Chapter 41: Ghost Spotted

I got up from the floor and threw the wet towel to Vilen as I headed back to my room, feeling annoyed.

In fact, logically speaking, there was no shame in my defeat at the hands of that fool in a sword duel, and I’m certainly not making excuses for my loss—I’m simply stating the facts.

First and foremost, his primary specialism is the sword, unlike mine; secondly, he is three years older than me. It might not seem significant once one has fully matured physically after turning twenty-five, but I am still only sixteen! And for those of my age, a three-year gap is indeed significant.

Thirdly, and most importantly of all, the weapon in his hand is a Domain Weapon... Yes, that bastard has actually obtained his own Domain Weapon from his Domain; he’s the only one amongst us six siblings who possesses a Domain Weapon. He’s even surpassed Ivar for the first... and last time I reckon.

So, compared to me—who doesn’t even have a grasp of what sort of weapon suits me, and uses a sword merely as a stopgap—it’s clear he has a huge advantage over me in this respect.

On the other hand, unlike me—the outcast son, for whom this is the first time I’ve finally been genuinely allowed to go to a real battlefield—this bastard has been going into battle since he was twelve, and his mentor is ’the Slaughter Sword Uncle Efrem, one of the most fearsome men in the North.

– Just for the record, Rolan is the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the entire Korvekar Army, whilst Roman is the Deputy Commander of the Northern Army; however, he relinquished his post for some reason on the orders of the Grand Duke two years ago and joined the Capital Guard Knights on a temporary basis.

And according to all tradition, I too should now be Deputy Commander of the Western Army, spending my time on the western border, sometimes fighting pirates and at other times fighting barbarians or watching their deranged festivals and terrifying celebrations

But well, I am an outcast, so my position was stolen by the son of the current Commander of the West after he displayed remarkable talent, and one night, without warning, he ran away from home, then outwitted one of the largest pirate crews, became their leader, and handed them over to his father as a birthday present years later when he returned... And, of course, that didn’t save him from punishment either.

Now, let’s get back to the matter at hand,

Anyway, amongst the siblings , if we were to list us by swordmastery

In first place is the perfect in every way young master, Ivar, and in second place is Roman, whose main weapon is the sword – yes, he was unable to surpass Ivar in the art of the sword, despite all his merits, and even though the sword isn’t even Ivar’s weapon.

It may or may not come as a surprise, but in fact, in third place for skill with the sword is Rosa, followed by me in fourth place. Rolan and Roxana cannot be counted, as neither of them has ever taken an interest in weapons

Although Roxana learnt some self-defence techniques, she was generally never interested in the world of combat; Rolan is a beast tamer and can use his beasts’ abilities in battle, so he had no need for weapons in his hands. Even that sword of his, he carries it merely as an ornament to show off; in fact, the main reason he chose that sword as his reward was simply that he wanted to annoy Roman...

Hah... The life of a rejected son is miserable... My lack of combat prowess isn’t because I’m lazy or untalented, but simply because even little Rosa has been to the battlefields several times, either accompanied by Roman or Rolan, or sometimes the four side characters would act as important side characters and teach her... As you know, to build an emotional bond, so that when they die, she’ll cry for them!!

As for me, no matter what trouble I caused, I was completely forbidden from going to the border forts, castles and battle zones; I really don’t even know what the real danger is! After what happened ten years ago—which I don’t even remember properly—I was completely forbidden from leaving the high-security zone, and the furthest places I’ve ever gone and wandered around were our capital and the imperial capital, and of course accompanied by a crowd of knights.

You can see how illogical my life is. Two years ago, after I caused a huge problem and destroyed large sections of the castle in a fit of rage when they allowed Rosa to go with Rolan to inspect the northern border on an outing and training exercise, whilst I was refused permission despite being older than her and even possessing combat abilities unlike her

Then, the following morning, I found the castle’s head butler– the Grand Duke’s personal attendant – at my door, handing me a summons from the Academy. It seems the Grand Duke had decided to expel me from the house at that point and send me to a prison for minors that calls itself an ’Academy’!

Naturally, I tore up the letter and threw it in the old man’s face, then made sure to slam the door shut in his face

even though closing my bedroom door isn’t even my job!

What a miserable life... what a miserable... life...

?

My footsteps stopped suddenly as I saw Rolan’s ghost appear once more in the castle; he was walking ahead of me, seemingly preoccupied with something, whilst behind him followed his personal servant and his escort knight

It’s terrifying. Is it because he was a beast tamer in life that he can now bypass the castle’s security, and no one can even tell that he’s actually just a ghost!

So, without hesitation, I drew my sword and swung it at him, using my ’Collapse of the Stars’ ability to its fullest extent.

Don’t worry, brother. I’ll make sure you rest in peace.

No, this is certainly not revenge for Roman’s crushing defeat of me.

I thought seriously as I launched my attack with all my might.