The Failed Swordmaster - Chapter 136

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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 136 52. How Is That Possible? (2)

After about 10 minutes had passed, focus returned to Sinseor Ainsworth’s eyes.

There wasn’t a dramatic breakthrough like when Lumian had gained enlightenment. If there had been, she would have immediately entered a state of cultivation and spent much longer.

But even this was a tremendous achievement.

Though she hadn’t completely broken through the wall, she had created cracks. She had gained a clue to advance to a higher realm.

It was as good as obtaining a fortuitous encounter.

She bowed her head respectfully toward Lumian.

“Thank you, Sir Lumian Calard. Thanks to you, I was able to gain enlightenment.”

“No, I only said a few words…”

“Those words opened my eyes. They were words worth more than gold, so I don’t know how to repay this…”

“Repayment? That’s nonsense. I merely said something anyone could have said.”

Lumian replied with a bewildered expression.

Sometimes cases like this happen.

Despite being truly trivial words, they end up helping someone’s growth.

Perhaps the words he had spoken luckily became advice that perfectly matched Sinseor’s situation and circumstances.

‘Of course it’s good that it helped, but receiving repayment for something like this feels a bit awkward.’

He had merely spoken vaguely to avoid lying.

On such a topic, hoping for some grand reward pricked his conscience.

However, that was only Lumian’s perspective. Sinseor Ainsworth shook her head as if she couldn’t accept that and said.

“Those weren’t words anyone could say. Though it’s embarrassing to say about myself, I’ve reached a level where no one in the kingdom can match me with a sword. Not only that, I hold the position of leader of the Red Rose Knight Order and even receive the king’s favor.”

“…”

“Who could tell someone like me to enjoy life? And even if they could, would I have deeply accepted those words?”

“Hmm…”

‘She seems to be interpreting it too favorably.’

But since it felt awkward to seriously deny it, Lumian remained silent. Sinseor’s words continued.

“The advice just now… was exactly the right words for my situation, where I had been pursuing only the sword, losing peace of mind, and having my vision narrow. Moreover, it was something no one other than Sir Lumian could have said.”

“Uh, hmm…”

“No, I think even Sir Lumian must have had many concerns about speaking up. Giving such advice to me, who is nothing more than a stranger and not even a junior knight, would require bearing considerable burden.”

“…”

“Thank you once again. And I’m sorry. To not lose the thread of enlightenment, I think I need to go train right away.”

“No, that’s only natural. Don’t worry about it and please go ahead, Sir Sinseor.”

Lumian said.

He had given up on correcting her thoughts.

More than that, he wanted to quickly return to Tania’s side.

“I’m sorry. Coming here uninvited, rambling on with things to say, and then leaving like this after receiving such great help.”

“It’s really fine. I hope you achieve even greater accomplishments.”

“Thank you. If you need my help in the future, please let me know anytime. As long as it doesn’t go against the kingdom, I’ll eagerly step forward for anything.”

“Hahaha, understood.”

“Then I’ll be going… Ah.”

Sinseor’s face showed she had remembered something.

Lumian made a questioning expression.

To him, she spoke with a mischievous smile.

“There’s a garden behind the ballroom building. They put quite a bit of effort into the lighting, so the atmosphere looks quite nice.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes. It seems to be blocked off for now, but I’ll have a word about it. Please have a pleasant time with your lover.”

Sinseor bowed once more before leaving the room.

Lumian stared blankly at where she had disappeared. Then he smiled belatedly.

More than the Red Rose Knight Order’s token, more than the promise to help whenever something came up, he was more grateful for what she had just said.

With an excited heart, he ran to Tania as if flying.

* * *

“Wow, this place is nice!”

“Isn’t it? I saw it while passing by earlier, and the lighting was really pretty.”

“Right. Even though it’s midwinter, there are quite a few flowers blooming… How did they do it? Magic? But why is there no one else in such a pretty garden besides us?”

“Haha, everyone’s busy dancing in the ballroom.”

“Is that so? But it would be a bit difficult to stay there now. People’s stares were too burdensome.”

Tania said with a slight frown. Lumian nodded.

It was unavoidable. Considering the caliber of knights who had come to see them, it would have been stranger if people hadn’t shown interest.

‘It’s a shame. Coming all this way and not even getting to dance once.’

Still, it was fortunate. Thanks to Sinseor’s help, they were able to enter this wonderful place.

It even felt better than the ballroom. It was quiet, atmospheric, and there were no troublemakers like that noble brat from Cairo.

It was also slightly dark.

‘Isn’t this the perfect place to make progress?’

A slightly sinister smile played around Lumian’s face.

But this soon disappeared. And tension took its place instead.

Though he had somehow managed to hold hands, link arms, and even put his hand around her waist… taking the next step was a different level of difficulty.

‘…Indeed, can I do it? Me, who was celibate for 60 years?’

Various thoughts complicated his mind. The words the old woman who had read their compatibility had said suddenly came to mind, disturbing his heart. Lacking courage, excuses to postpone the deed began to emerge.

But Lumian knew. He knew that wouldn’t do.

‘Let’s discard useless thoughts and go forward courageously! Just as I planned this morning!’

He clenched his fist tightly. A resolute expression momentarily crossed his face.

Then the distracting thoughts filling his mind gradually disappeared. And though it was slight, courage and confidence began to well up.

‘I can do it. I can do it!’

Lumian, who had been slowly strolling through the garden, stopped walking.

Tania, who had taken a few more steps, turned her head to look at him. She had been in the middle of praising Sir Sinseor Ainsworth’s achievements.

This wasn’t the flow of conversation Lumian wanted.

Gulp, swallowing his saliva, he opened his mouth.

“Senior Tania.”

“Huh, yeah? What is it. Why are you suddenly like this.”

“Do you know about the Rodigia Snowflower Festival?”

“About the Snowflower Festival? What kind of… Ah.”

Tania, who had returned to Lumian’s side, made an expression of understanding.

She said.

“Are you talking about how if it snows during the Snowflower Festival, couples who see it can share happy love without any trouble until the next festival?”

“Yes. You know about it?”

“I heard Deiner Selly talking about it with Bumer. I’ve also heard other people talking about it on the street a few times. But why are you suddenly bringing that up…”

Tania’s expression as she spoke wasn’t very good.

It couldn’t be helped, because they hadn’t seen snow even once throughout the entire Snowflower Festival.

It was both regrettable and strange. Rodigia is a country where it snows quite frequently.

Especially during the week when the Snowflower Festival takes place, it snowed every year.

At least for the past 10 years, it had always been that way. That’s why this story was born from lovers’ desire to participate in the festival every year.

‘So what if it snowed every year? If it didn’t snow this year, that’s the end of it.’

Tania pouted as she looked at Lumian.

Why was he bringing this up now?

Shouldn’t he avoid it as much as possible instead? It wasn’t even a good story.

It was then, while she was thinking such thoughts.

Lumian, who had grinned, suddenly drew his sword from his subspace backpack.

Shing-

A real sword with a sharply honed blade.

But it didn’t feel menacing. Rather, the sword blade holding moonlight created a beautiful atmosphere.

Tania looked at Lumian’s eyes with a puzzled expression.

And shortly after, she realized what he was trying to do. Her mouth fell slightly open.

Whooooooom!

Aura was injected into the magic sword.

It wasn’t his usual energy. It was aura with a cold nature, as if drawn from the Northern Icy Mountains.

The magic sword responded by releasing magical power. Accordingly, beautiful snowflakes began falling from the sky.

“Ah…!”

She looked up at the sky with wide eyes.

Snowflakes gently descending under beautiful illumination.

An exclamation escaped her lips without her realizing it. Her slightly frowning face lit up with a bright smile as if it had never been otherwise.

‘Good! It worked!’

Lumian cheered inwardly.

He had thought it would work well enough. But since he couldn’t be certain until he tried, it was also true that his heart had been anxious the whole time.

It had been needless worry.

With this kind of reaction, there was a strong possibility it would lead to the flow he wanted. He looked at Tania’s face with a smiling expression.

‘But the feeling is a bit different from what I expected?’

Happy, excited, and good – that was right. Those were natural emotions.

However, he had expected much more sexual excitement.

Would I be able to have more intimate physical contact?

Would I be able to kiss her? If I did, what would it feel like?

Until coming to the garden, his head had been full of only such thoughts.

But not now.

‘She’s beautiful.’

At this moment, Lumian was completely focused on his lover.

It was different from before when he had been obsessed only with the act of physical contact. Just looking at Tania was enough to make him happy.

Her smiling, her being joyful, her looking up at the sky with sparkling eyes while clasping her hands together.

Each and every one of those things came to him as happiness. Just having her existence by his side brought tremendous joy.

“Ah…”

Tania’s gaze came down. Their eyes met.

Their faces were telling each other everything. Flushed cheeks, upturned corners of their mouths, eyes forming gentle curves.

Before they knew it, the two embraced and slowly kissed.

It was a beautiful scene filled with love and affection for each other.

Whooooooom-!

And at the same time, a mysterious power was conceived.

A tremendous energy that seemed to be twice the amount they had accumulated throughout their journey.

It entered Lumian’s body and began to be reborn as new aura.

* * *

“Good! Well done!”

“It was damn sudden, but since the result is good, well, it’s a pass. Not bad, Lumian Calard!”

Clap clap clap clap!

Sekus and Baku, who had been watching the hero from the Demon Realm, jumped up from their seats and applauded.

They were genuinely happy. It felt like when a child who couldn’t take care of themselves grows up and becomes independent.

“Now there’s one step left.”

“Right. One step.”

“How long do you think it will take?”

“Who knows. If it’s fast, they could be rolling around right now, or maybe they’ll drag it out again and it could take several months, or even years… Hm?”

It was while the two were having this idle conversation.

Suddenly, tremendous power began flowing out from Lumian’s body.

It was different from ordinary aura.

A strange energy that seemed close to divine power, yet different from that as well.

It swept away all of the Demon King’s flying insects.

Shocked, Sekus collapsed with a groan.

“Urgh!”

“Are you alright, brother?”

“…Yeah, I’m fine. It’s nothing.”

He really was fine. Though there were many of them, they were just flying insects at most. He had only panicked because it was an unexpected situation.

However, regardless of the damage sustained, the atmosphere couldn’t help but turn cold.

Baku, who had been maintaining silence for a moment, asked cautiously.

“That just now, that energy came from the hero’s body, right?”

“Yeah, seems like it.”

“…Could it be that he awakened a new power?”

“…Seems like that too.”

“Throughout the entire journey, he didn’t train even a tiny bit, just did nothing but romance?”

“…”

“How is that possible, brother?”

Then, the hero’s thoughts flowed into the Demon King’s mind.

It was natural since so many flying insects had died. Sekus concentrated his mind and soon frowned.

It was all just Tania Eloise and love, affection, and such things about her.

No matter how hard he looked, there was no trigger for the awakening to be found.

He sighed and said.

“I don’t know either, damn it…”

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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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