Chapter 13
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: The Sword Saint's Visit
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"I have received your orders, Count Regent."
From the moment he acknowledged her as the heir to the count's family, it was only natural to respect her rank.
"Please, help yourself! We prepared this in haste upon hearing of your visit, so I'm a bit worried it might not be to your liking..."
"It's fine."
Tibel Cascadia.
The uncle of Leon and Melissa, and the man currently scheming to swallow up the Cascadia countship whole, gazed at the old man before him with a tense expression.
"Hmm... The aroma is quite nice."
"I'm glad you like the tea we prepared especially for our guest."
The old man before him wasn't exactly his superior.
But what did it matter? Tibel was a subject of the kingdom, and the old man hailed from another nation, yet there wasn't a single soul on the continent who could treat him lightly.
Osberg Mielephon.
The former head of the illustrious sword family Mielephon, and a Sword Saint bestowed the title of Star by the emperor himself—that was the old man right before his eyes.
"The tea was excellent."
"Haha, I'm delighted it pleased you. But... what brings you to such a remote backwater...?"
Tibel Cascadia was a man pulling strings everywhere, lobbying to fully seize the countship.
Even among the high nobles of the kingdom, many were already aiding him.
But not even he would presume to cozy up to the empire's greatest noble—not to mention one of the continent's most renowned powerhouses.
Yet the old man had come to meet him personally.
From what he'd heard by way of introduction, the Cascadia count's family was keeping watch over the Demon Realm, and he had business there.
Hell, helping him with this would forge a connection that could greatly aid his ambitions going forward.
"If there's anything you need, don't hesitate to ask. This may not be a grand or glamorous place, but I'll support you with all I have, both materially and otherwise, so you can stay comfortably, Sword Saint."
"No need for that. By the way, I hear you're the one managing this countship."
"Y-yes, that's right. After the Cascadia count—my kinsman—passed away in an accident, I took over his duties."
"I see. Well, territory affairs are no business of an outsider like this old man. Still, since you can grant me access to the Demon Realm, I suppose some recompense is in order."
He fixed Tibel with a steady gaze.
Tibel felt a chill, as if those impassive eyes were piercing straight through him.
Get a grip, Tibel. This is an opportunity like no other. A chance to leave a profound impression on the Sword Saint.
Tibel promptly ordered a servant to prepare a document.
It was a permit stamped for entry into the Demon Realm.
"No need for complicated talk. Here it is. With this document, you can enter the Demon Realm immediately."
Of course, this permit was only half-valid. But what did it matter? Once his son, Bishiri Cascadia—who had gone to pressure Melissa—returned with the transfer contract stamped, this fake would become real.
Tibel had no doubt his plan would succeed.
"I'll gladly accept the document. But as the saying goes, a favor received demands a favor returned."
Osberg Mielephon gazed impassively at Tibel, who was rubbing his hands with a sly grin.
"I've come barging in unannounced with an impudent request, so I must pay the appropriate price."
"Haha, no, no. How could I possibly demand payment from Osberg, the Sword Saint of the empire?"
"Heh heh, you've got a bold tongue. I dislike owing debts, so speak freely."
The proposal Osberg Mielephon put forth held immense value.
His influence spanned not just a single kingdom, but the entire continent.
To Tibel, who was squabbling over the border count's seat in a minor kingdom, Osberg was a being from the heavens beyond the heavens.
Tibel Cascadia made a cautious gesture with his hand.
The door to the drawing room opened, and a young boy slowly walked in.
"Did you call for me, Father?"
The red-haired boy, who took after his mother, was Tibel Cascadia's late-born son.
"He's my son, though lacking in many ways."
"It's an honor to meet Osberg, the continent's greatest swordsman. I am Bibel Cascadia."
"Heh heh, the continent's greatest? I'm just a washed-up old geezer. Still, for one so young, you seem to have considerable talent. Do you wield the sword?"
"Yes, Sword Saint, sir."
"I see. Count Regent, is there a reason you've shown me this child?"
"I've heard that the Sword Saint is seeking a disciple."
"Oh? The rumors have spread even here."
In truth, Osberg Mielephon was famous for never taking a disciple even at his advanced age.
Thus, it was only natural that nobles from numerous kingdoms and the empire alike wished to recommend their sons as his apprentices.
"What do you think? Not to brag, but I'm confident my son has more talent than anyone I've ever seen."
Tibel Cascadia made no effort to hide his greed.
Of course, it was Osberg who had offered recompense first, and he was the one in need, so it was feasible.
Osberg peered into the eyes of the boy standing calmly.
Then he rose from his seat.
"I'm sorry, but I can't accept on that front."
"May I hear the reason?"
He hadn't harbored great expectations anyway. Even if this didn't pan out, he could extract something else in exchange.
But from Tibel's perspective, that attitude—finding his son lacking—didn't sit well.
"The boy takes after his father completely."
"Pardon? Haha, well, he is my son."
Tibel tilted his head at the out-of-left-field response.
But Osberg said nothing more.
"I'll prepare ample recompense for the Demon Realm access. If there's anything else you desire, tell me without reserve. Then, if another chance arises, I'll consider it."
A clear refusal. There was a faint trace of disappointment in Osberg’s voice.
"Sir."
"You've arrived."
A middle-aged man bowed his head and appeared before Osberg as he exited Tibel's mansion.
"Yes. Did everything go well with your errand?"
"Yes. Securing entry permission wasn't difficult. But it's a pity."
"A pity, sir?"
"For a long time, House Cascadia nobly guarded the Demon Realm. The late Count Cascadia, and his predecessors before him—fine people, from what I've heard."
The Cascadia countship was one of the few families shielding humanity's lands from non-human monsters.
He shook his head and strode forward briskly.
His purpose in visiting this territory was solely to gain entry to the Demon Realm.
He cared for nothing else.
"But the one now called the family head regent is different."
"A greedy man?"
"One can deceive with words, but not the ambition etched in one's eyes. And look—the atmosphere of this territory."
A dark, lifeless domain.
"House Cascadia's glory will soon fade. To think one of this small nation's few noble houses..."
Osberg clicked his tongue.
The son Tibel had shown him as a potential disciple was just like his father.
Though still a child, the greed and cruelty in that gaze fell far short in the eyes of a Sword Saint.
His talent was decent enough to acknowledge.
But that was it. Talent he could find anywhere if he looked.
Desire is inevitable for humans.
But Tibel's second son, Bibel Cascadia, didn't meet the criteria he had in mind.
Above all, that gaze personally displeased him, and objectively speaking, the talent wasn't genius-level.
He could say "decent," but the continent was full of children with that much promise.
"You're talking about the disciple issue."
"Yes. I can't put off finding a disciple forever. Are you resentful that I'm not taking one from within the family?"
"No, sir. No one questions your decisions. And to think the one with some talent ends up like that..."
"Tsk tsk. How so rigid..."
Osberg clicked his tongue again as he moved to leave the territory.
Then—
He froze!!
His eyes widened as he whipped his head around.
"Sir?"
The attendant was puzzled by Osberg's sudden action.
"Did I just see wrong?"
With a flustered look, he threw back the hood he was wearing.
Then, lightly kicking off the ground, he dashed off somewhere in haste.
Had he ever seen him move with such urgency?
Flustered yet swift, the man hurried after him.
"Sir!"
"Heavens..."
After running for some time, Osberg's eyes locked onto a boy.
A sword stained with faint bloodstains was gripped in the boy's hand.
"How can such a child exist in this world!"
The man was startled once by Osberg's words, then deeply shocked anew by the look in his eyes.
The Sword Saint Osberg's gaze burned with extreme excitement and anticipation.
He had never seen such an expression on Osberg before.
"Young one."
"Yes, sir."
"Something more urgent than Demon Realm entry has come up—I must confirm it first!"
"Yes? What do you— Sir? Sir!"
The moment Bishiri Cascadia slipped out of the family estate, he headed straight for a deserted alley.
Things had gotten a bit tangled, but it was mostly within expectations.
He had left Expert-level knights and some skilled hands in the family, so Leon and Melissa should've been subdued by now.
Even if the knights there failed to take them down, they would've worn themselves out eventually.
The remaining issue was the ghosts of the past still clinging to Melissa in the count's mansion—the knights loyal to her.
Even among Experts, skill varied with experience and cunning.
Indeed, though the numbers had dwindled, stubborn fools refusing to follow the tide lingered by Melissa's side.
Of course, no matter how they resisted, they'd all be swept clean by day's end.
"Listen up. The plan stands. From this moment, enter the countship as ordered, suppress thoroughly. And execute all pre-designated targets without fail."
His troops erupted in a ferocious aura at his command.
Traitors to the family for glory and wealth, or hires from outside territories.
They wouldn't botch things with mercy.
Though skilled retainers remained with Melissa, the forces lent by the kingdom's high nobles already surpassed the count's manpower.
Seven Entry-level Experts. Two mid-level.
Aura Users in abundance.
And regular soldiers besides.
Gathering such forces without Melissa noticing hadn't been easy, but they had all prepared fully.
Once Father inherits the title, I'll be next in line as family head. Can't hand it to that fool Bibel.
As he prepared to issue the territory coup order—
Boom!!
Someone landed behind him with a thunderous crash.
"Not fleeing, but openly staging a territory revolt, eh?"
It was none other than Leon.