Ebel and his attendants would be staying at the Blispiel Clan House for a while.
I guided Ebel, who was looking for a place to train, to the training hall inside the clan house, where the professor happened to be.
“Well, an unexpected guest has arrived.”
“You… Could it be the Professor?”
The two old men recognized each other.
The Professor, Blake, had traveled across the continent during his active days to broaden his horizons. Naturally, he had some acquaintance with my great-uncle, renowned as a master of blunt swordsmanship.
“Aiden, why on earth is this old monster in your clan house?”
“I happened to hear rumors about the Professor’s seclusion. We exchanged letters, and I seized the opportunity to invite him as a guest.”
“…Your resourcefulness never ceases to amaze me. I wonder who you take after.”
Shaking his head, Ebel turned to Blake.
“There was no news for so long that I thought you’d died somewhere, but to think a figure like you was spending time here. The world would be shocked if they knew.”
“Teaching talented kids is quite enjoyable.”
“‘Kids’? Weren’t you invited as Aiden’s personal tutor?”
“Haha, personal tutor? Once you see the lineup of talents the sub-master has brought in, that word won’t come out easily.”
Soon, he pointed to the red-haired boy tirelessly running—Epio.
“Right there, that kid Epio shows potential to become one of the continent’s top powerhouses in the future. Thanks to that, my days are fun lately.”
“…By continent’s top, do you mean on the level of the Thousand-Man Slayer or the Sword Saint?”
“Of course. Maybe even beyond.” <Epio>
[Level: 28/81]
[HP: 16] [STR: 09] [AGI: 09]
[MP: 14] [MEN: 03] [SEN: 06]
[DIV: 01]
[Traits: Primordial Ember (?), Incarnation (S), Infinite Regeneration (S), Weapon Genius (A), Precise Mana Control (A), Enemy Detection (B), and 2 others]
[Skills: Dearside Dual Heart Method (A), Dearside Strong Swordsmanship (A), Silas School Martial Art (A), Silas Rampage Heart Method (A-), Blake Weapon Arts (B), Dragon God Cathedral Self-Defense Art (B), and 2 others]
[Description: 13 years old (?), a being qualified to wield the ancient demonic sword Plebelziam. A boy searching for his adoptive father, Claude. Currently affiliated with the Blispiel Clan.]
He had received some elixir boosts, but considering his age, it was a freakish growth rate.
In the setting, very young children whose physical growth hadn’t fully kicked in had an unlisted minus trait on their sheet: Immature (-). Thus, even diligent training at such a young age wasn’t very efficient.
That’s why most talents approached their potential level limit in their mid-to-late 20s or early 30s.
Erendrel, whom I defeated earlier, had filled his potential early due to the Precocious (A-) trait.
Ebel, watching Epio, had a glint in his eyes.
“…This is getting interesting.”
A short while later.
Epio and Ebel faced each other.
It was for instructional sparring.
“Old man, you’re Aiden’s grandfather, right?”
“Great-uncle. I’m the brother of that arrogant guy’s grandfather.”
“So, basically a grandfather?”
Ebel was at a loss for words at the straightforward summary.
“Anyway, you’re one of the Continent’s Twelve Heroes like Master Rolango? Then… you must be insanely strong?”
“Stronger than you right now.”
“Fun….”
Pat!
Epio, grinning boldly, channeled the newly learned “fire-light energy” and charged.
Pah!
A red flash shot forward like an arrow.
And just before collision.
Epio abruptly changed direction.
Aiming for Ebel’s side.
Whoosh!
“Your intent is too obvious, kid! Too straightforward!”
“Ack?!”
Epio was grabbed by the collar with a casual extension of Ebel’s hand and thrown to the corner of the training hall.
Thud! But he landed safely with a roll.
“…One more time!”
Epio shouted.
Undaunted despite the vast skill gap.
After that, he alternated between the Silas heart method’s “energy of rampage” and the Dearside dual heart method’s “fire-light energy,” charging at Ebel multiple times.
Watching the scene, I narrowed my eyes.
Strange.
Epio was varying his approach each time, yet Ebel was countering with ease.
The level difference between the two was nearly 30.
So, normally, it wouldn’t be odd.
But the key was Ebel’s right foot.
It was planted in one spot, not moving an inch.
Similar to when he sparred with me, but unlike then, there wasn’t even a hint of an opening. And Epio there was far stronger than I was two years ago.
From that, I could glimpse a fragment of Ebel’s unique trait, Slugger (U).
“Professor, is that perhaps….”
“Hmm… It seems like his body slightly swells and shrinks whenever the reach is a bit short. Epio looks bewildered too. Twenty years ago, the heavy sword didn’t have such an annoying ability.”
Muttering that he hadn’t been idle all this time, Blake.
About 40 minutes later.
Epio had tested hundreds of diverse tactics using various weapons and skills, but Ebel allowed not a single effective hit.
Looking at Epio sprawled unconscious on the floor, Ebel shook his head.
“…Is that kid really 13?”
“His physical age is definitely that.”
Epio’s physical age was revealed in the original through the analysis spell <Pierce Peek>. Back-calculating, he was estimated to be born in 971.
“Birds of a feather flock together; you’ve been gathering guys like you while wandering the world.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
With a smirk, I beckoned to the three elite knights—Linfred, Wolfgang, and Maximilian—who had been blankly watching.
“Long time no see; how about a many-on-one spar.”
Swoosh!
A terrifying air-rending sound. Slashes mixing “thunder energy” and “energy of explosive surge” struck the three like lightning.
The secret technique of Dearside Variant Swordsmanship, the main move of the Thousand-Man Slayer: “Surgeon Passer.”
Kka-gaang!
“Kuh!”
The three failed to block my sword and collapsed side by side on the ground.
[The proficiency of Shaw Vision Quick Swordsmanship (B) has reached the “Expert” stage. The effects greatly increase.]
Shaw Vision Quick Swordsmanship (B) was the secret art of Blake’s maternal Shaw family. It was also perfectly suited to assist in using the technique of Dearside Variant Swordsmanship, “Surgeon Passer.”
As I contentedly viewed the message, Maximilian, the strongest among the three elite knights, shook his head.
“Hoo… This is something; Leopold’s assessment was spot on. You’ve grown to a whole new level since eating that thunder stone in Mirsen Village, Your Highness.”
Having personally experienced my recent achievements, I left Ebel and Blake, who had started a discussion on swordsmanship, and exited the training hall with Epio.
About a month remained until the banquet hosted by Caracol.
In that time, I planned to consult with Camillo on finances, send letters across the continent, and begin full-scale groundwork.
The most important was notifying the Church of Utility, which managed inter-clan disputes, of my intent to wage a “clan war” simultaneous with the civil war.
But at a glance, the weight class between Caracol and us was heaven and earth.
Even if I told the Church of Utility I wanted a clan war, it’d be dismissed as nonsense.
To make this convincing, just stamping the Seal of Struggle wasn’t enough. I needed to elevate the Blispiel Clan’s buzz to the extreme.
In that sense, a banquet drawing the eyes of the world was an unparalleled stage.
Additionally, such banquets required bringing a partner. During meal time with the group, I brought up the banquet matter.
“Chesa, attend the banquet with me this time.”
“I’m fine with that, but when I left the Utland house, I didn’t bring any banquet attire.”
For a banquet hosted by a prestigious force like Caracol, attendees needed to match the dress code accordingly.
With only two weeks left until the banquet, custom orders were tight, so we’d have to buy standardized ones—unfortunately.
“Wow! Then I’ll pick Chesa’s outfit!”
“Alright. Put some effort into it.”
“Huh? You’re accepting it surprisingly readily? I was preparing for a honey chestnut like usual!”
“If you’re that disappointed, shall I oblige?”
“Ahh, sorry! It was a joke! No violence!”
For reference, Clara had officially joined the clan right after returning from the Great Forest. With the Glicia civil war imminent, I couldn’t delay any longer.
Linia asked me.
“…Young Master, is it really okay to leave the lady’s attire to Clara?”
“It’ll be fine. If you’re worried, stick by her side.”
Among the skills Clara had learned was High-Grade Weaving Technique (C).
It meant she had quite an interest in clothes.
As a reader back then, and as Aiden now, it was hard to believe that tomboy’s hobby was sewing.
Linia nodded readily.
“If you say so, Young Master….”
Though unspoken, since returning from the Great Forest, she had been showing me even deeper trust.
The news that Caracol, a leading clan dominating Elanore, was hosting a large-scale banquet began to stir various forces.
“Clan Master Altus is attending in person?”
“Opportunities to talk face-to-face with one of the Continent’s Twelve Heroes aren’t common. I should make time to attend.”
“Hosting a banquet in these times… I don’t know the motive, but building ties with the Caracol Clan can’t hurt.”
Some headed to the Caracol Clan House with ease and anticipation.
Mostly those who hadn’t sensed the signs of the Glicia civil war, or even if they had, forces unrelated to the interests.
“Suspicious motives from Caracol.”
“Going carelessly might lead to trouble.”
“But the invitation has Citrio Altus’s Seal of Struggle stamped, so we can’t ignore it easily….”
On the other hand, figures from forces based around Elanore couldn’t hide their discomfort. Mostly masters of mid-tier clans.
Time passed, and the banquet day arrived.
“The eldest son of the Baskaya Empire’s Count Luco family, Ivan, enters with his wife, Lady Clorinda of the Neroce princely family!”
“From the Pecheli Clan of the southern Vardia Kingdom…”
“A executive of the Rocadin Clan and blood relative of the Severo barony…”
The scale of the banquet hosted by Caracol was grand, akin to one held by the imperial family.
Among the attendees were executives from major forces who had sensed the civil war signs and come to scout the situation, including counts from various empires.
Naturally, the clans of Elanore, usually oppressed by Caracol’s might, felt intimidated.
If there was an exception,
“The second son of the Stroke Grand Ducal family and Sub-Master of Blispiel, Aiden, enters with his fiancée, Lady Chesa of the Utland Ducal family!”
It was the boy turning 17 this year.
The gazes of those present first lingered on the princely scion entering the banquet hall with an impassive expression. Despite his young age, he possessed astonishing presence.
And after a short while, they couldn’t tear their eyes from the girl entering arm-in-arm with him.
Amethyst eyes sparkling like jewels, sculpted features, smooth white skin, ample bosom, and innate elegance.
Her natural beauty, combined with simple accessories and a purple dress, made the term “peerless beauty” seem insufficient.
Countless men glared at Aiden with envy, often earning smacks on the back from their accompanying fiancées or wives.
Naturally, interest in them grew.
“Blispiel Clan? The one where the Thousand-Man Slayer was once affiliated?”
“But I heard it completely declined after Regenshauer Krantz disappeared?”
“Not anymore, apparently. Recently, they cooperated with the southern Quentaltin to resolve the Giant’s Sword incident.”
The attendees’ chatter didn’t last long.
“The esteemed Clan Master of Caracol, one of the Continent’s Twelve Heroes, and the host of this banquet, Citrio Altus, enters!”
Because the star of the banquet had finally arrived.
Clap clap clap clap
Receiving applause, Citrio Altus ascended the central stage and soon surveyed the crowd before speaking.
“First, I extend my thanks to those who graced this occasion by responding to my sudden invitation. Without further ado, I’ll state the reason for gathering you all.”
Ahem, Citrio cleared his throat.
The hall fell silent instantly.
“We intend to unite the power of Elanore to stand against external forces. To that end, I hope you all will support our Caracol.”
“”…!””
The atmosphere sank at the blunt declaration.
Uniting power meant consolidating forces. It was essentially declaring they’d bring other clans under Elanore’s fold.
“Haha, of course. The Keltica Clan pledges support to Caracol.”
“The Beldeor Clan as well.”
Amid the stiff atmosphere, representatives from a few clans stepped forward.
None other than plants who had pre-arranged with the Caracol side. They had been promised treatment akin to Caracol headquarters executives after becoming subordinates.
Citrio grinned.
“Thank you. Caracol will not forget the names of those who pledged support first.”
“Haha, the honor is ours.”
Watching that amicable atmosphere, the executives from other Elanore-based clans felt anxious.
Elanore falling to Caracol is inevitable. Better to join as subordinates and preserve our strength.
If we’re late to line up, we’ll get nothing!
Those who quickly calculated stepped toward Citrio. Members from the Keltica and Beldeor Clans blocked the surroundings like guards, controlling them.
Aiden muttered.
“If left alone, Caracol gaining legitimacy is just a matter of time. We should go now.”
“Understood.”
Ebel, disguised as an attendant for Chesa and me, quietly removed his robe. Suddenly, the two of us approached Citrio with leisurely steps.
“Excuse me. I am Aiden Stroke, Sub-Master of the Blispiel Clan.”