Chapter 144
Chapter 144
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 144
>Chapter Title: This Generous Soul Shall Forgive You
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At this very moment, the Lortel knights couldn't form a single coherent thought.
Rumble—
The pressure of mana squeezing their entire bodies.
Their breaths came in ragged gasps, muscles contracting rigidly throughout, hands gripping their swords trembling uncontrollably.
'What the hell...'
'Is this even possible?'
The astonishing presence made the Lortel knights dizzy.
It was utterly incomprehensible.
The master of the tower, was it?
Never heard of him.
But who the hell was he to unleash such an aura?
It wasn't magic. Nor was it simply releasing mana. It felt exactly like... Yes. Like wielding mana itself!
The Lortel knights shuddered at the majesty displayed by the tower master.
But that lasted only a moment.
Bang—!
"Not bad... quite the sharp presence."
The first sword, Hamelan, released his own aura to scatter the mana pressure. Thick ether spread out, dominating the space.
Amid it all, Hamelan's seasoned eyes fixed on the tower master.
"But you didn't think this alone could do anything to Lortel, did you?"
Hamelan pressed the tower master with a subtle tone. Yet for some reason, the tower master let out a smirk.
"Now I get it."
"...Get what?"
"I've been wondering about that."
"...?"
Hamelan narrowed his eyes.
He had dominated the room in an instant, but for the tower master, it was a life-or-death moment.
Yet the man strolled around as if utterly at ease.
Did he have some hidden ace? Hamelan considered it briefly, then shook his head.
'His body's already at its limit, so why?'
As Hamelan thought that far, the tower master's voice wormed into his ear.
"Enough with the bad acting. Sent by the patriarch?"
"...Hmph."
"To test the third sword's loyalty? Or to probe the magic tower's wizard? Or both?"
"..."
"Looks like I hit the mark."
"Heh."
Hamelan let out a smirk.
"Just guessing?"
"You could say that."
Hamelan's appearance had been suspicious from the start.
He'd flared his presence to imprint himself as the patriarch's guest, but for the first sword to show up immediately?
There were plenty of meaningful nuances in how he treated Zeke, too.
- Oh, you follow orders without any flexibility, don't you.
It was a barbed remark.
- That man's no intruder.
- Then?
- ...
- If you won't answer, I won't know. That alright with you?
Even with Sir Zeke's tactful approach, he'd created unnecessary friction.
And that wasn't all.
"If you truly thought I was an intruder, you'd have severed Sir Zeke's hand and taken my head long ago. But you didn't."
"The talk of destroying the core was real enough."
"Would Lortel treat intruders so leniently? Hardly. You must have something to say to me."
What? Spare my neck as payment for protecting the young patriarch's sword's hand? Ridiculous nonsense.
The first sword of Lortel, famed as the continent's finest in the east—no way he'd stay quiet about that.
Hamelan burst into laughter right after.
"Puh, puhahaha."
His laughter echoed through the space.
The Lortel knights couldn't hide their bewilderment at the bizarre turn of events.
Even Captain Ekst, who had been burning with hostility moments ago, asked in a notably softened tone.
"...Sir Hamelan? What's going on here?"
"Ah, sorry. Must be confusing for you all. But bear with me a bit longer. The story's not over yet."
Hamelan waved Ekst aside and turned his gaze to the tower master.
Then, he straightforwardly admitted his suspicions.
"Yes, you're right. The patriarch sent me. To check on those unheard-of rats approaching the young master from the magic tower or sword garden..."
"So, satisfied with your check?"
"Yes. Impressive, coming into Lortel alone after leaving your comrades behind. Ah, don't misunderstand. Following Sir Zeke was purely my curiosity."
The patriarch's order to Hamelan had been simple.
If Zeke brought rats, step in and test them. And if they were worthless rats...
As long as they were alive, dispose of them at your discretion.
"But you were unexpected in many ways. I thought you were just another fly buzzing around the young master... but you've got spine. Who'd have thought... puhuhu! You'd blow it up like this."
The tower master's actions had far exceeded Hamelan's predictions in audacity.
Who could have foreseen it!
Causing this much commotion right in the heart of Lortel.
It was madness no sane person would attempt. No, even a madman couldn't dare such an outrage.
"I'll acknowledge you. You qualify to see the patriarch. But."
Killing intent crept into Hamelan's smiling face then.
"You've been too arrogant. 'Call the patriarch?' Do you know where you are?"
"..."
Hamelan unleashed a razor-sharp killing intent at the tower master.
"Grk, urgh!"
"...Ugh."
It was so fierce even the Lortel knights staggered and groaned!
"If it was to make your presence known, you succeeded. But you overdid it."
"If you want to see it through, I won't hold back."
"You sure? Your breath's shaking. You look exhausted."
"..."
The tower master didn't respond.
He simply took in Hamelan with his colorless eyes.
Had the tower master made his resolve?
Rumble—
The surrounding mana churned violently.
Unlike before, it wasn't just for show. The mana sharpened, growing more precise and lethal.
And so.
"...Everyone, ready your stances."
As Ekst read the flow and rallied the Lortel knights.
A deflated laugh echoed through the space.
"Puh, puhaha!"
With the laughter, Hamelan's presence vanished with a 'pop!' The killing intent pressing the tower master completely dissipated.
"...?"
The Lortel knights tilted their heads at Hamelan's sudden shift.
Soon, his mouth opened.
"Sorry. I took my joke too far. Who knew you'd have no give at all. You all, stand down too."
Hamelan shook his head and turned away.
As he did, he said.
"Captain, you handle cleanup. I'll explain details later."
"...Yes, sir."
"And tower master, you follow me."
With that, Hamelan strode forward.
But unlike his jovial back, his eyes were colder than ever.
'This... the young master brought in a real dangerous one.'
He was clearly different from the common rats... but whatever lurked beneath wasn't visible.
Still.
'Cunning yet honest, shrewd yet pure.'
Worthy enough to watch, he judged.
As he walked.
"What, not coming?"
Hamelan urged the tower master, who stood frozen.
The silent tower master finally spoke.
"So, you're acknowledging me as Lortel's guest?"
"...Something like that?"
"Then, as a guest, I apologize for causing a commotion in Lortel. A grave discourtesy."
"Ho."
Hamelan admired the manly tower master's apology.
Truth be told, from the tower master's position, he'd barely survived Lortel's tyranny.
How many could offer an apology so readily in such a situation!
'Quite bold. Big vessel.'
"Good. I accept your apol—"
Hamelan nodded readily at the tower master's magnanimity.
Or tried to.
"But Lortel hasn't exactly been exemplary, has it?"
"...?"
"I'm not demanding an apology. Our situations just clashed unfortunately. Still, in such an unfortunate clash, doesn't a broad-minded person apologize? Like me."
Hamelan stared at the tower master, dumbfounded.
"...Sorry. I apologize formally. As Lortel's first sword, I beg forgiveness for my rudeness."
"This generous soul shall forgive you."
"..."
At the response, like bestowing a favor, Hamelan gripped his sword hilt briefly.
But only for a moment.
With superhuman patience, he suppressed the impulse and guided the tower master.
"...Now follow me."
* * *
Before taking the tower master to the patriarch, Hamelan tidied his bloodstained clothes.
"Change. Can't see the patriarch like that."
With that, Hamelan left the room.
Aster changed into the clothes brought by the servants without protest.
Thus, a brief moment alone.
"Huuuuh—"
Tension releasing, perhaps.
His body felt limp.
'Really... nearly died there.'
He'd tried not to show it, but his body was at its limit.
Even some time after the fight, his breathing wouldn't steady. Fingertips trembled, and even a step left him breathless.
But that passed quickly.
"All changed?"
"..."
Aster straightened at Hamelan's voice.
He wanted to collapse and sleep right then, but this was still the heart of Lortel.
Even if the first sword recognized him as a guest, nothing was assured until the end.
'The real start is now.'
As the tower master, he'd firmly imprinted his presence on the patriarch.
But the patriarch would know the purpose of his actions.
'I've only barely met the minimum qualifications.'
So, whether Lortel was a deathtrap or a safe haven remained undecided. He'd only just balanced the scales away from death.
"Let's go."
"..."
Suppressing the urge to vomit blood from internal injuries, Aster nodded. Thus, following the first sword.
"Here. I sent word ahead, so go in."
The first sword halted before massive iron doors.
Aster gazed up at the grand hall's doors, face pale.
'Beyond this...'
Lortel's master awaited.
The head of a great house rivaling Decullan lurked beyond.
Standing before the steel doors, Aster's mind went blank.
How to present himself as tower master. What aspects to show to convince Lortel's lord of the tower and sword garden's necessity.
All thoughts evaporated, replaced by one.
'This life's Pahren... wasn't as overwhelming as in my past life.'
Then, what of Lortel's lord?
An unknown anticipation.
Steadying his breath.
Creaaak—
Pushing open the steel doors, stepping inside.
As he entered the grand hall.
A deep voice pierced his ears.
"You are the tower master?"
Aster took in Lortel's lord.
His impression was this.
'Far from...'
...being beneath this life's Pahren.
But.
Lortel's lord's assessment was cold.
"Disappointing."
Thud!
As the doors closed behind him, a heavy weight settled on Aster's heart.
"I had expectations since the first sword acknowledged you... but this falls short."