Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Brudette
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Sophie, Eloa, and Do-yoon boarded the carriage bound for the Buske family home.
Do-yoon had decided to bring Sophie along too. After Heineken, this would be her second meeting with one of the strongest heroes of this era. He wanted to give her as much exposure as possible.
Before climbing into the carriage, Sophie spoke to Do-yoon.
"Shouldn't we bring a gift...?"
"A gift?"
"Yes. He's a hero, after all. Or... am I just too nervous...?"
Do-yoon paused to think. Fair point—he had given Eloa a gift, after all.
'Maybe some gold coins?'
But Brudette wasn't in a position like Eloa, managing a guild. Gold would look tacky.
Do-yoon mulled it over briefly, then remembered something fitting and nodded.
"Don't worry about the gift. Eloa handled everything."
"Oh, what a relief...!"
The two finished boarding the carriage.
Brudette walked the path of the sword alongside Buske. For him, the greatest gift would be anything that helped advance his realm.
'I wonder how far he's come.'
In the 18th round, Buske Style revolved around enlightenment of the Sword Realm. But during Buske's lifetime, Brudette hadn't reached the level to grasp it yet.
By the time Brudette had honed enough skill, both Buske and Do-yoon were long gone from the world. No one remained to pass down the teachings of the Sword Realm.
And for him to realize it on his own? Even a hundred years wouldn't cut it.
'Eloa mentioned in our call that he's hit a wall lately.'
Brudette. To Enoch, as good as a nephew—a truly polite kid.
Do-yoon gazed out at the rushing scenery beyond the window, anticipation swelling at the thought of the gift he'd prepared for the boy.
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They must have sent word ahead, because upon arriving at the Buske family home, the guards swung the gates open with utmost courtesy.
"Please wait just a moment. We'll fetch the hero and bring tea and refreshments."
"Sure."
Escorted to the reception room, the four settled in to wait.
Do-yoon scanned the interior.
'Just as it was.'
To Do-yoon, this mansion—this very room—was a familiar place. Carefully maintained without alteration, even after a century, the atmosphere and decor remained true to Buske's tastes from his lifetime.
Do-yoon felt a swell of pride at the nephew's devotion to his uncle, savoring the lingering traces and nostalgia of his old comrade.
Soon the door opened, and a man in pristine white robes entered with a serene smile.
"Welcome, everyone."
The hero of Skeletonia and disciple of Sword Emperor Buske. Brudette.
'Hm...'
Seeing him, Do-yoon let out a quiet hum.
The dashing young man Do-yoon remembered had vanished, replaced by a tidy, seasoned middle-aged gentleman bearing a neatly trimmed beard.
Word was he'd stopped visibly aging around fifty—and it was spot on.
'He's come a long way.'
And it wasn't just his looks. His presence had transformed too.
Once a young swordsman whose training-suppressed vitality still peeked through, he now exuded the razor-sharp aura and piercing gaze of a true sword master.
Brudette first shook hands with Sophie, appraising her prowess.
'Impressive. This level straight out of the Cradle...'
His eyes deepened as he sized her up.
'He brought the Boss Monster Killer... this girl?'
The brief handshake passed.
'No, that wasn't her sword hand.'
Brudette clasped hands with Do-yoon.
"...!"
"Han Do-yoon."
In that instant, Do-yoon felt the reflexive twitch of muscles in Brudette's palm.
The technique of treating clashing blades like a mirror to discern the foe's every minute motion, condition, psyche, even breath.
Buske Style Swordsmanship. Sword Mirror.
'Now he can do it through his hand alone.'
Do-yoon felt a fresh surge of pride.
But Brudette, unlike him, froze in astonishment, words failing him for a moment.
"Han... Do-yoon?"
"Yes."
Brudette slowly turned, eyes landing on Eloa behind Sophie.
She couldn't suppress her mischievous grin, her eyes crinkling as she watched the stunned Brudette.
Brudette scanned Do-yoon from head to toe once more, methodically.
"...She said I'd be shocked..."
She was right. He was utterly floored.
Sophie watched the two men, hands still locked.
As expected of a hero—he sees right through Do-yoon's skill, she marveled inwardly.
A brief silence hung in the air before Brudette flashed Do-yoon a smile.
"My apologies. Got carried away with the greeting."
"No harm done."
They released their grip.
Suddenly, Do-yoon's playful streak surfaced.
'...Let's rattle him once more.'
As their palms brushed apart...
Do-yoon mirrored the move, deploying Sword Mirror through his own palm.
"...!"
Until now, Brudette had managed to hold his gentle smile despite the flicker in his eyes. This time, his face locked up completely.
Do-yoon withdrew his hand and glanced down. Brudette's left hand gripped his sword hilt, the blade half-drawn and halted.
'Reflexes sharpened too.'
The exposed inch of steel gleamed with lethal sheen—from an angle Sophie couldn't see.
Still, he hadn't swung. Instinct might have severed limbs for interrogation under normal circumstances, but Brudette trusted Eloa. This couldn't be a threat.
"What in the..."
Brudette stared at Eloa in utter bafflement.
"Pfft, heh..."
Eloa abandoned all restraint—even in front of Sophie—doubling over, clutching her stomach.
Brudette let out a disbelieving chuckle at the sight, while Sophie blinked between them in confusion.
After the minor commotion, the five sat down to chat.
"I've heard plenty. The public credits the World Tree's hidden blade for foiling that raid, but anyone worth their salt in Skeletonia knows it was the Boss Monster Killer."
"Yes, that's right."
"I wasn't fully convinced. A fresh Cradle grad apostle facing eighteen of Satan's imps—even inside a sacred stone? Doesn't add up, Boss Monster Killer or not."
Do-yoon sipped his tea as he listened.
"...Meeting you face-to-face changed that. Cadet? Hard to believe, even seeing it myself."
"You flatter me."
Brudette sipped his tea without taking his eyes off the unflappable Do-yoon.
From their first glance to now, the nagging familiarity kept growing.
'He looks just like...'
The vibe matched that man from a century ago. Uncanny.
Brudette shot Eloa pleading looks for answers, but she just shrugged, eyes twinkling with delight. She was clearly loving this.
Brudette sighed inwardly at her antics.
"Anyway..."
No choice—he turned to Do-yoon, eyes steady.
"What was that back there?"
He meant the Sword Mirror Do-yoon had wielded.
Do-yoon took a sip, set his cup down, and nodded to Eloa.
Catching the cue, she sent Brudette a telepathic message Sophie couldn't hear. He cocked his head but held his tongue.
Eloa addressed Sophie and Do-yoon.
"Brudette and I need to talk privately. Mind stepping out for a bit?"
"Oh, of course! Take your time!"
Sophie set her cup down briskly, ever polite.
"So, where should we..."
Brudette smiled warmly.
"Can't leave guests standing in the hall. Swordsmanship and martial arts your specialties? Our team has sword and fist experts here right now. Care to chat with them?"
Sophie's eyes sparkled.
It was an unmistakable offer of instruction. A chance to learn from the hero team's elites? Rare fortune.
She replied, cheeks faintly flushed.
"Would that be okay?"
"Absolutely."
Brudette rang a small bell on the table. A maid entered promptly.
"Fetch Leon and Beth."
He added a telepathic note.
Do-yoon eavesdropped via his seventh sense. Beth was fine, but only Leon? Apparently Beth handled the sword, Leon the fists.
"Right away."
The maid withdrew. Soon, Leon—a member of the hero team—arrived to escort Sophie out.
Now just the three remained.
"Whew, holding that laugh was killing me."
Eloa slumped back against the sofa, decorum tossed aside.
Brudette raised an eyebrow. Showing her true colors to a recruit less than a week in? Unexpected.
"Now, care to explain?"
Brudette leaned forward, fingers steepled, eyeing Do-yoon and Eloa.
Eloa, still grinning like a kid at Christmas, poked Do-yoon's arm repeatedly.
"Hmm..."
Do-yoon hesitated on words, then eyed the sword at Brudette's waist and spoke up.
"No long explanations needed... Care for a quick spar?"
"Huh?"
Brudette's eyes went wide at the abrupt challenge.