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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Night]
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Chapter 64
I may have lived for a long time, but when it comes to relationships with people, I am woefully inexperienced.
No, perhaps I am even more inexperienced than the average person.
Some people say that time grants people a certain level of composure and wisdom.
Sure, that’s not wrong.
However, that didn't apply to me, as I had spent all my time fighting rather than contemplating such things.
Having achieved a satisfying result, the moment I returned to the annex, I activated the communication crystal I had received from Melissa.
—Wh... what did you just say?
"Two trillion."
—...
Melissa, who was drenched in sweat as if she had just finished a battle, stared blankly for a moment.
—No way, did I hear that wrong?
"You heard it right. Not 50 billion, but something worth over two trillion."
—Kyaaaah!! We're rich now!!
I quickly deployed a sound barrier to prevent her shrieking from spreading everywhere.
Seeing her scream and celebrate for a while made me chuckle.
"The remaining balance can be collected through Lavren Bank, so I'll just bring what we've received for now. More importantly, has anything happened in the territory?"
—We’re cleaning up the estate. There’s a lot of trash, so we’re getting rid of it all. Be careful on your way back, big brother! And don’t lose the money!
She only calls me "big brother" when she needs something.
After ending my communication with her, I realized that I had now accomplished my original goal.
Fortunately, despite the commotion at the banquet hall, there was nothing significant lost.
Perhaps Mielephon had provided some kind of excuse, as no additional attention was drawn to the matter.
Of course, there were still some lingering gazes due to the fact that I had defeated a knight, but since there were almost no opportunities for outsiders to meet me, it didn’t really matter.
Now that I had completed my objective, Misha, the head maid, subtly showed signs of regret, as if she was pretending not to care.
"It will feel a bit lonelier once you both leave."
"Will you be staying here, Head Maid?"
"I usually do."
"Isn't Lady Isna still here?"
"...."
At the mention of Isna, exhaustion flickered across her face.
"The young lady is... sigh."
I understand exactly how she feels.
Luna, meanwhile, was completely absorbed in the ancient compass of Laplace that she had won at the auction.
According to her, she was attempting to synchronize her consciousness with the compass—something that, if successful, would allow her to find the ring she was searching for, the Fate Lord.
On the other hand, Isna, who had actually bought the item, didn't seem to care much about it.
Even for a wealthy noble lady, a 1 billion investment couldn’t have been insignificant.
It was unsettling to realize that this 1 billion wasn’t just some rich person’s frivolous spending.
Rich people may seem to throw their money around, but in reality, they never make decisions that put them at a loss.
Even though she acts as if she's absentminded, the eerie atmosphere she exuded for a brief moment during the auction made me wonder if she was truly just a simpleton.
"Do you like it that much?"
"Of course. With this, the chances of finding it increase significantly."
Of course, it's not a perfect tool—it only provides a rough direction and comes with various limitations—but even that was more than enough.
Because it meant that, one day, she would certainly find it.
"Since we’re done here in Mielephon, shall we head back?"
"Fine. I will eat strawberry ice cream when we return."
To inform the head of the family, Catsey, of our departure, I went to find her.
She was sitting alone in the center of the first training hall within the family grounds, quietly gathering her aura.
"Your Grace."
At my call, she slowly opened her eyes and looked at me.
"It seems you've finished your business, Young Master."
"Yes. However, it appears that the Sword Saint is absent."
"My father is a busy man."
Speaking matter-of-factly, she stood up and walked somewhere.
She then retrieved two swords she had prepared in advance.
"Young Master."
"I am listening."
"Take up your sword."
She handed me a sword that, at a glance, looked exceptionally well-made, while she herself took up a more ordinary one.
As I accepted the sword, she walked to the opposite side and spoke again.
"The sword that my father promised to give you, as well as the one I am about to hand over now, are both heirlooms of Mielephon."
"Pardon?"
"However, there is a condition to wielding them."
Her aura shifted completely.
The previously subdued atmosphere became razor-sharp in an instant.
"Does the sword choose its master... or something like that?"
"Exactly. Come at me. If you can withstand even a single strike of my blade, I will hand the sword over to you."
Wait, I don’t even need that sword, but she insists.
Even so, I took up my stance.
I was also curious about Duke Catsey’s skill.
I may not have seen the Sword Saint in action, but at the very least, I knew she wouldn’t be an easy opponent.
"My father trusts you and has agreed to give you the sword. However, the one I am about to give you is a blade that will either drive its wielder insane or cause their aura to run amok if they are unqualified."
Why would she even consider giving me something so dangerous?
"Does that mean its performance is that extraordinary?"
"If it was inferior, it wouldn't be worthy of being called an heirloom. You are now officially engaged to Mielephon. As the head of the family, it is my duty to ensure that my future son-in-law is up to the task."
In other words, before handing over the sword, she wanted to test my abilities.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Night]
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Rejecting it didn’t seem like an option.
Besides, if it was truly such a great sword, having it wouldn’t be a bad idea.
With that thought, I gripped my sword and took a proper stance.
At the same time, the fierce aura of Catsey Mielephon sharpened like a blade.
Oh.
As I observed the movement of her aura, I saw a momentary surge.
And in the blink of an eye, she had already closed the distance, swinging her sword at me.
In terms of speed, she was faster than anyone I had encountered so far.
I had never seen the Sword Saint in action, so I couldn’t compare, but I could tell that her position as a mid-rank Sword Master was well deserved.
Even though she swung her sword at close range, she didn’t hold back at all.
It was as if she was daring me to bring out everything I had.
Watching her sword pierce forward without a shred of hesitation, I decided to take the initiative this time.
The moment she stepped into striking distance, her sword trajectory became visible to me.
Her sword, imbued with the determination to press forward no matter how I countered, was undoubtedly sharp.
Claaang!!
The swords clashed in an instant, sending sparks flying as they rebounded.
The sheer strength was astonishing.
With the immense aura reinforcing my body, I wasn’t at a disadvantage in physical ability even against a Sword Master.
Even though I had limited my aura output and refrained from drawing out pseudo-sword energy, it had been a long time since I had experienced being pushed back several meters in just a single exchange.
It was clear that someone of Catsey’s caliber wouldn’t allow me to hold back too much.
On the other hand, even Duke Catsey seemed quite surprised.
In response, an overwhelming surge of aura erupted from her entire body.
Ah, her switch has flipped.
I knew this phenomenon well.
A swordsman whose growth had stagnated but suddenly discovered something would sometimes lose themselves like this.
If I let this go on, she would soon disregard any control over her strength in her following attacks.
It had already gone far enough.
“I surrender. Enduring even a single strike was my limit.”
As I slightly raised both hands while still gripping my sword, she flinched in surprise and retracted her aura.
“My father always spoke highly of you, but I thought he was exaggerating… It seems I greatly underestimated you.”
“You were holding back.”
“I apologize, but there is only so much one can hold back.”
She let out a laugh, as if she found the situation absurd.
Then, after sheathing her sword, she retrieved a red box that had been placed to the side and held it out to me.
“What is this?”
“Open it.”
Even at a glance, the box radiated a sinister energy.
Slowly, I opened the box, revealing a beautiful yet eerie crimson sword within.
“A cursed sword.”
“It’s more valuable than most magic swords. One of the heirlooms of Mielephon. My father initially wanted to give you something a tier lower, but I felt this one suited you better.”
Why was she being so generous?
“Is it really alright for me to have something like this?”
“As long as our engagement doesn’t fall apart due to some unfortunate incident, there’s no issue.”
“For example?”
“Like committing treason without any justification.”
That was quite an extreme example.
“What if I turn out to be a complete scoundrel or a womanizer?”
“Lord, I am not the type to worry about impossibilities.”
Her words implied that if I ever committed treason, so be it—but she did not see me as someone capable of such base behavior.
I couldn’t tell if that was a compliment or an insult.
“If you insist, I’ll gladly accept it. But I tend to be quite rough with my swords.”
“I noticed. That’s why I chose this one.”
That was simply my habit—I couldn’t help it.
“This is the cursed sword Elekstra. It is nearly impossible to damage, and the more blood it absorbs, the faster it regenerates. It should suit you well.”
I pulled the sword out of its sheath ever so slightly.
The moment the crimson blade was exposed, it emitted a chilling, sinister aura, attempting to engulf me.
A weapon of such malign nature that it would easily consume anyone without a strong aura or a well-disciplined mind.
Since it had yet to be fully subdued by its owner, this reaction was to be expected.
The cursed sword’s energy seeped toward me, trying to erode my being.
Fine. My aura and mental defenses alone were enough to suppress it.
But before I could even exert my control, a presence within me refused to let such an invasion slide.
—How dare you act out here.
—KIEEEEEEK!!
As if declaring its dominance, the vast quantity of necromantic mana residing within me surged forth, completely crushing the cursed sword’s sinister energy.
Since both the necromantic mana and the sword’s aura were of similar nature, this overwhelming suppression was inevitable.
Vwooom!!!
Realizing its mistake, the sword vibrated violently, as if screaming in defiance.
It resisted for a while, but in the end, it completely surrendered.
It wasn’t merely acknowledging me—it had entered a state of absolute submission.
I wasn’t sure what effects this would bring, but at the very least, it wouldn’t be a bad thing.
After all, an heirloom wouldn’t be preserved if it simply destroyed its wielder.
This meant that once properly tamed, it wouldn’t pose a threat.
“It’s a fine sword.”
“I’m glad you think so. Would you like to give it a swing?”
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Night]
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