Ch.387EP.80 – The Knight Sets Out on a Journey Once Again (5)

“Congratulations.”

“?”

I was momentarily confused about what he was congratulating me for, but soon realized what he meant.

“You’ve gotten the hang of handling domains now, haven’t you?”

“…Ah.”

“What? You didn’t realize it?”

“…I wasn’t even paying attention to that.”

“…How strong must your hatred for mages be to focus so intensely…”

“Isn’t everyone like this when fighting spellcasters?”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

“…”

Caesar muttered in disbelief, and Ihan just scratched his cheek.

Was he embarrassed?

No.

‘Isn’t it natural to give your all when killing spellcasters?’

He wondered if everyone’s concentration didn’t triple when killing spellcasters.

‘Don’t others experience this?’

He tilted his head in confusion.

Ihan had finally learned how to handle domains!

Well, to be precise, it would be more accurate to say he unconsciously figured it out while endlessly increasing his concentration in his attempt to kill a spellcaster.

Either way, isn’t the important thing that he learned it?

‘…So domains also require willpower.’

He realized that when he ‘intensely focused’ on killing the spellcaster, the domain became like an extension of his limbs.

What was needed was willpower, a strong rope to tame the wild bull that was a domain.

This ultimately aligned with the principles of mental energy.

Since domains are essentially part of mental energy, controlling them also requires willpower.

In other words, it could be seen as something to overcome with mental strength. One might wonder why Caesar had to explain it in such a roundabout way when he could have simply advised him to resolve it with willpower…

‘I guess the techniques are different.’

Though they might seem similar at first glance, the applications are completely different.

If mental energy is like a well-behaved, people-loving retriever, then domains are like finicky, aloof cats.

If Caesar had directly told him to use willpower, Ihan would have stubbornly tried to handle domains like mental energy, fixating on one approach. Had that happened, it would have taken him years more to master domains.

By not insisting on willpower from the start and instead going through trial and error, he developed a new application of willpower. If not for that process, realizing this would have been impossible.

“Thank you.”

“No need for thanks. I hardly helped. But don’t get complacent. You’re just at the beginning, and you still have a long way to go. Even though you’ve entered the domain, there are still many mountains to climb.”

“I know. I’ll have to train my willpower diligently from now on.”

“Experience real battles rather than training.”

“…?”

“Willpower is like unrefined iron ore, and the best way to refine such ore is none other than real combat. Your willpower will become more solid through the tension of battle and fighting various opponents. That’s the shortcut for you to become stronger quickly.”

“I don’t particularly need to become stronger quickly…?”

Ihan’s expression suggested he wasn’t in a hurry, but Caesar disagreed.

“Those Blood Cross people or whatever they’re called, they’ve surely classified you as dangerous after this incident. Judging by the fact that they have an Arch Mage-level powerhouse, who knows how many more strong individuals they have. And if I were them, I’d do everything in my power to eliminate a dangerous element like you… even if it meant sacrifices.”

“…”

“Become overwhelmingly strong. That’s the only way for you to live peacefully. So that no one can disturb your peace.”

“…I’ll keep that in mind.”

Ihan didn’t argue much and readily agreed.

It wasn’t that he had nothing to refute; he was nodding in appreciation that the man known as the Mercenary King had given such advice solely for his benefit.

“Now then, come here.”

“Pardon?”

“Didn’t I say? You need to experience real combat. Fortunately, there’s someone far stronger than you right in front of you, so isn’t that appropriate?”

“…Oh.”

“Well, if you’re afraid of getting hit, you don’t have to come.”

“…Let’s agree to use only fists this time too.”

“Hehe, I knew you’d accept.”

Ihan willingly responded to such a flimsy provocation.

It was natural. After all…

‘If he’s willing to be my punching bag to make me stronger, of course I should be grateful!’

Shouldn’t he show his teacher what rapid progress looks like?

Whoosh!!

Ihan clenched his fists tightly and charged forward, while Caesar similarly clenched his fists and threw a powerful straight punch.

Bang!!

The two men’s fists crossed once again.

…And so, the next morning, Caesar’s figure had vanished without a trace.

* * *

Scribble, scribble.

[Are you okay, human master?]

“It’s bearable.”

Scribble, scribble.

[That’s good. After getting beaten up like that for five hours yesterday, I thought you were going to die.]

“…You cunning creature, I see now you’re not worried but mocking me?”

“Wh-what…?”

I-I don’t know what you’re talking about…?

Pretending not to understand, Orthos stopped writing on the sand board and hastily fled.

He bolted away with the excuse of going hunting, and Ihan clicked his tongue.

“I need to catch him once and establish discipline, that…”

Ihan clicked his tongue and grumbled in dissatisfaction, but in the middle of his grumbling, he clutched his mouth as it was too painful.

“Ouch…”

“Does it hurt a lot, Sir Knight?”

“…I’m fine. I’m not even that injured.”

“But your face is covered in bruises?”

“…”

“And you’re sweating a lot.”

“…Ahem.”

“Hehe, don’t endure it, Sir Knight! They say holding in pain makes it worse!”

“…Yes.”

“Hehe, I’ll go get an ice pack. That should help you feel a bit better.”

“…Thank you.”

Leira headed toward the ice storage, and as soon as she was out of sight, Ihan clutched his face again.

‘He really has incredible stamina.’

Ihan rubbed his painful areas with a disgusted expression.

In yesterday’s sparring, Ihan had been knocked down more than twenty times and lost consciousness five times.

Despite his declaration that he wouldn’t be a punching bag, he ended up getting thoroughly beaten.

…As expected of the Mercenary King, he’s on a different level.

In reality, after getting beaten up like that, he lost consciousness in the final round, and when he opened his eyes, would you believe the sun was already shining brightly?

And when he tried to get up for another round, Caesar had already left, leaving Ihan in a state of defeat, which was quite disappointing.

‘Running away after winning… what a lousy way to fight.’

As expected of a mercenary. His vibe from experience is no joke.

Doesn’t he know exactly how to toy with his opponent?

Ihan sighed while praising the Mercenary King, but there was no disappointment or sense of defeat on his face.

Even though he had been completely toyed with, still.

‘I gained quite a bit.’

It’s ironic how having achieved something makes him feel good.

However…

“He could have at least stayed for a meal.”

Beyond wanting a rematch, there was a hint of disappointment about sending him off without proper hospitality.

He had received so much, yet hadn’t properly given anything in return.

It was natural for Ihan to feel sorry.

“Should I try to catch up to him now…?”

Pat.

“You don’t need to do that. Caesar isn’t the type to demand anything in return from you, Sir Knight.”

“…Well, that’s true.”

He nodded at her logical point as she rubbed a cold ice pack on his face that she had brought without him noticing.

Indeed, if it were that man, he probably wouldn’t want to receive gratitude from another man.

“Hehe, I packed some bread and honey for him when he left. You don’t need to worry too much, Sir Knight.”

“…I’m always indebted to you, Miss Maid.”

“Ehehe. It’s nothing.”

He had recently discovered that the maid liked being praised.

Of course, what’s fascinating is that she can eerily detect insincere, soulless compliments and only responds to heartfelt ones.

[Buzzing.]

“Ah, the bees are bringing honey. That’s good, we can apply it to your wounds, Sir Knight.”

“That’s alright, if I rest well in this hot spring… Hmm? Miss Maid, what’s that?”

“Yes?”

“That thing in your pocket.”

“Ah! That’s right. Caesar asked me to give this to you!”

“…”

The compass attached to Leira’s skirt like a decoration.

It looked like an antique, seemingly on the verge of breaking, but Ihan, who had unintentionally gained some insight, could tell it was no ordinary item.

None other than…

‘That’s…’

A holy relic.

And a fairly high-grade one at that…

‘Are holy relics usually this common?’

Ihan blinked in bewilderment, wondering why he kept encountering holy relics that were said to be so rare that most nobles died without ever seeing one. Regardless of his astonishment, Leira introduced the compass with her characteristic beaming smile.

“Caesar said this compass is borrowed. He needs to return it to its owner, but he doesn’t have time. So he said it would be great if you could return it to the original owner when you have time!”

“Hmm…”

“Oh, and he said finding the owner is easy. Just follow the direction the compass points! Hehe, really simple, right?”

“…Yes, it’s simple. Really.”

“Hehe.”

Satisfied with her memory, Leira looked pleased, and Ihan smiled at her cuteness, though part of him wanted to click his tongue.

‘That man is definitely a mercenary.’

Creating a debt of gratitude that can’t be refused before leaving—he’s quite the high-level operator.

Anyway.

‘As expected of a mercenary, he never does anything that would put him at a disadvantage.’

…It seems his next destination has been decided.