The Strongest in Our Neighborhood - Chapter 63

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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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Our Neighborhood’s Strongest (63)
Yulian Naman, the court mage, glanced sideways at Simeus, the spirit summoner standing beside him.
“Lord Morona’s movements are a bit outside my expectations, but the more I watch, the more accustomed I become. What shall we do? Should I cast magic first, or would you prefer to move your spirit first?”
“I think it would be better if I send my spirit first and adjust to Lord Morona’s movements.”
When the spirit summoner Simeus threw the Fire Spirit that had been rolling across his palm toward the Training Grounds, the small flame expanded in size as it flew and transformed into the shape of a burning dog.
Crackle, crackle-crackle…….
The burning dog flew to Morona Valencia’s side, moving in time with his motions as it circled nearby—spraying flames in the direction his blade extended, then leaping directly into the fray, spinning once through empty air before returning.
Each time the Fire Spirit moved about and attacked, the solid stone floor of the Training Grounds blackened beneath it.
“At this rate, it seems my magic won’t even be necessary, but let’s still coordinate our efforts.”
As court mage Yulian Naman drew out his Magic Staff and chanted an incantation, crackling sparked from the jeweled section, and several bolts of lightning erupted, engulfing one side of the Training Grounds.
Boom, boom-boom…….
The ground struck by lightning exploded, sending stones scattering in all directions, but the angle had been adjusted well enough that none of the debris flew toward Morona Valencia.
Finally, Morona Valencia concentrated his Aura at the tip of his blade, layering it over the blade’s edge before swinging his sword in a sowing motion, releasing the Aura outward.
The Aura flew toward the location where Iron Pillars stood—placed there by knights for training their sword strikes.
Whistle-whistle-whip.
As the Aura swept across the Iron Pillar, three consecutive blade marks, each a knuckle’s depth, appeared in succession.
Moments later, Morona Valencia approached the Iron Pillar and examined the marks he had created, a satisfied expression crossing his face.
Had a knight been standing there, armor would have been pierced through, and the flesh and bone beneath would have been split clean.
Yulian Naman and Simeus both leaped high into the air, landing beside the Iron Pillar, where they examined the marks with wide eyes.
“Steel reinforced with runesteel—the kind that doesn’t even scratch from ordinary blade strikes—and yet marks like these! You said you gained an epiphany recently, but it seems it was no ordinary breakthrough.”
“Your attacks were formidable as well, nearly matching the marks I made with my Aura. And the Fire Spirit not only aided my offense but cut off the enemy’s escape route, while your magic limited its blast radius so that I suffered no harm whatsoever. It appears my concerns were unfounded.”
“Ha ha, I did put in some effort. What do you think? At this level, I believe we could hold our own even against a Master from another nation.”
“I agree. If the three of us work together, I think we could even contend with a Sword Master from abroad.”
Clap-clap-clap-clap…….
Just then, applause rang out, and the King and the Prime Minister appeared at the entrance to the Training Grounds.
“Ha ha, I hurried over after hearing that you three were coordinating your efforts, and what a rare sight I witnessed. It exceeded my expectations.”
“Your Majesty, when did you arrive?”
“Just now.”
“We know you followed us when we came to the Training Grounds.”
Morona Valencia shook his head as he spoke, and the King chuckled softly.
“Ah yes, you mentioned before that an unmistakable scent clings to my person. Ha ha.”
As the King approached, the three bowed respectfully.
The King surveyed the devastated Training Grounds and the marks on the Iron Pillar, his expression growing pleased.
“All three of you have exceeded my expectations. I was somewhat worried when I heard that Jang Gain had ventured into the Demon Realm, but it seems such concerns were unnecessary.”
“We have also coordinated our efforts and gained confidence that we can face Jang Gain.”
“Should the three of you defeat Jang Gain and bring honor to the Kingdom, I shall bestow upon you treasures befitting such a victory.”
“We are most grateful for your generosity, Your Majesty.”
“However, if you lose, those treasures shall go to Jang Gain instead.”
“There is no chance of the royal treasures falling to Jang Gain, Your Majesty.”
As the three displayed their confidence, the King looked at the Prime Minister with satisfaction.
“Lord Darianmun, does this ease your mind somewhat?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. It is most reassuring.”
* * *
“This is strange, somehow.”
Jang Gain tilted his head as he walked through the Palace Corridor to meet the King after entering the palace, and Eldom, walking beside him, asked.
“What seems strange?”
“Those bees…… we’re not carrying flowers or any sweet-smelling pastries, yet they’ve been circling around us constantly since a while ago.”
“Ah, what else could it be? There must be flowers somewhere in the palace or something sweet, so they’re just flying around that.”
“I suppose that could be it. But…… somehow I feel uneasy.”
“You’re probably just on edge about meeting the King and receiving your title.”
“It’s not that. Something feels off. Whenever I have this nagging feeling, there’s always something.”
Jang Gain gathered energy in his fingertips and released it, striking all the bees flying in the distance at once.
Seeing this, Eldom’s expression became bewildered.
“Did you really need to kill the bees?”
“If these were ordinary bees, they should have been reduced to dust when hit…… but the bees aren’t dead.”
“What? The bees didn’t die? Your Aura can pierce through wood, can’t it?”
“I didn’t release Aura strong enough to pierce wood, but even so, the bees should have been obliterated. This is strange.”
Jang Gain walked toward where the bees struck by his Aura had fallen and picked up several of them to examine.
“Look. They’re half-dead, but they’re still breathing.”
“They really didn’t die. How could the bees survive being hit by your Aura?”
“I’m having trouble understanding it myself right now.”
Aleingde Mir approached and examined the bees that Jang Gain was studying, his eyes widening slightly in surprise.
“These are Chimeras.”
“What? Chimeras? These bees?”
“Yes. Whoever made them has considerable skill. I’ve always thought myself second to none when it comes to Chimera crafting, but to think there exists someone with such remarkable talent out there—I’m genuinely curious who they are.”
“The shell does seem hard as metal, so it’s certainly looking like a Chimera.”
“I’d like to study them if possible. Could you spare a few?”
“They aren’t mine to give, but take them if you wish. Though with them this damaged, I’m not sure there’s much left to salvage.”
“Even if they’re half-destroyed, they’re still moving—still writhing. There’s plenty of research material here.”
“I suppose so.”
Crackle-pop-pop!
Suddenly sparks erupted from the bees’ bodies, and black smoke began to rise.
Fearing his hands would burn if he held them any longer, Jang Gain channeled his energy to lift the bees into the air, and within moments they had turned to charred ash.
“Impressive! Not only were these tiny bees crafted into Chimeras, but they had Self-Destruct Magic Circles embedded in them as well.”
Hearing Aleingde Mir’s words, Jang Gain clicked his tongue ruefully at the bees that had become ash.
“Whoever did this was exceedingly cautious. Either way, these bees seem utterly useless now.”
“It’s unfortunate, but you’re right. There’s nothing left for me to discover.”
“Who would create such Chimeras to spy on us?”
“I don’t know who, but they’re certainly one of the people most curious about you right now.”
Aleingde Mir gestured toward the Royal Palace, and Jang Gain nodded in understanding.
“That means there’s a Chimera craftsman in the palace whose skill surpasses even yours.”
“It seems quite likely.”
“Someone close to the king, then?”
“Probably.”
“The king certainly takes considerable interest in me.”
“Well, you’re a master who went to the Demon Realm and slaughtered Demonic Beasts and Magical Creatures. It would be stranger if he weren’t curious.”
* * *
‘Should I compare this to the lord of a large fortress?’
As Jang Gain sat before the throne watching the king ask him question after question, his mind was calculating the scale of the Kingdom.
It had taken twenty days on horseback to travel from the Crerarion Mountain Range to the Kingdom.
Though his journey covered only portions of the route, the various fortresses he’d observed, the population, and the weaponry of the soldiers all suggested the Kingdom was comparable in scale to one of the major cities in Zhongyuan.
‘So those three are the kingdom’s greatest swordsman, court mage, and spirit master who agreed to fight me?’
The three people standing to the king’s left and right, emanating an invisible pressure, turned their gazes toward Jang Gain.
As their eyes met, sparks seemed to fly of their own accord.
‘They look thoroughly prepared—but he said I could kill them if necessary.’
While Jang Gain considered how to fight these three, the king’s voice rang out.
“Before I grant you a peerage, I wished to first verify the strength you demonstrated in the Demon Realm. Has Johansen relayed this to you?”
“Ah, yes. I heard. And having also heard of the renown of the Three Pillars that support this kingdom, I’ve been eager for the opportunity to cross blades with them.”
“Well then, that works out well. You must be tired from your long journey, so rest well today. Shall we see your true strength tomorrow?”
“A true knight must be capable of drawing his blade at any moment, in any circumstance. I am ready this very instant.”
“Ready this instant? Heh heh. What of the rest of you? Hear how this one speaks?”
“Your Majesty, we too are ready at this very moment.”
“Very well then. No need for lengthy discussion. Go to the Training Grounds at once.”
“Yes, sire.”
The king rose from his throne, the three followed, and numerous officials and courtiers filed in behind them.
Jang Gain departed with the procession toward the Training Grounds and soon found himself face to face with the three in its center.
“Now we make proper introductions. I am Morona Valencia, whom people graciously call the kingdom’s greatest swordsman.”
“I am Yulian Naman, court mage. Having heard from His Majesty that you ventured into the Demon Realm, I harbor considerable expectations—do not disappoint me.”
“I am the spirit master Simeus. If you wish to live, you’d best give your all.”
Jang Gain tilted his head upon witnessing their confidence.
“Though you’ve heard I ventured into the Demon Realm, your confidence is remarkable. I’m truly curious whether you possess the strength to back such assurance. Shall we begin now?”
“Heh heh, we’re already prepared. Begin when you’re ready.”
Yulian Naman the court mage and Simeus the spirit master both retreated several steps almost simultaneously, while Morona Valencia stepped forward with sword drawn.
Jang Gain drew his own blade and drew up the energy from his Elixir Field.
‘Since he said I could kill them—I suppose I should demonstrate the Death Flower right from the start.’
Step.
The moment he took a single stride forward, the ten-meter distance between them vanished, and a magnificent flower of sword energy bloomed from Jang Gain’s blade.
Witnessing the flower made of sword energy, Morona Valencia gasped and swung his sword, from which three strands of Aura erupted.
Whoooosh—
Just before the two forces collided, Simeus, who had been backing away, threw a small fireball that swiftly expanded into a flame-wreathed hound.
Crackle, crackle, crackle…….
And from the Magic Staff of Yulian Naman, who had been backpedaling into the distance, sparks erupted before lightning surged forth in an instant, streaking toward Jang Gain.
‘If I unleash the Death Flower as things stand, I can deal a mortal blow to this knight Morona, but I’ll take considerable damage in the process.’
Jang Gain watched the flame hound rushing from his right, the lightning bolt flying in from his left, and the sword energy thrusting at him from ahead, then split the petals of the Death Flower into three strands.
Normally, dividing sword energy this precisely would demand enormous effort, but since stepping with one foot into the Absolute Realm, his control of energy had become fluid, allowing him to split it effortlessly.
As the petals divided into three, the sword too seemed to split into three, and Jang Gain’s body became three, as if creating afterimages of himself.
Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang…….
In a fraction of a second, the three divided forms merged back into one, leaving only the petals, and the petal that collided with the sword energy, the petal that collided with the flame hound, and the petal that collided with the lightning burst apart in sequence.

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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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