The Genius Son-in-law of the Swordmaster Household—Blessed by Authority

Chapter 122 : Demon Sword of Soul Forging (1)

Demon Sword of Soul Forging (1)

Sword Fiend (劍鬼) Silence Doomraven.

One of Hisperion's honored guests, and a formidable Grandmaster-rank expert.

A madman obsessed with collecting every cursed sword: demon swords, bewitched blades, haunted sabers, and the like.

A specter who wanders in search of living sacrifices and battlefields to feed the infernal swords he's acquired.

He is the current owner of the Ghost Sword Quiennio, and the very person Ian must meet to unseal the Sword Emperor Arkazenon.

'I need to get Quiennio from the Sword Fiend...'

How should Ian approach him?

He's not just going to hand it over if Ian asked.

A demon sword like Quiennio was his most precious possession; it was his power itself, and practically his purpose in life.

'I'll need to offer something in return. Or at least a solid pretext.'

Negotiating or making a deal is fine...

'But... I must not swindle him or kill him.'

Nor should Ian turn him into an enemy, or harm him.

The Sword Fiend had been a crucial ally on humanity's side during the War of Humans and Demons in my past life.

Because of his distinctive personality—an extreme individualist with a recklessly daring streak—he hadn't survived long last time, but if, in this life, Ian could ensure he didn't die, he would make a powerful ally against the demon grand dukes.

'Especially because of that unique constitution of his.'

A mysterious body that ignored all curses and was immune to demonic energy.

A body that could not only contain every curse and demonic energy within, but even unleash it and use it as his own power.

The Demonic-Infused Constitution (含魔肢體).

'If I ever have to face the great demon clans and demon grand dukes, it's an ability I must have.'

So when meeting the Sword Fiend, Ian also intended to acquire that special constitution through the Authority of Projection.

'It seems best to challenge him to a wager duel, with Quiennio as the prize.'

That's the simplest and cleanest way.

'And I'm confident I can win.'

Ian's aura cultivation is superior to the Sword Fiend's, and he also has the advantage in terms of countermeasures.

His specialty is the use of various demon swords and curses, but Ian possessed the holy sword Heliodin, which can nullify all of those, and Ian planned to acquire the Demonic-Infused Constitution by projection at their first meeting anyway.

'The problem is, what to tempt him with.'

If I just walk up and ask for a wager duel out of the blue, chances are, the Sword Fiend won't agree.

If Ian were to insist there, he'd become an enemy.

'I need to find a demon sword that the Sword Fiend would covet.'

I'll have to bait him—offer to give it to him if he wins the duel.

'In that case, he'll never refuse.'

He's a man who would leap into hell itself to get his hands on a new demon sword.

He literally died for that in my previous life.

'And just in time, I know a perfect demon sword.'

The Demon Sword of Soul Forging, Jinggela.

A sword with mind-control powers capable of hypnosis and brainwashing, and which also curses its user—a true cursed sword.

Powerful abilities, powerful curses.

It's a demon sword that perfectly fits all the Sword Fiend's twisted preferences.

'I'll get that first, then go find the Sword Fiend.'

The Demon Sword of Soul Forging, Jinggela, lies buried in the underground labyrinth, Grimbar.

Grimbar is a massive labyrinth located in the Kingdom of Vania.

As a foreign labyrinth, one needs permission to enter, and there's an entrance fee besides.

"Steward."

Ian sought out the steward of Sunshine Castle and requested they take care of all administrative procedures necessary to enter Grimbar labyrinth.

And three days later—

He received entrance permission from the Kingdom of Vania, and Ian was then allowed to explore Grimbar labyrinth for a whole week.

"A week, huh..."

For some, that might sound like an awfully short period.

What could anyone hope to achieve in a labyrinth in just a week?

It's not even cheap to get in.

Yet—

"That's plenty."

Ian only needed to retrieve the Demon Sword of Soul Forging from the labyrinth anyway.

He knew exactly where it was, and all the monsters inside were easy foes, so not only a week—half a day would more than suffice.

"Then, I'll be off."

"Be careful."

Yuria looked at him with worried eyes.

"If you're even an hour late, I'll come looking for you right away."

"Yes. Understood. But don't worry. I'll be back soon."

Ian looked at Sophia, who stood beside Yuria.

"Sophia, too. Please look after Lady Yuria."

Sophia also looked anxious.

"... Do you have to go alone? I could help carry your things."

"I'll be back by tomorrow anyway. Keep up your training. You're almost at late-stage Expert. It's an important time."

"... Alright. Please be careful. And don't go anywhere too dangerous!"

"All right, all right. I'll be back soon. Lady Yuria, see you soon."

Ian departed Sunshine Castle to Yuria and Sophia's farewells.

Yuria and Sophia didn't leave their spots until Ian had completely disappeared from sight.

* * *

The seven vassal families that could be called the pillars of Hisperion—the Seven Pillar Families.

The family that sits at the very top: Goldhound.

A famous swordsman family descended from the divine beast Golden Hound, possessing beautiful golden hair and bronzed skin.

Their great family mansion.

"Haaa..."

Lady Ross, Hector's mother, gazed out at the vast garden from the window and heaved a deep sigh.

Though the sunlight was bright, the sky clear, and the breeze cool—

Lady Ross's face was as gloomy as could be.

"What is Hector doing now?"

"Yes, madam."

At her words, the maid standing behind her bowed her head and responded.

"... He drank all night... He's only just gone to bed."

"Ha... At this hour?"

"... I—I'm sorry."

"There's nothing for you to apologize for."

Lady Ross turned to face the maid.

"Hm?"

The maid had a severe bruise on her cheek.

"You were struck?"

"Ah, that's...."

The maid hurriedly tried to cover her cheek.

"It—it's nothing."

"Let me see."

Lady Ross approached her and took the maid's chin.

The maid slowly removed her hand, revealing the bruise.

Seeing it, lady Ross frowned.

"You say it's nothing, but that's harsh."

"......"

"My son did this, didn't he?"

"A-ah, well..."

"Go on, tell me. It's all right."

"Ah..."

The maid hesitated for a moment, then answered honestly.

"... Y-yes, madam."

"How did it happen?"

"T-the thing is... as I was pouring him a drink..."

The maid had accidentally splashed a drop of alcohol on Hector's finger while refilling his glass.

At that single drop, Hector had flown into a frenzy, forced her to kneel, and—knowing his infamy—the maid had immediately started rubbing her hands in apology.

At the sight, Hector had given her a sneering smile and held out the whole bottle.

Told her he'd forgive her if she drank it all.

"......"

Even two cups of that drink would make a grown man stagger; it was brutally strong.

To mete out such harsh punishment for a single drop on his finger...

Of course, the maid couldn't drink it.

She was a lightweight who couldn't even handle a single drink, but more importantly, she'd heard what had happened to a maid who, in a similar situation, accepted the drink from Hector.

He'd ordered that other maid to keep drinking endlessly, and when she passed out, what happened after was... too terrible to speak of.

And so this maid absolutely couldn't drink it.

Of course, Hector had exploded in rage, violently slapped her.

He broke two of her molars right then, mocked her, and threw her out.

"... Tsk tsk tsk."

Lady Ross slowly clicked her tongue as she listened to the full account.

"It's your fault."

"... Pardon?"

"Why did you provoke him? Why do something to anger my son?"

"..."

― Tremble!

The maid's jaw quivered as she looked up at Lady Ross.

"You shouldn't have splashed even a drop on his finger. Do you know how expensive that liquor is? A single drop is worth more than your yearly wage."

"..."

"And if Hector tells you to drink, you drink. How dare you disobey a command? And he let you off with just a slap? My son is truly magnanimous."

― Squeeze!

"K-kyah, kyaaah!"

Lady Ross pinched the maid's bruised cheek ruthlessly.

"Let go...! Ah, uuugh!!!"

"If you ever upset my son again over something like this, I'll toss you to the wild hounds. Understand?"

"U-uuuuuugh!!"

"Now get out."

― Smack!

Lady Ross slapped the bruised cheek.

"Kyah! Uuuh...."

The maid clutched her face and stumbled backward.

She'd become a maid at the Goldhound estate lured by the high salary...

But this mansion was hell.

Once you signed on, you couldn't leave for three years, and if you quit midway, you had to pay back every cent you'd received.

To be honest, things hadn't been this bad before, but ever since the head of the Goldhound family, Tywin, went on an expedition to the far north along with the Heavenly Sword Lord, the cruelty of Lady Ross and Hector had only grown worse with each day.

Now, every year, there were suicides among the staff, and, if someone managed to endure their contract, those who left were called "survivors."

And even those survivors rarely left in one piece.

By now, surely the infamy of Hector and Lady Ross should have spread all over Hisperion—

But no one dared to denounce the Goldhound family's crimes after leaving.

They were afraid.

Some had been tongue-cut for speaking out; others had turned up dead.

The maid had no choice but to bear it with tears in her eyes.

She could only desperately hope that Lord Tywin would soon return from his expedition to chain up rampaging Hector and Lady Ross.

All she could do was cling to a hope with no end in sight.

"My, my."

As the maid left the room, a man with golden hair and bronzed skin sprawled languidly on the sofa spoke up.

"Stop tormenting the maids, sister-in-law."

This was Tywin's younger brother, Maximilian Goldhound.

"Someone will end up dying on your watch again."

"Let them die. Their lives are no better than flies anyway. We can always hire more."

"Really... Sometimes you're downright terrifying, sister-in-law."

Speaking thus, Maximilian approached Lady Ross.

She was still gazing out the window.

― Slide.

Suddenly, Maximilian hugged her from behind.

Surprisingly, lady Ross did not resist, only furrowing her brow.

"What are you doing? What if someone sees, Maximilian?"

"The maid just now got hit and left. No one will come in for a while."

Maximilian whispered slyly, savoring Ross's scent.

Though she was Tywin's wife, lady Ross didn't reject Maximilian's advances at all.

The two were having an affair.

"Aren't you angry? Hector..."

Lady Ross glanced back briefly and spoke.

"Hector is your son, after all."

Maximilian replied slyly.

"Of course, I'm angry. If you want me to be angry, I'll be angry."

"Then? You always visit me at night—what brings you here in the morning?"

"I heard something you'd like."

"Something I'd like?"

"Ian Greysel."

"...!"

The one who gouged out Hector's eye and broke his spirit, turning him into a wreck.

"Looks like I finally have a chance to settle the score with him."

"...!!"

Ross's eyes sharpened.

"Tell me more."

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=

Damn, these people are disgusting.

It's no wonder Hector is such a piece of trash...

【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】