The Hero Becomes the Duke’s Eldest Son

Translator: Marctempest
Editor: Rynfinity

Chapter 18

There is a saying in the world:

“A mercenary cannot defeat the sword of a knight’s family.”

This reflected a harsh reality.

While mercenaries were busy living day by day, knights were fully supported with all kinds of elixirs and education, devoting themselves solely to the sword.

A mercenary’s sword was honed through countless battles and instincts over ten years.

But a knight’s sword was polished by efficient swordsmanship that had been established by their family for hundreds of years.

Ten years versus hundreds of years.

The difference was inevitable.

Which one would be stronger?

Of course, there were occasions when a skilled and seasoned mercenary could defeat a knight.

However, such a mercenary would usually be knighted by a noble family, which is why it was said that a mercenary could not defeat a knight.

But there was one exception: the Mercenary King.

This led to an additional clause to the saying:

“A mercenary cannot defeat the sword of a knight’s family. But the Mercenary King can break a knight’s sword.”

*Swish!*

Aden swung his sword towards Tiried.

*Shick! Clang! Bang! Clash!*

He relentlessly struck Tiried’s sword.

A very unconventional and wild swordsmanship.

Yet, it contained the heavy essence of the Mercenary King.

“Ugh?”

Tiried was startled.

He sensed that Aden’s swordsmanship had changed.

While continuously blocking Aden’s attacks, Tiried pondered.

‘What kind of swordsmanship is this?’

He had never encountered the Mercenary King’s swordsmanship before, so he didn’t recognize Aden’s technique.

It was a very rough sword.

But at the same time, it was deep and delicate.

When it seemed strong, it suddenly became soft, and when it seemed soft, it turned strong again.

The contradictory concepts of roughness and delicacy harmonized perfectly.

And that wasn’t all.

*Clang!*

Every time Aden’s sword clashed with Tiried’s, a vibration traveled through his arm and spread throughout his body.

Because of that vibration, Tiried began to feel mentally exhausted and nauseous.

‘What a bizarre swordsmanship this is!’

What Aden was displaying was a technique he had created in the future called ‘Resonance.’

It was a technique inspired by the magical resonance phenomenon that occurred during battles between magicians.

From the level of Sword Resonance, one could infuse mana into the sword.

As the mana was infused, it vibrated and created a unique wave.

When the frequency of that wave matched the opponent’s, every clash of swords transmitted the wave, causing the opponent’s entire body to tremble with mana.

Initially, it was so slight that it could be dismissed as a mere illusion.

However, as the battle progressed, the opponent’s concentration would drop, and they would feel nauseous and dizzy.

This was a technique that only Aden could use, thanks to his precise mana control.

The combination of the Mercenary King’s swordsmanship and Resonance had always been a perfect match.

The relaxed expression on Tiried’s face disappeared.

He realized that if this continued, he himself might be in danger.

‘It’s time to stop playing around.’

He put some real weight behind his sword swing.

*Swish-!*

Despite not infusing mana, a sword wind arose around him.

*Clang-!*

“Argh!”

When their swords collided, the sheer force and the sword wind swept Aden back.

“Ugh.”

Barely maintaining his balance, Aden stood his ground without falling.

This impressed Tiried once again.

“Huh, I thought you’d roll around on the ground a few times. Impressive.”

They entered a brief lull.

Curious, Tiried asked,

“What was that swordsmanship you just used?”

“It’s something created by a mercenary.”

It wasn’t a lie.

It was created by the first Mercenary King and passed down to him, and Resonance was something he had created in his past life as a mercenary.

Tiried’s expression grew complicated.

He seemed unwilling to admit that he had been impressed, even briefly, by a swordsmanship created by a mercenary.

But he soon masked his feelings and asked Aden,

“I think that’s enough. Do you want to continue?”

Aden’s body was drenched in sweat, and his breathing had grown heavy.

The Mercenary King’s swordsmanship and Resonance had surprised Tiried, but it was just a surprise.

Aden couldn’t defeat Tiried like this.

But Aden’s eyes didn’t lose their determination.

“I’m still standing.”

Those words implied that he wouldn’t admit defeat unless he was knocked down and unable to get back up.

Tiried, looking into Aden’s eyes, thought,

‘I don’t know what this kid has been through, but there’s a venom in his eyes.’

He saw an obsession hidden deep within Aden’s gaze.

And with that venom, there was also confidence that he could win.

Tiried couldn’t understand the source of that confidence.

‘Heh, I’m really curious.’

He wanted to find out the reason behind Aden’s confidence.

But if he took it too lightly and ended up losing, he might miss out on this promising disciple.

So, Tiried decided to set aside his curiosity and made up his mind.

‘This has to end.’

He decided to break Aden when he charged in this time.

Tiried pointed his sword at Aden and said,

“Come.”

There was a faint sense of intimidation in his voice.

It wasn’t from using Master Fear, but from his resolve to end it in this round.

“Alright.”

Aden gripped his sword.

*Paah-!*

He dashed towards Tiried with his maximum speed.

Aden aimed for Tiried’s left side.

But Tiried remained calm.

To knock Aden out in one blow, he aimed at Aden’s side with the broad side of his sword, Baalzebul.

With the force he put in, Aden would surely be knocked out upon impact.

This strike would conclude the duel with Tiried’s victory.

However, at that critical moment, Tiried saw it.

*Smiirk.*

Aden smiled, curling his lips up.

‘He’s smiling?’

The moment Tiried felt something off.

*Shwoosh.*

Aden suddenly disappeared from his sight.

“……!”

Then, Aden’s presence was felt from the opposite side, his right.

Tiried’s expression turned to shock.

‘When did he—!’

He quickly changed his sword’s path to target Aden, but it was too late.

*Slice!*

Feeling the sensation of metal cutting, Tiried stopped all movement.

Baalzebul, which was flying towards Aden, halted right in front of him.

“…….”

“…….”

A cold silence fell over the spectators.

Tiried looked at his right arm in disbelief.

It was a scratch.

A red line had appeared on his right arm, with a few drops of blood trickling down.

Soon, everyone realized.

Aden’s sword had scratched the right arm of the Sword Master, Tiried.

Meanwhile, Aden caught his breath, looking dissatisfied.

‘Tsk, I only managed to make a scratch.’

Aden had swung his sword intending to cut through half of Tiried’s arm.

But the body of the Sword Master, Tiried, instinctively hardened like stone the moment the sword touched him.

Thus, Aden’s sword could only leave a shallow scratch.

He had expected this outcome, but experiencing it firsthand left a bitter taste.

‘I need to find a way to quickly replenish my mana.’

For now, this was enough.

Just the fact that he had wounded the body of a Sword Master was a good return.

“How on earth did you do that?”

Tiried, in disbelief, asked with a shocked expression.

“That move just now, what was it?”

Aden smirked.

In his mind, a message appeared:

< … 3, 2, 1.>
< The Ring of Swiftness’ effect has ended.>
< Remaining usage for today: 2 times.>

The move Aden had just executed was all thanks to the Ring of Swiftness.

At the moment when Tiried was about to counterattack, Aden activated the Ring of Swiftness and used the Lowe movement technique.

His swift movement made it seem like he had vanished from Tiried’s sight.

Tiried quickly sensed Aden’s presence, but Aden managed to exploit that brief moment of disorientation to land his strike.

Aden showed his palm, revealing the Ring of Swiftness.

“Thanks to this ring.”

He explained honestly about using an artifact to Tiried.

He knew that if he gave a vague explanation, Tiried would not be convinced and would keep asking.

However, he distorted the truth slightly, saying it was a consumable item that lost its effectiveness after a certain number of uses, rather than being permanently usable.

‘In case I have to fight him again.’

While he didn’t want to make Tiried an enemy, it was better to be cautious.

Tiried’s expression became complicated at Aden’s explanation.

“You borrowed the power of an artifact?”

Aden shrugged lightly.

“Isn’t it more important how you use a tool rather than what tool you use? Didn’t you say that, Border Count?”

Aden’s words were effectively saying, ‘You used a famous sword like Baalzebul, and I used an artifact. So what, are you upset about it?’

At this, Tiried made a face as if he had been hit in the head, and then…

“Bwahahaha!”

He burst into laughter.

“Yes, an artifact and a sword are both just tools! I acknowledge it.”

What mattered more was how you used a tool, rather than what tool you used.

That was Tiried’s philosophy.

And Aden had applied that philosophy by using the artifact at the right time.

Tiried had

to acknowledge it.

“You got me! I lost! Hahaha!”

He was firm about winning and losing.

As soon as he declared his defeat, the spectators realized what had happened and erupted in cheers.

“Young Master Aden has won!”

“Amazing, Young Master!”

“Long live the Troll Prince!”

Though it was a restricted duel, defeating a Sword Master in a duel was something that excited people immensely.

However, Aden thought, feeling their cheers,

‘Couldn’t they drop the Troll Prince bit….’

—

In the end, Aden succeeded in obtaining Baalzebul, the 72-Sword, as the stake of the bet.

When Duke Fried heard the news, he was so shocked that he jumped out of bed.

He rushed out to request and plead with the Border Count to cancel the bet.

Baalzebul wasn’t just a famous sword, it was a treasure of the Sedus family.

Even if it was a mutual agreement, losing such a precious item so easily wasn’t acceptable.

However, the one who lost the sword, Tiried, firmly refused.

– It was a bet made in my name. I cannot easily overturn it. Haha! Just consider it a gift to my nephew.

His will was so firm that the Duke couldn’t persuade him otherwise.

Well, it was a good thing for Aden.

In his room, Aden caressed the sheath of the sword, Baalzebul.

‘The 72-Sword, especially Baalzebul… I got lucky.’

The reason he coveted this sword was clear.

Though it would be revealed much later in the future, each of the 72-Swords had a unique hidden power.

This power only manifested under certain conditions, and until then, they were just the most durable and high-quality swords in the world.

‘Even just that is amazing, though.’

The 72-Swords were the only blades that could cut through dragon scales without chipping.

But that was nothing compared to their hidden power.

Aden began the preliminary steps to awaken Baalzebul.

*Swoosh.*

Aden unsheathed Baalzebul.

From the hilt to the blade, it was a jet-black sword.

He placed his thumb on the sharp edge, drawing blood.

*Drip.*

As the blood fell on the blade, something astonishing happened.

The sword absorbed Aden’s blood as if it were alive.

A truly bizarre phenomenon.

*Swish.*

Then, an unknown dark red pattern appeared on the blade.

One unique feature of the 72-Swords was that they revealed their unique patterns after absorbing blood.

Strange characters surrounded the pattern.

They were the characters used by dark sorcerers or the Talos of the underground world.

‘Before the dark sorcerers became active, no one knew the connection between the 72-Swords and Talos.’

Ironically, the method to awaken the swords’ power was revealed through dark sorcerers.

Some dark sorcerers acquired the 72-Swords and used their power freely.

They committed all sorts of atrocities using the hidden power of the swords.

Since then, the 72-Swords became known as the 72-Demonic Swords.

Three conditions were required to awaken a 72-Sword.

The first condition was to read the characters that appeared on the sword to establish oneself as its master.

During the process of subduing dark sorcerers, Aden had to decipher their spells and thus had learned the language of the underground world, Demon Lord, to some extent.

“qksksksmsaktdlTdj. aktdlTdmaus Eh ajrdj.”

At that moment, a faint red light emanated from the sword’s pattern.

*Wooong.*

The sword hummed briefly before the red light subsided.

< You have formed a ‘Blood Contract’.>

‘Got it.’

Aden felt a faint connection between himself and the sword.

He had successfully established himself as the master of Baalzebul.

‘Now I need to satisfy the second condition.’

The second condition required a lot of time.

The sword needed to absorb as much life force as possible, meaning the mana of living beings.

An absurdly large amount.

Dark sorcerers used humans as sacrifices because they were efficient sources of life force…

‘I can’t do something that crazy.’

Monsters also contained plenty of life force.

And there was a perfect place nearby to gather that life force.

‘The Piern Mountains….’

The Piern Mountains, teeming with monsters.

It was the perfect place to gather sacrifices.