I looked at Edval with a puzzled expression. He met my gaze, thought for a moment, and continued.
“Aiden, what do you think of the maxim left behind by Dearside’s founder?”
“Hmm…”
‘He who can cut apart the flames of the gods with sword strikes like lightning shall be able to slay even the God of Martial Arts…’
I pondered it briefly, but no sudden enlightenment like in martial arts novels occurred.
When I honestly admitted I felt nothing in particular, Edval burst into hearty laughter.
“Most people react that way. If a sword art described in a maxim actually existed, it would have no openings in either offense or defense. In my opinion, the founder truly intended to complete such a sword art when he established Dearside.”
“Hmm…”
It was an interesting story, but the two factions that had diverged by interpreting that very maxim differently were now prestigious schools dominating the Prima Continent. That changed everything.
Martial studies ultimately meant researching and developing the old to advance little by little.
If the answer the descendants of Dearside had found was to focus on either the righteous sword or the variant sword, then so be it.
The dead founder could not rise from his grave to scold them.
At those words, Edval nodded as well.
“I thought the same as you. Right up until just before my duel with Regenshauer, I firmly believed that only the righteous sword was the correct answer.”
“Has your thinking changed now?”
“Yes. If the others saw the Thousand-Man Slayer’s wondrous swordsmanship with their own eyes, I believe they would come to a similar conclusion.”
Edval’s eyes deepened.
“Honestly, I feel the very concept of factions was a mistake. It was concluded that the triple heart method the founder originally designed cannot be mastered by the human body. Yet perhaps, to properly carry on his will, we should have researched a way to wield both the righteous sword and the variant sword.”
It was a radical statement. Even though it came from the Sword Saint—the core figure of the Dearside righteous sword faction—any disciple of the righteous sword faction would have no choice but to strongly oppose it.
Still, it was quite common for martial artists to gain inspiration from fighting strong opponents.
Moreover, if the idea had arisen from the duel between the Sword Saint and the Thousand-Man Slayer, who could possibly criticize it?
“…Hm, it seems I’ve spoken unnecessarily. Talking about the history of a school that split long ago won’t change anything now.”
“Not at all.”
After giving a short reply, I asked Edval about something that had been bothering me for a while.
“…Lord Edval. I heard that the Dearside school originated on the Ciencia Continent.”
“Oh? You know quite a lot.”
I had seen it in a setting book.
And I also had an idea about the ‘perfect sword art in both offense and defense’ mentioned by the founder. It concerned a martial artist who had reigned at the pinnacle of the Ciencia Continent for a very long time.
It was the sword art of Jin Sohon, the Heavenly Disaster Emperor.
Jin Sohon was revered—sometimes even worshipped—by the martial artists of the Ciencia Continent. Naturally, however, not everyone in the world was his follower. A small number of ambitious individuals had researched ways to oppose a powerhouse akin to a natural disaster.
Those schools were called the ‘Martial God Slayers’ on the Ciencia Continent and were looked down upon by Jin Sohon’s followers.
That was right.
Though minor compared to the Heavenly Disaster Emperor faction, Jin Sohon was also known by the alias Martial God.
If the ‘God of Martial Arts’ in the maxim referred to Jin Sohon, then the founder had likely been one of the Martial God Slayers who studied the Heavenly Disaster Emperor’s sword art in order to defeat him.
If this guess was correct, the current Dearside school had clearly diverged from the fundamental roots of its sword art.
[MacGuffin No.094 / The First and Last Martial God Slayer has been collected.]
[Achievement Points + 10,000]
[MacGuffin below No. 100 has been collected. ‘Random Platinum Card’ has been unlocked as a reward!]
“Hmm…”
I was so stunned that I wasn’t even surprised.
I had unexpectedly collected a two-digit MacGuffin. The name itself was meaningful, and the low numbering seemed to emphasize that it was an important foreshadowing I had to investigate thoroughly.
This was definitely worth deep consideration.
Separately, there was one thing I absolutely had to confirm.
“Lord Edval. How are your preparations for the duel with the Thousand-Man Slayer coming along?”
“Don’t worry. Separate from my questions about the school’s sword art, I am thoroughly preparing for the duel with Regenshauer.”
His expression was firm and unwavering.
That answer was enough for me.
The next day, two members of the school came out to see us off as we prepared to leave Jusk Mountain. It was Edval and his nephew, Kache Skasgard.
Kache spoke with an embarrassed flush on his face.
“Our school is deeply indebted to you. It is truly shameful that our head, Master Nils, is not here to see you off.”
“It’s simply a business partnership, so there’s no need to worry about it.”
In the first place, even if Nils suddenly acted friendly now, it would only feel repulsive. Instead of dwelling on him, I checked the character sheet of the young man before me.
<Kache Skasgard> [Level: 47/54] [HP: 15][STR: 16][AGI: 14] [MP: 14][INT: 04][SENS: 13] [Divinity: 01] [Trait: Sword Reverence (S+), Strong Qi Veins (A), Mana Control (B), and 2 others] [Skill: Dearside Dual Heart Method (A+), Dearside Strong Swordsmanship (A), Erander Footwork (B), and 3 others] [Description: 29 years old, human race. Eldest son of the Skasgard family, a minor noble house in the Lenska Kingdom. He is the greatest rising star of the Dearside Strong Swordsmanship school.]
Kache Skasgard was a character who had some connection to Epio in the original work and played a decently active role in the latter half of Part 2.
At the main story’s timeline, he would grow into a powerhouse comparable to the lowest rank of the Continent’s Twelve Heroes. Like his master and another mentor, Edval, he had a gentle personality.
In exchange for resolving the Dearside school’s financial difficulties, I had obtained the right to hire several non-hostile swordsmen from the school as mercenaries.
They would become valuable assets in the future.
After boarding the carriage, we left Robe Territory safely, just as we had arrived.
Our carriage eventually entered the capital of the Luser Minor Kingdom.
Luser was one of the seventeen nations that made up the Bolestrom Union Kingdom.
The prefix “Minor” indicated that its scale was near the bottom among the union states. Fortunately—or perhaps not—the Tromso Duchy always took last place, so Luser usually hovered between second- and third-to-last.
Conversely, however, the Luser royal family’s voice carried considerable weight in union meetings. The foundation for that was their immense wealth, thanks to the abundant mines and natural resources in Luser’s territory.
Thanks to this, Sinisha Luser had grown up in an extremely affluent environment with enormous support, unlike most youngest princes of other kingdoms.
Only a very small number of people knew that he had created a second identity called Iron Mask and was operating as a broker in the underworld.
The carriage stopped in front of a mansion.
Located squarely in the middle of the capital’s bustling district, the building was personally owned by the fourth prince, Sinisha Luser.
After passing through the large main gate, servants guided us to a room. Inside, a blond young man and an elderly man with a familiar face were waiting.
The young man—Sinisha—spoke.
“Lubork. Bring some tea.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Since you’ve come, please sit, guests.”
I sat down across from Sinisha without a word.
<Sinisha Luser> [Level: 47/57] [HP: 11][STR: 08][AGI: 18] [MP: 12][INT: 12][SENS: 16] [Divinity: 05] [Trait: Phantom Thief (S+), Greedy Gaze (A), Sixth Sense (B), and 4 others] [Skill: Redial (U), Toloro Concealment Heart Method (A), Moon-Slaying Step (A), Military Blue Tower Vision Magic (B), Toloro Secret Weapon Arts (B), and 4 others] [Description: 24 years old, human race. Fourth prince of the Luser Minor Kingdom. He operates as a broker in the shadows and possesses a second identity as the phantom thief Iron Mask.]
His level, traits, and skills all felt somewhat lacking compared to the main story’s timeline.
After I silently observed his character sheet for a while, Sinisha shrugged and said,
“Anyway, the Sub-Master of Blispiel. A celebrity has come to visit.”
“As if you’re one to talk, Mr. Iron Mask.”
“I’ve cast thorough soundproofing magic, but let’s still avoid careless remarks. If my siblings discover my identity, the hassle would be no small matter.”
“I’ll be careful.”
Today I had officially come here to strengthen friendly ties with the Luser Minor Kingdom. Since the prince closest in age to me was Sinisha, it raised no suspicious glances.
I cleared my throat and spoke.
“I came to request one thing, Sinisha Luser.”
“I’ll listen and decide.”
“In a few years, a certain eccentric will come holding a severed woman’s arm and ask you to imitate the owner’s handwriting from life. Prepare in advance and take care of that guy.”
It referred to Tanya Ornick’s arm.
At the unpleasant topic, Clara’s body visibly trembled. I stroked her head to calm her.
Sinisha narrowed his eyes slightly.
The unique skill he possessed, Redial (U), was a highly versatile soul imprint that ‘reproduced’ things using catalysts. Occasionally, clients seeking to use this special power would visit.
“Hm. So you want me to set a trap.”
“That’s right. I’ll pay double whatever reward the other party promises, no matter the conditions. I need your guarantee that you won’t inflate the amount, though.”
“You’re quite generous. I usually don’t accept requests that involve luring new clients into traps. Is there any other decent compensation besides money?”
As he spoke, Sinisha’s gaze swept over the treasures I carried.
Fortune Wheel Amulet (S)
Accel Register (A+)
Ring of Glacier (A)
Formless Robe (S-)
His trait, Greedy Gaze (A), allowed him to discern the value—that is, the grade—of items.
He would have instantly recognized that, while the Ring of Glacier was a normal national-treasure-grade item, the other three were things that could not be obtained no matter how much money was poured into them.
Of course, I had no intention of handing over such treasures as request compensation.
“I have no suitable physical goods. Instead, I’ll tell you the whereabouts of a treasure you’ve been searching for.”
“A treasure I’ve been searching for? I have too many guesses.”
“The grave robber’s pen (S-), a memento of the ruin hunter Leadholm, will be put up for auction at the Black Market in the 13th month of Dragon God Year 988.”
“…!”
For the first time, Sinisha—who had maintained a poker face throughout—frowned.
He glanced at his butler Lubork, who was serving tea in the distance, then said to me,
“I have never told even my closest person that I want the grave robber’s pen. Sub-Master, do you perhaps use mind reading?”
“That’s a secret.”
At my cheeky reply, Sinisha let out a deflated sigh. Deciding further questioning was pointless, he did not press strangely about the source of the information.
“The information about the pen is certain, right?”
“If you want, I can put the contract in writing.”
“No. My policy is to leave as little physical evidence as possible. Besides, a rich man like you wouldn’t lie over something like this. I accept the request.”
The contract was established.
I smiled and shook hands with Sinisha.
“…Ah, while the contract is settled, there’s one more thing I’d like to ask you as an information broker.”
“What is it?”
“It’s about the whereabouts of one person.”
Epio, who had been pretending not to listen, blinked.