Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Sword Maniac (2)
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Chris von Leonhardt.
He was a man born with overwhelming talent, one of the top geniuses.
At just twenty years old, he had reached the Master's realm—a truly overwhelming talent.
Thus, no one dared predict Chris's defeat this time.
Defeat.
Even if it was just a light spar framed as friendly competition, the shock was beyond imagination.
Especially since Chris von Leonhardt was someone far removed from defeat.
That day, Chris reviewed his defeat once more. He had no intention of denying it.
He had been cleanly beaten in a clash of swords. To deny that outcome would be an insult to the blade itself.
'Strength, speed, technique... He lacked in nothing. Compared to that, Sir Blackguard's swordsmanship was... crude.'
In terms of pure technique, it wasn't particularly outstanding. Crude, or perhaps monotonous.
But it was heavy. Far heavier than any swordsman Chris had ever faced.
It hit Chris like a fresh shock. A sword unlike any he'd encountered before. How had he done it?
'What kind of life have you lived? The path you walk...'
The sword is a swordsman's companion and mouthpiece. By reading it, you can glimpse their life to some degree.
Of course, this was just Chris's personal theory—others wouldn't get it at all.
Sane people don't judge someone solely by their sword anyway.
But Chris was far from sane. From that moment, he kept challenging Cain to spars.
Of course, Cain had dodged every request since then, but Chris wasn't the type to quit over something like that.
After clashing swords with countless others, this was the first time he'd tasted something like it.
With the mindset that no tree withstands ten strikes, Chris hounded Cain until he finally gave in.
Chris was thrilled at the prospect of sparring again. At least until he heard those words from Cain.
"I'm actually afraid of the sword."
It hit like a hammer to the head. Afraid of the sword, of all things?
For Sword Maniac Chris, who lived and died by the blade, it was a thought that had never crossed his mind.
But the profound despair in Cain's voice proved it was no lie.
"A sword can take a life so easily. That's why I'm afraid of it."
"Th-then why do you wield one?"
"To protect my people."
At that moment, Chris saw it. A man walking calmly through a horrific hell strewn with blood and corpses...
A man with black hair and black eyes. Cain Blackguard.
Covered in blood, his body riddled with arrows and swords. Yet he pressed on without stopping.
Though it lasted only a fleeting instant, Chris could never forget that sight.
"Before I arrived, the people of Lenheim lost loved ones nearly every day. They couldn't even bury the bodies."
"I swore to draw my sword only for them."
Chris couldn't utter a word in his presence. He felt small and ashamed.
While I swung my sword carefree, they were staking their lives on the battlefield.
It was a gulf in perspective he hadn't even imagined. To Chris, the sword was pure joy and love...
But to those fighting for the Empire with their lives on the line, it could be terrifying.
"I get what you mean."
"Then..."
"In the end, those dregs from the Demonic Realm are the root of all evil."
He felt ashamed. If a rat hole existed, he'd dive right in.
But that changed nothing. Just a bit more, and something would come into view.
So in the end, Chris chose. To follow the path that man walked.
"...Right?"
And above all...
"Then, if we wipe out those dregs, we can spar."
Even if he was ashamed of his past ignorance, he could never give up on a spar.
Chris von Leonhardt.
His moniker: Sword Maniac.
◇ Naturally, a Master couldn't just plop down in a territory because he felt like it.
Imperial Masters, in particular, bore heavy duties in exchange for their privileges.
Cain knew this full well, which was why he'd agreed. Why? The Emperor would never allow it.
'Chris von Leonhardt is one of the three Masters guarding the Emperor. No way he'd release him.'
Of course, a Master in the territory would be ideal. But if it was Chris? Cain would politely decline.
In other words, everything's great—just without you.
At least Chris had gone quiet afterward, which was a relief for Cain.
"Hoo..."
"Sir Leonhardt's been chatting a lot with Princess Anna lately."
"Childhood friends—they must have plenty to catch up on."
"Hmm."
Morgana tilted her head suspiciously, but Cain figured this was better than the alternative.
At least a hundred times better than being stalked for spars.
Cain was swamped with tasks. Assigning land for the wyverns, negotiating with the beastkin tribe.
'Wyverns are straightforward... but the beastkin? Oppress them, and their merits bite back. Leave them be, and it's unsettling.'
Yet time marched on, and the day arrived.
The Harvest Festival. The first in decades, and the entire territory was abuzz.
Cain let out a deep sigh. His stomach churned at the thought of the Emperor and nobles descending from the capital.
Still, he figured it'd be fine. As long as that guy didn't step up...
"To turn hellish Lenheim into such prosperity in a mere year... Sir Blackguard, you're a heaven-sent gift."
"Overpraise, Your Majesty. Without your grace, none of this would be possible."
At first, things went smoothly. Emperor Leonis toured the territory, heaping praise on Cain without end.
Cain responded with fitting humility. But right then, he appeared.
A man with golden hair and blue eyes clearer than crystal. Chris von Leonhardt.
"Your Majesty."
"Sir Leonhardt, you've worked hard."
'Phew... finally free.'
Chris was the vice-captain of the Dragon Knights, tasked with the Emperor's guard.
He'd return to his post. Cain had dared to hope as much.
Until Chris suddenly dropped to his knees and slammed his forehead to the ground.
"Your Majesty! I have words for Your Majesty!!"
"???"
"Speak swiftly."
The sudden outburst would fluster most, but Emperor Leonis took it in stride.
Chris's eccentricities were infamous across the Empire.
The Emperor, who'd endured them firsthand many times, had built up a tolerance.
"Your Majesty... The people of Lenheim live day to day, unable to guarantee tomorrow, terrorized by vile private armies."
"A regrettable state."
"Thus, Your Majesty, grant me your sword to smite those villains myself."
"In other words, Sir Leonhardt wishes to remain in Lenheim and serve the Empire?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
That madman had pulled it off. No subtlety, no maneuvering—just a straight charge.
Is that what Masters did? If so, Cain wanted no part. Still, from his perspective, it wasn't bad.
'Yeah, if he gets shot down outright, he'll quit...'
"Perfect timing. I needed a Master to guard Princess Morgana... If you'll take the role, Sir Leonhardt."
"?"
"Your grace overwhelms me! Your Majesty!!"
"???"
In a mere ten seconds, a powerhouse Master had joined Lenheim.
Only then did Cain realize. It was a rigged game from the start...!
No way they'd suddenly loan out such a massive asset. Which explained Chris's recent silence.
This was why, you bastard!