Chapter 27-29 (1/2)
Chapter 27 Victory at the Martial Tournament
TL: Warriormonk
Editor: Isleidir
The final round finally began The two participants advancing to the final rounds were Kurotan and the third son of Earl Lastal, Hagun Both of the the finals for a chance at the glory of victory
Unlike the other seeded participants who used a sword and shi+eld, Hagun used tords to execute a speedy sword style Hagun was an opponent unlike any other faced so far by Kurotan
In the ring where the final round would be held, Hagun stared down Kurotan with calhtly
'Speed can defeat strength I will be the victor of the martial tournament'
Hagun burst into a run towards Kurotan as soon as the referee announced the start of the battle His plan was to overwhel the flow of the duel in his favor without allowing his opponent a chance to go on the offensive
Hagun's plan, however, went astray right from the start Kurotan's senses, sharpened by aura, were overwhele person
Add to his senses his experience and reflexes honed by his time as a veteran Great Warrior as an orc, and Kurotan becaun could not possibly overcome
Hagun's sword strikes, although al off Kurotan's axe, which seemed to barely move
Ting Taang Ting
Soh Kurotan's defenses, but even those bounced off Kurotan's arhtly As long as one are of the gaps and joints between the arh to deflect sword strikes
Kurotan continued to receive Hagun's sword strikes calun's defenses, when he launched a fatal strike Hagun's face paled as he struggled to dodge, but Kurotan's axe changed its trajectory as if it had eyes of its own and struck Hagun's side
”Keeuuk”
Hagun screamed out with a spray of blood from his mouth, and fell on his back side Kurotan had aiun's ar to forround
”Goddammit…”
Hagun scrunched up his face in pain as he put his hand on his wound and backed up, but Kurotan did not let hian to circulate his aura in the efficient un
”N-No”
Hagun's face paled as he swung his tords wildly, but Kurotan's axe swung through the air to deflect theun's helmet
Kang!
Hagun's eyes went blank as the sound of round in a heap Kurotan thrust his axe in to the air in victory, pro the quiet crowds to burst into cheers
”Whoooo!! That was the best!”
”Finally, someone has won the martial tournament”
Most of the people in the croere nobles They did not bother hiding their surprise at the fact that Kurotan, a commoner, had won the tournament
However, Kurotan had ith such do skill that they had no choice but to admit his victory
”The final round has come to an end The victor is Kurotan, who hails frodom”
The crowds burst into round was announced Earl Jabel, who had been silently observing the match, stood up from his seat
”Bring the victor here”
”Yes, my lord”
A short while later, Kurotan was standing in front of the Earl
Earl Jabel glanced at Kurotan before switching his gaze into a paper in his hand
It was the paperwork that Kurotan and Luke had submitted in order to participate in the martial tournament
”Hansel Kingdom, a commoner from the City of Habest… Is this true?”
Earl Jabel earing a light smile
This was because Kurotan was undoubtedly the most talented participant he had seen out of all the martial tournaments that he had hosted
Should he be able to take in Kurotan as a vassal, the strength of his territory and land would be increased significantly
'If he is a commoner, then he won't refuse my offer'
Kurotan's next action however, was co, Kurotan took his fist and put it in front of his lips, pro the Earl to frown
'Silent training?'
Even the knights of Jabel Earldouard by Kurotan's answer The fact that Kurotan was undergoing silent training o the training
'He already has a lord?'
The Earl, still frowning, turned towards the crowd
”Who was the person that ordered the victor of the ?”
A figure stepped out from the crowds
'This is the critical moment'
Luke sed his nervousness before walking up to the Earl He bowed courteously before the Earl
”I was the one who ordered Kurotan to undergo silent training, Earl Jabel”
”And who are you?”
Luke took a deep breathe before answering
”I adom I am also Kurotan's lord”
Although Luke's aze reh, only to discover that it already had an owner The Earl's anger at this fact was concentrated on Luke
”Hansel Kingdom… Perhaps it's because it's such a sdom do not seem to know their manners”
”What is the reason that you do not pause his silent training in front of me? Do you take me for a fool?”
”How could that be?”
”Then what is it?”
Luke's gaze headed towards Kurotan
”Just as we explained earlier, Kurotan's background is that of a commoner He has not yet been educated on proper manners, and I did not wish to offend the lord Earl with his lack of knowledge”
”Is not yet educated in manners? Then it must be so for other skills besides swordsht must have Not yet educated”
The Earl's words were close to a tantruled to reply
”It has only been a short while since I have taken him in as my vassal”
”Then he is an 'incoht”
Earl Jabel's eyes looked coazed at Kurotan His view of Kurotan had taken a 180 degree turn after he had found out that he would not be able to recruit him
”I can understand why you chose to participate in thethe ht the victor”
”In other words, if the victor is dee by the lord of the tournaht the victor”
Luke's face paled He had not expected the Earl to not give them any face at all
'Hmm, this is outside of my calculations
Right then, Cooper, the knight who had been observing Kurotan fro Luke carefully ever since he had revealed himself
”I will ask you one thing”
”What is it?”
”I trust that you will not lie in front of the lord”
Cooper stalled for a few seconds while gazing intensely at Luke
”Have you broken through to the level of an aura expert?”
”I' you whether or not you are able to use aura to enhance your physical capabilities, the level of an aura expert?”
Luke began to frown slightly He had been able to increase his aura storage with Kurotan's help, but he had not yet been able to reach the level of an aura expert
”I have not been able to”
Cooper sh he had predicted the answer
”I don't understand The knight in training is an aura expert, but his lord is far less skilled than the knight”
”It seeiven you this vassal to look after you I don't kno the Hansel Kingdom operates, but it does not work in our Sith Empire”
Cooper finished his sentence coldly and retreated back, as if he had nothing more to say Earl Jabel continued to look at the crowd of nobles
The Earl ignored Kurotan and Luke as he addressed the crowd
”As you have all seen, the victor of the martial tournament has been decided However…”
The Earl turned and looked at Kurotan coldly
”The victor was ht As you all knoordsht He must also be well educated in the etiquette of nobles and an effective commander The victor has failed to demonstrate these qualities
The nobles in the audience seemed to respond positively to Earl Jabel's points The fact that the victor of the tournament was from another country was a hard fact for them to s
”As lord of these territories and host of the tournahthood to soht sohthood”
Earl Jabel, chest jutting out from the cheers of the crowd turned to Luke
”Do you have anything to add to my decision?”
Luke took in a deep breath
”How could I possibly go against you, , however…”
”What is it?”
Luke's gaze turned towards Kurotan, as looking around stupidly
”It is true that Kurotan is more talented in martial prowess than I My talents, however, lie elsewhere”
Luke's words seemed to pique the Earl's interest
”Your talents lie elsewhere? All right then, what is your talent?”
”My greatest talent is…”
Luke straightened his back and looked the Earl squarely in the eyes
”To recognize talent and foster it”
The Earl made a confused expression
”Explain so that I may understand”
”Of course, my lord”
Luke pointed at Kurotan
”I o When Iin the army for his crimes as a murderer”
Luke's words shocked the Earl If Luke's words were true, it h to win the martial tournament in merely a year and a half
The participants of the tourna at the Earl's back, couldn't hide their expressions of shock and surprise
”Impossible”
Hagun especially, who had lost to Kurotan in the finals, had his mouth wide open in disbelief He had trained in the ways of the sword for fifteen years, and for him to lose to a commoner who had trained for a year and a half?
The Earl shook himself out of his shock and looked blankly at Kurotan
”I find that hard to believe You mean to tell me that Kurotan had not trained in the sword previously?”
”Kurotan couild in Habest city He was faer or his fists, but it was his first ti a proper weapon”
The Earl's ain
”I can't believe it I simply don't understand how he could become this skilled in merely a year and a half Truly a monstrous talent”
The Earl stared seriously at Luke
”And it was you who discovered his talent at first glance?”
”Yes, my lord I can't explain exactly how I knew of his talent, but ave him an offer”
Luke smiled slowly
”I pledged to train him in a mid-level sword style and aura cultivation technique in exchange for his lifelong fealty and loyalty”
The Earl re up the crowd remained shocked as well
”What a monstrous talent, to be able to train to this extent in a year and a half…”
”I can't deny that his potential is enor the tournament”
Cooper interjected once again on behalf of the silent Earl, but his gaze was shaking from the shock as well
”I will ask you a couple of things”
”Of course”
”Which sword style did you train Kurotan in?
”I taught him the basics of the Esteban sword style, and the iven to me by my House”
”I see, that explains his aardness with his sword style And the aura cultivation technique? Is it from your House as well?”
Luke s his head
”How could that be possible?”
”What, then?”
”I served in the military for the sake of my House and received an aura cultivation technique from my House in reward”
”Hmm”
Cooper frowned at Luke's flawless answers
”An aura cultivation technique awarded for h in level”
”It's true My House ad in stability, but…”
Luke s at Kurotan
”Kurotan's talent was beyond even ination He trained in an aura cultivation technique that was lacking in stability, but beca my aura with a more stable technique for ten years”
”Hm, this is difficult to believe”
Cooper could only shake his head He had trained painstakingly for twenty years before he was able to just barely become an aura expert
”I acknowledge Kurotan's talent And I also acknowledge and ad talents”
Cooper retreated as the Earl took charge of the pace once again
”Truly a valuable gift you have To be honest, I areen with envy”
”Thank you for your compliments, my lord”
”Have you come to our Sith Empire in order to fully wield that talent of yours?”
”Yes, my lord I hope to find and foster many talents in this vast empire, as well as look for a lord to swear my fealty to”
”Completely understandable Our Sith Edonized talents as well”
The ed dra Luke had full control of the situation The Earl sed nervously subconsciously
'The ability to recognize and train talent… truly a Should I be able to recruit this uaranteed'
The Earl cal in a low voice
”Do you wish to reside withinbut the best treatment”
Luke answered as though he had been waiting
”I thank you for your h more of the Sith Empire Jabel Earldo the Empire Please allow me to experience more of the Empire”
”Is that so? Truly a pity”
The Earl made no attempt to hide his disappointment
”My lord, you are the first person of Sith Eenerous offer of today”
”As you wish I am ready to welcome you anytime, so remember my offer”
The Earl nodded in disappointment
”As for Kurotan, the victor of the tournament…”
The Earl hesitated for adecisively
”As a gesture of acknowledging your talent, I recognize Kurotan as a victor in full and award hihthood”
Luke's face lit up at the Earl's words
”I don't kno to thank you, my lord…”
”No, I also adhtly unreasonable
The Earl adood impression to the immensely 'talented' Luke He turned to the nobles to declare his decision
”As the lord host of the martial tournament, I will award Kurotan, victor of the tournahthood”
None of the nobles in the crowd see from the shock of Luke's words Just like that, Kurotan succeeded in becohted by Earl Jabel
Ch 28 How to Increase Your Aura
TL: Warriormonk
Editor: Isleidir
Kurotan had becoht of the Sith Ehthood would have gone to Hagun, who had made it to the final round
The Earl, in an effort to appease Luke, had even awarded Luke and Kurotan a hefty suht o all financial awards, but the Earl had been adamant
”We sincerely thank you for your generosity, my lord”
Ignoring the Earl's insistence that they stay at his castle for a couple of days, Luke and Kurotan left the Jabel Earldom without hesitation
Kurotan exclaiht
”Very impressive”
”What is?”
”How you had Earl Jabel hanging on to your every word”
Luke shook his head a little bitterly
”No, I screwed up My calculations for the situation were off”
”Didn't we accohthood?”
”It's a half-way success We revealed too many of our trump cards”
Kurotan stared into Luke's face with a confused expression for a while before shaking his head in bemusement
”I have no idea what's going on, but I trust that you'll be able to take care of it”
”The nobles of the Sith Empire seem to be a little bit different frodom Of course, it could just be Earl Jabel”
”What's so different about them?”
”They value practicality over their honor If ere in Hansel Kingdom, the Earl would not have reversed his decision in order to save face”
”I have to keep that inwith these nobles”
Luke gripped his fists suddenly
”And I er It's hard to appeal to these nobles who value strength and practicality with th”
Luke reht Cooper had given him
”I have to at least rise to the level of an aura expert, in order to have so to deal with nobles of the Sith Empire”
Right then, Kurotan looked seriously at Luke
”There is a way to increase your strength”
Luke was startled out of his thoughts at Kurotan's words
”What the hell are you talking about?”
”Right now, you are not fully utilizing the power of aura At most, you can only sharpen your senses”
”I know that What aht now?”
”To be honest, you have cultivated more aura than me The problem lies in your ability to control that aura”
Luke frowned To be exact, Kurotan's aura only amounted to about half of Luke's aura
Kurotan, however, was able to wield his aura with maximum efficiency This hy he was able to use his aura to bolster his strength and speed
”There is a tradition that's been passed down through the generations within my tribe If we use that method, we can increase the amount of your aura and your ability to control that aura”
Luke stared stupidly at Kurotan
”Then why haven't you told me of this tradition before?”
”It's because it's dangerous”
”Dangerous?”
”Yes The tribalyour aura and control is more likely to fail than succeed”
Kurotan proceeded to say that the success rate of the tribalyour aura was less than ten percent In other words, only one orc out of ten orcs would succeed if they tried this method
”Are you crazy? You're telling me to use a tribal method that kills nine out of ten orcs, even with the insane self-healing traits orcs have?”
”I' you because I've found a way to overcome that problem”
Kurotan took out an elass bottle It was the bottle that had held the healing potion that Luke had made Kurotan drink before the final round of the tournament
”Healing potion?”
”Without this potion, I would not have reco potion increases the success rate of the tribal method immensely”
”Really?”
Luke's face began to becoo, Luke would not have considered the dangerous tribal method at all
However, considering the situation, Luke couldn't help but perk up at the idea of a th in a short amount of time
'Well, I've already adjusted my aura cultivation technique with the help of an orc…”
Luke looked at Kurotan seriously
”You're sure, right?”
”Of course The amount of your aura, as well as your control of it will be increased by a large in If the tribal then your physical capabilities with aura with no problem”
”All right I'll trust you and try this method”
”We will need a lot of healing potions”
Kurotan ran his hand over the erasp
”Is this the best kind?”
”No That was a low level healing potionpotion imbued with holy power is a lot more expensive than that”
”We need high quality potions, even if it is expensive A lot, at that…”
Luke nodded his head silently
”All right Let's go back to the Jabel Earldo potions We even have the prize ood shape”
A mid-level potion was incrediblytenpotions that an alchemist had created with the help of a priest, Luke's pockets were empty