Chapter 73

A Brief Respite (2)

Rip and his sister often had to be on their guard even while staying in the castle.

While they thought it was inevitable given their situation, it was especially severe for Rip.

According to the butler's report, Rip had asked the serving maid for any odd jobs, saying he wanted something to do.

"From what I can see, he seems very anxious because of his sister."

Gulpiro clicked his tongue and said.

"He often asks me if his sister's blood fever has really been completely cured, almost to the point of obsession."

"Hmm..."

"Perhaps he wants to stay by the side of the Seven Princes all the time, thinking that the disease might flare up again at any moment."

Is that it?

When the Tyrant died, the blood fever that Rigen had been suffering from completely disappeared. It was unlikely to recur.

I had already explained this to her sufficiently, but it seemed she still couldn't completely shake off her anxiety.

Even if she understood it rationally, it was probably an anxiety bordering on obsession, as Gulpiro said.

Given how they had lived for the past few years, it wasn't hard to understand why.

I hadn't yet formed a clear idea about their treatment.

That was natural, as I hadn't saved them for any specific purpose.

Of course, I had no intention of driving them away, as Rip worried.

On the contrary, knowing that Rigen would become the future Salguri Ripregon, I wanted to keep them close as much as possible.

And it seemed they felt the same way, which was a good thing, but...

'Should I try to properly raise them?'

Both of them had undeniable talent.

Rip had become as strong as a level 40 in just a few years, starting from an ordinary person. He was undoubtedly a genius.

And especially Rigen...

'He became the ruler of Caldric within five years.'

From the memory I glimpsed, where the Grand Duke had mentioned a contract with a demon, it seemed he had the power of a demon.

But even considering that, it was an abnormal growth that far exceeded common sense.

To become a ruler-level powerhouse from an ordinary level in just a few years... Is he really some kind of unparalleled genius?

"Rigen is also said to have fully recovered."

"Yes."

Due to the years of suffering from blood fever, his body had been severely damaged, but thanks to Gulpiro's efforts, the recovery was very quick.

I just needed to provide the ingredients for the potions he requested.

Anyway, it would be a waste to keep such talented gems idle.

It seemed they were also uncomfortable with just staying in the castle without doing anything.

The next day, I immediately called Rip and his sister, along with Ashel.

"Gulpiro will soon leave the castle. Do you two want to continue staying here?"

When I asked the siblings, Rip hesitated for a moment before nodding.

"Yes, I'm sorry, but if you allow it... I will do whatever you ask, Your Highness."

I nodded and turned my gaze to Ashel.

"Ashel."

"Yes."

"Teach them swordsmanship once."

Both Ashel and Rip were surprised.

"Teach... them?"

"Is there a problem with that?"

"No, not at all, but..."

Ashel looked at the two.

The request to teach swordsmanship seemed quite perplexing to Ashel.

While the castle had an abundance of knights, Ashel was naturally the strongest among them.

That's why I wanted to have her teach them.

"What do you think?"

I turned to the siblings and asked.

Rigen answered eagerly.

"Of course, I would love to! I will do my best to learn if you teach me!"

Rip, on the other hand, hesitated and said carefully.

"Thank you, but it seems we are receiving too many favors."

I shook my head.

"It's not just giving. It would be better if you learn proper swordsmanship and stay as knights in the castle."

"Um... Yes?"

Rip looked a bit taken aback.

"Anyway, if you both want to learn, do your best. Ashel is the strongest warrior in the Seven Princes' territory."

Ashel, flattered by my praise, said a bit embarrassed.

"I've never taught anyone before, so I'm not sure if I can do it well..."

"It's fine. Just give it a try."

If it doesn't work out, we can always ask other sword instructors in the castle.

With that, Ashel's instruction began right in front of me. I stood to the side and watched.

First, Ashel had the two sit side by side and placed her hand on Rip's back.

Feeling the flow of mana through my heightened senses, it seemed she was channeling mana into him.

I could only guess that she was trying to gauge his level, as I knew nothing about mana cultivation.

After a moment, Ashel removed her hand from Rip's back and asked in surprise.

"Didn't you say you've been practicing for about three years?"

"Yes."

"You've built up this much mana so steadily in such a short time."

Indeed, Rip's talent was as outstanding as I thought.

Next, Ashel placed her hand on Rigen's back and channeled mana. She then spoke immediately.

"Your mana pathways are already open. Have you practiced before?"

"Oh, yes. Before I got sick, I learned a bit of swordsmanship and magic..."

I was puzzled by this.

'He had practiced before?'

I thought he had no mana at all.

Then why did he get blood fever in the first place? Was it because the mana he had built up was too weak?

"Excuse me, Sir Ashel."

Rigen suddenly called out to Ashel.

"Can I move the mana you're channeling into me? I think I can do it."

"Um... What?"

He closed his eyes and concentrated, furrowing his brow.

Ashel's expression turned from surprise to shock.

"!"

I watched the scene, not understanding what was happening.

I could only sense that the flow of mana inside Rigen's body had changed slightly.

A moment later, Rigen opened his eyes, looking much more refreshed, and Ashel withdrew her hand from his back, looking dazed.

"How is it?"

I asked, curious about her reaction.

She stretched and looked at Rigen as if he were a monster, muttering.

"Unbelievable affinity. Even though it entered his body, to control someone else's mana so freely..."

I looked at Rigen, who was staring at me with a puzzled expression.

I couldn't fully understand what she meant, but if it surprised Ashel this much, it must be an incredible talent.

'So, he's not just a regular genius.'

If we raise him well, he could be a great help in the future.

Although there isn't much time left until the main story, if he can achieve explosive growth during this period...

I was about to move to the training ground and tell Ashel to continue the instruction when...

"Your Highness."

The butler appeared and reported.

"The Second Prince has visited the castle."

"..."

The Second Prince? Suddenly?

***

I left the three of them and went downstairs.

When I entered the hall, the Second Prince, Leoh, looked quite haggard, as if she hadn't slept for days.

"What is it?"

She glared at me silently for a moment before speaking.

"Let's talk in a quiet place."

"Tell me the reason for your visit first."

"I came to talk about the last duel. Is that okay?"

I could sense suppressed anger in her trembling voice.

Indeed, she came because of that.

"Follow me."

I moved to my room and sat across the table from Leoh.

"Now, tell me."

"..."

She couldn't bring herself to speak for a while.

She just glared at me with a fierce look, showing only one-sided hostility.

After a long silence, I grew tired of waiting and spoke first.

"You came because of the spirit, right?"

"!"

She clenched her teeth and finally spoke.

"What did you do? Why is my connection to my spirit completely severed? No, I can't even feel its presence anymore!"

I answered simply.

"It's because it was destroyed."

"Destroyed? What do you mean?"

"The Great Spirit of Thunder, Laxia, has been completely destroyed. It no longer exists, so you can't feel its presence."

There was no need to hide it, so I told her the fact directly.

Leoh looked at me in shock, completely stunned.

I waited for her to regain her composure and thought.

The Elven racial trait of spirit magic.

Spirits are natural entities separate from elves.

However, only elves can make contracts with spirits and borrow their power, which is why it's called an Elven racial trait.

Elves with a strong affinity for spirits can make contracts with more and stronger spirits.

In short, spirit magic is a talent that must be innate.

And Leoh was one of the elves who received this blessing most strongly on this continent.

That's why she could make a contract with a Great Spirit like Laxia and become a ruler of Caldric.

'But now that Great Spirit is gone.'

She had lost her strongest asset in one day.

I looked at her level again and felt a bit solemn.

She finally spoke, her face pale.

"Destroyed? Laxia...?"

"Yes."

"Why? Why did you do it?"

"Because I destroyed it."

Distrust and deep despair filled her face.

"Don't joke. Don't joke. Laxia couldn't have been destroyed..."

Denying the reality, she muttered.

"There's no way to revive it. Give up and move on."

"Are you... serious?"

Anger followed.

Leoh glared at me with red-rimmed eyes, and I was a bit taken aback.

'Is she serious?'

She suddenly stood up.

"I'll kill you, the Seventh Prince. I really will kill you."

"..."

"I will make you pay for this! No matter what!"

She turned and stormed out of the room.

I watched her go and thought.

We weren't on good terms to begin with, but now it seemed we had become complete enemies. Well, it was understandable, but...

'...Do I need to try to make things better?'

I wanted to maintain a smooth relationship with all the rulers if possible.

But if a ruler had become an irreconcilable enemy, it might be better to firmly establish my superiority to prevent any future obstacles.

And honestly, it was annoying to see her act this way after starting the fight.

"The Grand Duke and the other rulers don't know about this yet."

Leoh hesitated at my words.

"Having lost a Great Spirit, you've become much weaker. Do you think the Grand Duke will let you keep your position as a ruler if he finds out?"

She slowly turned her head, her face even paler than before.

"You... You..."

She understood the threat.

Her face was a mix of shame, anger, and various emotions, and she emitted a powerful aura.

"It's fine if you don't care about losing all your other spirits. You can attack if you want."

"..."

She trembled all over and slowly calmed her aura.

I pointed to the opposite seat.

"Come back and sit down."