TSMRG 34

Chapter 34

Every winter, a massive snowstorm sweeps across the northern continent.

Because of it, most people wouldn’t dare approach, and during that season, it was rare to even see travelers passing by.

And yet—

Step. Step.

Only the swordsmen belonging to Laingraim did not bow to such forces of nature.

They continued to move and carry out their duties as usual.

Especially those stationed at the frontlines of the Laingraim Swordsmanship Clan endured the raging weather with their bodies day after day.

“Ugh, it’s cold. So cold. Nothing much happening today, huh? Doesn’t look like we’ll be getting visitors either…”

One swordsman of Laingraim muttered, breath clouding white in the freezing air.

The senior beside him shook his head lightly.

“In this weather? Anyone wandering around out here would have to be crazy. Who’d come here without thinking?”

“Well, but just the other day, didn’t someone come through?”

“Ah, you mean that boy who came under the summons?”

“Yes. He looked quite young, but his patience was impressive. Normally, even the carefully chosen swordsmen assigned to this region can’t help but shiver.”

“True. He did seem different from ordinary kids. There must be a reason Lord Seol-Ahm himself escorted him.”

The junior swordsman’s eyes widened.

“It was my first time seeing the Captain of the Seol-Ahm Division up close. His charisma really is something…”

“He’s called one of the Eleven Guardian Swords of the Northern Wall for a reason.”

The Eleven Guardian Swords.

These were eleven swordsmen of Laingraim personally acknowledged by Duke Daemon of the North.

“I’ve seen plenty of strong warriors while guarding this gate, but Lord Seol-Ahm is on a completely different level.”

“Oh? In what way?”

“The atmosphere he gave off… it was like standing before a finely-honed blade.”

The senior smiled faintly at his junior’s awed expression.

“Do you know why the Seol-Ahm Division is called the ‘Shadow of the Clan’?”

“No, sir. I just heard the seniors call it that.”

“From the beginning, the Seol-Ahm Division has been a special unit directly under the Clan Head, handling missions close to impossible. If you ever learn of the achievements they’ve made, you’ll be left speechless.”

“Wow, really?”

“Of course. So tell me, could the man leading such a unit ever be ordinary?”

“Keh, I knew my instincts weren’t wrong!”

The senior chuckled at his junior’s enthusiasm, then absently stroked his sword.

“Still, we should work harder too. Every one of the Eleven Guardian Swords comes from an outside bloodline like us.”

Indeed, not a single one of the Eleven bore the Laingraim surname.

That was exactly why they were revered and admired even more by the ordinary swordsmen.

They had reached the very peak without being of blood relation.

The junior frowned.

“Eh, that’s impossible for me. I’ve been a Laingraim swordsman for over ten years, and I’m still only at Third Knot. Just three!”

He grumbled, pointing to the three red threads on his shoulder.

The senior laughed.

“Well, the Eleven are all at least Seventh Knot. We’d probably need a hundred more years of training to catch up. Hahaha.”

“That’s not funny at all! Stop laughing!”

“Really?”

Amused, the senior leaned closer, his eyes glinting.

“Then let me tell you a real interesting story.”

“An interesting story?”

“This is something I heard from my seniors back when I guarded this post.”

“What is it? Why’re you building suspense like that?”

The senior cleared his throat, seeing the junior’s irritated look.

“You know how rarely outsiders ever enter under the clan’s summons?”

“Well, yes. In the ten years I’ve been here, I’ve only seen that once or twice.”

The senior’s tone dropped low.

“There’s a legend… Not always, but most of those summoned from outside end up delivering a great shock to the clan.”

“A shock?”

“Good or bad. Either way, they shake the entire family. Some turn out absurdly strong, others have rare special powers.”

The junior’s eyes narrowed.

“So that kid from the other day…”

The senior chuckled knowingly.

“Didn’t his eyes look unusual to you?”

“Tch, nonsense. That’s just coincidence.”

The junior dismissed it with suspicion, but the senior leaned in, face serious.

“Oh? You don’t believe it? Then let me tell you—The current First Seat of the Eleven Guardian Swords also entered once under an outsider’s summons.”

“What?! Really?”

“You really don’t know anything, do you?”

The senior shook his head, pointing at him.

The junior thought back to the boy he’d seen, escorted by Lord Seol-Ahm—

‘That strikingly pale skin, crimson eyes, and black hair… And that absurdly huge black sword on his back.’

He grimaced.

‘No way. That weak-looking kid couldn’t possibly…’

Though all of Laingraim’s territory lay under the snowstorm’s shadow…

‘Wow, it’s so warm here.’

Luin muttered inwardly as he stepped once again into Laingraim’s main stronghold, Banapen.

Until he’d reached this place, the surrounding lands had been plagued by bone-chilling winds and endless snow.

But here—it felt like another world. The air was mild, even carrying a faint floral scent.

[That’s right. That’s exactly why Bellion, the founder, built his home here. The man hated cold more than death itself.]

The sword spirit explained casually.

‘But why is it only warm here? Everything else was freezing.’

[No idea. It’s been like this since ancient times.]

Some said Banapen’s weather was a divine blessing. Others claimed a past ancestor had made a pact with a spirit of weather.

But no one truly knew why only Banapen remained untouched by the snowstorm.

‘Makes sense it’s called one of the Ten Great Mysteries of the Continent.’

Drawing on the knowledge within Memory 1872, Luin looked up at the familiar front gates.

‘It’s really been three years.’

The same elite guards, the grand fortress, the ornate gates.

After gaining the sword soul Black Shadow at the Sword Ceremony, Luin had finally returned.

Whsssh!

A gatekeeper blocked his way with a sharp tone.

“What business do you have here?”

“I’ve come with a summons.”

Lord Seol-Ahm Freon Zirca had parted with him before the fortress. He was busy with other matters.

So Luin handed the official decree over.

The gatekeeper scrutinized it sternly, then asked—

“Your name?”

“Luin Laingraim.”

“…Confirmed.”

The guard stepped aside, and with a heavy thud, the massive obsidian gates swung open.

Inside, Luin’s eyes widened at the sight of the grand manor once more.

‘Even more amazing than I remembered.’

Last time, he’d moved too quickly to take in the details.

Now he could see everything—ornate decorations, priceless artworks, neatly trimmed gardens, a glittering lake, violet carpets, white marble stairs, and golden ceilings studded with jewels.

Banapen, the stronghold of the greatest sword clan on the continent, was a paradise.

Then—

“What’s with your mouth hanging open like some country bumpkin?”

The familiar voice made him turn.

There stood a stunning girl with golden hair.

“Meilin?”

“Oh! You remembered?!”

Meilin’s face lit up as she hurried toward him, hand extended.

“Anyway, welcome back to Banapen, Luin!”

Her hand—though belonging to a noble young lady—was covered in calluses, completely unbefitting her refined looks.

‘She’s been training hard.’

Her aura felt far more stable than when he’d last seen her.

[Ah, that’s the cheeky brat who argued with you back then.]

The sword spirit chuckled.

‘It wasn’t an argument. Just talking.’

[Didn’t she outright call you rude to your face? Hah! Sharp girl. She pegged you for a brat just like Bellion in no time.]

Ignoring the spirit’s laughter, Luin studied her quietly.

At once, information appeared before his inner sight:

<Character Information>

• Name: Meilin Laingraim

• True Name: None

• Title: (Unable to Interpret)

• Race: Human

• Trait: Indomitable Will, (Unable to Interpret)

• Current Abilities: Swordsmanship (Intermediate), (Unable to Interpret)

• Potential Abilities: (Unable to Interpret)

• Current Emotions: Joy, Interest, Happiness, Delight

Due to the limits of Inner Eye, some details cannot be interpreted.

‘Indomitable Will?’

He focused, and the description appeared:

Indomitable Will: Possesses a will that cannot be broken under any circumstances. (Greatly increases mental strength and resistance to magic.)

Meilin tilted her head at his gaze.

“Hey, Luin. Why are you staring at me like that? What, did you fall for me? I mean, I have gotten prettier. Hehe.”

Luin shook his head.

“No. Not at all.”

“I know, I was just kidding. Geez, why’re you so cold?”

She pouted.

Luin smirked.

“What, planning to keep arguing your own point like last time?”

“What? Wait—you still remember that?!”

He shrugged.

“I’m joking.”

“…”

She glared silently at him—then suddenly burst out laughing.

“Pfft! I thought you were just a self-centered old man in a kid’s body. You’ve changed a lot.”

Though their actual time together during the Sword Ceremony had been brief, Luin had left a deep impression on her.

“So—did you come prepared?”

“Prepared?”

“For training, of course! We’re about to enter the Laingraim Training Hall. Don’t you know how hellish it is?!”

“So what?”

“Eh?”

“Meilin, are you the type of coward to run just because training’s hard?”

Her eyebrow twitched.

“…Still rude as ever.”

Grinding her teeth, she smirked.

“Good. That’s how you should be, Luin Laingraim.”

He was still arrogant and cheeky, but…

‘He saved my life.’

She could never forget that.

“Come on! Everyone’s waiting.”

She grabbed his hand again with a bright smile.

From now on, she would be one of the comrades enduring Laingraim’s hellish training alongside him.