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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: A Bet with the Marquis (3)
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A Bet with the Marquis (3)
Woooooong—
A challenging spirit and confidence emanated from Klyde's body, as if daring me to throw whatever I had. A red flame burned in his eyes.
It seemed his yet-to-be-unlocked Berserker trait was lending him some of its power.
"Good."
He was a worthy opponent for testing a new technique.
I relaxed my grip and lightly threw the last dagger.
Shhhk!
The third dagger flew even slower and with less force than the one I had thrown with only internal energy.
*'Are you kidding me right now!'*
*'You talked about honor, so what's with this flimsy throw?'*
*'Do it properly!'*
Klyde's gaze seemed to ask me all this.
Bwoooosh!
He swung down on the approaching dagger with the destructive force of his superhuman strength and Berserker trait. The momentum felt like it could split the air itself.
Shwaaa—
But the dagger, as if alive, evaded the path of his sword.
Like a fluttering butterfly, like a falling leaf.
The dagger seemed within reach, yet untouchable, as it closed in on Klyde's chest.
"What!"
Klyde hastily swung his sword sideways, but the dagger dodged that as well, as if it had anticipated the move.
Thwack!
"Keuk!"
The dagger moved like it was sliding, striking Klyde in the chest with its hilt before falling to the ground.
"Knghh."
It might have felt like a light tap on the chest, but Klyde was in considerable pain. He collapsed to the ground, clutching his chest, seemingly unable to breathe.
I had controlled its power, but the internal energy infused in the dagger must have dealt a strong shock to his insides.
"Hey! Klyde, what are you doing!"
"Are you going easy on him just because he's the Grand Prince?"
"Klyde! If you're going to fight like that, get out!"
The spectators watching from a distance thought Klyde was going easy on me. To their eyes, it must have looked like he deliberately missed the fluttering dagger.
"Yuren, what in the world have you learned?"
The Marquis, who had been watching up close, understood the situation perfectly, unlike the audience. The playful expression he'd worn all day was replaced by a serious one.
"I don't think this is something I can explain simply out here."
"Then when will you tell me?"
"I'll come see you first thing tomorrow.
"Alright. You've won the bet. We'll talk about everything tomorrow."
"Yes."
The Marquis, whom I expected to press the issue, acknowledged it immediately and left the training grounds.
"Ugh..."
I approached Klyde, who was still in pain, and absorbed the internal energy that was causing his suffering.
"Did you do something, Grand Prince? The pain is gone, and I feel a warm energy..."
I just smiled without a word.
"Thank you."
"It was nothing."
"Um..."
Klyde hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"I apologize. When the dagger flew slowly at first, I thought you were looking down on me, Grand Prince. But I was completely wrong. That was a divine technique, exquisite beyond my imagination."
I don't know how long it's been since I received such a sincere compliment.
"There's no way you could have mastered such a divine technique in just a month. So, just as I suspected, you've been hiding your true abilities all this time."
"Huh?"
*What is this guy talking about?*
"Is some secret organization targeting the Marquis's house? Is that why you've been hiding your power?"
"Uh?"
*That's right. He was into conspiracy theories.*
"It all makes sense now. I always thought it was strange that you were the outcast when all the children of House Lox are dragons among men. It was a noble sacrifice!"
I was just standing there while he concocted a whole backstory for me.
"And now you've finally revealed your skills because you've become strong enough to face that organization."
"Sigh..."
Listening to him was suddenly exhausting. And the way he was acting so friendly all of a sudden felt strange.
*No way.*
[Activating Creator's Eye.]
Just in case, I activated Creator's Eye again.
[Name: Klyde]
[Traits: Berserker, Superhuman Strength LV1]
[Favorability: 26 (Favorable)]
*Whoa, his favorability jumped by over 40 in an instant. Such a simpleton, just as you'd expect from a Berserker.*
We sparred once, I helped with his pain, and I let his misunderstanding slide, and his favorability shot up all on its own.
"From now on, if you need me in the fight against this secret organization, please call on me anytime! I will fight with my life on the line."
*Of course, there is a secret organization, but that's not important right now.*
In any case, this was a good thing. I'd just befriended Klyde, the Berserker who would one day wipe out an entire knight order by himself.
It seemed like his favorability would keep rising on its own if I just left him to his delusions, so I didn't say anything to correct his misunderstanding.
Klyde's misunderstanding continued all the way until I returned to the mansion. I could still hear his voice from behind me.
"I'll spread the word! That the Grand Prince was never a scoundrel! Just leave it to me!"
**
"You did well."
"Ah, thanks."
Arin remained silent until we were inside my room, where she finally spoke.
"That last technique was something I've never seen before."
"Ah, right. It's a new technique. What did you think?"
Arin didn't answer right away. She closed her eyes for a moment in thought.
"After seeing it, I ran a virtual spar in my head."
"And?"
"If I were to face it for the first time without having seen it, I would have died. But now, I believe I could block it."
Arin stated this frankly, her expression unchanging.
"I see. Arin."
"Yes?"
"I have something to ask you."
"Yes. Please ask."
[Activating Creator's Eye.]
[Name: Arin]
[Traits: Swift Sword LV2, Clear Mirror, Still Water LV1, Aura Adaptation LV1]
[Favorability: 28 (Favorable)]
*Her favorability went up again. How will she react now?*
"Are you satisfied with being my butler?"
Arin didn't answer, seemingly unable to grasp my meaning.
"What... do you mean?"
"You've received knight training since you were young, right? If you had continued on that path, you'd probably already be a knight."
"That's likely true. The Marquis also said I was skilled enough."
"But you've barely had any time to train lately, have you?"
Ever since I started my own training, Arin has been so busy taking care of me that she's had almost no personal time.
"It's alright. This was my choice."
*But I'm not alright with it.*
Honestly, her traits Swift Sword and Aura Adaptation are relatively common talents. But Clear Mirror, Still Water is a rare and powerful trait.
It's a frightening trait that allows her to grasp and counter a technique she's seen once. The same technique won't work on her twice.
Just a moment ago, she said she could block the Arcing Blade because she'd seen it once. Although, contrary to her belief, she wouldn't actually be able to block it.
She has too much talent to be left as just my butler.
"I'll ask you frankly. Do you want to be a knight?"
Arin's lips twitched several times, but she couldn't easily bring herself to speak.
"I'm going to see the Marquis tomorrow. Organize your thoughts by then and tell me your answer."
"But..."
Just as she was about to speak, I cut in.
"Of course, if you do become a knight, you'll be *my* knight."
"The Grand Prince's knight?"
"That's right. You're my butler and my person. So you should be my knight, too."
*I can't just hand over a talent like you to someone else.*
"I see..."
She closed her eyes for a long moment before opening them again. Her gaze, which had been wavering, became as steady as usual.
"Then I will give you my answer now. I..."
**
To keep my promise to the Marquis, I visited his office the next day. I had to wait for quite a while before permission was granted to enter, as he was busy with something.
"You may enter."
I nodded at the butler's words and opened the office door. Unlike its usual neat state, books and papers were scattered everywhere.
"Greetings, Lord Marquis."
Arin, who was behind me, curtsied and gave a polite greeting to the Marquis seated in his chair.
"And you? No greeting for your own father?"
"Hello."
"Ugh. It's my fault for expecting anything from you."
I greeted him as he asked, and the Marquis's face turned red.
"What was that technique you used yesterday? I've searched through countless books, but found no mention of it. Throwing with a slight curve is common, but I've never seen or read about such an intricate movement."
It seemed the Marquis had been searching for information on the Arcing Blade ever since he left yesterday.
"It's been a little over a month since you began training. Even for a once-in-a-generation genius, it's impossible to master such a skill alone in that time."
"Wouldn't it be possible for the world's greatest genius?"
"Stop playing with words."
The Marquis wore a heavy expression, clearly not in the mood for games today.
*He's probably worried about me. Worried that I might have been tempted by something evil.*
I mentally reviewed the story I had prepared.
"It's not as ordinary as you might think, my lord. And of course, I'm no genius. I obtained something special in the Fourth Training Ground."
"Something special?"
"Yes. I found a book under a drawer in the armory of the Fourth Training Ground, the one where the daggers and short swords are kept."
I began the story I had planned long ago.
The Fourth Training Ground is rarely used, and the drawer with the daggers and short swords is so coated in dust it's practically black with grime. It wouldn't be strange to find something there.
"A book?"
"Yes. The cover was filled with star patterns and unfamiliar formulas."
"Hmm..."
"I opened it without much thought, and something was sucked into my head. Then the book vanished in an instant."
"A grimoire!"
Upon hearing my words, the Marquis slammed his desk and shot up from his seat in surprise.
"A grimoire?"
I asked again, feigning ignorance, though I knew everything.
"Yes. If a book vanishes the moment it's opened, it's a grimoire. Or what's known as a skill book."
"I see."
*Of course, I know. How could I not? It's part of my own setup.*
A grimoire is a book where a powerful mage imbues their skills or magic to be passed on to others.
"After reading it, I came to understand how to throw a dagger faster and stronger, and how to bypass an opponent's defense to land a hit."
"Yes. A grimoire could do that. It all makes sense now. However..."
The Marquis seemed uneasy about something.
"I can't imagine who would have left a book there. Grimoires are priceless. Even one about throwing techniques would fetch enough at auction for three generations to live in luxury. I can't fathom why someone would leave such an item just lying around."
"True. But there's no way to find out by thinking about it. Let's just consider it a lucky break and move on."
*In reality, there is no grimoire, and its owner will never appear.*
"You're not worried at all, are you? Your nerve hasn't changed."
"Of course."
The Marquis looked at my face and chuckled.
"You won yesterday's bet, so I won't tell you to learn the sword anymore. You, who can master the skills from a grimoire, have no need for it."
"Yes."
"But let me say one more thing."
"I'm listening."
"In this world, there are times when appearances are more important than actual skill. This is an era dominated by the sword. You may be treated as less than your abilities warrant. The knights of other houses will not acknowledge you."
There was merit to the Marquis's words. He was looking out for me in many ways.
"It's fine. With this power, I will build a record of accomplishments that no one can question. I will step on those who look down on me and stand above them."
"Khahahaha! You really have changed. Yes, a Lox should have that kind of spirit!"
The Marquis seemed pleased by my words, the smile never leaving his lips.
"Now, then. It's time for my end of the bargain. Tell me what you desire."
I glanced at Arin standing quietly behind me before opening my mouth.
"I..."