Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle
Four days have passed since we arrived in Switzerland.
The daily routine in Nibelung territory is as follows:
Before the rooster even crows, a quick wash with cold water to wake up. The cold water is inevitable due to the old pipes that don’t allow for hot water.
5 a.m.: Wake up.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
Breakfast starts at exactly 6 a.m.
Understandable, considering how old the building is.
Breakfast is simple rye bread and cheese.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
Not all nobles have extravagant breakfasts, and besides, I’ve already started to notice that the Swordmaster is quite frugal.
While this may seem modest for a noble family, it’s not particularly surprising.
7 a.m. Chopping wood.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
Abel and I alternate this task every other day.
Some might wonder, why chop wood in the middle of August?
However, this place, Sigurðr Castle, is located right beneath the Alps.
I agree—at least if we were talking about South Korea.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
Even at the end of summer, the mountain peaks remain covered in eternal snow, like a white veil.
‘If it’s this cold before autumn, how do they even survive here during winter…?’
Since there’s no heating system like Korea’s ondol, we rely on fireplaces to keep warm. It’s like lighting an old-fashioned oven, and it makes me deeply appreciate Korea’s advanced heating technology.
In other words, the cold here is bone-chilling all year round.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
The butler, a middle-aged man, is named Karon.
He is the perfect archetype of a butler, down to the monocle.
By the way, the Nibelung family has only two staff members—a butler and a maid.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
He speaks little, responds mostly with nods, and embodies the ideal reserved butler.
He handles everything: food, cooking, garden maintenance, repairs, guest reception, and more.
He is incredibly efficient, and my first impression of him was that of a silent monk.
Next is the maid, Shail—a striking young woman with a bob haircut.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
Intrigued, I asked Abel about her on the first day.
The most peculiar thing is the small harness on her thigh, where she keeps a metal rod.
Karon doesn’t, such as cleaning, laundry, hunting wild animals, security, and patrols.
—Shail? She’s been my maid since I was little. She’s young, only twenty-one—four years older than us… But why do you ask, Kang Geom-Ma? You’re not… interested in Shail, are you!?”
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
Or perhaps, as her employer, her discomfort was understandable.
Maybe in Western countries, asking about personal information is considered a major breach of etiquette.
Shail, despite appearing distant, is actually quite considerate.
Abel’s exaggerated reaction took me by surprise. It was just a question.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
She always appears with whatever you need, even before you ask.
She knocks three times, leaves whatever she brought, and disappears without a trace—like a ghost.
—Knock, knock, knock.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
Even so, the aura she gives off and her skills are far from ordinary for a maid.
Her ability to move undetected and her stealth are remarkable, though not quite on the level of the Auditore family.
Since she belongs to the Nibelung family, her strength must be considerable. I don’t know to what extent, but it’s certainly not insignificant.
‘How common is it for a maid to be in charge of hunting and security…?’
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
I suspect this is due to the Swordmaster’s reserved and reclusive nature.
However, no matter how superhuman they are, two people alone can’t do everything.
Karon and Shail are extremely competent, keeping the castle spotless between just the two of them.
‘It’s strange that one of the most prestigious noble families has so few staff members.’
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
So far, no problem. I had planned to earn my stay by helping out, so I was prepared to work hard.
That’s why both Abel and I help with tasks beyond Karon and Shail’s scope, such as chopping wood or occasionally going to the market.
He despises crowded places, which explains the limited personnel.
Doing nothing and just eating would be far more uncomfortable.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
Besides, Abel and the Swordmaster also help, so there’s no room for complaints.
These small tasks are nothing compared to the hardships I faced since entering the workforce at seventeen.
So far, these have been fulfilling days.
‘It’s a matter of principle.’
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
I finally understand why Switzerland is known as one of the best places to live.
The clean, fresh air has done wonders for my lungs after years of breathing pollution.
And the scenery is incredible. Just shifting my gaze gives me postcard-worthy views.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
***
One part of this routine that I absolutely cannot stand.
However, there is one thing.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
The basement of the fortress—the Swordmaster’s private training area.
It was so silent that a faint ringing buzzed in my ears.
A gloomy atmosphere and suffocating silence enveloped the place.
“……”
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
My knees were numb to the point of being completely unresponsive, and small spasms ran up my back.
And what was I doing here? Sitting next to the Swordmaster, both of us in a lotus position, meditating.
We had been doing this since breakfast—for four straight hours.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
The Swordmaster remained motionless, his posture impeccable, exactly the same as it had been four hours ago. I let out a quiet sigh as I watched him.
The sound of my breath broke the silence, echoing in the oppressive air.
I half-opened my right eye and glanced sideways at my companion.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
‘He said he would guide me in training and discipline to become the next member of the Seven Stars.’
The reason behind all this goes back to the main motive for which the Swordmaster brought me to Switzerland.
The personal tutelage of the man who had held the title of the strongest in humanity for decades.
‘Did I come all the way to Switzerland just to meditate?’
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
A privilege so astonishing that anyone would be left speechless upon hearing it.
I expected to learn and understand many things.
I had already learned the value of good teaching from my first master, so my expectations were high.
And as a fellow swordsman, someone with more experience and knowledge than me…
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
In short, I needed to refine and mold the Blessing of the Sword God, which was almost in a raw state, through meditation.
Regarding this, the Swordmaster had explained.
— The foundation of your blessing is already complete. However, it is too powerful and primitive to control easily. Increasing your brute strength in this state is useless. First, you need to adjust that energy so it conforms to you, and the only way to achieve that is through meditation. The first week you spend here will be dedicated to that.
However, reality was this.
Spending every day meditating with him in this position until lunchtime, for four hours straight.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
An involuntary groan escaped through my teeth.
The Swordmaster, without opening his eyes, dismissed it immediately.
The purpose made sense. One could even say it was the right approach.
The latent power within me was sufficient, but it needed to be refined for me to control it. However…
“Ugh—”
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
“…Understood.”
“Stop complaining. If I, standing on the edge of old age, can do this, a young man like you should be able to as well.”
“……”
“Just a little longer. Half an hour more, and we’re done.”
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
I sighed internally. This was torture.
‘Half an hour more?’
Sitting in the lotus position for so many hours made it feel as if my joints were grinding against each other.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
‘Ah, hell, I’ve got a cramp!’
Forget “conversing with myself.” All I wanted was to get out of this situation as soon as possible.
My whole body ached, my hips trembled, and my backside, pressed against the cold stone floor, shifted involuntarily.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
However, the Swordmaster, a seventy-year-old man, was sitting there stoically, not moving a single inch.
If he could endure it, how could I complain?
Two knocks on the door broke the suffocating silence of the room.
–Knock, knock.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
He stood up silently and walked toward the door.
I tried to stand up, but his cold gaze made me quickly return to the lotus position.
The Swordmaster’s eyes slowly opened.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
The Swordmaster opened the door.
It was almost as unbearable as the first time I manifested the Blessing of the Sword God.
—Creak.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
“Sir, I need to speak with you in private.”
If he was speaking in such a low tone, it was probably a personal matter, and there was no point in a stranger like me interfering.
Karon whispered something to the Swordmaster. Though I was curious, I averted my gaze.
The creaking of the old hinges echoed through the air as the figure of Karon, the butler, appeared on the other side. His face showed a slight expression of concern, something rare for someone usually expressionless.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
How was I supposed to get up? I couldn’t move a single muscle.
‘I can’t feel anything below my waist.’
My legs were completely numb, and a tingling sensation had taken over my lower half.
Regardless, I had a more urgent problem to deal with.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
The Swordmaster roared with an expression of anger, his brow deeply furrowed. I had never seen him like this before.
—At that moment.
“What!? That damn Richard!?”
“Sir, young Kang Geom-Ma is right behind you.”
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
“Ah, ahem.”
I watched the two of them in silence as I repeated in my head the name he had mentioned.
The Swordmaster cleared his throat, trying to compose himself, though his face remained tense.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
‘…Richard.’
There was only one person in this world who could infuriate the Swordmaster that much.
Even though he hadn’t said the last name, it was easy to guess who he was talking about.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
Rachel’s eldest uncle and one of the Seven Stars—Richard de Mura, the Saint of the Lance.
It was said he could crush the head of a B-rank magical beast with a single punch.
Although he was slightly behind the Swordmaster in terms of prestige, he had the reputation of being unbeatable in terms of raw strength.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
However, his physical strength was undoubtedly the most impressive among the Seven Stars heroes.
‘But why is his name coming up now?’
According to rumors, he was more of a lion than a human. I had never seen him in the game, so I didn’t know if that was true or not.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
“I have an urgent matter to attend to. I may be back for dinner, or perhaps a little later. Have the kids eat first.”
“Understood, sir.”
The Swordmaster spoke to Karon.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
…Or at least, that’s what I attempted.
The sound of his footsteps ascending the stairs echoed for a moment before fading away.
With those words, the Swordmaster hurriedly left the training room.
I tried to push myself up off the ground…
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
He observed me with an indifferent expression, his eyes narrowing further.
My eyes met Karon’s, who stood with his hands behind his back.
“……”
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
“Young Kang Geom-Ma.”
“……”
“Fifteen minutes remain.”
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
I chuckled internally and forced a smile.
Finally, Karon nodded as if approving my obedience.
I straightened up again and resumed the lotus position.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
Rigid discipline seemed to be something both the Swordmaster and his butler shared.
***
…Damn it.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
A groan escaped through my teeth. After four days of sitting cross-legged, it felt as if even my internal organs were twisted.
“Ugh…”
I hadn’t eaten lunch. I was hungry, but the pain and numbness in my legs outweighed any sense of emptiness in my stomach.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
“Wait… now that I think about it, since I’m in Switzerland, that dungeon should be nearby.”
I let my back fall onto the bed, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling above me. As I gazed into the void, a sudden thought crossed my mind.
Looking at the partially unsheathed blade, a smile spread across my face.
I sat up abruptly. Immediately, I opened my suitcase and pulled out Murasame.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
What had seemed like monotonous vacations dedicated solely to training now had a purpose.
However, to enter the dungeon, I needed prior preparations and teammates.
“The requirement was a minimum of three people…”
“Looks like I got lucky.”
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
It wasn’t just an entry requirement; proper equipment was also necessary. The path to the dungeon was treacherous, and most importantly, there was the hidden monster lurking inside…
‘That place holds one of the few magic stones in this world…’
Though I didn’t want to set foot in that place, I had no choice.
If I prioritized getting stronger, I would have to endure whatever awaited me.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
“I guess it’s dinnertime.”
As I let out a sigh filled with concern, I heard a sound.
Knock, knock, knock.
As always, three knocks on the door.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
However, the knocking came again.
Knock, knock, knock.
I assumed it was the maid, Shail, and didn’t respond. Talking to her never resulted in a reply.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
“What are you doing here?”
I frowned slightly as I got up to open the door.
Standing there, unexpectedly, was someone I hadn’t expected to see.
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
It was Abel. She held a blanket in her arms, glowing faintly under the light.
“……?”
“I-I came to return something to you.”
Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 113: Life in Sigurd Castle by Indra Translations.
As she said this, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and looked at me.
“I also wanted to talk to you…”
Abel lifted her gaze just slightly, her golden eyes gleaming beneath her bangs.
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