used Dark Moon, saw Diago's style, read its essence, and unleashed Heaven Breaker—
'Heaven Breaker? You mean...'
I suddenly recalled naming it Present Heaven.
It might have been an existing technique.
-Still, for some reason, yours doesn't feel like 'pure' human swordsmanship. It's like a peak swordsman tailored it to their body, then downgraded it...
As I bantered with the Holy Sword, Diago grinned and spoke up.
"Seems you get along with it well. Why not just take it?"
"Shouldn't you be against handing off the Empire's prized Sword Hero candidate?"
"Eh?"
"They're investing heavily in grooming you."
"...Oh? You've got political insight too?"
Diago flashed a bright smile at my words. Shouldn't that make him pale?
'He's not like those workaholics who ignore politics.'
Contrary to my thoughts, Diago strode over.
"Fair point. But I see things differently."
"...?"
"The Empire's nobles are weak. This hidden sword project is their desperate bid. I'd rather it fail."
"..."
Politics after all.
But surprising. Isn't the imperial family usually in charge?
"Precisely, the imperial side meddled, and nobles bit. For them, failure solidifies power; success nets a hero."
Win or lose, they don't care.
And if I intervene...
'...the nobles' hero project fails.'
The imperials would welcome me as Sword Hero right away.
'...Pretty scheming.'
Maybe sensing my look, Diago smirked.
"Not bad for you either. Think it over."
"Fine, I'll hold onto it for now."
I took the Holy Sword.
Of course, I had no intention of playing along.
'...The Sword Hero is Ermé anyway.'
I'll get moderately strong, then secretly hand it to her. No issue.
-That girl? Odd. She doesn't strike me as exceptionally talented.
'You think?'
-Solid basics, but that's it. No standout sword insight. My take: her swordsmanship lags her specs.
But the system ordained it.
And unlike me, Ermé knows a lot.
'At hero level, swordsmanship might not matter much.'
I'm the weird one.
I cheated with the system to get this strong; maybe she cheats some other way.
-Not impossible. If using 'that,' even I'd pick her over some genius killer.
'That?'
-Ah, you're the exception. Can't end well for you either way.
'No, what is it?'
-Do you believe in [Fate]?
'No, what is it?'
-Don't tell you. Knowing invites it. Naming binds [Fate], drawing you together. Soon, it'll devour your potential.
'...'
This jerk.
It pissed me off, but not incomprehensible.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A few days of chatting with the Holy Sword, and I'd learned a few things.
'This guy...'
Talks way too much.
And some were useful for training.
'...It has its own sub-space.'
-Naturally. Only the true owner can use it, though.
The Holy Sword chuckled.
I was a bit dumbfounded. It had decided I was its owner without asking.
The Holy Sword seemed shocked.
I said nothing.
Amid lavish hospitality, I just holed up training.
With new sword aura, I reviewed everything I had.
The Holy Sword's take on my training:
-Crude and stubborn.
Yet it muttered like it was amused.
'A compliment?'
-No idea who trained you, but they care about you. Swordsmanship you'll handle; they boosted your base stats. Problem is...
The Holy Sword sighed.
-Why pick lightning-attribute inner power?
'...Limited options.'
-Your thief aptitude? Such a shame. An aura-boosting combat trait would’ve been much better.
The Holy Sword grumbled regretfully.
-Want to entrust your body to me?
'You a demon sword?'
-Insolent! I'll personally swap your inner power!
Didn't sound great.
But it could possess me, huh.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Skill: Swordsmanship level has reached 30] 'Whew, finally leveled up.'
I finished training, stood, and shook out my hair.
My head spun a bit.
Hitting Swordsmanship level 30 flooded my mind with knowledge.
'Basics of sword aura and sword handling.'
-Ho, already 30? Proof your limit's far off.
'Two months in, fast pace?'
-Huh? What? Not two months learning swordsmanship. Wait, you're serious?
'...'
-You're the Sword Hero! Screw Thief Hero! Better than ranged cowards—you're it!
I ignored the Holy Sword and looked at Yurang approaching with a towel.
"Yuseong, all set."
"Yeah, thanks."
"N-no problem."
I dried my hair with the towel; she took it happily.
-...That lustful thing's sniffing your sweat again.
'Stop with the weird talk.'
Keeps suspecting good people.
'Cleanliness magic.'
I cast one Clara taught me.
Better than a Bluetooth shower—my body was fresh instantly.
-...All that magic learning for something so trivial.
'No, it's huge.'
Shower in under a second. Modern folks get it.
Guess a medieval sword doesn't.
A shame it went unappreciated.
Prepared, we headed to the Labyrinth.
'Different from humans' here.'
Bustling.
Yet a disciplined edge hung in the air.
"Beastkin check themselves before fights. Those sharp stares are normal."
"Gotta watch each other, huh."
"Something like that. Lately, incidents are up too."
"I see."
"This way. Time to introduce our party members."
Yurang led me to a group of about eight.
She cast a binding spell.
'Another nation's Labyrinth.'
They said it's unlike humans' or other races'.
I was curious how.