Chapter 41

Killian checked his reflection in the mirror.

“I've grown a lot.”

It wasn't just his hair that had grown.

His height and frame had also become noticeably larger.

The journey of the past two years since his reincarnation flashed before his eyes like a revolving lantern.

If it hadn't been for his memories as Adamas and the Head Apothecary's recovery potion, he would still be struggling to build the physique of a 5-star knight.

That was why he thought it would take another three years of training after healing from the reflux to complete the vessel of a Superhuman.

“I've bought myself some time.”

Killian muttered as he checked his reflection in the mirror, his shoulders now broader and his height a good handspan taller.

Even Loen would not have expected him to absorb the medicine so perfectly.

Rumble.

His dominating Mana was now imbued with a formidable aura.

For a moment.

“Hoo…”

Killian exhaled and withdrew his Mana.

He had tried to expand the range of his aura, but it was not as easy as he had thought.

It was not a matter of the amount of Mana.

“So it's not perfect.”

He could temporarily use a 7-star level sword, but it was a stage where he struggled to maintain it.

“An incomplete 7th star.”

However, his understanding of Mana was already equivalent to having mastered the 7th star.

A year at most.

If he took the time, he could tame his body and become a complete Superhuman.

Killian, having objectively assessed his own level, put on his clothes.

It was now time to take care of the matters he had postponed.

***

“Young Master Killian, the Matriarch is waiting for you.”

A Royal Guard bowed politely and opened the door to the reception room.

After a five-minute walk with the guide, he arrived at a reception room of moderate size.

A woman who was drinking tea and reading a newspaper turned her head.

The second Matriarch of the family, Paian's mother, and the eldest daughter of the martial family Basquia.

It was Cali Eurasia.

“Welcome, Fourth Young Master.”

Putting down the newspaper and teacup, she stood up from her seat.

She wore casual clothes and her hair was neatly tied up.

She had a different feel in many ways from Emma Eurasia, who had seemed like a seasoned merchant.

‘They said she was in her late forties.

She looks at least ten years younger.’

Like Emma Eurasia, she had a beauty that made it hard to believe she had a grown son.

But what was even more surprising was her physique.

‘I thought Paian's martial frame resembled the Head's… but it seems he inherited it from the Matriarch's side.’

She was over 180 cm tall, with firm forearms that her clothes could not completely hide.

It was obvious at a glance that she was a warrior who trained with the sword.

“Sit. Bring tea for the Young Master.”

A guard, a head shorter than her, prepared a new cup and tea.

Killian, who had taken his seat, opened his mouth.

“You were looking for me.”

“That is why you are sitting in front of me, is it not? More importantly, you look quite different from how I remember.”

After briefly scanning Killian's sturdy physique, she quietly arranged her things.

Her words and actions exuded a different kind of firmness from Escardo or Loen.

It was a demeanor seen only in those who had firm confidence in their own skills and background.

“I heard you stayed in your room ever since you returned from the subjugation.”

“That is correct.”

Two days had passed since he had returned to the family and recovered from the reflux.

During that time, Cali Eurasia and Emma Eurasia had requested meetings with Killian several times, and had been refused each time.

And today, Cali Eurasia had requested a new meeting, saying she would make an ‘offer he couldn't refuse’.

That was the reason why Killian, having finished his meditation, had come in person.

He put down the teacup he had taken a sip from.

“What do you think, now that you've seen it with your own two eyes?”

“What do you mean?”

“Are you not using Mana to check my level?”

“You knew?”

The corner of her mouth rose.

“I also know that the Matriarch is a 5-star knight.”

This time, one of her confident eyes twitched.

It was because her skill was publicly known to be at the 3rd star.

“I didn't sense you probing. The rumors of you mastering the 6th star were true.”

Tap, tap.

She tapped the table with her Mana-clad index finger.

The contents of the cup rippled.

“Your personality has also changed a lot. Good, let's get straight to the point. I called you for two reasons.”

“Two reasons?”

“The first is regarding the subjugation.”

She continued, as if Killian's reaction was unimportant.

If one were to pick the person who had gained the least from this subjugation, it was undoubtedly Paian.

He had lost not only the Black Knight Order, which he had painstakingly nurtured for a long time, but also one of his arms and his credibility as a knight.

“I am sorry for what happened to brother Paian.”

“Rest assured, I am not saying this to interrogate you.”

“……?”

She glanced at the person standing guard by her side.

The guard brought a small box and placed it between the two of them.

“Open it.”

When he opened the box, there was a colorless jewel of a not-so-thick size.

When Killian picked it up, the jewel received the light of the reception room and emitted a brilliant glow.

“A diamond?”

“Surprisingly, you don't seem to know much about magic tools.”

‘A magic tool?’

Come to think of it, he could feel a faint Mana from the jewel.

It was so weak that even Killian would have had trouble detecting it if he hadn't concentrated.

“It is a diamond with an expansion formula inscribed on it. You can permanently enchant a single magic on it.”

It was a precious item that could become a magic sword if attached to a sword, and an artifact if attached to an accessory.

‘Was the Mana weak because it hasn't been fully refined yet?’

With a thickness of this level, it would not be difficult to contain up to a 5-star magic.

“Judging by your expression, I can skip the explanation. This is a token of gratitude for saving Paian's life.”

“I will accept it gratefully.”

“It would be polite for Paian to deliver it himself, but the production of his prosthetic arm is not yet finished. I will ask for your understanding myself.”

‘Come to think of it, I heard that there have been many advancements in prosthetic arm technology.’

According to Haman, the prosthetic arm of the maker who frequented the family estate had a strength comparable to steel and could be used like a real body.

Whether Paian could make a comeback as a knight would depend on how he accepted the rehabilitation process.

“After seeing you, Matriarch, I don't think it's likely that my brother will fail to overcome this ordeal.”

Cali Eurasia smiled faintly.

‘There really is no trace of his former self.’

She had heard that Demian, who had drunk the Head Apothecary's recovery potion, had not left his bedroom, so now would be the perfect time to make Killian her own.

“I will be direct. The second reason I called you is to offer you the position of commander of the rebuilt Black Knight Order.”

“Is that the offer I cannot refuse?”

“Your reaction is one of disappointment.”

“I am the Tactician of the Blue Knight Order. You should know what that means.”

“On the condition that you are also entrusted with the right to the main appointments, including the position of vice-commander.”

She was saying that she would provide not only the position of commander, but also a support base within the knight order.

‘If this was before the subjugation, it would have certainly been an exceptional offer.’

Her offer did not end there.

The guard brought a new box and opened it.

Inside was a black nameplate engraved with the sword and shield symbolizing Basquia.

“This is a token signifying a top-ranking knight of Basquia.”

“……”

She watched Killian's expression and added an explanation.

“The armory of Basquia is filled with secret books collected from all over the continent.”

‘Well, for a family like Basquia, there must be quite a few useful secret manuals.’

The fact that Paian had reached the 5th star at an early age and could imitate Carpe was all possible because of this kind of support from Basquia.

“If you wish to become a Superhuman, there is a limit to what you can achieve with ordinary training. I am sure you, of all people, are aware of that.”

Cali Eurasia's eyes were filled with strong conviction.

“I will ask the head of Basquia to personally give you lessons. With your talent, I believe you can shorten the time it takes to overcome the wall.”

‘So this was it.’

Her father, Rosell Basquia, was the head of the family and a 7-star knight.

To be personally taught by a Superhuman was worth more to knights than a treasure of a thousand gold pieces.

“Eurasia is preparing to declare itself a kingdom. To become the next head, you will need the support of a power that can back the kingdom. What do you think will happen after the family declares itself a kingdom?”

“The Empire will not stand idly by.”

“A lot of blood will be shed. I am not unaware that you take pride in your belatedly bloomed ability. But without a power base, you cannot support a kingdom.”

“It sounds to me like you're telling me to live an easy life by helping brother Paian and not causing any unnecessary trouble.”

“Is that how it sounded?”

“That is how it sounds.”

She smiled slyly and personally filled Killian's teacup.

“I will help you become a knight who makes a name for himself on the continent, like Lord Escardo. With your skills, you could even become the commander of the Royal Knight Order in the future.”

It was, in effect, an offer of the position of the family's number two, the same as Escardo's current position.

“Was it the Cheonghwageom? The sword you took from Young Master Julian.”

“……”

“I heard you lost your sword in this subjugation. I will speak to my family and get you a sword that is no less than that.”

The teachings and secret manuals of a Superhuman, present and future honor, and even a famed sword on the level of the Cheonghwageom.

She had thrown out all the bait that would make any ordinary knight's eyes spin.

‘She has every right to be confident.’

It was no wonder she had called it an offer he couldn't refuse.

But that didn't mean he should jump at it.

“Please give me some time.”

“Is there anything else you need?”

“Is that not possible?”

“Of course not.”

A relaxed smile spread across her lips.

“I will wait. However, there are preparations to be made, so the sooner the answer, the better.”

“Understood.”

Killian, taking the box with the jewel, left the reception room.

***

Not even an hour had passed since he had met with Cali Eurasia and returned to his bedroom.

“Young Master, you have a visitor.”

Haman approached and informed him quietly.

“Who?”

“It is Lord Zodiac.”

The head of Emma Eurasia's escort, Zodiac Stern.

A knight who had mastered the 5th star and had left a strong impression on Killian.

“Send him away.”

“Without even hearing what he has to say?”

“Why, is he also making an offer I can't refuse?”

“That's not it, but…”

“……”

Killian, who had been watching Haman's flustered face, chuckled.

“Fine. I was planning on showing my face to the Matriarch anyway. Get ready.”

“Understood!”

A short while later, Killian and Zodiac entered Emma Eurasia's reception room.

“Fourth Young Master. I was worried I had made you wait too long.”

It was Killian who had been refusing the meetings until now, but she spoke as if she had been too busy to meet him.

It was her unique way of speaking to seize the initiative in a conversation.

“I heard your body was greatly injured in the subjugation. I have instructed Sephiroth to prepare a separate recovery potion, so please stop by sometime.”

Killian sat down and poured himself some tea.

“I know we are both busy. Let's get to the point.”

Despite his rather rude attitude, Emma Eurasia smiled brightly.

“About the Blue Knight Order. How about the Fourth Young Master also takes on the role of vice-commander on this occasion?”

‘Is she anticipating what kind of offer Cali Eurasia made?’

If it was her, she was more than capable of it.

“For now, I am satisfied with the position of Tactician.”

“Is that so. It is a matter that has also received Julian's permission, so feel free to tell me whenever you need. I will grant any of the Fourth Young Master's requests.”

She emphasized the words ‘any request’.

“Now that the Matriarch mentions it, there is one thing that comes to mind.”

Emma Eurasia's face brightened as Killian took the bait.

‘Whatever the Fourth Young Master wants, if I can use that to keep him tied down, it's a profitable business.’

She was confident she could get it for him, even if he requested a 7-star magic tool.

“Please, tell me.”

“I would like you to find me a sword.”

“As for a sword, do not worry. I am personally looking for a treasured sword that is no less than the Cheonghwageom.”

“It is not an ordinary sword.”

“……?”

“Adamas.”

Emma's face hardened at the unexpected name.

Killian grinned and continued.

“I want the sword that our family's ancestor used.”

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