Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Warning (1)
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Ryanbloom Marquis Family.
Something strange was happening at this place, known as the greatest sword family in the Apple Kingdom.
Four young men stood gripping wooden swords, swallowing hard repeatedly. In the direction they stared stood a middle-aged man.
He was sturdy in build, but that was all. He wasn't particularly large or visibly strong.
"Have you all warmed up sufficiently?"
Yet the young men watched his every move with tense faces, on high alert.
"Then let's get started."
But the young men still hesitated.
At that sight, the middle-aged man clicked his tongue briefly.
"I thought you were lion cubs. Turns out you're just mongrel pups?"
No hot-blooded youth could stay still after such an insult.
Their eyes changed, and one by one, they raised their wooden swords.
The man smiled with satisfaction at the sight.
"Now that's more like it."
The young men charged with shouts. The man responded with his own wooden sword.
And in the blink of an eye, it was over.
The young men rolled on the ground, each struck once by his wooden sword. Meanwhile, the middle-aged man stood unscathed.
"You're all quite skilled. Now I can't let my guard down."
One of the young men pouted at the middle-aged man's words.
"Even so, no one's ever blocked a single blow from you, Marquis."
There were very few in the Apple Kingdom who could be called marquis.
And among the marquises, only one possessed such skill.
Holland Ryanbloom.
The middle-aged man was the master of the Ryanbloom Marquis Family.
"I've got my reputation to uphold. I can't let you catch up to me already."
Holland Ryanbloom burst into hearty laughter.
"Keep improving, all of you."
"Yes!"
The young men rose from the ground and replied loudly.
Holland Ryanbloom left the training grounds, wooden sword in hand.
"You've worked hard."
As soon as the Holland Marquis emerged, an elderly gentleman offered him a towel.
Holland Marquis wiped his sweat and said,
"Vincent, the knights' skills have improved greatly. Now even I might slip up if I'm not careful."
The elderly man called Vincent simply smiled without a word.
The young men who had lost to Holland Marquis were all formal knights of Low Class.
Even junior knights were considered powerful forces since they could wield Aura.
Low Class knights were so formidable that several junior knights couldn't defeat one.
Yet even with four Low Class knights gathered, none could touch a hair on Holland Marquis's head.
But there was no shame in that for the knights.
This man, Holland Ryanbloom, was a powerhouse on the verge of reaching Swordmaster realm.
"Have you decided on a knight suitable for the duel?"
Holland Marquis pondered Vincent's question for a moment.
"A few promising ones stand out, but I need to observe more."
The Ryanbloom Marquis Family was currently in a dispute with the Goldpixie Ducal Family.
A gold mine had been discovered on the border between the two houses.
After prolonged arguments, they agreed to settle it with a duel—the winner would claim ownership of the mine.
"With the eldest going out, that's one win in the bag. The other two are the concern."
Formal knights were divided into High Class, Middle Class, and Low Class based on their realm.
For this duel, both families agreed to field only three Low Class knights each.
"Victory is assured no matter who we send, but I want to clearly demonstrate the gap in skill this time."
Holland Marquis's face brimmed with strong confidence.
It was fitting for the head of the Apple Kingdom's premier knight family.
"It would've been perfect if the Second Young Master participated. Such a shame."
"Hmm, I agree. It would've been a great chance to make his name known... but his skills aren't quite there yet."
The Second Son, Erwin Ryanbloom, was still a junior knight and thus not selected for the duel roster.
Even a genius like Erwin found it no easy task to surpass the wall of formal knighthood.
"By the way, what has Erwin been up to? I haven't seen him around lately."
At the marquis's question, Vincent wore a troubled expression.
"Well... he's gone to the Viscount Haksen estate."
"Viscount Haksen? Ah, for that family's daughter, I suppose."
Holland Marquis already knew of Erwin Ryanbloom's strong interest in Viscount Haksen's eldest daughter.
"That boy is quite the handful. He takes after me in his love for women."
Contrary to his words, a smile played on Holland Marquis's face.
"But a man needs that kind of desire, doesn't he? The eldest lacks in that regard, which is a pity."
Unlike the womanizing Erwin Ryanbloom, the eldest young master showed no interest whatsoever in that area.
"Still, this fling is dragging on too long. He should just enjoy a country girl like that and discard her when done."
It was then that Holland Marquis clicked his tongue in disapproval.
A servant came rushing from afar.
The servant whispered something in Vincent's ear.
Upon hearing it, Vincent's face paled.
"...My lord, the Second Young Master has returned."
"Oh, really?"
Holland Marquis's face lit up instantly.
"Speak of the tiger, and he appears. I must go see Erwin... But why the long face?"
Holland Marquis asked with a puzzled look.
"Well... it's..."
Vincent opened his mouth cautiously.
"Don't beat around the bush. Speak."
"The Young Master claims he suffered great humiliation at the Viscount Haksen estate."
In that instant, Holland Marquis's face twisted like a demon's.
* * *
"Erwin!"
Holland Marquis flung open the door to the treatment room.
At the sound, Erwin Ryanbloom, curled up on the bed, flinched.
"F-Father?"
Erwin Ryanbloom poked his head out from under the blanket covering his body.
The exposed skin was covered in bruises.
Not only that, but a knife wound still scarred his neck.
"F-Father... Th-that b-bastard t-tried to k-k-kill me...! H-he p-put a k-knife... n-no, a f-fork... to my n-neck..."
The more serious issue was Erwin's mental state.
He stammered incoherently, clearly having suffered severe psychological trauma.
"Erwin! Don't worry! Your father is here!"
Holland Marquis gripped Erwin's hand tightly. Yet Erwin's trembling wouldn't subside.
Only after consoling Erwin for a long while did Holland Marquis step out of the treatment room.
"...My lord."
Outside stood Vincent and the junior knights who had escorted Erwin.
Holland Marquis glared at the junior knights with eyes full of murderous intent.
"What happened at the Viscount Haksen estate?"
The junior knights swallowed hard and explained in detail.
As their explanation continued, Holland Marquis's brow furrowed deeper.
"...He deflected an Aura-clad sword with a fork?"
Even a High Class like Holland Marquis couldn't block Aura with an ordinary weapon.
And he did it with just a fork?
"Are you fabricating this out of fear of punishment?"
"N-No, it's true!"
"P-Please believe us!"
The junior knights cried out desperately.
Holland Marquis scrutinized their faces closely before saying,
"Fine. Withdraw."
The junior knights bowed and quickly left.
"My lord, what do you think?"
"They don't seem to be lying."
At High Class level, one could discern an opponent's breathing and pulse through sharpened senses.
This allowed gauging the truth of their words to some extent.
"But Viscount Haksen's eldest son is infamous as a wastrel. How could such a man..."
"Probably slipped hallucinogens into the tea or food at Viscount Haksen estate."
Vincent sighed at the realization he hadn't considered that.
Erwin Ryanbloom and his escort knights had been served tea and food upon arriving at Viscount Haksen estate.
If those contained hallucinogens or poison?
Even a genius like Erwin wouldn't have swung his sword properly.
"Under the influence, his sloppy swing was blocked by Demian Haksen, and the knights misunderstood."
Grit.
Just thinking about it made his blood boil; Holland Ryanbloom ground his teeth.
"If not for the duel with the ducal family, I'd have dragged that brat here myself."
With the duel against Goldpixie Ducal Family looming, the marquis couldn't absent himself lightly.
"Send men to Viscount Haksen estate immediately and bring Demian Haksen here in chains."
Holland Marquis was known for his fairness usually, but selfish when his children were involved.
With such paternal affection, he couldn't stay idle after seeing this.
"Bind him with ropes and drag him like a dog. Let all see his disgrace."
"Which knight should we send?"
"Send Geric."
At the name Geric, Vincent's eyebrow twitched slightly.
Geric was a Low Class knight renowned in the marquis family for his exceptional loyalty. He'd caused issues several times because of it.
Once, he'd crippled a group of mercenaries who insulted the marquis family.
Holland Marquis was well aware.
Yet choosing Geric for such a sensitive matter made his intent obvious.
"Understood."
Vincent bowed quietly in response.
* * *
The day after Demian Haksen annihilated the Black Snake, visitors from the Church arrived.
"Greetings, Viscount. I am Holy Knight Agnes of the Church."
Leading them was Agnes, Cyan Flame's disciple whom he'd met in the city, accompanied by fellow Holy Knights and an investigation team.
"W-We welcome the Church."
"H-Hello."
Viscount Haksen and his wife greeted them with tense faces.
It was only natural, facing Holy Knights who wouldn't hesitate at massacre in the name of the divine will.
"I heard from Demian in advance. You'll be staying at the estate for a while..."
"This is for investigating heretics. We'd appreciate your cooperation."
At the word "heretics," Viscount Haksen swallowed hard again.
"We've cleared the lodgings across the way—use them as you please."
"Thank you for your consideration. This is a modest token of our gratitude."
Agnes handed the viscount something.
It was a platinum ingot the size of an adult fist. His eyes widened at the sight.
"N-No, such a thing..."
"It's compensation for permitting the investigation team's activities."
The tension visibly eased from Viscount Haksen and his wife's eyes.
Indeed, the power of money was great.
"Is Master Demian well?"
Next, Agnes greeted Demian.
"I didn't expect to see you again so soon."
"Yulan are heretics I've been personally pursuing. I'm here to assist the investigation."
When mentioning Yulan, a fleeting murderous glint passed through Agnes's eyes.
It was so brief that only Demian noticed.
"And personally, I'm interested in you too."
At those words, the family all looked at Demian.
His mother covered her mouth with her hand.
"Oh my, oh my, oh my."
Demian shot his mother a glance.
She seemed to have thoroughly misunderstood.
"I have no intention of becoming a Holy Knight."
"You never know."
"That will absolutely not happen."
Demian stated firmly. Agnes deflated instantly.
"What a shame. Here, take this."
Agnes handed Demian two worn books.
"The mana cultivation methods you requested. I selected these specially."
"Why two?"
"One is a swordsmanship manual. Giving just the cultivation method wouldn't pair well, so I added it."
He had no particular need for swordsmanship, but it couldn't hurt to take it.
Demian examined the covers.
Tyrant's Crushing Sword
Tyrant's Power Accumulation Technique
Swordsmanship and cultivation method he'd never seen even in his previous life.
As a Death Knight, he had personally breached the Church headquarters.
But the Church had self-immolated all holy relics and treasures rather than let Dorgo take them.
Thus, even Demian didn't know what lay within the Church's inner sanctums.
"It was hard to obtain them."
If Agnes said so, they must truly be exceptional.
Demian tucked the books into his bosom and expressed thanks.
"Thank you."
"No empty words—it really was difficult. There was strong opposition within the Church."
"You've worked hard. Thank you truly."
"I even had to borrow my master's authority in the end."
As Agnes repeated herself, Demian furrowed his brow.
"Even so, I have no intention of becoming a Holy Knight."
Agnes's shoulders drooped ever so slightly.
* * *
"This is the place."
Demian guided Agnes and the investigation team to the cave where Agito had hidden.
Upon descending into the cave, the team couldn't hide their astonishment.
"To unleash such destructive power with curse-type black magic."
"Worth of a Yulan executive."
The investigation team dispersed to begin their work.
Some stayed to question Demian in detail.
"How did you deal with the black mage?"
Demian replied nonchalantly.
"Dodged roughly and cut his throat."
The investigators looked dumbfounded. Some seemed eager to press him.
"Impressive as expected."
But with Agnes showing no reaction, they couldn't pursue it.
"Then I'll review the cultivation method and swordsmanship. Let me know when the investigation's done."
With that, Demian left the cave.
'I hid all traces of my black magic use, so it should be fine.'
He had returned to the cave last night and staged the scene appropriately.
He couldn't let the Church learn he could use black magic.
'It'll be hard for them to find anything suspicious.'
With someone of Demian's caliber deliberately tampering, the team wouldn't sense any inconsistencies.
Putting aside his worries, Demian opened the books from Agnes.
The first page bore these words:
[This swordsmanship contains the insights of successive Galloway Counts.]
[Even the greatest prodigy cannot fully comprehend them—refine yourself lifelong.]
Galloway Count family.
A name he'd heard during his mercenary days in his previous life.
Fifty years ago by current reckoning, they were exterminated by the Church.
Originally an imperial knight family with a Swordmaster founder, they produced another, making them renowned.
But later generations yielded no High Class knights, leading to decline.
Perhaps for that reason, they allied with black mages and were exposed to the Church.
'She wasn't exaggerating about the difficulty.'
Techniques created by Master Class held immense value.
Far more advanced than others, they contained paths to Master Class.
'Quite usable.'
Still, it didn't impress Demian much.
In his previous life, he was a powerhouse who scorned even Swordmasters.
Such techniques wouldn't catch his eye.
He'd requested the cultivation method to reference it in creating a superior one.
'The swordsmanship is nothing special.'
Tyrant's Crushing Sword compressed mana then released it for devastating power—a typical heavy sword style.
Nothing unique, so Demian glanced once and closed it.
But unlike the swordsmanship, Tyrant's Power Accumulation Technique was intriguing.
'Tyrant's Crushing Sword consumes vast mana. To compensate, this cultivation method accelerates mana accumulation.'
Compared to other mana cultivation methods, it amassed mana extraordinarily fast.
The secret: operating it temporarily drew in ambient mana.
Thus allowing rapid absorption and storage.
['Upon reaching Master realm, you can directly utilize surrounding mana...' it says.]
In essence, Tyrant's Power Accumulation Technique dominated spatial mana.
A supreme art far superior to Tyrant's Crushing Sword.
'How wide a range can it control? Can it dominate an opponent's mana, not just natural? '
Demian pored over it repeatedly.
In the process, he dissected it, extracting what he needed.
In the quiet forest depths.
Something was taking shape in Demian's mind.