Chapter 95

Duke's Magic Genius - Chapter 96 (95/324)

96

Declaring a feud in Freinus.

I discussed this with Abel.

At first, it was a debate, but as the conversation progressed, it turned into a one-sided lecture.

In fact, it was only natural.

Abel was young and had not experienced many battles that could be called actual combat. In contrast, I...

‘Had rotted from the inside out.’

I had experienced countless battles in the game.

Naturally, in terms of strategy and tactics, I was a few steps ahead of Abel.

After a while, Abel looked at me with admiration.

"Where did you learn all this knowledge?"

"I usually read a lot of books related to this. I was just reciting what was written in them."

"...... Indeed."

Abel chuckled and I continued the conversation.

Considering it was a plan to swallow a city, the atmosphere of the conversation was surprisingly light.

Lord Remington.

The total number of private soldiers he possessed was only about five thousand.

The difference in the number of knights was even more significant.

Although the number of knights in our family had decreased, even taking that into account, the difference was more than six times.

It was a matter of wondering how one could lose in such a fight.

Until now, I had left him alone because there was no reason to interfere.

"Now, thanks to the assassins' ledger, we have a fairly clear reason... but to be honest, it's a bit disappointing."

"What do you mean?"

"In fact, a single ledger isn't enough to be decisive evidence. If the viscount sends out requests for help, it could become quite troublesome."

Freinus was a rather sweet fief.

Given the current situation where our family's power has waned, we also had to consider the involvement of other noble families.

If the viscount sends out an SOS, the nearby noble families will start to swarm like a pack of dogs. They could claim they are moving to rescue the suffering viscount, whose ledger has been tampered with or something.

In that case, we might have to give up a significant portion of the city's interests.

"If we can't end this quickly, it will become quite difficult. We need to finish it as soon as possible before he sends out requests for help to other fiefs."

Therefore, the feud needed to be resolved as quickly as possible.

"What if there was another decisive piece of evidence besides the ledger?"

"If it were truly decisive evidence, other families wouldn't be able to interfere."

Nodding at my words, Abel took something out. It was a spherical crystal.

"Would you like to see this?"

"This is... a mana regeneration orb, isn't it?"

"Yes. It's an artifact we found at their base. There's quite an interesting piece of content stored in it."

Soon, an image began to flow from the mana regeneration orb. The first thing visible was a suspicious figure with a hood covering their face.

A conversation continued in the video.

The content was a request to assassinate the people in the duke's family.

Although the figure had their face covered with a hood, the problem was that the video was taken from below, revealing their face.

Anyone could see it was Lord Remington.

Watching the video, I couldn't help but burst into a broad smile.

'Such pretty bastards.'

They had filmed an excellent video.

Whether for blackmail or to protect themselves.

It must have been secretly filmed for future use.

Thanks to this, things would be much easier.

"This is... undeniable evidence."

"Yes. They were quite thorough. They even secretly filmed this video."

"Was there any other artifact containing videos?"

"There were a few, but most of them were not significant."

The video was even more decisive evidence than the ledger.

Such a mana video was impossible to tamper with.

With this video, we could definitely prevent other families from interfering.

Who would dare to protest when we are executing the one who sent assassins to our family?

They would only lick their lips at the sweet city.

'This has become much easier.'

Meeting Abel's eyes, he smiled.

It seemed he was thinking the same thing as me.

* * * * *

The meeting with Abel was very beneficial.

From now on, the training of the Sword Demon Corps would gain momentum.

'I also obtained the spirit stone and the original text.'

And finally, I acquired the mana stone used in the translation process of the original text.

Eight low-grade and two mid-grade.

The same amount of mana stones as when I translated the original text last time.

'He was going to hand them over right away.'

Abel.

His older brother was truly a bold person.

Choosing him as the next successor was certainly not a wrong decision.

When someone supports you like this, you naturally feel motivated to help.

After returning, I immediately called the Sword Demon Corps.

The confusion was evident in the eyes of the gathered members due to the sudden assembly.

Now it was time to deliver the good news.

"I told you I would reward you, right? You'll start receiving that reward from today. Leonhardt."

"Yes."

"Teach them the first form of sword technique and mental technique. I've received permission from the older brother."

"Understood."

The moment he answered,

"......Really...... You're going to teach us sword techniques and mental techniques?"

Hans, the deputy leader, asked in a disbelieving and bewildered voice.

"Have I been fooling you all this time? I made a promise, so I'll keep it."

With that clear answer, a few of them teared up.

Now that they could see a clear future for themselves, it was understandable that they were moved.

Cheers followed.

"......Wow!!"

"Long live Kyle Seltarion!"

"Long live Leonhardt!"

The fourteen swordsmen, excluding Seron, were shouting in unison.

Their enthusiasm made me smile.

When the excitement began to subside, I called out to them.

"Everyone, pay attention for a moment. I have something to say. You know that our family has seven sword techniques, right?"

"Yes!"

They must have studied that much.

"From now on, you will receive different sword techniques based on your individual tendencies. Although the Storm Sword is the best, some of you will be suited to it, and some won't. And, I can only teach you the first form for now."

Despite this, there was no disappointment in the Sword Demon Corps.

They looked as if even the first form was more than enough.

"Everyone knows that the first form is the basic sword technique. I've only been given permission to teach up to that point. However, I plan to make efforts to teach you up to the third form based on your future performance."

"Third form... isn't that a sword technique that only high-ranking knights can learn?"

I nodded at Hans' question.

"Yes. In fact, if you don't have the skill and talent, practicing the second form is useless. You need to master the previous stage perfectly to smoothly learn the next one. So, if you want to advance, train hard."

"Yes, sir!"

"Then, receive your lessons from Leonhardt. The training will be four hours a day. I plan to become independent from the family soon, but I'll continue to oversee it until then. This is a rare opportunity, so learn as much as you can."

This was a pre-arranged agreement with Leonhardt.

After persuading him with various reasons to accept the role of my bodyguard, we came to this conclusion.

Four hours a day.

That was the time he agreed to take charge of the Sword Demon Corps' training.

Of course, it would be impossible after moving to Freinus.

We didn't know what threats might arise then.

This was a rare opportunity, as I said.

That's why the Sword Demon Corps looked surprised.

Leonhardt.

They already knew he was a famous knight in the duke's family.

To receive direct training from such a knight?

It was a dream-like training environment.

"Wow!"

Seeing the cheering members, I stiffened my expression and continued.

"Of course, leaking is strictly prohibited. If it happens, the tradition is to execute all involved. You don't want to lose your life due to a moment's mistake, do you?"

"......Yes!"

"Shortly, you will be given a sword technique manual. Memorize it as quickly as possible and burn it. That's the safest way."

Hans raised his hand upon hearing my words.

"Master?"

"What is it?"

"You mentioned independence earlier. Could you explain what you meant?"

Ah, I hadn't told the Sword Demon Corps yet.

I should tell them now.

"It's simple. I plan to establish a magic tower."

"A magic tower...?"

"Yes. I participated in the magic competition for that reason. Of course, you will follow me."

"Do you know where you're going?"

"It's not decided yet. However, it won't be too far from here."

I couldn't specify Freinus. It might spread rumors of the war.

Plans often go awry from minor issues.

So, being cautious is a basic virtue.

So far, only a few people within the family knew about the plan to attack Freinus.

The members of the Sword Demon Corps looked relieved. They were probably not keen on moving far from a swordsmanship family, as they had no connection to magic.

Their dream was to become knights, not mages.

"Following me doesn't mean you can't become knights, so don't worry too much. I also plan to maintain regular exchanges with the main family."

"No... No! Even if we can't become knights, we should naturally follow Master."

"Of course!"

If they were going to lie, they should at least hide it.

They were terrible at managing their expressions.

"I'll give you plenty of opportunities, so don't worry and train hard. Oh, and Seron?"

"Yes, Master."

"Prepare for intense training. Manage the members well."

"Understood."

"Then, train well."

With one task completed, it was time to handle the next.

I returned to the room, took out the spirit stones, and drew a training array.

After completing the drawing, I immediately called Ersiel.

Her gaze fell on the floor as she entered the room.

On the floor, ten spirit stones were arranged with various bizarre symbols.

"Are you here?"

"Is this the training array you mentioned, Master?"

"Yes. If you stand in the center of the training array, the elemental power will start to seep into your body. The energy will be quite strong, so be careful. It will be quite difficult to control."

"Understood."

"Then, go in."

Without hesitation, she stepped into the center of the training array.

I infused mana into the training array.

Hum!

Immediately, the ten spirit stones began to glow brilliantly.

All ten spirit stones used in this training array were low-grade.

Even low-grade stones could be significantly amplified with the modified training array.

As she stepped into the center, her hair fluttered beautifully.

It was due to the energy generated inside.

"......!"

Her furrowed brow indicated considerable pressure.

It must feel like her entire body is being crushed by gravity.

It's a sensation she has never experienced before.

Here, focus is more important than panic.

I told Ersiel what to do.

"Concentrate. Just calmly gather the elemental power. Try to communicate with Fadac as much as possible."

Ancient elemental spirit.

This is not a spirit that anyone can summon.

With her support, she should be able to withstand the pressure of the enhanced training array.

Given that she had accumulated enough elemental power to have direct conversations, it was safe to say she wouldn't be crushed to death by the pressure.

She nodded at my words.

Flash!

Immediately, a bright white light burst from her body.