Chapter 88: Defeat Alisa! (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 88: Defeat Alisa! (4)
Perhaps the daily sparring had gradually worn down her edge.
In their ninety-sixth duel the following day, Alisa suffered her first defeat at Jin’s hands. Just as their exchange surpassed seventy moves, a thrust from Jin pierced Alisa’s shoulder.
“Urgh!”
The moment the attack landed, not only Alisa but even Jin, the one who had struck her, looked visibly shocked.
The wound was severe enough that the duel could not continue. As Jin hurriedly withdrew Bradamante and called for a healer, Alisa flashed an awkward smile.
“Lady Alisa! Are you alright?”
“Ah… I’m fine. It’s been a very long time since I’ve sustained an injury like this.”
Fresh blood spilled onto the floor. While the healers cast their spells, Jin tilted his head, unable to process what had just happened.
There’s no way Lady Alisa couldn't have dodged that. I won by a fluke.
It was true.
Jin hadn’t even gone all out. When sparring with Alisa, he usually saved his trump cards until after they had crossed one hundred moves.
In a sense, Jin had defeated Alisa during the usual probing phase of their duel. However, because the victory came from his opponent’s lapse in concentration rather than his own growth, it felt deeply unsatisfying.
I misread the sword’s trajectory when my vision was momentarily obscured by spirit energy… To make a mistake like that. I really have grown dull since retiring.
Maintaining the same level of tension against an opponent you have defeated ninety-four times in a row is no easy feat, even for a martial artist of Alisa’s caliber.
Alisa wiped her brow and shook her head.
“Phew, I lost.”
“No, we should consider this duel void. That was an unacceptable victory.”
“I knew you’d say that, Young Master Jin. You’re right; it’s unacceptable. I was discourteous to you by letting my guard down for a moment.”
Thanks to the healers’ diligent work, the wound closed in an instant.
“However, Young Master Jin, I cannot declare it void. The you from three months ago wouldn't have been able to land that blow, no matter how much I lowered my guard.”
Only three months—ninety-seven days, to be exact—had passed since their sparring began.
Even though she witnessed it with her own eyes and felt it with her own body every day, Alisa found Jin’s rate of growth almost impossible to believe.
Even for a Runcandel, this is incomprehensible. He’ll reach 6-star in both swordsmanship and magic soon.
Coming from the Viment Empire, she had encountered many geniuses from the Hairan family, another prestigious clan of swordsmen.
Yet, Alisa could say with certainty that even among all the prodigies she had ever seen, Jin was in a league of his own.
“Does this mean I can no longer spar with you, Lady Alisa?”
“Of course not. Try to achieve a victory you can be satisfied with in the remaining three months. I’ll keep my evenings free until then.”
* * *
December 1st, 1795.
On the day of Jin and Alisa’s 110th duel, Alisa took the day off. She wanted to face Jin in perfect condition, unburdened by the fatigue of her duties as Captain of the Guard.
Consequently, their duel began at midday rather than in the evening.
Thirty minutes before the duel was set to start, Casimir sought Jin out.
“Young Master Jin, we have information regarding the matter you mentioned. It took much longer than expected…”
“Did you find Alu’s real name?”
Spider-Hand Alu, the head of Tessing.
Initially, Casimir thought digging into the man’s past would be easy. He believed the Seven-Colored Bird’s intelligence network could uncover the personal details of a back-alley boss in an instant.
However, finding Alu’s real name had been a struggle from start to finish.
“Unfortunately, no. The elites of the Seven-Colored Bird are searching high and low, but this Alu seems to have more secrets than we thought. There are absolutely no records of what he did before becoming the head of Tessing.”
Casimir shrugged as he spoke.
“The fact that the Seven-Colored Bird hasn't found anything on him can only mean one thing: someone intentionally erased his past. As you suspected, he might indeed have a connection to the Runcandels.”
“Hmm… I’m starting to regret not keeping him alive. In that case, is the information you have about Vishkel?”
“Yes, Vishkel Ivliano. The heir to the Ivliano family. Tell me, Young Master Jin, are you familiar with an organization called ‘Kinzelo’?”
“I am. I ran into them during my first mission with the cadets this year.”
Kinzelo.
A group of madmen who sought to make their king the ruler of the entire world. They would eventually gain notoriety when Jin was twenty-seven in his previous life by assassinating the King of Jhan and massacring civilians.
“It’s not confirmed, but there’s a possibility that Vishkel belongs to Kinzelo. He travels to the Kurano Duchy once a week, and every time he does, he visits a certain sculpting workshop.”
“Please, continue.”
“The owner of that workshop—which has the bizarre name ‘Art is an Explosion’—is a man named Bubar Gaston. According to our investigation, Bubar is an executive of Kinzelo. Since Vishkel meets him every week, it’s highly suspicious.”
“Bubar Gaston?”
Jin feigned ignorance. He couldn't yet tell Casimir that Bubar was a shapeshifter capable of transforming others.
It wasn't that he didn't trust Casimir, but that he had no way to prove it.
“Yes, he’s a stout man in his early thirties. And every time Vishkel meets him, he reportedly buys sweet potato croquettes to bring with him. It’s almost as if he’s running an errand.”
“Hmm. Assuming both are members of Kinzelo, that would imply Bubar holds a higher rank.”
“Most likely. I’ve met Vishkel personally once before, and he was quite a prideful man. If he’s personally delivering croquettes every time, well…”
In reality, Bubar was an executive while Vishkel was a Vice Captain, meaning Vishkel held a higher rank, but the Seven-Colored Bird hadn't uncovered that detail yet.
Casimir and Jin both let out a hollow laugh. Jin also found it hard to imagine Vishkel delivering croquettes.
I expected there to be something between Vishkel and Bubar, but Kinzelo? That’s unexpected. And it seems Bubar is higher in the hierarchy… What could Vishkel possibly gain by joining them?
The answer to that question was simple.
The Ivliano family was once a powerful clan. While they hadn't reached the heights of the Runcandels, their influence had once rivaled that of the Hairans in Viment.
However, in recent years, they had failed to produce any outstanding martial artists besides Vishkel, leading to the family’s decline.
Vishkel either plans to use Kinzelo’s power to restore his family’s name, or he’s been swayed by their ideology.
But was Kinzelo truly an organization with that much power? Enough to attract a brilliant martial artist like Vishkel Ivliano?
Looking back at the period when Kinzelo was most active in my past life… it’s not impossible. Even the Runcandels, the Zipples, and Viment didn't touch those lunatics recklessly.
Thinking about it, it was strange.
Neither in his past life nor this one had the Runcandels struck back at Kinzelo, even though Jin and the Youngest's Division were nearly wiped out by them during their first mission.
Is it because the Runcandels classified Kinzelo as insignificant? Or because they judged them too dangerous to provoke? The answer will come in time.
Jin gave Casimir a light nod.
“I understand for now, Sir Casimir. Thank you for your hard work.”
“The informants did the hard work; I just listened. I suppose my next task is to look further into Kinzelo? And to keep digging into Alu’s case.”
Jin liked this about Casimir. Even without being told, they were perfectly in sync.
“I’m always grateful, Sir Casimir.”
“Then please play with Yuria later. She looks for you in my office every single day, calling for ‘Big Brother Jin.’ When Miss Enya joins in, it’s enough to give me a headache.”
“I will. Oh, by the way, it’s almost time for my duel with Lady Alisa. Would you like to come along, Sir Casimir?”
“I’d love to. I was just hoping to see how much your skills have improved.”
Casimir replied with a composed expression.
He was still certain that Jin wouldn't be able to defeat Alisa.
I should see the Young Master’s progress for myself today and write another letter to Lord Cyron.
Alisa was already waiting for Jin at the training ground.
“Oh, what? Why are you here?”
Alisa playfully chided Casimir as soon as she saw him.
“Uh, was I not supposed to come? Young Master Jin invited me to watch.”
“No, it’s not that. I just… didn't want you to see me lose.”
“See you… what? You’re going to lose? What are you talking about?!”
Casimir’s eyes widened in shock as he stared at Alisa.
It hasn't even been the promised six months; it’s only been a little over three!
When he asked this with his eyes, Alisa silently nodded.
Alisa Badger, former member of Viment’s Special Task Force Unit 2 and current Captain of the Guard in Tikan.
The reason she had taken the day off and prepared for this duel in peak condition was that she sensed her defeat was imminent.
I was already surpassed by Young Master Jin. It happened yesterday.
While Casimir was reeling from the revelation, Jin and Alisa took their positions, facing each other.
“This will be our last duel, Young Master Jin.”
When Jin didn't reply and simply gave a light bow, Alisa continued.
“I hope that even in the distant future, you will remember me as a good sparring partner. Even when you reach the pinnacle of the world.”
“I won't just remember you as a sparring partner. I will always consider you a great teacher and friend. And I hope I remain a worthy disciple in your memory as well.”
Casimir, barely regaining his composure, slowly moved to the edge of the training ground so as not to interfere with their final duel.
Grip…
The moment Alisa tightened her fists, Jin whispered softly.
“Summon.”
Phoenix.
An otherworldly phantom beast that only a 6-star mage or higher could summon.
Over the past 109 duels, it wasn't just his swordsmanship that had grown. His spirit energy and mana had also made astronomical leaps.
Whoosh!
A massive bird, its entire body wreathed in flames, emerged from a dimensional gate that had just torn open beside Jin.
As Casimir watched Jin’s phoenix materialize, a gasp escaped his lips.
He knew exactly what that phoenix’s name was.