Chapter 625
Chapter 625
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 625
Chapter Title: God's Atlantis
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I left the Sword's Tomb with Seira.
She had changed out of her training robes into her usual attire. It clung to her body for ease of movement while exuding an air of elegance. It resembled the formal uniforms often worn by knights.
As we walked together, conversation came naturally. Once the ice was broken, our talk flowed smoothly.
"Lady Arphis, you wield a greatsword, I see."
And not just any greatsword—it was a Zweihänder taller than she was.
"The downside of the Sword's Tomb is that the practice swords are limited to longswords."
"Must have been inconvenient during the duel."
"I'm accustomed to swords. The difference in length is negligible."
To others, that "negligible" difference was anything but.
Unlike ordinary noble ladies, with Seira, I had to discuss training, martial arts, and knighthood.
"When did you first take up the sword, my lady?"
"Hmm... I can't recall."
Seira raised her hand. Unlike her beautiful face, her hands were rough. Calluses covered them, along with old scars.
It was a bit of a shame, from my perspective. Her hands would have been nicer if they were smooth.
At the same time, a question arose. With her family's power, maintaining her hands with magic or items would be trivial.
"I can't pinpoint exactly when I first picked up a sword. I just remember holding one from a very young age. What about you, Sir?"
"It's not been long since I took up the sword."
In real-world terms, it had been less than four years. I wielded a wooden bokken in high school and first held a real sword in university. Without my Spirit Sword Style trait, I might still be fumbling with the basics.
"Ah, right—you were exiled. I understand."
Seira lowered her hand.
I couldn't hold back and asked her.
"My lady, may I ask why you don't remove the scars on your hands?"
Any excuse about calluses forming for optimal sword grip wouldn't hold, given her level. At Seira's stage, calluses made no difference.
"They're proof of my training thus far. Every time I look at my hands, I recall my efforts and recenter my resolve. And every glance reminds me of the path I'm on."
"...Impressive, Lady Arphis."
"It's just stubbornness."
While chatting with Seira, I deliberately brought up Elena's name. Seira felt some inferiority toward her, making it perfect for stirring her up.
"I've received much help from Elena. The legion I belong to grew rapidly thanks to her sponsorship."
"I could sponsor a legion too. But the way you address her bothers me."
"My address? Tell me what's off, and I'll correct it."
"You call that witch by her first name, but address me by my house."
"I can't treat Lady Arphis casually."
"Duke Balderth gets casual treatment? Call me by my name too."
"...If that's your wish, my lady. Seira, then?"
"Yes."
The name change was exactly what I'd hoped for. Familiarity in address brings people closer.
That was when Seira suddenly stopped. Her head tilted upward. I halted too and followed her gaze.
A single pigeon flew vigorously toward Arphis territory in the sky.
"Seira, are there wild pigeons around here?"
"That's not a pigeon—it's magic. As you know, spatial transfer scrolls and communication spells don't work here. So physical messaging has developed. Magical carrier pigeons are the prime example."
To use a spatial transfer scroll, one had to go some distance from here.
"Is something serious happening?"
"Not sure. Could be a routine report or a major incident."
"Shouldn't we hurry back?"
"No need. Father's in the city. Even if we rushed, there's little we could do."
She was right.
This was Duke Arphis's domain. As an outsider, it wasn't my place to meddle.
We maintained our pace and arrived at Arphis City.
???
I entered the inner castle with Seira.
Knights, soldiers, servants, and citizens greeted her warmly. She was well-liked. Her beauty and unpretentious personality probably helped.
Escorted by knights and soldiers, we entered the audience chamber.
At last, I met the Fool Sword Duke, Duke Noit Arphis.
He sat cross-legged on an ornate chair.
Even seated, his massive build was evident. Standing, he'd easily top two meters. His body was solidly muscled.
He had ash-gray hair like Seira's and a bushy beard. The wrinkles around his eyes were soft. He gave off a free-spirited mercenary vibe more than a duke.
I knelt on one knee before Noit. All eyes—retainers, knights, servants—turned to me.
"Sung Yu-jin, knight of Balderth."
"Welcome, Balderth knight. I've heard you passed the Sword's Tomb. And... you even brought my daughter back. Three months, eh? You look unchanged, Seira."
Noit grinned openly, unashamed of his joy. Seira remained stoic.
"You're the same as ever, Father."
"Daughter, training is fine, but see the world too. I don't want you as a frog in a well."
" ceaseless training is vital for a swordsman. Have you forgotten your own words?"
"Sigh. You won't yield an inch."
Noit shook his head with a wry smile and turned back to me.
"Sir Sung Yu-jin. You have something for me."
"Here it is."
I pulled the letter from my breast. A knight inspected it and handed it respectfully to Noit.
Noit unfolded and read silently. His expression didn't change. His eyes remained grave as when we first met.
"Do you know the letter's contents?"
"No, sir."
I could guess, though. Likely about the Empire's Decennial Rite, with Elena seeking his cooperation.
"It says to reply through you. You must have Duke Balderth's trust."
"It's an honor as a knight."
"The matter isn't simple enough for an immediate decision. It may take time—can you wait?"
"Receiving the reply is my mission. I'll wait."
"Listen."
He spoke, and all retainers, knights, and servants focused on him.
"Sir Sung Yu-jin humored my jest, passed the Sword's Tomb, and brought Seira back. Treat him as an honored guest. You may withdraw, sir."
Dismissal.
I paid respects to Noit and left the audience chamber.
???
Once outside, I wiped sweat from my brow with the back of my hand.
Partway through, Noit's presence had pressed down on me. Intentional or not, I felt he was no ordinary man.
'One of the Empire's Five Dukes. His reputation is well-earned.'
If we fought, I'd lose 100%.
???
Noit looked at Seira.
He hadn't expected Sung Yu-jin to bring her back. Sending him to the Sword's Tomb was to provoke her, but retrieving her? Unforeseen.
"What happened in the Sword's Tomb?"
"Nothing."
"You return with him, and I should believe that?"
"......"
Seira clamped her mouth shut.
Noit didn't force her to speak. As a father, he knew it would backfire.
"Fine. I won't pry. You must have dueled him, at least."
Noit caught Seira's brief flinch.
"Seira, whatever you think of that knight, he's not as skilled as you imagine. I can't fathom why you're interested."
"I've spoken with him on the way here. I know that much."
"Then what do you see in him?"
"......"
Seira closed her eyes briefly. The duel with Sung Yu-jin replayed.
It wasn't a life-or-death duel but closer to sparring. Yet he'd staked his life on it. One misstep could have killed him with internal injuries. The Tomb sped recovery, but death was still possible inside.
"He's not a proper knight."
"...Ho. Unexpected. And?"
"If he became our house's knight, he'd be a great asset."
"You saying that? Have you fallen for him?"
"......"
Under her cold gaze, Noit cleared his throat.
"Ahem. Whatever you see in him, his record isn't knightly."
Noit summoned a servant for Sung Yu-jin's file and handed it to Seira.
"Recently, he killed Baron Estor. Slaughtered the baron's soldiers and knights without mercy."
"Baron Estor hired assassins to kill him. It was extreme, but deserved."
"Extreme? Without Balderth, he'd be a fugitive."
"If you were in his shoes, Father, would you have spared Baron Estor?"
"Why spare someone trying to kill me? Seira, he's not like me."
"Yes. That's why I like him more."
"The file has gaps—likely Balderth's tampering. In short, he's Balderth's hunting dog."
Hunting dog.
Those who handle dirty work off the record.
"And be honest. Half your reason to make him our knight is because of Balderth, right?"
"He's too good to serve under that witch."
"If that's your will, I won't stop you. But I won't help with this. Learn how hard it is to win talent."
"I don't need help."
"One bit of advice: rumors say he chases women. A honey trap might snag him."
"......"
Seira glared at Noit and left without a word.
???
I received lavish hospitality from House Arphis.
The food was delicious, and the servants fawned over me.
But it wasn't satisfying. I couldn't hold a woman, wary of House Arphis's eyes. Ravishing a maid could cost my head.
Visiting a brothel in the city was tricky too—because of Seira. Her favor toward me was decent now. Hitting a brothel would tank it.
'Judging the mood, I'll be here about a week... Better get as close to Seira as possible.'
I sought Seira. Servants pointed me to the underground training hall. She apparently holed up there daily at home.
I got her permission via servant and entered.
Clad in black training robes, she swung her Zweihänder through the air.
"Want to train too, sir?"
"I'd like to train with you, Seira. I have much to learn from you. If you'd rather not, I'll leave."
"No, it's fine. Training with you isn't bad. But no spars or duels. This isn't the Tomb—if last time repeats, it'll be trouble."
"Haha, fair enough. But..."
I glanced at a table in the corner. Water and white powder sat there.
"What's that powder? Don't tell me it's drugs...?"