The Son-In-Law of the Magician Is a Transcendent Sword Master - Chapter 147
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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 147
“…That’s bad.”
Renia spoke softly, and I found myself instinctively stepping backward.
Through our time together, I’d come to know all too well when Renia said such things and made such expressions.
This was the kind of reaction I only saw when I wore the face of someone reminiscing about my past life.
In other words, Renia’s current displeasure had crossed into dangerous territory.
“Um, Renia…?”
“You said you’d let me have the first move, and I was planning to start impressively… but you’ve just made me look foolish.”
Renia’s gaze turned glacial. I offered an awkward smile, but even that seemed to register as provocation in her eyes.
“Is this funny?”
“…No, that’s not what I meant….”
I trailed off and glanced around. I’d hoped Valen, serving as the referee, might intervene, but he wore nothing but a sly grin.
“Sigh….”
Meanwhile, Sheril, seated in the front row, let out a heavy sigh and pressed her hand to her forehead.
I wanted to protest something to Sheril, but we were in the middle of a match. More importantly, I was standing on the platform.
‘This is awkward….’
To be honest, I had gotten a bit carried away myself.
Elated at having crudely manifested Dispel, I’d scattered Renia’s magic far more thoroughly than necessary.
It was only natural that Renia would be upset. From her perspective, she’d finally wanted to have an impressive match with me, only to have her magic dismissed with two finger snaps before she could even manifest it.
‘…Should I just let her win after all…?’
As I lowered my hands with that thought, Sheril’s voice suddenly echoed in my mind.
– ‘Well, that may not be such a terrible choice, though….’
My eyes widened. Sheril’s lips hadn’t moved at all, yet her voice resonated clearly in my head.
When I looked at her, she shrugged and explained.
– ‘Think of it as simple telepathy. It’s called Whispered Transmission—classified as a high-tier secret art. Well, your Mana Core couldn’t learn it anyway, so for now just listen.’
It seemed Sheril had taken on the role of advisor.
– ‘Your instinct to let Miss Renia win is sound judgment. After all, as they say, marital disputes are best resolved without bloodshed.’
“….”
– ‘However, this is a poor move. At least for Miss Renia.’
A poor move?
With that thought, I looked at Renia and immediately grasped what Sheril meant.
“…What is it, Reagan? You’re not thinking of forfeiting, are you?”
“….”
If I fled through forfeiture in this situation, it would only fan the flames of Renia’s anger.
She’d always been a woman with fierce competitive spirit. She remembered the face of the Black Mage who’d once insulted her and pursued him relentlessly for months—such was her obsession and stubbornness. It was true in my past life, and how much more so now, when she was younger?
– ‘You must not give Miss Renia the impression that you’re going easy on her. Face her with your full strength. That’s the only way to smooth over the current situation.’
Full strength. Crushing my wife Renia with everything I have.
That would… create several problems for my reputation, wouldn’t it?
No, it wasn’t about reputation. A sense of unease bloomed—Steren would certainly object, and Allet wouldn’t let me off easy either.
But the real problem lay elsewhere. Simply giving my all didn’t seem like it would fully resolve Renia’s current mood.
– “Yes. I understand that concern as well.”
Sheril sent a telepathic message, having read the thoughts behind my expression.
– “But do not worry. The Shadow Queen, worth ten thousand soldiers, stands beside you. I shall be of service. Let us first resolve the immediate problem at hand, and we can soothe Renia afterward.”
Sheril’s voice, as she lauded herself as ten thousand soldiers and the Shadow Queen, sounded like a demon’s temptation, yet….
– “Did I not offer you counsel when we visited the Imperial Mage Tower’s Treasure Vault? Trust me. I am, in my own way, well-versed in matters of the female heart.”
“…Tsk.”
When I had gifted the wedding ring before, Renia had leaped with joy. Sheril’s advice had already proven its effectiveness to some degree.
In the end, I decided to follow Sheril’s words.
“Renia, from this moment on, I will… defeat you in exactly one minute.”
“Hmm. Quite confident, aren’t you? Will it truly happen that way?”
“It will.”
I extended both hands. I could not wield a sword. However, with a dual-core Mana Core, I could cast different schools of magic from each hand without needing to hold a blade in my right hand.
I manifested spectral magic in my left hand and Rune magic in my right.
And I advanced forward.
It took exactly fifty-five seconds for me to seize victory over Renia.
* * *
Within one corner of the Five Great Houses.
The Airid Duchy, which alongside Benheim led the great carriage of the Great Mage Alliance as a dual-headed team.
Yusephin Lumina Airid, the heir to that house, had been quite satisfied with the changes that had recently occurred within her.
‘5th Rank… that is a magnificent realm.’
Just two years ago, during the Council meeting, Yusephin had remained at 3rd Rank. However, the moment her black plague was completely cured, she broke through the barrier that had constrained her and reached 5th Rank in one swift leap.
She had surpassed two ranks in two years. That speed was nearly unprecedented in this generation, save for Reagan and Renia.
Of course, because her growth had stagnated for so long due to the black plague, Yusephin’s current level was not particularly outstanding among the later-generation prodigies.
‘…Reagan is likely the strongest here.’
Reagan von Benheim. He was already a genius who had reached the early stages of 5th Rank two years ago when the Council was held, and he even had the record of defeating Kail Airid, the Remnant Squad Commander who was 6th Rank at that time.
There was no explanation for it save “beyond the heavens.” Thus, Yusephin thought that even if she were to meet Reagan at this exchange and suffer defeat, it would be only natural, and she was even prepared to welcome such an outcome.
However, Yusephin suffered a devastating defeat not to Reagan, but to his wife, Renia.
‘…I was completely overwhelmed.’
Of course, given the stark difference in rank between Yusephin and Renia, she had never expected to win.
But she had not anticipated being crushed so unilaterally that the match itself could not even be established. It was such a perfect defeat that she was grateful Oswald, the family head and her father, was not present—a humiliation that could be called the shame of the Airid Duchy.
Yet Yusephin did not despair. Rather, she wished to work harder and stand shoulder to shoulder with Renia. Renia was Yusephin’s dear friend. She could not harbor inferiority toward such a person.
“…The victor is Reagan von Benheim.”
However, contrary to such resolve, Renia, who had overwhelmed Yusephin, was likewise overwhelmed by her husband Reagan.
Witnessing that duel before her eyes, Yusephin could only be astounded. Clearly, the two of them were both 6th Rank, yet their caliber differed.
It was wondrous that Reagan could employ Dispel at the 6th Rank level, but what surprised Yusephin even more was the mastery of spectral magic that Reagan displayed.
‘…He surpassed even the Elders of our house.’
Considering spectral magic alone, since Reagan had not learned the Airid Family’s mana meditation technique, his execution carried a certain roughness. However, Reagan bridged that gap through a remarkable method of pre-storing the necessary hues in Eclara and Barrier Stones.
Above all, Reagan possessed exceptional judgment. He instinctively knew which combination of hues to employ in any given situation. That was not something obtainable through ordinary training—it was a practical technique born from real combat experience.
‘…Indeed, I still fall short.’
Before participating in the Alliance Subjugation Force’s inauguration ceremony, Yusephin had believed herself to be nearly a genius.
However, today Yusephin realized that had been a misconception. She had witnessed the heavens beyond heaven, and Yusephin was nothing but a frog in a well. Even Rashek, the successor of Maelrn, stood at a higher rank than her.
Yet she had no intention of stopping. Rather, it became excellent motivation. Having fallen behind, Yusephin resolved to train harder than anyone else and chase after their backs.
—Clap, clap, clap.
Just as she solidified this resolve, applause echoed through the hall.
The exchange tournament had ended.
Since Reagan had not been an official participant, the tournament’s champion was Renia Benheim, though most of the audience regarded Reagan as the true victor.
“Ah.”
Yusephin suddenly recalled the wedding from before. The newlywed couple had vanished so suddenly that she hadn’t even managed a proper greeting, and the gift she’d carefully prepared went undelivered.
Moreover, they were her lifesavers. This would be a good opportunity to express her belated gratitude.
With that thought, Yusephin made her way behind the tournament platform to offer her thanks.
But then….
“Huh?”
Yusephin’s brow furrowed. In the waiting room behind the stage, Reagan sat in a chair, flanked by two women.
Yusephin recognized both women instantly.
‘…One is the Shadow Tower Lord.’
Recently, the most talked-about figure in the Great Mage Alliance alongside Reagan.
Sheril, who had reached 6th Rank at a young age and become the master of a Mage Tower.
Then Yusephin’s gaze shifted to the pale-skinned woman.
‘Could that be… the head of the Aconia Family…?’
Yusephin had heard tales of the Aconia Family, said to wield the most lethal poisons in the Empire.
And not long ago, she’d learned that Aconia had established an encampment on the Benheim Estate.
Then why were these two powerhouses clinging so closely to Reagan’s side?
‘Hmm….’
The three seemed absorbed in conversation, unaware of Yusephin’s arrival. She carefully stopped in her tracks and listened intently.
“So, Reagan. To ease Miss Renia’s heart, it’s important to make her feel respected and loved.”
“So Sheril, what I’m asking is how to do that.”
“Simple. Knock her down, Duke Reagan.”
“Saya, be quiet.”
“It’s not wrong. Isn’t it said that marital discord melts away like snow on a bed?”
“Duke Reagan, there is another method. Among the poisons Aconia prides itself on, there is one with a side effect that promotes love….”
“Saya, you’re actually enjoying this situation, aren’t you?”
“…Yes.”
Eavesdropping on this conversation, Yusephin grew even more bewildered.
What kind of discussion was this, where words like “knock her down” and “promote love” were casually exchanged?
“Ahem… ahem….”
Unable to contain herself any longer, she cleared her throat to draw attention. Only then did three pairs of eyes turn toward Yusephin, and she asked carefully.
“…Um, what exactly is going on here, Reagan?”
At Yusephin’s question, Reagan’s face twisted into an expression of discomfort.
However, the Shadow Tower Lord Sheril clapped her hands as if struck by a brilliant idea, regarding Yusephin with interest.
“Now that I think about it… Miss Yusephin Airid has been acquainted with Miss Renia since the last Council meeting, haven’t you? She’s mentioned you several times. Is that correct?”
“…Hmm. I suppose that’s one way to look at it…?”
Yusephin nodded as if entranced, and Sheril let out a knowing chuckle.
“Then, Yusephin Airid, will you participate in our strategy meeting?”
“Strategy… meeting? What kind of strategy?”
“A plan to enrich the relationship between Reagan and Renia. In other words… Operation Cupid.”
Sheril grinned as she spoke.
“What’s that? Sounds fun.”
Yusephin’s heart began to race.
* * *
And so I found myself watching three women engaged in an animated discussion right before my eyes.
Though if one were to ask whether this discussion was actually productive, I could only shake my head in doubt.
“Reagan, the gift approach has already been tried before. It’s bound to be ineffective. We need to devise a different strategy.”
Sheril opened the discussion first.
“Sheril is right. I agree entirely. For the past few months, Rashek has been bringing strange trinkets as gifts almost daily… At first I was delighted, but lately it feels no more exciting than a cat bringing dead mice to its owner.”
Saya chimed in with her nonsensical agreement.
“What if you just ignored him for a few days and left him alone? I find it most comfortable when I don’t worry about others and just stay by myself.”
Yusephin offered advice that was entirely in character with her personality, yet completely beside the point.
In essence…
“You three aren’t helping at all, are you?”
They were simply saying whatever they wanted to say.
Two hours had passed since the gathering ended and Renia, completely sulking, had retreated to her room and locked the door firmly behind her.
Sheril, Saya, and Yusephin had rushed in, racking their brains to figure out how to lift Renia’s spirits, but this was the result.
…Yes.
They were utterly useless.
“That’s harsh language. The Shadow Queen is offering you counsel directly, is she not?”
“Sheril, you only call yourself a queen when it’s convenient for you, don’t you?”
“….”
Sheril fell silent. If I pressed further, she would undoubtedly escape with some nonsense about how the Shadow Queen must be taciturn.
It wasn’t just Sheril either. Saya was spouting nonsense about how physical communication was best, while Yusephin seemed to be simply enjoying the situation itself.
“…Forget it. I don’t need your advice.”
After all, this mess was my doing. To lift Renia’s spirits, I needed to…
“So the idea is to make her realize she’s loved by me…?”
“Precisely. You’ve been treating her well all along, but… given that you’re newlyweds, it might be good to approach her a bit more actively.”
Come to think of it, this was similar to what had worked back at the Aconia Encampment. Renia’s mood always improved most when I expressed my feelings honestly.
Having made my decision, I stood up.
“Ah, should I take this with me?”
“No need. Feed that suspicious poison to Rashek instead.”
At my words, Saya gazed seriously at the poison bottle as if considering it, while Yusephin’s silver eyes gleamed with interest as she asked me.
“So what are you going to do now?”
“…I think I’ll go out for a bit.”
Just as the Renia of my past life once gazed at the stars with me.
I too have memories built with Renia in this life.
I intend to retrieve those fragments now—awkward though it may be—and bring them into this present existence.
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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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