Chapter 64
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: The Demon Sword Electra
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Though I'd lived a long time, I was terribly immature when it came to relationships with people.
No, maybe even more so than ordinary folks.
Some people say that living a long life gives you a certain dignity around others.
Sure, that's not wrong. But it didn't apply to me—I'd spent my years fighting nonstop, without a moment to worry about such things.
Having achieved such a satisfying result, I returned to the annex and immediately activated the communication orb Melissa had given me.
-How mu...ch did you say?
"Two trillion."
-......
She looked stunned for a moment, drenched in sweat like she'd just been in the thick of a fight.
-Wait, I didn't hear that wrong, did I?
"You heard right. Forget fifty billion—this thing went for over two trillion."
-Kyaaah!! We're rich now!!
Her scream made me hastily throw up a sound barrier to keep the noise from spreading.
Watching her shriek and celebrate for a good while brought a smirk to my face.
"They said the rest of the payment will come through Lavren Bank, so I'll head back with what we've got for now. Anything going on in the territory?"
-I'm cleaning up the place. There's so much trash, you know? Sweeping it all out. Be careful out there, Big Brother! Don't lose the money!
She only calls me Big Brother when she needs something.
Ending the call with her, I finally acknowledged that I'd accomplished my original goal.
Fortunately, even with the chaos at the banquet hall, we hadn't lost much.
Whether the Mielephons had made some excuse or not, no one was paying undue attention here anymore.
Of course, there were eyes on me after beating that knight, but there was hardly any way for outsiders to approach.
Once I'd achieved my goal, Head Maid Misha put on a front like it was nothing, but subtly revealed her regret.
"It'll be a bit lonely once you two leave."
"You're staying here, Head Maid?"
"As usual."
"Won't Lady Isna be remaining?"
"......"
Mentioning Isna brought a weary look to her face.
"The young lady... Sigh."
Yeah, I get it. I totally understand.
Luna was completely engrossed in the ancient Laplace compass she'd won at the auction.
According to her, it was about linking her consciousness to it—and only if that succeeded could she find the ring she was after, Fate Road.
Isna, who'd actually bought it for her, didn't seem to care much one way or the other.
Even for a rich young lady, dropping ten billion wasn't a small burden.
The fact that those ten billion weren't just some rich girl's play money felt ominous.
Rich people seem to throw money around, but I knew full well that they never did anything that'd actually lose them money.
She acted like a total airhead, but that fleeting aura I'd glimpsed at the auction made me doubt if she really was.
"That good, huh?"
"Wouldn't it be? With this, the chances of finding it skyrocket."
Of course, it wasn't perfect—beyond giving a rough direction, there were all sorts of limitations—but that alone was plenty.
Eventually, she'd definitely find it.
"We've wrapped up our business with the Mielephons, so shall we head back?"
"Sounds good. I wanna go eat strawberry ice cream."
I went looking for Family Head Katsi Mielephon to let her know we were about to leave.
She was sitting alone in the center of the family's first training hall, gathering her aura quietly.
"Duchess."
At my call, she slowly opened her eyes from her focused state.
And took me in with her gaze.
"Looks like you've finished your business, young master."
"Yes. Though it seems Sword Saint has stepped out."
"My father is a busy man."
She spoke calmly, rose from her seat, and walked off somewhere.
Then she returned carrying two real swords she'd prepared in advance.
"Young master."
"I'm listening."
"Take a sword."
She handed me a fine-looking sword at a glance, taking a plain one for herself.
As I gripped it, she strode to the opposite side and spoke.
"The sword my father promised you, and the one I'm about to hand over now—they're both Mielephon heirlooms."
"Pardon?"
"However, wielding these swords comes with conditions."
Her presence shifted entirely.
The subtle pressure around us sharpened to a razor's edge.
"The sword chooses its master... something like that?"
"Exactly. Come at me. If you can receive my sword just once, I'll give it to you."
No, I don't really need that sword, you know.
Still, I took it up.
I was curious about Duchess Katsi Mielephon's skill, after all.
I might not beat the Sword Saint, but against the duchess, I wouldn't be pushed around easily.
"Father said to trust and give it to you, but this sword I'm offering now—if its wielder lacks the qualifications, it drives them mad or makes their aura run rampant."
So that's the risk it came with.
"That good, huh?"
"If it underperformed, it wouldn't be worthy of being called an heirloom. You're now officially engaged to the Mielephons. As family head, I need to confirm the safety of my future son-in-law."
In other words, she wanted to test my skills before handing over the sword.
Refusing probably wouldn't fly anyway. And if it was that good a sword, having it wasn't a bad thing.
I gripped my sword and settled into a stance.
At the same moment, the duchess's aura facing me sharpened murderously.
Oh.
Observing her aura move, I caught a glimpse of it surging wildly for an instant.
And in the next moment, she was already in my face, swinging her blade.
In terms of speed, she was faster than anyone I'd seen so far.
I couldn't judge the Sword Saint's sword since I'd never witnessed it, but her mid-tier Sword Master rank felt well-earned.
Even up close, she didn't hold back her power at all—like she was daring me to bring everything I had.
I watched her charging strike without hesitation and stepped forward first this time.
The moment she entered striking range, her sword path became visible.
Her blade, brimming with the intent to press in no matter my counter, was undeniably sharp.
Claaaaang!!!!
The swords clashed in a flash of sparks, mine pushed back.
It was astonishing force.
With my body enhanced by massive aura output, I wasn't outmatched physically even by Sword Masters.
Even limiting my aura and not drawing pseudo sword aura, it had been ages since a single clash sent me sliding back meters.
Someone of Duchess Katsi's caliber—you couldn't just hold back against her.
Conversely, the duchess looked quite shocked too.
Her battle spirit poured out visibly across her body.
Ah, her switch is flipping.
I knew the signs.
A swordmaster whose growth had stalled, spotting something new—eyes going wild.
Left like this, her follow-ups would have zero restraint.
Too far gone already.
"I surrender. Blocking one strike was my limit."
Raising both hands slightly while still holding the sword, she flinched, startled, and reined in her power.
"I thought Father was exaggerating... but it seems I underestimated you greatly."
"You were holding back."
"Sorry, but there's a limit to holding back."
She let out an incredulous chuckle.
Then she sheathed her sword, set it aside, and brought over a red box from nearby, offering it.
"What's this?"
"Open it."
A sinister energy seeped obviously from the box.
I slowly pried it open to reveal a beautiful yet eerie red sword inside.
"A demon sword."
"More valuable than most magic swords. One of the Mielephon heirlooms. Father said to give you one a step below this, but it suits you better than that one."
Why so generous?
"You can just give me something like this?"
"As long as the engagement doesn't fall apart over something unsavory, no regrets."
"For example?"
"Like committing treason without cause."
Extreme example.
"What if I turned out to be a scoundrel or a philanderer?"
"Young master, I'm not the type to fret over impossibilities."
Her point: I might rebel, but she didn't see me as the type to be a lowlife scumbag.
Hard to tell if it was praise or an insult.
"If you insist, I'll gladly take it—but I tend to use swords roughly."
"I could tell. That's why I'm giving you this one."
Bad habit I couldn't shake.
"Demon Sword Electra. It barely scratches under normal circumstances, and the more blood it tastes, the more it regenerates itself. Perfect for you."
I lifted Electra from the box and slowly drew it from its sheath.
The red blade slid out with a shing, and immediately, a sinister demon energy tried to invade me.
An ordinary aura user—no, anyone without honed mind and body—would be devoured in seconds. Truly vicious.
Not yet suppressed by an owner, so this reaction made sense.
The demon sword's energy seeped in like it was corrupting my body.
Sure. My current aura and mental strength could control it easily.
But before that, something inside me wouldn't stand for this demon energy encroaching.
-How dare you act up in my domain.
-Kieeeek!!!!
As if declaring that, the enormous death spirit mana within me circulated and crushed the demon energy outright.
A phenomenon born from the mana infused with dominion power and the similar-natured demon energy.
Bzzzzz!!!
The sword wailed in resonance, as if realizing something was wrong.
Electra, having dared to challenge and been trampled in return, resisted for a while before finally submitting.
Beyond mere acceptance—total submission.
I didn't know the exact effects, but it surely wasn't bad.
No heirloom would just destroy its user. Once controlled, it probably became far less dangerous.
"Fine sword."
"Glad you like it. Want to swing it once?"