Ch. 35

'The family's swordsmanship?'What's that? Is it like Aunt Ilya's secret recipe or what?

At that time, Ex interjected as if find me hopeless. 

[All families have their own fighting technique with a sword called family's swordsmanship. Among them, Ferdinand's swordsmanship is famous for having the strongest murderous intent. Also...]

And Ex vibrated. 

[As the Guardian said, that's not something you can teach to just anyone. Usually, it is passed down to those who have a qualified bloodline. So that kid unfortunately cannot learn the family's swordsmanship.]

I looked at Remart. 

My grandfather took a sip of tea before continuing in a graceful manner. 

"So I'm afraid that I can't grant your wishes..."

"I'm not asking you to teach me your family's swordsmanship. The royal family also has our own swordsmanship style. What I want from Ferdinand is..."

Remart's red eyes glistened. 

"A teacher who can help me rebuild my foundation and provide guidance."

There was a moment of silence in the room. 

It didn't take long for my grandfather to open his mouth again. 

"I don't understand. I'm sure there are skilled people in the palace, and I know that your swordsmanship teacher is an excellent man."

"He teaches both me and my brother."

"Yes, however-"

"Duke Ferdinand, as a citizen of the Kalixt Empire, you are surely aware that this empire only passes the throne to the emperor's children who possess exceptional skill."

Come to think of it, I've heard of it before.

'I think Uncle Peter told me a long time ago.'

It was a fact that every citizen of the Kalixt Empire would know regardless of their status. The Kalixt Empire was able to live up to its name as the strongest nation in existence.

The reason why the Kalixt Empire maintained a strong national force was because of the 'competition' between the royal family members.

The winner of that competition would become the emperor. One had to possess great intellect and strong power to be able to rise to the throne.

Therefore, the emperor would hold a contest that only the royal family members could participate in order to select the crown prince.

The contest usually consisted of three stages, and the stages varied from time to time. 

'But whatever the stages are, the main purpose is to find the strongest royal family member.'

So that they could bequeath the throne to the strongest royal family member. Sᴇaʀch* Thᴇ NƟvelFɪre.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

That was common knowledge that every citizen of the Kalixt Empire knew. 

Just try to ask a random four-year-old on the street. I'm sure they know about it.

[What if they don't know?]

Never mind that, I think this must be the reason why Remart asked my dad to make a sword for him. He must've been gearing up for the contest.

"I'm still young, and His Majesty is still very healthy, so the contest won't be held for at least the next ten years. But if I wait until then, it'll be too late."

"Your Highness."

"I will beat my brother and ascend the throne. In order to do that, I need my own sword, not a common one."

Remart got up from his seat and pointed a finger at me. 

"What I want is simple. I heard that she is the only granddaughter of the Ferdinand family. So it is customary for your family to teach her the family's swordsmanship."

....Huh?

"In order to teach a kid who doesn't know anything about swordsmanship, you must start by training her physical strength, and slowly teach her basic skills. I want to be there during the process. You don't have to teach me your family's swordsmanship."

Remart emphasized further. 

"I want to be trained at Ferdinand. With this kid."

Me???

Remart nodded. 

Huh? Are you sure?

I looked left and right in case he referred to someone else, but there was no one else but me on this sofa. So it was me whom he referred to as the only granddaughter of the Ferdinand family.

'But what is this all about?'

I looked at Remart and my grandfather with a face filled with confusion. 

Am I learning swordsmanship? Me?

So are you saying I have to learn swordsmanship at Ferdinand Residence, and take class together with the second prince?

Huh?

"You didn't ask for my consent!"

When did you ever talk to me about this?

[Well, isn't it obvious...]

I swallowed the hot chocolate that nearly flowed out of my mouth out of shock. Everything was so absurd that I almost spat it out. 

My grandfather chimed in before I could hurl another question. 

"It's only been a day since Eve returned to our family. I haven't even officially announced her return yet."

"Yeah."

"Please give me time to consider. I still have a lot to deal with after this. I have to announce that my granddaughter is alive, and help her to adjust to the new environment."

My grandfather looked at me with a tender gaze and said.

"Until then, I have no intention to urge her to learn swordsmanship."

Um, but I don't have any intention of learning.

My grandfather looked at me tenderly as if he was really considerate toward me.

As if he was saying, 'Yes, sweetie, I understand everything you have in mind'. 

I couldn't bring myself to interrupt their conversation further, so I whispered to Ex, who was placed on the sofa.

'Ex, do all the noble offsprings have to learn swordsmanship?'

[It's usually compulsory.]

'Then I'm not doing this noble stuff. I'm out of here.'

[Didn't you say you'd stay here?]

My grandfather slowly turned his gaze to Remart. Remart, whose gaze was pinned on me, slowly turned his gaze to my grandfather. 

"I understand. Then I'll give you time to think about my proposal. I'll give you a month. By the way, Duke Ferdinand."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"I don't want you to turn down my proposal."

What if I want to say no? I mean, I don't want to take class together with the second prince, let alone learn swordsmanship!

My cruel grandfather, who was clueless about what I felt, replied with a slow nod. 

"I will ensure that it is received as favorably as possible within the family."

Remart nodded in satisfaction. 

"I'm done with my business here, so I'll take my leave. And I'm sure you've heard from the weaponsmith..."

"Yes, I've heard that you commissioned him to make a sword. We have a workshop that Nial can use. I have instructed him to move his luggage there. If you have anything to convey to Nial, feel free to visit Ferdinand Mansion."

"Alright, Duke Ferdinand. Thank you for your warm reception despite my sudden visit."

Remart turned his head and looked at me. My eyes met his red eyes. 

"Congratulations on finding your grandfather. When I first met you, I thought you were just a country bumpkin, so I never thought that you were the daughter of Astrid Ferdinand."

"It's alright, I don't know either!"

"See you next time."

Remart, who curtly responded to my remark, left the reception room with a calm gait. 

My grandfather left with him to see him off, and I plopped down on the sofa with a bewildered look even after they left.

[Are you not going to follow them?]

...Yeah.

[Why?]

'I'm so shocked right now that I need time to organize.'

I stared at my grandfather and asked. 

"Grandfather, do I have to learn swordsmanship?"

"Yes."

"Really?"

My grandfather ignored my question and said,

"Eve, I heard that the sword you carry is an Ego Sword."

His large, calloused hand was extended to me. 

"Let me take a look, Eve."

I placed Excalibur on my grandfather's hand without any hesitation.