Reincarnated as the Adopted Son of a Prestigious Swordsmanship Family

Chapter 54: Haryun Bahab (2)

The banquet hall in the basement.

It wasn't much different from the banquets one might see in any social circle.

People gathered in groups of twos and threes, chatting and introducing one another.

Postscripts from their coming-of-age ceremonies and the sound of laughter continuously filled the hall.

“Who is that man?”

“I don’t know. He looks decent, but I was reluctant to approach him. He’s been smiling to himself all this time.”

“He looks a bit better now. A moment ago, it was just creepy.”

While the young nobles were socializing, Simurtr stood alone in a corner.

Deban had followed Jeremiah. They said he had to undergo a body and belongings check and submit his weapons separately.

“Did something good happen?”

How long had it been? Suddenly, he heard Deban's voice. When he turned his head, he was right next to him. He hadn't noticed him even though he was within the range of his Sword Net.

“Do I look like it?”

Simurtr stroked the corners of his mouth with his hand.

Just as Deban had said, the corners of his mouth were still turned up.

“Yes, it looks like your mouth is about to rip.”

He thought he was a bit better now. It was a shame there wasn't a mirror in the banquet hall.

“It’s my first time at a banquet. It’s fun.”

“I heard this banquet was hosted by Haryun Bahab.”

Deban said.

It seemed he had gathered various information on his way here.

“Oh, right. I saw her earlier.”

“What?”

“Haryun Bahab.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“We didn’t get caught, did we?”

“Probably?”

Actually, he didn’t know. Had he revealed his name? He couldn't remember. What kind of expression did Haryun Bahab have? He had a conversation with her.

When was the last time he was drunk? He couldn't remember, but it felt similar. Like a film had been cut.

“How was she?”

“She was so great.”

This, at least, was the plain truth.

Simurtr recalled Haryun. That alone made his smile bloom.

“To that extent?”

Deban tilted his head.

The Bahabs were beautiful for generations, so her beauty was rumored to be renowned.

Though preferences were divided due to the characteristics of the Swelling Flame.

“Of course. She was insane.”

It seemed Simurtr was in the former group.

And quite significantly so.

“Then you’ll have to work hard. No. Should you hold back?”

“Huh? What?”

“Don’t you know the purpose of today’s banquet?”

“Uh. No, I don’t.”

Simurtr turned his gaze to the banquet hall. He had scanned the entire place, but he couldn't see Haryun Bahab. When did she disappear?

“It’s a gathering to decide Haryun Bahab’s partner. A partner for the banquet held at the main Bahab castle.”

Simurtr’s eyes widened. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ NoveI-Fire.ɴet

“If you look at the banquet hall, it’s a sausage fest. They all came aiming for the partner spot.”

“Who said so?”

“Everyone was saying so. The knight who inspected me even wished for my good fortune.

He said Harkinwagen was trustworthy.”

A banquet hosted by Bahab.

Participating there as Haryun’s partner was an event that would make a name for oneself in high society.

“You didn’t know? I thought you would.”

Deban looked at him with surprised eyes. Simurtr was usually quick-witted and incredibly cunning.

He thought he would have figured it out as soon as he entered the banquet hall.

“Will Akarr Bahab be there too?”

“Probably. It’s a banquet to celebrate the birthday of the eldest son, Hejel Bahab.”

“How do they decide the partner?”

“Haryun Bahab decides herself.”

“What? How….”

The noisy banquet hall suddenly became quiet.

“Those who wish to be my partner, please come down to the basement.”

The voice that echoed through the banquet hall via a loudspeaker was Haryun Bahab’s.

***

Haryun Bahab.

Daughter and disciple of Akarr Bahab.

A genius who reached Expert in the spring of her 16th year, surpassed the regular knights of Bahab in the summer of that year, and.

At her current age of 17, is on the verge of becoming an Expert middle-class.

Though she falls short compared to the eldest son, Hejel Bahab, it seems certain that she too has the talent to reach Sword Master.

One might think she would be arrogant, having been born and raised in a Hero Family, but she is extremely quiet.

Unlike the fiery-natured Bahab, she is like ice, which could be called a contradiction…….

‘What a load of bullshit.’

Simurtr snorted as he listened to Deban’s words. She was humble compared to the usual conduct of a Hero Family, but objectively speaking, she was arrogant.

She must be quiet because she's in a position where she can obtain everything. What she wants will just roll into her lap even if she stays still.

‘If this isn’t arrogant, what is?’

Simurtr looked at the dueling arena.

A hexagonal stage with iron bars erected. It was very similar to the slave fighting pits he had seen once before.

‘A Hero Family, they say.’

No one cast an uncomfortable glance. Even though all the invited guests were nobles.

As if this was only natural for Bahab, they were looking at the dueling arena with shining eyes.

A world where such reckless acts are tolerated. Simurtr was once again reminded of the traitor’s social standing.

‘Amazing, truly.’

Those slave-like people in the dueling arena wanted to become Haryun’s partner even if it meant doing this.

Because a banquet of a Hero Family was not a place just anyone could attend.

Thwang!

The man in the dueling arena crashed into the iron bars, causing them to shake violently.

“Uwaaah!”

The victorious man let out a loud shout.

It was the 12th duel, and the man who had introduced himself as Saam Lumit had achieved a 3-win streak.

If Andre Koitro had come, he would have been kicked out long ago. This duel did not allow proxies.

Stupid Andre, foolish Kanan. Simurtr unconsciously clicked his tongue.

‘It has changed.’

The average age of an Expert was twenty-five. Compared to his past life, it had been brought forward by a whole five years.

Martial arts had progressed, the quality of magic had improved, and refinements to mana training methods became more frequent. The average level of ordinary people had risen.

For the current generation born as nobles, becoming an Expert was said to not be a very difficult achievement.

‘Though Sword Master remains the same.’

Their numbers had increased significantly compared to his past life, but the path had not become easier.

The reason there were more Sword Masters in this era was thanks to their harsh experience of war.

Though martial arts and mana training methods had advanced, the realm of a Sword Master was not something that could be approached with just that level of progress.

“I am Kraum of the County of Lunant.”

A new challenger entered the dueling arena. Waaah, the cheers were quite loud this time.

“He’s a famous prodigy in the western part of the Empire.”

“You know him?”

“A little. I heard he reached Expert at twenty.”

“Oh.”

Simurtr gave a small nod.

Not everyone present wanted to duel. There weren't many who came aiming for the partner position.

‘They might have given up after seeing the competitors.’

Thirty percent. Simurtr, who had given a rough scan, estimated that number. That thirty percent were those who had reached Expert at a younger-than-average age.

People who could boast of their talent wherever they went on the continent. Simurtr clicked his tongue every time they stepped into the dueling arena.

‘They should be training at home during that time.’

To have such talent. And yet, instead of thinking about cultivating their own strength, they were wagging their tails at Bahab.

What’s so great about being a partner?

“Kraaah!”

The one who roared this time was Kraum. Saam Lumit’s winning streak was broken. Simurtr felt a sense of secondhand embarrassment watching Kraum, who looked like he was dying of joy.

“Aren’t you going out?”

As he was expressing his displeasure with his facial muscles, he heard a voice from the side.

“It’s Lady Haryun.”

“She’s out already?”

“Wasn’t this the last one?”

A murmur spread out with Haryun at its center.

She had said she would choose her partner herself.

‘The final winner will cross swords with Haryun as the last match.’

That was the purpose and the end of this banquet hall.

If one defeated Haryun or satisfied her, they would become her partner.

And if she wasn’t satisfied, she would go to the banquet alone.

“…….”

What should I do?

If I go up on that stage, will I be able to hold back?

If it’s possible… then at the banquet in a month, where Akarr will be? Simurtr hadn't made a decision yet.

“Excuse me?”

“Ah, I apologize. I was engrossed in the duel.”

“…I asked if you were going to participate in the duel.”

Haryun said, biting her lip slightly.

Every time she talked to this man, she felt like she was being drawn into his pace. This was only their second conversation, but it was certain.

His way of speaking was clearly polite, but the nuance and attitude…….

“I would like to think about it a little more. As it is a position where I must face the lady of a Hero Family.”

Can I hold back?

How good is my self-control?

As Simurtr was weighing his own patience.

“That means you’re confident you can beat everyone else if you just step up, doesn’t it?”

Haryun’s eyes shone.

He had been getting on her nerves from the beginning, and she had finally caught him in a slip of the tongue.

“Tsk.”

Thanks to that, Simurtr’s thoughts were broken, and he clicked his tongue.

It was a trivial slip of the tongue.

Cunning, just like that bastard Akarr.

“Did you just click your tongue?”

“There was a piece of meat I ate earlier stuck in my front teeth.”

“…So. Your answer?”

“Let’s just do it.”

Simurtr was forced to come to a conclusion.

‘If it seems really dangerous… well. Someone will stop me.’

There was Deban.

And over there in the corner, there was Jeremiah Abolte.

***

He had no intention of receiving attention.

Even if Harkinwagen wasn't a county. So, he had only dyed his hair.

‘If I knew this would happen, I would have changed my features a bit too. And made myself a bit shorter.’

Thud.

The man in the dueling arena collapsed to the floor.

Ooh…….

The spectators let out a collective, bland exclamation. It was because the duel ended as soon as the starting bell rang.

That was already the seventh time. The crowd had forgotten how to be amazed. Because the duel was so anticlimactic.

“Next.”

Simurtr looked down at the crowd.

To the spectators, it was a rather arrogant attitude.

-Aren’t you taking this too seriously?

Deban, who was watching, was so dumbfounded that he sent a telepathic message.

He could have at least used his sword. Why use the scabbard…….

-It’s a waste of time.

Subduing is harder than killing. They were all pathetic, but he had no intention of hurting any of them. He could also see some who weren't even of age to have their coming-of-age ceremony.

Subduing them with a sword wasn’t difficult either, but nothing was as certain and safe as a scabbard.

A light hit would be a bruise, and a severe one would end at a fracture.

“I am Leighton of the Viscounty of Deikop.”

A new challenger stepped into the dueling arena.

He had realized after seven duels that all the challengers were children of families he had never heard of before.

‘Right. That’s why they came to a place like this.’

Prestigious families would have probably received separate invitations. This meant that today’s banquet was Haryun Bahab’s amusement.

Wielding the entry pass to the banquet to be held at the main Bahab castle in a month, she was toying with the weaker families desperate for success.

“I said I am Leighton of the Viscounty of Deikop.”

That must be why Jeremiah Abolte was surprised when he said he was from Harkinwagen.

‘Did I start off on the wrong foot?’

There would be no reason for the scion of a Margrave who was making a name for himself even after the war to participate in such amusement.

“Egna of Harkinwagen.”

“I know.”

Leighton roughly drew his sword.

The crowd also already knew Simurtr’s family and name. It was the eighth introduction. It was impossible not to remember.

“Are you going to use the scabbard again?”

“I have no choice.”

It’s for your pathetic sake.

Simurtr smiled brightly and casually flicked the scabbard he was holding. The scabbard aimed at Leighton and swayed up and down.

“Isn’t it amazing?”

An optical illusion where the stiff scabbard bent like rubber.

“How dare you!”

Unable to endure the provocation, Leighton moved first. His body slid forward and arrived in front of Exa.

Then, just as he was about to bring his sword straight down on Simurtr’s head.

“Geok…….”

Thwack. As if the world had gone dark, his vision went black.

Simurtr was no longer in front of him but to his side. He had spun around once to the right and struck the back of Leighton’s neck with his scabbard.

“The same move again.”

“I can’t see it. I even used magic this time, but I couldn’t see it.”

“Same for me. Did Harkinwagen have that kind of acceleration?”

“I heard they were granted the swordsmanship of the hero Exa Mectera during the Doom War.”

It was the eighth time seeing it, but the spectators still couldn't capture the movement with their eyes.

“Eek…….”

“You have a thick neck.”

As Leighton shook his head hard from side to side, Simurtr struck him once more.

“Next.”

As soon as Simurtr spoke, the door to the dueling arena opened. A waiting knight picked up Leighton and went down.

***

“Is he still not awake?”

“That is correct.”

“Aren’t the Mectera supposed to be strong against this? The Sword Master I saw in the past was.”

“I believe it is because he is still young.”

The voices came from quite far away. But they were clear. It wasn’t too difficult to hear the conversation even in his hazy state of mind.

‘…I am.’

It felt like his head was filled with fog. The same went for his body. It was heavy, as if it had absorbed water.

“Age?”

“Yes. He may have an innate resistance, but he must not be fully mature yet. The black magic of Mectera is said to be heavy for a child to handle.”

A man’s voice, unpleasant to hear, like scraping metal.

And an old voice, pleasant to hear.

‘Deuhan. And an old man.’

He knew both voices. Deuhan was a subordinate the old man had assigned, saying he would be useful to his mother.

“Didn’t you say he was the same age as that child named Simurtr?”

“It must mean that child is special. Furthermore, as he is not of the Mectera bloodline, there will be more worth in researching him.”

“A Sword Master, you said?”

“Yes.”

“It is indeed surprising. Humans always step into new territory.”

Simurtr is a Sword Master? Beden almost clenched his fist but managed to hold back.

He didn’t know what would happen if they found out he was awake. Simurtr’s accomplishment wasn’t important right now. Beden instinctively sensed his own crisis.

‘Is that not Deuhan?’

Beden had seen Deuhan before. He had also seen him talking to the old man through a crystal orb several times.

At that time, Deuhan had called the old man father and treated him with utmost respect. But now, Deuhan’s voice was clearly looking down on the old man.

“Should I have brought that child as well?”

“No. It was an undeserved honor for you to have done this for us. As for Simurtr, I have given separate instructions to my son.”

“You mean the son of Basor?”

“Yes.”

“He was too distracted. This body. The human child named Deuhan was better.”

“I will warn him.”

“I would very much like to see that child named Simurtr myself. A white Sword Master, they say.”

“I will give the order to someone other than my son.”

“I look forward to it.”

Beden focused on his body instead of his hazy mind. The sensation. He was lying down.

Judging by the coolness, it wasn't a luxurious space like a bed.

But there were no rough or protruding parts. Smooth stone. He was on top of it.

He didn’t feel any shackles or restraints. His limbs were free. His magic wasn't particularly restricted either.

He could move right now…….

“If you need anything, let me know. I will help you when I have time later.”

“Thank you.”

“No. You fully deserve it.”

The voices were clearly coming from behind his head. Beden slightly opened his closed eyes. As expected, the two were not visible.

‘Where is mother?’

Pillars reminiscent of a temple, black marble that momentarily makes one mistake it for darkness, a desolate space except for the black pillars. No sign of people.

Naturally, his mother was also not there.

“Where is Janya Jabad?”

Just then, Deuhan’s voice scratched an itch. At the same time, Beden, while fearing the current situation, also marveled.

Wasn't this response proof of his own excellence?

‘I lost consciousness and woke up in a completely unfamiliar place. But I am not panicking.’

Even so, he didn't lose his reason and was calmly observing his surroundings, acquiring information through the conversation of the two suspected perpetrators.

And even before acquiring that information, he had noticed as soon as he woke up that Deuhan and the old man were not on his mother’s side…….

“She is useless. The County of Jabad also has little value. The reason I dared to ask was that I did not want any unnecessary information to be leaked.”

“Hmm. And this child?”

“He has value. Mectera is still a case without precedent.”

“You will move him to the north, then.”

“There are things to confirm when he wakes up, but I believe so for now.”

Should I get up?

Hearing the old man’s answer, Beden contemplated it.

If he stalled any longer, his mother would die. The information he had painstakingly gathered would also come to nothing. Unlike him, his mother was said to be useless.

“If she proves her own usefulness, there would be no need to kill Janya, but…….”

Twitch.

At those words, Beden reacted without realizing it.

“We can check right now.”

A snort was contained in Deuhan’s voice.