Chapter 68
The next morning.
The Duke summoned me urgently.
“There was a raid on the Marquis’ residence last night.”
The matter he conveyed was simple.
It was about assassins infiltrating the annex.
‘They’ve finally come.’
I had prepared to some extent, but the outcome was still uncertain.
Was it because my concern showed on my face?
The Duke immediately spoke.
“According to Remton, there wasn’t any major damage, so don’t worry too much. Aside from a few injured knights, that is. Oh, and your personal maid and squire are safe.”
“Is that so?”
If those two were safe, then the outcome wasn’t too bad.
Shortly after, Meleos’ expression changed subtly as he looked at my face.
“You there. Are you perhaps involved with your maid?”
“Pardon?”
“It’s not usual for someone’s expression to change so much over the life of a single maid. Your private affairs are none of my business, but it’s better not to get too attached.”
It seemed he had the wrong idea.
It wasn’t uncommon for nobles in this world to have affairs with their maids.
Some even ended up taking them as concubines, so his misunderstanding wasn’t out of the ordinary.
“That’s not it.”
The Duke gave a sly smile at my response.
“People usually say that when I ask such a question.”
It seemed impossible to clear up the misunderstanding.
Well, as long as the truth wasn’t what he thought, it didn’t matter.
“Duke.”
“What is it?”
“May I use the gate?”
“Now that you mention it, you used the gate to get here, didn’t you?”
“Yes. The mana stones will be covered by our family.”
Returning home.
It would take a month even with a mana carriage, and without one, it would take at least two months.
Of course, I had no intention of taking that long to return.
In an era where magic was widely used, it only made sense to utilize magical items.
“Forget it. I’ll let you use it for free this time. We’re allies now, aren’t we?”
How generous.
He was offering to cover the cost of both high-grade and mid-grade mana stones for free.
Naturally, I was more than grateful.
Who wouldn’t be?
Free things are always welcome, especially when it involves gate usage fees.
“Thank you.”
“I look forward to seeing great magic from you. Are you leaving now?”
“Yes. I’ve enjoyed the banquet, and I have other matters to attend to, so I believe it’s time to go.”
“Understood.”
With that, Leonhardt and I headed to the gate located inside the Duke’s library.
After being seen off by Helton, we stepped into the gate.
The transfer was instantaneous.
“You’re here.”
Waiting at the gate was none other than Marquis Remton.
“Yes.”
“The Duke told me about it. Congratulations on your win.”
“Thankfully, I was able to achieve a good result.”
“Indeed. Well done. Let’s have some tea. I have something to discuss. Leon, wait outside.”
“Yes.”
After the maids served us two cups of tea and left, leaving just the two of us in the office, the Marquis turned to me.
“You wish to be independent?”
“That’s correct.”
The Marquis must have had an inkling of my intentions ever since I mentioned entering the theoretical competition.
After all, the prize for winning was the right to establish a Magic Tower.
Building a Magic Tower essentially meant creating an independent power base.
It was only natural that now was the time to discuss my independence.
“I see. When do you plan to establish the Magic Tower?”
“I believe it will be after the succession ceremony.”
“Have you decided on the location?”
“I haven’t made a firm decision yet. Honestly, I wasn’t entirely certain I’d win, so I need more time to think about it.”
A brief silence fell between us.
“Kyle.”
“Yes.”
“How are you getting along with your brothers?”
“Fairly well.”
“Good. There’s not much more I can say. However.”
The Marquis looked me in the eye.
“Even if you leave this family, this will always be your home. Never forget that.”
That was obvious.
I wasn’t foolish enough to sever ties with such a strong support system.
I smiled at Remton.
“Of course, Father. While I dream of independence, it doesn’t mean I feel entirely at ease. I will always bear the name Kyle Seltarion.”
“That’s all I needed to hear.”
“By the way, I heard there was an intruder in the annex where I reside last night.”
“That’s correct.”
“Are the others safe?”
The Marquis chuckled at my question.
“They’re fine. In fact, they turned the assassins into corpses. That Seron, he certainly has talent. Didn’t you say he used to be a gladiator?”
“That’s correct.”
“Then he couldn’t have been learning sword techniques for long… and yet, he managed to deal with four intermediate assassins and one advanced assassin.”
“There was an advanced assassin among them?”
“Yes. Upon examining the bodies, a mark was found.”
It seemed to refer to the insignias assassins carried.
Green for lower-tier.
Red for intermediate.
Blue for advanced.
And black for top-tier assassins. It was well-known that hiring advanced or top-tier assassins required a significant sum.
While an Expert-level knight could defeat an advanced assassin in direct combat, it was different in an ambush.
‘In ambushes, the tables are often turned.’
An assassin’s true strength lay in their stealth and precision.
As the Marquis explained the events of last night, I learned how the alarm magic had alerted them to the attack, and how the five bodies were discovered in my room.
After finishing his explanation, Remton spoke calmly.
“The corpses were thoroughly mutilated. It seems it was done to cover their tracks. By the way, your maid… are you planning to keep her hidden?”
“For now, yes.”
The Marquis spoke calmly.
“Right. That’s why the bodies are being stored separately.”
Oh.
Was he helping me out like this?
If assassins had attacked, there was a high chance that Erciel had fully utilized her spirit abilities.
While Seron was skilled, there was no way he could handle five assassins on his own.
Naturally, traces would have been left behind.
The Marquis likely considered this and stored the bodies separately to make it harder for others to uncover any evidence.
He was surprisingly considerate for a father.
“Thank you.”
“No need for gratitude.”
The Marquis’ gaze suddenly sharpened.
“While that’s one reason, the real reason is that I wanted to confirm something.”
“What do you mean?”
“Seron. That fellow. He used an unusual sword technique.”
So that’s what it was about.
Well, if assassins of that caliber had attacked, Seron would have had no choice but to use the modified Storm Sword technique I taught him.
Even if they had tried to erase the traces, it seemed they couldn’t fool the eyes of a Sword Master.
‘Of course not.’
It would be strange if one of the three Sword Masters on the continent didn’t notice.
Given the circumstances, it seemed like a good time to reveal the existence of the modified Storm Sword.
“I modified it.”
“…You modified it?”
“Yes.”
The Marquis stared at me, dumbfounded.
“…You’re saying you changed the first technique of the Storm Sword?”
“That’s correct.”
After a brief silence, the Marquis spoke quietly.
“…It’s quite an impressive technique.”
“…Pardon?”
“I’ve already tried it once. With the traces left behind, it wasn’t hard to deduce the movements.”
Wow.
What a monster.
Not only had Seron tried to erase the traces, but the Marquis had also deduced the modified technique and tested it himself.
I couldn’t help but be impressed.
And it seemed I wasn’t the only one amazed. The Marquis, too, looked at me with a mix of disbelief and curiosity.
“How did you come up with that technique?”
“It’s similar to magic.”
“…Similar to magic?”
“You’re aware, Father, that my magic is different from the norm.”
“That’s true.”
The Marquis nodded, and I continued.
“In truth, it all started with a simple question.”
“A question?”
“When I looked at the operational method written in the spellbooks, it felt… stifling. As if there was a better way to do things, but it wasn’t being utilized.”
“…”
“So I experimented with modifications and eventually developed a unique method. The Storm Sword was no exception.”
“By no exception, you mean…”
“When my bodyguard was teaching Seron the Storm Sword, I was present. I observed the technique and felt a similar sensation as I did with magic.”
“…No way.”
“It’s exactly as you’re thinking.”
The Marquis’ eyes shook violently.
But it lasted only for a moment.
Soon, his gaze settled, and he called out to me calmly.
“Kyle.”
“Yes.”
“Do you know how long the Storm Sword technique has been passed down? It’s a sword technique refined over hundreds of years, continually improved upon.”
“I’m aware.”
“And yet you’re telling me you modified it just by watching it once?”
Normally, that would be an absurd claim.
But I wasn’t a normal person.
So, naturally, it made sense.
“Father.”
“…”
I looked directly at the Marquis and concluded.
“If it didn’t make sense, there wouldn’t be results. To me, it makes perfect sense.”
“…Hah. Let me ask one more thing. Have you modified any techniques beyond the first?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I didn’t feel anything.”
“So… are you saying you can’t do it?”
I shook my head.
It wasn’t that I couldn’t.
I simply didn’t want to reveal everything at once.
Slowly unveiling each piece was the best way to maximize its value.
“I suspect it’s because my level is still too low.”
“Your level is too low?”
“Yes. I didn’t sense the inspiration for techniques beyond my current circle. If I reach the second circle, I believe I’ll be able to confirm it.”
“…So what you’re saying is.”
“When my circle increases, I might be able to modify higher-circle spells as well. The same applies to swordsmanship.”
When the time came to reveal that I had reached the second circle, I could offer a partial modification of the second technique of the Storm Sword.
If I proved that I could continue improving techniques as my circle grew?
‘They’d pour all their resources into helping me increase my circle.’
Even high-grade mana stones wouldn’t be spared.
After all, that was the only way to unlock more of the Storm Sword’s secrets.
“Have you also devised a method to circulate aura in tandem with the technique?”
“That’s correct.”
“And how does it work?”
“Both Seron and Leonhardt have been using it effectively.”
“Does it align with the movements?”
“Yes.”
Hearing this, Remton’s expression brightened significantly.
“Well done. If you’ve created an aura circulation method suited to the technique, it’ll undoubtedly be a great asset to our family.”
Since it was already exposed, handing it over seemed like the best course of action.
It wasn’t something I could protect on my own, and I intended to strengthen the family anyway.
But I had no intention of giving it away for free.
“Yes. I plan to refine the aura circulation method further and then pass it on to the family. However, when the time comes, I’ll require some support.”
“Support? For your independence?”
“Yes.”
“Very well.”
Perfect.
With the deal successfully concluded, it was time to investigate the assassins’ mastermind.
As expected, it seemed likely to be that so-called “friend” of mine, who treated me as a VIP fool.
Still, to instill absolute certainty in the Marquis’ mind, some groundwork was necessary.
Smirking, I looked at the Marquis.
“Father. Have you discovered who sent the assassins?”
Viscount Remington.
It was time to slowly cook that cunning pig.
—
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