[Translator - Pot ]

[Proofreader - Kawaii ]

Chapter 301: A Bud Must Be Stepped On When It Sprouts

-Karzan, if you are reading this letter, it must mean you have earned Zamuel’s acknowledgment. In that case, I too will acknowledge you as Karzan.

The letter began as such and continued into a first half that reminisced about our memories.

-It was a common enough tale of salvation. I was in a position where I was barely managing to survive in the back alleys, and you were the kind of person who could not ignore someone’s story once it caught your eye.

That was right. I could not just walk past Adeline, who was living a difficult life, even cutting down on sleep, to support a father who was trying to get his money’s worth for having raised her.

-I was happy that I could be of some help to you. That is why I sought you out, offering to teach you how to write even though you never asked.

‘So that was why.’

I realized anew how clueless I was when it came to these things.

-I thought it was cute how you would grumble but could not say anything. I naturally came to a realization. At some point, I had fallen in love with you.

It may sound like nothing, but I could understand that sentiment.

…Because love does not begin for such grand reasons.

‘Looking back.’

Adeline did not possess exceptional beauty, incredible talent, or extraordinary wisdom.

But I loved Adeline’s sorrowful eyes, her proud exterior that tried to hide them, the occasional soft side she showed, and the conflict within her, wanting to lean on someone yet being wary of her own weakness.

-At first, I was confused because I did not know what it was about you that I loved. Some disliked your rough face, but if you looked closely, it had a manly yet cute side.

…Did it?

I thought, embarrassed.

‘I’m sorry, Adeline, but might that not be your rose-tinted glasses?’

-You were a strong and rough man, but you actually had a warm heart. Your eyes, worn down from living in the underworld with a single sword, were cold, but there were times when they would clear up. When you were swinging your sword alone, when you were sharing delicious food with people, or when you would give a slight smile as if you were having fun while learning to write from me. I think I might have loved those eyes.

“…”

They were not particularly special words, yet silent tears streamed down my face.

It is a joyous thing to know that there is someone who remembers the time that has already passed, time that can never return, more poignantly than I do.

-The way you sacrificed yourself to help Zamuel and your comrades until the very end, and yet how others stepped forward to help you in turn, was a final moment truly befitting of you. Landing one last blow on the Dark King was also just like you.

…I turned the page.

-I left you to forge a life of my own, but after hearing that news, I could no longer do so. Since you did not even have a proper grave to rest in, I wanted to at least be the one to remember you. Opening an orphanage and raising children was my way of carrying on your will.

So that was it.

‘You fool.’

Why did you think so much of me, a coward who could not even accept your heart, a man who was not even your lover?

-If you are the man I know, you might dislike the fact that I needlessly gave up my own life. But you do not need to feel sorry. This was simply my choice to honor you.

“…”

I clenched my teeth.

-Karzan. I have missed you for a long time, but I also know well what you were afraid of. I also know that I cannot be with you now. But I want to see your face once before my life ends.

On the last page, there were tear-stained marks everywhere.

-Karzan, how have you been? What do you look like now that you have aged? Were your years not filled with hardship and loneliness? Did you meet a lover and a family who could become your place of rest? The heart that asks after you like this, all of it is joy, and also longing.

I read the letter over and over as if chewing on the words, then raised my head.

“…Boss.”

Zamuel smiled.

“Those tears are surely a reward for Adeline’s heart.”

I wiped away the clear tears and said.

“Someday, I absolutely want to meet Adeline. …But not now.”

I took off my mask.

“!”

“I have a life to live as Allenvert Grunewald. And as it happens, the Dark King, having destroyed my past life, is now trying to destroy my present one.”

Therefore.

“The day I kill that bastard and end all my lingering regrets. On that day, I want to meet Adeline and have a drink.”

“…Count me in then, too.”

“Of course.”

Zamuel grinned.

“I understand, boss. I will gladly help with ‘our’ revenge.”

“Will you be alright? It will be a dangerous fight.”

“This life was meant to die with you back then if not for your orders anyway.”

“…Thank you.”

I bowed my head to Zamuel.

“And thank you for surviving. To think I could meet you again.”

“Those are my words exactly.”

My subordinate, now an old man, pulled me into an embrace.

“I missed you, boss.”

“By the way,” Zamuel said.

“Looking at you again, you are damn handsome. Is that really you, boss?”

“…Even I have trouble getting used to my face sometimes.”

* * *

“Young Master Barclava, your response just now was too fast.”

“Zizek, your lower body is weak. Lower your center of gravity.”

Jeffrey was giving advice here and there on Barclava and Zizek’s spar.

‘Zizek is generally about half a step superior.’

Jeffrey thought.

‘But Young Master Barclava’s martial talent is also considerable.’

Bloodline does not just disappear.

Thanks to that, the spar between the two was quite intense.

Clang! Scraaaape!

Sparks flew from their two swords.

Barclava Grunewald, with the two solid pillars of the Azure Sea Moon Shadow Swordsmanship and the Eternal Ocean Chain Technique, enhanced with the martial arts of the Special Operations Division and the Royal Guard, and all sorts of wisdom gained from real combat.

And Zizek, with his underworld sword style honed by outstanding martial talent and real-world experience, further polished by the teachings of Allenvert and Knut, and the gladiator martial arts left by Eldarkion Eisenach.

“Keuk!”

Zizek, having struck Barclava’s sword and knocked it away, said playfully.

“Wow, I was almost done for just now. Young Master, your learning ability is too good.”

Even if he was Allenvert’s trusted subordinate, Barclava, defeated by a swordsman from the underworld, sighed.

“I did not realize the difference in experience would be this great. Your perspective is completely different.”

“Hehe, of course. There are realms that are difficult to reach with just training and sparring.”

Zizek said.

“…And sparring with brother Knut was so merciless that I thought a real fight would be better.”

“…”

Knut Eisenach, a man with skills worthy of being called a future King of Fists. Barclava, recalling that inhuman monster, sighed.

“How are you supposed to fight a man like that? Sword or whatever, it feels like it would be over the moment he grabs you.”

“I have actually thought about that.”

Zizek said with a serious face.

“There is no answer. Unless you are on a similar level.”

“Is he not at the late 6th tier? How long will it take to catch up to that level?”

“…I know, right?”

“Anyway, following around brother Allenvert just makes you feel inadequate. Everywhere you look, there is nothing but monsters.”

But Barclava himself was showing a rare growth rate for his age, was he not?

Jeffrey thought quietly with a smile.

‘This damn bloodline advantage.’

By the way, who on earth did Allenvert go to meet that there was no news from him?

‘Zamuel. A name I have never heard before.’

Their lord had so many secrets that it was not easy for a vassal to follow his movements.

‘When he comes back this time, I will have to sit him down and ask him properly.’

…Just what secrets are you hiding?

* * *

Zamuel and I went up to the deserted lighthouse and looked out at the black river.

“For some reason, I am getting pissed off.”

“About what?”

Zamuel grumbled.

“I have become an old man like this, so why did only the boss get to be young again?”

“Why are you taking that out on me?”

“Because I am jealous.”

“If you are so bitter, you should have gotten reincarnated too.”

“That is ridiculous.”

We both turned our gazes forward at the same time.

“Zamuel, about Ivan.”

“Yes.”

“I met him before.”

“!”

Zamuel turned his head in surprise.

“Ivan?”

“Yes. He said he came to see if someone was impersonating Karzan, just the same.”

“…How absurd.”

Zamuel shook his head.

“It was ridiculous. A man who died seventeen years ago suddenly making a name for himself in the underworld of the Grunewald Duchy.”

“True. Anyone would think it was an impersonation.”

“And is Ivan not the one who witnessed the boss’s last moments from the closest?”

“Yes. Though he does not know I was reincarnated.”

“…It is a story that is hard to believe even after hearing it directly.”

I nodded.

“That bastard, he has surpassed the 8th tier.”

“Was he not strong from the start? It seems he dedicated himself even more to martial arts after you died, boss.”

“Did he ever try to harm you?”

“Never. Strangely enough.”

I figured Ivan had probably taken some measures on his own.

“That bastard.”

“Yes.”

“He made a grave for me and my grandfather.”

“…”

Zamuel replied, as if he was not particularly surprised.

“That bastard did like you, boss. He was always coming over to drink.”

“I did not know.”

“Perhaps he thought of you as a friend?”

“A friend…”

I let out a smirk.

“A friend is a friend. Though closer to a rival.”

“He is also an enemy.”

Zamuel drew the line.

“Right. If I cannot defeat him, defeating the Dark King is impossible from the start.”

I smiled.

“He is trying to reach the pinnacle of the sword. He was probably jealous of my sword talent.”

“Well, any swordsman would have been, right?”

“To be clear, I cannot surpass the level of Ivan, who has trained for seventeen more years than I have.”

But.

“I have reached the peak of the 7th tier. If our levels of mastery are similar, then no matter how powerful a demonic art he has learned or even if he has grasped the pinnacle of the sword…”

I declared with certainty.

“I can be a worthy match for him.”

“Boss, the level of the 8th tier is not something that can be discussed with just a single wall. It is difficult for even two or three late 7th tier martial artists ganging up on a single 8th tier martial artist to guarantee victory.”

Zamuel said with a stiff face.

“That is what a completed martial artist is.”

“Right.”

I nodded.

“But you do not know. Just how many divine arts and ultimate techniques reside within my body.”

* * *

The northern army of the Duke of Montera was advancing south with the force to split the earth.

Thudududududu!

It was a force composed entirely of cavalry.

Of course, among them were various classes like heavy infantry, archers, and engineers, but…

The Duke pursued extreme mobility by teaching even them horsemanship and mounting them on horses.

“I hear Verdzig Grunewald has occupied Humus Port and is advancing north to Devas Fortress. He is expected to arrive about three days earlier than us.”

“How preposterous.”

The Duke let out a snort.

“The two brats have hatched quite a grand strategy. Are they planning for Allenvert to occupy the royal castle while we are being held back?”

Having defended the north for decades, to his eyes, which were seasoned in military strategy, the two brothers’ pincer movement had a rather naive aspect to it.

“Are their supplies sufficient? We can surround them and starve them out, or we can pound them day and night and then bypass them to capture their target.”

It had been years since he had predicted that the next generation of Grunewald would become an even more troublesome opponent because of a viper-like man in their midst.

“It would not be a bad idea to stomp out the bud on this occasion.”

[Translator - Pot ]

[Proofreader - Kawaii ]