Chapter 1036

〈 Chapter 1036 〉 1036. The Plum Swordmaster Reincarnated Into a Viscount Family

[Death Resistance has activated. You will not die for the next 15 seconds.]

[Full Recovery is being used.]

In the end, I died once.

I revived using Full Recovery.

My body was back to normal. The black-and-white world returned to its original colorful state.

Surrounding me, four assassins were bound by shadows. Judging by their stance with daggers thrust forward, they had been trying to kill me but ended up getting caught by Yuria instead.

Looking around, the remaining 31 were lying on the ground as corpses. Most were cut down by swords, but some had clearly died from electrocution.

“Where did you suddenly come from?!”

“I have been here all along.”

The assassin leader stared intently at Yuria, then swallowed hard. His eyes trembled.

“…Who are you? I’ve never heard of a monster like you, a woman capable of such feats.”

“…”

Yuria remained silent, her lips sealed as if she had nothing to say. She raised her dagger without hesitation, aiming not for the neck but the arms—indicating she planned to capture them alive and extract information through torture.

*Squelch!*

As Yuria severed the limbs of the assassins, I spoke to the leader on her behalf.

“Why pretend you don’t know her? You’re well aware of who she is.”

“I don’t…! A monster like her doesn’t exist! I’ve never even heard rumors about someone like her!”

“No way, you must know. Surely you’ve heard rumors?”

“…Rumors?”

Despite losing his limbs, the assassin leader maintained his composure. Despite everything, these guys were top-notch professionals. Especially this leader, who managed to block my berserk attacks no less than four times. An expert-level master.

“Look closely at her. Silver hair, blue eyes. Doesn’t that remind you of anything? Any particular noble family’s traits?”

I pointed at Yuria. Her silver hair, illuminated by moonlight, shimmered while her cold, azure eyes exuded both beauty and mercilessness—an appearance so stunning it could leave one mentally shaken.

Around Yuria, shadows writhed.

The assassin leader gasped in realization.

“Could it be… the Shadow Empress?! Is that really her?!”

“You seem to recognize her. I was surprised when you mentioned the Shadow Empress in front of the real deal.”

I tore off the assassin leader’s mask, revealing an ordinary-looking middle-aged man with surprisingly good looks. The kind of guy who might live near your house.

“I don’t recognize you. Let me cut to the chase: Was Gent your client?”

“I’m an assassin. Since I failed, I’ll remain silent. No matter what you do, I won’t speak. Even under torture. We’re prepared for it. Of course, I don’t intend to experience it anyway.”

*Craaack.*

A cracking sound came from the assassin leader.

Predictable. He must have a hidden poison pill tucked inside his molars.

I calmly extended my hand. No matter how potent the poison, it wouldn’t kill instantly. There would be a few seconds, maybe even tens of seconds, to act.

First, I blocked the spread of the toxin using pressure points, then grabbed the assassin leader’s head and sent a surge of energy through him to burn away the poison. I’d done something similar a few times in the [Ascension of Light] world, so I knew the feeling, though I was still clumsy at it.

‘Well, if I fail, it’s not like I’ll die.’

Even if the assassin leader perished, it didn’t matter. Their employer was undoubtedly Gent.

“Huh…? You didn’t die?! Could it be you had an antidote?!”

The assassin leader wheezed as he shouted.

I successfully neutralized the poison. As a side effect, his face gained scars and his hair fell out completely—but that wasn’t my problem.

Looking at the other assassins, none had managed to commit suicide. Yuria wasn’t someone to underestimate.

“You can’t die without my permission.”

The assassin leader’s face turned deathly pale. Clenching his teeth, he stuttered,

“I already told you… No matter what you do… We will not reveal any information…”


“…That’s all.”

“If I survive today, I’ll praise you.”

I mocked him and stood up from my seat.

“Yuria, I have a favor to ask.”

“Yes. I shall obtain the information before dawn tomorrow morning. However… that technique you just used is far too dangerous. Please refrain from using it again.”

“…It’s because I’m still inexperienced. If someone tells me to use it again… frankly, I lack confidence.”

Still, I’ve managed to grasp a slight clue. With some more practice, I should be able to use it.

“It doesn’t seem to be a technique of the Yeongcheon Ryu style.”

“I don’t know much about it either. But there is one thing I suspect.”

[The Savior of the Academy] world’s Gender Ha user’s technique. A temporary body acceleration technique utilizing brain lightning. It’s almost certain that it’s ‘Flash Lightning’.

I entrusted Yuria with the cleanup and returned towards the carriage. On the way back, I bumped into Kyle and Floyd.

“Yu-jin! Did monsters appear?”

“Master, are you alright?”

We did make quite a ruckus. For people of their skill level, noticing a battle isn’t strange at all.

“It’s already over. Let’s go rest.”

—

The next morning, at dawn.

Yuria kept her word.

The captured assassins, with vacant expressions, blurted out all the information before sunrise. The assassins even exhibited signs of regression. I thought about asking Yuria what she did but decided against it.

Firstly, the client who hired them was indeed Zent. He commissioned our deaths for an astronomical fee of 300 billion ner.

‘With Zent also gaining victories in the war… betting such an amount isn’t unreasonable.’

Still, it’s a hefty sum for one person to bear alone. There seem to be a few vassals involved as well besides Zent.

The assassination group received 60 billion as an advance payment.

‘Tracking that 60 billion will lead straight to Zent. That will be solid evidence.’

Already hopeless, this seals Zent’s fate.

‘Zent. I’ll cripple your arms just like I did to Kyle.’

I won’t kill him.

Instead, I’ll continue secret rendezvous with his wife, Bibi. He would never dream that his wife will bear my child.

“Heheh.”

—

Returning to the main estate amidst the welcoming cheers of the townsfolk, soldiers, and knights. They already know who will become the master of the Prukas family.

I waved my sword from atop the carriage. Every time the blue Aura Blade flickered, the citizens erupted in cheers.

‘This is the perfect moment for some self-promotion. Let them know I’m the youngest Aura Master.’

Arriving at the Prukas Viscount residence.

The long-awaited return to the main estate hasn’t changed much. However, the atmosphere is unusually lively. That’s because currently, Lord Ention Prukas has returned to the main estate.

Moreover, the Prukas Viscount family is the noble house with the most achievements in the Rafelli Kingdom. The faces of the Prukas townspeople are filled with pride. It would’ve been stranger if the mood were bad.

Without time to rest, I was immediately summoned to the Great Hall.

Everyone had gathered in the Great Hall.

The head of the household, Ention, and his wife, Elain.

Zent Prukas and his followers.

Kyle Prukas’ subordinates and those loyal to him.

My followers and the nobles who maintained neutrality until the end.

More than a thousand people gathered in the Great Hall. This is all the power of the Prukas family. Originally, it wasn’t this large, but through this war, we greatly expanded the territory and subdued several families.

Through continuous victories in the war, we also secured substantial spoils of war. The Prukas Viscount family could pass as a small duchy without any shame.

Together with Yuria, I walked down the red carpet under everyone’s gaze. Yuria wore a blue dress instead of her maid uniform. Her bearing was so regal that no one would mistake her for a maid.

I deliberately slowed my pace. Murmurs rose around me.

“Is that Eugene Prukas… the Unbeatable Hero, the Golden Hand of the Rafelli Kingdom, and the youngest Aura Master? They say he even dominated the seas. Truly, he possesses great accomplishments worthy of history… It’s natural that the eldest son, Zent Prukas, can’t compete with him.”

“Wasn’t the second son, Kyle Prukas, supposed to rival him? Even the youngest Aura Master fell behind his younger brother.”

“Who is that woman? She’s incredibly… beautiful. It’s hard to look away.”

“Silver hair and blue eyes… could it be… or is it just a coincidence?”

“Incredible, simply incredible.”

“A new wind is blowing.”

“Lady, take a good look at that man. Son, remember his face well. That man is the hero destined to lead the next generation of the Prukas Viscount family.”

“…Damn. We backed the wrong horse. Hey, do you know what Lord Eugene likes?”

“I wanted to recommend my daughter… but it seems impossible now. My daughter is adorable enough to put in my eye without pain… but the lady beside him is on a different level.”

“In the future, his side…”


“The great one shall now be revealed.”

At the end of the red carpet sat Ention and Ellaine.

Yuria and I knelt on one knee before them.

“Father. We have returned.”

“Yuria Grace… no, Yuria Helbright greets the head of the house.”

“……”

Ention remained silent with closed lips. The people around him also kept quiet while observing his reactions. However, they couldn’t fully hide their expressions of shock.

Yuria Helbright.

There might be those who would nitpick about Yuria’s origins, so it was decided to use the name of the Helbright Dukedom.

This was Yuria’s decision. She still wanted to keep her strength hidden. The reason being Pantheum. They still don’t know the full extent of Yuria’s power. This advantage will undoubtedly be helpful.

“I’ve heard. The sole survivor of the Helbright Dukedom, correct?”

“Yes. I am a bastard child. I didn’t know this fact until recently, but I discovered it by chance.”

“…Very well. I won’t inquire further.”

Ention’s lips trembled. He was tense in front of Yuria. Even though he had been warned beforehand… it seemed that upon seeing her with his own eyes, he realized the extent of her abilities.

‘Yuria must have sensed his intimidation. It’ll be easier this way.’

Even Ention looked like a day-old pup standing before a lion.

“Father, I have two requests.”

“…Speak.”

Ention’s gaze turned toward me. His expression seemed much more relaxed.

“I wish to marry Yuria.”

“…I permit it. There is no one who doesn’t know that the Helbright Dukedom was a prestigious noble family. Though she may be a bastard, as she inherited their bloodline, she is qualified. Moreover, I’ve heard that Yuria has inherited the legacy of the Helbright Duke.”

“Yes, that is true.”

Yuria calmly replied. The surrounding nobles took sharp intakes of breath. The Helbright Duke was once a prime minister, and rumors even spread that he was the de facto ruler of the kingdom. With such a legacy, its greatness could at least be imagined.

“However, we are currently at war. Since the war isn’t over yet, it wouldn’t be appropriate to hold a grand ceremony now. Let’s settle for an engagement for now and choose an auspicious date after the war ends to hold the wedding.”

“Yes, Father. I will follow your guidance.”

“What is your second request?”

“You promised that the sibling who achieves the most merit in this war would inherit the title. I believe I have achieved the most merit among my siblings. Brother Kyle has decided to support me. I’m confident that my achievements surpass even yours, Father. Please bestow the title upon me.”

“Lord Eugene!!”

An old voice erupted.

Not Ention. The elderly retainers standing around him.

“What insolence!”

“Lord Eugene! Show proper respect!”

“That statement is nothing less than a direct challenge to the authority of the head of the house!”

Without Ention’s permission, Yuria and I stood up from our positions. We slowly turned around to look at the retainers who had shouted out loud. We memorized every single face. The death list had already been written.

“Wh-What?! What audacity!!”

“Lord Eugene!! What do you think you’re doing?!”

“Get down on your knees, Lord Eugene! You’re in front of the head of the house!!”

“Father! Eugene is defying the authority of the Prucrus family!! Father!! Punish Eugene!!”

The old retainers and Gent raised their voices in protest, veins bulging.

Ention frowned and stood up from his chair. He openly released his overwhelming aura. The faces of the retainers and nobles turned pale under the pressure of an Aura Master. I did not step back; I countered his pressure. I too am an Aura Master.

A battle of auras began. I was slightly overpowered. Of course, it was expected since I hadn’t been an Aura Master for long. On the other hand, Ention had years of experience.

Still, I calmly absorbed his energy. I didn’t flinch away from his piercing gaze.

Ention sighed and withdrew his aura.

“Eugene. Your words are justified. It seems you are the one fit to take this seat… Can you handle the responsibility?”

“I can handle it and more.”

“That’s an answer I like. Today, I will pass the position of head of the house to you. However, there is a condition.”

Suppressing my rising irritation as calmly as possible, I asked:

“…What is the condition?”

“Let bygones between siblings be forgotten.”

“Even yesterday’s incidents?”

“…Yes.”

“Understood.”

“Good, Eugene. From now on, you are the master of Prucrus. Given the wartime, the succession ceremony will be brief. If you wish, we can schedule a separate day for a formal ceremony.”

“The abbreviated version is sufficient.”

I smiled.

Kyle and Gent? They’ll live according to the original plan. Yes, they will live.

On that day, I became the head of the Prucrus family.