A vertical slash.
Even I found it beautifully perfect in its verticality.
Lucia hastily laid her sword flat to assume a defensive stance.
Cling!
The sound that resonated through the training ground was bizarrely strange, considering it was just swords clashing.
A storm-like wind that began between us spread in all directions.
Clatter, clatter!
The windows shook violently but did not break.
Whether my [Sky Splitter] was weak, or Lucia was good at blocking, I couldn’t tell.
When the unceasing storm finally calmed down, it was then.
[Surprising Lucia de Lucid (1/1)]
A quest alarm popped up before my eyes. It was an alarm indicating that the quest conditions were met.
The combo of Silver Flash and Sky Splitter.
Even for Lucia, one of the Ten Swords of the Empire, it must have been surprising.
Of course, I was surprised as well.
‘I knew she would react in such a situation… but to perfectly block it.’
Not only the [Sky Splitter], which received an A-grade rating, but also using Silver Flash that temporarily stops movements, was me.
Yet, to perfectly block it. She’s a real monster.
Of course, it was only a physical reaction.
It doesn’t mean she recognized the current situation and organized her thoughts.
Lucia’s eyes, widened in disbelief, proved that fact.
It was only natural. This is a secret technique of the Lucid family. Moreover, the fourth one.
Among the five secret techniques, the fourth, Sky Splitter.
Like Rodelin, even the third of the Lucid family has not yet mastered this technique properly.
So, it was natural for Lucia to be surprised that I had executed such a technique.
‘Everything is going according to plan.’
I get the chance to learn from Lucia and perform the quest at the same time.
Everything was according to my plan.
If there’s one regret…
[Lucia de Lucid’s Acknowledgement (0/1)]
[Surprising Lucia de Lucid (1/1)]
[If the quest conditions are met, an additional reward of 50pt will be given.]
‘Tch, I didn’t get her recognition.’
I failed to meet one of the two conditions.
Moreover, I have to gain Lucia’s recognition to get 50pt.
If a month passes without gaining her recognition, all efforts to startle her would be in vain.
It’s a tough quest condition. The good thing, at least, is that there’s still about 3 weeks left?
Well, there are problems that need to be addressed before the quest, though.
“You, you-you…!”
Lucia stuttered.
Yes. Making an excuse about the current situation and getting through it smoothly.
That was the problem I was currently facing.
“Keke, how is it? Isn’t this enough to qualify to meet the Duke?”
“Is, is that what’s important right now?”
“Then what’s important?”
“How you could use our family’s secret technique is more important! Are you an idiot?”
Idiot. That hurts.
But it’s okay. I’m not an idiot.
You can tell by the perfect excuse I came up with.
“Keke, actually, becoming a rat of the Lucid family was also my dream.”
“…”
Lucia’s eyes grew cold.
What? I thought it was a perfect excuse. Was it not?
“Would I believe that? And it doesn’t make sense to say that wanting to be a rat allows you to use secret techniques. Explain properly!”
Lucia’s eyes sparkled. If I don’t explain properly, she really might kill me.
At this point, there’s no choice but to tell the truth.
Well, I will mix in a bit (?) of a lie.
After clearing my throat, I spoke in a serious tone.
“I learned by watching.”
“…Learned by watching?”
Nod-.
That’s exactly the skill [Divine Imitation].
A flimsy excuse. But, from Lucia’s perspective, there’s no helping it.
‘She must have realized that my words are not a lie.’
Lucia, being who she is, could naturally tell a lie through pulse or breathing, and I did use [Sky Splitter], after all.
There’s no bastard child in the Lucid family, so the only option left is ‘learned by watching.’
“A genius… Is that it?”
Naturally, Lucia’s thoughts drifted in that direction.
Learning a secret technique, especially a high-level one, by watching is logically impossible.
A ‘genius’ exists outside such common sense.
My use of [One Flash] and [Sky Splitter] added credibility to that claim.
Eventually, Lucia nodded.
“I see. I thought something was odd when you used One Flash… So, you stole it by watching. You have good eyes, contrary to your appearance.”
“Keke, not stolen, but learned by watching?”
“Normally, that’s called stealing. You’ve stolen well with those slit eyes.”
Are you mocking my slit eyes!? Despite appearances, I see very clearly!
Your pretty face, your well-trained body here and there, and also… your pale skin!
‘Uh? Pale skin?’
Only then did I realize that Lucia’s clothes were slightly torn at the chest.
I must not have perfectly blocked my attack.
Well, since there’s not a single scratch, it’s fair to say she blocked it perfectly but anyway!
‘…That was close.’
At a glance, the clothes seemed to be barely holding on.
Lucia seemed unaware of this.
‘Should I tell her?’
But that might deeply hurt Lucia’s pride.
Lucia has yet to accept the deal I proposed.
No choice. I just hope nothing (?) happens to her clothes.
“Anyway, I guess this qualifies me. Will you accept the deal?”
“To create a situation where I have no choice but to accept and then ask. You’re wicked.”
“Keke, did I do that?”
“One more thing before that. How did you find out about the demon’s curse on our family? You know… it’s logically impossible, right?”
Lucia was right.
The demon’s curse currently on the Lucid family is a contract binding both the Lucid family and the demon.
Moreover, it’s a special contract that dissolves immediately if either party discloses it.
Whether a member of the Lucid family or a demon disclosed it, the demon’s curse should logically disappear if disclosed.
But the demon’s curse remains. Naturally, Lucia had every right to be puzzled.
‘I’m someone who has played this game thousands of times, so of course, I know.’
I couldn’t tell her that fact. And in such a difficult situation, as always.
“Keke, it’s a secret.”
Glossing over it is the best way.
Of course, it seems Lucia doesn’t think so.
“Do you know that posture really pisses people off? Do you want to die for real?”
“Keke, a man’s secret is innocent, isn’t it?”
“A woman’s secret would be innocent.”
Such sexist remarks in this day and age! Men’s secrets need to be protected too!
But does she not think so?
Lucia’s eyes sparkled as she pressed me.
“So, you’re making me use force, huh?”
“Um, this is troubling. If you come any closer…”
“It’s not a problem for me, is it?”
“But if something happens to me, my companion outside might reveal the Lucid family’s secret…”
“So, if there’s no contact, it becomes a problem, right? Then, it means anything can happen until then, right? Let’s get hit first. Then you might want to talk.”
Lucia smiled and approached me.
No, I’m in trouble too, but the most troubled one is you!
Because.
Zzzrip-.
Lucia’s barely holding clothes screamed.
As a result, her pale skin was further exposed.
“Wa, wait a moment! You shouldn’t do this!”
“What do you mean shouldn’t! Come here right now!”
Lucia firmly grabbed my arms.
And then spread them wide.
…Of course, Lucia’s arms spreading was inevitable.
Zzzrip!!
Something big burst out with a bouncing sound.
Right in front of my face.
“…”
“…”
After a brief silence, the last thing I remember.
“Kyaaaah!!”
Was Lucia’s scream and the sight of her fist flying towards my face.
…A strange ceiling.
‘No, it’s the training ground ceiling.’
I shook my head and regained my senses. Seems I fell asleep from exhaustion during training.
‘Thankfully, it was a dream.’
As much of a klutz Lucia might be, she’s not klutzy enough not to notice her clothes tearing.
Then, from where was it a dream?
It was when I was moving my gaze around looking for Luna.
“Sob.”
I saw Lucia crying in a corner of the training ground.
…I see. It wasn’t a dream.
Lucia’s klutziness was beyond my imagination?
‘And why is she crying?’
She’s in her mid-thirties, one of the Empire’s Ten Swords.
She’s seen all the ugly, dirty, and filthy aspects of humanity.
This shouldn’t be enough to make her cry.
‘It must be because the family’s curse became known. The family could fall into ruin. That’s why she’s crying.’
I decided to reassure Lucia and finish the deal.
That’s when I approached her.
“Being seen by an outsider… I’ve been defiled. I’ve become unworthy of marriage now.”
Sob, sob.
…I see. This wasn’t just any matter for Lucia?
I knew she was old-fashioned, but I didn’t know it extended to this aspect too.
I carefully spoke to her.
“Keke, Miss Lucia? Are you okay?”
“…”
“Miss Lucia?”
“Waaaaah! How can I be okay? I’ve been defiled! I’ve lost my purity!”
Lucia, who was sitting with her back turned, suddenly spun around and charged at me.
Truly a sight I couldn’t bear to see.
Not just her swollen eyes, but she hadn’t adjusted her dress either.
Meaning she was still in the state from before.
That must have been a big deal for Lucia, so much so that she couldn’t even attend to her clothes.
“Calm down.”
I took off my school jacket and draped it over Lucia.
And wrapped it around her tightly.
Perhaps because she was always pampered by a nanny, Lucia didn’t move a finger.
It was difficult to button it up with my eyes closed, but somehow I managed.
Well… I couldn’t completely cover the front, but the important parts were covered, so it should be fine.
“Sob.”
“Keke, do you feel a bit better now?”
“How could I! Now I can’t get married!”
“I saw nothing. Besides, my eyes are too small to see clearly anyway.”
“…Really?”
Lucia brightened up. It was an excuse made possible by my slit eyes.
I must be a genius, right?
“Keke, indeed. So, there’s absolutely no problem with Miss Lucia’s purity.”
“That’s a relief. Of course, that doesn’t mean I can get married now.”
The crisis was averted, but the previous state of Lucia I had seen was different.
She needed a boost of spirit. Even to successfully conclude the deal.
‘Women like to be told they’re beautiful.’
I have a genius talent for winning over women’s hearts too.
Handling a klutz like Lucia was no big deal.
“I personally can’t understand. That someone as beautiful as Miss Lucia isn’t married yet.”
“Hm, hmm… Do you really think so? That I’m beautiful?”
“Of course.”
“But as I get older, my skin sags. I can beat the young ones in fights… but not with skin.”
Lucia was becoming disheartened again.
I couldn’t help but feel frustrated. It was just Lucia’s thought, after all.
“Not at all.”
“Hm?”
“You were very beautiful. I saw it clearly, so I’m certain.”
“…”
Lucia’s mood changed.
From being disheartened to something ominous.
I would soon understand why.
“…I see. You saw it clearly?”
“Well, upon closer thought, it seems I saw it vaguely!”
“…Die.”
Seeing Lucia’s fist flying towards me, I thought.
Maybe.
The real klutz might be me, after all.
–TL Notes–
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