Chapter 406: The Hero Climaxes in Defeat Again Today[R-18] (9)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 406: The Hero Climaxes in Defeat Again Today[R-18] (9)
With the help of a maid, I quickly changed my clothes. In place of my dust-covered travel wear, a refined silk uniform enveloped my body. It was the formal attire of a marquis, adorned with gold epaulets and black decorative buttons. Wearing black gloves, I headed to the reception room.
As I opened the door and stepped inside, my eyes fell on a man sitting quietly within.
Grayish-brown hair mixed with white, an aged but sturdy frame. He turned his head to look at me.
“It's been a while, Marquis.”
“It has, Duke Baran.”
He was a man who clearly existed in the avatar's memories.
The King's direct guardian, the man known as the "Sword of the Kingdom."
And he was the only Swordmaster in this country.
Though he sat unarmed, a white cape draped over his shoulders and a single scabbard at his side, his presence alone weighed heavily on the air in the room.
'As expected of the kingdom's only Swordmaster. He's certainly a powerful man.'
Duke Baran slowly shifted his gaze toward me.
“Hah, a Swordmaster at your age. Quite impressive.”
I slowly sat down in a chair, a slight smile playing on my lips.
“I was lucky.”
At my words, Baran looked at me as if I were absurd, then burst into loud laughter.
“Hahaha! You're the first person I've met who claims to have become a Swordmaster through luck. Truly, Marquis. You are a most amusing man.”
But his laughter soon faded. A sharp glint, like a faint current of electricity, flashed in his eyes. It was the hidden instinct and competitive spirit of a swordsman.
'His eyes are saying he wants to draw his sword and duel right this instant.'
I smiled inwardly and asked calmly, “So, what brings the Duke all the way here in person?”
He leaned back in his chair, lacing his fingers together.
“It is His Majesty's command. He ordered me to come and confirm with my own eyes whether you have truly reached the level of Swordmaster. And—”
He paused for a beat before continuing.
“If it is true, he requests that you personally make an appearance at the upcoming royal party.”
'A royal party... Was there an event like this at this point in the story?'
I narrowed my eyes for a moment. I searched my memories, but in the original story, there was no "royal party" at this time.
“A party... It is an honor to be summoned by His Majesty himself.”
“Will you attend?”
“Of course. I would gladly accept an invitation from the royal family.”
“Then I shall see you at the royal castle in a few days.”
He slowly rose from his seat.
“Are you leaving already?”
When I asked, he gave a short laugh and nodded.
“Yes. I cannot be away from His Majesty's side for long. My duty is to be his sword.”
He straightened his cape and walked toward the door. Just before crossing the threshold, he paused and turned his head.
“I sense... a strangely interesting aura around you.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
With that, Baran opened the door and calmly left the reception room. The door closed slowly, and silence once again settled over the room.
I quietly watched him go before turning my gaze to the empty air.
“I think he sensed you.”
“Yeah.”
Bi-yeon, who had been hidden invisibly, revealed herself, leaning lightly against my shoulder. With her arms crossed and her eyes narrowed, she seemed to be contemplating the presence of the man who had just been here.
“He's more perceptive than I thought. The aura he gives off is a notch below yours, but... his ability to sense energy is exceptionally sharp.”
“He is the kingdom's only Swordmaster, after all. He wouldn't hold that title for nothing.”
*
Leaving the lord's castle, Baran slowly pulled on the reins.
The horse, as if sensing his mood, naturally slowed its pace. He subtly turned his head to look back.
“...His aura is different from when I last saw him.”
It was a completely different air from the Jin Alcladion he had met a year ago.
The Jin Alcladion from back then was, quite literally, a promising young noble. He was an excellent knight and possessed a keen political sense, but to Baran, he was nothing more than a capable upstart.
But the man he was now held an inexplicable change that couldn't be described as mere growth.
Baran narrowed his eyes and thought to himself.
'I don't know what happened in the past year... but the kingdom is in for a major upheaval.'
He had a feeling that a new era, unlike any before, might be dawning.
*
Two days passed after Baran's departure. I was so busy with the estate's backlogged work that I barely had time to breathe.
'...It's nice being a high-ranking noble, but there's just too much damn work to do.'
At this rate, I felt like I was going to die from overwork.
'I wish I had a competent person to handle some of this work for me. Preferably a beautiful woman.'
It was at that exact moment.
—Knock, knock.
“Marquis, it's Eira. May I come in?”
“Enter.”
The door opened, and Eira walked in. A faint fragrance wafted into the room. In her hands, she held a silver tray with a cup of tea.
Dressed in her maid uniform, she walked silently toward me, her cheeks slightly puffed out.
“Your tea, Marquis.”
Her face was full of dissatisfaction as she carefully set down the teacup, but she didn't complain out loud.
'Still, holding back her complaints is a wise choice.'
If she had caused a problem.
'She would have become Test Subject No. 1 in the pregnancy factory.'
When I suddenly chuckled, Eira tilted her head.
“What is it?”
“Nothing. I'm just in a good mood because my work is almost done.”
She nodded cautiously, but a hint of curiosity still lingered in her eyes.
'She's quite good as a maid, though. After just a few days of training, her speech and demeanor have already taken shape.'
I beckoned her over with a flick of my finger.
“I'm bored down there, Eira.”
At those words, her cheeks, which had been puffed with discontent, instantly flushed red.
She took a short breath and, as if accustomed to it, quietly knelt down.
Placing her hands on the carpet, she got on all fours and crawled under my desk.
“Excuse me…”
—Click.
With a steady hand, she began to unfasten the buttons of my pants one by one.
With each undone button, her breaths grew shorter.
My pants came down, revealing my cock before her. The moment she saw it, Eira unconsciously licked her lips.
—Slurp.
First, the tip of her tongue lightly licked the head.
“Mmm... delicious...”
Eira took my cock into her mouth, slowly curling her tongue up to envelop the head. Gently, carefully. She began to suck with great care, as if melting a delicious piece of candy.
Much later, after emptying myself inside her warm, slick pussy, I tidied up with a satisfied smile.
“Alright. That's enough for today.”
She nodded and straightened her clothes. I got up from my seat and headed for the training ground.
*
As soon as I entered the private training ground, I saw the silhouette of Marienne moving ceaselessly within the magically enclosed space.
—Swoosh! Thwack!
She was swinging a heavy wooden training sword. Sweat beaded on her forehead and the nape of her neck, and her dry lips parted with every exhale.
'She definitely has talent.'
I slowly approached and spoke.
“Marienne, you're working hard.”
She turned, startled.
“Ah, Marquis! You're here.”
“Are you practicing everything I taught you?”
“Yes, I haven't missed a single day.”
“Good. And don't neglect your physical conditioning.”
“Understood.”
“Then continue your training. I'll watch for a while.”
“Yes.”
Marienne corrected her stance and began swinging her sword according to the set routine.
I stood a few steps away near a stone statue, quietly observing Marienne's movements.
It was then.
“Hey, Master.”
Bi-yeon's voice came from behind me. I turned my head to see her, who had been invisibly hidden on my shoulder, reveal herself.
“What.”
Bi-yeon crossed her arms and pouted as she glanced at Marienne.
“That big-titted woman over there. That Green Swallow Heart Method, or whatever it's called—it doesn't suit her.”
“Oh?”
“The Green Swallow Heart Method relies on a smooth, full-body circulation, like flowing water,”
Bi-yeon eyed Marienne's form.
“But that woman... she's better suited for a more destructive style of swordsmanship.”
“I don't know any destructive sword arts, though.”
Bi-yeon crossed her arms and turned.
“Then can I teach her myself?”
“Are you okay with revealing yourself?”
“I don't care. I was only hiding... because it was a pain in the ass.”
“But were you always that skilled with a sword?”
At that moment, Bi-yeon stared at me as if I were an idiot.
“Ha, this bastard... Do you know who I am?”
She placed a hand on her chest and declared proudly.
“I'm a woman who once stood at the pinnacle of the sword!”
“Oh, is that so.”
I let out a small laugh and nodded.
“Then I suppose you'll be able to teach Marienne very well.”
Bi-yeon lifted her chin, putting on airs.
“Of course. If she learns from me, she'll be a completely different person in just a few days.”
“Then I'll leave her to you. It'll be a good chance to see your skills for myself.”
I smiled. Bi-yeon walked past me confidently, adding one more thing.
“Watch closely. It's a great honor to become my disciple.”
Watching Bi-yeon's back as she strode toward Marienne, I quietly smirked.
'Stupid bitch.'
She was a pig of a bitch who did nothing but freeload every day, but thanks to her, I'd be spared some tedious effort.
Just then, Bi-yeon stopped in the middle of the training ground. Then she raised her voice.
“Hey, big-tits!”
Startled by the sudden female voice, Marienne spun around.
“...M-me?”
Bi-yeon stood with her arms crossed, her gaze cast down at a slant.
“Yes, you. From now on, I'll be your swordmaster.”
“S-suddenly? Wait, who are you—”
“Me? I'm the spirit of the man you fuck in bed every night.”
Marienne's face instantly turned beet red. She turned her head to me, her eyes asking if what she'd just heard was true.
“...M-Marquis...?”
“She is a master with far more experience with the sword than I. So learn well.”
“...Ugh, I understand.”
Bi-yeon smirked, satisfied.
“Good. Then, starting today, we're throwing out your entire training method. I'll start by correcting your stance, so be prepared.”
There was a strange hint of excitement in Bi-yeon's voice. She approached Marienne, flicking her hand lightly as if whistling.
I quietly left them to it and exited the training ground.
Not long after, a sharp scream echoed from the training ground.
—Kyaaaaaaah!!
...It seemed Bi-yeon's teaching style was far more spartan than I'd expected.