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[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
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Chapter 174: Meeting the Head Maid of My Mother
“By the way, sister.”
I had a question that had been on my mind.
“Isn’t Brother Karl included in the rankings?”
“Hmm, it’s a bit complicated.”
Ulbhild explained.
“Karl is already in his 30s, older than us, and holds the position of the Eldest Young Master. There are many reasons why it’s difficult to include him among the rising stars.”
I think I understood what Ulbhild meant.
“It would look bad to place him below the two of you based on skill alone, so they probably cut it off at Verdzig’s age.”
Ulbhild gave a bitter smile.
“Well, you’re not wrong.”
Honestly.
It’s kind of uncomfortable, isn’t it?
‘But they couldn’t disregard the dignity of the Eldest Young Master and the Visquera clan.’
Still, I can’t help but think Karl must have felt immense humiliation and anger.
‘Even I would feel terrible in his position.’
However, Karl is a man with a much stronger resolve than Somerset or Barclava.
‘Accepting one’s shortcomings and putting in twice or thrice the effort of others is no easy feat.’
To be honest, I hold Karl in fairly high regard.
“Let’s move on to the main topic.”
Ulbhild shifted the conversation.
“The advanced martial arts of our Grunewald clan have several branches.”
“Yes.”
“The Snow Blossom Sword Technique, which I’ve mastered, and the Solar Flare Sword Style, which Karl has mastered, are martial arts with special attributes like ice or fire.”
Ulbhild used a practice sword to draw an easy-to-understand diagram on the ground.
“Naturally, the depth of swordsmanship itself is slightly inferior compared to other sword techniques. However, these martial arts have their own unique strengths.”
I agreed.
“I think an opponent who not only wields a sword well but also freezes your body with every touch would be much more troublesome.”
“Exactly. But not everyone needs to learn martial arts with special attributes.”
As Ulbhild said, even if an enemy spews fire or shoots lightning, a proper warrior can find a way to deal with it.
‘If you get too caught up in flashy tricks, you might end up at a disadvantage.’
In terms of true strength, honing pure martial skills might be better, which is my conclusion.
“These types of martial arts are also influenced by the practitioner’s temperament and characteristics. Just because your swordsmanship is excellent doesn’t guarantee you’ll master the Solar Flare Sword Style better than Karl.”
“Hmm.”
“Moreover, each martial art has different strengths and training methods, so you can’t just choose one simply because it’s strong.”
For example, Ulbhild explained.
“The Solar Flare Sword Style is specialized in converting a large amount of mana into high firepower.”
“As the Eldest Young Master of Grunewald and the grandson of the Visquera Count, Karl must have taken countless high-quality spirit medicines since childhood.”
I nodded, understanding Ulbhild’s point.
“It would have been perfect for compensating for any lack of natural talent.”
“Sharp as always. That’s exactly it.”
“Of course, I don’t mean to belittle Karl. I respect him quite a bit.”
“That’s a relief.”
Listening to her, it seemed like a rational and strategic decision made after careful consideration.
“On the other hand, the Snow Blossom Sword Technique suits my constitution. It’s a terrifying martial art that can subdue enemies or even freeze them to death if used excessively, so it requires delicate control.”
“Your ability to handle your senses is unparalleled, so it’s a martial art that perfectly matches your temperament.”
Above all, it was Ulbhild, the martial arts enthusiast, who chose it. There probably wasn’t a more suitable martial art for her.
‘An ice-based martial art, effective in both killing and subduing, would have been ideal for the Special Operations Division.’
I nodded to myself in understanding.
“So, Allenvert, you must also choose your martial art carefully.”
“Understood.”
“First, I’ll list the martial arts you can learn.”
She began writing the names of the martial arts on the ground.
“Shadow Ghost Blade Sword, White Dragon Light Sword Technique, Falling Star Sword, Moonlight Clear Sword, Heavenly Wave Cloud Spear Technique, Chaos Shadow Technique, Heavenly Thunder Ultimate Sword, Radiant Heaven Slash Form, Dark Emperor Fist, Fierce Tiger Divine Fist, True Heaven Thunder Palm, Dark Flow Fire Shadow Hand, Black Dragon Nine Swords, Emperor’s Dominion Technique, True Dark Secret Blade, and…”
As I listened to the list, I thought to myself.
‘Why are there so many?’
But each name seemed extraordinary.
“Sister, wait a moment.”
I raised my hand suddenly while listening to Ulbhild.
“Could you explain more about the Ink Soul Sacred Shadow Technique?”
***
“Come in, Bianca.”
Count Agrippa personally poured tea for his eldest daughter, Bianca, the third wife of Duke Georg.
“It’s been a while since I’ve had tea with you, Father.”
Bianca, the Duchess, drank the tea with a somewhat stiff expression.
“So, what brings you here?”
The Count asked, though he already knew.
“You don’t look well.”
“…Yes.”
“Is it about Somerset?”
The Count mentioned the name of his troublesome grandson, who had become a headache for the clan.
“I apologize, Father.”
“You should. It was your duty to raise that child as the next head of the clan.”
Count Agrippa’s sarcasm was cold and dry.
“…Yes.”
Though Bianca was authoritative in front of Somerset, she could only be meek before her father. The weight and authority of Count Agrippa were that immense.
“Father, please don’t be too angry. My sister did her best.”
Silas, the financial officer of the duchy, tried to soothe his father’s anger.
“Silas, you also bear some responsibility, don’t you?”
“Of course, I deeply regret it.”
However, Silas continued.
“What’s important now is to stop Somerset from causing more trouble and, above all, to punish the scum of the underworld who dared to plot such a heinous scheme, thereby restoring Agrippa’s dignity.”
As he said, Count Agrippa had arranged this meeting to condemn Huten of the Bisakino Brotherhood, who had manipulated Somerset into further depravity and humiliated him at the banquet.
“We must make an example of him by beheading him.”
Even though the Bisakino Brotherhood was one of the five major organizations controlling the underworld of Grunewald City—
They were no match for the prestige of Count Agrippa, the ruler of the county, a great noble, and the father-in-law of Duke Georg.
“Should we formally protest and demand Huten’s extradition?”
“No.”
The Count shook his head.
“That would make this an official matter between us. As the saying goes…”
Despite the smile on his lips, his eyes were as cold as frost.
“Forgiveness is easier than permission. Since they’ve already given us the justification, we’ll assassinate Huten and let the matter rest.”
“I agree with that approach.”
Bianca concurred.
“It’s better to handle it in the shadows rather than escalate the situation.”
“What does the Duke think?”
“…From what I gather, he seems inclined to remain neutral for now.”
“As expected.”
The Count chuckled, thinking of his son-in-law, who had defeated him ‘twice’ and was as cunning and deep as they come.
“But Father, no assassin would easily accept a contract to kill a high-ranking member of the Bisakino Brotherhood.”
In response to Silas’s concern, the Count replied simply.
“No need to complicate things. We’ll hire someone from outside.”
“From outside, you mean…?”
“Isn’t it obvious? We’ll use the best professionals.”
The Agrippa clan, originally merchants, had close ties to the underworld and their own channels to contact top-tier assassins, even if it cost a fortune.
“We’ll commission the Svaltalfar clan.”
“…!”
Silas and Agrippa exchanged glances and swallowed hard.
‘Commission the Svaltalfar clan?’
‘He’s really furious.’
They were known as the strongest assassination clan in the entire Litvaleur.
‘The pinnacle clan and organization that commands the assassination industry across the entire kingdom.’
They were a group that boasted a myth: once they accepted a contract, no matter who the target was, they would ensure their death without fail.
‘Even if it were a high noble, a member of the royal clan, or the head of a military faction.’
Even renowned masters were not exempt…….
Their reputation for employing unimaginable persistence and ingenious methods to bring about their target’s demise was widely known, even beyond the borders of the kingdom.
“Then, Huten is already as good as dead.”
“No matter the cost.”
“Understood.”
Confirming his father’s resolve, Silas rose from his seat.
“I will personally deliver the request.”
Even though they were a clan deeply entrenched in the underworld, to request the services of an assassination clan of Svaltalfar’s caliber, a certain level of formality was necessary.
“Be especially cautious with security.”
“Yes, please don’t worry.”
As Silas left, the Count turned to Bianca.
“You should return as well. Once Somerset’s period of reflection is over, go and check on his condition. If he hasn’t yet reformed, leave him be without further comment.”
“Understood, Father.”
By then, other measures will need to be taken.
……Just as he was about to issue the order to prepare for the guest, it happened.
“M-my lord. A report has just come in from Young master Somerset’s residence.”
A pale-faced servant hurried in.
“What is it?”
“It is said that Young master Allenvert visited Young master Somerset, had a conversation, and then left.”
“……What?”
The Count’s brow furrowed.
“What on earth is that bastard scheming?”
* * *
Huten, in his room faintly scented with blood, rolled dice in his hand while quietly staring at the cracks in the wall.
“The situation is turning quite interesting.”
The smoothly unfolding scenario had suddenly gone awry.
“There’s no need to figure out how it came to this now.”
The investigation into Zizek’s trail had hit a dead end, and amidst this, the Black Night Society’s operations had been unexpectedly attacked, resulting in the loss of about 30% of their forces.
‘And all at the hands of just one person.’
Moreover, with the issue involving Somerset, they now had to contend with the wrath of the Agrippa Count clan and Grunewald, leaving Huten in a dire situation.
“I didn’t expect things to get this difficult so quickly.”
Yet, there was little tension in Huten’s mutterings.
‘It’s best to put the Zizek matter on hold for now.’
It was appropriate to prioritize it at the bottom of the list.
‘Who is the culprit? Someone with a grudge against Krahel?’
The tragedy that befell the Black Night Society was a matter that required urgent investigation.
‘And yet, they kidnapped Marlok Cardovan. What could their motive be?’
There was too little information to grasp their intentions.
The leader of the Black Night Society was howling like a frightened dog, demanding blood for blood, but……
‘This isn’t something to leave solely to him.’
An unknown enemy with unclear identity and objectives. Definitely a subject of caution.
‘But right now, more than anything else.’
Huten could feel the impending retribution from the Agrippa Count clan.
“Prepare to receive a guest.”
Huten commanded.
“Tonight, a night visitor will come.”
* * *
After completing the first day’s training and returning to my residence, I quietly practiced my breathing exercises while greeting the moon.
‘Silent Soul Refining Art.’
I am growing stronger by the day. And the Ink Soul Sacred Shadow Technique is undoubtedly the pinnacle technique that will mark the culmination of my efforts.
‘It’s undoubtedly thrilling.’
But there’s a more pressing matter at hand for me now.
“Your Highness.”
As the moon began to tilt westward past midnight, the awaited news finally arrived.
“Olivier, has the news come?”
“Yes, it has.”
Olivier, who entered after knocking, spoke in a hushed tone.
“His Majesty has granted permission for a meeting with the Head Maid, Friederun.”
……Finally.
I felt my heart pounding fiercely as I let out a long breath.
“Where should I go?”
“His Excellency has arranged a separate location. Given the highly confidential nature of the meeting……”
“Understood.”
I rose from my seat without further ado.
‘Friederun.’
Is she someone trusted by my mother? A loyal servant, or has she already been swayed by someone else?
‘That remains unknown.’
But if my father placed Friederun in that position to assist my mother, then I too must trust that decision and tell Friederun everything.
‘I will seek Friederun’s assistance, and Friederun will relay my words faithfully to my mother.’
For now, that seems to be the best way to persuade my mother.
‘The survivors of Eisenach.’
Those who share half my blood will finally lead me to my mother.
“Let’s go.”
For some reason.
Walking through the annex’s corridor today felt like stepping into the maw of an abyss, akin to the steps of the deceased heading towards the depths of the underworld.
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[Translator - Pot]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
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