Chapter 84
Training
“Teach me swordsmanship.”
Hakain was utterly bewildered.
He could not understand what was happening in the slightest.
Johan had suddenly disappeared, and a demon had emerged from nowhere.
Then, without warning, that demon had demanded that Hakain teach him swordsmanship.
Hakain merely stared blankly, unable to answer.
As he stood frozen, a sharp voice rang out.
“You insolent wretch! Did you not hear the words of the Great End?!”
An imp wreathed in flames shouted from atop the bookshelf directly ahead.
It was Zalkarin.
Hakain was thoroughly confused. He murmured with a dazed expression,
“Is this truly a den of demons?”
“A den?!” Zalkarin cried. “This is the very heart of all evil! The accursed domain in which the Great End resides!”
Hakain looked nervously at Mapheltan.
“Th-then, could you truly be the Apostle...?”
Zalkarin erupted.
“If you understand, then get on your knees and show the End proper respect!”
Mapheltan clicked his tongue.
“You’re making too much noise. Stop.”
“But...”
“I told you to be quiet.”
“A-as you command.”
Zalkarin immediately wilted. The flames surrounding him slowly died down.
Mapheltan stared at Hakain.
“Hakain, I will say it again. Teach me swordsmanship.”
Hakain could not answer immediately. He spent a long moment composing himself before finally speaking.
“...Why would a demon wish to learn swordsmanship from a human?”
As soon as he finished speaking, black demonic energy condensed in Mapheltan’s hand.
The smoke immediately transformed into a long spear.
It was Turavak, the Sinister Spear—an artifact he had taken from Third Prince Gawain.
Mapheltan held Turavak before Hakain’s eyes.
“I should correct myself slightly. Teach me spearmanship in my current form and swordsmanship in the morning.”
The Sword Demon was skilled with virtually every kind of weapon.
Few humans could handle bladed weapons better than him.
With the Sword Demon as their teacher, both Johan and Mapheltan could improve rapidly.
Hakain was dumbfounded.
“Swordsmanship and spearmanship? Why in the world would a demon need such things?”
Demons were different from humans.
They were not beings who became stronger through training.
Demons grew by accumulating evil deeds and feeding on human fear.
That method was certainly efficient.
However, it also had clear limitations.
Mapheltan spoke.
“I intend to combine technique with my innate strength. Humans are born pathetically weak, yet you honed your techniques to overcome the shortcomings of your species. In the end, you rose to become the rulers of the continent—despite being the most insignificant race of all.”
Countless races had once inhabited the continent, but now humans were virtually the only intelligent species remaining.
The weakest race had emerged victorious.
Technique was likely the foundation of that victory.
All forms of skill, forged through the sacrifice of flesh and bone, had made humanity great.
Hakain asked,
“Are you saying you intend to train like a human, shedding blood and sweat?”
Mapheltan nodded.
“Precisely. I do not care if you drive me to the brink of death. Teach me the sword and the spear.”
Those were not words one would expect from a demon.
Hakain had encountered countless demons in the Shadow Territory, but not one had ever resembled Mapheltan.
He found himself experiencing a very peculiar feeling.
“...Do I have the right to refuse?”
Mapheltan curled his lips into a smile.
“Of course. I will give you a choice: become Ilea’s test subject or become my teacher. Choose whichever you prefer.”
Hakain smiled awkwardly.
“Haha... There’s no need to ask twice. I will become your teacher.”
Ilea sighed.
“Materials like the Sword Demon aren’t easy to find. What a shame.”
Hakain could not tell whether she was joking or being sincere.
Goosebumps rose across his skin.
He rose from the floor and asked,
“Sh-shall we begin immediately?”
Mapheltan snickered.
“Good. You seem eager to teach.”
Hakain had no choice but to display the utmost enthusiasm, at least outwardly.
Becoming a mage’s test subject would be worse than death.
He examined Turavak, the Sinister Spear.
“I’ll begin with the fundamentals. First... let’s warm up.”
Hakain had taught several disciples before, but he had never once taught a demon.
To be honest, he had no idea how to begin.
He would have to proceed as he normally did, then adjust the curriculum to suit a demon’s unique characteristics.
Mapheltan raised the spear.
“What must I do?”
The malevolent demon and the enormous black spear made for an unnecessarily intimidating sight.
Hakain smiled awkwardly.
“F-first, put down the spear and follow my movements.”
He began stretching.
Mapheltan immediately imitated him.
He bent backward, his enormous body curving like a bow.
His head touched the ground.
Mapheltan’s body now resembled an arched bridge.
“Is this correct?”
Hakain was sincerely impressed.
“...Yes. Your flexibility alone is completely different from a human’s.”
His elasticity and physical strength were also beyond comparison.
Mapheltan had been born with extraordinary physical power.
If that body were combined with refined technique, he would likely become a monster beyond all conventional standards.
Straightening his back again, Mapheltan said,
“Now, let us hurry on to the next exercise.”
He was somewhat impatient.
He wanted to become stronger as quickly as possible.
And so, the training began.
****
Time passed swiftly.
A bitter cold descended even upon the warm southern region.
The ancient castle was blanketed in snow. All the ivy that had covered its walls had frozen to death, and frost bloomed between the cracks in its weathered stonework.
The entire world had turned white.
Even the breath escaping people’s mouths looked pale and frigid.
Lying sprawled across the snow, Johan exhaled a cloud of white breath.
He was panting heavily and looked half-dead.
‘I’m dying. I really am.’
His exposed body was covered in wounds—cuts, dark bruises, and small scars.
It was no longer the body of a sheltered young nobleman.
It resembled that of a mercenary or soldier.
He had also developed a considerable amount of muscle and could no longer be called scrawny.
Hakain approached Johan with a calm expression.
“You have made remarkable progress. To be frank, talent of this caliber is exceedingly rare.”
It had already been nearly two months since Johan began training with Hakain.
He had exercised without missing a single day.
As a result, he had achieved considerable growth.
Ordinary humans would no longer be a match for him.
Johan struggled to raise his upper body. Sitting in the snow, he said,
“It’s still not enough. I especially can’t seem to get a feel for the sword.”
Johan had been training in both spearmanship and swordsmanship.
He found the spear more comfortable than the sword.
A considerable gap had emerged between his proficiency with the two weapons.
Hakain said,
“Even your progress in swordsmanship is sufficient to call you a prodigy. In terms of talent alone, you would rank among the five best disciples I have ever taught.”
“Then it’s an ambiguous sort of talent. I won’t be able to reach your level with the sword.”
“I cannot deny that. However, the spear is a different matter.”
“Even you think I’m better suited to the spear?”
Hakain nodded.
“You are a genius when it comes to spearmanship, Baron. If you put in the effort, no realm will be beyond your reach.”
Hakain now addressed Johan as “Baron.”
Johan had officially inherited the title.
The count had genuinely succeeded in changing the law.
Johan Myatro was now the Watcher of the Abyss.
“A genius, you say? That’s the best thing I’ve heard in a while.”
In this world, power was law.
That principle would only become more pronounced as the story progressed.
Martial strength held tremendous value in this world, so Johan was extremely pleased.
Hakain continued,
“All that remains is for you to awaken your aura. Swordsmanship and spearmanship alone have their limits.”
Swordsmen were broadly divided into two categories:
Those who could wield Aura and those who could not.
No matter how masterful a swordsman might be, their limits were clear if they could not use Aura.
Without Aura, one could never reach the ultimate heights of the sword.
Johan was well aware of that fact.
“I have no intention of learning Aura.”
“You said the same thing before. Is there a particular reason?”
The moment someone accumulated Aura within their dantian, their body became incapable of learning any other supernatural power.
Johan intended to acquire an ability superior to Aura.
He shrugged.
“Because my dantian is too valuable to waste.”
Hakain could not quite understand.
“...I’m not sure what you mean, but it seems you have another method in mind.”
Johan nodded.
“Something like that. In any case, let’s stop here for today.”
He needed time to rest.
Once night fell, he would have to wield a spear once again in Mapheltan’s body.
As soon as Johan finished speaking, Raguel lowered the bow in his hands.
“Johan, you worked hard.”
Raguel had spent the past two months practicing archery.
Hakain had taught him at first, but that was no longer necessary.
Raguel was a high elf.
His talent for archery was nothing short of overwhelming.
He could accurately hit a tiny target from more than a hundred meters away.
“You worked hard too, Raguel. I’ll find you a good bow later.”
It would not be a waste even if Johan invested in a Class-One treasure.
Raguel had now become one of his greatest military assets.
Raguel smiled brightly.
“Really? Thank you.”
He had grown much more cheerful.
He smiled more often, and his voice was brimming with energy.
The timid boy he had once been was nowhere to be seen.
A lively young man had taken his place.
Johan lightly tousled his hair.
“All right. Let’s head inside. It’s starting to get cold.”
As the heat generated by their training faded, the chill began creeping in.
Johan rose to his feet.
Just as he was about to leave, Ilea’s voice rang out.
“Johan, I have good news.”
As she entered the training ground, translucent ripples spread across the air.
A barrier had been erected around the grounds.
It was intended to conceal Raguel.
Though inconvenient, it could not be helped.
The castle’s servants would find it strange if they saw him.
After all, the boy who had once been blind was now practicing archery.
They needed at least a minimum level of protection.
Johan looked at Ilea.
“Good news? What is it?”
She held out a large sheet of parchment.
“It came from the royal capital. Take a look.”
Johan unfurled the parchment.
As he read its contents, the corners of his lips rose.
『Royal Council Decree』
—Regarding the admission of House Myatro to the Royal Council and the formal recognition of the Watcher of the Abyss.
The kingdom currently stands beneath the shadow of unprecedented threats: the advent of an Apostle, the emergence of an ancient demon, and the assault of a demonic army upon the royal capital. These are not isolated incidents, but omens of calamities that threaten to shake the very foundations of the kingdom. Therefore, for the preservation of the kingdom and the restoration of order, the Crown and the Royal Council hereby issue the following irrevocable decree:
Article One.
Although the lineage of House Myatro was temporarily severed in the past—
The contents were simple.
The decree officially recognized Johan as a member of the Royal Council.
Johan had now become one of the eleven nobles who governed the kingdom.
‘He certainly knows how to get things done.’
The count was performing his role splendidly.
Johan was extremely pleased.
The rest was omitted.
“We’ll have to prepare for our journey to the royal capital. Ilea, procure a good carriage and suitable clothing. We should at least look the part.”
The territory was poor, but Johan was not concerned.
He could borrow as much money as he wanted simply by invoking the count’s name.
From this point onward, Johan had no intention of being stingy with his investments.