The Son-In-Law of the Magician Is a Transcendent Sword Master - Chapter 28

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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 28

“The organization Markel belongs to seems to have made its nest in Mist Valley, in the southwestern part of the Empire.”

“Mist Valley…”

“Do you know that place?”

“Yes, well…”

It was a familiar place name.

It was the escape route that Renia’s Resistance chose after being defeated in their final all-out battle against the Archmage King.

At the end of that valley, we enjoyed a night’s reprieve and died gloriously fighting against the Archmage King.

In other words, the place where I died—you could call it my grave.

“Markel is scheduled to meet with black mages from other regions in Mist Valley. They seem to be plotting something. If we raid that scene, Benheim will catch two rabbits at once.”

“An excellent opportunity.”

“Indeed. We absolutely cannot let it slip by.”

The black mage Markel was the one who cooperated with the Archmage King in my previous life to assassinate Stern. He would be a more valuable target than Elder Beron, who couldn’t reveal any information due to the prohibition spell.

“What do you plan to do, Lord?”

“I plan to dispatch the Rune Surveillance Unit to hunt them down.”

‘The Rune Surveillance Unit…’

I had heard about them several times from Renia in my previous life as well.

– The Rune Surveillance Unit. It’s a mage corps made up of only Benheim’s finest elites. Well, from my childhood perspective, it was just a gathering of eccentrics.

Only mages with the most exceptional talents among the branch families could join after having their abilities recognized—the ultimate goal and object of admiration for everyone who came to Benheim.

With such elite forces from Benheim taking action, there shouldn’t be much worry about the success or failure of the operation.

However…

“Lord, could I perhaps join as well?”

Stern let out a chuckle as if he had expected my request.

“Indeed. Reagan, why do you want to participate in this operation?”

“Well… That bastard Markel targeted Renia anyway. As Renia’s fiancé, wouldn’t it be proper for me to punish them?”

“I admire that resolve. But this operation isn’t like the Hunting Festival or the outing you had with Renia this morning. They’re cornered rats. Cornered rats bite cats. It will be dangerous.”

“I’ll be a more fearsome beast than a cat.”

Stern chuckled at my retort.

“Well, I agree with that. But if Renia finds out that you’re participating in a dangerous operation, won’t she be angry?”

“Hmm…”

That was certainly true.

Given Renia’s personality, she would naturally be furious.

“Well, if she doesn’t find out…”

“Are you already planning to lie to your fiancée? And in front of her father at that?”

“But didn’t Renia also go outside the family territory on her own this time? Let’s call it marital harmony.”

When I replied nonchalantly, Stern shook his head vigorously.

It seemed he still wasn’t entirely pleased about me becoming his son-in-law.

However, after a moment, Stern smiled broadly and spoke.

“Don’t worry. Arno and Renia will also accompany this operation.”

“Are you serious? Didn’t you say it was a dangerous operation?”

“It is dangerous. However, the black mages’ plans have already surfaced. After being attacked at the Hunting Festival, I have no intention of keeping my children in a safe place. They’re the heirs who will lead Benheim in the future, so they need to gain real combat experience against black mages while we have this opportunity.”

Stern paused to choose his words before adding.

“However, Renia and Arno will move with the safe main force under the escort of my direct mage corps. But Reagan, you’re different. You have the talent that the Rune Surveillance Unit needs. So if you’re willing…”

“That’s exactly what I want.”

The corners of Stern’s eyes curved with satisfaction.

“I knew you’d say that. I already told the Rune Surveillance Unit to reserve a spot for you.”

* * *

The Rune Surveillance Unit headquarters occupied the entire underground level of a towering magic tower attached to the Benheim estate, located neither in the main house nor the separate residence.

Creak.

As the heavy door opened, the headquarters was revealed. The interior was rather crude for being the headquarters of elite mages.

However, the people inside were anything but crude.

About a dozen mages were looking at me, and all of them were at least 5th-tier or higher.

Recalling the prestige that 5th-tier mages held during my days as a wandering mercenary, this place with dozens of such powerful individuals gathered was like a den of monsters.

“…”

However, their gazes toward me were far from friendly.

Rather, they were sharp. It was crystal clear that they didn’t welcome me.

Well, from their perspective, I was just a commoner-born brat who had stolen Renia away. An unwelcome intruder who had barged into the Rune Surveillance Unit under Stern’s protection.

‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’

It was similar treatment when Renia brought me to the resistance in my previous life. There was bound to be extreme opposition when a wandering mercenary of unclear origins was made a leader of the resistance.

Compared to that time, the current reaction was actually quite friendly.

As I waited for guidance, someone approached me. It was a middle-aged man with impressive faded golden hair.

“So, you’re the kid who’s supposed to come today?”

“…Valen.”

“What? Did Sheril already tell you my name? How boring.”

I knew the name of this rough middle-aged man who was scratching the back of his head as if annoyed.

Valen Wird von Benheim.

In my memory, Valen was an elderly mage whose hair had turned white with age, but even in this past timeline, his features and face shape remained the same.

‘The resistance’s strategist.’

Renia’s Resistance was a collective of people from all walks of life, but its leadership was largely occupied by survivors of the Benheim Count’s family.

Among them, Valen Benheim was the most capable. His mastery at the peak of the 6th tier was quite impressive, but his ability to read the overall situation was particularly outstanding.

Valen’s contribution was significant in preventing Renia’s Resistance from suffering major defeats while facing the Archmage King’s great army.

‘In the end, it was this old man who bought us time to escape.’

When the Royal Court fell and the final battle with the Archmage King took place.

Even as the resistance was annihilated, Renia and I were able to safely withdraw from the front lines thanks to Valen and the royal guard including Brock sacrificing their lives to buy us time.

Therefore, aside from the minor flaws of having a foul mouth and being obsessed with alcohol, he was quite an important connection for me as well.

Meeting him again, I couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

“…What’s with that old man-like smile?”

Valen frowned and extended his hand for a handshake. His palm was covered with scars. It was proof that his past life hadn’t been smooth sailing.

I might not know about mages, but for mercenaries at least, rough hands were something to welcome. Renia’s hands in my previous life were like that too.

“Anyway, let me introduce myself properly. My name is Valen. I’m currently serving as the captain of the 1st squad of the Rune Surveillance Unit. It’s the squad you’ll be assigned to, so remember it well.”

“My name is Reagan.”

“I know. The thief who stole away Miss Renia—the rumors are already spreading throughout the family.”

Valen gripped my hand tightly and squinted one eye with interest.

“So, the Lord said you have ‘intuition.'”

“Intuition?”

“Yes. He said you’re exceptionally good at sniffing out the scent of black magic. Wasn’t it all your doing that led to instantly seeing through the true identities of Markel Benheim and Elder Beron? Am I mistaken?”

It seemed that the ‘intuition’ Valen was talking about was exactly the talent needed by the Rune Surveillance Unit that Stern had mentioned earlier.

Well, it was true that I was good at detecting the scent of black magic.

“Yes. I have pretty good instincts.”

“Ha, you’ve got some guts at least. Not very mage-like.”

Valen seemed to like me as he raised the corners of his mouth and grabbed my shoulder.

“Let me introduce you properly. These guys here are your seniors. I’d recommend not trying to get too friendly with them. There aren’t many normal ones among them.”

I could tell just by looking.

Their gazes toward me were hostile.

“They might look like a ragtag bunch to you, but this is still a unit composed of only Benheim’s finest elites. Keep in mind that it’s already a great privilege for a greenhorn like you to set foot in this place.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Most importantly.”

Valen pointed right at my face and added.

“Just because you’re Miss Renia’s fiancé doesn’t mean we’ll go easy on you. Once you’ve entered this place, you’re a mage first before being Benheim’s son-in-law. So if you can’t prove your worth in this operation, I’ll use every means at my disposal to kick you out of the Rune Surveillance Unit. Keep that in mind.”

Valen’s temperament seemed to remain the same even in this past timeline.

However, this person was ultimately a loyal retainer among loyal retainers who sacrificed his life to protect Renia until the very end. I had no reason to keep my distance from Valen.

“I look forward to working with you, Vice-Captain.”

“…Hmph.”

At my cheeky response, Valen merely snorted.

* * *

When they first heard the order from Stern, the Rune Surveillance Unit strongly opposed it.

“You want to bring a mere 3rd-tier brat into the Rune Surveillance Unit? That’s absurd.”

The Rune Surveillance Unit was Benheim’s elite force. The minimum requirement for entry was 5th-tier. Moreover, Reagan was an outsider mage who had just received Benheim’s surname.

Of course, there were certainly outsiders in the Rune Surveillance Unit who didn’t bear Benheim’s name. However, they were veterans who had been recognized for their exceptional talent, entered Benheim, and proven their worth over decades.

It wasn’t a position for a brat who had just reached 3rd-tier to covet.

However, despite Valen’s opposition, Stern’s will remained firm.

“Valen, I’ll say this clearly. You’re going to like Reagan.”

“Just being good at sniffing out black magic isn’t everything. What kind of operation are we supposed to conduct with a 3rd-tier kid? He’s even the family head’s son-in-law. What if something happens to him? Miss Renia will strangle me.”

That vehement opposition had been just a day ago.

“…Hmm.”

However, having actually faced Reagan in person, Valen had no choice but to revise yesterday’s assessment.

“You’ve only been learning magic for four months?”

“Yes.”

“Really?”

“That’s correct.”

“Look me straight in the eye and tell me. Has it really only been four months?”

“I’ve been looking straight at you this whole time.”

Valen frowned as he observed the magic Reagan had unleashed.

Kenaz. Isa. Hagalaz.

These were rune letters considered the most basic in Benheim’s unique magic system.

However, the grade of the rune letters wasn’t what mattered now.

“You bastard, where did you learn multiple casting?”

What mattered was that Reagan had unleashed these rune letters all at once.

It was rare enough for a 3rd-tier mage to use multiple casting, yet this guy had manifested three spells simultaneously despite having just reached 3rd-tier. All of this had happened in just four months since he began learning magic.

No matter how much the family head had fed him those precious elixirs, multiple casting was a matter of innate talent and sense.

Valen had never seen talent of this caliber in his lifetime.

Indeed, Valen could understand why Stern had taken Reagan as his son-in-law.

“Well, I just tried it and it worked.”

What Valen liked most of all was this boy Reagan’s disposition.

He’d heard Reagan was from a mercenary background, and perhaps because of that, he was refreshingly straightforward.

There was no trace of unnecessary aristocratic etiquette or a mage’s arrogance—just an extremely practical way of thinking.

As a mage, he was disqualified.

However, as a magic user, he was quite excellent.

In other words, he was talent perfectly suited for the Rune Surveillance Unit.

“Hey.”

“What?”

“You.”

Valen raised his finger and pointed at Reagan.

“I’ll forge you into a useful blade.”

His competitive spirit was aroused.

He wanted to see just how far this prodigiously talented brat that the family head had picked up could grow.

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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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