Chapter 371

“Huh—huh, damn it—!”
The full moon was bright.
The gray-haired old man stepped back, his breathing harsh.
The duel began at the crack of dawn and didn’t end until the full moonlit night.
The white coating, almost as white as his hair, whipped in the wind.
“What a surprise, I didn’t realize I was so far behind!
His left hand, gripping the longsword, was trembling.
I was almost out of steam.
The forest they fought in had already been turned into a vacant lot.
Around him, five whirlwinds twisted and turned like ascending dragons.
Seventy and five years.
I’ve been wandering the forests for years, but I’ve never encountered such a strong enemy.
Suddenly, a low voice came from where the old man had fired his sword qi.
“Are you sure you want to continue?”
“I knew it. A monster.”
The old man chuckled.
I’ve been noticing it since the vortex didn’t go away.
My slim hopes burned out the moment I saw the blue glow in the darkness.
It wasn’t long before An Guang’s master showed up.
A handsome face and dark hair.
Exotic uniforms fluttering in the wind.
Schlieffen Siniban de Grancia continued.
“If you admit defeat, I’ll sheathe my sword, I don’t want to kill a seasoned swordsman like you.”
“The anti-gunners. You’re already sure of victory?”
“Yes.”
“—Haha, the heavens are indeed vast, there are still monsters like this!”
The crotchety old man let out a hearty laugh.
There was no sign of doubt on Schleifen’s face as he confirmed his victory.
Schlieffen shook his head.
“There are many who are stronger than me, two stronger for sure.”
“If that’s true, you’re hopeless. Anyway, let’s call it a day. I can’t beat you as an old man.”
“Sure, thanks for the challenge.”
Schlieffen bowed his head.
There was no point in fighting an opponent who had lost the battle.
Sheathing their swords, the two men moved toward each other.
It was a common courtesy in both the East and West to bow to each other after a fight.
Schlieffen raised his right hand to pounce.
“Bastard, you caught me off guard!”
The old man cried out.
Before I knew it, my hand was drawing a red arc.
Schlieffen’s eyes widened.
“——!”
“It’s one thing to mock an old man, but how dare you discuss mercy in a matter of life and death!”
The old man’s newness has faded.
A stab, reminiscent of a hawk’s swoop, pierced Schlieffen’s uvula.
It was a blow that took everything I had left.
He smiles wryly, certain of victory.
“—Huh?”
The old man frowned.
There was no blood on the dao that lingered in the void.
There was nothing where Schlieffen had been standing.
Only a few delicate evening primroses swayed at her feet.
“I’ve never let my guard down, seasoned prosecutor.”
“What the—!”
The answer came from behind.
I didn’t have to turn my head to see it.
Schlieffen’s figure was flanked by the old man’s.
Before he knew it, he had a sword in his hand.
His sword, half turned to wind, was covered in red blood.
It was a moment of silent leadership for Schlieffen.
A chilling sensation washed over the old man, like a wind rushing through his body.
“Haha–that’s true. You have a great attitude.”
“I’m sorry this happened.”
“No. Thank you for tying the knot with honor. I only wish I had met you sooner.”
The old man clucked.
The night wind blew.
Once again, the evening primrose shook.
The old man’s head fell to the floor as he laughed.
“——whoops.”
The old man’s body stood for a few more seconds before slowly slumping backwards.
There was a lot of weeds around it, so it didn’t make a falling sound.
Schlieffen muttered, running a hand through his bangs.
“I can’t reach this far.”
His expression was not cheerful as the long day-long battle was settled.
The old man, an elder of the Hundred Mountain Sect, was a formidable opponent, but he didn’t help him grow.
“How the hell am I supposed to—.
A sudden throbbing in the pit of my stomach.
This was the spot where he lost to Nabirozé in the Swordfight.
A woman who has managed to regain her supremacy.
Late in the spring, his overwhelmed master handed him a crushing defeat.
– I’ll wait upstairs. Schlieffen.
Her last words stuck in my head.
Schlieffen clenched his fists.
If we stayed here, we would never get to where Nabirozze is.
I muttered to myself through parched lips.
“—I’m going up.”
Schlieffen made the old man’s grave and left.
His favorite longsword was turned into a tombstone and stuck into the ground.
Damp moonlight illuminated the man’s path as he walked back.
****
Three days later.
“You have come, my lord.”
A middle-aged man in full regalia nodded yes.
He was the butler in charge of the management of the manor of Grancia.
Before him stood Schlieffen, who had just completed a month-long training program.
The servants around him stopped what they were doing and greeted their master.
“You traveled all the way to the Far East. Did you get what you wanted?”
“I didn’t earn much, please take it.”
“Uh, is this—?”
Schlieffen held out a silk-wrapped bag.
The butler scowled.
The glossy shine was uncharacteristic of the packaging.
Schlieffen said.
“The skill with jade is better in the East, so I’ve put in something that looks good, so you can share it with the others.”
“I’m so grateful for this—!”
“Don’t worry, it’s no big deal. Where are you and Arya?”
“They’re both at the mansion. Your wife is getting ready for lunch.”
“Good.”
Schlieffen nodded.
It’s a relief to hear from both of them.
He was the car that opened the door to the mansion and entered.
A cheerful voice rang out as if it had been waiting for me.
“Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!”
“Aria.”
A girl with dark hair came running up to him.
Shutting the door behind him, Schlieffen smiled.
He and Iriel’s daughter, Aria.
A small wooden sword was clutched in his right hand, as if he were playing a game of jousting.
It was the moment Schlieffen opened her arms to embrace her adorable daughter.
“Take it, Bombshell!”
Arya rushed forward and swung her wooden sword.
The wooden sword goddess was swaying in the blue wind.
Arya’s auror was slowly peaking.
The corner of Schlieffen’s mouth lifted faintly.
“A stormsword.”
He didn’t draw his sword, just slid the scabbard forward.
Voila!
The blow sounded like a light tap on a drum.
Unsurprisingly, there’s not a single raw fish left in the scabbard.
Aria’s eyes widened.
“Hee hee! How did you stop it!”
“The wind is too weak. Like I said, I’d rather work on the basics than the auror.”
“Hmph—I practiced so hard.”
Lowering her wooden sword, Aria huffed.
His big eyes were watery.
I trained all day to show my dad and couldn’t even touch the collar.
Schlieffen hugged her.
“Still, it was great. It’s an unbelievable accomplishment for someone his age.”
“Puff, puff!—really?”
“Well. My Aria is better than your dad.”
Schlieffen patted Aria’s back quietly.
Feeling much better, she buried her face in Schlieffen’s chest.
“Dad. Can we stay home now?”
“Hmm?”
“You’re out all the time these days. I’m bored.”
“My mom stays home the whole time.”
“I wish my dad was there, because my mom can’t sword fight.”
Arya whimpered, now blind.
Schlieffen was about to reply that your mother might be better with a sword than I am.
Because that wasn’t the point of the conversation.
In retrospect, I rarely came home after losing a sword casting match.
Schlieffen, who was silent, was about to say something.
“Princess Arya – where have you been besides eating?”
Suddenly, Iril appeared from around the corner.
Ilsun Schlieffen felt the whole mansion light up.
She wore a frilly apron and held a flip in one hand.
There was yolk on the flip side, so it looked like Aria was making her favorite fried egg.
Iriel’s gaze locked on Schlieffen as he searched for his daughter.
“Oh, you’re here!”
Iril’s face lit up.
Shoving the flap into her pocket, she rushed over and hugged Schlieffen.
Her silvery-white hair smelled like wildflowers.
After a long hug, she patted Aria’s head.
“Aria, come home to Mommy, okay? Daddy’s going to be tired.”
“Ugh.”
Aria did just that.
There was snot where it came off, but Schlieffen didn’t care.
After a few deft rockings by Iril, who picked her up, Aria was fast asleep.
Iril laughed.
“You’ve had a long day, you’re tired, you’ve traveled all the way across the sea and to the East, how could you not be tired, go inside and get some rest.”
“I’m fine, you’re the one who—”
“Oh, by the way, how many times have I told you that cooking is my favorite thing to do, and that you shouldn’t worry too much?”
Iril extended his index finger to cover Schlieffen’s lips.
He probably meant to ask if you’re tired of cooking yourself.
And they were right on the money.
Schlieffen blurted out.
“—Okay, forbidden.”
“Ehehe, of course, you shouldn’t stop a housewife when she offers to cook for her daughter and her husband. Do you want to eat now, unless you’re very tired?”
Irene’s face lit up.
Schlieffen’s heart melted at the sun-like smile.
There was a reason his parents gave him the occasional scolding when he had children.
(You’ll live in gratitude for the rest of your life, you piece of shit!)
“I’m a—.”
But Schlieffen didn’t have an answer.
He had a problem he hadn’t solved yet.
Schlieffen, still facing Iril, shook his head.
“——I’d really like to, but that’s okay, I’ve got to get back out there, and I think I’ll go to Parzan this time.”
“Neh-eh-eh! That far?”
Iril was stunned.
Parzan, the site of the Sword Festival, was several days’ journey overland.
As she walked away, she was stopped by the front door.
“No way! What if I collapse? No outside training for a while!”
“But—.”
“You’re pushing yourself too hard lately. I know how you feel, but you need to take it easy. Is the position of swordsman really that important?”
Iriel said pleadingly.
As a wife, Schlieffen’s recent behavior has not gone unnoticed.
After losing to Nabirozé in the Sword Formation Final, he spent his days practicing.
Like my journey to the East, I often left home in the name of training.
A little bit of the main voice came through.
“I don’t care if you’re gay or not, I’m happy enough just being here with you—or maybe you’re not happy?”
“Oh, no, that can’t be right, calm down—!”
Then Schlieffen’s face went white.
It was very unusual for Iril to show tears.
He stammered, then blurted out.
“Of course I’m happy, I’m very happy, I’m very happy, but as it is—I can’t keep my promise.”
“Promise?”
“I made a promise to a friend long before we got married. It was to honor that promise, and I’ve lived by it more than my own life.”
Iril nodded.
“I know, it’s a promise I made to Ronan.”
“Yes. That being said, I’m obligated to protect Iril Yang for the rest of my life. But I can’t swear that I can do that with certainty unless I’m the strongest swordsman—that’s why I’ve been so obsessed.”
Schlieffen shook his head as he finished.
That was 30,000 times more important than personal ego.
It’s hard to argue that the amount of eryl should be honored by anything but the strongest tests.
There was a moment of silence.
Wiping at the corners of her eyes, Iril opened her mouth.
“There’s ——.”
“What?”
“Why don’t you go on a family vacation this weekend?”