The Failed Swordmaster - Chapter 135

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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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Chapter 135 52. How Is That Possible? (1)

“…It’s an honor to meet you, Lady Sinsieo Ainsworth.”

Lumian bowed politely.

As he did so, he thought to himself.

‘Even Sir Sinsieo has come.’

Lumian made a bewildered expression as he looked at her standing next to Tania, Bumer, and Deiner Selly.

Even if it was festival season, were all the knights of this country this idle?

‘And if they were idle, they would go to the Royal Palace Ball…’

If he were the king, he would feel hurt.

The very people who usually detested balls were all showing up at other ballrooms without exception.

‘But where did the other knights go?’

Lumian looked around.

However, no one except Sinsieo Ainsworth was visible. Even when he spread his aura sense to check, it was the same.

From the earlier atmosphere, it seemed like they would be lingering around for quite a while.

Sinsieo answered his unspoken question.

“After watching for a moment, I saw some old fogeys shamelessly butting into a place where young lovers were enjoying themselves, with no intention of leaving.”

“Ha, haha…”

“It wouldn’t do to tire out people who came all this way to enjoy the Snow Flower Festival. I sent all those talkative gentlemen away.”

Sinsieo said with a smile.

The surroundings were once again surprised by her playful tone, which was rarely seen.

Did this young man named Lumian have connections with Golden Dawn as well?

Or was Sinsieo unilaterally favoring him?

Either way, it was surprising.

Of course, Lumian didn’t care about other people’s reactions.

‘Thank you, Sir Sinsieo!’

He offered his gratitude inwardly.

It was exactly what he had hoped for. Conversations with excellent knights were certainly enjoyable, but not right now.

However, the moment the next words flowed from her mouth, Lumian couldn’t help but make an awkward expression.

“Miss Tania?”

“Yes, yes!”

“I’m sorry to ask, but would it be alright if I borrowed your lover for a moment? It won’t take very long. Perhaps 10 to 20 minutes?”

“…”

‘No, she’s no different from the other knights!’

Looking at Sinsieo who was fully prepared to bother him, Lumian struggled to manage his expression. At the same time, he hoped Tania would refuse.

Of course, that wouldn’t happen.

Who would dare refuse her words? Tania nodded repeatedly with a grateful expression.

“Of, of course!”

“Thank you.”

She smiled with her eyes, looked at Lumian, then walked somewhere. Lumian sighed.

Shaking his head slightly, he followed behind Sinsieo.

* * *

“Please forgive my rudeness from earlier. I couldn’t speak formally in front of so many people, Sir Lumian Calard.”

“That’s only natural. I don’t mind it at all.”

The two who entered the quiet room exchanged new greetings.

They were people who shared a secret known to fewer than ten people in the world. Naturally, smiles flowed between them.

Sinsieo Ainsworth spoke.

“I’m sorry, Sir Lumian Calard. I didn’t want to interrupt your pleasant time with your lover, but I had something urgent to discuss… Since I didn’t know when you might leave, I had no choice but to be rude.”

“It’s fine. But what matter brings you…”

Even while saying it was fine, Lumian immediately brought up the main point.

At this, the corners of Sinsieo’s mouth slightly rose.

Was it because his body had become younger? Or was it because he had a lover for the first time in his life?

There was a considerable gap from the appearance of Sir Lian Fromhart he had seen in his previous life.

He didn’t dislike that change. Rather, it was better because it felt more human.

‘You look so happy, it’s truly good to see. Sir Lumian.’

Inwardly blessing Lumian, she brought up the main topic.

“There’s one thing I want to give you, and one thing I’d like to ask of you.”

“You have something to give me? What do you mean…”

Lumian was flustered. Something to give? What did that suddenly mean?

Sinsieo immediately answered his question.

Taking out a rose-shaped brooch from her chest, she spoke.

“Didn’t I commit a great discourtesy at Tarasan Academy? At the time, I was too flustered and could only offer a verbal apology, but thinking about it carefully, that alone wouldn’t be sufficient.”

“No, it’s fine. Really. Didn’t everything end well without any problems?”

Lumian spread both palms to dissuade Sinsieo.

He truly held no ill feelings about that incident.

It wasn’t something done with malice toward him, but a misunderstanding that arose while trying to protect the continent’s peace.

If there had been direct harm, it might be different, but that wasn’t the case either. Rather, the discussions with the Knight King and her had been quite helpful in terms of aura operation and swordsmanship.

However, that was entirely Lumian’s perspective, and Sinsieo’s position, having unintentionally threatened his life, was different.

She spoke with slight emphasis.

“Please accept it.”

“…”

“I know Sir Lumian’s sincerity in saying you’ve forgotten that incident. But I, who made the mistake, simply cannot forget that time.”

“Hmm.”

“It’s a selfish thought, but I feel I need to repay you in some way to put my mind at ease. It’s not something so grand as to become a burden to Sir Lumian, so won’t you please accept it?”

“What kind of item is this?”

Lumian said, looking at the brooch.

As Sinsieo said, it didn’t look particularly valuable. Though it was rose-shaped, it gave more of an impression of being modest rather than flashy.

Of course, that didn’t mean it had no value at all.

Sure enough, when Sinsieo infused it with aura, red light beams shot out from the brooch.

Whirrrr-!

The light embroidered in the air drew a flower.

It was a beautiful rose. As Lumian admired the illusion magic with its striking passionate colors, Sinsieo’s mouth opened.

“It’s a token indicating membership in the Red Rose Knight Order.”

“…”

“There are truly many rude individuals in the world with eyes like knotholes. I heard you suffered trouble just earlier. Whenever such disputes arise, if you show this emblem, you’ll be able to resolve matters more easily.”

Sinsieo’s words were true.

Regardless of his abilities, his current status was merely that of a rural baron’s son and a student at a small kingdom’s academy.

And this brooch was an item that would fill that deficiency all at once. There wouldn’t be anyone bold enough to pick a fight after seeing the Red Rose Knight Order’s token.

But was it alright for him to receive such an item?

“It’s fine to accept it.”

“Is that so?”

“Of course. The Red Rose Knight Order has traditionally given brooches to those who have rendered great service to the order. Think of it as becoming an honorary knight.”

“Hmm, that’s…”

“Of course, you bear no obligations whatsoever. It means you’re free to use the Red Rose Knight Order’s backing as much as you like.”

Sinsieo said with a grin.

Of course, Lumian wouldn’t abuse this. They wouldn’t give brooches to such people in the first place.

‘I simply hope that worthless subordinates won’t bother Sir Lumian.’

This was Sinsieo’s true intention.

And Lumian could also vaguely guess her thoughts.

Finally nodding, he accepted the brooch and said.

“Then I’ll gratefully accept it.”

“I should be thanking you. For saving my face.”

“Hahaha… Then, what kind of favor are you referring to?”

‘This guy really seems to be in a hurry.’

Sinseeo thought to herself.

His mind still seemed to be filled with thoughts of his lover.

She was slightly envious. The person she had loved had already left this world long ago.

‘Good times, huh. No, is that expression a bit strange?’

Rather, the expression ‘happiness after hardship’ seemed more accurate.

Of course, that wasn’t important in the current situation. Having finished her thoughts, she immediately brought up the next topic as Lumian wished.

“After the festival ends, do you happen to have any other plans?”

“Hmm… Not particularly? I do need to stop by my family home, but I could postpone it for about a week.”

“I see. Then… this is a shameless request, but could you be my sparring partner?”

“Sparring partner?”

“Yes. Though I’m still far inferior compared to Sir Lumian, I’ve recently gained some insight…”

“Congratulations on your achievement.”

Lumian immediately offered his congratulations.

He was genuinely pleased.

In the Human Realm, which was still not free from demon invasions, having righteous individuals like Golden Dawn grow stronger was truly a blessing.

‘It seems I wasn’t the only one who grew through that sparring and discussion.’

He felt good. With a face full of smiles, he readily nodded.

“Excellent. Rather, that’s exactly what I was hoping for as well.”

There was no reason to refuse.

Lumian had been having difficulty finding opponents suitable for him anyway.

Even Morghen, who was a Sword Master, couldn’t provide any help for his skill improvement, so what more needed to be said.

Anticipation began to bloom in his chest.

‘Sir Sinseor Ainsworth would make an excellent sparring partner.’

Moreover, hadn’t she said she had recently gained insight!

A completely different kind of excitement arose from when he was with Tania.

Though he had temporarily forgotten while being absorbed in romance, he was a knight.

He was someone who had devoted his entire life to the sword, thought only of the sword, and eventually reached the highest position.

Fighting spirit flowed from his body without him realizing it.

“Thank you, Sir Lumian Calard.”

Sinseeo also responded with a pleased expression.

Though she sparred daily with Sara Lesherre, the leader of the Blizzard Knight Order, it wasn’t satisfying enough.

What she ultimately desired was strength enough to face the Demon King one-on-one!

And not just any Demon King. She meant a proper Demon King with full power in the Demon King’s Castle.

For such a Sinseeo, there was no better adversary than Lumian.

From her smiling body, an aura that made her opponent tingle began to seep out.

Wooooong…

Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud-

The two’s energies clashed in mid-air. Accordingly, the objects in the room rattled.

It looked as if an earthquake had occurred.

An intense aura swirled that would make even knights with considerable strength feel their chests tremble. Lumian and Sinseeo naturally assessed each other’s abilities.

‘She’s definitely grown.’

Lumian admired inwardly.

She still didn’t reach the Knight King’s level. However, it felt comparable to him.

He felt respect for her achieving such growth in a short period. Because he knew better than anyone how difficult that was.

But.

“…”

The emotion he felt was nothing compared to what Sinseeo was currently experiencing.

After staring at Lumian with a dazed expression for quite a while, she barely managed to speak.

“…Don’t tell me, you’ve had another achievement in the meantime?”

Her voice contained undisguisable amazement.

Hearing her words, Lumian kept his mouth tightly shut for a long time.

‘…Certainly, from Sir Sinseeo’s perspective, this would be surprising.’

He had forgotten.

That over the past few days, he had experienced explosive growth for reasons unknown even to himself.

If it had been an achievement he had earned through effort, it wouldn’t have been like this, but since all he had done was flirt with Tania, engage in skinship, and enjoy the festival, he hadn’t been aware of it.

“I was, somewhat lucky.”

Lumian barely managed to say.

But it was too late. Sinseeo threw out questions rapidly with an extremely excited face, an expression where slight despair and envy coexisted.

“I know this is extremely rude to ask, but I can’t help but inquire. What exactly is the secret?”

“…”

“How did you achieve so much in such a short time…”

“No, it’s nothing special…”

“Please, I beg for your guidance.”

Sinseor Ainsworth bowed her head deeply.

Lumian’s expression watching this was quite a sight.

A face plastered with the worry of ‘what on earth should I do about this?’

He thought.

‘Damn it, I can’t just tell her straight…’

He couldn’t very well say ‘I spent enjoyable time with my lover, Tania Eloise, and actively engaged in skinship, which somehow accumulated aura without me knowing!’

She would never believe it. Beyond that, she might look at him with disgust.

But he couldn’t say nothing at all either.

Sinseeo’s attitude looked far too desperate for that.

“…I simply enjoyed life more than before.”

“…”

“That’s all I can say. If it wasn’t helpful… I’m sorry.”

Lumian said while squeezing his eyes shut.

He couldn’t lie. But he couldn’t tell her straight either.

This was the result.

Extremely abstract words that would make the listener chuckle at how empty they sounded.

Even he thought it was really poor. He was worried about how Sinseeo would react.

But then.

“…!”

Truly surprisingly, Sinseeo’s reaction wasn’t bad.

No, it was more than that.

She trembled as if struck by lightning, then began staring into space with unfocused eyes.

It looked as if she was deeply immersing herself into her inner world.

Seeing this, Lumian couldn’t hide his bewilderment.

‘No way, she actually gained enlightenment from words I just threw out casually?’

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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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