------------------
[Translator - Pot ]
[Proofreader - Kawaii ]
------------------
Chapter 185: Knowing When to Persevere and When to Yield
The atmosphere during dinner with the Special Operations Division members in Ulbhild's residence was as heavy as a funeral hall.
"Allen's growth is certainly something to celebrate. It means we've perfectly fulfilled our duty. However—"
Each time Ulbhild's icy gaze swept over them, the members bowed their heads solemnly.
"To be frank, I thought Harold had over a sixty percent chance of victory. Yet this was the result."
"...We've disgraced ourselves."
Though Harold apologized on everyone's behalf, the truth was that all of them had been defeated by Allenvert in their sparring sessions.
"The martial world leaves no room for complacency. What did you feel watching Allen—and Barclava—grow so remarkably in such a short time?"
The corps members answered cautiously.
"It reminded us of something we'd forgotten."
Ulbhild pressed further.
"What had you forgotten?"
"...Our initial passion for martial arts. Or perhaps... the intensity. All of it."
"Correct."
Ulbhild's eyes briefly scanned the room.
"To recognize your shortcomings yet remain unchanged—that is shameful."
Therefore—
"If you intend to continue living the same way after today, I'd find it difficult to entrust my back to such comrades."
Her cold, authoritative declaration left the members pale, as if they'd just received a death sentence, before they hurriedly responded:
"That won't happen!"
"Please believe in us, Second Commander!"
Ulbhild gave a small nod.
Though they could be foolish at times, these were comrades who had fought alongside her through life-and-death battles.
"Starting tomorrow, we'll begin hellish training with Barclava."
She pointed at her adjutant.
"Harold, you're no exception."
"Understood."
Harold's response was firm, as if this was what he'd wanted.
"Grand Commander, I trust this is acceptable?"
Ulbhild turned to Heinrix, who had been silently observing.
"Of course. However—"
Heinrix set a condition.
"In a few days, the Second Commander and Harold must join the Sixth Commander for a mission."
Ulbhild readily agreed.
"Thank you for your understanding."
"Well, when division members voluntarily strive to better themselves, shouldn't we support them?"
Heinrix grinned at the members.
"You all have endless potential to grow stronger. And even masters can learn from their students. This was a valuable experience."
"Yes, sir."
"Each of you should emulate Young master Allenvert's talent and Young master Barclava's tenacity."
"We'll remember that, Grand Commander."
They engraved his words into their hearts like a golden rule.
"By the way, Second Commander, wasn't that duel fascinating to analyze?"
Ulbhild agreed with Heinrix's question.
"Allen was clearly the weaker one. Yet he dragged the match to the end and landed his 'trump card.' His strategy and execution were both superb."
"Still, there's something I don't understand."
Harold voiced his confusion.
"How did he endure my assaults so well? In strength, speed, skill, aura density, mana capacity—I surpassed him in every aspect."
"It was thanks to the Light Star and Dark Star abilities of the Seven Stars of the Black Sea Technique."
Ulbhild explained.
"Hm? What are those?"
Heinrix tilted his head.
"Light Star treats seven organs as seven stars, artificially amplifying the mana flow between them to draw out tremendous output."
"Ah, I see."
Heinrix nodded in understanding.
"That's how he endured until the final clash despite having less mana than Harold."
Harold then asked:
"Second Commander, if I had pushed just a little longer—"
"His breathing would have inevitably collapsed. But Allen deceived you with flawless acting and made you impatient instead."
"I fell for a double-layered psychological trap. It wasn't just about guarding against Moon Dance."
Harold sighed.
"Second Commander, I have another question."
"Ask."
"What exactly was that final attack? It was profoundly advanced."
"First, he combined the Whispering Snow in the Night with Dark Star to completely deceive you. As the name suggests, Dark Star perfectly conceals one's aura."
"That much I grasped."
Ulbhild folded two fingers as she continued.
"And the fist that pierced your defense likely contained the technique he used to slay Nepherus."
"About that technique—"
Heinrix rubbed his chin.
"If I'm not mistaken, wasn't that Penetration?"
"Correct."
Penetration was an extremely advanced technique, difficult to master and rarely taught outside select martial schools.
"Astonishing. I've no idea where he learned it, but—"
Heinrix didn't hide his admiration.
"Now I understand why the Head Butler and His Highness have such expectations of him."
Pleased by the praise for her brother, Ulbhild smiled and nodded.
"Allen will go far."
"Say, once he comes of age next year, any chance we could recruit him?"
Heinrix licked his lips—an understandable greed for the Special Operations Division Grand Commander.
"With a bit more real combat experience, he could lead a battalion outright."
"I'd love that, but it's Allen's choice—"
"Hmm, maybe lure him with spirit medicines?"
"Allen's already wealthy."
"Well, he is a Young master of Grunewald."
"Not just that—he earned a considerable sum from selling Nepherus's remains."
"Troublesome. How do we tempt him?"
"Make him an offer he can't refuse."
Ulbhild added dryly:
"Though I've no idea what that would be."
"Tch."
Having thoroughly scraped his plate clean, Heinrix stood.
"That was delicious. I'll take my leave now."
"Take care, Grand Commander!"
"Right, keep up the good work."
He vanished as swiftly as a retreating army.
"...Why did he stay so long?"
"Maybe just wanted a free meal."
Though the division members whispered among themselves, Ulbhild suspected otherwise.
'He must have taken a liking to Allen.'
When intrigued, the Grand Commander had a knack for extracting information through casual conversation.
***
After gorging myself and napping, I woke up refreshed.
"Ah, that hit the spot."
All the fatigue from my bout with Harold had melted away. Being young certainly had its perks.
'Though the Grunewald bloodline helps too.'
I wiped the drool from my mouth and blinked groggily.
Night had fallen, leaving my bedroom as dark as a cave. Peter or Julia must have drawn the curtains and extinguished the lights.
'Time to return as Karzan.'
By now, Zizek should have contacted Kimret and carried out my orders.
If successful, today would mark the beginning of a partnership to grow my underworld enterprise.
'But first—'
There was one matter to address.
'Verdzig has been unusually quiet lately.'
I couldn't guess what schemes he was brewing.
Yet it was safe to assume some plot lurked in the shadows. My opponent was Verdzig, the Serpent of the Apocalypse.
'He likely suspects the same of me.'
He already knew I was connected to the underworld.
'And since he suspected Peter was my contact, he targeted him outright.'
Though we'd reached a gentleman's agreement at the banquet—
If Peter left the castle, Verdzig would undoubtedly have him watched.
'I'll use that.'
This time, I'd send Peter home—without any messages or letters.
'While their eyes are on Peter—'
I'd slip into the underworld through another route.
'I also have some things to check on.'
As I was thinking this, Peter entered the bedroom.
"Young Master! You're awake?"
"Oh, Peter. Perfect timing. Come here."
"Ah. Do you have something you need me to do?"
Peter hurried over.
"Peter, you'll need to go home today."
"!"
Peter asked cautiously, "Do you have any message to send via Bridget?"
"No."
I shook my head.
"Just spend time with your family."
"Ah?"
Peter's eyes widened as if he understood.
"So, am I to be a sort of decoy?"
I pointed at Peter, surprised.
"What's this? You're quite perceptive for once."
"Hehe, they say if you hang around wolves, you learn how to bark."
Peter chuckled and scratched the back of his neck.
Something's fishy. He never uses proverbs like that. It doesn't suit him.
"Did Olivier perhaps teach you something separately?"
"Ah! How did you know?"
"I asked because it didn't sound like something you'd say."
As expected of a meticulous fellow. I've got a good butler.
"Anyway, the purpose isn't just to deceive my brother's surveillance. Once you return home, I'll quietly follow behind to confirm the presence of any watchers."
I explained the outline of the plan.
"That's because I can't fully trust whether my brother Verdzig will keep his promise not to put surveillance on you."
Of course, Olivier asked the family to assign guards, so dangerous situations should be mostly avoided.
However, Verdzig is probably trying to find evidence that I'm connected to the underworld, so some form of surveillance will likely be attached.
'Rather, it would be more unsettling if there were no surveillance at all.'
Because that would mean he's plotting some kind of scheme I haven't anticipated.
"In any case, your job is simple. Just relax and spend time with your family."
"You can leave that to me."
I handed Peter a small note.
"Tell Bridget these are books she might find good to take a break with at this stage. Don't worry, it's not some kind of code."
"Ah, I understand."
But to the eyes of an observer, it would look like a coded message. Wouldn't they then try to secure that note somehow?
'Remember, it's effective to cast the bait in two places.'
We'll see if any fish bite on that bait.
'Actually, it doesn't matter even if none do.'
Even the most skilled fisherman can't catch a fish every time they cast their line.
***
Balthazar Eisenach sat abruptly on the highest hill in the city, gazing at the flickering lights.
"Grandfather."
Knut approached, wiping away hot blood.
"Have you dealt with all the intruders?"
"Yes."
"Good work."
"There were no difficult enemies."
Eisenach nodded, as if not surprised.
"To gather knowing they would die. Truly, they are like moths to a flame."
"It is the fate of those who take orders from others."
Wasn't that the life of servitude that Knut despised the most?
"……However, Grandfather. The master of those moths is likely much stronger and has greater power."
"Indeed."
The value of the potent spirit medicines and medicinal ingredients they handled was part of the reason—
But for those living in this wealthy city, filled with all sorts of riches and interests, the greed for new and greater profits was simply unbearable.
"If they continue to flock here, we will be outnumbered."
Knut also knew the reality of the situation well.
"If our location is exposed like this from the start, there's no telling when the clutches of Bergen or Agrippa might reach us—"
"That is certainly a dangerous matter."
Balthazar closed his eyes.
"Let us seek a place to relocate our base."
"Yes."
"If Lusatia's heart is so firmly closed, even Allenvert will not easily open it."
"Yes. But if necessary, we can contact Zizek separately and maintain communication."
"Very well."
For those who had lived in the mountains for generations, moving their base of operations was not a welcome prospect. Wandering the plains and adapting to the environment in the mountains are different things.
However, clinging to a base even in the face of inevitable disaster was foolish.
"Nevertheless, let us wait a little longer."
Balthazar raised his head.
'Now is the time for a little more patience.'
Whether in his hometown or on the rugged hills of the city, the stars adorning the night sky shone in their unchanging places.
'I will simply trust the guidance of the stars.'
The wise man's eyes held the starlight.
------------------
[Translator - Pot ]
[Proofreader - Kawaii ]
------------------
