Yuma stood next to Bell.
Balmung’s voice echoed in his head.
– Your posture is perfect. There’s not a single flaw. Unlike my master, you are truly a person of exceptional martial talent.
This jerk.
He’s stating the obvious without being asked, isn’t he?
– Are you considering passing down the sword techniques we created together yesterday? Lord Dekan’s blade is a straightforward, sturdy sword without any irregularities, so it’s not much of a challenge.
Passing it down? What are you talking about?
I’ve never even learned this sword technique!
You’re just going to teach it, right?
Balmung, you chatter too much.
Tap, tap—
Yuma lightly tapped Balmung’s sheath at his waist twice with his index and middle fingers.
A signal to shut up unless he wants to be stuffed in the spatial pocket.
– Yes, I will only speak what is necessary for instructing Lady Bell in swordsmanship. Master, I will obey your commands. Please… let me continue to see this beautiful outside world.
Since this was pre-arranged, Balmung clamped his mouth shut after finishing that sentence.
Slide—
Yuma presented the sword technique book of Dekan from the spatial pocket to Bell.
If he handed this sword technique book to anyone else, it would probably take them over four days just to decipher its sentences.
But Bell in front of him was different.
Inherent traits: Genius, Unity of Body and Sword, Heavenly Martial Physique.
He believed in the level of talent that Bell possessed.
“Read it.”
He also believed in the effort she had put in.
*
Bell accepted the organized sword technique book that Yuma handed her with her right hand.
“…Is this your lord’s sword technique?”
Yuma nodded at her words.
“It’s one of the techniques I know.”
Yuma continued speaking.
“Give it a read and give it a try.”
Yuma’s blue eyes met Bell’s pink ones.
“You can do it. You’ll grasp the essence of the technique in no time.”
Bell’s eyes trembled intensely.
Really?
‘How can you be so sure after seeing me just a few times…’
Bell fixed her gaze on Yuma’s unwavering blue eyes.
What is he even looking at? That deep blue gaze was unfathomable.
‘Even if I have talent worthy of being recorded in the annals…’
I might only have a fraction of the power you possess.
Even if I devote my entire life to training in sword techniques, there’s no way I could become as strong as my lord.
‘Why are you so confident in me?’
Bell sat down on a tiered chair in the training hall. Yuma sat next to her.
Rustle…
Bell slowly turned the pages of the sword technique book, one by one.
Though the ink on the paper was completely dry, the colors were exceedingly vivid. Unlike the family sword technique book she had seen in the White Night Castle.
It was clear. Unlike the family swordsmanship book I saw in the Castle of White Nights.
Belle’s beautiful lips slowly parted.
“…When did you write this swordsmanship book? It feels recent.”
“That’s right. It’s recent.”
Belle tilted her head to the right at Yuma’s answer.
“Why did you suddenly write a swordsmanship book?”
Belle struggled to articulate her thoughts. The order of her words was all tangled up, just like the mess in her head.
Yuma replied in a low voice.
“No specific reason. Just thought it would help you.”
Belle felt her grip tighten involuntarily.
But she couldn’t keep holding on like that. This swordsmanship book was quite thin.
Her lord, Yuma, had gifted her this precious swordsmanship book.
—Not much time left.
That one line.
That one line kept swirling in her head.
Perhaps.
After killing God Incrinew, her condition had worsened, and now it was urgent to quickly pass on her skills before time ran out.
Belle began to untangle the knots in her mind.
She needed to focus. Yuma was trying to pass on his swordsmanship to her.
‘I must listen carefully to Yuma.’
That Yuma was still standing on the battlefield.
Life was a battlefield.
In a struggle against the army, what weak thoughts was she harboring in front of someone who calmly considered the future?
Belle decided to be a good girl.
At least in front of Yuma, she would be a well-behaved child who listened carefully.
Sluuurk—
Belle began to read the swordsmanship book.
Quickly yet thoroughly.
She completed the reading of [Certen Style], the swordsmanship of Dekan Pel Certen, the second Sword Master of Balmung.
The techniques weren’t complex, so it was easy to understand.
A heavy blade.
A lethal sword optimized solely for taking down enemies in a single strike.
The detailed techniques on breaking an opponent’s sword were quite impressive.
“It’s specialized not only for one-on-one but also for multiple opponents. Definitely different from the White Nights style built to slay giants… It’ll surely help against the demon army.”
Belle lit up with excitement.
Having talent allowed her to clearly see the advantages of the swordsmanship.
Belle got up from the stairs and grabbed her sword again.
And she began to carry out the [Certen Style] that had just seeped into her mind through the letters.
First, without raising her sword aura.
She moved her body according to the stances detailed in the Certen Style that Yuma had given her.
Movement of the feet, footwork.
The posture of arms and legs while holding a sword, sword stance.
Crack!
Bell’s body moved.
Certetem Style – Iron
The honest trajectory of the sword falling to the ground.
For Bell, what’s crucial in the first form of Certetem Style, Iron, is the legs and feet rather than the sword itself.
She stepped her right foot forward.
And stretched her left foot back.
Since she was just rehearsing the form of the sword technique, Bell was not using her qi, but originally, the first form of Certetem Style, Iron, involved wrapping qi around the entire body.
That’s what the sword manual said.
The reason Certetem is honest is that it can shatter everything with a sword that isn’t wrapped in a fancy style.
Yuma slowly opened his mouth while watching Bell’s movements.
“There was once a man called a War God with that sword technique.”
The War God. Dekan was called that in ancient times.
Yuma continued.
“Therefore, you can do it too. No, you can do it even better.”
Yuma approached Bell and gently took hold of her shoulder.
“When you bring down the sword, think of it as slightly narrowing your shoulders.”
Bell’s shoulders trembled under Yuma’s touch.
It was due to the warmth felt at his fingertips.
Squeeze!
Corrected in posture by Yuma, Bell demonstrated the movement of Iron once more.
“…Like this?”
Bell turned her head to look at Yuma.
Yuma nodded.
“Yes, well done. Perfect.”
At Yuma’s praise, Bell’s lips curved upward.
And once again, she showcased Iron.
‘Alright.’
Yuma’s advice was all right.
Not a single error.
Three years ago.
Seventeen years old.
Since she was taught the family’s martial philosophy by her father, Chieftain Luke of the White Night tribe, she hadn’t learned anything from anyone else. This was her first and last sword training.
She didn’t need to learn. Rather, she was always finding flaws in the sword techniques of high-ranking clan members.
Now, Bell felt she understood what Haven meant about the joy of learning.
‘It’s fun, so much.’
Yuma’s touch landed on her body. Warmth rooted from where his touch originated. And the teaching spread throughout her body.
All that instruction was correct.
“Well done.”
The sweet praise whispered after achieving a perfect sword technique was delightful.
A sweetness rising from her toes.
Yuma’s right hand covered Bell’s right hand. He gently touched her wrist.
“In the second form, Sword Slash, the movement of the wrist is crucial.”
“…Okay.”
Has she finally learned the joy of learning…
“Is this…?”
“One must crush the opponent’s sword energy, and then without stopping, take the opponent’s neck. It directly connects to the third move, Thunder Flash.”
Bell knew that thought was flawed.
Right now, she was just glad that it was Yuma who was teaching her.
Bell’s body was drenched in sweat, droplets running down her collarbone.
“How, disgraceful—.”
Bell said this about her own state and collapsed onto the floor.
“You’ve worked hard.”
Yuma wiped the beads of sweat from Bell’s face with a towel.
“I’m going to teach you a few more sword techniques.”
Bell slowly opened her mouth.
“A few… more?”
Yuma’s words sounded incredibly sweet.
“Why, is it tough?”
“No, I love it.”
Bell beamed a bright smile.
“It’s just so, so great. Learning.”
Yuma’s words, although sweet, also tasted very bitter.
Bell swallowed the lump of emotion rising behind her laughter.
“Now, go. Bell.”
Yuma patted Bell’s shoulder.
“You’ve worked up a sweat skipping breakfast like this, so make sure to have lunch.”
“Okay…!”
Bell nodded vigorously.
“But I’ll review a bit by myself first. I want to settle my thoughts calmly.”
Yuma respected Bell’s request.
“Alright, try to come back as quickly as possible.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
Yuma picked up his coat and headed out of the training grounds.
Bell’s pink eyes captured the image of Yuma’s dignified figure walking away.
“Sigh.”
Left alone in the training area, Bell let out a deep sigh.
Then she bit her lip.
Tears began to well up in her eyes.
If she hadn’t been alone, she would have burst into tears right beside Yuma.
“Who’s worried about whom’s health…?”
Bell wiped her tears with a handkerchief.
*
Yuma ascended to the First Princess Palace.
In the central hall on the first floor, he spotted Princess Brigitte seated at the far end in a high seat.
Brigitte raised her right hand when she saw Yuma.
“You’re here, Yuma. I don’t see Bell around again. Lunchtime is approaching.”
“She’ll be here shortly.”
“Really?”
As they headed toward the dining area, the first floor suddenly became chaotic. Yuma noticed a frantic attendant rush toward Chief Attendant Royan, speaking urgently.
And soon, Royan hurriedly approached Brigitte.
“Your Highness the Princess.”
“What’s going on?”
Royan took a breath and then spoke again.
“Just now, it is reported that Emperor Agares has regained consciousness.”
