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Translator: penny
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Giving Trust is Surprisingly Simple
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"Is Duke Kaltstein stronger than the former duke, Kailus von Kaltstein?"
"..."
The princess's abrupt question far exceeded my expectations.
In normal times, no one—not even royalty—would dare ask such a thing to my face.
Still, I couldn't afford to show any surprise, so I kept walking without pause, inwardly repeating my father Kailus's name as I moved.
My father. The former head of the Kaltstein family. And the living legend of the North.
He wasn't someone who could be summed up with a single word like "strong."
Just listing a few of his most famous feats after retirement made that clear.
He had single-handedly repelled a disaster swarm of hundreds of Rank 5 monsters.
He was the man who tore the legs off a Rank 1 monster called Despair—a kraken—with his bare hands, safeguarding the peace of the North Sea.
Until I came along, he had been the youngest Sword Master in imperial history and the North's guardian deity.
That was the man who was my father, leaving behind such monumental footprints.
And me? To be honest, in terms of pure martial prowess, I had already surpassed him.
I broke through the Sword Master wall at seventeen and, by nineteen, had glimpsed the realm beyond that he never reached in his lifetime.
But the world's evaluation was different.
I was just a young duke with genius talent and many years ahead to rack up achievements.
The blood on my blade was laughably scant compared to his.
All I'd done was cut down a few Rank 2 monsters from the Drakenspitze Mountains, plus the Yeti King—said to be capable of toppling a kingdom—and some other beasts.
'The difference between a battle-hardened veteran and a genius raised in the training grounds.'
Snapping out of my thoughts, I gauged the princess's gaze.
It wasn't mere curiosity.
Her eyes looked like she was punching numbers in her head.
'This woman's sizing me up right in front of me.'
I didn't know much about the original story, but from what I'd overheard so far, she had probably come seeking my father.
She'd offer him some deal and request protection in return.
But upon arrival, Father's retired, and here I am—a green young man—in his seat.
No wonder she was anxious.
Can this kid really protect me? Does he truly have the power to stand against the imperial crown prince?
I could almost hear the scales in her mind tipping.
'More than that, Miss Possessor—whatever exact moment you got possessed, you're a newbie in this world less than a year in, while I'm a reincarnator.'
What could have been so urgent that she rushed here without properly scouting anything?
I had no idea why she kept slipping like this, but part of me wanted to just lay it all out and give her a talking-to right then.
Even as a princess—or a possessor who knew the future—she needed to think before speaking, word for word.
'...If it gets worse, I'll warn her then.'
Setting that aside for later, I clamped my mouth shut for a moment and decided to answer honestly, just the facts as they were.
Exaggerating would only reveal my hand, and feigning humility would let her probe further.
"Let me be straightforward."
I opened my mouth calmly.
"In a one-on-one sword duel, I win. I beat Father a year ago already."
"...Pardon?"
Roselia's eyes widened in disbelief.
Did the original novel describe Father's strength in detail?
That reaction stung a bit.
"But as knights, the weight is different. Father has defended the North across countless battlefields, while I'm just a novice who recently became head. I'm sorely lacking in experience, achievements, and the charisma to lead people."
I shrugged and added,
"In short, I'm better at fights, but he's better at war. Does that answer your question?"
"..."
Roselia stared blankly at me, then mumbled under her breath, lips twitching.
"You're twenty, right? Three years younger than me. Just became an adult and already beat your Sword Master dad? What a freakish talent."
She seemed to think whispering in Korean like that meant I couldn't hear.
Well, normally, even if I heard the voice, I wouldn't understand... but I could.
I'm a Sword Master—my senses are dozens of times sharper than normal... Plus, I used to be Korean like you.
"And experience and achievements... well, I'll build those up ahead. Okay, passed."
She nodded to herself, then beamed as if nothing had happened.
"Oh, no deeper meaning! I was just curious how amazing my dear husband is. Stronger than your father? That's reassuring!"
"...I'm honored."
'Ugh, that 'my dear husband' bit again... This is exhausting.'
"Come on, let's hurry! I can't wait to see that amazing duke's knight order—I'm getting dizzy with excitement."
She grabbed my arm and quickened her pace.
The calculating glint from moments ago was gone, replaced by her immersion in the immature princess act.
Truly an unpredictable woman.
I shook my head with a wry smile and let her lead me.
In the distance, dust rose from the training grounds.
And beyond that, on the platform, a familiar silhouette awaited us.
It was Seria.
As we approached, she thrust her longsword into the ground and bowed slightly.
Whatever urgent business she had must have wrapped up quicker than expected; she was in her usual morning training.
I gave Seria a light nod in greeting, then led the somewhat deficient possessor deeper into the training grounds.
Alright, time to show off the North's splendor.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
We didn't stop at the training grounds entrance but headed straight to the innermost arena.
Unlike the dusty general grounds, this place had smooth blue stone flooring,
surrounded by defensive magic circles to absorb impacts—the exclusive sparring arena for the Kaltstein family head and high-ranking knights.
A top-grade facility that wouldn't even scratch from ordinary sword strikes.
I stopped in the center and turned to Roselia, who was still gawking around in wonder.
"Your Highness, you wanted to see the North's training, right?"
"Yes! Of course. I rushed here from morning for this... ahem, to see it quickly."
"Then let me give you options."
I proposed with a relaxed smile.
"Shall I demonstrate personally? Or would you prefer a duel between our knight order's two strongest after me?"
"Hm..."
Roselia tapped her lips with her index finger, pondering.
'Hmm... Extras fighting would be thrilling too, but...'
I could almost read her thoughts transparently.
But her choice was predictable anyway.
"Obviously, I want to see my husband fight! I need to confirm that strength surpassing your father's with my own eyes."
"Excellent choice."
I nodded, then turned my gaze to the knights waiting at the arena's edge.
The sight of hundreds lined up was always spectacular.
Among them, I pointed to the burly man at the forefront, bear pelt draped over his shoulders.
"White Night Knight Captain, Bargo."
The training ground's air shifted instantly at the call.
"Yes, Your Grace!"
Bargo thundered his response and stomped forward with ground-shaking steps.
As he moved, murmurs and cheers erupted from the ranks.
"Woooaaah—!!!"
"The duke's drawing his sword himself!"
"Captain Bargo versus the duke—what luck!"
"Eyes wide open, everyone! He's the strongest swordsman ever, who even beat the former duke!"
Even these strictly disciplined Northern knights couldn't hide their excitement before the family head's spar.
I understood their fervor.
After all, I rarely drew my sword in official settings—fingers could count them.
The knights' eyes gleamed with respect and anticipation.
I waved lightly in response to their heat, then faced Bargo atop the arena.
Over two meters tall.
Bargo, covered head to toe in muscle, resembled a massive mountain.
Yet before me, even this giant swallowed dryly, tense.
"An honor, Your Grace. Never dreamed you'd pick me."
"Relax, Bargo. Her Highness wants to see the North's might, and I thought you the perfect match."
I drew not Winter Fang from my waist, but the treasured sword Father gifted me the day I became a Sword Master.
A famed blade, its edge so keen it seemed to slice throats just by looking.
In my hand, it immediately exuded sharp aura.
"No holding back. Come at me with full power."
From the moment I decided to show the possessor, I had no intention of a half-hearted demonstration matching paces.
If that were the case, I wouldn't have started.
As I aimed my blade tip with a serious look, Bargo's eyes sharpened in turn.
The gaze of a general on the battlefield.
A undefeated veteran knight who'd followed Father to countless wars since becoming one—unlike me.
He gripped his massive greatsword two-handed and lowered into stance.
"Understood. Don't blame me if you get hurt!"
Wooong—!
Heat haze rose over his blade, soon cloaking it in dazzling silver aura.
Sword Expert pinnacle.
The realm where aura condenses at the tip into form.
A transcendent powerhouse who could face thousands of ordinary soldiers alone.
His razor-sharp presence stabbed outward, shredding at armor.
Onlookers swallowed, holding breath.
Even Roselia behind gasped, mouth agape at the overwhelming pressure.
'Oh... not bad? Grown about twenty percent since last I saw?'
I admired inwardly.
His aura's density was far more solid than before.
The North's harsh environment truly forged strong knights.
But.
'Still, talent capped from reaching Sword Master.'
I relaxed my sword grip.
No aura, no stance.
Just standing casually, sword dangling like a stroll in the neighborhood.
Not arrogance.
The absolute leisure only a vastly superior warrior could show.
"Come."
My brief words were the signal.
"Hraaaah—!!!"
Bargo roared, kicking off the ground and charging.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The duel ended even more anticlimactically than expected.
After a few exchanges of what looked fierce on the surface,
I saw Bargo's greatsword swing wide toward my crown—without even drawing up aura.
Just stepping half a pace lightly, I deflected it by a paper's width.
"Eh...?"
In the instant Bargo's startled breath escaped, my blade tip halted right before his throat.
Exactly fifteen exchanges.
Overwhelmed by the insurmountable wall? Or gripped by death's terror?
"Ugh, grk..."
Bargo collapsed to his knees, legs giving out, gasping raggedly.
I looked down at my sprawled knight captain and said flatly,
"Good work. Power's improved since last time, but your lower body's still off-balance. Fix that, and you'll get stronger."
"Th-thank you..."
I turned without lingering and descended the arena.
Click.
Sheathing the blade deftly, I approached Roselia, standing dazed.
"Satisfied?"
"..."
Roselia wore a half-tranced expression.
Mouth slightly agape, unfocused eyes fixed on me—like an old knight bewitched by sword magic, or someone high on drugs.
Only after a long moment did she reply dreamily.
"...Well seen. Truly... incredible. How can a person—no, a sword—move like that..."
Did I shock her too much?
I'd amped it up a bit flashier than usual just to build trust, but the reaction was odd.
I chuckled and checked my pocket watch.
"Thirty minutes till next duty. Care for tea time?"
"...Yeees... tea... sounds good..."
Still walking in a dream, she nodded like a creaky broken doll.
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