The carriage finally came to a halt.
I woke slowly, as though my body were still suspended between an unfinished dream and a waiting reality. The first thing that reached me was the sound of iron grinding against stone, followed by the scent of unfamiliar earth… heavier, older. I saw children running, and people working to earn their wages.
"Oh, young sir, you're awake?"
The soldier suddenly addressed me.
"Sir, since you've awakened, please have some food while we head to the Duke's palace. It should take about ten minutes."
I accepted it with gratitude and replied,
"Yes, thank you."
The duchy's walls rose before me in solemn silence, their dark stones bearing witness to generations of swords and heavy decisions. Here, people were not measured by their age… but by what they left behind.
I thought to myself while staring at the sandwich—he's giving me food now? What time is it, anyway?
"Soldier, what time is it now?"
"It's already noon, sir."
What… noon? How much time passed? Did we arrive this fast? Just after a few hours?
"Soldier, it seems we arrived early. How is that?"
"Oh! Last time, the main road was closed due to the discovery of a cave. Also, this carriage moves at about triple the speed of the previous one."
Looking carefully, I could tell this carriage was indeed much faster than before. But… did he just say a cave?
"Soldier, you said they discovered a cave, right? Could you tell me about it?"
"Of course, sir. It was only a third-rank cave, so our knights have already taken care of it."
So that's how it is.
I returned inside the carriage and stared at the sandwich. A third-rank cave… thank goodness it wasn't a fifth-rank.
Cave ranks are classified as follows:
First rank is easy, followed by second, then third, which contains monsters no stronger than fifth grade.
Fourth rank includes monsters of fifth and fourth grade, and encountering third-grade monsters is not unlikely.
Fifth-rank caves contain monsters no stronger than third grade only.
Sixth rank combines both third and second grades.
And finally, first rank—the most dangerous of them all—contains monsters of every grade, including first-grade monsters, where you might even encounter a demon.
There is also another level of monsters known as "Calamities." They do not appear in caves at all. They are bound to fate itself and possess their own rule and consciousness. People call them celestial beings.
I fought one of them in my previous life. Even at the peak of my power, I struggled greatly to defeat it.
And this time… I'm heading straight into its lair with these very feet.
The carriage suddenly stopped with a sharp creak. The soldier spoke, pulling me from my thoughts:
"Young sir, we've arrived at the duchy."
I stepped out of the carriage. The luxurious palace greeted me, along with its vast garden and the fountain at its center. As I moved forward, the servants formed a line, bowed in unison, and said:
"Welcome back, young master."
What? All this just for my return? If it were my own home, I'd understand, but…
I walked ahead and saw my grandfather standing there, smiling and greeting me. When I reached him, I bowed and said,
"It's been a long time, Grandfather."
"Has it? I didn't even feel the time pass. Hahaha."
"Anyway… was all of this really necessary?"
"Why? Didn't you like it? And besides, if I don't welcome my grandson like this, whom should I welcome the same way?"
"Well, thank you. I truly liked it."
He smiled and looked me over from head to toe.
"Daniel, even though you haven't been away for long, you've truly changed a lot."
"Now then, let's go inside."
We entered the mansion, and I went to change my clothes since I was still wearing training attire. Though I didn't particularly mind, such clothing didn't suit the heir of the greatest empire.
On the bed, I found an elegant white-and-blue outfit. Behind it was a blue cloak—beautifully ornamented. A copper chain connected the cloak to the outfit, and at its center was a glowing blue gem that rested along my neck.
Although I don't usually favor such extravagant clothing, I was captivated by its appearance. It was incredibly beautiful, as if it had been made specifically for me.
I put it on and went downstairs to meet my grandfather.
I found him sitting in the living room. Even though I made no sound, he sensed me and said,
"Oh! You're here?"
Impressive.
"Yes, I'm here."
I sat on the sofa across from him. He looked at me with a gaze filled with pride—and happiness.
"That outfit suits you very well, my boy."
"Yes, thank you. Did you have it made for me?"
"No, not me. I don't know anyone who could craft something with such elegance and beauty. When you return home, ask your father."
"What? Did my father make it especially for me?"
"Not him either. In any case, ask for an explanation when you return."
"Hah… alright then."
"Tell me—did Dian tell you about his identity?"
"Yes… he did."
He sighed.
"He truly was a reckless young man. When he came here, he was only twenty-five. He asked for work. Though I knew his identity, I still employed him. I never asked why he fled from his family, but I am certain there was a reason."
"Is that all?"
"No… when I asked him why he left, he simply replied, 'I am free.'"
I was slightly surprised, then smiled.
"That does sound like something he'd say."
"Hahaha. It seems you two get along well."
"Yes, more or less."
"Tell me, Grandfather—what is Dian's relationship with my father?"
"Hm? Where did that come from all of a sudden?"
"I genuinely want to know."
"Very well. Dian used to be proud and arrogant. He couldn't accept being weaker than anyone. But one day at the academy… his spirit was shattered. He suffered a humiliating defeat against your father.
Yet despite losing, he did not give up. He refused to accept defeat to anyone—especially someone younger than him.
They fought again and again, but the result never changed.
Dian began to realize he couldn't win like that. After graduation, he trained endlessly—solely to defeat your father.
Then one day, at the annual festival held in the Mamluk State, they met again. Arnold, as heir to the empire. Dian, as heir to a Marquis family.
Dian challenged Arnold and said, 'This time will be the last… I promise.'
They stepped into the dueling arena. As they prepared to fight, Dian said:
'Arnold Leonhardt, fight me with your full strength this time. I am completely different from before.'
…
Arnold did not reply. Though his expression didn't change, Dian understood.
Arnold had acknowledged him.
The battle began. But after only thirty seconds…
'The winner is… Arnold Leonhardt.'
That was the first time Arnold ever fought seriously.
"That's what happened between them. It seems Dian realized something—that hard work alone can never surpass overwhelming talent. But who knows? Dian alone knows the true reason."
"…Hah. I didn't know that's what happened."
Honestly, even in all my previous lives, I had never heard of this.
"Since I've answered your question, it's my turn. Daniel—why did you come here?"
"What do you mean? I came to become stronger."
"Daniel, do you think I wouldn't notice? Even before you went to the Iron Fortress, your strength was already far beyond someone your age. Even your father knows this."
…
"So tell me—why did you truly come here?"
"…Alright. In truth, I came to train with you. That part is sincere. And there is another reason…"
"And that is?"
"I'm sorry… I can't tell you."
He studied me for a moment, then said:
"Very well. Everyone has secrets, don't they? I won't ask anymore."
"Thank you, Grandfather."
He smiled.
"Now go rest. We begin training tomorrow."
I went up to my room and sat beside my bed.
So, training starts tomorrow. Training with someone at the Sword God level will be extremely difficult. Even if I use my full power, I'm still only a fledgling Sword Saint—unlike my grandfather, who has reached the veteran Sword God level.
Tch…
I stared at the ceiling for a moment, then smiled and said:
"Looks like Sylvia has finished her treatment."
---
Clarification
Monster Levels:
Seventh grade: Danger level 10%
Sixth grade: Danger level 20%
Fifth grade: Danger level 30%
Fourth grade: Danger level 50%
Third grade: Danger level 60%
Second grade: Danger level 80%
First grade: Danger level 100%
"Calamity" grade: Unknown
Power Ranks:
– Fledgling
– Expert
– Veteran
Example:
Fledgling Sword Master / Veteran Sword Master