My Lord Who Is Being Prudent! [EN]: Chapter 179

§ 179. The Truth Behind the Curtain (1)

With a blank stare, Xian’s mind wandered off.

And with that wandering mind, his sense of the absurd also heightened.

A mind completely blank.

The flow of thought just wouldn’t continue.

Only after a long time did his wandering mind return.

But perhaps his heightened sense of the absurd didn’t return.

Xian still couldn’t understand Leia’s words.

‘Kai used Oppa’s [term of endearment, like ‘brother’ or ‘older brother’ in Korean] swordsmanship…?’

So, he used Charlotte’s swordsmanship?

What on earth does this mean?

“What… what are you talking about?”

-Just as I said. He seemed to be using Oppa’s swordsmanship.

Leia’s words caused Xian’s barely returned mind to wander off once more.

Kai used Charlotte’s swordsmanship.

Of course, it wasn’t that he didn’t understand the meaning of these words.

It literally meant that Kai used Charlotte’s swordsmanship.

But what does this mean!

How can this sentence even be valid?

“Leia, aren’t you mistaken about something?”

-Well… maybe, but I probably am not.

Leia continued, with a look that suggested there was no way she could be wrong.

-Do you remember when you faced him at the last moment?

“When I faced him…”

None other than the second form of the Demon Asura Sword, Annihilation Asura.

It seemed she was referring to the move Kai made in response to that.

To be precise, the secret technique of Elan Dur that Kai unleashed.

-That was definitely Oppa’s swordsmanship.

“……”

Xian was at a loss for words.

Because Leia’s words pointed to one impossible fact.

The secret technique of Elan Dur that Xian couldn’t dare to learn.

If Leia’s words were true, that meant it was none other than Charlotte’s swordsmanship.

But that… is that even possible?

“Surely not. Aren’t you mistaken?”

-Hey! I’m telling you, it’s true!

Leia shouted, sounding quite agitated.

Seeing her speak with such conviction, it seemed Leia was certain.

Well, Leia was none other than Charlotte’s younger sister.

If Leia was this sure, it was almost certainly true.

But even considering that, it was hard to believe.

First of all, too much time had passed.

A whole millennium had passed, and that time had turned Leia into a vengeful spirit who manipulated thoughts, not a knight.

There was a high possibility of her being mistaken in that distant time.

No, it was more than enough to be mistaken.

But to dismiss it as a mistake as it is… it wasn’t quite right either.

“Leia, let’s go together for a moment.”

Xian immediately got up from his seat.

#

-I have seen and compared myself to Lady Charlotte’s swordsmanship… but to be honest, I don’t know.

Kendrick shook his head slightly.

This was the answer to the question of whether Kai had used Charlotte’s swordsmanship.

Xian and Kai’s clash.

Leia was there, of course, but so was Kendrick.

So Xian came to the training ground with Leia, where Kendrick was.

A Death Knight and a Vengeful Spirit.

The difference in their levels couldn’t be clearly defined, but when it came to swordsmanship, the Death Knight would be more accurate.

But Kendrick was saying he didn’t know.

So it could be concluded that Leia was mistaken.

-However, if Madam felt that way, it must be true.

However, Kendrick didn’t seem to think so.

-Unlike now, Madam was an excellent knight in her lifetime.

Before Leia became a vengeful spirit.

That is, a thousand years ago, before she was enshrined in the Hall of Arnaize, Leia was an incredibly skilled knight.

And this was a fact that Xian had directly confirmed.

In Charlotte’s memoirs of Kyle, which were in the Imperial Palace’s secret archive, the same fact was clearly written.

The reason Charlotte was able to meet Leia in the first place was because of this.

While Charlotte was gathering forces to fight against the demons, she heard rumors of a female knight single-handedly wiping out demons.

So Charlotte heard the rumors and went to find the female knight, and that female knight was none other than Leia.

In short, Leia was skilled enough to wipe out demons.

At the very least, she was definitely a Master-level knight.

Perhaps she was comparable to Kendrick now.

-Above all, Madam is more skilled than I am when it comes to seeing swords [assessing swordsmanship].

Kendrick said, his dark blue eyes flickering.

And Kendrick’s words just now.

Normally, he would have thought that he was humbling himself in front of Leia.

To Kendrick, Leia was the Lord’s woman.

In other words, the Lord Mother.

But now that he had confirmed Kyle’s memoirs.

He didn’t think he was just humbling himself.

Sometimes he forgot that Leia was Charlotte’s younger sister.

The legendary realm that only six people in history had reached, Exceed.

The leader of Arnaize, Charlotte.

How could the talent from the same bloodline as Charlotte disappear?

-Did you hear that? I’m that kind of woman!

Leia shouted triumphantly at Kendrick’s words.

Xian stared blankly into the air.

If what Kendrick said was true, then Leia’s words were undoubtedly true.

Then this pointed to one impossible truth.

Of course, it wasn’t a definite fact.

It was still more of a guess.

But if this situation was all true, then the truth it pointed to was one thing.

“Really… Kai uses Charlotte’s swordsmanship?”

The secret technique of Elan Dur is Charlotte’s swordsmanship.

He didn’t know how that could be.

If those words were true, he didn’t know why Elan Dur had Charlotte’s swordsmanship.

But there was also one guess about this.

None other than the circumstances in which Charlotte’s swordsmanship was lost.

Originally, Charlotte’s swordsmanship had been passed down through the imperial family.

However, a great crisis struck the empire hundreds of years ago,

And at that time, the emperor was assassinated, and Charlotte’s swordsmanship was lost with him.

At the same time, a great crisis that threatened the empire’s survival struck…

It was Elan Dur who rebuilt the empire at that time.

This was also the story of how the Elan Dur family became the prestigious family it is today.

And if you match the fact that Elan Dur’s secret technique is Charlotte’s swordsmanship to this fact…

‘The timing is strangely…’

The timing overlapped strangely.

Of course, it could have been a remarkable coincidence.

Perhaps it was just a fact fitted to speculation.

However, if you hear the fact that ‘Elan Dur’s secret technique is Charlotte’s swordsmanship’ and look at this story again… one guess came to mind.

What if Elan Dur took Charlotte’s swordsmanship at this time?

Whether Elan Dur was directly involved in the assassination of the emperor… honestly, I don’t know.

Whether Elan Dur assassinated the emperor.

Or whether someone else assassinated the emperor, and Elan Dur only took Charlotte’s swordsmanship.

Honestly, there was no way to know.

This was something that happened hundreds of years ago, and it was difficult to uncover the truth of the matter now.

However, one thing was certain. At that time, it was possible to speculate that Elan Dur had obtained Charlotte’s swordsmanship.

That’s why.

“Hmm…”

Xian had one concern.

Elan Dur uses Charlotte’s swordsmanship.

Should he tell Conrad about this, or not?

Charlotte’s swordsmanship originally belonged to Charlotte.

And that lineage was being continued by Charlotte’s descendants.

In other words, it could be seen as originally belonging to the imperial family.

Therefore, the one who was directly related to this matter was Conrad.

If that story was true, Conrad had the right to know the truth.

But that was only if it was ‘true’.

He had doubts, but it was still just speculation.

So perhaps he was just complicating things for no reason.

But.

“Where is His Highness…?”

His concern didn’t last long.

#

The Royal Knights were sparring with the knights of Ruben.

Conrad was watching the Royal Knights’ sparring in the training ground.

Xian slowly approached Conrad.

“Hmm? Isn’t that Xian? What’s wrong all of a sudden?”

Conrad tilted his head as Xian approached.

Xian slowly opened his mouth to Conrad.

“Your Highness, excuse me… but I have something important to tell you.”

“You have something to tell me?”

Conrad tilted his head once more.

As expected, Conrad didn’t know anything.

Xian hesitated for a moment at Conrad’s appearance.

“Why are you hesitating so much? Don’t worry and speak comfortably.”

Conrad smiled and urged Xian on.

Only then did Xian carefully bring up the related story.

After a story that was neither too long nor too short ended.

“……”

Conrad was silent.

He didn’t even let out a small exclamation.

There wasn’t even a hint of disbelief.

It was a story that was hard to believe easily.

So it could be thought that Conrad didn’t believe Xian’s story.

However, Xian could tell.

That Conrad was believing this story now.

The method Conrad used to judge the truth of words.

Judging by that method, this story didn’t benefit Xian.

Why would Xian make up a story out of nothing?

Above all, Leia’s existence added credibility to the story.

Leia was Charlotte’s younger sister.

And now that Conrad had acknowledged Leia.

The belief in Xian’s story was further guaranteed.

In fact, it was okay to accept it as a foregone conclusion.

That’s why Conrad’s gaze was slightly lowered.

His expression was stiffer than ever.

The emotion visible between them was… anger.

Xian had only seen Conrad angry once.

It was none other than what happened in the western part of the empire.

The nobles who locked the doors when the people were dying.

The nobles of the west, led by Count Elitz, who abandoned the people to save themselves.

Xian had seen Conrad’s anger once when he arrested the nobles of the west.

And now.

“……”

Conrad was unleashing his anger once more.

And it was a different kind of anger than before.

Xian couldn’t say anything at Conrad’s appearance.

How much time had passed?

“… I’m sorry. I showed you a moment of ugliness.”

Conrad slowly opened his mouth.

However, Conrad’s expression was still stiff.

“Elan Dur stole Charlotte the Great’s swordsmanship…”

Conrad murmured the words again in a low voice.

And if that was true, it could be seen as treason.

Treason, of course, would not be enough to wipe out the Elan Dur family itself.

But it was difficult to bring up that fact right now.

Elan Dur’s secret technique is Charlotte’s swordsmanship.

Elan Dur stole Charlotte’s swordsmanship.

There was no evidence to prove this.

Or rather, it was right to say there was none.

It was something that had already happened hundreds of years ago.

Even if there was evidence, there was a high possibility that it had disappeared.

As of now, only Leia’s testimony could be the evidence.

However, Leia’s existence could not be revealed to the world.

Above all, it was clear that they would not believe it.

Even if Leia’s existence was revealed, not many would believe that she was Charlotte’s younger sister.

No, it was right to say that there were almost none.

“This matter will have to be discussed with His Majesty.”

That’s not to say there was nothing at all.

It’s just that there was nothing he could do right now.

If he looked for related facts, he might find something.

First of all, the Imperial Palace’s secret archive.

If he searched for related stories in the Imperial Palace’s secret archive, he might find evidence.

However, the fact that Charlotte’s swordsmanship was stolen remained unchanged.

There was no way to recover it right now.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty,” Sian said, bowing slightly to Conrad.

He simply felt compelled to apologize.

To be honest, it had nothing to do with Sian directly.

He wasn’t the one who stole it, and it had happened centuries ago.

It was the deed of a previous Elan Dur.

But in a way… Sian was also Elan Dur, bound by bloodline, whether he liked it or not.

“Why are you apologizing? What did you do?” Conrad chuckled, perhaps already sensing Sian’s reason.

“Above all, you are no longer Elan Dur. So, raise your head. You are not at fault. Rather, I should thank you for telling me the truth,” Conrad said with a gentle smile.

Conrad then turned his gaze slowly toward Leia.

“Branch Leader… no, Leia, are you saying that Elan Dur’s swordsmanship is actually Charlotte the Great’s?”

“Probably. No, I’m sure,” Leia nodded firmly.

Conrad lowered his gaze, lost in thought for a moment, before finally speaking.

“Then, perhaps, do you remember Charlotte the Great’s swordsmanship?”

“Um… a little?” Leia hesitated before nodding.

“If it’s not too much to ask… no, if possible, could you teach me Charlotte the Great’s swordsmanship?” Conrad pressed.

“My brother’s swordsmanship?” Leia asked.

“Yes.” Conrad nodded. “Even if Elan Dur’s swordsmanship is indeed Charlotte the Great’s, frankly, there’s no way to publicly reveal that fact. I will try to reclaim what was stolen, but… it’s realistically impossible.”

Conrad’s expression remained stern, his judgment cold despite his anger.

“However, even if it was stolen, it originally belonged to the Imperial Family. It is a precious legacy that Charlotte the Great left to us. Although it has been lost for a long time, if we can revive its lineage, it is a duty I must undertake.”

With those words, Conrad bowed slightly to Leia.

“So, Leia, can you teach me Charlotte the Great’s swordsmanship?” This wasn’t a request from the Crown Prince, but from a descendant of Charlotte and Leia.

“That’s not difficult,” Leia replied. After all, Conrad was a descendant of Charlotte and, in a way, of herself. He was qualified to learn Charlotte’s swordsmanship.

“But I don’t know my brother’s swordsmanship perfectly,” Leia added.

“I used to know it well because I learned it from my brother a long time ago… but now it’s a bit… very hazy.”

The thousand years Leia spent in the hall had taken their toll. Her memories had faded with time, much like Kendrick’s swordsmanship from his human days. Moreover, Leia was now a vengeful spirit who manipulated thoughts, not a swordswoman.

“If I see it directly, I can roughly remember it… but I don’t know if I can teach you right away.”

Therefore, teaching Conrad Charlotte’s swordsmanship presented some difficulties. To be exact, she couldn’t teach it in her current state.

“I can help with that,” Sian offered, believing he could solve the problem.

“You… you mean?” Conrad asked, a hint of doubt in his voice.

Sian nodded calmly. He knew Charlotte’s swordsmanship. He had abandoned the name Elan Dur, but until recently, he had been one. Although his talent was too meager to master Elan Dur’s secret techniques, he had seen them.

“I have a memory of seeing it over his shoulder,” Sian explained. He had seen Kai training, and he had been harassed by those secret techniques himself, courtesy of Nathan and Roswell, who used a young Sian as a sparring partner. It wasn’t a pleasant memory, but it would be enough to help Leia remember.

Conrad stared blankly at Sian. The lineage of Charlotte, lost for so long, might be found again in his generation. His eyes widened as he looked at Sian.

Sian was helping Conrad by dredging up traumatic memories, even though he had no obligation to do so. He could have hidden the knowledge, claimed it for himself. Charlotte’s swordsmanship was a priceless legacy, coveted and stolen by Elan Dur, a path to the legendary Exceed realm, reached by only six people in history. Sian didn’t need to share this with Conrad; he could have kept it all.

“…Thank you,” Conrad finally managed to say, sincerely grateful.

Sian simply shrugged. “Oh, well…” It wasn’t pleasant to revisit the past, but it was just that—the past. He didn’t care much now.

And Charlotte’s swordsmanship… to be honest, Sian didn’t need it. It was undoubtedly great, but not for him. It couldn’t compare to Kyle’s sword, the Demon Asura Sword, a sword even Charlotte couldn’t learn. Why would he covet Charlotte’s sword when he was struggling to master the Demon Asura Sword? It would be far more beneficial to learn Kyle’s sword again through Mobile Lord than to pursue Charlotte’s swordsmanship.

‘Huh? Wait a minute.’ A thought flashed through Sian’s mind.

He was currently learning Kyle’s sword through Mobile Lord, paying for the growth package. But that didn’t quite make sense. Kyle’s sword was lost, gone. The same was true of Charlotte’s swordsmanship, yet it had been passed down through the imperial family for centuries (or, more accurately, to Elan Dur).

But Kyle’s swordsmanship was truly lost. There were no records of Kyle, yet Sian could learn his sword by paying for the growth package.

That meant Kyle’s sword remained in Mobile Lord.

Then…

‘Isn’t there Charlotte’s swordsmanship too?’ There was no reason why it shouldn’t be there. But Sian had searched and found nothing, not just for Charlotte, but for all the members of Arnaise. He had secretly concluded that it didn’t exist.

Recently, however, a question had arisen.

① (1,500,000 M [Mileage])

『▶Once, the hero who swept the world no longer exists as time passes.

However, the faith and will left by the hero are innocent even in the passing time.

Charlotte, the leader of Arnaise who saved the world.

There is a legend that his will and faith are still being passed down in the hall.』

-When purchasing the product, will be opened in the territory.

[Construction Effect] – Soldiers who have completed training at the training center in the territory start from the intermediate level of ‘Aura User’.

…

…in the newly opened 【Mileage Shop】 and of 『Special Facilities』.

‘There is a legend that his will and faith are still being passed down in the hall.’

According to the description, Charlotte’s will and faith remained in Charlotte’s Hall. He didn’t know what they were, but they had the incredible effect of starting soldiers at the intermediate level of Aura User.

Was that possible with just will and faith?

And the effect was applied to soldiers who had ‘completed’ training at the training center.

Maybe…

If Charlotte’s swordsmanship remained in ? If the Aura User effect was applied because they learned the swordsmanship?

And this wasn’t just the case with .

, , —all buildings with incredible effects.

What if all of these were because the secret techniques left by each member of Arnaise were being passed down?

‘Um…’ He couldn’t help but wonder, ‘Maybe…?’

Even if it wasn’t Charlotte’s swordsmanship, it was okay. Leia had clearly stated that Charlotte taught swordsmanship to her knights. That swordsmanship would also be fine. Even the swordsmanship Charlotte taught her knights, created based on her own, would be a great help in recalling Leia’s memories.

It wasn’t certain, but it was worth checking.

Finishing his thoughts, Sian immediately said to Conrad, “Your Majesty, it’s not certain, but perhaps… I have a way to completely restore Charlotte the Great’s swordsmanship.”

“What, what? Is that true?” Conrad exclaimed, his eyes wide with surprise. Leia also tilted her head, curious.

“But I… that…” Sian hesitated, unsure how to explain. He could explain it, but the process…

Sian pondered, then slowly opened his mouth. “I’ll say it again, it’s not certain. Besides, this method requires a lot of money… a lot, really a lot.”

“What kind of method is it? No, how much do you need to say that?” Conrad pressed.

Sian quickly calculated in his head. The amount needed to build was 1.5 million mileage. Converting that to gold…

“……”

Should he say it? Really? Was this right? The value of Charlotte’s swordsmanship was infinite, but this didn’t seem right. Did the imperial family even have that much wealth?

Well…

Sian was deeply troubled, but seeing Conrad’s expectant expression, he avoided his gaze and said, “About 150 million gold…”

Silence.

Conrad froze instantly.

“…Wh-what, what?” Conrad’s disbelief soared.