Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Chapter 3: Adalbert Swordsmanship (5)
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He hadn’t even unfolded the Space Sword yet.
Even so, Martin could feel the worth of drinking the dragon’s blood and forcibly attempting awakening.
Normally, just operating aura and spatial distortion simultaneously would take a toll, but now he didn’t even feel the slightest pain.
A smile threatened to creep onto his face, but Martin held it back with effort.
He could smile after unfolding the Space Sword.
“Hah!”
Martin let out a spirited shout.
At that moment, the golden aura began melting into the space.
‘Got it!’
Martin’s body trembled with thrill.
The first time he’d tried to unfold the Space Sword, there had been fierce backlash, like mana flowing in reverse.
But now was different.
As if they had always been one, the aura smoothly blended into the space without issue.
A subtle golden light then slowly spread out, covering a radius of 5 meters.
It soon took the form of a perfect cube.
Finally, he had succeeded in unfolding the Space Sword, and Martin thrilled with excitement.
But his joy was short-lived as he was suddenly startled.
“Ugh.”
The moment the technique completed, a groan escaped him.
It wasn’t the dragon’s curse flaring up, however.
‘The sword... it’s gotten heavier?!’
It was hard to even hold.
If he hadn’t instinctively gripped the hilt with his left hand, he might have dropped it a moment later.
Flustered, Martin turned to look at Arelia.
She smirked faintly.
It was a mischievous smile.
—Space is the world itself. Bearing its weight is no easy task—
“The wider the range, the heavier it gets, right?”
—Exactly. That’s why Adalbert direct descendants must steadily temper their bodies. Get drunk on the mighty power, and you won’t even be able to handle your own strength.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
His doubts cleared.
Martin gripped the hilt tightly with both hands.
Squeeze.
Bearing the weight of space was no easy task, and as if to prove it, his freshly healed internal injuries reopened.
Thanks to his body’s explosive growth, it wasn’t severe.
“Hup!”
With a short shout, Martin began slowly moving the sword.
His entire body screamed in protest, but he cleanly ignored it.
Gritting his teeth, he poured in all his strength, and the blade wrapped in golden light fell from above to below.
Shwaaaa!
Golden aura burst forth from the blade in tandem.
‘This is...’
Watching the aura slice through the air, Martin felt something wondrous.
There was clearly some distance between him and the aura.
Yet he felt connected to it.
As if an invisible thread linked them.
Even when hailed as Sword Saint, he had never felt this sensation.
‘Space Sword changes form and position according to the mind.’
That was why it was nicknamed Mind Sword.
He had wondered about the principle, but now he thought he understood.
‘Bend!’
Martin’s fierce will flashed.
The aura, heading straight forward, suddenly veered right.
Next, he pictured it vanishing, and once more, his will manifested in reality.
The aura, twisting space as it flew erratically around the room, was sucked in.
‘Come out.’
Bzzz.
Martin thought while looking to his left.
Golden aura appeared to his left, about 4 meters away.
‘This is the Space Sword.’
Experiencing it firsthand made it real.
How cheat-like the Space Sword was.
The fact that he could freely manipulate aura within the space he dominated sent shivers of excitement through him.
—Stop! That’s enough. You’ll really get hurt.
Arelia’s tone was firm. Her eyes were stern too.
Ignoring her further would surely strain their relationship, so Martin dispersed the aura.
His body was straining too.
“Hah... hah...”
Less than a minute had passed, yet his clothes were soaked with sweat.
Blood streamed from his nose, ruining his face and clothes, while exhaustion-induced weakness dominated his body.
But a bright smile graced Martin’s lips.
The joy of success outweighed the fatigue and pain.
—So, what’s your impression of unfolding the Space Sword for the first time?
“I realized the aura’s power weakens.”
—Spot on. It’s a byproduct of melting aura into space. So don’t let your guard down just because you’ve used the technique. Keep training until you can maintain the original aura’s power even with Space Sword deployed. Though I doubt it’ll take you long.
“You flatter me.”
—Flatter, my ass. Anyway, congratulations. With this, you’ve mastered the basics of Adalbert Swordsmanship.
“Now it’s time to learn Arelia Swordsmanship.”
—It is, but head back for today. Pushing further won’t do you good.
“Then when should I come next?”
—Once a week from now on.
“Understood. I look forward to your guidance, Ancestor.”
—Sure.
With that, Arelia waved her hand.
As if telling him to leave quickly.
Martin bowed politely, and soon light flared as her figure vanished.
Squeeze.
Alone now, Martin clenched his fist.
He had entered the Overlord’s Chamber to confirm if he could learn Adalbert Swordsmanship—specifically the Space Sword.
But he had gone beyond confirmation and mastered it outright.
Drinking the dragon’s blood had explosively boosted his physical abilities, and successful awakening had partially recreated the strength of his Sword Saint days.
‘I got everything I wanted. No, more than enough.’
He had manifested his unique ability, proving his worth as a direct descendant, and gained justification to become family head.
With immense power, he could now establish authority as head.
All that remained was to show the world his changed self.
Creak.
Feeling his chest swell with anticipation, Martin opened the door.
Sien was waiting there.
“Sien?”
Spotting her, Martin immediately turned to the window.
When he’d entered the Overlord’s Chamber, the sunset had vividly dyed the sky.
Now the morning sun was rising.
Unknowingly, he had kept Sien up all night.
“I’m really sorry! If I’d known it’d take this long, I’d have come out sooner.”
“Why apologize for something like this, Martin? I’m your guard. This is what I’m here for.”
“Seriously, without you, I’d have suffocated in there.”
“Come on, isn’t that overkill? You’ve got Kallain by your side too. He’d be hurt if he heard.”
An unwelcome name came up, but Martin didn’t show it.
Unlike the half-hearted Gustin family head, Kallain had been friendly with him.
Naturally, Sien saw Kallain positively.
Best to change the subject now.
“Nothing happen while I was in the Overlord’s Chamber?”
“It did. The Rustal House, Fezex House, and Bittenfeld House formally objected. They say you sitting on the White Dragon Throne without official recognition as heir shakes the foundations of noble society and even mocks the Imperial Family.”
“I’ll grant the first point, but why drag in the Imperial Family? Even they can’t interfere with the head positions of the Three Great Houses, including ours.”
“They’re grasping at straws. They’re even pushing for an official Grand Council.”
“Grand Council, huh...”
A meeting where all involved with the Adalbert House gathered.
Only the most critical matters were discussed, and Martin’s 100-day training had been decided there too.
“They’re dead set on dragging me down. When is it?”
“Two weeks from now.”
“Even with portals, that’s fast. Not like those heavy-ass folks.”
“Of course. After the huge fuss you caused, how could they stay away?”
“Yeah, fair enough.”
Martin grinned at Sien’s jab.
“I went from a nobody to claiming the White Dragon Throne, so they’re bound to be on edge. Even if I’ve got justification and qualification locked down.”
“This isn’t the time to smile, Martin. Those three houses have serious forces. If they go crazy and bulldoze with brute strength, it’s dangerous. Especially with the main house vassals all scattered and doing their own thing.”
“It was dangerous before I entered the Overlord’s Chamber. But not anymore, Sien.”
“What do you...”
Roooar!
Sien couldn’t finish.
Because of the aura Martin suddenly exuded.
It was disorienting enough, but what truly shocked her was Martin’s power itself. Just brushing against his presence overwhelmed her.
She couldn’t twitch a finger.
Sien could only gape in shock.
At the same realm, this never happened.
Feeling this dominated meant that vast a skill gap.
“W-what is that power? It wasn’t like this before the Overlord’s Chamber!”
“I gained enlightenment in the Overlord’s Chamber.”
“How long ago was your dungeon enlightenment!”
“Ah, this time it wasn’t swordsmanship—it was my unique ability.”
“Even so, it’s absurd. You manifested it just recently.”
“Enlightenment doesn’t care about time.”
Sien shook her head at Martin’s words.
“Easier said than done. Ugh... whatever. What’s the point talking about your talent? So now you’re 6th Circle, right? With your unique ability up to 2nd Circle.”
“Nah, not quite. It’s 3rd Circle.”
“......”
Gape.
The shock was so great Sien froze with her mouth open.
Martin’s growth speed was miraculous, making even “leaps beyond common sense” sound trite.
Only after a while did she recover enough to ask.
“......What the hell happened in the Overlord’s Chamber?”
“I learned Adalbert Swordsmanship.”
“I know that’s impressive. But learning it wouldn’t make you grow that fast... or the Adalbert House would’ve toppled the Imperial Family ages ago. So spill the details. Everything, including why your clothes are bloodied.”
“Hmm. Well, I survived a few near-death experiences first.”
“That’s not something to say smiling!”
“The results were good, so let it slide, Sien. Oh, and not just awakening—I took some elixir too, so my lifespan increased.”
Sien shook her head at Martin, who never lost his smile.
No point pressing further.
She changed the subject.
“......7th Circle is solidly top-tier on the Krasian continent. Will me sticking as your guard even help you?”
“Of course. 7th Circle is amazing, but not invincible. Who else could I trust my back to if not you?”
“......”
“And I think you can reach 7th Circle anytime. No, even beyond.”
Martin comforted the crestfallen Sien.
He wasn’t just saying it.
In fact, she would reach 7th Circle in five years, at age 28.
“I hope so.”
Sien nodded softly at his encouragement.
She resolved to train even harder.
“You’ve been through a lot—head back to your room and rest, Martin. Can’t face the branch heads looking beat.”
“Yeah, but... could you ask the Egret House head to come to the main house ASAP? No later than three days.”
“If it’s my request, he’ll do it, no problem... but why Father?”
“I need to talk with him alone. Please, Sien.”
Martin thought of one person.
Vincent von Egret.
Head of the Egret House, one of the five branch families, and Sien’s father.
In the Adalbert House rife with internal enemies, he was the only one who’d supported Martin, only to lose his life for it.
“Got it. Not a big deal. But he’ll ask about you—how much can I say?”
“Just hide my exact strength. Everything else is fine.”
“Alright. I’ll contact Father now, so rest up, Martin.”
“You too.”
After their farewell, Martin turned.
‘Last time, I reached out to the Gustin House head.’
Wrong partner, horrific consequences.
This time, he wouldn’t repeat the mistake.