< Chapter 3 - Count Chase >
Chapter 3 – Count Chase
The Kingdom of Cailun, which competes with the Argon Empire for supremacy as the continent’s most powerful nation, has its entire territory divided into three large parts.
The North, connected to the Northern Unexplored Zone, a land of harsh cold and savagery.
The center has the Silates Plain, which is called the continent’s greatest granary.
The South, which spreads its power both in the inland and offshore seas.
The North, which had protected the Kingdom of Seilun and the entire continent from the barbarians beyond the unexplored territory for a long time, was no different from another kingdom within the Kingdom of Seilun.
King Seilun had entrusted the rule and defense of the North to the Northern Margraves for generations, and the Northern Margraves cooperated with the noble families of the North to protect the border.
Just as the seat of the Count of the North passed from the Counts of Bayer to the Counts of Hresvelg, the number and composition of the noble families guarding the North also changed from generation to generation, with twelve families occupying the position at the time.
‘The Counts of Bayer, the noble family of martial arts.’
Now, the family has declined and handed over the title of Count to the Hresvelg family, but it is still a family with a power that cannot be ignored.
In particular, the head of the household, Count Bayer, was one of the ten swordsmen of Seilun and a strong man with the title of ‘Sword Master’ as a member of the Northern Four Rivers.
‘The magical Count Chase family.’
The Counts of Chase had the smallest landholding among the twelve northern houses.
Red Dawn Tower.
One of the five magic towers that exist in the North.
At the time, Count Chase was one of only three 7-star wizards in the North, and he was also the lord of the Red Dawn Tower.
‘The other ten families.’
Because it would be too long to list them all.
In any case, the Chase Counts, who were virtually without a territory, built a mansion and settled in the border city of Baylun. However, with the Bayer Counts, who had abdicated from the position of the border count, returning to their home base of Baylun, the current situation has been created where two families exist in one territory.
“Hoo, hoo, hoo.”
Uder ran along the parade ground, breathing heavily and quickly.
Although his whole body was covered in sweat and his face was red, he did not stagger or breathe heavily as if he was about to die.
Ten laps of the parade ground.
Just ten days ago it would have been a near life-threatening challenge, but now it was different.
‘It’s just, it’s just fucking hard.’
My head was so blank that I couldn’t think of anything.
I sweated so much that my top and bottom were completely soaked and it felt like I had drowned.
But the breathing was regular.
My arms and legs also hurt, but they didn’t feel like they would break.
“Ha.”
Yuder stopped running and took a deep breath.
Instead of lying down, I bent over and took a deep breath, slowly stabilizing my breathing.
‘It’s working.’
My stamina has increased.
That too, a lot.
‘Because my basic physical strength was so poor.’
But still, it was something.
The visible growth was enough to inspire.
‘This guy too.’
After stabilizing his breathing to some extent, Yuder straightened his back, closed his eyes, and concentrated his consciousness.
Mana Yeon Gong Method.
In other words, it was intended to utilize the internal energy method.
The internal energy method of Hero Chronicles 2 was somewhat different from the internal energy methods usually found in martial arts novels.
Although it used the same three danjeons, upper, middle, and lower, there was no need to remain motionless or maintain a specific posture while performing it.
If we really have to be specific, we should say that it is close to a pupil.
Uder tried to use the F-rank basic technique he learned from Victor.
‘I feel it.’
I felt a warm and lively energy coiled around my lower abdomen, even though it was only the size of a soybean.
Moreover, it was clear.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that the pure energy created by the meeting of extremes of cold and warm energy was the embodiment of purity.
‘Still tough though.’
Because the palsy hasn’t completely healed yet.
Not only in the small veins but also in the large veins, there were many blocked or narrow places, making it difficult to properly exercise.
But Uder was in no hurry.
As my physical strength was increasing, my spleen and kidney veins were also steadily improving. In the first place, the fact that my physical strength was increasing was evidence that my spleen and kidney veins were being treated.
‘I’m looking forward to it.’
It’s time to use proper martial arts.
It was a bit of a childish thought, but honestly, I wanted to try using martial arts properly at least once.
Like using lightness to half-fly, or using internal energy to send out powerful ki waves.
Wouldn’t they be like superhumans in hero movies?
‘It’s amazing, I guess.’
Not only martial arts, but also magic.
This world itself, where all of those things are possible.
There are levels, and there are level-ups.
There is no status window, but there is a title.
But it’s not a game.
It’s reality.
Even at this very moment, Uther himself is alive and breathing.
‘Yeah, that’s what’s important.’
The fact that I am alive.
The fact that we are trying to live.
The reason why I entered the world of Hero Chronicles 2, or why a real world like Hero Chronicles 2 exists, was not a question that could be answered by thinking about it.
That’s why Yuder decided to focus on the reality right in front of him.
“Excellent.”
Uder opened his eyes and turned his gaze to the voice that was the very definition of satisfaction.
Victor Cromwell, the old knight in charge of Uther’s physical training, stood there with a big smile on his face.
“My stamina is increasing day by day. If I continue like this… I will be able to learn the martial arts of the Bayer family by the time the Count returns.”
Victor spoke as if it were his own business.
In fact, in a way, it was natural. He had watched over the entire process of Yuder growing up from birth to now.
How could I not be happy that the child who was always suffering and frustrated due to the curse of the nine-syllable system is growing up day by day?
‘A tiger cub is a tiger.’
Victor also liked Yuder’s attitude.
Even for Yuder, who was physically weaker than an average person, he faithfully carried out the training that was truly difficult without using any tricks.
‘The blessing of the Bayer family.’
It really was like that.
Because Yuder, who was honest and sincere, also had outstanding talent.
It had only been twenty days since he had obtained the Sun Necklace and began to treat his Nine Yin Vein veins, but Yuder had not only gained strength.
Almost every bodily function, including strength, agility, and flexibility, changed beyond recognition.
‘Well, that’s because I leveled up.’
Since it went from level 1 to level 11, it was natural that it would change beyond recognition.
But whatever it was, it was, and what was good was good.
Victor’s admiring gaze was also enjoyable.
“You have talent, Master. So don’t be discouraged or disappointed by your late entry into martial arts. Do you understand what I mean?”
“Yes, Sir Victor. I will keep that in mind.”
When Yuder answered positively this time, Victor smiled with a mixture of joy and regret.
It was clear that Yuder was now seventeen years old, and that it was too late for him to begin learning martial arts.
‘And yet, you look so bright… You’re so upright… No, did you forget reality for a moment because of the joy of being able to learn martial arts…?’
Victor’s dark blue eyes were filled with emotion again, but in fact, Yuder’s thoughts were simple.
‘He’s a genius, so of course he’s awesome. What does age have to do with it?’
The Thousand and One Body.
A fraudulent talent that makes the main character a main character.
“Cheer up, Young Master. You will definitely be able to do it.”
“Yes? Oh, yes. I will do my best.”
It was at that time that Victor and Yuder were sharing different dreams.
“Your Majesty! Your Majesty Yuder!”
The urgent call caused Yuder and Victor’s gaze to turn simultaneously.
It was Maia, Yuder’s exclusive maid.
But the atmosphere was different than usual. She, who was always cool and calm, was approaching me with a flushed face and a gait that seemed almost like she was running.
“Maya?”
Not only Yuder, but also Victor was surprised.
Maya’s quick steps had that much meaning.
“What’s going on?”
In response to Victor’s question, Maia took a deep breath and then looked at Yuder.
“Your Majesty, a letter has arrived from the Count Chase family.”
“Oh, from the Count Chase family. Did our pretty young lady send you a letter?”
Victor asked with a bright smile on his face.
Because rumors spread throughout the Count’s household that the love between Uther and Cordelia had deepened considerably.
‘Haha, our master is quite talented.’
Cordelia Chase was a stunning beauty, as everyone could tell.
Victor’s face naturally brightened as he imagined Cordelia shyly writing words of love while thinking of Uther.
But it wasn’t.
It didn’t mean that Yellow Storm couldn’t think of words of love while thinking of Outboxer 009.
“It’s not Miss Cordelia.”
It wasn’t Cordelia who sent the letter.
Victor blinked at Maia’s words, and Uther narrowed his eyes for a moment.
At this point, there were only two members of the Count Chase family who could send a letter to Uder himself.
One, of course, is Cordelia Chase.
And the other one······.
“This is a letter from Count Chase.”
Arthur Chase.
The contemporary Earl of Chase.
It was a summons from the craftsman.
&
“My lord, don’t be so nervous. He is Miss Cordelia’s father. And the engagement was arranged by Count Bayer and Count Chase together, so they are literally in an official relationship. So, hey, a little bit of deviation is okay.”
A bit of a digression.
A daytime escape that Uther and Cordelia forced themselves to do, saying they needed some time alone.
Uder swallowed dry saliva without realizing it.
‘I’m nervous.’
Very much.
That too is strangely strange.
In fact, it was a natural thing.
How could a son-in-law not be nervous when he goes to see his father-in-law?
Moreover, the weekly escape incident was something that even Maia, known as the Ice Queen among the Bayer family’s servants, was trembling with fear.
It was natural to be nervous.
“Hoo, hoo, hoo.”
Inside the carriage, which was rattling more than usual due to the fast speed, Yuder took a deep breath to calm himself.
I closed my eyes and concentrated my consciousness.
‘Arthur Chase. Earl of Chase.’
Cordelia’s father.
One of the four northern warriors, and one of the best battle magicians in the Kingdom of Seilun.
In fact, his role in the original wasn’t that big.
This is because her appearance was relatively small in the main scenario of ‘Cordelia Chase’ and her presence was also small in the main scenario of ‘Juder Bayer’.
‘Because the engagement between Uther and Cordelia ended up being cancelled.’
The two naturally grew apart due to Cordelia’s main scenario progressing while Uther was grumbling in a slurred voice.
‘Because we have no reason to meet.’
Although the two started in the same city, as they followed the main scenario, their active areas completely diverged. To be exact, they were both active in the north, but when one was in the east, the other was in the west.
‘I felt like I was a bit out of luck in the Cordelia story.’
In terms of other personality traits, nothing really stands out.
‘Ugh… why are you calling me? Is it because of the weekly escape?’
But then why now?
It’s been more than ten days since the curfew was lifted.
‘Let’s be calm, let’s be calm Outboxer009.’
It was unusual.
I was so nervous that my head wasn’t working properly.
No, why are you so nervous in the first place?
Isn’t he Cordelia’s father?
‘Okay, master.’
It was at that time that I let out a silent scream at the inexplicable subtlety.
“Your Majesty, we have arrived.”
After opening his eyes at Maia’s words, Uder saw the mansion of Count Chase outside the carriage window.
The wall that I promised to climb over someday was really high and high.
If the Bayer Counts’ mansion was a knight’s castle, the Chase Counts’ mansion was a wizard’s miniature garden.
Arriving at the main gate of the mansion through the large, well-kept garden, Yuder swallowed dryly.
This is because I realized once again that I had visited my in-laws’ house.
“Welcome. Come this way.”
Entering the mansion following the butler’s instructions, Yuder was impressed by the atmosphere of Count Chase’s mansion, which was clearly different from Count Bayer’s mansion.
It was bright, splendid and gorgeous.
It felt completely different from the plain and dull Bayer Counts’ mansion, which was reminiscent of a border castle.
But just as I entered the long hallway.
Cordelia and Dahlia, who had been fidgeting in one corner of the hallway as if they had been waiting for a long time, quickly approached Uther.
“Butler Northern, please give me a moment.”
Dahlia smiled and pressed Northern, and Cordelia pointed to the corner of the hallway with an urgent nod.
It was a look in his eyes that suggested that we have a strategy meeting before going to the boss room.
Since Yuder was also in desperate need of information, there was no reason for him to hesitate. He quickly followed, and Cordelia, who was standing in a place obscured by the decorations, suddenly opened her mouth and spoke.
“What are you going to do?”
“Please, give me your daughter?”
Cordelia covered her face with both hands as Uther answered reflexively without realizing it.
“What is that crazy guy talking about?”
“No, but why did you call me in the first place? Don’t you know anything?”
“No. You just called me all of a sudden.”
“Is it because of the weekly escape?”
“I don’t know about that, but you’ll probably mention it, right?”
“Ugh, then why did you overdo it like that······.”
“You crazy bastard, you told me to do it! You!”
“Anyway, now is not the time to judge right or wrong.”
“I want to argue, I want to argue like crazy.”
But it really wasn’t the time to judge right from wrong. And if you think about it, it was just the father-in-law calling his son-in-law, so maybe there wasn’t really a big purpose.
“Anyway, I’ll try my best.”
“Okay, I don’t know what to do well, but do your best. Fighting!”
After receiving Cordelia’s timid encouragement, Uder nodded and approached Butler Northern again to ask for guidance.
And the minute or so that felt so short.
“Prince Yuder Bayer has arrived.”
The Northern Butler raised his voice,
The door to the boss’s room – no, to Count Chase’s reception room – opened.
&
< Chapter 3 - Count Chase > End
