The Genius Son-in-law of the Swordmaster Household—Blessed by Authority-Chapter 20 : Vladiark (3)

Vladiark (3)
A soft glow gently rose above the blade of Vladiark.
"...... That is."
The force was somewhat weak, but it was unmistakably the aura of a Master.
Even more—
"...... That's my aura."
The enhanced energy thinly enveloping that bizarre greatsword was indeed the aura of the Sword Sovereign himself.
There was no way a martial artist of the Sword Sovereign's caliber would mistake his own aura.
The sheer purity. The golden hue. The energy that resembled the sun...
That aura was unmistakably Darkan's own, built up using the Heavenly Dawn Technique.
'Is that the sword's unique ability? To manifest absorbed aura as enhanced energy.'
Otherwise, there was no way to explain the phenomenon before his eyes.
It was impossible that this boy possessed aura from the Heavenly Dawn Technique, a secret technique passed down only to the direct line of Hisperion.
The chances of a mere fourteen-year-old boy having already reached the rank of Master and manifesting enhanced energy on his own were even slimmer.
'It must be the sword's unique ability. A blade that absorbs aura from others and manifests it as enhanced energy...'
The Sword Sovereign Darkan's gaze deepened.
'A truly terrifying divine relic.'
If Darkan's guess was right, the owner of that sword would always have the upper hand in terms of aura, no matter who he faced.
He could drain his opponent's aura until they were depleted, and amplify his own as much as he had consumed from others.
'However...'
Puseok!
The longer the energy was maintained, the more the sword was visibly being worn down.
As the stored aura in the sword was depleted, it gradually reverted to its original scrap-metal state.
'What a peculiar sword.'
When it consumed aura, the sword's form was restored and became sharper as it grew, but as its aura ran out, the edge chipped away, turning it back into mere junk.
'If the aura within it is completely exhausted, would it return to the state I saw at the very beginning?'
Just like when he had first seen it during the sword spirit ceremony, as a hunk of scrap metal?
'Then, what if I poured limitless aura into that ravenous greatsword?'
How far could that sword grow?
As the master of all swords, pure curiosity stirred in Darkan.
'If possible, I'd like to see that sword in a perfectly restored state.'
But for now, whatever he tried, that was an impossible prospect.
He knew firsthand just how insatiable the sword's hunger was.
It wasn't something that could be satisfied in a short time.
Even Darkan, who had ascended to the demigod-rank, felt as if he'd be devoured in a single bite.
'I'll have to be content with the information I've gained for now.'
There was still a mountain of things he wanted to study, but for now, this was the best result he could hope for.
Simply discovering that the strange greatsword was not just a piece of scrap had been a major breakthrough.
'But still.'
It was imperative to clarify the cause of the sword's appearance.
Why had such a divine relic suddenly revealed itself, and why had it chosen that child as its master?
He needed to uncover the reasons and intentions behind that.
If there was any plot or ill will directed at Hisperion lurking behind that greatsword, this Sword Sovereign would have to cut it down himself.
'Still, so far, there's nothing particularly ominous.'
He didn't feel any particular foreboding—yet.
'So why did it suddenly appear if there's no plot or ill intent?'
Just by chance?
No, that couldn't be it.
For an artifact that had lain dormant beneath the Sword Lake for 1,500 years to show itself now, it surely carried some special mission.
'Was it to confront a powerful foe? Or simply because it craved power and wanted to devour great mana?'
He considered many possibilities, but at this point, any thesis would still be just a hypothesis.
To truly understand the intent of the divine sword, he would have to watch how Ian's journey alongside it unfolded.
'Even if that's not its purpose...'
Simply watching the boy's growth and path would be enjoyable in itself.
'Honestly, the greatest outcome of today wasn't the information about the relic—but meeting that boy.'
Discovering such a radiant, unpolished gem was the biggest reward today—or rather, this year, or perhaps in recent memory.
'I want to raise him carefully and keep him by my side.'
If that boy grew up to become his close aide, he would surely be a great strength in protecting this land, this family, and the next head of house.
'His skill—being able to fell five knights single-handed at his age—is already astonishing, but what I like even more is his fearless engagement with that bizarre sword, his composure, and his refusal to get easily agitated.'
Flames of enthusiasm flickered in the Sword Sovereign's eyes as he looked at Ian.
'If circumstances allow, I'd even like to adopt him as my son.'
But if he did, his own children would never let the boy be, so that was not a wise course of action.
'Still, adoption isn't the only path to nurturing someone.'
Now that he'd taken him in as a guest, Ian was already under his care in all but name.
He'd simply have to take his time and raise him with care and attention.
'Life's joys have increased by one.'
Plans for how to nurture Ian unfolded vividly in Darkan's mind.
'What a winsome lad.'
For the first time in ages, he felt as if he'd gained another dependable son.
* * *
The experiment of breathing aura into Vladiark, fortunately, was a complete success, with no accidents.
Just as Ian had expected, Vladiark wasn't simply choosing a master.
It wasn't a crazed sword that indiscriminately devoured aura.
'Thank goodness.'
It was a huge relief for Ian.
If Vladiark had been a demonic sword that consumed even its master's aura, he would've had no choice but to discard it.
'Vladiark is such a powerful ultimate weapon that in my previous life, it even destroyed the divine sword Genesis.'
If he'd had to throw away such a weapon over something so ridiculous, even Ian's heart would have ached terribly.
But today's experiment proved that wouldn't be the case, and an indescribable wave of relief washed over him.
'Still, I never expected it to actually manifest enhanced energy.'
Even Ian had not foreseen this.
No matter that he'd been the peak Swordmaster in his previous life—in his current body, it was simply impossible to manifest enhanced aura at this stage.
And yet, the reason he could was thanks to two factors.
First, the Sword Sovereign Darkan's aura stored within Vladiark.
Second, Vladiark's overwhelming ability to amplify aura.
'Its performance is truly unbelievable.'
Ian could say this with confidence.
'Vladiark is by far the best sword I've ever used.'
Ian had wielded countless legendary swords in his previous life, but Vladiark was on a completely different level from all of them.
'Its aura amplification rate alone is out of this world.'
Even compared to the sword with the highest amplification rate he'd ever used, Vladiark far surpassed it.
Perhaps it was even superior to Darkan's beloved blade, Dominating Dragon Fang.
As far as Ian knew, only the divine sword Genesis rivaled Vladiark's explosive rate of aura amplification.
'And this ability to absorb an opponent's aura...'
The absorbed aura wasn't just stored within Vladiark.
He could take it into his own body, or release it to manifest as physical aura.
He could truly make his opponents' aura entirely his own.
'Its synergy with the Authority of Projection will be perfect. I doubt any other weapon could be this perfectly compatible.'
The Authority of Projection's biggest flaw was that he couldn't use its power if his mana was depleted.
But with Vladiark, that weakness vanished completely.
By slaughtering his enemies with Vladiark, his mana would naturally replenish itself.
'What's more, Vladiark grows stronger and more powerful as it consumes more mana.'
In his past life, the Grand Duke of Gluttony raised Vladiark into a disaster incarnate—a calamity shaped like a sword.
'It was a sword truly worthy of the name 'Gluttony'.'
By simply raising the sword, it could drain the life from thousands of soldiers; the tendrils along its blade writhed like a hydra, tearing knights apart...
'Back then, I just thought it was a gluttonous power, but now I realize it was more than just devouring or vampirism.'
Perhaps it was a process of converting stolen life force from his foes into mana.
'That must be what Vladiark looks like at full growth.'
How much mana it would take to grow it to that stage, Ian still didn't know.
But—
'Just as the Grand Duke of Gluttony did, if I keep cutting down my enemies, I should be able to raise Vladiark to that point soon enough.'
Once Vladiark reached that level, Ian would become a living natural disaster.
He'd be able to endlessly steal mana from his foes and unleash the ultimate spells of great sorcerers and the secret techniques of Grand Masters through the Authority of Projection, without rest.
Until there was not a single enemy left in sight.
Ian's mana would, in effect, become infinite.
* * *
After the experiment with infusing Vladiark with aura was over—
"Kelbian. Please show the children to their new annex. And make sure the head butler knows they are my most important guests."
"Yes! I receive your command!"
With Kelbian's guidance, Ian and Sophia moved to their annex.
"This will be the annex where Ian and Sophia will be staying from now on: Lunabreeze."
The name of the annex was Lunabreeze.
It was the ultra-luxurious mansion where Ian would live out his daily life as a guest of Hisperion.
"Welcome, sirs."
Upon arrival, the mansion's steward came out to greet them.
"I'm Cheryl, and I oversee the management of Lunabreeze."
She was a middle-aged woman who must have been quite beautiful in her youth.
As Cheryl arrived, Kelbian immediately handed over the rest of the process to her and announced his departure.
"Then I'll take my leave now. It was an honor to meet you, sir Ian."
"Thank you for guiding us here."
Kelbian gave another deep bow and briskly took his leave.
As a trusted aide to the Sword Sovereign, he must have been kept very busy.
The fact that Kelbian personally showed them around was, in itself, a huge special privilege.
"If there's anything you find inconvenient or anything you wish to request from the Hisperion family, please let me know."
"I have no needs at the moment."
"Very well. If you need anything, please ring the bell in the mansion, and I'll send someone right away."
"Thank you."
Cheryl finished her introduction and quietly withdrew.
"Phew...... What a crazy day it's been!"
Now that it was just the two of them, Sophia finally relaxed, sighing in relief and clutching at her chest.
"We fought knights this morning, then suddenly met the Heavenly Sword Lord, and now—where are we!? The Hisperion annex? Lunabreeze? Wow! What is this!? Is this huge place really just for the two of us? Really!?"
"Yeah, that's right. Unless we call in any attendants, it'll just be the two of us here most days."
"Oh, wow! Seriously, this is insane!"
Sophia had thought, when they'd been invited to the Hisperion banquet, that nothing more surprising could ever happen in her life.
She never imagined that only a few days later, that belief would be so quickly overturned.
"I really never imagined I'd be living in the annex of the Sword Palace!"
"Same goes for me."
Honestly, Ian was still unsure how to accept all this kindness.
Judging from his manner so far, the Sword Sovereign clearly regarded him favorably...
But why was he going to such lengths for Ian? Not knowing precisely why made him uneasy.
At first, he thought he was after Vladiark.
But even after learning that he couldn't wield the sword, he continued to treat Ian so well...
Was there another purpose?
Or was it just pure goodwill?
Still, it was hard to believe the Sword Sovereign was someone to dispense goodwill so liberally.
Ian's head was spinning.
"Young master! Let's look around, c'mon!"
"You go first and tell me about it. I need to rest a bit... I have a lot on my mind..."
"No way! You have to make memories together for it to count! Come on!"
- Grab!
Sophia seized Ian's hand and pulled.
"Ugh..."
He wanted to resist, but with his aura depleted, it was impossible.
"First, over there! That big warehouse with the sword symbol on it! That has to be the armory! Let's check it out! Hurry!"
"Aaah..."
Three hours passed like that.
Ian was dragged around the mansion by Sophia for nearly three whole hours before he could finally rest.
"I' m exhausted..."
Still, thanks to Sophia, a lot of his worries disappeared.
Or rather, he no longer had the energy to worry about anything.
At least for tonight, he felt he'd be able to sleep better than ever.
"Thank you, Sophia..."
Without her, he probably would've been lost in thought and stayed up all night.
Now, having used up all his strength, one thought alone remained in his head.
"To protect those I cherish...zzZ..."
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
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