“My apologies, that is difficult to say.”
I didn’t expect him to reject me flat-out.
At this point, even I, with my thick skull, would find it hard to dig deeper.
I smacked my lips as I mumbled, “It’s too difficult of a mission.”
“I am not asking for your victory. I just hope that you can duel her once in the future. As it will be in the form of a spar, you won’t lose your life.”
“Hmm...”
That meant the fight itself was the goal. What was Kayan playing at?
I couldn’t think of anything right now, but I didn’t think it was malicious.
If this was a trap, then calling it “inefficient” would be an understatement.
I nodded.“Got it.”
I had done a few calculations of my own, but the reason I accepted in the end was simple: my competitive heart.
If I could get the opportunity to fight someone who would be considered one of the strongest in The Empire, I would have requested this myself.
“Then when do you think will be the right time?”
“I hope you can fight her before your 20th year.”
Then I had about five years—no, I guess since this year was coming to an end, it was closer to four years?
While thinking about all this, I saw Kayan in front of me and stopped.
“Also, I’m using the Hidden Steps you taught me well. I did change it a little to suit myself a bit more, though.”
“That is very interesting.”
“I’ll show it to you later, so give me an honest assessment then. And there is one other thing I want to ask...”
“Please do, Master.”
“...”
Not “young master” but “Master.”
It was not a simple change of titles.
Kayan politely bent his hips and showed me respect.
For some reason, I felt certain that Kayan would never betray me.
It was an odd feeling.
Among the higher-ranking members of House Bednicker, every single one of them must have tried at least once to recruit Kayan as their direct subordinate.
Although Kayan spoke humbly of himself, it was still impressive that he had been able to perfectly fulfill nearly all of his work over his decades-long career in the House.
The fact that his work was that of a collector, the job known as the most difficult within House Bednicker, didn’t even need to be said.
That was why I was able to reveal my goals without holding back.
“I need information about the gods of disaster.”
“The demon lords?”
“Yes.”
Kayan seemed slightly surprised as he took a moment to think.
“Firstly, you could look through the main house’s library.”
“You mean the library on the first floor of the main hall?”
“Yes.”
“But the information I can get from there is the ordinary sort. I’m looking for more in-depth information. The specific appearances of the gods of disaster, their strengths, traits, the damage they’ve caused to The Empire, the actions they have taken, and if possible... their current whereabouts.”
“...”
Kayan’s expression shifted.
“...What you speak of are secrets among secrets. Ordinary people might not even stumble upon a hint of that information even if they spend their entire lives looking.”
I knew that as well. That was why I had asked.
“Young master, I believe that you will one day be recognized for your talent and be granted access to the underground library of the main house...”
The underground library of House Bednicker was filled with rare and precious martial arts manuals that would be difficult to find anywhere in The Empire.
Of course, entry into the library was also heavily restricted, and at this point in time, it was unlikely any of the children of the Lord of Blood and Iron had been granted access.
Kayan seemed to know this as well as he shook his head.
“But that is too far into the future. If my guess is correct, you seem to want this information as quickly as possible.”
“That’s right.”
“I think that obtaining the qualifications of a hero would be the fastest path. Not just a hero by title, but a hero that is officially part of Heroes.”
“Hm.”
It was a straightforward answer.
“Heroes” was the greatest hero institution in The Empire, and anyone could join if they passed the harsh tests.
It was affiliated with many different people, including the Great Houses, the Imperial House, nobles, commoners, and even slaves and nonhumans.
As the largest institution in The Empire, the authority held by Heroes was immense.
Neither the Imperial House nor the Four Great Religions of The Empire could openly reject their intentions.
“But to become an official hero, I’d need at least a year for the test and the probation period.”
Even though I was young right now, I didn’t want to waste my time.
I didn’t want to spend a year to become a hero that way.
“That is how it usually goes. However, there is a method you could use that would greatly reduce that time, young master.”
“What is it?”
“You could attend the training camp.”
“The training camp?”
Kayan had said something unexpected.
“You mean the Bednicker education program that takes six weeks?”
“That’s right. Bednicker has the authority to educate young heroes, which means they can grant you the status of a hero through their own tests.”
“Is that possible?”
“It is possible because we are House Bednicker.”
Although it was unbelievable, it was also true. House Bednicker was one of the two houses that protected The Empire.
“So I just need to complete it?”
“I have heard that that right is only given to the three best-performing students who complete the camp.”
“I see. Good to know.”
Six weeks wasn’t that long a time. And since the training camp was being carried out at House Bednicker’s main house, I didn’t mind staying a bit longer in this land filled with natural energies.
This seemed like one of those rare great places to train.
“You could personally ask the family head as well.”
“The family head?”
Kayan said, “Yes. If the family head personally tells you the information or grants you the right to enter the underground library, who in House Bednicker could oppose you?”
Now that I thought about it, he was right.
“However, the family head didn’t announce his presence in the Blessing Ceremony. There is no telling when he will return, so if you could instead gain a majority vote from the grand masters, or even from Sir Asad...”
At that point, the door swung open and the Lord of Blood and Iron revealed himself.
“You’re awake, Luan.”
“Ah, yes.”
“You haven’t forgotten the promise to share a meal?”
“I have not.”
“Good. It’s a little late for lunch, but is now possible? I have something to do at dinner.”
“It is.”
“Change into comfortable clothes and come to the fifth floor by three in the afternoon. I will be waiting.”
“Yes.”
Then, the Lord of Blood and Iron turned to Kayan and said, “Kayan, it seems your face has lightened up since your retirement. It is unfortunate that I wasn’t able to invite you to this meal. I will prepare accordingly next time.”
“P-pardon?”
“Sorry for the interruption.”
The Lord of Blood and Iron closed the door and left.
I was shocked as well, but Kayan, still standing next to me, suddenly slapped his own cheek while looking 100 times more surprised.
“What are you doing?”
“...This doesn’t seem to be a dream...?”
“...”
* * * * *
* * * * *
I left Kayan behind in the room.
I’ll take this just in case.
I brought the Sword of Seven Sins that I had been keeping under the bed. The Martial God’s consciousness might awaken again when we neared the Lord of Blood and Iron.
Also, if an opportunity arose for me to ask about the forgotten age, I might receive some advice.
Fortunately, the Sword of Seven Sins just looked like a toy sword, so I probably wouldn’t be reprimanded for carrying it. People would look at me like I was crazy, but I was used to that.
Once I was ready, I headed toward the fifth floor with the heart of a soldier going to war.
Yeah, the fifth floor of the main house of Bednicker...
The third floor was forbidden to entry by outsiders, and only a small number of individuals allowed on the third floor were allowed up to the fourth.
And then there was the fifth floor...
There was no news nor rumors about the fifth floor. It was a place no one even dared to speak about.
The fifth floor of the main house was open only to the Lord of Blood and Iron. Even members of the Council of Elders were forbidden entry without explicit permission.
From what I knew, except for the Lord of Blood and Iron, the only one who could freely enter and leave the fifth floor was the guardian of the House, Asad.
I was even more curious than when I had gone to the Trial Room on the fourth floor.
While moving up to the fourth floor from the third, I met a familiar face.
“You...!”
Hector pointed at me with wide eyes.
It didn’t feel right to have someone point at me, but I magnanimously let it slide.
“Hello, Elder Brother. How is your recovery going?”
“...Wh-why are you asking that?”
“Why? I’m the one who beat you up, so why shouldn’t I?”
I didn’t really care much about Hector. Although he had smacked Arzan and said some annoying things, those feelings had all been cleansed when I’d beaten him half to death.
Of course, if he tried to berate me here, those emotions would begin to accrue again... but for now I was fine.
“Your face looks good. I didn’t think those injuries would recover in a single day.”
“...I called a high-ranking priest.”
“Ah. Moneybags.”
Now that I thought about it, his mother came from a pretty good family. Financially, that is.
“I think I’ll be staying at the main house for a while, so let’s not treat each other as strangers. But let’s not get too close either. Moderation.”
Honestly, I wanted to say this to all my siblings, not just Hector.
There was no need for us to always be at each other’s throats, but that didn’t mean I wanted to be thick as thieves with them either.
I wanted a decent distance between us and to greet each other as we passed in the hallways.
There was nothing more I wanted to say to him, so I tried to walk past, but Hector suddenly asked a question.
“Where are you going?”
“The fifth floor.”
“What? Why there...”
“I’m having a meal with the family head.”
Hector’s face made a very funny expression.
It was as if he had just seen a meteor fall right in front of him.
Hector said with a stutter, “Wh-why are you having a meal with Father...”
“Because he invited me?”
“When did...”
“I forgot. More importantly, move.”
If I wanted to talk about that, I would need to tell him about how I’d met the Lord of Blood and Iron in House Bednicker’s forbidden area.
Naturally, there was no need for me to do so, so I tried to move past Hector while he was weirdly mumbling to himself. Before I could, though, he suddenly grabbed my shoulder.
“Stop!”
“...”
When he saw my expression, he quickly let go.
“I-I mean, wait just a second.”
Getting punched a few times seemed to have had an effect on his mentality.
At this point, I thought a fist was probably needed to fix the personalities of a few members of House Bednicker.
“What?”
“I... I’ll go with you.”
“Do as you want. But why are you telling me that?”
“That’s...” Hector’s expression hardened for a second before he shook his head. “...You’re right. I-I will be going to the fifth floor.”
“Sure.”
I walked up the stairs with an unexpected companion.