How a Two-Life Scoundrel Lives - Chapter 23

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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【Episode 23】

Those called ‘The Watchers’ or ‘The Eyes of the Royal Family’… were terms referring to officials belonging to the Royal Information Bureau.

Their mission was to convey the Royal Family’s will to the Twelve Families.

‘Nothing but old tales now.’

Carlisle sneered inwardly.

Their delivery of the Royal Family’s will—that is, messages based on prophecy—was merely a thing of the past.

Now that the Prophetic Ability passed down through the Royal Family’s bloodline had vanished, they were no longer messengers of will, but mere deceivers.

Their mission was to deceive and manipulate each family while pretending to convey the Royal Family’s will, making it appear as if the Prophetic Ability still existed.

Of course, even they didn’t know that the Royal Family’s Prophetic Ability had disappeared, so they wouldn’t know what they were actually doing.

“Listen.”

The Watcher did not reveal his identity or name.

That was their privilege—the moment one became a Watcher, they became a representative of the Royal Family, so they didn’t need to reveal their background or name to anyone.

Even if it was House Sigmund, which ranked among the top three of the Twelve Families excluding the Royal Family.

“In accordance with the Royal Family’s will, I have come to convey their intentions.”

For a moment, Carlisle almost let out a snicker.

‘You’re just here to check if Grimgand’s owner has appeared.’

Why?

Because if a new owner of Grimgand appeared and brought about the return of Chaos King Cain, it would truly terrify the Royal Family.

So the Royal Family dispatched Watchers whenever succession ceremonies were held, checking if Grimgand’s owner had appeared.

This was enough to raise suspicions about losing their Prophetic Ability, but no one thought so.

The Twelve Families clearly remembered how the Royal Family had manipulated, deceived, and toyed with them for hundreds of years.

As a result, they didn’t even dare to harbor suspicions.

“I ask you.”

“Yes.”

“Which ancestor’s will have you inherited?”

“I don’t know?”

“…?”

Bewilderment flashed across the Watcher’s face for a moment.

It wasn’t just the Watcher.

Those watching were equally bewildered by Carlisle’s words and actions.

“Ca, Carlisle!”

“That guy!”

“Has that bastard lost his mind!”

No matter how much of a scoundrel he was, to give such a blunt answer to a Watcher…

‘Tsk. So Carlisle van Sigmund really is an unprecedented scoundrel.’

The Watcher wasn’t even angry.

For some reason, he thought it was just a scoundrel being a scoundrel, and found himself unconsciously accepting it.

“You don’t know? What do you mean by that?”

“Exactly what I said. I’m not sure which ancestor made it.”

“Hmm?”

“It’s this.”

Carlisle held out Grimgand toward the Watcher.

“This is… an Inheritance Sword?”

The Watcher frowned as he looked at Grimgand.

– …

A rusty, old longsword with chips missing here and there… it looked more like Scrap Metal than a Sword.

* * *

“Kuk.”

The Watcher let out a laugh as if he couldn’t believe it.

House Sigmund’s Inheritance Swords, where every single one was supposedly a Famous Sword.

But Carlisle’s looked so shabby that it was hard to believe it was an Inheritance Sword.

However, on the other hand, he thought it suited him perfectly.

‘Well, this Scrap Metal does suit this scoundrel perfectly.’

The Watcher was well aware of the rumors about Carlisle, so he inwardly nodded.

The problem was the identity of that Scrap Metal.

To report to the Royal Family, information about the Inheritance Sword that chose Carlisle was absolutely necessary.

“Do you really know nothing?”

“That’s right?”

“Hmm.”

Meanwhile, Grand Duke Guntram, who had been quietly watching this scene, turned to look at Maranello beside him.

“Sir Maranello.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Could you bring the Inheritance Record? It seems we’ll need it.”

The [Inheritance Record] was a document recording the Inheritance Swords located in the Cradle of Swords, a book containing information about all the Inheritance Swords inside.

Of course, information on some Inheritance Swords was lacking, but that was only because the creators themselves didn’t want detailed contents recorded.

Who made which Inheritance Sword and stored it in the Sword Graveyard, and what form it took—not a single one was missing from the records.

‘Was there such a thing in the Sword Graveyard?’

Even Grand Duke Guntram, the family head, didn’t know about the Sword that chose Carlisle.

Being the family head didn’t mean he memorized all hundreds of Inheritance Swords.

“Your Grace. I believe it’s this one.”

Maranello, who had brought the Inheritance Record, opened to a specific page and showed it to Grand Duke Guntram.

“Ah, so it was this one.”

Grand Duke Guntram nodded as if he finally remembered.

The name of that Sword was [Wanderer].

It was an Inheritance Sword made by an ancestor named [Rompen], who had wandered the Continent as a free Knight and committed countless eccentric acts. The Inheritance Record described it as nothing more than Scrap Metal covered in rust with all its edges chipped away.

“Representative of the Royal Family.”

“Speak.”

At Grand Duke Guntram’s call, the Watcher nodded with a haughty expression.

This was perfectly natural behavior.

Since the Watcher held the position of the Royal Family’s representative, he was to be treated with the status of a king regardless of who he faced.

But that was only what the regulations stated.

“…!”

The Watcher made an ‘oh no’ expression and flinched, trembling.

No matter his status as a Watcher, it would be problematic to act as if Grand Duke Guntram were a subordinate.

If he set his mind to it, he could kill a person with just a glance.

“…Please speak.”

The Watcher spoke again cautiously.

“The Inheritance Sword that chose my son was crafted by our ancestor Rompen, who served as a free Knight.”

“Hmm.”

The Watcher looked through the Inheritance Record that Maranello handed him, then nodded.

“Wanderer… I understand well.”

The Watcher showed a reaction as if there was nothing more to see.

That was natural, since his curiosity about Carlisle’s Inheritance Sword was only because he needed grounds to report to the Royal Family.

He hadn’t held even the slightest expectation that Carlisle would bring out Grimgand.

‘It’s disguised.’

Carlisle listened to the conversation and understood the whole situation.

If he had disguised it as a sword not in the Inheritance Record, it would have aroused suspicion, so it was quite a good choice.

“Now that the confirmation is complete, there seems to be nothing more to discuss about this matter. After all, personal confirmation is merely for formality’s sake.”

The Watcher spoke as if there was nothing more to see and looked back at Carlisle.

“Carlisle van Sigmund. The Royal Family congratulates you on your commission and expects you to fulfill your responsibilities and duties as a member of House Sigmund.”p>

“Yes, well. Thank you.”

The Watcher clicked his tongue inwardly when Carlisle responded indifferently.

‘He may have a pretty face, but he’s nothing but a scoundrel. Tsk. To think such a worthless fellow would be born in House Sigmund. I should finish my duties quickly and return.’

With such thoughts, the Watcher turned to Grand Duke Guntram.

“This concludes the official schedule for the commissioning ceremony. On behalf of the Royal Family, I congratulate your son on his commission.”

“Thank you.”

And so Carlisle’s commissioning ceremony came to an end.

* * *

The people of House Sigmund were surprised that Carlisle had been chosen by an Inheritance Sword, but on the other hand, they showed a reaction of ‘well, that figures.’

“Wanderer, you say. I didn’t even know such an Inheritance Sword existed.”

“It does suit him well.”

“Isn’t it the weakest among all the Inheritance Swords?”

Of course, Carlisle didn’t bat an eye at such reactions from the House Sigmund members.

‘Actually, this is better.’

If they misunderstood Grimgand as Wanderer, it was convenient for Carlisle.

There wouldn’t be anyone with expectations, let alone curiosity.

“Inheritance Swords are merely meant to inherit the teachings of ancestors, but that’s not everything. So please don’t worry too much about it. Since Lord Rompen was also someone who made a name for himself far and wide, Wanderer might also contain some deep meaning and enlightenment.”

Maranello felt genuinely sorry, but Carlisle, the person in question, felt nothing of the sort.

“I’m fine with it though?”

“Pardon?”

“I like it. It doesn’t stand out either.”

Carlisle said, casually lifting Grimgand to show it.

“But Young Master.”

“Enough, let’s stop talking about this.”

Carlisle had no intention of telling Maranello about Grimgand either.

Other matters aside, the moment Maranello learned that fact, it would only be a matter of time before his father, Grand Duke Guntram, found out as well.

“Congratulations.”

“Congratulations, brother.”

Selena and Frey approached and offered Carlisle congratulations that weren’t quite congratulations.

“Well done. Now that you’re a proper adult, I hope you’ll show us a somewhat changed side of yourself.”

“….”

His father, Grand Duke Guntram, also offered Carlisle words that were close to congratulations.

Grand Duke Guntram didn’t look disappointed at all.

Rather, he clearly looked like he had aged ten years, or felt incredibly relieved.

He was grateful enough just to have avoided the shameful event that would have gone down in family history—not being chosen by any Inheritance Sword.

If Carlisle hadn’t been chosen by any Inheritance Sword, Grand Duke Guntram would have had to exile his son with his own hands.

‘It’s actually Grimgand though.’

Carlisle inwardly smirked at his family’s reactions.

Grimgand was a Magic Sword presumed to possibly be the strongest and most evil Inheritance Sword in Sigmund history.

If they knew such a dangerous object had fallen into the hands of a notorious scoundrel, they would all be shocked senseless.

If that happened, House Sigmund’s core forces might try to monitor Carlisle 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

On the day he wielded Grimgand for Sword Fighting, no one could even dare predict what kind of disaster might befall them, so it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say no one would leave it alone.

“Well then, I’m tired so I’ll be going now.”

Carlisle bid farewell to his family and immediately returned to his room.

“The Jet-Black Sword…”

Carlisle fondled Grimgand, disguised as Wanderer, with slight curiosity, then suddenly felt tired and fell asleep in his Shirt.

How long had he slept like that?

– …give it.

An ominous, malevolent voice came from somewhere.

‘What is it.’

Carlisle frowned and woke from his sleep, then felt his breath suddenly catch.

“Kuk, kkeuk…!”

As if someone was strangling him, he couldn’t breathe properly.

“Wha, what… hup!”

When Carlisle opened his eyes, he was horrified to see someone who looked exactly like him strangling his neck.

It was a blood-covered Carlisle with a face twisted like a demon and eyes with reversed black and white.

– Give it back… my body… give it back I say… kihihi!

“Keu, kkeueuk!”

– Give it back… kihihi! Give back my body aaaaah―!!!

“Kkeueueuk!”

Every time the blood-covered Carlisle tightened his grip, the pressure intensified, and the more it did, the harder it became to breathe.

‘I’m, I’m dying.’

As his consciousness grew hazy, Carlisle fumblingly reached out his hand.

Fortunately, since he had carelessly left Grimgand by his bedside, the sword’s hilt touched his fingertips.

Grip!

Carlisle, who barely managed to grasp Grimgand’s hilt, swung the sword with all his might.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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