Chapter 87

Chapter 30. Defeat Alice! (3)

September 22, 1795.

On the eastern continent, in the unprotected zone, commonly known as the Black Sea.

It has been three days since Knight Kan of Runkandel arrived here. This means that for four days, Kan has not slept a single wink and has already slain nearly five hundred monsters.

The monsters in the Black Sea, even the weakest, are incomparably stronger and more dangerous than those in the protected zones, due to their growth from inhaling pure demonic energy from birth.

Even a knight of Kan's caliber cannot afford to let his guard down in the Black Sea, or he risks certain death.

Swish, swish!

As he advances, cutting down monsters, his face is expressionless, but he cannot hide the dark circles under his eyes.

This time, it seems more monsters are attacking him than usual.

'After all... I'm really curious about what's written in the letter now.'

The reason for Kan's hardship is, of course, to deliver Casimir's letter to Siron. This is the first letter since the secret address was provided.

'Even if it's about the youngest master's growth... it's only been a month since he returned to Tikan. Could there have been any significant growth worth reporting to the head of the house in such a short time?'

Kan couldn't help but be puzzled.

He himself, who was called a "monster" by his peers during his Runkandel student days, remembered struggling to break through the 5th rank barrier.

'Could he have already reached the 6th rank? Sigh... It would be nice if the head of the house told me the contents of the letter.'

Kan thought this as he continued to slay monsters for five more hours before finally facing Siron, who was sitting in the middle of the Black Sea as usual.

"Lord, this is Knight Kan."

Siron, who had sensed his presence long ago, slowly opened his eyes. As Kan performed a precise sword salute, Siron swept his hand through the air.

As soon as Siron waved his hand, the giant monsters that had been lurking nearby hurriedly hid themselves, like insects retreating into their burrows when exposed to light.

A scene that exudes the grandeur of a Grand Knight, but in reality, Siron was merely suppressing his joy.

'The news of the youngest one...!'

Kan handed over the letter with extreme politeness.

"This is a letter from Casimir that arrived ten days ago. I tried to come as quickly as possible, but the monsters were more aggressive than usual, so I'm a bit late."

Siron, who took the letter, frowned.

'I'll have to set aside some time tomorrow to kill the monsters at the entrance of the Black Sea. If it weren't for them, I would have received this a day earlier.'

Rip.

Siron lightly flicked his fingers to break the seal. The letter was quite thick.

Like an old man savoring a childhood diary, Siron read each word slowly.

(To the esteemed Sir Siron Runkandel,

I, a humble knight of this insignificant town, cannot express in words how moved I am to be able to write this letter.

How is the weather at the Garden of Swords?

Here, in the free city of Tikan, it is night. The stars, densely scattered in the soft, velvety night sky, seem to sing of Sir Siron's greatness.

Once again,

I, the mere swordsman Casimir Alphryon, am deeply grateful for the opportunity to experience such honor. With each word and sentence, I pour my enthusiasm and sincerity to satisfy Sir Siron...)

Siron's brow twitched.

'As I felt last time, this guy seems to have a bit of a problem... Why is the introduction so long?'

Although quite annoyed, Siron, with the patience of a Grand Knight, turned to the next page.

However, the next page was also filled with long greetings and pleasantries, and even by the third page, there was not a single mention of Jin.

"Hmm."

Siron sighed incomprehensibly and shook his head, making Kan feel as if he had committed a sin.

'Lord... is angry. Could something have happened to Young Master Jin?'

But as soon as he opened the fourth page,

Siron's face lit up. His eyes softened, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.

"Hehe."

He even chuckled softly.

Kan had been serving Siron for nearly 20 years, but this was the first time he had seen such a reaction. After Luna declared her disinterest in the Runkandel throne, Siron had always been cold to his children.

So, Kan was curious to the point of madness. What great achievement could Young Master Jin have made to make Siron so pleased?

"Kan."

"Yes, Lord."

"The youngest one is apparently being defeated by Casimir's wife every day. Hahaha, by the time this letter was written, he had already lost nearly forty times in sparring matches."

Kan doubted his own ears.

If it were the usual Siron, he would have clicked his tongue at such incompetence, but since he was pleased, Kan was taken aback.

"Quite a few defeats."

"The first match was lost in three moves, the second in five, the seventh in ten, the twentieth in twenty-five, and the thirtieth in forty."

"If Young Master used magic and spirit energy, it's understandable that he could hold out against a 7th rank. Especially with consistent sparring with one person."

Kan, being one of Siron's most trusted and valued subordinates, knew Jin's secrets.

Of course, he was a person who would never reveal them to anyone, even on pain of death. Even if Siron dismissed him for no reason.

"That's right. But do you know what happened in the fortieth match?"

"What happened?"

"He held out for over 120 moves. He broke through a barrier. He gained enlightenment."

Achieving such results in a short time, from 5th to 7th rank, was indeed impressive, but since it wasn't purely through swordsmanship, Kan could still understand it.

However, when Siron continued, Kan's eyes widened.

"And Casimir's wife, Alice Vajzer, was from the Viment Special Task Force 2nd Squad. Hehe, no wonder I'm laughing. Of course, she must be quite rusty after retiring for so long, but she's very impressive."

The Viment Special Task Force, and especially the 2nd Squad, which primarily handled the protection of the royal family, was well-known to Kan.

"Being from the 2nd Squad... Young Master couldn't have handled her by luck. Congratulations, Lord."

"It's too early to celebrate. Casimir gave him six months to defeat her."

"If this momentum continues, it could happen even faster."

"If he had been the eldest, he would have left the family without hesitation. Kan, what do you think of the youngest one?"

"I agree with Lord. If he had been the eldest, Young Master Jin would have taken Joshua's place."

"That's not what I meant."

Kan flinched and looked at Siron.

"Could you... be talking about the successor?"

Siron nodded.

Kan was shocked, not because of Jin's young age of fifteen, but because this was the first time Siron had directly mentioned the succession.

'Sir has never explicitly mentioned the successor before...!'

Siron had never once designated a successor. He had shown subtle expectations for some of his children, including Luna, but this was the first time he had expressed it so openly.

Even Joshua, the next head of the house, was only considered so because Luna had stepped down. Siron had never directly designated him.

The same applied to other potential successors like Mary, Diphus, and Luntea.

After composing himself, Kan spoke.

"He is still too young and needs more observation. Although he is growing at a dazzling pace, I cannot yet declare him suitable as a successor."

"Why do you think so?"

"He lacks composure. The story of him risking his life to save a junior student during his student days is a reflection of his nature. I believe he has a tendency towards kindness but lacks firmness."

"You're right. Unlike Joshua, the youngest has shown weakness in emotion several times. What do you think would happen if he overcame that?"

"If necessary. If he could become as cold as to remove even Luna and maintain this growth, he would be very suitable."

Siron smiled contentedly.

"Yes, that's what Runkandel is about. You may leave now."

"Yes, Lord."

Despite not having slept for four days and slaying monsters continuously, Kan immediately turned back the way he came as soon as he received the order.

Once he left Siron's domain, he would have to spend another four days in a state of constant tension, slaying monsters.

Just before drawing his sword, Kan thought:

'Perhaps Lord is smiling, expecting Young Master Jin to surpass the constraints of Runkandel.'

* * *

Mid-November 1795.

It had been over three months since Jin and Alice started their sparring matches.

Jin no longer preformed magic before meeting Alice.

"Phew! Young Master Jin, today was close."

Alice, who had just defeated Jin in their 95th match, wiped her forehead.

"Ha ha, you said the same thing yesterday. This is my 95th defeat. I'm feeling quite depressed..."

"Small differences add up. Now, I have to fight for over 15 minutes to defeat you. By the way, are you going to do that thing after today's match?"

"Yes, please go ahead. Miss Alice."

Alice shook her head, exasperated.

For the past week, Jin had left the training ground only after completing ten thousand bell strikes.

Ten thousand.

'Expressing will through the sword...'

If the first and last strikes of ten thousand swings are the same, it is a possible realm. Jin, who had grown through sparring with Alice, could now perform three thousand consistent swings, even in his current exhausted state.

'It's not about physical strength. Whether tired or not, the will I convey through the sword must be the same.'

As Jin prepared to start his bell striking, Alice walked out.

'Phew, I never imagined he would catch up so quickly. Watching his intense training... I can't help but feel my pride is unharmed.'

After watching Jin's bell striking for a while, Alice carefully closed the training ground door.

"He has more than enough potential to become strong."

And the next day, something completely unexpected happened.