Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: The Assassin's Daughter
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Rini grinning from ear to ear.
And next to her, a child frozen stiff with tension.
I gave a faint smile as I looked at the rigidly stiffened girl.
"It's you."
"Pardon?"
"Flora."
Just as Pedro had described, she was a cute and lovable child.
Brown hair braided into twin tails.
Her eyes sparkled with innocence, her young face adorable, yet she seemed to have a sturdy spirit.
She even resembled her father in some ways.
All in all, intriguing.
"How do you know my name...?"
"A count's status makes it no trouble at all to learn a name like yours. Especially since I'm acquainted with your father."
"R-Really?"
"Yes."
Not true, actually.
I'd never heard the name of Pedro's daughter from him.
He was meticulous about anything—or anyone—he needed to protect.
But I had no choice but to know.
Pedro and his daughter, Flora.
They were key starting points for episodes unfolding in the kingdom.
Naturally, I knew them.
After all, I was the one who created them.
"Take this."
"What's this?"
"A circulation method. Even the ones training hard outside haven't received it yet. It's precious stuff."
A circulation manual from some noble house that vanished long ago, acquired during my wandering days.
I'd stored it in my stigmata and forgotten it, but now I'd pulled it out, reorganized it, and trimmed the unnecessary parts.
No particular name.
If I had to name it, Seven Stars Chalice.
Meaning seven stars gathered in a single cup.
Compared to other methods, it would qualify as an ascending circulation technique—quite rare.
It incorporated a bit of the subtleties I'd realized while mastering the Man-Hwa Peak Cultivation.
"Why give it to me?"
"An investment."
The difference between learning a circulation method and not was like night and day.
Starting young with holy power circulation and manipulation made growth far easier.
The purer and deeper one's holy power, the greater the strength it yielded—that much was fact.
"An investment?"
"I'm investing in your talent. With my influence, getting you into the academy is no issue."
The tuition was already piling up quite a bit, but that was just a matter of throwing some money at it.
My coffers were full at the moment, and altering the fate of the child who would one day be called the Sword Ghost? A bargain.
"Really!?"
"A count's rank is higher than you think. If I recommend you, it's not difficult. Of course, after graduating the academy, you'll serve under me. Knight or paladin, doesn't matter."
If she became my person, what was there to regret? One reason Carpe fell was internal division.
The Sword Ghost was the sword Carpe revered, turned against the kingdom to destroy it.
Backed by the Empire, she slaughtered Carpe's paladins and knights, ultimately binding a master in place.
She died shackling his feet at the cost of her life, but with her fell Carpe as well.
Such a tragic vengeful spirit was the little brat before my eyes.
"You're the highest noble in Jerban, aren't you, Count?"
"Not yet, but soon."
"...I'd love that!"
"Good."
"But I have to talk to Dad first. If I decide alone... he'd be sad."
"Such deep filial piety. You're right. Deciding something this important alone dismisses your parents. Best to tell him first. I'll help."
"Really?"
"Yes. If Rini vouches for you, your skills must be solid. You may lose to her now, but who knows by academy graduation."
I egged her on with Rini as a rival and stoked her childlike swelling anticipation.
Seemed petty against a kid, but necessary.
Better to save and use those I could.
"Even if your father refuses... I won't be harsh to my niece's friend. Come play anytime, train with the others if you want—I won't interfere."
"Really!? Um... could I bring my friends too?"
"As long as you don't disturb the training troops."
...
Rini watched Flora leave the office in high spirits, then turned to me with a face full of worry.
"Will it be okay?"
"It will. We take it slow. Rini, get close to that girl. Help her a lot."
She was someone I'd need to pull to my side later. Left alone, who knew when or how she'd fade away.
"...I don't really get why. Is it necessary? She's just a commoner."
"It's necessary."
"I don't understand your thinking, Count. You don't like her or anything, right?"
"You might be superior now, but in four years? Maybe not."
"No way..."
"My eyes don't see useless things. Just as you see far ahead, I see something in people. Work hard if you don't want to be caught."
"Divine grace?"
"Something like that."
Divine grace, my ass. Nothing of the sort.
Better she deluded herself—no need for extra explanations.
Best to leave it.
As I was about to tell her to leave.
Rini tilted her head, puzzled.
"But Brans is useless, isn't he?"
"..."
I furrowed my brow like a man in distress, then replied.
"Shut it. Lots to do—out with you."
Rini pouted her lips and quietly left the office.
"Nearly lost in words to a brat. All Brans's fault."
Even getting exposed as useless to such a little kid.
"When's Cedric coming? Take that guy away."
But Cedric didn't show—the visitor was someone else.
A woman with sword-purple hair swaying.
Beatrice.
"Things got lively while I was away. Kids now too? Who's that?"
"My nieces and nephews."
"Ah, thought you had a kid or something."
"I do."
"Huh?"
Such a shocked reaction.
Her dumbfounded face was quite the sight.
"But what's up? Extraction can't be done already."
"To see Vivi. Where is she?"
Beatrice took a liking to Vivi and dropped by whenever she had a gap.
Maybe because she was a devotee of the Whip God—she seemed to like magical beasts.
"Probably sleeping now. Sleeps a lot these days. Spends most of the day that way."
Growth spurt meant more sleep.
Wake from one nap, and she'd seem a bit bigger—soon she'd be as large as her mother.
"You sure get talkative whenever Vivi comes up. Still so cute."
"Shut it."
"Hehe."
"More importantly, any progress?"
"Yes, going smoothly. Brought a sample while at it."
"Hm."
Definitely.
Less demonic energy than the original Thunder Scale Dragon blood.
Originally pitch-black with a reddish tint, now much of the murkiness was gone.
Another month or two, and we'd have pure dragon blood.
Time would handle it.
"How about the horn?"
"Excellent. Perfect for anything. Refine it into a gauntlet, armor—anything. Or feed it to a carcass sword? That work?"
"Possible?"
"Even saint alchemists aren't so different from paladins in goals. Making artifacts is ultimately for stronger swords."
"No certainty."
Beatrice's lips curved up.
"Life's a gamble anyway."
Meaning it could fail.
Success might elevate the sword's grade, but failure...
"Raising a sword's grade is like raising its soul's tier. Soul destruction means sword destruction... probably shatter, right?"
Huge risk.
But equally alluring.
"I'll think on it."
"Not like you can just decide. Still in research phase. Hypothesis only, but dragon blood might enable soul elevation."
Especially if the soul was human mixed with human-Thunder Scale Dragon.
Possibility even higher.
"Need research samples, then."
"Came for permission."
"While at it?"
"How much?"
"Planning carcass sword tests... 2 to 3 at a time."
Two or three vials the size of a knuckle, like the one shown before.
Big expenditure.
But tempting offer.
Couldn't refuse.
Anyone else, I'd say scram—but Beatrice.
Because it was her.
"Okay?"
Dragon blood wasn't easy for her either.
She wouldn't want to miss this chance.
'Was this why?'
Killing Violet.
Unclear.
No idea her ulterior motives, but couldn't deny.
Raising sword tiers? No expense too great.
'If Thunder Light Sword becomes a 환검, this cost is nothing.'
Powerful even as a spirit sword.
환검? Even masters couldn't kill me.
"Anything else needed?"
"Carcass swords. Higher grade better. More data, the better. Can you get them?"
Not hard.
I nodded, and Beatrice flashed a bright smile.
"Beatrice."
"Listening."
"One condition."
"What?"
"Move your lab here."
"...Here? This noisy place?"
"I'll give you the basement."
Soundproof it—no issue.
Front yard noisy, but backyard quieter.
"You distrust me?"
"No, just making you one of mine. Easier to check these guys' data directly anyway."
"Huh?"
Tedious if someone else snatched her. Better recruit now.
Had to build forces in Carpe anyway. Became Heresy Inquisitor Captain for that, training useless inquisitors.
Soon enough, one way or another.
"The kingdom will erupt once."
[Scenario Quest]
『Carpe Dynasty's Insurrection』
Progress: 28%
* * *
28% to insurrection.
Rose each time Kallias executed corrupt nobles.
Before Altemion, it was twenty percent—killing high nobles accelerated it.
They were getting desperate as he rampaged.
"Preparations are proceeding slowly."
First, handle the threat at hand.
"Pedro."
"Ah! Count. You're here."
Pedro stood guard as usual. Kallias gave a wry smile at his half-hearted watch.
"Lunch yet?"
"No, not... you, Count?"
"Not yet. Shall we eat together? Feeling peckish."
"Sure. I'll fetch something quick. Wait a moment!"
"No need."
"Pardon?"
"Came to see you today. Let's go. Reserved a restaurant."
"Me? You, Count?"
"Why not?"
"N-No, nothing."
A bit later.
Kallias and Pedro headed to a restaurant frequented by nobles.
"Looks pricey."
Pedro fidgeted awkwardly even inside, like a porcupine.
Picked menus casually.
Kallias cut to the chase.
"Your daughter's cute."
"Huh?"
Pedro, menu in hand, couldn't hide his fluster.
"Flora, was it? Passion for swordsmanship, sharp mind. Talented too. Just as you said."
"How do you know my daughter's name...?"
"Took in my relatives' kids. She came playing, got friendly somehow. Chatting, learned she's your daughter."
Pedro's dazed expression settled calmly.
Just a slight change, but the atmosphere shifted completely.
Kallias felt a subtle chill but pressed on.
"Told her to visit often—don't mind. She'll make a fine knight grown up."
"Is that so?"
Even praising his daughter, wariness lingered. If anything, praise hardened his face more.
"Yes. Thinking of setting aside training space. Probably exists already—inquisitors train right next door. Much to learn just watching."
"No need for that..."
"Royal academy isn't for just anyone. Carpe hasn't wised up yet. Kingdom's future lies with the children, not us. Supporting them—isn't that the foundation of revival? What do you think?"
"Noble words."
Pedro seemed thoughtful.
Kallias watched him ponder, fork and knife slicing lamb steak.
One bite melted tenderly.
Good food cost good money.
Not always, but usually proportional.
Same thought watching Pedro.
'How will he react?'
Like this food.
Pay right price, get fine flavor back?
Stab? Or attach?
Unclear.
So.
"Assassination getting tiresome, no?"
That instant, Pedro's knife-holding hand twitched.