Chapter 68

…Just once.

I only needed to swing it once.

The simplest, yet most overwhelming sword in the world.

A strike containing the essence of a one-hit kill.

The ultimate technique that held the core of Darkin Winterbell.

The Darkin-style Single Sword Technique.

That was what I unleashed from my hand.

‘If she wants to live, she’ll have to dodge it.’

The strongest strike I could muster, imbued with my everything.

“…….”

“…….”

Silence fell all around.

I could feel everyone's eyes fixed on me.

My strength drained, and I collapsed on the spot.

The match was over anyway, so it didn’t matter anymore.

My whole body felt like it was about to break apart. Dizziness hit me. My blurred vision split into two, but I ignored it and held my balance. If I passed out like this, it might be ruled a draw rather than my win.

So I clung to consciousness with all my might.

‘Sht. Why the hell isn't he announcing the result?’

I glared at Ryan Winterbell, the referee. He shamelessly stared right back at me.

What the hell is he thinking?

His jet-black eyes were deeply unpleasant the longer I looked. It felt as though they were pulling me into their depths.

With great effort, I opened my mouth.

“Brother… aren’t you going to announce the result?”

He ignored my words and looked upward.

Toward the place where Arkan Winterbell, the Patriarch, was seated.

It was then—

Clap. Clap. Clap.

Applause echoed from afar.

There stood my master and Elder Councilor, Darkin Winterbell, laughing heartily as he clapped.

“Kehahaha! This rascal actually went and did it.”

Despite his words, Darkin looked more pleased than ever. Arkan Winterbell gave a nod. At that, Ryan Winterbell shouted loudly.

“I hereby announce the winner of the Ranking Battle. The victor is Ran Winterbell!”

My eyes turned to Lin Winterbell, who had collapsed on the opposite side.

‘Tough girl. Even in that moment, she tried to counterattack?’

Lin Winterbell was sprawled across the ground, with large slashes across her abdomen and chest. In that brief instant, she hadn’t tried to dodge—she’d gone for a counter.

And this was the result.

‘Perhaps… that might’ve been the right call.’

If she had moved half-heartedly, she might’ve been cleaved in two. But she chose to stand her ground to the end, and thanks to that, her sword managed to partially offset my Single Sword Technique, limiting her wounds to that extent. Thankfully, she seemed to be alive, but the injuries were far too severe. She needed immediate attention.

“Since Rank 102, Ran Winterbell, has defeated Rank 62, Lin Winterbell, from this moment on, Ran Winterbell is promoted to Rank 62.”

“…….”

Everyone fell silent at the shocking result. Well, it was understandable. No matter how much of a buzz I had been generating recently, from the family’s perspective, it was probably considered nothing more than a fleeting incident.

To them, I was still the half-crippled Young Master of the Annex who couldn’t even stand properly and had hidden away in fear of the Ranking Battle.

I knew better than anyone that once an image was branded on you, it didn’t fade easily. That’s why no one could have predicted this outcome.

‘Of course they couldn’t.’

But then, something unexpected happened.

Not from Darkin Winterbell.

But from my father—the King of the North.

The Great Wolf of Winterbell himself stood and began to applaud—slowly, but unmistakably.

Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap.

The slow, yet powerful sound of his clapping echoed in all directions.

Everyone was stunned by the sight.

Even more shocked than when I had won. So much so that even the eldest son, Ryan Winterbell, stood frozen, unable to say a word.

‘What the hell got into that man…?’

When the Patriarch, Arkan, began to applaud, there was no way his vassals could remain still. Everyone rose from their seats and followed suit with applause. It was as if they had been infected by fear—clapping and clapping without end. Some shouted in joy, others shed tears.

This was the power Arkan Winterbell held.

Every one of his actions was law, a decree in itself.

Thunderous applause and cheers filled the arena. A shiver ran through my whole body. I, who had been treated like an insect, finally felt acknowledged.

Arkan Winterbell's cold eyes turned toward me.

“Ran Winterbell.”

I shot to my feet and bowed respectfully before replying. Even if I had just won the Ranking Battle, lying down when the Patriarch called was the act of a madman.

“Yes, Patriarch.”

At Arkan’s single word, everyone seemed to stop in unison, as if it had been prearranged. At times, this kind of loyalty felt terrifying.

It was almost like a cult leader and his followers.

Aside from the First Patriarch, had there ever been a head of the Winterbell Family with this much influence?

‘He really is a monstrous man. And I think he’s grown even stronger since I last saw him. Is there no end to his growth?’

At this point, he seemed to be approaching the realm of gods. Honestly, I couldn’t even imagine him dying—or being defeated.

Even if Van Descartes in his prime came at him, would he win? No matter how much I thought it over again and again, the answer was simple.

‘Impossible.’

There was no way to win.

No matter what happened, no way to defeat him.

Even if I used every means at my disposal, I still couldn’t win.

That was the conclusion.

It wasn’t that I was undervaluing myself. That man was just absurdly strong. Darkin had also stepped into the realm of superhumans, but honestly, comparing him to Arkan on the same level wasn’t realistic.

“Well done.”

Praise.

Arkan Winterbell was praising me.

I never thought I’d hear the words “well done” from that man’s mouth.

He had looked at me like filth since I was a child. Even when my mother died, he had shown nothing but disdain toward me—and now he was telling me I’d done well.

“…Thank you.”

“Continue to work hard.”

“Yes!”

With that, Arkan Winterbell left his seat. Izumi Winterbell, who had been beside him, gave me a small smile. A form of praise in her own way.

“Milady! Milady!”

“Young Lady! Are you alright?!”

Soon after, Lin Winterbell’s retainers rushed onto the training grounds. Her injuries were severe and she had to be transported quickly. As Lin came to, she spoke.

“My ears hurt. Shut the hell up, you bastards. I’m not dead…”

Seeing her spew curses like usual, she seemed to be doing alright.

‘She’ll be fine at that rate.’

A voice came from behind me.

“Young Master.”

“Cecil?”

She wrapped her arms around me. It looked like she was hugging me from behind, but in truth, she was supporting me—since I didn’t even have the strength to stand properly.

“…Do you know how anxious I was watching you? I told you not to push yourself so hard, and yet, every time…”

“But I still won. Can’t I get a little praise for that?”

Cecil whispered with a faint smile.

“Well done, Young Master. I believed in you.”

“Thanks, Cecil.”

Behind her stood Attica, smiling brightly.

“Daddy!”

“Attica!”

Thud thud thud, Attica came running and leapt into my arms. Seeing that, Cecil raised her voice in a deliberately stern tone.

“Attica! I told you the Young Master isn’t feeling well right now! You shouldn’t just…”

When Attica looked like she was about to cry after getting scolded, I gently reassured her.

“It’s okay, it’s okay. It happens. Attica, did you watch Daddy’s match?”

“Yeah! You and that lady were super cool!”

“Thanks, Attica.”

“I want to learn swordsmanship too! I want to swing a sword like you, Daddy! Will you teach me too?”

I looked at Cecil with a troubled face. In response, she huffed and turned her head away. It meant, “Don’t ask me—do whatever you want.” She seemed upset that I had taken Attica’s side.

“Haha…”

“I can’t?”

Attica looked up at me with sparkling eyes.

Who could say no after seeing those eyes? If someone could, they were either blessed with unshakable will or utterly devoid of emotion.

At least, that’s what I believed.

“Of course you can! Why not? Daddy will teach you swordsmanship, so let’s take it slow and start learning.”

“Yay! Daddy’s the best! I’m so happy!”

Attica snuggled into my arms. My broken ribs throbbed in pain, but even so, I couldn’t bring myself to push away her pure-hearted affection. Wasn’t today a rare and happy day?

My feelings toward Arkan had always been close to hatred.

But after learning he was Van Descartes, I let go of that hatred and began to see him as a mountain I had to climb.

Yet, in some corner of my heart, I think I had still wanted his acknowledgment.

And today—

I was acknowledged.

By the King of the North.

By the Emperor of the Sword.

A deep sense of elation welled up from within me, making me feel indescribably good.

When had it last been—

When I had felt something like this?

I turned my gaze toward my master, Darkin Winterbell, who was watching me from afar with a satisfied smile.

As he looked at me, his lips moved.

Not bad, brat.

“Thank you, Master.”

With those words, Darkin left his seat.

Truly, he was an old man who could never be honest about his feelings. But to me, he was someone I was truly grateful for.

Because he was the one who had shown me what it meant to be a real teacher.

---

A week had passed. During that time, I had rested and completed my recovery. Perhaps it was because of that life-and-death battle, but my understanding had deepened another step.

“Alright.”

The reason I was now moving in haste was because I had been summoned by Arkan Winterbell, the Patriarch. He was not someone I’d ever have a private audience with unless there was a special reason, so the moment I heard from Turk that he wanted to see me, I began preparing without delay.

It seemed he had something to say regarding the recent Ranking Battle. And beyond that, other factions would soon be visiting Winterbell, so there were many things that required preparation.

‘I’m nervous.’

What does he plan to say?

With a tense expression, I knocked on the door.

Knock knock.

“Patriarch. It’s Ran Winterbell.”

“Come in.”

Creak—along with that sound, the enormous door opened. As always, he was gazing out the window. I couldn’t help but wonder what thoughts filled his mind as he looked out there.

For a moment,

I felt a strange curiosity,

But I didn’t voice it.

“Sit.”

“Yes, sir.”

I carefully took my seat.

“You’ve become Darkin Winterbell’s disciple.”

“…Yes, that’s correct.”

I hadn’t expected him to bring that up so suddenly.

“Why did you become his disciple?”

Another question I hadn’t anticipated at all.

Just what was the reason behind this line of questioning?

I cautiously studied his expression.

But, as always, his face remained unreadable. From that blank expression, I couldn’t make out a shred of intent.

“……”

“Is it a difficult question?”

“It’s not that.”

“Then answer properly.”