Regressor of the Fallen Family novel Chapter 169

Chapter 169

“Iron Blood is surely a sword technique superior to Wind Breaker. It really drives home the fact that not all intermediate swordsmanship is created equal,” remarked Horhe, causing the expressions of the knights surrounding him to change.

Despite his pitiful appearance, with bandages wrapped around his forehead, no one paid any attention to his condition.

Regardless of how he looked, his influence on the former members of the Kalya Knight Order remained unchanged.

“Could it be an advanced sword technique…?”

“Advanced sword techniques are meant for aura users, Denmil.”

“Ah, my apologies.”

“Tch. Anyway, let’s stop talking about unrelated things. Learn this as best as you can. The strength of the Maclaine Knight Order is real.”

“…Yes, sir!”

After comforting his former subordinates, Horhe headed towards the training yard.

‘The only people who can teach me are the lord or Duke Logan. This is an opportunity for me as well.’

However, upon arriving at the training yard, he heard something he had not at all anticipated.

“What? Sir Digrum…?”

Horhe had to struggle not to show his disappointment.

“Yes. Technically speaking, it should rightfully be me or my father teaching you, but unfortunately, we’re rather busy. Sir Digrum is an advanced knight well capable of imparting the essence of swordsmanship, but is this not to your liking?”

“No, I will follow orders.”

“Good. Just becoming familiar with the Iron Blood technique will certainly make you stronger. Learn well.”

“Yes, thank you!”

Whether or not Logan was aware of his complicated feelings, he simply turned around after speaking those words.

No sooner had Logan left the training yard,

The knight order, temporarily bound together, became as noisy as expected.

“Is it even possible to repeat this a thousand times today with this speed? Aren’t you focused?!”

“Damn…”

“What did you just say over there?”

“I said I will practice vigorously enough to stir up a strong wind!”

It was unthinkable that a technique like Iron Blood, which normally required thirty minutes to execute even once, could be completed a thousand times in a day.

“Train as though it’s a real battle! Don’t knights know even this much? Charge!!”

“But why am I using a wooden sword…?”

“Consider it training for when you are at a disdvantage.”

“Hah…”

“What?”

“…I will endure even if it’s all day long.”

Training disguised as sparring was a luxury compared to the actual beatings they were receiving.

“It’s a purely defensive training. Just block.”

“Block only?”

“Yes. At all costs. Until I say stop.”

“Damn…”

“What?”

“…I will hold out until I break!”

Not all knights refrained from striking their opponents with full force.

Watching the entire scene from his office in the manor, Padric clicked his tongue and turned around.

“This is too harsh, isn’t it? It seems like our knights have had a lot bottled up inside them.”

“They’re just doing what they’ve been taught to do.”

“What? Who’s been teaching them this kind of training…?”

“…”

Catching the direct, unguarded gaze of his son, Padric flinched and looked away.

“Hmm. Hmmm. The circumstances weren’t great, so maybe a bit too provocative… Hm, what lovely weather.”

Logan, watching his father avert his gaze, smirked slightly and looked towards a particularly quiet spot in the midst of the noisy training yard.

The commotion caused by most of the people there was within the realm of expectation.

But the scene unfolding before him was truly unforeseen.

Boom.

The explosion of air resounded, even though no aura was infused. Simply channeling the proper sword spirit into the correct path of the blade made it sound as if the air itself might burst.

A well-trained advanced knight instinctively realized he had executed the Iron Blood technique properly for the first time.

A mere ten days of practice had led to this achievement.

It was due to Horhe’s own understanding of swordsmanship and his high level of aura, but also…

“Good. It seems you just need more practice to become comfortable with it.”

The ‘master’ before Horhe nodded calmly. His teachings had been excellent.

Horhe sincerely bowed to his young instructor.

“Thank you, Sir Digrum. Your instruction is the reason for my progress.”

Was that unexpected?

Startled, Digrum immediately shook his head.

“No, it’s due to your hard work, Sir Horhe. Let’s call it a day.”

Despite the heartfelt thanks, Digrum simply said his piece and turned to leave.

Watching him walk away, Horhe suddenly blurted out the words he had kept to himself.

“Why are you treating me so kindly?”

Digrum, without looking back, responded in a calm voice.

“I’ve only done what I was ordered to do from above.”

“You don’t dislike me?”

“Is there any reason I should?”

“Until recently, I was your enemy.”

“Many people here are.”

Digrum answered indifferently and was about to move on when Horhe said something he couldn’t ignore.

“It’s embarrassing to admit, but my men, or rather my former subordinates, might be excited that I could hold a major position within the knight order someday. And even I thought that perhaps, knowing of your tendencies as a duke, it might be possible.”

That made Digrum stop in his tracks and turn around, but…

His reply was different from what Horhe had anticipated.

“…The duke values competence over honor. It’s entirely feasible based on merit.”

“What I want to know is how you feel about it.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Do you have any complaints?”

“A knight follows his lord’s commands. My feelings are irrelevant.”

“But one’s heart might say otherwise…”

“I believe that any direction that strengthens our knight order is acceptable. The duke would likely agree. So if you were to hold such a position, please keep that in mind.”

With that, Horhe gazed intently into Digrum’s blue eyes.