SOTBW - 91

Belshua looked down at Najane for a moment without answering. Her expression seemed to ask, “Why are you asking something so obvious?” It was true that Najane had the talent to be a sword master, but her body couldn’t handle it, so she shouldn’t be using sword energy too frequently.

In fact, three times a day was already too much. Using it once every three to four days was about the limit to preserve its natural lifespan. Belshua was quite taken aback that Najane didn’t know this obvious fact. Had no one ever told her?

But something seemed off. Najane must have felt the physical strain every time she used the sword energy. Even if no one had told her, surely she had noticed that sword energy could be harmful to her body?

“Have you ever felt weak after using sword energy or thrown up because your food didn’t digest properly?”

“I’ve been so sleepy after using it that I’ve gone straight to bed when I got back to the quarters, but I’ve never been in that much pain… Ah…”

Najane, who had been answering obediently, trailed off with a sigh.

“Sometimes my chest hurts after using sword energy. My palms also feel like they’ve been burned, but it usually gets better quickly, so I don’t think much of it. It’s never been a big problem.”

Najane seemed to think these issues weren’t a big deal, and she looked up at Belshua with a puzzled expression.

“But don’t all sword users go through this kind of pain? At least, that’s what I’ve heard…”

“Who told you that?”

“The person who taught me swordsmanship said that…”

“Who?”

Belshua’s voice was quiet but firm, and Najane looked at her with a startled expression, unsure of what to make of Belshua’s sudden change in demeanor.

“Don’t get mad, Belshua. What’s with you all of a sudden?”

Hearing Najane’s words, Belshua realized that she was indeed angry. She had promised herself not to react this way, but once again... She squeezed her eyes shut to regain composure, and when she opened them again, she saw that Najane was looking at her with a nervous expression. That gaze made Belshua’s heart crumble once again, but she tried to maintain an indifferent face and spoke.

“How do you usually use sword energy?”

“It feels like I’m drawing something from my heart and swinging it.”

“Right. That’s correct. Sword energy is the conversion of a person’s life force into energy. It may sound grand when called life force, but it’s just the strength you use to get through the day. The energy you use to breathe, think, eat, sleep, and run. And that energy is turned into visible energy by the sword user, which then forms sword energy. It’s a talent that no one can just imitate.”

This was the first time Najane had heard such an explanation. Mikael had told her that all great power came from noble bloodlines. He had said that it was possible for Najane to manifest sword energy because she carried the blood of Nellis, but she had never heard anything about using life force.

She had only been told that sword energy was emitted by using some power within the body.

Najane had also visited Nellis’ study to sharpen her sword energy, but she never found a way to become a sword master. She had just assumed that if she truly had talent, Nellis would have trained her to be a successor.

But Nellis had tried to quickly marry off Luna, bypassing Najane, the eldest daughter. People thought that Nellis had chosen Najane as the successor and postponed the engagement and marriage, but the truth was known only to Najane’s nurse and the maid who took care of her. They knew that despite appearing healthy, Najane had many internal problems. There were likely many complex reasons why Nellis hadn’t passed on the Pauli-style sword energy to Najane, and her health issues played a big part in that.

Najane listened silently to Belshua’s words.

“Sword Master’s sword energy is so powerful that it can replace magic and rituals. But think about it. A person has limited stamina and strength to use each day. What do you think would happen if that energy keeps being converted into sword energy and used?”

Belshua sighed.

“If sword energy is used beyond its limits, the sword master’s body ages rapidly and becomes sick. Eventually, the mind deteriorates too. They either end up completely worn out, unable to move a finger, and die in misery, or they go mad and keep senselessly killing until their heart bursts…”

“What about Lord Elderketh? He’s over seventy years old.”

Najane asked urgently.

Belshua furrowed her brows.

“You’re worrying about someone else again.”

She was always like this. In a situation where she should be protecting her own body, she would throw herself into danger without hesitation to save others. This gradually put Belshua in a difficult position. If only Najane had been a coward who ran away, someone selfish who only thought about her own safety…

On the other hand, if Najane, born with the soul of Sylin, had acted cowardly, Belshua would have been greatly disappointed. Although Belshua felt uneasy, she also found comfort in the fact that Najane was walking the same path as Sylin. Even though she understood that they were two entirely different beings, she still sought traces of Sylin within Najane.

Belshua realized that she had been talking too long in the cold, and reluctantly started to explain. She turned her back, glancing at Najane as if to urge her to hurry. Najane, her cheeks flushed red, walked alongside Belshua.

“He’s a great sword master, the pride of Bastronia, but now he can’t last a single day without alcohol and drugs, so it’s unlikely he’ll make it through this winter.”

“Does Lord Elderketh not have any disciples?”

“He has more than twenty disciples, but no sword masters.”

If Rachel Rochelle hadn’t fallen ill, she would have succeeded him. Unfortunately, Najane wasn’t a candidate for sword master. She was praised for her ability to control the form of her sword energy, but her lack of destructive power made her unfit to be called a sword master.

In the Astien Empire, following Mackanon’s wishes, the focus was more on rituals than swordsmanship, and there were very few sword masters. After the reappearance of Serith, there were no sword users who wielded sword energy. Therefore, Taylor would be the last sword master in this world.

“Commander, you were also a disciple of Lord Elderketh.”

“Yes.”

“But it’s a bit surprising that you can’t use sword energy. You don’t even use the holy sword.”

If she used the holy sword, her body would burn away. Belshua raised an eyebrow and muttered to herself. Maximón couldn’t emit sword energy either. Only humans could convert their life force into other forms of energy.

Upon arriving at the knights’ quarters, Belshua intended to escort Najane to her private residence. If Kieron was somewhere in Noctis, her residence might not be safe. Although she didn’t know how the bastard was using magic, if his old abilities were intact, it would be very dangerous.

But she couldn’t understand it. As far as Belshua knew, Kieron had been the first to be consumed by Serith. Usually, the term “eaten” isn’t used for Serith’s cannibalistic acts, but it wouldn’t be quite accurate to say he was simply murdered. After all, Kieron had willingly let himself be consumed.

“Dame Schnicks!”

A sharp voice echoed from the hill where the private residence was located. Najane looked up. Didina ran down the path, clutching her apron. Her wrinkled face was pale. Najane rushed to support Didina, whose legs had given out from running. The cold winter scent lingered in Didina’s tangled hair.

“Are you alright?”

Najane asked worriedly.

Didina took a deep breath to calm her racing heart before grabbing Najane’s hand.

“The commander… he’s been taken to the Noctis authorities! He’s been arrested as the murderer of Lord Armunzen!”

“…What?”

Both Najane and Belshua’s expressions froze. Maximón killing Nathan? Najane was too stunned to speak. It was unbelievable news. Didina, who had collapsed onto the cold ground, pressed her forehead to Najane’s hand and began to cry.

“They say the commander was bound and taken by the chief of the guards with a hundred soldiers. It’s not an ordinary matter. If the commander is proven to be the murderer, he’ll be stripped of his position. What should we do? Could it really be true that he killed Lord Armunzen?”

“Are you sure?”

Belshua forced Didina to sit up and asked, her voice firm.

Didina nodded, looking distressed.

“I know it’s hard to believe, but that’s what they say. Lord Rennans came to ask for help from the Chapelle family and shared the situation with me.”

“Rennans?”

Najane asked, trying to understand the conversation.

Belshua quickly responded.

“Jacob. If he’s looking for the archbishop, then the situation must be very serious. But the commander wouldn’t be someone who would go quietly.”

Najane agreed with Belshua’s words.

The head maid, with her cold, lifeless hands, calmly explained as she brushed her chest that was heaving with labored breaths.

“Lord Elderketh himself drew his sword to arrest the commander. The commander couldn’t bring himself to strike his master… what should we do now? There are many witnesses… They say that several people saw the commander, covered in blood, coming out after killing Lord Armunzen… with their own eyes…”

“That’s impossible.”

Najane said firmly, trying to calm Didina. Even if people criticized her, Najane truly believed in Maximón. After asking for forgiveness, Maximón had truly made an effort to become a better person. She could feel that he was always thinking of her, showing care in his gaze and gestures. Having witnessed this change firsthand, she was certain. With unwavering eyes, she reassured Didina.

“Trust me, Head Maid. That person could not have done such a thing. There must have been some misunderstanding. I will find out what happened, so please don’t worry and continue to greet the knights with your usual smile.”

Najane’s voice was filled with sincerity. Moved by her tone, Didina nodded unconsciously. After helping Didina, Najane headed to meet Gwyneth and Jacob.

When they arrived at the knights’ quarters, a loud commotion echoed through the hallway. It was Gwyneth’s shouting. She seemed angry after hearing the situation from Jacob.

Belshua waited for Gwyneth’s voice to die down before knocking on the door. Instead of a reply to enter, Gwyneth flung the door open with a fierce expression. Whoever had come, she seemed intent on driving them away, but the moment she saw Najane, her anger quickly subsided.

Why did her anger fade? Was it because of the special relationship between Maximón and Najane? Or perhaps because she pitied Najane?

Gwyneth, with her palms pressed to her eyes, let out a sigh. She alternated her gaze between Najane and Belshua, then gave Jacob a sharp look.

“What are you doing, Jacob? Hurry up and take them to the authorities. This matter seems serious; we need to move quickly.”