The Genius Son-in-law of the Swordmaster Household—Blessed by Authority Chapter 64

Spider Web (1)

'Is he being serious...?'

On the forest path back to the Heavenly Sword Palace.

Yuria recalled the conversation she had just shared with Ian at the campsite.

- '.......'

Ian hesitated for a long while, his lips moving as if debating whether he should speak, but then he slowly opened his mouth.

- 'Miss Yuria, I...'

- 'Yes?'

- '... I'd rather you didn't put your arm around any other man's shoulders like this.'

- '... Huh?'

- 'That includes your brothers. If possible, I'd prefer it if you didn't hold hands with anyone else either...'

- 'W-Wait! Ian!'

Yuria's long lashes fluttered rapidly.

- 'So what you're saying... That's the wish you want in exchange for saving my life? That's it?'

- '... You told me to just say it, no matter how rude or childish it might be.'

That's how Ian replied, turning his head away.

The backs of his ears were quite flushed.

Was he embarrassed after saying it?

'Honestly.'

Ian. She still had no idea what was going on in this guy's head.

'But that was kind of... cute.'

That was Yuria's honest impression.

'Not putting your arm around or holding hands with any other man but him?'

A faint smile played on Yuria's lips, like she was savoring a sweet.

It was an adorable request, and at the same time, such an easy one.

Especially considering it was the price of saving her life.

But.

Why did Ian ask for something like that?

He could have asked for something much more valuable, something far more important.

If Ian had asked for Yuria's True Heavenly Blood, she would have gladly extracted its essence from her marrow and given it to him.

If he had asked her to strengthen his mana circuits with Heavenly Energy, she would have done so, no matter how much time it took.

If he had asked to borrow the Divine Sword Genesis, she would have shared the authority and power to wield it with him.

But even so.

'All he wanted from me was...'

Nothing else.

Just for her not to put her arm around or hold hands with any man but him.

'Seriously... What is this?'

― Clop... clop...

Yuria gazed at the back of Ian's head, riding ahead of her on horseback.

His ears were still glowing red.

He must have been really embarrassed about what he'd said.

Could it be...?

'Does he like me?'

Slowly, sunlight traced across both of Yuria's cheeks.

* * *

'Should I not have said that...?'

Ian let out a deep, silent sigh.

He could feel Yuria's gaze burning into the back of his head the whole way as they rode along.

'... She must think I'm so weird.'

Maybe getting younger had caused a second adolescence.

He'd failed to hold back feelings as childish as a greenhorn's and let them slip out.

'No. Maybe adolescence isn't even the issue.'

He'd always been awkward in everything outside of fighting, anyway.

And even if he could go back and do it over again, Ian figured he would have said the same thing to Yuria.

That was just how Ian was wired.

'... In my previous life, Yuria said she liked this part of me, too.'

Laughter and smiles shared with her flashed through his mind.

'I miss her.'

Ian gripped the reins tighter.

He vowed to himself that in this life, he would protect that radiant smile until the very end.

― Sneak.

Ian turned his head slightly, pretending to check behind him, sneaking a look at Yuria.

He wanted to make sure she was following safely.

"Eep!"

He accidentally locked eyes with her.

"Hm..."

Yuria blushed and turned her gaze away.

Ian quickly looked forward again and bowed his head low.

'Haa...'

He let out a long, silent sigh in his heart.

'She must definitely think I'm a weirdo...'

The way she averted her gaze as if troubled.

It probably meant she didn't want to get involved by making eye contact with him.

'In my previous life, Yuria always smiled when our eyes met...'

She definitely thought he was weird after that conversation earlier.

'Should I have held back, after all...?'

He felt like he was blazing from the tip of his nose all the way to his ears with embarrassment.

"Hrmph!"

And at the very rear of the group,

Javier carefully observed Ian and Yuria's every move, widening his two eyes like a hawk.

'Wh-What was that just now?!'

It seemed like something sparked between the two of them a moment ago...!

No, it definitely did!

It was only for an instant, but the Investigation Division Leader's sharp intuition never missed such things.

'Wh-What's going on!?'

Meeting each other's eyes... both blushing... both looking flustered.

'Eh!?'

Wasn't that... That, right!? That thing!?

'When!? Since when!?'

Between Young master Ian and Lady Yuria!

When!? How did such a strange tension arise between the two of them!?

What happened in just this little while!?

'Ahem...!'

Javier tried to calm his suddenly pounding heart.

'I really witnessed something precious.'

He'd always thought the two of them were just precocious, but for the first time, they seemed to be acting their age.

'Heh heh heh.'

Javier let out a warm smile in his heart.

'Young master Ian.'

Until now, judging him by his actions on this journey, he seemed nothing but mysterious—almost like a ghost.

But seeing those ears flushed red, right now Ian looked every bit like an adolescent boy.

'I feel... somewhat relieved.'

The wariness Javier still harbored toward Ian crumbled away considerably in that moment.

* * *

That night.

Ian and Yuria, together with the Heavenly Sword knights, left the western region of Hisperion.

If they had been using an ordinary carriage or horse, it would have taken at least three or four days, but they crossed the distance in just half a day.

That was partly thanks to the sturdy Heavenly Sword Order's horses, and partly because they rode for twelve hours straight without resting.

― Clop! Clop!

After traveling two more hours beyond the western boundary, a central city loomed into view.

It was a city with a warp gate that could take them directly back to the Heavenly Sword Palace.

"Hm..."

But it was too late.

It was already 11 PM, with the moon high in the sky.

The warp gate's operating hours had long since ended for the day.

"The warp gate customs... are pitch dark."

"The warp gates always close by 8 at the latest."

But waiting for tomorrow's opening was out of the question.

Even though this city bordered the west, so it couldn't be considered completely safe.

They had to wake up the warp gate manager by force if need be and return to the Heavenly Sword Palace urgently.

Even if just a minute sooner.

And a moment later—

"I've spoken with the warp gate night crew."

With Javier taking charge, there was no difficulty in urgently activating the warp gate.

Holding the position of chief of the Heavenly Sword Order's investigative division, he could practically pluck stars from the sky within Hisperion territory.

― Vwoom!

The warp gate dispelled the thick darkness of the night, opening up a magical passageway in radiant light.

"Let's go! The hardships are over now!"

"Yes, see you at the Heavenly Sword Palace!"

Ian, Yuria, and the Heavenly Sword knights all stepped forward through the warp gate without hesitation.

And then—

"Huh?"

They found themselves back in the foggy city of Kartairo in Hisperion's west.

"Wh-What!"

― Fwoosh!

At the same time, as soon as Ian's group fully emerged, the warp gate snapped shut like a candle flame being snuffed out.

Around the gate, dozens of sword-wielding men carrying torches had completely surrounded them.

It looked easily over a hundred.

Some even exuded an aura to rival Javier's.

"It's a trap!"

They had fallen into a perfect ambush.

"Wh-What is this!?"

"This... isn't good..."

Who could have guessed the enemy would have taken over the warp gate in the central city, too.

Ian gritted his teeth and vigilantly scanned the surroundings.

At that moment—

"You've let your guard down, Javier."

A huge knight clad in thick, ornate full plate armor appeared from among those who'd surrounded the warp gate.

"Y-You...!"

Javier's eyes shook as he stared at the giant knight.

"Deputy-Commander Jonathan...?"

This giant was one of only two deputy commanders in the Heavenly Sword Order, a formidable Grandmaster.

Jonathan Feldro.

"Did you really think getting out of the west meant you could safely escort Lady Yuria?"

Jonathan sneered, and another familiar face stepped forward behind him.

"Long time no see, sir Javier. And Lady Yuria."

He was no less a big shot than Jonathan.

Victor Craven, commander of the Heavenly Moon Order—Theo Hisperion's personal knights.

Like Jonathan, a Grandmaster.

Wearing moon-white plate armor, Victor nodded slightly then stood beside Jonathan.

"What is...?"

Javier and the investigative knights exchanged looks, confusion etched on their faces.

'Damn.'

Ian, on the other hand, sized up the situation instantly.

Both of them were heavyweights in Theo Hisperion's faction, eldest son of the Heavenly Sword House.

Being caught by those two meant they might as well have fangs sunk into their necks.

'Who would have thought Theo would send out both these big guns in person...'

Moving such major players would surely leave traces, no matter who Theo was.

Did he no longer even care to hide that he'd kidnapped and tried to kill Yuria?

Or was he confident that if he got rid of Yuria, he could cover up the rest?

'No. I can't bother with Theo's motives now.'

What mattered was how to survive this desperate predicament.

Escaping came first—nothing else mattered if they couldn't.

"Deputy-Commander Jonathan..."

Javier gingerly placed a hand on the hilt of his beloved sword, caladbolg, and asked,

"What exactly... What is happening here?"

"Ho ho. Javier. How can the Investigation Division Leader of the Heavenly Sword Order be so slow to catch on?"

"......"

In truth, Javier already knew the answer.

The warp gate in the central city had sent them back to the western enemy territory.

And here, jonathan and the Heavenly Moon Order were fully armed waiting for them.

There was only one possible explanation for this situation.

"Then... Was deputy-commander the one behind Lady Yuria's kidnapping?"

"Pfft."

Jonathan laughed.

"Did you really need to hear it from my lips?"

"Unbelievable...!"

Not a direct answer, but as good as a confession.

"Sir Victor...!"

Javier looked at Victor, the commander of the Heavenly Moon Order.

"You too? Are you in on this too?!"

Victor merely clasped his hands behind his back.

His silence was as good as confirmation.

"Damn it! Victor! Aren't you Lord Theo's sworn sword, and Lady Yuria's older brother?! How can you point your blade at her!!"

"Hmph."

Victor snorted.

"Let's not be so naive, sir Javier."

― Shing.

Victor slowly drew his sword, glinting blue at his waist.

"You know better than anyone what family affairs are like in the Heavenly Sword House."

Among the direct descendants residing in the Heavenly Sword Palace, not a single one could be called a normal sibling.

They'd been rivals for the position of head since birth.

They shared blood, but not even a pretense of affection.

Whenever they saw an opening, they sank their fangs into each other with no hesitation—that was how family matters were settled in the Heavenly Sword House.

"Damn it..."

Only now did Javier fully accept the situation.

"So... the final mastermind is Lord Theo...!"

"......"

Neither Jonathan nor Victor answered, but that was answer enough.

"A pity, Javier."

― Clank!

Jonathan hefted his massive sword onto his shoulder.

"You're a talented and loyal knight. If it were up to me, I'd rather have you join on our side and hand over Lady Yuria..."

"Eat shit."

Javier replied with a curse.

"Some deputy-commander you are...!"

"Screw you!"

The other investigative knights glared at Jonathan with death in their eyes, cursing him out.

The odds were utterly stacked against them, but at least their spirit was unbroken.

Even if they were slain here and now, they would never betray the head of the Heavenly Sword House nor their own honor.

"I expected you'd say that. A shame, really."

― Thud!

Jonathan rested his massive greatsword on his shoulder.

"But let's not hold grudges. We're just caught in different webs."

Javier clung to the Heavenly Sword House, and Jonathan to Theo.

That was all it was to Jonathan.

― Step! Step! Step! Step!

He began to slowly walk toward them, hefting his greatsword.

― Fwoosh!

Soon, flames of aura flared up from Jonathan's blade.

― Step!

'He's going to come at us suddenly.'

Ian also drew Vladiark from his back and took his stance.

'Damn! What should I do?'

Even for Ian, there was nothing he could do against two Grandmasters facing him head-on.

'Could I respond with Frenzied Insight Style: Extreme Sense?'

Frenzied Insight Style: Extreme Sense (羅流羅).

A technique concentrating aura into every sensory cell to achieve reflexes beyond one's own limits.

But to use that against a Grandmaster's sword attacks?

'... Impossible.'

If Ian were at Master level, maybe, but... in his current state as a mid-high Expert, it was impossible.

'What if I used the aura stored in Vladiark...?'

At the moment, Vladiark held the stored aura of three Masters.

But—

'That won't help much either.'

They were Grandmasters.

Two of them.

Even if he exploded all the stored aura in Vladiark and miraculously took out one, the other would still be a problem.

'Damn...!'

What's worse, Javier and the rest of the Heavenly Sword knights were already exhausted from two days of forced marching.

They'd had no sleep since yesterday, had a fierce battle with the Barbarians, then spent all day riding hard to escape the west after rescuing Yuria.

'There's no way we can win this.'

If they fought, defeat was certain.

'Negotiation is impossible as well.'

Truly, a crisis with no escape.

A stone-cold dead end.

"Then let's finish this."

As Ian was thinking that, jonathan drew even closer.

"Goodbye, Javier. And you too, lady Yuria."

― Shing!

Jonathan, barely five paces away, lifted his massive sword high above his head in one hand.

Raising it to the sky—

― Fwoosh!

― Kwaaah!!

In that instant, his sword erupted with enhanced energy, like the breath of a dragon.

― Flash!

― Fwoom!

The warp gate behind Ian's group suddenly opened again, its magic light shining through the night.

"What the...!"

"What's happening...!"

Jonathan, the Heavenly Sword knights, everyone in the area—no one was exempt from staring in wide-eyed shock at the warp gate.

And soon—

"You're all terribly sleepless tonight. Having trouble falling asleep?"

The third child, and eldest daughter, of the head of the Heavenly Sword House—

Aris Hisperion, accompanied by her personal Heavenly Beast Order and Lord Bellator—the fifth-ranked vassal of Hisperion—emerged from the warp gate.

"Shall this young lady lull you to sleep?"

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=

I'm glad Aris didn't wait for them to be on the verge of dying before making a move.

Unfortunately, even though she saved them now, she could still become an enemy in the future...

【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】