The Son-In-Law of the Magician Is a Transcendent Sword Master - Chapter 132

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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 132
“This elixir is crafted by separately decocting and aging blackthorn grass and blood mushrooms, extracting only the necessary toxins, then blending them in precise proportions. Even within Aconia, only a select few among the Elders know its manufacturing method. If Lord Reagan discovered this elixir in the Chimera Sorcerers’ workshop, it must have been plundered from our Aconia Encampment.”
“…Then what exactly is this elixir’s effect?”
“Precisely as you stated earlier. It overloads the qi channels and mana circuits throughout the entire body. For a mage who hasn’t yet entered the path of mana, it matters little, but should an accomplished mage consume this elixir, their mana would inevitably backflow throughout their body, rendering them a cripple.”
After hearing Saya’s explanation, I picked up the elixir contained in the box.
I had suspected something suspicious about it, but to think it was manufactured in Aconia. I furrowed my brow and asked.
“Then why does Aconia manufacture and use such a perilous elixir? It’s not being used as a poison, is it?”
“Lord Reagan, there is one misunderstanding you hold.”
Saya picked up the black elixir and continued.
“Depending on how much and how it is used, poison becomes medicine, and medicine becomes poison. In Aconia, we administer this elixir to those entering the path of mana. I myself consumed this elixir in my childhood and formed my Mana Core.”
“….”
“Since Aconian magic requires storing toxins within the Mana Core, it is necessary to intentionally twist the mana circuits to control the toxins so they do not spread throughout the body.”
“…Indeed.”
Through my eyes, I observed Saya’s Mana Core. Even when I first encountered her, her Mana Core was peculiar. Twisted, yet not contorted.
I had found it remarkable how she maintained such delicate balance while harboring a poison pouch within her Mana Core, but so this was a constitution created by this elixir.
“Very well. I understand that much. Then let me ask just one more thing.”
I furrowed my brow and fixed my gaze upon the elixir in Saya’s hand.
“Has this elixir ever been distributed several years ago?”
“Distributed? What do you mean?”
“I mean… has this elixir ever been spread to other mages across the Continent?”
“That would be impossible.”
Saya stated it with certainty.
“This elixir is a secret and tradition of Aconia, like the Forbidden Curse itself. This is the first time it has ever leaked outside.”
“Are you certain?”
“If necessary, I could even summon my father to confirm it.”
“…No, I understand.”
So this elixir had never been released to the public even once until now.
Then how could Petra, the descendant of Rucen, have a Mana Core identical to Saya’s?
Moreover, it was worse than Saya’s. Petra’s Mana Core was in a precarious state, as if it might collapse at any moment, with different energies muddily mixed together.
“Saya, is there perhaps… a method that could produce a similar effect without this elixir?”
“What do you mean?”
“An acquaintance I encountered long ago… was in exactly the same state as if they had consumed this elixir.”
It was a question I threw out on a whim. Yet Saya’s expression hardened.
“Lord Reagan… is what you say true?”
“Yes. Do you have any suspicions?”
“Of course I do. It would be….”
Saya paused for a moment before speaking directly.
“A Forbidden Curse.”
“….”
“The secret art of ‘Qi Channel Grafting,’ as it is called.”
Forbidden Magic.
An ancient sorcery strictly prohibited throughout the magical world of the Continent, alongside Black Magic, due to its danger and malevolence.
As a mage with merely three years of experience, it was a concept somewhat unfamiliar to me.
Yet by cruel coincidence, I had already witnessed one instance of Forbidden Magic mere months ago.
‘…Arania Shaydi.’
Arania Morian Shaydi, the Shadow Tower Lord, had prolonged her parasitic existence by stealing the bodies of girls every decade through the forbidden art of body possession.
If that were true, then I could only conclude that Kaiden Rucen, the head of Rucen, was committing the same abomination against his own daughter, Petra.
“…That bastard.”
Of course, this remained mere speculation. There could be other reasons beyond what Saya had told me.
Yet considering Kaiden’s actions during the Hunting Festival.
The way he treated his daughter as though she were merely a tool—it was hardly baseless conjecture.
If that were the case….
* * *
“So that’s why you sought me out.”
I went directly to find Steren.
“I too found Petra’s physical condition peculiar. However….”
Steren, who had been attending to the Tower’s affairs, nodded while furrowing his brow as he listened to my account.
“Forbidden Magic…. You’re telling me that the head of a Great Magic Family committed such a heinous act.”
“Did not Arania Shaydi, a 7th Rank mage, employ Forbidden Magic herself?”
“Yes. I remember that as well. However… there is currently no evidence that Kaiden used Forbidden Magic, is there?”
“No, there isn’t. But you must trust me.”
“I do trust you.”
Steren looked directly at me and answered without hesitation.
“How could I not trust my son-in-law’s words? Especially not when they come from Reagan, one blessed with such keen insight.”
“….”
“However, what I believe and what all of Benheim—indeed, what all of the Great Mage Alliance—believes are two different matters.”
Steren broached the practical problem, folding the documents he held and shoving them somewhat roughly into a drawer.
“We cannot think of this as we did with the Shadow Tower incident. Rucen is but one of the Five Renowned Mage Families—hardly comparable to the Shadow Tower, which had only recently been registered among the Seven Great Mage Towers. Moreover, during the Shadow Tower incident, we at least had the justification of saving Sheril, but we have no such connection to Petra, do we?”
“Yes. I fully understand that position.”
A sensible response.
In truth, unlike the Shadow Tower, Rucen County was one of the Great Magic Families.
Though its history was not particularly long, the Five Renowned Mage Families possessed influence far exceeding that of the Seven Great Mage Towers.
‘…Launching an assault on Rucen right now would be….’
madness.
Steren would never permit it, and if I stormed in alone, Kaiden Rucen would simply turn me away at the gate.
Then what method remained?
As I pondered, a clever stratagem came to mind.
“…Lord Steren, did you know this?”
At my meaningful question, Steren released a heavy sigh.
“Reagan, I fear that expression of yours far too much. What absurd tale will you unveil this time?”
Steren had apparently already guessed what I was about to say from our past experiences together. Yet rather than press further, he placed both hands near his mouth and urged me to continue.
“Speak.”
“Shortly after I first arrived at Benheim, you laid a trap with the intention of luring out the Black Mages. Do you remember?”
“Of course.”
“Three and a half years have passed since then.”
“….”
Steren understood immediately what I was driving at.
“Yes. As you say, Reagan, next year… the Hunting Festival will be held.”
“Precisely. Just as it was last time, we use this Hunting Festival to draw out the Rucen County.”
Steren’s eyes narrowed.
“Even if we invite Rucen to the Hunting Festival as you suggest, what then? Do you intend to summon Kaiden and interrogate him?”
“If necessary, yes.”
After hearing my words, Steren exhaled softly.
“Reagan, I cannot fathom why you move with such urgency. Rucen is hardly connected to you, is it not?”
“….”
He was not wrong.
Yet I had already witnessed a future where the Archmage King annihilated every Great Magic Family.
Moreover, through Renia of my past life, I had heard that Petra of Rucen stood alone against the Archmage King and fell gloriously in battle, her body displayed on the streets of Orelion as a warning.
The reason I involve myself so deeply is surely… because I cannot bear to see such a magnificent mage—one who once stood against the Archmage King—reduced to a mere tool of her father.
“…Reagan.”
When I fell silent, Steren spoke.
“In truth, I heard recently from Iline, Archmage Lord of Arcamen, that they are producing artifacts forged from the Ether River.”
Steren looked directly at me and continued.
“That is not all. I have heard that even the mages of Iridia are developing counter-curse magic to oppose the Black Mages’ hexes. Maelern has also dispatched specialized hunters to eliminate the remaining Chimeras in the Southern Forest.”
I felt reassured. These Great Magic Families, the pillars of the magical world, were steadily preparing for war against the Black Mages.
But why was Steren bringing this up now?
“Reagan, all of this is the result of your hand.”
“….”
“You have caused countless incidents thus far. And every consequence of those incidents has been directed toward the Black Mages.”
A peculiar light flickered in Steren’s violet eyes.
“…Why do you go to such lengths?”
“What do you mean, sir?”
“Reagan, you always move as though something is chasing you.”
That remark… struck at the very heart of the matter.
I had indeed been running ceaselessly, day and night. The accusation that I moved as though pursued was perhaps accurate. In the current situation where the Archmage King was quietly expanding his forces, there was no room for hesitation.
Yet to explain this, I would have to reveal the fact that I had regressed.
Could I truly tell my father-in-law my secret now?
As I hesitated, Steren offered a faint smile.
“…Enough. If it is difficult to speak, there is no need to force it, Reagan. When the time comes, you will understand naturally.”
Steren withdrew some documents from a drawer.
“I’ll send an official letter to Rucen soon enough. At the Hunting Festival in six months, let’s see if Kaiden truly violated the prohibition as you claim.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
“It’s only right to hear out my son-in-law’s request.”
Steren spoke with a sly smile, then suddenly snapped his fingers as if remembering something.
“Speaking of which… Valen wanted to see you.”
“Hmm? The Commander, you mean?”
“Yes. He wanted to see how much you’ve grown after all this time.”
* * *
Arnaud von Benheim had been quite satisfied with the changes that had recently swept through his estate.
When Reagan first brought people from the southern poison sorcerer family to the estate, Arnaud had been displeased.
No matter how he looked at it, was it right to let outsiders live in the estate? Even though Arnaud couldn’t be called prejudiced by nature, the word “poison sorcerer” naturally demanded caution.
However, the people of Aconia proved unexpectedly kind, and they presented him with rare medicinal herbs harvested from the forest—herbs he’d never heard of or seen before—as thanks for welcoming them to Benheim. Arnaud hadn’t even known such precious herbs grew within the Benheim Estate.
In the end, everyone in Benheim accepted the mages of Aconia, and Arnaud was no exception.
But there was one more change that pleased him most of all.
At last, he had found a kindred spirit within the family—a true friend.
“Excellent! You’ve improved tremendously since yesterday, Arno.”
Rashek el Maelern, a bronze-skinned young man and the heir of Maelern who had entered Benheim as a guest alongside the poison sorcerers, withdrew his fist as he spoke.
Arno caught his breath with a sly grin.
“It’s all thanks to my hard work.”
These days, Arno had been sparring with Rashek every single day.
Rashek was a 6th Rank mage. Though his rank was somewhat higher than Arno’s, their sparring matches were evenly matched.
At least compared to exceptional geniuses like Renia and Reagan.
But what Arno appreciated most about Rashek was…
“Arno, you’re truly remarkable! Your speed in weaving mana and your calculations are flawless. You’re truly worthy of being Benheim’s heir!”
“…Hm.”
Arno nearly let out an uncomfortable laugh.
Rashek never spared his praise.
For Arno, whose self-worth had been worn down by being overshadowed by his sister and brother-in-law’s achievements, Rashek’s generous compliments were deeply welcome.
After all, it was praise coming from the heir of another Great Magic Family—not some distant branch member who needed to watch Arno’s mood.
That alone seemed to calm his mind and spirit.
It was the reason he sparred with Rashek every day.
“Good, let’s go one more round.”
Arno stood at one end of the Training Ground with confidence. But Rashek shook his head.
“I’m sorry. That’s all for today.”
“What? Why? You stayed late yesterday.”
“I have something to attend to.”
Arno nodded despite feeling disappointed in his heart.
“What is it? Are you going to meet your girlfriend?”
“…Ahem. I’m not in that kind of relationship with Saya yet.”
“What do you mean ‘not yet’? I never even mentioned Saya’s name.”
Arno spoke with a boastful tone. The fact that Rashek and Saya shared an unusual relationship was something any servant of the family would know.
“No. Absolutely not. This time it’s….”
Yet Rashek shook his head vigorously in denial, whether from embarrassment or not.
“Then what’s your schedule?”
“I’m actually going to see Reagan.”
“…Reagan? Why him?”
“Apparently he’s going to formally face off against Benheim’s military unit.”
Benheim’s military unit.
It wouldn’t be the main force led by Steren. They were famous for not involving themselves in external incidents.
Which meant….
“If it’s a military unit, you mean the Rune Surveillance Unit?”
“Ah! Yes! That was the name. I heard he’s going to face off against their commander.”
“…What?”
If it’s the commander of the Rune Surveillance Unit, that would be Valen Wirth von Benheim.
A 6th Rank expert at the highest level, with power rivaling an Archmage. Reagan is going to face such a powerhouse?
This was news to me.
“…Why on earth?”
Arno’s eyes widened in surprise.

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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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