Chapter 11: The reason of the original’s death (part 4)

“Ugh!”

“Don’t slack; a strong foundation equals strong swordsmanship, young master!”

Colt’s clothes were drenched in sweat. His white long-sleeves had turned brown from the numerous times he was too intimate with the ground. It was a pitiful yet admirable sight.

Colt’s task was simple, run fifty laps around training grounds E. But it was not so easy, the training grounds of the Edgeworth family were large, to a terrifying degree, and training grounds E was near 150 meters.

Colt needs to run that fifty laps of that, ‘This is bullshit.’ he cursed, but his legs didn’t stop.

As he gritted his teeth, Neun observed Colt closely.

From Colt’s memory, Neun was just some intimidating butler, nothing more, nothing less. However, that was only the case until Vol. 5 and 6, Colt does not know if he was some hidden master, but he should have at least read the book until Vol. 10 when the Edgeworth Fief was attacked.

‘I could have seen the prowess of this old man if I had stuck to it.’ Colt was not saying he regrets his decision; no, he merely wished to see what kind of sword skills he’d have. A few insights here and there would provide an edge.

He wished for a walkthrough or a beta version of the technique.

‘Hehehe, that sword skill is powerful, I’ll get it no matter what. An artifact is a tool, and without the proper techniques to utilize said tool, it is nothing but a glorified paperweight. I’ll learn that sword technique and couple it with the Ocean’s Sword!’ Men were passionate creatures, and most men wish to have powers unlike any other. Why do you think many tries to use the kam*ham*ha, the spirit gun, or the b*nkai?

The kam*ham*ha of this life might be different, but it was powerful, nonetheless. Colt may have previously been feeling a little homesick of earth, but now that learning such techniques became a possibility, homesickness dissipated.

Also, there’s the oncoming war, the risk of having his neck slit by his fiancée, and this book’s uncertainty. He needs every power he could get his hands on to survive. 

But it was mostly because of his childhood dreams.

And as the fire of passion burned within Colt, Neun was astounded by his perseverance. He saw it, the blazing fire behind Colt’s eyes, the depths of his desire for power. Neun showed a broad grin. ‘I chose right in accepting Master Shickly’s request.’

There were times when Colt had fallen and vomited the contents of his stomach, but he still kept going. Colt, the wastrel of a young master, showed perseverance a soldier might not even be able to display.

‘What passion, is this the power of change brought upon by the Vera lass? Haha, this young master may just become the successor of my ancestral legacy!’

Neun was overly satisfied by Colt’s performance and perseverance, ‘The push of love is not a myth after all.’

Colt’s training consist of only running and some more running. By the time he completed the fifty laps, night had already fallen. Colt’s body was not so resilient as others would think.

He’s mighty with certain nightly activities, but certainly not this kind. Colt finished running and collapsed on the ground. 

Trying to catch his breath, he smiled widely. Leo of Earth was also someone who had experienced extraneous activities before. He knows that the more he sweats and experience bodily pain, the more effective the training was.

He smiled like a shounen protagonist, satisfied.

“Good job, young master. This will be your training for a week. Please keep in mind that the longer we train, the more torturous the training would become…”

“Hehehe, such a thing is not enough to stop me.” Colt laughed.

“I shall later serve you easy to digest food, come, young master, let me help you up…oh, it appears your personal assistant is coming.”

Colt tried his best to get up, and as he did, he stumbled and was supported to keep from falling. He looked to the side and saw Mina with a reddened face and ragged breathing.

“Darling, are you okay?”

‘It seems like she hurried over here when I collapsed. Her complexion is different from normal. She is sweating profusely, and she changed from Dear to Darling? That’s an abrupt change.’

He thought as Mina assisted him back to his room to rest.

That night, Colt’s body was too tired to move. Thankfully, there was Mina, who took care of his battered body.

Mina helped her sweet Darling wipe his body clean.

His bed smelled particularly that night, giving him a chance to relax.

He felt at ease with Mina by his side. Fear was present but was almost imperceptible, ‘This is a weird feeling.’ 

Now, he was sure that the love of a yandere was indeed something sweet.

Colt closed his eyes to sleep. The night was the same as the previous one. Or so he had thought.

That night, when his mind and body were most vulnerable, memories and information from the original flowed like a torrential wave.

A mix of a slideshow and a dream appeared. Leo watched what the original had gone through with an aching heart as if he was in a trance.

Leo did not expect these appearing memories. But, on the back of his mind, Colt felt like he already somewhat knew.

The memories finished flowing; Leo met with “Colt” face to face.

The original Colt dubbed to be a wastrel had an amiable look on his face. His handsome visage was still there, but it was far from the description of others.

He did not seem haughty, but someone kind and honest.

The original Colt opened his mouth to speak.

“I apologize.”

“You did nothing wrong.” Leo quickly responded.

“But I was the one who may have brought you here. The Goddesses answered my prayers to let me rest, and it seems like they answered me by letting you enjoy the life I rue living.”

“It is fine. I had already given up on my previous world. Please rest in peace, knowing I also wished to leave that life behind.” 

Leo and Colt looked at one another and smiled.

The original Colt held a sincere expression as he opened his mouth one last time.

“Please let her know the truth, and protect her for me.”

“I will.” Leo watched as Colt’s image disappeared to dust.

Day came, and as he felt a headache attacking him, Leo sighed. 

Leo received the last of Colt’s memories. He sat down with a headache as he finally uncovered the truth as to why the original Colt decided to “cheat” on Mina.

‘That explains a lot.’

As if the world was waiting for the moment he woke up, the door opened. A radiant Mina walked in with a glass of cold water.

“Darling, you’re finally awake. Butler Neun really worked you up last night, his means are brutal, but I saw improvement, kyaaa, I still can’t get your fierce eyes out of my mind…”

As Mina mumbled in glee, Colt’s back was already drenched with cold sweat. Should I do it? Should I not? He asked himself these questions.

‘If I wait for too long, my life will be on the line for not trusting Mina, and if I say it now, just maybe, my future may come. If I tell the truth, her safety may just be compromised, but the promise to the original…now, what should I do?’

He made a promise, and there’s the current situation. If he waits for too long, his and her life would be reaped for lying and not trusting Mina. Thus, he must make his decision.

As Mina walked forward towards her beloved, Colt finally decided what to do.

“Mina, I have something say.”

“Yes? What is it, Darling?” Her smile was ever prevalent.

“Um, it may not be too pleasant to the ear, but please, listen to what I am about to say…please don’t hate me for it.”

“Worry not, Dear, there’s nothing that you do that will make me hate you…”

“….I have a daughter.”

Break!

The glass on Mina’s hand broke, as for her smile, it was more profound than anything she had ever made.