Chapter 164: Beginning the Overhaul (3)

Ghislain didn't limit the secret technique of his family to Kaor alone. He also summoned Gillian and handed him several books.

If Kaor had seen it, he would've thrown a fit, demanding why Gillian had been given more.

"What is this?" Gillian asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.

Ghislain replied nonchalantly, "It's a mana cultivation technique I've tailored to suit you, along with a compilation of weapon techniques I've organized."

"My Lord…"

Gillian couldn't hide the overwhelming emotion on his face.

He had noticed that Ghislain often asked both him and Kaor about their respective mana cultivation techniques. Knowing that the lord's techniques were superior, neither of them had bothered to hide anything.

Occasionally, they even sought his advice.

They also knew that Ghislain spent many late nights writing something. But Gillian had never imagined that Ghislain had been preparing a secret manual just for him.

Watching Gillian's astonished expression, Ghislain asked teasingly, "Does it hurt your pride to learn mana cultivation or weapon techniques from someone so much younger than you?"

"Not in the slightest. I've always known you were exceptional, my Lord."

Of all the people in the territory, Gillian had sparred with Ghislain the most. There was no one else fit to be his opponent.

After crossing swords with him a few times, Gillian had realized just how far beyond his own comprehension Ghislain's skills were.

His abilities were so incongruous with his age that it was almost unnerving.

Ghislain often joked that he had died and come back to life, and at times, it seemed believable.

Nodding a few times, Ghislain continued, "The mana cultivation technique you've learned isn't bad. I've made some adjustments to refine it based on that foundation. As for weapon techniques, there's no need to abandon what you already know. Just compare and incorporate the useful parts. You're already perfecting your own path."

Ghislain had poured extra care into the books he prepared for Gillian.

Gillian had grown stronger by overcoming numerous limitations through his extensive experience. However, the techniques he had built upon were so deeply ingrained in his body and mind that it was nearly impossible to relearn better methods now.

Thus, Ghislain had focused on how to maximize Gillian's strengths and expand his limits further.

"...Thank you," Gillian said, his heart racing.

'I thought I had abandoned my desires…'

Gillian had long since retired, having reached his limits. He thought he had let go of his lingering attachment to strength when he stepped down from his position as captain.

But the spark of ambition he thought he had extinguished reignited as soon as it found kindling.

The Ratatoskr Mercenary Corps, which Gillian had once belonged to, was a group with a long history. Over the generations, they had developed and passed down a mana cultivation technique. Captains and key figures all trained in this technique, handing it down to their successors upon retirement.

For a mercenary group, the technique was impressive. But compared to what Ghislain knew, it was no match.

It wasn't just the mana cultivation technique. The weapon techniques Ghislain had compiled were treasures that even the continent's finest knights would covet.

'To think he'd give me such treasures…'

These were items worth more than a castle. Anyone who understood their value would risk their life to obtain them.

The generosity with which Ghislain handed over something even family might hesitate to share was astounding.

But what moved Gillian even more was Ghislain's trust in him.

Gillian carefully placed the books into his bag and bowed his head.

"I'll master them as quickly as possible. I'll also intensify the training for those reckless brats."

"They could use more discipline, but your current training is sufficient. Don't push yourself too hard," Ghislain said with concern.

But Gillian shook his head.

The war was imminent. Even one more strong individual could tip the odds toward victory.

With a resolute expression, Gillian declared, "My role is to crush all of your enemies, my Lord. I am not strong enough yet."

Having someone like him by his side was reassuring.

Ghislain smiled like a well-fed lion.

***

Unlike with Kaor and Gillian, Ghislain didn't give Belinda any special items. Instead, he met with her and asked one question.

"How long has it been since you last trained?"

"Hmm, I'd say… over ten years since I've trained properly."

"Why?"

At Ghislain's curious tone, Belinda replied with a look of exasperation.

"Why? Because I raised you and Young Lady Elena, of course. By the time you two were grown enough for me to catch my breath, you started causing trouble everywhere, and I was too busy cleaning up after you."

"...I don't cause as much trouble these days."

"The frequency may have decreased, but the scale has increased. And even without your mischief, being the head maid keeps me busy. I barely have time to maintain my skills, let alone train properly."

Her situation was different from Gillian or Kaor, who had careers built around combat.

Belinda had taken on countless roles: child-rearing, education, territory management, and more.

Even now, as head maid in Fenris, she was drowning in responsibilities.

Ghislain nodded in understanding.

'So training has always been secondary for her.'

Belinda's mana cultivation and techniques, just from observation, were exceptional.

Though he hadn't asked her directly, he could tell from the flow of her mana during occasional sparring that her skills were extraordinary.

They were likely superior to even the renowned techniques of the most prestigious knight families.

Touching her methods carelessly would only cause confusion.

'She probably learned this from my mother's family.'

Though they were a fallen noble family, it was unclear how they had acquired such an impressive technique. Belinda rarely spoke about his mother's lineage.

As a result, even Ghislain didn't know much about his mother. Being a time traveler didn't mean he automatically gained knowledge of everything.

'It's strange. How is she still so strong after over ten years without training?'

If Belinda had devoted herself to training, she could probably break Kaor's neck with a single slap.

'But I can't tell her to abandon her duties and train full-time…'

Both Claude, the head butler, and Belinda, the head maid, were responsible for the internal affairs of the territory. If either of them stopped working, the territory would fall into chaos.

'Money is the only solution.'

Having made up his mind, Ghislain summoned mages and craftsmen.

First, he had a mana concentration circle installed in Belinda's bedroom.

Unlike the circles prepared for others, this one was enhanced with far more Rune Stones to increase its effectiveness and duration.

He also commissioned bracelets to assist with mana cultivation. While their effects were similar to the concentration circle, they were highly inefficient and costly to produce.

Unsurprisingly, the mages were stunned by the extravagant expense.

"Who is all this for? Are you giving it to the mercenaries?"

"No, it's for the head maid."

"This is far too much for one person! It's exceeding the annual budget of the entire territory."

"The head maid is an incredibly busy person. It's only right to create the best possible environment for her to train in her spare moments."

Ghislain also gave strict instructions to the craftsmen.

"Engrave 'Charnel' on the bracelets. You know the style I'm talking about, right? Make it resemble those."

"Um… my Lord, that would make these counterfeit."

"We're not selling them, so it's fine. I'm not that kind of person. It's just for the aesthetic."

"...Understood."

When Belinda received the gifts, she was so moved she was on the verge of tears.

She had always worried about her lack of time for training, but now she had a personal mana concentration circle and bracelets to aid her.

If she trained whenever she had a spare moment, her mana would accumulate much faster.

"These should help with your mana cultivation. As for physical training, try to carve out even brief moments to practice. For now, this is the best I can do."

Belinda shook her head slightly.

He said, "the best I can do," but this was more than enough. She was deeply touched by how much Ghislain cared.

"Why spend so much on me? That money should go toward the territory."

"Belinda, you've always been too busy taking care of others to focus on yourself. This is the least I can do."

Just hearing those words made all her exhaustion and hardships seem to vanish.

He had been such a troublemaker as a child, yet now he had grown into someone so thoughtful.

If only the late Countess could see him now.

Wiping away a tear, Belinda said, "These bracelets… they're fakes, aren't they?"

"...Does it show that much?"

Ghislain scratched his head awkwardly. Belinda rolled her eyes at him before breaking into a bright smile.

"Still, they're my favorite bracelets I've ever seen."

To her, they were more precious than any luxury item in the world.

***

Other than Belinda, Gillian, and Kaor, there was no one else Ghislain needed to specially look after.

The mages were already receiving significant support, and Fergus, due to his age, had been cared for by Ghislain for a long time.

Now it was his turn to teach the mercenaries who had become trainees and his subordinates from his previous life.

Gathering the trainees, Ghislain addressed them seriously.

"What I'm about to teach you isn't some cheap mana cultivation technique you'd find anywhere. This is the mana cultivation technique of the Perdium family, passed down for centuries."

The trainees were all shocked.

'The rumors were true! He's really teaching us the family technique!'

What Ghislain was doing was unthinkable.

Even to loyal subordinates, one couldn't teach a family's mana cultivation technique without the head's approval. Violating this rule, even as kin, was unforgivable by the standards of the time.

Although Ghislain was the rightful heir, he was not yet the head of the family.

And yet, he was planning to teach the technique to hundreds. It sounded more like a joke than reality.

One trainee stammered nervously, "Is… is this true? Can you really teach us the family's technique?"

Most families had a separate, inferior cultivation technique reserved for their vassals. Even that was considered a privilege for those at the bottom of the hierarchy.

The idea of being taught genuine family technique was beyond their wildest dreams. It was a level they didn't dare hope for or think they deserved.

But Ghislain, as if it were no big deal, answered curtly, "Why wouldn't I teach it? If I want to, I will."

"But won't that be dangerous? What if word gets out?"

"Dangerous? Losing the war would be far more dangerous. To win, I need to make you stronger."

It was true that every additional strong warrior increased their chances of victory. Still, it felt excessive.

There were concerns about leaks, but worse was the fear of betrayal—what if someone turned their blade against him?

Seeing their confused and hesitant expressions, Ghislain chuckled softly.

"And, I don't want you to die in the war."

The mercenaries who had fought alongside him in the Forest of Demonic Beasts bit their lips. They had seen firsthand how Ghislain fought.

They knew better than anyone that he meant every word.

Amid the somber atmosphere, Ghislain smiled warmly.

"And because I want to continue fighting alongside you."

It was then that they understood.

The Lord was extending his trust to them first.

They were people who had been looked down upon for selling their lives. The newcomers weren't much different.

Even when they wanted to escape such lives, circumstances held them back.

Now, the Lord was offering them the opportunity they had always longed for.

If one received something, one had to give something in return.

Whether mercenary or knight, the principle was the same.

One by one, they placed a fist over their hearts.

Though they were newly appointed knights and their movements lacked grace, their sincerity shone through.

Slowly, they knelt on one knee and shouted with all their hearts.

"We pledge our loyalty!"

This was all they could give to Ghislain.

And to Ghislain, it was more than enough.

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