[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
Chapter 58: Steal What You Can
“Barclava! Barclava?”
Hearing my call, Barclava suddenly ducked behind the wall.
“You’ve already been seen, so why not just co out?”
When Barclava erged hesitantly, his face looked even paler than before. Has he not been eating lately?
“What do you want now? Did Brother Verdzig send you to pick a fight with ?”
I ducked behind Ulbhild with a mocking grin.
“If that’s the case, you’ve chosen the wrong day, you pitiful fool. Let’s see if you can act out in front of my sister here.”
“It’s not that.”
Barclava sighed deeply.
“Oh, really?”
Well, that changes things.
“Then why are you here? If it’s not to start a fight, maybe you’re here to spy on ?”
“It’s not that, either.”
“Then is it just so personal grudge? How pathetic. Dreaming of aningless revenge without a shred of strategy—weren’t you the one who smashed into a wall and got hurt last ti, all because you lost your temper? And that was when I couldn’t even use mana.”
I clicked my tongue in disapproval.
“Too bad for you, I’ve just reached the latter stages of 3rd-tier. Oh, and by the way, Sister just taught Scarlet Cloud Ghost Path. So now? You won’t even be able to touch a hair under my armpits.”
“That’s not it, you crazy bastard!”
“What’s with the language?”
Ulbhild jabbed lightly in the side.
“Stop it. You’re being too harsh on the youngest.”
“I always listen to Sister.”
“You slimy little weasel.”
Barclava muttered as he stomped closer.
“Sister, I greet you.”
“Welco, Barclava.”
I glanced at their faces. Unlike when she looked at , Ulbhild showed no particular emotion toward Barclava. anwhile, Barclava seed visibly uneasy in her presence. Well, that wouldn’t do for , Allenvert—this mouth of mine just can’t stay shut.
“So, is it really okay for you to co here on your own, ignoring Brother Verdzig’s orders?”
“…”
As I persistently ntioned Verdzig, Barclava finally responded.
“He doesn’t care about anyway.”
“Oh, really?”
That answer revealed a subtle crack.
‘There’s resentnt.’
Of course, after all that humiliation, if he didn’t hold at least a little grudge, he’d be an idiot.
‘Maybe I could pull him to my side if I play my cards right.’
Too simple-minded? Regardless of his true intentions, coming to see without Verdzig’s approval carried significant aning.
“Enough talk. Let’s get sothing to eat first.”
“What?”
Barclava looked as though he couldn’t believe I was inviting him to a al.
“Is it uncomfortable eating at my residence because of bad mories? Fine, I’ll just eat without you then—”
“For God’s sake, shut up.”
I smirked and clapped him on the shoulder.
“Last ti, you couldn’t even look in the eye. You’ve grown.”
“And what of it?”
In Barclava’s gaze, I caught the defiance typical of an adolescent boy.
“It’s good to see. Now, co on.”
***
I hosted everyone in the annex.
“This at is cooked to absolute perfection.”
Ulbhild remarked, cutting her portion with elegant precision.
“Isn’t it? How about you, Barclava?”
“…It’s delicious.”
“Eat as much as you can.”
Sharing a al has a deeper significance than one might think. In the underworld, when n had important discussions, it was often over a lavishly prepared table.
“So, why are you really here?”
I tapped Barclava on the shoulder and noticed a subtle shift in his deanor.
“No particular reason. Just… ca to see you.”
“?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
“I told you, no reason.”
“Then, since you’ve seen , why not just leave?”
“….”
At that mont, Peter nervously approached with a pitcher.
“Here, Young Master. Please, have so water while you talk.”
‘Oh, this clueless guy.’
Peter was almost too kind for his own good. I simply nodded and motioned for Barclava to take it.
“What are you waiting for? Take it.”
“….”
Barclava quietly accepted the water and drank.
“You’re not even going to say thanks? Peter here went out of his way to bring you water even after what you did to him. You’re such a rude brat.”
Barclava coughed, choking slightly on the water.
“Oh, sorry.”
I raised my hand at half-hearted apology.
“Anyway, what have you been doing all this ti?”
“I’ve been, well, laying low. A sort of self-imposed seclusion for a few days.”
“Oh? Really?”
Wiping his mouth, Barclava continued.
“At first, it was under my mother’s orders. But even after the designated ti was up, she said nothing. So, I just waited. No one ca looking for .”
“Is that so?”
“…What surprised the most was that I had no idea what to do with myself during that ti. No one gave orders, so I was completely at a loss.”
I knew his type well. People who’ve spent their entire lives following orders often struggle when left to their own devices.
“So, what’s your point? That it felt weird no one ca looking for you?”
“I don’t know… it’s just….”
Barclava looked visibly uncomfortable, as if ashad to be sharing his thoughts. Finally, he spoke.
“No one has ever scolded like you did. You said it was pathetic to blindly follow others’ orders. I’d never heard that before. My mother always told to listen to my brother, and my brother never tolerated even the smallest hint of rebellion from . Every ti, I’d get slapped or punished for it.”
“….”
This ti, even I held back my usual sarcasm. We all listened in silence as Barclava continued.
“I threatened Peter to draw you out. But even as I insulted and spat on an innocent attendant, I didn’t feel right about it. Then, I let your provocation get to and lost my temper. Looking back, I think I was pathetic. I even dragged an innocent woman, my fourth mother, into my tirade.”
“….”
“And yet, I told myself ‘It’s okay because my brother ordered to.’ I justified it all that way. But you called pathetic. And you were right.”
Barclava looked like a child experiencing sha for the first ti.
“But when I look back, I feel embarrassed about my disgraceful behavior that day. What’s even more shaful is that I’m still afraid of my brother. Just the thought of Mother descending on with her fury makes my heart sink.”
However, Barclava continued.
“But in three years, I’ll co of age. To live like this even as an adult would be truly pathetic. I’ve only just realized that.”
“Barclava.” I asked.
“Are you saying you want to stand on your own? That you don’t want to live as Brother Verdzig’s puppet anymore?”
Barclava’s change surprised as well. To be honest, I also used to see him as pitiful.
‘A spoiled brat with nothing but a temper.’
That was the extent of it. But this mont reminded how people can’t be judged by just one facet.
“…Brother won’t allow it.” Barclava said, his eyes clouded with doubt.
“And it wouldn’t make sense to go to Brother Karl and ask for his protection, either.”
At this, Barclava glanced at Ulbhild.
“When I think about it, Sister Ulbhild is Brother Karl’s full sibling, yet she walks her own independent path. Why is that? It’s simple—because the strength and reputation Sister has built are unshakable.”
“Well said, Barclava.” Ulbhild nodded in approval.
“That’s what independence ans. You must beco an island no one can easily invade. It’s impressive that you’ve realized this on your own.”
“…As frustrating as it is, I owe this realization to Allenvert.”
“And yet, this little brat never calls Brother.”
I muttered, only to be ignored. What a cheeky kid.
“Your intentions are clear, but it won’t be easy. Brother Verdzig is a formidable man. Gaining a little strength won’t be enough to escape his shadow.”
“I understand. But one day, I want to be like Sister.”
Ulbhild seed pleased by the newfound resolve in her youngest sibling’s voice.
“In that case, work toward it. How you’ll go about it is up to you.”
She gestured toward .
“I’ll allow you to observe a sparring match between Allen and . What you take from it is your responsibility.”
At this, I tilted my head and asked. “Sister, sparring?”
“I was going to bring it up after our al. Now that I’ve taught you so techniques, isn’t it ti to put them to use?”
That was exactly what I wanted to hear.
“Of course.”
Opportunities to spar with soone as skilled as Ulbhild didn’t co often.
“Keep in mind, this won’t be like your fight with Keseg.”
She teased, beckoning with her fingers.
“Steal what you can.”
I smirked. She truly was generous with her teachings. This was a rare and golden opportunity.
“As you wish.”
We rose from our seats simultaneously.
“Shall we, Sister?”
“Follow .”
Just then, Barclava stood up awkwardly and hesitated.
“…Uh, excuse for interrupting, but, would it be alright if I finished my al first? The food here is amazing.”
Chase spoke with a voice full of regret.
“Fine, go ahead and stuff your face by yourself. Just clean up afterward.”
“And don’t forget to lick the plates clean.”
“Pathetic fool.”
Chase finally put down his fork, grumbling under the barrage of insults from his comrades.
“Damn it, we’re all just trying to get by here.”
He had a point, after all.
***
Ulbhild stood in her training attire, silently observing Allenvert as he swung his practice sword with precision, while Barclava watched attentively from behind him.
‘Barclava. I never imagined I’d hear such words from you.’
Allenvert, who had spent seven long years to erge from the shadow of his past.
And Barclava, who had lived as nothing more than Verdzig’s puppet.
It ward their sister’s heart to see how much her younger brothers had matured in such a short span of ti.
‘But.’
People don’t change so easily.
The spark of determination in Barclava’s eyes was admirable, but the world doesn’t bend to willpower alone.
Most of all, Verdzig would never tolerate such a shift.
‘Still, your chosen direction is praiseworthy, Barclava.’
As soone with Grunewald blood, it was only right that he sought to stand tall through his own abilities.
Ulbhild felt no inclination to scold him for realizing this later than he should have.
Watching Allenvert’s transformation made it clear just how aningless it was to label sothing as ‘too late.’
‘Do your best, as much as you can.’
Would Barclava despair when faced with the wall of talent, or would he contemplate what he could still achieve despite it? That choice lay entirely in his hands.
‘If despair consus him, that will be the end.’
One’s path could only be discovered on their own. Forcing soone along the way would be futile.
‘Enough reflection.’
It was ti to focus on the sparring match with Allenvert.
“Allen, think of this sparring match as if I’m giving you a blank check.”
Allenvert imdiately understood her cryptic words.
“You’re giving the chance to observe and steal every technique you use, aren’t you?”
“This is not an opportunity just anyone gets. You must take it seriously.”
“Are you sure you’ll be alright with that?”
His slight provocation only made Ulbhild smile.
“No matter how much you think you can take, it’ll be no more than a ladle of water from the vast ocean of my martial arts.”
“…”
Her overwhelming confidence earned Allenvert’s silent admiration.
‘What an incredible warrior you are, Ulbhild.’
“But don’t think I’ll hand it over so easily. If you lose in the first exchange, the match ends there.”
“That’s fair. A little tension makes it worthwhile.”
Today, Ulbhild had already taught Allenvert more than enough. If he wanted to learn beyond that, he would have to prove himself worthy.
“I will limit myself to using mana at your level. And I won’t be using my ice techniques.”
Ulbhild raised her palm, signaling the start.
Crash!
A colossal wall of ice erupted around the two, encasing them in a perfect circle.
“Wahh!”
Startled, Peter fell flat on his backside.
“Wow…”
He wasn’t the only one marveling at the sheer magnificence of it. The icy fortress, like a fragnt of winter defying the current season, left everyone in awe.
‘Incredible.’
If Ulbhild had shifted the direction of her hand even slightly, Allenvert would have been reduced to little more than a frozen corpse. Not even Karzan, with his unparalleled combat experience, could have countered sothing like this.
‘She’s asserting dominance right from the start.’
Clang!
Allenvert struck the ice wall with his sword, but it didn’t so much as crack.
‘How in the world is this thing so solid?’
His hands ached from the impact. There was no chance of escape if he stayed trapped in here.
‘She didn’t freeze rock or wood—she created this barrier from the moisture in the salty sea air alone?’
Allenvert had encountered ice mages and ice-wielding opponents before, but none had displayed mastery on this level.
“Let’s begin.”
Ulbhild said, her voice devoid of its earlier sweetness.
‘How long has it been?’
Allenvert’s chest tightened as a wave of tension rolled over him.
‘Since I’ve truly felt nervous before a fight.’
Not in this lifeti, at least.
‘This is dangerous.’
Listening to the thunderous pounding of his own heartbeat, Allenvert thought.
‘…It’ll be a problem if I lose control.’
A vast and unfathomable ocean of martial prowess? That didn’t just describe Ulbhild. It applied to him as well.
[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Kawaii]
Reviews
All reviews (0)