Chapter 46: Even if I didn’t want to interrupt you, I just wanted to hear what you have to say

Ren had a feeling that didn’t add up.

He did not want to resist the kindness of Ulysses and the others, nor the foolishness of wanting a futile battle. First of all, he obviously knew that forcing himself to intervene would be a hindrance, so he didn’t intend to do anything forceful.

But he spent the rest of the day with an unsettled mind.

Two weeks passed —- and it was late June, and it was still the same.

This is not backward hesitation.

If Ulysses and the others accomplish something, I’ll do my own part and protect the mansion because it’s the best way to protect Licia-sama. But why do I still not feel satisfied?

Ren was practicing his swordsmanship in the Lion’s Holy Sanctuary, searching for the reason for his hesitation.

“Uggh…… you idiot!”

One of the knights in the Lion’s Sanctuary was overwhelmed by Ren’s mighty sword.

He was easily brought to his knees, and soon another knight confronted Ren.

Yes. He stood up.

Now it is not Ren who confronts them. It is those who, until only six months ago, had been teaching him the meaning of the hard sword.

However, all of them were brought to their knees by Ren’s hard sword.

“Haa…… haa …… Ren-dono is even more awesome these days than ever before.”

“What’s going on….? it’s scary.”

“Mm. Is he trying to become a true lion? Ever since winter, Ren-dono has been wielding his sword to exhaust his inexhaustible strength…..”

Ren swinging his sword.

( more.)

Sweating and gasping for breath.

As long as his body could move, he tried his best.

The dense magic that Ren cloaked his body with was invisible. Still, the hard sword users were able to understand it.

That boy is trying to evolve, again.

For some purpose, forcibly.

The hard sword users gasped, feeling as if they were being shown that moment.

An old gentleman appeared there—-

“Edgar-san?”

“Yes. It’s been a while.”

Ren hasn’t had the chance to see him at all recently.

Edgar appeared suddenly and took off his jacket in front of Ren, holding the two swords that had been prepared for training in his left and right hands.

“Now that I have a little more time to spare, I am eager to cross swords with you.”

“…… spare time huh?”

I can only assume that the margin was intentionally created.

He was probably here to see how Ren was doing.

“I want to ask about a lot of things.”

“I don’t know what you are talking about, but I can answer some questions and some I can’t.”

“If that’s the case, I won’t ask.”

“Is that all right?”

“Because I’m sure Edgar-san won’t answer. Besides, it might bother you.”

At this moment, Edgar realized that Ren had already figured out what Ulysses was hiding and was giving it a lot of thought. He must understand why it’s being hidden, too.

He knows that Ulysses is being kind to keep Ren out of it.

So Edgar also knew what Ren was thinking.

“If you don’t mind, I’ll be your opponent for the first time in a while.”

The words were abrupt.

The two of them have crossed swords through training, but only as a form of instruction. It was the first time they had crossed swords since last summer.

(……)

Ren thought it was too sudden, but he took it as precious time and readied his sword. Edgar did the same.

Then he saw —-.

Today, it was Edgar who made the first move.

Just like that summer day, he stepped forward with tremendous speed and physical strength and moved like the wind in front of Ren’s face.

He raised his swords in both hands and dealt a series of right and left blows.

“I guess you have no tolerance for being protected, —-!”

The sound of the impact was deafening to everyone’s ears.

But Ren, who had taken those barrage of blows without looking away, looked at Edgar sharply.

“You’ve only been in a position to protect yourself until today! That’s why you are upset that you are one of those being protected!”

“Maybe—-I can’t!”

This time, Ren raised his sword in his hand and resisted.

The resistance was so strong that, unlike in the summer, it was almost too close to Edgar.

Edgar’s palms were sweating. His strength was naturally stronger than before.

“I don’t care what you think of me. I’d like to hear the thoughts you have in your heart!”

They were crossing swords.

Ren tried to figure out why his mind was feeling so clouded.

I thought it before. This time, Ulysses and Radius are hiding something. It must be a kindness to keep me out of it, but what is it that I am thinking here?

(—- I’m not clamoring for a fight.)

Don’t bother throwing yourself into a useless fight.

I have thought about this many times and understand that there is no doubt about it.

And yet, just by crossing swords with Edgar like this, I was gradually getting closer to the answer.

Could it be that—- I’m—-

How is that possible? Even though the other party is far more powerful than I am?

I thought about it, mocked myself, but I couldn’t deny it and laughed.

(You really are a softy, aren’t you ……!)

Of course, it was him.

He was thinking about many things just because he had more opportunities to be associated and involved.

Worried about the scenario in the game—- that may be so.

But is it more pure devotion?

Or was it the rigidity that Ren possessed that made him, and each and every one of them, care?

“I’m afraid that something dangerous will happen in a place I don’t know, beside the very people I’m supposed to be protecting!”

Ren howled.

His sword was filled with more physical strength than ever before.

“Then, I suppose, we should stay close to those we are supposed to protect. —-!”

“There is no doubt about that! But Edgar-san is mistaken about something!”

Ren thought.

Yes, that’s right. No wonder he was lost, he laughed.

He smiled again, mocking himself for having thought of such a crazy idea, but then smiled carefree, as if he had come to his senses, or perhaps he was just relieved.

“A misunderstanding?”

My body was light. Perhaps it was the disappearance of my recent hesitation, but I felt a lightness that I had not experienced in my entire life.

“—- surely I’m worried about Ulysses-sama, too! That’s why I wanted to at least hear what you had to say!”

A single strong swing struck Edgar.

Catching it head-on, Edgar was surprised at the strength of the hard sword, but equally surprised at Ren’s statement.

“—-“

Edgar was taken aback.

The main reason for this is that the mainlander, Ulysses Ignat, is a man of great skill and wisdom, and his power and influence are well known throughout the world.

Yet, when he heard that Ren was worried for his lord, he was at a loss for words.

Even if Ren had indirectly protected Ulysses in the past.

Edgar’s cheeks relaxed.

“Hahahaha!”

He stopped a distance away from Ren and laughed high.

It was a belly laugh, a real high pitched laugh. Hearing the laughter, Ren relaxed, distancing himself from Edgar.

“Wow, I knew you would laugh at me ……!”

“My apologies. Just what can I say….. KukuKuku! I didn’t think that Ren-dono thought that about the Lord as well!”

After all, he was worried.

Ren was worried about Ulysses, who was about to set up a trap for the demon cult.

So was Radius. Even though Ulysses and Radius weren’t going to fight directly, the thought was stirring in his mind.

That’s why he wants to hear what they have to say.

I thought that Elendil was not unrelated to the speculations of Ulises and Radius, so I thought I would ask him about more.

“I laugh at myself to think I was just worried about them.”

“Outrageous! I was just struck by what I thought would be noble, kind, and warm words. I hope you will never forget those words.”

Edgar readjusted the swords in his hands. Ren followed suit.

“You should know by now. The Lord has sent a letter to Baron Clausel, informing him of our conversation. On the contrary, he met with him today and spoke to him directly.”

Ren listened to the rest of the conversation.

“Has Baron Clausel told you anything yet?”

“He would never tell me. The other party is Ulysses-sama and Radius, of course. So it’s not necessary to ask him.”

“Ummm… you are right…. this is rude.”

Ren laughed when he saw Edgar chuckle.

“How about a bet?”

Edgar said. It was a simple bet.

“If Ren-dono parries my special attack, I will take Ren-sama to the Lord. If not, you must give up.”

“The attack will be different from the previous ones, won’t it?”

“Yes.  There’s a possibility of injury, so I won’t force it.”

Ren’s answer to this question was obvious.

I still had no intention of disturbing Ulysses and his family. But after listening to what they had to say, I wanted to sort out in my own mind how I should behave in the house of Elendil.

So, I decided to go.

“—- please, I’d like to borrow your chest.”

The knights who were watching the situation were thrilled.

They were excited to see what Ren would do with his sword against Edgar. Some even wondered how many times he would last.

However, they all learned that their thoughts were mistaken.

What kind of sword skill will he show —- their expectations were too low.

How many times will he last —- that’s the insult.

Deep within the body….. if there is such a concept as the soul, the source of his power, which is the greatest of all, breathes there.

If there is an undefeatable lion, then surely.

“I will give you the first move. That will be my cue to begin.”

“Yes—-here I come too.”

Such bravery is the essence of Ren.

Only when we understand our true nature can we find a new path to evolution.

Ren was about to unleash his power here.

(No need to hold back. Run through it.)

Telling himself, Ren finally stepped in.

“—- this is…”

Edgar’s body, who had caught Ren’s sword, slowly retreated.

The speed of the sword is faster than the body movements of Thief Wolfen.

“I’m still going!”

A barrage of blows struck Edgar.

Each blow was incredibly powerful, a mighty sword that took strength from the very core of his body.

The sword’s line was so sharp that the afterimage of the sword after it had passed looked like a real sword.

It wasn’t a gentle thing to say that he looked different from before. It wasn’t even a different person. It was a change that could be called a different concept.

“Haaaaah!”

“I didn’t expect him to change so quickly!”

He swung up from below and made a single cleave from right next to it.

Edgar would have witnessed the handling of any of the numerous swords.

Everything is original to Ren.

Even a mere side cleave is like a technique when Ren handles it.

Even so, Edgar was still a strong man.

He still hid his power and was confident that if the Lord ordered him to defeat Ren here, he would be able to mow down his consciousness immediately.

He was too old for Ren, who continued to evolve at an uncommonly fast pace.

But despite this, there was a certain feeling that ran down his spine.

It was an unexplainable fear that made him feel that he couldn’t possibly lose.

On the other hand, he was even happy.

The bet he made earlier had a certain purpose —-

Edgar’s cheeks relaxed as he thought about the possibility of achieving his goal, i.e., losing the bet he had applied for.

“I can remember the day I led you here that summer like it was yesterday!”

Edgar turned to the attack.

The sword he held in both hands cut the sword in Ren’s hand, even though it was supposed to be a training sword —-. Literally, he cut both blades in half.

“…… haha, that’s ridiculous! Edgar-san!”

“Ridiculous? Ha! Which one is really ridiculous?”

Edgar, seeing Ren’s surprise, throws the swords in his hands at Ren.

Ren hit them with his sword, which had only a handle and a small blade, and retreated slightly.

Then, a strong cold air arrived from Edgar.

The ice blade he created in the air pierced Ren’s clothes to sew him to the ground. After taking the ice blade in his hand, Edgar intended to honor Ren by thrusting it at him.

“I will show you! The mighty sword of one who can handle magic!”

He said that each of the ice blades he would unleash would be equivalent to the sword of someone who has mastered the art of wearing a cloak.

Therefore, it’s extremely difficult to prevent.

So, there was no way Ren could resist.

The bet ends with Edgar winning as it should.

“Don’t underestimate me, Sword Saint.”

The boy has fought to the death many times before this day, and he is a strong man.

The strength of a boy who, until this day, has defeated many powerful enemies.

The lungs, overworked by training, always dry up as if they had been left in a wilderness of hot sand. And the speed of his evolution, which is far beyond that of ordinary people, by ruthlessly pushing his muscles until they were hot enough to burn.

These are the proofs of a gem that will eventually be called the best work of the Lion’s Holy Sanctuary

Therefore, do not underestimate him.

He is Ren Ashton, a man who has fought to the death many times and continues to grow.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

The knights of the Holy Lion Sanctuary were in awe.

Not more than a few seconds after the battle between Ren and Edgar, they were simply dumbfounded at the sheer force of what they had just seen.

“I’m proud of my Lord for inviting you here.”

And as Edgar repeated.

“I’m proud to be your teacher, Ren-dono.”

With these words, he turned his back to Ren.

He dusted off his jacket, which he had thrown away, and walked away with it under his arm.

“Edgar-san!”

I turned to Edgar, who didn’t stop as I call out to him.

“Are you angry with me because of the promise? I’m not forcing you to do anything!”

“Don’t worry. And besides, What do you think? I have not been asked  not to tell Ren-dono.”

“Even though, I’m sure you’d be reprimanded.”

“Well… if what I just said is unrighteous to the Lord… then that might be the case.”

Edgar stopped there and turned to Ren.

He had a nice gentle smile on his face.

“Then it will only mean that I have done wrong to the Lord for the first time.”

He narrowed his eyes at that.

“Therefore, follow the feelings that dwell in your heart.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“As Ren-dono said, I think you should talk to him first. The lord doesn’t seem to want to be disturbed—- and for some reason, it may be better for you to talk to him, Ren-dono.”

Ren nodded without saying anything as Edgar smiled at him.

At the same time, Ren was about to ask what Edgar meant by “for some reason….”

“Oh dear….I knew this would happen.”

Ulysses’ voice said.

The next thing they knew, he was on top of the stairwell. He was smiling helplessly at Ren and Edgar, who stood below him.

As soon as Ren saw him, he rushed out.

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