The Regressed Magic Swordsman Devours the North - Chapter 26

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 26. Catching Two Rabbits with One Stone (1)
The top floor of the austere Manor.
Midgal Rau, chief of the Inspection Bureau, straightened his pristine white uniform.
He adjusted his necktie, pulled his sleeves and collar taut, and checked that his hair lay properly.
His russet hair was combed back neatly.
In his white uniform, his massive frame commanded an air of dignity—yet his own anxiety showed in the small cough that cleared his throat.
“Ahem. Mm.”
He exhaled slowly, steadying his nerves.
Then, in his cavernous voice, he spoke.
“Your Highness. It is Midgal.”
“Come in.”
Midgal Rau drew breath again and opened the door to the lord’s office.
More than twenty years had passed in service, yet his hands trembled as they always did.
David had never treated him coldly. It was simply the nature of Midgal’s devotion.
David Karsen, head of the Karsen Family and the lord, set down the documents he’d been reading and welcomed Midgal.
“Welcome. I hope my youngest hasn’t given you any trouble.”
“Ha. Not at all, sir. Rather, Your Highness—I have something to report.”
The years Midgal had spent with David had made it his habit to broach serious matters first. Unlike other master-retainer relationships, the two men found this arrangement natural.
“Speak.”
“Since I have sworn to dedicate my life in service to you, I shall be forthright. Your youngest son. It seems he has been concealing his true strength.”
Midgal explained slowly, and David nodded without interruption.
“However… though you did hint at this beforehand, when the young master first mentioned the Inspection Bureau Special Investigation Division, I confess I was angered. No matter whose son he is, it felt like contempt toward the Inspection Bureau itself.”
David showed no displeasure at Midgal’s candor. Rather, it seemed his trust deepened precisely because Midgal could speak so openly. He asked gently.
“Then why did you relent?”
He knew Midgal had not come seeking to obstruct Sion.
Midgal recalled that day and answered.
“It would be impossible for him to surpass Silvia, an intermediate-ranked knight, through such rapid growth.”
David nodded at Midgal’s words. He might not have Midgal’s direct observation, but he had tested the young man with a Crystal Orb Artifact.
“Yet that very impossibility troubled me all the more.”
Sion Karsen, born into the ruling house of the Northern Region and a lineage of master swordsmen—why would he hide his strength?
“Could it be… that the young master has been concealing himself and awaiting opportunity to correct the ills plaguing the Northern Region? I may be mistaken, but observing all that he has undertaken of late, I cannot shake the feeling that these preparations have been years in the making.”
Midgal was a knight of keen intuition, renowned for his grasp of human nature, and rarely wrong in his judgments.
Yet Sion Karsen had eluded his instinct entirely. For reasons he could not fathom, everything about the young man had changed—from his swordsmanship down to his speech and the light in his eyes.
Could a person transform so utterly overnight?
No. Impossible.
Therefore, Midgal concluded, the change was not sudden—it was performance. Deliberate, sustained performance.
“I wish to place my faith in him. And if I am to have faith, I would stake it fully. As the responsible officer, I wish to petition for an expansion of my authority.”
David regarded Midgal intently. A loyal subordinate of long years, truly constant.
He cherished the young man as though he were his own son, and such care sprang from nothing but that devotion.
They had once fought side by side on the battlefield, trusting each other with their lives. When had those days become memory?
David smiled—truly smiled—for the first time in ages.
“Do as you wish.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
“No, I am the grateful one.”
The matter settled, the two knights began to catch up on all they had left unsaid.
***
The Karsen Family Manor is temperate. Flowers of every hue bloom in its gardens, and butterflies and bees drift lazily through the air.
A sight rare in the Northern Region, and beautiful for that rarity.
This is because a Magic Circle of enormous scale has been woven across the entire estate, a condition that has persisted since my birth.
Whether it be March, or June, or December’s bitter frost.
Here, it is always a gentle spring day.
So then, who is the grand mage who wrought such a Magic Circle?
My mother.
Michelle Karsen.
Perhaps dwelling on Father stirred her memory in me. Today, Mother’s face lingered in my thoughts.
I climbed the Manor Backhill and passed through the Mist Barrier, arriving not at ruins but at a burial ground.
The cemetery where family members across generations lay interred was kept pristine, as if tended daily. Within the mist, every stone and path was immaculate.
This too, I’m told, owes to Mother’s magic—yet even now, after my return, I cannot grasp its workings.
‘It must mean Mother’s magical prowess was extraordinary.’
As I walked slowly through the cemetery, a single, towering willow came into view.
A tree that never withers, no matter the season, even within the mist. Beneath it lay Mother’s tombstone.
A single white lily rested before the grave marker—plainly Father’s doing.
‘Father said he comes here once every three days.’
The white lily’s flower language spoke of purity and unchanging love. I hadn’t known it before, but seeing it now, I realized that even Father—iron-willed as he seemed—was only human.
I stood before the tombstone, clasped my hands together, bowed my head, and closed my eyes. For a moment, I offered my silent prayer.
Mother.
I should have come here immediately after returning.
I was too late.
But you’ll forgive me, won’t you?
When the prayer ended, I made a deep bow.
“Someday I’ll become a mage greater than you ever were. That’s all right with you, isn’t it?”
No answer came back. But it didn’t matter. If Mother were here, she would say something like this.
-Puhaha! It won’t be easy, but do your best. If it were anyone else, I’d say it’s impossible right away, but you’re my son, after all!
Mother loved to tease, and she was spirited wherever she went. And because she loved the piano, I learned to play it alongside her.
The only thing I was ever called talented at was the piano.
In any case.
Back then, Father used to smile more often, or so it seemed…….
I set off again, trudging down toward the Underground Ruins. I couldn’t afford to skip even a single day of training.
I arrived at the underground cavern as usual and stripped off my shirt, keeping only my trousers.
My body was covered in cuts, bruises, and exhaustion. I’d advanced smoothly from the preliminaries through the semifinals, but this was the state I was in after fighting Silvia in the finals.
I’d beaten her through sheer relentless pressure. It was only possible because her experience was still limited.
Defeating her with a blade this time would be the first and the last.
Splash. Patter-patter.
I rubbed Advanced Herbal Medicine across my body and drank a Potion I’d made myself. Then, sitting in a lotus position, I called upon the Dragon Vein.
Sizzle-sizzle.
Geothermal heat rose up.
The Flame Dragon Vein came to me.
I breathed long and shallow.
I accumulated Mana in the Sage Ring and Core.
I spread pure Mana throughout my entire body.
The Mana circulating through my Blood Veins cleansed each individual cell.
Ah.
The fatigue melts away.
My recovery surges dramatically.
The wounds heal.
I traced my body along the flow of Mana, confirming the physical changes that had developed as my Core advanced.
A deep groove had formed along my spine, my shoulder blades had developed and turned rugged, and my latissimus dorsi stretched long and broad.
With my slender waist supporting the width below, my upper body formed a perfect inverted triangle.
“Haaah.”
After several hours of Mana circulation, I picked up my sword again.
To refine a fighting style that employed Magic and Swordsmanship simultaneously, I stimulated both the Sage Ring and Core at once.
Whooooom-
I had to grow stronger. For the ‘expedition’ that would come in the not-so-distant future.
Until then, I would reveal my Magic to the world, but that was all.
***
After several days of recovery and training, I returned to my room. A heavy bag hung from my shoulder, filled to the brim with Sunstones.
I stripped off my soiled clothes, washed thoroughly, and changed into my formal uniform.
Tonight, a special engagement awaited me.
I confirmed the VVIP Ticket placed on my table.
An admission pass to the Unique Rain auction house.
If good items appeared, I would bid on them, but regardless of what else I might fail to acquire, I had to obtain ‘that’ one thing.
By the way.
“Roman. Where is Doctor Crombel and what is he doing?”
“That, well… He came by earlier and said to meet again in a week. He said he’d first pay his respects to the Master of the house and organize some research materials.”
“……I see.”
To be honest, I was a bit surprised. I’d given myself plenty of leeway, thinking there would be about twenty steps to go through before making him my man…….
‘This might go more smoothly than I thought.’
Perhaps winning the Gold Star Competition hadn’t turned his heart, but it had certainly piqued his interest.
Regardless, it was good that he was meeting Father first before seeing me.
At least it meant his resolve had become genuine.
“Roman. Are the vehicles and funds prepared?”
“Yes. I’m delivering the Sunstone to Young Master Sion as soon as you provide it, and I’ve confirmed receipt of the payment.”
“What about the Gold Star Competition prize money?”
“Of course I’ve secured it.”
This auction was far too important for me to hold back. I’d gathered considerable ammunition—quite a lot of it, actually.
Twenty billion Jeny.
To be honest, I didn’t need nearly this much, but I brought extra just in case.
“Then. I’ll have the vehicle ready.”
Watching Roman leave, I straightened my uniform and fastened my sword at my waist.
I stepped out of the Manor and climbed into the back seat of a black sedan. Roman, sitting at the wheel, glanced at me in the rearview mirror. When I nodded back at him—
Vroom—
The car glided into motion.
***
Late August, when the cold had lost its bite.
I arrived by car at the Olden District, a short distance from the heart of Siren.
“We’ve arrived in Olden. It should take about five minutes to reach Unique Rain.”
Roman said.
“Once we arrive, relax and wait comfortably.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
Siren was the wealthiest city in the Northern Region. And Olden was the richest quarter within it—what they called the wealthy district.
There were many high-rise buildings.
The streets reeked of money.
Some streets were nothing but luxury boutiques end to end.
We passed through the glittering avenue and arrived at our destination.
[Unique Rain]
A place of remarkable beauty, its non-linear architectural style.
‘Some magnate’s property, I wonder.’
It wasn’t quite on the scale of the Karsen Family Manor, but it carried an air of considerable prestige in its own right.
Roman was guided by the staff and parked, while I moved forward under the escort of attendants.
“This way, Sion Karsen.”
We entered through the VVIP-exclusive corridor, and I caught warmth in the guide’s eyes.
This was another way things had changed since the Gold Star Competition. Before, they’d looked at me like I was easy prey to fleece. Now it was more like ‘a major player has arrived.’
“When the time comes, I’ll guide you separately. Please rest comfortably for now.”
I nodded and settled into a chair, composing myself. There was Jasmine Tea on the table. I was about to take a sip when I encountered someone I hadn’t expected.
Deep indigo hair. Eyes like sapphires set into her face. Pristine white uniform.
It was Silvia.
‘Hmm.’
In that instant, a picture formed in my mind.
There was only one reason she would be here.
Probably the same reason I was.
She spotted me and came over with steady steps. Her gait was composed and precise.
“What brings you to a place like this?”
“…I’m looking for something.”
“What?”
“I can’t tell you. You might be bidding against me.”
“…Bidding against you?”
“If you are, I’ll bury you with the money I have and take it for myself.”
“Ha. Since when does someone who’s spent his whole life as a wastrel have that kind of money?”
I shrugged. I issued a silent command and drained the tea in front of me.
Then Silvia asked with curious eyes.
“Don’t tell me… you came here because of me?”
Pfft—!
I spit out the tea without thinking.
The Returning Swordmaster Devours the Northern Region
Author
: Bang Sims
Production Date
: June 16, 2026
Publisher
: Acysis Media Co., Ltd.
Publisher
: Ace’s Media Editorial Team
Address
: 10F Urban Bench Building, 325 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Email
: [email protected]
※ This work is published by Ace’s Media in accordance with the copyright holder’s contract.
No content may be used in any form or by any means without permission from the publisher and author.
This e-book is protected by copyright law. Unauthorized reproduction or copying may result in legal liability.
UCI
: G720:N+A129-20260615032

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