Episode 29
“I understand. Then, from this moment…”
Gric stepped back a few steps and raised his hand.
“I declare the inheritance match… begun.”
“Hah!”
Giel rushed forward with explosive speed.
He was fast—so fast it felt like watching a beast. This was the highest speed his trained body could produce. He might as well be called superhuman.
But me? I’m just an ordinary human.
I’ve trained in the Granble style since I was young, but I can’t compare to someone using aura.
The difference in physical ability was overwhelming.
It felt like a human fighting a wild beast. A bear, perhaps?
I’m at a disadvantage.
But I’m human.
Humans use tools to overcome disadvantages.
And I have a tool—my wooden sword.
Giel has one too, but there’s a huge difference.
I’m connected to my sword. It feels like an extension of my body—another arm.
And this arm never breaks.
Still, I can’t win by force or speed.
He’s a beast.
But that beast doesn’t know real swordsmanship.
He swings his sword in a flashy way, like he knows something, but I could see it clearly—his sword had no substance.
His sword had no flow.
No flow meant no rhythm, no illusion, no threat.
It was easy.
Since his sword had no flow, I could predict its path.
It was like blocking a beast’s claw with my arm.
Then—
CRACK!
His claw (sword) broke.
Of course. I expected it. He didn’t.
That’s the key difference.
In a sword fight, you shouldn’t let anything unexpected happen. It breaks your stance and shakes your mind.
But I stayed free and relaxed.
I spun with the flow of impact, moved to his side, and prepared the next strike.
This is called Flowing Sword—moving naturally with the flow without needing to think.
And from here on, this was Granble family’s domain.
Right now, I could strike Giel’s unguarded back.
I could hit his neck.
Or I could break his waist.
All were possible in this short moment.
In this brief time, I could see all the possibilities—like glimpsing the future.
This is the core of Granble swordsmanship: Distance.
In this moment, Giel had died three times and been crippled twice.
But in reality—
Tap!
A light stab.
“Ugh!”
Giel fell forward and rolled awkwardly.
He tried to get up again, forcing his body into motion—
But—
Tap.
My wooden sword was already pressed against his temple.
“No way…”
At that moment, his beastly face turned human again—terrified.
You’re lucky, Giel Craven.
If I wanted to, I could’ve killed you and made it look like an accident.
Or at least broken your leg, making you limp for months.
But I didn’t.
It’s better to stay quiet right now. People are already talking about poison users in the slums. If I hurt someone badly during the match, it’d just make things worse for me.
“Stop! That’s enough!”
A voice called out from behind.
“Match over! The winner is Ray Granble!”
“N-No way!”
Giel jumped up and shouted.
“This match doesn’t count! I can’t accept this!”
…What?
What part of that fight wasn’t valid? Is he saying predicting all his moves doesn’t count?
“What exactly doesn’t count?”
Gric seemed to think the same. Giel stuttered.
“Uh, uh, this is Granble’s home ground! I felt uncomfortable here from the start!”
“What?”
“The energy flow of this mountain doesn’t suit me! That’s why I couldn’t use my aura properly!”
He stretched his arms dramatically.
“I couldn’t enter my trance state! But I can control it perfectly! Granble must’ve known and chose this cursed place on purpose!”
He looked proud of his answer. But it was nonsense.
Trance? Yeah, right.
What 3-star knight can perfectly control that risky trance state? Even I know that’s unrealistic.
Thankfully, the referee said what I was thinking.
“Shut it, Giel Craven.”
His voice carried killing intent. Giel flinched and crouched like he was struck.
“U-Ugh… But you’re the referee… you should be neutral…”
Sweat rolled down his pale face. Was he really hit by a phantom sword just now?
“This is a warning. If you object again, there will be real consequences.”
“Ugh… the referee should stay neutral…”
“Oh, come on.”
Gric shook his head.
“Still don’t get it, Giel Craven? Don’t you realize your opponent chose this place for your own good?”
“What do you mean…?”
“You were never a match for Ray. There’s a huge difference in your levels.”
“Guh…”
“If this match had been held in public, your defeat would’ve embarrassed your whole family. Ray chose this place to hide your foolishness and avoid conflict with your family.”
Oh wow.
This Ray guy sounds very thoughtful. Same name as me, but totally different person, huh?
Anyway—
“Ugh…”
Giel looked like he was dying from shame. Honestly, the referee hurt him more than I did.
Suddenly, Giel turned and ran away.
“Waaaah!”
He screamed like a beast as he fled.
“What a pathetic guy.”
Gric shook his head and turned to me. I quickly bowed.
“Thank you, Chief.”
“I didn’t do anything to deserve thanks.”
“You spoke up for me. Even though I didn’t plan it that nicely, still—thank you.”
“Hmph.”
Gric scoffed and turned around.
“Main and branch families… That idiot really ran away?”
“Was that bad?”
“Inheritance matches are followed by evaluations. That’s the real value. He lost his chance to grow.”
“Oh, I see.”
“…Ray Granble.”
He frowned.
“You still lack refinement. Not fitting for a main family heir.”
“Sorry. I’ll try to go to the library more.”
“Even if you don’t have time, make time. You’ll face more enemies like this.”
“Yes, sir. By the way… how was I?”
“What?”
“I mean, your evaluation and advice? What did you think of my match?”
“…You had good distance.”
“Distance?”
“Yeah. Distance.”
I wasn’t sure if he meant it normally or in the Granble sense.
“That idiot had no idea his life was in your hands. That’s all.”
Hearing that, I was sure.
Gric Serses understood the Granble concept of distance.
It’s not just physical space.
It’s about the number of options you can take in a life-or-death moment.
The more options you have, the better. But you also need the skill and calm to use any of them.
You also need the ability to pick the right one instantly.
Granble heirs train through special tests to develop this—and I’m the only one who passed all of them.
That’s what Granble swordsmanship means by distance.
It’s really about the gap between opponents.
Having more options—even if you don’t use them—means having a wider gap.
And between Giel and me, that gap was huge. Big enough to make up for his aura advantage.
Gric had seen that gap during the fight.
Maybe he used to spar with my father? Or studied our swordsmanship?
“That’s all. I have no advice for you, Ray Granble.”
“No weaknesses? No flaws?”
“No. Or rather, it’s hard to judge when the gap is so large. Fight someone stronger next time.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“…Interesting kid. Now, back to business.”
“Business?”
“Your inheritance rank. You beat someone far below you, so your rank won’t go up much. Check next month’s ranking to know for sure.”
“Where do I see that?”
“It’s published sometimes in the Bryce Daily. Or go to the Inheritance Office. Every 1st of the month, they post the new rankings outside the front gate.”
That office must be serious about staying efficient.
But I wasn’t that interested in ranks anyway.
“Also, the winner receives a small cash prize based on rank.”
“What?”
“Here, take it.”
Gric handed me a small pouch. Really? Money?! That changes everything.
“Thank you. I didn’t know we get this.”
“It’s standard. And you’ll get a monthly pension too, based on your rank.”
“Whoa.”
Wow, really? A monthly allowance?
That changes everything. I’ve been scrounging food off Phil on no-meal days.
“Thanks! I really needed this.”
“Hmph. Not my money. It’s your right.”
“Still, hehehe.”
I smiled just from holding the pouch.
This might be the first money I earned through effort.
About 500 Seals—by my guess. That’s enough for a week’s worth of pumpkin pies for Tibber. (Which I eat, anyway.)
Then suddenly—
“…Have you heard about the inspector?”
“Huh?”
“Inspector Phael Trace.”
“You know Inspector Phael?”
Why bring him up now? Are they friends?
“Phael Trace is someone the Sword King faction keeps an eye on. You don’t get it yet.”
“Not really. And what do you mean by Sword King faction? Aren’t we all sword followers?”
“If only it were that simple.”
“…?”
“Good thing no one’s around to hear this.”
He glanced at Phil, who backed away immediately.
“I’ll go wash up at the well!”
“Anyway, listen carefully.”
Gric sighed and faced me.
“Phael Trace was recently arrested by the Counter-Espionage Unit.”
“The Sword King’s direct force? The one that can arrest anyone? My father mentioned them once…”
“That’s the one. So Phael won’t be able to help you for a while.”
“What?!”
I couldn’t believe it. Why was he arrested?
“How did you know he was helping me?”
“The charge is leaking secrets.”
“That’s false! He saved my life!”
“I know. But don’t worry. He’s safe for now.”
“But the Counter-Espionage Unit… once they take you, you’re never the same again!”
“Normally, yes.”
Gric slowly shook his head.
“But not this time. In fact, it might be the safest place in the world right now.”
“Huh?”
What is he talking about?
Phael got arrested by a terrifying group, yet it’s safe?
What’s really going on behind the scenes?
