Chapter 75
Chapter 75
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Sword Maniac (7)
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Actually, knocking her sword aside wasn't all that hard for a master.
It might sound arrogant, but compared to the Water King or Chris, who had given Cain such a hard time, she fell short.
Cain just chalked it up to his own skills having improved and moved on.
It wasn't entirely wrong. Through countless brushes with death, he'd grown unrecognizably stronger.
At the very least, he'd far surpassed what he considered the benchmark for an ordinary person.
But it still wasn't enough. The master's wall wasn't something you could breach that easily.
'What the hell is this... this crazy bitch...!!'
He'd been surprised by strong masters like her before, but Skadi was on another level entirely.
The tough opponents he'd faced so far all had predictable patterns. That's what allowed him to memorize and counter them.
The Reverse King and Water King were exceptions... but even they had patterns he could exploit eventually.
'But this woman is different. It's like fighting different people... no, a whole crowd of them. And some of them I even recognize.'
The precise, razor-sharp sword strikes she was unleashing now were like Master Grandel's... but an upgraded version.
But just when he thought he'd adapted to those strikes, she'd switch to something else entirely.
Was this even possible? For one person to replicate the swords of others... and near-perfectly at that?
Normally, even a prodigy couldn't fully absorb another's style, let alone refine its flaws.
But... she could. Because she wasn't human—she was a ghost.
A ghost who loved the sword so much that she mastered every aspect of it.
An unprecedented realm, granted only to her. The state of no-self.
And her terror didn't end there. The moment even the slightest opening appeared, she'd sense it first and seal it shut.
In simple terms... it was like solving a problem and finding the answer through trial and error, only for the problem itself to change.
"You can keep up this far? Then how about this? Or this?!"
"Kuh...!!"
Goddamn it.
And this was just the beginning, not the end. Her techniques were gradually rising in quality and intensity.
Cain felt wronged. Hadn't she said that was her full power earlier...? Was she deceiving him?
Whatever the case... one thing was crystal clear.
She was growing stronger without end. Or more precisely, it felt like she was reclaiming powers she'd long forgotten.
But that didn't matter. It wasn't like she'd kill him anyway.
"Fine, let's see who wins in the end."
"Not running away?"
"Running? Why would I?"
If Cain had been a naturally gifted swordsman, he probably would've been overwhelmed by her talent and frozen in fear.
Genius types were like that. Unaccustomed to defeat, always claiming victory.
But Cain was different. He'd suffered countless defeats already, even dying at the end of some fights.
"It's not like I'm gonna die anyway... so why run?"
"...Pfft!"
"What's so funny?"
His completely unexpected response made Skadi burst out laughing.
This was the second time. This man had already exceeded her expectations twice. No need to run since he couldn't die?
No ordinary person would say that. Bluffing, maybe. But not this—it was genuine.
'His voice is steady, brimming with calm confidence. He's speaking from the heart... You're as twisted as I am.'
The ghost smiled. A smile so beautiful it sent chills down the spine.
Yes. The ghost felt a profound kinship with the man before her, more than anyone else.
That's why it was such a shame. If things had gone differently, they might have met sooner.
"No, just... I was thinking it's a shame we met so late. If I'd known, I would've gone with Her Highness the Princess..."
"Cut the creepy talk."
For one, it wasn't even feasible, and if she'd come to the kingdom herself, Cain would've crumbled that day.
But their chat ended there. Cain and Skadi raised their swords almost simultaneously, no words needed.
No more talk. Just pure clash of full power. Burning with nothing but fighting spirit.
That's when it happened.
"Stop! That's enough!!"
A thunderous voice pierced the heavens, snapping Cain and Skadi back to reality.
The imperial blood of dragons. The Dragon Word, passed only to the emperor or his heir, had activated.
Only then could Cain and Skadi regain their half-lost reason.
Before they knew it, Skadi's sword blazed with Aura Blade, the hallmark of a master surpassing mere Aura.
Of course, Cain's sword also flickered with ominous black haze, but it was unmistakably Aura.
Far too dangerous for a friendly spar meant to build camaraderie.
"You've both gotten too heated. Going all-out is fine... but this is supposed to be a friendly match for bonding."
"My apologies, Your Highness."
"We have no excuses."
"Pouring your hearts into it isn't bad. But excess in anything turns to poison."
I think it's best to end it here.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The friendly match concluded under the Crown Prince's mediation. Some might call it anticlimactic.
But that casual remark would be a grave insult to the participants. Especially to Cain...
At least Cain inwardly breathed a sigh of relief that it had ended without incident.
'Plenty of ups and downs, but overall, the harvest festival was a resounding success. And we pulled off the friendly match flawlessly... Perfect!'
Cain nodded, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.
The harvest festival wasn't just a chance to show his face. The merchants had definitely caught the scent of profit.
Previously, only a few trading companies visited every two or three months, and even that felt obligatory.
But this time, they'd witnessed Renheim's potential firsthand through the festival.
And the biggest draw was the iron forged by the Red Hammer dwarves using life refining.
He didn't know the details, but apparently it was far superior in quality to what the alliance produced.
"We're still in negotiations... but if we play it right, we could make a fortune. Of course, we'll keep plenty for our own use."
On top of that, negotiations with the wyverns and beastkin were progressing decently.
Life would be great if it always went smoothly like this, but unfortunately, it never did.
And now, Cain was glaring at the source of all his headaches: two monsters.
Chris and Skadi. Blood siblings, yet the air between them was icy cold for some reason.
"No more words. From now on, you're in charge of His Highness the Crown Prince's protection."
"I can't do that, Sister."
"...".
The sister was trying to yield the honorable post to her sibling, but the sibling humbly declined.
In the end, their opinions didn't align, sparking a cold war between the siblings.
After watching for a bit, Cain quietly approached the Crown Prince and whispered.
"Is everything alright, Your Highness?"
"Yes, I'm fine."
"You haven't even said anything yet..."
"Because of your siblings arguing over protecting me, right?"
Cain shut his mouth, spot on. But Crown Prince Siegfried replied nonchalantly.
"I know her temperament, and I'm a swordsman myself..."
"Pardon?"
"Lord Blackguard experienced her monstrous talent firsthand two days ago."
Indeed. Any swordsman, regardless of status, couldn't help but fear her talent.
Even Crown Prince Siegfried was no exception. An overwhelming gift beyond words.
It was like standing before an unidentified giant.
"I acknowledge her strength... but from my position, Sir Chris von Leonhardt is preferable."
"What do you...?"
"Words won't convince her. Follow me outside—we'll settle it with swords."
"...This time, I won't back down either, Sister."
Chris stood with a serious expression for the first time, radiating resolve.
But despite her brother's defiance, Skadi didn't get angry. She smiled as if amused.
Watching from behind, Cain unexpectedly sighed in relief. He had reason to.
'The Crown Prince will return to the capital anyway, so Skadi will go with him naturally. The thought of those two sticking together is nightmare fuel.'
They might be causing a scene now, but once she left with the prince, it'd resolve itself.
That's what he'd thought.
"There's no need for that. There's no reason to fight in the first place."
Until Crown Prince Siegfried dropped the bombshell outright.