The Sword Master’s Son-in-Law

– The Second Excursion

Following my advice, Asia prioritized replacing her sword.

A lighter, shorter blade than her existing one.

‘Though I was to receive a new sword in the Kingdom of Hoorn…’

Asia purchased it hastily for her training.

And so, Asia began to mold the Messiah family sword style into her own, with the new sword.

Not a heavy blade emphasizing strength, but a style that embraced agility.

Deflecting rather than parrying.

But she found herself limited when she was alone.

So she began sparring with other mercenaries to supplement this.

“You are quite impressive.”

“Thank you! You’ve been a great help.”

The tenth sparring match.

It was only then that Asia’s unique Messiah family sword style began to take shape.

She had, in fact, understood it in her mind long ago.

Now, it was as if her body had finally caught up.

In any case, it was a remarkable talent.

Asia clenched her fists tight.

“It’s my turn for revenge!”

Her eyes shone with determination.

Revenge.

She was, of course, referring to her spar with Lily.

Asia had never lost to someone her own age.

Except for me, naturally.

Even so, Lily must have felt like a true rival to Asia.

“If we fight again, I can win, right?”

She looked up at me, eyes sparkling with hope.

“I can’t give you a definite answer–”

The world of competition is a merciless place.

Who would win was something even I couldn’t know.

But–

“I believe the Asia-sama of today is more than capable.”

Asia’s growth had been remarkable to witness.

She was certainly capable of putting on a good show against Lily.

*

The training grounds of the Crimson Flame Mercenaries.

Sparring was in full swing.

The sparring fervor was all Asia’s doing.

But it wasn’t just her who had jumped on the bandwagon.

Leader Letid and Teddy were also caught up in the sparring frenzy.

“I’m really glad I came here.”

Leader Letid said, sweat beading on his forehead after a light spar.

It had been a great help.

Letid was an experienced leader, but sparring with mercenaries who employed such unrestrained combat styles was immensely beneficial to him.

Teddy readily agreed.

“Indeed, sir.”

They were both knights.

And so, they both harbored the desire to grow stronger.

And to grow stronger, experience was essential.

They needed to accumulate experience through sparring and become more powerful.

For that reason, this place was like paradise to them.

“Please spar with me next, Lord Letid.”

“Understood.”

“How about a spar with me, Lord Teddy?”

“Of course, I’d be delighted. Shepherius, let’s wreak some havoc again.”

Teddy said, stroking his beloved sword with affection.

*

“…You seem a little different.”

Lily’s words were directed at Asia.

Indeed, Asia had changed, not only in appearance, but even her very aura felt different.

“I won’t be taken so lightly this time.”

“Is that so?”

Arthurs stepped between Lily and Asia.

“Then, let’s keep it safe like last time! Now, let’s begin.”

Arthurs was the referee for this duel as well.

And so, the duel began.

Lily displayed her light-footed movements, just as before.

She charged at Asia without hesitation.

Asia, meeting her head-on, rushed towards Lily, shouting.

“I won’t concede the first strike like before!”

Lily scoffed at this.

“Hmph, as if you were letting me.”

And so, the two clashed, trading blows with each other.

Before, Lily had been unilaterally attacking at high speed, but this time, the pattern of attack was similar for both of them.

A clash with no quarter given.

As the exchange continued, sweat beaded on the foreheads of both Asia and Lily.

‘Her growth is indeed fast, isn’t it?’

Arthurs was somewhat impressed by Asia’s progress.

A growth rate that finally seemed to suit her.

The exchange continued, and for a moment, the two distanced themselves.

“Haa… you’re quite something.”

“Hmph, you certainly have changed.”

Asia noticed a small burn mark on Lily, caused by Lily’s mana.

Conversely, Lily’s body was covered in several scratches.

Arthurs thought to himself.

‘Asia will probably win.’

Arthurs predicted Asia’s victory.

The burn was caused by Lily’s unique mana, so Lily was the one who had actually been hit by the attacks.

As the exchange continued, that difference would become more and more evident.

Asia would undoubtedly seize victory in this duel.

And as Arthurs had predicted.

Asia’s sword was now aimed at Lily’s neck.

And before Asia could even celebrate her victory, she sat down in a lotus position.

She had gained an enlightenment from the duel just now.

Asia was clearly overcoming the wall to ascend from Intermediate to Advanced Sword Expert.

Arthurs quickly approached Asia and began to guard her.

And a short time later.

Asia, eyes closed in the lotus position, sat still.

Then, her eyes opened.

Mana, refined and different than before.

Arthas offered his congratulations.

“My felicitations on touching the threshold of the higher ranks.”

It wasn’t that Asia had ascended to the upper echelons of Sword Expert.

Merely-.

‘She stood on equal footing with Commander Retid.’

A small realization, or perhaps, a level reached if one simply gathered enough mana.

Between the middle and upper ranks.

To put it another way, poised atop a wall, preparing to leap to the other side.

“Thank you.”

Asia gazed intently at Arthas, who was congratulating her.

Simply looking at him warmed her heart.

Asia felt inexplicably awkward.

‘Another debt to repay…’

The first debt, for becoming her betrothal candidate.

And the second,

For illuminating the path she needed to walk.

Asia made a firm resolution.

‘This debt… I will repay it, without fail!’

Asia continued to regard Arthas with a steady gaze.

He spoke, “Is there something on my face?”

Her intense stare had prompted Arthas’s question.

At his words, Asia hastily turned her head, averting her gaze.

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

With a strangely ticklish feeling in her chest, Asia hurried away from Arthas.

*

Melia said, “So, your chest feels ticklish, is that it?”

“Yeah.”

Asia.

Recently, she had been experiencing a strange sensation.

Whenever she saw Arthas, her chest area would feel ticklish.

A subtle heat, or perhaps a vague irritation.

“It could be a skin condition, maybe I should take a look?”

Melia lifted Asia’s top.

Asia showed her bare skin to Melia without the slightest hint of embarrassment.

“Hmm, it doesn’t seem to be a skin condition. I wonder what it could be?”

“I wouldn’t know, that’s why I asked you.”

“Perhaps something’s going on inside…?”

“I even took a potion, but it did nothing at all.”

Melia wrung her hands, lost in thought.

She was racking her brain as much as she could.

To find an answer.

The reason Melia was straining her mind so.

Was out of concern for her mistress’s health.

“Well, unless it’s too severe, perhaps we should get a detailed check-up when we return to the Marquessate.”

“Perhaps you’re right?”

Asia suddenly realized there was something she hadn’t quite voiced.

“But what if this only happens in the presence of a certain someone?”

“A certain someone?”

“Yeah. Just to give an example…or something like that?”

“That’s…!”

Melia replied with a grave expression.

“Could that person have placed a curse on you?”

At such absurd words, Asia couldn’t help but sigh.

“That’s it. My mistake for consulting you, Melia.”

She’s truly good at her work itself.

Melia was just a bit…off, somewhere.

Asia regretted consulting her.

Unaware of Asia’s inner thoughts.

“Speaking of which, you mentioned wanting to repay a debt of gratitude?”

“Yes. To Arthas…Sir.”

Melia straightened her shoulders, speaking confidently.

“As I’ve told you before, going out with you, Mistress, is a reward for any gentleman!”

“Again with that?”

“Even if it’s repeated several times, a reward is still a reward. Well… he’s a fiancé candidate, after all, how about some skinship this time?”

Melia paused.

She frowned slightly as she spoke.

“It seems a stray cat has attached itself to him.”

“A stray cat…”

Asia quickly understood who Melia was referring to with “stray cat.”

Lily.

Even though she had a claim, Lily kept trying to cling to Arthas.

The “stray cat” Melia mentioned was none other than her.

“But would Arthas-sir even like something like skinship?”

“Mistress! Didn’t I tell you? Going out with you is, for any gentleman…?”

“A reward.”

“Of course, Skipship as well! Why are you hesitating so, when you know it so well?”

Asia found herself, for some reason, not entirely trusting Melia.

But Melia was the only one she had consulted with.

There was no choice but to follow her words.

“Alright, alright. Now, shoo.”

“Eh? Already?”

Melia looked noticeably disappointed.

“Why?”

“No, it’s just… I’ve been so bored these days. The young lady is busy with her training… Without any work, there’s absolutely nothing to do!”

“…Then, shall I give you work?”

“No, that’s not what I meant. I’m just saying! Don’t you still understand my heart, wanting to share stories with you, young lady?”

“Nope.”

And so, Asia banished Melia from the room.

Alone in the chamber.

‘Actually, I do know.’

She just wanted to confirm it, once again, through someone else’s lips.

The reason her heart felt ticklish whenever she saw a certain someone.

The reason she felt, for some unknown reason, dislike for Lily sticking so close to Arthas.

That reason was…

“I like Lord Arthas.”

She had come to like him.

Perhaps she already did.

It’s just that she hadn’t realized it until now.

She knew, but she wanted to deny it.

But this time, Asia had truly become aware.

“…I don’t just want to be a fiancé candidate, I really want to become his fiancé.”

To do that, first.

“I must win Arthas’s favor.”

Under the guise of repaying his kindness, Asia resolved to steal Arthas’s heart.