Ch.9292. The Pulling Door

The illusions of the Heart Link Battle summoned the warriors of old generations that Kaordix remembered in their complete state. Though they lacked consciousness, their skills remained at their prime. In fact, they were even more troublesome to face because they lacked reason. Above all, every single one was insanely powerful.

“You never intended to tell me from the beginning, did you?”

Rex grumbled as he got to his feet. He couldn’t even remember how many times they had fought. When Kaordix first summoned the knight, Rex thought he could win quickly. The moment the battle began, he sensed something was wrong, and only after being thoroughly beaten did he realize his opponent was far superior to him.

His opponent didn’t even use Divine Release, let alone a sword.

[A bet wouldn’t be fun if it were easy.]

Kaordix cackled with laughter. Fun for whom, exactly? Rex let out a deep sigh. After being pummeled by fists for quite some time, Kaordix revealed the knight’s identity to the collapsed Rex. Gustav, the Apostle of Iron Spirit who followed the Earth God and swept through wars hundreds of years ago. For the current Rex, this was an opponent he couldn’t defeat even if he died and came back to life.

[Still, you fought quite well after I changed your opponent.]

At the mention of “Apostle,” Rex immediately gave up on the bet. Since continuing to bash his head against this wall would only lead to meaningless repetition, he planned to build up his skills against lower-level opponents before challenging again. Even so, the replacement illusions were all monstrous by ordinary standards.

He didn’t suffer helpless defeats like he did against the Apostle. He didn’t win them all. There were several opponents he couldn’t overcome. That was satisfying in its own way. Fighting against the strong rather than the weak is more beneficial for oneself.

By the time one reaches the Radiance stage, everyone typically possesses their own unique blessings and secret techniques. While divine power and swordsmanship can be trained alone anytime, opportunities to gain combat experience so easily are rare.

He reviewed the insights gained upon reaching Radiance and organized the divine power added as his vessel expanded. If he had to measure, he was at least thirty percent stronger than yesterday. Indeed, the Heart Link Battle’s ability was useful enough for Kaordix to proudly offer it.

“You could have just told me earlier. I wasted my time for nothing.”

Though grateful, somehow kind words wouldn’t come out. Rex muttered with a sullen face. The Heart Link Battle prevents injuries and fatigue from the mental world from transferring to reality, but it doesn’t erase the pain felt during the process. This is because it creates an environment as close to actual combat as possible. Even that pain disappears cleanly upon returning to reality, leaving him feeling refreshed now as if he had just woken from a good sleep.

“Anyway, can we continue to communicate like this in reality from now on?”

Time in the mental world flows slower than in reality, but one can’t just stay there indefinitely. Rex was currently sitting on the bed in his room, with bright sunlight streaming in through the window. Originally, meetings with Kaordix only took place in the mental world, but now he could still hear the voice despite being in reality.

[Yes. Thanks to our strengthened connection, we no longer need to go through the troublesome process as before. You can enter the mental world whenever you wish, so don’t worry about not being able to use the Heart Link Battle.]

Kaordix readily affirmed. Having already experienced voice transmission and telepathy, the voice resonating in his head didn’t feel awkward. Besides, Kaordix had always been watching over Rex. What changed was that Rex could now communicate with Kaordix as well. He wasn’t concerned about others’ gazes.

[I can read your thoughts, so you don’t need to speak aloud.]

‘Can you hear me?’

[I hear you very clearly.]

Rex nodded and got up from the bed.

[Are you going to the lord’s castle?]

‘Yes.’

He had confirmed everything he needed to.

Now it was time to take care of the matters he had postponed yesterday.

***

“What’s with all these packages you’ve brought?”

Berger opened his mouth with a bitter smile. Rex scratched his cheek awkwardly.

“I didn’t know what you might like, Master. So I just bought various things.”

He had randomly selected items at the market, but when it came time to bring them, the quantity was quite substantial. Fresh fruits, wine, cheese… and various other luxury goods. While even one of these would be a burden for a commoner to purchase, they were all readily available within the lord’s castle.

To come up with something more impressive would have been difficult for Rex, who until recently had lived in a rural village. Isn’t it the thought that counts when giving gifts? Rex set down his bundle beside the sickbed. Chloe and Elin, who followed him in, also handed over what they had brought.

“I accept with gratitude.”

“How are you feeling, sir?”

“I think I’m fine, but the lord and the physician are making a fuss. They say I need to stay in bed for at least a week. I’m already getting restless.”

Berger joked as he lifted his heavily bandaged arm.

“Having faced an Apostle and survived is already something. This isn’t the first time I’ve been wounded like this, so I’ll shake it off and be up soon. Chloe and Miss Elin, thank you for visiting.”

“N-no, I should be the one thanking you. You got injured like this while protecting us…”

Chloe responded nervously, fidgeting. Elin simply nodded silently.

“Looking like this, I’m afraid I can’t see you out.”

Berger let out a hearty laugh but suddenly groaned. Though he pretended to be fine, his injuries were clearly serious. The fact that the group had managed to hold out until Charlotte’s arrival yesterday was entirely thanks to Berger buying time against Shaharon. The wounds he sustained in the process weren’t something that even a Radiance-stage Holy Knight could heal in a day. A week was set as the minimum recovery period; he might need to rest for an entire month.

“Moving could aggravate your wounds. Please stay still. There’s no need to see us out anyway.”

“Are you my physician now? You sound just like him.”

Rex smiled at the childish complaint.

“Now that I’ve seen you, I’ll be heading back.”

“My master was looking for you. Go see her before you leave.”

Berger muttered in a disinterested tone as he lay back down on the bed. Rex had planned to meet with Charlotte anyway. Recalling Charlotte’s personality that he had observed on the way, his expression naturally soured.

“Good luck.”

Berger snickered and then winced, clutching his chest with furrowed brows. Rex glanced at the bed with an incredulous look before turning away.

“Can I come with you?”

Elin asked. Though she didn’t show it, Chloe also seemed interested in tagging along. After brief consideration, Rex answered.

“I don’t mind… but I’m not sure what Lady Charlotte will think. I’ll ask her first.”

Just as he was about to place his hand on the doorknob, the door suddenly flung open. Rex looked up with wide eyes.

“Here you are.”

Charlotte addressed him with narrowed brows.

“When day breaks, you should come find me immediately. How long were you planning to keep me waiting?”

“Um…”

Rex stammered awkwardly.

“This door opens inward.”

At those words, Charlotte gave a puzzled look and lowered her gaze. Creeak. The hinge made a distressed metallic sound before falling off. Charlotte blinked at the broken door, then slowly removed her hand from the doorknob. The door fell backward without any resistance.

“…How weak.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s all because this door was poorly designed.”

Charlotte retorted with a shameless expression.

[Be careful, my warrior. This woman seems mentally unstable.]

Kaordix, who had been quietly observing, blurted out. Rex nearly burst into laughter at the sudden jab.

‘Are you trying to get me killed?’

[No, I just… Never mind. I apologize. I’ll try to restrain myself from now on.]

‘That’s not necessary. Just please refrain while I’m talking to people, as I’m still not used to this communication.’

Suddenly feeling a chilling gaze, Rex cleared Kaordix’s voice from his mind and turned his head. Charlotte was staring at him intently with narrowed brows.

“I thought I saw you smile just now.”

“You’re mistaken.”

“Really?”

“Look into my eyes. Is this the look of someone telling a lie?”

Charlotte stared at Rex with a stoic face. Looking closely, he thought she resembled him. The blue eyes like deep lakes, the clear golden hair. However, Rex, unaware of this thought, just chuckled nervously with cold sweat.

‘The original is decent, but that laugh makes him look foolish.’

Charlotte twisted her lips slightly and moved her legs.

“…I can’t tell. Whatever. I don’t have time for pointless chatter. Follow me.”

“Would it be alright if my friends came along?”

“Do as you please.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

At Rex’s signal, Chloe and Elin hurried after them. Following Charlotte, Rex carefully observed her appearance. Though her body was thin and delicate like a woman’s, the power within was anything but. Even now as she walked normally, if he heightened his senses, he could see sharp currents of energy swirling around her.

‘Kaordix.’

[Why do you call, my warrior?]

‘Can Lady Charlotte also be implemented in the Heart Link Battle?’

[It’s possible.]

Kaordix answered promptly.

[There’s a condition, though. To summon an illusion through your memory rather than mine, you must have a concrete understanding of the opponent’s power. But why? Has your competitive spirit been aroused?]

That was half right. Half, because it was closer to curiosity than competitiveness. Charlotte is the Apostle of the Sword. The title reflects the essence of an Apostle. Considering that, Charlotte must be the world’s foremost expert when it comes to swordsmanship.

He was curious about that skill.

Using the Heart Link Battle, he could cross swords with Charlotte. However, due to the constraints, he couldn’t attempt it right away. Perhaps later it would be possible.

But such thoughts were ultimately unnecessary.

The opportunity arose immediately.

“This place will do.”

Upon arriving at the training ground of the Knights’ Hall, Charlotte said with folded arms.

“Draw your sword.”

“Pardon?”

“I need to see your skills.”

Charlotte threw a scabbard. A cold blade was drawn.

“I don’t handle disciples as gently as Berger does. Without solid resolve, your body won’t survive.”

Rex swallowed hard as he gripped his zweihander.