How to Survive as a Genius Spy in the Game Chapter 231 - Festival (1)

The atmosphere changed dramatically as soon as it began. A cool, sharp tension prevailed. Terka stood still in his place.

He was merely taking a stance, wary of me. A sneer leaked from the corner of my mouth.

“How arrogant.”

I thought Terka might be firmly believing what his master had told him. That he had the upper hand.

I might have believed it too if my master had said such a thing, but I wouldn’t have in actual combat.

There’s a time gap between when he heard it and now, and practice is always different from skill.

Of course, that attitude didn’t mean he was being careless. It just meant he was giving me the first move.

“We’ll see about that.”

He lifted the corner of his mouth. Without another word, I kicked off the ground. The winds brushed past at high speed.

A short-distance dash. Even while receiving sunlight, Moonlight was still faintly emitting moonlight.

The sword was below my right thigh. I raised my arm diagonally while putting strength in my foot, calf, and thigh.

His body flinched in response. In that instant, I reversed the overload on my hand, wrist, forearm, and waist, twisting the timing.

The diagonal slash was a feint. I controlled Moonlight’s speed by turning my wrist. I aimed for his side again with an external rotation.

He didn’t give in easily. His reaction speed was quite good. He, too, twisted his sword twice to block Moonlight.

‘He’s fast.’

As soon as he deflected Moonlight, he took a step forward and thrust his sword. I widened my eyes.

It was a feint, just like mine. He avoided Moonlight, which I had extended for defense, and aimed for my thigh.

Clang-! I blocked it just in time. The difference between him and me was that even with the same feint, his method was more flashy.

Unlike me, he had included 3 feints in a short time.

And wherever his sword drew, it was as if flower petals were unfolding. The essence of splendor, you could say.

As expected, what I saw when saving Denif earlier wasn’t even half of this guy’s true skill.

Indeed, as expected someone who will soon become a Sword Master. If I hadn’t reached the 6-star level of Moonlight Technique, it would have been a difficult fight.

“Hup!”

As time passed, both our breaths became shorter and more intense, and his sword dance became even more splendid.

As time went on, we came to know each other’s swordsmanship, so the limits of what we could unfold also changed.

I wasn’t just standing still either. I focused on watching his feints. The moon may change, but it doesn’t waver.

At times, I showed a sharp advance filled with moonlight as if the full moon was rising, while also showing signs of retreat.

‘As expected.’

He showed signs of being slightly flustered each time. Amidst the back-and-forth of offense and defense, I suddenly found a thread of enlightenment.

People usually view the moon with feelings of loneliness. Maybe it’s because the time they see it is at night.

I was somewhat similar. The moon that blooms at night was closer to the expression of elegance rather than splendor.

However, on the night of the full moon, the moonlight is also splendid. Then, there’s no rule that moonlight can’t be splendid, is there?

Of course, one should be cautious. There are clear pros and cons to learning by watching others’ swordsmanship.

Just as I had been stuck unable to escape the inspiration given by Rudehrn’s waves, hindering my growth.

In the end, the point is whether I can combine the splendor Terka shows with my own swordsmanship.

And that wasn’t so difficult. There was a precedent. The battle with Tsukva. I continuously brought forth moonlight.

Although I didn’t aim for splendor, there were aspects that connected to that experience.

‘It would be better to overwhelm.’

The change was instantaneous. In a flash, I advanced fiercely three steps forward while swinging Moonlight.

I could feel his bewilderment at the sudden change. It was the opposite of the style I had shown for a short time.

He unfolded two feints for defense. People act habitually in urgent moments.

And coincidentally, that feint was something I had seen about three times while analyzing his patterns.

There was no need to end it just because I overwhelmed him with splendor. I thrust my sword concisely through the middle of his feints.

It felt like impassive moonlight piercing through scattered flower petals. The tip of Moonlight was in front of his neck.

“Oh.”

“Well…”

Denif and Terka spoke simultaneously. Though he reacted belatedly to my attack, his sword was about 20cm away from my wrist.

I grinned. He clicked his tongue and raised both arms.

“I was arrogant.”

He’s quick to admit it, it seems. Well, that’s probably why he could become a Sword Master in such a short time.

An individual’s personality and their aspiration for swordsmanship are different things.

I tried to remember this moment. Changes in swordsmanship are usually not good.

It might end up being neither here nor there.

Even if it’s highly useful in actual combat, that’s how it is when viewed long-term.

But this time was different from that. In Moonlight Technique, I had seen a part that I hadn’t noticed before.

‘I need to research this.’

The splendor of moonlight. This seemed like it would be better the higher the level of Moonlight Technique becomes.

I was satisfied with this achievement.

In the game, Terka becomes a Sword Master after a few years. It means that my current level is higher than his.

Of course, there’s no order to growth and development, but it was something that could be viewed quite positively.

However, I did have a bit of doubt.

‘Can he really become a Sword Master in a few years from this level?’

The wall of Sword Master still felt so far away to me. Hmm. I’m not sure. Growth and change aren’t proportional to time.

This guy might have had some catalyst, or I might be thinking about it too difficultly.

“You got it? It’s two years.”

“…”

“You wouldn’t say no to a promise made on your master’s honor, would you?”

“…Don’t worry.”

Terka’s face showed considerable shock along with dissatisfaction. Even as he answered, he looked at the sword in his hand instead of me.

Well, where there’s a stick, there should also be a carrot.

“Instead, I might give you the legendary sword earlier if I see you doing well.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“I’m not saying I’ll reduce the promise period. It means I’ll give you the legendary sword in advance, but you still keep the promise period.”

“…Hmm.”

“Just in case, you’d better not think about taking it and running. I think you won’t because your master’s honor is at stake, but…”

I said with wide eyes, conveying a warning.

“If such a thing happens, I’ll inform the imperial palace about it. That Sir Mondegreen’s disciple took an imperial legendary sword by selling his master’s honor.”

Terka’s eyes widened. He probably hadn’t thought that far when making the promise with me.

“Sir Mondegreen finding and beating you up would be faster than me finding you.”

He nodded unconsciously. A disciple who threw away his master’s honor across the entire continent. Not just Mondegreen, but anyone would come looking.

This was also why I thought I could trust him to some extent when he said he’d stake his master’s honor.

In the first place, if a Sword Master’s disciple ignores that relationship and acts, they’re treated worse than the scum of the earth.

And if they really do such a thing, the master will come and clean up the mess.

If I add a leash like a legendary sword on top of that, I might really be able to handle this guy.

“And I always welcome such bets in the future. Let me know if you feel confident about reducing the term again.”

“…Wouldn’t it get out of hand and increase too much?”

“Why? Not confident?”

At my cheap provocation, a spark lit up in his eyes.

“It’s not that, but I’m comparing the risk I’m willing to take with what I’ll gain.”

“Don’t worry too much. This term won’t increase beyond a certain level.”

“You mean there’s a limit?”

“Yes. Though it’s not clearly defined.”

“What does that mean?”

Terka tilted his head.

“It means you’re free when the devil disappears from this continent.”

“You mean the promise ends if it disappears within a year?”

“The possibility is low, but yes.”

“These bastards. I should catch and kill them as soon as possible.”

He showed enthusiasm with a deadly smile. I thought it was a positive response.

Well, I deliberately talked like this too. He nodded once more.

“Alright. If it’s like that, I feel better.”

“Feel like challenging?”

“Soon.”

“Okay.”

“But I heard there’s going to be a festival soon.”

Terka changed the subject. I nodded.

“Yes.”

The internal affairs of the Empire were completely settled. That’s why a grand festival was scheduled soon.

Well, in a way, it could be seen as Erendil’s true coronation ceremony.

“Can I go too?”

“Why bother when you already have a promise with me?”

“That’s that, and this is this. You could say I’m sowing seeds in advance.”

“No.”

“Ah, why!”

I spoke firmly.

“If you’re asking me, doesn’t that mean you want to be let into the imperial palace?”

“That’s right.”

“Outside the capital might be fine, but not the imperial palace. Do you want to spread rumors all over town that you’re related to Her Majesty?”

It’s not that I don’t trust this guy. We just made a promise too. However, exposing the organization I lead is not a good thing.

It’s the same even if this guy enters not through my connection but through Rudehrn’s.

The remnants of the devil worshippers who haven’t been caught yet are still likely lurking in the Empire.

They’ll be especially watching the imperial palace. As I said this, I made up some appropriate words to sound impressive.

It wasn’t difficult with what I had seen while playing the game. I just had to use it appropriately with some changes.

“We serve Her Majesty from within the shadows. Her Majesty is the light. In other words, we are Her Majesty’s secret sword.”

“…”

Denif, who was next to me, made an ‘oh’ shape with his mouth. It was quite a good phrase.

I thought it was cool even while playing the game.

“Although we aspire to the sunny side because we serve the light, we ultimately have to work in the shade.”

I spoke before he could say anything.

“When I returned to the Empire bearing false charges, I didn’t ask Her Majesty to restore my honor. Because it’s better for deceiving enemies that way.”

“…It seems true.”

He slightly frowned, examining me, then nodded.

The playful atmosphere from earlier had disappeared. Terka had also become solemn in response to my serious words.

“This was Her Majesty’s choice. However, I can’t do that with the organization I lead. Even if I’ve been revealed, the swords under me still need to remain secret.”

“…”

“If you don’t like it, leave. I’ll cancel the promise too. Instead, you’ll have to keep quiet about what happened between us, on your master’s honor.”

Terka fell into deep thought with a serious face without answering. The time of contemplation was not short.

“Damn it, fine.”

And he nodded, exhaling deeply.

“To be honest, at first I wanted to join because it seemed fun. But it was more serious than I thought.”

I understood Terka’s confession to some extent. Seeing how Denif acted when we were together, it must have been hard to take seriously no matter how much the work was explained. His personality is far from seriousness too.

“But I don’t intend to run away. I’ll follow what you say.”

“Good.”

I extended my hand. Terka immediately grasped it. A short handshake with strength. I felt that Terka’s atmosphere had changed.

That doesn’t mean I think he’s changed as a person, moved by my words.

There might be some sincerity, but it was probably a decision made after calculating various things in his head.

He probably weighed whether this brief hardship could be used as a valuable asset when meeting women later.

After all, a secret organization serving the Emperor is something that makes people’s hearts race.

I don’t think I’m thinking too negatively about this. I know this guy well.

“Denif.”

We’ve rested enough while talking. Now it was time to spar with Denif.

***

Fortunately, finding a sword for Denif didn’t take long. I resolved the matter with just four attempts.

Denif was jumping around more happily than ever, and seeing that, Terka tried not to show it but his envy was visible.

I kept hinting to Denif to keep subtly boasting. So that Terka could control his will by seeing the legendary sword.

Denif agreed. It seems he was planning to tease even without me saying so. Probably because of the result of the sparring.

I heard that the sparring between Denif and Terka ended in Terka’s victory. It was a narrow win, they said.

However, Denif was fired up after that.

When crossing swords with me, he didn’t realize because I was too calm, but he seemed to have realized how to control the flame inside him.

‘It’s positive.’

He’s at a similar level to someone who will become a Sword Master in a few years. At this rate, it might be faster than what Rudehrn said.

Of course, once he stagnates, there might be no progress for decades, but the possibility is what’s important.

In the meantime, I also sparred with Rudehrn and Faorn. The fight with Terka was definitely a big help.

Rudehrn said I had improved a lot.

Moreover, I gained another thread of insight through the advice I received while clashing with the two Sword Masters.

‘On a day when I’m in good condition, I might be able to cross the wall.’

The capital was bustling. Minteron had also returned, so today was the start of the scheduled festival.

There were quite a few new nobles who had taken the place of the disappeared nobles. They were Erendil’s people.

It was natural that Duchess Lyurik, who had helped with the cleanup along with Minteron, had also come to the capital. She was now a Grand Duchess.

It was in recognition of her contributions so far. Erendil had tried to bestow a title on me too, but I earnestly declined.

‘I have too much to do to spend time on territory or titles.’

I also heard news that Orhen would soon arrive in the capital. New nobles and people coming from various countries. The festival was decided to last for 5 days.

Honestly, I have some complaints about using so much time in this situation, but…

It was an unavoidable part. This was the necessary formality to operate on a national scale.

It’s because it’s showing the Empire’s intact status and new beginning to the existing nobles of the Empire, the new nobles, and the kingdoms in the far west and south.

‘Should I start moving?’

Just after evening time had passed, I set out for the imperial palace with all preparations complete.

Erendil had a uniform tailored for me. I liked that it was elegant without being flashy.

Amidst the excitement of the white city Chenarus, I could feel people’s gazes with every step I took.

People who would normally call out my name just took a short breath, gasping “Huk.”

‘It’s the first time I’ve dressed up like this.’

The occasion called for it. Erendil had sent people. Even my hair, which I usually let loose carelessly, was tidied up, and something was applied to my skin.

Since my mansion was close, it didn’t take long to reach the imperial palace.

The knight standing at the door looked slightly flustered upon seeing me but gave a sharp salute before shouting towards the inside of the banquet hall.

“The great Dragon Slayer! The one who faced the devil! Unwavering loyalty! The Empire’s Sword, Sir Carl Schurtafen enters!”

With those words, silence fell over the bustling banquet hall. After Erendil restored my honor, I avoided conversations with nobles.

I didn’t create opportunities to meet them, and even when I happened to meet them, I just greeted them and left, saying I was busy on Erendil’s orders.

Gossip mongers rated me higher than Duchess Lyurik, no, the Grand Duchess, and said I was the closest person to Erendil, so the attention was natural.

As the doors swung wide open, I took a deep breath and stepped forward. Countless eyes focused on me in the silence.