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Chapter 146: The Challenge of the Duchy of Valkenhain
‘My heart is racing.’
The supreme secret martial arts, reserved only for the Duke and his successor.
It was the Divine Void Art, a technique created and perfected by the founding ancestor, Vitenfeld Grunewald, and passed down to a single successor.
The fact that only one step remained meant that I had finally risen to a level where I could compete on equal footing with Verdzig.
‘Announcing this in front of everyone is clearly a special privilege.’
No one could miss the significance, so the wives and my siblings were undoubtedly looking at me with a mix of jealousy, fear, awe, and envy.
“Allen, congratulations.”
Ulbhild whispered to me as I returned to my seat.
“I’ll explain to you separately which martial arts would be best to learn.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
At that moment, Somerset cautiously raised his hand.
“May I ask one question?”
Geninghen twitched his white eyebrows and gruffly agreed.
“Earlier, I heard that Allenvert hasn’t yet mastered the Azure Sea Moon Shadow Swordsmanship. Yet, he’s allowed to advance to the next stage. Isn’t that against the regulations…?”
Geninghen clicked his tongue, clearly understanding the underlying jealousy.
“Tsk, how pathetic. Jealous of your younger brother, are you?”
“Isn’t it enough that he’s mastered the essence of the Azure Sea Moon Shadow Swordsmanship to the 12th level? Do you really think someone who mastered four levels of the technique in a single day can’t handle the rest?”
“He could master it in half a day if he wanted.”
“Then let me ask something else. I heard Allenvert hasn’t reached the 5th tier yet. Doesn’t that also go against the regulations—?”
Somerset’s persistence was truly pitiful.
‘If he’d put that much effort into his training, he wouldn’t be in this state.’
Geninghen, too annoyed to respond, called for Aiden.
“Yes, Elder Geninghen.”
“What does the clan law say?”
“As Lady Ulbhild mentioned, if a swordsmanship instructor recommended by the Council of Elders acknowledges the qualifications, the Duke and the Council can grant approval.”
“Does it say anywhere that reaching the 5th tier or mastering the 12th level is a requirement?”
“That’s more of a customary practice. Moreover, Young master Allenvert has already single-handedly defeated the 5th tier large-class monster, Nepherus, so his actual combat prowess is more than sufficient to learn advanced martial arts.”
Geninghen nodded and looked at Somerset.
“The condition is that I and your father approve. Why are you bringing up the 5th tier or mastery?”
As Somerset shrank back, Verdzig raised his hand.
“Does our Young master Verdzig also have some dissatisfaction?”
At Geninghen’s pointed question, Verdzig replied smoothly.
“Of course not. Given Allenvert’s growth rate, it was only a matter of time.”
“Hmph. That’s what I said.”
“But there’s one thing I’d like to ask, so I had to raise my hand.”
What could he possibly want to ask?
“Is there a particular reason why Allenvert needs to learn advanced martial arts so urgently?”
“Hehe, you’re as sharp as ever.”
“Well, the thing is…”
Geninghen flicked his finger, and the crest of a certain clan appeared in the air.
“In a month, the First Princess of the Duchy of Valkenhain will be visiting us.”
Seeing everyone’s shocked faces, I whispered to Ulbhild.
“Sister, why is everyone so surprised?”
Geninghen abruptly cut into our conversation.
“The Duchy of Valkenhain has long been a rival clan to our Grunewald.”
“There’s a lot of history. But let’s cut to the chase.”
Geninghen pointed at me and declared.
“In a month, you’ll have to face off against Valkenhain’s little princess on behalf of Grunewald.”
I scratched my head and asked again.
“Hehe. Oh right, you have amnesia, don’t you?”
Geninghen crossed his arms as if he understood.
“Then let this old man tell you a story.”
Geninghen flicked his finger, and a map of the Kingdom of Litvaleur appeared in the air.
“As you know, our Litvaleur Peninsula went through a long period of warring states, where small kingdoms fought for supremacy. It wasn’t until the time of our founding ancestor, Vitenfeld, that the unification war was completed, and the peninsula became a single nation.”
As he explained, multiple flags and borders merged into one, forming the unified kingdom of Litvaleur under a single banner.
“But in truth, there was another force that played a major role in this unification war.”
“The Duchy of Valkenhain?”
“That’s right. Duke Ernst Valkenhain, a close friend and rival of Duke Vitenfeld, is their founding ancestor.”
This time, the faces of two men appeared in the air.
“If Duke Vitenfeld was the greatest swordsman on the continent, Duke Ernst was known as the greatest swordsman in the kingdom.”
“The second-best of his era.”
“Had he been born in a different era, he could have been the absolute ruler of his time. Unfortunately, he had a more outstanding rival in the same era. He spent his entire life tormented by jealousy and an inferiority complex toward our founding ancestor.”
I nodded with interest, but it seemed the other siblings were already familiar with the story.
“Lifelong companions, rivals, and friends, the two made a bet in their later years. They said, ‘This generation belongs to Grunewald, but in the next generation, let’s pit our children against each other and see who comes out on top.’”
“That’s quite a romantic story.”
“Hehe, not exactly. They wagered treasures, spirit medicines, and weapons each time.”
“But Elder, hasn’t that tradition faded away by now?”
“Back when I was as young as you, and when their elder was still the heir of Valkenhain.”
The images of two swordsmen formed, and one shattered the other’s sword.
“That guy got utterly crushed by our Leszek, and then he declared the bet null and void.”
Geninghen clicked his tongue.
“That petty fool, he refused to admit defeat and made such a fuss. We found it so distasteful that we walked away and never looked back.”
“Huh, so that’s what happened.”
Leszek, the Elder of the Sword, was also the Duke three generations ago. I’d heard that he abdicated early to pursue the path of the sword, living like an ascetic and stepping in during emergencies to bolster the clan’s martial strength.
‘Leszek’s son was the Duke two generations ago, making him my great-grandfather.’
By that logic, Geninghen, who is on par with Leszek, would be my great-great-grandfather.
‘Just how old is he?’
“Then what’s the reason for reviving this long-lost tradition now?”
“They must feel confident this time.”
“The First Princess of this generation, Siena, is said to be the most talented heir Valkenhain has seen in nearly a century.”
“Wow, that’s impressive.”
“It seems the rumors aren’t exaggerated. How else could she already be considered the de facto heir, even before her coming-of-age ceremony, surpassing her older siblings?”
“Hmm. That’s something.”
“But isn’t that a bit shameless? They unilaterally canceled the bet, and now that they feel confident, they want to challenge us again?”
Even in the underworld, such petty behavior would get you ostracized.
“Hehe, they’ve wagered something too valuable to refuse. It was an offer we couldn’t turn down.”
Just how much did they offer?
“Do you understand now? That’s why we need to teach you the secret martial arts as soon as possible.”
“Elder, shouldn’t we be the ones stepping up? If we’re representing the clan, shouldn’t we use our strongest—”
Geninghen shook his head at Karl’s words.
"No, no. We can't possibly send a full-grown adult to face off against a mere child. That would be unthinkable."
“Besides, they wouldn’t accept it. They’re incredibly sneaky bastards.”
From the way he spoke, it seemed there was a lot of bad blood between the two clans.
“They probably thought you’d be the perfect sacrificial lamb—someone who’s been in seclusion for seven years and only just started making a name for themselves. No matter how much of a genius you are, it’s common sense that you can’t make up for seven years of lost time, right?”
“What a delightful misconception.”
“So, you’ll have to shatter that misconception for us.”
“They’re sending two people, by the way. Siena and her younger brother.”
Geninghen pointed at Barclava.
“So, by next month, Barclava needs to reach the 4th tier, and Allenvert needs to break through to the 5th tier.”
Barclava, unexpectedly called out, widened his eyes.
“Yes. Their youngest is around your age, so it’s only fair you face him.”
Barclava looked burdened but also brimming with determination.
“So, kid. You’ll accept, right?”
When I hesitated, Geninghen taunted me.
“Scared? You can back out if you’re scared.”
“That kind of taunt won’t work on me.”
I chuckled and made a circle with my fingers.
“I’ll need something in return.”
“Hah, look at this cheeky brat.”
I held up two fingers and asked, “First, don’t I need to take some spirit medicines to reach the 5th tier?”
“Talk to your father about that.”
“And if I win, I’ll need a reward too. After all, I’ll be representing the clan in this duel.”
“If you win, I’ll let you choose any one artifact I’ve made.”
An artifact made by a grand mage? I couldn’t resist that.
“Hah, this kid is something else.”
Father, who had remained silent and let Geninghen do the talking, finally spoke.
“Allen. Will you accept?”
I put on a humble expression and replied, “How could I refuse your command?”
Father gave me a look as if to say, ‘Don’t act so selfless after taking everything.’
“Hehehe. My apologies.”
I glanced around and noticed how surprised everyone looked at the sight of me, the former recluse, casually chatting with the clan elders.
Especially since it was me, who had been holed up in my room until recently, it must have been quite a shock.
‘They must think I’ve changed.’
Well, they’re not wrong, but they’re also not entirely right. Karzan is Allenvert’s past life, after all.
“Well, I’ll be going now.”
Geninghen yawned and stood up.
“Elder, are you leaving already?”
“Old age makes me tired quickly. Tsk.”
Geninghen pretended to complain, but it was clear he was stepping aside to let the Duke handle the next matter.
‘Now he’ll bring up the other issue.’
And that issue would undoubtedly be about Somerset’s misconduct.
At Father’s call, Somerset flinched.
“How has your martial training been going lately?”
Father’s expression turned icy.
“What I’ve heard tells a different story.”
Somerset’s face turned pale.
Did he really think Father wouldn’t know?
Father knows almost everything that happens in this duchy. Trying to lie to him is just plain stupid.
‘You’d better answer carefully, Somerset.’
I suppressed the urge to chew on something and waited for Father’s next words.
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