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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
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Chapter 15: From the Sunny Side to the Shady Side
The second day dawned.
Despite a restless night, I woke up feeling incredibly refreshed.
"I'm full of energy."
Just reaching the 2nd-tier had given me this kind of boost. No wonder this was a prestigious clan's secret technique. Damn.
‘The smell has mostly gone.’
It was thanks to the incense I'd lit by the window.
Yawning widely, I got out of bed. The cool morning air, carrying the scent of sunlight, invigorated me.
"Ah..."
I quickly closed my mouth, afraid of letting a bug in.
"It's always sunny here."
It was truly a southern sun. The abundant sunlight, reflecting off the sea, made everything so bright. It's a wonder anyone here gets depressed, Allenvert.
‘With all this energy, I'm itching to do something.’
I wanted nothing more than to draw my sword and swing it around. Even a small knife would have been enough to satisfy my urge to dance with steel right here.
‘Is this the secret technique the Grunewald clan is so proud of?’
Instead of the turbid and unrefined mana I used to have, the pure mana which was refined by the secret technique was flowing through my body like a clear and pristine river.
It was a world of difference in terms of efficiency, reaction speed, and purity. It was like upgrading from a donkey to a fine warhorse. That's the best way to describe it.
Whoosh.
As I focused my mana in my fist, a soft aura glowed. If I improve further, this light will envelop my fist like a gauntlet.
I threw a few punches in excitement, drawing countless imaginary arcs in the air with my shoulders, hips, and knees.
"Swish, swish, swish, swish."
In other words, I was basically causing a ruckus by the window first thing in the morning.
But who would know that these punches had defeated countless martial artists and beaten up countless thugs from the Underworld?
"Damn, this is tiring."
Even with mana, my heart and lungs weren't trained enough, so I was quickly out of breath. I was as out of shape as someone who had never run a day in their life. Despite that...
‘So this is the difference a secret technique makes. This is ridiculous.’
With more training, I'd be able to move more lightly across the battlefield.
With increased strength and mana, I could stand like a mountain and swing my iron fists. And when I switched from fists to a sword, my techniques would evolve again.
‘I need to revise all my old techniques now that I have a new secret technique.’
But I couldn't do those reckless fights in front of others. I needed to learn the Grunewald family's swordsmanship properly.
The opportunity to learn swordsmanship properly couldn't be missed.
‘Alright, this is fun.’
When it came to martial arts, I wasn't a reluctant student. I was a greedy person who wanted to devour everything and make it my own.
‘...A prodigy’s talent.’
People used to call me that when I faced swordsmen. Maybe it was true.
But the martial arts of Karzan were like a flower that had bloomed in a barren desert, frail and swaying in the harsh wind.
It was full of trial and error, failure, and confusion. I was always held back by my crude secret technique and lack of mana.
In other words, I hadn't reached my full potential.
‘If I can absorb all the martial arts knowledge the Grunewald family had accumulated over hundreds of years, things will be completely different.’
As my status in this clan rises, I'll have access to more opportunities and elixirs.
So, it remains to be seen how far a mad dog born into a noble family can climb.
"I can't just meekly accept a death sentence."
And another thing...
‘Even in this glamorous city, there must be darkness.’
Just as there are shadows where there is light, wherever money and power gather, the Underworld emerges.
It would be absurd to think that in a metropolis of this size, there are no dark hands reaching for its interests.
I don't know how deep and dangerous the Grunewald clan's Underworld is, but... with the power I've regained today, I'm confident I could single-handedly crush any mediocre gang.
‘If I can only connect with the darkness of the duchy.’
I'm certain that Allenvert's position and actions, as just a disowned fourth son, would change completely. That's because there can be no power without shadow.
Or rather...
The idea of climbing to the pinnacle of power without touching the Underworld was nothing more than a foolish dream on a summer night.
It's an impossible fantasy.
Who can do that without getting their hands dirty?
Even if someone were lucky enough to be born an only child and designated as the young duke from the start, it would be the same. His father's brothers and cousins would covet his position.
Blood always flows at the feet of the throne. That's the nature of power.
‘In that sense, should I be grateful?’
I know a man who ruled both the light and the darkness.
His sinister nature killed me.
So in this life, I too will seize control of the Underworld, build up my forces, and use them as my backing.
I looked down at the ships gliding across the vast sea.
"That's all money. Damn it."
The dock, with laborers loading and unloading cargo and merchants bustling about, was even clearer in my vision today.
Some of them must be involved in smuggling, while others help fugitives and criminals escape.
There must be hired killers and mercenaries, and transient people quietly disembarking.
‘I can already picture it.’
I could also clearly see the slums, located outside the streets of the grand mansions. That's the world I'll have to step back into someday.
"Wait for me, you bastards."
The mad dog, Karzan, is returning.
***
Peter arrived earlier than usual.
“Young master, thank you so much. My little brother recovered quickly, and Mother woke up well today. We'll have meat and warm soup for dinner.”
Peter bowed as soon as he saw me.
“That’s good to hear.”
“My siblings asked me to convey their deep gratitude. They promised to repay your kindness someday…”
“Don’t worry about it, you’re just kids.”
“Mother also told me. She said that I’ve met a true benefactor and must serve you faithfully.”
“That’s the right thing to say. Make sure you listen to your mother.”
“Yes.”
Peter’s eyes welled up.
“Crying again?”
“Oh, I’m such a lucky guy. Please order me to do anything. I’ll gladly give my life…”
“Don’t exaggerate. I don’t have anything for you to do right now.”
“Yes.”
“I’m suddenly thirsty. Get me some water.”
“But you just said you didn’t have anything for me to do.”
“Shut up.”
“Yes.”
“Oh, and…”
I finally remembered what I wanted Peter to do.
“See those dirty clothes over there? Wash them too.”
Peter held up the clothes and plugged his nose at the smell.
“No, did you maybe use those for… you know?”
“Are you insane? Do you think I would do something like that?”
“Then what is this...?”
“When you purify your body with a pure secret technique, waste products are expelled. How would you understand such profound principles?”
“Oh? Is that how it is?”
“You’re such a fool. Why would I discuss martial arts with someone like you?”
I clicked my tongue and teased Peter.
“You’re cursing this early in the morning. Anyway, so you started practicing the Eternal Ocean Chain Technique last night?”
“Yes.”
“I can see you’ve changed a bit…”
It was better to show than to tell. I tore off a brass button.
Crunch!
I crushed the button with my fingers, and Peter’s jaw dropped.
“Wow.”
“This is nothing.”
Peter took the crushed button.
“That’s amazing.”
“Right?”
“But if you suddenly tear off a button, who’s going to sew it back on…?”
“Such an obvious question. Of course, you’ll do it. It’s easier than giving your life, isn’t it?”
“Well, yes, but…”
I shooed Peter away with a grimace and stared out the window for a moment.
‘Who's coming?’
In the distance, I saw a figure walking this way.
***
A middle-aged man carrying a briefcase walked towards the annex of the Grunewald Duke's estate.
"Hmm."
‘What a long and uncomfortable time it had been. ‘
Employed as a tutor for Allenvert Grunewald, the fourth son, he had been eating nothing but cold rice for the past few months without even meeting his student.
‘So he’s finally awake.’
Given his free salary, he’d wanted to stay, but he’d been increasingly troubled by the meaningless way he was spending his time.
More than anything, he wondered what meaning there could be in teaching a student who was going to die within a few years.
‘There’s no job as tedious as teaching an unmotivated student.’
If Allenvert recovered from his fever, he would resign immediately.
... It was at that moment that he received a call from the butler.
‘The butler said the young master has changed and wants me to observe him closely?’
The butler Aiden was always a man he felt uncomfortable looking directly at. Such an order from him was quite burdensome.
‘How much has he changed? And why is he taking such an interest in him now? Isn’t he completely disowned?’
As the tutor arrived at the annex, he wiped the sweat from his brow.
“Ah, you’ve arrived.”
Guided by a servant to Allenvert’s bedroom, he casually asked.
“How is the young master?”
“Well, um.”
The servant hesitated.
“To be honest, we don’t know very well. He’s been acting very unpredictably and his tone has changed.”
It was an answer that only raised more questions.
“I see.”
He gently knocked on the door. The servant, seemingly uncomfortable, had already retreated.
“Oh, come in.”
A pleasant voice with an unpleasant tone. The tutor tilted his head at the reply that sounded more like a street thug and went inside.
“Who are you?”
“...Ahem. I’m the tutor who taught you. I see you really don’t remember.”
“Oh! Is that so?”
Allenvert lowered his hand from scratching his belly and stood up.
‘I wonder who sent him this time.’
Was it one of his brothers, or the butler? Whatever the case, Allenvert was pleased.
‘This is a chance to get some information.’
Ideally, he’d like to know what had happened in the 17 years he’d been gone. And if he could also make a good impression, that would be even better.
And most importantly…
‘I have something I’ve been wanting to ask.’
Allenvert’s eyes sparkled.
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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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