Chương 38: Chapter 38: Scam
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Apparently, people didn't react as strongly to things that were utterly ridiculous.
Looking at Gideon's unchanged poker face, it seemed that it was true.
"…"
No, could this really be called dumbfounded?
Say something, anything.
"…"
However, the silence continued.
He just gazed at me with an emotionless expression. Then, he snapped his finger.
In empty space.
"…?"
What was he doing?
I had no idea what he was doing, so I just stayed still.
"Learn the sword from you?"
Finally, after a long time, these words broke the silence.
"Master asked for it."
"Yes."
"…"
Gideon fell silent again.
As if trying to measure something, he continued to gaze at me with slightly narrowed eyes.
"…You don't seem capable of that."
After another long silence, those words finally slipped out.
And well, his words were only natural, and for him to think that—
"You are already dead."
Having said that, Gideon flicked his fingers.
And at the same time.
—!
The space right in front of me was cut.
It was as if someone put it in the void of nothingness in advance.
'…Intangible Sword?'
A skill that allowed for a fatal strike, even without a sword. A state where killing an opponent was just a matter of snapping one's fingers.
Although it wasn't at the level of the First Duke Tristan, who could slice through entire spaces, it was still a crazy skill that could penetrate through most armor when used with a sword. There were records of it even piercing through dragon scales.
'…Is he insane?'
No, wasn't this near the final tier of knight skills?
This made me truly realize that the title of the Empire's Strongest Knight couldn't just be obtained by playing cards.
Considering the unknown whereabouts of the current Sword Saint, there was practically no one else in the Empire who could use this skill. He had reached that level.
Meanwhile, here I was, conning such an existence.
"You have to be better than me to teach me. But you couldn't even react."
Gideon continued, still expressionless.
"If you're going to make a ridiculous proposal, why don't you make it a little more believable?"
"I simply thought there was no need to react to something unfinished."
But.
'…Got you.'
I inwardly smiled.
If I had reacted even just a little, it would simply expose my weaknesses.
But because I didn't show any reaction, I still had an opening I could exploit.
"What?"
"If it were a completed technique, the action itself would have been omitted. Don't you think so?"
"…"
Originally, this was information that no one should know.
It was a technique that even the current Duke Tristan, a master swordsman, could only mimic. It was highly unlikely that any soul would know the completed version.
'…Except me.'
Uh. Really.
Even though it was a movement used by a character in a game, I perfectly understood the direction, completion, and application of this skill.
I had grounds to pretend to know as much as I wanted to.
"…"
In fact, Gideon's eyes slightly widened when he heard my words.
He probably agreed with what I just said.
He knew best that this was incomplete.
"…"
"…"
Silence followed.
Gideon stared at me with a slight frown.
'…'
However, it was different from before.
I could clearly feel that I had the upper hand. I could just sit back and relax.
Inside, he was probably calculating like crazy.
Like 'Who is this guy?' Or 'What's his identity?'
Despite showing his strongest skill, this kid saw through it while sitting and doing nothing.
"…You're quite good with your tongue."
He decided to back off and would continue observing for now, which was a relief for me.
I had passed the most difficult obstacle.
In the worst case, he might have stabbed me with a sword for trying to deceive him, but that didn't happen.
Perhaps the points I scored during the previous sparring were playing a role here.
Then, one more thing.
"Try to increase the rotation a bit more."
"What?"
"The line is not drawn perfectly when the image is formed. Try to rotate it a little more at that moment."
In fact, I didn't even know what the hell I was saying.
But these were the words that this person himself left in the future.
Gideon's diary.
This was an item that Eleanor obtained after Gideon's death in the story. It laid out everything, detailing the process through which he trained his swordsmanship.
Eleanor's growth also exponentially increased because of this. It could be said that Eleanor's combat prowess, capable of slicing through dozens of regular knights with a single strike, could be attributed to the foundation laid by this person.
And I remembered all the contents of that valuable diary.
I inwardly let out a wry smile.
'…The whole Master thing is all bullshit.'
In other words.
I was simply giving Duke Tristan the enlightenment he would gain in the future.
And wrapping it up as teaching him with a bow on top.
"…"
Gideon, who had a frown upon hearing what I had just said, was silent for a moment before closing his eyes.
And, this time.
Without any movement or gesture, a slash magically appeared above the space.
"…"
Witnessing such a sight, Gideon's eyes widened.
"…What?!"
Accompanying Gideon's slightly trembling voice were several windows that appeared before my eyes in succession.
System Notification[ Skill: Fatal Charm has been activated. ]
[ A villain is shocked at your far-reaching achievement! ]
[ Rewards are added to the Gift tab! ]
[ The number of villains who felt emotions other than like to you has exceeded a certain range! ]
[ Gift enhancement condition fulfilled! ]
[ Gift #1: Fated Love has been enhanced! ]
'This... can be enhanced?'
As I silently blinked at such prompts, I heard Gideon's voice.
"You."
But what hung on Gideon's face was not the icy expression from earlier.
"…Just, who are you?"
What was underlying it was unmistakable tension.
It could be said that the Empire's Strongest Knight had now acknowledged me as a powerful opponent.
'…Well, not really.'
He could literally kill me with just one finger.
However, making him react and think like this was already a success.
"Didn't I tell you?"
That was why, this time, I calmly delivered my words.
"I was asked to teach you."
"…"
I continued speaking to the silent Gideon.
"I heard that you have a purpose you want to achieve."
I chose my words carefully.
"You have someone to defeat."
This time, there was a reaction.
Seeing how his brow twitched, he seemed somewhat surprised.
The only other person who knew this was the Sword Saint himself.
"…"
However, the problem was that the person he wanted to defeat was a crazy guy who rivaled a natural phenomenon.
This was also why Gideon wanted to reach the level of the First Duke Tristan.
The madness that had been passed down through generations in the Tristan Ducal Family was all derived from the curse associated with that person. He wanted to cut it off.
Finally, after a long silence, Gideon opened his mouth.
"…That's something even Master couldn't do."
Those words brought a smile to my heart.
"Do you have the confidence to accomplish something he can't?"
The Empire's Strongest Knight agreed to receive my teaching.
So, I sincerely answered.
"It is possible."
Gideon's expression became serious.
Yes, it was possible. If one thought about how far Eleanor's abilities could reach, it was plausible that this person could experience similar growth.
And if that was the case, he could definitely do it.
He could break the family curse.
'And if I were to strengthen this side…'
It could drastically reduce the likelihood of Eleanor's corruption.
It was no exaggeration to say that the catalyst for the Grey Devil's resurrection depended on whether this man was dead or alive.
"But."
However, who said I was ending it here?
Gideon's expression momentarily froze at my addition.
"I haven't said I would do it yet, have I?"
"…"
I gave the dazed Gideon a broad smile.
"…What do you mean…?"
Gideon asked with an incredulous tone to which I replied, still smiling.
"Honestly, what's in it for me?"
"…"
"Let's talk negotiations, shall we?"
'Old man.'
'I will do it.'
'But I never said a word about doing it for free.'
'I want compensation.'
I looked down at the sheet of parchment in my hand with a grin.
After I made this demand, Gideon was hesitant. However, it was completely overturned with my remark, 'So you don't want to learn swordsmanship?' I couldn't help but laugh thinking about it.
[ Exemption Writ ]
Item Grade: Special
Description: This document delegates the privilege of exemption granted to Duke Tristan for one instance.
Being granted the privilege of exemption meant that, in short, regardless of the situation, one would never face the judgment of the law.
Even for a Duke like Gideon, possessing such extraordinary legal authority was enough to cause a sensation.
This aligned with the reason why he was assigned as a villain.
The Empire's Executioner.
Hidden in the background, he took on all sorts of dirty tasks from the Imperial Palace.
However, although he seemed to hold unparalleled power, he was tied down by a leash of the Imperial Palace in the end.
"…"
I couldn't help but sigh when I thought of the garbage littering the Imperial Palace.
It would be best if I didn't get involved with them.
Anyway, obtaining this was a remarkable achievement, even if it was only for one time.
'…Midterms are coming up soon, right?'
Going through the timeline in my head, it was about time for the event to happen.
An event that marked a pivotal moment and the official start of Chapter 2 in the scenario, involving Saintess Lucia and the Boy King.
It was also the time when one of the villains who accounted for a large proportion of the scenario, the Pope, made his entrance.
And I would be there.
Making sure that the Boy King and the Pope were screwed over.
"…"
Um.
Originally, committing this act was suicidal, but someone else would bear the brunt of it now, thanks to the document Duke Tristan gave me. This was enough.
'Oh, one more thing.'
Come to think of it, I obtained something else besides this.
< Special Gift >
Gift #1 — Fated Love
[ Obtain rewards as you gain favorability of characters with an evil alignment. ]
□ First Enhancement
[ The more evil characters acknowledge you, the more rewards you receive. ]
▼ Related Individuals
Crescent Moon's Hasmed
Galdier Riverback
Gideon Galestead La Tristan
[ Rewards Available! ]
'Gain their acknowledgment?'
The meaning was a bit vague, but I could grasp the general nuance.
Perhaps the more they feared, admired, or were in awe of me, the more rewards I could obtain.
So, what was the reward?
System Message
[ Skill: Guidance has been acquired! ]
[ Skill Info ]
Guidance
Grade: E
Description: If you improve the ability of an evil character, the same ability is added. The added ability can be used temporarily in the same manner as the villain.
"…"
I halted as soon as I read the description.
'…Am I going crazy or what?'
If I improve others' abilities, I could acquire those same abilities?
Although it came with the limitation of being temporary, I literally had just established a teacher-student relationship with the Empire's Strongest Knight.
One could only see it as an incredibly opportune reward. The timing couldn't be better.
"…"
And, in addition.
This skill would give me the wings I needed for what I was about to do.
I strode towards the Student Council room.
I was, of course, looking for Eleanor.
We needed to do something together.
'The ability I need to grow…'
After improving my swordsmanship, the next one I needed to develop was my divine power.
It wouldn't be long before I awakened the consciousness of the spirit embedded in the amulet, and divine power itself would play a significant role in the upcoming Midterm Exam event.
And right now, I was about to employ one of the easy methods to enhance it.
"I'm looking for Professor Griever Lanfeld. Is he currently in his office?"
"Ah, that bast… I mean, the Professor is on probation right now, so he's probably in the Theology School's faculty building. You can try finding him there."
"I see, thank you."
Hearing such a response from the faculty member on the way brought a smile to my face.
Professor Griever Lanfeld was that guy.
The priest who was affiliated with Marquis Riverback's faction and the one who intentionally refused to unleash his blessing when Eleanor asked him to during the commotion at the Freshmen Welcome Party.
I still remember the way he tried to make political points while people were dying. If I hadn't intervened, Iliya and Eleanor would have killed him on the spot.
It was obvious why he was on probation. With the revelation of Marquis Riverback's association with devil worshippers, all related individuals were being punished. Naturally, he wouldn't be safe either. His reputation within the academy was in the gutters.
"…"
A chuckle slipped out of my mouth.
In other words.
No one was going to pay much attention if something happened to him.
'It's not like I spared him for no reason.'
Now was the time to make full use of him.
Though it might be a little rough.
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