My Lord Who Is Being Prudent! [EN]: Chapter 180

§ 180 – The Truth Behind the Curtain (2)

Conrad’s spirit, having ascended, was slow to return.

A dazed mind, a blank expression.

Conrad stood there, motionless.

150 million gold.

An amount exceeding even 100 million by 50 million more.

What words could suffice?

No, what words could even be uttered?

It was an amount beyond expression, beyond any measure.

Even analogies to a family of four’s living expenses were meaningless before such a sum.

Simply put, it was a unit that momentarily transcended the concept of money.

“I apologize. I must not have heard correctly.”

Thus, the information Conrad’s brain received was an error.

That is, an error caused by the sense of hearing.

Otherwise, there was no way to explain it.

However.

Shaking his head.

Sian was, for some reason, gently shaking his head.

At Sian’s gesture, the information Conrad’s brain perceived was, once again, an error.

That is, an error caused by the sense of sight.

Conrad chuckled inwardly.

Two of the five senses malfunctioning.

Perhaps the accumulated fatigue had finally taken its toll.

It seemed that some of his bodily functions had broken down.

“But… why on earth.”

The expression on Sian’s face was far from reassuring.

“Your jokes are going too far, my friend.”

Conrad said with an awkward smile at Sian’s demeanor.

150 million gold.

What kind of nonsense was that?

A joke of this magnitude was no different from mockery.

But… why was that?

Sian’s expression did not seem like that of someone joking or teasing.

Sian was avoiding Conrad’s gaze.

He was repeatedly clearing his throat without making eye contact.

Yet, he did not correct his statement.

The truth it pointed to was singular.

Thus, the conclusion Conrad’s brain ultimately reached was…

“Ah, were you referring to 15 million gold?”

Cognitive dissonance.

Yes, it must have been 15 million gold.

No matter how he thought about it, that was the only explanation.

How could it possibly be 150 million gold?

That was an amount that couldn’t even be spoken of.

However.

“It is 150 million gold, Your Highness.”

Sian’s voice, once again piercing his ears, was truly unbelievable.

“……”

Conrad’s spirit ascended once more.

His mind departed along with that spirit.

And so, silence descended.

Sian could not utter a word.

What could he possibly say?

No, there were things he could say.

If the lost swordsmanship of Charlotte could be regained, then that amount of money was not a problem.

And frankly, it wasn’t even that expensive.

Charlotte, the leader of Arnaize [a powerful military order].

The value placed on her swordsmanship was not exorbitant.

No, it could even be considered a bargain.

Of course.

“Is that… what you’re saying right now?”

It was something he could say because it wasn’t his money.

Sian avoided Conrad’s gaze.

He fully understood Conrad’s feelings.

If Kyle’s sword cost 150 million gold right now?

Arnaize be damned, and everything else too.

He would probably throw Mobile Lord [Sian’s in-game system] into the toilet.

Therefore, Conrad’s reaction could be considered quite mild.

Moreover, it wasn’t even certain.

That is, it was not guaranteed that opening the Charlotte’s Hall would recover Charlotte’s swordsmanship.

Investing 150 million gold in such uncertainty?

Taking a gamble on something unconfirmed?

That was a gamble Sian would not take.

Yet, the reason he said this was simple.

Still, the possibility was quite high.

And honestly speaking…

‘If not, oh well.’

It wasn’t his money.

#

Conrad stood rooted to the spot for a while.

And after a long time, Conrad was able to regain his senses.

“It seems… this isn’t a matter to be answered immediately.”

Conrad also postponed the answer.

Charlotte’s swordsmanship held infinite value, but not 150 million gold’s worth.

That is, it wasn’t an amount he could handle right now.

He had brought some travel expenses for Ruben, but it was around 1 million gold.

This was already a generous amount, considering he had brought the 2nd and 3rd Royal Knight Orders.

Therefore, Conrad did not have 150 million gold in his pockets.

No, who in the world carries around 150 million gold?

“This matter… I think I need to discuss it urgently with His Majesty.”

Above all, 150 million gold was something Conrad had to consider.

Not just consider, but completely overhaul the pillars of the Imperial Family.

In the past, there was much commotion when he bestowed 20 million gold upon Sian.

This was an incomparable scale to that time.

Naturally, it was not something Conrad could decide on his own.

It was a matter he had to discuss with the Emperor upon returning to the Imperial Family.

A very deep, profound, weighty, serious, meaningful, and valuable…

Well, that kind of conversation.

In any case, it was not something he could do right now in Ruben.

And Sian could fully understand Conrad’s decision.

Furthermore, Sian had no intention of missing this opportunity.

From a purely results-oriented perspective, it was an opportunity to earn 150 million gold for free.

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t free, but it was close to the same meaning.

And 150 million gold was not an amount that even the Imperial Family could easily decide on.

Easily decide? What a joke.

Perhaps… if it reached the ears of the Balua Family, they would try to tear Sian limb from limb.

This time, it wasn’t a joke; they might actually do it.

They would say he was a traitor trying to bankrupt the Empire if left unchecked.

Therefore, he had to show them.

The value that Charlotte’s swordsmanship held.

Rather than simply saying, “It’s possible,” he had to show them once.

So that Conrad would be driven mad.

So that he would gamble on something uncertain.

Even if you’ve never done it once, there’s no one who’s only done it once.

He had to realize that immutable truth.

Thus, at the training grounds located in Lord’s Castle Lv.3 [a location in the game].

Sian stood on one side of the training grounds and lightly raised his sword.

The debris from the duel with Kendrick had not yet been cleared.

Still, there was enough space, so it wasn’t a big problem.

Sian gently closed his eyes.

A darkened vision.

Into that vision, memories from the family long ago resurfaced.

In fact, Sian had no memories from the family.

Neglect and contempt.

The memories of being tormented by Roswell and Nathan.

Rather than memories, they were traumas.

There were no memories worth calling recollections.

At best, the memories with his mother, Cecil, were something worth calling recollections.

Therefore, Sian was reluctant to recall his childhood memories.

Even when memories occasionally surfaced, Sian tried to ignore them.

But at this moment.

‘Recall… recall…!’

Sian desperately tried to recall those memories.

‘150 million gold is at stake.’

That was because a whopping 150 million gold was at stake!

Showing Conrad Charlotte’s swordsmanship.

Once again, 150 million gold was an excessive amount.

Even if it was Charlotte’s swordsmanship, it was an amount that would make one hesitate.

However, it might be different if he directly learned Charlotte’s swordsmanship.

The swordsmanship of Arnaize, lost hundreds of years ago.

If the severed lineage of the Imperial Family could be reconnected, thoughts would change.

And after all, Charlotte’s Hall was a building being built in Ruben.

That meant.

An opportunity to earn 150 million gold for free!

‘Recall…!’

Sian desperately recalled the memories from when he was in the family.

Although not as much as Leia, it was still a long-standing memory.

A memory so faint it was barely discernible.

It was also a memory he had tried to erase because he didn’t want to recall it.

But he had to recall it.

The sight of Kyle training alone in the training grounds.

He had to remember it.

The moment he was tormented by Roswell and Nathan.

Even if forced, he had to do it.

‘150 million gold!’

Sian calmly organized the memories that surfaced.

And then slowly, very slowly.

Whoosh!

Sian’s sword embroidered the air.

Sian had not learned the secrets of Elan Dur [a specific swordsmanship technique].

Due to his miserable talent and status as a bastard, he was not allowed to learn the secrets.

He had only seen it over his shoulder.

It could be said that he only had memories of being hit by it, not learning it.

Therefore, he could not fully unleash the secrets of Elan Dur, Charlotte’s swordsmanship.

The young Sian at the time had neither the ability nor the talent to recognize it.

But now.

Clang…!

Sian’s sword was following a certain path.

In Sian’s memory.

The secrets of Elan Dur, Charlotte’s swordsmanship, were quite simple.

Slash and Thrust.

The swordsmanship was based on those two movements.

And that was…

Whoosh!

Quite similar to Kyle’s sword.

Kyle’s sword was also based on two movements.

Slash and Thrust.

And slash and thrust are the basics of all swordsmanship.

The swordsmanship of Kyle, who was called the strongest of Arnaize.

Ironically, the strongest swordsmanship did not deviate from the basics.

So, when Sian first learned Kyle’s swordsmanship, he was disappointed.

Because it couldn’t be seen as the swordsmanship that was called the strongest.

However, as he learned Kyle’s swordsmanship one by one.

Gradually realizing the meaning within.

Sian finally came to know the true value of the Demon Soul Asura Sword [Kyle’s signature sword technique].

No matter what the strongest swordsmanship was.

The sword cannot escape from the framework of slash and thrust.

All techniques and skills are derived from slash and thrust.

Therefore, to truly use the sword.

Without complicated swordsmanship.

Without flashy techniques.

One must be able to respond to all attacks with only two movements.

That is the strongest of Arnaize, Kyle.

Exceed. One who has reached the realm beyond.

That is the mystery contained in Kyle’s Demon Soul Asura Sword.

And the Charlotte’s swordsmanship he is now unfolding.

This is also based on slash and thrust.

As mentioned earlier, due to the nature of the sword, it was impossible to escape from these two frameworks.

However, Charlotte’s swordsmanship contained something more than that.

It felt like the result of efforts to imitate Kyle’s sword.

Like trying to chase after Kyle.

Charlotte’s swordsmanship was.

Swaeak!

Similar to Kyle’s.

Perhaps Charlotte… completed her sword through Kyle’s sword.

Perhaps Charlotte wanted to follow Kyle.

Suddenly, that thought came to mind.

Charlotte, the leader of Arnaize.

However, in Kyle’s memoirs, Charlotte confessed.

Kyle’s sword, his strength.

She admired and wanted to learn it.

Was that why?

Flash!

Sian was able to chase after the faint memories.

He was able to recall the sensations from the old memories.

A sword he was seeing and doing for the first time.

But Sian was able to follow it.

In a state of trance.

Sian continued to swing his sword.

And after some time had passed.

팟.

In an instant, Sian’s sword stopped.

Like the conductor’s gesture to finish the last movement, the ending was simple.

“Hoo….”

Exhaling breath.

“I think… it was like this.”

Sian slowly sheathed his sword.

And.

-You….

“You, you….”

He could see Leia and Conrad staring blankly at him.

Leia and Conrad were standing still with their mouths slightly open.

The two eyes looking at Sian were filled with shock and astonishment.

Looking at the two of them, Sian slowly opened his mouth.

“I did it according to the memories that came to mind… how is it, Leia?”

-Huh? Ah, uh. Excellent. I can see some things that are wrong, but… that means I was remembering it wrong. And um… I don’t think there will be any problem teaching at this level.

“That’s a relief.”

Sian slowly nodded his head.

Looking at Sian, Leia asked with an admiring face.

-But Sian. Didn’t you say you only saw it over your shoulder? This is… almost the same?

“Just…”

-At this rate, I think it would be better for you to teach?

At Leia’s words, Sian pondered for a moment.

Judging from Leia’s words, it seemed quite similar to Charlotte’s swordsmanship.

And Sian could teach Conrad, but…

“I’m not good at teaching anyone.”

Sian didn’t bother to do that.

Well, who would Sian teach, as he said?

He was already struggling to take care of himself.

And no matter what, teaching the Crown Prince.

That was quite a burden for Sian.

Teaching swordsmanship was not easy.

That is, teaching inevitably involves intense exchanges.

And sometimes harsh words would come out.

But how could he do that to the Crown Prince?

Even if he accidentally got angry, it was a crime of insulting the Imperial Family.

Of course, Conrad would laugh it off.

Still, it was uncomfortable.

So Leia, who could scold and say whatever she wanted comfortably, was the right person.

Besides, he couldn’t remember any more than this.

Even if he imitated it plausibly, it was only the beginning.

The rest was up to Leia.

-Well, then….

Leia nodded without saying anything.

And then Leia immediately said to Conrad.

-Thanks to Sian, I remembered a lot, so don’t worry. It’s only the beginning, but… I’ll tell you this first.

Soon, Leia stretched out her left hand to the side.

As the dead thoughts condensed around Leia’s outstretched hand, a sword was held in Leia’s hand.

-Then let’s start right away.

#

Learning Charlotte’s sword from Leia.

Conrad threw away his status as Crown Prince and learned the sword more diligently than anyone else.

And Leia, who was teaching such Conrad.

-No! Step out with one foot and whoosh! How many times do I have to say it!

As expected, loud noises were exchanged.

Leia taught Conrad surprisingly well.

I had been a little worried because I had never seen her use a sword before.

Contrary to my worries, Leia handled the sword quite well.

As expected, Charlotte’s sister is her sister.

The saying that she was an excellent knight in her lifetime really hit me.

And maybe that’s why.

-You always have to maintain your balance! Ugh! You frustrating guy!

Leia was teaching Conrad as if she was scolding him.

And that sight was a scene that would make others vomit and be horrified if they saw it.

It was a scene that would make them shout that they should be beheaded on the spot for insulting the Imperial Family.

“Like this… am I right?”

But Conrad didn’t care.

Well, he knew who Leia was.

Conrad was silently receiving Leia’s teachings.

And contrary to Leia’s words, Conrad’s learning speed was not slow.

Frankly, it could be said that it was fast.

Although he was the Crown Prince, Conrad had also held a sword for mental and physical training.

Conrad’s talent could also be considered quite outstanding.

Not a genius, but a prodigy?

No, it could be called a foot in between a prodigy and a genius.

Is it because Charlotte’s blood flows in Conrad as well as Leia?

Although the years have been long, it seems that Charlotte’s bloodline is not going anywhere.

‘Why are there only geniuses around me….’

It was a scene that made me sigh for no reason.

Well, anyway.

Seeing Conrad learning diligently, Sian couldn’t stand still.

So, on one side of the training ground.

Sian carefully raised his sword without disturbing Conrad.

And just as he was about to perform the daily task of the Demon Soul Asura Sword.

Ding!

Suddenly, an alarm sounded from his smartphone.

Wondering what it was, he checked the screen.

[Demon Soul Asura Sword Intermediate Progress Rate 100%]

There was an alarm window on the screen that the intermediate progress rate of the Demon Soul Asura Sword had reached 100%.

“Um? When did this…?”

Sian tilted his head for a moment.

The progress rate had reached 92% through absorbing the power of the elixir and the duel with Kendrick.

But that time was not long ago.

In other words, the progress rate had increased by 8% in that short amount of time.

Could it be because of Charlotte’s swordsmanship just now?

… I thought, but soon shook my head.

If that were the case, the alarm would have sounded just now.

“This….”

It seemed to have been achieved in the duel with Yale at the time.

At that time, Sian had not only used the weak but extreme – Asura Heavenly Kill [a special move], but also.

The enlightenment gained from Yale was not small.

It’s still ambiguous to call it Master, but….

《Achievement ‘Demon Soul Asura Sword Intermediate’ achieved!》

《Special discount items will be additionally opened!》

Following that, an alarm window for achieving the achievement appeared on the screen.

And another screen that reappeared.

『[Lord Only] – Beginner Growth Support Special Package (1,500,000 G)

Composition: Arnaize Advanced Martial Arts』

-This product can only be purchased once.

-This product is a super special discount product, so refunds are not possible upon purchase.

.

.

As expected, the next level of package had been opened.

Special package following the highest grade.

And the cost was 1.5 million gold.

It wasn’t a cheap price, but it was nothing compared to Charlotte’s swordsmanship.

In other words, it was almost like giving it away for free compared to 150 million gold.

However, the problem was.

[Current Gold Holdings] – 870,520 G

Sian was speechless at the amount remaining in his inventory.

How much money has he poured in so far, and he still needs gold?

Where is the end of this cash grab?

Does the end exist?

Perhaps the endless path of martial arts that Kyle spoke of was none other than cash grabs.

Ding!

《If you want to learn rising martial arts, try spending money!》

“…… Damn it.”

Sian unknowingly muttered at the Mobile Lord’s teasing.

He seemed to be very excited to wake up from the inspection.

And somehow… he looked fine.

Even though he spent 500,000 mileage points, there were no particular abnormalities.

The Mobile Lord has become stronger through inspection.

It seemed that there was no problem with 500,000 mileage points.

“Should I spend the remaining 500,000 mileage points?”

… I thought, but soon shook my head.

What kind of mileage is that, and am I going to use it because I can’t overcome my emotions?

It was a problem that had to be carefully decided during the remaining period.

“Hoo…!”

Sian took a deep breath and calmed his emotions.

Then Sian slowly raised his head.

-Shoulders down, eyes a little higher!

“Haa…! Haa…!”

-That’s right! That’s it!

The two people who are learning and teaching hard.

“I don’t need to be here.”

Sian slowly turned his steps and carefully stepped out of the training ground.

#

Sian, who came out of the Lord’s Castle, was lost in thought for a while.

Because he had to prepare 1.5 million gold for the next package.

It wasn’t an amount that couldn’t be said.

But it wasn’t an amount that could be earned at once.

In other words, it was an amount that could not be obtained right now.

But that didn’t mean there was no way.

There was someone in Ruben who could earn 1.5 million gold.

“I wonder if Amelia has finished moving.”

After finishing his thoughts, Sian immediately turned his steps towards the commercial district.

To be exact, he moved his steps to the center of the commercial district, where ‘Sweep It Up Merchant Lv.1’ [Amelia’s shop] was located.

Having arrived at the commercial district like that.

Sian headed straight to ‘Sweep It Up Merchant Lv.1’ where Amelia was.

And in Sian’s vision, Amelia’s figure was visible in the distance.

Was it because of her long red hair and striking beauty?

I could tell it was Amelia at a glance even from a distance.

Sian strode towards Amelia.

Then suddenly.

Someone else appeared behind Amelia.

Unlike Amelia, who had red hair, a woman with blonde hair resembling sunlight.

“Princess… ?”

For some reason, Elena was with Amelia.