Chapter 132: The Knight Is Trying to Become Stronger (5)

This… The potential is better than I thought.

Lee Han was talking about the way of gathering power that was similar to that Maximus guy or whatever’s method.

The basics of this method was the Sword Resonance—something that a skilled warrior could do, but the way the method could be applied was endless, depending on the individual’s skills.

They could materialize lightning, create threads, or even…

Calling up starlight…

Finding how the technique he imitated from that guy wasn’t as bad as he previously thought, he felt a little amused.

Moreover…

I could probably do more than this?

He thought he would be able to make a lot of fun techniques in the future.

Although…

Wooong-!

It seemed like that would have to wait until later.

“Hmm, maybe because I’m not used to it, but it’s hard to maintain it. You punk, just how do you maintain something so difficult? Is it because of the difference in talent…?”

“…You should just swear at me.”

“Why?”

“It really pisses me off when you act like you don’t know.”

Roen couldn’t help but stare at him dumbfounded. If someone who had created a technique that was better than his own swordsmanship on the spot lacked talent, then what would that make him be?

Now I understand why others would swear at me…

He reflected on himself, realizing why his allies and enemies would glare at him whenever they fought him.

Though he already knew that he was a bad commander in his past life, now he came to know that he was also a bad person back then.

This debacle surprisingly made an excellent mirror therapy for him.

Since there were a lot of things going on, their spar lasted a full 80 minutes.

It was too long for a mere sparring, but since they didn’t just fight with swords and axes, it made sense that it lasted so long.

Not only that, they also did the so-called sword debate.

They didn’t just fight with their bodies, but also through language and communication, trying to find a new direction of their growth while pointing out each other’s shortcomings.

“If you rush to me with Swift Swordsmanship, I’ll block it like this and immediately strike your head with an axe.”

“I’ll let you do that and stab your neck right away.”

“…Hmm, why don’t we test that out for real?”

“…I thought this is supposed to be a sword debate?”

“It is, in spirit.”

“…You can’t just call it a sword debate when it isn’t actually a sword debate.”

That was how they engaged in a fierce sword debate, kept hitting each other hard enough but not to the point that they’d kill each other. Time passed in an instant.

And of course, after the sparring…

“The problem with sword skills is that it ate too much stamina. If you can manipulate your sword skills delicately like when you use Martial Power, you’ll be able to use it much longer, Instructor. In fact, if you’re learning Combat Technique, it would be easy to learn the trick, but you haven’t learned it, haven’t you, Instructor? Hmm, if you want, I could teach you the basics right now. If it’s you, Instructor, I bet you could nail it quickly…”

“Even if I learn that now, I think I still won’t be able to do it.”

“Probably, yes…”

As they reviewed their sparring, they shared appropriate advice for each other.

“You don’t have any weaknesses. It won’t be an exaggeration to say that you’re already a master in swordsmanship. Your movements and judgment are also outstanding. If I have to say your problem, it’s that you have tunnel vision. To put it nicely, it means that you’re good at focusing on your opponent, but it also means that once you’re focused, you won’t notice anything happening in your surroundings. Although in a one-on-one situation, that would be an advantage.”

“So, are you telling me to fix it or leave it alone?”

“Neither, make it so that you can turn it on and off. Do that, your shortcomings will be gone. Actually, no, there’s another one.  You’re too ‘perfect’.”

“…Are you joking, Instructor?”

“No, I am not. You trying to be too perfect is a problem.”

“How so?”

“To be perfect means to live under a certain standard. It also means that you’re following the path that others have walked. It isn’t a bad thing, but that’ll make you lack imagination and ideas. Attacking someone who lacks imagination is easier than someone who does.”

“…”

“If you become a monster who can split the sea with a single sword, that won’t be a problem, probably, but before that, it will definitely turn into something that haunts you.”

“…I’ll remember your advice.”

Some people might take that advice as condescending words, but the guy listened to Lee Han seriously. As if he also had something he wanted to point out.

And that point was…

“If I were to fight someone like you, Instructor, I would probably panic and lose.”

“Me?”

“There’s no one as unexpected and unique as you, Instructor.”

“What do you mean? I’m just a simple guy.”

“…I hope you don’t go around saying things like that.”

“?”

They continued to spend their time meaningfully like that for a while. When the curtain of night was about to surround them, they put down their weapons.

“What do you want to do now? Do you want to sleep here since it’s late?”

“No. I don’t want to be a tactless guy.”

“That’s so unlike you.”

“…Just what do you think of me, Instructor?”

“Your feelings will hurt if you hear it.”

“…Never mind, please don’t tell me.”

“Haha!”

As Lee Han expected, teasing him gave him a different kind of satisfaction.

He looked like a piece of ice, but he was strangely humane for some reason.

The punk’s not a bad guy.

He’s like any other human; he makes mistakes, and has his own clumsy sides.

Also…

“I wish I could see ‘that’ thing that has been growling inside you.”

“!!!!”

He’s needlessly affectionate at times.

Roen widened his eyes in surprise when he heard Lee Han’s words. At the same time, he made an expression as if questioning how he found out about it.

“I just knew.”

“You…just knew?”

“My intuition has become more sensitive lately.”

Lee Han didn’t know whether he felt it because of the fight they just had, or because his senses had grown sharper due to his increase in level, but he knew for sure that an ‘enormous beast’ was sleeping inside this punk.

It was a little smaller than the archduke’s beast he had seen at the academy before… But its power was undeniable.

“…Seems like your sense is already at the level of Mystics, Instructor.”

“I find it fascinating myself. Anyway, the more your emotions get more intense, the more it reacts, right? It seems like you can’t control it either. That’s a dangerous guy you’re raising there.”

“…I’ll let it slide if you tell me to buy medicine right now.”

“Thank goodness, I’m not a drug dealer.”

Lee Han laughed as he teased him. Meanwhile, the guy’s expression grew more serious. He probably felt embarrassed that his secret had been revealed.

However…

“I won’t tell anyone, so don’t worry.”

Fortunately for him, Lee Han didn’t have a hobby of revealing others’ secrets.

“Besides, what would I gain from threatening you with it?”

“For starters, I’m rich. I can solve anything that can be solved with money.”

“You punk, you’re really calling yourself rich? Whatever, what use do I have with your money anyway?”

“I can give you this much.”

“Look at this insolent guy…!”

Lee Han glared at Blackie who was holding out five fingers towards him, calling him insolent.

What does this guy think other people are?! Does he think he can buy people with money, huh?!

“By the way, these fingers meant 50,000 gold coins.”

“…”

“With 50,000 gold coins, you could probably buy a small territory with a vineyard. That should give you a decent tax revenue.”

“…I see. So you are rich, huh?”

…But, he couldn’t deny that it was an extremely tempting amount.

**** * ****

In the end, Lee Han rejected Blackie’s offer. It would be a lie if he said he wasn’t tempted by such a huge amount of money, but he felt like if he took that money, he would put another leash on himself.

It’s already hard to be tied to one person, why the hell would I want another one?

He genuinely believed that he had made a wise decision, but…

…Maybe, just 500 would be okay…?

It was undeniable that he still felt regretful about it.

[Grrrrrr!]

“…What a vicious cat.”

While he was chewing on that regret, he heard the ‘beast’ growling at him as if threatening him.

Blackie said that he wasn’t supposed to hear it, but strangely, its voice echoed in his ears.

What did they call it again? The Black King?

Not only that, he could also clearly feel its presence.

It was the Mystic that Lionel kept, the one that came from the Lion King. They said that its power was equal to Galahad’s Demonic Sword and the Aura Users of the kingdom.

There’s no way there are two of them in the North. If there were, they’d have left this kingdom and declared their independence already… Is this the punk’s [Regressor Perk]?

Lee Han judged that the Black King that Blackie had did originate from the North, just not ‘the present’ North. After all, if they really had more than one of these, they woulda been claiming independence a long time ago.

It was highly likely that it was a ‘piece of the future’ rather than the present.

One of the most common clichés of regressors is going back in time while bringing one of their strongest powers as a bonus. Maybe that’s how it works with the beast.

And the reason why it’s so weak is because of some kind of penalty…

Indeed. The power that supposedly came from the future didn’t seem to be that strong.

At least, compared to the one that the archduke has.

This was something that he felt. The Black King that had become one with the archduke was overwhelmingly strong. Maximus was unable to move when he faced it, while he himself felt chills running all over his body even though he could only feel its presence.

However, compared to that Black King, the one inside Blackie was noticeably weak, even though it seemed fierce.

Instead of a lion, it feels like a cat.

…Well, even if it’s weak….

“I think I’d have to risk my life if I have to fight that guy. And here I wondered why you quit for on reason in our first duel. It’s because this ferocious guy would go wild if we continue, huh? You’re rather considerate despite your appearance.”

“Let me ask you again, Instructor. Just what do you think of me?”

“A common noble prince—a brat.”

“…”

Just how much prejudice does this guy have against nobles?

Facing his instruction’s hatred towards nobility that came as naturally as breathing, Roen was left dumbfounded.

Sizzle-!

After the sparring, a late dinner began. A generous amount of pork was grilled on a cast iron grill that Lee Han got from an acquaintance, using high-quality charcoal.

The amount of meat prepared was 15 kg.

For reference, Lee Han would be able to eat 10 kg of it alone.

Sizzle-!

The pork fat gave off a delicious smell as it met the hot charcoal. As Lee Han’s acquaintance said, the quality of the meat was good, and it had little to none gamey smell, proof that the pig was a high-quality one.

This kingdom surprisingly had developed things that should be developed…

The kingdom surprisingly had a developed livestock industry. Since their land territory was large, meat was plentiful and cheap. In the case of cattles, they were often turned into magical animals while being raised, so they were considered high-quality food, and were only served on the tables of nobles. That was why commoners tended to consume pork more often than the expensive beef.

Well, considering that most of it was made into bacon, ham, or sausage, grilling it directly like this was an unfamiliar way of eating in the kingdom.

“A Barbarian-style grill, huh? I’ve heard stories of how Barbarians would eat unprocessed meat like this. I heard it’s good for your stamina, and also nutritious. Anyway, it’s surprising that you have interest in other cultures as well, Instructor.”

“…It’s not like that.”

Suddenly being regarded as an intellectual who accepted the culture of a mystical race, Lee Han was left dumbstruck. In truth, he just received high-quality meat—the pig it came from was raised on acorns—as a gift from a restaurant owner he knew well. He decided to grill them to reminisce, but apparently it created a strange misunderstanding.

“I see. And here I thought there was someone else from another world besides me, but I was mistaken…”

“…”

…That person is right in front of you. How could you not tell?

Unfortunately, even though Lee Han had given her a clear hint for her to find a friend from her hometown, the mage chick just nodded her head, convinced by the conclusion she came into.

When will she finally find out?

At this point, Lee Han couldn’t help but be curious. He wondered how long she’d stay like this.

“Eat a lot. Here, wrap it in vegetables and eat it.”

“Wow, there’s a ssam culture here too?”

“I don’t know.”

“Awesome! So it’s something that you invent, Instructor? You’re a genius…!”

“…Is it something worth praising?”

“Yes, it is!”

“…”

At this point, any doubts that Lee Han had about her doing this on purpose vanished. He had given her such a big hint, and yet she was still so oblivious.

Is this the famous rofan protagonist’s curse?

Sometimes rofan novel protagonists acted as if they were waiting for windfalls to hit them. Lee Han thought that she was similar to them.

“Wow! This is tasty! This radish-based dish is also great!”

“…As long as it’s tasty, that’s fine.”

You know what, it’s fine if the kid’s brain’s a little empty.

As long as she’s nice and eats well.

If only she wasn’t a magic freak…

Lee Han shook his head, silently grilled the meat.

“…”

“What’s wrong? Does it not suit your taste?”

“…No. It’s good.”

“Your expression is a little strange, though.”

“…Eating peacefully with someone else like this feels unfamiliar to me. That’s all.”

“…”

He felt a little iffy to reply to what Blackie had said, so Lee Han didn’t say anything else.

“Come on, eat more meat, the vegetables and pickles too, they’re all tasty.”

“Yes, they are.”

“You too, Average Joe.”

“I didn’t expect to eat some free food here! I’m so lucky today!”

“…Why are all my disciples so sad?”

Every time he tried to take care of them, he felt like he was stepping on a landmine, so he couldn’t help but shake his head.

Still…

“Master, it’s really delicious!”

“…Yes, you too, eat a lot.”

“M-Master, you should stop grilling and eat some too! Do you want me to feed you?”

“No, I can eat while grilling. Just eat a lot.”

“…Okay.”

It’s satisfying to see these kids eating heartily.

Is this what being a parent feels like?

“More like this is what being a cook feels!”

“…Maid, stop reading my thoughts.”

“Hehe, I can’t do something like that. More importantly, ah~”

“…”

“Ahhhh~”

Feeling that he shouldn’t reject it, he accepted Leila’s favor in his mouth.

…It’s tasty.

Somehow, it’s twice as tasty as the ones I grilled…

“Instructor.”

“Huh?”

At that moment, Blackie, who had been focusing on eating, brought up an unexpected story. It was as if this was his payment for the meal.

“This is a little a sudden, but the purpose of my visit today is not just to share information.”

“?”

“I want to tell you that there is a possibility that you will be involved in something quite troublesome in the future.”

“…But I already am.”

“It’s different…”

“…”

…Through the words that flowed through his mouth after that, Lee Han could see why the guy had specifically used the phrase ‘troublesome’.

“A ‘Heresy Inquisitor’ from the temple will be watching you up close, Instructor.”

…Indeed. A religious invitation was something worrisome.