Chapter 17: Chapter 17

Chapter 17: The Cunning Warrior

After confirming that Leon’s safety was assured, Count Reinhardt immediately departed for the capital.

The reason he, who should have remained in the North, stopped by Kellyburn was simply because he wanted to see Leon once before heading to the capital.

From what he heard, the capital was now in complete chaos preparing for the Emperor’s birthday celebration.

Originally, Reinhardt wouldn’t have been able to attend, as he was supposed to manage his own territory.

However, since the Demon Beast that had been troubling his lands had disappeared, he had some leeway.

Reinhardt wasn’t on bad terms with the Emperor either. Now that he had some free time, there was no reason for him not to go.

Moreover, Reinhardt was a Knight. If he went to personally congratulate the Emperor, the Emperor would surely be pleased.

After all, there were only ten Knights in the entire Empire.

Even for the Emperor, who ruled over the whole nation, a Knight’s congratulations was a gesture of great significance.

Not long after, the Duke of Kellyburn also departed for the capital—for the same reason as Reinhardt.

However, since the Kellyburn family was practically the Emperor’s right hand, his attendance wasn’t optional like Reinhardt’s—it was an obligation.

Thus, at this very moment when there was no one from the Kellyburn household in the duchy—

Leon was chatting idly with Mikelan, who lay in his hospital bed.

“Why did you choose to ram him instead of blocking with your sword at that moment? Wouldn’t it have been more efficient to defend first and then counterattack?”

To be precise, Leon was revisiting a moment from Mikelan’s duel.

He had gained much insight while watching Mikelan’s battle, but there were also several things that puzzled him.

Why hadn’t Mikelan chosen to defend at that instant? Why had he launched into offense instead?

A duel was a sequence of unpredictable variables where one must respond with their own strategy. Leon wanted to know what kind of intent Mikelan had fought with in that moment.

That was why he had come to see Mikelan in his ward.

Fortunately, Mikelan didn’t find Leon’s questions bothersome—he answered them with thoughtful sincerity.

Mikelan liked people who possessed a desire to improve, whether they were soldiers or not.

No matter their profession, anyone who recognized their own shortcomings and strove to move forward was someone Mikelan appreciated.

And Leon was, by all means, a passionate young man—a rare sight these days.

Moreover, Mikelan already had a favorable impression of Leon, especially after receiving his help not long ago.

Now, seeing Leon act so perceptively and endearingly, it was as if the boy had seen right through his personality.

By this point, Leon had become so precious to Mikelan that he even wanted to take him on as a disciple.

However, Leon was ultimately a warrior from Elphrel—a foreign land. A man of another nation could not become Mikelan’s disciple.

So, instead, Mikelan answered all of Leon’s questions with complete sincerity.

To Mikelan, Leon was someone he truly liked after a long while.

Offering this much kindness was hardly difficult.

Thanks to that, Leon came to realize a great many things. In combat, one’s intent determined the outcome.

Understanding Mikelan’s reasoning—something he hadn’t grasped during the duel—broadened Leon’s world.

Leon sat cross-legged right where he was. He had gained a precious insight—one that had to be internalized as swiftly as possible.

To Mikelan, the cross-legged sitting posture was somewhat strange, but he didn’t question it. He knew Leon well enough to understand the boy never did anything meaningless.

Just in case, however, Mikelan gripped his longsword, preparing for the unlikely.

Before long, Leon slowly opened his eyes. Rising to his feet, he bowed deeply toward Mikelan.

“Thanks to you, I’ve learned a great deal. I’m truly grateful.”

“Mm… keep training diligently.”

After bowing once more, Leon left the infirmary.

It had already been a week since his encounter with Superbia. In that time, his body had recovered remarkably well.

His broadened vessel—his strengthened physique—had healed his injuries in no time. The rate of recovery was truly astounding.

Even his right arm had been completely fractured. Normally, such an injury wouldn’t heal in a mere week, even with a clean break.

Leon couldn’t help but marvel at his own body’s resilience.

Even after recovering, Leon remained at the ducal estate. He had planned to leave soon, but the more he conversed with Mikelan, the more he gained.

Though they often repeated the same discussions, their conversations grew more engaging with each passing day.

Leon asked the questions, but the dialogues were so profound that even Mikelan found them enjoyable.

And it wasn’t just talk.

On a day when his condition was at its peak, Leon consumed the Mana Herb gifted to him by the Duke of Kellyburn.

It was a useless item for ordinary warriors, but for Leon—who had grown stronger through the ways of a Knight—the Mana Herb was as precious as gold and jewels.

When Leon explained his situation and made the request, the Duke readily granted it, saying it was no difficult favor.

Indeed, the Mana Herb’s effects lived up to its reputation. Especially for Leon, who possessed the knowledge of Murim, it was even more effective.

Unlike Murim, this world had no knowledge of internal energy, meridians, or the human body’s inner structure.

Thus, even when they used the Mana Herb, they couldn’t fully harness its potential.

At best, they could only expand the vessel that contained mana.

But Leon was different.

He not only increased his inner energy but also used the herb’s power to reinforce every meridian in his body, expelling even the tiniest impurities left within.

He had drawn out the Mana Herb’s efficiency to its absolute limit.

And its effects were immediately noticeable.

Leon’s sword let out a resonant hum. His internal energy, flowing through his arm, enveloped the blade, manifesting sword energy.

In Murim, sword energy was the mark of a true master. At last, Leon had reached the level where he could call himself one.

He was overjoyed. In his past life, he hadn’t even managed to properly control his inner energy, remaining a mere third-rate ronin.

Had he mastered even one decent cultivation method, things might have been different—but his lack of control was undeniable.

A true master could manipulate inner energy skillfully even with a poor technique.

He had no intention of blaming his shortcomings on his cultivation method.

Yet now, in this new world, Leon had finally drawn forth sword energy—something only the rarest of masters in Murim could achieve.

He had reached a realm a mere third-rate ronin could never have dreamed of. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novel※fire.net

My efforts in the past were not in vain.

Had he neglected his training back then, he could never have manifested sword energy no matter how abundant his inner power was now.

Fruit only bloomed for those who labored for it. No one who shirked effort could ever reap such results.

He had proven that the path he’d walked wasn’t wrong—and that realization filled him with joy.

Leon recalled a monk’s words from his previous life.

Even if I climb, the peak has no end. Even if I fall, I will continue onward.

For some reason, Leon found himself smiling faintly at the memory of those words.

Leon finished preparing for his departure. And this time, he had a companion.

“What, got a problem with that?”

His companion was Ryan. Judging by his irritated tone, it was clear he wasn’t tagging along by choice.

The reason Ryan was accompanying Leon was because of Mikelan.

Having taken a liking to Leon, Mikelan ordered Ryan to stay with him for a while and learn what he could.

It was absurd—who would’ve thought a soldier of the ducal household could be sent out this easily?

If it were up to Mikelan, the Captain of the Guards, perhaps it could have been arranged somehow—but would it have any real meaning?

Leon looked over at Ryan, who still wore a dissatisfied expression.

Leon slowly opened his mouth.

“You think I want to follow you? If it weren’t for the Captain’s orders, I wouldn’t have come either.”

Leon nodded. He had only said it out of curiosity, wondering if Ryan would actually insist on coming along.

And so, Leon set out on his journey with his new companion.

The journey, which Leon had thought would proceed smoothly, hit a snag right from the start—because Ryan took issue with his travel plan.

“You seriously plan to walk all the way to the capital?”

They could have ridden horses, but there was no urgency to reach the capital.

There was no particular reason to hurry, so walking would suffice.

At that, Ryan sighed and pressed his hand to his forehead. Then he pulled out a few silver coins from his pouch.

“The Captain gave us some money. At least let’s take a carriage to the capital.”

When Leon didn’t refuse, Ryan let out a short, dry laugh.

“What the hell am I supposed to learn from a guy …”

Leon heard his grumbling but ignored it, going off to find a carriage.

Since the Kellyburn territory was close to the capital, it wasn’t difficult to find one.

Of course, it wasn’t a noble’s carriage—more like a wagon used for hauling goods.

Leon skillfully found a spot among the cargo and sat down. Back when he was a wandering ronin, he often traveled between cities in a similar fashion.

Compared to those days, this much space felt like luxury.

But that was only Leon’s opinion. To Ryan, unused to such cramped quarters, it was unbearable.

“How can you even sit in here? Where the hell am I supposed to sit?”

He might not have been a noble, but Ryan had clearly grown up in comfort. He didn’t even recognize this as a decent arrangement.

Leon shook his head and pointed in one direction.

“There. There’s an open spot.”

…Unfortunately, Ryan was too dense to understand even when told.

“Just sit where I was sitting.”

Leon moved and folded himself neatly into the narrow space that had been meant for Ryan. Watching Leon squeeze himself in with uncanny ease, Ryan couldn’t help but exclaim.

Just as they were about to settle down—

“What? Where’s the spot you were talking about? Where were you sitting?”

Ryan, of course, had already forgotten where Leon had been.

The journey was anything but smooth. Every chance he got, Ryan caused some sort of trouble.

Whenever he saw a clear stream, he insisted on stopping to fish. Whenever a wild animal appeared, he jumped off the wagon to go hunting.

Thanks to him, they never went hungry—but the wagon had to stop far too often for such nonsense.

They ended up quarreling with the wagon driver several times.

Eventually, Leon managed to reach the Imperial Capital.

Leon murmured as he looked up at the capital’s massive walls.

Truly befitting the Empire’s heart—the walls alone were grand and majestic. They looked sturdy enough to withstand even a dragon from legend.

Getting into the capital was easier than expected. So many people entered and left daily that, unless something unusual happened, entry wasn’t strictly controlled.

And once Leon entered the capital, he was met with an entirely new world.

The Imperial Capital was truly magnificent. He had thought the Kellyburn Duchy was densely populated—but the capital was on an entirely different level.

Most remarkable of all were the various races walking the streets.

Elves, beastfolk, and other non-human races could be seen everywhere.

Leon’s mouth hung open in astonishment. Elves and beastfolk—inhabitants of the forests—right before his eyes.

It was a sight he hadn’t seen in either this life or his previous one, which only made his awe greater.

Noticing his obvious surprise, Ryan spoke.

“What’s wrong? Never been to the capital before? You look like some country bumpkin.”

“It’s true, I haven’t. Have you?”

Leon ignored Ryan’s nonsense and began searching for an inn. The first thing he had looked for in Kellyburn was lodging, and the same applied here—he needed a place to stay.

Ryan stopped Leon in his tracks.

“Yeah, right—you obviously don’t—wait, what?”

“I said I do. Sir Reinhardt gave me some.”

As he spoke, Leon pulled a bundle from his robes.

Inside were several dozen gold coins—enough for a commoner’s family to live in comfort for an entire year without lifting a finger.

Ryan’s eyes widened in shock.

“Wait—you had money? Then why the hell did you want to walk all the way here?”

“Because I didn’t want to waste it.”

“Then why didn’t you pay for the carriage? You clearly have more money than me.”

“Because you offered to pay.”

Ryan’s face twisted bitterly at Leon’s words. His eyes screamed, What kind of guy is this?—but Leon didn’t care and simply said,

“It’s best we find lodging quickly. Since you seem short on funds, I’ll graciously let you rely on my money for a day or two.”

Leaving only those words behind, Leon strode off ahead.

And Ryan could only stare blankly at his retreating back.