Inheriting the Novel

Chapter 143 : Assassination Attempt (1)

Assassination Attempt (1)

After confirming the Calamity of Labytrinth, Mersaya and I returned to the Dreistler family.

Since there was still plenty of time left, I intended to get everything I could out of this place.

'So, this is another way you can do things.'

Marvin truly possessed skills worthy of his title as the second-ranked member of the Seven Heroes. Although we were both among the Seven Heroes, there was a clear difference between him and me.

Even in the midst of lightning-quick exchanges, he remained relaxed, observing my movements and pointing out any issues.

"Heaven's Holy Ultimate Art is certainly a completed martial art. However, it can't be the same for everyone."

"What do you mean by that...?"

"The reason even though we inherited a portion of Heaven's Holy Ultimate Art it now takes a different form, is the same. Just as everyone has clothes that fit them, the same is true of martial arts."

Marvin said this after sparring with me several times using Heaven's Holy Ultimate Art.

"It doesn't matter much, up to a certain level. But if you want to break through the wall and establish your own martial art, then the form itself needs to change."

I couldn't help but ponder Marvin's words.

'Does this mean that Heaven's Holy Ultimate Art doesn't fit my body?'

At first, I thought so, but that didn't seem quite right.

Come to think of it, Grancesia said something similar a while ago.

While I was deep in thought, Marvin nodded and continued.

"Of course, just witnessing a complete Heaven's Holy Ultimate Art is immensely helpful to me. It only makes me wonder what Grancesia's actual abilities were when she created this art."

[See, did you hear that? Now do you realize just how amazing I am?]

'Yeah, yeah.'

Grancesia seemed pleased by Marvin's praise and boasted confidently.

Well, even without Marvin hyping her up, I already knew how incredible Grancesia was.

'I feel like I've mastered all the techniques of Heaven's Holy Ultimate Art, but something still feels different.'

It was as if I could almost grasp something, but it kept slipping through my fingers.

[Think it through calmly. If you rush it, you'll just make things harder.]

'I want to stay calm too, but that's easier said than done.'

Having forty-six days left felt a bit tight.

I even considered going to the domain and bringing Maria back for a moment.

'The problem is, if I do that, there's no one to manage the domain.'

There was just too much work for Doris mister to handle alone now.

Since Maria had become so important in managing the domain, I couldn't recklessly bring her away.

"Ch!"

At that moment, I heard someone click their tongue in my direction.

When I turned around, I saw Kaden, who was rebuilding his basic stamina alongside Mersaya, glaring in obvious displeasure.

Ever since learning about my skills, the guy hadn't directly criticized me, but it was clear he still didn't like me.

"tsk".

Marvin also clicked his tongue, clearly displeased with Kaden's attitude.

"Kaden! How much longer are you going to behave so foolishly! I've told you countless times, haven't I? There are plenty of people as strong as you in this world!"

"But, father..."

"You're nowhere near qualified to look up to Clay. No, honestly, even Mersaya standing next to you is out of your league now."

"Kh!"

Kaden grit his teeth in frustration but couldn't say anything.

Currently, Mersaya was panting as she ran laps, but Kaden didn't even dare challenge her.

After all, he knew Mersaya was a dragon—how could he possibly pick a fight?

Marvin let out a deep sigh at the hesitant Kaden.

"Huu, I'm going to scold this idiot for a bit."

"Yes, I actually have some things I'd like to try out myself."

"Thank you for being considerate."

Since I was the one receiving help anyway, I didn't mind. Besides, I needed some time to organize everything Marvin's lessons had made me realize.

'Let's see...'

While Marvin was putting Kaden through his paces, I began to slowly move my body.

I wanted to reflect on what Marvin had just said.

"This is the basic form of Heaven's Holy Ultimate Art."

Drawing a gentle arc yet containing destructive strength, I could now perform it quite convincingly.

But still...

'Even though I think I've pretty much mastered it, it definitely feels off.'

The moves flowed smoothly, and the magic power moved without a hitch.

Even though nothing seemed wrong, something was stuck in my throat, irritating me.

'Just as everyone wears different clothes, so it is with martial arts.'

While I was deep in thought, Grancesia spoke up cautiously.

[Hey, um...]

It seemed Grancesia knew the answer.

She appeared to be debating whether to wait for me to figure it out on my own or just give me the answer.

[Try to think simply. The analogy Marvin just used is perfect. If there's a set of clothes, anyone can try them on, right?]

"That's true."

[But depending on a body's size, weight, and height, some people will find those clothes uncomfortable or unfitting.]

"...!"

Only then did I realize what Marvin and Grancesia had been hinting at.

Grancesia seemed a bit relieved at my reaction and continued.

[You finally get it. Heaven's Holy Ultimate Art is something I created. In other words, I tailored the perfect garment for my body. It wasn't designed for anyone else.]

That's right.

Heaven's Holy Ultimate Art is basically a fully-formed martial art, and anyone who wants to learn it can do so.

But for many reasons, it's impossible to master it completely. Even if one comes close to perfection, it can never be truly theirs.

From the start, Heaven's Holy Ultimate Art was a technique Grancesia developed purely for herself.

'Grancesia and I don't have the same height or talents.'

If you have the martial art's framework and know how to use it, you can perform it. But if you want to break through a wall, that's where problems arise.

[Only Mind, Five Aggregates, and No-Self. What you're trying to achieve right now is Five Aggregates. When you completely cloak Heaven's Holy Ultimate Art in your own form, you'll be able to move forward again.]

Transcending Swordmaster to the highest realm—Great Swordmaster.

Supposedly, only Ban Sylvest has reached that level with Twin Poles Sword.

"... But you and Damian are beyond even that, right?"

[If you can even call it 'beyond'—from Great Swordmaster upward, it's the domain of True Principle.]

"The domain of True Principle?"

[A place where one can touch the Principle itself. Depending on how deeply you step into that realm, you might become a god.]

"You mean No-Self."

[Correct. Even I don't know if that's the end. That's just as far as I've seen. Maybe there's something even higher. Well... before I put up with any more, I got bored and quit.]

You got bored...

That sounded somewhat ominous.

"Fine, I understand. If I want to get further, I need to... cloak this Heaven's Holy Ultimate Art completely in my own style."

[That's the right answer.]

Everything I've learned up to now.

I'd gather them up and forge a new form.

'This is kind of exciting.'

Time was tight, but my heart was pounding.

To complete a martial path that exists only for me.

That was something anyone who trained in martial arts would dream of.

* * *

'Damn it! How can someone like that even exist?'

Kaden ground his teeth, throwing punches endlessly in the dark training ground.

He had never doubted his own talent.

Compared to his peers, he had always been overwhelmingly strong, everyone called him the hero's son and praised him.

So he thought it only natural that he'd someday take his father's place among the Seven Heroes.

He'd thought so up until very recently.

'Sword Lord Clay Vanhart.'

That's what people called him.

The new 'Sword Lord' of the Seven Heroes.

The master of the Seven Swords Under Heaven, a once-in-a-lifetime hero who rose to the rank of Seven Heroes at the youngest age.

Honestly, kaden had always thought the rumors were exaggerated.

But reality was harsh. That guy had already reached a level Kaden couldn't even compare to, despite being the same age.

What's more, since coming here, he hadn't drawn his sword even once. The Sword Lord, and yet he hadn't even drawn his blade.

'It's not just sword art—he's reached that height in martial arts, too.'

For the first time, kaden realized that the world was unfair.

Despite training in martial arts all his life, the guy mastered both the sword and martial arts and surpassed him by far.

"Damn..."

A bitter taste filled his mouth.

He wasn't even frustrated anymore; he just felt wronged.

"Hoo, hoo."

Sweating profusely, he stopped throwing punches.

Not because he was tired—a presence was approaching the training ground.

'At this hour, no other soldiers or knights should be coming here.'

Clay's face flashed through his mind for a moment, but he shook his head. Around now, that guy would be in the head's chambers, digging through the history of the stars.

"Who's there!!"

He shouted loudly in the direction of the presence, and a familiar person emerged.

"... Gart? Why are you here?"

"Kaden-nim."

The person who appeared was an attendant of the Dreistler family.

Kaden knew his face well... but something was off.

Whoosh!

Kaden reflexively swung his fist at the approaching Gart.

The person tilted his head back, dodging Kaden's attack.

"As expected, you're not Gart."

"..."

Apparently, the man hadn't expected Kaden to strike without hesitation, and he looked at Kaden with slight surprise.

"Judging by the way you've behaved until now, I thought you were just a brat, but you really are a tiger's cub."

"Where's Gart?"

"Who knows."

The man disguised as attendant Gart stood in front of Kaden with a relaxed attitude.

'This guy... he's hardly beneath me.'

No, if anything, he was probably superior.

'Damn. Just who is this guy, really?'

Very few people knew about the Dreistler family, a closed place with tightly controlled information.

He couldn't understand how this guy had managed to get in.

"No need to be so tense. I'm only here to make you a proposal."

"A proposal?"

"I'll make you the head of the Dreistler family. And... ah, right. I'll even help you take care of the Sword Lord."

"...!"

At Kaden's shocked expression, the man smiled faintly.

"We'll deal with Clay Vanhart, who humiliated you, and Marvin Dreistler, who refuses to acknowledge your abilities. We'll take care of it all."

"'We'—so you're not alone, then."

"Think whatever you want."

Kaden fell silent, mulling over the confident man's words.

'He's completely underestimating me.'

Kaden's temper was well-known.

But that didn't mean he was stupid enough to fall for an offer like this.

Clay really did piss him off, but not to the point of wanting to kill him.

But...

Kaden thought for a moment, then spoke up.

"All right. Then what do you want me to do?"

"Good, I'm glad you're quick on the uptake."

As the man smiled, kaden swallowed dryly.

Kaden had no intention of actually following the man's plan.

But if he rejected him outright, who knew how the guy would react—and that "we" irked him.

'Of course nothing's going my way these days.'

As the man beckoned for him to follow, kaden obediently trailed along.

"Just as I thought, you're exactly as expected, kaden."

"... Thanks for that."

He finally realized how he must have seemed to others.

Kaden followed after the man, feeling uncharacteristically bitter.