WeTried Translations

Translator: Hydrogen B

Editor: Hydrogen B

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

Chapter 160: At Winter's End (9)

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Silence hung between them for a while. Kyle looked down at his hands, clenched together beneath the table.

Was he prepared to throw everything away for the Empire?

He had made that resolve long ago. He had carried it with him from the southern continent all the way to the Federation. He had only stopped because he had been blocked by the wall of reality. Now that he had come this far, there was nothing left to hesitate over. Ever since the day he fled alone four years ago, he had thought of the Emperor every single day.

And of the memories of the vanished past.

“Not once.”

“.......”

“Not once have I forgotten. The people who were dying, the people I will kill, and the Emperor. All of them.”

Kyle slowly raised his head. Quiet rage rippled through his black eyes, which had been emotionless until moments ago. His previously polite tone changed abruptly as well. He made no attempt to hide his emotions.

“...It was a meaningless question.”

“.......”

“Rest for the next few days. Once we arrive in Renavik, there won’t be time to rest.”

Adrian let out a long breath. Perhaps because their conversation had reached its end, his tired blue eyes seemed to settle further.

“When do we leave?”

“Next week.”

Adrian answered briefly. Kyle calculated the time left until the grand council meeting and banquet, as well as when they would arrive in Renavik. Fortunately, there was still plenty of time. Rier must have been close to Renavik.

It would take quite a while for nobles from distant lands to travel all the way to Renavik. Especially royalty.

That was not bad for Kyle. In fact, it worked out well. If he arrived in Renavik first, he could meet the surviving members of the order. They would at least have time to reunite. Hermann and Walter had likely already prepared the detailed plan as well.

“If this succeeds, you’ll head north.”

After a moment of silence, Adrian spoke. Kyle looked at him without much reaction.

“Did you hear that from Sir Hermann?”

“I did.”

“I see. I considered forming a new knight order under the Council, but Sir Hermann and Sir Walter politely refused. They said it was right for them to go north. There are still quite a lot of people left there.”

Kyle had already heard this. Rather than remain in the Federation and fight, Hermann had chosen to head north. Hailen had fallen, but not everyone who lived in the north had died. With so much of the Empire’s strength pulled away for its standoff with the Federation, there would be no better time to reclaim the north.

“I heard you promised them support in exchange for cooperating this time. What exactly will they receive?”

Kyle asked. Adrian answered as though it were nothing significant.

“A vast amount of funds, enough for them to settle in the north again. And food.”

“.......”

“I also intend to support them regularly afterward. The stronger the north becomes, the more it benefits the Federation. Since spring has not yet arrived, food will be scarce, so we agreed to pay special attention to that. It was already barren land, and the effects of the war remain.”

“What about people?”

“Providing Council Knights would be difficult, but I offered to send several other knights and mages. They refused. They said those people would only hold them back, and they would be better off on their own. Do you think so too, Sir Kyle?”

Kyle did not need long to think. He silently nodded. He could understand why Hermann had refused manpower support.

The north was never easy land to live in.

That was especially true for people raised in a country with a mild climate like the Federation. If they were forcibly drafted and dragged north, their morale would hit rock bottom. The surviving Ash Knights already provided enough strength. Eight, including Hermann and Walter. And Kyle himself.

Unless the Celestial Knights came in force, that alone was enough to take down most cities. More importantly, there were still noble houses remaining in the north. Houses the Empire had spared to rule the north indirectly after Hailen fell.

And the traitors who, as though they had never been loyal to Hailen, clung to the Empire the moment the tide turned.

If they spared those worth sparing and cut down those who needed cutting...

“I see. Rather than bring in outsiders who can’t work in step with you, it would be faster for you to handle it yourselves. You have the strength for it.”

Adrian quickly accepted it. Kyle rose from his seat.

“I’ll be going now.”

“A room has been prepared. Call for a servant if you need anything.”

Kyle nodded once and left the room. The moment the door shut behind him, the still-cold wind at winter’s end swept over his body.

“Sir Kyle.”

An elderly nobleman stood not far away. Seeing Kyle emerge from the Grand Duke’s office, he hurried over with short steps. Kyle stared at Gilbert.

“Did your conversation with His Grace go well?”

Gilbert asked without minding Kyle’s stare. Kyle moved his gaze up and down in confirmation.

“More or less. Were you waiting?”

“Yes. This is your first time at the estate, Sir Kyle. I thought you might need someone to show you to your room.”

“A servant could do that.”

“I couldn’t possibly leave a guest who came from so far away to a servant. My conscience wouldn’t allow it.”

“.......”

“Please follow me.”

Gilbert turned around. Kyle did not refuse and quietly followed him.

“Did Hermann and Walter return to their rooms already?”

Kyle asked as they walked down the corridor.

“Yes. They asked me to let them know when you came out... If you wish, I can take you to them.”

“No. It’s fine.”

“Are you sure?”

“It’s already late. I don’t want to take away their time to rest for no reason.”

Kyle turned his gaze to the side. Late afternoon had passed, and orange sunset light filled the corridor.

The sun will set soon.

“Here we are.”

After winding through the estate, Gilbert stopped before a door. Kyle entered without hesitation. The room was spacious and neatly arranged, as though it had been prepared for an honored guest.

“The bell is on the bedside table. Use it if you need anything.”

“.......”

“Then.”

Gilbert was just about to leave when Kyle spoke without turning around.

“Do you resent me?”

He felt Gilbert flinch behind him. An answer did not come immediately. Perhaps his thoughts were tangled as he wrestled with the question. Kyle quietly waited until he spoke.

“If I said there was none at all... that would be a lie.”

Before long, the elderly nobleman’s voice came from behind him.

“At first, I did. But it soon became pointless.”

“.......”

“I am an old man who could not lift a single finger while Her Highness disappeared, while you risked your life fighting, Sir Kyle. I abandoned the city I had built with my own hands for over five years and fled just to save my own life. What right do I have to resent you?”

Gilbert gave a hollow laugh. His tone sounded as though he blamed himself. As though he lamented a fate he could not resist.

“So I do not resent you.”

Gilbert’s voice was firm.

“Knowing that Her Highness is alive is enough. It means I can cling to even the smallest hope.”

“There won’t be a second defeat.”

Kyle spoke. Gilbert turned around, his eyes widening slightly.

“If we meet again.”

Kyle looked down at his left hand. The white ring was no longer on it. His neck was empty as well, where the Dragon Heart had always hung until not long ago.

“...I see.”

Gilbert said nothing more. He simply left with a faint smile.

“Rest well.”

Kyle watched him disappear down the corridor for some time before closing the door. Then he removed the sword at his waist and took off his clothes one by one. It did not take long before he gave himself over to the drowsiness washing over him. Clearing his mind, Kyle soon fell into a deep sleep.

* * *

Kyle woke after midnight.

When he opened his eyes, the room had already sunk into dim darkness.

Did I fall asleep early and wake up in the middle of the night?

Kyle sat up in bed. Perhaps because he had put aside his worries and concerns for the first time in a long while, his body and mind felt clearer than usual. He looked around once, got out of bed, threw on some clothes, then picked up Yurian’s sword from beside his pillow.

Let’s go outside. Getting some air would be better.

It didn’t seem like he would fall asleep again anytime soon.

Kyle carefully left the room. At this hour, the estate was steeped in dark silence.

He left the main building and headed for the courtyard behind it. Gilbert did not seem to know, but Kyle had learned the layout of the entire estate even before meeting the Grand Duke. He no longer had the ring, yet he could still use mana, however faintly, without the curse affecting him. It was also his habit to check the area whenever he entered a building, in case something happened.

The back courtyard... there it is.

Kyle arrived not at the well-kept garden in front of the estate, but at the backyard behind it. The open space seemed suitable for swinging a sword.

Yet he did not draw it right away. He sat down heavily in the middle of the courtyard, placed the sword across his lap, and slowly closed his eyes. As he slowly gathered mana within his body as he had done countless times before, his five senses sharpened. The speed and amount of mana he could handle continued to increase.

It is absurdly small compared to my prime, but its density is incredible enough to make up for it.

Kyle muttered inwardly. This power was completely different from human mana. At some point, his body seemed to have changed into something entirely different. Sometimes, Prisia’s mana even felt as though it truly belonged to him.

Prisia. Do you exist inside me? Did the Dragon Heart disappear because it no longer needed to remain in the form of a jewel?

No answer came. Kyle did not mind. He had not asked expecting one. In the end, the goal he had to reach remained unchanged.

There will be a battle soon. I cannot hold back Hermann, Walter, or the other members. I need to raise my skills as much as possible.

For that, the most important thing was controlling mana. Kyle’s swordsmanship had already reached as far as it could go. All that remained was to wield this abnormal mana freely.

Is the assimilation still progressing? If my guess is right...

Kyle was lost in thought as he slowly circulated Prisia’s mana through his body when he sensed a clear presence behind him. He opened his eyes.

“What are you doing out here?”

“Were you doing some dawn training?”

It was Hermann and Walter. Kyle stood up.

“What brings you both here at this hour?”

“What do you mean, what brings us here? Like you, we couldn’t sleep, so we came to swing our swords.”

“Kyle, is your body all right? You don’t need to push yourself. The curse may be gone, but you never know.”

Hermann spoke with concern. Kyle shook his head.

“It’s not that bad. The problem is that my body is healing abnormally fast.”

“Really?”

“Shall we spar for the first time in a while?”

“A spar... If you’re all right, there’s no reason to refuse.”

Hermann looked at Walter.

“Then I’ll referee. No sword techniques. Only simple Body Reinforcement with mana. Until one side surrenders or falls. You remember?”

Walter exchanged a look with Hermann, then smirked. Kyle gave a small nod, feeling a strange nostalgia.

“Fine.”

“Deputy Commander.”

“I know. I’ll go easy on him.”

“There’s no need. Do it the way you used to.”

Kyle said, almost provoking him. Hermann stared blankly at Kyle for a moment, then lifted the corner of his mouth.

“Don’t regret it.”

“I won’t.”

As Walter stepped back, Kyle and Hermann stood facing each other in the center of the estate’s backyard, a short distance apart. At the same time, star iron swords slid from their waists with clear metallic rings.

How long has it been since I held a sword?

Yurian’s sword felt different from his own. It did not bother him, though. If anything, it stirred a distant ache in his chest. Kyle smiled bitterly and tightened his grip on the hilt.

Focus on the spar in front of you.

Once, twice. He took deep breaths.

Clang!

A sharp metallic crash rang out with the first strike. Kyle immediately followed with another attack. With each exchange of blades, his unfamiliar body and sword quickly began to feel natural. Hermann’s brow twitched.

Well, look at that?

It was as though he were saying just that. No words were needed. Kyle could see it in his eyes. Hermann’s strikes grew heavier with every exchange. Though all the Ash Knights shared the same Asherad Royal Swordsmanship, each had different habits and ways of using it.

Kyle had known Hermann’s sword well from the past.

The same was surely true for Hermann. The members of the Knights of Ash had sparred whenever they found time, and no one knew one another better.

But what is this?

How many times had they swung their swords and blocked each other’s strikes? Suddenly, Kyle felt an unfamiliar sensation in the small amount of mana coursing through his body. Prisia’s mana could produce enormous power from a small amount, but this feeling was different.

Up, down, to the side. From obvious feints to sudden strikes.

Hermann’s Sword Path was completely visible.

It was different from predicting attacks based on his senses and experience. It felt as though he was reading the future several seconds ahead. It should have been impossible.

Yet that impossibility was happening before his eyes.

Am I imagining it?

Kyle narrowed his eyes. Countless afterimages formed in the air, then vanished.

But the clear visions of the future emerging among them did not disappear. Limitless possible strikes that had yet to be made. Where the next strike would come from, where Hermann would block his attack.

He could see it all.

An overwhelming sense of omnipotence, as though he had become a god, wrapped around his entire body.

After knocking aside the attack rushing toward him, he followed the future he could see, lowered his body, and drove in.

Clang!

A clear metallic sound rang out. Hermann’s sword flew from his hand and spun through the air. Pulled down by gravity, it softly buried itself in the dirt of the backyard.

“Kyle, you...”

When Kyle raised his eyes, Hermann was glaring at him with a shocked expression. Walter was no different. Heavy silence hung over the backyard, which moments ago had been filled with the sound of clashing swords. Hermann barely managed to speak, his voice trembling.

“What did you just do?”

Footnotes:

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