Raising the Princess to Overcome Death Chapter 69

69: Engagement - Warrior’s Journey

The sword Leo received was plain, without any ornamentation, not even a cross-guard.

A rough and sturdy longsword, it lacked luster and was tinged with a hint of brown, making it appear ancient, but its blade was sharp.

Leo stared blankly at the sword for a moment.

A bound item!

But what does it mean? Does it mean it can be used in other scenarios? Does “indestructible” mean the sword can’t be broken? Or does it mean it hasn’t been destroyed “yet”?

And 0/3? What does that achievement mean? Does it imply there are three bound items? No, if that were the case, it should have said 1/3 upon receiving the sword. Could it mean it can be used until it’s destroyed three times?

[ Achievement: Swordmaster, 2/3 ]

‘It looks similar to the achievement I got when I met the Swordmaster...’

“This sword belonged to your mother. It’s time I pass it on to you.”

Noel Dexter continued with a faint smile on his lips.

“Lena, I’ll give you my sword.”

He handed his sword to Lena, who had been eyeing Leo’s sword enviously. She accepted it eagerly, her joy evident, while Noel cleared his throat to regain their attention.

“Your swordsmanship has improved significantly lately, and I think it’s time for you both to embark on a journey. Until now, I’ve been teaching you alone, but there are many knights on the continent who use sword techniques different from mine. Especially for you, Leo, it’s time to establish your own sword style, and seeing other knights’ techniques will help you a lot.”

Noel was unaware that Leo had already acquired the ‘Bart Style.’ Leo’s body hadn’t yet fully adapted, so the Bart style didn’t manifest clearly.

Noel often clicked his tongue when he saw his son practicing with a different grip.

He understood it as Leo experimenting with various techniques, having broken through one level of swordsmanship but not yet establishing his own form.

“So, if you’re both willing, it would be good to travel to other kingdoms. I think the Holy Kingdom would be a good choice. I spoke with the lord yesterday, and he’s willing to help if you go to the Holy Kingdom.”

“I’m in!” Lena exclaimed excitedly.

The Holy Kingdom! She had always wanted to meet the unique holy knights.

Knights enveloped in divine power, a force beyond the secular.

What techniques would they use? She had heard they focused more on martial arts than weapon skills...

On the other hand, Leo hesitated for a moment. His father’s proposal was sudden.

‘Is this the Warrior’s Journey {Event}?’

In some series of the game “Prince Maker,” there was a feature called “Warrior’s Journey.”

In that game, the heroine ventured outside the city, fighting monsters or bandits for rewards.

She would find treasure chests scattered around the field for rewards, and occasionally encounter civilians, whom she could rob for money.

Of course, frequently robbing civilians would result in penalties, along with condemnation for the daughter of a hero killing civilians.

‘But I’d rather go to the Kingdom of Aster than the Holy Kingdom...’

Realistically, there were only three princes Lena Ainar might meet on the continent.

Except for the Holy Kingdom, other kingdoms on the continent despised the northern kingdoms of Astin and Aster as barbarian lands.

Those three princes were Cleo de Friderick of the Jerome Holy Kingdom, Arnulf de Klaus of the Kingdom of Astin, and Pablo de Klaus of the Kingdom of Aster.

The prince of the Kingdom of Astin would already be at war, so he’s out.

That leaves the Kingdom of Aster and the Jerome Holy Kingdom...

The Holy Kingdom’s prince somewhat overlapped with the childhood friend scenario. If Lena, the childhood friend, were to meet a prince, it would surely be Cleo de Friderick.

‘...No, I can’t make Lena, the childhood friend, meet the prince anyway. She’s too perceptive to handle.’

Leo thought he was getting ahead of himself. He couldn’t even be sure if breaking the engagement was possible in this scenario, so there was no point in debating overlaps.

There was no valid reason to refuse going to the Holy Kingdom...

In any case, being able to go on a journey was a good thing, so Leo also agreed to his father’s proposal.

Staying in this castle would lead to nothing happening.

Probably.

The next day, Noel Dexter took Lena and Leo to meet the lord.

“Greetings, my lord.”

“Welcome. These must be the apprentice knights you mentioned before.”

Diallo Brina, the lord of Avril Castle, showed considerable respect to Noel.

Having been born the second son of the Viscount Brina and living in Barnaul, the capital of the Kingdom of Astin, Diallo Brina knew well of Noel Dexter’s reputation.

The butcher of nobles.

Throughout the ‘Nine Days War,’ Noel Dexter was the knight who survived from the beginning to the end of the civil war in Barnaul, where the fiercest intrigue took place.

In the capital, he was as famous as Baron Arpen Albacete, the Swordmaster.

Strictly speaking, he was infamous...

In truth, his infamy was somewhat exaggerated.

Noel Dexter’s ability to endure in Barnaul was due not only to his skills but also to his cautious nature.

When Noel Dexter successfully assassinated a noble in Barnaul, his name sometimes became known. The problem was, when a murder happened without a known perpetrator, people often assumed it was him.

After the war, when the noblemen he killed were publicly counted during the distribution of honors, the number was smaller than expected, but Noel Dexter had already become too famous as the “butcher of nobles.”

Noel spoke respectfully.

“Yes, this is my son, Leo Dexter, and this is my apprentice, Lena Ainar.”

Lena and Leo bowed politely as they were introduced. Diallo Brina returned the greeting, then paused, startled as he looked at Leo.

[ Achievement: Meeting Arnulf de Klaus - Gain mild favor from all nobles serving the Klaus royal family. Gain mild favor from Arnulf de Klaus. ]

[ Achievement: Noble Murderer - All nobles feel a slight fear of you. ]

Although Leo had just reached adulthood, his presence felt oddly intense.

‘Like father, like son...’

The portly Diallo forced a leisurely smile and gestured them to take their seats.

Despite being a noble and a lord, Diallo was the second son, destined to live a life of minor duties without inheriting his family’s estate.

Fortunately, he had been appointed to Avril Castle by royal command, and he was quite satisfied with his position.

Being close to the Holy Kingdom, which rarely engaged in war, the castle had a strong military purpose but little commercial activity, meaning there wasn’t much to do. Except for his father, Viscount Brina, constantly pestering him about how to incorporate Avril Castle into the family estate, he had no significant worries.

“Please, make yourselves comfortable. I’ve ordered some refreshments.”

“...Thank you for your hospitality, my lord,” Noel Dexter said, looking slightly burdened by the lord’s attention.

He was a knight, not a noble.

But Diallo also felt a similar burden. This infamous knight, who had earned the name Dexter through remarkable exploits, had shocked him when he was assigned to Avril Castle.

“An honor for a retired knight... You mentioned wanting to send your son and apprentice on a journey?”

“Yes, I want them to meet other knights and broaden their horizons.”

“Ah, I’ve heard from the chieftain about their feat of hunting a beast together. They’re still young, but clearly, the children trained by you are exceptional.”

The two exchanged compliments and modesty for a while but quickly reached a conclusion.

“Of course, I must help. They are the future swords of not just Avril Castle, but the Kingdom of Aster.”

“Thank you for your kind words. So, what kind of help...?”

“I’ll provide two horses. Or would a carriage be more comfortable? No, horses are better, right? Since you’re sending them to the Holy Kingdom, I’ll also issue border passes.”

“Thank you for your consideration, my lord.”

When Noel Dexter bowed, the lord laughed heartily.

Being saluted by the infamous knight of Barnaul was an ego boost.

“Hahaha. It’s the least I can do as a lord. Oh, you mentioned they wanted to meet and spar with other knights? I have something more to give.”

Excited, Diallo excused himself briefly and returned with a letter. It was a certificate bearing the lord’s seal, stating they were knights on a journey to improve their swordsmanship.

“With this, you shouldn’t have trouble meeting the lord of Castle Bidorinin.”

Castle Bidorinin, built by the Holy Kingdom for military purposes, stood at the border, facing Avril Castle.

“After that, obtaining further certificates from the lord of Castle Bidorinin will make your journey much smoother. It’s much better than randomly trying to meet knights.”

“My goodness, you’ve been so considerate. Thank you, my lord.”

Noel Dexter repeatedly expressed his gratitude.

Diallo waved it off modestly, but anyone could see he was puffed up with pride.

The wretched civil war had brought misfortune to many, but for people like Diallo, it had been a stroke of luck.

The next day, two horses arrived at the clearing behind Lena and Leo’s house.

Lena, who didn’t know how to ride, had to learn from scratch, but she quickly got the hang of it once she grabbed the reins.

[ Achievement: First Horse Ride - Leo’s horsemanship improves slightly. ]

Leo, who had ridden before during the childhood friend scenario, was already quite adept.

Noel Dexter tutted as he taught Lena how to ride.

‘Leo is fine, but Lena is a bit too early for this...’

Lena had great talent. Even with her unremarkable swordsmanship, she grasped the essence of what Noel had taught.

‘A year more of training would have definitely raised her level. It’s a shame she’s leaving now.’

But he couldn’t refuse Dehor’s request.

Dehor felt uneasy about both himself and his daughter not going to war.

He wanted Lena to leave Avril Castle for a while and do something significant, and Noel had agreed to his wish.

As Lena asked Leo, “Why are you so good at this?” Noel continued his thoughts.

‘No, expanding her horizons through travel is better. They can make memories before getting married...’

With Leo by her side.

His now much-improved son could teach Lena well. By the time they returned, both would have grown significantly.

Noel had no doubt Leo would take good care of her.

A few days later, equipped with various cooking tools, thick blankets, and a tent, Lena and Leo left Avril Castle on horseback.

Their peaceful journey began.

Lena was excited about traveling with Leo. Training together in the clearing was nice, but nothing compared to traveling together.

Surely, Leo’s recent cold attitude would thaw during the trip.

But for some reason, Leo remained silent even after they set out. When Lena asked why, he evaded answering.

This happened so often that Lena sulked, deciding, ‘I won’t talk until he does.’

And then, within two hours, she found herself saying, “Leo, you know...”

Despite Lena’s growing disappointment, the journey continued.

After three days of riding, they were a day away from the border crossing into the Holy Kingdom.

They rode diligently.

- Clop, clop.

Leo felt most at ease while riding. Lena was too focused on handling her horse to chat.

He glanced back to see Lena soothing her nervous horse, following him closely.

At that moment, two ‘Elact’ deer suddenly leapt out of the bushes.

These deer-like herbivores were incredibly fast, almost impossible to catch without a trap.

“Watch out!”

The pair of Elact deftly dashed between Lena’s and Leo’s horses.

- Whinny!

Startled, Lena’s horse reared up.

Lena fell from her horse.

“Ah!”

“Lena! Are you...?”

Leo quickly stopped his horse. He dismounted to go to Lena but then froze.

Lena was okay.

She had just landed hard on her rear.

“Ouch... that hurts.”

Lena stood up, brushing away tears and rubbing her bottom.

‘How embarrassing.’

Expecting Leo to fuss over her, she looked up, ready to say she was fine.

But Leo just stood there, watching her from atop his horse.

Their eyes met.

Leo felt nauseous.

He averted his gaze, avoiding her eyes, while the pair of Elact deer disappeared into the distance.

Elact were known to be monogamous animals, staying together for life.