Chapter 46

The Swordsmanship Genius Possessed by a God — Chapter 46

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Allen walked down the corridor with Lucas.

As they walked through the cold corridors of Steel Castle, they encountered some of its swordsmen.

Upon spotting Allen and Lucas, the swordsmen stopped and bowed.

Their disciplined movements conveyed respect and admiration for both Lucas and Allen. The looks they gave them were different from when they had first arrived at Steel Castle.

“Your reputation within Steel Castle has risen considerably.”

Lucas told Allen what had happened while he was unconscious.

“Quite a few swordsmen saw you take hold of the fake Demon Sword in place of the Lord of Steel Castle.”

The Lord of Steel Castle had been possessed by a demon's soul.

Allen had appeared just as the Flying Sword Division, Steel Castle, and the Empire joined forces to subdue him. He had truly been the hero of the gorge.

After all, he had grasped the fake Demon Sword in place of the Lord of Steel Castle and even destroyed it.

“I was pretty impressive, wasn't I?”

“There you go getting arrogant again.”

“It's the truth.”

Lucas had nothing to say to that.

Whether Allen had looked impressive was beside the point. His achievements during this mission had been truly remarkable.

Even now, Lucas shuddered to think what might have happened without him.

If Lucas felt that way, how much more must the Lord of Steel Castle, whose body had been taken over by the Demon Sword, feel?

The two reached the Lord of Steel Castle's chambers at the end of the corridor.

It was then.

“Let me be arrogant just one more time.”

Allen strode ahead, then turned toward Lucas.

Realizing what he meant, Lucas frowned.

“You want to meet him alone?”

“Things are different from before, aren't they?”

“It's barely been four months.”

Allen's relationship with the Lord of Steel Castle had begun on hostile terms.

The Lord of Steel Castle had interfered with Allen's mission behind the scenes, causing Allen to suffer the disgrace of failing his first mission.

After that incident, Allen had visited the Lord of Steel Castle. Although their conflict had not become widely known, Lucas knew that the two were on poor terms.

“Don't underestimate that old man. He's a cunning fox.”

“That's why it'll be fine.”

“That's why?”

“Because he's a cunning fox.”

Lucas was momentarily speechless at Allen's answer.

Allen meant that because the Lord of Steel Castle was so cunning, he would now recognize Allen's value.

At times like this, Lucas wondered whether Allen was actually the more cunning of the two.

“Fine. I'm sure you'll handle it.”

Lucas had decided to trust Allen now.

After all, the fellow had performed even better than Lucas himself during this mission.

Allen wasn't a child, and Lucas couldn't keep looking after him even when it came to meeting the Lord of Steel Castle.

“Then I'll be back.”

“Don't take too long. We're scheduled to depart at noon.”

“Got it.”

After exchanging farewells, Lucas turned around.

Once Allen confirmed that his brother was walking away, he headed in the opposite direction. His destination was the Lord of Steel Castle's study.

Two swordsmen of Steel Castle stood guard outside the study. They bowed to Allen and announced his arrival.

“Castle Lord. The Flying Sword Division's Second Squad Leader has come to see you.”

“Let him in.”

The answer came immediately, as though he had been waiting.

The two swordsmen opened the door and stepped aside.

Allen entered the study. The first things that greeted him were the scents of books and ink.

The Lord of Steel Castle was reading a book at the back of the study.

“You've come?”

His voice was as dry as ever.

It was exactly the same reaction he had shown when Allen visited him several months earlier.

“Have a seat over there.”

Where the Lord of Steel Castle pointed stood two small sofas and a table. Allen sat on one of the sofas.

The Lord of Steel Castle closed his book, rose, and picked up a bottle of liquor that had been placed there almost like an ornament.

Taking out two glasses along with the liquor, he sat opposite Allen.

“Are you feeling better?”

“Thanks to someone, my whole body aches.”

Allen patted his shoulder, pretending to be in pain.

The corners of the Lord of Steel Castle's mouth twitched at his blatant exaggeration.

“You certainly have a complicated way of saying you're perfectly fine.”

“Does it look that way?”

“Do you know what expression you're wearing right now? You look like a child who's excited about hearing something he's been waiting for me to say.”

“You really do know how to read people.”

“Hahaha!”

The Lord of Steel Castle burst into loud laughter. It was not a particularly sincere laugh.

He opened the bottle and poured equal amounts of liquor into the two glasses.

The clear liquor filled them. The Lord of Steel Castle offered one to Allen.

“Listen, Second Young Master.”

Instead of telling him to drink, he said something else.

“I'm sorry.”

A smile appeared on Allen's lips at those words.

I'm sorry.

Those were words the Lord of Steel Castle should have said before thanking him.

Perhaps he needed the liquor to say them, for the Lord of Steel Castle drained the glass before him in a single gulp.

The sharp scent of alcohol reached Allen across the table. It was quite a strong drink.

Only after drinking did he ask,

“Why did you do it?”

“Do you mean saving you, Castle Lord?”

“Yes. You didn't have to, did you? If I were in your position, I think I would have deliberately left you to die.”

“So you're finally admitting you were wrong?”

Allen laughed as though amused.

But the Lord of Steel Castle did not smile in response.

“I asked you for a reason.”

“You seem to be expecting some grand reason, but there isn't one. It was simply my mission.”

“Your mission was to secure the Demon Sword, not to save me.”

“Weren't you also someone taking part in that mission?”

Allen picked up the glass the Lord of Steel Castle had offered him.

“That makes us comrades.”

Then Allen drank.

As expected, the liquor was strong. But its refined aroma told him that it was a rare and excellent drink.

Allen grimaced at the potent alcohol and spoke.

“It's bitter. Where is this liquor from?”

“...That's quite a sentimental reason.”

The Lord of Steel Castle's words had nothing to do with Allen's question.

Seeing that he seemed lost in his own thoughts, Allen asked,

“Yes, that's the reason. Why? Don't you like it?”

“I still think your brother is better suited than you.”

After hesitating briefly, the Lord of Steel Castle continued.

“But that doesn't mean you aren't suitable.”

“Castle Lord.”

It was then that Allen's demeanor changed.

“Please don't speak like that.”

“...What do you mean?”

“I mean you shouldn't speak as though you can decide who becomes family head. No, as though you castle lords have the right to choose the family head.”

Allen could see it.

There was a scale in the Lord of Steel Castle's mind as he looked at him.

Both Allen and Lucas stood upon that scale.

It had always been tipped toward Lucas Vishken.

But Allen Vishken, standing on the opposite side, had grown in stature, shifting the balance slightly.

It was certainly a good development for Allen.

But he disliked the very existence of that scale in the first place.

“I know you care about the family, Castle Lord. Otherwise, I wouldn't have saved you this time. No, I wouldn't have forgiven you in the first place.”

The Lord of Steel Castle narrowed his eyes at Allen's sudden words.

As though his innermost thoughts had been exposed, he quietly poured himself another glass of liquor.

“Erase the word ‘family head’ from your mind, Castle Lord. Forget about my brother too. Forget all of it. That's when our relationship will begin. I'll drink the rest of this then.”

Having taken only a single sip, Allen held out his glass with the remaining liquor and rose from his seat.

Just as Allen was about to leave,

“Thank you.”

The Lord of Steel Castle abruptly said the words he had been putting off.

“I've said that far too late. You saved my life.”

His apology had concerned the past, while his thanks were for Allen saving him during this mission.

Allen, who had been about to leave, stopped and looked at the Lord of Steel Castle.

These were words spoken by a man with pride as hard as steel. Neither his apology nor his gratitude could have come easily.

There was only one way to preserve the pride of such a man.

“Just words?”

At Allen's teasing remark, the Lord of Steel Castle responded as though he had been waiting for it.

“I'll help you with anything, once.”

“Only once?”

“Didn't I say ‘anything’? You have my word. I swear it on the name and honor of Saul, Lord of Steel Castle.”

A serious answer to a playful remark.

Allen looked into the Lord of Steel Castle's eyes and spoke.

“I didn't do it because I wanted anything in return. As I said earlier, we were comrades on the same mission, and your death would have been a loss to the family.”

After his serious words, he returned to teasing.

“Still, it's better if neither of us owes the other anything, isn't it? If I ever need something, I'll come running to you, Castle Lord.”

“...Didn't you just say you weren't expecting anything in return?”

“It would be rude to refuse. I don't know when it'll be, but I'll be counting on you someday.”

Allen smiled, bowed his head, and turned around.

Just as he was about to leave the study,

“Oh, right.”

“...?”

As though he had forgotten something, Allen stopped and looked back at the Lord of Steel Castle.

“For the record, I don't like strong liquor. Neither does my brother. Just thought you should know.”

Those were his final words.

Allen strode out of the study.

Left alone, the Lord of Steel Castle laughed incredulously and looked at the opposite side of the table.

Allen's glass, with only a single sip missing.

After staring at it for a while, the Lord of Steel Castle muttered,

“At least he did drink some.”

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A transport gate for returning to the main castle had been prepared in front of Steel Castle.

Each squad of the Flying Sword Division stood in orderly ranks, preparing to depart. There was still some time before the transport gate would be activated.

Normally, they would have been pleased to have finished a mission early, but their attention was focused elsewhere.

“Do you think it's real?”

“You mean the Demon Sword?”

Allen had appeared while they were fighting the Lord of Steel Castle, whose body had been possessed by a demon.

Everyone present had seen him save the Lord of Steel Castle and produce what he claimed was the real Demon Sword.

“It must be real. Why else would we be going back?”

“Then what happens to the wager?”

“What wager?”

“You know, the wager between the First and Second Squads? The one about this year's achievements.”

“Oh, right.”

“Why ask something so obvious? It's not as though we've undertaken many missions this year. If that thing's real, then obviously...”

“But it could be a fake, couldn't it?”

The swordsmen of the Flying Sword Division were entirely preoccupied with the wager between the First and Second Squads.

The question was who had won.

Before departing on the mission, most of the swordsmen had naturally assumed the First Squad would win the wager.

But now the outcome had become uncertain.

While everyone wondered about the result,

Only the First Squad was trembling with anxiety.

“Hey, Mary.”

Eventually, First Squad Leader Kasar, unable to contain himself any longer, approached Mary.

His entire body was wrapped in bandages from the wounds he had suffered during the battle against Belvemos.

“Is it really genuine?”

“What are you referring to?”

“Why are you pretending not to know? The Demon Sword.”

Sensing Kasar's anxiety, the corners of Mary's mouth twitched as she asked,

“Why? Are you worried our squad might win the wager?”

“Don't be ridiculous. No matter how important that Demon Sword is, do you really think a single achievement could put the Second Squad ahead of us?”

Kasar struggled to conceal the trembling in his voice.

If he lost this wager, not only would he have to hand over all of the First Squad's achievements, but he would also suffer the humiliation of publicly apologizing in front of the Path of the Sword.

“I'm just curious, that's all. I want to know whether we actually succeeded in the mission. If we did...”

“You should choose your words more carefully, First Squad Leader.”

At that moment, a voice interrupted Kasar from among the members of the Second Squad.

Already on edge, Kasar scowled and turned toward the voice.

His expression immediately twisted.

“Get your facts straight. You're not included in that ‘we.’”

Allen had appeared with a broad grin.