The Sword Master’s Son-in-Law

– The Kingdom of Hoorn (2)

Asia went to see Count Messiah.

There were things she needed to say.

“Father, what ever happened to what I mentioned before?”

What she had mentioned previously.

It was before Arthur had visited the Count’s estate.

Count Messiah spoke with a worried tone.

“If that is what you want… Are you sure you won’t regret it?”

“Regret…? Never. I can’t stand that man bothering me any longer.”

Academy.

Asia conveyed her decision about the Academy to Count Messiah.

“I’m going to stop attending the Academy.”

Initially, Count Messiah opposed this.

For his only daughter to not graduate from the Academy, a place attended by all nobles.

Wasn’t that regrettable?

However, upon hearing her reason, he reluctantly conceded.

The Academy was located in the capital city of the kingdom.

As its location implied, the influence of the royal family was strong.

So much so that it was practically the First Prince’s stronghold.

And thus, Asia, wearied by the First Prince’s unwanted advances, had resolved to withdraw.

“Hmm, still, you should stop by the Academy after the holiday is over.”

“Why?”

Count Messiah always maintained a gentle demeanor toward Asia.

But now, unlike usual, he wore a serious expression.

“Because you are a noble.”

“A noble…?”

“Even though you’re a noble of the kingdom, you don’t need to try to please that First Prince. However…”

Count Messiah began to speak of a noble’s duty.

Something of utmost importance in the world of nobles.

And that was…

“Surely, you’ve made connections there, haven’t you? You are a noble. You should at least say your farewells before leaving.”

Managing one’s connections.

“…Understood.”

Asia agreed, though with a less-than-enthusiastic expression.

For Asia knew.

Even if she completed her farewells in a single day, she would inevitably encounter the First Prince during that day.

‘I have to endure it.’

But she decided she could bear that much.

“And also…”

Count Messiah’s expression shifted, as if troubled.

It was something he found difficult to say himself.

Because he knew Asia would dislike the suggestion he was about to make.

“If you wish to continue attending the Academy without the First Prince’s interference… seek strength from your mother’s family…”

“Please, stop!”

Asia cut off Count Messiah’s words.

“I’m sorry… but please, don’t bring up my mother’s family to me again.”

Count Messiah possessed a way to keep the First Prince in check.

But it was a method Asia did not desire.

Therefore, he considered it a last resort.

Of course, Count Messiah himself didn’t favor that method either.

‘For the sake of Asia…’

Even such unpalatable methods, she would choose without hesitation.

“Very well, I understand. Once the holiday ends and I return to the academy, I will bid farewell.”

“Yes, do so.”

Having finished her discussion, Asia left the head of the family’s chamber.

And she recalled the conversation she had just had.

Her maternal relatives.

Her mother’s family.

Thinking of them, Asia’s teeth clenched tightly.

An emotion of unbearable anger welled up within her.

“…Rather than accept help from *that* place, I’d sooner marry the First Prince.”

Asia shook her head dismissively.

From the start, there was no need for such worries, she reiterated to herself.

For even if the relationship was a fabricated one, she did have a fiancé candidate recognized by her Sword Saint grandfather.

*

The depths of a gloomy cave.

Within the damp cave, a single candle flickered, casting light.

Beneath the candle stood a large, round table.

And three figures sat facing one another, engaged in conversation.

“Peter, why hasn’t that fellow arrived?”

The man called Peter replied,

“Drex, surely you know? That madman’s gotten his hands on a magic stone, he’s probably busy experimenting.”

“Hmm… True enough…”

Drex, recalling the madman, conceded to Peter’s words.

Even within their unconventional circle, he was an outlier.

Which was precisely why he was one of them, able to be here, in this place.

Peter then began to speak of his own progress.

“I gave a magic stone to a monster, but the results weren’t all that interesting.”

“What results did you get?”

“Well, they were all exterminated. Nothing worth keeping as a subordinate.”

“Exterminated, you say… Why? Shouldn’t their abilities be enhanced by the magic stone?”

“Enhanced… They certainly became stronger, but the result was still just the level of a monster. One driven more by instinct than reason.”

Drex hummed thoughtfully at Peter’s words.

The thought that they might not achieve any meaningful progress hung heavy in the air.

Drex quietly glanced toward one figure.

“Amerie… have you had any success of your own?”

The girl called Amerie looked up at Drex.

But she didn’t open her mouth.

“Tch, you’re not mute, yet you refuse to speak.”

“Drex, you must understand. She’s an artificial being, after all.”

Peter called Ameri a doll, a look of utter incomprehension on his face.

Drex nodded, as if finally understanding.

“A doll… indeed, a fitting description. So much for her exceptional abilities, when she can’t accomplish a thing on her own.”

Still, Ameri remained silent.

Drex pressed her further.

“So, you intend to say nothing, even now?”

Yet Ameri wouldn’t open her mouth.

She had nothing to say in the first place.

She had failed in her assigned task, after all.

“This is maddening! Why would the Dark Lord send such a wretch?”

Finally, Drex gave up.

“Now, Drex, watch your tongue. ‘Wretch’? Ameri is, after all, related to the Dark Lord by blood.”

“Related by blood…? Ah, yes. That’s right. Ameri is the Dark Lord’s daughter. I almost forgot. Hahaha, Peter, do you actually believe the Dark Lord is capable of paternal affection? Ameri, that thing is merely a tool. Obedient to the Dark Lord’s every whim. A daughter? Nonsense!”

Despite the insults hurled at her, Ameri remained impassive.

Leaving Ameri’s situation aside, Drex turned to Peter.

“Speaking of which, where did that madman wander off to?”

“If I recall… Hoorn Kingdom, I believe. That’s where he went.”

“Hoorn Kingdom, is it? Ah…! Yes, that does seem like a destination for his kind.”

With that, the round table meeting concluded.

“Tch, I hope she finds her voice next time.”

Drex was the first to leave.

“Ameri, I don’t intend to criticize you… but at least provide a proper report.”

Peter departed next.

And so, Ameri was left alone in the cave.

Then, Ameri’s lips, which had been sealed shut until now, parted.

“…Hero.”

The first word uttered from Ameri’s mouth.

It was ‘Hero.’

The reason Ameri suddenly mentioned the Hero.

It was simple.

Ameri’s mission was related to the Hero.

Ameri recalled her task.

The task given by her father.

‘Find the Hero and kill him. If you cannot kill him, gather as much information as you can.’

Her current mission was to find the Hero.

And to kill him.

But she hadn’t found him yet.

And so, Ameri was currently wandering aimlessly across the continent.

Without a single clue.

*

Captain Letid confirmed the party destined for the Kingdom of Hooren.

“Everyone’s here, I see.”

I turned, counting heads.

The men were Captain Letid, Teddy, and myself. The women were Asia and Melia, her handmaiden.

“Then, my lady, you will ride in the carriage with Melia.”

“Yes, sir.”

Asia and Melia boarded the carriage.

Letid took the reins, while Teddy and I would escort the carriage on either side.

Perhaps they didn’t know, but this was a first for me – a journey into foreign lands.

*A journey abroad.*

‘But is this luck… *too* good?’

I’d only wanted to have my sword seen to, and now I was on my way to the Dwarven Kingdom.

It felt *too* fortunate.

It made me uneasy.

‘It feels like something bad is waiting for me.’

I deliberately banished the thought from my mind.

Words have power, and thoughts… they could hold power, too.

‘I just hope I can safely have my sword made and return.’

That was my small wish for this journey.

“Alright, we’ll depart now.”

Captain Letid spurred the horses forward. And so, my first journey to a foreign land began.

*

Inside Count Messiah’s study.

The Count Messiah was in distress.

“I sent that one with Asia, but… what if something happens?”

The Count closed his eyes, lost in thought.

Asia, returned from the Kingdom of Hooren.

Asia, returned to the Count’s estate…

*’Father, I want to marry right away.’*

Count Messiah nearly choked.

*’You must be surprised by my sudden desire for marriage, especially without betrothal. The truth is…’*

In his imagination, Asia’s cheeks flushed crimson.

*’…I carry new life within me.’*

Count Messiah’s eyes snapped open.

“Ah, no good. This worry will be the death of me! Summon Captain Bertnia, immediately!!!”

Count Messiah realized he needed to assign another guardian.

He urgently called for Captain Bertnia.

“…Alright, I must trust Asia.”

Count Messiah resolved to believe that she would never be corrupted by Bertnia.

He decided to assign Captain Bertnia as a supervisor.