Chapter 37
Whoosh!
The stick laid horizontally cuts through the air in an instant.
But when followed with the eyes, there’s nothing there. The stick is just swung again from a hand’s breadth away.
“……!”
Daphne’s eyes widened.
It was not only Heros’ flawless swordsmanship that was impressive, but there was something even more surprising.
This sword technique is,
-Kuhahaha! Did you see? You saw, right? You thought it was over there, but it’s here—an amazing fake! Teleportation sword technique!
Because it was also what Vertio had shown before.
Wow, back then it looked really crude…….
But seeing Heros do it, it looks not crude at all, but even mysterious.
“This is the first form, Comet Wave Slash. It’s a sword technique that leaves traces like a comet’s tail to confuse the opponent.”
Heros, having finished the first form, swung the stick slowly once more and said.
“Ah! It’s leaving multiple afterimages to make it unclear what the real attack is, right?”
Seeing the trajectory of the stick, Arius exclaimed as if he finally understood. Heros nodded.
“It’s a good sword technique for actual combat, so learn it.”
“Yes! Understood!”
“Daphne. Did you understand?”
Heros asked, staring at Daphne who had a puzzled expression. Because that face didn’t look like she understood at all.
Even when explaining the basics of swordsmanship, she couldn’t concentrate well, so perhaps this stage is still too early.
Heros slightly furrowed his brows.
“So, what is that? Comet Wave Slash?”
“Yes.”
Daphne scratched the back of her head.
-Also known as ‘That’s my afterimage, you fool!’ sword technique!
Bertio. Lucky you. Your descendant is kindly changing that embarrassing sword technique name.
Daphne slowly stood up.
“I’ll try it.”
“Try it?”
Arius asked back in surprise.
“Uh, Daphne. No matter how great a genius, imitating a sword technique right after seeing it is impossible…… isn’t it? It is?!”
Whoosh!
Daphne’s bamboo sword extended without deviating an inch from the trajectory Heros had drawn.
The twist of the waist, the angle of the arm, even the strength of the wrist were all reproduced exactly.
Arius gaped his mouth open.
“W-what? How did you do that?”
How did I do what.
I know because I learned it before.
Swish!
Daphne, finishing up to the last motion, felt a slight dizziness and staggered.
‘As expected, with this body, I can’t do it perfectly.’
But this is also a matter of stamina and time. If I have time to build stamina, I can do it as much as I want.
‘I need mana too.’
Won’t a black mage appear somewhere. Catch and extract.
“Whew.”
Daphne, letting out a short sigh, lifted the bamboo sword and pointed the tip at Heros.
“How’s my skill, dragon slayer.”
Heros, who was observing Daphne while stroking his chin, raised his eyebrows.
“It’s worth watching.”
Oh my! Arius covered his mouth and barely swallowed the scream that almost came out.
Isn’t this father who probably never gave praise in his life?
Even searching the entire empire, you couldn’t find someone who received praise from father.
Yet “worth watching”? “Worth watching”? This was truly tremendous praise!
“Is ‘worth watching’ all? You should praise more! Kneel and worship me!”
“Daphne. That’s father’s praise.”
“Praise should be in words that feel better!”
“Even with father’s personality like that, he gave praise.”
“……?”
Heros, suddenly pointed out for his personality by his son, blinked and looked at Arius.
But Arius didn’t notice such Heros.
‘I’m envious of Daphne……!’
Because he was putting the sword forms Heros and Daphne showed into his mind and honing his ambition to improve.
‘Me too, definitely!’
Arius stood up while tightly gripping the bamboo sword. A somewhat hasty step is taken.
“Arius.”
It was Heros’ hand that grabbed such Arius’ shoulder.
“Don’t be hasty. You practice the basics a bit more.”
“Yes, yes?”
“It’s sufficient now.”
“……Yes!”
Sufficient! This is also praise!
Arius barely controlled his mouth about to tear into a smile and gripped the bamboo sword harder. Still, he couldn’t stop the giggling smile.
Yes. Father’s right. Don’t be hasty. Daphne is Daphne, and I am me! But someday I’ll surpass Daphne! Arius’ eyes sparkled.
“Daphne.”
Heros, having barely calmed Arius, approached Daphne who was performing the sword form again.
“Is it true that you’re seeing the first form for the first time now?”
“……Huh?”
Daphne’s eyes widened.
“The first form is not a sword technique you can imitate right after seeing it once. You need to invest sufficient time to find a new path that suits your body.”
“Uh…… Um. Umm.”
Daphne avoided Heros’ sharp gaze and pursed her lips.
What excuse should I make.
Actually, I learned sword from your grandfather. Back then it wasn’t this cool name, but anyway, I learned it by getting beaten, so that’s why I can do it now…… I can’t say that, right? Cold sweat flowed.
“Surely.”
Surely, what.
Daphne gulped dry saliva.
“Did you inherit even the talent from me?”
“…….”
“Genius?”
“…….”
Is he crazy?
Daphne, momentarily deflated, glared and clicked her tongue.
“I’m a genius, but not like you. I am me.”
Heros didn’t reply as if Daphne’s words were nonsense, and instead lifted the stick.
“Do it once more. I’ll watch properly.”
“Okay.”
Since he’s saying he’ll watch, no reason to refuse, so Daphne immediately swung the bamboo sword.
Trying to follow exactly by picturing Heros and Bertio’s movements in mind.
But it’s not completely the same.
Daphne, that is, when she was Celus, calling upon the path she had created herself.
Whoosh!
Heros felt the wind brushing his cheek and was silent for a moment.
‘This is…….’
It’s strange.
Clearly, in front is 5-year-old child Daphne swinging the bamboo sword with long blonde hair fluttering.
But glimpses of an illusion overlap. A woman with short black hair and right arm covered in scales.
The woman stands the same as Daphne and swings the sword the same. As if the same person.
‘Strange.’
Heros let out a low hum and pressed his glabella. When he opened his eyes again, the woman’s illusion was gone.
“Huff, huff…….”
Daphne, having finished the first form, looked up at Heros with a proud expression.
“How is it? The best, right? Cool, right? Amazing, right?”
“…….”
Heros, who hesitated for a moment, answered.
“Worth watching.”
“Aw, damn!”
Daphne pouted her lips with a “tch” and twisted her toes.
“Watch again! This time I’ll draw out real praise!”
Heros nodded his chin as if saying try it. Then he put more strength in his eyes. Because he wanted to confirm the illusion he saw earlier once more.
It was then.
“Your Grace! Your Graaace!”
From below the hill, Polin started running hurriedly.
Why did Polin, who should be handling work at the mansion, come all the way here? Heros stopped Daphne and turned toward Polin.
“Huff, huff…… Hey, why didn’t you check the communication orb! How many times did I contact you!”
“Ah.”
Heros recalled the communication orb left in the carriage.
“I forgot.”
“If you forget twice, you might not even know if a war breaks out.”
“…….”
Whether Heros was dumbfounded or not, Polin took out a parchment from his bosom.
“Contact from the imperial family.”
Handing the parchment.
“The subjugation team composition is ten Guardians, five apprentice Guardians, ten knights from Marquis Finch’s knight order, eight from Count Imperial’s Rose Knight Order. Three knights from the Archduke’s house.”
Heros, examining the content, nodded.
“Not bad.”
But it’s unlikely that Polin, who hates moving, ran for just this.
Heros raised his eyebrow as if saying speak.
“As expected, your insight is top-notch. Yes. There are additional personnel.”
“Additional personnel?”
“Lady Daphne.”
“……What?”
Heros asked back thinking he misheard, but Polin continued with a quite serious face.
“They say to have Lady Daphne participate in the subjugation team. For the purpose of boosting the knights’ morale.”
“…….”
Is this the emperor’s will?
Or other families’ intent to check the Archduke’s house?
Crunch! Strength entered Heros’ hand clutching the parchment.
Putting a mere 5-year-old child into the subjugation team for morale boosting?
Nonsense.
This is no different from attacking the Archduke’s house. Whoever pulled this
trick, I’ll definitely crush them!
Just then, as a low growl escaped through Heros’ teeth.
“Black mage?!”
Whether she overheard the conversation, Daphne came running with sparkling eyes.
“Are you talking about subjugating black mages?!”
Just when I was thinking mana is lacking, going to catch a mana supply source! Daphne jumped up and down with a bright smile.
“Good! I’ll go! Definitely going!”
“…….”
“Me! Going! Black mage!”
“…….”
Polin covered his mouth and admired.
“How much grudge does the lady have against black mages to like this so much……! Yes! Lady! You must go! Go for revenge!”
“Yes! Revenge! Going!”
Heros, momentarily deflated, tilted his head.
Revenge…… I suppose?
***
Near the capital’s walls, the temporary barracks where the Guardians, called the empire’s guards, stay are extremely busy.
Because the black mage subjugation team is formed, thorough preparation is needed.
Guardians, and apprentice Guardians dreaming of being Guardians, all are busily packing.
“Sir Rache!”
“You were there!”
Then, two children still with youthful looks ran to a boy wearing a pure white robe.
The boy slowly turned toward the sound. Light purple hair almost touching the shoulders slightly peeks out from under the hood.
“Uh, I just heard from the captain!”
“I heard something amazing!”
The children looked up at the boy with flushed faces and stamped their feet. The boy smiled his characteristic soft smile and lifted one of the children.
“Yes, what did you hear?”
“Daphne Akion is participating in this subjugation team!”
At that moment, the boy’s eyes hardened slightly, but the children didn’t notice.
“Daphne! That hero!”
“Sir Rache’s younger sibling, right?”
The boy’s name is Rache Akion.
The eldest of the Akion family and one of the people who hate Daphne.
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By Anna 💓
