REAPER SCANS
The Reincarnated Martial God Brings Down the Heavens
[Translator – San]
[Proofreader – Abstract]
Chapter 186 - A Teacher’s Dignity
By the time Jerome and Harvey arrived at Duke Kairos’ estate—
“Senior, are we really here just to watch?”
“Stop asking. How many times do I have to tell you that I’ve given up on the Rising Star Tournament?”
“I’m only asking because I don’t have any real competition other than you, hehe. The last recommendation letter is as good as mine, then.”
“Aren’t you a little too overconfident?”
“It’s just the truth. I let my guard down at Marquis Foltaine’s, but now, no one else stands a chance…”
At that moment, the two paused, tilting their heads.
“…Is something going on?”
They were near the training grounds. As they approached, they could hear discontented voices all around.
“If they already decided who’s getting the recommendation letter, then why are we even here?”
“I wouldn’t say it’s decided… If you’re so upset, go up there and fight for it.”
“Against her? Are you crazy?”
“Well, yeah… Ugh. I had a bad feeling this would happen, which is why I wanted to avoid Duke Kairos’ estate.”
As expected, countless kids their age had gathered here as well. Jerome and Harvey quickly slipped into the back of the crowd, eavesdropping on the conversation.
“What’s everyone so upset about?”
“...!”
The group at the back turned their attention to Jerome and Harvey. Recognizing them, a few immediately greeted them.
“Whoa. Sir Jerome and Sir Harvey. Have you two come to spectate after getting your recommendation letters?”
“I’m jealous. Damn. well, not that it would’ve mattered if we went somewhere else—if you two were there, we wouldn’t have stood a chance anyway.”
Jerome and Harvey exchanged sheepish smiles.
“Has the test already ended?”
“No, right? Please tell me it’s not over yet!”
They asked in turn.
“Not exactly, but there’s a problem…”
“A problem?”
The kids’ gazes naturally drifted back toward the training grounds. Jerome and Harvey followed their gazes, then froze like statues.
“Wh-What the hell is she doing here!?”
Harvey shouted in shock.
A girl stood proudly in the training grounds. She couldn’t have been over twenty at most.
With hair as red as flames and eyes to match, she had striking beauty complemented by her pale white skin.
But don’t be fooled by her looks.
“Anaxir? That girl—she’s Anaxir, isn’t she?”
Jerome, finally regaining his senses, spoke slowly.
“Wh-Why is she here?”
As far as he knew, she had left for the Empire two years ago to study swordsmanship.
He had nearly forgotten about her.
“…Did she return for the Rising Star Tournament?”
“Senior, have you heard anything about this?”
“I didn’t, but… You had your suspicions, too, didn’t you?”
“…Urgh…”
Harvey groaned.
They had both feared something like this might happen. Anaxir was one of the top three talents of the Kingdom of Hart.
Along with Jerome and Harvey, she had secured her place among the most formidable young swordsmen.
Still, most doubted she would participate in this year’s tournament. Simply put, no news of her return had reached them until today.
“Which idiot said she’d give up on the tournament after realizing the gap between the Empire’s level and hers?!”
Some kids smiled awkwardly. Most of them had believed that.
“Hahaha.”
Just then, a warm, hearty laugh echoed.
“Is there no one willing to spar with Anaxir? If someone defeats her, I will gladly grant them my recommendation letter.”
It was Duke Kairos.
‘No way…?’
Hearing that voice, Jerome immediately understood—
Why Anaxir’s return had been kept such a secret.
‘Duke Kairos must have hidden it. There’s no doubt about it.’
After all, Anaxir was his granddaughter. However, if he simply gave her a recommendation letter outright, there would be backlash.
‘That’s why he set up this little show. If her return was made public, the kids who knew how strong she was wouldn’t have even bothered coming here!’
And more importantly, if she happened to get injured during a duel…
“…I don’t even want to imagine that.”
Jerome shuddered.
Duke Kairos’ overflowing love for his granddaughter was well-known throughout the kingdom.
In other words, everyone gathered here was just a supporting character in his play.
“As expected.”
Unaware or unconcerned by this, Anaxir muttered coldly.
“I know it’s my home country, but everyone’s still a bunch of cowards. No wonder this kingdom never improves.”
“…”
“Enough. I have no interest in crossing swords with weaklings. I feel like I’d only get worse fighting them.”
With that, she snatched the recommendation letter from the hands of the butler.
“I’ll be taking this.”
“Hahaha…”
“Anyone have a problem? If so, don’t whisper behind my back—come fight me now.”
“…”
Of course, no one responded.
Anaxir smirked.
“Idiots.”
“…!”
At those blunt words, some of the children gritted their teeth.
“That awful personality of hers is the same as ever.”
Harvey and even Jerome shook their heads.
“Oh, right.”
At that moment, Anaxir, who was descending from the training ground, turned to look at Duke Kairos.
“Grandfather.”
“Hmm?”
“I heard the news. That absurd rumor that the seventh prince of the Principality of Meeke, Andrew von Meeke, will be participating in the Small Star Tournament as our kingdom’s representative.”
“...”
Duke Kairos, who had only chuckled before, for the first time, let his gaze darken.
“The Small Star Tournament requires each country to form an entourage and arrive at the Empire on time... Do I have to travel together with that kid?”
“...Don’t worry, my dear. That’s not confirmed yet.”
Anaxir tilted her head.
“But the rumor has already spread everywhere. Apparently, that boy even received a recommendation letter from the Emperor himself…”
“Even if he received the Emperor’s recommendation, he still has to prove he meets the minimum qualifications.”
“Does that mean…?”
“I will personally test him soon.”
Duke Kairos muttered as if he wanted everyone to hear.
“That is ‘fair,’ isn’t it? After all, Baron Ancelot, who is officially representing our country, has shown us nothing so far.”
At that, Anaxir’s expression brightened.
“That’s a relief. I wasn’t comfortable traveling with someone who drags controversy wherever they go.”
Harvey and Jerome, who had been quietly listening, looked dumbfounded.
“Does she not realize this whole situation is a controversy?”
“Just leave her be. It’s not the first or second time this has happened. That miserable brat.”
One by one, the other children made resigned faces and started preparing to leave, when—
“She really takes after her grandfather.”
“...!”
A rather loud voice rang through the air.
* * *
Reaper Scans
[Translator – San]
[Proofreader – Abstract]
Join our discord for updates on releases! https://dsc.gg/reapercomics
* * *
The children looked in the direction of the voice with expressions as if they had misheard.
At the same time, Anaxir frowned.
Although he was her biological grandfather, objectively speaking, they didn’t resemble each other that much.
‘That was… a compliment, right?’
That hopeful thought was soon shattered.
“It must run in the family. That way of speaking that grinds people the wrong way and completely lacks any social grace.”
“...!”
Now, not only Anaxir but the other children also turned pale.
“Wh-What did you just say?”
“I have no business with you. In any case, well spoken, Your Grace.”
The speaker, Ancelot, kept his gaze fixed in one direction. From the moment he appeared, his eyes had been locked onto one person—Duke Kairos.
“What are you suddenly talking about?”
“If my ears aren’t mistaken, I believe I just heard that I need to prove my skills.”
“...Hahaha.”
Duke Kairos finally let out a low chuckle.
“Did that comment bother you?”
“Well, it was about me, after all.”
“Since we’re on the topic, don’t you think it’s unfair? The other kids are being tested fairly…”
“Fair? And is dragging these kids into politics as mere pawns ‘fair?’”
“...”
Duke Kairos fell silent.
“I assume that’s also why you gathered them here today? To use this as an excuse to push the matter of proving qualifications in the royal court.”
Though slightly taken back inside his mind, Duke Kairos remained composed on the surface.
“Well, fine. So how do you plan to test me?”
“As you said, I will visit the palace tomorrow and propose it again to His Majesty. The Small Star Tournament is a prestigious event representing one’s country. I’m sure other nobles will also…”
Ancelot shook his head as if he had heard enough.
“In the end, you can’t handle it alone, and you’re resorting to numbers to force the issue.”
“You impudent brat…!”
“There’s no need for that.”
Just as Duke Kairos shot up from his seat in rage—
“I’ll save you the trouble, Your Grace.”
Ancelot pulled something out from his coat.
“That’s…?”
Duke Kairos flinched.
His sharp eyes immediately recognized it.
A golden seal, roaring like a living lion.
That parchment was the Emperor’s invitation.
Flutter!
Ancelot casually tossed it into the air.
Then—
Sla-ash!
With a swift flick of his blade—
Flutter!
The parchment was sliced into shreds, which drifted to the ground.
“That lunatic…”
Even Harvey, who feared no one, gaped in shock. Beside him, Jerome’s pupils trembled.
“My purpose for visiting today is clear.”
“...”
“Although the imperial invitation was ‘accidentally’ destroyed, I still intend to enter the Small Star Tournament. So, on that note…”
A smirk curled on Ancelot’s lips as he trailed off.
“I’d like you to hand me that recommendation letter.”
“Hah?”
Anaxir, who had barely been restraining herself, finally exhaled in disbelief. Her irritation had reached its peak.
She couldn’t hold back any longer.
“Perfect timing. I’ll just…”
“Stand down.”
A chilling voice sliced through the air. Anaxir flinched, her body stiffening.
“G-Grandfather?”
She muttered, flustered.
Her grandfather was making a terrifying expression on his face that he’d never made in front of her before.
“You are not his opponent.”
“...!”
Whish!
Like a hawk snatching prey, Duke Kairos plucked the recommendation letter from his granddaughter’s hand.
A smile played on his lips.
“My test is rather difficult… Are you sure you can handle it?”
“Wasn’t the test simply to defeat your granddaughter?”
“No.”
Duke Kairos shook his head.
“That would be too easy. It wouldn’t be fitting for someone of your stature, Baron Ancelot—the continent’s hope, the one who defeated a renowned swordsman.”
“...”
Ancelot let out a small laugh.
“That’s an obvious provocation, and I wouldn’t normally take the bait… But I admit, that does sound boring. I’ll let it slide this time.”
With that, he started walking toward the training ground.
“Well, I do feel a little sorry. You went through all that trouble, staging this grand show to spoon feed your granddaughter some sweets…”
Crack.
A vein bulged on Duke Kairos’s forehead.
“Only to snatch that candy away and give it to someone else’s child.”
Was his self-discipline lacking? It was the first time he’d felt such intense anger at a child’s sharp tongue.
“As you wish, let’s have a match.”
“...Hahaha.”
Duke Kairos let out a chilling laugh.
“Come on up. Let’s see if your sword is as sharp as your mouth.”
* * *
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