Chapter 65
Chapter 65
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: The Thief, and (1)
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She didn't hesitate for even a moment. Ban smacked his lips as he eyed her sword.
"......Can't I just take a quick peek?"
"No."
"If it's just a quick look, there's nothing much for me to snoop on anyway?"
"I said no. Why are you being so persistent?"
"......It wasn't about getting caught as a member of the Seonwoo Clan."
Ban let out a sigh. Come to think of it, among those who knew how to wield a sword, Munet was the first to learn of his ability. Her reaction stirred various thoughts in him.
'It'd be best to keep this ability hidden as much as possible.'
There was no benefit in revealing it. Even setting aside the risk that his status as a Seonwoo Clan member might grab him by the ankle—or his throat—if people found out he could absorb swordsmanship just by holding a sword...... they'd be far more reluctant to lend him their blades. They might even shy away from sparring altogether.
"How many people's swordsmanship have you stolen?"
"Stolen isn't quite the right word. I learned it. From a few hundred people."
"......You're ruthless."
Munet shook her head with a look of disgust. She had once accused him of indiscriminately stealing others' techniques, but after seeing him train, it was hard to say such things lightly. Learning was learning, whether easy or hard. And if she dared say so, Ban was more devoted to his learning than anyone.
'Unfair.'
Munet sneered inwardly. With such a blessing, you'd think he'd at least be lazy. No, with such seamless growth guaranteed, maybe he didn't even have time to get bored.
She couldn't tell. Munet wrapped her hand around her rapier and sat a bit farther from Ban. He chuckled softly.
"You don't need to be so guarded. I won't peek by force."
"You'd better not. Or you won't know when I'll put a hole through your neck."
"......Are you always this prickly? Or is it just with me?"
"I might show a softer side to someone who deserves it."
Munet stared at Ban with cold eyes.
"And you don't qualify."
There was no need to get upset. In truth, Munet hadn't captured Ban's interest that much. What occupied his thoughts most wasn't the vampire, nor Munet. Ban snorted and turned his head, falling into contemplation.
'Guardian's Sword.'
Just what kind of swordsman had been the owner of that blade?
§
If asked to name the defining features of the south, most would think of deserts, jungles, or the Eustaine Clan. And the intense heat that welcomed you everywhere would surely be one of them.
Ban furrowed his brow. They had set foot in Kultan, a desert city in the south. It was also Munet's hometown. He grumbled in a low voice.
"Vampires—they're Seeds of the Night at the end of the day, right? So why not lurk around the north? What's the point of coming to a place like this?"
"Strictly speaking, vampires aren't considered Seeds of the Night."
Munet added in a quiet voice.
"It's more accurate to see them as Night's Contractors."
"......I don't get the difference, but you seem to know quite a bit?"
"I do. About vampires."
"About vampires?"
"Yeah."
Munet replied in a flat tone.
"And you'll meet one soon enough."
Ban peppered her with more questions after that, but Munet rebuffed him coldly, only repeating that he'd find out soon enough.
And so, the man with three swords at his side and the woman with two made their way to Kultan's marketplace. Their pairing didn't look particularly ordinary, but it wasn't exceptionally striking either. In Kultan, the only ones walking the streets without a sword were whores, and even they hid a dagger somewhere on their bodies—it wasn't surprising. The only reason Ban and Munet stood out was that they carried an excessive number of blades.
"......The south always shocks me whenever I come. How has it not collapsed yet? What do they even eat and live on in the middle of a desert?"
"People."
"......You're joking, right?"
"Halfway serious."
Ban forced a laugh as if it were a funny joke, but he soon made a bitter face. He sighed.
"I'll believe you haven't actually tried it."
"Think what you want."
"So, what's next now that we're here? There must be a reason we came this far. I hope it's not a wasted trip."
"It's not a waste."
Munet stopped walking and looked up.
"Look. They've already come to greet us."
"......Huh, is that the welcome? I thought they were just staring 'cause I'm so handsome."
Ban casually turned his head. He'd known for a while that many eyes were on them. At first, it was just curiosity about their attire or the number of swords, but at some point, those gazes had taken on a subtle hostility.
From children walking by the roadside. From old beggars. From women shaking out laundry. From fortune-telling crones. A faint killing intent emanated from them.
An ordinary person would have struggled to breathe just facing that intent. But not Ban. He placed his hand on his huandao greatsword. And grinned.
That was the moment. The oppressive aura around them reversed in an instant. A prickling gust that made skin tingle just from proximity burst out centered on him. He didn't even need to draw his sword. Just resolving himself was enough to overcome this level of childish probing.
The people's eyes changed. Those who had looked at them like spiders eyeing prey moments ago now tensed, hands slipping into their bosoms. And then, an old woman clad in multicolored silk laughed cacklingly as she eyed Munet.
"Oh my, miss. I thought it had been ages since your last visit, but you've brought another fine husband candidate already......?"
"Second time hearing that joke."
Munet glared at the old woman with displeasure.
"And it's still unpleasant. This one's just a colleague. No time for nonsense—guide me to 'Father.'"
"......Well, guiding you isn't hard...... but whether that one wants to see you...... I wouldn't know."
"You'll want to guide me."
Munet drew her rapier and main gauche. The auras of those surrounding them turned feral in an instant, but she didn't twitch an eyebrow.
"Or that ugly life of yours ends here. Melis."
"......This is all my fault. I raised you to be too impudent."
Melis didn't seem particularly frightened. Her wrinkled face resembled a maggot mimicking a human. She chuckled.
"Don't be so angry. I'll guide you to the Master. Yes, indeed. And the fine young lord beside you will come along too, I presume?"
"That seems to be the case."
"Goodness! The Master will be delighted. Always on the hunt for a son-in-law."
"A son-in-law seems unlikely."
Munet scowled at Ban, who was trading barbs, but her glare held no terror for him now. They followed the old woman through alleyways. Sometimes crossing dilapidated ruins, sometimes cutting through kitchens of fly-infested eateries.
After entering an underground passage and walking some distance, they arrived at a strange cavern.
"Master. Miss Munet has come."
"I know."
Unlike Munet, he was a man with stark white skin. In the cavern where underground water fell like a waterfall, he sat on a stone chair perusing what looked like documents. His skin, white to the point of pallor, almost resembled a corpse at a glance. The man, Arotep, smiled. His purely white beard appeared dark in contrast.
"Long time no see, daughter. Three years, was it?"
"......I have something to ask you."
"That's interesting. I have something to ask you too......"
"I'm looking for 'Root.'"
At those words, even Arotep, who had maintained a relaxed posture throughout, lost his words for a moment. He raised an eyebrow and looked at Munet.
"Curious. I sent you three years ago to steal 'Eternal Life,' and not a word of contact in that time—now my daughter says she's hunting 'Root.'"
"I know you welcome vampire power but find the duties tiresome."
Ban swiveled his head between Munet and Arotep, trying to keep up with their rapid exchange. Father? But a vampire father? Vampire power and duties?
The disorganized facts tumbled chaotically. In the end, Ban cleared his throat awkwardly and interrupted.
"Wait. Hold on a second."
"......And who might you be? Reports said Munet finally found a husband candidate."
"I don't know who your informant is, but you should punish them later—anyway, I'm confused...... What exactly are you two talking about? I was taught not to meddle in family matters, but it seems my mission's wedged right in the middle."
"A knight's insignia. But no affiliation mark. A Free Knight...... Not bad skill for one. Hm. Interesting."
Arotep tilted his head, his gaze falling on Kishin at Ban's waist. From the moment he faced Arotep, a subtle demonic energy had been emanating from Kishin. It felt like facing a dam on the verge of overflowing. Arotep's expression soured.
"What an unpleasant sword."
And the next moment, men wrapped head to toe in black cloth emerged from the darkness of the cavern. Seeing them with curved desert swords in both hands, Munet frowned.
"This one is my guest."
"That's why I'm doing this."
Arotep replied coldly.
"I don't like seeing riffraff hanging around my daughter."
"No need to worry about that."
Ban chimed in after gauging the mood.
"I'm no ordinary riffraff. Despite appearances, I even graduated from the Citadel Acade......"
"Attack."
"......my. No intent to talk, I see."
Ban muttered with a sigh. But soon, eyeing the men closing in stealthily, he smiled. Yeah. This was more comfortable. Better than all that tracking and deducing headache—straight-up coming at him.
That way, he could focus on just one thing.
Ban's eyes changed. The roguish air he'd had until moments ago shifted in an instant to that of a honed swordsman. Even the guild elites, who rarely showed emotion, hesitated for a moment at his presence.
"Sorry, Munet. For your sake, I thought I'd show some courtesy......"
Ban said without a hint of regret. If anything, he looked slightly pleased.
"No helping it. Your father needs a little discipline."