Chapter 83….
“So?”
A heavy voice.
Xenon looked squarely at the son sitting confidently before him.
“They say you turned both sons of the Bellast family into cripples?”
“That’s correct.”
With nothing to hide, Dante answered calmly.
“Explain your reason.”
Xenon had not yet heard what sort of people Lionel and Albert were.
In truth, he likely didn’t care.
The Sword of the Empire had no reason to pay attention to such rabble.
This was probably the first time he’d even heard their names.
So Dante didn’t bother with an elaborate explanation.
“They weren’t worthy of being called knights.”
Lionel, who used bloodline and power to oppress others.
Albert, who refused to accept rightful punishment and instead sought revenge under the guise of a test.
Both were far too base to be knights.
Xenon silently stared at his son.
Then, with a sudden nod—
“I understand.”
As long as one stands proudly by their own conviction, that is enough.
That was the heir of House Aquites.
“More importantly, I hear you chose the path of becoming an instructor instead of entering Rittergut as a cadet.”
This was the real matter at hand.
For the first time, curiosity appeared on Xenon’s face, which until then had betrayed no emotion.
“I don’t believe there’s anything there I could learn.”
“A sound answer.”
Xenon nodded without hesitation.
He thought the same.
Dante had cut through the heart of the Sword Queen.
He had severed the arm of the Sword of the Empire.
He had achieved Stigmata Release, and now was a being carving his own path.
To lock such a man in some knight training academy for five years would be a waste.
On the contrary, it would be harmful.
“It was an imperial order, so finding grounds to refuse was tricky. But you found a clever way around it.”
Xenon’s expression suggested satisfaction.
“So how long do you intend to serve as instructor?”
“One year.”
No more, no less.
That was the minimum he intended to give before focusing solely on the sword again.
To surpass the sword he had seen on that final day, right before his death.
“Very well.”
“Thank you.”
Xenon respected his son’s resolve.
“When do you plan to depart?”
“As soon as preparations are complete.”
Their mansion lay in ruins, and the temporary lodgings were uncomfortable—not due to facilities, but because of people’s stares.
As Dante’s reputation spread, newcomers constantly followed him around.
“So be it.”
Xenon turned back to his papers, signaling Dante to leave.
Dante rose, bowed quietly, and stepped outside.
“Sir Dante.”
Waiting outside were Milreon and Elaine.
“Did the talk go well?”
“Yes.”
Dante’s expression was one of satisfaction.
He had expected Xenon to let it pass without issue—and indeed, he had.
“Then now…”
“I will head to Rittergut.”
Not as a cadet, but as an instructor.
“Shall we accompany you?” Milreon asked.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible.
Rittergut admitted only cadets and instructors.
Not even the highest nobles could enter with attendants, squires, or guards.
So Acracion could not accompany him this time.
“You two should polish your swords. Training alongside the Silver Cross Knights will temper you well.”
The rivalry between the two knight orders was producing excellent results.
In a year or two, both would surely achieve tremendous growth.
“I’ll also speak with my father, ask him to pay attention to Acracion.”
If so, Acracion could rise beyond the duchy, to become a knight order that shook the entire continent.
“Thank you,” Milreon and Elaine bowed in unison.
“No need for thanks.”
Dante chuckled and began walking.
“But we’ll travel together as far as the capital, so prepare for departure.”
“When would be best to set out?”
“As soon as possible.”
It was decided—he would go to Rittergut.
He didn’t particularly like it, but being allowed in as an instructor was enough of a consolation.
And while there…
‘There are quite a few hidden opportunities inside Rittergut.’
If he obtained those, not only he but Acracion as a whole would grow immensely.
With a faint smile, Dante headed back to his room.
“I’ll be off.”
Preparations took five days.
It could have been faster, but Aina’s fussing stretched it out.
“This is the second time I’ve seen you off like this,” Xenon said.
“This time I won’t be late.”
Last time he had said he’d just meet the Sword Queen, but ended up returning after five years.
Nothing said it couldn’t happen again, but Dante firmly intended to return within a year.
“Life at Rittergut will be harsher than you expect.”
“I’m prepared.”
No one could challenge Dante with a sword.
But society did not revolve around force alone.
Factions, power blocs, networks, ideologies—
Complex dynamics inevitably came into play.
Within all that, Dante was still just a youth—
At least, that’s how others would see him.
“Unlike the sword, human relations are not simple. Remember that.”
“I will.”
Dante nodded, bowed respectfully, and turned to leave.
Behind him, Acracion awaited with smiles.
“Time to depart.”
“Depart!”
“To the capital!”
The atmosphere was free-spirited—so unlike the Silver Cross Knights.
Yet Acracion possessed overwhelming strength beyond appearances.
“I look forward to it,” Xenon murmured, watching Dante and Acracion disappear into the distance.
How high would they climb?
Just watching was enough to set his heart racing.
It felt like witnessing legend being written in real time.
“How much stronger will he be when he returns this time?”
Xenon’s eyes drifted to his right arm—
The place his son’s sword had first grazed.
His superhuman body had long since healed, but he stared at it with renewed awe.
“The God of the Sword…”
Perhaps, just perhaps—
Such a being might truly be born in his generation.
This was the second time after his regression.
Traveling the great road from the marquisate to the capital.
Once again, Dante rode in a carriage—
This time because Aina insisted on coming along.
“Do you remember this place, young master?”
“Wow, the sprouts are already so green!”
“Look at those children, aren’t they cute?”
“Shall we stop for lunch?”
She chattered endlessly, chasing away any boredom.
“Aren’t you tired?” Dante asked.
How could someone talk without pausing for even a second?
Even Dante found it remarkable.
“Why would I be?”
Her tilted head showed she truly didn’t understand.
“…Never mind.”
If she was fine, then it was no issue.
“Young master, are we not stopping anywhere this time?”
“Stopping?”
“Last time we went to a mountain, remember?”
She meant Mount Kalotes—
The place where he gained Sacred Flame.
“Ah, yes.”
“So I was wondering if we’d visit somewhere else this time…”
Her hesitant tone showed she simply wanted to stay with him a little longer.
Once he entered Rittergut, they would be apart.
So she wished to spend as much time together as possible.
“There’s nowhere in particular worth stopping.”
Scenic spots were plentiful, but detours would delay them too much.
He couldn’t risk arriving late.
“I see…”
Her disappointment was obvious.
Dante smirked.
“Don’t worry. Instead, I’ll make sure you have fun in the capital.”
“Really?”
“There’s plenty of good food and entertainment. Before I enter Rittergut, we’ll enjoy it together.”
He had no intention of entering immediately anyway.
There was no reason to go early to a place he disliked.
He would wait until the very last moment.
Until then, he would bide his time in the capital.
“Yay! I can’t wait!”
Aina raised both hands in delight.
“The capital even has a Magic Tower, right?”
“Hmm, yes.”
He hadn’t had the chance to visit before.
He had gone straight to the palace, trained for his duel with the Sword Queen, and soon after departed for the duchy.
So he had never toured the capital at all.
“Can we see it?” Aina asked, eyes sparkling.
“It shouldn’t be impossible…”
Could non-mages enter?
Dante searched his memory but couldn’t recall.
The magi were reclusive and mysterious.
Even though he had fought countless battles, he had never built ties with them.
In this life, he had at least crossed paths with the 3rd Magic Corps, but still.
“I’m not sure, but if possible, we should take a look.”
“Right?”
Just the mention of the Magic Tower stirred Dante’s curiosity.
“Magic…”
Their power defied common sense.
And it wasn’t just battlefield magic—
In the capital, magi-engineered products were everywhere.
There were even sightseeing tours to marvel at them.
‘Maybe I should contact the Magic Corps…’
He thought of Veratis.
With his help, perhaps entry into the tower could be arranged.
“I really can’t wait, young master!”
Moments ago, she had hoped they’d delay arriving—
Now, she could hardly wait, bouncing her feet inside the carriage.
With a faint smile, Dante turned to the window.
The spring scenery rushed by—
Familiar, and warmly comforting.
