Trash of the Count's Family Book 2: Chapter 373: One Sword (4)
Previously on Trash of the Count's Family...
“Oh. There are so many people.”
Cale spotted the First Tournament Stage and offered the chicken skewers he was holding to Alberu and the Heavenly Demon.
“I am currently on guard.”
Alberu gave a bright smile and turned down the offer.
“Pfft.”
The Heavenly Demon let out a single scoff before disregarding the chicken skewer Cale extended.
“…….”
Cale strangely felt annoyed but brushed it aside.
– Sluuuurp.Cale paid attention to the glutton priestess's slurping noises and began munching on bites from all three skewers in his grasp.
"What about the kids?”
Cale munched and gave a casual reply to the Heavenly Demon.
“They are taking care of the egg.”
Eden Miru was nearing the point of hatching.
The children averaging ten-years-old. Among them, Raon’s eyes were particularly red-rimmed as he remained beside Eden Miru day and night.
‘Human! I will definitely be watching when he hatches!’
The intensity he exuded was so fierce that…
‘Mm.
Yeah, it was intense.’
Of course, Raon had a solid reason for his behavior.
‘I will watch it together with my mom!’
The Black Castle remained in Aipotu.
Former Lord Sheritt could not depart from the Black Castle.
The Dragon half-blood.
The one now called Eden Miru bore the heart of Sheritt's other child.
In certain respects, that might position him as someone Sheritt could resent, but…
‘He’s basically her child.’
The feelings Sheritt held for Eden Miru were shifting from conflicted emotions to genuine fondness.
Raon, Sheritt, Eden Miru.
Regardless, the trio now formed a family.
Once the recovery rate hit 95%, Raon intended to head back to the Seventh Evil to reach the area linked to Neo's Lair.
That basement served as a natural connection point between Aipotu and the New World.
‘Sheritt-nim would be able to see Eden Miru hatching through magic or other means.’
Former Lord Sheritt.
Her very purpose for being was to witness the births of her two children and care for them.
Yet, she had lost both in the past. For her to witness Eden Miru’s emergence-
‘I can’t even imagine it.’
It was beyond Cale's comprehension.
Still, that explained why Cale was allowing Raon, On, and Hong to handle things on their own right now.
‘Those kids have seen so much fighting and battles.’
This moment would prove crucial for these three young ones.
‘It should be good for Eden Miru as well.’
Yes. It should benefit everyone.
Cale was nodding along when he caught a chuckle from beside him.
He turned his head-
"What is it?”
Alberu and the Heavenly Demon were both eyeing Cale.
Cale, positioned between the pair, immediately frowned.
"What’s up with that gaze?”
He spoke to them without thinking, in a relaxed tone.
The Heavenly Demon. And Alberu Crossman.
The two of them-
‘They are looking at me with a look of satisfaction?’
Cale quickly grew irritated.
As his expression turned blatantly rude…
“You are such a good person.”
“Ho!”
The Heavenly Demon, whose words caused Cale to snort in disbelief, glanced at Alberu and remarked.
“He’s surprisingly a softie.”
He referred to Cale.
Alberu eyed Cale as if the situation was absurd, then smirked.
“…….”
Cale frowned, but Alberu soon offered an elegant, warm smile and inquired of Cale.
“You are looking forward to Eden Miru's birth, right?”
“No, sir.”
“Pfft.”
‘What is going on?
What is up with that annoying laughter?’
Cale stared at Alberu in disbelief while Alberu and the Heavenly Demon shared a look.
‘What’s up with these fuckers?’
Cale harbored such rude thoughts when a drum sounded.
Boom, boboom!
“Please settle down as the first match of the Round of 64 is about to begin!”
The crowd soon took their seats.
The noisy venue gradually fell silent.
Peek.
Cale sensed some stares directed their way and murmured to the Heavenly Demon.
“As expected, the gazes toward young master One Sword is no joke.”
The Heavenly Demon, now in the spectator stands…
He had earned the moniker ‘One Sword.’
‘Just one move!’
Up to the Round of 64…
He had vanquished every foe with a single hand motion.
‘What a phenomenal sword!’
Since an elder, master to the first-generation Dao of Zen Temple disciple he bested in the preliminary’s opening round, dubbed it a sword rather than a hand…
‘A sword?’
‘Didn't he have nothing in his hand? I thought it was palm art.’
‘Jackpot! Then doesn't that mean he's had no reason to pull his sword out until now?’
Excitement built as folks bestowed the One Sword nickname.
‘He will use his sword in the main tournament, right?’
‘I'm sure he will. All of his opponents will not be easy!’
Matchups were revealed ahead, beginning with the Round of 64.
The Sky Sword’s Seo Rak against One Sword Kim Hae-Yi!’
‘Even One Sword will have to use his sword against Seo Rak!’
Seo Rak, heir to the Sky Sword, renowned for viewing the sword as martial arts’ ultimate path…
Versus the enigmatic Kim Hae-Yi, anticipated to draw his blade for the first time…
The audience eagerly awaited that clash.
No one foresaw such powerhouses pairing early in the main event.
Yet, the Heavenly Demon’s bout was still distant.
He competed tomorrow.
Still, he had come to this stage for the initial visit.
“Do you think her Majesty will come?”
The Heavenly Demon shrugged.
"Who knows?”
Queen Tamahi planned to observe from the Round of 64 onward.
But she wouldn’t view every contest.
She’d attend all from the semifinals, yet now only those of interest.
Cale overheard murmurs from behind.
“It is our chance to find out which competitors her Majesty has her eyes on.”
"Even if that person's doesn't become the crown prince, he will end up someone important in the kingdom for sure.”
"Seriously.”
The crowd was eager about the Queen's picks.
"She’s not here yet though.”
“No. I'm sure that she will show up.”
Most believed the Queen would join this fight.
Not just because it was first.
“The Alliance Leader of the Cooperative Alliance.”
“That is true. This is a can’t-miss match.”
Hwa In, head of the Cooperative Alliance.
She kicked off the main tournament today.
"And look over there. Martial Scholar Cha Run-nim is here as well.”
"That's true.”
Martial Scholar Cha Run.
He served as the Queen's devoted follower, teacher, and counselor.
“…I'm sure a lot of the top candidates are here to watch the Alliance leader as well.”
“That’s true.”
They glanced toward One Sword too.
However, the Heavenly Demon attended for another purpose.
– You said that the Cooperative Alliance was pretending to be the Dark Pulse while getting rid of some of the stronger competitors?
Cale nodded at the Heavenly Demon’s query.
– The Dark Pulse must be annoyed.
The Heavenly Demon gazed across the Tournament Stage.
Alliance Leader Pao Seo Tae of the Dark Pulse. His face was notably tense as he crossed his arms, staring down at the stage.
Whispers arose from those nearby upon his first appearance to observe, but he appeared oblivious.
‘Choi Han.’
Beside Pao Seo Tae stood Choi Han in a bamboo hat.
– The wanderers never showed up again, right?
Cale nodded to Alberu’s sound transmission.
The roster the wanderer provided Pao Seo Tae to eliminate…
Pao Seo Tae left those targets untouched after failing against the Heavenly Demon.
The wanderer could retaliate against the Dark Pulse or Pao Seo Tae, but nothing occurred.
‘But competitors still died.’
Many victims weren’t on the list either.
Without Pao Seo Tae’s vigilant monitoring of all participants’ locations, they might not have detected it.
‘There were faint traces of the Dark Pulse in each location.’
It seemed the Dark Pulse hadn’t concealed their steps completely.
Pao Seo Tae had updated Cale on the matter almost wearily.
‘The Snow Flower Sect is investigating the deceased competitors. I believe they suspect it is us.’
The Dark Pulse faced framing like this.
‘But you see…’
Nevertheless, a motive drew Cale and Pao Seo Tae to witness the Cooperative Alliance’s leader today.
‘I think it was those bastards from the Cooperative Alliance.’
It stemmed from gut instinct, but both Pao Seo Tae and his Chief Advisor were convinced.
‘The Cooperative Alliance is the only place that knows so much about us. Something this well-planned… Based on the size of the incident, it has to be one of the Five Major forces.’
Thus, Pao Seo Tae and Cale appeared to face the alliance leader.
Pao Seo Tae came as the Dark Pulse’s head to confront his foe.
‘Raon said that.’
During the final preliminary… Raon had informed Cale thus.
‘Human! I couldn’t hear properly because the stage is so big, but someone was talking about the Dark Pulse and Hyun Seong via sound transmission!
It was such a large stadium and lots of people were chatting or sending sound transmissions…
So Raon had not managed to hear everything.
It was only because Raon was so skilled that he managed to pick that up despite the chaos.
However, he did not know whether the people who sent the sound transmission were part of the Cooperative Alliance.
After hearing about all of this, Cale had come to see the Alliance leader of the Cooperative Alliance.
‘He may be connected to the wanderers.’
That suspicion guided him here.
“Oh!”
"Ah, over there-!”
The area abruptly grew uproarious.
“…She’s here.”
As the Heavenly Demon murmured lowly…
Cale turned to an empty seat offering the prime stage view.
‘Tamahi.’
It was Queen Tamahi.
The figure beside her appeared to be Martial Scholar Cha Run.
– The Prince Consort is not here.
The Queen's husband was absent.
Just the pair of them.
They took their seats.
No ceremony or greeting for the Queen occurred.
In truth, nearby officials simply urged quiet.
Boom!
The opening bout commenced right away.
Neither the Queen nor Cha Run uttered a word.
– Cha Run.
– Yes, Your Majesty.
Yet, they conversed via sound transmissions.
– I see a lot of the champion candidates in the stands today.
– It is the first match and the Cooperative Alliance's alliance leader is here, so that may be the reason, your Majesty.
– I see.
The Queen then posed.
– So, who is the one that killed the competitors?
– …Your Majesty.
Queen Tamahi brimmed with subdued fury.
Boom!
Still, his attention swiftly shifted to the stage.
“On the left side, Soo Pae Sah!”
A fairly recognized fighter stood on the left.
“On the right side, Hwa In!”
While the Cooperative Alliance's leader stepped up on the right.
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa—
“Waaaaaaah—!”
Deafening cheers erupted, shaking the entire stage.
Boom!
The duel launched soon after.
Soo Pae Sah promptly aimed his spear at Hwa In and assumed stance.
“…….”
Hwa In, meanwhile, stood silently.
‘Hmm?’
Cale jerked slightly.
– Kim Hae-il.
The Heavenly Demon transmitted to him.
– She's looking at me right now, isn't she?’
Hwa In’s eyes briefly fixed on the Heavenly Demon.
But she averted them promptly.
She focused on her rival.
“…….”
“…….”
The tense, anxious Soo Pae Sah…
Contrasting the serene, composed Hwa In.
The hush shattered abruptly.
Bang!
Soo Pae Sah stamped the ground forcefully, propelling his form ahead.
His spear resembled a timeless tree.
It was massive and sturdy, radiating an unyielding vibe that promised endurance.
His spear technique echoed that quality, with motions appearing straightforward and precise.
In fact, his actions could be deemed basic.
"That simplicity is what is scary.”
As a spectator nearby noted…
His spear was formidable.
Heavy and direct, it advanced without pause, true to its honest, unadorned style.
Swoooosh—
A wind surge accompanied the spear’s swing.
Ooooooooong.
A woody aura enveloped the spear.
“……”
Hwa In observed quietly.
And when the spear’s point neared within a single step of Hwa In…
Clang.
Hwa In drew her sword.
Baaaaaaaaaang!
A tremendous blast resounded.
No one spoke.
Dust rose, though minimal given the bang’s volume.
Shaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-
A gust dispersed the dust entirely, revealing a clear scene.
“Ugh!”
Soo Pae Sah grimaced.
The mighty tree-like spear, impervious to any gale…
Lay severed in two.
The spear’s severed part dropped onto the stage.
The ancient tree had fallen.
“…….”
Hwa In regarded Soo Pae Sah calmly.
“… I admit defeat.”
Soo Pae Sah had poured his full might from the outset.
The Alliance leader demanded his utmost effort immediately.
Ultimately, defeat came.
“Ugh.”
This sense of despair and self-directed frustration caused Soo Pae Sah to frown. As he lowered his head…
Hwa In spoke.
“Your immense strength will become firmer as time passes.”
Soo Pae Sah met her eyes.
Hwa In proceeded evenly. Her steady tone lent credibility to her words.
“Similar to how an ancient tree ends up overcoming all rain and wind and stands up straight.”
The Alliance leader was renowned for her reticence.
For such a figure to offer these insights to a newcomer carried weight.
Soo Pae Sah felt a touch moved.
“….Thank you very much, Alliance leader-nim.”
“It was a fun match.”
Soo Pae Sah glanced at the referee following the Alliance leader's reply.
The referee declared the match’s conclusion shortly.
“Winner, Hwa In!”
Five minutes. The bout ended in under five.
Excluding the initial cautious delay by Soo Pae Sah, the action lasted mere seconds.
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-
Roaring cheers persisted.
Thrilling contests excited, but these dominant displays thrilled too.
“The Alliance leader-nim is not going easy now that she has reached the main tournament!”
“I know, right? She used to exchange blows a few times until now!”
One Sword.
Cheers rained on Hwa In, who felled her foe in one strike, differing from her preliminary style.
It was then.
“Hmm?”
“Mm!”
As Soo Pae Sah limped off the stage unsteadily and vanished…
Hwa In stood motionless.
She lingered at her final position post-clash.
As confusion spread among the onlookers…
Shh.
Her sword-holding hand stirred.
Was she sheathing it?
Those assuming so recoiled.
“!”
“Huh?!”
Her sword aimed in one direction and halted.
“Ah!”
“Ho-”
The blade’s tip targeted the stands.
Many occupied that area, but soon all discerned the Alliance leader’s aim.
“One Sword!”
“That's Kim Hae-Yi, right?”
“Wow, for the Alliance leader to do something like this-”
The Heavenly Demon sat there, arms folded.
The mood heated up instantly.
The Cooperative Alliance.
The head of the continent’s biggest group, famed for brevity, acting thus naturally stirred the crowd.
“Ah! One Sword!”
Some began to grasp it.
The single motion the Alliance leader displayed today…
“One Sword, Kim Hae-Yi!”
Kim Hae-Yi had subdued rivals with one gesture.
The Alliance leader seemingly eyeing him…
The audience marveled.
"What is the relationship between the two of them?”
“Is there some story here?”
Others wondered about ties between Kim Hae-Yi and Hwa In.
Because-
“Doesn't he look so calm?”
“He does look relaxed. Although that Kim Hae-Yi person seems much younger than the Alliance leader.”
The Heavenly Demon regarded her sword’s tip leisurely.
“Haha-”
No, he laughed.
“!”
“……!”
As those around gasped in surprise…
Clang.
Hwa In sheathed her sword and departed without pause.
– Kim Hae-il.
Cale started at the Heavenly Demon's quiet transmission.
The Heavenly Demon