Regressing as the Reincarnated Bastard of the Sword Clan

Translator: FenrirTL

Editor: Doodle

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< Chapter 137: The Tulip Mausoleum (2) >

“Huh, what’s this? Why’s it acting up all of a sudden?”

Lezé tilted her head as her cherished weapon exhibited an unusual reaction she had never seen before.

At that moment, Selperd and Arin quickly showed their respect.

“Practical Swordsman Selperd greets the Head of the Reaper Division.”

“Practical Swordsman Arin pays respects to the Head of the Reaper Division.”

Reaper Division.

One of the few assassination organizations operated by Ragnar, it was well-known as a place that Lezé had personally built by recruiting talents one by one.

Essentially, it could be called her personal guard.

Their skills were so dependable that rumors had widely spread across the North, saying, “Wherever the Reaper Division moves, death always follows.”

“Forget that. I’m here not as the Head of the Reaper Division but as a Successor.”

“A Successor?”

What could she mean by that?

Just as Theo was tried to question it, Lezé suddenly looked at him with a sly grin, and her form wavered.

Flinch!

Theo instinctively and quickly drew the Drake’s Blade,

Clang!

The large scythe, which had nearly reached his neck, was intercepted midway.

Vibration! Vibration!

The scythe trembled violently, as if reluctant to withdraw.

“Tsk. What a shame. I had my hopes up.”

Swish!

As Lezé clicked her tongue in mild regret, Selperd, Arin, and Ray all drew their swords in unison and aimed at her.

Lezé glanced down at the three blades pointed at her, looking as if they might pierce her at any moment, while smiling flirtatiously.

“Oh dear! I clearly said I came here as a Successor. Isn’t this practically rebellion if we’re being technical?”

Lezé threw Theo’s words—those he’d once used against the Gathering of the Hidden Dragons—right back at them.

“If the Judgment Hall must investigate, then I’ll accept it later. But before that, we need to rescue our junior. That’s the foundational principle of the White Armored Dragon Cavalry.”

Yet Selperd remained completely unfazed by Lezé’s sharp threat.

“My, so the White Armored Dragon Cavalry has already aligned with the sixth candidate?”

“Think what you will.”

“Such a pity, tsk. I was hoping the White Armored Dragon Cavalry might stay neutral a while longer. Anyway, love, what are you doing? Aren’t you going to help me?”

Lezé playfully smiled as she looked over at Wellington, who hadn’t shown any reaction.

Wellington let out a small sigh.

“…Lezé, please, handle the matters you’ve caused yourself.”

“You’re so mean, love.”

“And I’ve asked you several times not to call me that… Lezé, there is nothing between us, is there?”

“Aww. Have you already forgotten that hot, passionate night we shared?”

In an instant, the gazes directed at Wellington turned icy cold.

“Pervert.”

At Ray’s disdainful remark, Wellington choked back a retort.

“It wasn’t like that! And Lezé, please, don’t say things that could be misunderstood! That night in Taroban City was purely camaraderie, a friendship shared between comrades! There was no romantic or emotional exchange whatsoever!”

“Hehe. Well, that’s enough for me.”

“Not for me!”

Theo had finally grasped the nature of Wellington and Lezé’s relationship.

‘So Lezé’s been pursuing him, trying to recruit him.’

Lezé’s desire for talent was intense, nearly as strong as Julius’s. Once she set her sights on someone, she would never let them go. That determination had birthed her personal guard unit, the Reaper Division.

It was only natural she’d take an interest in Wellington.

His level of strength far surpassed what he’d achieved by this point in Theo’s previous life.

Hidden in Theo’s shadow, Wellington too was more than worthy of being called a genius.

Moreover, he’d received guidance from the Upsurging Dragon, making it impossible for even Theo to guess the extent of his potential growth.

And now they’d even fought together in battle?

It would be strange if her attention didn’t turn his way.

The problem, however, was that Wellington seemed completely uninterested in Lezé’s advances.

“This is too much. Here I am, a delicate woman, being threatened, and yet you don’t even react.”

Of course, with her towering height over 170 centimeters and biceps as firm as those of a horse, such words were far from convincing.

Wellington averted his gaze even further, and Lezé let out a sigh.

“Sigh! What a eunuch.”

“…No matter what you say, it’s pointless.”

“Fine, fine. I get it. Looks like I’ll have to end it here, then.”

As Lezé started to lower the scythe she’d been pointing at Theo—

“Who said you could?”

“…What?”

Lezé was suddenly taken aback as a blazing flash narrowly missed her scythe.

Cha-cha-cha-clang!

In the blink of an eye, Drake’s Blade and the scythe clashed repeatedly in midair.

Although Drake’s Blade moved with tremendous speed that was unexpected for a large sword,

the scythe—nearly three meters long and with a massive reach—danced brilliantly, deflecting every slash with ease.

Its movements were so unreal and precise that it was as if the reaper of the pantheon itself had descended to wield it.

Vraaang!

In the end, Lezé twisted her body gracefully in midair, creating a clear distance between herself and Theo before landing firmly.

“So, you can block my ‘Grim Reaper’ like this?”

Lezé’s expression shifted between astonishment and disbelief as she raised her head again.

In that instant—

Swish, swish, swoosh!

Three dark shadows suddenly descended from above, landing to encircle Theo, their scythes aimed squarely at him.

“For daring to raise your sword.”

“Against Lady Lezé.”

“You will pay with death.”

They were members of the Reaper Division.

Waiting hidden in the shadows, they had revealed themselves as soon as the clash with Theo erupted.

“Didn’t you hear what your master just said?”

Yet, Theo didn’t even bother to confront them; his gaze remained fixed solely on Lezé.

Lezé instinctively wanted to shout, “Get out of there, you idiots!” but it was too late.

“Isn’t it rebellion to raise a blade against a Successor?”

In that moment, Theo’s shadow rippled, and Umbra sprang forth.

Screech!

Umbra’s wing bones were raised sharply, slashing downward like a blade.

The blow was laced with Shadow Demon Poison, a dangerous touch that could be lethal if mishandled.

“…!”

“…!”

“…!”

The three members hastily retreated, but two failed to evade entirely and suffered slashes across their abdomens.

The real danger wasn’t the depth of the wound, but the Shadow Demon Poison that invaded their nervous systems, inducing illusions and hallucinations.

Selperd, Arin, and Ray seized this brief opportunity and took on one of the weakened members.

Boom!

In a matter of moments, the heads of the three members were driven hard into the ground.

Meanwhile, Theo launched himself forward, pressing off the ground with explosive force.

BOOM!

Whoosh—

His heart pounded wildly as he initiated resonance with his core; his body turned red-hot, releasing waves of steam.

Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump—

Though it didn’t match the power of awakening his Dragonblood, the empowering effect of his magic resonance was extraordinary.

The atmosphere surrounding Theo transformed in an instant.

Dominance.

Ragnar itself was now standing here.

“Oh-ho, so you won’t just sit back and take it, will you?”

Realizing Theo’s intent, Lezé grinned widely, her fangs glinting.

—There would never be a Ragnar who’d simply endure an attack.

—If challenged, a Ragnar would answer head-on, without backing down.

Theo was sending her that message.

He was staking his claim as a Successor, someone who also aspired to the throne.

“Alright, then. Let’s see if this big sister thinks you’re worthy.”

Lezé firmly gripped her beloved weapon, the Grim Reaper, the scythe that had been with her since childhood.

The large scythe, reputedly crafted from the humerus of a dragon’s wing bone, boasted an immense and formidable blade. It became instantly enveloped in Aura, fiercely scraping against the ground.

The black flames that rose from the friction swept over the Grim Reaper and encircled Lezé as well.

It was as if witnessing a reaper ascending from the depths of hell.

Just before the two could clash,

「You two couldn’t even wait a moment—!」

the Upsurging Dragon suddenly appeared between them, deflecting both Theo and Lezé’s attacks with a hand on each.

Boom—

Rumble!

As their powerful strikes veered off course and pounded the ground, the resulting shockwaves shook the buildings of the Tulip Floral Arts Guild.

“Aaack! What on earth is happening to my hooooouse!”

Ode arrived a moment late, her eyes blazing as she alternated glares between Theo and Lezé.

“Old man, we were just getting to the fun part! Isn’t this a bit much?”

“Stop babbling like a thunder-headed fool and put down your weapon. Otherwise, I’ll make sure either that weapon breaks or your wrist does. One of them won’t come out intact.”

“Have you been spending too much time with the Grand Elder? Your threats are getting awfully intense.”

“Care to test that?”

“Oh, then I’d be the one at a loss. There are already too many wolves stalking me, waiting to bite my neck.”

Laughing slyly, Lezé finally lowered her Grim Reaper completely.

“And you?”

This time, the Upsurging Dragon’s gaze shifted to Theo.

Theo hesitated briefly.

‘What would be the best course of action?’

In reality, there was nothing for Theo to gain by continuing the fight.

If the Upsurging Dragon chose to intervene directly, Theo wouldn’t even be able to put up a defense, leaving him in an unseemly position.

Even if that didn’t happen, falling out of favor would mean losing the good impression he had worked to build.

Above all, Lezé’s abilities were known to be on par with a Dragon Gate Swordsman.

Even if Theo were to awaken his Dragonblood, he wouldn’t be at a level to defeat her.

However, the reason it was difficult to lower his sword easily was the relic of the Ancient Dragon right before his eyes.

He didn’t know how Lezé was able to wield such a relic.

Fwoooosh—

Look at that serene blue light shimmering along its edge.

Knowing how much he could grow if he acquired made it a hard decision to back down.

But—

“Since that is what the Upsurging Dragon has advised.”

In the end, after some hesitation, Theo lowered his Drake’s Blade.

The white steam that had been enveloping him dissipated soon after.

“Good thinking. Though Winterera might be an exception, we’re in foreign territory here. There’s no benefit in allies clashing. Besides, the two of you are siblings who share the same blood, are you not?”

Although, in Ragnar, familial bonds were rarely a consideration.

Theo chose not to point that out, instead planting the Drake’s Blade into the ground and extending his right hand in a gesture of peace.

“Though it was a bit rowdy, let me introduce myself again. I’m Theo Ragnar, a Practical Swordsman with the White Armored Dragon Cavalry. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Indeed. Aside from formal occasions and events, this is our first meeting, isn’t it? Lezé Ragnar, Head of the Reaper Division. Nice to meet you. But… could you release them?”

Lezé let out a brief chuckle as she grasped Theo’s hand, but then she felt his magic seeping through her wrist, and her expression soured.

This sneaky bastard!

She wanted to shout but somehow couldn’t make the words come out.

Her voice felt as if her vocal cords were tightly sealed.

「In Ragnar, being called ‘sly’ is a compliment, isn’t it?」

“…!”

She widened her eyes in shock as Theo’s voice echoed directly into her mind, as if he’d read her thoughts.

In that instant, the Grim Reaper, which she had just strapped to her back, began to tremble violently.

Vrrrriiiing!

Just like it had the first time she encountered Theo.

Only now, instead of a welcoming presence, it seemed to be trying to flee from something.

‘This bastard—this was his plan all along!’

Finally realizing Theo’s true intent, Lezé moved to protect her Grim Reaper.

[Skill: Hatchling Synchronization activated, awakening the dormant thoughts within the relic of the Ancient Dragon.]

But Theo was already awakening the guardian within the Grim Reaper.

Flash!