The Regressed Mercenary’s Machinations

Chapter 173: Sufficient Validation (3)

People consumed by desire often ignore precise intuition and fail to make cold, rational judgments.

That was the case with Zwalter and Randolph now.

In the face of discovering a new breakthrough that could elevate them to greater heights, neither experience nor instincts proved useful.

The two, exhilarated, immediately summoned the knights.

“Recently, Ghislain has made a small breakthrough and improved the family’s mana cultivation technique. It’s said to be more effective than the previous method, so let’s all train together using it.”

At Zwalter’s words, the knights murmured, their expressions tinged with unease.

It was now common knowledge that the Young Lord was quite powerful.

However, his eccentricity and extreme, unconventional behavior made trusting him an entirely different matter.

Mana cultivation was a delicate field where even the slightest disruption in flow could lead to catastrophic consequences.

Hearing that such a sensitive area had been “improved” by the reckless Young Lord naturally stirred anxiety among the knights.

Sensing their apprehension, Randolph confidently stepped forward and spoke.

“Don’t worry! Both the Lord and I have thoroughly reviewed this matter! We will proceed with training safely, so there’s no reason to be afraid!”

Only then did the knights’ expressions relax slightly. If both the Lord and the Knight Commander had evaluated it, it should be trustworthy. Such was the power of credibility.

However, one knight remained unconvinced despite the reassurances of the Lord and Knight Commander.

That knight was Skovan, the Captain of the Forest of Beasts’ Guard.

What? The Young Lord improved it? Well, if it’s him, it’s possible. But they’re really going to try it out? Have they all gone mad? Do they lack any capacity for learning?

Skovan had come to the Northern Fortress under Baron Homerne’s orders to deliver military supplies and relay the news of Ghislain’s recent feat of devastating an entire forest.

Although he had arrived at the fortress some time ago, Randolph had insisted that he stay and help with guard duties while he was there, leaving Skovan stuck in the area.

Due to the chronic shortage of knights in the estate, such impromptu assignments, regardless of one’s position, were often imposed. At the time, he had reluctantly accepted it without complaint.

But he hadn’t expected to encounter Ghislain’s insidious behavior in the meantime.

Well, since the Young Lord modified it, it’s probably better than before. But I’m sure there’s bound to be some side effects.

Among the Ferdium knights, Skovan had dealt with Ghislain the most.

Having experienced the grueling aftermath of such encounters firsthand, he was convinced that the mana cultivation technique Ghislain had devised wouldn’t be ordinary.

‘It’s not too late to learn it after everyone else masters it and any potential issues are resolved. I’ll sit this one out!’

Skovan, having made up his mind, raised his hand decisively and spoke up.

“Lord! I think I should head back now! The estate is severely short on knights. Besides, shouldn’t we verify this a bit more thoroughly first?”

The response didn’t come from Zwalter but from Randolph instead.

“Hey, you’re always slacking off under the pretense of patrolling the Forest of Beasts. Where do you think you’re going? You’re supposed to learn this and then teach it to the knights left at the estate. Also, I’ve already tested it, so what more is there to verify? Just do as you’re told, you little punk.”

Skovan immediately slumped his shoulders, his face crestfallen.

Randolph might not have caused catastrophes on the scale of Ghislain, but his foul temper and refusal to compromise were every bit as infamous.

This was a man so brash and reckless that, if a mountain blocked his way, he’d hand the knights shovels and order them to level it.

With someone like that saying those words, there was no escaping it.

Skovan, looking as though he were on the verge of tears, reluctantly joined the other knights in learning Ghislain’s mana cultivation technique.

Each knight had previously trained in a different mana cultivation method.

Some had learned the Ferdium family’s technique, while others had inherited methods passed down through their own families or from their mentors.

However, Ghislain had gone so far as to include instructions in the manual on how to adapt existing techniques to the improved mana cultivation method seamlessly.

Following those steps, while the speed of adaptation varied by individual, everyone gradually became accustomed to the new method.

‘Wow, this isn’t half bad.’

‘I can’t believe it transitions so smoothly without conflicting with the old cultivation method. How is this even possible?’

‘The rate of mana absorption and release has drastically improved. This is on a whole different level.’

The effectiveness was so immediately apparent that it left no room for doubt.

Those convinced there were no issues began to intensify their training little by little.

The process was so engaging that it was hard to stop. In particular, the vastly increased destructive power was addictive, making them immerse themselves further in their practice.

‘How could anyone resist when you can visibly feel yourself getting stronger? I have to surpass that guy, no matter what.’

Strength was the ultimate virtue of a knight. Once competition took hold, the pace of progress only accelerated.

Everyone became so frenzied with their practice of the new mana cultivation technique that no one could stop them.

Zwalter and Randolph watched the scene with pleased smiles.

“Haha, how long has it been since everyone was so deeply absorbed in training? Ghislain has accomplished something remarkable. To think it would be this effective—what an impressive feat.”

“Keheheh, big brother! I’ve been itching to clash with those barbarians. Why aren’t they coming these days?”

The two were already senior-level knights, so their progress was a bit slower. Still, they could feel themselves gradually breaking through their limits, and that alone was satisfying.

The difference between hitting a complete dead end and seeing a path forward was like the difference between heaven and earth.

Thus, as everyone immersed themselves in near-manic training, a month flew by.

That’s when problems started to arise among some of the knights, particularly those with the weakest abilities.

“Ughhh!”

“Cough!”

The more they used mana, the more knights began collapsing, coughing up blood.

Although they recovered after a brief rest, if they stopped their training altogether, the accumulated mana was forcibly expelled from their bodies. This, too, caused them to cough up blood.

Ordinarily, such a phenomenon wouldn’t occur simply from consuming mana. The overwhelming power, almost like an internal explosion, was too much for their bodies to handle.

Even when they tried to prevent mana from being consumed, they couldn’t properly control it. Eventually, the situation became critical for all the knights.

“W-What is going on here?!”

With all the knights collapsing, chaos erupted in the Northern Fortress.

As Zwalter paced nervously, Randolph stammered as he spoke. His complexion was as pale and stricken as Zwalter’s.

“Big brother… I think that bastard Ghislain tricked us.”

“Tricked us? What do you mean, tricked us?”

Randolph shared his suspicions with the bewildered Zwalter.

“That bastard must have tampered with the mana cultivation technique. He’s trying to kill us all!”

“Kill us? For what reason?”

“If we all die, that bastard will take over the Ferdium Estate! With all of us gone, he’s the only heir with any justification! That ungrateful wretch!”

Zwalter stumbled, clutching his forehead. The reasoning sounded disturbingly plausible.

The method was nearly flawless. It wasn’t poison, and if everyone died while training on their own, it would be the perfect crime.

The thought of it made him want to weep tears of blood.

To think that the son he had trusted, even if only slightly, could commit such an unspeakable act.

As Zwalter despaired, a strange thought crossed his mind.

“But why are we still okay?”

Although “okay” wasn’t entirely accurate. When they unleashed mana with great force, they felt internal upheaval, and a thin trickle of blood would flow from the corners of their mouths.

Other than that, however, there weren’t any serious issues.

‘The internal injuries could just be a reaction to the sudden surge of mana.’

Zwalter wasn’t entirely convinced that the mana cultivation technique was to blame. After all, they were still gradually growing stronger.

Randolph, however, had a different opinion than Zwalter.

“We are senior knights! We have more mana and are stronger than the others, which is why we’re still holding on for now! But eventually, we too will collapse!”

Randolph’s desperate cry left Zwalter unable to argue. He closed his eyes in frustration.

No matter how much power might matter, to think that his own son would resort to killing the family’s knights!

“This estate was going to be his anyway, so why couldn’t he wait? Ah, I’ve truly failed as a parent. My dear, it seems I’ll soon be joining you.”

But he couldn’t just sit here waiting for death. He needed to teach his arrogant son a lesson.

He was about to call all his forces to deliver a crushing blow of justice upon the Fenris Estate when—

“Lord! Lord!”

At that moment, a retainer came running in, breathless, and handed him a letter.

“What is this?”

“It’s from the Young Lord. He said it contains something important and must be read immediately.”

“Has that bastard gone so far as to declare open war against us?”

“No, I’ve heard no such news… I don’t know what the letter contains either, my lord.”

Zwalter immediately opened the letter sent by Ghislain. His expression grew increasingly peculiar as he read further.

The letter seemed to anticipate the current crisis, explaining the problems with the mana cultivation technique and offering a solution.

In summary, the issue would be resolved if they diligently built up their mana until they surpassed a certain threshold.

[And everyone has been neglecting physical training lately. If you want to endure for longer, you must combine mana cultivation with strengthening your body.]

In short, if they didn’t want to die, they had to train both their bodies and mana relentlessly to grow stronger.

“Argh! Then he should have told us this sooner!”

Zwalter grumbled and moved his gaze to the next line.

[If I had explained it earlier, no one would have wanted to learn the improved cultivation method. Given the urgency to grow stronger, I had no choice but to keep it a secret.]

The words seemed almost like a response to Zwalter’s complaints. He clicked his tongue and stood up.

“Damn it! Everyone, get up! If you don’t want to die, then train like your life depends on it! Because it does! Randolph, you too! Stop crying, you fool!”

Even Zwalter, who normally carried himself with dignity, spoke harshly in his panic.

If they stayed lying around just because they were in pain, they would truly grow weaker and die. In his entire life, he had never encountered such a bizarre mana cultivation method.

While it was a relief that Ghislain hadn’t intended to stage a rebellion, it didn’t stop Zwalter’s blood from boiling.

Now, the knights of the Northern Fortress had to push themselves to their limits, training to death while fending off barbarians with their fatigued bodies.

They had fallen into an extreme training environment unlike anything seen before in this world.

Skovan, lying on the ground coughing up blood and crying, thought to himself:

“This… This is hell…”
‘For some reason, I really didn’t want to do this… I told you we shouldn’t get involved…’

Regret, as always, came too late.

* * *

While chaos broke out at the Northern Fortress, the Fenris Estate was abuzz with excitement over the outcome of a certain bet.

The estate’s retainers began gathering one by one at the demonstration grounds.

Claude, the Chief Overseer, was nervously biting his nails, unable to hide his anxious expression.

He turned to Wendy, who stood beside him, and asked, “It’s impossible, right? Normally, how long does it take to learn mana?”

“Unless you’re a genius, it takes at least a few years.”

“Exactly! And none of the mercenaries or the new recruits are geniuses. So, logically, it’s impossible, right?”

“Logically, yes… but everything the Lord has accomplished so far has been completely illogical.”

That was precisely why Claude felt so uneasy.

Ghislain always achieved things that defied common sense, making ordinary people look like fools.

Claude squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head.

‘No, but this time, it really is impossible.’

From what he had observed of the knights, they all looked like the walking dead. Their bodies were clearly wrecked from overtraining.

Eventually, all the retainers gathered, and finally, Ghislain arrived at the demonstration grounds.

With a relaxed demeanor, Ghislain scanned the crowd before raising his hand and declaring, “As promised, we will confirm whether the knights can utilize mana. From this moment forward, I will no longer entertain objections to their deployment. Bring in the knights.”

At Ghislain’s command, the knights who had been training tirelessly began entering the grounds one by one.

The retainers were shocked when they saw them.

“What… how is this even possible?”

“Just look at their condition…”

It wasn’t awe they felt—it was alarm. A group of skeleton-like figures shuffled into the grounds, their emaciated forms barely recognizable. They had noticed the knights’ deteriorating condition before, but now it was far worse.

Ignoring the murmurs of the crowd, Ghislain continued, “Let’s proceed. The Chief Overseer will call out the names for verification.”

The task of selecting knights and weapons for the demonstration had been entrusted to Claude. His tendency to doubt everything made Ghislain agree to this arrangement without hesitation.

After some careful deliberation, Claude chose someone he was reasonably confident about.

As far as he knew, Gordon had a strong physique but lacked the talent to quickly grasp the estate’s mana cultivation technique.

“Gordon! Gordon, step forward and demonstrate!”

At the sound of his name, a gaunt, bald figure wobbled to the front.

Claude scanned the man up and down before shouting, “What the—? Not you! I meant the muscle-bound crybaby Gordon!”

“…I am Gordon,” the bald man replied.

Looking closely at his facial features, Claude realized it was indeed Gordon.

Momentarily flustered, Claude stammered before finally asking, “What happened to your body…?”

Tears welling up, Gordon replied, “It hurts so much… I’ve lost all my muscle mass…”

“…”

Suppressing a sigh, Claude handed Gordon a sword.

“Use this and strike that over there.”

He pointed to a long, thick iron ingot that had been specially crafted for this demonstration.

The crowd held their breath, their tension palpable, as they focused on Gordon.

Gordon gripped the sword and took a deep breath in front of the iron ingot.

“Hup!”

As Gordon concentrated, a faint blue glow began to shimmer along the blade.

Then, in one swift motion, the sword came crashing down on the iron ingot.

Ka-ga-ga-gang!