The Return of the Talented Monopolist is Special

Jade’s greatsword flew swiftly toward Eugene’s neck.

The man in front of Eugene was a Sword Master at the 10th level. For an average person, even meeting his gaze would have been a struggle.

However, Eugene was different.

Sweeet!

Eugene faced the incoming greatsword directly, absorbing all the energy of the attack.

If he allowed the sword to strike without responding, Eugene would be dead in an instant.

Of course, now that Jade’s greatsword had left his hand, Eugene’s life was no longer in his control. Any further response was meaningless.

The greatsword ultimately…

Swoosh!

It lightly grazed Eugene’s neck before scattering in the air.

A small drop of blood trickled down from Eugene’s neck.

“Hoh.”

Even so, seeing Eugene stand motionless, Jade spoke in a dry tone.

“If you had responded, you would have died. I commend your courage.”

“Thank you.”

“However, I need to hear directly from you how you can be so righteous.”

Ignoring the pain from the shallow wound, Eugene stared at Jade.

“My judgment at the time was solely for the benefit of Pencel.”

Such a bold statement caused Clark, Muel, and Sirius to look at Eugene with curious eyes. Jade, however, still looked at Eugene with a cold gaze.

Then Eugene revealed everything.

“The betrayer I killed was involved with the Black Mage Tower in the Black Tortoise. Specifically, the Necromancy branch. The serial murders at the ruins are connected to this.”

“……”

“And during the mission, he targeted my life. Additionally, he had been making financial deals with several organizations behind the scenes during Pencel missions. This is what I discovered, and that’s why I had to kill him.”

“That…!”

The fact that the betrayer had been making deals with several organizations wasn’t something Eugene had on hand as evidence yet, but it would eventually come to light as they investigated further.

Sirius widened his eyes in surprise before quickly furrowing his brows.

“Can you prove this is true? If you’ve exaggerated or twisted any of the facts, you will face severe punishment, Eugene Robert.”

If Eugene’s words were true, it would mean that Clark, the head of the Black Tortoise Order, had neglected the management of his members.

Moreover, Sirius thought there was an element of reckless audacity in Eugene’s words.

“You must also explain why you took matters into your own hands instead of simply reporting it. How dare you act on your own as a trainee…!”

Sirius raised his voice. No matter how much Clark usually trusted Eugene, he couldn’t fully defend him here.

As he said, Eugene hadn’t provided any proof yet.

Eugene nodded.

“As for the evidence, I’ll explain that in a moment. Those who should know are likely already aware.”

“Those who know? Who are you referring to…?”

“However, given the urgency of the situation, I had to take action first and then report. I only learned of this fact after meeting Julia.”

Sirius was about to speak again, but Muel interrupted and steered the conversation.

“Alright. So, you’re saying that the Glamphustan serial murders, which were a mission for the Black Tortoise Order, were the result of the Black Mage Tower’s scheme, and that one of the Black Tortoise members was making deals with the Black Mage Tower?”

“That’s correct.”

If Eugene’s words were true, this would be a shocking first in the history of Pencel.

If this spread as a rumor, it would certainly tarnish the honor of Pencel, which had long existed in the north as a symbol of absolute authority, as if it were a noble, unblemished swan.

Muel and the other high-ranking officials couldn’t help but fall into deep thought, trying to gauge whether this was true or false.

In the midst of this, Jade threw a question at Eugene.

“It seems the truth of this matter will hinge on this question, Eugene Robert.”

“Yes.”

“How did you manage to defeat a Black Tortoise member on your own?”

That was what Jade was most curious about.

How could a mere trainee, only 13 years old, defeat a Black Tortoise member who was above the 6th level?

At this serious question, Sirius and Clark also eyed Eugene with suspicion.

“Rather, Eugene, could it be that you made a deal with the Black Mage Tower and, by combining forces with a dark mage, gained unknown power, betraying Pencel? Give us an explanation we can accept.”

This was a point that could raise suspicion.

After all, Eugene himself thought it was a miracle, given how close he came to failing in that situation.

Of course, he couldn’t reveal the fact that he had used magic to cast a Fireball on the betrayer’s face at a critical moment.

But he had to at least show some of the power that led to his victory.

Eugene began to explain carefully.

“First, I had prepared poison and stimulants with the apothecary in advance. I used them to my full advantage.”

“Poison and stimulants? If poison and stimulants could defeat a Black Tortoise member, Pencel’s knights would have been wiped out long ago…!”

“Let him speak, Sirius.”

“…Yes, understood.”

Jade interrupted Sirius’s words, and reluctantly, Sirius fell silent.

Clark stood quietly as if he was ready to endure whatever came next.

Eugene briefly glanced around at the officers, organizing his thoughts.

“Sirius is still as suspicious, and Uncle Clark is someone who will take responsibility for his mistakes. Uncle Muel’s reaction is also interesting.”

Eugene didn’t want to disappoint those who believed in him.

“To do that, I’ll have to show this.”

As Sirius had said, with just those tricks, it might have bought some time, but it would have been impossible to defeat a knight.

Of course, Eugene had one more move left.

“Sir Sirius’s point is valid. However, I had to prepare one more thing.”

With Sirius’s angry gaze and Clark’s expectant one, Eugene raised his right hand without saying a word, drawing everyone’s attention.

Mokgwang, 3-star.

He displayed a level of inner energy technique far superior to that of regular 3-star knights, different in caliber entirely.

As a result, the atom began to spin slowly at first and then sped up rapidly, heating the dantian intensely.

Mana circuits extending to his fingertips and toes were filled with white light, and soon a dense ball of energy formed in Eugene’s right hand.

Eugene shaped the energy into a sword.

Zing…!

It wasn’t comparable to Jade’s energy greatsword, but it was a solid energy blade in Eugene’s hand.

“Hm.”

“That’s still not nearly enough…”

As Sirius had said, this level of energy was something Eugene could have demonstrated even when he reached Mokgwang 2-star.

To convince Jade and the officers, he needed to reveal even more definite power.

That’s when the symbolic swordsmanship came into play.

Taat.

Eugene stepped forward, concentrating the energy in his dantian, making it denser and harder.

Even under the pressure of Pencel’s absolute authorities and the Black Tortoise, White Tiger, and Azure Dragon Order leaders, he maintained a calm mind. It was a state of clarity.

Then, as Eugene envisioned his unique symbol, “the Rose” in his mind…

Whoosh!

A massive rose, with bright red petals and blue thorny stems, suddenly radiated behind Eugene.

The entire room, previously dark, became flooded with rose petals made of energy, and a whirlwind whipped through the space.

Jade’s short gray hair was swept by the wind, swaying gently.

Sirius frowned and glared at Eugene, while Clark watched him with a faint smile, and Muel observed him like a curious animal.

Muel didn’t need to see firsthand how powerful Eugene’s symbolic swordsmanship was; he already had a good idea.

Clark, having seen it in person before, smiled inwardly with satisfaction.

Even Sirius had to acknowledge it.

The fact that Eugene had unleashed his symbolic swordsmanship at the age of 13 gave them an understanding of his level of aura and how well he could control his mind.

“Dismiss it.”

Jade commanded Eugene in a slightly softer tone than before.

Eugene quietly retracted the illusion of the rose and bowed his head.

Since he was looking down, he didn’t see Jade’s expression or gaze, but the officers noticed it.

Jade had a faint smile at the corner of his mouth.

“Eugene Robert.”

“Yes, Lord.”

“Why a flower?”

Symbolic swordsmanship typically uses an object that represents the user’s traits to employ offensive and defensive techniques.

In most cases, people summon powerful, fierce “animals” as symbols.

Muel summoned the Azure Dragon, Sirius the White Tiger, Clark the Black Tortoise, and Lilian the Vermilion Bird.

But Eugene had chosen a “flower,” something a plant and inanimate—specifically, a rose—as his symbol…

“Why a flower, and why the rose?”

Jade’s curiosity was understandable.

Eugene took a moment to organize his thoughts before answering.

“I have a desire.”

“Do you mean the ambition to become the number one on the continent?”

“Sometimes, I do wish to be number one. But that’s not my only desire. I…”

Eugene clenched his fist tightly.

“I want to never bow my head to anyone. I want to always push my views forward. And when the time comes, I want to be someone who can turn away.”

“…I see.”

“The rose is like that. It may not be steadfast like a pine tree through all seasons, but when it does bloom, it shines brighter than anything else. Yet, in winter, it knows how to wither. That’s who I want to be.”

Jade slowly nodded, then asked bluntly, “Did you prepare that answer overnight?”

“I am a bit tired.”

“Next time, try to reduce the flowery language. It sounds nice, but when reflected upon, it becomes a bit too much.”

“Understood, Lord.”

At this point, the officers each wore different expressions, but they all saw the same thing.

Jade had completely become captivated by Eugene as if enchanted by the rose.

Eugene took a deep breath inwardly.

“Ugh, speaking it out loud… it roes feels as cheesy as Jade said. But we’re nearly at the end now.”

Jade turned his gaze to the other officers and spoke.

“The betrayer’s secrets have already been gathered in Pencel. After a thorough investigation, many suspicious traces appeared.”

Jade had already known. Firing the aura greatsword at Eugene had been a kind of test.

The officers didn’t seem to know that and looked taken aback.

“One.”

Jade, with a dry expression, shifted his gaze to Clark.

“The Black Tortoise Order commander, who failed to notice this in advance, is hereby ordered to be confined for six months, and all of them are to enter the Pain of Death training.”

The Pain of Death was a hellish training passed down through generations in Pencel.

Clark bowed his head as if accepting the order, while Sirius surely celebrated inwardly.

“Furthermore, during the confinement period, the Black Tortoise Order will receive no further support from Pencel. Eugene.”

“Yes.”

“You may leave now. But know that you may be summoned later for further investigation.”

“Understood. However, Lord.”

“Hmm?”

“I have something urgent to tell you.”

The officers briefly stepped out, signaling that Eugene wished to speak privately with Jade.

“Hah.”

Sirius naturally assumed that Eugene’s request would be denied, but…

“Everyone, step out for a moment.”

Jade permitted it, and Sirius gritted his teeth as he left the room.

“My father seems to like that kid. Perhaps… he might even try to take my place later.”

Clark also gave a slight smile.

“He’s on a completely different level compared to kids his age. Eldora needs to step up.”

After everyone left, Jade stared at Eugene as if observing an intriguing creature.

A trainee having a private audience with the lord—he had never encountered such a person while he was the head of the family.

Eugene spoke with steady and clear eyes.

“The mercenary I rescued, Julia, is the daughter of the Mage Tower master, one of the three great powers of the Black Zone.”

The Black Zone, the enemy of the Church.

And he had brought back the daughter of the Mage Tower, the most powerful faction among them?

“…Tell me more.”