“…Kaisen. Oh, my son.”
That was the first thing Count Rubelt said as he opened his eyes. Patting Kaisen on the shoulder, Rubelt turned his gaze to his youngest, Luine.
“Luine, come here.”
“Yes, yes. Father.”
Luine confidently approached, sure that her father had finally returned to his senses.
Yuma confirmed with his Search Eye that Count Rubelt’s temperament had shifted positively.
Having thoroughly enjoyed the joy of reuniting with his children, Count Rubelt looked at the man with gray hair standing a distance away.
“Duke Yuma… thank you.”
Yuma’s brow furrowed slightly.
“You’re remembering. Do you still recall the time when you were under the Black Dragon’s control?”
“Yes… I vaguely remember. I committed an unforgettable sin on my land. On the land of this Rubelt.”
Rubelt’s gaze returned to his son Kaisen.
“I must pass the title of Count to you by tomorrow. I don’t know how long I’ll be able to breathe.”
“Father.”
“I’m sorry for making you bear the weight of my sins… my incompetence.”
To be fair, it wasn’t entirely accurate to call Count Rubelt incompetent. It was more rare for a designated human host to possess the strength to overcome the mind control abilities of the Black Dragon.
“It’s alright, Father.”
Yuma and his party decided not to intrude on the family reunion any further.
Perhaps Kaisen had already given instructions, as a servant from the Count’s household approached Yuma’s group.
“We will provide you with rooms.”
Yuma nodded. For now, he’d spend this long and arduous night and think about the next plans with a clear mind.
*
“….”
Strong sunlight broke through the tiny gap between the window and curtains, waking Yuma from his deep sleep.
Yuma slowly opened his eyes.
And then, things started swirling in front of him.
It was reminiscent of the morning after he defeated the Sword God Chronos.
It seemed that achievements were tallied the following day.
There it was—a barrage of notification windows.
[You have defeated a transcendent being.]
[You have achieved an accomplishment far beyond your capabilities.]
[A reward has been granted!]
New!
[Skill – Crisis Detection (★★★): Detects killing intent. You can sense anyone directing hostile intent towards you. This is a passive skill.]
New!
[Skill – Absolute Counter: Division (分災): Counterattack. Functions just like Absolute Counter and activates upon successful Parrying.
When you Parry, you can use Absolute Counter against up to two enemies, with attack power equivalent to the original target, excluding the caster. Cooldown: 12 hours.]
Absolute Counter: Division (分災).
To summarize, it’s a skill that allows you to eliminate three enemies at once with a single Absolute Counter.
I’ll have to test it in practice, but just the description makes it seem very handy in situations with multiple targets.
Of course, without the ability to Parry, it would be no more than a pie in the sky.
If you can’t use it, it’s just a pie in the sky.
Yuma was extraordinary when it came to “Parrying.” He was a master of the one-sided art of parrying.
[No growth potential exists.]
[Increases stats as a reward for achieved accomplishments.]
[Name: Yuma
Lv.40
Alignment: Good Personality Trait: Cold
Strength: 50 Health: 65 Defense: 50 Agility: 70 Growth Potential: 0 – Ordinary Person]
This time, the level increased by 20.
Stats also rose by 20.
The growth of stats is meaningful. ‘Parrying’ requires a certain level of physical ability as well.
Yuma clenched his fist.
Indeed, he couldn’t feel the increase in strength just from this series of actions.
Anyway, he would get a real sense of it during actual combat.
Yuma had long given up on the thought that he could live a peaceful life. He was living quite far from the idea of peace.
“Huh… Dragon Slayer!”
As soon as Hestia saw Yuma, she raised her right index finger and pointed at her face.
Yes, she actually killed a dragon.
If such a person said they wanted to live peacefully, it would sound like a ridiculous joke.
Tap
Yuma placed his hand on top of Hestia’s head, who was now recognized as part of his party and was walking around without a robe in the Rubelt County.
“Be quiet.”
Hestia’s orange cat ears perked up.
“Yikes, yes!”
Once again, Hestia was scared and spoke formally.
The image of her charging like a berserker at the enemies that had swarmed them like zombies yesterday or in the special prison when rescuing Kaisen was nowhere to be found.
Yuma gazed at Hestia.
“Is your little brother okay? His name was Haruk, right?”
Hestia nodded vigorously. The corners of the Cat-Folk swordsman’s mouth twitched. Yuma remembering what he said and being concerned about it was a tremendous joy for her.
“Yeah! Haruk is fine! He seems to be in good spirits too!”
Is that so?
Hestia continued speaking.
“This Rubelt County should stabilize soon, right?”
“Probably.”
Hestia’s eyes sparkled as if she had made a decision.
“Hmm, I should settle down here in the Count’s territory. If they give me all the money they promised, I could get settled in nicely. Or should I just ask to get a job instead…?”
“Those detailed matters should be decided by Haruk.”
Hestia felt as if she had been struck hard on the head by Yuma’s words.
“Oh, that’s true! I was thinking too much about myself!”
“Don’t you have any plans to settle here?”
“Eh… eh?!”
Hestia took a few steps back and made strange noises.
“Weren’t you going to take me as a subordinate? You’ve even given me that famous sword… Waaaah.”
Then suddenly, she started crying!
Yuma clicked his tongue inwardly. He probably said it was a loan when he gave her the sword.
Yuma looked at Hestia again.
She was undoubtedly talented. After all, she was a swordsman with the growth potential of a Sword Master. There was no downside to her becoming a subordinate. No, she would clearly make an excellent escort.
“Do as you wish. But the road ahead won’t be smooth.”
“But the future won’t be so smooth.”
It hasn’t even been a month since I’ve come to this world.
And yet, I encountered a dragon. I even took it down. Duke Yuma had no idea how much more twisted his future would become.
Wiping her tears roughly with her sleeve instead of a handkerchief, Hestia beamed brightly.
“Uh! The Dragon Slayer’s future can’t possibly be peaceful! Adventure! Hardships! Trials!”
Yuma casually placed his right hand on Hestia’s crimson hair.
“…Shut up.”
“Yikes, yes!”
That “shut up” was said specifically because she was being so loud, but now it felt ominous.
Adventure, hardships, trials!
Those words sounded like a prophecy being declared.
Yuma came down from the second floor of the manor with Hestia. On the second floor, Cloney, who had arrived earlier, was sitting.
“Wow! That’s really amazing!”
Luine’s eyes sparkled as she looked at the ice flower blooming in Cloney’s palm.
The youngest daughter of the count’s family, Luine, was sitting across from Cloney, enjoying a meal. Yuma approached Luine.
“Where are the Count and Kaisen?”
Luine’s face, which had brightened while chatting about magic with Cloney, immediately darkened.
“My father’s condition is really bad… so Kaisen is having a separate meal with him.”
Cloney’s gaze filled with concern was directed at Luine.
“Now, this time it’s an ice deer.”
“…Wow! It’s so pretty! Sister!”
Luine’s face brightened again.
*
Just as they were finishing breakfast, a blond boy named Kaisen approached Yuma.
“Duke Yuma, I have something to discuss.”
“What is it?”
“I will be contacting the royal family. There’s a communication tower here equipped with magical tools that can connect to the royal family in the capital. Since you’re here, I’m planning to reach out to Her Highness the First Princess Brigitte.”
Kaisen continued, “If you wouldn’t mind, I’d appreciate it if you could join. The only way to lend credibility to my statements seems to be with your assistance.”
Well, considering that a dragon suddenly appeared, taking control of the count’s mind, unsettling the count’s territory, and devouring the locals, it was understandably shocking to anyone hearing it.
If Yuma, who believes he has resolved the issue, adds his explanation, it would greatly help clarify the situation.
“Sure.”
Yuma readily agreed.
There was no harm in seeing the First Princess’s face.
‘She must have done some research on the prophecy.’
Given Brigitte’s personality, it’s unlikely she would have simply vacated her authority and zoned out.
It was necessary to share the progress each of them had made.
Yuma and Kaisen headed to the communication tower next to the manor.
Kaisen sat down and picked up the black communication magical tool, commonly known as “Mirbel.” It looked like a brick-shaped sphere.
Kaisen pressed the button, causing the communication tool of the First Princess’s palace, Mirbel, to ring.
-This is the palace of Her Highness the First Princess Brigitte. Please state your identity and purpose.
It was the voice of Royan, the Chief Attendant of the First Princess’s palace.
Kaisen slowly opened his mouth.
“I am Kaisen, the first prince of Count Rubelt’s household. I reached out to report on the current state of the count’s territory, consult, and request support.”
After a brief moment of silence.
A deep voice of an elderly man came through the communicator.
– Please hold on a moment.
It truly was just a moment.
– This is First Princess Brigitte.
A soft voice echoed, one that Duke Yuma hadn’t heard in a while.
“Oh, greetings, Her Highness the First Princess.”
– Is my appointed agent, Yuma, currently in Count Rubelt’s territory?
Kaisen’s body flinched.
“Yes, he is right beside me.”
Yuma decided to ease Kaisen’s sudden embarrassment a bit.
“It’s been a while, Princess Brigitte.”
– I’m glad you’re together. There was something important I needed to discuss. But first, let’s hear from Prince Kaisen.
Struggling to recall his report, Kaisen held a paper detailing the situation in the count’s territory and began to read.
“Yes, Your Highness. It seems that a Black Dragon has awakened from a long slumber near our count’s territory. It has taken residency in the caves of our domain and has chosen my father, Count Rubelt, as its puppet for mental domination. It has begun to unfold its will over the count’s realm.”
The explanation continued.
“Over an estimated five months, around 100 innocent citizens have been likely devoured by the Black Dragon.”
– …That’s a painful situation. Prepare the maximum compensation possible.
The two discussed the incident for quite some time.
– Do you know the name of the Black Dragon…? No, you wouldn’t know.
“Elcam—Acreon.”
It wasn’t Kaisen who reacted to Brigitte’s words, but rather Yuma. He had received the intel from Mirbel.
– Yuma, how do you know that name?
“I asked for its name before killing it.”
Brigitte chuckled with a mix of disbelief.
– Indeed, hearing that you killed it directly makes it feel real. It’s quite something to ask for a name before slaying it.
Yuma opened his mouth again.
“Do you have anything to say about the task you assigned?”
Task.
Brigitte immediately realized what Yuma implied.
About the swordsman with blue hair.
– I have something to discuss regarding that. Prince Kaisen, could you step outside for a moment?
“Yes, understood, Your Highness.”
Without hesitation, Kaisen stood up and left the communication room.
– The Holy Maiden has delivered an additional oracle. Ever since my brother Schwarze forced her to keep silent about the oracle, she’s only been cooperating with me.
“…That guy is really something crazy.”
In a nation that places so much importance on oracles, attempting to manipulate the Holy Maiden who receives them directly is audacious.
– Anyway, it seems we’ve identified the identity of the swordsman with blue hair.
What came next from Brigitte’s lips was indeed meaningful progress.
– The White Night Clan.
The White Night Clan.
– It seems likely that they’re a member of that clan.
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