Chapter 228: Rushing (1/2)

It’s finally here. Be prepared for ero? ????

Terms used in this episode:

A thousand changes and a myriad of variations – a Chinese idiom that means something that is ever-changing or have countless variations. But in this episode, it can be read in both its literal and idiomatic meaning.

Jude actually needed some time to organize things.

Because he had gained a lot of things in a short period of time after they left the royal capital, or to be exact, after the decisive battle in the royal capital.

‘From the sixth door to Ultimate One, and even a new swordsmanship style.’

In particular, he needed time to learn the new swordsmanship.

Even if Jude had Cheonmujiche, he still needed to train the so-called skill level of the things he newly acquired.

‘Valencia.’

Jude called Valencia’s name as he closed his eyes and focused on his consciousness.

He had already done it once, so he was able to call Valencia much faster than before.

“You came, my successor.”

The Valencia who appeared in front of him looked quite excited than before.

Did something exciting – no, did something interesting happen?

‘She said that she’s usually asleep all the time.’

But there was a reason for her to stay awake this time.

“My successor, I’ve developed it to some extent. Eh? Yes, I developed it.”

Valencia said as her toes wiggled. It seemed like she was holding herself back from jumping up.

‘If it was Cordelia, she would have already jumped up from her spot.’

No, she would have hopped.

‘Now that I see it, she’s barefoot.’

Jude looked at Valencia’s feet before raising his head. He smiled as he saw her brightly shining green eyes that seemed to be even sparkling.

“Are you talking about combining the Supreme Sun Divine Art to your swordsmanship?”

“You’re both right and wrong. The Supreme Sun Divine Art is a martial arts based on swordsmanship in the first place.”

It was as she said.

Landius was a swordsman after all.

He was suspected of being a swordless swordsman just like Jude now, but at the time of the first episode of Legend of Heroes, he used swordsmanship with the Supreme Sun Divine Art.

“Ninth Heaven’s Nine Doors can integrate with anything. However, you did not use a sword at first, so your current Ninth Heaven’s Nine Doors is more like fist fighting than swordsmanship. Therefore, it became necessary to combine the Supreme Sun Divine Art’s swordsmanship and Ninth Heaven’s Nine Doors, and the other swordsmanship styles that my successor had learned so far in order to create a new swordsmanship style.”

Doing such work would make anyone feel dizzy, but for Valencia, it was exhilarating.

She continued with a wide smile.

“The Ninth Heaven’s Nine Doors and Supreme Sun Divine Art are both amazing. And the other swordsmanship styles that my successor has somehow learned are quite extraordinary and interesting.”

He blinked his eyes as he didn’t know what she was talking about at that moment, but he soon understood it.

Valencia was talking about the ‘Sword of Wind’ which was Count Bayer’s swordsmanship, and Count Hræsvelgr’s Sage King’s Cross Sword.

Jude didn’t know much about the two, but he was familiar with parts of it.

“Anyway, I will teach you from now on. I’m sure you will also be happy.”

Jude smiled unconsciously when he saw Valencia’s flushed cheeks, and he nodded his head.

Valencia’s joy somehow made him feel better too.

“But my successor. Before I begin, I want to ask you a question.”

“Yes, please ask away.”

As Jude answered calmly, Valencia put her hands on her waist and had a mischievous expression as she asked.

“My successor, what do you think are the advantages and disadvantages when you use swordsmanship with Sword Origin?”

The advantages and disadvantages that occur when fist fighting techniques are used like swordsmanship.

Or rather, the pros and cons of being able to use sword techniques together with fist fighting techniques.

‘I can tell the disadvantages right away.’

First of all, the reach is short.

Meaning the attack range is decreased because of the weapon’s length.

Then what are the advantages?

‘First is speed?’

Because bare hands were faster than weapons.

Weapons were heavy and it also took some time to manipulate them.

Of course, the latter was not a significant difference at the level of an ordinary human, but this was Pleiades, a world where superhumans existed.

Even the slightest difference could determine one’s life and death.

‘But that’s just the advantage of fist fighting techniques. As for the advantages of using swordsmanship along with fist fighting…’

“Flexibility.”

That word immediately came out of his mouth the moment he thought of it.

And at his answer, Valencia smiled brightly.

“Yes, speed and flexibility.”

Sword Origin allowed its user to treat their limbs like swords.

In other words, it was possible to reduce one’s movement and respond faster than when using a sword to block or deflect enemy attacks.

The same went for attacks.

‘All of that is about speed.’

What about flexibility then?

“Flexibility in attacking because you’re using all your limbs, right?”

Normally, it was necessary to avoid the enemy’s weapons when one used fist fighting techniques, but that didn’t apply to Sword Origin.

For this reason, a person could carry out as many attacks as they could that they would have normally not thought of when they used fist fighting techniques or swordsmanship.

“That’s correct. But there is one more thing. Think about it a little more.”

At Valencia’s urging, Jude furrowed his brows and thought hard, and he soon found an answer.

Because Valencia kept wiggling her fingers.

“The free use of your hands?”

“Correct!”

Valencia was unable to hold it in this time and finally jumped up from her spot. She clapped her hands and continued.

“You’re not just fighting with a sword-like hand. Because you can do much more with your hands.”

It wasn’t just about using one’s fist and palm.

One could really do anything with their hands.

With a real blade, it was impossible to use techniques that did not cut the enemy, such as punching and grabbing techniques.

But it was possible to do so with Sword Origin.

“A thousand changes and a myriad of variations.”

Valencia gracefully spread out her hands and continued with a picturesque smile.

“Now then, shall we be enchanted together?”

Let’s learn swordsmanship together.

Valencia took a deep breath and assumed a basic posture, and Jude smiled at her strange choice of words before nodding his head.

“I’ll be in your care.”

“All right, my successor.”

Valencia firmly answered and raised her hand.

They began training in earnest.

***

The next morning.

Vanessa reappeared in front of Jude and Cordelia who only meditated all night in the room.

She came with an elf whom they had never seen before.

“This is Carnelia from the Bellias family. She is the swordsman who will learn the seventh sword dance.”

“I am Carnelia Bellias. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

At Vanessa’s introduction, a tall and slim female elf greeted them with a big smile.

She had red hair that was quite rare for elves who were mostly blonde, and she gave off a very energetic feeling.

“I look forward to working with you.”

“Nice to meet you.”

Cordelia greeted her after Jude, and then turned to Vanessa and asked as if she had suddenly remembered something.

“What about Princess Leica?”

“Her Royal Highness is a little busy right now.”

Vanessa replied with a grin.

Cordelia thought that it was natural for Princess Leica to be busy since she was the crown princess, but she felt that Vanessa’s smile implied something more than that.

‘Did something happen?’

I don’t think something bad happened though.

Cordelia’s unique gut feeling was telling her something, but she didn’t pry any further.

She didn’t know if it was a bad thing, but she thought that it was a nuisance to stick her head into something trivial.

“I shall guide you to the training area. I believe that it would be difficult to use swordsmanship here.”

Vanessa had spoken to them informally when they had first met, but after Jude and Cordelia were officially invited to the royal palace, she had begun to speak to them respectfully.

‘No, I think it was the time after I signed a contract with the Spirit King.’

Ever since they were guided to the room, Vanessa had begun to use respectful words to them.

‘The Spirit King is amazing, huh.’

From Cordelia’s perspective, it was like the final boss became her summon, but not for the elves.

The Spirit King was like a pillar of the world that kept the balance of the world just by its very existence.

So it was natural for them to be polite to Cordelia who had been chosen by the Spirit King, regardless of whether she could summon him or not.

“This way please.”

Vanessa guided them to an outdoor training area.

It was like a soccer field as there was grass on a wide open area.

“Are we doing it here?”

The sword dance used in the Banquet of Spirits was usually passed down to only one person. Though Valencia didn’t seem to have strictly followed that rule since she had learned it.

“Yes, the seventh sword dance was lost in the first place because of that rule, so we’ve decided to pass it down to many people this time.”

After all, in a way, it was just a sword dance.

Jude was convinced and immediately began to teach Carnelia the seventh sword dance, and Cordelia was dazed for a moment before she followed Vanessa and sat in a sunny place to watch the two.

And time passed.

Other elves began to appear one by one in the training area, and everyone seemed to be interested in Jude.

“The story of the punitive force must have spread.”

The story on how Jude fought and how they defeated Jabberwock.

At Vanessa’s explanation, Cordelia smiled and puffed up her chest.

“Ahem, ahem.”

Yes, he’s very amazing. Very enchanting. He’s…ahem, ahem, very charming.

Jude would have liked it if he had seen her raise her chin and tried to clear her throat because it looked cute, but Vanessa only tilted her head.

“Lady Cordelia? Are you feeling sick?”

“No, it’s not that…hehehe.”

Instead of explaining it to her, Cordelia just laughed and asked again as she raised her chin.

“Jude is on the strong side even among the elves, right?”

“Yes, and it’s quite unique that he can do swordsmanship with his bare hands. Isn’t he special even among the humans?”

“Yes, Jude and his master are quite special.”

Landius didn’t have something like the Sword Origin, but it seemed like he could also do what Sword Origin could do.

After all, he was Landius.

‘Maybe he’s no longer human at this point?’

It was hard to imagine someone else stronger than Landius.

“Oh, it looks like they’re going to have a spar.”

“Eh?”

Cordelia was surprised and looked back in front again, and she saw Jude and an elven knight assuming a basic fighting posture.

Carnelia who had been learning the sword dance was now heading to Cordelia’s side.

“Carnelia. Did they request for a spar?”

“Yes, I’ve learned all the basic movements, so I’m taking a break for a while. Everyone seems to be very interested in Master.”

When Carnelia responded with a wide smile in response to Vanessa’s question, Cordelia puffed up her chest again and said.

“He is my Jude after all.”

“Huh?”

“I mean, um… anyway. Is everyone interested in Jude?”

It was just a repetition of Carnelia’s words, but Carnelia replied with a bright smile.

“Yes. I’ve only learned from him for two hours but… he’s really not an ordinary person. He has a deep understanding of swordsmanship. In particular, he has a really nice body.”

Cordelia was pleased as she listened and nodded her head, but she paused at the other’s last words and blinked her eyes.

“A nice body?”

“Yes, isn’t it really nice? He has a firm chest, thick forearms, and in particular, his thighs and waist… hehehe.”

Cordelia blinked her eyes again.

Did she just giggle at the end?

Did I hear her wrong?

Cordelia suddenly became alert without realizing it, and she closely looked at Carnelia again. Now that Cordelia saw it, Carnelia was gazing at Jude with an expression as if she would drool at any moment.

But it was then.

“Ah. I think I understand. Actually, my heart is pounding too. His body type is uncommon among our male elves who are lean.”