Chapter 95
A territorial war to be declared in Prinus.
I continued the discussion about it with Abel.
It started as a debate, but as the conversation progressed, it gradually became a one-sided lecture.
Honestly, it was only natural.
Abel was still young and hadn’t experienced many battles worthy of being called actual combat. Compared to that, I—
‘I’m not just seasoned—I’m rotting from being oversteeped.’
In the game, I had experienced countless battles.
Naturally, when it came to strategy and tactics, I was several levels above Abel.
After a while, Abel looked at me in admiration.
“Where on earth did you learn all this?”
“I read a lot of books related to this. I’m merely reciting what I know.”
“…Hah.”
Abel chuckled in disbelief, and I continued speaking.
For a plan to devour an entire city, the conversation was surprisingly light.
Viscount Remington.
Even if you totaled all his private soldiers, he barely had around five thousand.
The difference in knights was even more dramatic.
Though the number of knights in our family had decreased, the difference was still more than sixfold.
It was to the point where I had to wonder how we could even lose such a fight.
Until now, we hadn’t touched him simply because we lacked justification.
“Thanks to the assassin ledgers, we now have a pretty clear justification… though I must admit, it’s a bit disappointing.”
“What do you mean?”
“Honestly, the ledger alone isn’t quite enough to be called conclusive evidence. If the Viscount sends out requests for help, things could get messy.”
Prinus was a sweet domain.
With our house’s strength recently weakened, we had to consider the possibility of interference from other noble families.
If the Viscount sent out an SOS, nearby noble houses would rush in like a pack of wild dogs.
All they had to say was that the ledger was forged and that they were helping a suffering house.
In that case, we might have to concede a significant portion of the city’s interests.
“If we can’t end this swiftly, it’ll be a serious problem. We’ll have to finish it as fast as possible before he can send for help.”
So, the territorial war had to end quickly.
“What if there was another piece of conclusive evidence besides the ledger?”
“If it’s truly decisive, then no other family would be able to interfere.”
At my words, Abel nodded and pulled something out. It was a round item, like a crystal orb.
“Take a look at this.”
“This is… a mana recovery orb, isn’t it?”
“Correct. It’s an artifact we found at their hideout. It had some very interesting content stored inside.”
Soon, a video began playing from the mana recovery orb. The first thing to appear was a suspicious man with his face hidden under a hood.
A conversation began in the video.
The content? Requesting an assassination of someone from the Marquess’s house.
Though he tried to hide his face with the hood, the video was filmed from below, making his face clearly visible.
It was unmistakably Viscount Remington.
I couldn’t help but smile broadly as I watched the video.
‘What a delightful bastard.’
They recorded such an excellent piece of evidence.
Whether it was for blackmail or self-protection,
It must’ve been recorded secretly for future use.
Thanks to that, things were about to get much easier.
“This is… irrefutable evidence.”
“Indeed. They were quite thorough. Even had hidden recordings like this.”
“Were there any other artifacts with recordings?”
“There were a few, but most of them featured nobodies.”
Video evidence was far more decisive than ledgers.
Such magical recordings couldn’t be tampered with.
With just this video, we could definitely block other families from interfering.
Who would dare protest when we’re punishing someone who sent assassins after our house?
They’d just salivate over the sweet city from a distance.
‘This just got a whole lot easier.’
Abel met my eyes and smiled broadly.
He seemed to be thinking the same thing I was.
***
My meeting with Abel was incredibly fruitful.
Now the training of the Sword Demon Unit would gain serious momentum.
‘I’ve secured the spirit stones and the original magic tome.’
And lastly, I had obtained mana stones for deciphering the original tome.
Eight low-grade ones and two mid-grade ones.
The same amount I used the last time I deciphered the tome.
‘To think he’d hand them over so readily.’
Abel.
This big brother of mine was truly a bold one.
Choosing him as the next successor was definitely not a mistake.
With such generous support, helping him is a pleasure.
After returning, I immediately summoned the Sword Demon Unit.
Perhaps because of the sudden call, their faces were filled with confusion as they gathered at the training grounds.
It was time to deliver the good news.
“I told you I’d reward you, right? Starting today, you’ll receive that reward. Leonhardt.”
“Yes.”
“Teach them the First Form of swordsmanship and the internal technique. I’ve received the elder brother’s permission.”
“Understood.”
The moment he answered—
“…You really… you’re really going to teach us swordsmanship and internal techniques?”
Deputy leader Hans asked, stunned, in a disbelieving voice.
“Have you only lived getting scammed? I made a promise. And I keep my promises.”
As I gave them my firm assurance, a few of them began tearing up.
Now that they could clearly see a future for themselves,
It was natural for them to be moved.
Soon after, cheers erupted for me.
“…Waaaah!!”
“Long live Kyle Seltarion!”
“Long live Leonhardt!”
Except for Seron, the other fourteen members of the Sword Demon Unit were shouting three cheers.
The sight naturally brought a smile to my face.
Once the excitement settled, I called them over.
“Everyone, a moment of attention. I have something to say. You all know our family has seven sword techniques, right?”
“Yes!”
Looks like they did their homework.
“From now on, you’ll each be taught a different sword technique based on your individual traits. The Storm Sword is the best, but it might not suit everyone. And for now, you’ll only learn up to the 1st technique.”
Despite that, there was no sign of disappointment on their faces.
In fact, their expressions seemed to say that even learning the 1st technique was more than enough.
“You all know that the 1st technique is a basic sword form. That’s also the extent of what I’ve been permitted by my elder brother. However, based on your performance, I’ll try to get you access to the 2nd, even the 3rd technique in the future.”
“The 3rd technique… Isn’t that a sword form reserved for senior knights?”
At Hans’s question, I nodded.
“That’s right. In fact, if you don’t have enough skill or talent, even the 2nd technique is pointless. You have to master the previous levels perfectly to learn the next stage smoothly. So if you want to advance, train hard.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Then go receive your lessons from Leonhardt. Lessons will be four hours a day. I’m planning to become independent from the family soon, but until then, he’ll continue instructing you. This isn’t an opportunity you get often, so learn as much as you can.”
This was something I had previously arranged with Leonhardt.
He initially refused, saying he had to stay close to protect me, but I convinced him after giving all sorts of reasons.
Four hours a day.
That’s the time he agreed to train the Sword Demon Unit.
Of course, this won’t be possible once we move to Prinus.
From then on, we won’t know what kind of threats might pop up.
So this really was a rare opportunity.
Maybe that’s why their eyes were wide with surprise.
Leonhardt.
They already knew that he was a famous knight even in the Marquisate.
To receive personal instruction from someone like that?
It was a dreamlike training environment.
“W-Wow!”
Seeing them cheering, I continued with a hardened expression.
“This should go without saying, but leaks are absolutely forbidden. If it happens, it’s customary that all involved are executed along with their families. You wouldn’t want to lose your life over a single mistake, right?”
“…No, sir!”
“You’ll receive sword manuals soon, so memorize them quickly and burn them. That’s the safest way.”
Hearing that, Hans raised his hand.
“Young Master?”
“What?”
“Earlier, you mentioned you’re going to become independent. May I ask what that means, exactly?”
Ah, right—come to think of it, I hadn’t told the Sword Demon Unit yet.
Now seemed like the right time.
“It’s simple. I’m planning to build a Magic Tower.”
“A… Magic Tower, sir?”
“Yes. That’s also why I entered the magic tournament. Naturally, you’ll be coming with me.”
“May I ask where you’re planning to go?”
“It’s not decided yet. But it won’t be too far from here.”
Saying the name Prinus outright would have been a problem. Rumors of war might spread.
Plans usually start to fall apart from small slips like that.
Being cautious with your words was a basic virtue.
Only a very small number within the family even knew that we were planning to attack Prinus.
Hearing this, the Sword Demon Unit looked visibly relieved.
They were people with no relation to the ‘magic’ in Magic Tower. They wouldn’t want to stray too far from a famous swordsman’s household.
Their dream was to become knights, not mages.
“Following me doesn’t mean you won’t become knights, so don’t worry too much. I also plan to stay in touch with the main house regularly.”
“A-Ah, no, sir! Even if we can’t become knights, of course we’ll follow you.”
“O-Of course!”
If you’re going to lie, at least don’t make it so obvious.
They were terrible at managing their expressions.
“I’ll give you plenty of opportunities, so don’t worry and just focus on training. Oh right—Seron?”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Harsh training will begin soon, so manage the group well.”
“Understood.”
“Then, go attend your lessons.”
Now that I’d finished one task, it was time to move on to the next.
I returned to my room, took out the spirit stones, and drew the training circle.
Once I finished drawing, I immediately called for Erciel.
When she entered the room, her gaze turned to the floor.
There, a mix of strange symbols surrounded ten neatly placed spirit stones.
“You’re here?”
“Is this the training circle you mentioned, Young Master?”
“Yes. Once you step into the center, spirit energy will start seeping into your body. It’ll be more intense than you expect, so be careful. It’s not easy to control.”
“Yes.”
“Then, go ahead and step in.”
Without hesitation, she stepped into the center of the circle.
Seeing that, I poured mana into the circle.
Wooooong!
The ten spirit stones immediately began to shine brilliantly.
This time, all ten of the spirit stones used in the training circle were low-grade.
Even if they were low-grade, with my modified training circle, the power could be sufficiently amplified.
As she entered the center of the circle, her hair began to flutter elegantly.
That was due to the energy forming inside.
“…!”
Her face scrunched slightly—perhaps from the intense pressure.
It must have felt like gravity was pressing down on her entire body.
A sensation she was likely experiencing for the first time.
Here, she needed focus more than panic.
I looked at Erciel and instructed her on what to do.
“Concentrate. Calmly gather the spirit energy. And try to communicate with Padak as much as you can.”
The Ancient Spirit.
This wasn’t a spirit just anyone could summon.
With its support, she should be able to withstand the pressure from the enhanced training circle.
And since she had already reached the level of communicating directly with it, she probably wouldn’t be crushed by the pressure.
At my words, she nodded.
Flash!
A pure white glow burst from her body.
—
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