WSMD 05

Chapter – 05

Light, fire, wind, and earth.

Four holy swords that possessed the divine powers of the main gods.

Reitan had been chosen by Windis, the holy sword of wind, and became a Grand Master.

However, six years ago, when he retired to raise his child, Windis was placed in the Grand Temple. Since then, the holy sword had not chosen a new master.

“Callet, about that holy sword. If it has no owner, the power it accumulates can’t be released and it goes berserk, right?”

“Yes. When a holy sword runs wild, it must be suppressed with divine power. For the past four years, a considerable amount of the Order’s divine power has been used for that purpose.”

Callet immediately reported what he knew after receiving Count Travel’s gaze.

Reitan also knew that Windis still had no new master.

But he was now an outsider with no ties to the Order. Although he felt sorry when he thought about Windis, he did not regret the choice he made to protect Berry.

As if shaking off lingering attachment, Reitan snapped his fingers.

“Is the Order wasting divine power really a reason for the Travel family to act? Since when were you so devout?”

The Travel Count family maintained close relations with the Order, but it was purely a relationship of mutual benefit.

Travel provided money, and the Order provided convenience in return.

And now it was the Order that had broken that understanding.

“The Order has announced that starting this year, they will no longer bless the figureheads of our ships. They claim divine power, being the power of the main god, cannot be used for just one family.”

Callet explained on behalf of the Count, whose lips were sealed with anger.

One of the main businesses of the Travel family was maritime transport.

The divine-power-infused statues mounted on the bows of their ships protected them from natural disasters.

Because of this, the Travel family paid enormous donations to the Order every year to receive those blessings. Their ships often traveled through storm-prone seas, making it essential.

“Shameless bastards.”

Count Travel ground his teeth.

He was reminded of what the High Priest had said with a chuckle a few weeks earlier.

“However, if it is the family of a Grand Master, the situation would be different. Those permitted by the main god to wield divine powers… Surely the god would be pleased if divine power were used for their family.”

In other words, they wanted him to find the retired Reitan and help him return as a Grand Master.

Their own intelligence network couldn’t locate Reitan, so they were trying to use the Travel family.

“They dare say something like that?”

After taking hundreds of millions of kona in donations earlier this year!

And claiming the money couldn’t be refunded because it had already been offered to the god!

He didn’t like their scheming intentions or their veiled threats, but what choice did he have?

“We’ll make them pay this debt later.”

This came after he trusted some alchemists who claimed they had developed technology to withstand storms, only for a ship to capsize mid-sea, causing major losses.

Without the blessings on the ship figureheads, more disasters like that could happen. This time, he had no choice but to play along.

“If Young Master Reitan resolves this matter, it will greatly affect the next annex succession evaluation. Advancing to second place would be no problem—”

“Shut up, Callet.”

Reitan’s voice carried killing intent.

Achievements, family profit, succession rankings…

A beastly world where even blood relatives would tear each other apart for such things.

“Father! Please…!”

“Quiet! Why would you get involved in something that brings no money?!”

He was sick of it. That’s why he left.

Even after six years, nothing had changed.

Reitan let out a dry laugh.

“I’ll try to persuade the High Priest. To continue blessing your ship figureheads.”

“Hmm.”

“But this is the last time. Berry and I will leave once this is done, so do not seek us again. Unless you want to see your delinquent son causing chaos.”

A faint blue aura briefly rose from Reitan’s shoulder before fading. After delivering the warning to his father, he grabbed the doorknob.

“Your child.”

Reitan turned his head. Rakseck looked thoughtful.

As expected, Reitan’s warning meant less than a mosquito’s wingbeat to the great Count Travel.

“How is her health?”

“…What do you mean?”

“I mean, does she get sick often?”

“….”

A subtle tension filled the air between the estranged father and son. The doorknob did not turn.

Count Travel looked at his second son.

“Her eyes look exactly like your late mother’s.”

Part 3: The Red Eagle Knights

When I woke up, the sun was already high in the sky.

I was shocked no one had woken me.

Did this mean it was okay to live as a lazy person in the Travel family?

My excitement collapsed instantly.

“Sleeping late is only allowed today.”

Dad said this while selecting cufflinks from a velvet case a maid was holding.

From head to toe, he looked perfectly dressed. An impressed sound escaped me.

Apparently I wasn’t the only one thinking that, since the maids nearby were secretly glancing at him too.

“What about tomorrow?”

“You wake up and eat breakfast. Even if you don’t change out of your pajamas.”

While I had been sleeping soundly, Dad had already washed up, eaten breakfast, and changed clothes.

Meanwhile I was still in pajamas, getting my hair brushed by Sherry.

Sitting on the sofa in Dad’s room with my legs stretched out, I covered my face with both hands.

“Ugh. Life is harsh.”

When I grumbled, Dad placed his hand on my head and gently shook it.

“You’re still growing, so it can’t be helped. They say it’s good to eat breakfast during your growth period.”

The citrus scent from his shirt sleeve perfume tickled my nose.

Sniff sniff. Dad smells like a noble.

“But why are you dressed to go out? Where are you going?”

I already knew the answer. High priests were waiting at a nearby temple because of Windis.

“To a nearby village. I’ll be back before dinner. Sherry also needs to go to the main house. You can play nicely while we’re gone, right?”

Dad lightly snapped his thumb and middle finger after removing his hand from my head.

This was our secret signal.

Hide being capable. Act childish around others.

I nodded to show I understood.

“Okay! Why is Sherry going to the main house?”

“I need to get— I mean, receive more ingredients from the head butler.”

Ohhh. That was great news.

So that means for a few hours Dad will be gone, and even the head butler will be too busy to pay attention to the Stone House?

I cheered internally. With fewer eyes watching, this was my chance to meet the future ally somewhere in Travel.

The only small problem?

One of the people remaining here was a spy planted by my relatives.

“Then what should I play? It’s boring without Dad and Sherry—.”

While scanning the room for something to do, my eyes met a maid.

Aunt Marian’s planted maid, Anne.

I smiled brightly at her.

“Will you play with me, big sister?”

“Huh? Shall I?”

Anne seemed delighted, as if she hadn’t expected me to talk to her.

Understandable. Since coming to the Stone House, she hadn’t gotten any useful information to report to Marian and was getting anxious.

Since Dad was cold and unapproachable, she seemed to be looking for a chance to target an easy child like me.

But I’m the one who knows the weakness~

Anne had a huge weakness for cute things.

And it’s embarrassing to say this myself, but in about a month she would adore me so much she’d want to carry me in her pocket.

The Travel Count family estate covered about 300,000 pyeong (roughly 1 million square meters).

The vast land was divided by massive stone walls into areas where the direct family lived and areas where affiliated members stayed.

And guarding it all were the Red Eagle Knights, belonging to the Travel family.

Their training grounds were inside the stone walls, on the western side of the Count’s territory.

“Hyaaah!”

“Hup!”

The shouts of sweating knights echoed loudly. This was the indoor training hall on the first floor of an annex.

In front of more than thirty knights stood Vice Commander Rex, with his short gray hair.

“Focus! A knight is mental strength and physical endurance!”

His booming voice filled the training hall.

His nickname was Charging Gray Bear, and it suited him. His massive arms looked like tree trunks, muscles writhing.

“Anyone caught slacking will undergo special training!”

“Yes, sir!”

Special training.

“You’ll remember how comfortable the dirt of the battlefield used to feel like a bed!”

Definitely something to avoid!

“Yes, sir!”

However, despite their loud responses, the knights had been getting distracted by something for a while.

Boing. Boing.

The window facing the hallway.

Something appeared and disappeared repeatedly.

What is that?

Pink…

A fluffy ball?