------------------
[Translator - Pot ]
[Proofreader - Kawaii ]
------------------
Chapter 237: Barclava's Challenge
"Speaking of Young Lady Siena though."
I said to Jeffrey.
"She's stronger than I expected."
"That's what I'm saying."
Jeffrey nodded.
The level I read from Siena through my Insight Star was early 6th tier.
However, compared to someone like Houten who became strong through demonic arts despite being the same 6th tier...
"In terms of martial lethality, it's Houten. In terms of purity and solidity, it's Siena."
"In a sparring format, the latter might be more troublesome?"
I replied while gently stroking the back of Peter's head.
"That's not something to ignore either."
I'm a man who displays his greatest prowess in life-or-death battles.
'Siena's martial prowess is probably more impressive than it appears.'
Perhaps...
'She could hold her own fairly well even against Sister Ulbhild?'
That would be remarkable.
The level I've assessed Ulbhild to be at is late 6th tier.
'Verdzig has surpassed the 7th tier.'
Come to think of it, it really is an insane family.
Of course, the most insane one among them is me.
"Alright, I was thinking of taking it easy today, but that won't do."
If I can't completely suppress Siena with my martial arts, it would be meaningless.
Therefore, I intended to add perfection upon perfection.
'Fortunately, now that I've obtained the Ink Soul Sacred Shadow Technique and a method to control the Dark Mana, there's something I can challenge.'
"Peter, bring me some walnuts."
"Huh? Walnuts?"
"Yeah. The ones you and Julia are always cracking."
Today I planned to complete the Penetration technique.
* * *
I sat quietly with a handful of walnuts laid out, composing my mind.
I was putting myself into a state of maximum concentration and immersion.
"Hmm."
Walnuts are nuts with hard shells containing savory delicacy inside.
Therefore, they were quite suitable for training the Penetration technique that would 'destroy the contents without breaking the shell.'
'If I can concentrate power internally without harming the exterior.'
It would be possible to crush the heart of a knight wearing steel armor, scramble the brain of a beast wrapped in tough hide, and even break protective magic-sealed containers.
"I'm counting on you, walnuts."
I caressed the walnut shells as gently as I would stroke the back of Peter's head.
'More power, stronger force, penetrating more softly.'
Therefore, the internal mana of the Seven Stars of the Black Sea Technique alone would be only half-complete.
'The mana amplified by the principles of the Ink Soul Sacred Shadow Technique, I add the properties possessed by the Dark Mana.'
This strange power flowing through my blood is both curse and blessing.
'If properly controlled, it would be like adding the martial arts of Eisenach to the martial arts of Karzan and Grunewald.'
Perhaps I might reach an uncharted realm beyond what was impossible in my previous life.
'For that, I must start with the first step.'
I intended to create a completely new Penetration technique by combining three powers.
'In my training with Balthazar, I learned the mysteries of absorption and Adsorption.'
But thinking carefully, Adsorption and erosion, while different in their systems, ultimately had similar principles.
'Erosion is, for instance, no different from dyeing fabric with strong paint.'
Poisoning living beings with toxins, dyeing clothes with dyes, or painting murals with pigments are all the same.
Ultimately, the essence is...
'...injecting my internal mana into the opponent.'
I grasped the walnut and injected the internal mana of the Seven Stars of the Black Sea Technique. Like breathing sword energy into it.
'But delicately so as not to break it.'
While doing so, I contemplated the principles of the Penetration technique, the unknown martial learning that I had not learned but that ancient masters had deeply studied and perfected.
'The essence of penetration must lie in passing through something without being caught.'
Suddenly, I thought that the essence of penetration and stealth might not be so different.
'Wait? If that's the case.'
Don't I already have a high understanding of stealth arts through the Whispering Snow in the Night and the teachings I learned from Skella?
'Stealthily. Naturally without resistance.'
...Good.
The Dark Mana was drawing out its potential according to my will.
"You bastard finally acknowledge me as your master. You disgusting thing."
The power that couldn't kill me...
Was finally making me stronger.
"Then follow my will."
I muttered toward the fateful power inherited through my bloodline.
"Become my sword. And thus..."
I added the newly obtained power to the mystery of penetration I had used before.
"...shatter this small walnut."
Crack!
There was a sound of something breaking, but not a single scratch appeared on the walnut shell.
"...Let's see."
When I split the shell open, the inside wasn't just shattered to pieces but had turned completely to powder.
"Success!"
Think about it.
If I suddenly used such a technique against an enemy's belly at close range, could even the strongest warrior withstand it?
'This could be a card for a complete reversal.'
Just like Moon Dance or the Shadow Flowing Phantom Sword.
"Hehehe."
I called out to the outside.
"Peter!"
"Yes, young master!"
"Go to the kitchen and get about five or six boiled eggs."
"Should I bring salt too? What about water?"
"Stupid fool, I'm not going to eat them, so bring them without peeling the shells."
"Ah! Yes."
.
.
.
Destroying the yolk without breaking the eggshell was much more difficult than with walnuts. For the first three, I couldn't even get a feel for it.
"But I did it."
I poured the mushy yolk directly into my mouth and grinned.
"Soft like an omelet."
I chuckled as I swallowed the yolk and said,
"Finishing move complete."
"Congratulations, young master!"
"Good."
I looked at Peter, who had been watching from the side.
"I'm truly curious. Who could possibly defeat me now?"
"You are invincible, young master."
"Correct."
I gently stroked Peter's head like a walnut, as he enthusiastically played along with my boasting.
"Peter, Peter, my cute and loyal attendant Peter."
Peter grinned foolishly at the unexpected praise in the middle of the night.
"Hehe. What's gotten into you?"
"You don't have anything particular to do right now, do you?"
"No? My job is to stay by your side, young master."
"So you're saying you're free."
I can't stand seeing Peter idle around.
"Then go bring Barclava here."
"Yes. What should I tell him?"
"Tell him that if he fights as he is now, he'll lose to Jillian."
If he doesn't come after hearing this, he's not human.
* * *
The next morning.
Young Lady Siena Valkenhain was strolling through various parts of Grunewald Castle, guided by a guard.
"What a magnificent view."
The vast sea, migratory birds and sailing ships drifting around the harbor, bustling people and the overwhelming scale of the city.
Even Siena, who had grown up with infinite pride in Valkenhain, couldn't help but admire the prosperity of Grunewald City.
"Indeed, this is Grunewald. It seems worthy enough to be called our Valkenhain's rival."
Watching her younger brother maintain aristocratic pride while gaping in amazement, Siena let out a quiet sigh.
"Yes, that's right."
"However, Young Master Barclava is no match for me. I'm contemplating how to achieve victory without being too insulting."
"Even if the enemy is one level below, carelessness is the cause of defeat. If you respect your opponent, there will be no room for carelessness."
"...I'll keep that in mind."
Though it was a somewhat sulky response, Siena didn't say anything more.
She thought there was little point in scolding her adolescent brother too harshly.
"By the way."
There was also something else impressive.
"Coming here and seeing for myself, Young Master Allenvert's popularity is extraordinary."
"...Yes. It's frustrating, but that's true."
They could feel it sufficiently just from the looks directed at them.
'There were almost no people expecting Young Master Allenvert's defeat, while conversely, there were very many expecting his glorious victory.'
If Siena were to summarize her impression of Allenvert...
His reputation was excellent both inside and outside the castle, and his presence and etiquette when actually meeting him were also admirable.
"I'm glad I came to see for myself."
Regardless of the outcome of the successor battle with Verdzig...
With a fifty percent probability, the memory of directly meeting the worthy opponent who would have to check each other while dividing the next era would become a great asset to her in the future.
"There are probably very few retainers and employees who dislike him."
The guard said with a proud expression.
"What kind of man is he?"
"He's a kind person. And strong enough to rise up on his own from great trials."
"...I heard that even the Fourth Duchess Lusatia eventually came out of her seclusion."
"Yes. The Young Master's change must have transformed even their hearts."
"It's never easy for one person to change another."
Siena murmured.
"To become a ruler who governs all people, one must first know how to govern and persuade the hearts of the family and clan members beside them."
But how many people in the world can properly do even one of these things?
"Thank you. We'll return now, so your guidance ends here."
At the gentle dismissal, the guard bowed his head.
"It was an honor, Young Lady."
.
.
.
Someone was waiting for Siena when she returned to her room.
"Young Lady."
Reinholdt stood up from his seat with a stern expression.
"Grand Commander."
Siena lowered her voice.
"...Did the discussion go well?"
"Yes. I obtained permission from His Grace the Black Serpent Duke for 'both' matters."
"Ah, well done."
"However, discussing the aftermath with the retainers took a lot of time."
From his tired expression alone, it was easy to tell that the conversation had been far from easy.
"So I didn't visit late at night, thinking it might disturb your recovery from travel fatigue."
"Thank you for your consideration."
Siena nodded.
"Then we can proceed immediately?"
"Yes. I'll prepare everything, so please focus entirely on preparing for tomorrow's tournament."
"I shall do so."
The reason they had come all this way.
It wasn't simply to uphold musty old traditions between clans or to seek revenge.
* * *
Another day passed.
Having recovered from travel fatigue and being treated to a feast famous in Grunewald, thus relieving their exhaustion.
Siena and Jillian, along with Barclava and I, who had checked our martial prowess, stood facing each other under the great training ground.
"This is a joyous tradition and a meaningful ceremony honoring the friendship of two great ancestors. Regardless of victory or defeat, we ask the four of you for an honorable and dignified match."
Count Aiden, the head butler, climbed onto the platform and spoke while looking at us and the audience.
"The witnesses to this tournament will be His Grace the Great Black Serpent Duke, the Duchesses, and all of you gathered here."
As he said, Father and his four consorts were present at this occasion.
'Allen, do your best.'
'Don't worry.'
I exchanged such wordless conversation through eye contact with Mother.
'But our Second Duchess seems quite uncertain about her own son.'
Honestly, that was understandable.
Barclava she had seen until now was indeed a pathetic fellow, even by my standards.
"Phew."
But in Barclava's appearance of calmly regulating his breathing despite being tense, I could no longer see the childish rogue Young Master of before.
"Barclava, are you nervous?"
"It would be a lie to say I'm not."
"Don't worry too much."
Yesterday, I had given him the key to defeating an opponent one level above.
'That is unexpectedness.'
Combining schemes and psychological warfare to stab the giant's flank.
That was the only chance for victory given to Barclava.
"Then would Young Master Barclava Grunewald and Young Master Jillian Valkenhain please step forward."
I crossed my arms and stepped back.
"Go get them."
I'm curious too.
Have you truly been reborn, or...
'Are you still not mature enough to overcome a strong enemy?'
------------------
[Translator - Pot ]
[Proofreader - Kawaii ]
------------------
