Chapter 169

Words : 1471 Updated : Sep 29th, 2025

Chapter 169 “Iron Blood is surely a sword technique superior to Wind Breaker. It really drives home the fact that not all intermediate swordsmanship is created equal,” remarked Horhe, causing the expressions of the knights surrounding him to change. Despite his pitiful appearance, with bandages wrapped around his forehead, no one paid any attention to his condition. Regardless of how he looked, his influence on the former members of the Kalya Knight Order remained unchanged. “Could it be an advanced sword technique...?” “Advanced sword techniques are meant for aura users, Denmil.” “Ah, my apologies.” “Tch. Anyway, let’s stop talking about unrelated things. Learn this as best as you can. The strength of the Maclaine Knight Order is real.” “...Yes, sir!” After comforting his former subordinates, Horhe headed towards the training yard. ‘The only people who can teach me are the lord or Duke Logan. This is an opportunity for me as well.’ However, upon arriving at the training yard, he heard something he had not at all anticipated. “What? Sir Digrum...?” Horhe had to struggle not to show his disappointment. “Yes. Technically speaking, it should rightfully be me or my father teaching you, but unfortunately, we’re rather busy. Sir Digrum is an advanced knight well capable of imparting the essence of swordsmanship, but is this not to your liking?” “No, I will follow orders.” “Good. Just becoming familiar with the Iron Blood technique will certainly make you stronger. Learn well.” “Yes, thank you!” Whether or not Logan was aware of his complicated feelings, he simply turned around after speaking those words. No sooner had Logan left the training yard, The knight order, temporarily bound together, became as noisy as expected. “Is it even possible to repeat this a thousand times today with this speed? Aren’t you focused?!” “Damn...” “What did you just say over there?” “I said I will practice vigorously enough to stir up a strong wind!” It was unthinkable that a technique like Iron Blood, which normally required thirty minutes to execute even once, could be completed a thousand times in a day. “Train as though it’s a real battle! Don’t knights know even this much? Charge!!” “But why am I using a wooden sword...?” “Consider it training for when you are at a disdvantage.” “Hah...” “What?” “...I will endure even if it’s all day long.” Training disguised as sparring was a luxury compared to the actual beatings they were receiving. “It’s a purely defensive training. Just block.” “Block only?” “Yes. At all costs. Until I say stop.” “Damn...” “What?” “...I will hold out until I break!” Not all knights refrained from striking their opponents with full force. Watching the entire scene from his office in the manor, Padric clicked his tongue and turned around. “This is too harsh, isn’t it? It seems like our knights have had a lot bottled up inside them.” “They’re just doing what they’ve been taught to do.” “What? Who’s been teaching them this kind of training...?” “...” Catching the direct, unguarded gaze of his son, Padric flinched and looked away. “Hmm. Hmmm. The circumstances weren’t great, so maybe a bit too provocative... Hm, what lovely weather.” Logan, watching his father avert his gaze, smirked slightly and looked towards a particularly quiet spot in the midst of the noisy training yard. The commotion caused by most of the people there was within the realm of expectation. But the scene unfolding before him was truly unforeseen. Boom. The explosion of air resounded, even though no aura was infused. Simply channeling the proper sword spirit into the correct path of the blade made it sound as if the air itself might burst. A well-trained advanced knight instinctively realized he had executed the Iron Blood technique properly for the first time. A mere ten days of practice had led to this achievement. It was due to Horhe’s own understanding of swordsmanship and his high level of aura, but also... “Good. It seems you just need more practice to become comfortable with it.” The ‘master’ before Horhe nodded calmly. His teachings had been excellent. “Ah. Hahaha. No, that’s not what I mean...” He felt cold sweat break out on his back. “Instead of entrusting such heavy responsibilities to Ronian before he’s fully mature, wouldn’t it be better to assign him various tasks to gain experience? The future seems too distant for us.” “Yes. That might be so, but Logan, someday you’ll realize that time doesn’t flow uniformly. As you get older, the years seem to pass ever more swiftly. At my age, a decade feels like it has gone by in the blink of an eye.” Before this nation falls to ruin, that is. “Always look to and plan for the distant future.” “Yes, I understand.” Specifically, my focus is concentrated on the period five and a half years from now. As Logan replied with earnestness reserved for his inner voice, his father made another unexpected remark. “In that sense, it may have been a mistake to entrust Ronian with the full operation of the peacekeeping forces.” “What’s the problem with that? Did something happen?” “No. It turns out the organization, formed by even including retired knights, is much more effective. The number of disputes in the towns have dropped significantly, in Tesserin and Maclaine especially. The cheers of the townsfolk reach my ears.” “That’s good news, isn’t it?” “Yes. Except for one thing.” Where could there possibly be a downside in such news? A puzzled Logan listened as Padric continued with a slightly hardened expression. “Of course, it’s not a major issue, but Ronian’s name has been making the rounds among the townsfolk quite a bit.” “And how is that a problem...?” “It’s only been a few days since the organization was activated, so it’s not a concern yet, but if Ronian keeps up this work and builds a reputation among the townsfolk, there might be issues later on.” Logan then understood what his father meant. Though accepting the possibility was another matter entirely. “There won’t be any issues, Father.” “I hope so. You’re well-established, and Ronian follows you. But the future is uncertain. Even if Ronian doesn’t wish it, he might come up in succession talks.” At that, Logan almost laughed out loud and missed the chance for a rebuttal. His father, however, pressed further. “Maybe it’s better not to keep Ronian out and about, but to focus him only on swordsmanship training. A second son of a noble family is sufficient if he becomes an accomplished knight. He shouldn’t become a factor of dispute within the family.” Feeling an intense sense of disconnection, ‘In my past life, Ronian saved the family alone. He defended the country to the end. I was nothing more than an exiled prodigal son.’ The stark contrast between his past life and present hit him like a wave, and a defeatist sigh escaped his lips. “Father. I plan to entrust the territory to Ronian.” “What?! What nonsense is that?” “It’s just as you heard. Not right away, but eventually, Ronian will lead the Maclaine lands.” “That’s absurd!!” Padric shouted, but Logan remained resolute. “It makes sense. He’s fully qualified.” “Do you have any idea of all the contributions you’ve made to the territory...” “I’m aiming for something greater.” “...What?” “It’s not something I can discuss yet, but please understand that much. So, it’s actually good that he’s building a reputation.” “You mean that’s why at the meeting...” “Yes. I was glad that Ronian voiced his opinions on the territory and resolved them too.” “No, that still doesn’t make any sense to me. I refuse to accept it!” “You’ll come to accept it, as always.” “You... just what are you thinking...” As Padric let his sentence trail off, Logan simply smiled at his father. ‘Father...’ Ronian, who was about to knock on the door, found his hand frozen in place. He had been sneaking up to the office to proudly share his achievements, navigating as stealthily as a cat. Hiding even his aura to suddenly surprise his brother had been the only plan. But he had overheard a conversation he was never meant to hear. ‘I am a hindrance to my brother’s future?’ A thought that had never crossed his mind. His clenched fist, ready to knock, tightened unconsciously. Ronian Maclaine, his face clouded with despondency, quietly retreated the way he had come. As if nothing had happened at all.

Chapter 169

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