Chapter 216 – Preparation for war (5)

Brendel gave up raising the Nine Luminaries Sword Arte after it reached level 7 for the time being. The skill needed more than 250000 TP at that level, and the XP gained from the grimoire’s fragments could hardly keep up with the requirement.

The Nine Luminaries Sword Arte at level 7 could produce eight illusions and deal 50% damage of the base body. It was just a step away from producing the maximum number of illusions, which was nine.

The youth also realized that the illusion’s duration was affected by the level. The initial duration only lasted a little longer than a second in the beginning, but each level increased the duration by approximately 0.1 seconds.

[Hmm. Typically my physical abilities use my stamina points, but my illusions use MP instead. Charge uses 6 MP, Piercing Strikes uses 20 MP. Since I’m a warrior, my MP is significantly lower than my stamina. I only have 250 MP in total, and casting eight illusions along with a Charge and Piercing Strike will use up almost everything.]

Brendel experimented with one of the illusions casting a magic spell.

[There isn’t really much time for the illusions to do any real casting, but let me try using the illusion as a defensive tool. Barkskin— Hmm. It adds +1 to armor. Barkskin requires 50 MP, but if an illusion does it, the ability requires 100 MP instead. That’s double the MP usage.]

He continued to experiment with the ability and called out Kodan to test out the Sword Arte. The illusion could not cast another illusion on its own, and it did not seek to actively swap places with him even if the main body was in danger.

But after Kodan fought the youth for a day, he complained in frustration and refused to do so any longer.

Brendel had become even stronger than before, and the Nine Luminarinaries Sword Arte was too bizarre. The old man was literally a punching bag for the youth; a normal person would refuse to become one and it was even more so for a Gold-ranked Swordsman.

Kodan did not show up on the second day.

But Mephisto came to look for Brendel. The youth did not know where the Sword Saint of Ashes heard that he was looking for someone to train with, but the latter did not beat around the bush and bluntly asked for a duel immediately.

[This is a little puzzling. There’s really nothing to learn from me at your skill level. Your stats or swordsmanships are vastly superior to mine. It’s more appropriate to say you are guiding me or something.]

Brendel obviously did not refuse someone who was willing to aid him. What was unexpected was how Mephisto limited himself with a handicap and fought the youth patiently.

Mephisto had more insight than Kodan and his eyes narrowed in recognition of the ancient technique.

“This technique is beyond my understanding, but your clones are using the same standard of your military swordsmanship. There are some minor things you can do to improve it.” Mephisto said.

[As expected of a Sword Saint. His command of the Empire’s Military Swordsmanship is really something. Even though there are some differences with Aouine’s Military Swordsmanship, they are somewhat related to each other. I feel like I’m moving closer to level 17 Military Swordsmanship, though it’s a pity I can’t get a +1 on my Military Swordsmanship like how I got it from Kodan and my grandfather.]

Brendel’s mind was itching. The effect for a Swordsmanship above level 15 was tremendous. The higher the level of the Military Swordsmanship was, the more bonuses associated with it.

[If I seek out all the Sword Saints in the continent and get to learn from them, maybe I can reach the Divine Realm? Or maybe not. There are more than ten Sword Saints, but these people have really peculiar personalities. Some of them are even evil. Mephisto is really considered to be a normal person when I compare them. A really normal person amongst normal people.]

It was an impossible task to raise friendship points for all of them, though Veronica jokingly said she could teach him her swordsmanship if he defected to become a citizen of the Kirrlutz Empire. It was naturally impossible for him to accept.

That was a loud clang which jolted Brendel from his nonsensical thoughts, and the tremendous feedback that transmitted to his hand nearly tore his sword away. He hurriedly retreated and three illusionary clones behind him rushed forward to stop Mephisto from continuing his attack, allowing him to escape.

Mephisto watched the illusions disappear in front of him, but he did not continue his attack and instead put away his sword while he looked at the panting youth.

“You lost your concentration?” He asked.

Brendel nodded and took in a deep breath: “Yeah.”

“Then let’s call it a day.” Came the short reply.

Brendel nodded again, but he suddenly blurted out with curiosity: “Count Sutherland, we haven’t got to know each other for very long, but it has been fifteen days. I think I’m quite certain of your personality, and you would never take the initiative to lower your head or express goodwill, right?”

Mephisto did not reply. Brendel’s words were acknowledged.

“I think you have an insight into my character as well. I don’t mind joking about the minor things, but I am definitely not regretting or delaying the promise I made to Lady Veronica to restore your kingdom.”

Brendel paused for a moment.

“But I think your intention today is to teach me swordsmanship…..?”

“When do you plan to leave the forest?” Mephisto did not answer his question.

“The Druids have prepared all the necessary war equipment. The Elves and human mercenaries are geared up and ready to move out, but it’s a problem to transport the food supplies over to Firburh on such a large scale. Even with the natives’ aid, there are not enough horses to travel quickly.”

Brendel frowned as Mephisto threw out the most problematic issue he had. If the army was to travel on foot, then it would take at least a month’s journey.

“But back to the question you asked, I’ll be leaving in a week by the latest. A portion of the army will follow me separately to travel light and return to Firburh quickly.”

Mephisto nodded: “I’ve heard that your territory is under attack. How confident are you in winning this battle?”

[So you’re afraid that I will lose?]

Brendel finally understood why Mephisto was teaching him. He took a long look at him and replied:

“Count Sutherland, I always wanted to ask you a question. Even though I’m not sure what kind of agreement you came to with Lady Veronica, do you know that I have enemies all over Aouine? Choosing to get on my ship is perhaps a bad choice.”

Mephisto peered back. The youth’s wits reminded him of Veronica when she was young. It was no wonder why that woman admired his brilliance.

“Captain Brendel, your enemies are indeed numerous while I only have one enemy. What do you think of this?”

Brendel blinked a few times before he laughed.

Indeed, the aloof Sword Saint of Ashes only had one enemy from the start. The Kirrlutz Empire. If he was not afraid of that enormous monster, why would he be afraid of the tiny creatures from Aouine?

“What exactly do you want from me, Ser Mephisto?” He asked.

Mephisto straightened up and asked in an earnest tone: “I wanted to ask if you’re willing to be my successor and learn my swordsmanship.”

“Hah?”

Brendel was instantly stupefied. He resisted the urge to find a mirror and check his appearance to see if there was any change. Why did it seem like everyone was treating him so nicely? But since he was already being taught by a Heroic Spirit, he was not too stunned by the fact that a Sword Saint wanted him as a student.

[No, calm down. Mephisto might want me as a student because there’s another attachment for me to help restore his dukedom, and he wants to restore it because it’s his duty. He’s someone rare in this era because of his purity, but this doesn’t mean that he’s a fool. I’m sure that he will protect his territory when he’s around, but he will never put all his energy into leading this country, and his ultimate lifelong pursuit is swordsmanship.]

Brendel’s mouth jerked once.

[But other people probably perceive me like a lord rather than a swordsman. For some reason, I get the feeling that my flashy spell cards are what people remember me for instead of my swordsmanship. Then again, I probably can’t match even Kodan’s passion for the sword. If I had the experience of becoming a wizard, then I won’t choose swordsmanship, and instead choose a power that can help Aouine, not technique.]

This was indeed Mephisto’s reason for feeling that Brendel resembled Veronica. She was a Duchess and general of the Kirrlutz Empire before a Sword Saint. The name ‘Goddess of Combat’ was far more famous than the Azure Sword Saint. It was why the gap between Mephisto and Veronica’s swordsmanships was large, and why the former was known as a Sword Saint longer than she did.

Brendel’s head cooled down fully once he understood this point.

Mephisto’s swordsmanship was likely to be a skill tree of its own, and the quality was at least close to an intermediate rank or above it. Having someone as skilled as him to back him was good, let alone learning his skills.

However, he was already being taught by Orthlyss. She might ignore the Dragon of Darkness’s Legacy because he was someone from her era, and it was understandable that both of them had respect for each other, but what about Mephisto? No matter how skilled he was in this era, he could not be on an equal footing with her.

It was difficult to know what her opinion was, until she stated she did not object to it.

“I suggest you accept it.” Orthlyss felt a little satisfaction in her heart when Brendel asked for her opinion.

He did not regard her simply as a Heroic Spirit who was trapped in a ring, but a real teacher. Even though she did not really think that it was an issue, she was still pleased to find an impossibly talented youth as a successor.

“Mephisto’s swordsmanship is very unique and it is its own style. My view is limited to things that are a thousand years ago, and what that bastard Ooinn gave you was a Bloodline Legacy. In comparison, what he gave you might help you even more than what I can give you. There’s no need to pay attention to what I think. Your older sister is willing to see you become stronger.”

“Thanks.” Brendel felt a little stir of emotion in his heart. The care from Orthlyss truly resembled an older sister’s protection for a younger brother.

But he did not immediately agree to Mephisto’s request:

“I thank you for your kind intentions, Ser Mephisto, but please allow me to think about it for a day.”

Mephisto’s eyes showed admiration. He was very confident in his swordsmanship, and people would probably faint from glee if they heard he wanted a successor, but Brendel retained his composure. Be it a swordsman or a lord, it was necessary to remain calm at all times.

“It’s fine for you to choose, but you should know that I’m teaching you my swordsmanship not because you’re a future lord, or that I want your aid in restoring my land, but the fact that I indeed believe that you’re brilliant enough to inherit my swordsmanship. Even though I haven’t been with you for long…… I believe in Veronica’s judgment.” He paused for a moment and added in another line.

“You knew Veronica from long ago?” Brendel could not help but blurt out his curiosity, though he regretted it a little upon finishing his words. It was a little too gossipy. His habits as a gamer were hard to change despite coming to this world for quite some time.

But he did not expect Mephisto to nod without minding the question: “My dukedom was always a part of the Kirrlutz Empire. When I studied in the Empire’s academy, Veronica was living next to my room.”

“Damn! Really?” Brendel yelled, and his gossip soul immediately blazed. He only knew that Mephisto was the Empire’s mortal foe and had fought with Veronica many times, but to think that they were childhood friends to a certain extent.

But Mephisto cut off Brendel’s question despite the latter’s growing questions: “Remember that I asked about when your army is leaving?”

“Yes?” Brendel looked at the stoic Sword Saint in confusion. Mephisto had an expression like it was carved out of wood.

“This isn’t actually a problem. The two Archmagi from the Silver Alliance. I have a little past with Grandmaster Tulman, or perhaps I could say he owes me one, and I can get the two wizards to help out.” Mephisto said.

“Mass Teleportation magic!” Brendel’s body jolted. It might sound a little crazy to teleport thousands of people, but it was definitely not a problem to send out several hundred. If the rest of the army took swift steeds from the Green City, then everything would be solved!

The youth delayed his trip in order to solve this problem properly. Even though the Druids were trying to gather various mounts to transport supplies, how was it possible to do so when the Calamity of Wolves just happened?

But Brendel inquired with a little hesitation and expectation after he recovered from his surprise:

“But Tulman belongs to the Silver Alliance, and they made an oath not to interfere with us mortals.”

Mephisto merely put his finger to his lips, signaling an “If you don’t speak of it, and I don’t, then who would know?”

Brendel’s jaws dropped.

[Cheating!? This is absolutely cheating…… What the fuck…..]

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