Ch.183Chapter 183: Sword Grave (1)

#

From this day forward.

Until just before I faced the trial of the Sword Tomb, my sparring sessions with Shizu at the training grounds ended in a draw.

The results were close to a tie.

And while the swordplay we both displayed during those matches was far from flashy,

Each seemingly simple movement was executed with such deliberation that our swings carried an overwhelming power that surpassed mere elegance.

This was true for both Shizu and me without exception.

When I took the offensive first, Shizu would deflect my sword and claim victory.

In the reverse scenario, I would deflect her sword and win.

In other words, our matches consistently ended with the one who made the first move becoming impatient and losing.

While most combat manuals emphasize the importance of striking first in duels or on the battlefield,

Taking the initiative isn’t always advantageous.

This is especially true when the first strike comes not from a position of advantage with the intent to completely subdue an opponent, but from impatience against a flawless opponent on equal footing.

Since both Shizu and I knew each other’s strengths and weaknesses like the backs of our hands,

If one of us moved first, the other could read their movements completely and respond concisely, ending the match right there.

Today, on my last day of rest before the trial of the Sword Tomb, my sparring with Shizu ended in a draw again, with five victories each after ten matches.

Looking at just the results, it might not seem like a particularly productive sparring session.

But examining each exchange closely, there was much to be gained.

“As expected… your sword… is amazing.”

This fact was evident just by looking at Shizu’s rough breathing after our sparring ended.

When we first sparred at the training grounds,

Shizu hadn’t even broken a sweat, let alone lost her composure. The fact that I could now make her exert this much energy satisfied something deep within me, proving I was a worthy opponent for her.

That’s why I approached the resting Shizu, extended my hand, and said,

“I learned a lot.”

I expressed without hesitation how much I had gained thanks to her.

“…Me too.”

Shizu took my hand, showing a slightly embarrassed expression.

Perhaps because I offered my hand after every sparring session,

Shizu’s attitude when taking my hand had become more natural with each passing day.

But seeing the faint blush that still appeared on her face, it seemed difficult for her to completely shake off her shyness.

Well, someday she’ll probably take my outstretched hand without embarrassment and with a bright smile.

“The sun is setting. Let’s go in, eat, and rest.”

Thinking this, I didn’t point out her shyness and suggested we return to the mansion in a calm voice.

The setting sun was busy preparing to replace the daytime vitality with the stillness of night.

#

And the next day.

For the trial of the Sword Tomb that I had to face in a cave located halfway up the mountain north of Duke Ranos’s estate,

I should have woken up earlier than usual to prepare,

“…I’m late, quite late at that.”

After opening my eyes and realizing I had woken up later than usual, I hurriedly got out of bed while wiping away the cold sweat from my forehead.

It was disconcerting, but

When I recalled what had happened before falling asleep last night, it wasn’t incomprehensible.

So I gathered myself and rushed to prepare my attire and everything else.

What happened last night, you ask?

[…Even I think I might have played too much?]

‘If you know that, please be quiet.’

[Hahaha.]

‘Oh my…’

The cause was Fafnir, who was currently making my head spin.

After successfully completing my final sparring session with Shizu at the training grounds,

I returned home, had dinner, chatted appropriately with my sister, Excel, and Her Highness the Princess who were enjoying the holiday atmosphere,

Then I should have gone back to my room, gotten into bed early, and fallen asleep to perfectly prepare for the Sword Tomb trial according to plan, but…

[If you only play at sword fighting with your fiancée, your edge will actually get duller.]

Fafnir’s voice, which invaded my mind as I was about to fall asleep contentedly, was the starting point of everything going wrong.

The moment I heard his voice, I sensed it.

His intention to deliberately provoke me psychologically and draw me into the mist for harsh training was so obvious.

[So before you face the trial in that gloomy tomb, how about a proper match with me?]

Fafnir’s provocative voice contained much stronger mischief than his usual playfulness.

For some reason, his voice was full of desire to engage with me.

Normally, I would have ignored it and tried to sleep, but…

‘Well, I suppose I can indulge you once.’

In the end, I fell for his provocation and transferred myself to the mist-shrouded place.

There, Fafnir was waiting for me with fierce attacks that I barely managed to block, and because I needed time to rest my tired body afterward, I ended up oversleeping.

Well, when I say “oversleeping,” the trial is at 10 AM,

And it’s 9 AM now when I woke up, so fortunately I still have an hour to spare.

[You still have plenty of time. Go back to sleep.]

‘…You should stop talking.’

While washing my face and changing clothes, I thoroughly ignored Fafnir’s words, which were full of mischief since this wasn’t his concern.

If I got caught up in his pace again, I couldn’t even imagine what might happen.

[Are you tense because of the trial? You’re quieter than usual. Relax, like I said a few days ago, it’s really nothing.]

‘After hearing what you call “nothing,” I’m thinking it might be something extremely serious for me.’

The only response I gave was to his encouraging words about the trial being nothing, expressing my own concerns.

After finishing my preparations, I left the room, needing to get to the trial site faster than anyone else as the participant.

There wasn’t much to bring.

One dragon sword, that’s all.

If I had woken up earlier, I could have eaten a hearty breakfast before setting out, but given the current time, that was impossible, so I moved forward with regret.

My destination was the Sword Tomb.

A cave located halfway up the mountain north of Duke Ranos’s estate.

#

I had experienced climbing mountains to the point of exhaustion before my regression.

When I was working as a mere mercenary in Night Haven,

I had traversed the Dragon Claw mountain range countless times for daytime patrols or hunting to secure food supplies for the harsh winter.

Climbing the ancestral mountain of the Ranos duchy, one of the few rugged mountain ranges in the Central Continent outside the Northern region, was no challenge at all.

Even when I was just a mercenary who couldn’t properly handle fighting energy, I used to frequent the more treacherous Dragon Claw mountain range like it was my backyard.

Now, with a body incomparably stronger than back then, climbing this less challenging mountain was naturally easy.

Because I woke up a little later than planned, I couldn’t do everything I had intended to do right after waking up.

But with light footsteps, I climbed the mountain and reached my destination, the Sword Tomb.

“…You arrived just in time.”

I was greeted by Father, who held a large pocket watch in his hand as if he had been waiting for me.

He wasn’t alone.

“I won’t go down until you pass, so don’t worry and just focus on the trial.”

Excel encouraged me with a resolute voice.

“I hope your preparation with Shizu pays off.”

My sister also offered her encouragement in a calm voice.

“While this wasn’t part of my holiday plans, I wish you well in becoming a proud member of the Ranos family, representing the Imperial Family.”

Even Princess Lukius, who technically had no reason to be here, gave me her support.

Everyone was offering me encouragement that was more than I deserved.

This alone would have been enough to motivate me, but then…

“…Good luck.”

Shizu, who had suddenly rushed in front of me, offered her encouragement in a gentle voice that seemed to outshine all the others.

Since it was only polite to express gratitude for such support,

After properly thanking Excel, my sister, and Princess Lukius,

“Thank you.”

I also expressed my gratitude to Shizu, who had given me the warmest encouragement.

As I spoke, I realized something.

While I had maintained a composed expression when thanking the others,

I found myself unconsciously wearing a faint smile when expressing gratitude to Shizu.

“After the trial… Frok… family head… both families… marriage… discuss…?”

I heard Father muttering to himself in an extremely quiet voice after seeing my expression.

His voice was so soft that I couldn’t catch everything he said.

But I had more important things to focus on than listening to his voice, so…

“Well then…”

I bowed once more to everyone who had encouraged me and made my way into the Sword Tomb for the trial.

Though I should have been tired from hurrying from the mansion to the Sword Tomb,

Thanks to the strength given to me by those who had encouraged me,

My footsteps were remarkably light.