Chapter 107: Ascalon (2)

Chapter 107: Ascalon (2)

TL/Editor: Rungir

Schedule: none

Illustrations: none

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"Your Highness, would you consider visiting Ascalon?"

Alstein's demeanor had changed significantly since their last meeting.

The domineering attitude that had subtly underlain their encounter at Chimseong Palace was now completely gone.

He also refrained from mentioning any qualifications or tests.

Upon first seeing Zion, he immediately bowed with utmost politeness, a behavior he maintained throughout.

Clearly, he had made some kind of decision in the meantime.

Of course, this decision seemed to favor Zion.

'Well, I had been expecting this since the grand banquet.'

Alstein was the first to react when the chandelier fell. Such speed was impossible unless he had been paying attention to Zion all along.

"What's the reason?"

"The head of our house wishes to meet you," Alstein promptly replied to Zion's question.

A similar reason to before.

In any family, the final decision-maker was, after all, the head of the household.

It seemed the head had mostly made up his mind but wanted to meet Zion in person for final assurance.

"The head of the house wants to see me, you say..."

Muttering to himself, Zion looked at Alstein and then broke into a wry smile, continuing.

"But you know, something seems wrong. If you want to see me, shouldn't you be the one to come? Isn't Ascalon a noble house? Then why should I, a member of the imperial family, be the one to visit?"

Alstein's expression stiffened at Zion's question.

Technically, Zion was right, considering the fundamental structure of statuses.

Apart from Ascalon being one of the special five great families and its head being one of the 'Seven Heavens', there was no excuse.

In fact, it wouldn't be unusual for a royal to visit the head of such a prestigious family, but such a fundamental question left Alstein speechless.

"Currently, our head is in a state where he cannot leave the family grounds."

"Why is that?"

Zion asked sharply, as if he had been waiting for this question.

He already knew why the head of Ascalon couldn't come personally and had to summon Zion instead.

Yet he kept asking, for one reason.

A test.

'If he tells the truth here, I might trust him.'

It would mean that he had decided to join forces with Zion, revealing secrets like a family's disgrace.

Alstein, unaware of Zion's thoughts, fell silent for a moment, conflict apparent in his eyes.

After a pause, Alstein slowly opened his mouth,

"...Currently, our lord's health is in critical condition."

A satisfying answer flowed out for Zion.

---

---

In the outskirts of the capital Hubris, there existed a slum area.

In that slum, on the outskirts, stood a woman with silver hair shimmering like the faint stars of dawn in front of an old abandoned factory.

Silently, with a settled gaze, she stared at the factory.

"Is this the place you mentioned... one of the secret branches of the demons hiding in the empire?"

Another woman with fiery red hair tied back tightly asked this, pointing at the factory. It was Rain Dranir.

"Yes."

The woman nodded slightly in response.

Rain Dranir and the woman were here to annihilate the demons inside the factory. The woman knew that these demons belonged to Oma-ryeong, particularly under the command of Tarahal, who currently controlled the Fourth Prince's body. She was also aware that weakening Tarahal's forces now would save them much trouble later.

That's why they had set aside other matters to come here first.

"Then let's go in right away."

At the woman's answer, Rain grinned and adjusted the spear resting on her shoulder.

They were about to take on an unknown number of demons alone, but there was no fear in her eyes. Her combat prowess had improved tremendously compared to the past.

Especially since being with this woman, Rain's skills had soared insanely, as if all her previous limits had been lifted.

'Besides...'

Another thing was that the woman's combat abilities far surpassed Rain's own. Rain was certain she couldn't even come close to the woman's level. A being beyond what even the word 'genius' could convey.

'Well, that's to be expected, I guess.'

Rain thought this as she looked at the woman.

Boom!

Suddenly, a massive explosion erupted from the factory, sending plumes of acrid smoke billowing above.

"!"

With that, both the woman and Rain's eyes turned icy.

As if on cue, they surged toward the factory.

Contrary to her worries, Zion simply agreed.

After all, the person who most wanted to see him was the head of the house.

Delaying the meeting like this must mean there was a significant reason.

'Given that it can't be discussed in front of others, it's probably about the head's health.'

The condition of the head of the house was a highly kept secret within the Ascalon family.

"Th-thank you! Your Highness, let's start this way."

Surprised, Rohanna skillfully began to guide Zion.

"Our Ascalon ancestors established this family after vanquishing an evil dragon. Therefore, there is a dragon vein running beneath our land, and we have facilities related to it..."

Starting with the family's origins, her explanations flowed smoothly.

It seemed well-prepared for today, and Zion listened, finding interesting settings he hadn't known when reading the chronicles.

After a while,

"They spar in an unusual way?"

Zion spoke upon noticing something ahead.

His eyes caught the sight of people sparring in a massive training ground.

It would have been a common sight in a martial house, but one particular aspect drew Zion's attention.

They were not using mana at all.

Normally, a swordsman of a certain level would naturally move mana without even thinking.

However, the people on the training ground were suppressing even that, competing solely with physical strength.

"It's called 'Ki-Mu' () sparring," Rohanna explained next to him.

"It's a training method to suppress one's energy to the maximum and heighten physical senses to the extreme."

Then,

"His Highness Prince Zion Agnes!"

A man who appeared to be the senior among those in the training ground spotted Zion and greeted him.

The man had short hair and an image that was both simple and passionate.

"I am Lucas Ascalon!"

It was a name Zion was familiar with.

A name mentioned several times in the chronicles.

'A genius among geniuses, who reached the 11th rank in the family's martial strength hierarchy at just thirty.'

Hence, the strongest military forces of the empire like the Agnes Knights, the Ashen Lion Corps, were eager to scout him, but he had refused them all, claiming he wasn't ready and continued training with his family.

But Zion knew.

Lucas Ascalon already belonged to a martial group.

And it was the very group Zion was planning to take over this time.

"I have heard much of Your Highness's recent exploits. Especially the heroic tale of defeating Lergan Urschler and Icarus with just two men was truly remarkable!

And before that, the subjugation of the phantom army..."

Lucas continued, his words not mere flattery but genuine admiration.

His eyes sparkled as he spoke, proving his sincerity.

"You seem to know quite a lot?"

Zion asked, looking at him with a languid gaze as Lucas's words flowed endlessly.

"Haha, personally, I'm a big fan of the achievements of Your Highness."

Lucas's eyes shone brightly as he spoke.

"So, Your Highness, if it's not too much of a bother, may I make a request?"

He followed with a question.

"Go ahead."

Despite the abruptness of the request at their first meeting, Zion nodded, having an idea of what it might be.

In the chronicles, Lucas Ascalon was described as someone who greatly enjoyed combat.

There was only one request he could possibly make of Zion.

"I heard Your Highness also wields a sword. In that case... would you honor me with a Ki-Mu sparring match? I would like to learn from you!"

A direct and almost rude request.

Yet, it was a pure offer, free of any ulterior motives.

His eyes held nothing but the desire to see Zion's swordsmanship.

"!"

Expectation lit up in the eyes of Rohanna and everyone around, including Lucas.

It was a match between the greatest genius of the Ascalon family and a direct descendant of the Agnes lineage, currently making a name for himself.

It was impossible not to be excited.

'Of course, it would end there if Prince Zion refused.'

The eyes of the people naturally focused on Zion.

Receiving their gazes, Zion, after a moment of silence,

"Let's do it."

Answered with a slight smile.

They might end up working together in the future.

It wouldn't hurt to see his skills in advance.