Chapter 95
Callius immediately entered the room provided by Count Valentine and rested while reviewing his match with the Golden Lion.
"To think even the lowest seat of the Five Stars is at that level."
Just how strong are the remaining four?
And just what kind of monsters are the Masters in the ranks above them?
He couldn't even begin to fathom it.
"Still, it was good that I fought."
Just seeing the Golden Lion's Geumjanggi (Golden Armament Qi) was a huge harvest.
It was a technique that used a peculiar cultivation method to envelop the entire body with Sword Qi and merged swordsmanship into one.
He knew the theory, but seeing it in person was definitely better.
"Was it like this?"
Raising his hand and circulating his Holy Power, silver divine power bloomed from his arm.
However, when he mixed the profound principles of the Eunhwapageom (Silver Flower Shattering Sword) into it, a shape resembling a flower petal was formed.
But the petal shattered instantly, looking just like silver ash.
"It's difficult."
Perhaps because it was a secret art passed down only to the eldest son of the Luisdren family, it didn't seem easy to replicate.
It was hard enough to briefly manifest it in one hand, so he couldn't even imagine how much practice it would take to manifest it across his entire body.
'Still, I think I roughly get it.'
Imbuing Holy Power into a sword is to increase the sword's durability and cutting power.
But if one were to manifest that across the entire body, the consumption of Holy Power would be rapid, and they wouldn't be able to concentrate on the sword itself.
In a word, it was a pointless act.
Even concentrating solely on the sword wasn't enough, but using it across the whole body rapidly consumed Holy Power and lowered the sword's durability.
Then a question arises here.
Why does the Golden Lion do it?
Why does the Luisdren family endure such unnecessary consumption of Holy Power to cloak their entire bodies with it?
To further strengthen their physical abilities?
To increase their defense by materializing Holy Power? No.
Geumjanggi looks like wearing armor at first glance, but it doesn't have defensive capabilities.
Rather than defense, it was a technique created solely for offense.
Geumjanggi unifies the pathways of the sword and the body, and can be said to be a preparatory technique that mixes them outside the body to unleash a powerful ultimate move.
"It's similar to Pianhwa."
If Pianhwa (Equinox Flower) combines two external techniques into one, imbues them into the sword, and utilizes the repulsive force, then Geumjanggi unfolds the techniques within the body, mixes them externally, and serves to contain a single sword strike with increased hardness.
It was a technique that seemed different but was similar, and similar yet different.
"If Pianhwa is this."
Callius clapped his hands together.
Smack.
Clapping his hands made a loud noise.
"Then Geumjanggi must be this."
This time, Callius clapped his hands together again, but with his fingers interlocked.
His interlocked hands were tightly woven.
A metaphor that made one nod involuntarily.
Making the difference with his own hands seemed to speed up his understanding a bit.
However, both were techniques that seemed like preparatory stages to reach Master, and their end was likely the path to Sword Gang.
Anyway, researching Geumjanggi a bit more seemed like it would allow him to grasp how to use Pianhwa freely.
If he could use Pianhwa proficiently, the wall of the Four Stars might crumble, so the match with the Golden Lion was a fortune hard to obtain even for a thousand gold.
"I've got the feel of it."
Callius put Pahwaro in his right arm.
And the profound principles of Baekmyo in his left arm.
Then, he combined them into one and imbued them into his Sword Qi. Delicate Holy Power control and proper combination were the key.
Whoooom-
As Callius slowly brought his two hands together, a powerful aura shaped like a flower rested in his palms.
A single flower spreading out dizzyingly.
A flower so ephemeral and beautiful because one never knew when it would disappear.
It was Pianhwa.
"Ugh..."
Sizzle. Pfft- As his concentration wavered, it scattered like wind immediately.
Callius's two hands trembled violently.
"If I make a mistake, my hands will explode."
But he knew the feeling.
It wasn't perfect, but he also knew the trick.
"Phew-"
Taking a deep breath, he once again imbued Pahwaro into his left hand and Baekmyo into his right.
As the profound principles of different techniques dwelled in both hands and he pressed his palms together, a fierce wind rose along with a rough repulsive force.
As he slowly opened his clasped hands, a silver flower bloomed inside.
As he slowly set it down.
Kwa-ga-ga-ga-ga-ga-ga!!
Kwaaaaang!!
Not only the room provided by the Count, but the entire hallway area exploded.
Truly an incredible destructive power.
Although he didn't execute it with a sword, this was the true Pianhwa.
"Kekekeuk, hahahahaha!"
Callius clenched his fists tightly with a face full of ecstasy.
It worked. It worked now.
"I should give the Golden Lion a gift or something. I owe him a great debt."
It was now only a matter of time before he could wield a perfect Pianhwa.
He had shattered a wall.
It felt like the limits of his thinking had collapsed, as if he had gained enlightenment.
His entire body trembled with thrills.
Before achieving it, he wondered how such a difficult technique could have been created, but once he properly grasped it, there was nothing easier than this.
Of course, it wasn't really easy.
If Callius hadn't seen the Golden Lion's Geumjanggi, he wouldn't have achieved this kind of enlightenment even after several years.
'They said the greatest virtue of a knight is to meet a match and cross swords.'
That saying was exactly right.
Tadadadadat!
While he was harnessing his enlightenment, soldiers swarmed in.
"Count Jerban? What is the matter!"
"Is it a surprise attack?!"
"Captain! What's going on!?"
Soldiers flocked in due to the commotion.
Among them were knights, and also the bastards from the Sixth Squad. They all had expressions completely clueless as to what was going on.
Callius saw the people who gathered and harnessed his Holy Power before speaking.
"There was an achievement."
A knight's achievement.
If it was that, even causing such a commotion would pass over smoothly.
"An achievement?"
"An achievement... I humbly congratulate you!"
"Congratulations, Captain!"
As expected, they offered words of congratulations.
"Clean this up. You, your name was Joseph, right?"
Callius looked at Joseph among the gathered Sixth Squad.
"Yes, Captain."
"It would be better for you to be the vice-captain."
"I decline."
Joseph, unlike the arrogant Diego, was a man with a serious side.
I quite like the guy.
Moreover, although they all lost to the Golden Lion Knights, it wasn't as bad for this guy.
"If you fight Dingo, who wins?"
"I am Diego."
"I used to lose all the time. But now I'm not sure."
"What!?"
Ignoring Diego, who was glaring, Callius slowly examined Joseph. He had gained well-structured muscles, and above all, his thighs looked solid.
It meant he had faithfully carried out his training during that time.
"Did your skills suddenly improve?"
"Yes. The Captain's training method seemed to suit me quite well. Lately, even the mountain runs feel light."
Occasionally there are guys like this.
Callius nodded, feeling that he needed to increase the training intensity and add several variations.
"Is that so."
As soon as he finished his thought, Callius handed him a book.
"What is this."
"A cultivation manual."
"!!"
"No, Captain! I haven't even received it yet, but..."
"It's useless to complain to me because you lacked the ability to receive it."
The guy called vice-captain has a lot of greed despite lacking ability.
"Is it alright for me to receive this?"
"Take it. You are qualified."
He was the only Heretic Inquisitor who won the match against the Golden Lion Knights.
There was no reason not to give it.
"It is a high-grade cultivation manual of a ruined noble. I have filled in the lacking parts and reorganized it. It's a reward for your victory."
"Chilseonggon (Seven Star Roll)?"
"You'll know once you learn it."
Chilseonggon meant seven stars flowing fiercely.
It wasn't a cultivation method I specially created.
The original name was like that.
I just mixed in a bit of my own martial arts and reorganized it.
But even just that should be more than ten times as efficient as the cult's basic cultivation method. Of course, the one I gave Joseph was the lower volume, which could raise him up to the Three Stars.
The cultivation manual that contained the profound principles up to the Seven Stars was still with me.
Unless it's a special case, I plan to only distribute the lower volumes to the Sixth Squad bastards and give the upper volume only to those I truly consider my people.
'Since I won't be staying in the Heretic Inquisition forever anyway.'
Once the kingdom gets its internal affairs in order to some extent, I'll lay down the title of Heretic Inquisitor and become a pilgrim again to search for the sword.
"Thank you."
"Train harder."
"Yes, sir!"
Everyone's gaze was directed at Joseph.
Envy. Jealousy. Regret. Seeing the various emotions embedded in their gazes, it was quite a sight to see.
"You guys should devote yourselves to training. To think all of you except one were defeated, what a disgrace."
"...Yes."
When I get back, I'll have to double or triple the training intensity.
'Luen said he was going to the royal castle by the king's order.'
If they called in the Golden Lion, it meant signs of a civil war were showing.
Time wasn't that abundant.
'Three months at best, perhaps.'
I had to finish everything I needed to do within that time.
First of all.
"What should I do?"
The Valentine County.
I looked into it, but no evidence of him committing illegal acts had appeared.
Whether he prepared in advance thinking Callius would come, or if he was originally a meticulous guy, even holding a judgement sword to his subordinates didn't bring anything out.
I wanted to tie up those who ordered Callius's assassination, but someone this thorough wouldn't have left evidence behind.
Even considering Pedro's side, it wouldn't be easy to find evidence.
'There is a way, but...'
In the current situation.
What if I could draw the Golden Lion to my side?
"Even if I behead him right now..."
It was then.
Nobles, including Count Valentine, came running to see what was going on.
Among them, many frowned as soon as they saw Callius.
"Causing a ruckus again."
"What kind of outrage is this!"
Insignificant fools spat out words from behind Count Valentine.
'Like bugs who can't even make proper eye contact.'
It was absurd.
"What is the meaning of this."
"There was an achievement in swordsmanship. I apologize for causing a disturbance."
"...Are you saying you did this because of an achievement, and we should just let it go?"
As expected, unlike knights, nobles wouldn't just let something like this slide. It was unpleasant, but if I offered to compensate, they wouldn't have much else to say.
The moment I was about to open my mouth like that.
"He is a knight before he is a count. Isn't it our Carpe's way to value a knight's achievement above all else?"
"Trala."
Someone appeared from behind Count Valentine.
"Requesting compensation from the Count here would only be painting our faces with shame. Don't you think?"
"..."
Count Valentine closed his mouth uncomfortably. Then, as if he had no choice, he introduced the person who appeared.
"This is my son. Let me introduce him. Trala de Valentine. He's a smart and deep child, resembling me."
"I am Trala de Valentine. I have heard of your great name, Count."
Valentine's son is defending me?
Callius narrowed his eyes at Trala's hand extended as if offering a handshake.
"...Callius von Jerban."
Trala politely bowed and offered a handshake to Callius.
"Then, I hope to see you again in the near future."
"Um."
Soon, the nobles retreated.
Callius looked at the small note left in his hand.
'What kind of guy is he.'
It was the first time seeing him, yet he left a note.
Hidden in the hand offering a handshake.
Trala de Valentine, huh.
Callius thought about it for a moment and recalled a man from his hazy memories.
"Trala. Trala... Don't tell me he's Seongjang, Trala?"
Seongjang meaning the cult's master blacksmith.
Not right now, but in the future, Seongjang Trala, who would be called the Father of Corpse Swords.
I had created a setting that he was originally a noble.
'Is there some kind of correction or something?'
Since I am also human, I didn't set up the entire lives of every character in meticulous detail. Especially for characters like Trala whose backgrounds weren't that important.
But this place was reality, and the things I hadn't set up were somehow haphazardly connected.
But for now, this wasn't the important part.
"If it's Seongjang Trala, it's worth allocating my time."
As he unfolded the note.
[Please come to the blacksmith with a crescent moon hanging inside the County. You will certainly not regret it.]
This was the entire content of the note.
It was a brief message that could be considered arrogant, but Callius didn't mind. Although not right now, if he was raised well, he would surely reach a level where I wouldn't have to worry about the sword aspect anymore.
If he was the person I expected, there was no need to hesitate.
"But I can't guess what business he has."
Seeing how he defended me in front of Valentine, it was proof he was at least well-disposed toward me.
Callius pondered about it and waited for night to fall.