Chapter 42
Chapter 42
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Killaban von Jerban
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Killaban von Jerban.
The man who had become the direct adopted heir in Kallias's absence. They had crossed paths once before in the forest, but he hadn't liked him then any more than he did now.
At least Kallias didn't.
Thus.
His sword tip naturally turned toward Killaban. He hadn't even noticed the man appearing amid the chaos, but this was perfect.
Elbeton seemed content to watch from the sidelines, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Killaban. While we were rolling in the dirt on the battlefield, what were you doing?"
He didn't bother with the man's family name.
This wasn't due to any trait.
It just came out naturally.
No coercion involved.
It was surely Kallias's own will.
He was.
A stubborn wastrel.
Yet still a man of House Jerban, bearing the pride of direct lineage.
That was why he couldn't look kindly on Killaban.
Especially here, not in some forest, but at the heart of House Jerban.
At Jaybarshu, Kallias's will made itself known all the more.
"What were you doing?"
Killaban clamped his mouth shut.
But it wasn't the silence of guilt.
Silence can produce many effects.
Most of them negative.
Killaban's silence bred denial.
A grim face and tightly clenched fists.
His body trembled.
It wasn't fear.
It was rage.
"I, too, am filled with resentment!"
His cry, like a scream, made the knights' narrowed eyes widen.
"I know full well that it is my duty to stand at the forefront in defending the North above all others! That makes it all the more infuriating!"
Responding to accusations of sin with anger proved surprisingly effective.
They knew his usual conduct.
The knights found themselves nodding despite themselves.
"I may not be in a position to say this now that I've just arrived, but there were unavoidable circumstances. I was delayed while working to rescue the knights trapped in the White Forest. But in the battles ahead, I will throw away my life, so I can stand proud before the North and House Jerban. Cease this needless quarreling and interrogation."
"Hah."
What was it they said in times like this?
"The one who farted is the one getting mad."
At Kallias's mocking words, Killaban glared wordlessly.
"Kallias. I know well what feats you've accomplished, but even so, I am the direct heir of House Jerban now."
Don't get cocky.
That was what he was saying.
"You say you couldn't come due to unavoidable circumstances, yet you heard all about my exploits. Did you really hear them? Or did you just tremble like a coward without seeing them for yourself?"
Shing!
Killaban drew the sword at his waist and aimed it at Kallias.
"I can tolerate no more insults."
"What will you do if you can't? Throw down a gauntlet or something?"
Throwing down a gauntlet meant challenging to a duel.
Kallias had nothing to fear.
His skills were peaking with newfound confidence, and his power was surging. Even if war soured his mood, if it was against Killaban, it was exactly what he wanted.
Bernard had once offhandedly mentioned that Elbeton suspected Killaban.
From that, it was clear the man was likely behind this mess.
No point in letting him live.
‘Once a traitor, always a traitor.’
Those gnawing at the North and Carpe Kingdom needed to be rooted out.
Only then could the North, could Carpe.
Survive—for him.
In the silence that followed.
Killaban glared at Kallias with fierce eyes before turning his back.
"Already much blood has been spilled. No need for us to shed more among ourselves."
"Are you running away?"
"If my blood, if House Jerban's blood must flow, it will be on the battlefield—not here, not now. Kallias."
Tsk. Kallias clicked his tongue and sheathed his sword.
"As expected of nobility, even fear gets dressed up so elegantly. Right?"
At Brans's jab, Killaban's steps halted for a moment, but soon resumed.
Brans was utterly useless at times, but right now, a grin tugged at Kallias's lips.
* * *
Scrape, scrape.
"Wow, this blade is incredible. That reddish hue makes it look like it's thirsting for blood—eerie yet mesmerizing."
Lounging in a chair with legs crossed, Kallias watched as Brans sat on the ground, honing the edge on a whetstone.
Predation Sword—Roas.
And Lucen, received from Esther.
With the truce dragging on and nothing to do, Brans had apparently grown restless, procuring a fine whetstone and starting at it from morning.
"All done! My lord, take a look. I sharpened it to perfection!"
"Hm."
The Predation Sword naturally sharpened itself when sated with blood. No need for a whetstone, really...
"Not bad."
"Right?"
Upon ascending to spirit sword rank, the jagged, saw-like edge had transformed into that of a normal straight sword.
A blade with a red sheen, its wavy pattern reminiscent of a beast's fangs—striking indeed.
Like the sharp teeth of a growling beast.
A pattern well-suited to the Predation Sword.
"Well done."
"No big deal! Heh heh heh!"
The way he kept proving his worth was amusing.
Remarkable how he had talents beyond the sword.
"But, my lord."
"What?"
"Don't you have no need for this sword?"
"Why ask?"
Brans nodded toward Lucen.
With the Predation Sword, the lesser Lucen was indeed unnecessary.
He carried it as a spare at his waist, but now that the Predation Sword had become a spirit sword...
He had little reason to draw it.
In the heat of battle, he'd often tossed it to Brans while charging in wildly. Brans knew that, which was why he brought it up.
"Do you want it?"
He had no desire to give it to Brans.
Even unused, it held great meaning for him.
"No. I've got this one. Besides, I'm no good with long swords anyway."
"Then why."
"...It's about Miss Emily."
Emily?
Her name here, of all places.
"I overheard her muttering that her current sword feels too light now."
"Is that so."
Of course. With her blocked sacred bloodline unblocked, her genius in sacred power manipulation paving her own path.
Her physical abilities had skyrocketed, so her old thin sword no longer satisfied.
"I overlooked that."
Brans was sharp.
Attending to even what he hadn't noticed.
That was a father's duty, normally.
The word "father" still felt awkward, and he didn't think of her as a daughter yet.
Still, Brans was perceptive.
‘If only he had talent with swords, he'd be even more useful.’
That was the pity.
His body had the natural frame and muscles for tireless stamina and strength, but no sword talent...
It wasn't for lack of teaching.
Since that day, he'd occasionally given Brans a sword during free moments and trained him.
But his swordsmanship never improved.
‘No, not necessarily swords.’
Turning to unarmed combat like Cedric, he'd pick it up quickly enough.
Kallias eyed Brans curiously.
Send him to Cedric to get properly trained, and he'd shape up nicely.
Cedric owed him and couldn't refuse.
"Wh-what is it? Did I do something wrong...?"
"No."
Cedric wouldn't return for a while yet.
At least a year.
Besides, not the time to think on it.
Pushing thoughts of Brans aside, he drew Lucen, received from Esther.
Spirit Sword—Lucen? No, famed sword—Lucen.
Spare sword. Sword from Esther.
Proof of defeating her.
The sword for his first Silver Flower Sword Wave technique, and more.
Yet now, overshadowed by the Predation Sword, it saw little use.
"Take it."
With a flourish, he spun the sword gracefully and handed the hilt to Brans without hesitation.
"You're handing it over yourself...?"
Perceptive as ever.
He'd already sensed something between him and Emily.
Well, Brans had been there when they first met her.
"Never mind. Swords desire masters who'll wield them more. Pass it on."
Handing it personally felt off.
Still too awkward.
"What of that matter with Killaban?"
"Ah, I don't know the details, but anyway, he's to lead from the front in the next battle... something about honor."
"So that's how it is."
From Elbeton's view, no cause to expel him, and as the adopted heir and next head...
His only "crime" was late arrival to the battlefield.
‘Hardly a crime.’
The wastrel trait had flared, making him grill the man, but that was it.
With nothing overt, granting him command was natural.
Elbeton might even be waiting for him to act.
‘Feels like he's testing me.’
A perfectly reasonable attitude, though.
Different from before.
Even among wastrels, useful ones and useless ones were worlds apart.
"Brans."
"Yes!"
"Who was the one injured before?"
"Ah, Allen?"
The one who'd lost an eye.
Without reaching a certain realm.
Losing one eye meant he'd struggle with distance judgment.
"Bring him."
"Yes, sir. Then this...?"
"Take it to Emily."
"Yes! I'll carry out your orders!"
Such a fuss.
Kallias chuckled softly, scanning the battlefield map on the table, when footsteps approached.
"Come in."
The tent flap parted.
A boy with slightly dulled golden hair entered.
"I heard you called for me."
"Hm."
A bandage over one eye.
Still unhealed, the white cloth stained red with blood.
"Are you well?"
"Perfectly fine!"
Knights would say that even on death's door.
Young as he was, he was a knight.
"Good, then. I have a task for you."
"Command me. Whatever Lord Kallias orders, I'll see it done."
Splendid.
It started as a quest, but saving the knights' lives had turned to loyalty toward him.
A life debt repaid in life. That was the Northern knights.
"Do you know Killaban?"
"Yes."
"He'll likely take command in this battle."
He'd probably assign him to his zone.
A death trap, or orders to stand by uselessly.
With knights following him, he might treat them as a unit and give absurd tasks.
"If he draws steel on me, I'll do the same."
"You mean...?"
"I intend to kill Killaban."
"!!!"
No matter the quest, killing him was set.
He had to die.
But not yet.
"Just spread the rumor."
House Jerban's eldest son.
Kallias wants to kill the adopted heir from the branch family.
"What if he comes after you...?"
"With command, he might send me to my death."
High chance.
"Then...!"
But he hoped for it.
"Not bad. Better than taking orders from him constantly."
The wastrel trait was quiet now, but who knew when it'd flare.
Better that way.
He needed distance from House Jerban.
"...I don't understand. Hard to follow Lord Kallias's wisdom."
"Then watch with your own eyes."
What he did. One eye was enough to see.
"What my orders bring about."
For now, time to spread the rumor.
Given the man's nature.
‘He'll destroy himself.’