Preparing for the Auction (3)

Rewinding to about half a day ago.

Clack, clatter!

Outside the carriage window, the vast wasteland of the Silk Road stretched out.

The sun was slowly setting beyond the horizon.

As the sunset dyed the world in shades of vermilion, the occasional passing merchant caravan kicked up clouds of dust.

'Just a few hours ago, I couldn't see a single other carriage...'

The road was gradually growing busier.

That fact pointed to only one conclusion.

'We must be getting close to Dawnguard.'

Slide.

I leaned back against the seat.

As expected of a carriage crafted in Midtemple, the ride was exceptionally smooth.

The seats were finished with premium leather, and the wheels were reinforced with special magical devices, absorbing almost every bump in the road.

"Lord Gaon."

Adelia, who was sitting opposite me, spoke up hesitantly.

Shring.

She lightly lifted the Meteor Sword.

A single starlight shimmered faintly atop the pitch-black blade.

"Actually, I've realized something while using the Meteor Sword."

"Tell me."

"I think I need to change my swordsmanship."

Adelia continued, looking down at the Meteor Sword.

"Until now, my swordsmanship... has just relied on instinct. There wasn't really a set framework."

Indeed.

Adelia was a genius.

Instinct over technique. Intuition over structure. She had always broken through situations with a judgment that bordered on pure animal instinct.

One only had to look at her recent battle with Jacques von Heibrun to see that.

Her improvisation using Tristan's Cloak. Her spontaneous ability to escape danger through quick-witted resourcefulness.

A style of swordsmanship that relied on innate talent and momentary inspiration rather than standardized techniques or systematic training.

That free-spirited nature was her strength, but at the same time, it was her limit.

"But this... 'friend' of mine... I don't think it should be used that way."

Stroke.

Adelia stroked the Meteor Sword.

Had she forged a deep bond with the Meteor Sword over the past few days?

Her touch was soft and gentle, as if she were caressing a child.

"Then, how do you plan to change your swordsmanship?"

Adelia answered without a moment's hesitation.

"I plan to pursue a style that is focused on defense to an extreme degree."

Adelia's eyes turned serious.

"I realized it during my sparring matches with Lord Pokryong."

"..."

"At first, I fought as I usually do. I tried to win by relying on my instincts. But every time I did, the Meteor Sword wouldn't respond properly."

"..."

"However, once I focused entirely on blocking Lord Pokryong's attacks, I found breathing room. When I completely abandoned the thought of attacking and only thought about defense, the situation I was in became much clearer."

Pausing for a moment, Adelia wore a meaningful expression. Her face looked as if she were reminiscing about that very moment.

"And then, I tried using Reflection's Water Surface. I looked at myself through Lord Pokryong's eyes while simultaneously observing him through my own. When I did, something amazing happened."

"What happened?"

"My opponent's intentions became as clear as day. Where he was aiming, what attack he would launch next, and even what he was thinking."

Focusing solely on defense gave her mental leeway.

And by grasping the opponent's perspective through Reflection's Water Surface, the analysis became much easier.

"And every time I gained an understanding like that, new swords would manifest behind my back."

"..."

I nodded silently.

The Meteor Sword was a mythic weapon that weaponized time.

As the battle dragged on, and as Adelia's understanding deepened... the number of telekinetic swords would increase.

One could block two or three swords, but what about ten? What about twenty? How many swordsmen could block dozens, or even hundreds, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of blades flying at them simultaneously from all directions?

Eventually, quantity would overwhelm quality.

Having sparred relentlessly with Pokryong over the past few days, Adelia seemed to have reached that exact conclusion as well.

"The longer time passes, the more the advantage shifts to me."

"..."

"So there's no need to rush the fight. I just need to focus on ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠defense, and then pour everything into the final blow."

I marveled inwardly.

'Impressive.'

To grasp the essence of the Meteor Sword so accurately in just a few days.

To display such brilliant intuition even during the transition from instinctive swordsmanship to a structured style.

Having finished my thoughts, I offered Adelia a word of encouragement.

"A wise decision."

"...!"

Adelia's face brightened at my praise. But the moment was brief, and she slightly bowed her head as she continued.

"I still have a long way to go. A defensive style isn't built overnight, and it will take considerable training to control the telekinetic swords at will."

"..."

"Right now, I can only manage two or three swords at most."

I couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle at her words.

What?

Two or three at most?

"You underestimate yourself too much."

It had been less than a week since she obtained the Meteor Sword.

Yet, Adelia herself seemed completely unaware of how astonishing it was to already be able to wield two or three telekinetic swords.

In the original game, it had taken Adelia over a month just to properly control a single telekinetic sword.

Considering that, her current pace was truly unprecedented.

'Adelia in this playthrough is definitely different.'

The experience she had accumulated while traveling with me.

And even her early acquisition of Reflection's Water Surface.

All of these factors aligned, accelerating Adelia's growth rate exponentially.

"Do not be impatient. You have more than enough talent."

I spoke reassuringly to ease her mind.

"If you maintain your current pace, you will undoubtedly join the ranks of the Sword Masters one day."

"...!"

Instantly, Adelia's eyes widened.

Sword Master. The ultimate realm that every swordsman dreamed of.

Just having her potential acknowledged filled her with immense emotion.

"I will do my absolute best, Lord Gaon."

It was right then.

A cute squeak echoed inside the carriage, and a translucent jelly-like creature emerged from Adelia's arms.

The Sea Moon Jellyfish had already grown to the size of a fist.

"Ah, you're awake."

Adelia gently placed the Sea Moon Jellyfish on her palm.

The jelly blinked its eyes and looked around.

Beneath its body, new tentacles had sprouted.

They were tiny, looking more like suction cups than tentacles, but regardless.

"I heard the council in Midtemple was thrown into an uproar because of the Divine Beast."

"Ah, that..."

At my words, Adelia stammered, offering an embarrassed smile.

"But we managed to get through it somehow. In fact, now that it's known I've been acknowledged by a Divine Beast, the prestige of the Goldheart family seems to have risen even further."

Indeed.

A Divine Beast was like an agent of the Elder.

Being loved by such a creature was practically synonymous with being loved by the Elder.

In other words, the mere fact that the Sea Moon Jellyfish had chosen Adelia itself must have been an unparalleled honor for the Goldheart family.

"I'm glad I could be of help to my family, even if it's in this way."

Adelia continued, gently stroking the Sea Moon Jellyfish.

"I've only been a burden until now, but everything is turning out so well. And..."

Slide.

Adelia's gaze turned toward me.

Her blue eyes held a clear, firm emotion.

"All of this is thanks to you, Lord Gaon."

"..."

"Choosing to follow you out of that back alley in Dawnguard was the best decision of my life."

Adelia's voice was filled with absolute conviction. Her genuine emotion warmed my heart.

'It feels a bit like... raising a daughter.'

I felt a strange sense of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠pride.

'So this is why Strawberry Latte loved raising newbies so much.'

I replied briefly with a faint smile.

"I will also do my best to ensure you never regret that choice."

"...Yes!"

Just then, the carriage began to slow down.

Beyond the horizon, the silhouette of a city shrouded in darkness revealed itself.

Towering walls and buildings rising above them. A city where an ominous energy seeped through the thick clouds blanketing the sky.

The dark city, Dawnguard.

The place where I first met Adelia, and where everything began.

'We've finally arrived.'

Now, it was time to execute my grand plan here, step by step.

The streets of Dawnguard were just as they had always been. Gloomy, filthy, and dangerous.

'Let's grab a bite first.'

I was hungry after the long carriage ride. Besides, there was still plenty of time before the auction, and it was too early to contact the other factions.

My destination was already decided.

'A culinary tavern famous even in the game.'

According to the lore, it was a place rumored to have food far too delicious for a lawless wasteland like Dawnguard.

When I first dropped into this world, I was too frantic to even think about visiting, but this time, I had some breathing room.

Thump.

I felt a strange flutter of excitement.

'...Come to think of it, is this the first time?'

Until now, I had always moved solely for survival.

I had struggled to survive, to grow stronger, and acted only for the sake of my plans.

But this time was different.

I was visiting a restaurant purely for enjoyment.

'If you live in constant tension, you're bound to break eventually.'

Sometimes, a brief respite like this was necessary.

It wouldn't be bad to enjoy the small pleasures scattered across the continent of Roel.

"Lord Gaon, where are we heading?"

"Let's get some food first. Aren't you hungry?"

After turning a few corners with Adelia, we arrived at a tavern with a sign that read "The Black Rooster."

Creak.

As we pushed the door open, the smell of alcohol and savory cooking wafted over us. Dim lighting, partitioned booths, and the low whispers of suspicious-looking patrons filled the air.

We chose a seat in the furthest corner.

"Welcome. What can I get you?"

The owner set down the menu with a blunt voice.

Adelia quietly scanned the menu. The next moment, her eyes began to sparkle brighter than ever.

'Ah, right.'

'She's a big eater.'

Normally, Adelia kept her emotions tightly under wraps, but right now was different. It was obvious she was trying hard to suppress the corners of her mouth from twitching upward.

I chuckled softly at the sight.

"Bring us one of everything, from here to here."

"...?"

The owner stared at me with a bewildered expression.

"That might be a bit too much food for just the two of you..."

I pulled a gold coin from my pocket and placed it on the table.

A fortune worth ten million shillings.

Instantly, the owner's expression froze. Hurriedly pocketing the gold coin before anyone else could see, he turned straight toward the kitchen.

"I'll have it ready for you right away."

Having finished ordering, I scanned our surroundings. Most of the customers were eating quietly, whispering among themselves.

However...

"Bwahahaha!"

...Right at that moment, a loud voice suddenly erupted from the center of the tavern.

"Hey, you bastard! I am the 'Earth Dragon Decapitator' of Labyrinth Village!"

"..."

"..."

Seriously?

Who the hell is that guy?

In an instant, Adelia's eyes turned ice-cold. Her hand was already resting on the hilt of her sword.

"There's no need."

I quietly stopped Adelia.

I didn't want to cause a scene. Besides, I wasn't particularly angry about someone impersonating me.

'And if you think about it...'

'...I wasn't even the one who killed the Earth Dragon. It was Pokryong.'

"I-Isn't it pathetic?"

"...?"

It was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠right then.

Someone slid up to me and whispered in my ear.

Adelia startled in surprise.

Panic was written all over her face. It meant that even with her sharp senses, she hadn't noticed the stranger's approach at all.

The same went for me. A shiver ran down my spine.

'This is...'

Of course, if this had been a lethal attack, Auto-Parrying would have blocked it automatically, but my heart still skipped a beat.

Because...

"B-Boasting so casually about something that isn't even his own doing, talking as if he did it himself to feed his pride. How shameless."

...I knew exactly who this bastard was. And just how dangerous of a being he was.

"W-What do you think?"

Beneath the hood of his robe, a bizarre smile mixed with anxiety and excitement played on his face.

"Sword Master, Gaon."

"..."

"..."

The moment my name slipped from the man's lips, a familiar notification sound rang in my ears.

Of all the Five Nightmares, the most troublesome one had to show up.