The Cunning Treasure Hunter

Chapter 59 The Path to the Trial

"...Vera, huh."

A fragment of memory stirred faintly at the sound of the name.

It was a name he had heard somewhere before.

But it didn't come to him completely.

Valen dismissed it as insignificant.

At the age of forty-seven, how could he not have heard a name like that at some point?

Remembering everyone he had ever met was an impossibility to begin with.

Was it one of the names of the heretical sinners he had executed?

If it was, he certainly couldn't recall.

After killing, he often forgot.

Even within the Martial Alliance, the names of executed heretical sinners were prevented from spreading.

A societal death.

They were deliberately erased from the Martial World.

"Does the name sound familiar to you?"

"The sound of it is, but I can't recall where I've heard it."

"Ah, I see. I hope it was from a good connection."

The gatekeeper, seemingly reassured that Valen wouldn't split him in two and burn him, dared to add some levity.

Valen had no intention of reprimanding him for it.

After all, he was someone who couldn't even remember the names of those he had killed.

And yet, despite that, he sought revenge for his child.

What a contradictory figure he was.

'Dreaming of transcendence is laughable for someone like me.'

Enlightenment, achieving it, and then embodying its principles—it was a difficult path.

Valen was certain.

No matter how much regret he felt for his past actions,

no matter how much guilt he bore for his son burning innocent villages to ashes and dying in the process,

if he met the one who had killed his son, he would lose all reason.

He was, undeniably, an evil man.

Far from benevolence, farther still from mercy.

Even though he understood it was karma, he refused to accept it, sharpening his blade instead.

His thoughts reached that point just as the gatekeeper who had gone up the steps returned, descending gracefully.

For a lay disciple, his movement was commendable.

"Sorry for the wait. You may enter now."

"Well done. Treat yourself to a drink when your shift ends."

Valen handed a couple of silver pieces to each of the guards and moved forward.

At that moment, he had no idea.

That the small girl whose name had stirred a sense of familiarity…

was the very one who had executed and beheaded his son.

There was no need to set off early in the morning.

Such a move would only invite bandits.

Following Aiden's advice, Vera, Marcus, and Ethan decided to leave later in the day, when the sun was high.

There were also preparations to be made.

"Vera, have you packed everything?"

"I only need a sword."

"You must pack clothes as well."

"...Ah."

Blinking in realization, Vera darted back into the room.

Marcus chuckled.

Though sharp when discussing martial arts and combat,

it seemed she wasn't accustomed to traveling, frequently making uncharacteristic mistakes.

"Ethan, what about you?"

"I'm all packed, Senior Brother. Look at this!"

Ethan revealed a bag almost as large as Vera herself.

These brats knew no middle ground.

Lifting his Black Iron Sword in its scabbard, Marcus smacked Ethan on the crown of his head.

Thwack!

"Argh!"

"Lighten it. Reduce it by a quarter, understand?"

"You could've just said so!"

"When have you ever listened to mere words?"

Left with no retort, Ethan hoisted the oversized bag and retreated into the room.

Considering his naturally strong physique and sturdy build…

Well, weight wasn't the issue.

Still, carrying excessive baggage made one an easy target.

People tended to rob those who appeared moderately wealthy.

Two young travelers, carrying large burdens without a protector or elder to guard them…

They would be nothing but enticing prey, easily robbed and buried.

Glancing out the window, Marcus spotted Aiden seated under a large tree,

holding something across his arms.

He wasn't in any rush.

If he had been, he wouldn't have stopped at the Blooming Peak Pavilion.

"...Senior Brother."

It was Vera's voice.

Marcus turned to her.

At least she was better prepared now.

She had packed a small bag, though still larger than before.

"What did you pack?"

It would be improper for a man to rifle through a girl's belongings.

Instead, Marcus chose to ask.

"I packed a few clothes. A comb to brush my hair…"

"Well done. Wait here. Ethan hasn't come out yet."

Time passed, perhaps about half an hour.

Finally, Ethan emerged with a more reasonably sized bundle.

Marcus sighed in relief.

"See? You can do it if you try. You should've done it like this from the start."

"Ugh. Let's just get going, Senior Brother."

"Alright. Vera, have you said goodbye to Dylan?"

Now that they were leaving Aetheris's residence, it was time to set out.

It seemed he would have to live in Blooming Peak Pavilion again.

For the past few days, Vera and Dylan had lived together...

But now that Vera was gone, Dylan would be left alone.

"Yes. Senior Brother Jace was concerned about leaving Dylan alone in such a large room, so we installed a bell string that connects to Jace's quarters."

"Well done. It might be a bit noisy at times, but... the disciples sharing the same room with Dylan have agreed to it, so it should be fine."

Just then, another door opened.

It was Jace.

"...Senior Brother, are you really leaving?"

"What do you mean, 'really leaving'? I'll just be away for two or three months."

"Please return safely."

"Alright. While I'm away, you'll be the Senior Brother, Jace."

Jace's eyes widened in surprise.

It wasn't a lie.

Among the third-generation disciples with the celestial character, Jace ranked directly below Marcus.

"Then, I'll leave Blooming Peak Pavilion in your hands."

"I'll do my best."

Near the Training Grounds of Blooming Peak Pavilion

Beneath the shade of a large tree, Aiden sat, watching as three disciples crossed the training ground toward him.

At the center, Marcus stepped forward and offered a fist-and-palm salute.

"Master, your unworthy disciple Marcus, along with Ethan and Vera, has completed all preparations."

"Good. Take these."

Aiden acknowledged the salute with a wave of his hand and handed each of them a set of clothing.

It was a black outer robe, sturdy, durable, and quick to dry.

"Outside of Silent Frontier, there are those who target young disciples of Suncrest."

"...Is that so?"

"Yes. Also, the martial uniforms of Suncrest are suited to its climate. Wear these instead. The Cherry Blossom Insignia is concealed, so they'll just look like plain white martial uniforms. They're durable and practical, regardless of the weather."

Each disciple—Marcus, Ethan, and Vera—received one.

For a journey that would last two to three months, such durable clothing would be sufficient.

"You will head to the Eastern Mountain Fiery Blade clan," Aiden said softly, though his eyes betrayed a hint of concern.

"The Eastern Mountain Fiery Blade clan is divided into the main house and the branch house. You are to deliver this to the main house."

Aiden handed over a small bundle wrapped in black cloth.

When Marcus stepped forward to receive it, he was surprised by its cool and weighty feel.

"What is this, Master?"

"It is a spearhead."

The Eastern Mountain Fiery Blade clan had preserved the art of spear techniques since the era of General Boyd.

Though they hadn't reached the ranks of the Five Great Clans, like the Ironshadow Spear Clan, the swift and powerful downward strikes of the Fiery Blade clan were not to be underestimated.

"A spearhead...?"

Ethan tilted his head in confusion.

After all, no one in Suncrest used spears.

Even if they did, why would the spearhead remain while the shaft was discarded?

"Yes. It is something entrusted to us by a former head of the Eastern Mountain Fiery Blade clan. We should have returned it, but certain matters in the clan at the time caused us to forget. We didn't even realize it was stored in the warehouse until now."

"So it's only now been discovered."

"When we appraised it to determine its origin, we confirmed it belonged to the Fiery Blade clan. It's time to return it."

Nodding, Marcus slung the bundle over his shoulder.

Only then did Aiden rise to his feet.

"A journey of martial wandering usually has no set destination, but yours does. However, to preserve the essence of such a journey, I cannot provide you with travel expenses."

Neither Vera, Ethan, nor Marcus objected.

They all nodded in understanding.

Yet Aiden wasn't someone who lacked foresight.

"However, a weapon is a warrior's life. Carrying only one sword is dangerous, as it leaves you unprepared if it breaks."

"...Ah."

Marcus's eyes widened in realization, as did Vera's.

Marcus had his Black Iron Sword, leaving his old Sleeve Blossom Sword as a spare.

For Vera, it was even better. In addition to the Falling Blossom Sword and the one gifted by Aiden, she had also been issued a Sleeve Blossom Sword.

Meanwhile, Ethan had a sword from Noah Trading Association, leaving him with his Sleeve Blossom Sword as well.

Fortunately, all three carried two swords each.

"...Indeed, having a spare weapon is crucial, Senior Brother."

"What are you saying, Vera? Your sword—"

"Senior Brother Ethan, please remain silent."

Her jet-black eyes glinted as they locked onto his.

Though she was smaller and more slender than him,

the chill in her gaze sent an instinctive warning to Ethan's core.

The warning was clear: one more word, and she'd silence him—even if it meant a duel.

"Our Master is only concerned for us. We disciples must each carry an extra sword."

"Yes, understood."