Ch.233EP.52 – A Lady’s Heart is Like a Reed (3)/Revision

Sword Master Felinshia.

She is a remarkable figure.

Of course, finding an Aurora user who isn’t remarkable would be the more difficult task, but what’s clear is that Felinshia received the title of “Sword Master” from the previous king.

Sword Duchess.

It was essentially a title granted only to her, and she was the ‘only individual’ who could use the title of duchess in Pendragon, a rank otherwise permitted only to those of Galahad.

This position was earned through past achievements that impressed even the previous king, and the fact that even the mighty Galahad respected and honored her accomplishments speaks volumes about how extraordinary she is.

However, ten years ago, Felinshia disappeared from the public eye, and society assumed she had taken a temporary retirement.

Even for an Aurora user, being over 90 years old…

It’s an age where mental fatigue is inevitable.

Thus, her retirement seemed natural enough, and this became the prevailing theory.

Or there were rampant speculations that she might have nobly withdrawn from the world to make room for younger generations…

‘So in fact, it wasn’t for any such noble reason?’

Ihan cleared his throat.

The truth was too absurd to believe.

Even if he told this truth to a third party, they’d probably just curse at him, and who would believe it anyway?

…The truth was that the Sword Master…

Had a ‘second puberty’ and that’s why she couldn’t appear in public…

“Hmph! Ridiculous! I never went through any puberty. My body merely became younger, but my mental age remains the same, so where did such baseless rumors…! Oh? We’re running low on Elza sandwiches. Please bring a few more.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

“Thank you, and please remove the cucumber and carrot. They’re difficult to eat.”

“You must eat them. Don’t forget that Your Excellency is still in a growth phase.”

“I-I’m fine without them…”

“Your Excellency.”

“Tch…”

“……”

‘That’s definitely the stormy period of adolescence, no doubt.’

More precisely, it seemed her young, vigorous body was causing emotional instability and a sense of disconnect.

But to an outsider, Felinshia looked like…

‘A young person with dementia?’

Would it be Ihan’s misconception to think she appeared like a pitiful person who had developed dementia symptoms despite being only in her twenties?

“Sigh…”

…That’s right.

Seeing Iliad exhale a sorrowful sigh, Ihan could tell his impression wasn’t far off.

* * *

“…I apologize, Instructor. I’m very sorry for the rudeness. Allow me to apologize on behalf of my grandmother.”

“No, forget the apology. Are you feeling alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Except for the stiffness from lying unconscious on the cold dirt floor…”

“…Are you sure you’re okay?”

Arno, that is, not the fake Arno but the real Arno, returned safely and announced his well-being.

However, as soon as he emerged, he swallowed hard upon seeing his grandmother and immediately apologized to Ihan.

As if it was clear what had happened without even seeing it.

‘Like father, like son.’

The saying about sons taking after their fathers was spot on.

Although Arno looked more exhausted, the person responsible for his exhaustion merely greeted her grandson with a beaming smile.

“Is my grandson here?”

“…I greet you, Grandmother.”

“I’m sorry for knocking you out. It wasn’t intentional. I didn’t have the luxury of holding back to see how much your skills had improved.”

“……”

“Hmm? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“…Do you know that you have a habit when you lie, Grandmother?”

“!?”

“Father and Elza probably know it too. So please try not to lie in front of us. It’s all too obvious.”

“C-could you perhaps tell me what this habit is?”

“……”

“M-my grandson’s gaze is becoming more and more like Iliad’s. So piercing…”

“Grandmother…”

Arno easily refuted the superhuman nonsense about not having the luxury to hold back, and she fidgeted nervously while watching his reaction.

In truth, anyone would know that was a lie without needing to spot a habit…

Despite her rejuvenation, her maternal instinct toward her bloodline remained, as she trembled in fear at the thought of her grandson possibly hating her.

Who would believe this person is an Aurora user…?

Additionally, though Arno and Iliad’s words were harsh, their gentle gazes revealed their special affection for her. Despite being victims of such mischievous pranks on a daily basis, their kindness suggested they were genuinely sincere and pure-hearted people.

‘What an interesting family?’

While it might be just an ordinary day for them, to outsiders it would be the best sitcom ever.

…Unfortunately.

“Shouldn’t we get to our discussion now?”

It was regrettable that he couldn’t afford to indulge in this sitcom any longer.

“Hmm.”

At his remark, Felinshia smiled.

Mischievously and ominously.

* * *

Felinshia’s dagger.

As she herself mentioned, it was a dagger she had given to benefactors who saved her life in the past, and bringing this dagger to the House of Ophen allowed one to make a wish to Felinshia.

Of course, she wasn’t a genie granting wishes, but being able to request something from an Aurora user was invaluable. The worth of this dagger was beyond words.

If it were sold at auction, one could probably fill a swimming pool with gold coins.

“…I’m only asking this now, but is it okay for someone else to use such an important dagger?”

“Of course. As long as it’s genuine, it doesn’t matter who uses it.”

“……”

“Hehe, besides, Baltar isn’t in a position to ask me for favors, is he? He can do anything without my help.”

“…That’s true.”

It doesn’t seem like Baltar would rely on others’ power.

Even if they were equally powerful.

In that sense, perhaps it’s appropriate for someone else to use it?

“So, what favor do you wish to ask of me?”

“Hmm, I don’t really have anything to ask for…”

And amusingly, this applied to Ihan as well.

He was someone who rarely made ‘requests’ or ‘demands’ even to a princess of a country.

Though he had confidently proposed deals before.

In other words, he didn’t have any particular wish to ask for, even from an Aurora user.

To this statement from Ihan:

“Hehe, Baltar gave the dagger to someone just like himself.”

She laughed freely.

“…Let’s not insult me.”

“Being compared to him is the highest praise for knights, you know?”

“That praise doesn’t apply to me.”

“Ahaha!”

She laughed even more loudly than before.

As if this too showed how much he resembled Baltar, and Ihan, easily reading this implication, furrowed his brow.

Anyway, this displeasing woman, no…

‘She’s a yokai, a yokai.’

“My, you shouldn’t curse.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“Hmph, I can hear you cursing in your mind.”

“……”

“Hey!”

“…Is she really a yokai?”

Like an optical illusion, he could see long tails swaying behind her.

Mysterious tails, whether fox or snake, he couldn’t tell.

It was clearly a hallucination, but it suited her so well that when he thought it was strangely fitting:

“Well then, let’s find out together.”

“…Find what?”

“What you lack.”

“…?”

“Hmm, this should be appropriate.”

Tap.

“?”

She suddenly picked up a dry branch.

It was a branch randomly taken from a pile of firewood, so dry that it looked like it would break with the slightest pressure.

“Child, you may use an iron sword. But don’t use your peculiar techniques or fighting methods. Understood?”

“?”

“Ah, in exchange, I will use ‘multiple swords.’ This should make for a fair fight, don’t you think?”

“???”

She was saying incomprehensible things, and Ihan blinked.

What on earth was she planning to…

Whoosh.

“……”

…Ihan gaped like a fool.

He was completely dumbfounded by the sudden situation.

A sight unbelievable even to his own eyes.

And proving that he wasn’t the only one shocked into speechlessness by the incredible scene before him…

“…Kunta, I think I’m dreaming. Are branches flying around?”

“Don’t worry. …It seems you’re not the only one dreaming.”

Others also stared blankly at the branches floating in the air.

Whoosh!

The firewood, or rather… ‘swords’ that merely resembled branches but carried sharp edges, glided through the air and gradually surrounded Ihan.

As if each possessed its own will.

“…Controlling swords with qi.”

“Hmm? This is [Void Sword].”

“What’s that rootless name?”

“M-my late husband named it…”

“…On second thought, it’s a wonderful name! I’ll call it Void Sword from now on!”

Ihan nodded vigorously.

On second thought, it did seem like a great name.

Controlling swords with qi?

What kind of outdated name is that…!

‘The trend is Void Sword!!’

Ahem…!