Chapter 246 – 24. Kaleidoscope (6)
The world of swordsmanship is truly profound.
That’s why there are names that you will hear at least once if you make a living from sword fighting in the West Continent. A desert dancer’s sword with origins in the Near Eastern Veda and handed down among wandering peoples, a Gallic sword that grew naturally through guards near the rugged border, and a Ruth fighting spirit sword born in constant struggle under the banner of survival of the fittest.
‘Grow strength. Become so strong that your brothers can’t ignore you.’
‘How?’
‘Come here, I’ll teach you how to use a sword.’
Speaking of the island nation of Britannia, the three schools leading the Somerset Swordsmen Guild and the lion sword invented by King James were the most famous. However, the more I learn, the more I learn, the more I can summarize the mysterious world of knives with concisely shortened words.
Some sword techniques are intuitive enough that you can infer the general trick just by hearing their names.
However, some, including the school that Oliver was a member of, are not.
‘We, Somerset, have three types of swords. Among them, I will teach you a technique called a steel sword.’
‘Wow, that name looks so strong!’
‘You know something. Needless to say, he’s the strongest.’
In the same vein, Somerset’s strong sword, contrary to its name, is not a method of wielding a massive greatsword randomly. Oliver, who prided himself on being a disciple of Evan, abhorred such disparagement.
‘What is a strong sword? What kind of skill do you think we call a strong sword?’
So, if there is any misunderstanding of the cute little boy, I asked a question to correct it.
‘Hmm, are you holding back?’
‘… Why?’
‘Uncle Leonard says that everyone makes mistakes. That means no one always wins. Being at a disadvantage in a fight depends on the situation at the time, so if you want to become stronger, you just have to endure it until you have an advantage.’
It was an arrogant delusion. What he really needed to correct was not the boy Romuald’s misunderstanding, but himself who was looking down on his talent. The millennial illegitimate son of a millennial was to the point of downgrading all the geniuses Oliver had ever met to dunjae.
‘That’s right, that’s a steel sword.’
Hehe, did I do well?’
‘It’s not just about doing well.’
The boy who looked up at me with bright, cute eyes was a monster. It’s a pity that he has to use such expressions over such a lovely child, but it was true. He couldn’t explain properly due to his lack of vocabulary, but Romuald was already familiar with the trick of a strong sword.
‘Many people think of ignorant swordsmanship when they hear the name of a strong sword.’
‘But isn’t it?’
‘As you said, the Somerset steel sword is fundamentally a swordsmanship focused on defense. It’s a swordsmanship that aims for gaps that are revealed when the opponent’s stamina is exhausted, or when they are shaken by something they shouldn’t be swayed by, such as pride or anger.’
Since he was seriously injured, the first few days were all about teaching with words and gestures. Nonetheless, young Rom mastered superb form as soon as he was taught a few basic moves. Furthermore, he showed movements that applied it.
The reason that various practitioners have learned over the years based on the teachings of the previous generation.
‘Hey, how do the other swordsmanships in the Guild feel?’
‘Guess what.’
‘Hmm, quick sword means fast sword, right? Since you need a lot of strength to get up to speed, maybe the hard sword that everyone else thinks is the closest to the quick sword?’
Theory didn’t even have to be taught. If you throw a hwadu as if you are having a chat, you will understand it on your own.
‘But I think it’s only Yu-gum’s way of pouring out attacks. Because the soft sword is easy to let go of the opponent’s attack. Unlike a hard sword that aims for a critical hit or a quick sword that fights at high speed, the only way to determine victory with a quick sword is to counterattack.’
It is natural for the three swordsmanships tied to one group to resemble each other. However, no matter how much it was, it was absurd to see through the teachings of the strong sword and the tricks of the quick sword and the short sword.
A ten-year-old boy did it.
In three days he learned the basics of a steel sword, in six days he learned its application, and in nine days he felt a sense of mystery, so it was no wonder.
‘Mister, the person who first created the Somerset combination thought that learning the three sword techniques was the way to become invincible, right?’
‘What do you mean by that?’
‘A strong sword defends itself for the moment when it can definitely win. With the quick sword, I pursue something fast in order not to be pushed back by the opponent. Because Yu-geom uses the enemy’s power intact to counterattack…’
It was the 10th day that I had achieved enough to express my opinion. It was Oliver’s stunned face that clouded his words. It was a passage that showed how much he had lived while paying attention to his family since the millennial ball died.
‘Oh, isn’t it?’
What could I have answered? The boy who was only 10 days old after being introduced to the sword figured out the meaning of the founder, which he had not even thought of.
‘… There is a long way to go, Romuald.’
‘I-I’m still going to work hard!’
‘It’s not that you’re lacking. It means there’s a lot to do because it’s so good.’
Oliver finally looked back at himself. There is no way that a father could be inferior to her child, so I decided to pass on my everything, judging the skill of Alexandre, a millennial baller.
‘I swear to the Heavens of Heaven that I will make you a disciple I am proud of. Will you consider me your teacher?’
‘Uncle? Then should I call you Master now?’
‘It’s a good name. What matters is our relationship.’
‘Hehe, I like you man! Then Master, do it for me!’
It was as Rom said. The three swordsmen who first established the Somerset Swordsmen Guild were waiting for a successor to inherit their swordsmanship. And Oliver believed that only when all of the sword techniques were united as one would their will be fulfilled.
It wasn’t.
Somerset’s three sword techniques were already one. And the first to find out about it was an illegitimate child born to a dead enemy of Gaul.
‘Yes, I promise.’
Why did he think they should be put together? The strong sword is defense, the quick sword is balance, and the short sword is attack. Acquiring all three sword techniques and using them appropriately according to the situation was what he truly pursued.
‘I will become the best teacher you will not be ashamed of.’
Great swordsmanship.
It took a full month for Oliver Somerset’s injury to heal. In the meantime, the swordsman, who had refined his mind, led his gradually improving body, taught theory, and guided practice. He made the invincible knight of Lumière today by informing the lion sword to the dancer sword, ritual sword, and fighting spirit sword that he had learned someday.
Teaching was only a month?
No, it’s just that the boy has learned everything I can teach him in just that hour.
“After spending time with him, I left myself in secluded nature. I cleared my mind and pondered the reason for learning, and I trained toward a higher level. And when the time finally came, I returned home and challenged myself to a duel.”
“… You mean the famous dueling trial?”
“It was a bloody battle for three days and three nights against Simon, Kenneth, and all the students who followed them. However, it was not difficult for Yu-geom and his disciple. The lessons I was able to learn from a first-generation genius boy led me to victory.”
Zach, who had been listening to Oliver’s story with interest, nodded.
“Baron Ardennes, if you were a knight who was Romuald of Dior in the past, I strongly suggested recruiting you several times. I couldn’t get to know him because his personality was so on the opposite side or because he repeatedly declined. That’s why he is now counted among Alphonse’s most loyal subjects. After hearing what you said, I think it’s even more challenging.”
“Romuald has no problem. I am a person who keeps promises. As much as he swore with that guy, he worked hard to keep up with his talent as his teacher.”
In a fight between those who have reached a certain level, no one can know the outcome. If there is a way to measure it, it is only whether or not there is something to protect.
“It’s the other side that you really need to be wary of.”
“You mean Kenneth Somerset.”
“It is the quicksword that I realized and was not pushed back even against me. If it hadn’t been for pushing her, buried in her emotions in the way of her strong sword, I would have died at the time of her death.”
“But you are more grown than then.”
Of course it was. Nodding his head, Oliver raised his glass and took a sip. As I said, Oliver Somerset was a man who kept his promises.
Later, the disciple who won the swordsmanship contest held in Lumiere.
A knight who saved the North from Limousin through Fontaine and Grand Mande.
He honed his skills to become his mentor to Romu Ald Arden, who was given the title of baron.
“Kenneth would be too. At that time, I didn’t have the confidence to cut off the breath of the weak speedy sword. So he decided to tie a knot in his own way to undermine that reputation.”
“I see. Did you spread the rumor that he saved his life by admitting defeat?”
“He is a strong man who has lost both his teacher and his lover. The grudges obtained in this way are like dark stains that can hardly be erased. If according to the intelligence, it is true that the quicksword is entrusted to Dongbu, then I will have to go and deal with it myself.”
“Although Arnaud LeBlanc is a reliable ally, that is a story when he is a public servant who does not threaten my supremacy. I’d rather do it my way Although the security gap is a bit concerning.”
There was no need to worry. Because Jacques de Gaulia had disciples taught by the greatest leader in the history of the Somerset Swordsman’s Guild.
“Let’s check it out as soon as the sun rises.”
* * *
“Zach-nim, this is an urgent message along with what you requested.”
“Have you checked?”
“Yes, it has been confirmed that the owner of the nickname Oliver mentioned was in the East a few years ago. Kenneth Somerset is trusting himself to the Duke of LeBlanc.”
“Urgent news?”
“The Duchess of LeBlanc, Henrietta’s execution trial is said to be held.”
“Oliver?”
“… Let’s start right away.”
