Report
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
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Chapter 45: How Did You Know About That, Brother?
Heat waves rippled across the skin of the shirtless man. The phenomenon was clearly visible to the naked eye - a manifestation of pure yang energy at its most intense.
When he channeled all of that seething energy into his sword, the air around him began to distort from the scorching aura.
SWOOSH!
The sword energy, infused with pure yang force, flew toward the blue sea and precisely split a tiny boat in the distance.
BOOM!
The bisected boat burst into flames as it began sinking into the ocean.
"Young Master Karl, your mastery of the Nine Solar Sword Forms deepens by the day. That was truly an excellent strike."
The aging knight praised the young man.
"Thank you, though I still feel lacking."
Karl Grunewald shook his head as he watched the burning boat fragments.
What he was practicing was the Nine Solar Sword Forms, a martial art among Grunewald's various techniques that utilized pure yang energy.
It was a highly favored martial art that three previous clan heads had chosen to master.
'I'm still far from true mastery.'
Yet he couldn't give up. Only after mastering this technique would he qualify to learn the secret martial arts reserved for the clan head and successor.
'There's no need to rush. Even that genius Verdzig took time to master this level.'
If it wasn't easy even for that prodigy, how much more challenging would it be for someone like himself with lesser talent?
Karl was well aware that his martial talent fell short of not just Verdzig but Ulbhild as well.
If that was the case, he at least wouldn't lose in terms of diligence. That's why, despite being both the Eldest Young Master and commander of the Knighthood, he trained every single day.
"Well then."
Karl lightly pointed his sword toward the aging knight.
"Sir, I request another match."
"The pleasure is mine. Please go easy on me."
After several intense clashes of energy and dozens of exchanges, the sparring match finally concluded.
"I admit defeat, Young Master. I truly can't keep up anymore."
Karl’s body was drenched in sweat, and he extended his hand to help the knight.
"It was a good match. Your final move gave me quite a shock."
"Actually, it was a technique I'd spent several days devising, but I never expected you to counter even that. I'm truly impressed."
"Haha, I would have fallen for it last year. I've grown a bit."
"That's an understatement, my lord."
Karl brushed back his sweat-soaked hair with a satisfied smile.
'While his steadfast and serious nature sometimes made him inflexible in real combat situations, he's now greatly improved upon that weakness as he's gained experience.'
The knight thought, observing Karl, who was both his superior and lord.
'...Though he can't match Young Master Verdzig's monstrous geniusness.'
After all, martial prowess alone isn't what's needed to become a successor. This wasn't a battle simply determined by who reaches the highest level first.
Moreover, Karl had already built up overwhelming martial might among his peers. He was progressing more than adequately.
"We'll end here for today."
"Yes. Thank you for your hard work until this late hour."
The sun was already setting, gradually sinking below the horizon over the sea.
"..."
Karl's expression suddenly darkened as he headed toward the bathhouse, leaving the cleanup to others.
'Allenvert, that guy.'
He too had naturally been keeping watch over Allenvert's movements, who had left the castle walls for the first time in nearly seven years.
'That unpredictable fellow.'
Some of his moves were surprisingly bold, while others were bizarrely peculiar.
'Is he really planning to extend his reach into the Underworld? Because he can't rely on maternal relatives' power?'
'Someone so radical and hasty would be difficult to work with.'
What bothered Karl was how Allenvert conducted such activities openly while under such scrutiny. Surely there must be some ulterior motive?
'What are you thinking, Allenvert?'
Karl was also concerned about how Allenvert had performed in his unexpected first real combat.
'When I first saw blood in combat, I froze up.'
His body wouldn't move as intended, and trying to force formal techniques against a lesser opponent nearly landed him in trouble. Looking back now, his inexperience was almost laughable.
Yet wasn't Allenvert even weaker than he had been then? It was remarkable how freely he fought without having properly learned even a single sword technique.
'Is he a born warrior?'
While some warriors are carefully molded, others are natural-born fighters. He didn't even hesitate to draw blood. That cold aggression was unexpected.
'Based on what we've seen so far, Allenvert's talent is no less than Ulbhild's.'
Whether he could match Verdzig's level was still unknown. After all, Verdzig was an undeniable genius of the sword.
"..."
Talented younger siblings - few things made Karl as uncomfortable as that.
'But who made their move?'
The situation was too perfectly orchestrated to be mere coincidence.
'Ulbhild isn't the type. Neither is Barclava.'
At this point, Karl reached the same conclusion as Allenvert.
'Somerset is suspicious.'
The Verdzig he knew wouldn't do something like this. Rather, he'd probably look down on whoever did such a thing.
'Stupid fool.'
Somerset possessed many qualities Karl despised most: frivolous, incompetent, lecherous, and lazy. Despite all that, his greed led him to dream futile dreams from within his mother's embrace.
'Somerset. You lack the caliber.'
Karl sank into the properly heated bath, feeling his torn and overworked muscles quickly relaxing.
Under the soft lighting, he saw his face reflected on the water's surface.
Black hair and brown eyes.
Coincidentally, both his hair and eye color were completely different from his father's. He was the child who most resembled his mother.
'Even my martial talent...'
...Karl closed his eyes and submerged beneath the surface.
'Allenvert.'
The weak boy who had once despaired before his terminal fate was now gone. Karl had witnessed this himself. That confidence and quick-witted demeanor had been quite impressive.
'Mother was right.'
While Allenvert might be a brother worth allying with, Karl was still troubled by not knowing his true intentions.
'What exactly are you trying to do?'
...What had he discussed with Verdzig during their private meeting that day? And why did he choose this moment to venture outside? Why did he interact with smugglers?
In truth, Karl didn't yet realize that this confusion he felt was exactly the reaction Allenvert had intended.
'Could you also be harboring dreams of becoming the clan head?'
If Allenvert was really dreaming such futile dreams...
'Then we cannot walk the same path.'
Karl's usually benevolent eyes turned cold.
* * *
"Wow, this place looks nice."
I wandered around Somerset's private residence while admiring it.
"This discrimination is too severe. How unfair. How can there be such different treatment among brothers?"
"Well, maybe it's because he's an older brother...?"
"Shut up. Whose side are you on right now?"
"I wasn't taking anyone's side..."
"If Barclava's residence turns out better than mine, I'm going to protest."
"Even if you say that..."
While I was chattering with Peter, there was a response from the other side.
"Y-Young Master Allenvert!"
The butler who came out to greet the unexpected visitor was visibly flustered.
"W-what brings you here?"
"Am I not allowed to come?"
"Of course not, how could that be?"
"Why are you so nervous anyway? You look like someone who's committed a crime."
The butler wiped his sweat with a handkerchief and replied.
"Not at all. We're simply worried our welcome might be inadequate for someone as noble as yourself, Young Master, especially since you came without prior notice."
"Oh."
Good answer. I am indeed quite noble. Though being noble can be quite tiresome.
"But what brings you..."
"What else? I came to see Brother Somerset."
"Ah, might I ask about your business?"
I replied somewhat curtly.
"Just tell him I came because I have something to discuss."
"Y-yes, understood."
The butler practically fled into the residence without another word.
"This is quite suspicious."
As I grinned, Peter whispered in my ear.
"But really, what did you come here for? The butler will just sigh again if he finds out."
"That's why I came secretly when he's not here."
I replied while looking at Peter's stupid face.
"How could a little sparrow like you understand my grand intentions?"
"You're really too much."
"Just watch. It'll be entertaining."
"Sigh, I don't even want to know."
"Just mind your own business."
I pointed at Peter.
"You know Somerset's personality, right? If he didn’t find a way to pick a fight with me, he might target you instead."
"Gasp!"
"But if you get caught stupidly grinning on the side, I won't help you."
At that, Peter tightly sealed his lips.
"Don't worry."
"Very quick, aren't you?"
"Well, I only have one life."
***
I entered Somerset's reception room with Peter in tow.
"Greetings, dear brother."
I grinned at Somerset's sour expression.
"Still no dignity in your greetings. Why are you here?"
"You're too hasty. Asking about business right away."
I said while sitting down in a plush chair.
"I'm thirsty. How about some water?"
"Help yourself."
"How cold. I'm hurt."
Peter tactfully brought a glass of water.
"Impudent fool. Who gave you permission to touch things in my room?"
"Oh, how stingy. The Grunewald hospitality has really hit rock bottom. Too reluctant to even give your brother a glass of water. My, my..."
As I clicked my tongue and mocked him, Somerset sighed and gestured.
"Go ahead and drink."
"Should've done that from the start."
After gulping down the glass of water, I said.
"By the way, I noticed earlier that your Security Guards seem well-trained?"
Somerset snorted before answering.
"Isn't that obvious?"
"Still, the Security Guards seem intimidated by the Royal Guards."
As the commander of Security Guards Somerset’s eyebrow twitched. His reactions are so easy to read.
"And?"
"Just saying."
"How dare you mock others when you don't have a single soldier under your command?"
"Me, mocking? Why?"
I responded with a brazenly innocent face.
"You're reading too much into things. Brother, people usually get oversensitive when they don't get enough sunlight. Maybe you should go out and touch grass more often."
Somerset slammed the table.
"Damn it! What did you really come here for?"
"What special reason would I have? Just came to see your face, brother."
"Cut the nonsense. Since when were we ever close enough for that?"
Somerset raged. But I could read the anxiety and unease beneath it. Why would that be?
'You can't fool my eyes.'
"By the way, brother. Earlier I was attacked by some strange men."
At those words, Somerset sneered.
"How poorly must you have conducted yourself to be looked down upon even by such pathetic thugs?"
"Oh?"
I pointed at Somerset with exaggerated surprise.
"How did you know they were thugs?"
"...!"
A look of panic flashed across Somerset's face.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
Join our Discord for release updates!
https://discord.com/invite/dbdMDhzWa2
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