"Come to think of it, how did the nobles not realize that Father was part of the royal family?" I asked.
Wilhelm looked at me for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing for no reason.
"Hahahaha… That's because your father arranged everything himself. When he was just eight years old, he made a plan to build a peaceful life. He disliked palace politics, especially the pressure from the nobles about the succession to the throne. Even though I myself wouldn't have minded if he had wanted it," he answered.
"So, he tried to convince the previous king, our father, to agree with his plan. And because he was a loving father, he agreed. And so, your father faked his death, then left for Velmara with a few people. There, he took on a new identity as the heir to the Baron Melvian's family. He lived there for ten years, until it was finally time to attend the royal academy," Wilhelm continued.
"Then, what about the relationship between the four of you?" I asked.
"We kept in touch through letters. He most often sent letters to Layla to maintain their relationship, considering he had promised to marry her before carrying out his plan," Wilhelm answered.
Elric and Layla suddenly blushed.
"You don't have to explain that part..." Elric said, turning his face away shyly.
'Wow, so he can get shy too,' I thought.
"Then, why did Father get involved in that war and end up with the title of Count? Wouldn't that just get in the way of his peaceful life, since the nobles started paying attention to him?" I asked again.
"Yes." Wilhelm nodded slowly. "Although your father initially wanted to live peacefully in Velmara, the war situation forced me to mobilize him, considering the Leonhart army had been defeated."
"Wasn't that not enough? "The nobles must have judged that victory was because the Leonhart army had already weakened the enemy." I chimed in.
"Oh… you're smarter than I thought," Wilhelm praised with a smirk.
'Oops…'
"Only nobles who don't deal with the military could make such a comment. Those who fought in the war know full well that your father has an extraordinary ability to lead troops. I'm glad he held back, at least he didn't show his true power."
"And as for me making him a Count? Heh, that was intentional. To make his name stand out. Rather than him just relaxing here with no one paying him any mind. Hahahaha…" Wilhelm laughed freely.
?!
My [True Sight] skill told me that Wilhelm had added a lie to his words. But I didn't know which part. Most likely the reason he made Father a Count. It was strange, considering Wilhelm was trying to hide Father's strength, but on the other hand, he made him stand out as a leader. And he doesn't appear directly in the game, and is only mentioned once as the Lord of Velmara.
[True Sight] is the rarest vision skill that actually deserves to be an Extra Skill, however, the developers gave it limitations. This skill consists of a combination of 7 skills, [Appraisal (Character)], [Appraisal (Item)], [Clairvoyance], [Insight], [Detection], [Foresight], and [Guide]. The maximum level of this skill is equivalent to level 7 of those seven skills. I could take them one by one as a reward for my rank-up. But, that would be too much of a waste of effort and skill slots. So, I took this, even though I can't use the maximum abilities of the seven skills, it's enough for me, because I have game knowledge.
'Hmm...'
Well, if they still want to hide it. Besides, I'm still a child right now, maybe they don't want to take this topic any further.
The conversation continued late into the night, and then I decided to go to my room.
...
The next day
*Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
The sound of wooden swords clashing echoed in the training yard. I kept pressing on, my eyes sharp, trying to read Father's every move to find the smallest opening. Unlike before, this time Elarion King and his Queen were watching me.
"Woah, it seems he inherited your talent for fighting. No, his ability to adapt is even faster than yours was," Wilhelm praised with an admiring tone.
"You're right. Although his bad habit of initiating attacks is still there, at least he's now able to adapt to defending against my attacks," Elric answered while still casually parrying my strikes.
I controlled my breathing, enduring the pain in my hand which was starting to go numb from the impacts. Calm down… don't just attack recklessly. Feel Father's rhythm. This time, I didn't advance immediately. I waited, watching the movement of his feet and shoulders. As soon as Father raised his sword slightly higher, I knew the next attack would come from above. I shifted my position to the left, and sure enough
*Bang!
His attack hit the empty ground.
"Good," Elric said briefly.
My spirits were fired up. I followed up with a quick thrust towards his chest. Elric parried it easily, but this time I didn't stop. I twisted my wrist, attacking from another angle. Our wooden swords clashed again, but I felt something, my movements were becoming smoother.
Wilhelm gave a small round of applause. "He's starting to use observation, not just brute force."
The Queen nodded. "True. That's the sign of a growing fighter."
I smiled even though I was starting to get out of breath.
'It's hard without skills, but more satisfying.'
I launched attack after attack, and slowly I was able to last longer than before. Elric was clearly still holding back, but I knew he was starting to increase the difficulty.
*Clack! Clack! Clack!
The rapid clashes made my hands tremble. Sweat dripped onto the ground. Finally, an opening appeared when Father swung his sword from the side. I ducked, then thrusted towards his waist. For a split second, I truly believed my attack would hit him. However, Father's sword had already closed the gap. With a light movement, he struck my sword, knocking it from my hand.
"...I lost again," I said softly.
Elric lowered his sword and patted my shoulder.
"But this time was different. You didn't just attack or merely react, you're starting to learn to feel the opponent's rhythm. That's a huge step."
I looked down, holding back a smile. This defeat felt bitter, but also sweet.
Wilhelm laughed. "Hahaha! I can see it clearly. He has a strong foundation. If he keeps polishing his skills, who knows, one day he might give you a hard time or even beat you, Elric."
Elric just chuckled. "If he trains seriously, perhaps so. But that path is long, and only those who are patient can walk it."
I gripped my wooden sword again, this time with a new resolve.
'I'll keep training. No tricks, no help from skills. Just with my own strength and effort.' And for the first time, I felt a little closer to Father's shadow.
Even so, I want to know how effective my main sword technique is against my father. Because within the [Atherion Dreamforge] skill, I train all aspects of my combat. So, I've never tested this technique in a duel without skills.
Looking at it, it seems my father is hiding information about my Unity Core from his own brother. That's good. Even if he can be trusted, it doesn't mean I intend to tell him. When the time comes, the whole world will know who stands at the pinnacle of this world.
"Hehehehe..." I let out a cunning laugh without realizing it.
??
And that left the three of them confused.
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Thanks for the Golden Ticket : @Amy_Mcclung