Chapter 19
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Posture Adjustment (2)
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Suddenly, while looking at the map, a piece of forgotten information surfaced in my mind.
「In the end, Byan, exposed by Fabian, flees through a secret passage in the valley area...」
I'd thought the secret passage existed only as a device to set up the scenario where Byan escapes and Fabian pursues.
So right after the event concluded, I'd wiped all related information from my mind.
But now, upon careful reflection, something felt off.
‘How did Byan even know about that secret passage?’
No one in the Talua Kingdom army seemed aware of it.
So how exactly had Byan known about it?
The answer was obvious.
‘He must have heard it from the Kainzel Kingdom army.’
In other words, it was a passage unknown to the Talua Kingdom army but known only to the Kainzel forces.
‘Which means... they're planning to exploit the gap while we push through the center and launch a surprise attack via the secret passage?’
It was a plausible theory.
No, it was almost certain. They wouldn't pass up using a secret passage only they knew about.
‘The only issue is how to report this...’
After a moment of deliberation, I calmly opened my mouth.
"Duke, the enemy might have a way to target our rear."
"Our rear? But that's impossible. You know as well as I that rugged valleys and mountains surround our camp."
Of course I did. Moreover, we'd already used the mountains for our surprise operation.
Both sides were surely monitoring the area, suspecting the other might infiltrate.
"Actually, there's something that's been bothering me."
"Bothering you?"
"Why did Byan flee toward the valley? Do you think he intended to throw himself off the cliff and end his life, Duke?"
"......No way."
As expected, Duke Gail immediately grasped the implication.
"Duke Ivan Gail."
I was certain.
The war would end soon.
Meaning, the next opportunity to shine in this war would be my last.
And that was enough.
"Grant me command of a small squad."
I would be the protagonist of this war.
* * *
Duke Gail still seemed half-doubting but adopted an attitude of nothing lost in checking.
Thanks to that, I gained command of a ten-man detachment.
From an ordinary knight in the squad to leader of the detachment.
‘This counts as a promotion, in its own way.’
It was a temporary post that would mean nothing once the war ended, but a swell of pride rose within me.
I'd gone from a knight who just followed orders to leader of even a small detachment.
But one thing nagged at me.
‘All Sword Experts low-rank or above, and one even mid-rank.’
I swept my gaze over the ten knights lined up before me, keeping a composed expression.
They were all exceptional knights, but one stood out especially.
‘Gelvin Ribina. Red hair, red eyes... "Little Lion" suits him perfectly.’
Patriarch of the Ribina family, Count Aldred Ribina.
He was a knight known as the "Red Lion," the kingdom's greatest knight and its only Sword Master.
Like father, like son—no tiger sires a dog.
His children all showed exceptional sword talent and were renowned for their bravery, but Gelvin Ribina stood out among them, earning the moniker "Little Lion."
Despite not yet reaching twenty, he'd achieved mid-rank Sword Expert—a genius on par with Byan and Tedric.
‘Hmm.’
Outwardly calm, I felt deeply uncomfortable inside.
I understood the duke had assembled them to look after me due to their skills, but this was burdensome.
[They're all higher in swordsmanship than you?]
Gransesia tossed out the remark as if scratching at my nerves.
I'd already been tense, and now this...
‘Honestly, mid-rank Sword Expert or not...’
I swallowed dryly while checking Gelvin Ribina's profile.
Two years younger than me, but on a whole different level from ordinary people.
==
[Gelvin Ribina]
Age: 18
Gender: Male
Role in Story: Scion of the Ribina Count family (extra)
Abilities: Lion's Heart, Single Heaven Subduing Sword (6th Star)
Notes: Young genius of the Ribina family. Overshadowed by Byan Deolic, but possesses comparable talent—a remarkable prodigy. Despite his beastly appearance, he has an introverted personality and doesn't easily reveal his skills.
==
An extra? Really?
The profile was impressive enough to make me doubt it.
Most astonishing was his mastery of the Single Heaven Subduing Sword, the Ribina family's pride.
He'd reached the 6th Star in this technique, one of the kingdom's two great sword arts alongside the Silver Star Sword.
Considering Byan, an upper-rank Sword Expert, had reached 6th Star in Silver Star Sword, this was remarkable.
‘In the original story, a character like this dies without much impact?’
From Talua Kingdom's perspective, that would be a massive loss.
I stared at Gelvin for a moment before slowly averting my gaze and clearing my throat.
"Ahem, pleased to meet you all. I'm Clay Banheart, your new detachment leader. Ask if you have any questions."
After my brief introduction, the ten knights stared piercingly at me.
Their gazes held a similar sentiment.
‘Why do we have to follow this halfwit?’
That was probably it.
My only publicly known feat was uncovering Duke Gail's assassination plot, so it was understandable.
"Sir Banheart is only an upper-rank Sword User... isn't he?"
Sure enough, one knight drawled it out slowly.
He hid his expression well, but a subtle disdain seeped through.
"Honestly, I don't understand why the duke ordered us to follow you."
I'd invited questions, but not this direct.
‘A scion of the Polsen Viscount family.’
I checked the knight's profile and clicked my tongue briefly.
[What now?]
‘What do you mean?’
I smirked at Gransesia's excited voice watching the scene.
‘It was expected.’
Heir to a fallen count family, a lucky upstart who recently caught Duke Gail's eye.
That was my current reputation.
So I'd anticipated some pushback.
Overcoming this was simple.
Show my strength.
Truth be told, I'd half-hoped for this. I needed real combat practice, and proving myself now would make future tasks easier.
"Something about me doesn't sit right with you, I see..."
I hinted softly, reaching for my waist.
Just as I grasped the hilt of my sheathed sword.
Crunch!
"Gahk!"
The sneering Polsen scion screamed.
"Huh?"
For the record, that wasn't me.
I stood awkwardly frozen, hand on the hilt.
"Shut your mouth."
It sounded like a beast's growl.
His red hair shook like a lion's mane, fierce light gleaming in his red pupils.
"To dare spout such nonsense at Sir Banheart."
It wasn't even that bad...
Why was this guy acting like this?
[Do you know him by any chance?]
‘No way. First time seeing him today.’
Gelvin was a knight rarely encountered.
He trained alone in private dojos, seldom appearing in social settings.
"That's enough, Sir Ribina."
Any longer, and it might turn to murder.
I spoke in as grave a tone as possible.
"Sir Polsen has likely reflected, so how about letting go?"
"Understood."
Gelvin released instantly at my words.
Only then did Polsen, finally freed, gasp for breath, alternating glances between me and Gelvin.
"Wh-what... are you two...?"
‘I'd like to know too.’
Gelvin's eyes narrowed at Polsen's bewildered look.
Incomprehensible, but Gelvin clearly disliked his attitude.
"Sir Ribina, Sir Polsen has a point. The others probably don't like me as leader either. It's natural. Until recently, I was an ordinary knight like them. And only a Sword User with lacking skill."
I finally drew the sword I'd been awkwardly gripping.
"So, it wouldn't hurt to prove my worth."
At that, Gelvin murmured in deep admiration.
"As expected... of Sir Banheart."
Incomprehensible, but Gelvin Ribina gazed at me with eyes full of aspiration.
[Why is he like that?]
Beats me.
Anyway, the priority now wasn't the obedient Gelvin. It was the other nine knights scorning me.
"Sir Polsen, care to spar?"
"......"
Polsen looked inwardly confused.
I slowly drew a circle around me on the ground.
They eyed me curiously as I suddenly marked the circle and stood inside.
"Of course, after that incident, fighting straight away wouldn't be fair. So, if I step outside this circle, I lose."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes. If I lose, I'll recommend you as detachment leader to Duke Gail."
Polsen flushed red with humiliated fury, breathing raggedly. The other knights murmured in disbelief at my antics.
"......Then I won't hold back."
Rubbing his sore neck from Gelvin's grip, he drew his sword and stood.
He was a low-rank Sword Expert knight regardless. My past self wouldn't have dreamed of this recklessness.
But now...
"Haaah!"
Polsen charged at me inside the circle without hesitation.
Fury toward me twisted his fierce expression.
His movements were swift enough that an ordinary Sword User knight couldn't track them visually.
However.
‘Compared to Sir Eaton or Byan, he's laughably slow.’
Tedric and Byan, upper-rank Sword Experts.
Riya Asktalin relentlessly pressuring with Dragon Words.
Against them, Polsen's sword felt feather-light.
Boom!
"Argh!"
With an explosion, Polsen's sword flew, skidding across the training ground.
Palms torn, he clutched his hand, staring at his rolling sword.
[You're handling it quite convincingly now?]
The Deolic family's famed Silver Star Sword.
Even incomplete as practiced in the latter half, it was hailed as one of Talua's two great sword arts.
So what of the complete version?
It would undisputedly be the kingdom's strongest swordsmanship.
The problem: my body couldn't fully wield it.
My inadequate flesh couldn't withstand the technique's power.
After much thought, I reached one conclusion.
‘Make it something I can use.’
Mana control.
That was my solution.
Power would diminish accordingly, but even the mightiest weapon is worthless if unusable—worse than a broken sword.
"Looks like I win."
"This... can't be."
Moreover, against a low-rank Sword Expert new to it, this sufficed.
I patted dazed Polsen's shoulder, then turned to the frozen knights.
"Anyone else want a round?"
I grinned.
Naturally, no one answered.