14. Heroic Tale
The night sky.
A being sat on a tree branch soaring high enough to pierce the stars.
Succubus.
A horned succubus, the one who had been observing the recent battle between Uma and the God of Swords Kronos.
“…I thought talking about the God of Martial Arts was all nonsense.”
His feet little more than supporting him against the tree, his knees began to shake.
With power like that, isn’t it more than enough to be called so.
I’ve never seen a sword technique that exceeded common sense to such an extent.
“Merging is bullsh*t.”
Death.
If you confront a man with dark gray hair, you will die, no doubt about it.
That certainty filled the succubus’ mind.
“Die alone if you’re going to, Cailon.”
The succubus decided to refuse the cooperation proposal of Cailon, the vampire of Empire 3.
Pop!
The succubus standing on a tree branch vanished.
***
A hero’s tale spread.
The heroic tale of the martial god who saved the transit city of Akan.
A princess’ sword stopping the underground king Belleck who tried to control the city with drugs.
That martial epic spread all over the empire.
The city guards of Aken certainly had a knack for storytelling.
Ironically, Belleck was killed by the very sword slash dealt by Kronos.
Nevertheless, the crimes that Belleck had committed were revealed from the mouths of those who were his associates.
Gelmore’s market square was used to spread drugs, and nearby nobles were involved, even their drug-related transaction ledger.
Eventually, the members of the 3rd Knight Division of Astes Empire came down to the city of Akan.
Unlike the 1st and 2nd Knights Division, the 3rd Knights Division of the Empire investigated corruption within the Empire.
A total of 20 personnel.
Allocating twenty personnel from the 3rd Knights Division showed how seriously the Empire took this situation.
Yuma slept in the luxurious accommodation Mayor Gelmore had prepared.
When he woke up, the windows that filled his view were the same type as the ones he first saw when he arrived in this world.
[Achievement – ‘Grandmaster’ level defeated.]
[You have accomplished something far beyond your abilities.]
[Rewards will be given!]
New!
[Skill – Super Focus(★★★★): When you decide to concentrate, you can penetrate its essence clearly. Includes the enemy’s attack, skill, and everything.]
New!
[Skill – Unyielding Will(★★★★): The moment you parry, the player will withstand considerable damage and shock. However, the pain will be felt.]
[There is no growth potential.]
[Rewards of this achievement will increase your status.]
[Name: Yuma
Lv. 20
Disposition: Good Characteristic: Cool-headed
Strength: 30 Endurance: 45 Defense: 30 Agility: 50 Growth potential: 0 – Ordinary Human.]
Sword master Kronos was one who achieved the Grandmaster level.
Chronos was a transcendent warrior who had surpassed the human limit of level 129.
Yuma carefully stared at the status window.
His foul status became a little less foul.
All stats increased by 20.
‘This body has no talent.’
A growth potential of 0 was telling him that.
The description of being ordinary next to it felt like a death sentence.
The talent he did possess was merely ‘Faring’ from the ＜Don’t Overdo It＞.
In the future, he would need to achieve non-standard accomplishments to raise his stats like this.
‘It seems like there’s also an engraving system here.’
Engraving.
An element that appeared in the ‘Loof Blood’ which can be called the prequel of this world, and its previous Loof series.
A system to gain a sort of ‘skill’ by engraving on the body.
Yuma felt the need to gather information about the engraving.
He was checking the skill he’d just gained.
Knock knock─
The sound of a knock on the door echoed regularly.
“Who could it be?”
In response to Yuma’s words, a robust voice came from beyond the door.
“I am Rohan from the 3rd Knights Division, who came down from the waterway. I have come to seek an audience with Yuma, the representative of Princess Bridgette.”
“Wait on the first floor.”
“Understood.”
***
Yuma dressed up and went out.
“Master Yuma!”
He saw the figure of Clone approaching with a sunny smile.
“Were you called too?”
“Yes, I was called too. As your ally, Master Yuma!”
You’re the main one, not me.
One of the protagonists of the trust. Yuma patted Clone’s head.
Yuma and Clone walked down the stairs side by side. As soon as they went down the stairs, they saw two knights from both sides, kneeling and standing at attention.
The words followed, as if carefully scripted.
“I am Rohan, the inspector from the 3rd Knights Division, meeting Master Yuma, the sword of Princess Bridgette.”
One of the knights said.
“I am Ermel, the inspector from the 3rd Knights Division, meeting the wizard Clone, the confidant of Her Highness the Princess.”
The female knight said. Clone’s eyes widened. The confidant of Her Highness! Although it seemed like a meaningless qualifier, there was great significance behind those words.
That Bridgette had personally informed the imperial knights of Clone’s existence. That Clone was her essential ally.
Ambition fired up again in Clone’s golden eyes.
‘Next time, I want to be called the Great Wizard Clone!’
To continue by Master Yuma’s side.
Clone had a growing desire for magic.
“Did you come to investigate Belek’s case?”
Rohan nodded his head.
“Yes, I came down to Akan City for the investigation of Belek’s case.”
A woman, Ermel, spoke. Her sparkling eyes were filled with admiration for the man with ash-colored hair in front of her.
“I’ve already received a testimony. From the guards of Akan. They said that you saved this city. And…”
Rohan’s eyes were also sparkling.
“We received testimony that you defeated Chronos, a grand sword master seated on Division 2, with your swordsmanship. You simply deflected Chronos’s attack and then cut off his breath with a horizontal swing.”
“…”
Yuma maintained silence.
Rohan was genuinely seeing Yuma as a remarkable swordsman.
He had seen the corpse of Chronos with his own eyes.
Because of that, he saw a single critical blow left in the corpse.
A strike that completely nullified the shield surrounding Chronos’s body and penetrated.
That incredible swordsmanship.
And the devastating crack in the buildings around it caused by the shock wave of that swordmanship!
He thought that his master exaggerated saying that a maximal swordsman bends the space.
But it wasn’t.
Because the black princess in front of him made it happen.
“The situation is getting sorted out. The younger brother of Gelmor’s mayor has also joined in sacred healing. The problem is the other corrupt nobles involved with Belek… Their judgments will likely take place in the Council.”
“Is that so?”
Yuma slowly nodded his head.
Honestly speaking, he wasn’t particularly interested in how things would go.
Ermel passionately nodded her head.
“Your name, Yuma, is becoming familiar to many nobles due to this event. Thanks to this, the princess Bridgette’s position has increased! At this rate, I believe she will soon equal the 1st prince.”
That was quite an encouraging result. Ermel continued.
“Given the unpleasant event, Princess Bridgette said, if you want, you can return to the palace once, get organized, and then start your journey again.”
He didn’t think that was necessary.
“I’ll just get through today and head to the count of Rubert tomorrow morning.”
Ermel and Rohan were amazed at Yuma, who talked about everything as if it wasn’t a big deal.
Ermel and Rohan bowed their heads.
Rohan opened his mouth.
“May all your endeavors be blessed.”
Ermel and Rohan left.
Yuma headed for the office of Gelmor’s mayor.
This was because there was a sincere request to visit before he left.
Gelmor deeply bowed his head towards Yuma.
“Oh, you’ve come.”
“Sit down.”
At the word, Gelmor quickly took a seat in his chair as if he had received a divine command.
“…Thank you, Yuma. This incident has shown me my incompetence and inadequacy.”
Yuma didn’t have much to say to Gelmore, the depressed ruler of Akhan’s land. Mainly because he wasn’t particularly interested.
He decided to offer very formal advice.
“The empire still trusts you. So gather your courage and guide the city again.”
Gelmore’s eyes widened.
“…Thank you. Truly, thank you, Yuma.”
His voice was trembling. Not with fear, but with deep emotion.
‘Why is he reacting like this again?’
Yuma stood up with his usual lack of expression.
“Then let’s go.”
Gelmore bowed again.
“I pray only for blessings upon your noble steps, Lord Yuma.”
Well, everyone seems to like blessings.
Yuma casually waved his right hand.
Of course, being a noble, his gesture seemed dignified in Gelmore’s eyes.
“To repay your kindness, Lord Yuma, is to aid the princess in her ascension to the throne.”
Gelmore’s eyes sparkled with determination.
More than ever before in his life.
“I will repay your kindness.
His mind was spinning. He would build this city to be greater, to wield influence in the empire.
His mind was filled with thoughts of making Akhan an even more powerful city.
