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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Please, Someone Stop Our Young Master (2)
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3.
Ryuk couldn't move a muscle.
It wasn't just because the boy had him by the throat.
Killing intent.
The killing intent pouring from the boy's body was suffocating him.
But that, too, was brief.
Ah, my mistake again. I apologize, Sir Ryuk. I must have been too focused on the spar.
As if nothing had happened, the boy withdrew his killing intent and released his grip on Ryuk's throat.
Then, he bowed respectfully.
Again, I apologize.
Haaahk.
Ryuk gasped for air, clutching his throat.
The grip was unbelievably strong for a young boy. He still couldn't breathe properly.
Only after several ragged breaths did his breathing return to normal. Ryuk looked down at Karron and bit his lip.
He had lost the duel.
And quite decisively at that.
Anyone watching could have determined the winner of that spar.
Ryuk examined the stab wound on Karron's side.
He had clearly thrust his sword deep. It was a wound that needed immediate treatment.
But Karron just tapped the area around the wound a few times, as if it were nothing.
Ryuk knew it was a hemostatic technique commonly used by knights on the battlefield.
Of course, that method only stopped the bleeding; it did nothing to lessen the pain.
...Are you alright?
Ryuk asked Karron carefully. Karron waved his hand dismissively.
This is nothing... Maybe it's because I ate well yesterday? I think it'll heal quickly. By the way, Sir Ryuk. About that Moonlight technique from before. Did you happen to learn it from someone?
Karron calmed his excitement and asked again.
Kerua's Moonlight.
He could definitely feel a trace of Kerua in Ryuk's Moonlight. The Moonlight of a man who should have died and vanished the day the Evil Emperor was dethroned had just been performed in a similar form, fifty years later.
His mind grew complicated.
Could Kerua have survived that day?
If Kerua was alive, there was a chance his other subordinates were alive as well.
But Ryuk's answer was far from what Karron had expected.
I have no obligation to answer that question.
His tone was as if he'd been insulted.
Karron realized this wasn't the right time to be asking questions.
He couldn't tell if the emotion on Ryuk's face was shame or anger. Perhaps it was something else entirely.
A knight touted as the next vice-commander had just been beaten by a mere thirteen-year-old.
It was a situation where a favorable response was unlikely.
Vmmmmmm-.
Sheathing the constantly vibrating Guillotine, Karron let out a small sigh.
It's not a good time to ask.
Just confirming the possibility that his men might be alive is enough.
...I should ask Halo.
Halo would know.
If those guys survived that day, it was highly likely they were still alive.
As long as they didn't meet with an accident, the lifespan of a knight who surpassed the 7-star level was exceptionally long.
If by some chance Halo won't tell me...
I'll have to find them myself.
He would search for traces of them across this vast continent.
But he'd have to get stronger first.
...Do you know about Moonlight?
As Karron was lost in thought, Ryuk spoke to him in a low voice.
The real moon hidden behind the fake one. You already knew the technique. How on earth...
Ryuk simply couldn't understand.
It was a technique that had claimed the lives of countless enemies in actual combat.
A true one-hit-kill technique that even other 6-star knights had failed to see through, dying as a result.
But Karron had pinpointed him exactly.
As if he had already figured out the technique.
Karron chuckled at Ryuk's question and replied.
I don't have any obligation to answer that question either, you know?
Karron, returning the favor.
Ryuk frowned slightly, recalling what Karron had said earlier.
-That Moonlight, who did you learn it from?
His tone had been as if he knew the origin of this Moonlight.
The Moonlight he'd learned had been passed down from a senior who died in action during a mission thirty years ago.
The Moonlight of Sir Kerua, the last Imperial Guard who had defended the Imperial Palace to the end alongside Kain Rator.
Within the Imperial Guard, he was the only one who had learned this Moonlight.
And he was also the only one who knew the origin of this modified Moonlight.
Just as Ryuk groaned and was about to speak, Karron fastened the scabbard to his waist and said.
Hmm, I'm not sure, but... wouldn't it be better if there were multiple fake moons?
...Pardon?
Or you could imbue the fake moons with sufficient physical force... That would make it a bit trickier to deal with. Ah, just a thought.
Karron gave an awkward laugh and looked at Ryuk.
Was it because he'd seen Kerua's Moonlight? Unnecessary advice just slipped out of his mouth.
He knew this man was a knight from the Diaz Marquisatein other words, on the opposite side of the Leston Ducal Family.
So this was just a whim.
It was also a reward for the gift of hope that his comrades might still be alive.
Was that uncalled for? Just don't mind me...
...Thank you for your valuable advice. I've realized a great deal thanks to you.
A somewhat softer tone came from Ryuk's mouth.
I'm glad to hear that.
Karron laughed aloud, seeing Ryuk's softened expression.
It's a gift, you junior punk.
He had essentially given him a clue to the enlightenment needed to reach the 7-star level.
For Ryuk to rise to 7-stars, he would have to complete his own unique Moonlight.
Still, he's not a completely hopeless case.
At first, he'd thought this guy was just another pawn lost in politics. But seeing Ryuk's brightened expression, it didn't seem that way anymore.
The emotion on his face right now was clearly exhilaration.
Ryuk must have had some kind of epiphany.
Karron casually turned his head to look at where the Imperial Guards were standing.
Now, almost all the Imperial Guards were sending him hostile glares.
With the exception of one person: Eimi, who had woken up at some point.
Had Eimi also realized something through the spar?
Her eyes were sparkling.
Sir Ryuk.
Speak.
I'm an outsider, so I have no intention of meddling in the Imperial Guard's internal affairs. However...
Ryuk watched Karron quietly.
What on earth was this monster about to say?
I think letting a gemstone rot like that is the worst thing you can do. Am I the only one who thinks so? So, I'm counting on you, Sir Ryuk. Politics are fine and all, but a knight speaks with their sword, don't they?
Are you asking me to take good care of Eimi?
Hehe, I think I just paid the price for that, didn't I?
Finishing his words playfully, Karron dusted off his leather armor.
Then he gave Ryuk a slight nod.
It was a good spar.
At his words, Ryuk also bowed respectfully.
It was a good spar.
The spar was over.
4.
The first person to rush to Karron after the spar was Jeras.
Jeras took a potion from his coat and handed it to Karron.
It's a top-grade potion. I even had a priest bless it just in case, so it should be quite effective.
...You didn't have to.
Karron drank the potion with a smile.
The bitter taste of the potion.
After downing every last drop, he glanced furtively at Jeras.
Aren't you going to scold me?
For what?
For recklessly sparring with Sir Ryuk. You could have easily stopped me...
Jeras let out a deep sigh.
And knowing that, you still went ahead with the spar? It was an unnecessary provocation. You've directly disobeyed the family head's order not to cause trouble.
Are you going to tell on me?
Even if I don't tell the family head myself, I imagine word will reach him soon enough.
A thirteen-year-old boy defeating the candidate for the next vice-commander.
It was an incident that was bound to cause rumors.
Sir Jeras.
Karron wiped the sweat from his brow. Then he continued playfully.
Being a bystander is a sin, too. Please remember that you're also at fault for not stopping me, Sir Jeras.
Your shamelessness never ceases to amaze me, Lord Karron.
Come on, you knew I was going to cause trouble... Why didn't you stop me?
To that, Jeras replied in a low voice.
I wanted to see your limits, Lord Karron. Even if you had lost, I thought it would be a good experience.
You can say that after seeing my side get pierced?
If Sir Ryuk's sword had been aimed at your throat, I would have intervened.
The sword had pierced his side in a mere instant.
To read the sword's trajectory and intervene in that situation? That was a level beyond what could be called human.
But Karron knew Jeras wasn't lying.
With Jeras's skill, intervening in that split second would have been entirely possible.
An 8-star knight and the commander of the Sea Wolf Knights.
Jeras certainly had the skill to back it up.
So, did you see my limits?
At Karron's question, Jeras slowly shook his head.
I did not. Instead, I think I understand what kind of sword you are pursuing.
I applied some of the Imperial Sword Style during the spar... You're not going to scold me for that?
No. It was a brilliant application.
You're spoiling me, that's why I'm getting so unruly.
Jeras watched Karron stretch and replayed the recent spar in his mind.
He, too, had felt the same thing Ryuk had during the spar.
A sword style that was utterly unbelievable coming from a child.
He had heard all about Karron's performance during the train attack, but the swordsmanship Karron had just displayed couldn't be explained by that alone.
It was the sword of someone who had been through countless real battles.
Judgment and adaptability were things that could only be gained through experience. This was a kind of common knowledge known to most knights.
But Karron had shattered that notion right before his eyes.
A boy with little to no combat experience had displayed swordsmanship that should only be achievable after countless battles.
A talent that transcended even experience.
There was no other way to explain it.
These next four years will be crucial.
At Azure Sea Castle, what he needed to do for Karron was help him cultivate the power to support that talent.
Karron was truly a brilliant gemstone. Moreover, he already seemed to have found his own path.
Jeras looked down at Karron and said.
As soon as we arrive at Azure Sea Castle, we will increase your mana training time.
I was just about to ask for that.
Our top priority is for your Sea-Conquering Art to reach the 6-star level. Do you understand?
He was a gem that would polish itself.
If he just taught Karron the Sea Wolf Sword Style and helped him increase his mana reserves, this monster would take care of the rest of his development on his own.
As Jeras and Karron were talking, Ryuk, who had lost the spar, approached them.
Ryuk bowed respectfully to Jeras. Then he spoke in a low voice.
I have learned a great deal, thanks to you, Sir Jeras.
It seems you've had an epiphany.
I've managed to grasp something that was only faintly visible before.
That is truly wonderful news. Congratulations.
It is an achievement I would not have reached had you not permitted the spar, Sir Jeras.
To that, Jeras sighed deeply and replied.
...He is not someone I can stop just by telling him to.
Is that so?
After exchanging brief pleasantries with Jeras, Ryuk slowly turned his head to look at Karron. Then he offered Karron a handshake.
I hope we can cross swords again on another occasion.
That'll be in four years. I'm grounded now. As you can see, I cause a lot of trouble.
Four years... I see.
That Moonlight of yours, if you just refine it, I think it'll be incredibly powerful. I can look forward to seeing it in four years, right?
Ryuk nodded.
If they hadn't sparred, those words might have sounded arrogant.
But having crossed swords with him, he knew.
He knew just how absurd this boy was.
He was certain that four years would lead this boy to even greater heights.
He looked at Karron's face and recalled the thought he'd had earlier.
His resolve to clip Karron's wings for the sake of the Imperial Palace.
He now realized just how futile that resolve had been.
...How shameful.
He had harbored ill intentions. Karron must have felt the hostility in his sword.
And yet, Karron didn't make an issue of it. Instead, he offered advice that would be of great help.
I lost in every respect.
In swordsmanship, and as a person.
He had been completely defeated by this young boy.
Ryuk calmly accepted that defeat.
I was overlooking so many things. For making me realize that, I sincerely... I am truly, sincerely grateful.
Karron smiled at Ryuk's words.
I'll be looking forward to four years from now.
Of course.
A reply filled with conviction.
That alone was satisfying enough.
Karron gave him a small wave as a farewell.
Well then, I'll be going. Sir Jeras? Where to now?
You can rest at your lodgings, and then we will go to the Sixth Prince's quarters in the evening.
Ah, what a pain.
It's an order from the family head.
Haaah. So annoying... Right, Brother Leo?
...Dealing with you is more of a pain.
Karron bantered with Leo as they slowly headed out of the training grounds.
He couldn't force his juniors to choose whether to change or to remain complacent.
From here on, it was their domain.
He could only watch and see what choices they would make.
Still, it was quite satisfying.
I think I can look forward to it.
Ryuk's final expression, and Eimi's gaze watching him from afar.
As their senior, he had done all he could.
If they still didn't change after all this.
I'll crush them with my own hands.
He would personally get rid of these rotten juniors himself.
...Definitely.
And so, the former knight commander made his exit, promising to return in four years.
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