Chapter 135: Cleanup

===

⇒ The Trait 'Amnesia' has disappeared.

⇒ Learning skills has become easier.

===

After the battle with the demons ended and while I was surveying the surrounding scenery, a system window appeared.

With the removal of the 'Amnesia' Trait, did my body feel slightly lighter?

And I felt a bit indifferent about the things that had happened around me.

"By the way, how is Hayden Reich doing?"

Even just before I said, "The one-armed demon is in the blizzard forest", Zahard's formerly fierce tone had softened.

Things could have been like this from the start. That unnecessary tension...

Rumors about the Sword Saint were already rampant in the capital, but it seemed he hadn't heard them properly due to being on the run.

"Well, he is... doing well."

Doing well, indeed.

Well... if not dying, eating well, and living safely is doing well, then that's accurate.

He's doing so well that he neglected his duties, sought asylum in the Holy Kingdom, and, out of boredom, imbued his body with demonic energy.

Wow! He's doing exceedingly well.

"Really? For someone who claims to want to challenge him, you've grown rather indifferent."

Zahard chuckled, making me think 'that might be true'.

Having observed Yulian and Hayden Reich for quite some time, I could see why he'd feel that way.

The guy who was bent on killing the Sword Saint until the end suddenly reappeared in the North.

His indifferent demeanor about the Sword Saint's whereabouts.

"You've changed a lot."

As I organized my thoughts, Zahard's calm voice cut in.

"What do you mean by changed?"

"I mean, the obsession disappeared."

Obsession?

"I haven't known you that deeply, but even though you were always smiling on the Northern Front, it felt like you were being chased by something."

Zahard shared a complex feeling that might have been about 'me' or 'Yulian'.

"So, Hayden often worried about you, wondering if he sparked a pointless dream within you."

"Did you talk with my master?"

"As fellow alumni, we met occasionally."

Though it was quite a long time ago.

Zahard added.

"Perhaps that's why he sought asylum in the Holy Kingdom. Because you no longer seemed precarious, Yulian."

I clicked my tongue inwardly at his following words.

This fellow actually knew about the Sword Saint's whereabouts and pretended not to.

It was annoying, but I slightly understood why.

'Yulian' was a crazy person who would foam at the mouth reflexively upon hearing the name 'Sword Saint'.

"So, how about now?"

I asked Zahard, just in case.

I am merely 'acting' as 'Yulian' at the moment, not matching his behavior.

So I was curious.

Zahard, who has known the 'old Yulian,' what does he see in 'me now'?

Certainly, more normal than before...

"Now? Hahaha!"

Why is he laughing?

"How odd... Why are you asking? Smiling executioner."

Damn it.

That wasn't the answer I wanted.

***

Yulian Cryphart Frason.

Indeed, he had changed.

The nervousness Zahard felt from him before didn't exist, and he seemed to have matured further as a person.

He wondered if Yulian had matured.

Surely not.

'Somehow... he seems composed.'

Zahard felt an inexplicable 'composure' in Yulian, whom he had recently spoken to at the Martial Arena.

No, it wasn't something expressible with ordinary words.

More...

Like someone who had 'enlightened' or 'transcended'.

It felt like encountering someone on a higher level entirely.

'He even knew what I was searching for.'

Zahard, who sharpened other senses to compensate for his blinded eyes, skimmed through the 'Mana vein' flowing throughout Yulian's body.

'Amazing.'

Though tremendous mana comparable to a mage flowed through him, it wasn't significant.

Knowing he was born with stellar mana veins made it no surprise.

'He's utilizing multiple mana operation methods.'

From common, conventional methods to peculiar, unknown techniques, he seemed unaware of.

Thus, despite his vast mana, his vessel didn't seem full.

'He is mimicking my technique too.'

Radiating aura around to discern the location of objects or creatures.

That monster isn't taught, but he follows it with 'sense'.

'If so, he probably feels relaxed.'

Given Yulian's talent, he'll eventually surpass the 'Sword Saint' anyway.

'Plus... Unlike before, trying to overwhelm with strength alone, he's quite cunning in his thoughts.'

Zahard wasn't sure how he was certain of the 'one-armed demon's' location, but based on his past behavior, it didn't seem like a lie.

What's bewildering, though, is why Yulian provided information to Zahard, someone without any ties?

In the past, Zahard would have thought, 'because it benefits him', but now? Zahard wasn't sure.

Zahard disliked being played in Yulian's hands, yet, Zahard had an obligation to kill that demon.

Because it was his fault that his son ended up in that state.

"Ha..."

Reflecting on the causes of all these troubles led Zahard to involuntarily let out a self-deprecating laugh.

"Just now, you applied my technique by releasing aura into your sword, didn't you?"

Though unnecessary to mention, Zahard suddenly felt an interest.

In the recent battle with the demon, Yulian's ability was unquestionably a reference to his aura manipulation technique.

"Was it? I only referred to it; it really didn't help much."

What is he talking about? It was almost identical.

Zahard wanted to point that out, but didn't want unnecessary wordplay, so he refrained.

"But it's still incomplete, it seems. While intertwining your specialty 'Moonlit Sword' was ingenious, it seems holding the dispersing aura intact proves challenging."

"This is my first time trying it, but is that so? Seems it's quite usable."

"Of course it is. It's an ability I honed for years!"

You're telling me you tried to imitate it merely by watching a few times?

He wanted to shout that, but since Yulian had already half-mastered it in his unique way, saying so felt unnecessary.

However, he felt an urge to add one piece of advice.

"The key to aura release is 'axis'."

"Axis, you say?"

Zahard essentially imparted his life's realization.

Even though the words felt precious, for some reason, he didn't want to owe anything to Yulian.

The location of the one-armed demon...

Whether certain or not, he stated it without expecting compensation, leaving only trust.

And though he might craft plots, he doesn't tell lies.

Therefore, he wanted to eliminate this debt.

"It's a pillar. A pillar. Not only laying different aura layers over the surface to prevent dispersion, but setting a 'pillar' to ensure it doesn't crumble."

Upon hearing the advice, Yulian appeared to realise something as he glanced at his Moonstone Sword at his waist.

After a brief contemplation,

"Is it okay to disclose trade secrets so easily?"

"Soon the shop will close anyway; no need for lingering attachments. Ha-hah."

Zahard laughed weakly.

"Well, I must go. I hope to gain something as mentioned in the Blizzard Forest."

***

Watching Zahard head north, I shifted my attention back to the sword.

'Setting a pillar within the aura', huh.

Indeed, with that method, the amount of dispersing aura could be minimized.

Thinking it through, I wanted to test it by extending my hand to the Moonstone Sword and drawing it.

Then incorporating Zahard's advice on the previously used 'Sword Energy'.

'Setting the pillar.'

So it won't collapse,

And after forming the aura on the Moonstone Sword, I released it at a nearby tree.

Whirr, crack—!

The 'Sword Energy' that would previously stop at small marks now pierced halfway into the tree, as though sawing through it.

'The mark resembles a saw.'

Just like Zahard said, establishing a 'pillar' within the sword energy enabled it to manifest the traits of the 'Moonlit Sword' even more profoundly.

===

⇒You have awakened a new Trait, 〈Moonlit Sword Energy〉.

===

Wow, does it come that easily?

Could it be due to the disappearance of the "amnesia" penalty?

'Certainly, it is a trade secret.'

After returning the Moonstone Sword to its sheath, I surveyed the surroundings.

Though the demon corpses strewn about caused me to frown, I intended to leave soon anyway, so I paid it no mind.

"... Hmm."

Letting out a short hum, I realized that Joshua was nowhere near Felkhor.

Did he die? No... he's got some notable fame after all.

"Where's Joshua?"

"There he is, Sir Yulian."

Following Felkhor's gesture, I saw Joshua grunting as he cut off the horn of a dead one-horned demon.

"Joshua, what are you—"

Startled,

Joshua, cutting the horn, casually stood up and wore an awkward smile.

"Haha... Noth. Ing. At. All."

You know it's even weirder when you do that?

***

After Yulian departed, Pintel, who continued operations within the capital, recalled the conversation he had with him earlier.

― Sir Yulian, what should be done if someone leaks inside information externally?"

Though the Dawn Society operates surreptitiously, numerous information battles unfold internally.

Pintel dared to predict that even among those wanting a change in the archbishop, there could be such leaks.

― Hmm, you're speaking of double agents.

― Yes.

Though it provided some room for maneuver as the 'cause' hadn't been entirely disseminated yet, it wasn't favorable for information to leak even for contingencies.

― To put it so directly, seems like you suspect a few individuals?

― ... Currently, I've four individuals under suspicion.

― Quite a number. Four, you say.

Hah, Yulian briefly chuckled, leading Pintel to swallow dryly.

He knew well that seeking advice like this was virtually admitting he was foolish.

Yet, not knowing how to handle this...

Not aware of what catastrophe it might bring...

Pintel sought Yulian's counsel before he left the capital.

― Aha, there was a method like that.

Upon clapping, seemingly struck by a brilliant idea, Yulian had said something.

Its content...

"Hey, Pintel, is it true Sir Yulian left the capital!?"

Interrupted from his recollection, Pintel looked at Bishop Genin who had urgently sought him out, then placed his hand on the teacup.

"Yes."

"In this situation, for personal reasons, heading north, what important reason..."

As Genin was frantic in his questioning, Pintel saw his reflection in the teacup, letting out a short laugh.

"Haha..."

"... Hmm?"

Seeing this, genin asked, and Pintel stopped smiling, putting down the teacup.

"No, Sir Yulian is indeed remarkable. To use even such a brief personal absence as a decoy."

Genin felt puzzled by Pintel's demeanor but couldn't say anything.

For Pintel's eyes glinted fiercely, as if he might kill him.

With eyes suddenly flashing, Pintel silently slipped into thought.

'Found the snitch.'

Clacky's Corner:Snitches get stitches.I have a feeling that Yulian will be helping Zahard later.Just a feeling.

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