My Lord Who Is Being Prudent! [EN]: Chapter 172

§ 172. Cause of Harm (1)

Sian stopped in his tracks, his mind momentarily blank.

The Cause of Harm, received as compensation for the emergency maintenance.

In simple terms, it was compensation for the services and features Sian couldn’t use because Mobile Lord was under maintenance.

You could say it was compensation for the harm Sian suffered due to those unavailable features.

But strictly speaking, there wasn’t much to the Cause of Harm.

At most, it was not being able to check the information in the Mileage Shop.

And not being able to use Fame Points, that was all.

Honestly, it wasn’t even something to call “harm.”

It was just… inconvenient, that was all.

But there was one thing.

“I missed Kai…?”

Missing Kai was a slightly different story.

Objectively, Sian couldn’t surpass Kai.

He could barely manage to confront him.

But frankly, he was just barely holding him off.

If the fight had continued beyond that.

If Conrad hadn’t stepped in.

Sian himself would have been the one to lose the fight.

Currently, Sian couldn’t beat Kai.

But if he had used … the story would have been different.

『

[Enhancement Effect 1](+5) – For 1 minute, all physical abilities of the achievement holder increase by +7,000%!

[Enhancement Effect 2](+5) – Within a 100-meter radius, all allies’ physical abilities increase by +450% for 10 minutes!

《[Enhancement Effect 1] and [Enhancement Effect 2] cannot be used simultaneously!》

.

.

In the past, was enhanced repeatedly during the battle with Asrandiz.

[Enhancement Effect 1].

[Enhancement Effect 1] increases the physical abilities of the achievement holder by +7,000% for 1 minute.

If he had this buff, Sian could have pushed Kai back sufficiently.

It didn’t have to be [Enhancement Effect 1].

The buff of [Enhancement Effect 2], which enhances the physical abilities of allies other than Sian, would have been enough.

Even though the effect didn’t apply to Sian.

But Ruben’s knights and soldiers, as well as Kendrick and Leia, could have received a +450% enhancement buff.

Kendrick and Leia at +450%?

What more needs to be said?

No matter how great the White Wolf Knights were.

They couldn’t stop Kendrick and Leia who had received the buff.

Then they could have quickly supported Sian and suppressed Kai.

Either way, all he had to do was use .

If he had received the effect of any buff, he could have sufficiently suppressed Kai.

And if that had happened, Sian could have shaken Elan D’or.

Because Kai’s position in Elan D’or wasn’t that simple.

Kai’s position in Elan D’or, as well as within the Empire, wasn’t simple.

If he could have taken Kai hostage…

He could have really shaken Elan D’or.

No matter how much Durak treated his children as pawns.

If the value of that pawn was outstanding, he would gladly take action.

And Kai was a pawn of sufficient value to Durak.

No, he had more than enough, an enormous value.

Therefore, not being able to use .

And not being able to push Kai back because of it.

The numerical value of that Cause of Harm wouldn’t be measured as small.

Sian looked at the smartphone screen with a trembling heart.

But.

Measuring the Cause of Harm…

Only a notification window saying ‘Measuring’ appeared on the screen, with no further progress.

It seemed that calculating the Cause of Harm would take a considerable amount of time.

He didn’t know if it was taking time because there were too many Causes of Harm.

Or if the Cause of Harm measurement itself took a long time.

Either way, he couldn’t know right now.

“Let’s go back for now.”

Sian put the smartphone into his pocket and turned back toward the Lord’s Castle.

#

Sian, who returned to the Lord’s Castle, headed straight to the room where Conrad and Elena were waiting.

But.

“Huh?”

For some reason, Conrad and Elena were not to be seen.

Only Hans was seen cleaning the room.

Sian immediately approached Hans and asked.

“Hans. Where did His Highness and the Princess go?”

“They went out with Leia a while ago.”

“With Leia?”

“Yes. Leia said she would show them around Ruben.”

“Is that so?”

She said she didn’t like it, that it was annoying, and so on a while ago.

But she must have seen Conrad kindly as a descendant.

Sian let out a slight smile.

“Do you know where they went… no, it’s okay.”

Sian suppressed the desire to follow them.

It felt like he was intruding on the reunion between a distant ancestor and a descendant.

Well… Elena seemed a little reluctant.

There didn’t seem to be a need for Sian to step in.

No, he shouldn’t step in.

“Hmm…”

As the situation flowed like this, there was nothing to do.

He didn’t have much gold to spend on in-app purchases.

There was a Mileage Shop, but Sian had no Mileage [points earned through gameplay or purchases].

And the Cause of Harm was still being measured.

So he thought about tracking Elan D’or’s slush fund…

Amelia was currently busy moving to ‘Sweep Up Merchant Group Lv.1’.

Elan D’or’s ledger was in the smartphone, so it was difficult to do anything right now.

Only Sian was left floating.

‘Should I rest a little more at the treatment center?’

He thought, but Sian quickly shook his head.

It seemed like a leisurely situation, but it wasn’t at all.

Even now, countless things were happening outside of Ruben, throughout the Empire.

And he couldn’t know what Elan D’or was plotting.

Unless he couldn’t move his body.

He didn’t have time to rest leisurely at the treatment center.

“Hans. I’ll be at the Lord’s Castle training grounds, so let me know immediately if any problems arise.”

“Understood.”

Sian headed straight to the training grounds located in the Lord’s Castle.

#

The Lord’s personal training grounds located in Lord’s Castle Lv.3.

Perhaps because of the expansion work a while ago, one side of the training grounds was noisy.

Sian stood in the center of the training grounds and raised his sword.

He tried to ignore the noise and slowly closed his eyes.

A darkened vision.

Sian recalled the clash with Kai and relived the feeling of that time.

Kai was strong.

The star of the Empire.

Despite being not even 30 years old, Kai was looking beyond the intermediate level of Master to the advanced level [of swordsmanship].

A genius who even surpassed Durak, and an unparalleled genius in the Empire.

Perhaps Kai could reach the realm of Grand Master, the dream realm that all knights longed for.

On the other hand, Sian was not.

Sian’s talent was miserable.

Compared to Kai, it was so miserable that it was shattered.

If it weren’t for the numerous in-app purchases and growth buffs.

Above all, if it weren’t for Mobile Lord.

Sian would not have been able to reach or even dream of the current realm.

And that fact has not changed even now.

But confessing now…

Honestly, Sian seemed to have become a little conceited.

Even with his miserable talent, he thought he could overcome it.

And he thought he had already overcome it.

The numerous trials and tribulations Sian had experienced.

The countless things he had overcome that were called impossible.

In the process, Sian thought he had overcome his talent, his limitations.

But it wasn’t true.

He could tell when he faced Kai directly with his sword.

There was someone who flew above the one who ran.

And there was a vast sky above the one who flew.

Sian slowly, very slowly, swung his sword.

The sword moves according to Sian’s gesture.

The weight of the sword felt heavy today.

The weight of his moving body felt heavy, like cotton soaked in water.

The weight of the sword that Sian gripped.

The weight of the burdens Sian carried.

It weighed down even more heavily today.

Sian continued to swing his sword.

The sword swung while overcoming the heaviness of the body was fierce and sharp.

A sword that the former Sian could not wield.

The executioner Sian no longer exists here.

I am definitely getting stronger.

More than before, more than yesterday.

The current me is definitely getting stronger.

But why can’t the thought that it’s not enough leave my head?

Kyle’s Demon Soul Asura Sword.

Kyle’s sword from the past comes to mind in memory and sensation.

Kyle, whom Sian wants to chase.

Kyle existed in a realm far beyond.

A realm that the current Sian, as well as the future Sian, could not even dare to dream of.

Will the day ever come when I reach that realm?

Well…

Even in this moment of working hard every day, I doubt it.

Let alone Kyle’s realm, I couldn’t even surpass Kai right now.

Even so, I can do it.

No, I have to do it.

I have always thought that way and worked hard.

But reality was not so easy.

When I overcame a wall, there was a thicker wall standing there.

When I achieved something, a bigger ordeal came.

Even so, pretending not to be bothered, pretending to be calm.

In front of people, I brushed it off calmly and pleasantly.

But actually, it wasn’t.

Actually, it wasn’t calm or pleasant.

*Crack!*

Sian was just so frustrated about that fact.

Sian’s sword flows.

Kyle’s sword flashes in the darkened vision.

Sian’s sword moves along Kyle’s sword.

Kyle’s image is clearly visible in his eyes like a phantom.

*Twitch.*

But I couldn’t imitate it. I couldn’t catch up.

Exceed, the realm beyond that.

The only existence in the long continental history.

The strongest Arnaise.

Sian could not go where Kyle could go.

Sian could not even dare to look upon that distant realm.

Sian’s sword stops.

Eventually, it fell powerlessly down.

“······”

The weight that presses on the heart.

What if it was Kai?

What if Kai had learned the Demon Soul Asura Sword?

Would he have been following Kyle’s path in that distant beyond?

Maybe, really maybe.

Wouldn’t he be standing shoulder to shoulder with Kyle by now?

At least—.

-My Lord.

At that moment, a familiar voice was heard from one side.

Looking there, Kendrick was approaching Sian, his crimson eyes gleaming.

And just now, had he been watching Sian’s sword?

Had he sensed something there?

-Do not be impatient.

Kendrick was saying that.

But Sian didn’t answer anything.

He couldn’t answer.

Because he couldn’t.

Because he couldn’t help but be impatient.

Kai and Durak, whom Sian had to confront.

Leia and Kendrick, who are fighting alongside Sian.

They were far ahead.

But Sian had not yet reached that level.

If he didn’t hurry, Sian wouldn’t be able to keep up with them.

A mediocre person had to put in countless efforts to catch up to a genius.

He had to put in truly bone-grinding effort.

Then, what kind of effort would it take to catch up to a genius who also works hard?

Could he even catch up even with effort?

That was talent.

A wall that could not be overcome no matter how much effort was put in.

And Sian was nothing more than a dullard, not even mediocre.

He had no talent whatsoever to chase after others.

A thought he had never forgotten for even a moment.

But that fact weighed heavily on Sian’s heart today.

Sian stood there silently.

-To be honest… I don’t lack talent like you, my lord.

Kendrick’s low voice flowed into Sian’s ear.

Kendrick’s dark blue eyes were solely directed at Sian.

Kendrick was a Death Knight and a high-level Master knight.

The leader of the Black Lion Knights who followed Kyle in his lifetime.

The infamous Demon Slayer.

Kendrick’s talent was beyond the word genius.

-So, I cannot fully understand the feelings you are experiencing now. I do not know how harsh and miserable the path you are walking is.

Therefore, Kendrick could not understand Sian.

Just as a dullard cannot follow a genius.

A genius also could not understand the feelings of a dullard.

-So…

Kendrick continued.

-I could not surpass my current level.

Sian looked up at Kendrick.

Kendrick lowered his head slightly and spoke slowly.

-I will not say that my level is low.

Kendrick, a high-level Master.

That level was by no means low.

How could the level to be able to discuss the best sword in the continent be considered low?

But.

-Compared to a thousand years, it cannot be said to be high either.

Kendrick had lived as a Death Knight for a thousand years.

During that long time, he repeatedly trained, abandoning his swordsmanship from his human days and reborn as a new being.

However, to put it differently.

Kendrick had been stuck at that level for a thousand years.

Still, the level of a high-level Master was not low.

However, in the face of a thousand years, there was a bit of a lack.

Especially for someone with Kendrick’s talent.

-A long time ago, the previous lord once said this to me.

The previous lord that Kendrick was talking about was none other than Kyle.

Kyle had once said this to Kendrick.

‘Kendrick. The talent I have seen in you is quite outstanding. That is why I am very worried that your talent will hold you back.’

‘……I did not understand what you meant because of my lack of ability.’

Kyle looked at Kendrick and slowly continued.

‘What do you think is the most powerful martial art?’

‘……I think it is your sword.’

Kendrick answered after a moment of thought.

It was not a concept like flattery.

Because Kyle’s sword, as Kendrick had seen and felt, was like that.

Kyle slowly shook his head.

And said.

‘My sword was a sword that no one even looked at.’

Of course, Kendrick did not believe it.

But Kyle’s eyes did not seem to be those of someone who was lying.

‘I have experienced countless frustrations while honing this sword. They rejected and scorned it, saying it was a sword that dealt with demons. I have thought countless times about giving up, looking at those who were ahead of me. I have also regretted countless times, looking at swordsmanship that was far superior to my sword, wondering if I should have gone another way.’

But.

‘I have silently honed my sword for countless years. And finally, I have raised it to its current level. However, my sword was not strong from the beginning. Also, if you ask if this current level is the best martial art, that is also not the case.’

‘My sword is still not complete. There are still swords at a higher level than mine.’

Kendrick still could not believe Kyle’s words.

Of course, Kyle’s sword was not yet complete.

He could not believe that there was a sword at a higher level than Kyle’s sword.

However, Kyle’s eyes were filled with a certain conviction.

‘There is no end to the path of martial arts. And to walk that path of martial arts is like walking an endless road.’

‘It doesn’t matter how strong you are or how great your talent is. In the face of an endless road, those things are just the same point.’

Therefore, the most powerful martial art.

The ultimate martial art could be said to be a realm that can never be reached.

The path of martial arts had no end.

And it was impossible to reach the end of that road.

In fact, it was no different from an unwinnable fight.

However, even if you can’t win.

That does not mean defeat.

There was a way not to lose even in an unwinnable fight.

There was a way to pursue the end on a road where the end is not visible.

‘Whether you can get up and move forward again after experiencing any despair and frustration.’

Not ending that fight, walking that road.

‘That is the true talent needed for those who walk the path of martial arts.’

.

.

.

-I don’t know how you will hear it, but I have never experienced frustration. I have never experienced despair. I have been blocked by some walls, but I quickly broke them down.

Kendrick’s talent, even recognized by Kyle.

That genius talent made it possible.

That is why Kendrick could not understand Kyle’s words at the time.

But now that he has become a Death Knight.

Now, after a thousand years have passed.

Kendrick could finally understand Kyle’s words.

Kendrick, who has broken down countless walls blocking his path.

But in reality.

-I could not break my limit.

The limit of a high-level Master.

That limit that surpassed Kendrick’s talent.

Kendrick could not break the limit of his talent in the end.

Even after a thousand years had passed.

A limit he had never faced.

Despair and frustration he had never faced.

Kendrick’s outstanding talent made it easy to overcome many walls.

Ironically, it did not teach him how to overcome the wall of frustration.

So, confessing now.

Kendrick had not been training solely for a thousand years.

At some point, from some point.

-I no longer dreamed of higher realms.

Kendrick finally turned away from the despair he faced.

He chose to ignore it rather than embrace it.

Kendrick finally despaired of his own genius.

Thinking, this is it.

But Sian was not.

Sian, as Kendrick saw him, was truly a dullard among dullards.

Compared to Kyle, and compared to himself, his talent was shattered.

That is why Sian was blocked by walls every moment.

He was frustrated and despaired, blocked by walls that Kendrick didn’t even see as walls.

But Sian did not turn away.

He did not turn his gaze.

Unlike himself, he embraced the despair he faced and chose the path to move forward.

And so, he finally broke through the walls he called impossible.

He was breaking his limits every moment.

‘When you reach the extreme, everyone eventually looks at the same place.’

Kyle used to say that a long time ago.

I didn’t understand those words back then.

But now, after a thousand years have passed, I am beginning to understand those words little by little.

And that was not because of the words of the lord of a thousand years ago, Kyle.

It was none other than the lord in front of him.

A dullard who he thought was nothing.

-I respect you, my lord.

He was realizing the meaning of those words from Sian.

And so, very little by little.

Kendrick was learning from Sian how to break his own limits.

Of course, Kendrick still could not understand the feelings of a dullard.

He could not understand Sian’s feelings.

He could not empathize with the frustrations Sian was experiencing.

But if it was Sian, who Kendrick had been watching until now.

If it was Sian, who did not give up on getting up again.

Someday, someday he would be able to reach that distant realm.

He was sure that he could.

So.

-Do not put a period on the comma you have temporarily inserted.

Kendrick slowly lowered his head.

Sian stared blankly at Kendrick.

And then, he chuckled without realizing it.

A laugh that leaked out for no reason.

And a feeling of comfort for some reason.

“Thank you, Kendrick.”

-It was an presumptuous interference.

Sian gave a small smile.

Right, since when have I been intimidated by this kind of thing?

Even after meeting Mobile Lord.

Even after learning Kyle’s sword.

Sian was Sian.

A talent that was so miserable that it was shattered.

A dullard among dullards who could not even easily awaken Aura [a manifestation of inner energy].

That is why this kind of frustration. This kind of despair.

Now it was more than familiar, it was everyday life.

And overcoming those frustrations and despairs.

Doing things that no one thought could be done.

Isn’t this also something I have always done?

So, just get up again.

Just get up and move forward.

Don’t be impatient.

Don’t compare yourself to others.

I was a little more developed than yesterday’s me.

That was enough.

If I take one step at a time like that.

Someday, someday.

I will be able to reach the end of this road.

“Hoo…”

Sian took a long breath.

Various emotions were melted into that long breath and exhaled.

“In that sense, can I ask for a match?”

-Of course.

Kendrick nodded lightly.

#

Sian continued sparring with Kendrick countless times.

And well…

As expected, he could not surpass Kendrick.

But Sian was not disappointed or frustrated.

It was enough if he was stronger than the me just now.

“Let’s stop here today.”

-Understood.

Kendrick nodded at Sian’s words.

At the sight of Kendrick, Sian plopped down on the spot.

Tension was released and countless exhaustion poured out throughout his body.

His whole body was already battered.

‘Ellie told me not to overdo it for a while.’

I guess I’ll get scolded again.

Sian chuckled.

At that moment.

Ting!

The notification sound of the smartphone rang from his pocket.

Sian tilted his head once and took out his smartphone.

And checked the screen of the smartphone.

There was a notification window that the damage causality had been measured.

‘It ended faster than I thought?’

I thought it would take a little more time, but it ended faster than I thought.

Did the system get stronger while going through repeated inspections?

Sian immediately checked the measured causality.

And one notification window floating on the screen.

[Calculated Damage Causality] – 100,002,100 G

Stunned.

In an instant, Sian’s movement stopped as it was.

With his movement stopped, only his eyes counted the number of 0s on the floating screen.

“…100 million…?”

Words that leaked out without realizing it.

And at the same time.

《Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek?!?!?!?!?!?》

The Mobile Lord’s notification window, fainting, burst out all over the screen.