Chapter 9
“Whew…”
Taking a deep breath, I felt energy surging and filling up in my lower abdomen.
Although it’s not very efficient without a proper mental cultivation technique, the Qi is steadily accumulating.
‘I can’t recklessly use sword techniques just yet.’
Thanks to the Blessing of Growth, my Danjun is larger than usual, but it’s still not enough.
‘When fully charged, I can probably use it about four times.’
Once I obtain a better mental cultivation technique, I’ll be able to gather Qi even during combat. There are first-tier techniques like Fire Attack Mental Cultivation , which imbues the Qi with the essence of fire, or Qi Burst Technique, which allows you to unleash an advanced skill by discharging Qi all at once.
I still need to think about how to build my foundation more concretely.
“Alright, this should be enough.”
After filling my Lower Danjun with Qi, it’s time for some strength training.
“One…! Two…!”
I worked my muscles with the exercise methods I learned from Galli.
Amazingly, when exercising with Qi stored in the Danjun, muscle soreness recovered quickly, and stamina replenished rapidly as well.
‘So that’s how the knights in Valdeon Saga maintain such superhuman strength.’
After finishing the workout and taking a light wash, sunlight began pouring between the mountains.
“What should I make for breakfast today? I think Erina said she wanted some fried food last time….”
Walking along the mountain trail at dawn and thinking about the breakfast menu is my usual morning routine.
It’s been about a month since I opened my Lower Danjun.
“Alright! Let’s get started!”
I’ve been growing at a rapid pace.
***
Alben fully recovered from the aftereffects of Danjun Piercing in exactly three days.
Although his body recovered within a day, the others forced him to rest properly, keeping him lying down.
Eventually, after the group consumed Erina’s “mysterious pig broth,” Alben’s return was carefully planned.
“Haha! Got it. I’ll put in some effort after a long time.”
Alben’s cooking, after a long break, was still top-notch.
After opening his Danjun, Alben’s progress soared day by day.
With each exercise, his sword movements became more precise and sophisticated. Within just five days, he was able to coat his sword with Sword Qi.
Typically, even achieving Sword Qi within six months would earn one the title of a genius.
In three months, you’d be a continent-level prodigy.
In one month, you’d be a hero destined to be written in history.
But Alben achieved it in only five days.
And that’s not all.
He was surrounded by excellent mentors.
“We’ll start the sparring session today.”
“The essence of dual-wielding swordsmanship lies in swift footwork!”
“There’s a centre to everything, even for intangible attacks. If you target that point and thrust, you can defend and neutralize everything. That’s the principle of Sword-and-Shield Technique.”
“If you think of the greatsword as a mere brute-force technique, you’re in for a surprise! Focusing power where needed to create maximum destruction with minimal effort — that’s greatsword technique.”
The other members took time to teach their swordsmanship to Alben.
Their real intention was to make him their direct subordinate when he eventually joined the Guardian Knights, but… there’s no way Alben would know that.
‘It’s a sweet deal.’
Alben absorbed their knowledge like a dry sponge.
As a result…
[You have acquired Wind Wave Style.]
[You have acquired Break Sword Style.]
[You have acquired Savage Claw Style.]
Wind Wave Style is a technique that boldly charges at the opponent, crushing them.
Break Sword Style targets weak points and neutralizes them in one strike.
Savage Claw Style focuses power to cut through the opponent as if tearing them apart.
‘All of them are useful techniques in the early stages.’
Successfully acquiring three sword styles is a huge achievement, but he still hadn’t reached his ultimate goal.
Ornica’s Scarlet Moon Style.
A technique that far surpasses the previous three.
As expected, the difficulty to acquire it is extremely high.
“…But well, I’ll get there eventually.”
Alben’s body is filled with an overwhelming amount of talent.
With time, he will naturally acquire Scarlet Moon Style.
Then, an incident occurred.
***
“Her Highness…?”
Erina shivered, as if she couldn’t believe what she’d heard.
“…Yes. I just received word.”
“What do you mean?! Our side was…!”
“This breach happened at the 5th Squad’s location. It seems the enemy bypassed the mountains and entered the village.”
“Oh… this is driving me crazy! Especially at such a critical time!”
The squad meeting continued amidst the tense atmosphere.
The topic was “Countermeasures Regarding the Second Princess’s Kidnapping.”
The Second Princess, Angela Marteus Lenzel.
She is currently in hiding at a village in the southern region of the continent for some unknown reason.
The ones tasked with protecting her are the members of the Guardian Knights.
Their duty is to patrol the surrounding mountains—east, west, south, and north—while eliminating any assassins and mercenaries.
The west mountain guarded by the 3rd Squad managed to repel the intruders in time.
The problem was in the North, where the 5th Squad was stationed.
They failed to renew the security magic in time and ended up allowing the intruders’ entry.
“Those bumbling fools! I knew they’d mess up sooner or later,”
Corinne said with a groan, rubbing her forehead.
“The Second Princess was reported missing at dawn today. Fortunately, it seems the enemy’s objective is not to kill her.”
If they intended to kill her, they would have done so already. The fact that only her body has disappeared without harm suggests that they only want to possess her, without any intention of causing harm.
In other words, there is still an opportunity.
“If they have even half a brain, they wouldn’t head back south.”
Ornica calmly analysed the situation.
“Now that we’re aware of the infiltration and have strengthened security, and even if they tried to escape through the northern mountains, it’s only uncharted territory beyond. Not an ideal place to move with a hostage.”
“The situation is similar in the south and east. Entering is easy, but leaving would be a living hell.”
“…Then the answer is obvious.”
Their escape route would be through the western mountains—the area guarded by the 3rd Squad.
“Everyone, please eat.”
At that moment, Alben entered the tent where the meeting was being held.
“W-Wha?!”
Erina quickly leapt forward to cover up the confidential documents hanging in the tent.
Any information related to the princess is top secret. Even Alben shouldn’t be allowed to see it.
“What’s everyone doing here?”
“Oh… Haha! We were just having a meeting! You know, a regular knights’ meeting….”
“I see.”
Alben tilted his head innocently.
Even though he had grown stronger from consistent training, he still looked as soft and gentle as when they first met.
The penalty of [Delicate Appearance] is permanent, so he’ll probably continue to look like this forever.
“Still, you should eat before continuing! I made hotpot for today.”
Alben, with his apron fluttering, spread his small shoulders proudly.
No matter how many times they saw him, his charm never wore off.
The ladies wanted nothing more than to eat the meal he prepared right away, but….
“I’m sorry, Alben.”
“Yes?”
“We won’t be able to eat breakfast today. We just received an urgent order….”
“Oh… I-I see?”
Alben’s gaze dropped to the floor.
And their hearts dropped along with it.
“W-We’ll come back soon and eat it together! Right, Galli?”
“Of course! We’ll be back before it gets cold!”
“It’s fine. You don’t have to push yourselves too hard.”
He gave a bittersweet smile.
He looked visibly dispirited.
‘…Ugh!’
Ornica barely held herself back from running out to hug him with all her might.
“Well, then, be safe! I’ll leave the hotpot on the table, so heat it up before you eat.”
Once he left the tent…
“Everyone, listen carefully.”
“Yeah.”
“Okay.”
“Understood.”
The morale inside the tent skyrocketed.
“From now on, we’ll quickly capture and eliminate the princess’s kidnappers. Then, we’ll come back and eat Alben’s hotpot. Any objections?”
“Nothing.”
“Let’s go, Captain.”
“Those damn bastards… How dare they target Alben…!”
Each of them radiated a murderous aura as they headed into the mountains.
“…Guess I should start moving as well?”
Alben’s lips curled into a suspicious smile.
***
The Second Princess Rescue Event.
This is an event that must occur in the Valdeon Saga.
It’s up to the player to decide whether to intervene, but if the Second Princess dies due to negligence, the probability of encountering a bad ending increases significantly.
If the Second Princess, Angela, dies, then the First Princess, Fernia, will immediately become the Empress.
And Fernia’s ambition is to subjugate the “Dragon’s Nest” at the northernmost end of the continent.
In other words, if Angela dies, the entire continent will be plunged into a chaotic war against dragons.
“Well, at least they’re still treating me like a player.”
The Second Princess Rescue Event must happen, but it changes depending on the protagonist’s situation.
For example, if the protagonist is at the Magic Tower, then dark sorcerers would be the ones kidnapping her.
If the protagonist has joined the Royal Guard, then monsters would suddenly run rampant in the capital.
Angela is essentially a woman born with a destiny that constantly puts her in danger.
I picked up an extra sword lying around Ornica’s tent and strapped it to my waist.
“It won’t be easy… but let’s give it a shot.”
The enemy is probably the assassins sent by that guy.
As I am now… I should be able to win.
…No, I will win.
“Win.”
I must win, no matter what.
—
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