The Sword Master’s Son-in-Law

– Growth

Lilly’s appearance was sudden, but it wasn’t all poison.

Especially not for Asia.

“The Crimson Flame Mercenary Group has offered to hold a sparring match for us.”

“M-Me? Really?”

“Of course. As I mentioned before, there will be a modest sparring fee involved.”

Through a certain Lily, a chance to spar with the Crimson Flame Mercenaries had been arranged. Asia was now able to have the match she so desired, all thanks to Lily. It was only natural to express the obvious.

“Though, I think it would be wise to offer Lily your thanks.”

At the mention of Lily’s name, Asia’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly. She seemed, for some reason, to harbor a certain animosity towards the girl.

“…Why?”

“Lily’s influence was quite significant in securing this spar, you see.”

“I understand.”

Asia seemed somewhat displeased, but she accepted the explanation nonetheless. And so, Asia’s first spar in the Vladik Mercenary Nation was set to begin. The opponent for this much-anticipated event was none other than…

“I’ll show you just how frightening a mercenary can be, you aristocratic lady.”

Lily herself. Wielding two daggers. If she saw the Lord Elier Commander use two swords , she must learn from him.

“You… you’re going to fight me?”

Asia scoffed, a sound tinged with disbelief. It was hardly surprising, after all. Lily’s level was Intermediate Sword Expert, the same as Asia’s. However, even within the same rank, there were distinctions. If Asia was on the higher end, Lily was undoubtedly on the lower. Asia stood before the wall, while Lily was at the entrance. The difference between them was that clear.

“Let’s cross blades first, and then we can talk.”

Still, as Lily said, with such a narrow gap, variables could come into play. The outcome was far from certain.

“Very well.”

And so, the spar between Asia and Lily commenced.

*

Asia may have appeared to dismiss Lily, but this was a calculated act. Never to let her guard down, no matter the opponent. That was Asia’s greatest strength. The seemingly dismissive demeanor was a provocation. Asia’s provocation. Though, it had no discernible effect on Lily. Among those of the same Intermediate rank, the difference in mastery was often subtle.

‘Even a Beginner Expert could sometimes defeat an Intermediate. I need to stay focused.’

Asia tightened her grip on the sword in her hand.

Facing her, was Lily.

Lily showcased a series of light-footed movements.

An almost bouncing, effervescent dance.

Asia, concentrating on Lily’s movements, steadied her mind.

“Now, let the sparring begin. Try not to be too rough, now,”

Arthos said, overseeing the match.

The words barely left his lips when Lily lunged forward.

She darted towards Asia in rhythm, a cadence of attack.

Asia, her eyes fixed on Lily, raised her sword.

Lily, bouncing as she ran, lowered her body and accelerated in an instant.

She swung the dagger in her right hand towards Asia’s neck.

*Clang-*!

Asia calmly deflected the dagger, and immediately met the follow-up dagger in Lily’s left hand.

This too, Asia parried with composure.

Lily attempted to create distance, but Asia charged toward her, swinging her sword.

Lily, to evade Asia’s descending blade, bent backwards at the waist.

Simultaneously, her hand touched the ground, and she kicked her legs up in a handstand, aiming for Asia’s chin.

To avoid Lily’s attack, Asia was forced to step back.

“You’re quite nimble.”

“…You as well.”

Asia and Lily were now a distance apart.

They exchanged compliments.

Seeing them seemingly acknowledge each other, a gentle arc formed on Arthos’ lips.

‘Yes. This is what sparring is.’

Competing while recognizing each other’s strengths.

What the Sword Saint did to Lord Eiler was simply madness.

“From here on out, I intend to get serious, so you’d best be prepared.”

Mana infused Asia’s sword.

“Those are *my* words to say!”

Lily also channeled mana into her two daggers.

But then-.

‘Lily also has special mana?’

The mana was crimson.

And a heat radiated from it.

It was like a burning flame in form.

‘Ah…! No wonder Lord Eiler took her in as an adopted daughter.’

Lily’s mana was like a manifestation of the Crimson Flame Mercenaries.

Lily and Asia, their weapons imbued with mana, faced each other down.

And so, they clashed once more, and the result…

“Lady Lily has emerged victorious.”

Asia lost her grip on the sword, Lily’s dagger now poised at Asia’s throat.

A clear defeat for Asia.

Even considering Lily’s unique mana, Asia’s loss felt strange.

It was a fight she should have won, decisively.

She surrendered far too easily.

‘The reason isn’t so simple.’

Arthas had come to a definite understanding of the reason through this sparring match.

Frankly, he had wanted to tell Asia this for some time now.

And so, he decided to use this opportunity to make it undeniably clear to Asia.

The problem that Asia possessed.

“Lady Asia, may I have a word with you?”

Asia’s problem.

It resided, undeniably, within the Sword Saint.

*

I first presented Asia with a plan to resolve her issue.

Asia, in turn, showed a hint of reluctance.

“Is it absolutely necessary?”

“Yes.”

It absolutely was.

If she intended to aspire to a higher realm.

Of course, with Asia’s talent, she might have realized it on her own eventually.

But -.

‘If she can realize it faster through advice, wouldn’t that be for the best?’

Asia’s problem.

It lay in admiration.

The root cause of it all was that old man.

“The Messiah family’s swordsmanship does not suit you. Neither does the sword you currently hold.”

The being that Asia held in such high esteem.

It was none other than her grandfather, Hans Messiah.

The admiration she held for that old codger was the problem.

Asia admired the old man, and so, she attempted to imitate everything about him.

‘If the old man had been beside her, he would have corrected the habit long ago.’

If I recall correctly, Asia was about six years old.

When Hans Messiah left Asia’s side.

And so, there was no one to advise Asia regarding her swordsmanship.

‘Of course, there’s Count Messiah.’

But he lacked the talent.

Reaching the peak of Sword Expert was merely a result of effort.

Count Andrew Messiah was far too ignorant to offer any worthwhile advice in the handling of a sword.

Therefore, advising Asia was impossible.

“From the very start, no female Sword Saint has ever emerged from the Messiah family, have they?”

It couldn’t have been that only male children were ever born.

Women, too, should rightfully ascend to the Sword Saint level.

Yet, none had.

There must have been a definite reason for that.

And that reason was precisely this.

“Young Lady Asia must learn a swordsmanship that suits her.”

The Messiah family’s swordsmanship simply didn’t quite fit women.

Well, he wouldn’t tell her to learn a different swordsmanship altogether.

That would be an irresponsible thing to say.

Therefore–.

“We shall modify the Messiah family’s swordsmanship to suit Young Lady Asia.”

He meant that she should develop it to a degree that fitted her.

“Ah…!”

“And that sword as well, you should change it to something lighter, with a thinner blade.”

A sword remarkably similar to the one that old man used.

But for Asia to use, it was far too long and heavy.

Which was likely why her reactions kept being delayed, right from the start.

Until just now, Asia was darkened with the shock of her defeat to Lily.

Her expression brightened in an instant.

As if she had gained some enlightenment.

No, it was clear that she *had* gained enlightenment.

It felt like something blurry had become sharply defined.

“Why couldn’t I have understood this easy thing until now?”

The reason Asia was stuck against a wall.

It was surely because she was wearing clothes that didn’t fit.

And the reason Asia hadn’t realized that fact.

It was because of admiration.

It must have been because she idolized her grandfather so much, she tried to copy everything.

Even the reason she ended up dueling here in the Vladic Mercenary Nation was because of her admiration for her grandfather.

“It will be difficult to suddenly change a swordsmanship that has hardened into a habit. But it’s not too late, so try changing it.”

“But I am a little worried.”

“What is it?”

“Will I be able to properly modify the Messiah family’s swordsmanship?”

“You are capable.”

Asia certainly possessed enough talent.

Her body would surely find the proper sword paths on its own.

“I understand. I’ll give it a try!”

*

Lily sought out Lord Eiler in the mercenaries’ headquarters office.

“Father, it’s me.”

“Aye, what brings you here?”

“I’m seeking permission.”

“Permission? For what manner of thing?”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Lily spoke.

“I’d like to accompany Arthas for a time.”

No sooner had the words left Lily’s lips than Lord Eiler replied.

“Understood.”

A clean, crisp approval.

A subtle curve graced Lily’s lips.

In truth, Lily had overheard a crucial piece of information through another.

‘Going to the Kingdom of Hoorn to commission a sword, is it?’

Lily learned of this through Melia.

That Arthas was soon to depart for the Kingdom of Hoorn.

Which meant a swift departure was imminent.

Lily could not bear to part ways with Arthas like this.

For if they separated now, she felt she might never see him again.

Lily steeled her resolve once more.

‘It’s alright. I *can* marry Arthas.’

Lily indoctrinated herself.

Strangely, whenever she did this, what she desired invariably came to pass.

Naturally, she expected the same this time, not a sliver of doubt in her heart.