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Chapter 5
A quiet tavern in a peaceful village.
With a creaking sound, the tavern’s wooden door opened, and a spiky-haired man stepped in, looking around.
“There he is.”
Having spotted someone, the spiky-haired man walked over and sat down.
“tsk tsk, look at the state of you.”
Sitting across from him was a large man with his right arm heavily bandaged.
The spiky-haired man clicked his tongue and shook his head at the sight.
The man sitting opposite frowned as if uncomfortable.
“Ahem!”
“What? Getting annoyed? I finished my job perfectly. You’re the one who failed. And it wasn’t even a hard job.”
At that remark, the large man clenched his teeth and slammed the table.
“You bastard! I’ve had enough of you!”
The few patrons nearby turned their heads toward them.
“Keep it down. You want to get exposed?”
“Tch. Then don’t get me all worked up.”
Frustrated, both of them chugged their beers.
“Explain. What happened to your arm? And why did you fail?”
“Damn it! You said there was no one there!”
“Yeah. That’s what I found out too. I mean, there was supposed to be one gravekeeper, but he wasn’t anyone worth worrying about.”
“There was a monster there.”
The large man shivered, as if recalling the moment still gave him chills.
“What are you talking about? Why would there be a strong guy in a place even the kingdom abandoned?”
“I’m telling you the truth. He blocked my sword aura with a plain shovel. And he messed up my arm like this.”
It was laughable to even call it sword aura, but the fact that it was blocked with a simple shovel was true.
Hearing this, the spiky-haired man frowned and raised an eyebrow.
“Quit making up ridiculous excuses and tell me the real story.”
“I am telling the truth, damn it! Don’t you believe anything I say?”
Despite his words, the spiky-haired man remained unconvinced.
“Seriously? You expect me to believe he blocked a sword aura without using any energy? With a shovel, not even a sword? Get real!”
“Haaah… I’m telling you, it really happened.”
The big man was exasperated.
But he couldn’t exactly blame the other for reacting that way — even he found it hard to believe when he thought back on it.
“No way…”
They bickered for a while, and in the end, the spiky-haired man decided to humor him.
“Fine. Let’s say I believe you.”
“It’s not just ‘let’s say’—”
“Yeah, yeah. I believe you. But if someone that powerful exists, wouldn’t they be famous across the continent? And you ran away from someone like that?”
“He just let me go.”
“...Right. Well, whatever. But someone that skilled should be well-known. Do you remember anything about him?”
“Hmm… I don’t recall him being one of the known powerhouses of the continent.”
“Then maybe he’s an undiscovered master? Either way, he can’t be from Brillant. No way someone like that would guard a useless graveyard.”
Even the large man agreed.
“Then why was he there?”
“Hmm…”
“Wait a second. Could it be… that gravekeeper… is that guy?”
Suddenly pressing his fingers to his temples, the big man seemed to have a realization and shouted:
“That’s it! They said the gravekeeper was from the Arzen family. That’s right… he must have been hiding his true strength…”
“Oh please!”
The spiky-haired man smacked him on the head and scolded him.
“You should be writing fantasy novels.”
“It was just a thought.”
“No way a dirt digger is some legendary hidden master.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
The spiky-haired man rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.
“Maybe there just happened to be a reclusive master passing by. Enough time has passed since then — he’s probably gone.”
“He saw me trying to rob the place, though. Brillant’s probably sent reinforcements since then.”
“Hmm… Still, it's a place meant to symbolize peace among the Three Great Nations. They’ll want to protect it.”
The Three Great Nations referred to the Baran Empire, the Rosaria Kingdom, and the Holy Kingdom.
The Brillant Kingdom was just a vassal state caught between them.
“Better to give it more time.”
“Not because you’re scared of that guy?”
“Honestly, that’s the biggest reason. I never want to run into him again.”
Facing an unexpected obstacle, the man guzzled more beer, a headache looming.
“We don’t have much time. The people who hired us… they’re not ordinary.”
“I know.”
“If we fail again, we’re really in danger.”
“So what should we do?”
“One month. After you return, we wait about a month — that should be enough time for them to let their guard down. Then we go after Decaine.”
“Tch. I really didn’t want to go near that place again.”
“No choice. I’ll go with you. Just focus on recovering.”
“Fine.”
The spiky-haired man couldn’t shake the feeling he was getting dragged into something very bad.
Shouldn’t have jumped at the job just because the pay was good…
He resolved that once this was over, he’d lay low for a while.
* * *
Raymond.
According to the documents, he’s quite skilled with a sword.
Shows promise even among junior knights.
Can someone like me, who’s only trained for a week, beat someone like him?
No, that’s just not possible.
[Raymond]
-Skill: Brillant Kingdom Swordsmanship – Beginner
-Strength: 9.1
-Agility: 7.6
-Stamina: 9.4
-Sense: 6.1
-Energy: 0.5
These are Raymond’s stats.
Except for Sense, all his abilities far exceeded mine.
—To think the one who received a sword from me couldn’t even beat a piece of trash like that… utterly pathetic. Tsk, tsk, tsk.
I kept hearing my ancestor’s scolding from behind.
How could I win when I’ve only held a sword for barely a week?
“Sigh…”
A sigh escaped my lips.
“Why? Worried?”
Raymond asked with a smirk.
Yeah, watching that smug face… I’d rather die from a sword wound.
“Worried? Not at all.”
I smiled nonchalantly.
Then raised my sword and pointed it at Raymond.
“Pick up your sword. Let’s have a proper match.”
I stretched my body, pretending to relax, and turned my head.
There, I saw my ancestor’s solemn face.
‘Please…’
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I sent him that look.
—Why are you staring like that?
“……”
I wasn’t sure if I could trust him.
With no choice, I turned my head back.
Descent.
[Descent – Havenberg Arzen]
* * *
Raymond gritted his teeth as he looked at Ren, who stood still in a ready stance.
Gravekeeper of Decaine, illegitimate child of the Arzen family—Ren Arzen.
He was said to have been kicked out of the family and had long abandoned the sword.
People said he was average in talent, full of pride in the Arzen name, and nothing more.
That was why Raymond refused to acknowledge him.
The fact that he gave up the sword despite having Arzen blood—that bothered Raymond more than anything.
But what is this…?
The way Ren unsheathed his sword was unusual.
No way someone who gave up the sword could move like that.
Raymond’s expression hardened, his body tensing with anticipation.
That confidence and composure from the opponent…
It was obvious now—Ren had been practicing the sword in secret all this time.
There’s no way he could move like that otherwise.
Even so, it didn’t matter.
While Ren was tending graves, Raymond had been swinging his sword every single day.
He wasn’t trained by the royal family, nor did he inherit a sword style from a noble lineage.
And Ren supposedly had only average talent.
There was no way he’d lose.
“Come at me.”
Ren beckoned with a flick of his fingers, provoking him.
Raymond wouldn’t fall for such taunts.
But in a fight, the first strike decides victory.
“Haaaah!”
With a loud cry, he swung his sword.
A clear opening—Raymond aimed straight for it.
Wait… what?
Ren’s sword moved.
It was as if he had seen Raymond’s attack coming from the beginning.
Raymond’s blade was pushed down.
Ren’s sword surged forward, ready to take his life.
He couldn’t react in time.
By the time he registered what was happening, his hands gave out and dropped the sword.
Clang!
Thud. Clatter.
With a single clash, the match was over.
Raymond stared blankly at his trembling hands before collapsing to his knees.
Ren brought his sword to Raymond’s neck.
“I win.”
“…I lost.”
Raymond trembled in shock.
He had never seen swordsmanship like this in the entire kingdom.
‘He was hiding his strength all along…’
A hidden master.
Ren Arzen had been concealing his power behind the guise of a gravekeeper.
‘This is a divine opportunity!’
How often does one get a chance to learn under such a master?
‘Ahh… why did I act that way?’
Raymond recalled his arrogant behavior earlier and wanted to slam his head against the ground.
‘I need to grovel.’
* * *
[Descent ends.]
Ugh…!
A throb pulsed through my head.
A side effect of the Descent.
Even though it had lasted barely over a minute, the backlash was intense.
Back when I had no spiritual power, I couldn’t even last 20 seconds without fainting.
This was better.
At least I didn’t pass out this time.
I fought back the headache that felt like my skull was cracking, keeping a calm and blank expression.
“Since I won the bet, you’ll listen to what I say now, right?”
At my words, Raymond’s dazed eyes regained focus.
Still on his knees, he bowed his head deeply.
“My arrogant behavior and words… I sincerely apologize. I’m truly sorry! I’ll do my best in whatever task you assign me!”
“Yeah?”
Amused by his suddenly changed attitude, I let out a chuckle and helped him to his feet.
“Come on, stand up. It’s fine.”
“Uh? No, it’s not! I…”
“Just relax. It’s not like we’ll only be seeing each other for a day or two, right?”
At my gentle smile, he gave an awkward grin.
Right, right.
If you start groveling this early, it just makes me feel bad.
The harsh words and rebellious attitude he showed earlier didn’t matter to me anymore.
He’s not a slave to make up for my lack of time… but a junior I need to treat well.
“You’re not angry with me?”
“...With you?”
He suddenly seemed like a broken man.
Was it just my imagination?
“Ah, is my way of speaking bothering you?”
“Not really... Speak however you like.”
“It’s just, the way we talk in my hometown is a bit unusual... I’m trying to fix it, but this is what feels natural.”
“Alright, suit yourself.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Raymond bowed his head in gratitude.
“You asked if I was angry?”
“Ah, yes...”
“I was angry. Very much so.”
I quickly hardened my expression and stared at him.
Flustered by my reaction, Raymond didn’t know what to do.
“I’m sor—”
“No need to apologize. If you acted that way, you should be ready to face the consequences, right?”
“You’re absolutely right, sir. If you wish, I’ll even slap myself—”
“First, I’ll teach you what you need to do at the cemetery. Don’t miss a single detail. Can you handle that?”
“Yes, sir! I won’t miss a single thing!”
“Really?”
A knight’s word is said to be worth its weight in gold.
You shouldn’t throw it around lightly.
I gave him a thorough explanation of every single detail about cemetery work, covering all of Decaine from top to bottom.
Everything.
All of it.
“You got all that?”
“Uh? Ah, yes... But um, it’s a bit much, so could you repeat—?”
“What was it you said earlier?”
“...That I wouldn’t miss a single thing, sir.”
“That’s what I thought. A knight must never go back on their word. That’s a fundamental virtue.”
“You’re absolutely right, sir.”
Raymond lowered his head, clearly embarrassed.
“Alright, we’re going to be taking shifts managing Decaine from now on.”
“Huh? Then when do we rest? And what about training...?”
“You know I’ve been managing Decaine alone until you got here, right?”
“Yes, sir.”
“So, who won? You or me?”
“You won, sir.”
“Good. That answer works.”
“...Yes!”
He suddenly responded with a loud, determined voice, as if he’d made some kind of resolution.
His unexpected energy startled me more than anything.
I glanced at Raymond, who was nodding to himself like he had come to some realization.
“It’s clear now… I’ve been lacking in willpower. Of course I turned out like this with such weak determination.”
He began to scold himself.
What’s with this guy?
You only lost because your ancestors weren’t with you.
I wanted to say that, but held back.
“I believe in the ‘Cliff of Behmen’ theory. People only pull themselves together when they’re pushed to the edge. We’re starting work immediately from tomorrow. You’ll work during the day, and I’ll take the night. Got it?”
“Yes, sir.”
“But every time you make a mistake, your working hours will increase by one hour.”
“What? That’s...”
“Then don’t make mistakes. Now go downstairs and pack your stuff. You’ve got a lot of work ahead.”
I patted Raymond on the shoulder and gently pushed him out of Decaine.
Then I smiled and waved at him as he walked away, shoulders drooping.
— Impressive.
Ancestor murmured in admiration as he watched.
Was he amazed by how much I care for my junior?
“Thank you. Hahaha.”
— Hah... Can’t believe you took that as a compliment.
I casually ignored Ancestor’s muttering.
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