Chapter 135
Chapter 135
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 135
Chapter Title: 56. Treasure of the Sea (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Yuri's group enjoyed a vacation in Hose's territory.
They spent leisurely days drinking wine with sashimi while gazing at the sea, or simply resting without doing a thing all day long.
As the pent-up fatigue melted away, everyone's condition improved noticeably.
"My body's lighter than it's ever been."
"Indeed."
"Even my sword feels sharper."
Recovery wasn't limited to the physical.
The combat experience piled up in Adelbine had sorted itself out in their subconscious, deepening their understanding of the sword. It felt like everyone had grown at least one step stronger.
Two days passed like that.
Hose approached Yuri, who was passing the time in a rocking chair on the balcony.
"Your Highness."
"Ah, Sir Hose."
"Shall we go now?"
"Ah, your master?"
"Yes."
"Sure."
Yuri stretched languidly and rose from the rocking chair. He sheathed Guilty, which had been leaning against the side.
"The others are resting, so let's slip out quietly, just the two of us."
"Yes."
"Is your master advanced in years?"
"Hahaha, who knows. You'll find out when you meet him."
"I'm looking forward to it."
They quietly slipped out of the mansion.
Hose walked silently toward the seaside.
Orpen wasn't a large city. Once they left the streets behind, people were scarce.
The laid-back scenery of a seaside village stretched on. Fishing boats dotted the distant horizon, with seagulls wheeling overhead.
The two soon arrived before a sheer coastal cliff.
"Was there a spot like this?"
Protruding into the sea, standing at the cliff's edge opened up an unobstructed view.
Nothing but sky and sea.
Yuri spread his arms wide and let out a long sigh.
"Ahh..."
Two shades of blue, similar yet distinct, divided by the horizon—it was impossible to tell where the sky ended and the sea began. A profound sense of liberation swelled in his chest.
It was scenery worthy of the Bursen people's pride.
Yuri spoke up.
"So, Sir Hose."
"Yes."
"Is this sea your master, by any chance?"
"Hahahaha..."
Hose burst into laughter.
"A bit different, but yes. You could say this is my master."
With that, Hose stood beside Yuri.
"But my true master is right here."
Hose thumped his chest.
Yuri nodded with a smile.
"Yourself?"
"Yes. Exactly. I grew strong on my own."
"A true genius."
"Not compared to Your Highness?"
"Not quite."
"Hahahaha..."
"Just kidding."
"It's fine."
"No."
Yuri shook his head.
"You're unequivocally a genius."
When people assessed Hose, they rarely used the word "genius."
But in truth, he was a knight who embodied it better than anyone.
His natural build and strength were merely part of his gifts.
In his previous life, he'd risen to the ranks of the Ten Strong because his insight into sword and mana far exceeded the ordinary.
"So, that master of yours wants to meet me?"
"Yes."
"Since when?"
"Hard to say. Maybe from the start."
"We've sparred plenty."
"Not like that."
Hose grinned and continued.
"For real."
Yuri gave a wry smile. Moyongchan had been the same—somehow, the stronger ones seemed even more eager to cross swords with him.
Yuri rested his hand on Guilty's hilt.
"Fine. Let's do it."
Hose's proposal wasn't to be taken lightly. It would be nothing like their past spars. But evasion was never an option.
"Thank you."
"One thing I'm curious about—why go this far? You're already stronger than me."
"Hmm, well..."
Hose scratched his head.
"Don't you know?"
"No."
"It's frustrating."
"Why?"
"Hasn't Your Highness ever met someone weaker than you, yet desperately wanted to clash with them anyway?"
"Can't say I have."
Hose laughed.
"That's because Your Highness hasn't encountered anyone more talented than yourself yet. Me included."
"I doubt that. I hold you in very high regard."
"Haha..."
"I'm serious."
"Then let me ask something else."
Yuri looked up at Hose, who wore a knowing smile.
"In your eyes, when do you think you'll surpass me?"
"Well..."
"You figure it won't take too long, right?"
Yuri couldn't refute him.
He couldn't name a specific time, but he believed it would happen eventually.
Unlike his previous life, he was training at full throttle every moment now. His limits felt undefined.
He even had a vague sense that, far in the future, he might surpass his father, Fiore Brioll.
Perhaps that's why.
Hose was undeniably stronger, yet he didn't feel distant.
Seeing Yuri's ambiguous expression, Hose grinned.
"Of course, I won't let it happen."
Yuri smirked in return.
"So, you're aiming to crush my spirit in advance today?"
"Ever heard of 'cut the grass and remove the roots'?"
"Sir Hose, you're a scarier knight than I thought."
"Hahaha, just kidding. Anyway, sparring with Your Highness is... how should I put it..."
Hose paused to choose his words, then slowly drew his sword.
"I just want to feel something—facing a swordsman like Your Highness here before the sea that shaped me."
"Feel something..."
Yuri lifted Guilty to match him.
"Sounds a bit sentimental."
"Don't misunderstand, Your Highness. I have no plans to be overtaken."
"Is that so? I intend to make you taste defeat today."
"Hahaha!"
"No need to wait. I'll beat you today."
"Bring it."
The two stood on the cliff, swords pointed at each other.
"Let's have a good one."
"You too."
Yuri fixed his gaze on Hose.
From their bond in the Allied Forces, they'd traveled together for a long time and sparred often.
But this was their first time facing off in earnest.
In Yuri's mind, calculations began: Hose's strengths against his own.
Hose's overall score was higher, but targeting his advantages gave a shot at victory.
Yuri advanced first.
"Fighting with the sea as backdrop has a certain charm."
"Then let's do it again next time."
"Wonder if you'll still want to then."
"Oh? I was worrying about Your Highness."
As Hose spoke, Yuri launched a lightning-quick strike.
Sword ki targeted low.
Hose blocked without evasion. His stance should have been disadvantaged, yet Yuri was repelled by raw power.
Monstrous strength.
Yuri pressed on undaunted, circling outside to stab at hard-to-guard angles. All were parried.
The turn shifted.
Hose swung wide.
Before it connected, the whoosh battered Yuri's ears.
Judging it impossible to dodge, Yuri braced with his whole body. The impact jolted him, sending him skidding back, carving long marks in the ground.
Shaking out his numb arm, Yuri said,
"Hard to believe that's human power."
"Thanks for the praise."
"But fights aren't won on strength alone."
"Prove it."
Undefeated, Yuri charged again. He spun once, channeling rotation to slam Hose's blade.
A massive clang rang out.
Metal clashes echoed relentlessly.
Swords grew heavier; exchanges turned savage enough to risk lives.
Yet against their ferocity, the waves remained serene.
Backed by the vast, deep sea, the two kept crossing blades.
"Not bad at all. Haha!"
"Still got room to laugh?"
"Your Highness is smiling too."
"I'm composed."
"Doesn't look like it!"
Their swords crossed. Hose instantly reset his stance to target Yuri. Yuri did the same.
Allowing no openings, they attacked anew.
Hose let slip a smile.
He'd longed for this moment.
Before the Orpen sea that raised him, crossing swords alone with the prodigy Yuri Brioll.
It alone sparked inspiration.
And it was proving true now.
"Thanks for the fight, Your Highness."
"My pleasure."
Hose had met many geniuses.
Rolang and Jared, traveling with them, were prime examples—talents that would shine in any knight order on the continent.
But this third prince was different.
It went beyond deep sword insight or blinding speed.
Something transcended the physical.
Yes, he shone.
And spread that light to those around him.
No other way to describe it.
"Is that all you've got, Your Highness?!"
Hose taunted as he swung at Yuri.
Most knights avoided direct clashes with him. They dodged, probing for gaps. The third prince had done the same at first.
But occasionally, when conditions aligned for a picture-perfect strike from Hose...
The third prince met it head-on, as if unwilling to let it pass.
Of course, he couldn't handle it fully. He took the hit every time. It seemed foolish at a glance.
Yet in those moments, he absorbed something—growing in real time.
He wasn't the same now as at their first clash.
And the next would differ again.
A truly captivating opponent.
Something boiled in Hose's chest—emotion, inspiration?
He couldn't name it.
But one thing was clear: this bout was elevating him higher.
Hose declared,
"Your Highness. I'm turning it up."
"Good. Me too."
Time to escalate.
"Watch yourself."
"Worry about you."
Mountainous mana surged from Hose's body, while the third prince spun up an endless vortex.
Amid it, their exchanges raged on. Waiting for a technique to complete was for spars. In dead earnest, they exploited every gap for the win.
Hose laughed once more.
"Quit laughing."
"Can't help it. Hahaha!"
"You're not holding back, are you?"
"Never."
Truth be told, he'd eased up at the start. Full force from him would've ended it too soon.
So he'd dialed back, ramping up gradually.
The third prince kept pace.
Now, here they were.
Hose had little margin left. It was no exaggeration to call it an even duel.
Every exchange brought the unexpected.
Not just swordplay choices, but responses as a human set him apart. That gap showed in their blades.
Hose felt the light from Yuri illuminating him anew.
Sparring the third prince was the right call. He'd already ascended a realm from it.
Hose shouted,
"Keep this up, and I'll win!"
"Probably."
"Just going to lose?"
"No chance. Time to unleash my hidden finisher and drop you."
"Can't wait."
"No secret arts of your own?"
"Plenty."
"Show me."
"Why not?"
With swords trained on each other, they paused. Eyes locked. For the first time since the fight began, deadlock held.
Suddenly, the wind gusted in.
The two swung at once.
That day, Orpen's residents witnessed a dragon rising from the tranquil sea.