Kays Translations

Chapter 3: The Night He Swung a Sword Again

That evening, the knights and servants of House Clausel found themselves united by one opinion.

They gathered in the mansion’s hall and spoke excitedly about Ren.

“His swordsmanship was remarkable. I never imagined he had reached that level.”

“It shouldn’t be surprising. He defeated a Thief Wolfen and fought Mana Eaters.”

The servants added their own observations.

“His character matters as much as his strength.”

“And did you see the young lady? She was frustrated after losing so quickly, but she looked even prouder of Ren. We shouldn’t ignore how well the two suit each other.”

Licia had indeed lost their light spar without difficulty. She had grown stronger over the winter, but Ren had also advanced through his battle with Yelquq.

A knight addressed Weiss on behalf of the group.

“We would like Ren to remain at this mansion.”

“I understand your feelings,” Weiss replied.

“The servants feel the same,” another person insisted.

“I know. But the boy intends to return to his village. Losing such talent would be unfortunate, yet Baron Clausel owes House Ashton an immeasurable debt. He’ll respect Ren’s wishes.”

The hall filled with disappointed sighs. Lessard hated using authority to force others. Once he had decided to let Ren choose, no amount of pleading would change his mind.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

“How long are you going to stay?”

After her bath, Licia visited Ren’s guest room. She sat on the edge of the bed while Ren closed the book he had been reading at the desk.

Her question didn’t sound like a request for him to leave. Ren understood that she was asking how many more times they could spar.

“I planned to face you several more times. How many would satisfy you?”

“One thousand.”

“Excuse me?”

“One thousand matches will do for now.”

At one match a day, that would require almost three years—and they couldn’t possibly fight every day.

Licia looked at him with such determination that he nearly agreed before thinking.

“You can live in this room,” she said.

“My duties are in the village.”

“You’re a member of House Ashton. You can fulfill a knight’s duties here.”

“I’m the son of a knight, not yet a knight myself.”

“That’s close enough.”

Beneath her stubbornness, Ren saw impatience. She feared he would leave as soon as he fulfilled the promise to spar.

“I won’t demand all one thousand,” she admitted more quietly. “Just stay a little longer.”

Her reluctance to see him go touched him. He had never intended to leave after a single match.

“I would like to remain in your care a little longer.”

He privately justified the decision as keeping his promise to spar several times.

“Really?”

Licia leaned toward him.

“I still need Baron Clausel’s permission.”

“Father already said you may stay as long as you wish.”

“Then I’ll accept his kindness.”

“You promised. I won’t forgive you if that was a lie.”

Her mood brightened immediately. She grabbed the pillow from Ren’s bed and hugged it with both arms.

(That’s my pillow… or at least the pillow I have borrowed.)

A glance at the clock made Licia jump.

“It’s already past midnight. I should return to my room.”

She released the pillow and stood.

“Tomorrow is a rest day from training. Do you have any plans?”

“I’m being cared for without contributing anything. I would welcome work.”

“Then I have a job for you after breakfast.”

Ren was pleased. “What kind of job?”

“I’m going shopping for the first time in a while. You’ll be my escort.”

“Me? You have your knights, and Weiss will be there.”

“Yes. Weiss is free tomorrow, so I’ll be perfectly safe. But I want you to come too.”

“Then leave it to me.”

With Weiss accompanying them, Ren assumed obtaining permission would be simple.

“Good night. See you tomorrow.”

Licia waved and left.

Ren reopened the book on his desk. It was one of several volumes borrowed from the Clausel library during his recovery.

Its title was Relics of the Seven Heroes.

The relics were the weapons and equipment once used by the legendary heroes. In the games, equipping them to the corresponding characters produced extraordinary increases in combat power. Players usually called them Hero Equipment.

Most information in the book was familiar to Ren, including where several relics could be found. What interested him were details never explained in the games.

Hero Loren’s Divine Sword, for example, no longer existed. After defeating the Demon King and returning to Leomel, the blade shattered and returned to the earth. The game had left players with the impression that it survived until Legend of the Seven Heroes III.

“Could I make money by finding and selling Hero Equipment?”

Most relics could be used only by particular people. Even if Ren acquired one, selling it would be more practical than wielding it.

He dismissed the idea. Possessing or selling objects tied to the Hero would invite dangerous attention from the Hero Faction and the Seven Great Houses.

His eyelids grew heavy. The day’s exercise had tired him more than expected.

Before sleeping, he examined the bracelet.

――――――――

Ren Ashton

[Occupation] Eldest son of House Ashton

[Skills]
Magic Sword Summoning — Level 1: 0/0
Magic Sword Summoning Technique — Level 3: 239/2000

Level 1: Summon one magic sword.
Level 2: Gain Physical Ability Boost (Minor) while a magic sword is summoned.
Level 3: Summon two magic swords simultaneously.
Level 4: Gain Physical Ability Boost (Medium) while a magic sword is summoned.
Level 5: *****************************

[Acquired Magic Swords]
Wooden Magic Sword — Level 2: 988/1000
Enables attacks comparable to Nature Magic (Minor). The effective area expands with level.

Iron Magic Sword — Level 1: 988/1000
Sharpness increases with level.

Thief’s Magic Sword — Level 1: 0/3
Has a chance to steal a random item from the target.

――――――――

Proficiency gained from the battle with Yelquq and the fights preceding it had raised Magic Sword Summoning Technique to Level 3. Ren could now summon two magic swords at once. The next level would improve Physical Ability Boost from Minor to Medium.

The swords themselves hadn’t advanced because he had absorbed few magic stones. At least the next thresholds weren’t ten times larger than before.

One entry, however, was gone.

“That unknown sword must be connected to Licia’s magic stone.”

When Yelquq had broken his seals and strengthened the Mana Eater, Ren had fallen beside Licia. His hand had touched her chest, where the internal magic stone of a powerful saint was located. Her body and Ren’s bracelet had glowed, allowing him to summon a sword displayed only as a question mark.

The blade’s overwhelming light strongly suggested a connection with Licia’s Sacred Magic.

Special monsters such as the Thief Wolfen could grant magic swords through their magic stones. Perhaps the stone within a saint had a similar special nature.

Ren refused to test the theory.

Absorbing a monster’s stone consumed its power. He had no idea what the process might do to Licia, and asking to place his hand on her chest for an experiment would be wildly inappropriate even without the danger.

The unknown sword had already vanished from the list. There was no immediate way to investigate it safely.

“Better to leave it alone.”

Ren closed the book, extinguished the light, and fell asleep sooner than expected.

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