Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Deliberately Stirring Up Anger (1)
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"Stop!"
A deep male voice boomed across the training grounds.
"Ugh..."
The knight who had collapsed to the ground let out a low groan. The red-haired young man sheathed the sword he had been holding to the knight's throat.
"Good work."
With those soft words, he flashed a mischievous smile.
The young man's eyes were a deep crimson, a shade like rubies that left a strong impression.
His distinctly masculine features were strikingly handsome, and his healthy complexion revealed neat white teeth beneath.
He was the kind of man who made passersby turn their heads. But instead of whispering about him, people bowed their waists in greeting when they saw him.
The knight on the ground laughed as if his strength had drained away.
"Young Master Cain."
It was because he was Cain Sud Ardante, the eldest son of the lord who governed Sud Territory and the famous Crimson Noble Young Lord.
"You never go easy on anyone."
At the knight's half-complaining remark, Cain chuckled and extended his hand.
"Don't be dramatic. Get up."
The knight grabbed Cain's hand and stood. Though he had lost the spar, there was no trace of defeat on his face.
Instead, there was a sense of relief mixed with the thrill of receiving personal guidance from the young master.
And shining most brightly among them was deep admiration and respect for the young master before him.
"Thank you, Young Master."
"You're too formal. And about that last spar..."
"Yes, please speak."
"You have a habit of twisting your body in the direction you're about to move."
Cain continued his explanation in a kind tone.
"That makes it easy for your opponent to predict your movements. So from now on..."
Though Cain was much younger, the knight didn't feel offended at all by receiving advice from him.
No, he acted as if this time with Cain was worth its weight in gold.
His body leaned toward Cain as much as possible, his eyes sparkled at him, and he listened intently, eager to absorb every lesson.
"Understood. Thank you, Young Master."
As the conversation ended, the knight bowed at a perfect right angle. It was an expression of respect that welled up from within, not forced by authority.
"Hey, Ian's turn is over."
"Who's next?"
"Me, me!"
"What are you talking about? We already set the order."
"I wasn't there then?"
A slight commotion arose among the surrounding knights. They all seemed desperate to receive guidance from Cain.
Their faces shone just like the knight who had stood before Cain—sparkling with loyalty and admiration for the young master.
They, too, were Cain's fervent followers.
"No fighting, now."
Cain burst into a hearty laugh.
"I'll spar with as many as you like. Just come one by one."
Cain had already sparred with five knights today. Yet there was no sign of fatigue on his face.
He simply smiled brightly as if enjoying every moment, and the hand gripping his sword remained steady without a tremor.
"Heh heh. The young master hasn't changed."
Muttering to himself from afar was a man with a dignified appearance.
Hector, captain of the Sud Knight Order.
He didn't seem upset at all that his knights were falling to Cain one after another. Instead, he watched Cain's radiant figure with a pleased smile.
It was the look of a grandfather gazing proudly at his well-raised grandson—nothing more, nothing less.
"This kid. He exceeds expectations every day."
Cain had innate strength and was a head taller than most. On top of that, his swordsmanship learning speed was more than double the average.
It was a famous story that at his third birthday party, he had crawled over and grabbed a sword.
Having learned the sword from a young age, he had reached the level of instructional spars against knights before even reaching twenty.
"Diego wasn't at that level at the young master's age."
He had trained in swordsmanship alongside Diego in their youth, so his words were based on truth.
"If the young master keeps growing like this..."
Hector stroked his finely groomed mustache.
"...Diego Kindriel will have to yield that title."
This wasn't the empty boasting of an infatuated subordinate.
In truth, Cain faithfully participated in the knight order's rigorous training every time. Even outside training hours, he came to the grounds and never slacked in his efforts.
"It's time for the title of continent's strongest to change hands."
People predicted that Cain would soon surpass Hector and become captain of the Sud Knight Order.
And some even foresaw him going further to rule the entire continent as the supreme warrior.
In fact, Cain was already a superior swordsman to Hector. He just lacked experience and seasoned skill.
Hector had long been genuinely impressed by him. If Cain wished it, he was ready to hand over his position anytime.
"The lord would never allow it, though."
Hector chuckled and shook his head.
"Next is me!"
And so, dozens of minutes had passed with the knights and Cain engaged.
Unable to stand it any longer, Hector untied his arms from behind his back and stepped down to the training grounds.
"That's enough now!"
At his booming command, the knights halted their movements.
"Ah, Captain."
"We were just getting into it. Isn't this too much?"
Regret colored their eyes.
"How long do you plan to bother the young master? Dismiss and focus on your individual training."
"Captain."
Cain lowered his sword and smiled awkwardly.
"I can do more. It's not a bother at all. I'd hate to take away the knights' fun."
"But Young Master."
Hector shook his head firmly.
"You've been sparring like this for hours already. I feel sorry for taking up so much of your time."
With that, he scanned the knights sharply. They shrank under his blade-like gaze.
"I'm fine, really."
Cain scratched his head and grinned. But in the end, he couldn't push his stubbornness through.
"Young Master!"
A servant from the castle had come looking for him.
"The lord summons you."
"Ah."
Cain had no choice but to sheath his sword with a resigned expression.
Shing.
Every motion was so graceful and precise, it could have come straight from a swordsmanship manual.
Especially as the owner of refined beauty, Cain's movements themselves were like a painting come to life.
"Eek, it's the young master."
"Sigh... He's so handsome again today."
As proof, the castle maids let out swooning sounds whenever Cain passed by. Among them, he was always the object of longing and pink-tinted romance.
Cain entered the castle, bathed in the maids' fervent gazes.
Sud Castle was incredibly tall and ornate. Its outer walls were entirely clad in white marble, and the rounded dome roofs were a refreshing blue.
The castle was modeled after the blue pearls unique to the southern coast of Sud Territory.
This eye-catching structure was the pride of Sud Territory and a symbol of its immense wealth.
It wasn't an exaggeration to say that half of the empire's finances danced in the hands of Sud Territory's lord, Carlo Sud Ardante.
"Father is...?"
Cain asked the servant beside him as they crossed the corridor. The servant bowed his head politely.
"He's in his office."
They soon arrived at the office. The guarding knights bowed.
"Please enter."
Like the other servants, admiration shone on their faces.
The once-in-a-generation genius produced by Sud Territory, the Crimson Noble Young Lord and next lord candidate, Cain Ardante.
Even the gods would envy him. No one had surpassed him yet, nor would anyone in the future.
"Father."
Cain pushed open the office door with a bright voice.
"You're here."
His father, Lord Carlo, looked up from the letter he was reading. He sent Cain a warmly affectionate smile.
"Come here."
The bond between father and son was exceptionally warm and close. Such intimacy was rare among noble families.
"What did you need?"
Cain's gaze flicked to Carlo's fingertips. A red seal adorned the edge of the gold-embossed paper.
"Is that...?"
"Yes. The regular Noble Conference will be held soon."
Carlo tapped his chin and set down the letter.
"How about going together this year?"
"To the capital?"
"No, the imperial palace."
Cain's eyes widened slightly.
"You mean..."
"There's an observer system for noble heirs' education. I'd like you to attend this conference."
Cain clenched his fist. His crimson eyes burned intensely.
Carlo gazed long at his son.
"You'll have much to learn. Will you come?"
At the question, Cain answered without hesitation.
"Yes, Father."
❖ ❖ ❖
The next day.
"Young Master, you're requested in the dining hall."
I received a summons from my father, Diego.
'Looks like it's all done.'
Diego had arrived at the castle a few hours ago. He would have checked his backlog as usual and received a report from Philip.
Tap, tap.
My steps slowed as I approached the dining hall.
Perk.
Requiem had no ears.
But it began focusing its senses toward the dining hall, as if perking them up.
'...Impressive.'
I clicked my tongue as I eyed the nearing dining hall door.
I could see what wasn't yet visible, sense what I hadn't before.
Beyond that door was the strongest man I'd ever encountered.
'Diego Kindriel.'
The man called the empire's strongest swordsman. The iron-blooded lord who single-handedly raised Ovest Territory and guarded the western border for the past thirty years.
My father—and the original story's official strongest—stood just a few meters away.
'I didn't notice before.'
After obtaining Requiem, his presence felt even clearer.
Within a ten-meter radius centered on me, there were over ten people. But their presences felt faint compared to Diego's sharply vivid and intense aura.
Like a lantern illuminating the surroundings just by standing, like a sturdy pillar holding up the world to prevent collapse.
'No wonder the knights pledge absolute loyalty.'