Chapter 95
Chapter 95
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: Epiphany of the Other Shore Blossom
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Kallias entered the room Viscount Valentin had provided him and took a moment to rest, replaying his duel with the Golden Lion in his mind.
"Even the lowest of the Five Stars is this strong."
How powerful must the other four be?
And what kind of monsters were the Masters above them?
He couldn't even begin to fathom it.
"Still, I'm glad I fought."
Just witnessing the Golden Lion's Golden Armored Aura had been a massive gain.
It was a unique training method that enveloped the entire body in sword aura energy, seamlessly integrated with his swordsmanship.
He had known the theory, but nothing beat seeing it firsthand.
"So that's how it is."
He raised his hand and channeled holy power. Silver divine energy bloomed from his arm.
But when he infused it with the principles of Silver Flower Sword Wave, it took on the form of flower petals.
The petals shattered almost instantly, resembling silver ash.
"It's tricky."
As a secret technique passed down only to the heirs of the Lloydren family, it was no easy feat to replicate.
Even manifesting it briefly in one hand was difficult—how much grueling practice would it take to express it over his entire body? He had no idea.
'Still, I get the gist of it.'
Infusing holy power into the sword enhanced its strength and cutting power.
But manifesting it over the entire body consumed holy power rapidly and scattered focus from the sword itself.
In short, it was pointless.
Focusing solely on the sword was already demanding enough. Using it over the whole body burned through holy power while weakening the sword's edge.
That raised a question.
Why did the Golden Lion do it?
Why did the Lloydren family endure this needless expenditure of holy power to cloak their bodies in it?
To further enhance physical abilities?
To boost defense through manifestation? No.
Golden Armored Aura might look like wearing armor at a glance, but it offered no defensive capabilities.
It was a technique created purely for offense.
Golden Armored Aura unified the sword and body as a conduit, mixing energies externally to prepare for unleashing a devastating ultimate technique.
"It's similar to Other Shore Blossom."
If Other Shore Blossom combined two external techniques into the sword to harness repulsive force, Golden Armored Aura deployed techniques internally, mixed them externally, and channeled that reinforced solidity into a single sword strike.
Different yet similar, similar yet distinct techniques.
"If Other Shore Blossom is like this..."
Kallias clapped his hands together.
Clap.
The sound rang out sharply.
"Then Golden Armored Aura must be like this."
This time, he clapped with interlaced fingers.
His clasped hands were tightly intertwined.
It was an analogy that naturally made him nod.
Feeling the difference with his own hands sped up his understanding.
Yet both were preparatory techniques on the path to Mastery, ultimately leading to sword beams.
In any case, studying Golden Armored Aura further would unlock free mastery of Other Shore Blossom.
Mastering Other Shore Blossom might shatter the wall of the Four Stars, making the duel with the Golden Lion fortune worth more than gold.
"I've got the feel for it."
Kallias infused Flower Breaking Path into his right arm.
White Mist into his left.
He merged them into sword aura. Precise holy power control and proper combination were key.
Whoooong—
As he slowly brought his hands together, a powerful energy in the shape of a flower gathered in his palms.
A single, chaotically unfurled bloom.
A flower so ephemeral and beautiful, as if it might vanish any moment.
Other Shore Blossom.
"Urgh..."
Crackle. Sizzle— As his focus wavered, it scattered like wind.
Kallias's hands trembled.
"Mess it up, and my hands might explode."
But he had the sensation now.
It wasn't perfect, but he grasped the knack.
"Huu—"
After a deep breath, he infused Flower Breaking Path into his left hand, White Mist into his right.
The principles of two different techniques dwelled in each hand. Clasping them produced fierce repulsion and a blast of energy.
Slowly parting his palms revealed a silver flower blooming within.
He lowered it carefully.
KABOOM!!
BOOOOM!!
The room provided by the viscount—and the entire corridor—exploded.
Immense power.
Though not unleashed through a sword, this was true Other Shore Blossom.
"Kukuku, hahaha!"
Kallias clenched his fist, his face alight with ecstasy.
It was done. Now it was done.
"I should give the Golden Lion a gift. I owe him big."
Mastering complete Other Shore Blossom was only a matter of time.
He had smashed through one wall.
It felt like his mind's eye had opened, limits of thought crumbling away.
Thrills ran through his body.
Before achieving it, he wondered how they had devised such a difficult technique. Now that he had grasped it properly, nothing could be simpler.
Of course, it wasn't truly simple.
Without seeing the Golden Lion's Golden Armored Aura, it might have taken years to reach this enlightenment.
'As they say, a knight's greatest virtue is meeting a worthy opponent and clashing swords.'
The words rang true.
Thud thud thud!
As he savored his breakthrough, soldiers rushed in.
"Viscount Jerban? What happened?!"
"An ambush?!"
"Captain! What's going on?!"
The commotion drew soldiers, knights among them, even some from the Sixth Squad. They looked utterly bewildered.
Kallias gathered his holy power and addressed the crowd.
"I achieved a breakthrough."
A knight's breakthrough.
That would excuse the uproar.
"A breakthrough?"
"Congratulations!"
"Well done, Captain!"
As expected, they offered felicitations.
"You lot clean this up. You—Joseph, right?"
Kallias eyed Joseph among the Sixth Squad arrivals.
"Yes, Captain."
"You should be vice-captain."
"No, sir."
Unlike the cocky Diego, Joseph was a serious sort.
A likable fellow.
Moreover, while all had lost to the Golden Lion's knights, he hadn't.
"Who'd win between you and Dingo?"
"I would, sir."
"I always lost before. But now... I'm not sure."
"What?!"
Ignoring Diego's bulging eyes, Kallias sized Joseph up slowly. Fresh, toned muscles, especially solid thighs.
Proof of diligent training.
"Your skills improved suddenly?"
"Yes, sir. Your training methods suited me well. Lately, mountain runs feel light."
Some people were just like that.
Kallias nodded, sensing he needed to ramp up intensity and variations.
"I see."
Finishing his thought, he handed Joseph a book.
"What's this?"
"A training manual."
"!!"
"No, Captain! I haven't gotten one yet, and you're giving it to him...?"
"Blame your own shortcomings, not me."
The vice-captain lacked talent but brimmed with greed.
"May I accept it?"
"Take it. You're worthy."
He was the only Heretic Inquisitor to defeat a Golden Lion knight.
No reason not to reward him.
"An advanced manual from a fallen noble house. I filled its gaps and restructured it. Your victory's prize."
"Seven Stars Rolling?"
"You'll see as you train."
Seven Stars Rolling—where seven stars flow fiercely.
It wasn't originally mine.
That was its name.
I merely wove in some of my own martial insights and refined it.
Even so, it should be over ten times more efficient than the Church's basic manuals. What he got was the lower volume, up to Three Stars.
The full manual to Seven Stars remained with me.
I'd distribute lower volumes to the Sixth Squad rank-and-file, saving the upper for true loyalists.
'I won't stay with the Heretic Inquisition forever.'
Once the kingdom solidified, he'd shed the inquisitor role and resume his pilgrimage for swords.
"Thank you, sir."
"Train harder."
"Yes, sir!"
All eyes were on Joseph.
Envy. Jealousy. Regret. A spectacle of emotions.
"You others, refine yourselves. Losing to everyone but one—what a disgrace."
"...Yes, sir."
Back home, he'd double, triple training intensity.
'Luen went to the capital on the king's orders.'
Summoning the Golden Lion signaled rebellion's prelude.
Time was short.
'At most three months.'
Everything had to wrap by then.
First off.
"What to do."
Valentin's territory.
He'd searched, but no evidence of crimes surfaced.
Whether anticipating his arrival or just meticulous, even pressing Judgment Sword on subordinates yielded nothing.
Linking it to the assassination plot was tempting, but such a thorough man wouldn't leave traces.
Pedro's side would be hard to pin too.
'There is a way, but...'
In the current situation.
If he could pull the Golden Lion to his side?
"Chop off his head now..."
That was when.
Viscount Valentin and nobles rushed over, wondering at the fuss.
Many scowled at Kallias on sight.
"Causing another ruckus."
"What outrage is this!"
Insignificant fools muttered behind the viscount.
'Vermin who can't even meet my eyes.'
Absurd.
"What happened?"
"I achieved a swordsmanship breakthrough. Sorry for the disturbance."
"...A breakthrough justifies this destruction and lets it slide?"
Unlike knights, nobles wouldn't overlook it. Annoying, but offering compensation would end it.
As he opened his mouth.
"That man is a knight before he is Viscount Jerban. Doesn't House Karphe value a knight's breakthrough above all?"
"Trala."
Someone emerged from behind Viscount Valentin.
"Requesting compensation from the viscount here would only tarnish our own reputation, wouldn't it?"
"..."
Viscount Valentin shut his mouth uncomfortably, then introduced the man with resignation.
"My son. Allow me to introduce Trala de Valentin. Smart and deep-minded, just like his old man."
"Trala de Valentin. I've long heard of your renown, Viscount."
Valentin's son defending him?
Kallias narrowed his eyes at Trala's outstretched hand for a shake.
"...Kallias von Jerban."
Trala bowed politely and offered the handshake.
"Then, I hope to see you again soon."
"Hm."
The nobles soon withdrew.
Kallias regarded the small note left in his palm.
'What’s this guy's game.'
First time meeting, yet he slipped him a note.
Hidden in the handshake.
Trala de Valentin.
Kallias pondered briefly, then recalled a faint memory.
"Trala... Trala... Could he be Master Craftsman Trala?"
Master Craftsman—the Church's head blacksmith.
Not yet, but in the future, the father of Carcass Sword.
He had once set him as a former noble.
'Something like a correction in place?'
Being human, he hadn't detailed every character's life, especially not background ones like Trala.
But this was reality, things connecting in unexpected ways.
Not the point now, though.
"Master Craftsman Trala is worth my time."
Unfolding the note.
[Please come to the smithy inside the viscountcy with a half-moon sign hanging. You won't regret it.]
That was the entire message.
Arrogantly concise, but Kallias brushed it off. Not now, but nurturing him properly would handle sword-related needs effortlessly.
If he matched expectations, no need to hesitate.
"Wonder what he wants, though."
Defending him before Valentin proved goodwill at minimum.
Kallias mulled it over as he awaited nightfall.