Chapter 84
Chapter 84
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: Anivo
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Anivo.
The Gradas Family's signature footwork, known as the Beast's Footsteps.
Originally, the Gradas Family were assassins.
Even before the founding of Karpe, the Gradas had gained fame as an assassin clan, which led to the development of techniques and weapons suited for assassination.
While the Jerban Family of the North was renowned for their swordsmanship in the light,
The Gradas Family of the East was famous for thriving in the shadows.
The founder of the Gradas Family was the creator of this footwork, and his movements were said to be so fast that even Stella—the daughter of Karpe's founding king, a princess, and at the same time, the Saintess of Valterus—could not catch up to him.
"What are you thinking about so deeply?"
Clink.
Brans set the teacup down on the table and looked at me curiously as he spoke.
"Brans."
"Yes. Is there something you need...?"
"You're truly useless."
"Why say such harsh words...?"
"I heard you had a spar with a pilgrim recently?"
"Heh heh heh, how did you even know about that?"
Just hearing that obnoxious laugh told me the spar had ended in Brans's ridiculous victory.
Apparently, it started when he tried chatting up a sister from the Church, only to end up fighting some other guy.
I didn't care to know more.
"You think it's something to laugh about, taking down some weirdo with dirty tricks? You're a servant of House Jerban. If you win a brawl by ditching your sword, is that something to brag about?"
"...I'm sorry. The sword just doesn't fit in my hand, and once we start fighting, I get heated and it happens."
I shook my head.
I knew he had no talent for swordsmanship.
His body had been honed through all the hardships of following me around, but the sword just wouldn't stick with him.
When the longsword didn't work, I gave him a dagger, but he couldn't even use that.
"Useless fool."
"I'm sorry..."
How was I supposed to make use of this guy, stuck to me like melted cheese?
No answer came to mind.
"What about Orkal?"
"He's going around the noble estates you mentioned, gathering intel on them with his bugs."
"Good. He's doing well."
For a moment, comparing Orkal and Brans made my anger flare, but it subsided.
'Comparing Orkal to Brans is an insult in itself.'
Orkal was a paladin and a captain.
Comparing him to a street thug was an enormous affront.
If I had to...
"Hmm."
I'd have to do it with Vivi, curled up asleep at my feet.
"No, even that's not quite right."
Vivi was cute.
What was the point of comparing Brans to a baby?
I clicked my tongue and sipped my tea.
Slurp.
The tea was bitter.
Black tea could be bitter, huh.
First time I'd noticed.
"Did you poison the tea or something?"
"What?! P-Poison?!"
"How would I know? You made it."
"I'll call a doctor right away!"
I pressed my temple as Brans panicked.
"Get out."
"What?! Should I go get one now?"
"Just get out."
"The poison..."
"I already neutralized it."
"A-As expected... You're amazing!"
Was he an idiot? I didn't even know where to start.
Looking at his dumb face just made my blood boil.
"Brans. I'm giving you an order that only you can handle."
"C-Command me!!"
"Find the one who poisoned my tea—no, my teacup. They're still nearby. You must find them."
"There's no one around here but you and me, sir?"
Come to think of it, that was true.
After becoming the captain of the Sixth Unit, I should've gone to the assigned office, but I refused outright.
Being too close to the Church made my traits flare up, leading me to spout nonsense at the sisters wandering around.
Plus, I turned it down because of the sisters constantly eyeing me.
This place was a villa in the forest a bit away from the Church.
It was maintained for the occasional Jerban knights visiting the capital, so it was ready to use.
Surrounded by woods, with a large yard and plenty of space.
Not too far from the Church, it was perfect for raising Vivi.
It had a training hall and plenty of rooms—ideal for living comfortably.
"No one's around, so there couldn't have been poison in the teacup. Still, find them."
"Right! Understood!!"
I clicked my tongue watching Brans dash out.
"Even after getting caught by Violle, he hasn't learned a thing."
It was a big deal in its own way, but he didn't seem fazed.
If it were me, I'd have been on high alert and trained harder.
"Should've made him clean the villa."
I'd gone too far teasing him.
Anyway. Back to thoughts on the Gradas Family...
"Where was I?"
Brans had made me forget.
"Anyway, the key is the footwork."
Anivo of the Gradas.
As the kingdom's finest footwork, it would be incredibly useful to learn.
"The problem is there's no way to learn it."
Even Stella, called the genius of the century, couldn't match Anivo.
She created something similar but didn't record it, deeming it unworthy of passing down.
"And the Gradas won't teach me. Hmm... Better to forget it for now."
No point dwelling on something impossible—best to clear it from my mind.
"What are you thinking so hard about? Your face says you were thinking of me, right? Spot on!"
"...What do you want."
Speak of the devil.
He appeared out of nowhere.
I hadn't noticed his presence at all, even though I wasn't focused on something else.
Not until Jenos spoke up.
"What else? Just checking on my new adjutant. You're using polite speech today. I like it."
"You're my superior right now, so I'm treating you accordingly."
"What if I remove my rank insignia?"
Jenos casually covered the insignia on his uniform.
"Then I'd deserve the respect."
He uncovered it.
"You'll have to wear it forever."
"But what's the occasion? I didn't invite you."
"I told you. Checking on my new adjutant. No big reason."
"You're here to spy on me."
"If that's how you hear it, sure. Is that a pet beast? Cute. Can I pet it?"
"She'll bite if you touch her."
"Even cuter. Does that mean I can bite back?"
"Shut up and get out."
"Hahaha! Perfect comeback."
He really was crazy.
Probably.
Bang.
"Sir! I found traces of the one who poisoned your teacup..."
Brans came in holding some shoes.
Jenos was barefoot.
'Crazy bastard confirmed.'
He must've ditched his shoes somewhere in the villa to sneak up on me.
How serious was he about this nonsense?
"Who are you?"
"I'm this guy's superior. Kneel, servant."
"I've knelt. And these shoes..."
"Brans."
"Yes."
"That guy poisoned my teacup. Beat him right now."
Brans's pupils shook.
He seemed torn about whose orders to follow.
"You dare judge my words?"
"N-No, sir!! You bastard! How dare you toy with me!"
Brans charged.
"A mashed potato of a guy with a sense of humor, huh."
Whoosh. Swish! Swoosh!
"S-Sir, you're too fast!!"
Jenos danced around the office like a game of tag with Brans, moving with dazzling flair.
"Hoo..."
An unexpected opportunity.
I watched Jenos intently, trying to decipher Anivo.
"Whoa! When did you get behind me...!"
"Your body's decent. But you don't know how to use your well-trained muscles, and your head's too dumb to utilize them. You're like an evolved back-alley thug turned mercenary."
"O... Oh, spot on."
In moments, Jenos pierced through Brans's essence. Brans's face flushed red like a persimmon in shame, but no one cared.
"Gradas Family's Anivo. Impressive. Truly superb."
With my third eye, I could glimpse the greatness of Anivo.
Honestly, it was so fast I could barely track his feet or trails.
"I haven't seen the Jerban swordsmanship yet."
He must mean that.
"You will soon."
"You fought the vice-captain?"
"It wasn't a fight. He said he couldn't accept me, so we're dueling tomorrow without rank insignias."
"That'll be entertaining. The Sixth Unit's vice-captain is Diego, right? Then you should head to him instead of staying here."
When I asked why,
"To see something even more fun, you should stick with Diego."
"You want me to lose?"
"Yeah. I want to see you lose pathetically. That moniker 'Judge'—kinda jealous. If I gave you my Judge Sword, I'd hand over the captain's seat."
"Pass."
"Tch."
Well, his own moniker was Cat's Step.
"You're so honest it doesn't even annoy me."
Jenos really seemed to have just come to watch, as he flung open the office window and set his foot on the sill.
"Oh, right. Why'd you apply to the Royal Academy? Got a disciple?"
No harm in telling him.
The one overseeing the Academy was one of the kingdom's five masters.
The Fire Demon.
"I have a daughter."
"A daughter? Heard you were single."
Before I could reply,
He nodded as if he got it.
"So that's why you won't use the Inquisition's office. Avoiding women on purpose?"
"...Yes."
Not wrong.
I was keeping my distance.
"I see. So that's it... Never thought you'd be a father. And so..."
He seemed to be misunderstanding something.
"..."
"I haven't married yet, but I know a father with a kid is great. Good luck."
I muttered as I watched Jenos leap out the window.
"What a weird guy."
* * *
Kaladi outskirts street.
Jenos munched on a bread as big as his face while walking, thinking of his talk with Kallias.
"Weird guy."
He'd heard all sorts—playboy, wastrel—but he seemed surprisingly clean-cut. Handsome face like it was painted, with an extraordinary presence and holy power.
But what felt off?
The constant hiding.
Suspicious, more like.
"Seemed skilled at concealing his aura too. Might be stronger than he looks."
He must train by moving while controlling his holy power.
'I haven't seen anyone hide their holy power like that, except the masters.'
No way he was a master, but still suspicious.
Hiding so much—what a shady bastard.
But something unexpected.
"Didn't know he had a daughter. If I'd married early, I might've had a cute daughter like that guy. Or a son."
Why hadn't I married?
My face wasn't bad.
Suddenly, Jenos drew his sword on the street and checked his reflection, startling the citizens.
"Wh-What...!"
Jenos bowed apologetically to the surprised woman.
"Sorry. Sorry."
"It's fine."
After apologizing to several people, he suddenly looked up. The woman's replying voice echoed in Jenos's ears.
Beautiful.
Like jade beads rolling.
Jenos couldn't hold back.
"I want a son."
"Pardon?"
Bewilderment flashed in her eyes.
Jenos teared up and stepped back.
"My apologies."
Ah, shot down again.
Jenos ran off today too, clutching the pain of rejection in his chest.
"Orphin, what was that just now?"
"...A madman."
* * *