Chapter 4
Chapter 4
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Who Dares Step on My Land? (1)
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Past noon, the sun had risen high in the sky.
Nearly ten hours had passed, yet Jamie's concentration remained utterly unwavering.
Above his head, Black had its eyes closed, diligently assisting in splitting the mana.
He had found a way to compensate for the flaws, but applying it all at once was no easy task.
However, that too was nearing its end.
Just ten hours.
Reworking a structured magic system in a mere ten hours was no simple feat, even for the greatest geniuses in history.
What Jamie was accomplishing now was nothing short of miraculous.
'Feels good.'
To address the second flaw, he had distributed the incoming mana across his five viscera and six bowels.
Going further, he turned his entire body into a vessel for mana.
Humans were not magical beings, so their capacity to hold mana was limited, but Jamie's consciousness transcended human limits.
Even so, this small body clearly had its limits.
'Let's push it as far as we can.'
He opened his eyes.
He rose to his feet.
Moving after such intense focus was no easy task, but he didn't stop splitting the mana.
At first, even distinguishing mana particles had been difficult, but now he could do it while walking.
He took a step forward.
The rhythmically splitting mana wavered for a moment.
Kikik-
Black chided him to be careful.
He took another step forward.
This time, the mana didn't budge.
Success.
He walked two, three steps in succession, but it didn't waver like before.
The first time is always the hardest.
"Hoo-"
Jamie observed his body while maintaining the Full Body Breathing Method.
In this state, it was perfect.
A smile naturally spread across his face.
But it was too early to celebrate.
"As expected, the body's limits are catching up."
Kikik-
"Yeah. Can't be helped. This body is young and weak, after all."
He had accumulated mana on the level of a 4th Class mage since seriously starting the Full Body Breathing Method.
It was an achievement that would make the Linmel Marquis, who gave him the magic tome, faint in shock—perhaps even foam at the mouth—but Jamie's face showed only regret.
One more step, and it would have been 5th Class.
Yet this 7-year-old body wouldn't allow it.
To miss out on something as trivial as 5th Class...
'Can't get any modifications, either.'
With body modification, even a child could gain a physique stronger than an adult's.
However, from what Jamie had looked into, body modification didn't exist in this world.
'Might find some in the underworld, though.'
No matter how much of a successor to a top kingdom family he was, a 7-year-old couldn't freely roam the underworld.
Kiiing-
Black slid from his head to his shoulder, rubbing its cheek against his face.
This guy had grown accustomed to splitting mana too, and was now moving freely.
For now, he needed Black's help, but once he got used to it, he could do it alone as naturally as breathing.
"It's just a matter of time. No need to rush."
They weren't going anywhere.
So he could build his strength at his own pace.
'The second time on a path is never as hard as the first.'
He clenched his small fist tightly.
Speaking of which, lunchtime had already passed.
"Black, Invisible."
Kik!
Black's small body turned transparent.
"Hide the mana tight."
Now he planned to meet his father, Argent Welton.
But if he learned of Black's existence, it could get a bit tricky.
Black was a familiar he had painstakingly created in his Diablo Volpir days, with almost no traces of black magic left.
But the Welton Count was a Sword Master, one called superhuman.
Sword Masters had reached the pinnacle of mana manipulation.
The way they handled it differed from mages, but their perception would be beyond imagination.
He probably wouldn't notice Black, but caution never hurt.
Kii!
Black flapped its wings happily, grinning.
Invisible as it was, the flapping sound came from above his head.
Jamie steadied his breathing and headed to the count's office.
A pale-skinned old priest in deep blue clerical robes smiled at the seated Welton Count.
"We are grateful to you, Count. Thanks to you, the Zenith Church can take root in Hays territory."
"No need for thanks. I didn't expect the bishop to come personally when you're so busy."
The Welton Count offered a ceremonial smile and took a sip of tea.
The bishop shook his head.
"It's only natural for me to come see you, Count."
Hays territory was the Welton Count's land.
Having allowed them to settle there, it was fitting for the church's top authority to visit.
"That said, headquarters was quite surprised when you gave permission."
Bishop Lincoln recalled that day with a kindly smile.
"No religion has ever entered Hays territory before, yet you allowed the Zenith Church."
"I simply thought it necessary."
The Welton family had never believed in gods across generations and thus kept religions out of the territory, but the current count thought differently.
Whether the lord believed or not, religion had a positive effect on the territory's people.
Life among the common folk was harsh either way.
Just serving as a spiritual refuge for them would multiply the territory's vitality several times over.
In the end, it was a business decision.
"A wise choice. Religion is a refuge for the heart, a lifeline of salvation for some. Your territory will grow richer under Zenith's blessing."
"I hope so."
"It will happen without fail. Wherever the Zenith Church takes root, prosperity follows. With sufficient faith from the people, blessings are a given."
Lincoln nodded with unwavering conviction, as if it were inevitable.
The count raised the corner of his mouth slightly at the bishop.
"On Welton land, the Zenith Church will achieve all it desires."
"......Pardon?"
"Everything of mine pursues the pinnacle, so the Zenith Church settling under my land will become the greatest as well."
The bishop's eyes wavered slightly at the count's words.
Lincoln cleared his throat unnecessarily and spoke cautiously.
"Count, that sounds a bit dangerous."
"What does?"
"It sounds as if you're placing yourself above Zenith God."
"Hahaha."
The Welton Count let out a hearty laugh, then fixed the bishop with a slightly chilling smile.
"Perish the thought. How could a mere human presume to place a god beneath him?"
The bishop understood the implication.
This was establishing hierarchy.
A warning against his earlier words.
A warning not to casually claim his territory's people as Zenith God's flock.
Even so, the count's words were quite bold.
'I got carried away and misspoke myself.'
Anyone who knew the 12 Gods' influence in this land couldn't speak so, not even a Sword Master of Seldam Kingdom.
Especially Zenith God, deity of 'war' and 'peace'.
The Zenith Church worshiping such a god held influence across not just Seldam Kingdom but the entire continent.
'He's got guts.'
The bishop judged the Welton Count no pushover.
He had heard the rumors.
Done some background checks.
Seldam Kingdom's once-in-a-century genius swordsman.
Yet criticized for lacking political acumen due to his youth.
Was this bravado from inexperience?
'Not someone to underestimate.'
The bishop decided to proceed with caution.
"Then I'm relieved."
Lincoln flashed his kindly smile once more.
The Welton Count found the feigned smile amusing but had anticipated it when inviting a massive religion into his territory.
Well.
None of their plans would come to fruition anyway.
"Shall we end here? You must be busy."
"Hoho, thank you for your consideration, Count."
"This was entertaining."
Entertaining.
Lincoln chuckled inwardly but outwardly agreed.
"I enjoyed our time as well."
"Safe travels."
"May Zenith God's blessing be with you."
He made the sign of the cross toward the count and left the office.
Alone now, the Welton Count wiped the smile from his face and cast a cold gaze toward the door.
Jamie watched the departing old man from around the corner.
He had come to report his progress to his father, the Welton Count.
But he had spotted an unexpected figure.
'That guy...'
He frowned at the old man's attire.
Deep blue clerical robes adorned with a crescent moon, embracing a yellow orb.
He knew that symbol.
And not just the symbol.
The 'divine power' emanating from the old man.
'Zenith!'
Zenith, one of the 12 Gods, god of war and peace!
'Peace my ass, that trash bastard.'
Among the 12 Gods, he had the deepest grudge against Zenith.
One of that bastard's dogs had come out of the count's office.
Judging by the divine power, a high priest.
A high priest visiting the count.
It wasn't hard to infer the situation.
'The Zenith Church is taking root in Hays.'
No religions had existed in Hays until now.
'Why?'
Why had the Welton Count suddenly allowed a religion into his territory?
And out of all religions, why this trash Zenith bastard's church!
Goosebumps rose on his tender skin.
Just thinking of it triggered a strong allergic reaction.
'Zenith!'
The mere thought of that bastard made bile rise in his throat.
'Daring to encroach on my domain... with that trash's holy ground!'
He absolutely could not tolerate it.
He'd sooner sell his soul to a demon lord than watch that bastard's influence take hold here.
He wasn't planning a reckless attack without a plan.
He hadn't lived his long life in vain.
'My options are limited, so there's only one way.'
The religion could enter the count's territory only because the Welton Count permitted it.
So if the count drove them out, they'd have to leave without complaint.
The Zenith Church wasn't the kingdom's state religion, so expulsion wouldn't cause issues.
A long smile crept across Jamie's lips.
Zenith was hasty and quick to anger, and his followers inherited that temperament.
'Start with investigation.'
Tonight, his first outing in a while.
But first, meet his father, the Welton Count.
"So, you finished your task?"
"Yes."
Jamie nodded at his father's gentle voice.
The count looked at his son with a mix of pride and concern.
"Do you like magic?"
"Yes. I like it."
The count sighed briefly at his son's spirited reply.
Having great talent was good, but life as a genius wasn't all roses.
He himself had lived a tough life.
Called a genius of the sword, burdened by endless expectations.
Image soars in an instant, plummets just as fast.
Praised when excelling, but the moment growth slows, former admirers turn and tear you down mercilessly.
It was more vicious than the grueling sword training.
Some called it a full belly's complaint, but one couldn't understand without experiencing it.
So he wanted Jamie to grow up ordinary, at least.
"If you want to quit magic, you can anytime. But if you wish to continue, I'll support you endlessly."
"I won't quit."
The count smiled and nodded at Jamie's firm words.
"That's my son."
"Hehe."
Seeing his son beam made the worries fade a bit.
Of course.
Whose blood was he?
'But is this the mana a 7-year-old should hold?'
Mana energy brimmed throughout his body.
No, his entire body was absorbing mana even now.
Wait. Entire body?
The count frowned slightly.
Even as a non-mage, he knew about breathing methods from handling mana.
And that mages couldn't store mana outside their hearts.
Yet Jamie had shattered both common senses.
"...Jamie. The magic tome the Linmel Marquis gave you yesterday—is that what you learned?"
Jamie nodded nonchalantly.
"Yes!"
Not just learned, but all flaws fixed—but he didn't mention that.
The count would faint if he knew the truth.
He wanted to see that, but not his father disheveled.
The count pressed his forehead in fresh shock.
'Marquis. What did you make?'
A new breathing method not publicly known.
Since the marquis hadn't revealed it, likely a secret art.
And he gave it to his son.
Said he couldn't teach, yet left such a gift.
More astonishing: mastering the marquis's secret art in a single day.
'Is the 9th Class legend really coming true?'
The Welton Count had been called a once-in-a-generation sword genius as a child.
Indeed, reaching Sword Master at thirty-five was rare even in continental history.
But before his child, even his talent paled.
'Father-in-law will jump for joy hearing this.'
The count chuckled at his son staring blankly.
"Well done."
Then he gently stroked the small head.
That was enough.
Of course,
'Ugh... stop!'
Jamie's father's love was agony.