The Son-In-Law of the Magician Is a Transcendent Sword Master - Chapter 134

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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 134
“…So you’re saying you intend to relinquish your position as commander?”
Valen Wirth von Benheim asked with an incredulous expression, scrunching his face, while I nodded calmly.
“Yes.”
“Why? The Warden of the Runes is among the most prestigious positions in the magical society of the Continent. Moreover, never in history has an outsider without Benheim blood held the position of Warden of the Runes. Why would you refuse such an honorable opportunity?”
“Then I’ll ask you in return. Why are you trying to abandon your own position, Commander?”
“….”
Valen Wirth von Benheim fell silent at my words.
The reason he was willing to even duel me to entrust me with the commander’s position.
In my past life, Valen Wirth von Benheim remained the Warden of the Runes until the very end. It wasn’t difficult to deduce the reason.
The only difference between my past life and this one was the existence of a person like me.
‘…It’s not a lack of sense of responsibility.’
That didn’t match Valen Wirth von Benheim’s nature. During his time in Renia’s Resistance, he may have indulged in drinking, but he never neglected his duties as a strategist.
‘Nor was it because he felt a difference in talent.’
It seemed unlikely that someone like Valen Wirth von Benheim would think such things upon seeing a young upstart like me rising through the ranks.
Rather, if it were Valen Wirth von Benheim….
“…Did you wish to ascend to the 7th Rank?”
At my casual remark, Valen Wirth von Benheim’s lips curved upward.
“…Hey, Reagan.”
“Yes.”
“Do you have mind-reading magic or something?”
“Something similar.”
Valen Wirth von Benheim laughed heartily and shook his head.
“You hit the mark. How does such a young brat have such keen intuition?”
Currently, Valen Wirth von Benheim stood at the peak of the 6th Rank.
It was the same in my past life. However, Valen Wirth von Benheim had lived believing the 6th Rank was his limit.
In fact, most mages felt the same way. If one failed to reach the 7th Rank before turning fifty, it was considered established wisdom that they had reached their ceiling as a mage.
Valen Wirth von Benheim’s current age was approaching fifty.
In other words….
“This is my last chance to break through the barrier as a mage. If I miss this opportunity, I likely won’t reach the 7th Rank for the rest of my life.”
“Earlier, didn’t you say you were a magic user rather than a mage?”
“At least as the Warden of the Runes, I was. So to become a true mage, I intended to step down from the commander’s position.”
In essence, it was difficult to pursue enlightenment with peace of mind while holding a position commanding a military force.
The desire to elevate one’s rank was a natural aspiration for any mage. I could fully understand Valen Wirth von Benheim’s feelings.
However….
“I cannot permit it. You can achieve enlightenment within the Rune Sentinels as well. Please continue. This is my wish.”
Valen Wirth von Benheim was an indispensable figure in Renia’s Resistance in my past life. Judging by how the Resistance continued to suffer defeats after his death, and how Renia shed tears in secret for perhaps the first time, Valen Wirth von Benheim was truly irreplaceable.
So I could not allow it.
Valen Wirth von Benheim must remain as the Warden of the Runes, as a strategist, and must contribute to the future war against the Archmage King.
“Commander.”
“Why?”
“Swear eternal loyalty.”
“You’re insane.”
* * *
Late afternoon, after the duel had ended.
The Office of the Magic Tower.
“So, you intend to continue with this?”
Steren, the patriarch of Benheim seated at the desk, observed Valen Wirth von Benheim, the Warden of the Runes, who had just arrived at the office. Valen collapsed into the chair across from him with a hollow laugh.
“It was a wager I proposed myself, and the results were inconclusive. I have no choice but to comply with that brat Reagan’s demands.”
“Hmm….”
In truth, Steren found the outcome remarkable. Valen was of the 6th Rank, yet he excelled in combat beyond his peers. Even 7th Rank mages would find him formidable unless they employed embodiment techniques.
He was well aware that Reagan’s prowess had advanced by leaps and bounds in recent years, but he never imagined the boy could fight Valen to a draw.
“As you witnessed, no matter how I think about it, that fellow is the most suitable candidate. I’m not saying the current level of the Rune Sentinels is poor… but there’s no talent quite like him.”
Watching Valen grumble, Steren smiled warmly. Though Valen was from a cadet branch, he felt like a true younger brother to him.
Especially since it had recently been revealed that Markel, his actual younger brother, was a traitor.
“So you’ve chosen Reagan as your successor?”
“…Well, that successor of mine went and told a venerable senior to swear eternal loyalty, so there was no way to refuse. After gathering so many people like that, what else could I do? Tch.”
Valen clicked his tongue.
“Valen, I never knew you had resolved to reach the 7th Rank.”
“I wasn’t particularly interested in rank advancement. I always thought I didn’t have the caliber to become an Archmage.”
“Then why did your thinking change? Has something shifted in your heart?”
“Who knows.”
Valen sighed and gazed out the window of the Magic Tower.
The Estate was now in full bloom with summer flowers.
“Watching that brat claw his way up these past few years… I couldn’t just sit idle anymore.”
“You’re talking about Reagan?”
“Reagan too, but also Miss Renia and Young Master Arno. Even that maidservant in the Shadow Tower has reached the 6th Rank. The water’s already up to my neck.”
“Valen, you’re still strong.”
“That’s exactly it—’still’ strong.”
Fearing the talent of the late-blooming type, Valen Wirth von Benheim, that Warden of the Runes, now sought to advance his rank.
Truly, it was a sight worth living long to see.
“So now that retirement has eluded you… do you still harbor dreams of the 7th Rank?”
“I do. Once I’ve decided on something, I see it through to the end.”
“Yes. That’s always been your nature, Valen.”
“Well, for now… I’ll have to lead the Rune Sentinels as that brat Reagan demands and hope to gain enlightenment through it.”
Valen shrugged and continued.
“But then… are you truly at ease, Patriarch?”
“What do you mean?”
“That brat Reagan is only twenty-one years old. At that age, he fought the Warden of the Runes to a draw. By next year, the outcome might well be different.”
“…What problem would that pose?”
“Within the family, Reagan’s rising influence isn’t necessarily a favorable development, is it?”
At Valen’s words, Steren’s eyes narrowed.
“This incident has left Reagan with a deep impression on Benheim’s mages. Well, it wasn’t as though he hadn’t made an impression before… but this time, even the Magic Tower’s researchers witnessed it firsthand.”
“….”
“The point is, if Reagan harbors ill intentions… even the position of family head could….”
“Valen.”
Steren spoke gently.
“You sound like Allet. Are you growing senile in your old age?”
“…That sounds like quite the insult.”
“Ha. Yes, it is.”
Steren smiled with his eyes and followed Valen’s gaze. In the garden where summer flowers bloomed in full splendor, Arno and Rashek were sparring.
Both were flawless—exceptional in every way. Even by Valen’s assessment, their talents were worthy of historical record. The only problem was their point of comparison.
“…I was merely voicing my concerns.”
“Valen, in your judgment, is Reagan the sort of man to harbor malicious intent?”
“If he were, he wouldn’t have relinquished the position of Warden of the Runes.”
Upon hearing Valen’s words, Steren rose from his seat and closed the window. Then, turning back to Valen, he continued.
“I think the same way.”
* * *
After my sparring session with Valen ended.
A week passed.
There were no major changes during that time. Rather, it was a repetition of ordinary days.
Arno would visit and request a sparring match.
Renia would grab my hand and drag me off to view the flowers.
In the process, I’d discover Saya and Rashek enjoying secret meetings away from the Aconian mages and tease them about it.
Days so peaceful it seemed almost unreal continued to unfold.
Of course, from the perspective of someone like me who had returned from the future, it was the calm before the storm.
“…Still, the stares from Benheim’s people have been rather sharp.”
“What do you mean?”
“Ever since I had that intense match with Captain Valen, there have been more whispers whenever people see me.”
“What kind of woman?”
“Renia, I’m not talking about a woman.”
In truth, since I’d spent most of my time outside the family until now, it was quite likely that Benheim’s mages hadn’t paid much attention to my existence.
However, after the recent sparring match with Valen, the mages of Benheim had become acutely aware of Reagan von Benheim.
“Isn’t that good? It means everyone recognizes Reagan.”
“I suppose. I never sought recognition anyway. And those stares aren’t ones of recognition.”
“What do you mean?”
“I have no blood relation to the family.”
I’m not one to worry about others’ opinions. However, the wary gazes of the Magic Tower’s researchers were indeed uncomfortable.
The fact that Brock, a collateral mage, had doubled the frequency of his visits to flatter me was also quite bothersome.
“Reagan, don’t worry about it.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll have plenty of reasons to leave the family soon anyway.”
“You’re talking about the Alliance Subjugation Force?”
“That’s right.”
The formation of the Alliance Subjugation Force, decided two years ago at the Grand Mage Council, was now drawing near.
While it wouldn’t have been strange if it had been formed earlier, the Spiral Tower incident and the Shadow Tower incident had caused it to be delayed by a full year.
But now there was no reason to postpone it further.
“I’ll need to go deal with the curse mage in Iridia.”
The curse mage who wielded the black plague—or rather, petrification fever.
Sifting through my memories from my past life, I could vaguely infer the identity of that creature.
It was….
“Huh? Reagan, look at that.”
As I was lost in thought, Renia pointed toward the main gate of the Estate.
A carriage was entering. Its appearance was familiar to me. It was the same carriage that had come from the Shadow Tower last year.
But the person who descended from the carriage was different from last year.
Billowing—.
A woman with jet-black long hair swept toward us, her pitch-black robe fluttering in the wind.
“…Sheril?”
At first, I thought I was mistaken.
The Sheril I remembered had short hair. But the Sheril before me now… she looked entirely worthy of the title Mage Tower Lord.
“….”
Sheril, who had arrived at Benheim Estate, approached directly and stood before me. Her black eyes fixed upon me, and her gaze sharpened.
“Well, Benheim’s Son-in-law.”
Sheril opened her mouth. Her tone was distinctly different from before.
“The Queen of Shadows has graced you with her presence, yet you stand so rigidly without offering proper courtesy?”
“….”

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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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