Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Conditions of a Sword Master (1)
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“Hoo.”
But Riya’s gaze didn’t linger for long.
After tearing her eyes away from Maria, she turned to me with a sullen expression.
“Well, I suppose I’m in no position to comment on Clay’s personal life. After all, I’m just residing in this mansion as Clay’s bodyguard…….”
“It’s a misunderstanding.”
Maria cut off Riya’s words decisively. It was quite unusual behavior for her.
Riya, too, seemed surprised by Maria’s reaction and looked at her with slightly widened eyes.
“I mentioned it separately in case something like this might happen…….”
Maria said that, then glanced subtly in my direction.
Her eyes were asking if it was okay to reveal everything. I nodded.
“It’s better to tell the truth than let strange misunderstandings fester.”
With that, Maria calmly explained everything to Riya.
Why I had just called Maria into my room, and the effects of the abilities and powers she possessed.
“……That’s surprising.”
Riya also seemed impressed by Maria’s abilities.
They weren’t easy to use, but if the conditions were met, they could produce tremendous efficiency.
“I see, so that’s how it is.”
Riya finally looked relieved.
As the atmosphere softened, Gransesia muttered in surprise.
[ I thought she might insist on coming to check, but she didn’t.]
Honestly, I had thought the same.
But Riya, though a bit pouty, didn’t make a big fuss.
Perhaps reading my gaze,
Riya smiled brightly at me.
“Well, I’m not in any special relationship with Clay yet……. Yeah, not yet.”
Riya emphasized the word “yet” particularly.
“Got it. Then I’ll trust the two of you.”
“Don’t worry. I really don’t have any other intentions.”
When I added that, Riya nodded.
Then, slowly brushing past me, she whispered softly into my ear.
“Clay, in return, take good care of me next time.”
Her voice was so quiet that only I and Gransesia heard it.
Riya flashed a sly smile and walked away before I could even ask what she meant by that. I just stood there speechless.
[Hey.]
As I stared blankly, Gransesia spoke quietly.
[You might really get eaten alive someday.]
All I could do was hope that Lutia had imparted the right knowledge to her.
* * *
The Bellun mansion was bustling with the reply from the Banheart family. They hadn’t expected them to accept the territorial war.
‘To think the plan to assassinate Clay Banheart has gone to waste.’
Count Bellun smirked faintly.
It was amusingly similar to what his own son, Nior Bellun, had done.
“Ah, Father. I don’t think that’s a good idea. Princess Riya Asktalin is there…….”
“Who said anything about touching the princess? Our goal is Clay Banheart’s life, no matter where. Kill him, and everything’s solved!”
That way, they could seize the mines, and bring back the rapidly growing Timons Merchant Group.
Having thought that far, Count Bellun bellowed harshly at Nior.
“It’s all because of your foolish antics that we’re in this mess! If not for that, the Timons Merchant Group wouldn’t have gone there, and the mines would still be ours!”
“T-That’s…….”
He had no excuse. Everything Count Bellun said was true.
If they’d kept the mines and Timons Merchant Group, the Bellun Count Family could have overcome the current crisis.
“But Father! It’s suspicious that he accepted the territorial war!”
“Suspicious?”
“Y-Yes. Exactly. Don’t they have far fewer knights and soldiers? Yet they accepted—what else could it mean but some scheme!”
Count Bellun clicked his tongue at Nior’s stammering response.
“There are rumors that the Banheart family has been hiring mercenaries lately. They’re probably planning to fill their shortages with mercenaries.”
Count Bellun spread out a document.
It was a report detailing the recent movements of the Banheart family.
Seeing it, Nior instantly fell silent like a mute who’d swallowed honey. It seemed his father had already investigated the Banheart family’s activities.
“Even if they gather every mercenary around here, mercenaries are mercenaries. They’re inferior to our territory’s soldiers. Knights go without saying.”
The Timons Merchant Group had certainly made them quite wealthy. So they must have thought hiring a large number of mercenaries would make it a fair fight.
What a foolish notion.
“I’m looking forward to two weeks from now.”
Though they were suffering a financial crisis and their knights and soldiers weren’t at full strength, it was nothing compared to the completely fallen Banheart family.
If more time passed, victory wouldn’t be guaranteed, but now, he was confident they’d win.
‘I’ll use this chance to deal with that arrogant brat.’
No matter how many mercenaries they gathered, mercenaries were still mercenaries.
They were hopelessly inferior to soldiers and knights raised directly by the family.
That’s what Count Bellun thought at the time.
* * *
The territorial war was set to commence in just two weeks.
This was exceptionally fast. Normally, even after applying for a territorial war, it could drag on for months.
It was possible because my opinion matched Count Bellun’s.
He needed to hurry due to his family’s mounting debts, and for me, the reason was simple.
‘No need to waste time on the likes of the Bellun family.’
Dragging it out would only be a hassle.
I needed to settle the Bellun matter quickly and address the Rugal issue.
‘And Deolic might make a move afterward…….’
I was receiving continuous reports from Jade, but the Deolic family remained silent on this.
They probably hoped we’d destroy each other.
‘Besides…….’
I pondered while checking the synopsis.
Most episodes in the Banheart territory could now be considered wrapped up. Once the Rugal-related issue was resolved, there’d be no more story here.
The problem was the next stage.
‘After returning from Aintban and learning the Single Moon Divine Sword, Fabian heads to the Kezman Mountains…….’
He’d heard from adventurers who’d been there about strange events.
‘The Kezman Mountains—something related to sub-races?’
Beyond the Kezman Mountains lay the land where sub-races gathered.
Lavanteira, the nation of sub-races including elves and dwarves.
That was the stage for the next episode.
The issue was that it was a forbidden land inaccessible to humans in a different sense from Aintban.
‘Generally, humans aren’t allowed entry.’
It was natural, given humans’ history of abducting and persecuting sub-races, commonly called demihumans.
The empire had recently adopted friendlier policies toward demihumans, but there was still a long way to go.
‘I’ll ask Riya about it later.’
Borrowing the empire’s power might find a way.
“Clay.”
As I organized my thoughts, the golden-haired woman sitting bored in front of me…… Gransesia spoke up.
“How long are you going to just think?”
“Ah, I’m done now.”
In the dream connected through Maria’s ability, Gransesia and I weren’t just sparring—I was making use of the time in various ways.
“Can’t you think about that in the morning?”
“The territorial war’s soon. I need to learn the Single Moon Divine Sword too.”
I also needed to train the recently hired mercenaries and educate the knights and soldiers who’d control them.
“But your knights’ morale seems rock bottom. You okay with that?”
“It’s not okay, but it’s to be expected.”
No matter how many mercenaries you gather, common sense says you can’t beat knights.
It was natural to feel anxious when victory wasn’t assured.
“Besides, Lutia will arrive soon.”
Once the elite mercenaries from Aintban arrived, that anxiety would be resolved.
That’s why I could brush off Gransesia’s concern nonchalantly.
“Then, before we start sparring, let’s talk about the ultimate technique of the Single Moon Divine Sword.”
Gransesia, who’d been sitting with a prickly expression, instantly turned serious as the ‘lesson’ began.
“First, the ultimate technique you’ll learn, ‘Falling Moon,’ derives from Moon Embrace. You know that, right?”
“Of course.”
“Well, I’ve already seen you try it a few times, so I won’t comment on the results.”
“…….”
As she said, I’d attempted Falling Moon several times.
Naturally, I’d never completed the form properly. It fell apart around halfway.
Using such a form in real combat would be suicide.
“You failed for three reasons.”
“Three reasons?”
Gransesia nodded.
“Well, it’s not your fault. It’s a flaw inherent to the Single Moon Divine Sword.”
“Like the incompleteness you mentioned before?”
“No. It’s more that Damian, who created the Single Moon Divine Sword, was too exceptional, causing this issue.”
The problem she pointed out was this.
The Single Moon Divine Sword was completed after Damian reached a certain realm, so it fundamentally requires a high level of mastery to use.
“First, insufficient mana capacity. Second, lack of understanding of the forms. Third, lack of grasp on the flow.”
“That’s…….”
“You’ve realized it too, huh. To master this swordsmanship properly, you need to be at Sword Master level. Especially for the ‘ultimate techniques,’ even if regular forms are okay.”
Only then did I fully understand what Gransesia meant.
And simultaneously, a thought flashed through my mind.
‘A monster.’
In other words, Fabian had already reached Sword Master level by the time he returned from Aintban.
‘Well, he beat Ian Silverst at the Imperial Martial Tournament, so it makes sense.’
Ian, whom I’d faced at the Imperial Martial Tournament, had reached Sword Master.
Since Fabian defeated him, it meant he’d already surpassed Sword Master by then.
Of course, I didn’t know if he’d trained separately before the count’s family, but reaching Sword Master at that age alone made him a monster.
“Heh heh.”
I couldn’t hold back the absurd chuckle that escaped.