Chapter 47

The Marquess Family's Magic Genius - Chapter 47 (47/324)

47

The path leading down to the fourth basement floor.

I looked at Seraon.

"Hey."

"Yes?"

"When we go down, there will probably be guards. You need to fight too."

At my words, the boy showed a flustered look.

Could it be that he was thinking of getting a free ride from Leonhardt?

Of course, I can give him a ride, but

riding for free is out of the question.

"Fight... what do you mean?"

"You have a sword, don't you?"

"But..."

It seemed that his timid nature was strongly evident in his usual demeanor.

The demon-like figure he showed when facing the Saber Tiger was nowhere to be seen.

"Do you not want to become a knight?"

"......That... of course I do."

"To do that, getting blood on your sword is a basic requirement. Being a knight isn't a romantic job, you know."

Of course, some noble children could hold the title of knight without ever getting their hands dirty.

But this boy can't.

He needs to be my sword.

"Have you ever killed someone?"

"......Yes."

Indeed.

It was a natural response.

A high-level gladiator.

To reach that level, he must have gone through many battles. It was natural that he would have experience with killing in those life-or-death matches.

I casually asked him.

"Killing someone isn't a pleasant thing, right?"

"......That's... true. When I hold a sword, I become numb... but the moment I strike... I feel..."

Is he feeling guilt?

Seraon's eyes were shaking quite a bit as he spoke.

As if memories of the past were passing through his mind.

'Well, it probably wasn't a good memory.'

Before his timid nature, the arena itself was not a pleasant place.

Once a match was set, he would have had to kill or be killed, day after day, without knowing why.

If he enjoyed it, he would have been far from normal.

If he couldn't kill, he would have faced death, so he had no choice but to draw his sword.

"You have a talent for the sword, and you know that, right?"

"......Yes."

"In fact, whether it's swordsmanship or magic, their essential goal is one: to effectively kill the opponent. Am I right?"

Wealth, honor, fame.

Most people start training for such purposes, but ultimately, the field where they use what they've learned is combat.

Unless you plan to live as a hermit in the mountains, you will most likely end up in combat.

At my words, the boy nodded quietly.

"......That's true."

"So if you want to become a knight, you need to be able to draw your sword naturally. It's one of the essential qualities. After all, a knight is just one of many killing machines. The same goes for mages."

If this were modern society, it might be different.

But in this world, you need to be mentally prepared to draw your sword at any time.

If you can't, no matter how talented you are, you're useless.

"Even after hearing what I said, do you still want to become a knight? Wealth, fame, and such material things will be given to you, but in exchange, your hands will be stained with countless blood in the future."

"......"

"If you don't want to, I can release you here. As a free person. Of course, how you live afterward is up to you."

I added a word to the silent boy.

"In return, if you choose to serve under me, I won't order you to draw your sword without reason. That's the best promise I can make."

I had no intention of raising him like a flower in a greenhouse.

After all, he would have to cut down many monsters and humans in the future.

There are truly many who need to disappear for the continent's peace.

So the only thing I can promise Seraon is this:

I won't make him kill meaninglessly.

I don't like it either.

At my words, the boy fell into deep thought and then asked.

"......Is asking me to draw my sword now part of that?"

"Of course. In this hellish place, the ruffians and knights who have lived by sucking the blood of others. Don't they deserve to die? Think about it. The act of killing itself isn't bad. When you kill someone who deserves to die, it's different."

In this medieval fantasy world where swords and magic abound,

a world where witch hunts, which would cause human rights groups to rise up in modern times, happen frequently.

In such a place, strength comes before the law.

I have no intention of spouting righteous words about human rights.

If someone needs to be killed, kill them; if not, just leave them alone.

Of course, the guards here are the former.

"I'll give you a chance for revenge. Your task is simple. Draw your sword with your will."

Usually, that's enough.

In special situations, he should act according to my will.

"So, will you do it or not? If you don't want to, you don't have to draw your sword. I'll release you."

Well, what will you do?

I've given you enough persuasion.

Considering he's just a twelve-year-old, I used very simple and straightforward logic.

So, I hope you give me the answer I want.

At that moment, the boy nodded as if he had made a decision.

"......I will."

Swish!

The sword he had taken from the guard's waist.

The moment he drew the sword,

his trembling pupils became calm.

And his lips curled up slightly.

The same look he had when facing the Saber Tiger.

"Are you in your right mind?"

"Yes."

"Good. You're not going crazy. I have one question, how do you feel now?"

"I can feel the sword. Very strongly."

"How much?"

"About half of me feels like I'm one with it."

"But you can still hear me?"

"Yes. If I concentrate, I can hear you. But..."

"But?"

"If I stay in this state for a long time, it becomes difficult to maintain my sanity. I get consumed by the sword... I only think about cutting. That's probably the right way to describe it."

"Is that so?"

That's a bit of a problem.

Is it because your mental training is still lacking?

"Leonhardt."

"Yes."

"Can this be overcome with diligent sword training?"

I hope it can be overcome.

After thinking for a moment, the boy answered.

"I think it can be."

"Is that so?"

It was good news.

An uncontrollable bomb is hard to carry around.

If he only thinks about cutting, the target could be me and Ersel.

That could lead to a troublesome situation.

"However..."

"However?"

"Judging by your eyes, you've been in this state for quite a while... It won't be easy to shake off. Your mind and body are already stained by the sword."

"Anyway, can you control it?"

"If you reach the highest level, you probably can."

"......You mean Expert?"

"Yes."

Damn.

The goal is too far away.

How can I demand a level you haven't even achieved yet?

I need to find an artifact to assist his mental state.

Reaching the highest level of Expert is too difficult.

Even with the best herbs, good cultivation methods, and a good teacher, it would take at least ten years to reach that level. That's assuming he has the highest talent, like a demon or an iron man, and I'm giving him a bonus for evaluation.

"Seraon."

"Yes."

The boy's expression, now answering with a blank face, looked quite eerie.

This isn't a doll.

Is it because he's possessed by the sword?

Anyway, I need to ask.

"About your mind. How long can you maintain it? Be honest."

"About an hour in non-combat situations. In combat... probably not more than ten minutes. If there's a lot of blood, the time will get shorter."

Judging by the signs, he probably won't be able to maintain his sanity for even five minutes once the battle starts.

This kid.

You're more premature than I thought.

"......Have you ever handled any other weapons besides the sword?"

At that, the boy's expression, which had been blank, wavered slightly.

An ordinary person might not have noticed, but I have very sharp eyes.

This might be a good solution.

The boy, who had been hesitating, quietly answered.

"......Yes."

"What was it like then?"

"......Just. I felt nothing."

"Meaning you were in a normal state? Shaking as usual."

"......Yes."

Then the answer is clear.

"From now on, carry two weapons. A sword and one other auxiliary weapon. Of course, it can't be another sword."

"......Do I have to?"

"Don't you like it?"

"Yes."

From what I can tell, I know why he doesn't like it.

When he uses a sword, he becomes calm, strong, and turns into a killing machine.

It seems he enjoys that sensation subconsciously.

"Do you not like your usual self?"

"......Yes."

"So when you hold a sword, you enjoy that state, right? Because you can discard your usual self. Isn't that so?"

"......"

What an interesting kid.

Enjoying it subconsciously while saying he doesn't want to draw a sword in his usual state?

'I get it now.'

Probably, when he's timid, he fears his transformed self.

So he doesn't want to draw the sword, but once he does, he smiles at the thrill.

This isn't a case of multiple personalities.

"Leonhardt."

"Yes."

"Train this kid when we get back. With two weapons."

He nodded as if he understood immediately. Drawing a sword and switching to another weapon when he's about to be consumed by it.

That's the best way to solve the problem of the sword demon.

Of course, it won't be easy to switch to another weapon when he's in a trance.

But with training, it will eventually work.

Especially if he wears an artifact to protect his mind.

'This will significantly reduce the risk.'

With continuous training, it might be possible to merge his original personality with the one he becomes when he draws his sword to some extent.

The middle state is usually the best.

Anyway, with Leonhardt here, this kid can be quite useful.

"Fight first, and after five minutes, just put down your sword and come back. I'll protect you. This is a test."

If he stays in a trance, he won't be useful for a while.

But if he follows my orders and puts down his sword, he'll be a valuable asset right away.

"......Understood."

After finishing the conversation,

we entered the fourth basement floor.

The guards started to appear.

There weren't that many.

Perhaps because the high-level gladiators were restrained and couldn't resist, and there were only three of them, the number of guards was small.

One mid-level knight, two low-level knights,

and five thugs.

That was all.

I cast Haste on Leonhardt and Seraon.

"Take care of them."

I didn't need to join in to deal with just that many.

Their movements became faster.

Seraon's expression showed surprise.

Leonhardt was different.

Having experienced my magic before, he approached the knights without hesitation.

Soon, a bright yellow aura enveloped his sword, slicing through the knights like cutting paper.

"Argh!"

The low-level knights were cut down instantly.

Seraon, seemingly regaining his senses, charged at the five thugs.

"Kill him!"

Just a twelve-year-old kid.

The thugs, seeing him, brandished their weapons and charged confidently.

But the result was no different from what Leonhardt showed. In front of Seraon's sword, the five thugs were quickly dismantled.

The fourth basement floor.

It took less than five minutes to sweep away the guards.

I cast Haste on Leonhardt and Seraon.

"Take care of them."

I didn't need to join in to deal with just that many.

Their movements became faster.

Seraon's expression showed surprise.

Leonhardt was different.

Having experienced my magic before, he approached the knights without hesitation.

Soon, a bright yellow aura enveloped his sword, slicing through the knights like cutting paper.

"Argh!"

The low-level knights were cut down instantly.

Seraon, seemingly regaining his senses, charged at the five thugs.

"Kill him!"

Just a twelve-year-old kid.

The thugs, seeing him, brandished their weapons and charged confidently.

But the result was no different from what Leonhardt showed. In front of Seraon's sword, the five thugs were quickly dismantled.