Scheme
Default
Solarized Light
Solarized Dark
Light
Dark
Sepia
High Contrast
Font Type
Default
Times New Roman
Georgia
Palatino Linotype
Open Sans
Font Size
Very Small
Small
Medium
Large
Very Large
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Dong, dong.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
A rhythmic knocking sounded from outside the door.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
The person inside the room was buried under the covers, struggling on the bed for quite a while before reluctantly speaking up.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“Come in.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
The maid pushed open the door and gave a slight curtsy.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“Good day, young master.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
The one called young master was a youth with brilliant golden hair and deep blue eyes.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
By adult standards, his features could be considered youthful, but from a teenager’s perspective, his angular face leaned a bit too much toward maturity.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Ed Grieves had just turned 18 this year.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
In front of the maid, this future Duke Grieves let out a big yawn.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“I think… it’s not time for breakfast yet.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
He sat on the edge of the bed in his pajamas, half-lidded eyes looking at the maid.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“If there’s nothing, then wake me up later. Yawn—taking a nap might be a good idea.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
With that, without waiting for the maid’s response, Ed lay straight back down.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“Young master…”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
The maid was momentarily choked by his reaction.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“Actually, the lord has something he wants to discuss with you.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Ed lifted his head from his corpse-like state.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“At this hour, the old man wants me? Did he say what it’s about?”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
The maid seemed unsurprised by the term and just shook her head.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“The lord is waiting for you in the study. Please go ask him yourself.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
At this point, Ed finally had to accept a terrifying fact.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
He would have to crawl out of his warm bed at five in the morning, without even time for breakfast, just to be dragged by some old man into a conversation with no substance.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“Fine. A disastrous day starts in the morning.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Ed pursed his lips and propped himself up to get out of bed.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“I’ll change clothes. Wait for me outside.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
The maid bowed her head slightly.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“Yes, young master.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Ed’s room was some distance from the old duke’s study.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
On the way, Ed learned that the maid had only just woken up not long ago, practically dragged out of bed in a daze.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Usually at this time, although some servants in the duke’s mansion were up early, that didn’t include Ed’s personal maid.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Specially calling the little maid to notify him was a first in these past few years.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“What’s the old man up to now.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Ed muttered, but didn’t think much of it.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
In the time it took to chat idly with the little maid, that black door had already appeared before them.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“Young master.” The maid stepped aside, gesturing with a “please” motion.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“Please go in. The lord has been waiting for a while.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“Sasha.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Ed suddenly called the little maid’s name in an incredibly grave tone.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
The maid tilted her head.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“What’s wrong, young master?”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“In a bit, if I haven’t come out after more than half an hour.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
He solemnly placed his hands on the maid’s shoulders.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“You have to knock hard on this damn door and loudly tell the old man inside: ‘It’s breakfast time!’ Got it?”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
The maid blinked, then suddenly covered her mouth.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“Pfft—”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“Come on—”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Ed shook the maid’s body vigorously.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“This isn’t funny at all! Every few days, your young master has to listen to that old man nag for a whole hour. You know how torturous that is!”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“Ed, is that you outside?”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
A certain old man’s voice suddenly sounded from behind the black door.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“I’m counting on you, Sasha!”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Ed gave the little maid’s shoulder a final pat, then resolutely walked toward that door.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“Old man, I’m opening the door!”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
His voice carried a sense of facing death head-on.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Creak.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Perhaps in his last glance before closing the door, he saw the little maid smiling and nodding, which finally eased Ed’s heart a little.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Bang.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Once inside, he looked around.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
It was the same as always.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Aside from a long desk for work, tall bookshelves filled with various books, and that black sword hanging on the wall alongside the family banner for who knows how many years, the spacious study had no extra decorations.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
In Ed’s own view, it was barely acceptable.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
But the thought that this would one day be his own office filled Ed with an involuntary sense of sorrow.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Why, you ask?
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Just look at the man in his forties with a full head of white hair right in front of you.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
This old man also timely lifted his head from a pile of documents.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“Ed, sit down.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Hell, it’s starting.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Ed pulled out the chair opposite the old man and sat down with a tragic resolve.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
But unexpectedly, the old man—Storn Grieves—didn’t immediately start his usual lecture. Instead, he just silently stared at Ed until it made him uneasy, prompting him to speak first.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“Old man, if you have something to say, say it. Don’t look at your son like that, okay?”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“In those words, I don’t hear the respect and understanding a son should have for his father.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
The old man snorted lightly.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
But those words actually made Ed relax.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Sure enough, in the next ten minutes, the old man began rambling on about the difficulties of managing the territory, hoping Ed would familiarize himself with a duke’s daily routine soon to share some of the burden.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“Old man, you’ve repeated these same old lines who knows how many times. Can’t you talk about something else?”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Ed slumped over the desk, impatiently interrupting a certain duke’s nagging.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
The old man glared at him.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“You brat, I’m saying this for your own good. And fix your attitude—you’re an adult now, but you still act like a kid every day.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Ed propped his chin with his hand, barely making himself look a bit more “proper.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“I mean, old man, you know I don’t have the talent for managing a territory.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“Of course I know.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
The old man sighed unusually.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“But I really have no choice.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
At this point, the old and young pair in the room suddenly fell into a strange silence.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Ed knew the old man was telling the truth.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
In this generation of the Grieves family, he was the only direct heir, an only child.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
If Ed gave up inheriting the title, the hereditary rights would have to fall to some distant collateral branches.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
For the old man, who valued bloodlines greatly, that would be pure blasphemy against the Grieves family.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
But Ed also knew his own limits. If it was swordsmanship or magic, he could chat enthusiastically about it, but when it came to territory management, he was like a farmer who’d never left the fields seeing a book for the first time, entering a state of “Who am I, where am I, what am I doing?”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Inheriting the duke’s position in that state would surely make him the laughingstock.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“Ed.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
The old man across from him suddenly spoke, pulling Ed back from his wandering thoughts.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“I’ve thought it over carefully. Since you don’t want to inherit this title, I can’t force you too much.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Ed sat up straight abruptly.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“Old man, you’ve finally come around?”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“What do you mean I’ve come around?”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
The old man shot him a fierce glance.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“I just suddenly feel that having a second choice in life isn’t bad. No need to force it.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“Father.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Ed nodded solemnly.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“I think so too. It’s rare for us father and son to agree.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“Now you know to call me father?”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
The old man couldn’t help but blow his beard and glare.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“And don’t get too excited yet. I can’t just let you go off and fool around.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“You speak, I’m listening.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Ed assumed a posture of attentive listening.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“How’s your swordsmanship and magic training going?” the old man suddenly asked.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Ed hesitated and thought for a moment.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“It should… be okay, I guess.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
The old man lowered his head in contemplation.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
After a while, he spoke slowly.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“Ed, I have a trial for you to complete. If you succeed, I’ll personally teach you a few moves and let you go out to make your own way.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“Old man, you’re serious?”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Ed looked at the old man in surprise.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“I thought you were just joking… Ouch!”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“Too much nonsense.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
The old man retracted the cane he’d used to rap Ed on the head.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“Give me a straight answer. Do you want this chance or not?”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“Yes, yes, yes!” Ed quickly agreed.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
That was a chance to be personally taught by one of the empire’s three sword masters, the Wind Sword—Storn Grieves. Even for Ed, it was a rare opportunity to receive his guidance.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
After all, the old man had always trained Ed in the direction of a duke’s heir.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
His swordsmanship instruction was limited to the “superficial” basics, and magic was entirely self-taught by Ed.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
As for the chance to go out and adventure, that was even more unthinkable.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Ed dreamed of getting far away from this duke’s position.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
A hint of a smile finally appeared on the old man’s aged face.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
He pulled out a sheet from the pile of documents on the desk and handed it to Ed.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“Then take a look at this first.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“This is…”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Ed took it, scanned it roughly, and suddenly looked up.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“A witch bounty?”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“That’s right.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
The old man nodded.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“According to the church, a silver-haired, red-eyed witch has appeared in the capital of the Nordvian Kingdom in the western part of the continent, that seaside city—Hilos.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“They’re short on people right now, so they’ve urgently issued a witch bounty, hoping someone can handle this threat for them.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Ed set down the parchment bounty and looked at his father. The aged man turned, taking down from the wall that sword which had never been drawn in his sight.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
He remembered it was the old man’s personal sword from his youth when he slayed demons, supposedly stained with enough blood to dye a river red.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“So, old man, what do you want me to do?”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Ed scratched his head.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“You’re even bringing out this sword? It can’t be some high-danger mission, right?”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
The old man ignored Ed.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
He just held the sword, his expression growing more solemn, his aged face showing no extra emotional fluctuations.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“Ed, remember the following words firmly in your heart.”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
He said, solemnly using both hands to present the sword before Ed.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“Your mission is—”
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
His voice was extremely low.
wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
“To kill that witch.”
Please consider rating the translation quality of this Chapter so we can perform Quality Control
★
★
★
★
★
Premium Chapter wVVOUTIlBtyEueOzQTWFQIAtADafTBEUhAMZwUsbNpBZjAdilRAbhFQeQtEXxit
Login to buy access to this Chapter.
Post navigation