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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
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Chapter 161: What Huten Overlooked
“This is the first time I’ve seen you so worked up, Venion.”
At Duke Georg’s words, Venion scratched his head awkwardly.
“My apologies.”
“It’s not like your apologies are a new thing, so it’s fine.”
“Haha.”
Venion let out an ambiguous laugh.
“But even I find it hard to believe what I’ve heard, so it’s only natural that you, having witnessed it firsthand, would react this way.”
“Exactly.”
As a martial artist who had reached a level that ordinary people could scarcely dream of, Venion knew just how absurd what Allenvert had accomplished truly was.
“I’ve also experienced and learned a wide variety of martial arts, but…”
“Hmm.”
Venion was not lacking in skill to make such a claim.
The position of a swordsmanship instructor entrusted with teaching the clan’s martial arts to the young lord of Grunewald and evaluating his potential was not one that could be filled without considerable experience.
“The martial arts of Grunewald are among the few in the entire kingdom, and even the continent, that can stand unrivaled. The foundation and pillars of that martial system are the Eternal Ocean Chain Technique and the Azure Sea Moon Shadow Swordsmanship, are they not?”
“Correct.”
“I can confidently say that these are martial arts that have been refined and perfected over a long period of time to reach their optimal form. To think that someone could evolve them so easily… well, it’s something I’ve never even considered.”
As Venion said, this wasn’t just a simple matter of applying stealth techniques to swordplay.
“At first, I thought it was just a stroke of curiosity or a clever application of techniques, but…”
Recalling the moment when Allenvert, lost in a trance, created something entirely new, Venion declared:
“It’s akin to how wheat, spices, and vegetables come together to create an entirely new dish.”
Each martial art had merged to elevate the technique to a transcendent level. That’s why Venion had no hesitation in calling it the birth of “another technique.”
“This kind of talent, in other words—”
The Duke, realizing that the term he was about to use was grandiose yet perfectly fitting for the moment, said:
“Those with the talent of a grandmaster are rare in any era. Who would have thought it would be my son?”
Among the overflowing talents of Grunewald’s direct lineage, no one had ever thought to advance beyond the two existing techniques.
‘Or even if they had glimpsed the possibility, they never managed to bring it to fruition…’
To think that someone had achieved this during their very first lesson in the techniques—how could one not be astonished?
“Seeing the Young Master today, I couldn’t help but recall the so-called geniuses I’ve met.”
Venion chuckled mischievously.
“They all seemed like ordinary people in comparison. Perhaps the term ‘genius’ has been overused lately.”
“Indeed.”
The Duke agreed. He, too, often found it hard not to laugh at how easily the title of “genius” was bestowed upon anyone who showed even a hint of brilliance.
“To be honest, when I first met him, I had planned to temper his overflowing talent before starting his training.”
Even after hearing Venion’s confession, the Duke remained unfazed.
“Given your temperament, that’s hardly surprising.”
Venion shrugged.
“If anything, I’m the one who keeps getting surprised. He’s truly a remarkable individual.”
“It seems you’ve taken quite a liking to your student.”
Venion didn’t respond to that. Whether it was a yes or no, only he knew.
“When this news spreads, Geninghen will be pleased.”
“Indeed.”
And so would Leszek, the elder of the sword.
‘He’s a difficult man, Leszek.’
Even Georg found it challenging to deal with his inhuman demeanor—a man who seemed more like a spirit of the sword than a human.
‘The former clan head, and perhaps the one who sowed the seeds of the long-standing chaos.’
And the protector of Grunewald who had stood guard in the shadows to prevent that chaos from reaching its extremes.
‘Of course, if he had put his mind to it, he could have easily created techniques far surpassing what Allenvert has devised.’
But he was a man over a hundred years old, and Allenvert was but a 17-year-old sprout.
In other words, neither Leszek, Georg, nor even Verdzig or Ulbhild—
‘Could have achieved such a feat at that age.’
That was what mattered.
‘Impressive, Allen.’
Lately, the dazzling talent and achievements of his fourth son had made it somewhat difficult for him to maintain his balance and neutrality.
“Let’s move on to other matters.”
“Yes.”
“How are the talks progressing with the young scion of Webern?”
“There are some difficulties.”
The atmosphere between the two grew sharper.
“That man, Kailan Webern, is resolute. He insists that at least a direct descendant of Grunewald come in person to establish trust.”
The Duke nodded.
“So he’ll only accept ‘investment’ on those terms.”
“Yes.”
“A man who knows his own worth well.”
The powerful justification of reclaiming the strategically vital Webern County.
Only someone who fully understood the benefits of being the first to seize such an opportunity would take such a stance.
“That young man also carries the seed of greatness.”
Despite the ties from the previous generation, politics is inherently cold.
The skill with which he had proven his worth and won over his patrons while serving as a son-in-law to the Pergrin County clan, and had drawn the current situation, was anything but ordinary.
“He’s used his precarious position masterfully to create the current situation. A lesser man would have slipped.”
……It was not unlike the trials the Duke himself had to overcome to reach his current position.
Moreover, the audacity to negotiate on equal footing with the mighty Grunewald clan was no small feat.
“The robust blood of the Weberns flows strongly in him.”
“What will you do?”
“Sending an inexperienced envoy would only result in them being devoured.”
If that man were to one day reclaim the title and lands of the Webern County and grow into a formidable figure?
The one who met him now and brought him into Grunewald’s fold would likely be the one to manage the relationship with him.
“To whom shall we grant this privilege, and who is worthy of seizing this opportunity?”
The Duke spoke softly.
“It’s a matter that cannot be overlooked.”
Of course, for now, Verdzig or Karl would be the most suitable candidates. The Duke swallowed those words.
“You, Venion, try to prolong the negotiations with Kailan for now.”
Venion smirked.
“That’s my specialty. Just leave it to me.”
* * *
Deep within the heart of Huten’s inspection office in the Bisakino Brotherhood.
Only a few flickering candles illuminated the vast darkness here.
The stale air, long untouched, carried the stench of mold, mingling with the acrid smoke of tobacco that shrouded the wavering light in a fog.
Drip, drip. The sound of moisture dripping somewhere echoed like the ticking of a clock.
“Is Somerset still in hiding?”
“Yes.”
Somerset, who had been humiliated at the banquet and returned, was clearly isolated and cornered.
“Now that pitiful young master has nowhere else to turn but here.”
Huten sneered.
“At least, that’s what he must think in his heart. Even with the backing of two powerful great nobles like Grunewald and Agrippa.”
“……I’ve heard that the Third Lady’s anger is no small matter.”
Even as his subordinate questioned how they would handle Agrippa’s wrath, Huten simply smiled. It wasn’t his concern.
“He won’t be able to move for now.”
Huten exhaled a cloud of smoke into the air.
“To the shallow-minded, it would look like a suicidal act to make enemies of both Agrippa and Grunewald at the same time.”
“…….”
The subordinate remained silent, agreeing with the assessment. He thought the same.
“But if you know the secrets of the two clans, if you understand their delicate power dynamics—”
Huten grinned bitterly.
“Such a precarious tightrope act becomes possible.”
Agrippa, once trampled upon. And Georg Grunewald, who had drawn his enemy into his fold and shackled them with the chains of kinship. Huten clearly understood the terrifying schemes at play.
‘Agrippa is nothing more than a chess piece in the grand scheme of things.’
Of course, Huten himself was also a weak and expendable chess piece compared to them.
“Enough about Somerset.”
Huten extinguished his cigarette.
“What happened to the men investigating Zizek?”
“W-well, about that—”
The subordinate cringed as he reported.
“They were caught.”
“What?”
Huten’s eyebrow twitched.
“I’m sorry. Somehow, they found out and set a trap. They’re being interrogated now—”
“This is absurd.”
Huten snapped his pipe in half.
“How incompetent do you have to be to get caught by some low-tier thugs?”
“M-my apologies.”
But it wasn’t just a matter of the subordinates being incompetent. Huten’s reason and intuition sensed something strange.
“Was Zizek really that capable? What was his reputation when he was in the organization?”
“He was quite promising. After all, he joined after personally avenging his father’s death at a young age.”
“I see.”
Huten rubbed his chin, lost in thought.
“It seems I underestimated him.”
But this was still suspicious. Why had he suddenly become so sharp, acting as if he had a deeper understanding of the underworld’s workings? What could have caused such a change?
“Compile a report on Zizek’s reputation and behavior within the organization.”
“Yes.”
The subordinate answered with a stiff voice.
“What about the surveillance…?”
“Continue it. There’s definitely something there.”
But even if they were a weak organization that couldn’t hold him accountable—
It would be foolish to try the same approach again after their surveillance had already been compromised.
“Push the Black Night Society to send people.”
“Ah! Understood.”
“Dismissed.”
However, there was something even Huten couldn’t foresee.
The existence of Karzan, who had anticipated and prepared for the very act of Huten sending people through the Black Night Society.
* * *
The night grew deeper. I gazed at the bright moon and the twinkling stars scattered around it.
The unchanging, silent tranquility of the moonlit night calmed the excitement of all the achievements I had made today.
“Congratulations, Allen. With your mastery of the Eternal Ocean Chain Technique, you’ve now fulfilled half of the ‘customary criteria’ needed to inherit allen martial arts.”
“Indeed. The clan’s approval has already been given, so I plan to break through to the 5th tier soon.”
“By when?”
“The day after tomorrow, I’ll go and finish it.”
With that, I prepared myself mentally to overcome another wall.
‘The key to breaking through the 5th tier.’
I’ve walked this path once before in my past life. It wasn’t too daunting.
‘With all these conditions met, there’s no need to drag it out.’
Today, I achieved two great feats: the creation of a new technique and the mastery of the Azure Sea Moon Shadow Swordsmanship.
But my mind and body were not yet tired, and I was still exhilarated by the joy of breaking new ground.
‘Today is a gift of a day, where the dam that had been blocking me can be effortlessly broken through.’
Then, even if my bag overflows and bursts, it’s my duty to stuff that gift in as much as I can.
‘Let’s begin.’
Tonight, the Seven Stars of the Black Sea Technique will become mine.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
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