Chapter 186

“My deepest apologies for the intrusion. Thank you for allowing me to visit.”

Lady Luril de Karenta bowed her head.

Among the families not originating from Miyaa, House Karenta was the only one with a gate defense rate exceeding 85%.

Even without that, they were a sword family with deep roots and renowned prestige, wielding significant influence in the central social circles— a house that wore the title of the Central Lion with pride.

The reason I mention this is that there was no cause for the heir of such a house, Lady Luril de Karenta, to bow her head like this.

“What’s so hard about fetching one more glass!”

Viscount Biya said cheerfully.

The other nobles nodded with smiles.

There was no way the Miyaa Alliance— a gathering of the finest sword families— wouldn’t welcome Karenta’s presence.

Still, I was curious about the purpose of her visit.

I waited for the Miyaa folk to quiet down a bit before speaking.

“So, what brings you all the way here?”

At my words, Lady Karenta’s expression turned serious.

“I hurried here upon hearing about the Miyaa Alliance meeting.”

I tilted my head slightly at that.

Even though this was our family villa, it seemed her business was more with Miyaa than with me.

“?”

“……?”

As the Miyaa nobles exchanged puzzled glances,

Lady Karenta spoke.

“House Karenta wishes to add its name to Miyaa as well.”

Her words made my eyes widen.

Other houses wouldn’t even dream of joining due to pride.

But Karenta had come to request it themselves.

“Would that be alright?”

Lady Karenta asked cautiously.

I raised my hand to calm the excited nobles and replied,

“Of course, Miyaa would welcome it.”

Miyaa’s affiliated houses were skewed toward the northeast.

Naturally, we couldn’t provide support to other regions even if we wanted to.

We had been pondering how to handle other areas after our L-rank gate expedition.

If Karenta, who dominated the center, joined us?

Our influence would expand dramatically.

“But we should report to His Majesty first.”

Viscount Tenchia said calmly then.

“Quite right.”

“Well said.”

The nobles nodded one by one.

“Whether His Majesty will permit it…”

Some nobles voiced concerns.

It wasn’t suspicion of Karenta.

“Hmm…”

The nobles began murmuring.

If Central Karenta joined, Miyaa wouldn’t just be seen as a gate response alliance anymore— it could be perceived as something on a much larger scale.

“Let’s report to His Majesty first.”

I nodded immediately, understanding their worries.

But I didn’t think Shin Jae-heon had any reason to refuse.

I sent the message casually, then flinched without realizing it.

It felt too nonchalant.

Shin Jae-heon treated me as if nothing had happened, but if I acted awkward, that would be weird too…

Still, ever since learning he was deliberately acting normal for my sake, a pang tugged at my heart.

As expected, Shin Jae-heon replied without a care.

No hesitation at all.

I’d figured as much.

He’d rarely ever blocked my decisions…

The realization hit me anew for a moment, leaving me dazed, but I snapped out of it.

Standing there blankly would only draw odd looks.

“Whether His Majesty approves is uncertain, but if Karenta can officially exchange with Miyaa, nothing could be better for gate responses!”

Viscount Biya exclaimed excitedly.

I nodded in agreement.

Only after confirming the other nobles’ favorable reactions did Lady Karenta’s face brighten.

“Thank you for considering it positively.”

Lady Karenta smiled prettily.

That was when one of the Miyaa nobles suddenly interjected.

“By the way.”

His voice was subdued. What was this— a objection brewing?

Was he worried Karenta would seize Miyaa’s leadership?

Miyaa was still a place of people, inevitably tangled in power structures.

As I racked my brain unusually for a dealer on how to defuse the tension(?),

“When wielding Karenta’s hidden sword, do you put strength in your arm or your wrist?”

The question was utterly unexpected.

“The wrist, you fool!”

“No, the arm! Otherwise, you couldn’t cover that wide a range!”

Suddenly, the room erupted.

“I’ve been curious about that myself.”

Even Viscount Biya, who had been so composed, joined in.

I’d momentarily forgotten these people were sword maniacs…

“……”

Lady Karenta blinked, probably tense for similar reasons, then burst into laughter.

“Shall I show you?”

At her words, the Miyaa nobles fell silent in unison.

Then cheers erupted.

“Let’s go!”

“That sounds good!”

“We have a perfect spot ready!”

“Time to stretch after eating, indeed!”

And just like that, unity— no, a sparring session— unfolded.

The spar was out of nowhere, but I realized it was an opportunity.

The vivid A-rank markers floating above those two heads.

Unlike others, Lady Karenta and Viscount Biya’s ranks shone brighter and clearer.

High A-rank.

With stats stacked that high yet no rank-up meant a lack of other experiences.

People in this system-less world wouldn’t rank up exactly like us, but I could lend a hand.

With this skill.

Using it might trigger their world’s ‘moment of enlightenment,’ propelling them forward.

‘Thank you!’

I recalled the Forlang knights, Edis and Millisha, from the training grounds recently.

Both B-rank then, but after my Vitality Transfer, they appeared mid A-rank the next day.

‘Yesterday’s training was a great help!’

They’d said so in unison, but all I’d done was use the skill.

Yet their eyes had changed.

They’d achieve great things in this gate battle.

If these two ranked up like them?

The gap between S and A was vast— it’d be a huge boost.

The system window might seem ominous to others, but I selected Y without hesitation.

About ten years ago, when I first got this skill and used it daily, I never felt my growth slow.

‘Experience’— a vague concept that barely shows in the system— was ambiguous anyway.

It aided stat growth, but compared to other S-ranks, mine wasn’t slower.

Above all.

‘I’ll definitely get stronger.’

Every time I saw Shin Jae-heon’s eyes saying that, no regrets lingered.

Uniquely, this skill only conveyed benefits, allowing unilateral transfer even to system users without consent.

I’d once wondered if it sped his rank-ups.

Briefly.

“……”

But after seeing his efforts, and since entering this dungeon, the thought vanished.

Growth depended on the self. The will to rank up was one’s own.

As he said, the desperate grew faster.

My skill was just a slight external push.

“Haat!”

As Viscount Biya clashed swords vigorously with Lady Karenta, I secretly transferred vitality, hoping it proved a good chance.

—Clang! Clang!

Slipping the Vitality Transfer amid the swordsmen’s deep debate on hidden swords— Edelweiss vs. Karenta styles— was easy.

A skill with vague description: enhances capacity to gather strength.

I got it around when Shin Jae-heon hit B-rank.

‘I have a reason to get stronger.’

Back when I didn’t know he meant only me.

When that kid desperately wished to grow.

When I desperately wished he’d stand by me forever.

“Haaa!”

A kiai burst from Lady Karenta.

Several spars in, she sweated but showed no fatigue.

Her eyes shone clearer, purer.

Eyes seeing only one desire.

Eyes boiling with the will to grow strong.

The more I looked, the more she resembled him.

I grumbled inwardly. People like that achieve great growth soon.

I nodded slightly as the window appeared.

Lady Karenta and Viscount Biya would’ve reached S-rank without it.

I knew from witnessing growth and ranking up myself.

They’d gain much from the skill too.

I was certain.

Those who strive to protect something, who charge endlessly toward one goal, inevitably seize it.

…Like that kid.

As my wandering thoughts kept circling back to the same point,

“Viscount.”

A knight rushed up, face pale.

Different from when Lady Karenta arrived.

“Th-that…”

Why, another guest? More visitors?

The knight whispered urgently, unable to continue.

“His Majesty urgently summons you.”

My eyes widened.

What, Shin Jae-heon?

“He is already here.”

That kid, at the villa?