I Alone Regress in a Hero Party That Was Annihilated - Chapter 21

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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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#21. Declaration of War (1)

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After the war with Levarb ended.

As soon as Featherback returned to Mörsolt Castle, he headed straight to the Training Hall.

To the maids following behind, he gave only this instruction.

“I will focus solely on training for a while. Just leave food and water at the entrance and go.”

He had to regain his pre-regression realm as quickly as possible, even if it took just one day.

‘If I had regained even a fraction of the power I possessed in the past, I could have annihilated the enemies without using the ancient Centipede’s poison. My current realm has clear limitations.’

Featherback’s current realm was at the end of 2-Star, with the beginning of 3-Star just within reach.

Of course, even that alone was an achievement unmatched among his peers, but Featherback was not satisfied with just that level.

Demon King.

When he recalled the mythical-grade and Epic-Grade Dark Magic that poured forth continuously from its hands, his blood boiled with fury.

‘I must reach the complete 3-Star realm. I need to reach a realm where I can gasify mana. Only then can I unleash slash attacks using mana and make it possible to take the lives of large monsters.’

Featherback immediately devoted himself to training.

Forgetting food and sleep, enduring the cold, he pushed his body to its limits.

He drew up mana and spread it throughout the blood vessels of his entire body.

While swinging his sword, his blood and flesh grew hot.

He buried his heated blood and flesh in snow to cool them.

Like heating steel in a furnace and then cooling it in cold water, he tempered himself infinitely in this way.

After repeating this process countless times, mana would eventually cling to his sword tip.

This was a result that could never be achieved through lukewarm training.

Kiiiiing…

White mana erupting from his mana hole surrounded the blade.

Swaaash— Crack!

Featherback swung his sword and split the rock before him.

The rock split cleanly in half.

It looked as if lightning had struck straight down.

Just then.

“…Open the Castle Gate!”

“Immediately…”

“…I command you!”

Suddenly, it became noisy outside the cave.

Featherback sheathed his sword.

It didn’t seem like much time had passed since he started training, but icicles had already grown long above the cave.

‘So much time has already passed.’

There was one event he had been waiting for since before entering the Training Hall.

It’s time to pause training for a while.

* * *

The area in front of the castle gate was bustling with dozens of carriages.

All the splendid carriages bore the crest of the Rebarb Family.

However, the people riding in each carriage were actually keeping each other in check.

“….”

Featherback glanced at the carriages briefly before heading straight up to the conference room.

After passing through numerous stairs and galleries to enter the conference room, people’s gazes focused on Featherback.

What those gazes contained were goodwill, respect, trust, and expectations—emotions completely different from before he had gone on the Orc Subjugation.

Soleil, who was sitting at the head seat, smiled toward Featherback.

“You’ve come. It’s quite noisy outside, isn’t it?”

“Rebarb’s dogs have flocked here.”

Mongrels had gathered, reeking of dog smell.

Seeing them all smile obsequiously, it didn’t seem like they came with bad intentions, but it was still disgusting to watch.

Soleil nodded.

“They came after smelling the bait. Everything is going according to your plan.”

Bait.

The Mörsolt Family had left a message for the Rebarb Family.

‘Those who remember the alliance with Camus Mörsolt are the legitimate bloodline of Rebarb.’

It meant that if they wanted to become the heir of the Rebarb Family, they should prostrate themselves like dogs.

Soleil looked down out the window and said.

“Second Son, Third Son, Fourth Son, Fifth Son, Sixth Son… and even Vargo Viscount’s brothers have all gathered.”

“Excluding the Eldest Son who went on a business trip, practically the entire family has assembled.”

“That’s right.”

Soleil nodded and continued speaking.

“They seem desperate to be recognized as heirs. They came with carriages full of bribes. It’s enough money to buy an entire small fortress.”

“Rebarb seems to be quite wealthy indeed.”

“They’re people who changed professions to merchants, so that makes sense.”

“But they lack the insight to grasp the situation.”

“That’s also true. As you said, everything of Rebarb will become Mörsolt’s.”

“Who will you decide as Rebarb’s master?”

“Regarding that point, I plan to discuss it with your older sister. Taking your opinion into consideration as well.”

“I don’t care who it is. I just hope you choose a dog that recognizes its master well.”

“Of course we should. We can’t let your achievements go to waste, can we? I’m thinking of putting a sturdy leash on them too.”

Now the wealth of the Levarb family would become the nourishment used for Mörsolt’s revival.

That would be the only atonement the Levarb family could make for betraying Mörsolt in years past.

Featherback asked.

“What do you plan to do with Vargo Viscount?”

“He is…”

Just as Soleil was about to open his mouth to answer.

“He is confined in the Northern Tower.”

Cardona appeared from the door on the opposite side of the Conference Room.

She looked at Featherback and continued speaking.

“He’s locked up naked in a space less than one pyeong. Meals are once a day. Only a cup of water and a chunk of Black Bread are given.”

“He must be harboring hope while looking at those carriages down there.”

“It’s a futile hope. Among those who came down there, not a single one asked about Vargo Viscount’s well-being or whereabouts. Truly a dog-like family.”

Soon, Cardona turned her head to look at Soleil.

“Father. Would it be alright if I had a brief conversation with Younger Brother?”

“Of course.”

Soleil nodded readily.

Cardona gestured with her chin toward Featherback and then left the Conference Room.

* * *

Cardona was walking through the middle of a Garden where bare trees stood.

Crunch— Crunch— Crunch— Thud!

With her back to the frozen Fountain, she turned to look at Featherback.

“I heard you achieved tremendous feats on this journey.”

“It was thanks to the Sleeping Bag Elder Sister gave me. Sleeping well cleared my mind and gave me energy.”

At Featherback’s modest words, Cardona’s eyebrow twitched slightly.

“Ahem. Th-that much help… Anyway, you did very well. Thanks to you, Father’s expression has brightened considerably. The Castle’s finances have also become quite abundant. We’ve increased the defense budget significantly, so the Territory Residents’ safety will be guaranteed accordingly.”

“That’s fortunate.”

“Oh. And…”

Cardona walked toward Featherback with large strides.

Being a full head taller, she leaned close to Featherback’s ear and whispered something quietly.

“About that mysterious Book you supposedly excavated upon your return this time.”

Cardona’s expression as she mentioned the Mörsolt Secret Sword Manual was quite complex and subtle.

“I heard briefly from Father that it apparently contains the Family House’s Secret Techniques that were lost long ago.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Of course, since it’s written only in ancient deep-layer conceptual language, it will take considerable time to decode. But with just that, we can restore all the lost swordsmanship of our family. Father will also be able to surpass the 5-star wall.”

“Congratulations. Elder Sister will also be able to receive the secret techniques.”

“No. Only you will receive those teachings.”

“?”

Featherback tilted his head in confusion.

Cardona sighed and lowered her head.

“The Mörsolt Sword Style can only be learned by those who carry Mörsolt blood. The early stages might be different, but the later stages are definitely like that.”

“Then what is the problem?”

“Mörsolt blood does not flow within me.”

“…!”

Cardona smiled bitterly.

“You must have noticed by now… you and I are not connected by blood. I am Father’s adopted daughter.”

No, he hadn’t noticed at all.

This was a fact that even Featherback had never known.

Before his regression, Cardona had died young from a demon attack before the Mörsolt Sword Style’s secret techniques were even discovered.

Cardona continued speaking.

“Father was troubled because he couldn’t have children with his deceased mother. And after much deliberation, he adopted me, who was his third cousin, ninth-degree nephew, and also an orphan.”

“….”

“Ninth-degree is practically no different from a stranger. As proof, I inherited nothing except the white hair and red eyes that are characteristics of House Mörsolt.”

He had no idea at all.

The Cardona that Featherback remembered was always noble and a genius who worked hard.

But Cardona had these circumstances and worries.

“You were born almost immediately after I was adopted.”

“….”

“Of course, despite that, Father and Mother treated me with the same attitude. No, they cherished me even more. They said their joy was doubled because I brought good fortune with me.”

“….”

“I will love them for the rest of my life. And you, whom they love as well….”

Cardona placed her hand on Featherback’s shoulder as she spoke.

“I’m glad that you’ve finally come to your senses. Moreover, the return of our family’s swordsmanship is also great fortune.”

“….”

“Please focus on your blade without any worries. That is what will fulfill Father’s long-cherished wish. I will take care of all the miscellaneous matters inside and outside the family.”

“….”

Having finished speaking, Cardona quietly gazed into Featherback’s eyes.

Eventually, Featherback answered.

“I understand what you’ve said, Elder Sister.”

“Good, the conversation went quickly.”

Cardona’s expression returned to her characteristic cold, emotionless look.

Just as she was about to leave.

“Still, I hope you would learn swordsmanship.”

“…?”

Cardona turned her head.

Featherback continued speaking.

“While it’s true that one needs the power inherited through bloodline to learn Mörsolt Swordsmanship, that only applies to the secret techniques in the very final stages. The swordsmanship before that can be learned regardless of bloodline.”

“…How do you know that?”

“I overheard the research that Father and the Family Elders were conducting.”

“Eavesdropping on Father’s work is not proper etiquette.”

“Anyway.”

Featherback continued his answer to Cardona’s question.

“Even learning just the Sword Forms up to 6th Style, excluding the 7th Form Ritual Secret Technique, would be more than enough to kill any ordinary High-Ranking Demons.”

“….”

“Also, Elder Sister, you too have some Mörsolt blood flowing in your body, even if just a little. If you develop that to its utmost limit, it wouldn’t be impossible to master the secret techniques. Of course, it would require much more effort compared to Blood Relatives born with concentrated bloodline.”

Everything Featherback said was true.

The only lie was claiming he had overheard Soleil’s words.

“….”

Cardona fell into thought after hearing Featherback’s words.

Featherback waited for a while to let her organize her thoughts.

Eventually.

“…If what you say is true.”

Cardona looked at Featherback.

“Would it be alright for me to learn Mörsolt Sword Forms?”

An attitude uncharacteristic of her, showing slight hesitation.

Featherback nodded.

“You don’t need to ask my permission. Elder Sister, you are still my Elder Sister.”

“…Is that so.”

Cardona’s voice trembled slightly.

Her face remained expressionless as always, but her eyes were slightly reddened.

“I… thought you would distance yourself from me. I assumed you would do so because you learned I was adopted.”

“?”

“At some point, the way you address me changed from ‘Older Sister’ to ‘Elder Sister’…”

“!”

This was also unexpected.

Featherback recalled the first conversation he had with Cardona right after his regression.

‘Elder Sister.’

‘…? Elder Sister? Not Older Sister?’

‘Yes, Elder Sister. There’s something I’d like to ask of you.’

‘Uh… I see. What is it?’

It seemed Cardona had been paying close attention to the way he addressed her from that moment until now.

After a brief silence, Featherback opened his mouth.

“If you feel a sense of distance from the title ‘Elder Sister’… should I call you ‘Older Sister’ again?”

“If you would do that… I think I’d be grateful.”

“Understood, Older Sister.”

“And I’d like you to speak… casually like before too.”

“Got it, Older Sister.”

Featherback let out a small sigh.

Only then did Cardona’s expression brighten.

To think he would see a smile grace that expressionless face.

Even Featherback, who had been through all kinds of hardships, was a little surprised.

Eventually, Featherback brought up the main topic he had wanted to discuss with Cardona.

“By the way, Elder Sister, I mean Older Sister. How did that thing I asked for turn out?”

“Ah, yes. You mean what you asked for last time? It’s ready. It’s ready, but… what are you planning to use it for?”

Cardona asked back with a somewhat uneasy tone.

And for good reason, since what Featherback had asked her to prepare was none other than ‘Yudi Administrator’s Corpse.’

Cardona continued speaking to Featherback with a worried expression.

“Younger Brother, it’s better to let go of resentment toward The Dead. No matter how hateful a Traitor he was, since his head was cut off, he’s already paid the price for his sins…”

“I’m not planning to beat the corpse. I’m not even that angry.”

“…Then why?”

To Cardona’s question, Featherback readily answered.

“I’m thinking of holding a funeral for him. A very elaborate one.”

Yudi Administrator’s usefulness was not yet over.

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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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