Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Pouring Water into the Pit (1)
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"Hahaha!"
Laughter suddenly burst out. Abel stared at him like he was looking at a madman.
"Why are you suddenly like that?"
"It's nothing. I just......"
Ah, I shouldn't be doing this.
It was just too enjoyable. I hadn't expected this sparring match, which had started almost by force, to turn out this fun.
I grew curious about how far the young master, furrowing his brow in dissatisfaction right in front of me, could go. It was a curiosity anyone who had set foot on the path of the sword would have.
Liam straightened his posture with a smile on his face.
"Let's go again."
Abel openly scanned Liam from head to toe. It was the gaze of someone trying to gauge if this guy was still unscathed.
Even under that gaze, I couldn't figure out why laughter kept bubbling up.
"Get ready, Young Master."
Liam grinned.
❖ ❖ ❖
The room was quiet. Standing in the center, I gripped the wooden sword with my eyes closed.
"......"
I slowly traced the afterimages in my memory. I materialized them, setting them up right before my eyes.
'Here I come!'
The fierce sword strikes that had whirled like a gale came to mind. Even though it was from yesterday, they felt incredibly vivid.
From the side!
I moved the wooden sword to block Liam's strike.
In that way, I clashed countless times with the Liam in my memory. Without rest, until my arms grew too heavy to lift the sword anymore, until my aching legs refused to move any further.
"Huff, huff......"
Panting roughly, I paused for a moment. I leaned on the sword like a cane, catching my breath.
'How did you do that?'
I recalled Liam's wide-eyed gaze filled with admiration.
'What a face.'
I grimaced and chuckled.
He would never imagine I was training like this. A sparring partner from memory who kept attacking endlessly without tiring, unlike in reality.
This method of training was only possible with Abel's extraordinary memory and sponge-like absorptive power.
That was why my skills improved by leaps and bounds every time I met Liam. The Liam in my memory would show even more varied techniques, which would in turn become the foundation for my growth.
"Whew, shall we start again?"
As strength returned to my limbs, I resumed the training. The more I moved my body, the more I replayed the memory, the more Liam's movements seeped into my own.
Naturally, I began to anticipate what the next move would be. I could envision the various branches extending from each stance in advance.
Drip, drip.
Sweat dripping from my forehead wetted the floor. After one focused training session, my whole body would always be drenched in sweat like this.
"Whew."
I wiped my forehead and tossed aside the wooden sword I had been holding. I clenched and unclenched my fists, exhaling a long breath.
'I'm dying.'
But little by little each day, my stamina was improving. The fatigue was coming on slower.
Thanks to consistent physical training and growing familiarity with Liam's movements. At the same time, suppressing my impulses was becoming easier.
A laugh escaped me involuntarily.
'It’s working.'
Consistency never betrays. It was the most reliable and honest way to grow myself.
My calloused palms felt firmer, and the vitality coursing through my body lifted my spirits.
'Time to head out.'
Now, even after handling business and finishing training, I had time left. Of course, I already had plans for how to use that spare time.
"Y-Young Master!"
Just as I was about to head out, Philip came rushing in breathless.
"Where are you going?"
Instead of answering, I stared at him silently, and he immediately lowered his eyes. It was a welcome change since I'd given him a scare once.
"I'm sorry. But please wait just a moment."
"Why?"
"I've got them."
Wondering what he meant, Philip approached and whispered.
"The slaves, sir. This time, I picked out five really sturdy ones."
"......"
Absurdity made me furrow my brow on its own.
In the original story, Philip would procure slaves—banned within the empire—and offer them directly. He judged it better than letting the people in the castle die off.
Of course, his own safety was included in that calculation. Truly touching loyalty.
'What a pointless thing to do.'
I replied in a bored tone.
"Forget it."
As I tried to step out of the mansion, Philip followed hurriedly with a crestfallen face.
"I'm sorry, Young Master. Are you displeased because I only got five?"
"Only?"
Flabbergasted, I countered, and Philip continued his excuses that weren't really excuses, looking extremely apologetic.
"But the slave traders said it's been hard to procure slaves lately, so I had no choice."
Unable to stand it anymore, I stopped in place.
"You've been training your stamina lately, which means you're not satisfied with the frail slaves from before, right?"
"It's all my failing. I should have caught on to your intentions and acted faster."
At this point, I grew curious about how far this guy would go. Let's see what he says next......
"For now, please relieve some stress with these five, even if it's not enough. I'll contact other slave traders right away and get more."
......I didn't want to hear it anymore.
This bastard—after I crushed his spirit once, his loyalty had twisted in a weird direction. If I left him like this, he'd likely interfere with my plans.
"I don't need them, so just leave it."
"......?"
"Send all the slaves back."
"......Pardon?"
Confusion bloomed across Philip's face.
"I told you. Obey only my words."
"I-I was just......"
"Don't preemptively do things I didn't order, assuming on your own."
I tilted my head and added.
"Or my mind might change."
Meaning I'd torture you instead of the slaves.
In a way Philip could easily misunderstand.
"......!"
Philip's face paled. He nodded hastily.
"Y-Yes, understood. I'll do as you commanded right away."
With that, he scurried off. Probably to release the slaves.
"Hmph."
I snorted and turned away.
'Now I get why Abel turned out like this.'
Surrounded only by people who groveled at the slightest frown, like tongues in their mouths. Even his father, the only one who could control him, was often away from the castle. In a way, it was inevitable.
I left the castle without taking the carriage. I walked leisurely toward the town center.
Magna Morten.
The vast lake there was surrounded by white, towering walls. Not to block intruders, but to emphasize the site's significance.
It was a place to collect the bodies of those who died defending Ovest Territory and allow their souls to rest in peace.
Weapons were thus prohibited. Only those with pious hearts, coming to pay respects to the dead, were permitted entry.
"Young Master Abel."
The people guarding the gate bowed their heads.
They were the ones who checked visitors and managed the lake and surroundings. Composed of retired knights or those injured and unable to serve actively anymore.
"......"
They exchanged awkward glances for a moment. They seemed worried about what this scoundrel was doing here and what trouble he might cause.
"What? Move aside."
At my sullen words, they immediately stepped to either side.
"Please enter."
They even skipped the customary question about the purpose of the visit.
Being the lord's son had its perks. No one could refuse my entry or question its meaning.
'This is why people wield power.'
I smirked and slowly approached the massive lake.
A long bridge crossed the lake, and behind it rose a towering structure.
"Magna Morten."
My eyes glinted coldly as I scanned the tower.
"So Requiem appears here."
That was the purpose of my visit today. To scout the terrain in preparation for Requiem's descent.
I carefully examined every inch as I crossed the bridge. I could feel every scene flowing straight into my mind.
'The lake is pretty big.'
I'd heard this lake had existed since Ovest Territory was founded. It looked shallow on the surface, but the depth seemed considerable—hard to escape from if you fell in.
'The caretakers' annual duties include rescuing those who fall in.'
Given the nature of the place, bereaved family members sometimes threw themselves in out of grief. But the caretakers always rescued them quickly, so no drowning incidents had ever occurred.
'On the flip side, if the one holding Requiem falls in, it might be hard to escape.'
I kept considering various scenarios for when Requiem appeared.
The ideal situation was being here the moment Requiem manifested, seizing it first.
But that alone would be only half a success.
'I need to overcome Requiem's whispers and fully dominate it.'
For that, I needed countermeasures against Requiem.
What if the wielder fell into the water and faced mortal danger?
Requiem inevitably draws in humans to use as tools. Without someone to wield it, it's just a sword.
'So, it might prioritize saving the user's life.'
That could create an opening. If I exploited it well, I might turn the situation to my advantage.
'Falling in might actually be a decent plan.'
Nodding to myself, I walked slowly along the bridge. Then, I happened to spot my reflection on the water's surface.
'The more I look, the more handsome I am.'
My eyes were sharp, but my clear features blended masculinity and appeal perfectly.
'With this face, I could make a living off it.'
As long as I kept my mouth shut and didn't do anything stupid. Abel had that kind of talent.
'That's why even in the original, when he died, people said it was a waste of a face.'
Many readers had clutched their hearts upon seeing the later-released illustrations. 'If you're gonna waste a face like that, give it to me!'
But Abel's accumulated sins were undeniable, the kind that couldn't be resolved without his death.
'Well, I'm not living like that this time. I'd hate to waste this face by dying.'
Staring at the water, I stroked my cheek. I felt the springy resilience and smooth texture under my fingertips.
'I'll protect this face at all costs.'
If anyone scarred it, that day would be their last.
"Oppa, look over there."
"Why?"
"There's a handsome oppa."
Children's voices suddenly reached my ears. Turning my head, I saw a little girl pointing at me.
"Oh? Eye contact."
She looked about seven years old, with a small frame and a bright smile on her fair face.
"Oppa, hi~."
The girl waved at me.
'Cute.'
I chuckled softly and waved back.
It wasn't because she called me handsome. I was just indulging a child.
"Ehehe."
The girl laughed shyly and buried her face in the trouser leg of the boy beside her.
"......"
The boy holding the girl's hand looked at me. Soon, his face went pale.
"......Young Master Abel."