Chapter 101

Chapter 101House Reinhafer.

The pinnacle of the continent’s three great dark families.

They enjoy overwhelming power and wealth, far outstripping the other two.

They are known to the world by the following names.

A family that stands at the pinnacle of the knightly realm.

―Unparalleled.

(라고/lago)

There is no need to explain why.

Theo von Reinhafer.

The current head of House Reinhafer, and wielder of the Supreme Black Sword, which has been handed down from generation to generation, stands there like a giant tree.

Furthermore, Theo was known as the Three Sword Masters, and his reputation as one of the continent’s most powerful swordsmen spread far and wide.

That was why his position was still so strong compared to the other two dark families, whose eldest son and daughter were weakened in the succession scheme.

‘The state of the other two Dark Houses is not good to say the least. This is true even if you recall the game’s story.’

First up, Leon’s House Marvas.

They have recently been involved in a turf war that has left them on the brink of extinction. Leon von Marvas, the boy patriarch, led them to victory, and they barely survived.

It can only be described as a miracle, perhaps.

‘If it weren’t for the overwhelming talent and determination of Leon von Marvas, the House of Marvas would be dead and buried by now.’

There was a time when the House of Marvas was at its most prosperous, but that was too long ago.

The Book of the Dead since the first Marvas family line.

That is, no mages have emerged who can wield the Necronomicon.

Their power had naturally waned, and.......

The timing was right for a territorial war to break out between the factions, who were actually bent on the downfall of the Marvas family.

A situation that would normally have been a losing battle.

However, Leon emerges as a genius using the Necronomicon for the first time since the first Lord, leading his people to a complete victory in a battle they should have lost.

This is where he earned his name: Leon the Black Lion and Young Patriarch of the Commanding House.

Anyway, the story goes that he never quite recovered his strength.

The second is Lana von Sader’s House.

This is also the only family to have inherited succubi powers, but Lana is unable to fully utilize them, and her power has somewhat waned.

Lana’s bloodline powers are only inherited by one of her children, and the family’s power has fluctuated and stabilized depending on who the heir is.

The current patriarch is fulfilling his role well, but Lana’s nature hasn’t allowed her to develop properly yet.

...Now that I think about it, there is only one family that is considered strong enough to stand alone.

The Reinhafer family.

Apparently the name of the family I’ve possessed is a heavy one.

In any case, they have Theo still alive and well, an exceptional scion in Garen who is relatively superior to the rest of the family, and resources to exploit (albeit somewhat cumbersome to me).

Theo should have less to worry about.

......I’m sure he did.

“Take the sword.”

Why here.

Standing facing Theo, sword in hand, in the familiar octagonal training grounds?

Suddenly, questions run down my spine. A cool breeze.

I realize that some serious sh*t is about to hit the fan.

(Xdoen)

I turn off my mental crisis sensor for a moment.

I wonder if I’ll actually implode at this point.

......It’s going to be okay, right?

Not really. What kind of father would kill his son?

“Draw your sword or you will die.”

“.......”

Swish.

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A sleek, black sword casually stretched out from my waist.

It was a beautiful sword movement that left no margin for error.

......Even if Theo hadn’t been pressuring me. [sic]

“Let’s get started, then. First, lighten up... that’s right, try to block my attack.”

* * *

What is a talent?

Theo’s eyes were deep with insight into the human condition.

Yet he still couldn’t quite put his finger on the word talent.

Some are born with it so easily, while others crumble under the weight of it.

Some are born with it too easily, while others crumble while holding it. Even if the end is fraught with tragedy, he never gives up and keeps pushing forward.

Watching them, Theo couldn’t help but think.

What is talent?

What level of talent was he born with?

Even so, he could define one thing for sure now.

‘The talent I once had... what Nox has is so much more.’

Being the youngest son? Of course not. Theo was never going to be that hot and cold personality.

He pushes his allies further and further, and strives to make them improve, so that no one else is sacrificed.

It doesn’t matter if you’re the villain.

It’s okay to be sick, it’s okay to be hurt. After all, it’s proof that they’re alive. The scars, the blood, and even the pain they suffer are proof that they’re alive.

That’s why, right now, his sword was dulling even more.

That’s why, as he watched Nox lunge at him with his sword raised, he struck with more force than he had initially anticipated.

Ka-boom!

(chaeaeng!)

A ragged gasp erupted from Nox’s mouth.

He doesn’t stop, though, and speaks with a mischievous glint in his eye.

“Is that just the limit?”

[Lord Patriarch].

Rodwell, who had been watching the swordplay, suddenly reached out to Theo. It’s telepathic, and it’s the first time he’s ever spoken to him without permission, and Theo is more than a little taken aback.

However, he was reassured by Rodwell’s story.

[You’re a little overzealous with the youngest Master. I don’t think there are many people who can withstand this kind of pressure, even when you’re teaching them. Even Young Master Garen wouldn’t be able to withstand this much swordplay].

[I see].

Without realizing it, Theo was unleashing a finer, more difficult-to-block attack. Nox von Reinhafer.

It was because my son’s abilities were superior.

‘Excellent.’

Theo tightened his grip on his sword, holding the words in his mouth as he did so. He had no mercy, but it was too much for the child.

Indeed, Nox is tattered, almost to the point of raggedness. His uniform is torn to the point of needing to be altered, and his grip on the sword trembles slightly.

It was evidence of the Stormbringer’s constant need for his magic.

He turns his back and plays the fool. Then he clicked his tongue.

“I think I’ll end today’s lesson here....”

That was the moment Theo said it.

A branch of magic suddenly extended out and grabbed his ankle as he was about to turn around.

Ziiiii...!

He immediately turned his head to look behind him. There was the youngest. Nox is pointing his sword at him, his vision obscured by blood.

“Where are you going?”

Nox gritted his teeth as he struggled to control the pounding of his heart. Then he turned to Theo. How dare he, go against the Seven Stars, the patriarch of House Rinehafer.

“This uneducated bastard has never learned anything.”

With that, the pure white light shattered.

What followed was pitch-black darkness.

It was.

An indescribable, intangible, dark energy surged from the Stormbringer in Nox’s hand, and it bared its fangs at Theo.

The corner of Theo’s mouth lifted involuntarily.

A sensation he hadn’t felt in a very long time, not since his ascension. It was a chill. A chill that was so slight, yet so terrifying, and yet nourished him every moment.

It was returning in the form of my son.

“Come.”

No more words were needed.

A harsh noise erupted, one that could not be attributed to the swords of a father and son.

The two men were now fully immersed in the duel.