Chapter 68

Chapter 69 (68/324)

69

The next morning.

The Duke summoned me urgently.

"Last night, there was an attack on the Viscount's estate."

The task he gave me was simple.

Assassins had infiltrated the annex.

'So they finally came.'

I had prepared, but the outcome was still uncertain.

Perhaps my worry showed on my face.

The Duke immediately spoke.

"According to Remton, there was no major damage, so don't worry too much. A few knights were injured, but that's all. Oh, and the personal maid and the servant boy are safe."

"Is that so?"

If only these two were safe, it could be considered a good outcome. Melios's expression changed when he saw my face.

"Kid, are you perhaps in a special relationship with the maid?"

"Excuse me?"

"I'm just saying, your expression wouldn't usually change so much over the life or death of a single maid. I don't really care about your personal life, but it's best not to get too attached."

It seemed he had some strange misunderstanding.

After all, there were quite a few noble brats who did all sorts of things with their maids. It wasn't uncommon for them to eventually take them as concubines in this world.

His misunderstanding wasn't entirely unfounded.

"It's not like that."

The Duke smiled at my words.

"Usually, when I ask such a question, people answer just like that."

It seemed I hadn't dispelled his misunderstanding.

Well, as long as the truth was different, it didn't matter.

"Your Grace."

"What is it?"

"Can I use the Gate?"

"Come to think of it, you used the Gate to get here."

"Yes. Our family will pay for the mana stone."

On the way back.

It would take a month by magic carriage, and at least two months without one.

Naturally, I had no intention of going back that way.

In an era where magic was active, it was only natural to use magical items.

"Alright. This time, it's on the house. We're practically companions now, aren't we?"

Wow.

He was willing to invest high-grade and mid-grade mana stones for free.

Of course, I was grateful.

They say even soapy water is free, so using the Gate for free was a no-brainer.

"Thank you."

"Expect good magic in the future. Are you leaving now?"

"Yes. I enjoyed the banquet, and I have things to do, so I should head back."

"Understood."

With that, Leonhardt and I moved toward the Gate in the Duke's study.

We entered the Gate, accompanied by Helton's farewell.

The transition was instantaneous.

"You're here."

The Viscount was already waiting in front of the Gate.

"Yes."

"I heard from the Duke. You won."

"Fortunately, I achieved good results."

"Good. Well done. Let's have some tea. I have something to discuss. Leon, wait outside."

"Yes."

Once the two cups of tea were served by the maids, and we were alone in the office, the Viscount began to look at me.

"What you want is independence, isn't it?"

"Yes."

When I mentioned entering the theoretical competition, the Viscount must have had some idea of my intentions. After all, the prize was the right to build a magic tower.

Building a magic tower was essentially the same as establishing an independent force.

He must have thought it was time to discuss my independence.

"…So, when do you plan to build the magic tower?"

"Probably after the succession ceremony."

"Have you decided where to build it?"

"Not yet. I wasn't 100% sure I would win, so I need to think about it more."

A brief silence followed between the Viscount and me.

"Kai."

"Yes."

"How are you getting along with your brothers?"

"Alright, I guess."

"Good. I don't have much to say. However…"

The Viscount looked at me.

"Even if you leave the family, this place will always be your family. Don't forget that."

Of course.

I wasn't crazy enough to abandon this solid backing.

I smiled at the Viscount.

"Of course, Father. I dream of independence, but my heart isn't at ease. My name will always be Kai Seltarion."

"Good."

"By the way, I heard that intruders came to the annex where I was staying last night."

"That's right."

"Are the children safe?"

The Viscount chuckled at my question.

"They're fine. They actually turned the assassins into corpses. Saron, that kid, is definitely talented. He lived as a gladiator, didn't he?"

"Yes."

"He must have learned the technique not long ago… yet he managed to handle four mid-level and one high-level assassin."

"High-level too?"

"Yes. The bodies had marks on them."

He was probably referring to the marks the assassins carried.

Low-level: green.

Mid-level: red.

High-level: blue.

The highest-level assassins carried a black seal, and it was known that a significant amount of money was required to hire them from the high-level category.

Of course, an expert-level knight could capture a high-level assassin in a direct confrontation.

'But if you're attacked, you might end up being the one captured.'

The true strength of assassins lies in their ability to strike secretly.

They were a profession that moved in the shadows.

I began to hear the details of what happened last night from the Viscount.

From how the attack was detected by an alarm spell to the discovery of five bodies in my room.

After finishing his explanation, Remton quietly said,

"They were thoroughly mutilated. It seems they did it to hide the traces… about your maid. Do you plan to keep hiding it?"

"For now, yes."

"Understood. I thought you might, so I've been keeping the bodies."

Wow.

So he was helping me like this.

If assassins had come, Ersiel probably used her elemental powers seriously.

Saron was skilled, but he couldn't handle five assassins alone.

Of course, there would be traces left.

The Viscount must have thought of this and stored the bodies to prevent the traces from being easily discovered.

He was subtly being kind to me.

"Thank you."

"No, you don't need to thank me."

The Viscount's eyes then became sharp.

"There's a reason, but the real reason is that I wanted to confirm something."

"Confirm what?"

"Saron. He used a unique sword technique."

That was it.

Of course.

With assassins of that level attacking, he must have used the modified Storm Sword technique I taught him.

He might have tried to cover up the traces, but not enough to escape the eyes of a Sword Master.

'Of course not.'

It would be more surprising if one of the three best swordsmen on the continent hadn't noticed.

Given this, I thought I might have to reveal the modified Storm Sword technique earlier than expected.

"I modified it."

"…You modified it?"

"Yes."

The Viscount looked at me in disbelief.

"…You changed the first form of the Storm Sword?"

"Yes."

After a moment of silence, the Viscount spoke quietly.

"…It's a good technique."

"…Really?"

"I've already used it. If there are traces, it's not hard to deduce the sword technique."

Wow.

What a monster.

Saron must have tried to cover up the traces, but not only did he notice them, he even tested the modified technique.

I couldn't help but be impressed.

I wasn't the only one. The Viscount also looked impressed as he stared at me.

"How did you create that technique?"

"It's similar to magic."

"…Similar to magic?"

"You know my magic is different from the norm, right?"

"Yes."

Nodding, I continued.

"Actually, it started with a simple question."

"Question?"

"The activation method in the magic book. When I saw it, I felt a vague sense of frustration. I felt there must be a better way."

"…"

"So I tried modifying it and eventually created a unique magic technique. The same went for the Storm Sword."

"Same…?"

"When my bodyguard taught Saron the Storm Sword, I was there. I saw the technique and felt it was similar to magic."

"…You can't be serious."

"You're right, Father."

At my words, Remton's eyes widened in shock.

"…How long has the Storm Sword technique been passed down? It's been perfected over hundreds of years."

"I know."

"…Do you really think it's plausible that you could change it just by seeing it once?"

It would be implausible for an ordinary person.

But I wasn't ordinary.

So it could be plausible.

"Father."

"…"

Looking at the Viscount, I concluded.

"If it were impossible, there wouldn't have been any results. It makes sense to me."

"…Huh. I have one more question. Have you modified any other forms besides the first one?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"I didn't feel it."

"Then… you can't do it?"

I shook my head at the Viscount's words.

It wasn't that I couldn't, but that I didn't want to reveal it all at once.

Revealing it bit by bit was the best way to maximize the benefits.

"Probably because my level is too low."

"Too low?"

"Yes. I didn't feel anything beyond the first circle. Without that feeling, which is similar to inspiration, modification is impossible. I think I can confirm it when I reach the second circle."

"…So, if you reach a higher circle, you can modify higher-level magic and sword techniques?"

"Exactly. When I reach the second circle, I can modify the early part of the second form of the Storm Sword. As my circle level increases, I can modify higher-level techniques."

By the time I reveal the second circle, I can subtly give him the modified early part of the second form. If I can prove that I can modify higher-level techniques as my circle level increases,

'He'll pour all kinds of support to raise my circle level.'

Including high-grade mana stones.

Only then would the modified Storm Sword techniques be revealed one by one.

"Have you also created a method for the circulation of aura?"

"Yes."

"How did it work?"

"Saron and Leonhardt both used it well."

"Did they follow the movements?"

"Yes."

The Viscount's expression brightened at my words.

"Good. If you've created a method for the circulation of aura that matches the technique, it will surely be a great asset to the family."

Since it was discovered, it was best to hand it over.

It wasn't a technique I could protect on my own, and I intended to strengthen the family anyway.

But I wasn't going to give it away for free.

"Yes. I plan to refine the method for the circulation of aura a bit more before handing over the technique. However, I would like support when the time comes."

"Support. For your independence?"

"Yes."

"Alright."

Great.

Now that the deal was successfully concluded, it was time to investigate the mastermind behind the assassins.

It was probably the guy who called me his best friend and treated me like a VVIP mark.

But to plant the idea firmly in the Viscount's mind, some preliminary work was necessary.

I smiled and looked at the Viscount.

"Father, have you found out anything about the mastermind behind the assassins?"

Baron Remington.

It was time to slowly cook this cunning pig.