Survival 26

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“It’s a headache indeed.”

Three days have passed since the ‘Vault incident’.

Today, a formal meeting intended to appease some vassals finally ended.

A faint furrow formed on the duke’s forehead as he looked down at the documents.

The imprisonment of Hans Byron and the confinement of his daughter.

He drank cold water to soothe his headache.

“It seems you are not pleased with the outcome of the meeting.”

“Of course not. It’s not just the poor treatment of the martial arts tournament winner, but also Lucy being truly innocent.”

The guardian deity has protected Vault for the Speda family for hundreds of years, but that cannot excuse its rampage and harming a member of the Speda bloodline.

Yet they overcame this challenge, and they can’t even be commended for it.

“But, my lord, the guardian deity of the ducal family was killed, and the artifact was used without permission. If no action is taken, who knows what will happen…”

“Even if it’s the lady of the house, we must make an example to maintain order.”

“Is that Prince Darius’s wish? How dare you discuss punishing the lady, you should be ashamed!”

“However, an example is necessary.”

“And what about the Westerner, the main culprit? Wouldn’t it be better to fire him?”

Such despicable people for those who inherit the spirit of the North.

The duke suddenly thought of Luciana’s reaction when faced with such criticism.

“What a disappointment. Do you not understand the meaning of that sword?”

Deep disappointment, unable to be hidden even with outstanding emotional control.

A faint smile appeared on the lips of the duke, lost in reminiscence.

His daughter was right.

A single sword that brought peace to the North, plagued by monsters and demons from outside and corrupt nobles and criminals from within.

The first Speda’s sword was an artifact that anyone with even a slight interest in the history of the North could not be unaware of.

“It reminds me of my younger days.”

What was it like when he first heard from his father that this very sword was in the family’s underground Vault?

At that time, he was merely a successor, but he daringly pleaded with the head of the family to go down to the Vault.

He vividly remembered his disappointment from the past when, no matter what he tried, the great sword stuck upside down in the ground wouldn’t budge.

“The lord of that time then shut himself in his room for a while, focusing solely on training.”

“A shameful past. I tried to redirect the anger of not being recognized by the sword elsewhere.”

Still, thanks to that experience, he is now called a sword saint.

The duke clicked his tongue, returning to reality.

Anyway, the perfunctory meeting of the vassals concluded with the imprisonment of Hans.

On the surface, at least.

“What will you do?”

“What do you mean what will I do? It’s obvious. Lucy has proven herself worthy of a hero, she deserves to be celebrated.”

As if expecting this, the chief steward nodded and presented the document he had prepared.

The vassals, as members dedicated to the North.

As always, their opinions were considered, but the final decision was in the hands of the head of the family, just like in any other household.

“Through Lucy’s hands, the glory of Speda will be rekindled.”

This place is always the Speda family, thirsty for combat power, and the forefront of humanity, the North.

There was no reason not to use the strongest weapon, the Ancestral Sword.

The duke’s pen glided across the paper, drawing elegant lines.

Moreover, when the subject is his own child, investing in them was not at all regrettable.

***

With all the security magic undone, on the third underground level of the Vault, it was natural for the Speda ducal family to be in turmoil over the slain guardian deity, who lost all its arms, and some of the lost elixirs.

“I’m sorry.”

Luciana’s apology to me at my location was also due to that reason.

“You’re imprisoned because of me…”

“No, it’s okay. There’s a bed inside, they regularly bring food, and most importantly, no one complains if I don’t work!”

“You seem really relaxed…”

Luciana’s hands, gripping the prison bars, trembled faintly.

But honestly, I’m really fine.

This prison, perhaps a VIP one, doesn’t even smell and is clean.

Even the common drafts are absent, and the bed is quite comfortable.

They even take care of meals regularly.

“Did the Duke say anything about that sword?”

Trying to lighten Luciana’s mood, I changed the subject. She brightened up and responded, “Ah, are you talking about the Ancestor’s sword?”

“…Wasn’t it a greatsword?”

Without a response, she stepped back slightly and revealed from under her cloak a sword emitting a subtle breeze from her waist.

The sturdy and wide greatsword that had blocked the Yeti’s attacks was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a slender and sharply tipped rapier.

“It has this ability too. I decided to use it this way since the blade of my rapier got damaged when I attacked Uncle last time.”

I nodded, impressed.

It was a perfect ability for Luciana, who could employ unconventional swordsmanship with various weapons.

Of course, being a relic in the original story, it wouldn’t be the only one.

‘I’m looking forward to sparring later.’

“My father didn’t say much. Just that it’s a sword permitted only for me, and to use it well.”

“Is that so? That’s a bit of an ambiguous response.”

Regardless of the Ancestor’s sword’s performance, it’s undoubtedly an artifact of significant symbolic meaning.

If things go as I expect, they would try to cover up the fault with merit and smooth over the incident. But there’s still no answer.

“Don’t worry. I will make sure you are released soon.”

Luciana seemed to feel a considerable debt of gratitude, her regret was palpable.

I stopped pondering and waved my hand at her.

“No, I actually want to stay a bit longer. Recently, with the aftermath of the martial arts tournament and hunting down the demon that bewitched the guardians, I’ve been dragged around quite a bit. It might be better for me to rest here thoroughly.”

“…….”

A cold, unimpressed look swept over me, like someone watching a salary thief.

Luciana finally realized my refusal was sincere.

“I almost regret worrying about you.”

“Just think of it as a short vacation. It’ll be easier for you too, Lady. Think of your confinement in the same way, and it’ll lessen the burden on your mind.”

“Oh, that’s problematic.”

Our conversation was interrupted by a deep voice.

“It’s a waste to let a capable person idle away.”

“Greetings, Duke Speda.”

“Just that much formality is enough. I’m in a position where I deserve more resentment. Have you forgotten that I am the one who imprisoned you?”

Despite being such a person, well, he seemed quite friendly.

“Father, haven’t I told you repeatedly? Hans did that to protect me!”

Of course, there was also Luciana’s fervent defense.

“Yes, I know. Apart from the consumed elixir, I’ve already confirmed that there’s no alteration to the relic.”

“I’m just glad that Lady Luciana is safe. As for the elixir, why not consider it as a prize for winning the martial arts tournament?”

“…….”

I shrugged my shoulders, receiving both the sparkling eyes of one and the suspicious gaze of the other.

…Honestly, it would be a lie to say I’m not disappointed.

I had missed the opportunity to acquire a precious artifact.

‘I wish I could have taken that dagger that cut off Uncle’s arm.’

But, to mitigate the enormous scandal of slaying the guardian deity and turning the Vault into chaos, I had to set aside my personal desires to some extent.

“Your dedication is truly commendable. Lucy chose a good attendant.”

The Duke nodded in satisfaction a few times, then opened the iron-barred door that had been firmly shut.

“A loyal individual like you shouldn’t be locked up. Come out now. I’ve prepared a gift for you.”

“A gift…?”

With Luciana’s defense and the revelation of the Ancestor’s sword to the world, it was expected that I’d be freed, but I hadn’t anticipated him bringing up compensation.

‘Locked me up and now offering compensation?’

While I was content with my unexpected rest, that was one thing, and this was another.

Noticing my puzzled look, he spoke to clarify.

“Lucy, the runner-up of the martial arts tournament, took the best artifact from the vault, but you, the winner, only got a elixir. Doesn’t that seem unfair?”

In other words, he was offering me another chance to choose an artifact. The rationale seemed plausible, but it raised a new question.

‘Is there really a need for this?’

He could have ignored my situation and just preserved an artifact worth more than its mere physical value as a good excuse.

“Your face is full of suspicion.”

“Oh, I apologize. We Westerners tend to be wary of unexplained kindness.”

Of course, I wouldn’t refuse what’s offered, but knowing the whole story would make things easier.

“No reason? What do you mean by that?”

“…Pardon?”

“Having won the martial arts tournament and even defeating our ducal family’s guardian deity, your skills are proven. And you’ve saved Lucy’s life multiple times, so your loyalty is beyond doubt.”

I tilted my head as if it was strange that I couldn’t understand this.

“Why would it be odd to invest in such a strong warrior?”

‘Ah, I see.’

I instantly understood.

Hearing his words, I realized that we were looking at things from different perspectives.

While I was focused solely on my personal gain, or at most on Luciana’s benefit, the Duke of Speda had a much broader view.

He was making a choice that, although it might seem like a loss now, would benefit the family in the long run.

…It was a bit surprising that I was the subject of this decision.

“In that case, I would like to take the dagger from the third floor of the underground vault.”

“The old and faded one, you mean. Honestly, I’ve heard it’s tied to the family’s secret history, but its performance is nothing special. There are better artifacts available; any particular reason you want that one?”

Returning my earlier question with a mischievous smile, he asked me.

I answered with a somewhat sheepish expression.

“You might laugh at this, but I felt an instinctive pull towards that dagger.”

And, there were no better artifacts in that Vault, anyway.

I firmly held back a smirk that was trying to form on my lips, recalling the item’s specifications that had been recorded in the status window.

[Moon Crow’s Talon]

[Item Type: Dagger]

[Known only as a hunting dagger favored by the first Duke of Speda’s wife, its true nature is revealed only to those who are worthy.]

[The claw of the thief who brought chaos to the nights of the North shines sharply in the darkness.]

[Additional effects granted when equipped by the thief’s descendant]

[‘Shadowy Evasion’ ability activation reduces mana consumption]

[Grants ambush attribute when equipped; increases damage proportionally to agility when the enemy is unaware of the wearer’s identity]

[Locked]

‘It wasn’t for nothing that I blew off the arm of a centuries-old Yeti.’

In the game, there was no hidden class of ‘Thief’, so I thought this dagger was just a hard-to-obtain piece of old metal.

Had it not been for the Duke’s offer, this artifact would have been worth a second visit under the name of ‘Frost Mane’.

“Instinctive, huh? That’s curious. You’re saying the same thing as Lucy did.”

Luciana, upon hearing the Duke’s words, bowed her head to hide her face.

For some reason, her ears were faintly red.

“I will gladly give it to you.”

I too bowed my head deeply in respect.

Of course.

It was to hide my uncontrollably grinning lips.

‘A thief-specific artifact, and it was used by the first duchess, no less.’

Winning the martial arts tournament truly paid off with the best reward.

***

Baron Byron scratched his head as he read the letter he had received.

“…Truly, you see all kinds of things if you live long enough.”

He was, after all, a baron. Among the nobility, he held one of the lowest ranks.

It was rare for a child of a baronial family to become a servant in a ducal house, let alone anything more.

Naturally, marriage prospects were typically sought among equals, and even a good match usually meant a viscount at best for a family like his.

Yet, there on the letter before him was the distinct emblem of a polar bear.

Rubbing his eyes in disbelief and even scratching the wax seal didn’t change the polar bear emblem.

“Who would have thought that a count’s family would propose an engagement first. Hmm.”

Did his son do something in a past life to save the country?

He was skeptical to that extent.

“I should consider this positively.”

Was there a reason to refuse? Of course not.

Furthermore, if it’s the Frontal Count’s family, they are one of the nobility in the North with the most prosperous trading company.

If handled well, their support could greatly elevate his family’s prestige.

“What is Hans doing in the North?”

He also decided to write a new letter to his son. After all, marriages among nobility are often strategic, but the individual’s consent is still important.

Of course, being much more mature than his peers, his son would likely understand how advantageous this decision could be for him.

“Did you call for me?”

A white-haired old man appeared with a knock.

Though his family was a declining baronial line, nobility nonetheless. There were still many who followed him.

This butler was no exception.

“I need you to deliver this letter.”

“The recipient is… Master Hans. Understood. I will send it to the Speda Ducal House via the magical communication sphere.”

The preparation was not lengthy.

For nobles who couldn’t afford the operation of magical crystals due to financial constraints, communication spheres were the standard means of contact.

It had already been installed in the house.

“Off you go. To the Speda Ducal House.”

The communication sphere, carrying a message of love, slowly flapped its wings.

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