Chapter 18
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Wanna Form a Secret Organization with Uncle?
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Jenia's eyes sparkled like stars as she gripped the sword for the first time.
She couldn't contain her strange thrill and excitement, fiddling with the blade that was nearly as big as she was.
In stark contrast, Maxim's eyes were losing their light. He stared at her with dead, hollow eyes, as if he were about to succumb to heart demons at any moment.
"How in the world... That heavy sword..."
The sword zealot, whose truths had been denied, barely managed to speak. But the physics heretic Jenia just gave an awkward smile and replied.
"Pardon? Oh, I've been a bit strong since I was born. Hehe."
"I see."
In the end, Maxim compromised with this unrealistic reality.
Lancelot and Andrew, who had been running laps on the training grounds, chimed in.
"Whoa... How'd she lift that with her size? Gotta stop messing around."
"As expected of my sister-in-law! Incredible!"
The amazing part was that this insolent guy was aware he was the one messing around.
'Well, being crazy doesn't mean you're dumb...'
Having compromised with the world and barely warding off his heart demons, Maxim began teaching Jenia the basics.
"Alright, my lady. What we're learning now is the most fundamental move. It's the foundation of all swordsmanship."
Maxim raised his sword high, then brought it down in a slash.
It was a simple motion, but it always gave off an unflinchingly steadfast impression.
"Wow."
Jenia let out a small gasp of admiration at his form and immediately mimicked it.
Whoosh!
'Oh.'
Even though it was her first time handling a sword, Jenia followed along quite well.
A glint appeared in Maxim's eyes.
"Hmm... You're doing splendidly. Now, the next move."
Next came a horizontal slash, which she mimicked just as smoothly.
After teaching her the thrust as well, Maxim hesitated before speaking.
"My lady, from now on, try copying my movements one by one."
"Yes!"
Maxim demonstrated the first form of imperial swordsmanship, and Jenia followed.
I think on my first day, I only managed the downward slash...
The sword zealot, who had been demonstrating slowly, started getting excited.
"My lady, you're doing wonderfully. Shall we try connecting the first two moves?"
"Yes!"
She followed along perfectly again.
Maxim grew more and more excited.
The commands got progressively harder, but...
"My lady! Now, let's unleash all the moves I've taught you in sequence!"
Whoosh—slash! Swish!
Now, Jenia's talent was starting to feel downright scary.
We, who had been running alongside, stopped in our tracks to watch Jenia and Maxim.
The zealot who had lost his light to a heretic vanished from this spot, replaced by a newfound devotee basking in glory.
Unable to hide his excitement, Maxim explained.
"My lady! Are you truly holding a sword for the first time?"
Caught up in his fervor, Jenia panicked...
"Y-Yes? I... I am..."
But that only fueled Maxim's flames further.
"Grip with your pinky tight and the rest loose, anchor your lower body firm when slashing downward, load power into the blade using your legs, shoulders, waist—and tie it all together with footwork and stance! And you claim this is your first time? Hahaha!"
No one could stop a sword master consumed by madness.
Jenia's face paled, but Maxim pressed on undeterred.
"My lady, let me teach you a few sword techniques and breathing methods. Train alone in the mountains for 30... no, 20 years, and I guarantee the entire world will bow at your feet!"
"Eek... M-Mountains?"
"My lady! Please, grant this Maxim Verstappen the honor of being your master!"
A common trait among those who reached a certain realm was having crystal-clear goals—or being utterly mad about their field.
To Maxim, this must have felt like watching a total newbie who had just turned normal mode solo a Northfield master.
The super-newbie left Maxim dazed, while Jenia looked burdened yet pleased by the praise.
"I'll do my best! Please take care of me from now on!"
"Hahaha! 'Do your best'? If you're lacking, then His Highness is... Hahaha!"
'...Maxim?'
I'm telling Grandpa about this.
***
Having finished that mad sword training session, we washed up and gathered around the table, waiting for our meal.
Lancelot, full of curiosity about Jenia, was bombarding her with questions.
"Wow, Jenia, how are you so strong? Some Ardell family secret magic? But seriously, first time with swordsmanship? I've never seen Dad that excited. Maybe since I got perfect scores in dictation at eight? And greatsword suits you? Man, she's gonna catch up to me soon!"
"Um... Young Master Verstappen... Too many questions."
"Nah, just call me Lancelot! You're my buddy's fiancée, so you're my friend too. Hahaha!"
"Okay... Nice to meet you, Lancelot."
Jenia gave up arguing against Lancelot's super social energy and decided to drop formal speech.
Andrew, absent from the table, had gone to eat separately. Lately, he said the First Imperial Consort skips meals without him, so he was looking after her.
'That guy, such a dutiful son. The First Consort should eat properly anyway.'
A servant was pouring water nearby.
Come to think of it, Lily was nowhere in sight. Curious, I asked the servant.
"Where's Lily? On some errand?"
"The head maid is currently summoned by Her Majesty the Empress and is at the Empress's palace."
Figured Mother had a ton of questions.
Sorry, Mom...
Dinner with Mother was tonight, so I had a mountain of prep before then.
I told the servant bringing the food.
"We're buying clothes for Lady Ardell today, so call a tailor. Pick some off-the-rack too and buy them. When Lily returns, have her help choose. Charge it to my account.
And any letters from Duke Ardell's house—bring them straight to me, no screening."
"Yes, sir."
Jenia fidgeted and spoke up.
"Um... Your Highness..."
"Yeah?"
"How many outfits can I get?"
She was so cute fiddling like that, I teased.
"What, wanna go 'Everything from here to there, please'?"
"N-No! I just feel bad taking too much."
Lancelot chimed in.
"Huh? Jenia, you live frugally for a duke's lady? Hahaha!"
Well... Lancelot doesn't know the circumstances.
I grinned and said.
"Buy whatever you want. We're living together in the palace now—no need to worry about that stuff."
"He... Hehe... Together..."
Lancelot glanced between me and Jenia, his expression puzzled.
"Huh? What's this? Food suddenly tastes worse."
With the insolent one's words marking the end, the meal arrived on the table.
The lid lifted, revealing perfectly roasted duck in a vibrant red hue, wafting a savory aroma.
The side vegetables were neatly piled, cooked just right.
Lancelot's eyes lit up at the dishes.
"Oh? Duck today?"
By the way, on days Lancelot's here, I told the servants not to explain the menu—he always complains it's annoying.
"Try it, Jenia."
"Wow... Bon appétit, Your Highness!"
Jenia pressed her knife into the meat and gasped in admiration.
The knife slid in effortlessly. She skewered a slice, popped it in her mouth, and her eyes went wide. Her hand sped up.
"Here, another plate of this!"
"Mmph... Mine too!"
"Swallow first, then talk..."
Seeing Jenia eat well gave me an inexplicable sense of fulfillment.
With a pleased smile, I asked.
"Eat lots. Tell me if you need more."
Munch munch
"Yes, Your Highness!"
"Gotta eat more too."
'What are you, you insolent punk.'
Anyway, while the kids ate, I explained my plan.
"Jenia, you can answer while eating. To make the most of the info you gave me, I'm forming a direct imperial unit."
"Huh? Unit? What kind?"
Jenia nodded and replied.
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Does your info on the heretics have a scope? Timeframe?"
Her hand slowed, eyes darting as she answered.
"Well... Not everything crystal clear. It pops up sometimes when I wake up..."
She was dodging, probably to avoid suspicion from spilling it all at once.
I looked straight into Jenia's eyes and said. This needed to be clear.
"Jenia, it's fine. Speak freely. No harm will come, no matter what."
Meeting my gaze, Jenia steeled herself.
"...The info covers businesses, investments, talents, heretics, major events. Up to nine years from now, but variables might change it."
"Thanks. Share when needed. For timelines, a month or two ahead is fine."
Jenia urgently added.
"Your Highness! It's not that I don't trust you... I was just anxious..."
'Wasn't what I meant.'
I elaborated.
"Calm down, Jenia. I get it. Variables from intervening make it hard to spill easily, right?"
"Yes... Exactly. But how did you... Unless...?"
To her question, I grinned.
"Not the talk for here. Later."
"Leaving me out? Let me in too."
Lancelot pouted, so I changed the subject.
"I'm starting a secret organization. Wanna join?"
"Sure!"
Lancelot's lightning reply.
'Knew you'd say that.'
Still, a bit curious, he asked.
"What kinda group?"
"Fight villains, save people."
"Ooh!"
'And make bank on the side... Throw down with the protagonist's party too.'
After the meal, we went our separate ways.
'First, urgent dispatch to Grandpa.'
I sent a brief on the incident a few weeks out.
Short messages transmit fast via magic tools.
Next, the report for Father.
Reasons, personnel, outcomes—briefly noted, stamped with the seal.
I wrote it up and headed to Father. Same routine as always, simplified. Door opened.
"What is it?"
Father, buried in papers as usual.
Reaffirming my vow to streamline if I become emperor, I spoke.
"Your Majesty, I'd like to form a special task force under me."
I handed over the document.
Father eyed me like 'What now?'
"What is it this time?"
"Summarized as briefly as possible. Will submit detailed version later."
Father sighed and read.
His brow furrowed, then relaxed in disbelief.
"Direct imperial special task force? Joint ops authority with five Shadow Knight units? Provisional members three... Wait, Lady Ardell and Young Master Verstappen? Purpose: heretic response...?"
His brow, crumpled in absurdity, began to smooth out.
Then he started picking it apart.
"First Prince, where's the budget from? Shadows are my direct secret unit—you know that? Hunting heretics is fine, but why's the prince doing it?"
"Only I can."
"Why only you..."
Interrupting, I explained.
"Lady Ardell can receive prophecies."
"What?"
"Fragmentary, but future info—on heretics only."
A lie, but did she need to hide from Father forever? Someday.
"I see..."
"Yes. This must never leak outside."
This intel stays with us. Otherwise, not just the church—the whole world drools and swarms, endless mess.
"Sigh... Can fill with trusted folk?"
"No."
'Nope, gotta snag those fortuitous encounters.'
"I'll think on it... Out."
Father, brow deepening from his paper pile and exiting son, conceded a step.
I landed the final punch.
"Ah! So it's approved. Heretics show in marquis territory in two weeks—off to catch 'em."
"What? Wait, Prince, what the..."
"Infinite glory to the Empire."
I bolted out the door.
Tatatata