Chapter 41

"Really? What do you mean by that?"

Prince Sam took a step back, swallowing hard. Not knowing the identity or intentions of the elf who suddenly appeared, he decided to keep his distance.

"There's no need to be so afraid."

"I'm not afraid."

He frowned, looking up at the red-haired elf.

"Answer my question first. What do you mean by 'real'?"

"That's... "

"Hold on."

Just as the elf was about to answer, Duke Tartan sprang up from the floor, as if emerging from a shadow cast by the lighting.

"Zighardt's Light Sword. What are you doing here?"

"Ah!"

Grye's eyes widened at the title Duke Tartan spat out.

'Zighardt's Light Sword!'

Now he understood who this elf was. One of Glen Zighardt's lieutenants, known for wielding a sword at the speed of light.

'But why is he here for me...?'

He had heard that this person had retired due to an injury, but he couldn't understand why he was seeking him out.

"Aah, there's no need to be so wary."

Limer waved his hands, indicating he had no intention of fighting.

"Can I really relax after seeing you do crazy things so many times?"

"As you can see, I've changed a lot."

"Hmm..."

Duke Tartan, without lowering his guard, glanced back.

"Your Highness. What did this crazy elf say?"

"He asked if I want to see the real thing."

"The real thing? What does that mean?"

"Well, it's a bit difficult to explain here."

Limer gestured around, spreading his arms. The banquet had grown quiet, and everyone was looking in their direction.

"Actually, I am an uninvited guest."

He laughed off the gazes of the surrounding people and turned around.

"Prince of Owen."

Limer, who was heading for the exit, stopped and turned back.

"If you want to see the real thing, tell me you want to observe the training at the 5th Training Ground tomorrow."

He left those words and walked out of the banquet hall.

As Limer, who called himself an uninvited guest, disappeared, the music in the banquet hall started again.

But in Grye's mind, only Limer's last words echoed.

'The real thing is at the 5th Training Ground?'

* * *

"Hmm!"

"Um."

Raon frowned, listening to Limer's whistling.

'Why is he doing that?'

After giving instructions to other instructors, Limer, who should have been lying down for a nap, was now wide awake, personally overseeing the training. A sense of unease crept over him.

"Why is he acting like that?"

"That's what I'm wondering."

"Did he eat something wrong?"

"Maybe he won some money at the gambling house yesterday."

Buren and the other trainees, while swinging their swords, glanced at Limer.

"Chief Instructor. Is something good happening?"

Dorian, who was both timid and curious, approached Limer.

"Someone is coming."

'Visitor?'

Limer, who hated being bothered the most, waiting for a visitor was even more incomprehensible.

'Just focus on training.'

Given how peculiar Limer was, it was best to focus on training.

Raon drew up the aura that was burning hot in his dantian and extended his right foot.

Bang!

With a sound like the earth breaking, he simultaneously performed the Garambop method and the Yenseong sword technique.

Sharp sword light surged through the natural flow of the Garambop method, like water flowing smoothly.

Whoosh!

The defensive Garambop method and the offensive sword technique complemented each other, both emphasizing flow and connection, so there was no sense of disharmony.

It felt as if they were a single martial art from the beginning.

Feeling the familiar gazes of the trainees on his back, Raon completed the sword technique and the Garambop method.

"Huff."

Raon exhaled, lowering his sword after performing the sword technique and the Garambop method.

'Still not enough.'

Performing the sword technique, the Garambop method, and controlling the aura simultaneously, there were still some parts that were slightly off.

To show his true strength in a real battle, he needed more practice.

"Again."

Just as he was about to practice once more, he sensed multiple presences at the entrance of the training ground.

"Hmm?"

"What is it?"

The instructors, reacting a step later than Raon, stopped the trainees from practicing.

As everyone's gaze turned to the entrance of the training ground, a knock was heard.

"Go check."

"Yes."

Limer nodded to an instructor, who then opened the door.

"I am Gesman from the Chief's Office."

A neatly dressed young man with a clean-cut appearance peeked out, and behind him, knights in silver armor were waiting.

"The envoys from the Kingdom of Owen wish to observe the training at the 5th Training Ground. I know it's sudden, but is it possible?"

"Come in. Guests are always welcome."

Limer quickly moved to the door and opened it wide.

"Thank you. Please come in."

Gesman bowed, wiping the sweat from his forehead, and led the envoys from the Kingdom of Owen into the training ground.

"Huh."

Raon sheathed his practice sword and let out a hollow laugh.

'Guests are always welcome?'

Limer didn't even show the training content to the swordsmen of the same house. Welcoming guests like this was unheard of.

Looking around, the other trainees were also rolling their eyes in surprise.

"The envoys from the Kingdom of Owen have taken the time to come here. Show them what martial arts the Zighardt trainees have learned."

Limer, who was standing at the door, suddenly appeared on the platform. His movement was as swift as a ghost.

"What's he trying to do by suddenly doing this?"

"Umm..."

"Well, just do what you were doing."

The trainees, under the intense gaze of the envoys from the Kingdom of Owen, started moving like broken dolls.

"Pull yourselves together! This is the time to show your true strength calmly!"

Buren, as usual, led the trainees, showing even better movements.

'He's got it.'

As expected of someone who would die for Zighardt, he knew what to show.

"I'm not a clown."

Marta blew a raspberry and crossed her arms, emitting a strong aura as if facing an enemy, glaring at the envoys from the Kingdom of Owen. Her expression said, "Come at me if you dare."

'She hasn't changed either.'

Marta, though she had become more refined, still had a sharp tongue and emitted a fierce aura.

Runan had never been interested in them from the beginning. He had never stopped, continuing to practice the Garambop method and swing his sword.

'In a way, he might be the strongest.'

The ability to maintain focus in such a chaotic atmosphere was a talent no one could match.

Raon scanned the envoys from the Kingdom of Owen. The blue-eyed trainee knight he had met before was observing Buren, Marta, and Runan.

Judging by his slightly open mouth, he seemed quite surprised by their strength.

'I guess I'm not noticeable.'

While he had recognized the three, they hadn't noticed his strength.

"Then."

Raon smiled faintly, spreading his legs shoulder-width apart and drawing his practice sword.

'I'll start too.'

Both the Garambop method and the Yenseong sword technique had simple forms and postures.

The advantage of these two martial arts was that they wouldn't weaken even if seen, so there was no problem with being observed.

Whoosh!

Raon, ignoring the onlookers, naturally merged into the flow of the sword and the Garambop method.

* * *

Prince Grye de Owen visited two places before coming to the 5th Training Ground.

The first was the 2nd Training Ground, where those who had already received the title of swordsman trained.

'They were impressive.'

The swordsmen at the 2nd Training Ground possessed strength worthy of the great name Zighardt.

Their sword skills, aura, physical strength, and mental fortitude were on par with the knights of the Kingdom of Owen.

'However, the 6th Training Ground, where the trainees were, was disappointing.'

The talent of the trainees at the 6th Training Ground was undoubtedly outstanding, but their training was lacking.

He had originally intended to request a sparring match, but the outcome was obvious, so he gave up.

'That's when I remembered.'

Just as he was about to leave, he remembered what Limer had said. The question about whether he wanted to see the real thing.

So he asked the official from the Chief's Office, who was about to guide him elsewhere, to take him to the 5th Training Ground.

He looked surprised but couldn't refuse and led him to the 5th Training Ground.

Actually, he didn't have high expectations.

He thought the 5th Training Ground wouldn't be much different from the 6th Training Ground.

But that was a huge misconception.

The moment he entered the 5th Training Ground, he realized it was different.

The talent and level of training of the trainees were on a different level from those at the 6th Training Ground.

'The real thing was here.'

As Limer had said, this was the real thing. The strength of the trainees at the 5th Training Ground was on par with the training knights.

Especially, the strength of the blue-haired boy and the silver-haired girl was a step above the others.

And the black-haired girl, who was glaring at him, had an overwhelming aura.

All three possessed strength comparable to the current him or the strongest training knight, Setun.

"Indeed, this is the real thing."

Duke Tartan narrowed his eyes, looking at the trainees.

"It seems so."

"Except for a few, the difference in talent isn't that great. It's the difference in training."

"Hmm..."

Grye nodded. The atmosphere in the 5th Training Ground was different. The trainees exuded a sense of dedication and hard work.

"Especially those three are incredible."

Setun's eyes sparkled with a competitive spirit. He was also observing the three strong individuals he had identified.

"I want to spar with them."

"I feel the same way."

Prince Grye and Setun were salivating at the thought of the three strongest individuals in the 5th Training Ground.

"What do you think? As I said, the real thing is here."

A cool, refreshing voice came from behind.

"Hmm?"

Turning around, Limer was standing there with the same smile he had shown yesterday.

"Indeed. I understand why you said that."

Grye nodded.

"You seem restless. How about a sparring match with our trainees?"

"Is that your goal?"

"An opportunity to safely clash with the talents of the Six Princes is rare. It will be beneficial for you as well."

Limer pointed to the trainees, who were focused on their swords.

"Hmm..."

Grye turned to Duke Tartan, who was the actual leader and needed to give permission.

"It's fine."

Duke Tartan nodded but glared at Limer coldly, as if to say he would cut him down if he did anything foolish.

"I just want to spar. However—"

Limer raised his hands and smiled.

"A small bet is okay, right?"

"A bet?"

"Yes. We'll have 20 sparring matches, and the winner will receive a reward."

"Do you really think you can win?"

"Ho, you have quite a bit of confidence?"

"Of course. These children are elite training knights raised in Owen!"

Duke Tartan looked at the training knights with pride.

"Good."

Limer smiled, his emerald eyes shining brightly.

"I also have confidence in our trainees."