Chapter 19 : Chapter 19
Chapter 19: Aran Lubeil (1)
“Oh.”
Simurtr let out a light exclamation as he looked at his wrist.
Pagna, which had been one line, had increased to two.
It was the result of ten days of work.
The second line formed inside the first, and if it reached 9 lines, the lines of Pagna would cover up to his shoulder.
‘Though I've never filled it that far.’
Storing mana in Pagna was the same as giving up about half of that day's training.
It meant having to endure the desire to buy the item in front of you and save for the future.
To avoid such a situation, he had been storing it in small portions every day, but that was of course impossible in his past life.
‘Still, I saw up to seven lines.’
On the battlefield, surplus mana was like a fantasy. Strictly speaking, it was the same in his life with his master. Anyway.
Making two lines of Pagna was a difficult daily task, and the 7 lines of Pagna had been painstakingly prepared for the assault on the Doom Species' fortress.
“Young Master. A guest.”
Visits had become unusually frequent since the end of the Selection Ceremony.
Meram, who had grown used to it and annoyed by it, would make her voice echo with magic like this.
“What is it this time.”
When he went down to the first floor, there were three of them today.
Aran and the siblings. An unlikely trio was sitting on the sofa.
“So what is it today.”
They were annoying visitors who came every day.
Though it was under the pretext of guarding the main house, it was ultimately a break. Who would attack a ducal house in this era?
The Head of the 6th Sword, Aran, visited every day to watch Simurtr's training.
“I'm here on business today. It seems Sir Jahar and Lady Ael are here for the same reason.”
“That is correct.”
At Aran's gaze, the siblings nodded.
“What is it?”
“External activities.”
Ael said as she stood up.
On the table in front of the sofa, six pieces of paper were spread out in a row.
“The Selection Ceremony is over, isn't it? The time has come to make the name of the main house known to the empire. The direct descendants of the other Hero Families are already making their names known in the empire.”
“And that's by following the Sword Order's missions?”
“That's right. We can't send them out alone from the start, can we? Of course, that would be more in the style of the main house, but times have changed. They will go out alone later.
But at least not now.”
st life, when he had been expelled before the Selection Ceremony.
“You just have to choose the Sword Order you want.”
Ael, who was sitting opposite Aran, pointed to the documents one by one with her finger.
“Have Sir Jahar and Lady Ael decided?”
“No. We're going to decide after seeing what Simurtr chooses.”
“The same for me.”
“Did you hear that? It seems only Sir Simurtr needs to choose.”
Simurtr ignored the ticklish gazes of the siblings and Aran and scanned the documents.
‘From the 1st to the 6th Sword Order.’
There had only been up to the 5th Sword Order in his past life. But that wasn't important now. He could see the names and signatures of each Head of the Sword.
Except for the newly appointed Heads of the 2nd and 3rd Sword Orders, they were all names he had heard before. Participants of the Doom War.
“Does the 6th Sword Order also go on missions? It should be their rest period.”
“We can find low-risk ones if we look.”
“You yourself?”
“My vice-captain, Naor, will do it. It's the activity of a direct descendant, so of course I must participate. Why. Are you drawn to my Sword Order?”
Aran smiled and looked at Simurtr.
He had no doubt that Simurtr would choose the 6th Sword Order. They had been seeing each other every day with Meram lately.
Furthermore, unlike the siblings, didn't he have no contact with any other Sword Order?
‘Excluding my Sword Order, the 3rd Sword Order is the only one.’
But his contact with the 3rd Sword Order was a bad one.
The only one left was the 6th Sword Order. Aran grinned. He was pretending to think about it, but the document he would choose was already decided.
“Then it's this one.”
Simurtr smiled just like Aran and snatched one of the documents.
“Why?”
The widened eyes of Aran and the siblings asked.
***
Medeoban and Orde.
Aran and Meram.
Jahar and Ael.
Few knew of Simurtr's attainment.
Just six.
Medeoban wanted to hide Simurtr's attainment.
It meant that all members of the main house except for the six did not know of Simurtr's skill.
The same went for Deban and the other swordsmen who had faced him directly.
They just thought he was more outstanding than the direct descendants, but they did not know his exact attainment.
‘Because the starting point is too different.’
Medeoban wanted time until the siblings grew to a level comparable to Simurtr.
Otherwise, the attention of the main house's swordsmen would be focused on Simurtr.
‘There's also a chance of another dispute arising.’
The fire was just about to die down, so he couldn't add new firewood. It hadn't been long since the main house was cleaned up.
Though they had dealt with those involved in the power struggle, it was not certain. If they were not careful, it could flare up again.
‘If rooting them out was that easy, the imperial nobles would have lived to a ripe old age.
Besides, this is Mectera.’
In the first place, Mectera was awkward with such things.
It was very different from other imperial nobles. It was safe to say it was a different world.
‘That's why they only punished the Sword Order. If it were another family, Janya wouldn't even be alive.’
It was more that Mectera had let her off easy than that Janya was resourceful. Since she was a layman in the way of the sword, they had let it slide.
Because the underlying thought was, what could a person who is not a swordsman do.
‘And Janya, who is from that world, probably hasn't given up yet.’
It probably wouldn't take long.
The more time passed. The more he entered the castle, went through the Selection Ceremony. The more he adapted to the main house, the more certain he became.
‘There's no hope for Janya.’
There was a way to reveal that he had no intention of becoming the family head… but well.
He didn't think she would believe him.
Even if she did, it had already become a separate issue. He had already become enemies with Janya. Janya would want to kill him one way or another.
‘If she had patience, she wouldn't have opened the Execution Chamber right away.’
The last execution case was rather weak.
This time, he intended to wait until a clear justification against Janya arose.
It would be nice if it ended peacefully, but it probably wouldn't take that long.
‘She has no patience. It will be soon.’
To be honest, if she was really going to attack, he wished she would do it quickly.
Because his head already hurt from having too many things to think about.
He wanted to quickly get a justification for this kind of trivial relationship and deal with it quickly….
“So why the 3rd Sword Order!”
Simurtr looked at the siblings with a new expression. Jahar and Ael. These siblings were fond of him.
It was something greater than what was directed at Beden, with whom they had spent their childhood.
“It's my choice.”
There were many reasons for the uncertainty about Arnea, but the siblings' existence was decisive.
Perhaps a conversation would be possible.
The siblings', especially Jahar's, personality naturally made him think so.
‘Well. If she were that kind of person, she would have stopped the exile long ago.’
Anyway. As long as they didn't attack first, he had no intention of picking on past events. It wasn't important either.
“No. I mean, why! And you'll get in big trouble if you do that.”
“Yes. I do not doubt the main house, but there is a possibility of the unknown.”
Aran had left the annex for the procedure, but the siblings were still in their places.
This too was goodwill and worry. It was also quite awkward. He had passed the age of being worried about by kids a long time ago.
“Why would I get in big trouble.”
“You don't know? It's the 3rd Sword Order. The 3rd Sword Order!”
“I know.”
“The Head of the Sword didn't become one for no reason.”
“Yes. There will be swordsmen who dislike me.”
“That might not be the end of it.”
“It's fine. I'll win.”
Simurtr said as if it was no big deal.
“It's not that simple of a problem!”
Ael shouted at the top of her lungs.
She was worrying about him, but the person in question was talking about it like it was someone else's business.
“You don't think I can do it?”
“……”
As Ael was at a loss for words at Simurtr's confidence, Jahar took note of it.
‘Confidence is important.’
From the first moment he saw him in the Execution Chamber until now.
Come to think of it, Simurtr was always confident. There was not a moment when he lowered his head.
‘I must learn from that.’
He was like that even in front of his grandfather.
He had achieved everything he wanted with his own hands.
The means of taking the siblings hostage? That deserved high praise.
That youngest brother had found a way to overcome even in that disadvantageous situation.
“You might be able to, but we can't.”
Ael swallowed her saliva for a moment and then spoke.
“No. I can do it too.”
“Ah. Brother, stay out of it.”
Ael hit the shoulder of Jahar, who was chiming in from the side. A popping sound echoed.
“What can't you do? It's a problem that doesn't concern you guys anyway.”
“You are our little brother.”
“What are you talking about.”
“Ah, come on! Just shut up and listen.”
What's with her all of a sudden. Simurtr thought as he looked at Ael, who had started to fly off the handle.
“We can't help you. It was the same during the Selection Ceremony. Even if you are in danger, there is nothing we can do.”
“What are you talking about.”
“You're progressing too fast.”
The siblings' mother did not know of Simurtr's true skill. Deceiving their mother was Medeoban's will, but it was also the siblings' wish.
“What we can do, you can of course do too. But what you can do, we cannot.”
She wanted to play with the interesting little brother, Simurtr, for a long time, not to be far apart from him.
They were already far apart as it was. If he was that fast, what fair competition, they would just tear their groins trying to follow him.
“You just have to follow.”
“How?”
“You have to work hard.”
“Mm. That's right. There's nothing but to work hard.”
“No. Brother, what's with you all of a sudden? Are you crazy?”
“I am not crazy. There is much to learn from Simurtr. You should learn too.”
Simurtr laughed foolishly at the sight of it turning into a sibling fight.
“Don't laugh, little brother.”
“What are you talking about. Who's a little brother.”
“A 16-year-old is a brat.”
“I'm taller than you.”
“Simurtr, how do you usually train? What's your routine?”
“Should I tell you?”
“Thank you.”
“Ah, brother, stay out of it. Come on!”
“Come here from tomorrow.”
“Got it!”
***
The daily routine of the Head of the 6th Sword, Aran Lubeil, was not that busy.
So, it meant his vice-captain was busy instead.
The tasks that Aran, whose field of interest was clearly defined, avoided were all Naor's share.
Aran's morning routine was extremely simple.
“South. The 5th Sword Order stationed in the Margraviate of Harkinwagen reports that they have found traces of a Doom Species.”
The morning routine was on the simple side.
Gathering the information that came up to the main house at dawn, and reporting it to his superior, Aran.
Gathering the judgments Aran made, and passing them on to the subordinate organizations again.
“Rank?”
“Viscount.”
“It won't be able to open a rift.”
“Yes.”
“It's hard to see anything above a count.”
“It is an era of peace, is it not? If a count-level one had remained, a rift would have opened long ago.”
“That is correct. In the current era, even a viscount is a rare rank.”
The vice-captain, Naor, was used to it.
He was a vice-captain of the 6th Sword Order who had applied knowing it would be like this in the first place.
The position of being the direct subordinate of the respected Aran Lubeil was worth enduring such troubles.
“Perhaps we will be able to find a trace of the Young Master.”
“……”
“Next.”
The Aran Lubeil that Naor thought of was the great pillar of Mectera, second only to the Head of the Senate of Elders.
The oldest Head of the Sword who had never let go of the position of Head of the Sword for a single moment, except for the time he was the escort of the hero Exa Mectera.
“The eldest son of Bahab, whose coming-of-age ceremony is scheduled for this year, is said to have returned from the Black Sea.”
“He didn't die?”
“No. He is said to have killed five Doom Species worshippers. He almost lost his arm in the process but has fully recovered.”
“His arm? Isn't he nineteen?”
“Yes.”
“The fame of the Hero Family Bahab won't last long. If it had been the Young Master, not even a fingernail would have been harmed, let alone his arm.”
“……”
“Next.”
Unlike the retired Head of the Senate of Elders or other elders, he insisted on being on active duty and maintained a skill befitting it. He was still stronger than the other Heads of the Sword.
If you asked the swordsmen of the main house, everyone would pick the Head of the 6th Sword, Aran Lubeil, as the person they respected.
“The main house requests the dispatch of the 6th Sword Order.”
“All of them?”
“One person. It is one of the orphanages contracted with the main house. It is in the southern part of the empire.”
“The south, didn't we send someone there before?”
“They are short on training swordsmen due to expansion.”
“Yesterday, Meynart had a duel with a knight who visited from another land. In the grand plaza.”
“Did he win?”
“They said it was a draw. Well.”
“Understood.”
A draw with a knight. It was the moment Meynart was assigned as a training swordsman.
Naor wrote Meynart's name at the end of the document.
“Are there many talented children?”
“They say there are about three in the south.”
“So few. Well. Just because their origins are the same doesn't mean their talents are the same. A second Young Master.”
“Ah! Come on!”
Snap.
For a moment, Naor heard something snap in his head.
“Head of the 6th Sword!”
“Why are you suddenly shouting? I am still hale and hearty. A young pup like you.”
“Please! Just stop. How long are you going to keep going on about the Young Master.”
Though he truly respected the Head of the 6th Sword, Aran Lubeil, and took on all sorts of chores out of that feeling.
Though he really liked the position of being Aran Lubeil's vice-captain.
“Am I not right? What is the reason the main house made a contract with the orphanage of the Ruo Holy See?”
“What second Young Master? We have been taking in many adopted sons since long ago.”
He really hated it at times like this.
Because whenever he had a conversation with that respected superior, whatever the topic was, it would eventually lead to the conclusion of 'Young Master Exa'.
“Hasn't it become more active?”
“That is because the number of collateral branches of the main house has decreased due to the war.”
That was why he was a fanatic.
Naor would have such thoughts whenever that superior mentioned the Young Master.
It was truly a fitting expression. Exa Mectera was a hero revered by the world. He was not of an age to be called 'Young Master'.
“Honestly, I can't believe it.”
And he was already dead.
At least, Aran and the 6th Sword Order didn't believe it, but Naor was certain of it.
If he were really alive, there would be no reason to hide. The current era was crazy about heroes.
“What?”
Aran furrowed his brow.
But Naor had used up all of his patience for the day. This kind of argument was a daily routine that occurred every morning.
“Wasn't he seventeen at the time of his expulsion? At that young age, even the Heads of the Sword were said to have been pushed back without using mana.”
The proof of the dead is made up of the memories of the survivors.
Memories are distorted as time flows.
That was why the heroes in history could perform miracles comparable to gods.
“Being born with a Strong Body also played a part. He surpassed the bloodline that the eastern Sword Tower boasts of. He was tougher than the Head of the 1st Sword.”
“That person's forearm is bigger than an adult man's thigh.”
“But it is true. He lost in thickness but overwhelmed in durability.”
“You might as well say swords couldn't even pierce him since he was a baby. That he could throw rocks as soon as he could stand.”
“It would have pierced him. Though it would heal quickly. He first threw a rock when he was 10. It was a rock as big as me.”
“The Head of the 6th Sword is over 2 meters tall.”
“I know that too.”
“…Please stop.”
The first head of the Mectera family cut the continent into pieces with his sword. The first emperor of the thousand-year empire Melken was said to have divided what was originally one into the sun and the moon.
And Naor did not believe in such legends.
“Even if he is a hero, isn't the deification too fast? Only 20 years have passed.”
Isn't it the same right now?
The young Exa that Aran spoke of was already not human.
“I respect him too. I have no intention of belittling the achievements he has accomplished.”
Although the solo assault aimed at the king of the Doom Species had failed, he had succeeded in beheading the king.
Even with the help of other heroes, it was a tremendous achievement. Since he had achieved the end of the war.
Moreover, he was a hero who had left his name as a Sword Saint. The greatest honor a swordsman could obtain. Which swordsman would not respect him?
“But isn't it excessive?”
It was an amazing achievement, but it would be greatly inflated by fanatics like Aran. Naor did not like that part.
To be precise… he disliked that Aran still sent his unwavering attention to Exa.
“Lord Exa Mectera is already dead. Please face reality and live in the present.”
One of Mectera's foremost powerhouses. Aran could do much more than he was doing now.
But he was praising a dead man in the time he could be making achievements.
“How dare you!”
Crack. The desk broke in two under his slammed hand. Aran's mana filled the office. The vast mana pressed down on Naor's shoulders.
“…We have a guest.”
Naor answered, enduring the weight.
It was an expected reaction. The morning's work always ended with Aran's sudden outburst.
“…Should I. Should I leave?”
Simurtr, who had watched the scene, could not help his face from flushing.